The Desert Lake: The Story of Nevada's Pyramid Lake [Paperback]

Sessions S. Wheeler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Caxton Press

The story of Pyramid Lake contains more than 70 excellent illustrations.  Geology, archeology, history, bioilogy, recreation, past, present and future are accurately and ably discussed and illustrated by a man who thoroughly knows the subject.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Generously illustrated from the entire area, this is a well worthwhile volume for one who appreciates the outdoors or is interested in the history of the Nevada desert country."—Walla Walla Union Bulletin

(Walla Walla Union Bulletin )

"Wheeler covers the entire scene-archaeology, hydrogeography, anthropology, fauna and flora and ichthyology, and the bitter warfare that developed inevitably between native and white man. . . . It is a fascinating story."—Sacramento Union

(Sacramento Union )

About the Author

Sessions S. Wheeler was a widely known outdoorsman, conservationist, teacher and western writer who spent much of his gree time in the environment he most enjoyed and best understood, the Great Basin Desert.

Product Details

• Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: Caxton Press; Revised edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870041398
• ISBN-13: 978-0870041396
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,910,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A history of Pyramid Lake, July 7, 2008

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Desert Lake: The Story of Nevada's Pyramid Lake (Paperback)

A visit to Pyramid Lake is a surreal experience. Given the surrounding desert terrain, a 188 square mile lake seems out of place. It is an aquatic jewel in an otherwise parched environment. The waters are filled with delicious fish while the shores are guarded by mysterious tufas. Being one of the great desert writers of his day, Sessions S. Wheeler has literally written the book on this strange place. "The Desert Lake: the Story of Nevada's Pyramid Lake" is a multi-disciplinary approach to what the author simply refers to as 'the desert lake.' Wheeler starts by looking at the lake's origins, stretching back to the time when the current body of water was the deepest part of ancient Lake Lahontan. Today's lake is surrounded by caves that once were homes to people now referred to as the Lovelock Culture. Their way of life is described, as well as the arrival of today's Paiutes. "The Desert Lake" shares the story of these peoples with the aide of anthropology, history and archeology. The inevitable arrival of European-Americans is well documented, starting with John C. Frémont's initial discovery, through the bloody conflicts and the eventual creation of the Pyramid Lake Reservation. In many respects, this could be a case study in Anglo-Indian relations. To tell the story of this special place, Wheeler uses a large number of primary sources. For starters, the book is jam packed with photos of significant places, people and artifacts. Written primary sources include the writings of John C. Frémont, Ulysses S. Grant and others. While starting with ancient origins, the scope spans through the years to ultimately cover modern times. "The Desert Lake" describes contemporary developments like the building of the dams and canals -developments which led to the extinction of the great Pyramid trout. This sixth edition contains an additional section on fishing. This new material will be tedious and overly technical for anyone with a casual interest in the lake. In terms of the drawbacks, the images are all black and white, despite being a 2001 revision. In terms of the strengths, this book is as relevant and readable as when first published in 1967. Wheeler's book can appeal to both academics as well as laypeople with an interest in history. The interesting conversation, large text and high number of illustrations make "the Desert Lake" an expeditious and enjoyable read.