Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia

Reviewed by Dean Goss

This is a rather large book filled with information, but it doesn't quite live up to the standard of the other Adams books. Let me be clear: This is not an indictment of the book. If I were to retrace all of the waterfall travels of Kevin Adams, I'd celebrate more than a few birthdays in the wilderness.

One of the traits of Kevin Adams that I admire most is his ability to inject his personal feelings into a series of related facts. He expresses his emotions when he sees litter, or graffiti. He doesn't make an attempt to remain clinically detached, but rather uses his observations to express a deeper need to appreciate nature without the often unsightly intrusions inflicted by a careless and thoughtless visitor. In short, he attempts to impart a reverence for waterfalls that should be adopted by all visitors.

Unlike his two North Carolina books, this one has a formulaic feel. The paper stock is of slightly lower quality than his other efforts. The information is presented in more of a shopping list format. There aren't quite as many photos as in his other two books, but there are a few really nice color plates.

As with his other books, it is a data miner's paradise. There are over 200 waterfalls listed in this book. Each has a fact box, directions, trail notes, and photographic information that gives good beta information to any would be photographer.

The Bottom Line: While the book feels as though it was more of a list than his two North Carolina books, if you mean to explore the waterfalls in the Virginias, you'd be well advised to have this book.