Atlanta

A lavishly illustrated tour of one of America's most historic, beautiful and exciting cities.

Atlanta is a fascinating modern city with a rich heritage. Burned to the ground in 1864, Atlanta rose from the ashes and slowly made its recovery, becoming the capital of the new south. Today, visitors can step back in time and view Civil War sites and white-columned mansions. Then they can fast forward to the present and see stunning skylines, take part in a lively arts scene and spend hours enjoying popular attractions, parks and recreation areas. It is here that Coca-Cola was invented, Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind, CNN got its start and Martin Luther King, Jr., was born and preached.

Atlanta is a great American city with much to see, enjoy and be inspired by. The city is an important commercial center and tourist destination, vibrant with a wealth of attractions, which include:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• Fox Theatre
• Georgia Aquarium
• High Museum of Art
• Inside CNN
• Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
• Margaret Mitchell House and Museum
• Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site
• Stone Mountain Park
• World of Coca-Cola
• And gracious neighborhoods, elegant mansions, scenic parks and exciting sports venues.

The America the Beautiful series takes readers on a photographic tour of the country's most vibrant cities and most beautiful states. Award-winning photographers contribute their best images -- from dazzling cityscapes to historic homes and monuments -- of both well-known destinations and hidden gems. Clear and informative captions bring each scene to life. These handsomely designed books show the beauty, spirit and character of each location, to be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.

Dan Liebman, a native New Yorker, is an editor and writer for many publications. He is the author of California and New York City in the America the Beautiful series.

Ron Sherman has been published in most of the major national magazines, including Time, Life, Newsweek, Forbes, and Sports Illustrated. His images have illustrated corporate annual reports for Coca-Cola, IBM, Georgia Power, Southern Natural Gas and Georgia Power. He has been published in three hardcover Atlanta books, numerous textbooks, travel magazines and college publications.