A selection of informative essays and vibrant photography combine to form a rich tapestry of the life and story of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. Stories range from the heritage of the mountains to the present day and include "Life Abundant," which describes the mountains from a geologic, geographic, and natural perspective; "River Gaps and Mountain Swags," which traces the origins of the mountains back over 10,000 years through settlement, war, and exploitation; and "Shangri-La," a look at mountain culture in story, literature, and music encompassing everything from presidents to farmers and poets to mountaineers. Through this unique combination of storytelling and visual splendor, the intricate, interwoven fabric of the natural world and the human culture of the mountains is brought to life in this eco-friendly Green Press Initiative printing with full FSC certification.