Book Reviews & Feedback
Learn more about the book: Rediscovering the WPA Poster Art of our National Parks
Dear Doug;
I just finished reading, Ranger of the Lost Art: Rediscovering the WPA Poster Art of Our National Parks. I am so very glad that I happened upon it at Craig Olson’s Book Store in Belfast, Maine while vacationing.
I suspect you may not remember me. I was the first administrator and a physician assistant working at the Haines S.E.A.H.C. Clinic when you and the Katahdin came to us. We worked together as you set up your dental clinic and I knew about your Ranger Doug days from conversations we had then. The Katahdin also struck a sweet chord with me as l’m a displaced “Mainiac” living in Ohio now.
Stepping into Craig Olson’s bookstore that afternoon was serendipity as was spotting your book. Before moving to Alaska, I had run the Islesboro Island Medical Clinic provided care and lived there for almost 10 years. Craig is now a resident of the same island and lives next to my old place. We were the closing customers of the day before he ran off to catch the last ferry to the island. We each had personal recollections of you, and he filled in a little about what you had been up to all these years. Well done.
Sincerely,
Dave Caron
I have been thinking about what to say about your new book.
I am so impressed that I would have to write a book to describe what I think!
Let me just say that you and Brian have done more for the National Park Service than the WPA did.
Although they are different times and different ways of communicating, I still stand by my opinion.
They were the perfect gifts for my family and well appreciated.
I hope your winter travels are going well.
Thanks again for your great work.
Jim
Doug: stopped by the warehouse and signed your books. Angie graciously gave me two copies, one of which I will give to my brother Destry, who collects books about the National Parks….. I spent a few hours with your lovely book. Congrats on the dedication and beauty of the work. You are a ranger to the core, telling an untold story of the art, the parks and the artists (including you and Brian) who created a timeless collection. Thank you!
Jonathan Jarvis
NPS Director 2009-2017
It was with a sense of humility and astonishment that I received your “Rediscovering the WPA Poster Art of Our National Parks”—a meticulously researched, beautifully illustrated, historically significant, and stunningly well produced volume.
Not least of your accomplishments has been the pervasive travel, sleuthing, and investigatory efforts that bought so much to hand. What you have made of it all is a landmark testimonial to the confluence of art, artistic reconstruction, and parks and U.S. history.
The book will, I trust, be widely disseminated and reviewed—in which event you will have further contributed to a 21st century revival of interest in and travel to the parks.
Jeffrey M. Duban
Author, The Lesbian Lyre
Your book arrived yesterday, and it is splendid. Congratulations. Only those of us who have written and published books know what it takes to create a publication of this quality and magnitude. It is unbelievable….. As a fellow park lover, I admire what you have created!
Jerry Jackman, PhD
Affiliations:
Royal Order of Isabel la Católica
CSPRA Honorary CA State Park Ranger
The Presidio Alliance: thepresidioalliance.org
My copies of Ranger of Lost Art came today — thank you, a gorgeous production! Taking a copy home for my shelf and to start reading tonight. “The book is Fabulous!”
Craig Olsen Books
Belfast, ME
“It so good I’m tempted to go from cover to cover in one evening! What a great job you did.”
Jim and Carolyn Phillips
Leavenworth, WA
Poster & Art Feedback
On a business trip to Cleveland a few weeks ago, I popped down to CVNP for an afternoon hike. Wandered into the gift shop to find a postcard for my girlfriend and ended up walking out with a poster. The beautiful art, the story behind the WPA, and the rediscovery of the posters has been an absolute joy to learn about.
To Ranger Doug and Team,
I’ve been an avid collector of your posters for a few years now, and I can count seven in my current collection. It’s a highlight of a National Park visit, and every time I see them I’m reminded of the visit. However, I have to call specific attention to the Haleakala poster. It’s my favorite park I’ve visited, and y’all have managed to completely capture its essence with this poster. I legitimately sit in front of it for a few minutes at a time and am transported back to hiking into the crater and watching the sun set above the clouds. All the posters are excellent pieces of art, but this one has resonated with me and I will always cherish it. I hope that when I’m old and my memory fails me I can still look at this poster and be taken back to that beautiful park. Mahalo!
-Drew Butler
I just wanted to reach out and let you know how much I love your product. I’m almost finished with the outdoor section of my wall (see the Customer Gallery) and wanted to share as your posters take up about half of the space. Thank you for doing what you do, each image gives me an opportunity to find pause in my day when I just look at them and remember the good times I had exploring each location… Dont’ stop what you’re doing!
Thank you,
Steven
Hi Doug.
