This land A guide to central national forests

In 1893, Katherine Lee Bates stood at the summit of Pikes Peak, CO, and was so entranced by the vista stretching before her that she wrote "America the Beautiful." Today, the wide open spaces of the nation's midsection can still be enjoyed in the national forests ranging from Colorado to Minnesota. Here Mohlenbrock, a distinguished professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University, details each forest's natural attractions in a personal, entertaining, and informative style that belies his academic credentials. Place names such as Horsethief Springs, Goodwater Gulch, and Slumgullion Slide recall the area's pioneer history as Mohlenbrock lists ghost towns, abandoned home sites, and weed-covered cemeteries. Color photographs add a professional touch while the many maps, black-and-white photos, and drawings add value. Without preaching, Mohlenbrock distills the essence of each unique forest as he reminds us of our obligation to be stewards of the land. Part of a three-volume series (volumes on Western and Eastern forests are in production), this work is an essential resource for all recreation, natural history, and environmental protection collections. Highly recommended.-Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.