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Rating: 
Summary: Three outstanding reviews by Three world-class figures
Review: "As a geologist who has worked extensively on the Sierra Nevada, I can say that Moore's book stunned me with its masterful treatment of much that I knew about this mountain range, but so much more that I didn't know. It has no competition and will be a bible to the specialist and visitor to the region alike. I am amazed at how superlatively Moore has organized so much material and put it together in a wonderfully readable fashion. No one who starts this book will be able to put it down. I finished it at 3 a.m. one morning!" --Garniss Curtis, Professor Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley and Director Emeritus, Berkeley Geochronology Center "No other author has captured the full panorama of the Sierra Nevada's geologic history and human endeavor in exploration--Moore has produced a dazzling, monumental work. Captivating writing and superb illustrations carry the reader into the highest Sierra along the paths of the pioneers, such as George Goddard, Josiah Whitney, Clarence King, and John Muir. Their struggles in exploration, mapping, and technology provided the all-important basis for geologic investigations that continue to the present. This book is a Sierran tour de force that includes wonderful maps and field guides. It deserves the highest praise." --Richard S. Fiske, Geologist and Former Director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History "A wonderful, engrossing account not only of the geology, but also of the early exploration and topographic mapping of the range. Jim's half a century of geologic fieldwork in the Sierra shines through in this masterful treatment of the subject, presented in an engaging, non-technical style. The book should be of broad interest not only to geologists but to anyone interested in the Sierra Nevada. For the non-specialist, the detailed glossary should be very helpful. Visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be particularly interested in the detailed road and trail logs in the appendix, which give a marvelous description of the scenery, history, and geology along the major roads and trails. Most highly recommended." > --Dallas L. Peck, Geologist Emeritus and Former Director of the U.S.Geological Survey
Rating: 
Summary: Disorganized, non-visual, but good anecdotes
Review: I'm a graduate student in geophysics. Some may argue that a geophysicist has no license to criticise a geologist or vice versa, but here goes nothing. :) Moore begins with an interesting anecdotal account of the early mapping and exploration of the high Sierra. I found this interesting, but then again, I had not read much of this history previously. There are certainly other historical texts out there, so the question to ask yourself is: are there better ones? I don't know the answer. Before I knew it, the book had morphed into what I took for a geology textbook. A bit too esoteric to be considered general-interest, but certainly not written for a Ph.D. geologist. It smelled an awful lot like an introductory undergraduate geology text, and I've read others that are much more lucid than this one. Perhaps my biggest disappointment was the photography. Lacking, to say the least. Since Moore's historical coverage ceases before the advent of modern photography, I suppose this is understandable. In closing: I wasn't quite sure what this text aspired to. As a historical text, I'd say that it was worth the paperback price. As a geology text, I don't think it was worth much. As a photography book, it was worth even less.
Rating:
Summary: Disorganized, non-visual, but good anecdotes
Review: I'm a graduate student in geophysics. Some may argue that a geophysicist has no license to criticise a geologist or vice versa, but here goes nothing. :) Moore begins with an interesting anecdotal account of the early mapping and exploration of the high Sierra. I found this interesting, but then again, I had not read much of this history previously. There are certainly other historical texts out there, so the question to ask yourself is: are there better ones? I don't know the answer. Before I knew it, the book had morphed into what I took for a geology textbook. A bit too esoteric to be considered general-interest, but certainly not written for a Ph.D. geologist. It smelled an awful lot like an introductory undergraduate geology text, and I've read others that are much more lucid than this one. Perhaps my biggest disappointment was the photography. Lacking, to say the least. Since Moore's historical coverage ceases before the advent of modern photography, I suppose this is understandable. In closing: I wasn't quite sure what this text aspired to. As a historical text, I'd say that it was worth the paperback price. As a geology text, I don't think it was worth much. As a photography book, it was worth even less.
Rating:
Summary: One to Keep and Refer to For the Rest of Your Life
Review: James Moore has compiled a fantastic account of the earliest history, exploration, mapping, mining, politics and geology of the Seqouia - Kings Canyon National Parks area. This book, more so than any other that I have read on the Sierra, provides insights into the people, the origin of geographic names and the forces and interests that drove the people into the high Sierra region. A fascinating look at the barometric and surveying tools that were lugged to the top of the highest peaks is given and a historical account of the ever increasing accuracy of the maps and just how close the original estimates were. True to his profession, Moore then goes into an in-depth discussion of the current understanding of the geologic history of the region. This discussion will be a great interest to those with a casual to serious interest in geology and will provide a greater awareness for your next trip into the area. It held me, a retired geologist, captive and will remain on my shelf as one of my most treasured references.
Rating:
Summary: A triumph--Perhaps an instant classic
Review: Moore has worked a wonder--this is a captivating read designed for the layman but also filled with surprises for geologists, historians and naturalists. It is an indispensable, complete guide combining a history of adventures in Sierran exploration with tutorials on geology and natural history. We are led by the hand along carefully marked maps and trail guides to vantage points from which geologic features can by easily examined in the field; that allows a reconstruction of the forces and events that produced the majestic landscape. Clearly, simply, and arrestingly written, and frequently puncuated by anecdotes of Indian tribes, early settlers, pioneers and scientists, the book is studded with photographs, diagrams,and maps--I could hardly put it down. It will become the premier guide to the high Sierra.
Rating:
Summary: A successor to Francois Matthes
Review: Moore's book is the result of a lifetime spent studying and mapping the geologic structures of the Sierra. It is an incredible achievement and an important contribution to a detailed understanding of the geology of the Sierra for the amateur naturalist. As literature and science, it's a worthy successor to Matthes's Geologic History of the Yosemite Valley (USGS Prof. Paper #160). He includes terrific chapters on the work of the first scientists to study the range and then describes current knowledge about the creation of the Sierra: from the collision of tectonic plates to the retreat of the last glaciers. As an added bonus, Moore includes an appendix with detailed geologic comments for stopping points along several roads and trails in the Sequoia-Kings area: Highway 180 from Clovis to Cedar Grove; Highway 198 from Visalia and over the Generals Highway; the Mineral King road; the High Sierra Trail from Lodgepole to it's intersection with the John Muir Trail near Mt. Whitney; and, the John Muir Trail from Mt. Whitney to where it leaves Kings Canyon in the Evolution Valley region, 100 miles north. Although Moore concentrates his narrative mostly to the area of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (where, as luck would have it, I work as a ranger), anyone interested in the geology of the Sierra would find this book useful for its explanation of the major granitic and metamorphic structures we see throughout the range. It's large format makes it unlikely you'd want to slip it into your backpack as a field guide. It's also probably of interest only to the serious amateur, though I think it's photos and organization make it accessible to a beginner who might just want to skim some of the detailed sections.
Rating:
Summary: If you're interested in the Sierra Nevadas, this is for you!
Review: This is an excellent book! The geology portion is easily understandable for the layman, yet still interesting enough for the professional geologist. The great historical and geological infromation make this a wonderful resource for anyone spending any time in the Sierra Nevadas. If you have any interest in geology and history, and you intend to spend any time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, then you really Need this book!
Rating:
Summary: If you're interested in the Sierra Nevadas, this is for you!
Review: This is an excellent book! The geology portion is easily understandable for the layman, yet still interesting enough for the professional geologist. The great historical and geological infromation make this a wonderful resource for anyone spending any time in the Sierra Nevadas. If you have any interest in geology and history, and you intend to spend any time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, then you really Need this book!
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