Mountains of the Heart: A Natural History of the Appalachians

by Scott Weidensaul

Overview

Part natural history, part poetry, Mountains of the Heart is full of hidden gems and less traveled parts of the Appalachian Mountains

Stretching almost unbroken from Alabama to Belle Isle, Newfoundland, the Appalachians are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. In Mountains of the Heart, renowned author and avid naturalist Scott Weidensaul shows how geology, ecology, climate, evolution, and 500 million years of history have shaped one of the continent's greatest landscapes into an ecosystem of unmatched beauty. This edition celebrates the book's 20th anniversary of publication and includes a new foreword from the author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938486883
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/16/2016
Edition description:	20th Anniversary Edition
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	634,315
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Scott Weidensaul is an author and naturalist who has written more than two dozen books on natural history, including Pulitzer Prize finalist Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, The Ghost with Trembling Wings, Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding, and The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery and Endurance in Early America. He lectures widely on wildlife and environmental topics, and is an active field researcher, specializing in birds of prey and hummingbirds. He lives in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

"Naturalist Weidensaul has written a wonderful natural and ecological history of the Appalachian Mountain range, from its southern origins in Alabama to its terminus off Newfoundland at Belle Isle. Weidensaul’s theme is change as he traces the mountains’ geological origins from the Ice Ages through the incredible diversity and richness of pre-Columbian and Colonial days on up to the modern era. . . . The strength of this book lies in the wonders Weidensaul finds in this familiar wilderness—in the lives of darters and mussels and the mystery of the forest bison. For all libraries in or near the region and an excellent choice for comprehensive natural history collections elsewhere.”  —Beth Clewis, Library Journal


“A fine, literate ramble along the ridges and valleys of the great spine of the Appalachians. Weidensaul has produced a thoughtful accounting of ancient mountains, of vast, continental clashes, tiny, exquisite wildflowers, obscure salamanders, woodrats, moose, elk, bears and coyotes. A good read, even for those already familiar with the rich flora and fauna of the region—his sense of wildness pervades.”  —John H. Mitchell, author, Ceremonial Time


“Scott Weidensaul’s mastery of language and nature, his ability to notice, catch and distill fragments of beauty missed by others, makes this the sort of book yearned for by all who cherish wild things and wild places. As that beauty fades from our beloved Appalachians, Mountains of the Heart can provide us with inspiration and information to act.”  —Ted Williams, Audubon Magazine

From the Publisher

Mountains of the Heart is a masterpiece encompassing Scott Weidensaul’s mastery of language and nature. His ability to notice, catch, and distill fragments of beauty missed by others, makes this the sort of book yearned for by all who cherish wild things and wild places.”

Audubon Magazine

Naturalist Weidensaul (Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month-by-Month Guide to Natural Events; New England & New York, LJ 10/1/93) has written a wonderful natural and ecological history of the Appalachian Mountain range, from its southern origins in Alabama to its terminus off Newfoundland at Belle Isle. Weidensaul's theme is change as he traces the mountains' geological origins from the Ice Ages through the incredible diversity and richness of pre-Columbian and Colonial days on up to the modern era. In some respects, the Appalachians are healthier now than during the height of mining and deforestation early in this century. Many animal poulations are rebounding, including the black bear in Pennsylvania. However, new pressures-acid rain, development, alien species-threaten the forests. The strength of this book lies in the wonders Weidensaul finds in this familiar wilderness-in the lives of darters and mussels and the mystery of the forest bison. For all libraries in or near the region and an excellent choice for comprehensive natural history collections elsewhere.-Beth Clewis, Prince William P.L., Va.

Library Journal