Laura Riley was a writer and photographer specializing in the natural world. William Riley is a conservationist, writer, and businessman. The Rileys coauthored the "Guide to the [U.S.] National Wildlife Refuges", a Pulitzer Prize nominee.

Bengal tigers in the jungles of India. Birds of Paradise in the wilds of New Guinea. Penguins on frozen beaches in Antarctica. These and other charismatic and endangered species find homes within the world's great wildlife reserves. Only a few persons have had the opportunity to visit many of these wildlife sanctuaries and witness these magnificent animals firsthand. Now, for the first time, the splendor of the world's most impressive wildlife reserves is captured on the printed page in this gloriously illustrated book by naturalists Laura and Bill Riley. The Rileys, who received Pulitizer Prize nominations for their book on American wildlife refuges, spent ten years researching this book, visiting reserves on every continent. The 600 sanctuaries featured were chosen on the basis of exhaustive on-scene reports, interviews, and personal experiences. From Ecuador's Glapagos Islands to Tanzania's renowned Serengeti, they represent the last places on earth where the natural world remains intact. Some of the reserves are as large as European countries, others the size of small farms. Many are growing as people everywhere become aware of their beauty and importance. The book includes information on each sanctuary's historical and ecological significance, details about how to visit and what to see, and a comprehensive index for locating individual species. A feast for the eyes, Nature's Strongholds offers a magical excursion into these majestic-and seldom seen-paradises. Anyone who has ever dreamed of taking such a journey will long to have this book. Includes: 150 color photographs Information on each reserve's historical and ecological significance details on best times to visit as well as monthly temperature and rainfall descriptions of habitats 75 detailed maps