“In a manner that accommodates the duality of art and science  uncommonly well, Ann Zwinger and Beatrice Willard conduct the reader across, through, and under the alpine scene… As well as filling a unique and vital place on the bookshelf, the triumph of this work is its harmonious blend of information with original, creative expression. The authors seem equally comfortable and refined at both translating science and creating art in a word and picture.

Ann Zwinger… in a nouveau naturalist in the tradition of old describers, yet one who adds a wholly fresh and modern orientation.

Beatrice Willard’s ecological research… has brought her both acclaim and deep insight; her scholarly contribution is appreciated…

“A grandly beautiful and powerfully authoritative text and folio – and very important book” – The American West

“A very personally written, yet universally appealing and important 
book about alpine tundras… The numerous diagrams and flower drawings are outstanding.” – Choice

“I like everything about this book from the fine title through the delicate, detailed drawings to the informative and well-written text. It gives a clearer picture of life on the high mountains tundras than any other book I have read.” – Edwin Way Teale

This is the first comprehensive book on the ecology of the alpine tundra of the United States, the area above tree limit which occurs on many western ranges and on the Presidential Peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Ann H. Zwinger is a professional artist and the author of five other  highly acclaimed nature books, including RUN, RIVER, RUN, winner of the John Burroughs Medal. Beatrice E. Willard, Ph. D., was president of the Thorne Ecological Institute in Boulder, Colorado, member of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and a professor and director of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Colorado School of Mines.

By Ann H. Zwinger and Beatrice. E. Willard

Page Count: 500

6x9 Paperback

First Printing 1972, Reprinted 2024

ISBN: 978-1-68593-231-2