"The object of this volume is to present a systematic and descriptive account of the shrubs of California which will serve as a working manual for their identification by the forester, ranger, traveler, vacationist, teacher, landscape designer, gardener, and student of nature. While primarily planned for the use of the general public, the book has been written to serve also the professional botanist who is interested in the native shrubs of California"--Preface (page ix).

"I have counted, in the last ten miles three hundred sixty-two wagons, which in the States cost about $120 each. The cause of so many wagons being abandoned, is to endeavor to save the animals and reach the end of the journey as soon as possible by packing through; the loss of personal goods is a matter of small importance comparatively." Between 1846 and 1869 more than 400,000 settlers took the perilous journey across the wide and wild spaces of the Western United States to settle in the coastal territories. James Abbey was just one of them and he kept a journal of the trip. The sheer determination, foolishness, or a combination of both that motivated pioneers to uproot their lives and families and risk it all is exemplified in Abbey's statement above. Once on the trail, there was often no going back and great sacrifices were exacted to reach the destination. This long-forgotten, out-of-print book is available for e-readers for the first time. Journey back in time with Abbey and find out just how hard it was, how much it cost in hard-earned dollars, and what the rewards were. He published this record, in his words: "Being a daily record of incidents of the trip over the plains, the desert, and the mountains, sketches of the country, distances from camp to camp, etc., And containing valuable information To emigrants. As to where they will find wood, water, and grass at almost every step of the journey." Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.

Water shortages and water rationing are commonplace throughout California, rendering expanses of lawn and thirsty, nonnative plants unsustainable. The California Native Landscape addresses both concerns by showing homeowners how to succeed with natives and showing them how lush, colorful, and thriving their landscape can be. The authors stress the importance of smart garden design and combining the right plants to promote the natural symbiosis that occurs within plant communities. Native plants also play an important role in creating fire-resistant landscapes, and this new book has cutting-edge information on this crucial topic, refuting the myth that natives are more fire-prone than nonnatives. With its unique combination of proven techniques, environmental wisdom, and inspiring design advice, this is an essential resource for all California gardeners who want to create a beautiful, ecologically appropriate, and resource-conserving home landscape.

In this photograph-driven field guide to California’s spectacular wildflowers, Laird R. Blackwell expertly provides several ways to find them in bloom: by month, by place, and by flower. The month-by-month descriptions—found in no other statewide guide—suggest what to see and where to go throughout the state during the blooming season. The author also supplies more than 300 locations arranged in 10 geographical regions, highlighting 67 of his favorite places with detailed driving and walking directions and difficulty, blooming times, and lists of predominant wildflowers as well as a featured flower. The guide contains more than 650 color photographs by the author, including 600 species arranged by flower, with natural history notes and places and months to find the flower in bloom. Throughout, experienced wildflower guide Blackwell shares his love of the beautiful places and flowers he has visited throughout California.

In 1852 a record number of women helped keep the wagons rolling over the perilous western trails. The fourth volume of Covered Wagon Women is devoted to families headed for California that year. Diaries and letters of six pioneer women describe the rigors en route, trailside celebrations and tragedies, the scourge of cholera, and encounters with the Indians.

On Memorial Day 1933, Stanford executive David Lamson found his wife, Allene, dead in their Palo Alto home. The only suspect, he became the face of California's most sensational murder trial of the century. After a judge sentenced him to hang at San Quentin, a team of Stanford colleagues stepped in to form the Lamson Defense Committee. The group included poets Yvor Winters and Janet Lewis, as well as the "Sherlock Holmes of Berkeley," criminologist E.O. Heinrich. They managed to overturn the verdict and incite a series of heated retrials that gripped and divided the community. Was Lamson the victim of aggressive prosecutors, or was he a master of deception whose connections helped him get away with murder? Author and Stanford alum Tom Zaniello meticulously examines the details of a notorious case with a lingering legacy.

Spring in the desert provides some of the most spectacular wildflowers shows in California, making this the perfect wildflower book to pack for a day in the Mojave or Colorado Deserts.

In 'Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820', Sherburne Friend Cook delves deep into the exploration efforts in the early 19th century of the California Central Valley. Cook meticulously details the expeditions made by Spanish colonial authorities and missionaries to map and conquer this vast region, shedding light on the challenges they faced and the impact of their presence on the indigenous populations. Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, this book provides valuable insight into the colonial history of California and the interactions between different cultural groups during this period. Cook's thorough research and engaging narrative make this a must-read for anyone interested in early Californian history. Sherburne Friend Cook, a renowned historian and expert in Spanish colonial history, brings his expertise to bear in this book, drawing on primary sources and archival documents to reconstruct these expeditions with accuracy and nuance. His passion for the subject is evident throughout the book, making it a compelling and informative read for history enthusiasts and scholars alike. I highly recommend 'Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820' to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of early colonial exploration in California and its lasting effects on the region.