South America's National Parks: A Visitor's Guide

Very good guide to South America's National Parks

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This guide to some of the most famous of South America's National Parks is very good. It covers such places as Iguazu, Torres del Paine, Peninsula Valdes, Nahuel Huapi, Vicente Perez Rosales and Tierra del Fuego in a very thorough fashion. If there is any criticism to this book is that it is a bit incomplete. Since 1990, when the book was first edited, a number of others national parks have been created in South America, and they are obviously not included here. Also, the book concentrates in the national parks of southern South America (perhaps because they are the best organized and are easier and safer to visit) and it lacks a bit about parks in the northern part of South America. But this is a very good introduction to really fascinating places. All in all, a very worthwhile book.

An excellent guide to exotic parklands

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South America is home to many of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. These include Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall; Iguassu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls; the world's largest river, the Amazon; and the Patagonian Icecap, the largest in the world outside Greenland or Antarctica. All of these magnificent features and a host of others are covered in the text of this book. Especially noteworthy as well are the Andean parks, such as Mount Fitzroy, Torres del Paine, both awesome mountain ranges, and Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

This book addresses various national parks in South America's nations, including the parks that encompass the foregoing marvels. Good travel tips are included in each article, including where to stay, what to do, fundamental regional courtesies and idiosyncrasies, expedition tips, etc. Each featured park description also includes a map and black and white photos. The centerpiece of the book is a series of extraordinarily good color photos coviering the more spectacular areas.

The text is easily read and provides excellent, frequently unanticipated advice for the North American or European traveler. For anyone planning a trip to see the natural side of South America, this book would seem absolutely essential. I recommend it highly.