Death Valley Book Of Knowledge
Subtitle: an Encyclopedia & Anthology from The Land of Legend
By: Created by Steve Greene
Contributors: JT Reynolds, David Blacker, Michel Digonnet, Susan Sorrells, David Wright, Phil Kember, Matt Jones, Emmett Harder, Helen Thayer, Robin Flinchum, Sarah Craighead, Ben Jones, Roger Mitchell
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: March 2009
Place of publication: Bloomington, Indiana
Format: 6 x 9
Number of pages: 720
ISBN-13: 9781440126703
Subjects: Death Valley National Park
Genres: Encyclopedia; Anthology
First sentence: Prior to the existence of the human species, through periods of incomprehensible time, the stage was being sculpted from the raw materials of this fiery planet. As one might expect in preparation for a live theater performance, the scenery was being set, the props placed, and the lights prepared. As if directed by an unseen producer, multiple permutations were tried, adjustments made, and conditions perfected in readiness for the actors, or in this case, the creatures and people who were to eventually inherit the tormented landscape. Although popularly referred to as Death Valley, the human naming of this grand theater begins to pale and lose its sting as we lose ourselves in the magnificence of the setting. While still undergoing revision to suit the geologic forces at play in the wings, our stage now appears deceptively stable, enough so that we come here, contribute our own diminutive parts of the performance, and move on.
Description: Anyone enchanted by the incredibly wild Death Valley territory now has one convenient, comprehensive, and unusually eclectic compendium for answers to hundreds of insightful and intriguing questions! Inside, discover fresh perspectives and fascinating information of significant places, events, people, and institutions from 1.8 billion years ago to the present, and beyond. The DEATH VALLEY BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, a rich and informative resource on all things Death Valley, commemorates this Land of Legend in one versatile volume – suitable as a roadtrip field guide, campfire companion, or stranded activity while awaiting rescue by the next passing auto!

Here is a unique personal handbook for gaining knowledge about Death Valley National Park and the surrounding lands, led by veteran territorial explorer, Steve Greene. A number of additional contributors with particular areas of Death Valley expertise have added their own valuable information to these pages. This useful delivery of notably diverse knowledge takes the reader for an unforgettable and detailed tour through the largest national park outside of Alaska, illuminating numerous varied aspects of this region in an enlightening, entertaining, and educational manner. Consider this multi-faceted volume a reliable resource for the amazing and wild Death Valley realm, a comprehensive knowledge store for the Land of Legend.
Notes: Whatever our reasons for coming here, this special countryside will provide what we seek. For this is more than just a desert, or a mountain, or a way of life. It is an enigmatic realm, hours away, yet worlds apart. Welcome to the Homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone – to the magnet for nineteenth century wealth seekers – to a land of assorted climatic extremes that profoundly challenge every aspect of human survival. Welcome to legendary country like no other! The distinctively mysterious territory that continues to work its magic on us all … a Valley of Life, regardless of its name!
Table of contents: label: Part One
title: WISDOM OF THE SAGES
pagenum: 1; title: Welcome Traveler - Steve Greene
pagenum: 2; title: Wild Splendor and Solitude – J.T. Reynolds
pagenum: 18; title: Interpreting the Mysteries – David Blacker
pagenum: 20; title: Extreme Paradise – Michel Digonnet
pagenum: 21; title: Our Living History – Susan Sorrells
pagenum: 23; title: The Land of Legend – The Old Trailmaster
pagenum: 25; label: Part Two
title: OF MOUNTAINS, MYSTERIES, MULES & MEN
pagenum: 31; title: Knowledge Odyssey
pagenum: 32; title: The Legend from A to Z
pagenum: 36; title: Word Prospector
pagenum: 397; label: Part Three
title: JOURNEYS THROUGH TIME AND PLACE
pagenum: 399; title: Ghost Town Memories – David A. Wright
pagenum: 400; title: The Legend through the Lens – Phil Kember
pagenum: 419; title: A Death Valley Geology Primer – Michel Digonnet
pagenum: 431; title: People of the Red Ochre – Steve Greene & Tribal Members
pagenum: 436; title: White Gold Freighters – Steve Greene
pagenum: 448; title: Wild Women – The Old Trailmaster
pagenum: 465; title: Frontier School Teacher – Robin Flinchum
pagenum: 491; title: Death Valley’s Abandoned Mines – David Kelly
pagenum: 499; title: The Hit Men – Emmett Harder
pagenum: 502; title: Death Valley Future Cloudy – Robin Flinchum
pagenum: 505; title: The Tall Trail to Telescope – Steve Greene
pagenum: 508; title: Badwater Ultramarathon – Dr. Ben Jones
pagenum: 522; title: Public Access Battle – Robin Flinchum
pagenum: 526; title: Vacations, High Water & Lost Souls – Matt Jones
pagenum: 532; label: Part Four
title: POISON GAS AND WAGON TRAINS
pagenum: 547; title: Death’s Valley Open – Kelp, 1890
pagenum: 548; title: Death Valley in ‘49 – William Lewis Manly, 1894
pagenum: 552; title: The Story of Death Valley – John Randolph Spears, 1892
pagenum: 561; title: 1939 Overview & Tour – Federal Writers’ Project, 1939
pagenum: 573; label: Part Five
title: ON TRAILS OF LEGEND & ADVENTURE
pagenum: 581; title: Twelve Memorable Excursions – Roger Mitchell
pagenum: 582; title: Backcountry Access Guide – Steve Greene
pagenum: 629; title: Backroad Classification Guide – Steve Greene
pagenum: 682; title: Expedition Checklist – Steve Greene
pagenum: 686; title: Preserving The Wild Places – The Old Trailmaster
pagenum: 692; title: The Man behind the Manuscript
pagenum: 699; title: New Vistas – a Poem by The Old Trailmaster
pagenum: 701