Many national parks in the United States have an official handbook. These have about fifty pages of text and pictures about the park, and are often heavy on the pictures. They also have an official map, basic information and contact numbers in the back. These handbooks are good for the visitor who wants to read more than the basic brochure and visitor center exhibits.
This book is certainly all that. Unlike most other official publications, however, the author appears here. Wallace clearly loves caves, especially Mammoth Cave. Especially at the start and end of this handbook, his passion for caves shows through. He shares some of his own cave experiences, which make this otherwise-dry genre come alive.