I want to thank you for introducing yourself to me a few months ago where I work at Bachs nursery. I have seen your posters many times over the years but did not know the history behind them. As an avid hiker I always asked the question “who built this trail?” Mile after mile after mile. Trail after trail after trail. I knew it had to be a huge operation, but only a few years ago I got my answer. The CCC. I’m embarrassed it took me that long. I have since had an interest in the CCC and I keep learning new things. My grandfather was in the CCC, and a young woman who occasionally comes in the nursery is currently in the CCC. I enjoy visiting with her and her experiences. So When I explored your website and found the relationship between your posters and the CCC I was amazed by this! I have a new interest in the WPA also now. My Mom knew about the WPA and CCC when I asked her. She always talks of FDR and how great he was. I watched your donation of posters to The Department of the Interior museum. Thank you for all you have done. None of this would be possible without you. Remarkable! I now have your Grand Canyon and Saguaro posters and will be getting more. Thank you for opening another door for me. I hope to see you at the nursery again sometime.
Thanks again.
Tom Fischer
Many years ago we came across your posters while visiting National Parks and purchased them as souveniers of our travels. I think the first we got were Zion and the See America WPA poster of Arches in one of the National Park gift shops.
When we got home and went to have them framed we were told these are high quality prints and you should pay to have them mounted with mats on an acid acid free backer. At the time this was an expensive decision for us but I’m glad we did.
Years have pased and we now have 12 Ranger Doug posters in our home, the large majority for parks we have visited. Your decision to expand the range beyond the initial WPA series is wonderful; the new designs capture the spirit of the originals, and the places represented. Bryce and Canyonlands are master pieces.
The original idea of the WPA projects echoes a hard time in America’s past during which the Government stepped up to help the country. The message of See America is as valid today as it was during the depression. I hope your company continues to make this wonderful work available for many years to come.
Mark and Elaine
Ranger Doug,
I just received my order of six posters, including the limited edition Yellowstone set. Having seen your work in several National Park stores, I decided to order some of my favorite parks from you directly, as these posters are not always easy to find. Your online pictures of these posters do not do any justice to the vibrant colors on the posters themselves. I am blown away by the work you have done to create and re-create these works of art! Absolutely stunning is an understatement! Truly magnificent; well done, Sir!
For anyone who is pondering a purchase, I highly recommend that you do not hesitate. $45 is a pittance for art of this quality made in the USA. You will not regret purchasing any of these beautiful posters. Very high quality.
Regards,
Keith Tighe
Hello Ranger Doug!
My order arrived today and I’m absolutely delighted! The stickers and postcards I ordered were meticulously packed, and arrived safe, sound, and much faster than anticipated. Most of all, their quality is top notch!
Thank you for producing such beautiful works of art at affordable prices (especially considering they’re made in the USA!)….
Keep up the great work and I’ll be sure to request your merchandise at every National Park visitor center I visit, and recommend you to all my friends and family. Thanks again and stay well!
Carolyn Piotroski
Mr. Leen,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
My whole family loves the National Parks and we love your work – both the posters and the work that you are doing. I have bought many of your work at every national park we visit. They show prominently at our homes. My son and I dream of going to as many of the parks and monuments as we can before we kick the bucket. Your posters are a reminder of the beauty of these places and the dedication of so many to preserve the beauty of this country.
I wish you a very long life so that we may continue to see your works of art for as long as possible.
S. Rana Kayal,
Steamboat Springs, CO
Dear Mr. Leen,
I wanted to write you personally to thank you for the wonderful National Park prints you donated to the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia. They proudly line the entrance hallway of our Embassy – so every visitor has a chance to see them – as well as hang in the U.S. Ambassador’s residence. Americans and Slovaks share a love of the outdoors, nature, and national parks. These prints symbolize this shared value in a compelling way. Thank you for donating them to us to showcase the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks and monuments.
Should the chance arise, we would love to host you in Bratislava. With our best wishes for your continued work to find and preserve these national treasures.
Sincerely, Bridget Brink
Hello Doug!
This is Ranger Shelton Johnson from Yosemite National Park.
Thanks Doug for keeping this important and beautiful history alive! These vintage posters are the living color of bygone days, and still hold on to a light that has
left this world. Your work shepherding that illumination back into our consciousness is appreciated!
Sincerely,
Shelton
Mr. Leen,
In November of 2015, you and I emailed back and forth on a request for stickers for a classroom idea I had: The Sticker Wall. You generously gave of your stickers. This morning I woke up to a text message from a colleague—“You’ll love this article”; it was the NYTimes article “Ranger of the Lost Art”. I stopped by my parents today (socially distancing for health reasons) and my dad immediately held up his section of the NYTimes—“Tom, you’ll love this article”; it was the same article. Amazing. I wanted to take a moment and congratulate you on your recognition. I told my three daughters, just ten minutes ago, as I waved the newspaper in front of them, that the three WPA postcards we have framed on our wall are the very same WPA-type works that are written about in this article! And I told them that you, Mr. Leen, have a vision that we support in our home here in Pittsburgh, Pa.
I simply wanted to send along our email thread. All those years ago you cared. All those years ago you responded. All those your ago you shared and helped me.
I cannot thank you enough. You deserved such national recognition. Your tide finally, truly, deservedly came in. Enjoy it.
Thank you.
Tom Mooney
I just received an order of the postcards I purchased and they were even more eye-catching than I hoped. I plan to have them framed as soon as possible.
Kudos to keeping alive a nice tribute to national monuments and Art Deco in general.