This spectacular guide celebrates the Rocky Mountains’ amazing ecological and biological diversity. It describes the range’s geographical formation, its role in shaping the American West, its five ecosystems and the plants and animals that form them, and the relationship between humans and the Rockies, from the arrival of indigenous peoples to the onslaught of tourists and environmental concerns. Gorgeous full-color photographs, elegant line drawings, and sidebars that highlight subjects of particular interest complement the book’s lively, engaging text.