California Romantic and Beautiful

Boston: The Page Company, 1914. Hardcover. Very good. Second impression, November 1914. A volume in the See America First series. Title continues: The History of it Old Missions and of its Indians, A Survey of its Climate, Topography, Deserts, Mountains, Rivers, Valleys, Islands and Coast Line. A Description of its Recreations and Festivals, a Review of its Industries, An Account of its Influence upon Prophets, Poets, Artists and Architects and some Reference to what it Offers of Delight to the Automobilist, Traveller, Sportsman, Pleasure and Health Seeker. 433 pp, including index and bibliography, with 72 plates from photographs (8 in color) and folding map. Original dark blue art nouveau-style pictorial binding with decoration in gilt, yellow, and purple. Corners and spine ends rubbed, internally sound and clean. The book's opening line, "Romance and Beauty are words inseparably connected with California" sets the tone for the work. James' travel guide was intended to capture the essence of the state as a whole, rather than simply providing a list of tourist attractions and routes. To do so, he surveyed a wide array of topics, including history, geology, climate, flora and fauna, natural resources, education, and the arts. As one scholar explains, "In describing the many adventures of California history, in detailing the reclamation of the desert valleys, in celebrating California authors and artists, James worked to legitimize the place of California within American national culture" (Shaffer, See America First, 2013).