Our National Forests: Stories from America’s Most Important Public Lands

Until only a handful of years ago, I (like most Americans, I believe) had no understanding of the difference between National Forests and National Parks. Coming to understand that the Forest Service has many oft-competing goals, I gained an appreciation for the political, scientific and practical balancing act the Service must perform. This book might well help you come to a similar appreciation. That said, I had anticipated a bit more of an in-depth history of the Service and the National Parks than the book provided. It is my disappointment in that regard that, more than anything, accounts for the 3-star review. The book is otherwise well written, beautifully illustrated, and occasionally downright inspiring.