A Thinking Person's Guide to America's National Parks - Softcover

"This centenary year of the National Park Service is the perfect moment for A Thinking Person's Guide to America's National Parks... the essays and often breathtaking photographs in this volume expertly examine the more than 400 sites of natural beauty and historic importance that make up the national park system." -- The Wall Street Journal "[A] provocative, seductively illustrated anthology of 23 essays... entries-covering communities and partnerships, new park resources, and the next 100 years-soar with thought-provoking content." -- Publishers Weekly "...provides considerable historical detail and a look at the parks as treasure of the American spirit." -- Library Journal (Starred Review) "... an excellent armchair roadmap to the Park Service's more than 400 sites and its many priorities and pursuits..." -- Brad Tyer - High Country News

The book delves into issues affecting an array of parks: the iconic western national parks like Yellowstone; the urban parks such as Golden Gate National Recreation Area; historic sites including the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Gettysburg National Military Park; and cultural areas like Mesa Verde National Park that are among America's over 400 national parks. Twenty-three essays from contributing authors with deep personal and professional connections to the national parks serve as expert guides to places in the park system where: * much of the nation's biological and cultural diversity is represented; * ideas such as freedom, civil rights, and conservation were conceived; * vast wilderness offers solitude and reflection; * storied landscapes preserve a sense of place; * the balance between recreation and preservation is tested; * research and learning engage the next generation; * the dynamics of nature are being shaped by a changing climate; and * innovations in technology, sustainability, and stewardship provide a sense of purpose and hope.