Propelled by wings, fins, legs, and the wind, life has found a way to Minnesota's North Shore for more than twelve thousand years. Some plants and animals have taken up residence in the region's ancient mountains, others in its lakes and flowing rivers. Together, they weave a living fabric of sublime and fascinating beauty. These organisms come to life in North Shore, a comprehensive environmental history of one of Minnesota's most beloved places.

The story of this region unfolds through the five interconnected areas of Minnesota's North Shore watershed--the meandering rivers...