National Geographic The National Parks: An Illustrated History

by Kim Heacox

An inspired tribute to the astonishing beauty and priceless cultural treasures of America's National Parks, this volume is a lavish celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Showcasing the very best of National Geographic's photographs, combined with an expertly told from the multi-hued layers of the Grand Canyon to the verdigris flame of the Statue of Liberty, this book presents a breathtaking panorama of the National Parks.  
 
With the stories behind the first female park ranger, a decidedly amateur scuba expedition that unearthed a submerged Civil War treasure trove, and so much more, Heacox takes readers on a VIP tour of America's rich natural and cultural heritage. The full sweep of wonders—from pristine coral reefs to the Gettysburg battlefield to glaciers and all the glorious diversity in between—offers a breathtaking tour of the very best of America's national treasures.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Nature, History, Art, Reference

384 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

Kim Heacox is the author of more than a dozen books, five of them published by National Geographic.

He’s won the National Outdoor Book Award twice, first in 2015 for his novel Jimmy Bluefeather, the only work of fiction in 25 years to win the award. And again in 2020 for his memoir, The Only Kayak, as an “outdoor classic” (originally published in 2005).

He writes opinion-editorials for The Guardian in celebration and defense of the natural world, and lives in a small town in coastal Alaska with his wife, Melanie, where they support the emerging Glacier Bay Leadership Program within Tidelines Institute. Learn more about him at www.kimheacox.com and download the Jimmy Bluefeather book club guide at westmarginpress.com.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this make my wanderlust flair up. I grew up in the shadow of Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons in Wyoming, Harper's Ferry and Antietam in WV/MD, and then Carlsbad and White Sands in New Mexico... yet I still have this insatiable desire to go to every single park in the whole system.

My parents have just taken up getting the National Park Pass for us the past few years for Christmas. Thank goodness. We hit at least 3 national parks, monuments, seashores, historic parks a year - both local and destinations - and this book made me even more excited about our roadtrip around Utah later this year (hoping to hit as many Parks and monuments as possible in a state chocked full of them!). Of course, it was great for memories of past road trips through California, Washington, Virginia, Tennessee...

The book is National Geographic's tribute to the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, and it is a stunning portrait of all of the sites, wildlife, and history of these amazing places.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

...National parks aren't just places - they're ideas. They're bravery, charity, and philanthropy. They're education, provocation, contemplation, and inspiration, places where you learn to take care of not just yourself but also those around you, human and otherwise. You find out who you are and what you're capable of. You laugh, sing, hike, share, and think, all in the outdoors, the world's oldest healthcare clinic.

In recent years, I've become fascinated by the concept of place, and that back-and-forth relationship of how they shape us and we shape them. I assume it is because as an air force kid, I never really felt strongly tied to a place - we jumped at the opportunities that were available where we were, knowing our time there was limited, and I appreciated staying in the same place for middle/high school, but I never felt a sense of ownership or connection to the places I lived. I loved that sense of possibility that came with heading somewhere new and reinventing/discovering yourself, and started out hopping states/countries for school/internships ... and then landed here in Northern Virginia where I've lived for 14 years, 12 of them in the same neighborhood.

I love it. I love that my kids have gone to the same pumpkin patch every year of their lives, have friends they have known since they were babies, love the awe I feel at seeing friends move through a decade of life experience, and love that I have a topography that is for me. I have the fallen tree along the banks of the Potomac I sit on with a notebook when I need to think about the big things, the large pond that has probably risen several inches from all the rocks my kids have thrown into it over the year and where they gained confidence as kayakers, the creeks we splash in (especially when the pools closed for covid), hikes we take to appreciate fall's beauty ... and Shenandoah National Park. We go there every year, and I love having a place we return to over and over again. It is a place where my preschoolers learned they could handle steep 4 mile hikes, where I schlepped babies in hiking backpacks up mountains, where we dashed down mountains to make it back in time to put on our Halloween costumes, where we've completed junior ranger badges, and where nature becomes part of who we are.

