jjares reviewed The Mojave Desert: The History and Legacy of North America?s Most Famous Desert on + 3270 more book reviews
Sorry, Charles Rivers, I was so disappointed with this book. Here's what I was expecting. I wanted to hear about the ancient history of the area when there were lakes and ponds. I wanted to hear about the indigenous peoples and how they survived/thrived in such a hostile environment. I wanted an overview of how Death Valley became such a low lying part of our continent. What was that area before it became Death Valley?
What was offered was different. Some of the positives were related to explaining about 'death by GPS,' and a warning about doing into the desert without help, supplies, and someone knowing where you would go. There was an interesting history of the Mojave Indians and their early interactions with Europeans. The 17 pages of resources were impressive. The photos and drawings were wonderful. I particularly enjoyed looking over the two maps depicting Beringia 20,000 years ago. Explaining the changes in the Mojave over the centuries was just what I was hoping for. Explaining Mojave culture was great.
Here are the things I wasn't impressed with while reading this booklet. The ghost stories, UFO fables, various mysteries, and 'Scotty's Castle' seemed uninteresting.
What was offered was different. Some of the positives were related to explaining about 'death by GPS,' and a warning about doing into the desert without help, supplies, and someone knowing where you would go. There was an interesting history of the Mojave Indians and their early interactions with Europeans. The 17 pages of resources were impressive. The photos and drawings were wonderful. I particularly enjoyed looking over the two maps depicting Beringia 20,000 years ago. Explaining the changes in the Mojave over the centuries was just what I was hoping for. Explaining Mojave culture was great.
Here are the things I wasn't impressed with while reading this booklet. The ghost stories, UFO fables, various mysteries, and 'Scotty's Castle' seemed uninteresting.
