Yellowstone National Park is the focal point of the 22-million-acre, multifaceted Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is located in northwestern Wyoming and in parts of eastern Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone embodies a uniquely American identity as a place where nature--largely untouched and unmanaged--is allowed to flourish. This is a detailed survey that blends Yellowstone's past into its present and explores its likely future. It covers the first inhabitants of the area; the explorers and visionary conservationists who first brought Yellowstone to public attention; the unsung early heroes of the park's ranger service; the flora, fauna, and spectacular geology of the region; and all the other elements that have culminated in the creation, preservation, and international popularity of the park. Finally, the book covers the possible paths for the park in light of global climate change.