Desert Explorers
Books and Reviews
The Desert Explorers are a refined and intelligent group. Interests vary and most of us are bookworms to some extent. This section contains book reviews as well as places to find and enjoy books related to the desert and our environment. Happy reading!
Windshield Adventuring?
Book review by Neal Johns
Sounds like a good phrase to me! Too bad Barstow Mojave River Valley Museum members Russell and Kathlynn Spencer invented it. They even write books using that title. Tired of sitting around weekends when no one else is going out to see the sights? Have we got a deal for you! The Spencer’s have traveled extensively alone in a stock Cherokee and written guidebooks to the exciting places found so we can share with them. Sounds kind of touchy feely doesn't it? Guess I am getting old, and it shows in my writing. Living with Marian will do that to a man, Ha! Back to the book review: there are two books written in a similar style; Windshield Adventuring Through the Mojave Desert covers, Guess What? While Windshield Adventuring in Southern & Central Nevada covers, Guess Again! Both books have places I have never been, Gasp! and are replete with good pictures and maps. If that weren’t enough, they are revised frequently! Bill Mann, you have competition. Who will be the next Museum member to write a book? These books are not for rock crawlers but are great for people with a pickup or SUV and an urge to go to out-of-the-way places that are relatively safe to access alone. Examples are Burro Schmidt’s tunnel in the El Paso Mountains, (say Hi to Toni for me), Dirty Sock Hot Springs, (It caused me to lose my hair in the (50s), or check out the UFO’s near Rachel, Nevada. The combination of mileage, directions and maps should keep you from getting lost, besides, you do have a GPS and a DeLorme don’t you? Four wheel drive is usually not required, but you will have to use good sense as road conditions can change quickly in the Great American Desert. The Spencer’s website contains updates on the destinations in the books. The books are self published, about 100 pages, 8 1/2 x 11 inches and are available for $15.95 from: Windshield Adventures 3600 S. Harbor Blvd. #338 Oxnard CA 93035 (805) 382-1948 http://www.windshieldadventures.com or check the Museum for copies.
Our own Bill Mann, of Barstow
Museum fame, has published his new book, Guide to 50 Interesting and Mysterious Sites
in the Mojave. In 8-1/2" x 11" format, this 90-page book contains 139 color
photographs of the some of the Mojave Desert's most interesting and mysterious sites. The
book includes detailed travel directions for each site. All sites are cross-referenced to
the DeLorme Atlas & Gazeteer with GPS coordinates. Don't miss this wonderful
book by "one of our own." A great buy for just $20.00 per copy. Order direct
from the publisher by sending a check or money order to:
Shortfuse Publishing Co.
30 Hilltop Terrace
Barstow, CA 92312
Mr. Harry Crosby's beautiful
book, The Cave Paintings of Baja California is available now from the Mojave
River Valley Museum. This outstanding coffee-table-quality book had been out of print for
several years before being revised and republished in 1997. Original editions sell for
more than $100 per copy--when you can find them. This new revised edition contains new
color plates and is truly a delight. The dustcover has this to say: "This full-color
account, revised and expanded from the orignal edition, depicts the author's discvoery and
documentation of a world-class archaeological region in the remote central Baja
California. The paintings were unveiled to the modern world in the 1960s by adventure
writer Erle Stanley Gardner in conjunction with a comprehensive study by Dr. Clement
Meighan of UCLA. These Great Murals, whose origins remain mysterious to this day, rank
with those of southern France, northern Spain, northwest Africa, and outback
Australia."
The Mojave River Valley Museum now has this book in stock. The per copy price for non-members is $36.33 (which includes tax and shipping costs). Museum members get 10% off the non-member price for a per-copy cost of $33.10 (which includes tax and shipping costs). The Museum number is (619) 256-5452.
Recently released is the Alex
Shoumatoff book "Legends of the American Desert -- Sojourns in the Greater
Southwest."
- Book Review: Four Corners: History, Land and People of the Desert Southwest
- Book Review: A Fresh Look at the Mojave
- The Reference Desk - Catalogs, Magazines, Groups, and Organizations Devoted to the Desert
And don't forget to pay a visit to Ander's Attic.
Last updated: July 10, 1999