Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford

The next time someone tries to convince me to be a park ranger, I’m going to throw this book at them. Andrea Lankford has more bravery and resilience than I’ll ever have. Seriously, she is one tough lady.

In her book, Ranger Confidential, Lankford recounts her experiences as a park ranger at Cape Hatteras, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon national parks. She tells readers about her experiences as one of the “Valley Girls;” a small group of women in the Yosemite ranger force. She tracks her career, along with that of her friends, as they progress through their careers.

The book’s sense of truth only plays into its ability to influence the reader’s emotions. I felt the highs that Lankford and her friends felt. I had a thorough understanding of their trauma and pain as they dealt with the after effects of their work. Ultimately, I was able to fully comprehend Lankford’s decision to leave her ranger position. She describes every stressor, emergency, and gut wrenching event in vivid detail. Her narrative weaves seamlessly between her story and the narratives of her friends. Even with the amount of negative material in the book, Lankford’s love of nature and her dedication to serving to the parks shines throughout the story. Her vivid details of the parks themselves transport the reader into her world.

For those of us bitten by the travel bug, it encourages a sense to go out and see the places that are described in the novel. Yet, as a hiker, it made me take a moment to sit down and really consider the risks we take when we go out. If you aren’t properly prepared for weather, animals, or terrain, your day hike can turn into your untimely end. It is a reminder that mother nature controls us and we do not control her, which is the way it should be. Prior to reading this book, I had respect for those who protect and serve the parks, but Lankford’s stories only increased that respect. Rangers do not have easy lives and we should give them support when necessary.

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the national parks system, forestry, rock climbing, camping, or hiking.

Rating: 5/5