The dramatic story of several generations of cavers whose exciting and dangerous explorations in Kentucky's limestone labyrinths culminated in the big connection between the Flint Ridge Cave System and Mammoth Cave, forming the longest cave in the world.

For generations, enterprising people in the southern Appalachians have turned the region's extensive network of caves into a strange, fascinating genre of tourist attraction. Visitors pay admission to take a tour deep underground, learning a little about history and geology while puzzling over lit-up rock formations said to resemble anything from Niagara Falls to the Capitol dome. Then off go the lights, enveloping the travelers in total darkness--until the guide flips them back on and welcomes folks back into the safety of the inevitable gift shop. Show caves, as Douglas Reichert Powell explains in Endless Caverns, are at once predictable and astonishing, ancient and modern, eerie and sentimental. Their story sparks memories of a fleeting cool moment deep underground during a hot summer vacation, capturing in microcosm the history and culture of a region where a deeply rooted sense of place collides with constant change. Reichert Powell takes readers along on his journey through the past and present of Appalachia's show caves, highlighting the characters who have owned and operated them, the ways the attractions have developed and changed over the years, and the odd intrigue that still leads people to buy their ticket and head underground. Tourist tastes may shift as interstates whisk travelers past the backroads and on to trendier destinations, but the show cave--like Appalachia itself--endures.

Minnesota's caves have a deep history. Carver's Cave is the first to be described in the literature of North America after explorer Jonathan Carver visited it in 1766. The storied Fountain Cave was the birthplace of the city of St. Paul. Just after the American Civil War, Chute's Cave inspired an elaborate national hoax regarding an ancient civilization. Folklore surrounds Petrified Indian Cave, where a strangely shaped stalagmite was mistaken for a person turned to stone. Geologist and urban explorer Greg Brick, PhD, uses decades of research to uncover the secrets of geological wonders.

In 'The Underworld of Oregon Caves National Monument,' Roger J. Contor delves into the mysteries of one of America's lesser-known natural wonders. With a meticulous attention to detail and a vivid descriptive style, Contor provides a comprehensive exploration of the geological formations, unique flora and fauna, and historical significance of the Oregon Caves National Monument. Drawing on his background in geology and environmental studies, Contor brings a scholarly perspective to his writing, offering readers a wealth of knowledge about the complex underground ecosystem of the caves. The book also delves into the cultural and historical context of the Monument, shedding light on the ways in which it has been shaped by human interaction over the centuries. Contor's prose is engaging and informative, making this book a must-read for anyone with an interest in natural history and conservation. Fans of environmental literature will find 'The Underworld of Oregon Caves National Monument' to be a captivating and enlightening read that deepens their understanding of this unique geological marvel.