Synopses & Reviews
Allin's handbook provides a masterful survey of the parks and the systems whereby they came into being and are managed (or in some cases mismanaged) today. . . . Throughout `spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries.
Wilson Library BulletinThis volume fills an important gap in the national parks literature by providing a unique comparative exploration of global parks preservation. Written by a group of distinguished contributors--each an expert in his or her area of coverage--the handbook describes and evaluates the national parks and nature preserves in 25 nations and one regional cluster. The nations selected range from some of the wealthiest and most technologically sophisticated in the world to some of the least developed, and they represent the regional diversity to be found within each of six continents--Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America--as well as a number of Pacific island nations. Each chapter is written to a common outline and addresses the history of park preservation in that country, the natural values associated with parks and preserves, and the legal and administrative structures charged with park protection.
The editor's introduction sets the stage for the chapters that follow by discussing the national park concept and its historical implementation first in individual nations and later by means of international agreements and institutions. Of the 27 chapters that follow, 24 deal comprehensively with the parks and reserves of a single nation and one treats the nine nations of French-speaking west Africa. Two chapters address the diverse systems of nature preservation which have been established in the United States. One focuses on the traditional national parks while the other examines the recently established wilderness areas. Within each chapter a section on history describes the major events associated with park preservation. A section on the parks and reserves themselves describes the geological, historical, archaeological, biological, ecological, aesthetic, or recreational values designated for protection. A third section evaluates the agencies charged with park protection and the pressures and constraints under which they operate. Each chapter also includes notes and a select bibliography. An important acquisition for library collections dealing with conservation, this handbook will also be an invaluable reference source for scholars and researchers in the field. Numerous tables and figures enhance the text.
Review
There are at least 2,671 national parks and nature preserves in the world. This book does not describe them all, but does provide comparative descriptions of national parks and nature preserves in 25 countries. Each chapter is written by a different contributor, usually a native of the country, who describes that land's national parks and nature preserves. Each contributor uses the same outline: history, parks and reserves, and administration. There are two chapters on the US: one on national parks and one on wildreness areas. Numerous table. Simple maps illustrate the location of most, but not all, of the national parks and nature preserves described. Comprehensive chapter bibliographies; 15-page index. This book will be of most value to advanced undergraduates and graduates and research libraries.Choice
Synopsis
"Allin's handbook provides a masterful survey of the parks and the systems whereby they came into being and are managed (or in some cases mismanaged) today. . . . Throughout `spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries." Wilson Library Bulletin
Synopsis
ok in public and academic libraries." Wilson Library Bulletin
About the Author
CRAIG W. ALLIN is Professor of Political Science at Cornell College, Iowa.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction by Craig W. Allin
Argentina by Susan Calafate Boyle and Terence P. Boyle
Australia by J. Geoffrey Mosley
Canada by Harold K. Eidsvik and William D. Henwood
Chile by Carlos A. Weber
Republic of China by Lung-Sheng Chang and Shin Wang
Colombia by Heliodoro Sanchez Paez
Federal Republic of Germany by Hans Bibelriether
Great Britain by Brynmor Hugh Green
Greece by Kostas Kassioumis
Honduras by Jaime Bustillo-Pon
India by Samar Singh and W. A. Rodgers
Indonesia by Alan H. Robinson and Effendy A. Sumardja
Japan by Noriyuki Ito
Kenya by G. Wesley Burnett
Malaysia by Susan Kay Jacobson
New Zealand by Patrick J. Devlin, Paul R. Dingwall, and P. H. C. Lucas
Norway by Olav Gjaerevoll
Papua New Guinea by Peter Eaton
Peru by Marc J. Dourojeanni
South Africa by Leslie M. Reid and Jacobus N. Steyn
Uganda by Frederick I. B. Kayanja
Union of Socialist Soviet Republics by Yury Yazan
United States: National Parks by Michael Frome, Roland W. Wauer, and Paul C. Pritchard
United States: Wilderness Areas by George H. Stankey
Venezuela by Jesus M. Delgado
West Africa by Harald H. Roth, Andre Dupuy
Zimbabwe by Russell D. Taylor
Index