California Indians & Their Environment: An Introduction

Regularly $32.95, now $25

By Kent G. Lightfoot & Otis Parrish

California Natural History Guide published by UC Press, 2009

“One of the best books of its nature to ever cross the trail is the scholarly yet accessible California Indians and Their Environment.” ― Press Democrat

Capturing the vitality of California's unique indigenous cultures, this major introduction incorporates thirty years of research into an illuminating, comprehensive synthesis for a wide audience. Based in part on new archaeological findings, it tells how California’s native people lived in vibrant communities, each boasting a rich village life including chiefs, religious specialists, master craftspeople, dances, feasts, and ceremonies. The book emphasizes how these diverse communities interacted with the state's varied landscape, enhancing its already bountiful natural resources through various practices centered around prescribed burning. A handy reference section, illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs, describes the plants, animals, and minerals they used for food, basketry and cordage, medicine, and more. At a time when we are grappling with the problems of maintaining habitat diversity and sustainable economies, we find that these native peoples and their traditions have much to teach us about the future, as well as the past, of California.