The Mojave - A Portrait of the Definitive American Desert

The Mojave, as David Darlington describes it, is a "wilderness defined by human ambition, an empty place full of activity, a blank slate brimming with meaning, an overflowing void." Darlington writes of the wide-ranging impact of the human presence on a region that appears to be rugged but is actually perilously fragile and vulnerable. From ranchers to the rise and demise of Route 66 to the environmental consequences of mining, tourists, and military activity, Davis shows that despite its peaceful imagery, the Mojave is a damaged battleground. He reports on conservation efforts as well as the depredations of developers. David Darlington, 1996, 337 pages, softcover