Fragile Giants
"Mutel's thorough account of a Midwestern natural treasure…provides a fascinating look into the area's natural and cultural heritage."—Restoration and Management Notes
"…a thoughtful stroll over the hills of western Iowa as they respond to time and changes in the climate and inhabitants."—Annals of Iowa
"The variety of specialties covered—geology, archaeology, history, ecology, conservation—are such that almost anyone will learn something new from this book and will probably want to refer to it many times."—Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science
"For anyone interested in the outdoors and the history of this area, this book is a must."—Sioux City Journal
"Fragile Giants could unlock the mysteries of the loess hills for a generation of naturalists."—Des Moines Register
Just east of the Missouri River in Iowa and northeastern Missouri, an angular band of rugged, prairie-topped and woodland-cloaked hills spans the otherwise uneventful skyline. These are the Loess Hills, recognized throughout the United States for their distinctive natural features. With clarity and thoroughness, Fragile Giants gives us a complete natural history of this area, including three auto tours and a comprehensive listing of public-use areas and educational programs.