Books and maps tagged “history”
An Eclectic History of Mendocino County
Being 150 Years of Facts, Anecdotes, Sorrow and Triumphs’ Who Did What, When, Where and How
Katy M. Tahja 
This history of the County covers all the basic facts but allows for exploring topics like tobacco production during the Civil War, worthy roadside attractions, local authors, and stagecoach robbers.
Lacrosse Playing Cards
Prospero Art, Illustrations by Jan Padover 
This intriguing deck features illustrations by Jan Padover of Native Americans playing lacrosse.
Gold Fever, Part Three
The Path to Civil War
Ken Salter 
The latest installment of Salter's rich historical saga, set among the crime, gambling, prostitution, and political tensions of 1850s California
Days of Grace
California Artist Grace Hudson in Hawaii
Karen Holmes & Sherrie Smith-Ferri 
Painter Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937) is best remembered for her lifelike portraits of the Pomo Indian peoples of northern California. Less known and studied are the works she produced in 1901 in Hawaii. This book studies those works, and provides historical and biographical background.
An Everyday History of Somewhere
Ray Raphael 
Ray Raphael’s classic award-winning people's history of California’s north coast is an evocative blend of oral history and narrative. As the subtitle says “Being the true story of Indians, deer, homesteaders, potatoes, loggers, trees, fishermen, salmon, and other living things in the back woods of Northern California.”
Trails and Tales of Yosemite and the Central Sierra
A Guide for Hikers and History Buffs
Sharon Giacomazzi 
Sharon Giacomazzi loves to tell history tales and she loves to hike. She combines these passions in an enthralling guide to the glorious Central Sierra, presenting more than 60 fun excursions. Updated for 2013.
The Mendocino Coast Glove Box Guide, 3rd Edition
Lodgings, Eateries, Sights, History, Activities and More
Bob Lorentzen 
Our bestselling guide to the scenic and cultural treasures of the Mendocino coast has been thoroughly revised and updated in this new third edition. The text weaves local history and anecdote with road notes to chronicle the journey.Price reduced!
Native American Playing Cards
55 Portraits by Edward Curtis
Prospero Art 
This stunning deck features 55 of the best images taken by Internationally known ethnologist and photographer Edward Curtis (1868-1952), known as Shadow Catcher, a name bestowed upon him by several tribes.
Snowbound
Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra
Mark McLaughlin 
Covers exceptional snow events that have challenged the men and women who maintain the year-round railroad and highway systems that cross the central Sierra, as well as residents, visitors and businesses that reside in these mountains.
Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West
Cultural and Scientific Basis for their Use
James Adams, Michelle Wong, Enrique Villaseñor 
This informative guide covers the traditional healing uses and modern pharmacological data on 115 native plants found in California and the West. While western plants have been used in healing for thousands of years, this book carefully explains the uses of each plant for healing and the spiritual dimension of that healing process.
Norman Clyde
Legendary Mountaineer of California's Sierra Nevada
Robert C. Pavlik, foreword by Steve Roper 
Biography of legendary mountaineer Norman Clyde (1885-1972). Clyde is credited with more than 130 first ascents throughout western North America.
Yesterday's Ocean
A History of Marine Life on California's Central Coast
Marc Shargel 
Reveals the secret history of Central California's marine life through archival photos and original imagery. Shargel illustrates a little-known chronicle of human use and human impact.
Mavericks, Mystics, and Misfits
Americans Against the Grain
Arthur Hoyle 
A journey across American history, colonial period to present, through life stories of exceptional men and women who responded in unconventional ways to the challenges of their time and place
Toker Playing Cards
Every Card a Work of High Art
Prospero Art 
Now that pot is legal in California and Colorado, and decriminalized in many other states, it’s time to celebrate/mock (choose one) High Culture. Do so with the colorful and high camp Toker Playing Cards. They have illustrations on every card that tokers and non-tokers alike will find amusing, with some images downright hilarious.
Gold Fever
San Francisco 1851
Ken Salter 
Pierre Dubois goes to northern California, investigating the plight of French workers who have been sent to California. This compelling story is filled with rich historical details, bringing to life all the legendary excitement and chaos of the California Gold Rush.
Great Salt Lake
Regional Book of Facts and Exploration
Featuring Area History, Geology, Ecology and Culture
Alan Millard 
This book covers the history, ecology, geology, and culture of the Great Salt Lake Region. Includes volcanic activity, native cultures, pioneers including the Donner Party, the Pony Express, the Golden Spike, salt extraction, shipping, resorts, Bonneville Speedway, more.
