'The Land of Little Rain'

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the book, 'The Land of Little Rain' by Mary Austin. According to the paper, Austin's book is an observer's unique tale of deserts, plains and mountains in California. The paper further discusses how the author talks about the Country of Lost Borders and Ute, Paiute, Mojave, and Shoshone that lie on its frontiers.

From the Paper:

"Some of the lines are indeed useful and informative. If I am a reader who is actually interested in visiting the place myself, then the chapter includes bits of wisdom and information that I might find highly useful. When the author explains why deaths are common in this place, she writes about illusions that desert creates and the effect it has on a thirsty traveler. Austin observes: "There are many areas in the desert where drinkable water lies within a few feet of the surface, indicated by the mesquite and the bunch grass (Sporobolus airoides). It is this nearness of unimagined help that makes the tragedy of desert deaths....To underestimate one's thirst, to pass a given landmark to the right or left, to find a dry spring where one looked for running water--there is no help for any of these things." This is a vital piece of information and might help an aspiring traveler in his desire to come back from the place unscathed."

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