The Great Lakes

Ever since French explorer Samuel de Champlain s first taste of what he called la mer douce the freshwater sea the Great Lakes have been admired, exploited, and renewed. This vast region is a study in contrasts: a hub of industry that s the resting spot for billions of migrating birds. 40 million residents, immense untamed forests. 95 percent of North America s fresh water and a dumping ground for poisonous wastes. The Great Lakes is an authoritative, accessible look at an ecosystem in eternal flux. Written by one of North America s most acclaimed science and nature writers, the book explores the area s geological formation and its role in human history; its diverse plant, bird, and animal species; and its significant physical, climatic, and environmental features. This captivating tribute to the Great Lakes region is also an essential guide to the challenge of preserving the natural world."