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This collection of beautifully crafted essays traces the natural history of the Appalachian Mountains all the way from Alabama to New Brunswick, Canada. In clear and lyrical prose, Weidensaul describes the formation of the mountain chain, touching on plate tectonics and the configuration of the prehistoric continents. Several chapters describe the plants and animals past and present which make for the unique ecosystem that is Appalachia; the use of the mountains as a migration path for birds and monarch butterflies; the 20th century chestnut blight which destroyed a species of tree and extermination of the passenger pigeon. With a keen understanding of nature and an obvious love of the land, the author writes a guide to the mountains that is both informative and enchanting

Reviewed by Sharyn M., author, Shawsville, Va.

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