Audubon's Western Journal 1849-1850

Audubon's Western Journal 1849-1850

An Account of a Trip from New York to Texas, and an Overland Journey Through Mexico and Arizona to the Gold Fields of California

by John Woodhouse Audubon
Publisher: Rio Grande Press
©1978, Item: 67759
Hardcover, 249 pages
Not in stock

PLEASE NOTE: this is your last chance to buy this book. We will NOT be buying it again. Also, this book is NOT RETURNABLE, and SOLD AS-IS. It may have defects, such as highlighting, torn pages or loose cover.

John Woodhouse Audubon was the son of the famous naturalist, John James Audubon, and was a respected naturalist and painter in his own right. In 1849, he journeyed out to the American West and Mexico. He describes early California and the Gold Rush of '49.

Audubon took notes of scenes and occurrences by the way. In his descriptions he exhibits the keen observation of the naturalist and the trained eye of the artist. The result is a remarkable picture of social conditions in Mexico, of birds and trees, of sky and mountains and the changing face of nature, of the barrenness of the desert and the difficulties of the journey, of the ruined missions of California, of methods of mining, and of the chaos of races and babel of tongues in the gold fields.

It was Audubon’s intention to rewrite his notes and to publish them. One part was printed privately and given to a few friends but distractions at home prevented the completion of the work.

Did you find this review helpful?