Shakespeare Playing Cards
Prospero Art 
These quality playing cards feature splendid full color designs in the style of the Renaissance with a quote on each card, totalling 54 quotes in each deck. The aces, face cards, and jokers use images from old masters such as Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
Muir Ramble Route
Walking from San Francisco to Yosemite In the Footsteps of John Muir
Peter Thomas and Donna Thomas 
This book includes three books in one. It's a guidebook for a walking/cycling route across California. It's an adventure book that tells of the authors' ramble across California to discover that route. And finally it is a history book, presenting the story of John Muir's first trip to Yosemite.
On the Road with Mark Twain in California and Nevada
New Revised Edition
George J. Williams III 
This book details what is known of Twain’s years in the West, providing details of his stay in each of more than two dozen towns he lived in and visited. This book also tells visitors what they will find in these towns today.
Exploring the Berryessa Region
A Geology, Nature, and History Tour
Bob Schneider, Eldridge and Judy Moores, Marc Hoshovsky, and Peter Schiffman 
Tells the story of a landscape, just west of Sacramento and north of SF, born through plate tectonic forces. The region holds geologic wonders including subduction zones, thrust faults, and mud volcanoes. Recreation opportunities aplenty.
Posada Playing Cards
Every Card a Work of Art
Prospero Art 
Celebrates the distinctive art of Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), the Mexican political artist whose work has influenced many with its satirical use of skulls and bones to make political and cultural critiques.
The Last Great Auk
A Novel
Allan W. Eckert 
The protagonist of this novel is heroic, majestic, a born leader, a devoted husband and proud father. He is destined to be remembered by whoever reads about his life. He is a great auk.
The Donner Party
Weathering the Storm
Mark McLaughlin 
This unique look at the 1846-47 winter of entrapment the Donner Party suffered in the snowbound Sierra Nevada focuses on the extremely harsh conditions of that long and legendary winter.
Bygone Days in Early Northern California
Growing Up in Ol’ Berryessa
James Noble Hatch, edited Neal A. Roberts 
This enjoyable, evocative memoir of the early ranching days in and around California’s Solano and Napa counties paints vivid images of its times and places.
Arizona Stereographs: 1865 to 1930
Jeremy Rowe 
With more than 250 unique and important early Arizona stereographs, this book provides an overview of the history of the medium.
Mark Twain and the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Revised Edition
George J. Williams III 
How Mark Twain's humorous frog story launched his legendary career. On a prospecting trip to Angel's Camp, Twain first heard the tales of the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Twain's version of the tale became an international success and launched his legendary career.
Arizona Real Photo Postcards
A History & Portfolio
Jeremy Rowe 
Rowe explores interesting facets of early Arizona as visually captured by professional and amateur postcard photographers. The topics include mining, labor unrest, the advent of the automobile, Indians, disasters, the Mexican Border War, and photography.
Mark Twain: His Life in Virginia City, Nevada
2nd Revised Edition
George J. Williams III 
This well researched account of Clemens' twenty-one months as reporter for the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City, Nevada was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize when it was first published in 1985.
California Missions
Quick Access Map
Global Graphics 
Map of California Mission Country with detail maps and color photos of the remaining 24 original missions, more.
Rosa May
The Search for a Mining Camp Legend
George Williams III 
Rosa May worked as a prostitute and madam in the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s in towns of Virginia City, Carson City and Bodie. Rosa May died in Bodie while nursing sick miners. Despite her efforts to save lives, she was banished to Bodie's outcast cemetery.
My Favorite Ghosts
Stories from the Ghost Towns and Historic Mining Camps of Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
This new edition of My Favorite Ghosts presents 20 of the sites John loved most from the 425 he researched for the series. The sites were chosen with an eye towards what remains for today's explorers and those with the best stories.
Pomegranate Roads
A Soviet Botanist's Exile from Eden
Gregory M. Levin, translated by Margaret Hopstein 
A Man who fell in love with pomegranates and risked his life to protect their biodiversity tells his adventurous story in Pomegranate Roads. Ignoring threats, the scientist trekked across Central Asia and the Trans-Caucasus to collect 1,117 varieties of the fruit.
qh awàla·li: water coming down place
A History of Gualala, Mendocino County, California
Annette White-Parks 
A history of Gualala, bordering Mendocino and Sonoma Counties on the California Pacific west coast from the early 1800s to the mid 20th century. 160 pages illuminated with over 50 historical photographs, 8 original maps.
Olaf Palm
A Life in Art
Composed, Compiled, and Edited by Irene D. Thomas 
This compelling memoir provides a moving introduction to this extraordinarily versatile and prolific artist. Included are numerous examples of his exquisite paintings of artists, craftspeople and musicians at work; Europe; Western art of cowboys and Indians; and his works of fantasy.
