Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Schemers, Bigots, and Rogues

by Gary Noy

The Sierra Nevada, with its 14,000-foot granite mountains, crystalline lakes, conifer forests, and hidden valleys, has long been the domain of dreams, attracting the heroic and the delusional, the best of humanity and the worst. Stories abound, and characters emerge so outlandish and outrageous that they have to be real. Could the human imagination have invented someone like Eliza Gilbert? Born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1818, she transformed herself into Lola Montez, born in Seville, Spain, in 1823, and brought to the Gold Country the provocative “Spider Dance”—impersonating a young woman repelling a legion of angry spiders under her petticoats. Or Otto Esche, who in 1860 imported fifteen two-humped Bactrian camels from Asia to transport goods to the mines. Or the artist Albert Bierstadt, whose paintings Mark Twain characterized as having “more the atmosphere of Kingdom-Come than of California.” Or multimillionaire George Whittell Jr., who was frequently spotted driving around Lake Tahoe in a luxurious convertible with his pet lion in the front seat. These, and scores more, spill out of the pages of this well-illustrated and lively tribute to the Sierra by a native son.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2014

Reviews

[William Graney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining snippets from the gold rush era (and beyond) Sierras. I've been to most of the areas described in the book (Truckee, Tahoe, Yosemite, Lone Pine) so it was interesting for me to learn more of the history and find out how various trails and mountains were named.

[Yuliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weirdos aplenty. And no heroes. That's the way history should be written.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of nonfiction so much. I learned a lot of California history and it intertwined with other nonfiction I’ve read in recent years. It was interesting how Noy not only told the stories of the Sierras, but tied them into the wider world, mentioning other names I’ve read about (including Jenny Lind, who I’d read a biography of about 35 years ago). I liked learning different aspects of historical figures. Highly recommend if you like history, gold rush, national parks, etc!

[Edward Etzkorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, informative stories of people who have made the Sierra Nevada their homes over the decades. Exciting from a historical perspective, as well as simply fascinating reading. Gives an insight into a motley collection of people who have left their marks on the mountains or been indelibly stamped by them. A must-read for anyone who loves the Sierras!

[Linsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book filled with history of one of my favorite places, the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lots of interesting stories and trivia about people who lived in the small mining towns that make up this region. Highly reccomend.

[Jerry Mahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived for years in Colorado, and collected stories of the people there, the mountains, the gold. Now that I've moved near the Sierras in California's Central Valley, this book is the beginning of collecting stories here, learning the history of my new home. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Steven Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of historical vignettes about the California Gold Rush country. Doesn't contain a whole lot of detail but I learned a few things none the less. Having been to a number of the locations in which the events took place made them even more interesting to me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

California really does have a sordid past...

[Peg Albrets · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating vignettes of Sierra history

[Karen Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly readable history book about the Sierras. Early settlers to present movie sets. Short chapters about diverse groups and individual celebrities.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a native Californian who has hiked, camped or backpacked in the Sierra's, I loved this book. The length and variety of stories was just right. I enjoyed the easy to read format.