The National Parks - Our American Landscape

The new Ken Burns mini-series about America's National Parks on PBS gives some of this country's greatest natural treasures some well-deserved attention.

A spectacular new book by photographer, Ian Shive, The National Parks: Our American Landscape, similarly highlights some of the parks' most impressive vistas.

The full-color 200-page coffee table tome is filled with crisp, clear photos from many of the country's 391 National Parks.

Shive's photos chronicle everything from close-ups of snakes, scorpions, wild flowers and spiders to glorious panoramic shots of the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Grand Tetons and Mt. McKinley.

In a handy feature, each photo is captioned on the same page or within a couple of pages, so readers don't have to track down descriptions from a long list at the end of the book.

The book (from Earth Aware Editions, $39.95) will undoubtedly help some readers recall memorable vacations, while inspiring others to finally plan that trip to Montana's Glacier, Maine's Acadia, or California's Joshua Tree National Park.

The book perhaps places too much emphasis on Yellowstone, Yosemite and Denali, but then again, they are some of the largest, most impressive parks in the system. Also, the wildlife photos are mostly of foxes, coyotes and wolves, making one wish for more shots of eagles, moose, caribou, elk, trout, salmon, wild turkeys and bears. But these are quibbles.

If you have a friend or family member who loves camping and the outdoors, or is just an armchair traveler, Ian Shive's new book would make a great holiday gift. Anyone who enjoys the beauty of nature is bound to love this beautiful book.