Metropolitan Paradise

This four-volume set is a multifaceted exploration of a valley, a park, a park system--a beloved refuge and recreational area for Philadelphians. Contosta (history, Chestnut Hill College) and Franklin (landscape architecture and regional planning, U. of Pennsylvania) are Philadelphians with a passionate interest in their home territory. They have deliberately chosen a multi-layered approach that describes the Wissahickon Valley in detail yet will draw a non-local audience interested in broader themes pertaining to planning, parks, and development. The books are beautifully designed for visual appeal incorporating numerous photos, maps, and diagrams to support the abundance of information in the text. Volume 1, subtitled Wilderness, focuses on the natural characteristics of the area from 1620 through 1865. The second volume, Park, discusses preservation and conservation efforts through 1935. Following is Volume 3, Valley, on the pressures of growth and changing economic and environmental conditions, through 1990. The final volume is subtitled Corridor, and it focuses on restoration efforts of recent decades in the context of wider environmental concerns, with projections to the year 2020. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)