Essential Guide to Nature Walking in the United States, by Charles Cook. Henry Holt and Company, 1997. 274 pp., $19.95, paperback. ISBN 0805041117

Charles Cook's Nature Walking surveys several thousand trails throughout the fifty states with descriptions of five hundred of the best natural areas in which they can be found. The book is well-organized and arranged by state with individual maps showing the location of the various preserves, state parks and sanctuaries. Each of the locations include a basic description of the terrain and wildlife along with an address and phone number so that readers can contact the area for more detailed information and specific trail maps.

As the title states this is a general guide to nature walking so the trails suggested are short, mainly under three miles and in the easy to moderate range. This makes it useful for someone looking for a break from a long car ride to another destination or as an introduction to a state or area one may not be familiar with. More experienced hikers may also find it handy as a starting point for further research.

The author includes a brief section on the practical and philosophical aspects of walking which I'm sure walkers are already well-acquainted with. This book is a good all-around reference in an easy-to-use format which can form the basis for a lifetime of exploring the seashores, canyons, forests and valleys found in the U.S.

Reviewed by Nancy Z. Leck, September/October 1998