An Everyday History of Somewhere: Being the True Story of Indians, Deer, Homesteaders, Potatoes, Loggers, Trees, Fishermen, Salmon, and Other Living

by Ray Raphael, Mark Livingston (Illustrator)

Book by Raphael, Ray, Livingston, Mark

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone in my watershed has, somewhere, a old copy of Ray's book. We all sent copies to our parents back in the day, trying to help them understand why we were mouldering in the country counting fallen leaves. The drawings are beautiful, and the narrative is still fine. Ray got a lot of ribbing because back then he wintered away from the rainy forest and the mud, and there is no mud in his book. Which seemed to those of us moving pans to catch drips from leaky cabin roofs something of an oversight.
Ray of course went on to publish many other books and make something of a name for himself as a historian.

[Raegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius concept - rather than focus on the usual dates and places, document a history of everyday life, from the plants and animals to the Native Americans, settlers, and exploiters of this patch of Northern California.

The writing got somewhat slow at times but never long enough for me to get bored. The extensive illustrations (I read the hardcover version) were incredibly intriguing.

This would make a great coffee table book for any history or ecology buff, or for any Northern California enthusiasts.

[Donovan Mattole · Rating 5 out of 5]

great collection of oral histories of area I grew up in. Wonderful for anyone to read.

[Jak Krumholtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Despite the arrogant use of power that Western civilization has applied to this area, the land here is still fantastically beautiful."

I proposed to my wife in the beautiful area this everyday history takes place. Not sure how the book found it's way to a library sale in Florida but I'm glad to have found it.

"For myself, learning the everyday history of where I live has had a most significant impact: it has added to my feeling of being alive on earth, and to my sense of respect for the world which is in my hands."

[Jymme Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this local history, from earliest known beginnings to mid 1970's, of the south county area of Humboldt County California. I will read more of his work. Author delves into the everyday life of so many local histories, fascinating.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Talk about enlivening history! A must read for someone interested in immersing oneself in the true history and growth of the west coast as told by people who lived during that time and remember their family stories. A very clever and memorable history book.

[Ravenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great local history. Tells it like it was.