International Handbook of National Parks and Nature Reserves - by Craig W Allin (Hardcover)

About the Book

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

This 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.

Book 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

This 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 Quotes

?. . . . 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. Twenty-seven chapters by an international team of specialists survey the park systems, both physical and administrative, in twenty-four countries, among them Canada, Greece, India, Malaysia, the U.S.S.R., Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Three other chapters cover the parks of the nations of West Africa, the U.S. parks, and the U.S. wilderness areas. Each patterned chapter covers the history of a nation's park system, describes major properties in the system, analyzes the administrative organizations responsible for the parks, assesses these organizations' effectiveness and lists sources for further information. Numerous tables, maps, and charts enhance the text. Throughout spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries.?-Wilson Library Bulletin

?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. Twenty-seven chapters by an international team of specialists survey the park systems, both physical and administrative, in twenty-four countries, among them Canada, Greece, India, Malaysia, the U.S.S.R., Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Three other chapters cover the parks of the nations of West Africa, the U.S. parks and the U.S. wilderness areas. Each patterned chapter covers the history of a nation's park system, describes major properties in the system, analyzes the administrative organizations responsible for the parks, assesses these organizations' effectiveness, and lists sources for further information. Numerous tables, maps, and charts enhance the text. Throughout spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries.?-Wilson Library Bulletin

?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

?This book fills an important gap in the national parks literature by providing a unique comparative exploration of global parks preservation. 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.?-Recent Publications on Governmental Problems

"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. Twenty-seven chapters by an international team of specialists survey the park systems, both physical and administrative, in twenty-four countries, among them Canada, Greece, India, Malaysia, the U.S.S.R., Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Three other chapters cover the parks of the nations of West Africa, the U.S. parks and the U.S. wilderness areas. Each patterned chapter covers the history of a nation's park system, describes major properties in the system, analyzes the administrative organizations responsible for the parks, assesses these organizations' effectiveness, and lists sources for further information. Numerous tables, maps, and charts enhance the text. Throughout spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries."-Wilson Library Bulletin

"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

"This book fills an important gap in the national parks literature by providing a unique comparative exploration of global parks preservation. 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."-Recent Publications on Governmental Problems

." . . . 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. Twenty-seven chapters by an international team of specialists survey the park systems, both physical and administrative, in twenty-four countries, among them Canada, Greece, India, Malaysia, the U.S.S.R., Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Three other chapters cover the parks of the nations of West Africa, the U.S. parks, and the U.S. wilderness areas. Each patterned chapter covers the history of a nation's park system, describes major properties in the system, analyzes the administrative organizations responsible for the parks, assesses these organizations' effectiveness and lists sources for further information. Numerous tables, maps, and charts enhance the text. Throughout spaceship earth' there is an audience for this fine book in public and academic libraries."-Wilson Library Bulletin

About the Author

CRAIG W. ALLIN is Professor of Political Science at Cornell College, Iowa. He is the author of The Politics of Wilderness Preservation (Greenwood Press, 1982) and many journal articles.