I'm going to shoot straight - this is a coffee table book, and if you expect more from it than that, you'll be disappointed. That said, Heacox did a great job with this one, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the NPS. It gives a well-organized history of how it was formed and has evolved over the years, and introduces many of the big questions surrounding what we save land for and how we accomplish it (although you'll need to go elsewhere for deep dives into these meaty issues). The photos are lovely, and I think Heacox does a great job capturing the diversity of the parks experiences - towering mountains and low-lying swamps, urban historic sites and remote wildernesses, wildlife and artifacts.

I loved the trip down memory lane to places Rob and I went as newlyweds in Utah, and definitely felt some wanderlust. This country is full of stunning places, and this book does a good job of capturing that.

[Bailey]

Not sure it’s fair for me to give this a star rating because mostly I looked at the pretty pictures because the writing was rather boring

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am, I confess, a National Park addict. I love visiting the wilderness, hiking the trails, and generally enjoying the geology and history. So this book was an excellent Christmas gift. The Park System turns 100 next year, and remains woefully underfunded. I liked the story of how the NPS was born and how it's developed through the years. And, of course, the photos are spectacular.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mix of narrative history and illustrative photography

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I have a lifelong goal to visit all the US National Parks. We have made a huge dent in just a few years and that is evident as I was flipping this book thinking, “I have been there!”

This book is the perfect coffee table book and I can definitely see why it had nothing lower than 3 stars at the time of this review (but I am even wondering why someone would give it anything less than 5 stars).

Within this book are many beautiful current and historical pictures of the parks/monuments/seashores/sights, etc.... There is also a nice mix of small blurbs of NPS history, pictures of the parks, pictures of flora and fauna found in the parks, descriptions of conservation efforts, and pictures of artifacts from Native Americans. So really....something for everyone....

We got this as a Christmas gift and I have to say it may be one of my favorite gifts this year. If you know someone who loves traveling and our National Parks, keep this book in mind as the recipient will NOT be disappointed.

[Jimmy Autrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reality this is nothing more than a coffee table book. But as far as coffee table books go it was a very good one. The pics were superb and there was just enough text to generate interest to do more research on whatever park the words were describing. This compilation certainly illustrates Mr. Heacox's love for our National Park Service, it's history, and the work it continues to perform. I share that admiration and only wish I could see all he has seen and written about but there are so many sites and most likely not enough days...

In my world you don't give coffee table books a 5, so I won't. However, if you'd like a very good primer for our national parks and other sites, this is a good one to choose.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strength of this book is its images. There are tons of beautiful photos of the parks often full page or multipage images. There are also smaller photos of artifacts from various parks and some interesting infographics. The book also has some writing but it is definitely not of the quality of the photos. The history of the national parks is given but it is a very shallow history and not the best writing. There are also short excerpts from National Geographics about the parks but I found them eh as well.

So if you want a gorgeous coffee table book of photos of national parks this is a great one. If you're looking for a well written tale covering everything you need to know about the national parks. I would look elsewhere.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s interesting to read this book immediately after reading Mark Kenyon’s That Wild Country. It’s the same public lands history, told from two different perspectives.

This National Geographic book tells the seemingly straightforward growth of National Parks (and seashores, and preserves and...) over 100+ years. The illustrations, mostly photos, are fine, but not breathtaking. This is the easy, mostly happy story.

Kenyon’s book is more journalistic. More honest. It tells many sides of the story, not just the winning side.

I’m grateful for this National Geographic book. It serves its purpose well.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coffee table book but truly deserved to be read cover to cover. My husband and I bought this as a souvenir during a 69 day road trip in 2020 where we visited 14 National Parks and fell in love with the NPS. I’m fortunate to now live in Colorado with access to four National Parks within state borders and so many more that are easily drive able. I loved learning about the history of the acquisition of land, unique facts about each place, and seeing the incredible photos of America’s lands.

[Scott Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book. The pictures are breath-taking and make you want to visit each park to see it for yourself.

The writing in the book was also very informative and easy to read. I loved to read the creation progression of the NPS, it is interesting to see them grow and acknowledge the mistakes they made.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The National Park system is large & diverse which is wonderful & a hundred-year history is a lot to cover, but the text of this book is less coherent history & more a scattering of some interesting facts. But the photos are lovely & since that is really what catches your eye & makes you pick up the book in the first place, it works

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on how the National Parks got started. I never realized all the controversy but it makes sense. It inspires me to get out and enjoy what the National Park Service has to offer. We are so lucky to have insightful people fighting to preserve our wild lands!

