*Includes pictures *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading "The Mojave is a big desert and a frightening one. It's as though nature tested a man for endurance and constancy to prove whether he was good enough to get to California." - John Steinbeck The Mojave Desert, otherwise known as the "High Desert," is the smallest of the deserts in the North American continent, nestled between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, two of the most frequented tourist capitals in the country. That being said, this unassuming, yet mesmerizing desert is visited by millions each year, with over 2 million people flocking to Joshua Tree Park alone, for this diverse terrain is built on the back of a rich and unique history, be they real or fictitious. The Mojave Desert: The History and Legacy of North America's Most Famous Desert explores the development of the Mojave, from its formative years to the heterogeneous tract of land it is today. It also examines the native tribes who inhabited it, and their complex relationships with the foreign explorers who traversed their territories. The book also dives into the desert's literal golden era and takes a tour through the desert's fabled Death Valley. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Mojave Desert like never before.