Description

Scottwall Associates [Published Date: 1987]. Hardcover, ix, 201 pages; 26 x 22cm. Stated First Edition. Very good in good+ dust jacket. Green cloth covered boards with gold lettering on spine. Light scuffing to edges of covers. Binding tight. Previous owner's name written in ink and a red stamp with "Shepard" along with the corresponding Chinese characters beneath it stamp on a front free end-paper. Otherwise pages are unmarked. Dust jacket has some light chipping and tearing and creasing to edges. Light overall scuffing to jacket as well with a bit of the color scuffed off along edges and spine. Now in an archival quality (removable) Brodart cover. Black and white illustrations. Decorative map on endpapers. [From front jacket flap] The history of a mountain is a curiosity, unlike that of a county or town, as we typically view history through the lens of people and events, while landscapes are seen only as obstacles or catalysts. A mountain has no political or cultural identity and does nothing but sit and be acted upon. Yet Mount Tamalpais has become so cherished by so many over generations that it seems to possess a personality of its own. It has moods, can be dangerous, and has inspired both greed and idealism. It bears scars of past injuries and evokes a sense of presence and familiarity, whether one believes in the Sleeping Maiden legend or not. The mountain feels alive, commanding relationships that range from fleeting encounters to deep, enduring friendships. At its best, it is truly awesome. For the first time, this book unites the people, events, and issues that have shaped Mount Tamalpais into what it is today: a wildlife refuge, park, watershed, national monument, and a place of recreation and spiritual connection for millions. From grizzly bear hunts to conservation battles, from the Coast Miwoks to countercultural movements, and from poetry and painting to rock and roll festivals, this history captures one of the most beloved and iconic landmarks in the United States, visited by around three million people annually. Lincoln Fairley dedicated nearly ten years to researching and writing this book, while James Heig spent over a year editing, selecting images, and overseeing production. The Mountain was in no hurry. The authors hope they have done it justice.