Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps/a Travel Guide to History [Paperback]

Phillip Varney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Ghost town authority Philip Varney brings the Old West to life with intriguing anecdotes and a gallery of rare old-time photographs. Regional maps, detailed travel information, and a full-color photographic portfolio describe each site and make this fascinating history of Arizona a reliable travel guide as well. Full-color photography. 136 pages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Arizona Highways (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932082468
• ISBN-13: 978-1932082463
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Splenderiferous" collection of ghost town data., May 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps: A Travel Guide to History (Paperback)

This book contains a wealth of factual background data on each ghost town, as well as numerous "back then" and "see it now" photographs. The book maintains the high standards expected from the publishers of "Arizona Highways Magazine"

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the two best ghost-town books I've seen., July 29, 2001

By 

Peter D. Tillman (Taos, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps: A Travel Guide to History (Paperback)

-----------------------------------------------------------
[Paired review with Ghost Towns of Colorado, by Philip Varney]

Ghost town books are traditionally rather scruffy affairs, with dim
photos, little organization and an amateurish look. Philip Varney
has raised the bar with these two books. Both feature clean design,
good directions to the sites, excellent photographs and well-written
text. Varley writes "I wanted a practical, informative guide that
would give me the details I needed next to me on the sea of my
truck." Both books are squarely on his mark.

The Colorado book is nicer: all the present-day photographs are in
color, and the extra 24 pages allow more photos and a bit more depth
to the text. But the Arizona book is no slouch: it has the advantage of
Arizona Highways' long experience in producing good, easy-to-use
guidebooks (plus it's cheaper). I've been to most of the sites in both
books; in almost every case I've learned something new from his
books. The photos are excellent, the maps and directions are easy to
follow, and Varney's writing style is personable and informative.

Either book will make a fine companion for your next Colorado or
Arizona vacation, even if you don't ordinarily pay much attention
to ghost towns. Those with an interest in Western history *need*
both books. And they're both excellent for armchair travellers.
We're already talking about a Colorado trip next summer --
Kathleen's never seen the *real* South Park.

Varney really has no competition for either state. These are the two
best ghost-own guidebooks I've seen. He'salso written ghost-town
guides for New Mexico (1987?) and Southern California (1990). The NM book is decent, but out-of-date. I haven't seen the other.

Happy reading--
Pete Tillman
Consulting Geologist, Tucson & Santa Fe (USA)

Pete Tillman visited his first Colorado ghost towns some 40 years ago, and has since been to hundreds more throughout the West, both for work and for fun. Vulture (AZ) is his current favorite "true" ghost. But, hmm, Bodie (CA) is bigger and better-kept.... And Jerome (AZ) has the best views... And I've *still* never been to Crystal (CO). So much to see, so little time....

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide, November 9, 2008

By 

D. Hennett (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps/a Travel Guide to History (Paperback)

If you're planning to cruise Arizona looking for ghost towns, this book will be a great help. I used it recently on a trip to Arizona and found it to be an invaluable guide. Basic history is provided for each entry, along with directions and road conditions. The photography is great as well. The book is interesting even if you never get a chance to visit these forgotten places.