59 Illustrated National Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Wilderness and Wonder

by Joel Anderson (Artist), Nathan Anderson

Joel Anderson and his team of award-winning artists set out to create a poster for each of the National Parks. Along the way, Joel and his son Nathan traveled to several parks gathering reference, photos, and inspiration for a book that would eventually combine the entire poster series with a wealth of interesting information.

Genres: Travel, Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Reference, Coffee Table Books, Adult

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the art and the descriptions and background on each park make me want to visit all of the national parks.

[carl theaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note that my edition is the COLORING Book ! Purchased recently at Mesa Verde National Park. I didn't realize there was a real book until seeing the other editions here on Goodreads, didn't see that one at the park store, but I sure want to read that one.

As for this edition, there is no text, just park posters to color along with smaller reference art pictures in case you need some guidance or inspiration, which mostly my wife is doing, she can stay in the lines.

This would be a great gift for those of any age that still enjoy breaking out a pack of crayolas, or coloring pencils.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of new US national park posters by the Anderson Design Group. The posters take the mid-century modern design aesthetic of the now "vintage" NPS promotionals, and update them with different viewpoints, scenes, and highlights. Some of the "biggies" (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon) have a few separate designs, so there is more original art than expected.

The book is primarily about the art - and the art is exceptional! - including how the posters were designed, with models of each layer. Each of the 59 parks has a section, and about 1-2 pages of text with basic history about that park, and a side column with wildlife notes, "must-see" spots, etc.

I bought this book at Zion National Park, and it is now living happily on my coffee table. It's already attracted the attention of friends and family who have stopped by my house!

[Kerrick James]

Just before Christmas I was privileged to see and savor a lovely new book, with a theme that caught my eye straight away, '59 Illustrated National Parks'.
Filled with new and original poster art executed in WPA fashion, it's a fine read and gorgeous on the eye, and a perfect add for my library. And as this is the 100th anniversary of US National Parks, (our gift to the world), it just seems fitting. NOTE: I'm writing this because I love this book, not for money or perks. And I don't have images in the book, but wish I did.. BTW, I've shot 41 of the 59. How many have you seen, and maybe photographed?

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty darned delightful. I adore the old-timey (early 20th century to mid-century style) art work. Delicious poster eye-candy plus a few mind-candy facts on each of the 59 parks was a perfect combination. Though I admit that I look forward to just have to page through to enjoy the images from now on!

[David Ranney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely art and unexceptional writing. Compelling design overall. 3 stars from me and 4 stars from my coffee table.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this beautiful but somewhat short coffee-table book which features modern adaptions of promotional posters for what were 59 national parks of the US (since its publication White Sands became a national park upgraded from national monument status so this is not included). The book features each park with its spectacular poster art which is inspired by posters made in the 1920-30's by the Works Progress Administration. Those posters promoted tourism to many of the sites which were newly acquired locales to the NPS and are classic representations of the Golden Age of Poster Art. This book features art work which is reminiscent of that time yet modern, capturing the spirit of each individual location. The posters are flanked with descriptions of its given park, including its history and sites to be seen when one visits. It is a wonderful tribute to both poster art and to the parks themselves and fosters a desire to see many of these wondrous places. I had been savoring it in small pieces, reading about a handful of park sites at time though certainly one can skim through the entire book in minutes just looking at the poster art and forgoing the written park descriptions. A great book for those who love poster art or the great outdoors or both!

[Scott Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book. Not just for the pictures (which are of course gorgeous), but because a) the information on each park - especially how they ame to be, and some of the individuals responsible for preserving these magnificent areas - was fascinating, and b) it taught me something bout poster art that I hadn't thought about: that illustration allows you to show only the essential elements of a place, as opposed to photography showing all the details. It helps distill what you're looking at. An interesting insight.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stunning vintage poster style artwork more than made up for the poor editing on this one. (Hint: Learn the difference between "led" and "lead"). Write-ups of each of the 59 National Parks in the U.S. (well, 58 ... one of them is American Samoa), partnered with photographs, travel hints, commentary by long-time NPS rangers, and of course the beautiful artwork all made me want to visit each and every one of these parks. Someday!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and alluring set of images and details on America's National Partners. I wish there were fewer grammatical errors, the writing can be a bit flowery at times for my taste, and the paintings could be more inclusive -- but overall a great intro and marketing for this amazing resource, in addition to some basic history on the parks system and each park.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved reading a chapter or two a day in this book. David got it for me for Christmas. The artwork is stunning and I learned so much about the national parks. Packing my bags... Hoping to stop by Anderson Design Group on my next work trip to Nashville.

[Julia]

Really gorgeous drawings, nice info on the parks.
No rating because I don't really know how I would 'rate' this, since it's nonfiction and purely informational.






Please visit this website. It has many links to petitions, donations, and more.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book. It really makes me want to go visit each of the National Parks. I judged his comments on the parks I have visited and know his descriptions are fair and accurate

[Joey Peacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful posters that we plan to turn into wall decor and just enough interesting info to increase my desire to see more national parks.

[Jennifer Phenicie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure of fun facts and beautiful descriptions.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and helpful guide to all of the national parks. Includes an overall map showing locations and individual description and illustration of each park.

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the artwork and wished it was just the art not the text.

[Jennifer Naslund Deutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing coffee table book we picked up on our recent National park trip. Great detail and artwork.

[Israel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Brief information on several national parks in the United States. Sparse information on indigenous or native displacement of these lands and what their history was in these "national parks".

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had more time to read this fully before it had to go back to the library.

[Nancie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of each national park were so awesome. However, the writing was decent but not phenomenal. It was cool to see when and how each national park became something. I have to agree with the senate bill that was passed that began the American parks back in 1872. They wanted to protect Yellowstone and they said, "be it enacted that the tract of land... lying near the headquarters of the Yellowstone river... is nearby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United Stated, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground or the benefit and enjoyment of the people"... YES!

[The_Crystal_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this book! I bought some of this artwork in prints when I visited the parks. I love the designs. To have all of it in one book would be amazing!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well illustrated book about the national parks with lots of history and facts about each park. A great asses to anyone who wants to read about the parks or visit them.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is wonderful, but the writing isn't great. Worth it for the amazing design work!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book that will be sitting on my coffee table for a long time.