You can read the full review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2024/01/03/book-review-subpar-parks-americas-most-e...


------
Excerpt:
------

The book is a wonderful mis-mash of illustrations of national parks, of one sentence bad reviews, and then lots of key information on each of the national parks in question.

The illustrations are similar to the one on the right and the above (the New Belgium one, as well as the book cover), simple-ish drawings of a major feature of each park in question. They are pretty, effective, minimalist drawings.

The bad reviews in question are quick little one sentence quotes thrown onto of the artwork. The reviews aren’t offensive or vulgar or anything, they are petty and blandish, with things that are usually contradictory or ironic given the location. For example, Sand Dunes the reviewer says is “too much sand”. Or things like “too many bears” or “not enough bears” for parks that had bears in the name. The reviews aren’t elaborate or that crazy really, they are more like petty nit-picks probably by a person who was there for less than an hour viewing the national park in question
------

You can read the full review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2024/01/03/book-review-subpar-parks-americas-most-e... ( )

Funny premise, and I enjoyed the artwork. But this is a horrible format for e-book. None of the illustrations fit on my iPad screen which caused them to take up two screens. I also thought the text was not super interesting, and I would have preferred to read more about the bad reviews other than a short few paragraphs containing minimal (and very apologetic) snark about the national parks. ( )

I enjoyed the short descriptions of all the parks. The authors drawings of an iconic place at each park along with a one-star review were great! ( )

I'd never heard of the website and got this book as a gift. I think the concept is great....looking at one-star reviews of what are generally thought to be spectacular parks. But I think I would have preferred the website as the concept didn't hold my interest enough for an entire book. I'm not really interested in a sales pitch for America's parks. And while I appreciate the talent of the illustrations, I think the point would have been better made with more realistic art or photographs.

So if you like the website and/or are a lover of the National Park Service, this is for you. Not for me. ( )

This book goes to show, you can't please everyone. The 1 star reviews of some of the prettiest places in America was hilarious, but coupled with the honesty of the author it made for a great read. ( )