The heart of America

the long version

"In this illuminating portrait of America at the threshold of the new millennium, Tim Palmer explores and assesses the landscape of the United States - both timeless wonders of natural beauty and lost places scarred by human exploitation. He takes the reader on an informative and inspirational tour of our most vital landscapes, including mountains, forests, grasslands, deserts, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and seashores. He introduces us to the basic geography and ecological value of each landscape, describes historical patterns of land use, considers the most serious threats, and discusses what is being done to protect that landscape for future generations."--BOOK JACKET.