Books
Presented here are a few good books that may assist you in the study of the Death Valley territory.
Many outstanding reference sources exist for this national park and the surrounding lands, quite a few of which now appear online for ease of access. Yet, there’s never anything quite like picking up a good book, getting comfortable in the easy chair on a cold winter’s night, and reading about one of the hottest spots on our planet. It’s enough to warm up even the chilliest among us.
Listed below are publications about varied aspects of the Death Valley realm, each followed by a short synopsis and/or quotes from Barnes & Noble or Amazon to let you know what others think about the book. By clicking on the book’s cover icon, you will be swept away to the book’s page on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, where you may receive instant gratification, a diminished credit card reserve, and the book on its way to your doorstep in short order.
Enjoy!
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by Janet Morgan
WELCOME TO DEATH VALLEY, A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH CALIFORNIA’S DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK by Janet Morgan
A colorful childrens book about the great desert national park written and illustrated by the three time Death Valley artist-in-residence Janet Morgan. Mention Death Valley and most people imagine a desolate lifeless place. But the real Death Valley is full of life – it hums and rattles and caws; its dynamic landscape has been shaped by volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, wind and heat.
Starting early in the morning the big black ravens Ravenna and Ramone are eager to take us on a tour of their home. From sunrise at Zabriskie Point we fly us over evidence of the flash floods that have carved the land, down to the lowest, hottest and driest place in North America. Death Valley has it all. Standing on the salt flats at Badwater Basin 282 feet below sea level you can look up to the snowy top of Telescope Peak 11,000 feet above you.
Few people get far from the main roads and know little of the vast and varied beauty of the park, which is 3 million acres, the size of the state of Connecticut. Getting a child hooked on Death Valley will get them excited about geology, biology, and ecology, and our amazing National Parks, opening them to endless things to learn about and enjoy.
Click HERE to learn more or order this book.
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DEATH VALLEY, A VIRTUAL TOUR GUIDE by Cliff Bandringa
This is a comprehensive CD about the Death Valley territory. It will bring hours of learning enjoyment right on your personal computer. Click HERE to visit Cliff’s website. Click HERE to visit this CD on Amazon.
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by Michel Digonnet
HIKING WESTERN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK by Michel Digonnet
From the publisher comes this text: “Lost between the rugged High Sierras and sunbaked Death Valley, trapped between mountains reaching over 11,000 feet, the sumptuous alignment of low desert valleys called Panamint, Saline, and Eureka is a largely unexplored paradise waiting to be discovered. This is Death Valley a hundred years ago, a hiker’s mecca filled with salt flats and sand dunes, old mines and ghost towns, awesome canyons, breathtaking summits, delightful springs and unexpected streams, and more miles of unspoiled desert than one can explore in a lifetime. Hiking Western Death Valley National Park is the first comprehensive guidebook dedicated to this fascinating region. Illustrated with detailed hand-drawn topographic maps, filled with information about the area’s rich human and mining history, geology, and botany, it will take hikers and four-wheelers to more than 200 destinations covering a wide range of interests and difficulties.”
Steve Greene (aka: The Old Trailmaster) has these words about Michel’s book: “Here is another classic Digonnet presentation for folks who really want to see the Death Valley territory that is missed by nearly everyone else. Like his first book, Hiking Death Valley, this volume is packed with detailed information that will reveal hidden places even the old timers never knew existed. Michel has a knack for finding the remote gems of this awesome countryside, and along with his exclusive maps, regional history facts, and geological notes, the book completes the package for the ultimate exploration excursion. Topics covered include: weather, geology, flora, fauna, Native American History, mining history, best seasons to visit, winter hiking, summer hiking, hiking time, hazards, regulations, backcountry driving, wilderness ethics, and facilities. Major areas covered include: Eureka Valley, western Last Chance Range, Saline Valley, Inyo Mountains, western Panamint Range, Panamint Valley, Darwin Plateau, and the Argus Range. Numerous maps, photographs, and data tables further serve to expand this comprehensive book into a truly useful tool for the backcountry traveler. When you purchase one of Michel’s books, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth! The book is dedicated to Michel’s mother.”
Editor’s Note: If your favorite reseller does not yet have this comprehensive volume available, you may purchase it directly from the publisher by emailing silurian@stanford.edu. Michel’s book should then be on its way to you without undue delay.