Aurelius O. Carpenter
Photographer of the Mendocino Frontier
Marvin A. Schenck, Karen Holmes, and Sherrie Smith-Ferri 
Aurelius Carpenter photographed the frontier of northern California's rural Mendocino County region.He documented the lives of Pomo Indians and White settlers, the coming of the railroad, logging and shipping industries, and the agricultural endeavors and natural beauties of the area.
The Painter Lady
Grace Carpenter Hudson
Searles R. Boynton 
This hardbound coffee table style book chronicles the life of Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937), the acclaimed artist famous for her images of the Pomo people.
Mount St. Helena and R.L. Stevenson State Park
A History and Guide
Ken Stanton 
It covers everything about Mt. St. Helena, from its explosive geologic origins to its rich history, both natural and human. Includes updated, in depth info about today's popular hiking, biking and climbing destinations.
Mount St. Helena and R.L. Stevenson State Park
A History and Guide
Ken Stanton
It covers everything about Mt. St. Helena, from its explosive geologic origins to its rich history, both natural and human. Includes updated, in depth info about today's popular hiking, biking and climbing destinations.
A Fair Distance
Lois Boblett's Western Memoir, 1851-1922
L. Darlene Spargo 
A Fair Distance is the richly detailed memoir of Lois Boblett (1844-1925). L. Darlene Spargo weaves meticulously researched historical details through Boblett's memoir. Boblett's words provide new insight into the roles women played in the Western Migration.
The Guide to Bodie and Eastern Sierra Historic Sites
George Williams III 
In this book, George Williams III tells of the gold discovery at Bodie in 1859, the camp's boom in 1879, its long decline, and its present state. This book also details the history and present state of other mining towns and camps in the area: nearby Aurora, Lucky Boy, and many more.
The Murders at Convict Lake
George Williams III
Illustrations by Dave Comstock 
In 1871 a terrible shootout occurred at this Eastern Sierra lake between escaped convicts and a posse, leaving several men dead and wounded. Williams tells the gruesome story of the escape, man hunt and murders based on news accounts of the day.
The Lovely Sea View
A Study of the Marine Photographs
Published by Gustave Le Gray, 1856-1858
Ken Jacobson
This important monograph on the photographer Le Gray was published in a limited edition. Gorgeous duotones and extraordinary detective work transport the reader into the world of French and English art photography in the 1850s.
Ghosts of Summit County
John K. Aldrich 
Details 39 mining towns and camps of this central Colorado County.
The Balloon Boy of San Francisco
Dorothy Kupcha Leland 
Based on a true story and extensive research by the author, this book paints a colorful, evocative and accurate picture of daily life in San Francisco five years after the discovery of gold.
Ghosts of the Sangre de Cristo Area
John K. Aldrich 
Details 25 mining towns and camps of this southern Colorado region, including Saguache, Bonanza, Westcliffe and Silver Cliff.
Ghosts of Eagle & Grand Counties
John K. Aldrich 
Details 30 mining towns and camps of these northern Colorado counties.
Ghosts of Boulder County
John K. Aldrich 
Details 39 mining towns and camps of this central Colorado County, including Nederland, Ward and Lakewood.
My Checkered Life
Luzena Stanley Wilson in Early California
Fern Henry
This historic memoir is Luzena Stanley Wilson's classic account of her family's 1849 overland journey to California and their experiences there during and after the Gold Rush.
On Kelsey Creek: A Novel
Phyllis Whetstone Taper 
With her first novel published at age 90, Taper vividly illuminates the thoughts, feelings, and hearts of her characters lives in the summer of 1927 in Lake County, California.
Ghosts of Park County
John K. Aldrich 
Details 26 mining towns and camps of this central Colorado County, including Alma and Fairplay.
Ghosts of Gilpin County
John K. Aldrich 
Details 20 mining towns and camps of this central Colorado County, including today’s popular tourist destination, Central City.
Ghosts of the Eastern San Juans
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of the Eastern San Juan Mountains, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
Handy guide details 29 sites including Creede and ten other sites in Mineral County, Del Norte, Summitville and two other sites in Rio Grande County, six sites in Gunnison County, six sites in Saguache County and two sites in Conejos County. Plus a section on area geology, including Summitville District in Rio Grande County, Creede District in Mineral County, and Conejos County.
Ghosts of the Western San Juans, Volume 2
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of the Eastern San Juan Mountains, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
Handy guide details 29 sites including Creede and other sites in Mineral County, Rio Grande County, Gunnison County, Saguache County and Conejos County.
Sallie Fox
The Story of a Pioneer Girl
Dorothy Kupcha Leland, Illustrations by Diane Wilde 
In 1858, twelve-year-old Sallie Fox and her family leave Iowa in a wagon train, dreaming of California. This true story offers a child’s-eye view of life on the Santa Fe Trail and Arizona’s Beale Wagon Road.
