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Title: The Secret Sierra: The Alpine World Above the Trees
ISBN: 1893343014
Author:
David Gilligan
Publicate Date: 2000-12-31
Publish: 2000-12-31
List Price: $18.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $15.35
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $13.85
Amazon Merchant Price: $15.35
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| Customer Review: |
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1: "Secret" Sierra
C. Ryan, in his review of this book, states that the "most disappointing [aspect] is that Gilligan never suggests specific hikes during which the Sierra visitor can observe the vegetation, animals and geologic phenomenon he describes."
The book's title is The Secret Sierra, emphasis on "secret."
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2: Recommended, but with some caveats
The "Secret Sierra" referred to in the title is the high altitude portion of California's Sierra Nevada. After 14-page introductory remarks on the "History and Philosophy of Natural History" the bulk of David Gilligan's natural history survey consists of 43 chapters, averaging less than seven pages each, on various aspects of Sierran geology, geomorphology, biology and environmental transitions over time, interspersed with lyric descriptions of some the author's Sierra experiences and quotations from other authors and naturalists. The main text is followed by eight pages of appendices listing an inventory of the Alpine Sierra's plants, bird and mammals, the author's references and an index.
In essence this is a text book for field courses in Alpine Sierra natural history, which the author instructs. There are lots of Latin and scientific terms and the chapters are fairly detailed on sometimes-ignored-topics like alpine soil development and detailed descriptions of remnant Sierran glaciers and their signature moraines. On the other hand some intriguing and colorful aspects of the Alpine Sierra, for example Bighorn Sheep and avalanches, are virtually ignored.
There are some disappointing aspects to this book. Many of the described phenomena are not unique to the Sierra and are known to people familiar with other mountain ranges. There is somewhat excessive detail about a few topics and quite superficial coverage of others. Most disappointing is that Gilligan never suggests specific hikes during which the Sierra visitor can observe the vegetation, animals and geologic phenomenon he describes.
And some of Gilligan's paragraph-leading statements are less brilliant insights: "Altitude is associated with mountain regions more than any other factor" and "Streams and lakes, being aquatic, are the wettest habitats of the alpine zone." Altitude in the mountains? Streams and lakes wet? Who knew?
On a more positive note in several spots Gilligan thoughtfully raises the notion that the Sierra Nevada has been through many climate changes and has been intermittently devoid of even its current tiny remnant glaciers, most recently 5,000-8,000 years ago when Native Americans were already living in the region. He also says it's common for plant and animal species to ebb and flow in the Sierra under natural circumstances. Rather than mimic global warming hysteria the Hidden Sierra's author provides the useful perspective that major climate changes are normal and both humans and living things have successfully dealt with greater changes than we may be currently facing.
Throughout the book are interesting, well composed black and white photographs of the High Sierra landscape, but there are absolutely no maps to orient the reader to any of the locations photographed or described.
Recommended, subject to the limitations described above, to anyone who wants to learn or review the natural history of the High Sierra.
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3: A Must for Students of the High Sierra!
As a 'student' of the High Sierra, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone with a love for the precious Sierra Nevada. Its only shortcoming (is it a shortcoming?) is that for anyone with little to no previous understanding of geologic processes, biology, botany, et al, they may feel slightly lost at times. Mr. Gilligan rarely gives a background to the process, event, or adaptation he is about to describe. Those who have studied the aforementioned subjects will appreciate that the author delves straight into a subject without prefacing it with general background. A must for the collector of Sierra Nevada books.
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4: The Secret Sierra, Secret no more
Mr. Gilligan brings the reader as close to "The Range of Light" as one can get without being immersed in it. He is quite unapologetic for his subjective approach in studying the ecology of the Alpine Sierra Nevada, and rightfully so. The reverence for which Mr. Gilligan has for these mountains assists the reader in transcending the boredom of science into the exciting realm of the personal and graspable.From landscape geography to the intricate workings of geological activity, Mr. Gilligan brings scientific concepts to the laypersons realm. If you want a book that brings both the forest and the trees to your doorstep, this is it. The only real drawback to this book is the sense of burning desire it leaves, which can only be extinguished by breathing the Sierra Nevada Alpine Air. Then, and only then, will the understanding that Mr. Gilligan has impartd to his reader be fully appreciated. David Gilligan says it best, "Whether the Hindu and Buddhist ressurectionists have had it wrong or right all this time, I can conceive of no other way of living this precious life than as if it were the first and last time I will have to kiss the bones of the earth, shaken upward in a stone embrace with the alpine sky." I'm coming Heckle-Me Fiddle!!!
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