National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 2nd Edition: 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores Hardcover – October 25, 2016 by Mel White (National Geographic)

This book lives up to its billing as it covers all properties managed by the National Park service. Of course it is time locked in that sooner or later it will be obsolete. But for now, this is as good a reference book as you will find on this subject. I agree with other reviewers that it is lacking in photographs. Since National Geographic is famous for its photos, a few more pages and a lot more photos would have been nice, but then the cost would be more. However, National Geographic isn't bashful about what it charges for other books they put out so the lack of photos is a bit confusing.

But if a picture is worth a thousand words, the lack of pictures forces good descriptive text. Here is where this book shines. The author has written just enough text to give the reader sufficient information about the site. But in most cases that is adequate to determine whether that site appears on one's travel agenda or not.

Several of the major national parks have much more coverage, and the accompanying photos that bring those entries to life. These are what makes this book worth the money. One can reader about the park and get detailed information on any driving or hiking tours the site may offer. One could really plan an itinerary from the information provided by this book.

So from the obscure (I had never heard of some of the sites listed) to the well known, this book does live up to its title. It is, at least for the time being, the "complete" national parks reference book.