You asked for my favorite desert book. In all honesty, I haven't read many desert hooks. However, I think that my favorite would be - "Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California" by Myrick. It comes in two volumes. The reason that I like the books is that they contain the colorful history of not just the railroads, but the old west. The geographic area had numerous bonanza mining towns such as Bodie, Tonopah, Goldfield Carson City and others. During the boom era, the desert was a vast wilderness that was penetrated by these frontier railroads. The books contain historical fact plus many unusual stories of the mining towns and the crusty pioneers. I would recommend the two books to anyone interested in history, railroads or the desert. ---Ron Grau
To name my favorite book, for me, it is as difficult as to name my favorite peak. Each one is special in its own way. For a serious reader about the desert, the best books, in my opinion are: "The California Deserts" and "The North American Deserts", both by Edmund Jaeger. They are considered classics. Another good general book is by Ruth Kirk, "Desert, The American Southwest".
"Our Historic Desert" Lindsay and Pourade, is the story of Anza-Borrego Desert. It is well illustrated. "Sand in My Shoe" by Helen Bagley gives a wonderful account of early life in Twentynine Palms. "Your Desert and Mine" by Shumway describes the early days in Coachella Valley, and the start at the date industry. And if you are interested in Death Valley, read "Death Valley and the Armagosa" by Richard Lingenfield.
This should be a good start for any desert library. --Maris Valkass
