Established in 1905, The Forest Service is steeped in history, conflict, strong personalities (including Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot), and the challenges of managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. This unique federal agency is one that combines forest management with wildlife, fish, recreation, mining, grazing, and hundreds of other uses. It operates in the midst of controversy and change. The original intent was to protect the public forests, protect the water supplies, and, when appropriate, provide timber. Much has changed over the last 100 years including many new laws, but the fact that these lands are still fought over today shows the foresight of politicians, foresters, scientists, and communities. This work brings to light the many and varied activities of the agency that many people know little about in a world that is constantly changing.

Written by a former Forest Service national historian, topics discussed in the work include wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964, recreation battles and interagency rivalry with the National Park Service, timber management including clearcutting, ecosystem management, roadless area and controversies over RARE and RARE II studies, fish and wildlife management including endangered species before and after the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and mining and the General Mining Act of 1872. It also discusses the future challenges: forest fires, water protection and restoration, recreation, involving the public, and fish and wildlife.

Gerald W. Williams taught for two years at Indiana State University, then one year as recreation research director for the City of Eugene, OR. He started working for the Forest Service in 1979, focusing on social/policy analysis, long-range planning, and social impact analysis/socioeconomic assessment/human dimension at all levels of the agency. Williams retired from the Forest Service in 2005, and is currently living in Portland, OR, where he is a historical researcher, writer, and teacher. He has authored and compiled extensive works regarding the social sciences in the Forest Service. He has written several books, as well as numerous professional reports, papers, and journal articles.