Believing In Place: A Spiritual Geography Of The Great Basin

by Richard V. Francaviglia

The importance of place in our search for meaning

312 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool book. The author is an academic but also a Great Basin solitude freak. He drives around the back of behind in Nevada thinking about history and religion and grooving on speed and silence. Amen brother!

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the thing - this is an interesting and exciting book, and it manages to avoid the potential new age pitalls of the title by sticking to ruminations on the role that senses of spirit play in conceptions of the Great Basin. So, contentwise, really quite good.

However, the writing can be interminable. It took me quite a long time to get through the dang thing. Topics are often buried in the middle of paragraphs, and some sections just seem fluffy.

An essential book if you're interested in the subject, but be prepared for some slow spots.

[Richard Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a very interesting exploration of Great Basin history through the lens of spirituality, for lack of a better term. He studies the history of Native American legends, the Judeo-Christian ethic and also through the eyes of science. Intriguing.

[Jeff Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, Francaviglia draws from Native American, Mormon, Catholic and Protestant spirituality as well as popular culture draw the reader into the special nature of the American Great Basin. The book is scholarly and also enjoyable to read.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author looks at how Mormons, Native Americans and miners each perceive the Great Basin landscape differently.