An Appalachian Tragedy: Air Pollution and Tree Death in the Eastern Forests of North America

Documents the damage that air pollution has done to trees along the Appalachian Trail

YA-Professor Ayers, photojournalist Hager, and conservationist Little have created an aptly entitled visual field trip through "our most ancient mountains." Combining cogent argument with artistry, their work is a devastatingly beautiful depiction of the cumulative effect of 40 years of air pollution on the Appalachian Mountains. The book opens with a mini photo-essay in which full-page, color photographs of a chemical plant in Alabama and electrical towers in West Virginia lie juxtaposed with those of dead trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The superb photos, supported by brief explanatory text, introduce each of the book's five sections; an in-depth essay by an authority in the field follows. The book's strength lies in the editors' vision. They go beyond merely documenting the devastation to trees and other plant life to illustrate the interdependency of forest ecology. "The Broken Web of Life" tells what happens to life forms from fungi to earthworms to panthers when, for example, the pH levels of water are lower than that of vinegar. "A Culture at Risk" portrays mountain communities' struggles to preserve their livelihood, their culture, and their beliefs, even in the face of government and corporate despoliation. The book concludes with a "Call to Action." This fine work will reward YAs whether their interest is science, sociology, or simply piqued curiosity.-Dori DeSpain, Herndon Fortnightly Library, Fairfax County, VA

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

A noted photojournalist along with a diverse group of editors and writers have produced an excellent book describing tree death (the result of air pollution) and its environmental and cultural effects in the Appalachian Mountains. The format is superb, presented in sections covering basic forest ecology, tree death, the effect on communities, the effect on culture, and a call to action. Each section begins with an introduction, includes a superb photographic essay in support of the topic, and concludes with an extensive guest essay from an expert in that topic. Especially poignant are the sections describing cultural impact; many are not obvious yet are quite serious. Strong opinions are not minced, making this a valuable and recommended addition for all environmental collections.?Nancy J. Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.