The Illuminated Landscape: A Sierra Nevada Anthology

Edited by Gary Noy and Rick Heide; Illustrations by Joe Medeiros

A literary anthology inspired by the breathtaking Range of Light

The essays, poetry, and stories presented in The Illuminated Landscape encompass the entire Sierra Nevada experience: an ancient creation myth involving an unlikely contest between Hawk and Crow, vignettes of life in mining camps, a curious deer taking a stroll through Beetle Rock, the impact a simple camping trip can make, the solace felt by a family held in an internment camp, and an enlightening attempt to climb Matterhorn Peak. Excerpts from well-known writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, Mary Austin, Wallace Stegner, Gary Snyder, T. Coraghessan Boyle, and Ishmael Reed as well as original works from local authors reveal how important the Sierra has become to our cultural psyche as an irreplaceable refuge for our spirits.

The Illuminated Landscape comes at a critical point. With the power of the written word to inspire, energize, and challenge, this anthology shines a light on what is at risk for the Sierra Nevada today and reinforces the importance of sustaining its beauty and ecological diversity.

Reviews

"This is a remarkable anthology, taking the reader chronologically from the dawn of time to environmental issues of today. This book belongs on every bookshelf of the best-of-the-best of Californiana.""

"This anthology looms large on the horizon for those who want to learn about, enjoy, and experience the Sierra Nevada. A truly terrific collection."

"Brilliantly assembled and introduced, this first anthology of Sierra Nevada writings stands as a landmark publication."

Photo by Mike Price

About the Editors

A Sierra Nevada native and current resident, Gary Noy taught history at Sierra College from 1987 to the present. A graduate of UC Berkeley and CSU Sacramento, he is the founder and director of the Sierra College Center for Sierra Nevada Studies and coordinator of the college’s Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum. He is the author of Distant Horizon: Documents from the 19th Century American West.

Rick Heide has an M.A. in Latin American history from the University of London, and a B.A. in Latin American studies from UC Berkeley. He is the editor of Under the Fifth Sun. He was a member of the San Francisco Bay Area publishing community for over twenty-five years and now lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills.