CLICK HERE to download the first three chapters from Live! From Death Valley “Eloquently written, Soennichsen’s book is a triumph of reportage reminiscent of McPhee.” —Publishers Weekly * A compelling narrative about one of the most mysterious places on Earth by acclaimed nonfiction writer Soennichsen Death Valley is a place of record-breaking heat and unexplained natural oddities—a place where salt beds descend a thousand feet below the surface; where inch-long fish swim in a 112-degree creek; where huge boulders slide mysteriously across a dry lakebed. There are also gas stations, convenience stores, a visitor center, and a five-star hotel. Despite the modern conveniences, however, it’s still quite easy to die in Death Valley. Author John Soennichsen spent decades hiking, exploring, and observing as much of this forbidding yet fascinating region as possible. Based on journals kept during his travels, Live! From Death Valley relates his experiences in the region and examines the history, geology, and philosophical inspirations of the surrounding area. Alongside his own stories Soennichsen weaves an imaginative retelling of William Manly and the Bennet-Arcane party’s fateful pioneer trip through Death Valley in 1849–50, as well as modern-day tales of UFO sightings, doomsday prophets, and movie and TV production sets. Part guidebook, part autobiography, part narrative, Live! From Death Valley chronicles the raw history, weirdness, and geographical charm of this extraordinary place.

This is the history of Death Valley, where that bitter stream the Amargosa dies. It embraces the whole basin of the Amargosa from the Panamints to the Spring Mountains, from the Palmettos to the Avawatz. And it spans a century from the earliest recollections and the oldest records to that day in 1933 when much of the valley was finally set aside as a National Monument. This is the story of an illusory land, of the people it attracted and of the dreams and delusions they pursued-the story of the metals in its mountains and the salts in its sinks, of its desiccating heat and its revitalizing springs, and of all the riches of its scenery and lore-the story of Indians and horse thieves, lost argonauts and lost mine hunters, prospectors and promoters, miners and millionaires, stockholders and stock sharps, homesteaders and hermits, writers and tourists. But mostly this is the story of the illusions-the illusions of a shortcut to the gold diggings that lured the forty-niners, of inescapable deadliness that hung in the name they left behind, of lost bonanzas that grew out of the few nuggets they found, of immeasurable riches spread by hopeful prospectors and calculating con men, and of impenetrable mysteries concocted by the likes of Scotty. These and many lesser illusions are the heart of its history.

Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest deserts of the world! Readers are taken on an adventure through Death Valley to learn about the plants and animals that survive in this dry, hot desert landscape in this engaging nonfiction title. Featuring vivid photographs, informational text, and riveting facts about desert ecology, readers will be fascinated from beginning to end!

Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest deserts of the world! Readers are taken on an adventure through Death Valley to learn about the plants and animals that survive in this dry, hot desert landscape in this engaging nonfiction title. Featuring vivid photographs, informational text, and riveting facts about desert ecology, readers will be fascinated from beginning to end! This 6-Pack includes six copies of this title and a lesson plan.

Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest deserts of the world! Readers are taken on an adventure through Death Valley to learn about the plants and animals that survive in this dry, hot desert landscape in this engaging nonfiction title. Featuring vivid photographs, informational text, and riveting facts about desert ecology, readers will be fascinated from beginning to end! This 6-Pack includes six copies of this Level P title and a lesson plan that specifically supports Guided Reading instruction.

Organized by specific reading skills, this book is designed to enhance students' reading comprehension. The focused, meaningful practice and entertaining topics motivate students to learn.

Publisher information found on publisher's website.