In this comprehensive and abundantly illustrated book, Allan Schoenherr describes a state with a greater range of landforms, a greater variety of habitats, and more kinds of plants and animals than any area of equivalent size in all of North America. A Natural History of California will familiarize the reader with the climate, rocks, soil, plants and animals in each distinctive region of the state.

Allan A. Schoenherr, Professor of Ecology at Fullerton College, has written numerous natural history articles. He is also a photographer and has hiked and camped throughout California.

"An impressive compendium of the state's landforms, habitats, species, and conservation issues."—Sierra

"This is a book of astonishments. . . . The most comprehensive look at California's natural diversity yet attempted. And it is clear, concise, and vividly written. . . . A Natural History of California may signify a new era in natural histories. . . . There are plenty of stories here, and they are rich in meaning. The result is evocative of the land and illuminating of its secrets. Read this and you are likely to rediscover your love of California. That alone makes it a wonderful book."—Peter Steinhart, Pacific Discovery

"One suspects that Schoenherr's book will be regarded as the publishing equivalent of the Sierra Nevada mountains -- unique, conspicuous, a major force.—Chris Watson, Santa Cruz Sentinel

"A long-overdue reference." — American Scientist

"My favorite field guides are actually works of natural history, published by the University of California Press. As if to compensate for their bulk and weight, the titles in the California Natural History Guides offer an abundance of illuminating information about what can be glimpsed from the paths and trails of our state parks."—Los Angeles Times

"A beautifully detailed and illustrated study of the state's natural wonders."—San Diego Union Tribune

"An exhaustive collection of facts regarding biogeography, the isolated evolution of plants, insects, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. . . . The most up-to-date information on all California island life. . . . It's at once a field guide, geological survey, history, and celebration of the wonders of the Earth's fathomless biodiversity."–Express Books

"You want to own this book. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this book is the number of illustrations, most of them photographs taken by the author. This guy knows of what he speaks!"—George M. Clark, California Wilderness Coalition