Yellowstone National Park is the focal point of the 22-million-acre, multifaceted Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, located in northwestern Wyoming and in parts of eastern Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone has a uniquely American identity as a place where nature--largely untouched and unmanaged--is allowed to flourish.

This is a detailed survey that blends Yellowstone's past into its present and explores its likely future. It covers the first inhabitants of the area; the explorers and visionary conservationists who first brought Yellowstone to public attention; the unsung early heroes of the park's ranger service; and the flora, fauna, and spectacular geology of the region. The book also covers the possible future paths for the park in light of global climate change.

“The emphasis throughout this book's 17 chapters is that management direction undertaken by the National Park Service—whether past, present, or future—must be synchronized with conditions obtaining in the larger ecosystem, which includes other national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management properties, wildlife preserves, state-owned lands, and private property. The authors identify several stressors that directly affect the well-being of the ecosystem, including climate change, visitation rates, increasing residential density on private properties, and invasive species. ... Any reader interested in the history, development, and management of U.S. national parks will find this book of value. It will also provide a comprehensive overlook for those planning to visit the park in the future. ...recommended”—Choice

Hunt Janin is an American writer living in southwestern France. He has written numerous nonfiction and scholarly books on a range of subjects, including medieval history and cross-cultural studies. Following a career in corporate finance, Nicole Sheehan has dedicated herself to helping educational and environmental nonprofit organizations pursue national and international causes. She lives in Jackson, Wyoming.