TY - BOOK AU - Yard,Robert Sterling TI - The Book of the National Parks AV - E151 PY - 2008/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - National parks and reserves -- United States N1 - Release date is 2008-12-12; Produced by Greg Bergquist and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.); Original publication data not identified N2 - "The Book of the National Parks" by Robert Sterling Yard is a detailed examination of the United States' national park system, likely written in the early 20th century. The book aims to highlight the scenic beauty, geological significance, and educational value of the national parks, emphasizing their role as treasured natural resources. Through a combination of descriptive prose and scientific context, it invites readers to appreciate the parks not just for their beauty but also for the stories they tell about the formation of the Earth. At the start of the narrative, the author discusses the need for a deeper appreciation of natural beauty, suggesting that many visitors only wonder at the scenery without comprehending its historical and geological significance. He encourages readers to look beyond surface impressions and understand the processes that shaped these landscapes over millions of years. Yard highlights key features of various national parks, such as the glaciers of Yosemite and the vastness of the Grand Canyon, framing them as both recreational sites and vital "museums of nature" that tell the story of America's geological past. This opening sets the stage for a more profound exploration of the natural world, blending appreciation with education. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27513 ER -