National Geographic atlas of the National Parks

National Geographic was integral to President Woodrow Wilson establishing the National Park Service in 1916, so it's only appropriate that they publish the first complete illustrated atlas of national parks. Brief chapters describe the tectonics that created the most notable landmarks, ecoregions that serve as sanctuaries for endangered species, and the impact of humans in and near the parks. But most readers will flip to the section on individual parks, 8-to-10-page spreads for each of the 33 parks highlighted, since that's where most of the breathtaking photography is. The parks receiving special attention were chosen primarily for their biodiversity and historical and cultural importance, and they represent the park system's greatest hits, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Dry Tortugas. Readers will find a narrative history of each park that is equal parts geological explanation and adventure story. There is a thread of conservationism throughout, as the effects of climate change and environmental legislation are frankly discussed. For the photographs alone this is a worthy purchase for both actual and armchair travelers, but the engaging text adds to its value as a reference resource.--Susan Maguire Copyright 2010 Booklist

Following coverage of the U.S. parks system as a whole, this gorgeous guide from former ranger Waterman explores all 61 national parks, 33 of them in depth. Sites in the latter group were chosen for this detailed examination because of their "scenery or features so extraordinary as to be of national importance," the same criterion, the book notes, used to establish the parks. Visitors to these wonders, as well as browsers and students in middle school and up doing assignments, will find a wealth of information on the natural history of the destinations; the flora, fauna, and geological features to be found there now; and numerous other details, from social history to vital statistics, such as location, size, and highest point. The work offers plenty of well-researched and effectively written textual material, as well as numerous crisply detailed photos, maps, and illustrations per spread, in color and black-and-white as appropriate. VERDICT The quality of this tome and its emphasis on current features make it worth a purchase even where libraries own National Geographic the National Parks: An Illustrated History.--Henrietta Verma, Credo Reference, New York