America the Beautiful - by National Geographic (Hardcover)

About the Book

"America the Beautiful' showcases the stunning spaces closest to our nation's heart--from the woods in the Great Appalachian Valley that Davy Crockett once called home to the breathtaking sweep of California's Big Sur coast to the wilds of Alaska. It also celebrates the people who have made this country what it is, featuring a wide range of images including the Arikara Nation in the early 1900s and scientists preparing for travel to Mars on a Hawaiian island. Culled from National Geographic's vaunted photo archives, spanning a period of more than 130 years, this provocative collection depicts the splendor of this great nation as only National Geographic can, with a dramatic combination of modern and historical imagery--from the creation of architectural icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lady Liberty to the last of the country's wild places preserved in our national parks. 0With a structure inspired by the original song "America the Beautiful," this book recognizes what makes our nation great, region by region. And all 50 states and six territories of the U.S. are honored with 50 words from celebrities, historians, activists, conservationists, and politicians who call America home. Profound and inspiring, this is a book for everyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the United States." --Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This glorious book of photography, featuring more than 200 magnificent National Geographic images of all 50 states, is a gift-worthy celebration of America's unique natural and cultural treasures.

America the Beautiful showcases the stunning spaces closest to our nation's heart--from the woods in the Great Appalachian Valley that Davy Crockett once called home to the breathtaking sweep of California's Big Sur coast to the wilds of Alaska. It also celebrates the people who have made this country what it is, featuring a wide range of images including the Arikara Nation in the early 1900s and scientists preparing for travel to Mars on a Hawaiian island. Culled from more than 130 years of National Geographic's vaunted archives, this provocative collection depicts the splendor of this great nation as only National Geographic can, with a dramatic combination of modern and historical imagery--from the creation of architectural icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lady Liberty to the last of the country's wild places currently preserved in our national parks.

Organized by chapters focused on region (west coast and the Pacific, east coast, the south, and the Midwest) that are themselves inspired by verses of the original poem America the Beautiful, this book also features a moving introduction offering perspective on the country's unique journey. You'll also find behind-the-scenes commentary from the world-renowned photographers who captured this unforgettable imagery, and observations from the conservationists, activists, and historians who help keep America beautiful today. Profound and inspiring, this is a book for everyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the United States.

Review Quotes

"For those yearning to hit the road for the first time or maybe the hundredth, National Geographic provides an alternative way to see the wonders of the U.S. This incredible collection of photographs, assembled from National Geographic's archives of more than 20 million images, begins with an introduction by historian and best-selling author Jill Lepore describing Katharine Lee Bates' journey across the U.S. in 1893. This tour by train inspired Bates to write "America, the Beautiful," the poem that became the country's unofficial anthem...Organized
geographically, America the Beautiful begins in the West as stunning photographs guide readers from one region to another. Each picture highlights the distinct landscape and unique culture of
every state and territory alongside a descriptive caption or personal message from one of its well-known offspring: Barack Obama, Maya Rudolph, Wayne Newton, Eva Longoria, and many
others. These aren't just beautiful images; they're momentary encapsulations of people, wildlife, environment, and emotion at their essence. Readers will be transported as they experience the expansiveness of the nation and the connectedness of its people." -Booklist, Starred Review

"A photographic homage to the natural and cultural treasures of the U.S...The consistently high-quality, striking photos are as diverse as the country's citizenry: aurora borealis shining over a snow-covered Alaskan highway; scientists scaling a 3,200-year-old tree in Sequoia National Park; bison and elk roaming the frozen ranges of Wyoming; farmers harvesting wheat in Kansas; children enjoying a fountain in Chicago's Millennium Park; massive waves crashing on the rocks next to Maine's oldest lighthouse; Martin Luther King Jr. standing with other civil rights leaders during the 1963 March on Washington; blues legend B.B. King playing in a small club in Mississippi; and Mexican American students standing for the Pledge of Allegiance in Brownsville, Texas. This outstanding collection meets the high standards that readers have come to expect from National Geographic, providing a wonderful representation of the country's rich and diverse culture, heritage, and landscape. A stunning celebration of a country's beauty." -Kirkus, Starred Review

About the Author

One of the world's leading nonfiction publishers, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC has published more than 1,700 titles, featuring such categories as history, travel, nature, photography, space, science, health, biography, and memoir. A portion of its proceeds is used to fund exploration, conservation, and education through ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society.