The Yosemite Book [CD-ROM]

Josiah Dwight Whitney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | ISBN-10: 1591100127 | ISBN-13: 978-1591100126

The remarkable photographs of the Yosemite Valley taken by Carleton Watkins were the most powerful influence behind that region’s establishment in 1864 as an important predecessor of America’s national parks. To ensure the proper reception and management of the federal grant, California state geologist Josiah Whitney produced the 1868 Yosemite Book, illustrated with original albumen prints by Watkins as well as maps of the valley and the surrounding region. Watkins’ superlative images captured the majestic beauty of the Yosemite Valley, becoming the inspiration for generations of environmental photographers. This Octavo Edition features detailed images of the book, a searchable transcription, and supplementary maps and photographs. Commentary by Jim Snyder.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Octavo Digital Rare Books are simply amazing. The full-screen views are crisp. This is a tremendous advancement in publishing. -- California Map Society Newsletter, December 2004

Octavo is doing superb work. Whitney's 1868 Yosemite Book includes stunning early photographs of the Yosemite Valley by Carleton Watkins. -- Christianity Today, December 2003

The most famous and rare book published about Yosemite, as much a work of photographic art as a guidebook. -- Yosemite Association Newsletter, July 30, 2004

There are no cookie-cutter regimens they follow in their editions. Octavo explores each work and decides how to embellish it. -- Fine Books & Collections, September/October 2004 (cover story)

From the Publisher

Imaged from the collection of the Bancroft Library

Product Details

• CD-ROM: 296 pages
• Publisher: Octavo (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591100127
• ISBN-13: 978-1591100126
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,545,029 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 A Rare Book is Now Available, April 19, 2004

By 

Dan Anderson (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Yosemite Book (CD-ROM)

This CD-ROM has Whitney's _The Yosemite Book_ (1869). There were only 250 copies made, because the photographs were hand-printed and tipped in. The photographs are by Carleton E. Watkins, a famous early photographer of Yosemite. Also included are 2 maps published with the book, one is a map of Yosemite Valley, and the other is a map of the Sierra Nevada around Yosemite. The book is available as both images and text and can be printed out for easier reading. Other material includes unpublished maps, including one of the Tuolumnee Grove, and an excellent introduction by Yosemite Historian Jim Snyder. Highly recommended for Yosemite, Geology, and History buffs.