The Book of the National Parks

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27513

Title

The Book of the National Parks

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Robert Sterling Yard presents a comprehensive guide to America's national parks, translating scientific findings into accessible prose. This 1919 volume celebrates the nation's diverse landscapes as the written page of Earth's history, urging readers to move beyond mere wonder to a deeper appreciation of geological processes and scenic sublimity.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Book of the National Parks*, Chief Robert Sterling Yard presents a compelling argument that true appreciation of America's natural wonders requires understanding their geological origins. Yard contends that national parks are not merely picturesque sights but the 'written page of the History of Creation,' offering a tangible record of the earth's formation. He systematically categorizes these protected areas into distinct geological types: granite formations like Yosemite and the Rockies; volcanic wonders such as Yellowstone, Crater Lake, and Hawaii; sedimentary landscapes including the Grand Canyon and Zion; and unique features like the Petrified Forest and Devil's Tower. Yard addresses the 'average reader,' who often mistakes magnificent views for meaningless beauty, by explaining the scientific processes behind them. He details how glaciers carved valleys, erosion created canyons, and volcanic activity shaped peaks. The text serves as both a travel guide and a scientific primer, using vivid descriptions to illustrate concepts like stream erosion, glacial polishing, and volcanic interludes. For instance, he describes Zion National Monument as a masterpiece of desert beauty where the Virgin River has cut a vertical section through millions of years of earth's evolution, revealing a rainbow of colored strata. Similarly, he portrays Devil's Tower as the core of a volcanic formation, now standing as a unique monolith. Beyond geology, Yard addresses the urgent conservation struggles of the era. He notes how private interests, including mining claims and hydroelectric power schemes, threatened these areas before their designation. He recounts the political battles to protect the Grand Canyon, noting how mining claims and power schemes delayed its status until it finally became a national park in 1919. Yard credits a wide array of scientific experts, geologists, and park officials for their contributions, emphasizing that appreciating nature's grandeur enhances one's pleasure in all scenic places, great and small. By translating complex scientific findings into accessible language, Yard aims to double the enjoyment of the American public, urging them to realize that knowing the history of a landscape deepens the pleasure of seeing it.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Travel