New Architectural Guidebook Illustrates Wallace Stegners Assertion: National Parks Are the Best Idea We Ever Had"

Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks: California, Oregon and Washington by Harvey H. Kaiser is a brand new book that kicks off Gibbs Smith, Publisher's new series on the architecture of national parks and monuments. The book contains 150 black and white photographs, maps of each state, and maps of each park and its surrounding area. Also included are brief histories of each park, travel directions, driving tour information, hiking directions, and biographical information on the historical figures for whom many of these landmarks are named.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- March 20, 2002 - From the majestic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park to Lewis and Clarks Fort Clatsop in Northwest Oregon, Americas national parks and monuments contain some of the countrys most scenic and historic architectural treasures. In his new book, Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks: California, Oregon and Washington (Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 21.95, ISBN 1-58685-066-0, May 2001), Harvey H. Kaiser, PhD takes us on a tour of these landmark structures, discussing their historical and architectural significance and showing how form, function, history and beauty combine to create these inspiring works of art.

Kaiser starts this new guidebook series (the first and only to examine the historic architecture of our national parks and monuments) in the American West. Organized by state, then by park, the guide offers an array of destinations in wildly divergent geographical settings, including the homes of former presidents, historic lodges and hotels, and the distinctive attractions of each area. From the soaring temperatures that envelope Scottys Castle" in Death Valley, California to the snow-capped dome of Mount Rainier and its rustic ranger cabins, the information contained in the book is impressive. Even those with a penchant for literary history will find the book intriguing-Pulitzer and Nobel prize-wining playwright Eugene ONeills retreat in the east hills of San Francisco and famed conservationist and writer John Muirs house in Martinez, California, are also covered.

Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks: California, Oregon and Washington contains 150 black and white photographs, maps of each state, and maps of each park and its surrounding area. Also included are brief histories of each park, general travel directions, driving tour information, hiking directions, and biographical information on the historical figures for whom many of these landmarks are named.

Wallace Stegner eloquently appraises the historic act of 1916 that founded our National Park Service as the best idea we ever had." This book will lead anyone with a curiosity for history or architecture to explore and to study the role that parks, national historical sites, memorials and monuments have played in the American architectural landscape.

Harvey H. Kaiser, PhD, is the President and founder of HHK Associates, Inc., an architectural consulting firm. Dr. Kaiser is a widely recognized expert in his field, having served over 20 years as educator and administrator at Syracuse University. His books, Great Camps of the Adirondacks and Landmarks in the Landscape, are considered standard reference works on the subject of historic preservation in the natural setting. Kaiser holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master of Architecture and Ph. D. in Social Science from Syracuse University.

Founded in 1969, Gibbs Smith, Publisher specializes in books on design and architecture, but also features titles from categories including western, holiday, cooking, nature, inspiration and childrens (featuring the celebrated Sierra Club Books for Children series). The Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks is the seventh book in our architectural guidebook series; we also offer guides to New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland.