Sea of Sand (Public Lands History) (Volume 2)

This beautifully written, meticulously researched book will appeal to cultural and ecological historians as well as to environmentalists, geologists, and just plain folks (like me) interested in the experience and preservation of the Great Sand Dunes in south central Colorado. The sweep of the narrative reflects the scope and fluidity of the Dunes themselves. Starting with prehistoric big-game hunters, proceeding through Native American nomads, Spanish explorers, the Zebulon Pike surveys, through attempts at mining and the eventual settlements of hispanic homesteaders and the giant Baca ranch, we learn about the Great Sand Dunes topography, types of dunes and water woes along the way. The last part of the book describes the political struggle to attain National Park status in 2004. Mike Geary has written the definitive book on the Great Sand Dunes.It's definitely worth your read.

I grew up close to the Sand Dunes. This is a wonderful book on the history of the mystical place.

An excellent read. Good research.

Sea of Sand is a wonderfully written history of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The work describes the complexity of human environment interaction in the San Luis Valley and paints a vivid picture of an enigmatic park. I have visited the park numerous times and until reading Geary's book was not aware of the true extent of the park and the landscapes and creatures it holds. After reading Sea of Sand you will never again view the dunes as just a big pile of sand.