Customer Reviews

California in Depth: A Stereoscopic History

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I've had this book almost since it first came out in the early '90's. If you stumbled here searching for something else, or if even you were specifically looking for it, you are in for a treat. I suggest you purchase a copy without any further thought for this reason: you are about to be introduced to a fascinating world that is s both enjoyable and eminently educational: the world of 19th century 3-D stereoviews. Forget what you think you know about 3-D pictures- the effect of seeing actual history coming to life in 3-D is nothing short of magical. These are not just any stereoviews, but those from one the most important times in our nation's history: California and the West in the years just after the Gold Rush. The majority of images are from the years 1859-1880, from the decade after the Gold Rush through the rapid expansion west after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Make no mistake, these images were taken with actual 3-D (stereo) cameras common at the time and therefore show, as realistically as will ever be possible, the experience of actually being there while history was being made. This book will reacquaint the reader with many events that may only be distant memories from high school history: pioneers crossing the plains in covered wagons; the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point, Utah; the Pony Express; the Nevada silver boom and the Comstock Lode; and of cource, gold mining in California. But you'll also be introduced to the grandeur of Yosemite Valley through the 3-D stereocameras of some of the early pioneers of landscape photography as art- names like Carleton Watkins and Edweard Muybridge, and much more. The book itself reproduces over 100 stereoviews in a reduced size and comes with a removable but sturdy viewer that displays the full 3-D effect of the images easily and is perfect for children. Experienced stereo enthusiasts can dispense with the viewer altogether using the "freeview" technique, of which there is a handy tutorial in the appendix. Along the way, you'll learn about how much work was involved to produce just one of these images and then marvel at how any of these images came to be and survived until today. This book can be recommended as both a fascinating lesson in California and American history as well a fun interactive book that can be enjoyed by all members of the family.