[Gary Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is equal parts picture book, history of National Parks, and environmental education. It definitely is not your traditional book, but it does include a good bit of reading. As a life-long National Park fan, I liked the book for providing a survey of the parks I have not yet visited.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief glimpse at the history of some of America's National Parks like Zion, Arches, and others. Beautiful photos span the entire book, I just wish there was a little more depth to the information provided on the parks that were highlighted in the book.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Coffee-table style book, I read this in bits and pieces over the course of a couple years. It has interesting facts about the history of national (and state) parks and monuments. Some of the pictures are mesmerizing.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this read! Learned about the history of different National Parks and inspired a trip to visit Glacier and Yellowstone this year. The pictures are beautiful.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty neat.

[Tomherndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history with interesting inserts and a mix of pictures of parks and artifacts.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of the Park Service sites with a good amount of history mixed in. A worthy book for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

[°❀⋆.monica ೃ࿔*:･ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love national parks

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid my dad had a book published by National Geographic on the National Parks. It wasn't as large as this one since there are now more parks and other units in the National Park System. The photograph were some of the best scenic photography one should fine then, (this would have been in the sixties), but they didn't look as real as the photos in this book. I read that book and dreamed of visiting those parks. Some of them I've been to more than once (Yellowstone, Big Bend, Grand Canyon, Craters of the Moon, Mt Rainier, Shenandoah), some of the them I still haven't seen (Mt McKinley, Yosemite, Kings Canyon). But I still think of these places as magical and a small remnant of what the world might have looked like before people spoiled much of it. The fact that there are political forces stirring that would have these and other federal government land properties, now available to all visitors, changed into private ownership that would make their purpose for existence as only a source of profit for already wealthy people and corporations, is one of the most visible manifestations of evil in this world. Let's preserve these and more, much more. Why? Because we owe it to our children and grandchildren. Great book. Everyone should see it.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

America's national parks are featured in this coffee table book. Beautiful pictures and so much information about the history of how these amazing places became national parks. From the beginning right up to Obama. Plus other types of places, not only fields, mountains, and beaches. Memorials, battlefields, monuments, and homes are also featured in this book. There are a couple pull-outs showing mountain ranges and one showing one of the tallest trees with a little man on a branch to show how tall it is. America is rich with beautiful places and I would love to be able to see each and every one.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings new meaning to the word "centerfold". The photographs strike wonder and awe with every page. It is a celebration of 100 years of American splendor. This selection, however, is complete with maps, graphs, timelines, posters and illustrations. Makes me want to include a visit to each National Park as a "bucket list" entry. Consider this as a gift book for anyone, even yourself. Highly recommend traveling through this lovely book. You'll read it over and over and over and over again.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very timely read for me considering the controversy surrounding the establishment of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the NPS. Amazing photographs. Need to get serious about prioritizing and planning some family vacations to visit at least a few more parks. And to learn more about how to become a park ranger. It seems like a rewarding "second act".

[Kelly Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more than just the parks but all park service lands. There is some history divided into a handful of eras, but for the most part it's a coffee table book, and a beautiful one. With the inclusion of all the NPS lands, it's more diverse than the typical national park coffee table book. I would have liked a couple more historical photos that included people.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book with much nicer paper than the Duncan/Ken Burns history of the National Parks from 2009. Less text and more photos also.

Used this for an ELM talk on the anniversary of the NP service and tied it in to Nevada Barr's books.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to be inspired for future trips to our many national parks. Did not disappoint. Stunning photos and I enjoyed learning the history of how our parks were formed. We have some amazing trips in our future!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book that tells the history of our national park systems in photos and story with beautiful maps. If you aren't enjoying at least one of these incredible and beautiful treasures each year, you are denying yourself and your family members the best of America. Find your park today!

[Bethany N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has inspired me to get out and explore my National Parks - especially this year, NPS 100 - if I can.