ISBN-13: 9780965917810
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by Steve Greene
DEATH VALLEY BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, AN ENCYCLOPEDIA AND ANTHOLOGY FROM THE LAND OF LEGEND by Steve Greene
From world explorer Helen K. Thayer, author of Walking the Gobi, Three Among the Wolves, and Polar Dream, comes this assessment: “Explorer and author Steve Greene presents a fresh Death Valley classic in this comprehensive anthology of Death Valley National Park. For use as a field guide and reference source while roaming this cosmic expanse of western Americana, Steve’s book artfully paints with vibrant strokes the innate spirit of wild Death Valley.”
James N. Gardner, science writer, lecturer, author of The Intelligent Universe and Biocosm, adds these thoughts: “Here is a volume on Death Valley that brings the facts, legends, and lore all together – a book that gives you the feeling a personal friend is sharing the mysteries of a great land with you.”
Michel Digonnet, author of Hiking Death Valley and Hiking Western Death Valley National Park, comments:”Death Valley is big. On your own, it might take many visits to find the most spectacular places, and even more to discover the hidden nuggets. Unless you want to devote a good fraction of your life to discovering Death Valley, you are going to need help. Steve Greene’s book is just the right volume to get started. It contains an entry on most key features in this vast area, the condition of many popular and secondary backcountry roads, tips on hiking and handling the desert’s own set of challenges, and much more. Readers familiar with the region will also find in it a plethora of information about the area, and treasure it as a valuable reference.”
Roger Michell, author of Death Valley SUV Trails, offers these words:”Steve is the consummate Death Valleyphile. His unbridled enthusiasm for the lowest place in North America has reached new heights. Death Valley Book of Knowledge is the definitive treatise on Death Valley. I have read and learned things in this book that I have never previously seen in print.”
Amazon Reader Review:
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, March 25, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Death Valley Book Of Knowledge: An Encyclopedia & Anthology From The Land Of Legend (Paperback)
This book contains a wealth of knowledge and provides a vast amount of information for those who wish to do more research on such an amazing park-Death Valley National Park. When I received the book it seemed overwhelming but once I read through the introductions and table of contents it was not daunting at all. Worth every penny! UPDATE: I did make my trip to Death Valley and this book is incredible. We used it the whole time. If we came across something we needed more information about it was at our fingers within a moment. Great book for anyone planning to go to DV! |
ISBN-13: 9781440126703
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by Emmett Harder
THESE CANYONS ARE FULL OF GHOSTS, THE LAST OF THE DEATH VALLEY PROSPECTORS by Emmett C. Harder
From John Hoffstetter comes this asssessment: “Emmett not only is a man among men, rugged, tough men at that, but also is a great storyteller. What’s perhaps the most surprising about Emmett is that he tells amazingly enthralling true stories.”
From Wayne Bush: “I enjoyed reading this book, which gave me an understanding of the dangers and hardships of prospecting in the desert and mountains. It has kindled my interest in gold searching, and if I ever find any gold, I just may write a book also!”
ISBN: 978-0971359406
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by Michel Digonnet
HIKING DEATH VALLEY, A GUIDE TO ITS NATURAL WONDERS AND MINING PAST by Michel Digonnet
From Brian Parkin comes this assessment: “This book is a staggering achievement, the crystallization of one person’s adventuring on foot in one of the harshest terrains in the USA. The breadth of the book is amazing; the author travelled many routes that have been little-explored and some that appear nowhere else but here. I remain in awe of his knowledge and perseverence. The writing is clear, witty, and most importantly for foot travellers he doesn’t give away all the secrets of the places he highlights. Containing detailed maps, the variety of one day and multi-day excursions allow for all experience levels from novice to superjock. His advice on hiking in hot conditions is the best anywhere. A must-have book for any desert rat.”
ISBN: 978-0965917803
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by Richard Lingenfelter
DEATH VALLEY & THE AMARGOSA, A LAND OF ILLUSION by Richard E. Lingenfelter
From P.J. Wickberg comes this assessment: “This is not only one of the most informative books ever published on the history of Death Valley and the mountains surrounding it, it is a thoroughly amusing and satisfying read for any student of Western history and does for Death Valley what J. Frank Dobie did for territories farther south. One gets the impression that in spite of its inhospitable nature, there may have been more frauds per square foot committed around Death Valley than any other American soil west of Wall Street.”
ISBN: 978-0520063563
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by Roger Mitchell
DEATH VALLEY SUV TRAILS, A GUIDE TO 40 INTERESTING FOUR-WHEELING EXCURSIONS IN THE DEATH VALLEY COUNTRY by Roger Mitchell
From Randel W. McGirr comes this assessment: “This book provides information on a large number of great trips in the Death Valley area. I’ve personally used this book as a guide for several trips and have found it to be reasonably accurate (which is difficult considering the constantly changing conditions in the Death Valley area). The author provides a lot of extra information pertaining to human and natural history, which adds to the interest of the trip and gives ideas for further research. The author has also written several other useful guides, which are also very useful.”
ISBN: 978-0970711502
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by Robin Flinchum
THE DEATH VALLEY RED LIGHT CHRONICLES by Robin Flinchum
From the Shoshone Museum Association newsletter comes this description: “The Death Valley Red Light Chronicles is a series of booklets chronicling the lives of women who worked as prostitutes and madams in the early Death Valley mining camps. Each volume contains compelling original stories illustrated with rare photographs, maps, newspaper articles, and other contemporary items.”
From the author comes this enlightening thought about her work: “I think it’s really important to tell these women’s stories. That is, to tell them as the stories of real people who inhabited the mining camps and who had pasts and futures that extended beyond the snapshot of history in which they usually appear. It is important to show that many of them were businesswomen working to gain control over their own destinies. This is an aspect of prostitution in the mining camps that is often overlooked in favor of the more tragic stories.”
the five booklets
To order one or all five booklets, please telephone the Shoshone Museum at 1-760-852-4414
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by Alan H. Patera & David A. Wright
SKIDOO! by Alan H. Patera & David A. Wright
From the publisher comes this description: “When at its zenith in 1908, Skidoo must have seemed like the end of the earth, sited in a shallow valley on top of the north end of the Panamint Range. Learn how Skidoo got it’s colorful name, and read what in-depth research reveals about the shooting of Jim Arnold by Joe Simpson — and the subsequent lynching of Simpson. Little remains at Skidoo but the mill and some debris, but it’s still an enchanting place to visit. The publication also covers nearby Harrisburg, named for discoverer Shorty Harris, where Pete Aguerreberry’s compound still stands. Both sites are now within Death Valley National Park and reached by graded roads, and are worth a visit to savor the history and the isolation.”
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by John Soennichsen
LIVE! FROM DEATH VALLEY, DISPATCHES FROM AMERICA’S LOW POINT by John Soennichsen
From Publisher’s Weekly comes this quotation: “Part a memoir of his years spent exploring the largest national park outside of Alaska, part an amateur naturalist’s appreciation for the geography, flora and fauna of this extreme environment, and part a history of the ‘crazy humans who did bizarre things’ there, Soennichsen skillfully weaves these diverse subjects into a narrative of one of the most fantastic and dangerous places on Earth. Soennichsen first visited the area at age 13, and he returned to hike and explore the region for over two decades. His experiences roused a fascination with the desert, as well as a profound respect for its dangers. Much of the human history of Death Valley over the past 150 years is concerned with mineral prospecting, mining and death by desiccation. Naïve Easterners and Europeans came seeking fortunes in mythical gold and silver mines, wilted under the unforgiving climate and abandoned homesteads and short-lived boom towns. The most significant and lasting result of the mining boom in Death Valley is the large present-day population of wild burros, descendants of miners’ jacks and jennies freed when their owners gave up or died. Eloquently written, Soennichsen’s book is a triumph of reportage reminiscent of McPhee.”
ISBN: 978-1570614484
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by Steve Greene
EXPLORING WILD DEATH VALLEY, A PRIMORDIAL WORLD OF DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE by Steve Greene
From Roslyn Bullas, publishing manager for Wilderness Press in Berkeley, comes this assessment: “Here are the vivid personal accounts of an outback explorer who has traversed the most remote regions of Death Valley that few have experienced. Steve Greene has a unique ability to describe these vast open spaces, and his moving reflections of his explorations will open your eyes and your heart to the ‘isolated wild country’ of the desert. Take this ‘safari of the mind’ and experience for yourself Death Valley’s intoxicating, primordial essence.”