Ghosts of the Western San Juans, Volume 1
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Ouray, San Juan, and Hinsdale Counties, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
Handy guide details 38 sites including Ouray, Lake City, Ridgway and Silverton.
California: Its Gold and Its Inhabitants
Sir Henry Huntley 
British nobelman Huntley spent most of his life in the New World. This is a reprint of his memoirs of travels and adventures in northern California during the Gold Rush, first published in the 19th century.
Traveling the Trinity Highway
Lowell "Ben" Bennion and Jerry Rohde 
This handsome travel guide covers the National Scenic Byway along Highway 299 between Redding and Arcata, providing practical travel information and a coffee-table memento of the trip.
Patty Reed’s Doll:
The Story of the Donner Party
Rachel Laurgaard, Illustrations by Elizabeth Sykes Michaels 
Skillfully pieced together from letters, journals, and memoirs of Donner Party survivors, the story of Patty Reed and her little wooden doll gives a good picture of the true life experiences of real pioneer children.
Ghosts of Teller County
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Teller County, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
Handy guide details 16 sites, including Cripple Creek, Stratton and Victor and Salida. Plus a section on Teller County geology.
Ghosts of Pitkin County
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Pitkin and northern Gunnison County, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
This handy guide details 34 sites, including Aspen, Carbondale, Crested Butte, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Marble and Redstone.
Ghosts of Lake County
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Lake County and eastern Pitkin County, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
This handy guide details 30 sites, including Independence, Lake City (Lake County), Leadville, and Twin Lakes. Plus a section on area geology.
To Travel Hopefully
Footsteps In The French Cévennes
by Christopher Rush 
Journeying along the road taken by Robert Louis Stevenson in his famed book Travels with a Donkey, fellow Scotsman Rush has written a modern classic.
Ghosts of Clear Creek County
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Clear Creek County, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
This handy guide details 28 sites in Clear Creek County, including Empire, Georgetown and Idaho Springs. Plus a section on county geology.
Ghosts of Chaffee County
A Guide to the Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Chaffee County and eastern Gunnison County, Colorado
John K. Aldrich 
This handy guide details 41 sites, 28 in Chaffee County and 13 in eastern Gunnison County.
The Savage View
Charles Savage, Pioneer Mormon Photographer
Bradley W. Richards, M.D. 
The only full length biography of an excellent western photographer who emigrated to Utah in 1855, then captured more than 50 years of western landscapes, faces,and places.
Photographers in Arizona 1850-1920
A History and Directory
Jeremy Rowe 
This book presents a 70-year visual history of a legendary land, an exciting window into one of the most colorful periods and places in our western heritage.
Dassonville
California Photographer (1879-1957)
Peter Palmquist; Researched and edited by Susan Herzig and Paul Hertzmann 
This beautiful book is the first about an influential, superb California photographer widely published in his day and the winner of numerous prizes and honors.
A Tour of Mendocino
Dorothy Bear and Beth Stebbins
This classic walking tour of 32 historic buildings in the picturesque town of Mendocino was revised and updated by Bob Lorentzen and Dorothy Bear in 1991.
Mount Rainier National Park
Tales, Trails, and Auto Tours
Jerry and Gisela Rohde Illustrations by Larry Eifert
This most comprehensive guide covers Washington's oldest national park. Describes 25 popular trails and 12 auto tours, with 50 historical anecdotes. Info on plants, wildlife, geology and climate too.
The Remarkable Carlo Gentile
Pioneer Italian Photographer
Cesare Marino 
This book tells the intriguing story of Buffalo Bill's first Wild West Show photographer. The Italian photographer Carlo Gentile left his native land at age 21 and traveled around the world, landing in San Francisco in the 1850s.
Natives, Newcomers, Exiles, Fugitives
Northern California Writers and their Work
Jonah Raskin
In this book Jonah Raskin examines thirty northern California writers (fifteen of them women) and their work in the context of the region in which they live and the literary community there.
Mono Lake Map
Tom Harrison 
Covers the ancient lake due east of Yosemite Park, including Mono Basin Scenic Area, Lee Vining, Mono Lake County Park, Panum Crater, and more.
American Photographic Patents
The Daguerrotype & Wet Plate Era 1840-1880
Janice G. Schimmelman
This new book lists 810 invention patents and 22 design patents pertaining to a wide range of photographic processes, equipment and methodology.
Twenty Remarkable Women Seen Through their Handwriting
Marian Gimby Brannan 
Master Graphoanalyst Brannan presents short biographies of twenty highly accomplished women, then uniquely and dramatically pairs their histories with an analysis of their handwriting, creating a vivid personal encounter with each subject.