Desert Lore of Southern California

Rating:
Summary: Lots of History; Great for Beginners
Review: I actually loved this book as I have traveled to just about every area this book talked about. I especially like the personal knowledge that Choral Pepper shows of all the areas due to her experiences in the region. I learned a lot of different and fascinating facts that I had never known despite years of familiarity with these places.

My ONLY complaint is that I wanted even more details, but I suppose that might make a long and tedious book for some people. People unfamiliar with the area will find this book a good introduction to the geology and history of the people and landscape. I found myself transported back to these areas whenever I was reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Southern California's Mysterious Deserts
Review: In the second edition of Desert Lore of Southern California, Choral Pepper, former owner and publisher of Desert Magazine, takes readers on a wide ranging journey around the lower deserts of California. Her knowledge of the history and legends of the area is unsurpassed. Desert Lore begins with a brief natural history of the Salton Sea, followed by a fascinating sketch of the human history behind the origins of this, the latest reincarnation of ancient Lake Cahuilla. From this point, the book diverges through the desert, weaving its tales of lost gold, fabulous gems, Viking ships wedged into geologic formations, plank roads and Felicity, CA, The Center of the World.

Travelers crossing the desert in anticipation of other, more moist environs, as well as the hardened, grizzled, sand-blasted desert rat can garner much by carrying this fine book along with them during their travels.