Synopses & Reviews
Sonoma is one of Northern Californiaandrsquo;s most desirable places to live and a popular tourist destination, combining small-town charm, a colorful past, and its current role as the hub of one of the worldandrsquo;s premier wine-producing regions.
A Short History of Sonoma traces its past from the Native American peoples who first inhabited the valley, proceeding through the establishment of a mission by Spanish priests, the Bear Flag Revolt that began Californiaandrsquo;s movement to become part of the United States, the foundation of what would become a celebrated wine industry, and its role today as the center of a sophisticated and highly envied food and wine culture.
The book also addresses such topics as the development of local ranching and businesses and of transportation links to San Francisco that helped to make Sonoma and the surrounding Valley of the Moon a popular location for summer homes and resorts. It discusses the role of the nearby hot springs in attracting visitors and permanent residents, including people seeking cures for various ailments. There are also accounts of some of the famous people who lived in or near Sonoma and helped establish its mystique, including Mexican general Mariano Vallejo, the townandrsquo;s first leader; Hungarian winemaker Agoston Haraszthy, who first saw the regionandrsquo;s potential for producing superior wines; and writers Jack London and M. F. K. Fisher, who made their homes in the Valley of the Moon, drawn by its beauty and bucolic lifestyle.
A Short History of Sonoma is generously illustrated with vintage photographs. It is a delightful account of one of Americaandrsquo;s most charming towns and its evolution from rowdy frontier settlement to the paragon of sophisticated living that it is today.
Review
"Mike Makley proves it is possible to present history in a way that's interesting, concise, and readable. He is a thorough researcher who clearly knows his stuff when it comes to Lake Tahoe and writes about it with a strong, clear voice. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone who has ever visited, lived at, or read about Lake Tahoe--and wanted to know more about its history and development." -- Richard Moreno, author of A Short History of Carson City
Review
"I am spellbound by the indigenous people, lumberjacks, rusticators, bureaucrats, and conservationists all colliding at the intersection of Mike Makley's story of Lake Tahoe." -- Bill Watson, manager and curator of the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society
Review
"Makley's erudite, eminently readable brief history of Lake Tahoe is a polished gem." -- Booklist
Review
andldquo;Lynn Downey brings to life the unique stories of Sonoma Valleyandrsquo;s history.andrdquo; -- Diane Moll Smith, director of the Depot Park Museum and the Sonoma Valley Historical Society and#160;
Review
andldquo;This is a superbly written general history. I cannot think of a better introduction to the townandrsquo;s history. It was a joy to read.andrdquo; and#160;-- Gary F. Kurutz, special collections librarian emeritus, California State Library, Sacramento and#160;
Review
andldquo;This is the first book about Sonoma to distill the major events and significant people associated with the area into one accessible volume. Downey has a strong narrative voice that effortlessly guides the reader through decades of information.andrdquo; -- Richard Moreno, author of A Short History of Carson City and#160;
Synopsis
An entertaining history of one of the West's most beautiful places
Synopsis
Lake Tahoe is one of the scenic wonders of the American West, a sapphire jewel that attracts millions of visitors each year. But the lake drew Native Americans to its summer shores for millennia, as well as more recent fortune hunters, scientists, and others.
A Short History of Lake Tahoe recounts the long, fascinating history of Lake Tahoe. Author Michael J. Makley examines the geology and natural history of the lake and introduces the people who shaped its history, including the Washoe Indians and such colorful characters as Mark Twain and legendary teamster Hank Monk, and later figures like entertainer Frank Sinatra and Olympic skier Julia Mancuso. He also covers the development of the lake's surrounding valley, including the impacts of mining, logging, and tourism, and the economic, political, and social controversies regarding the use and misuse of the lake's resources.
Generously illustrated with historic photographs, this book is an engaging introduction to one of the most magnificent sites in the world. It also illuminates the challenges of protecting natural beauty and a fragile environment while preserving public access and a viable economy in the surrounding communities.
Synopsis
An engaging account of one of the Westandrsquo;s most picturesque townsand#160;
About the Author
Michael J. Makley is the author of several studies of Nevada history, including The Infamous King of the Comstock: William Sharon and the Gilded Age in the West and John Mackay: Silver King in the Gilded Age, and coauthor of Cave Rock: Climbers, Courts, and a Washoe Indian Sacred Place, all from the University of Nevada Press. He lives in the eastern Sierra Nevada.