The famous conservationist's lyrical, exuberant observations of the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Introduction by Gretel Ehrlich. Penguin Nature Library.

A stunning tribute to the savage beauty of the area known as Death Valley. To most travelers it is a parched, empty territory, unwelcoming and forgiving. In a collection of essays that date back almost a century, naturalist and writer Mary Austin (1868-1934) breathes life into the desert landscape, describing its savage beauty, its plants and animals, and the occasional human visitor.

An autobiographical narrative by Henry David Thoreau, originally published in 1864. It contains three accounts of trips to Maine: "Ktaadn", "Chesuncook" and "The Allegash and East Branch".