Kennesaw: Natural History of a Southern Mountain

The first in-depth ecological treatment of one of the most frequently visited National Battlefield parks in the country

Designated as a battlefield in 1917 and as a park in 1935, the 2,965-acre Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park now preserves far more than the fallen soldiers and military history it was originally founded to commemorate. Written for a diverse range of readers and park visitors, Kennesaw: Natural History of a Southern Mountain provides a comprehensive exploration of the entire park punctuated with humor, colorful anecdotes, and striking photographs of the landscape. Beginning with a brief summary of the park’s human history before transitioning to a discussion of the mountain’s nature, including its unique geology, vegetation, animals, and plant-animal interactions, Graham also focuses on Kennesaw Mountain’s most important ecological and conservation attribute—its status as a globally important bird refuge.

This volume addresses the complex interactions and behaviors of numerous species that live in or migrate through the park; yet it is written in a personal, lively, and entertaining style that will appeal to a wide audience. In many cases the book synthesizes information from the scientific literature and renders it in clear, comprehensible terms, making this otherwise arcane material accessible to the general public and underscoring—and hopefully increasing public appreciation for—the extensive biodiversity found in the Southeast.