For the very first time, a person interested in the animal, mineral, and plant kingdoms of the Southeaster states can find it all described in one portable (field-guide-size), thoroughly illustrated volume, written and vetted by a staff of scientists and other experts. The Table of Contents provides the best possible description: Part I: General Overview of the Region (more than 100 photographs and 30 illustrations, including 16 seasonal maps of the night sky): Natural Highlights, Topography/Geology, Habitats, Conservation and Ecology, Weather, Night Sky Part II: 1,010 Species Accounts (more than 1,000 photographs and 75-100 illustrations): Fauna -- 614 species: Vertebrates(mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish); Invertebrates (marine and land invertebrates, insects, spiders); Flora -- 396 species (mushrooms, lichens, mosses, ferns, trees, shrubs, vines, cacti, grasses, waterplants, wildflowers, etc.) Part III: Sites (5 maps and approximately 75 photographs): 50 detailed descriptions of natural sites, parks, and sanctuaries, with general travel directions, trail information, visitor center addresses and telephone numbers; plus less-detailed listings of 94 other sites of interest in the area. All photographs, illustrations, and maps are new for this series. These include geological cross-sections and elevations, endpaper maps of the entire region, individual state maps for the "sites" section, a detailed locator map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, topographical relief maps, and weather and habitat maps.