About the Book
"No school, public, or academic library could go wrong including the very affordable World Heritage Sites in both reference and circulating collections."
--Booklist (for a previous edition)
More than 52,000 copies of the previous editions of World Heritage Sites have been sold. This sixth edition fully updates the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 2014. Sites are judged under strict criteria with a view to the aim that they reflect the world's cultural and natural diversity and are of outstanding universal value.
In June 2014, the World Heritage Committee added 26 sites to the list. These inscriptions include the 1,000th site, Okavango Delta in Botswana and Myanmar's very first inscription, Pyu Ancient Cities.
Sites added to this new edition include:
- Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
- Grand Canal (China)
- Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point (Mississippi, USA)
- The Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont (Italy)
- Decorated Cave of Pont d'Arc (France)
- Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements of the Diquis (Costa Rica)
- Van Nellefabriek "Ideal Factory" (Netherlands)
- Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (Philippines)
- Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan).
This sixth edition of World Heritage Sites will attract a general readership as well as travelers and those with an interest in natural or human history, the Earth sciences, geography, conservation of the environment, wildlife and habitats; and planning and preservation.
About the Author :
Founded in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has the ambitious goal to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, social and natural science, culture and communication.
Review :
[Review of previous edition] Covering 141 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, the Arab States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the World Heritage List is a valuable guide to the world's cultural and natural heritage.... The beauty of this book is in both the lavish photographs and the accessibility of information. Each site can be found on the continent maps or in the alphabetical or country-by-country index. All entries are presented in a similar manner and are arranged chronologically by the year in which they were inscribed on the World Heritage List... UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This treasure trove of a book reinforces that mission and, through spectacular photographs, shows how remarkable and beautiful our planet truly is. An excellent (and affordable) addition to any library.--Kathleen A. Welton "Library Journal" (11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Firefly Books is the first to compile a guidebook that attempts to cover all of the World Heritage sites.... It's a fascinating look at these remarkable sites.--Ann Tutko-Peterson "Valley Times" (10/25/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Guides you to visually thrilling locales around the world.--Sheldon Kirshner "Canadian Jewish News" (12/9/2010 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Highly attractive and informative.... What makes this compact, sturdily covered and bound paperback an invaluable reference book is its coverage of the complete list of the current sites.... Though the phrase "recommended for all libraries" is overused, no school, public, or academic library could go wrong including the very affordable World Heritage Sites in both reference and circulating collections. The official World Heritage Web site, which includes many additional photographs and features, is also highly recommended. YA: For teens, this very browsable book will provide numerous historical, geographic, aesthetic, and perhaps even moral lessons.--Craig Bunch "Booklist" (2/15/2010 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] History buffs, travel gurus and cultural enthusiasts alike will delight in this global guide to hundreds of locations. Supported by the United Nations' Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, this book features more than 650 photographs and 900 maps that detail 878 locales, each accompanied by a pithy description about their cultural impact.... The guide is comprehensive, providing a treasure trove of information about the world's most historically significant structures and locations.... Readers are sure to be swept away by this all-encompassing testament to world culture.-- "Kirkus Reviews Reference Supplement" (9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Impressive...a true travelogue throughout the book, as we are taken to the most beautiful sites the world has to offer, further proof of why UNESCO wants to preserve them for future generations, to enjoy centuries from today. In the meantime, we get to enjoy their charm, right in our hands.-- "Shelf Life" (6/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Instead of reading about places you may already be familiar with, this book will take you around the world to the best natural and manmade features on the planet.--Terry Richard "Oregon Live" (10/21/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Most places-to-see-before-you-die books are a dime a dozen, but this one comes with the moral authority of the United Nations. World Heritage Sites: A Complete Guide to 878 UNESCO World Heritage Sites features gorgeous photos ands pithy descriptions of Earth's most culturally, historically and geologically significant locations.--Rob Howatson "Westworld" (11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Pat Carrier, owner of the Globe Corner, says his customers have been very enthusiastic about World Heritage Sites.--Beth J. Harpaz "ABC News" (11/15/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] The cover boasts a gorgeous photo of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The back shows the Taj Mahal, pink in the light of dawn. And in between there are more than 800 pages-and almost two kilograms' worth -that are filled with information about natural and cultural wonders from every corner of the globe. In a way, the book is a book of dreams - for people with the travel bug or those who just like to imagine what it would be like to see places the forces of nature and human ingenuity have wrought. All of these places are sites of physical or cultural significance on a list maintained by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Canada is well represented, with 15 sites, most of which are of natural rather than historic value.-- "Waterloo Region Record" (12/12/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Think of it as the world's greatest hits.--Ellen Creager "St. Paul Pioneer Press" (11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] This book contains a tremendous amount of information about these well-known and not-so-well known historical and natural areas which UNESCO has identified as being of outstanding value to humanity. This book would be a great addition to reference sections of public and junior and senior high school libraries.--Victoria Pennell "Resource Links Vol. 16 No. 4" (3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] This updated edition gives the most up-to-date list of these sites and it contains a tremendous amount of information. It is like having a travel guide book taking you to the most beautiful sites the world has to offer. With more than 650 color photos, the book is visually appealing and makes it worth the price just for the photograph's alone.-- "Mixed Media Reviews" (11/21/2014 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] This volume is a must for the serious traveller's bookshelf.--Ryan Murdock "Outpost Magazine" (2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Whether your gift recipient is a traveller or someone who prefers to travel imaginatively in the comfort of home, World Heritage Sites is a splendid gift. With more than 650 colour photos, the book is a luscious visual treat. And as some sites are grievously damaged (Angor Wat) or destroyed (Buddhas of Bamiyan), the book is a record of what exists now and what once was.--Candace Fertile "Victoria Times-Colonist" (11/29/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] World Heritage Sites is a great reminder that it isn't just land that we need to protect, but the hundreds of thousands of treasures from ancient civilizations, cultural relics, natural habitats and other sites important to human history.... This guide arranges them chronologically by the year they were designated by UNESCO, and offers color photos, a brief history and explanation of their further significance, the criteria that put them on the list and, for some of the sites, additional trivia.--Kyle Wagner "Denver Post" (10/11/2009 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] You won't find a guidebook that comes closer to painting a complete picture about such a large body of tourism haunts.--Ann Tatko-Peterson "San Francisco West County Times" (10/25/2009 12:00:00 AM)
An ideal gift for anyone interested in the relationship between human genius and natural beauty, the amazing sites in this book have been acknowledged and protected as best possible around the world. Located in 160 countries, they include cultural, natural and mixed sites with maps and striking photographs. For every library!--Ann Coombs "Annual Holiday Gift Guide List" (12/1/2015 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of previous edition] Best Reference 2009-- "Library Journal" (4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM)
