There are about 160 national parks in various stages of development in South America, ranging from tourist attractions near cities to vast, remote ecological reserves. Trained as a biologist, Leitch spent several years exploring them; the result is a volume describing 32 parks accessible to the average tourist in seven nations (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname). He urges foreigners to visit these sites as a way of encouraging host governments to support them--the more visitors, the more revenue to protect and operate the parks. He provides excellent summaries of natural phenomena as well as presenting the practical advice travelers need. Recommended as a handy reference work as well as a travel guide.