The White Heart of Mojave: An Adventure With the Outdoors of the Desert (American Land Classics)

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Tale of Old Death Valley
Review: The White Heart of Mojave is an old classic of desert literature, recently brought back into print as part of the American Land Classics series. Centered around an adventurous trip through Death Valley by two women in the 1920s, it gives a fascinating glimpse into the region and some of its eccentric inhabitants before it became a National Park and popular tourist destination. The book was written at a time when real American wilderness was beginning to disappear, and the deserts were first coming to be appreciated for their remoteness and solitude and austere beauty, rather than as simply wastelands to be exploited for mineral resources. Edna Brush Perkins, along with a few other desert pioneers like Mary Austen and John Van Dyke, was among the first to contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the great American deserts. Aside from its historical significance, though, the book is well written and is sure to be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in this harsh but fascinating region.