21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding natural history text for the eastern Sierras, July 24, 2000
This review is from: Sierra East: Edge of the Great Basin (Hardcover)
Sometimes a book comes along at just the right time. In my case, I happened across this book in the local bookstore the day I returned from my first exploration of the White Mountains and the Highway 395 corridor. Thumbing through it I realized it was a wealth of information to help me decipher the many plants and animals I had seen on my trip. It is an excellent compilation of nearly everything one is likely to encounter exploring this unique region. Whether it be geology, native vegetation, insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, or mammals, there is a chapter in here for each. And these are not simplified overviews of only the most common species, they are detailed discussions of numerous species and subspecies. Despite the detail, the writing style is easy to read. Each chapter is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white line drawings. A center insert also includes color photos of many arthropods and plant species.
Though the focus is on the eastern slopes of the Sierras, it is often applicable to nearby areas. For instance it describes bristlecone pines found only in the White Mountains. The book also covers certain associated areas, most notably the surrounding desert communities.
Genny Smith has done a wonderful job of coordinating the writing styles of many different authors. Having been involved in these types of collaborations myself, I know this is no easy task. The overall result makes this book a necessary addition to the libraries of both professionals and amateurs alike.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Deepest Valley and Mammoth Lake Sierra, July 15, 2004
This review is from: Sierra East: Edge of the Great Basin (Hardcover)
I was quite disappointed in this edition of Smith's book. Unlike the other reviewer, I have seen the evolution of the book from The Deepest Valley and Mammoth Lakes Sierra to Sierra East. This is technically the 6th (?) edition. The original books were more of a travel guide. Thus, followers of Smith's books (I eagerly awaited each new edition) may be as sorely disappointed as I was.
The "Roadsides" chapters were great for the less traveled byways of the eastern Sierra. The illustrations of the Sierra Crest were extremely useful as students always asked which peak is Lone Pine Peak (looks taller) vs Mt. Whitney. Illustrations like fig. 3.5 were scattered through this chapter. The chapter on trails were good for day hikes into the high country. Both of these chapters are now gone.
I also miss the maps on the inside covers of the old editions.
The present edition is part of the CA Natural History Guides, and Eastern Sierra follows the trend of massive books.
The geology chapter is well done with good new illustrations, but the section of glaciers is shallow. This is one of the dominant feature of the eastern Sierra, yet the explanation is not as clear, mostly due to the lack of illustrations compared to the older. e.g. The description of a matterhorn is that it is named after the Swiss Matterhorn. No illustration. Cirque Lakes?
Because it is a U.C. Natural History Guide, it tries to cover everything but nothing very well. It tries to be an all-in-one guide. Unless one is backpacking, it is sometimes wiser to have specific guides on specific groups of organisms. e.g. Number of eggs and incubation time are mentioned, but how many people see nests or have the time to watch how long it takes for the eggs to hatch. Maybe it would have been better to say "watch for nighthawks at dusk just north of Bishop and south of the Bishop Tuff." I have seen more Ospreys in the Owens Valley than Prairie Falcons, Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, and Goshawks combined, yet ospreys get a few sentences. "Look for them on Lake Tinemaha at the overlook."
Most of the mammals described won't be seen unless one traps for them in very specific locations and habitats. A more detailed description on the diurnal mammals may have been in order.
The fish chapter was expanded to include the various endemics, again fish that most will never see. Maybe a chapter or two on the fish hatcheries. Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery is great for kids (and grownups) to see huge trout that one can feed.
I thought the arthropod chapter was good and restrained, covering things that people will encounter in the wilds... mosquitos, ticks, no-see-ems, and organisms that are important to the area... Pandora moths, bark beetles. Things that people run across... velvet ants, brine flies.
I thought the flora section was ok. There could have been better comparisons between some of the more similar trees. Illustrations of the bark would have been nice, as they are helpful in identifying trees.
Last, the water chapter is good but does not delve into the LA Aqueduct issue, Owens Lake, Mono Lake, etc.
In Smith's defense, maybe the problem is that I am a biology professor and know the flora and fauna. I know less about the history and geology of the area.
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