Illuminated Landscape, The (California Legacy Book) [Paperback]

Edited by Gary Noy and Rick Heide (Author), Gary Noy and Rick Heide (Editor)

Book Description

Series: California Legacy Book | Publication Date: May 1, 2010

A literary anthology inspired by the breathtaking Range of Light

The essays, poetry, and stories presented in The Illuminated Landscape encompass the entire Sierra Nevada experience: an ancient creation myth involving an unlikely contest between Hawk and Crow, vignettes of life in mining camps, a curious deer taking a stroll through Beetle Rock, the impact a simple camping trip can make, the solace felt by a family held in an internment camp, and an enlightening attempt to climb Matterhorn Peak. Excerpts from well-known writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, Mary Austin, Wallace Stegner, Gary Snyder, T. Coraghessan Boyle, and Ishmael Reed as well as original works from local authors reveal how important the Sierra has become to our cultural psyche as an irreplaceable refuge for our spirits.

The Illuminated Landscape comes at a critical point. With the power of the written word to inspire, energize, and challenge, this anthology shines a light on what is at risk for the Sierra Nevada today and reinforces the importance of sustaining its beauty and ecological diversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Brilliantly assembled and introduced, this first anthology of Sierra Nevada writings stands as a landmark publication. Native Americans, explorers, missionaries, gold seekers, governors, mountain climbers, naturalists, environmentalists, essayists, and poets are all represented with their powerful descriptions and compelling insights into California's grand and glorious mountain range.''--Gary F. Kurutz, bibliographer and curator of special collections, California State Library

''This anthology looms large on the horizon for those who want to learn about, enjoy, and experience the Sierra Nevada. A truly terrific collection.''--David Guy, CEO, Yosemite Association

''This is a remarkable anthology, taking the reader chronologically from the dawn of time when the Yokuts, Washo, and Maidus passed on their first memories of their respective worlds to environmental issues of today. This book belongs on every bookshelf of the best-of-the-best of Californiana.'' --W. R. Swagerty, Director, John Muir Center, University of the Pacific

This is a remarkable anthology, taking the reader chronologically from the dawn of time when the Yokuts, Washo, and Maidus passed on their first memories of their respective worlds to environmental issues of today. This book belongs on every bookshelf of the best-of-the-best of Californiana. --W. R. Swagerty, Director, John Muir Center, University of the Pacific

About the Author

Rick Heide has an M.A. in Latin American history from the University of London, and a B.A. in Latin American studies from UC Berkeley. He was a member of the San Francisco Bay Area publishing community for over twenty-five years and now lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

A Sierra Nevada native and current resident, Gary Noy taught history at Sierra College from 1987 to the present. A graduate of UC Berkeley and CSU Sacramento, he is the founder and director of the Sierra College Center for Sierra Nevada Studies and coordinator of the college's Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum. He is the author of Distant Horizon: Documents from the 19th Century American West.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Heyday (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597141283
• ISBN-13: 978-1597141284
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding review of an amazing place!, June 17, 2010

By 

Barry A. Asin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illuminated Landscape, The (California Legacy Book) (Paperback)

The Sierra Nevada remains a much misunderstood and underappreciated resource for California and the nation. This outstanding anthology provides a highly readable, entertaining and ultimately enlightening overview of the Sierra, past, present and future. It's a must read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Sierra's, whether a first time visitor or someone like myself who has been there many times without fully appreciating the geology, environment and human history of a truly unique place.

With selections ranging from John Muir to Mark Twain to Ansel Adams or Wallace Stegner, this is a remarkable book that will give readers a renewed appreciation for the huge role of the Sierra in our modern psyche and new hope for this threatened region. After reading this book I can't wait to get back to the mountains and will certainly see them in a new light.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating the Range of Light, April 16, 2011

By 

P. Biery (Greater Seattle Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminated Landscape, The (California Legacy Book) (Paperback)

The Illuminated Landscape: A Sierra Nevada Anthology, by Gary Noy and Rick Heide, collects significant, chronological Sierra writings in a single volume. Hey Day Books with co-publishers Sierra College Press and Santa Clara University, present pivotal works by Mark Twain, Bret Harte, John Muir, Horace Greeley, along with moderns Wallace Stegner, Kenneth Rexroth, David Brower and many others.

A primer, reference, or call to preservation, depending on the readers' perspective, The Illuminated Landscape delivers up history with a look ahead to a future Sierra, with writings in its final chapter, like those of Tom Knudsen and Gary Snyder.

Documenting the exceptional history, magnificent beauty and restorative qualities of the Sierra Nevada was only part of the editors' goals, "...we also hope that that this collection will serve as a reminder that the Sierra Nevada is a living organism that is constantly beset by environmental challenges."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely compilation, October 2, 2010

By 

kirk foster (Berkeley, ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminated Landscape, The (California Legacy Book) (Paperback)

I throughly enjoyed this book. Every short essay or story was worth reading and more than several were stunning. I have been introduced to some writers that I will now read further. An easy, delightful, historical adventure.