From Dr. Richard Colley comes this blurb: “Veteran Death Valley explorer Steve Greene hosts our intrepid adventures in this mysterious world that ever arouses the imagination. If it’s written here, you will find it out there! Steve’s wit and wisdom are as sharp and present as the raw beauty of this famous Southwestern arena.”
ISBN: 9780595457496
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by Richard E. Lingenfelter
DEATH VALLEY LORE: CLASSIC TALES OF FANTASY, ADVENTURE, AND MYSTERY by Richard E. Lingenfelter
From John L. Murphy comes this assessment: “Two Richards, Lingenfelter & Dwyer, edit this 1988 collection of “Classic Tales of Fantasy, Adventure, and Mystery.” They compile them from sources that kindled the public fascination with this supposedly inhospitable, magically hidden, stupendously lucrative, yet utterly fatal place. So the legend was printed, to paraphrase John Ford. Forty-niners gone astray, John Brier & William Lewis Manly, provide their own powerful narrations from when they found themselves trapped there, the first white men to witness its terrifying and dispiriting sights. Prospectors like Shorty Harris and promoters like George Graham Rice share their polished, yet engaging, accounts, as do editors of newspapers from the camps. They’re joined by a host of flimflamming publicists eager to cash in on the crazes in the later 19th and earlier 20th century surrounding hoaxes, self-dramatizing forays after lost mines, Death Valley Scotty’s mendacity, and the Bullfrog discovery. Yarnspinners and poetasters– the best being Paul DeLaney surviving the summer’s heat and Sydney Norman’s debunking of Scotty– round out the breathless array of selections.”
ISBN: 978-0874171365
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by William Lewis Manly
DEATH VALLEY IN ’49, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PIONEER by William Lewis Manly
From Stephanie Porter comes this assessment: “I was a little hesitant about reading this book, because it was written in the 1890s and I was afraid that the prose might be tough to slog through. But in fact, the writing style is very readable and the book is a real page-turner. It’s almost like a big historical novel, except that it’s all true. The author lived a life of high adventure and describes everything that happened to him in clear and dramatic terms. The highlight of the book is the story of crossing Death Valley in 1849 with a small party of emigrants, and nearly dying both from thirst and starvation. Very vivid stuff!”
ISBN: 978-1589760264
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by Nicholas Clapp
WHO KILLED CHESTER PRAY? A DEATH VALLEY MYSTERY by Nicholas Clapp
From Linda Greene, DVNP Ret., comes this assessment: “Who Killed Chester Pray? provides new and revealing information about one of Death Valley’s most provocative unsolved mysteries. Author Nicholas Clapp’s intensive research and use of a flowing narrative result in a wonderfully readable book that not only probes the dark side of human nature, but presents an exciting picture of the American mining West of the early 20th century.”
From the publisher come these words: “Written in the newly recognized nonfiction genre of historical reconstruction, Who Killed Chester Pray? transports the reader to a last, grand hurrah of the American West. Seeking his fortune in the early 1900s, young prospector-assayer Chester Pray filched a Nevada sheriff’s horses, stole gold belonging to a U.S. Senator, and ultimately discovered one of the richest lodes ever in Death Valley. Then, Pray was shot dead in the night. By who? Why? As many as seven individuals had ample cause to kill Chester Pray. The psychologically compelling answer is not what you would expect.”
ISBN: 978-0978563424
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by Bill and Polly Cunningham
HIKING DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK by Bill and Polly Cunningham
From a synopsis of the publisher comes this description: “Hiking Death Valley National Park contains detailed information about 36 of the best day hikes and extended backpacking trips in the largest national park outside of Alaska. Supplemented with GPS-compatible maps, mile-by-mile directional cues, rich narratives, and beautiful photographs, this is the only book you’ll need for this land of extremes. Polly and Bill Cunningham are lifelong hikers and wilderness advocates. They have collaborated on several other FalconGuides, including Hiking New Mexico’s Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Hiking New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, Hiking California’s Desert Parks, Hiking Anza-Borrego State Park, Hiking Joshua Tree National Park, Hiking Mojave National Preserve, Wild Utah, and Wild Montana.”
