The Explorer King: Adventure, Science, and the Great Diamond Hoax--Clarence King in the Old West
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
In the 1800s, the young Clarence King was an icon of the new America: a man of adventure and intellect, a flash-in-the-pan celebrity who combined science and exploration with romanticism and charm.... This description may be from another edition of this product.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0743260252
ISBN13:9780743260251
Release Date:February 2006
Publisher:Scribner
Length:320 Pages
Weight:1.12 lbs.
Dimensions:9.1" x 1.0" x 6.1"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Great trip into the times of Clarence King
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This book does not discuss in much detail the USGS and the second half of Clarence's life but it places you in the times of King and during some of the most interesting parts of his adventures in the West. I really enjoyed the book and found that the author created an interesting angle by carefully reviewing King's upbringing, religious beliefs and how he squared his religious convictions with an education and career in science during the mid 1800s. This is not a historical tome but a fairly light read where the author keeps the material interesting. It is like a rock skipping over the surface of his life. A good read that leaves me hoping others will write additional books to tell other parts of his story.
great story about a little-known explorer
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
This book caught my attention from the very beginning, first linking King with the 19th century Washington DC social and political establishment and then telling how he made his way out West in a time when that journey was an adventure in itself. It was fascinating to learn how King, whom I'd never heard of, was the first to scale and then name many of California's highest peaks. Having grown up in California, hiking, camping and skiing in the Sierras, I loved reading about the familiar towns and geography and learning how Clarence King was such a factor in that area's history. Some great accounts. A shame that King had so much going for him and then gave in to temptation in the end.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
