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History Comics
History Comics: The National Parks: Preserving America's Wild Places
Let this graphic novel be your time machine--experience history like never before! Our past is only the beginning with History Comics.
In this volume, turn back the clock to 1872, when Congress established Yellowstone National Park as an area of unspoiled beauty for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Meet the visionaries, artists, and lovers of the American wilderness who fought against corruption and self-interest to carve out and protect these spaces for future generations. See for yourself how the idea of National Parks began, how they've changed, and how they continue to define America.
In this volume, turn back the clock to 1872, when Congress established Yellowstone National Park as an area of unspoiled beauty for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Meet the visionaries, artists, and lovers of the American wilderness who fought against corruption and self-interest to carve out and protect these spaces for future generations. See for yourself how the idea of National Parks began, how they've changed, and how they continue to define America.
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2022
About the author
Falynn Koch
22 books5 followersFalynn Koch can be an illustrator, comic book artist, or storyteller, depending on when you ask. Born in Buffalo, New York, she then went everywhere, near and far, and wound up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her two dogs and her fiancé. She graduated with a degree in sequential art from SCAD. Her favorite things to draw are illogical mythological creatures.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 5, 2023
A nice little run through the history of the United States' national parks and National Park Service. It's the sort of introduction that makes you want to learn more.
I liked that it touched on the ramifications the creation of the national parks had on indigenous people, but I feel that topic could have been more fully explored instead of, say, spending time on a white guy getting lost in Yellowstone.
And making Bigfoot the host of the book seems a disservice to kids who have enough people in their lives trying to get them to believe in imaginary crap.
I liked that it touched on the ramifications the creation of the national parks had on indigenous people, but I feel that topic could have been more fully explored instead of, say, spending time on a white guy getting lost in Yellowstone.
And making Bigfoot the host of the book seems a disservice to kids who have enough people in their lives trying to get them to believe in imaginary crap.
July 7, 2022
For a children's graphic novel, this had a lot of great information and history about the creating of the National Parks. Big Foot as a narrator was kind of odd, but I still really enjoyed it and learned a lot of new things.
February 27, 2022
I believe we've read all the History Comics published so far in the series and different members of our family prefer different ones. I appreciate that they are all written by different authors and have a little bit of a different feel and focus. History Comics: The National Parks surprised me by being a bit more of a history of the people surrounding and in the parks. It is a look at the people who inspired and created the parks, the people's reaction to and use/misuse of the parks. It also looks carefully at the ways the people of America have changed in attitudes regarding what they expect from parks and what they are willing to give to and for our National Parks. I enjoyed learning a bit about the progress we've made, and am grateful for the ways we've learned to protect and preserve our landscapes, landmarks, history, ecology, and cultures. It's become a large and complicated task (and sadly, seems it will always be motivated by political and economic interests). My great-grandfather was an adventurer and landscape photographer in the West during the early 1900s, with his photographs sold to National Geographic serving as instrumental tools in the creation of many of the National Parks and state parks in Utah and the southwest. I can't help but appreciate the efforts of this book to teach us the history of preserving our lands and landmarks.
While I don't disagree with any of the statements regarding historical genocides or misuse of lands, peoples, or animals, I did feel the book went a little far in efforts to be political or controversial. I suppose it felt a bit contrived or blatant in parts, where we could have learned the same lessons in context of a good story. While the eagles made a sort of fun representation of the American people throughout history, the Big Foot as a graphic representation of National Parks was a bit flat for me and didn't draw me in or provide a connection. My children loved the fun animated narrators of the Mustang book (which had a similar feel), but the life just wasn't in this one. While I found it interesting as an adult, it was boring and convoluted enough of a discussion of the people (instead of the places/animals), that I can't see any of my children making their way through it.
While I don't disagree with any of the statements regarding historical genocides or misuse of lands, peoples, or animals, I did feel the book went a little far in efforts to be political or controversial. I suppose it felt a bit contrived or blatant in parts, where we could have learned the same lessons in context of a good story. While the eagles made a sort of fun representation of the American people throughout history, the Big Foot as a graphic representation of National Parks was a bit flat for me and didn't draw me in or provide a connection. My children loved the fun animated narrators of the Mustang book (which had a similar feel), but the life just wasn't in this one. While I found it interesting as an adult, it was boring and convoluted enough of a discussion of the people (instead of the places/animals), that I can't see any of my children making their way through it.
November 8, 2022
Another wonderful addition to the History Comics imprint for young readers. This one focuses on the National Park Service and the organization’s history.
July 24, 2022
A friendly Sasquatch is our guide through this entry in First Second’s History Comics, a series of graphic nonfiction for middle grade and teen readers. Today, our parks and national monuments successfully blend tourism with conservation of unique ecosystems (as well as history), but getting here was a long and winding road. In this conversational history of “America’s best idea” to preserve our wild places, author and illustrator Falynn Koch colorfully portrays the visionaries, politicians, Native Americans, wildlife, and occasional scoundrels who contributed to the evolution of our park system. She also addresses the forced removal of indigenous people from land that would eventually be parks: “If we don’t reexamine the past and face these grim truths, we can’t learn from them and make a better future” (92). This one will have readers like me thinking, “The mountains are calling & I must go” (~ John Muir).
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March 8, 2025Wouldn’t it be so cool if the president of the US read books?
June 14, 2022
I've been a fan of Science Comics for awhile and was privately hoping First Second would do a History Comics series. They made my secret wish happen and by the time I remembered "hey I should read those" several of them had already been released. That said, The National Parks is my first time reading on of the History Comics, although I don't intend for it to be my last.
I went into this not knowing much of anything about the history of the National Parks. I'm Canadian, but I'm familiar with the USA's National Parks System, basic details of a few specific parks, and the essentials of USAmerican history, but that didn't amount to much specific knowledge about the history of national parks. This is a surprisingly decent introduction. With lively artwork, the narrative has a sasquatch and an eagle going through the history of how the national parks were made, why they were made, who the important people were, and the many changes over the years. It doesn't shy away from the horrible truths that Indigenous people were forcibly removed from lands that became national parks, nor does it try to excuse it. It offers up the honest truth to children and other readers to give a more nuanced picture than is often shown. It was really interesting to see how the entire system came to be, and how it continues to change as the population changes.
Overall, History Comics: The National Parks was a fun and informative introduction to a historical topic that isn't widely known. I would definitely recommend it for curious readers interested in the parks, in nature, in science, in history, in learning through comics, or in being outdoorsy. I look forward to making my way through the rest of the series.
I went into this not knowing much of anything about the history of the National Parks. I'm Canadian, but I'm familiar with the USA's National Parks System, basic details of a few specific parks, and the essentials of USAmerican history, but that didn't amount to much specific knowledge about the history of national parks. This is a surprisingly decent introduction. With lively artwork, the narrative has a sasquatch and an eagle going through the history of how the national parks were made, why they were made, who the important people were, and the many changes over the years. It doesn't shy away from the horrible truths that Indigenous people were forcibly removed from lands that became national parks, nor does it try to excuse it. It offers up the honest truth to children and other readers to give a more nuanced picture than is often shown. It was really interesting to see how the entire system came to be, and how it continues to change as the population changes.
Overall, History Comics: The National Parks was a fun and informative introduction to a historical topic that isn't widely known. I would definitely recommend it for curious readers interested in the parks, in nature, in science, in history, in learning through comics, or in being outdoorsy. I look forward to making my way through the rest of the series.
December 2, 2022
There is some valuable information in this book about our national parks, but the sasquatch as a narrator just didn't work for me.
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January 21, 2024Another Battle of the Books book!
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August 11, 2024This was interesting, I like the inclusion of the more brutal and bloody parts of the founding of national parks
August 22, 2024
Comic book style. Some good info, but a bit hard to follow, especially names and all.
December 13, 2025
This is my first History Comic so I’m not sure if this is a fair representation of the series. I found this one to be a little heavy handed and dry compared to other similar series.
Want to Read
January 18, 2022Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 20, 2021
A little chaotic but still an informative and fun origin story about the need for and creation of national parks. Includes the grim truth of the rationale of their use to remove indigenous peoples from their own land, and their fundamental use to ensure environmental preservation of natural resources. Part of the new History Comics series which is aimed to make lesser known details of US historical events such as these, and others in the series such as the grand Chicago fire come to life.
May 18, 2022
A graphic novel history presented by a sasquatch and an eagle of how the US National Parks system developed, the debates over what parks should and should not do, how they came to preserve both nature and history, the key people integral in getting certain concepts adopted and programs or parks started, and the growth and development of the National Parks Service.
A marvelous look at the ups and downs that led to the National Park System the US has today. The book doesn’t shy away from hard topics related to the parks system from what we’d now see as mismanagement of nature and land to the abysmal way people indigenous to those lands were treated. As the author says on p.92 of the ARC, “If we don’t reexamine the past and face these grim truths, we can’t learn from them and make a better future.” Later in the author’s notes the author also eloquently says, “It’s important to recognize that history, all history, is filled with imperfect people. Even those with the best of intentions are capable of bad things, and flawed people can create positive changes.” Very well said. And this book does an excellent job of celebrating accomplishments while also acknowledging flaws. This was a fascinating history, and I had never heard about many of these struggles or instrumental people in making the park system into what it is today. I have enjoyed visiting many national parks and monuments, and I’m very grateful to those people who help preserve it so I could visit these beautiful places and see them not trashed or logged or eaten away. I can’t wait to have this on our shelves and get readers excited about visiting national parks in the US or other nations.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content. Historic deaths of people and animals in violent and natural methods are mentioned (none shown on page, though some animal carcasses appear on page).
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A marvelous look at the ups and downs that led to the National Park System the US has today. The book doesn’t shy away from hard topics related to the parks system from what we’d now see as mismanagement of nature and land to the abysmal way people indigenous to those lands were treated. As the author says on p.92 of the ARC, “If we don’t reexamine the past and face these grim truths, we can’t learn from them and make a better future.” Later in the author’s notes the author also eloquently says, “It’s important to recognize that history, all history, is filled with imperfect people. Even those with the best of intentions are capable of bad things, and flawed people can create positive changes.” Very well said. And this book does an excellent job of celebrating accomplishments while also acknowledging flaws. This was a fascinating history, and I had never heard about many of these struggles or instrumental people in making the park system into what it is today. I have enjoyed visiting many national parks and monuments, and I’m very grateful to those people who help preserve it so I could visit these beautiful places and see them not trashed or logged or eaten away. I can’t wait to have this on our shelves and get readers excited about visiting national parks in the US or other nations.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content. Historic deaths of people and animals in violent and natural methods are mentioned (none shown on page, though some animal carcasses appear on page).
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2022
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
This was an informative graphic novel that takes us through the history of national parks, with Bigfoot as the narrator. It starts with the creation of the very first national park, Yellowstone, and leads to the creation of the National Park Service (NPS).
I enjoyed this graphic novel but it was a bit chaotic at the same time. The story flowed from one park to another and, at times, could be slightly abrupt and confusing. The art was great but I do think some of the panels were a little chaotic with the amount of things in them. It was hard to focus on what the message of that panel was portraying.
I do think this was a great way to teach history to younger kids because they didn’t gloss over some of the terrible things that occurred with the creation of these parks. The story didn’t hide the fact that we removed indigenous people from their lands and killed them. It also discussed the destruction of nature and animals that occurred before regulations were put into place.
Overall, this was interesting and informative. I liked that Bigfoot was the narrator and think kids will enjoy this book. Also I appreciate that there is a timeline at the end that shows the establishment dates for national parks.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
This was an informative graphic novel that takes us through the history of national parks, with Bigfoot as the narrator. It starts with the creation of the very first national park, Yellowstone, and leads to the creation of the National Park Service (NPS).
I enjoyed this graphic novel but it was a bit chaotic at the same time. The story flowed from one park to another and, at times, could be slightly abrupt and confusing. The art was great but I do think some of the panels were a little chaotic with the amount of things in them. It was hard to focus on what the message of that panel was portraying.
I do think this was a great way to teach history to younger kids because they didn’t gloss over some of the terrible things that occurred with the creation of these parks. The story didn’t hide the fact that we removed indigenous people from their lands and killed them. It also discussed the destruction of nature and animals that occurred before regulations were put into place.
Overall, this was interesting and informative. I liked that Bigfoot was the narrator and think kids will enjoy this book. Also I appreciate that there is a timeline at the end that shows the establishment dates for national parks.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
June 5, 2023
The author’s passion for the National Parks is clear, and I did learn about the founding of the parks system. However, there were some significant problems with the framing and execution of the story that prevent me from really recommending this book strongly.
Chief amongst these issues is the reliance on the narrative that the parks system only exists thanks to the intellectual and legislative work of a group of white men. Only two panels are dedicated to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and there no other discussion of the people who accomplished the physical work of building the National Parks.
Another major issue is the lack of Native American voices. When Native people are speaking in the book, most often they are not being “spoken to” by the book’s narrators. Their primary purpose is to say “I don’t like this” when being discriminated against by a white person. Even in sections of the book that should merit more focus on their viewpoints, such as the looting of Mesa Verde, white people are centered. It beggars belief that the author could not find a contemporary Ute historian or activist to interview in order to depict a version of these events that don’t center the opinions of white activists.
All in all, I felt the book was simply okay. If you plan on using this book to educate children, please pair it with other books in order to gain a more accurate perspective.
Chief amongst these issues is the reliance on the narrative that the parks system only exists thanks to the intellectual and legislative work of a group of white men. Only two panels are dedicated to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and there no other discussion of the people who accomplished the physical work of building the National Parks.
Another major issue is the lack of Native American voices. When Native people are speaking in the book, most often they are not being “spoken to” by the book’s narrators. Their primary purpose is to say “I don’t like this” when being discriminated against by a white person. Even in sections of the book that should merit more focus on their viewpoints, such as the looting of Mesa Verde, white people are centered. It beggars belief that the author could not find a contemporary Ute historian or activist to interview in order to depict a version of these events that don’t center the opinions of white activists.
All in all, I felt the book was simply okay. If you plan on using this book to educate children, please pair it with other books in order to gain a more accurate perspective.
February 16, 2022
This delightful graphic novel clearly, succinctly, and humourously tells the history of the National Parks. With a Sasquatch and a bald eagle as your guides, you are led through the tale of the creation of the National Parks. With so many individuals involved throughout the parks’ history, it could be easy to get bogged down in the weeds, but this book skillfully pulls out the most important visionaries and events and includes them in an easy to follow format. A wonderful inspiration for rabbit trails, I paused several times during this book to conduct more in-depth research into key people and events. This book has just the right amount of irreverence, and I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading this book. Theodore Roosevelt is portrayed as an especially delightful figure in the book. The National Parks are truly a gift to all who visit them. A wonderful book for all ages to enjoy!
Many thanks to First Second Books and Net Galley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Many thanks to First Second Books and Net Galley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2022
This was a fantastic comic. I loved every second of it. Yes this is a comic for ages 9 plus. But that doesn't mean adults can't read and enjoy it because I loved it. I could really appreciate the messages this comic was trying to get across. I'm from the UK and didn't know any of the history of national parks in America. So I actually learnt alot from reading it. It was a great introduction to America's great history. Plus it's an excellent medium to use to get across to children of all ages. It's pictures was brilliant and loved the fact they used icon animal characters such as an Eagle and bigfoot. I really do recommend this comic to everyone who likes to learn history in a fun and exciting way. This book would be fantastic to any school library. I will definitely be looking out for more titles in this fantastic series to read and review for you all.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating this fantastic comic series that I just know children and adults will just love.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating this fantastic comic series that I just know children and adults will just love.
February 17, 2022
This graphic novel would be a great addition to any school library! With Bigfoot at the narrator, the comics tell the story of American's National Parks from their origins to the present. Even as an adult reading the novel, I learned a lot of history of the National Parks that I had never read before.
I particularly liked that the book doesn't shy away from the more problematic history of the National Parks. It gives readers an honest view of discrimination in the outdoors, which is an important part of history for kids to learn. On the other hand, it has lots of light-hearted and humorous lines to balance out the tone. Great use of age-appropriate words and phrases in conjunction with the illustrations to make it a memorable book for kids. This book is sure to spark kids' interest in visiting National Parks.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I particularly liked that the book doesn't shy away from the more problematic history of the National Parks. It gives readers an honest view of discrimination in the outdoors, which is an important part of history for kids to learn. On the other hand, it has lots of light-hearted and humorous lines to balance out the tone. Great use of age-appropriate words and phrases in conjunction with the illustrations to make it a memorable book for kids. This book is sure to spark kids' interest in visiting National Parks.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2022
What a fun read about the National Parks! Our family is big fans of the National Park Service and we have visited many National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites. While I had a vague idea about how the NPS came to be and that Yellowstone was the first National Park in the United States, this book provided a much more thorough background of the history of the national parks that not only looked at the challenges faced with managing the national parks but also included information about the indigenous people who called those lands home. I really enjoyed that the author included this important recognition in the book.
The comic book style was a really fun way to share information - the illustrations were bright and entertaining, along with being visually appealing to the reader. They really pulled the book together - while we haven't delved into any of the History Comics before, they definitely are going on our graphic novel loving daughter's list.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that not only provided me with new, interesting information but also introduced me to a whole new series for us to explore.
The comic book style was a really fun way to share information - the illustrations were bright and entertaining, along with being visually appealing to the reader. They really pulled the book together - while we haven't delved into any of the History Comics before, they definitely are going on our graphic novel loving daughter's list.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that not only provided me with new, interesting information but also introduced me to a whole new series for us to explore.
June 15, 2022
A fantastic graphic novel on our National Park System. Part of the History Comics series, this one uses an eagle and a bigfoot to tell the story of how our National Parks came to be. The eagle represents the United States and its people and the bigfoot represents our parks. It's very conversational and provides timelines, definitions, and context for a wealth of history in a small amount of pages.
It does give an inclusive and historical portrait of the ups and downs in our country's expansion, so it's a great book for kids with some social studies background as well as one for the whole family to read. I learned a ton reading it myself! It's full of nuanced views on how our parks were created, the misguided though well-intentioned bumps along the way, and ends with more modern efforts including renaming monuments and parks and how Tribal Park Lands began as well.
Thoroughly loved it!
It does give an inclusive and historical portrait of the ups and downs in our country's expansion, so it's a great book for kids with some social studies background as well as one for the whole family to read. I learned a ton reading it myself! It's full of nuanced views on how our parks were created, the misguided though well-intentioned bumps along the way, and ends with more modern efforts including renaming monuments and parks and how Tribal Park Lands began as well.
Thoroughly loved it!
January 25, 2024
A graphic novel about how the National Park System was created.
"History should make you feel weird." More people need to think about this statement.
I wasn't a fan of the storytelling in a previous book in the series, but thought this one sounded interesting. The introduction is so beautiful and captures what national parks honor, represent and their sometimes troubled history. I love how this book doesn't shy away from how these lands were taken away from Indigenous People along with much worse happening to them.
I just really dislike how this series is told though. It can be so confusing with the cutesy characters who keep chirping in with their own commentary. It just adds a distracting layer to the books that takes away from its meaning.
Overall, an in depth look at the NPS and how it came to be... the good and the bad.
"History should make you feel weird." More people need to think about this statement.
I wasn't a fan of the storytelling in a previous book in the series, but thought this one sounded interesting. The introduction is so beautiful and captures what national parks honor, represent and their sometimes troubled history. I love how this book doesn't shy away from how these lands were taken away from Indigenous People along with much worse happening to them.
I just really dislike how this series is told though. It can be so confusing with the cutesy characters who keep chirping in with their own commentary. It just adds a distracting layer to the books that takes away from its meaning.
Overall, an in depth look at the NPS and how it came to be... the good and the bad.
February 16, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This History Comics volume covers an in depth look at the National Parks system. It thoroughly covers the creation of National Parks through the present.
This graphic novel contains a lot of information and there’s no real stopping point between topics. The colorful illustrations help explain some of the more in depth parts of the story.
History Comics presents a unique and fun way for young readers to learn about the National Parks. I appreciate the timeline that the author included at the end as a way to wrap everything up.
This graphic novel is best suited for middle school and highschool age readers. This would be a great addition to any school library.
This History Comics volume covers an in depth look at the National Parks system. It thoroughly covers the creation of National Parks through the present.
This graphic novel contains a lot of information and there’s no real stopping point between topics. The colorful illustrations help explain some of the more in depth parts of the story.
History Comics presents a unique and fun way for young readers to learn about the National Parks. I appreciate the timeline that the author included at the end as a way to wrap everything up.
This graphic novel is best suited for middle school and highschool age readers. This would be a great addition to any school library.
April 11, 2022
I, for one, am glad that graphic novels are becoming more popular. They are a great format for history books, as they make things more visually-appealing to kids (and usually more entertaining, with a humorous narrator thrown in).