ISBN: 9780762744633
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by Kayci Cook
IN PICTURES: DEATH VALLEY, THE CONTINUING STORY by Kayci Cook
From the publisher comes this description: “Death Valley National Park is properly labeled the driest place in the United States. Yet water’s past presence here is obvious. Spring wildflowers along a canyon floor are colorful proof of storms six months past. Winter storms temporarily dust upper slopes with snow.Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California and western Nevada, was first set aside in 1933 to preserve this unique desert that includes the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. These books contain vivid full-color photography by renowned professionals, enriched by extended interpretive captions. The adventure begins on the first page. Explore America’s panoramic beauty from the comfort of your home.”
ISBN: 978-0887140396
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By Robert C. Likes
FROM THIS MOUNTAIN -CERRO GORDO by Robert C. Likes
This book tells about the mining region of Cerro Gordo, on Death Valley National Park’s west side, in the Inyo Range. From regional explorer and author Cecile Vargo comes this inviting text about the old mining town:
“Nestled high in the Inyo Mountains east of the Sierra Nevadas, at an altitude of 8,500 feet, Cerro Gordo, Fat Hill, was discovered to be rich in silver deposits by a group of Mexican miners led by Pablo Flores. The year was 1865. By 1866, Victor Beaudry, a French Canadian, now a merchant at Fort Independence in Owens Valley, realized there were opportunities at the Cerro Gordo mining camp, and opened a general store on the mountain. He began acquiring mining properties in lieu of overdue accounts and by January of 1868 arranged with Pierre Desormeaux to build ore furnaces. By April of 1868, Beaudry acquired more properties which included the richest claims on the hill, the Union, the San Lucas, the San Felipe and more.”
From R.Coke Wood, University of the Pacific-The Pacific … Read More historian, Vol.20,#2, Summer of 1976. comes this discription, ” Likes and Day [authors] have made a fine contribution to the historical literature of the West. They have put together the whole story of Cerro Gordo, from its discovery in the 1860′s to the 1930′s It is a dramatic story of competition between rival mining interests where for many years fuel and water for the smelters had to brought in from a distance by pack trains of burros. They have also told of a great deal of the history of the surrounding area, such as the building boats that operated on the now dry Owens Lake, the great earthquake in Owens Valley in 1872. I recommend it highly.”
To learn more about this fascinating ghost town, you’ll just have to buy the book.
ISBN: 9780912494159
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LISTED BELOW ARE A FEW MORE
A number of books about Death Valley and environs are old, in human terms that is. Some may not even be readily available anymore, which make them especially valuable to regional enthusiasts. Many of the following books are vintage classics, while others are still able to be acquired with due diligence. Enjoy the trip back in time, and let your imagination run wild with what might be inside the covers! (These selections come from the library of David A. Wright, Great Basin historian and author.)
An excellent new book about a little known man is “Who Killed Chester Pray, A Death Valley Mystery” . The author is Nicholas Clapp and the publisher is La Frontera Publishing. A great read with lots of researched information about the Queen of Sheba mine and life in and around Ballarat.
January 25, 2009 at 11:40 pm
The last four books pictured – Funeral Range, Gold Mountain and the two Rhyolite books – are still available through Alan Patera at:
http://www.westernplaces.net/
January 26, 2009 at 12:38 am
Pingback: New Book « The Death Valley Journal
Pingback: New Book … « The Death Valley Journal
Another source to order “HIKING WESTERN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK” is http://www.desertusa.com/web_cart/db/pages/9098.html
October 16, 2009 at 9:14 pm
You might want to ad “The Land of Little Rain” by Mary Austin. A good read for anyone who loves the high desert.
October 8, 2010 at 5:31 am
Would you consider listing my new children’s book? Welcome to Death Valley! A Guided Tour Through California’s Death Valley National Park – A colorful children’s book about the great desert national park written and illustrated by the three time Death Valley artist-in-residence Janet Morgan. Send me your snail mail address if you would like a copy to review. My art partner and I will be having a show at the Death Valley visitor center in April, 2012, hope you see you there! We’ll be in the park the first half of April, watch for a ranger talk.
February 5, 2012 at 9:17 am