UT Press Releases Second Edition of “A Natural History Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park”

The University of Tennessee Press has released a second edition of A Natural History Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Donald W. Linzey. The guide is now available in paperback and ebook formats.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Split by the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina, the park is a part of the Appalachian Mountain chain and is well known for its biodiversity, boasting over 100,000 species of plants and animals.

In this long-awaited and fully updated edition of A Natural History Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Linzey improves upon what was already one of the most extensive volumes on the plant and wildlife populations in the park. In this edition, he updates the story of wildlife conservation in the park including the successful reintroduction of peregrine falcons, otters, elk, and four species of fishes along with a discussion of the unsuccessful reintroduction of red wolves. Linzey also discusses the park's resilience following the Chimney Tops 2 Fire and its uncertain future due to climate change, invasive species, and the impact that civilization is playing in altering the area's landscape.

Written from the perspective of a naturalist with over 50 years of research and teaching experience, as well as over 14 books published in his field, Linzey provides a thorough overview of everything a visitor to the park would need to know — without using complex jargon. Both casual readers and those more interested in the ecology of the Great Smoky Mountains will find this book an enlightening and educational guide.

The second edition of A Natural History Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is available for purchase at utpress.org and wherever books are sold.

To connect with the publisher for more information, review copies, or course adoption inquiries please contact Stephanie Phillips, publicity and promotion coordinator for UT Press (sphill36@utk.edu or 865-974-6106).

The University of Tennessee Press is the Volunteer State’s book publisher, committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Tennessee and the region. Through its focused publishing program, UT Press strives to deepen appreciation for the communities, ecosystems, and histories that make the state unique. Its mission is to enlighten readers, foster cultural dialogue, and improve the quality of life for the people of Tennessee and around the world. UT Press is a division of the University of Tennessee Libraries. For more information, visit utpress.org.