|
The Natural History of Big Sur (California Natural History Guides) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Paul Henson, Donald J. Usner
Publisher: University of California Press
Category: Book
List Price: $28.95
Buy Used: $7.91
You Save: $21.04 (73%)
New (12) Used (16) from $7.91
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 839908
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 0520205103
Dewey Decimal Number: 508
EAN: 9780520205109
ASIN: 0520205103
Publication Date: December 10, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Satisfaction 100% guaranteed!
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Each year millions of people visit the area of rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history. The second section describes selected sites, trails, and features that are mentioned in Part One.
Although Big Sur is world famous for awe-inspiring scenery, it is less known for its great ecological diversity and its significance as a haven for many species of terrestrial and marine wildlife. In no other part of the world do fog-loving coastal redwoods thrive on one slope of a canyon while arid-climate yuccas grow on the other. Similarly, sea otters and cormorants live near dry-climate creatures like canyon wrens and whiptail lizards. The area's staggering beauty and forbidding wilderness have inspired artists, poets, naturalists, and hikers--and also real estate developers.
As increasing tourism, development pressure, and land-use decisions continue to affect Big Sur, this book will do much to heighten awareness of the region's biotic richness and fragility. Written in nontechnical language, with generous color photographs, drawings, maps, species lists, and a bibliography, it will attract both the casual and the serious naturalist, as well as anyone concerned about preserving California's natural heritage.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Geology of Big Sur June 24, 2008
I liked this book from the start-the Introduction asks: "Where is Big Sur?". Big Sur is an area in California but also a state of mind." The book's only fault are the maps.Figures 1 and 2 of the California coastline
are incomplete. They show no local towns for an out of state visitor to reference as you drive the Coast highway #1. Luckily I have driven that area but I still needed my Rand McNally road Atlas to guess where the Towns of Cambria(near San Simeon) and Carmel would be on the maps. This is a fault of the authors since they describe Big Sur as "the stretch of rugged coastline between Carmel and San Simeon" in the text page 1, yet don't correlate their maps with their text.
A wonderful and illuminating guide... August 18, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
With both sensitivity and scientific acumen, the authors systematically describe every animal and plant within Big Sur, and the geological and metereological environments in which they live. The book also gives a temporal and human history of Big Sur. It is also notable for a wonderful review of the various hikes within the area; any person choosing or planning a hike in the Ventana Wilderness or any of the state parks along the Big Sur coast will find this guide a tremendous help. The book also includes over 200 exquisite black-and-white illustrations. I always love to read natural history guides before visiting an area; I must say that I found this one singularly comprehensive and informative. Highly recommended!
 Comprehensive, but could be better organized October 31, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A completely thorough guide to the the floral and fauna of Big Sur. The author captures much of the majesty and diversity of the Big Sur region. I use it as a constant reference when hiking the region. A minor suggested improvement would be slightly better organization of the topics.
Excellent key to understanding Big Sur September 8, 1999
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I've been up and down the PCH several times, but as a midwesterner, most of the flora and lots of the fauna were unfamiliar to me. On my next motorcycle ride through Big Sur, I'll see the place with new eyes thanks to this wonderful guide. Now I know those yellow flowers that splash color over the cliffs in mid-July are lizard tail. What were formerly just "rocks" and "birds" and "trees" now have names and personalities. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the amazing place that is Big Sur.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
