Filled with authoritative maps, data-driven graphics, awe-inspiring photographs, and thoughtful essays, this vivid book will feed the soul of everyone who loves wild places. Six lush chapters take readers from the eastern woodlands to the central plains, from the northern wilderness to southwestern desert lands – including key wilderness areas in Canada and Mexico. You'll discover the fascinating history of the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, learn about fossil remains on the Upper Missouri River, gaze through the rainforest canopy of Alaska's Tongass National Forest, and experience Grand Canyon Parashat's Dark Sky Park. A special section rich in maps and graphics highlights 13 thematic topics, such as the National Scenic Trail System and the human impact on wilderness areas. This beautiful book, bursting with information and lyricism, will inspire all who have journeyed into the wild – and intrigue many who still hope to do so.
Jon Waterman has written 15 books on adventure and the environment, including the recent National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks. He has also worked as a wilderness guide and as a National Park Service ranger and continues to explore remote places around the world by boat, foot, or dogsled. He has received three grants from the National Geographic Society Expeditions Council, and his award-winning writing and photography have appeared in numerous national magazines and newspapers; one example: the November 2019 New York Times opinion piece "Our National Parks Are in Trouble". He lives in Carbondale, Colorado.
Roderick F. Nash is professor emeritus of history and environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of the classic volume, Wilderness and the American Mind, as well as The Rights of Nature: A History of Environmental Ethics, and he has been a licensed Grand Canyon river guide for 50 years.
"For on-the-go vacationers aswell as armchair travelers, [...] National Geographic: Atlas of Wild America [...] provides a picturesque super-dive into spectacular horizons. Written by Jon Waterman, a former park ranger and veteran guide, with a foreword by environmental historian Roderick F. Nash, this hefty tome, with 308 photos and 262 maps, applauds both well-known majestic favorites and off-the-beaten-path intimate finds, unveiling intricate details and data galore. Be awed by nature-loving secrets and surprises."
– Laura Manske, Forbes
"This gorgeous coffee table book chronicles 41 of the most spectacular public lands across North America from wilderness areas to state parks, seashores to trails. Filled with stunning National Geographic photography, essays, graphics and maps you'll discover new places to add to your bucket list."
– Outside's Yosemite National Park Trips