Great Smoky Mountains

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

With 100 magnificent color photographs and a sparkling narrative, Toops ( National Seashore ) leads a rewarding journey through time and space in the Great Smokies. Explaining the land's geologic origins in lay terms, she notes its remarkable biological diversity (more than 1500 species of plants, 236 of birds, 71 of mammals). Here are lush valleys, high peaks, rock outcrops, waterfalls, balds (meadows) and creeks (300 of them). Toops relates the human history of the region, from its first settlement to logging to relocation when it became a national park, and discusses current forest problems--insect damage, acid rain and other kinds of pollution. The park, she points out, is the only place in the eastern U.S. where wildlife interact as they did before human settlement. (May)

Library Journal

Combining commentary and photos from her experiences observing the Great Smoky Mountains, naturalist and photojournalist Toops ( The Enchanting Owl , Voyageur Pr., 1990), has produced a book to be valued on many levels. First and foremost, it is a visual delight due to the numerous color photos that capture the beauty and diversity of one of the great mountain ranges and national parks. However, the book transcends coffee table status because Toops enhances her photos with concise yet eloquent text which is rich with information on the history, flora and fauna, and ecological balance of the area. Nature lovers and photography buffs will undoubtedly enjoy the photos, while ecologists, historians, and students will find much of interest in the text. The only disappointment is the lack of an index which would help access the many plant and animal names mentioned.-- Elizabeth DeMarco, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.