Saguaro: The Desert Giant (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ask a child to draw a picture of a cactus, and the result will probably look like a saguaro. Indeed, mass media have made this denizen of the Sonoran Desert universally recognizable, and perhaps just as misunderstood. In Saguaros: Desert Giants, Anna Humphreys and Susan Lowell share true stories about this amazing, anthropomorphic cactus that are at least as intriguing as the folklore. A saguaro can grow to be a towering fifty feet or more and live for as long as two centuries. During rainy seasons, a large saguaro can soak up literally hundreds of gallons of water in its expandable, accordion-folded trunk and arms. For uncounted generations, the Tohono O'odham people in Arizona have harvested the sweat saguaro fruits to make syrup and wine. Profusely illustrated with contemporary and historic photographs and other artwork, Saguaros: Desert Giants celebrates these iconic cacti while arguing that the need to preserve their critical Sonoran Desert habitat is more pressing now than ever.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Rio Nuevo Publishers (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887896309
• ISBN-13: 978-1887896306
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,158,140 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC guide to a fascinating desert plant, June 14, 2002

By A Customer

It's hard to say what the appeal of the saguaro cactus is exactly, but perhaps it is the way people relate to them. Their branches are referred to as arms; the young plants are called babies; and they live under nurse plants as seedlings. More than just being anthropomorphic, these giant cactuses are the true emblem of the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Across the country (far from their tiny growth region), the saguaro is a powerful symbol of the American Southwest. This book is a perfect blend of accurate scientific information and entertaining cultural anecdotes from the mother and daughter author team. It is jam-packed with useful facts, and all are attractively displayed in this beautiful book. The art is as precise and engaging as the well-written text. Definitely a worthy investment!