Overview

"In Baikal, Peter Matthiessen takes readers on a fascinating journey to ancient Lake Baikal in Siberia. The world's oldest and deepest lake, Baikal is a natural wonder: more than a mile deep, it contains one-fifth of the fresh water on Earth; its waters possess a clarity and purity beyond compare - a coin dropped into the water can be clearly seen at a depth of 100 feet; at the bottom of the lake are hydrothermal vents that support unique forms of life, among which is the reclusive nerpa, the world's only freshwater seal. But this legendary lake - revered throughout Russia - is now endangered by acid rain and pollution from industries on the lake shore." "In the summer of 1990, Matthiessen was invited by musician-composer Paul Winter to join him on an expedition to explore the mysterious Baikal. Winter, whose visits to the lake over several years had inspired him to compose music celebrating the wonder of Baikal, hoped that Matthiessen would be so impressed by the lake's majesty - and so concerned by the loss of its biodiversity - that he would write on its behalf." "Here, then, is the journal Matthiessen composed during their voyage from end to end of the great lake, accompanied by a fascinating group of Russian naturalists and intellectuals, including the controversial writer Valentin Rasputin, who has made Baikal one of the centerpieces of the emerging Russian environmental movement." "Matthiessen's powerful tribute to this sacred and endangered landscape is enhanced by myths, folklore, and excerpts from historical texts about Baikal assembled by editor Chez Liley. Boyd Norton's striking photographs illustrate the lake's grandeur - from dawn light on the rugged peaks above the Brown Bear Coast to nerpa basking on rocks at Tonkii Island in Zabaikalsky National Park. A foreword by Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko introduces the book, and renowned environmentalist David Brower's afterword calls for the designation of Lake Baikal as a World Heritage Site."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
ISBN-13

9780871565846

ISBN-10

0871565846

Weight

1.60 Pounds

Dimensions

10.00 x 0.75 x 8.75 In

List Price

$25.00

Format

Hardcover

Pages

128 pages

Publisher

Sierra Club Books

Published On

1992-10-13


View All Offers

Sort by:

Rows per page:

1–5 of 5

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Very Good
Seller details
HPB-Emerald
★★★★☆

Dallas, TX, USA

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
$13.93

 Free delivery by: 29 Mar 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
ZENO'S
★★★★☆

San Francisco, CA, USA

San Francisco. 1992. Sierra Club Books. 1st Printing. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0871565846. Forewor...
$25.49

 Free delivery by: 29 Mar 2026

Used, Good
Seller details
Bonita
★★★★☆

Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
$36.53

 Free delivery by: 29 Mar 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Second Story Books
★★★★☆

Rockville, MD, USA

Book. Long octavo, 89 pages. In Very Good condition with Very Good condition dust jacket. Spine is...
$83.24

 Free delivery by: 29 Mar 2026

✨ Brand New
Seller details
GridFreed
★★★★★

North Las Vegas, NV, USA

Size: 9x8x0; In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
$110.83

 Free delivery by: 29 Mar 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.