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American Legacy: Our National Forests

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This 1997 volume offers a sweeping review of the lands entrusted to the US Forest Service. Over 190 million acres have been designated as National Forests (or Grasslands).

Author Kenneth Brower begins with a sobering essay linking the declining fortunes of empires past to the depletion of their forests. (This chapter is extremely well-written and easily worth the cost of the book all by itself.) Subsequent chapters focus on trees (and other plant life), timber harvest (and other natural resource uses), wildlife, and recreational use.

As with all National Geographic books, this one is liberally illustrated with breath-taking pictures. Raymond Gehman is the featured photographer. Between the chapters you will find photo essays on the Siskiyou National Forest (OR-CA), the Ocala National Forest (FL), and the Superior National Forest (MN).

This volume is part of the National Geographic's Special Publications Series, one of the best-kept secrets in the world of books. Since 1966 the Society had released four titles per year. The same size and shape as their iconic magazine, these hardcovers present the best that National Geographic has to offer, and without the ads! Authors have included such scientific luminaries as Isaac Asimov, Bob Ballard, Jane Goodall and Louis Leakey.