Live! from Death Valley: Dispatches from America's Low Point

By John Soennichsen

Book Overview

"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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159485775X
• ISBN13: 9781594857751
• Release Date: August 2013
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining and Informative read

I thoroughly enjoyed how Soennichsen interwove the historical stories from the past and the factual geographical information with his personal experiences in Death Valley. I liked this book so much that I bought it for my parents.

Entertaining and Informative Book

I throughly enjoyed this book about Death Valley and the author's experiences there. My family used to visit Death Valley regularly on our way to other destinations during our vacations. This book brought back numerous fond memories of my childhood thinking about the mysteries and dangers of the Valley to the pioneers that dared to brave that fantastic wilderness. I was both informed and entertained while reading this wonderful book. If you are even the slight bit curious about Death Valley and the people who explored it, read this book. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the discoveries on each page.

Death Valley Highs And Lows

John Soennichsen and I share what most people would consider an unnatural love - the love of Death Valley in California. Soennichsen shares his love in the short, but sweet Live! From Death Valley. Live! is [at least] three interwoven stories - the natural history of Death Valley, Soennichsen's personal history with Death Valley, and the story of William Lewis Manly and his ill-fated band of pioneers. Anyone reading this book should at bare minimum go away intrigued and the most curious readers will want to plan that Death Valley trip as soon as possible.

An informative, well-written book

I really liked this book. It is about Death Valley and about some of the people who have lived and/or traveled through it. Or I should say, survived it. The author also shares his experiences with Death Valley. Very interesting, and well-written. It is the best book I have ever read about Death Valley.