![]() Waterman's book is primarily a portrait of the American sublime as it was conceived of by the agency's Progressive Era progenitors, though with updates for modern readers. ![]() And of course, as public historians might suspect, there is precious little here by way of engagement with how history gets made in national parks. But at no point does Waterman propose real solutions to the NPS's many problems beyond waiting for Congress to act. Even the 2019 government shutdown gets a brief mention, as does the ongoing border wall controversy. Yes, Waterman is deeply concerned about climate change, and worries about "urban encroachment … and political missteps" (8). There are no notes or suggestions for further reading. ![]() Large-format maps appear with each, however, as do hundreds of photographs and illustrations woven together with Waterman's narration into what amounts to a massive glossy guide to the national parks.īy what standard should public historians evaluate a coffee table book? There are no scholarly claims here. In the end, only about half that number receive Waterman's full attention, the remainder summarized in a concluding section of brief vignettes. Jon Waterman's Atlas of the National Parks is just that: a compendium of over two hundred maps-many borrowed from or developed with National Park Service (NPS) cartographers-intended to, as he puts it, "reveal the glory of the 61 national parks" (40). ![]()
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