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.

Reviews

[Review for 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 for previous edition] [A] good introduction to the range and scope of this global preservation program.-- "Blog on Books" (3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

[Review for previous edition] Best Reference 2009-- "Library Journal" (4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM)

[Review for 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 for 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 for previous edition] Guides you to visually thrilling locales around the world.--Sheldon Kirshner "Canadian Jewish News" (12/9/2010 12:00:00 AM)

[Review for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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 for previous edition] Really a great and informative publication!-- "digonsite.com" (6/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)

[Review for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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 for 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)

This is your guide to 1031 World Heritage sites mapped by continent with descriptions, locations and photographs. The sites are located in 163 countries and include 802 cultural sites, 197 natural sites and 32 mixed sites which are recognized for their universal value. This is the ideal bucket list!-- "Ann Coombs Annual Holiday Gift Guide List 2016" (12/1/2016 12:00:00 AM)