11-05-2021, 02:33 PM
Farewell, Promised Land: Waking from the California Dream by Robert Dawson & Gray Brechin
A great big picture book of sadness. Robert Dawson took the pictures. Gray Brechin wrote the words. Brechin is also the author of another feel good book "Imperial San Francisco"
This book takes on the whole state from our polluted water to our destroyed hills. Most of the book comes down to the rich destroyed the state in pursuit of profits. The peasants were tricked into colluding with them in their own destruction. I learned about all the selenium in the soil in the central valley. I learned how the SF Bay lost a lot it's area because of the mining. A town I pass on the way to LA called Pixley sank 25 feet because they drained all their artesian wells. Don't even get me started on the Indians.
The last chapter gives a few glimmers of hope as local people strive to reverse some of the damage. But it seems paltry in the face of what has been done.
Now should I read about the Railroad Barrons or the California Indian Genocide next?
A great big picture book of sadness. Robert Dawson took the pictures. Gray Brechin wrote the words. Brechin is also the author of another feel good book "Imperial San Francisco"
This book takes on the whole state from our polluted water to our destroyed hills. Most of the book comes down to the rich destroyed the state in pursuit of profits. The peasants were tricked into colluding with them in their own destruction. I learned about all the selenium in the soil in the central valley. I learned how the SF Bay lost a lot it's area because of the mining. A town I pass on the way to LA called Pixley sank 25 feet because they drained all their artesian wells. Don't even get me started on the Indians.
The last chapter gives a few glimmers of hope as local people strive to reverse some of the damage. But it seems paltry in the face of what has been done.
Now should I read about the Railroad Barrons or the California Indian Genocide next?
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm