The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite [Hardcover]

Tom Wessels (Author), Brian D. Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

This fascinating new book focuses on a rare and dramatic landscape: the granite summit balds of North American mountains.

Tom Wessels synthesizes history, geology, biology, and personal narrative to enhance our understanding and appreciation of these high, wild places. He explores the unique and fragile ecosystem that is common to exposed granite expanses from Acadia to Yosemite -- how it evolved slowly over millennia, and how it is threatened today by foot traffic and overuse. Wessels' dramatic photographs and Brian Cohen's beautifully detailed illustrations bring the denizens of the granite bald to life.

The mountains they celebrate include: Acadia National Park in Maine; the White Mountains of New Hampshire; the Adirondacks of New York; the Wind Rivers of Wyoming; the Beartooths of Montana; the Enchantments of Washington; and Yosemite National Park in California.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Since his college days in New Hampshire, Tom Wessels, now professor of ecology at Antioch New England Graduate School, has been fascinated with mountains whose smooth, bald peaks were formed by the glaciers that once spanned the northern U.S. In The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite, Wessels takes outdoor enthusiasts to the Beartooths of Montana and the Enchantment Range of Washington State, where he reveals how their shared origins have resulted in numerous similarities, such as their nearly identical ecologies. Personal and engaging, Wessels will have readers reaching for their hiking boots in no time. Illus.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Why would a man who is neither a geologist nor a rock climber write about granite domes? Because he has an inordinate fondness for lichen: "I am particularly enamored of the moss and fuiticose lichen communities on granite outcrops," writes Wessels, a professor of ecology at Antioch New England Graduate School and chair of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation. "Looking down at them from a few feet above, I am reminded of flying over mixed forests of conifers and hardwoods Lilliputian woodlands surrounded by crustose-lichen covered fields." Wessels tracks the unique lichen and shrub ecology of barren granite mountains that exists in Acadia and Yosemite National Parks, as well as the White Mountains (NH), Adirondacks (NY), Wind Rivers (WY), Beartooths (MT), and Enchantments (WA). This is a natural history in the best tradition, describing how geology, geomorphology, plant community interactions, environmental forces, and human history are all interrelated. Written with a combination of scientific clarity and poetry, this book will give readers a new appreciation for life in these austere yet intricate places. For most collections. [Wessels and Cohen's previous collaboration, Reading the Forested Landscape (Countryman, 1997), traced the evolution of New England's forests. Ed.] Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake Cit.
- Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Countryman Pr; 1 edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881504297
• ISBN-13: 978-0881504293
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,881,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLANT !!!!, April 9, 2002

By 

Gwynn A. Lyell (Newark, DE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite (Hardcover)

First off, I loved this book. I know some will poo poo this book for not being a hardcore geology book, but thats what makes it so good. Mr. Wessells gives a very good geology course limited to the granite outcroppings in the U.S. and he does it so that is is very interesting. At times I felt like I was right there at his side as he described the landscape he was in. I had to limit myself to a chapter a day, though I cheated a couple of times, I could have read it in one sitting. I sure wish my geo classes in college had been this interesting.
Brian Cohen's illustrations are fantastic as well.
My only disappointment was the author's photographs, though that can be forgiven fro writing such a good book. It is now a permanent part of my library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Virtual Fieldtrip, January 19, 2007

By 

Erika Mitchell (E. Calais, VT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite (Paperback)

This book is a very informative guide to the wonders of granite mountain tops in the continental United States. It begins with a general introduction to the science of granite domes, how they are were formed in geological time and shaped by glaciers, and the resulting unique ecology and flora. Then Wessels takes us on a tour of the major granite dome peaks of the US, from Acadia National Park in Maine, west to Yosemite. Each chapter in this second section is both travelogue of a climbing adventure Wessels took on the mountain, and nature guide, describing ecological aspects of the mountain. At the end of the book are appendices that provide a more detailed look at the geologic time line of granite peaks, a list of plants that may be found on American granite peaks, a glossary, a selected biography for further reading, and an index. The book is amply illustrated with black and white photographs by Wessels and illustrations by Brian Cohen.

The book is quite enjoyable as well as informative. I found the introductory chapters on geology particularly interesting, as they explain the nature of granite deposits and how granite is different from other types of rocks. Most important, reading the book makes me want to strap on my hiking boots and get out and climb so that I can experience these wonders for myself!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book condition, better than advertised, July 3, 2008

By 

J. Bowen - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite (Hardcover)

This book was written by a friend of mine and I wanted a nice copy. This copy was in virtually new condition, better than expected. Great deal and good delivery.