History Comics: The National Parks covers one of our family's favorite topics. Our kids have been to quite a few of the National Parks, plus a few National Monuments along the way. The history of how they came to be, including the familiar story of Muir and Roosevelt camping at Yosemite, is told simply -- with the illustrations taking center stage.
My youngest, who loves graphic novels and wants to be a park ranger, will enjoy this!
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
History Comics: The National Parks covers one of our family's favorite topics. Our kids have been to quite a few of the National Parks, plus a few National Monuments along the way. The history of how they came to be, including the familiar story of Muir and Roosevelt camping at Yosemite, is told simply -- with the illustrations taking center stage.
My youngest, who loves graphic novels and wants to be a park ranger, will enjoy this!
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
April 11, 2022
If you are looking for a fun and entertaining way to learn about the National Parks - you need to get this book! What a cute way to read through the history of the parks, foundations, heartbreaks, and so much more! You can see some of the wildlife, protective acts, the building of Hetch Hetchy (much to the dismay of John Muir), and get an idea of the importance of National Parks.
I enjoyed multiple aspects of the book, and it fit in perfectly with some of the books that I have been reading on the National Parks lately. I look forward to seeing this book in print, and highly recommend it for home libraries as well as schools!
Get kids interested in history the fun way - with a comic book!
I enjoyed multiple aspects of the book, and it fit in perfectly with some of the books that I have been reading on the National Parks lately. I look forward to seeing this book in print, and highly recommend it for home libraries as well as schools!
Get kids interested in history the fun way - with a comic book!
April 22, 2022
*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for supplying a copy of this e-book in return for an honest review.*
I really loved this graphic novel and would recommend it to adults and kids alike. The graphic novel is narrated by bigfoot and a bald eagle who takes the reader through the history of National Parks in the US. The novel pulls no punches in pointing out the negative aspects of park history from the original dispossession and genocide against Indigenous peoples who called many of these lands home to the destructive practices that have divided the parks moment throughout time. All in all, the book shows how parks are truly a microcosm of the history of the US as a whole. A must-read.
I really loved this graphic novel and would recommend it to adults and kids alike. The graphic novel is narrated by bigfoot and a bald eagle who takes the reader through the history of National Parks in the US. The novel pulls no punches in pointing out the negative aspects of park history from the original dispossession and genocide against Indigenous peoples who called many of these lands home to the destructive practices that have divided the parks moment throughout time. All in all, the book shows how parks are truly a microcosm of the history of the US as a whole. A must-read.
May 16, 2022
Interesting history. More than I expected.
This is my first comic from the History Comics series and I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. It was honestly very interesting and educational but I wasn’t expecting that much information. And while I learnt a lot, the content felt at times a touch dry.
The art was great. And I always enjoy seeing nature and landscapes drawn in comic books and the illustrator did quite an amazing job in this one.
Overall a good read, but perhaps I should’ve been more prepared for the history lesson!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the author, the publishers and the NetGalley team for providing me with an Advanced copy. I cherished this opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first comic from the History Comics series and I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. It was honestly very interesting and educational but I wasn’t expecting that much information. And while I learnt a lot, the content felt at times a touch dry.
The art was great. And I always enjoy seeing nature and landscapes drawn in comic books and the illustrator did quite an amazing job in this one.
Overall a good read, but perhaps I should’ve been more prepared for the history lesson!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the author, the publishers and the NetGalley team for providing me with an Advanced copy. I cherished this opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2022
This was a solid, brief overview of the history of how America's NPS came to be. It felt a bit jumpy at times with all these white men blurring together a bit as I scrolled through the story, but the art was fun to look at and I appreciated that the author tried to recognize the disenfranchisement that occurred due to the creation of these parks, but sometimes I think it could've been given a bit more importance. Still an interesting read, especially as someone who has worked in the park service.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2022
This graphic novel gives a history of the national parks along with some of the people instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the parks and some of the challenges the parks have faced. However, it is so packed full of facts and information that I left the book with only a vague idea that the national parks are complicated and without any concrete facts to back it up. It would have been better if the book had used a central example that was maintained throughout the whole book and could be related to other parks, but the constant switching of people, places, and conflicts left me more confused than informed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews