James G. Moore

This wonderful book has been described as the Bible of the Sierras. In it Moore takes us afield with the pioneers who explored and mapped the highest Sierra Nevada and interweaves entertaining tutorials along the trails that allow us to understand his overviews of the geologic processes that formed the landscape underfoot.

Almost two hundred etchings, photographs, diagrams, maps and other illustrations bring the distinguished cast and their ideas, adventures, and travails to life. New scientific instruments, methods and techniques invade the pristine, eternal landscape to bring it into the focus of modern science and culture. Moore seats us at their campfires high on the paths of exploration to share their plans, hopes, pains, and discoveries.

The book has been written for anyone with an interest in the landscape, exploration, natural history, or social history. Nothing is taken for granted in explaining science concepts and terms—it is a self-contained, entertaining sourcebook that can be read by the non-specialist. Moore commands the entire panorama of social and scientific history along with natural history. As a field guide, it is enhanced by maps and trail guides, discussions of geologically significant locations and outcrops, and historic geographic places that are tied directly to the activities of the pioneers who made the history.