Book SummaryWild, by Graham Boynton

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Wild

How Beard's Upbringing Influenced His Work

Beard Descended From Two Families That Shaped the Nation

Beard Family, Headed by William Beard, Built Erie Basin Harbor and Became Prominent 19th-Century Brooklyn Builders

Graham Boynton describes how William Beard, Peter's great-great-grandfather, came to Massachusetts from Ireland in 1825 with nothing but ambition. He capitalized on the nation's burgeoning industrial revolution by taking railroad jobs, amassing wealth as a contractor. Seeing opportunity in Brooklyn's waterfront, William Beard joined with Jeremiah P. Robinson to purchase the swampy Red Hook area, envisioning a grand harbor. He dredged, built piers, and constructed warehouses, culminating in the 1864 opening of the Erie Basin, the biggest artificial harbor on the East Coast. This engineering feat transformed Brooklyn into a commercial hub, with two-thirds of the city's goods flowing through the harbor. The author emphasizes how William Beard, through his foresight and determination, epitomized the American dream, leaving a lasting legacy of wealth and influence for his family.

Boynton highlights the continued success of William Beard's descendants in Brooklyn construction, particularly mentioning William's child, Colonel Billy Beard. Together, they became recognized as the leading 19th-century Brooklyn builders of public infrastructure. Their influence resonates even in modern New York, with the old Erie Basin now hosting events like Fashion Week, cruise ships, and even an IKEA store, illustrating the enduring impact of William Beard's vision on New York's landscape.

Context

• Massachusetts was a hub of industrial activity in the 19th century, offering numerous opportunities in manufacturing and construction, which attracted many immigrants seeking employment.
• Many immigrants, like William Beard, contributed to the industrial growth of the United States. They often brought skills, labor, and a willingness to work in challenging conditions, which were essential for the country's development during this era.
• The success of the Erie Basin set a precedent for future infrastructure projects in New York, demonstrating the potential for transforming underutilized areas into economic powerhouses.
• Dredging involves removing sediment and debris from the bottom of bodies of water to deepen them, which is crucial for creating navigable channels for ships. This process was essential for transforming the shallow, swampy areas of Red Hook into a functional harbor.
• Located in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, the Erie Basin's strategic position near the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson River made it a crucial point for maritime trade and transportation.
• The harbor connected Brooklyn to national and international trade networks, allowing for the import and export of goods, which was crucial for economic growth.
• The development of railroads and canals during this period connected the Erie Basin to broader transportation networks, enhancing its capacity to handle large volumes of goods.
• The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, centered around the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.
• The infrastructure projects initiated by William Beard and his descendants laid the groundwork for modern urban development in Brooklyn. Their work in public infrastructure set standards for future construction and urban planning in the region.
• His title of "Colonel" suggests a military background, which might have contributed leadership skills and strategic thinking to his business endeavors.
• The period saw advancements in engineering and construction techniques, including the use of steam power and new materials like steel, which allowed for more ambitious projects and larger structures.
• The establishment of an IKEA store in the Erie Basin area reflects the site's commercial evolution. IKEA, known for its affordable and stylish home furnishings, attracts a diverse customer base, indicating the area's shift from industrial use to retail and consumer services.
• The success of the Erie Basin and the Beard family's ventures contributed to the cultural and social fabric of New York, attracting a diverse workforce and fostering a community around the harbor, which played a part in shaping the city's multicultural identity.

James J. Hill, Beard's Ancestor, Was a Railway Tycoon and Innovator in Agriculture in the American Northwest

The author also details the extraordinary achievements of James J. Hill, the great-grandfather of Peter Beard, who shaped the American Northwest through railroads and agricultural development. James, similar to William Beard, came from humble Irish immigrant origins, rising from a log cabin birth in Canada to become one of the most influential economic leaders in 19th-century America. Boynton emphasizes how James J. Hill's way of building railroads differed from the corrupt, subsidy-driven practices of his rivals. Hill carefully investigated the most efficient routes, invested in high-quality materials, and crucially, fostered agricultural development alongside his railway expansion. He established agencies to encourage European farmers to settle along his routes, provided them with resources, and even investigated which crops would be most suitable, ensuring the region's economic prosperity.

Boynton portrays Hill as a visionary leader, a man of immense drive and determination who not only connected the West Coast with his Great Northern Railway but also...

Wild Summary Beard's Growth in Creative Pursuits, Conservation, and Photography

Beard's African Experiences Inspired the End of the Game Documenting Vanishing Wilderness

Beard's African Travels Exposed Colonialism's Impact and Threats of Wildlife Extinction

Boynton emphasizes how Peter Beard's life shifted dramatically after he went to Africa in 1955, at age 17, with Quentin Keynes. What initially sparked this journey was Beard's reading of Karen Blixen's book, Out of Africa. He arrived during Kenya's final years under British colonial rule, witnessing the tumultuous changes, including the Mau Mau Uprising, that shaped the nation’s transition to independence. His early experiences in the wilds, working alongside regional guides and hunters, imbued in him a profound respect for their survival skills and connection with nature, a stark contrast to the world he'd come from. Boynton details how Beard's initial hunts, while fulfilling an adventurous spirit, awakened him to the harsh reality of dwindling wildlife populations. This realization, contrasted against the romanticized image of Africa in Blixen's writing, ignited Beard's conservationist passion, and he began documenting the escalating threats to the rich ecosystems of Kenya.

The author...

Wild Summary Peter Beard's Romantic Relationships, Social Life, and Personal Controversies

Beard's Romantic Entanglements With High-Profile Women

Beard's Marriages to Cushing and Tiegs Captivated Public Imagination

Boynton examines Peter Beard's much-publicized relationships, his public persona, and his notorious romantic entanglements, starting with his marriages to Minnie Cushing and Cheryl Tiegs. His marriage to Minnie Cushing in 1967, a socialite from one of Newport's most prominent families, brought together two worlds: the old-money East Coast elite and Beard's rebellious, artistic energy. The author depicts their relationship as a whirlwind romance set against the backdrop of a changing Kenya, full of lavish celebrations and exotic safaris. However, beneath the glamorous veneer, their divergent values ultimately led to a swift separation, with Minnie returning to New York, highlighting the incompatibility of their worlds.

Boynton contrasts this with Beard's second union with pioneering supermodel Cheryl Tiegs in 1981, which played out against the backdrop of the burgeoning celebrity culture of the 1980s, with the couple constantly in the public eye. While initially captivated by Beard's adventurous spirit and the romantic allure of Hog Ranch, Tiegs...