Hidden Beneath the Mountains: The Caves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks [Paperback]

Joel Despain (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0939748568 | ISBN-13: 978-0939748563 | Publication Date: June 2, 2003

Hidden Beneath the Mountains: The Caves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a new book about the amazing caves in this mountainous region of California by National Park Cave Specialist Joel Despain. The 128 page, large-format volume focuses on the larger caves of the parks and describes their fascinating human history, the rare and strange animals that live in the caves, and the role of these caves in science.

The book is richly illustrated with color photos of beautiful cave formations, stunning marble banding, and the wonderful mountains that contain the caves. Hidden Beneath the Mountains also includes many cave maps and graphics illustrating the geology that makes caves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Cave Books (June 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939748568
• ISBN-13: 978-0939748563
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,178,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing photos, Great history and natural science, February 17, 2004

By 

David Weaver "David" (Livermore, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Beneath the Mountains: The Caves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Paperback)

I was fortunate to meet Joel Despain at his presentation of a recent expedition to Chile. This book was available for purchase at the presentation.

The book has some amazing photos from some of the big names in cave photography; Dave Bunnell and Peter and Ann Bosted, among others. This book is easily worth the price simply for the photography.

But once you stop browsing the pictures, you discover Joel's text is interesting and enjoyable. The book profiles several cave systems in Sequoia National Park. It covers the history of man's discovery and exploration of the caves. It also explains the geological history of the caves in clear layman's terminology.

This book is appropriate for school projects and experienced cavers alike. It also will make a great souvenir for visitors to Sequoia National Park.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great cave book!, August 2, 2009

By 

Jared Penland (Camarillo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Beneath the Mountains: The Caves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Paperback)

The book is great! It has a lot of history of some of the major caves in the park. It has maps of the caves, but does not give the location of the caves. So unless you previously know how to get to a cave, this book will not help you get there. But once you ARE there it has lots of fun tidbits about the geology, cave life and history of these remarkable areas.