Reviews for The national parks : America's best idea : an illustrated history
Choice
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Duncan and Burns have produced a magnificent companion to the documentary film series bearing the same title. This six-chapter book, well illustrated with effective photos and eloquent essays, is enhanced by personal interviews to exemplify how national parks matter to American people as a source of peace, inspiration, and knowledge. The authors effectively communicate a key message: the idea of national parks is never static, nor is it perfect. Instead, the idea continually undergoes evolution and refinement, reflecting changes in America's demographics and social values. Unlike many general readings on national parks that focus on beauty and accomplishments, this book cautions readers about the current challenges facing national parks to remind Americans that continual engagement in national park issues is essential if this "best idea" is to stand the test of time and generations. Overall, this volume is a good contribution to the national park and conservation literature. It will serve very nicely as general reading for public libraries, supplementary reading for undergraduate classes, and substantive training material for park interpreters, educators, and managers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, public, and professional readers, all levels. Y.-F. Leung North Carolina State University
Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Based on Burns's film series, which traces the history of national parks in the United States. Different voices are used for longer quotations; despite the missing visuals, the production gets the job done admirably. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
This large-sized, lavishly illustrated book accompanies a 12-hour PBS series by Burns, who has made such remarkable documentaries as The Civil War, Baseball, and The War, and by Duncan, Burns' collaborator in producing documentaries and accompanying texts. Approximately 400 current sites are designated national parks in this country; the point of the series and the book is to document the history of the national park system as well as the history of individual parks. As cited here, national parks were an invention by Americans; the concept of setting aside large tracts of land for public use arose in the U.S. The works of various individuals that stood behind the creation of the park system are detailed and celebrated. Adamant that this book is not a tour guide but a history of a vastly important trend and feature of American civic and ecological thinking and planning, the authors nevertheless have done a great service in arousing reader and viewer interest in making some travel plans.--Hooper, Brad Copyright 2009 Booklist
Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
This lavishly illustrated companion to the authors' five-part, 12-hour PBS documentary (which premiered Sept. 27) outlines the dramatic history of the national park system; the personalities of preservationists Theodore Roosevelt, Stephen Mather, and Horace Albright; and the scores of citizens who discovered the magic of the parks. This history features interviews with a superintendent at Mount Rushmore, park ranger Shelton Johnson, and writers Nevada Barr, Paul Schullery, Juanita Greene, and Terry Tempest Williams. Printed on 40-percent recovered fiber paper, the book also includes historic photos, many taken by park visitors with Brownie cameras. Verdict The essays and photos eloquently argue that the national parks are America's best idea and that they bring out our best selves. Outstanding! [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/09.]-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mt. Carmel, Il (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
