Books with author John Charles Van Dyke

John Charles Van Dyke (1861–1931) was an American art historian and critic. Whoever has not seen the American Desert, in some part of it, under some of its aspects, will probably think this book a collection of extravagances or an extended idealization. At least, if the present reviewer had not often beheld portions of that remarkable region, this might have been his opinion. With a quickened mass of kaleidoscopic memories rising before him, it is easy to see more in these pages, than the mere beauty of description, for which Mr. Van Dyke should be commended, “Perhaps I can tell you something of what I have seen in these two years of wandering,” says Mr. Van Dyke; “but I shall never be able to tell you the grandeur of these mountains, nor the glory of color that wraps the burning sands at their feet. We shoot arrows at the sun in vain; yet still we shoot. And so it is that my book is only an excuse for talking about the beautiful things in this desert world that stretches down the Pacific Coast, and across Arizona and Sonora. The desert has gone a-begging for a word of praise these many years. It never had a sacred poet; it has in me only a lover."But the lover almost insures the poet. To prove how nearly the poet asserts himself, one could quote many fine passages, describing color, and form, and atmosphere. The lover is a painter, surely; and often he becomes the philosopher,as instance this:“The accomplishments of Columbus, of Cortez, of Coronado, were great; but what of those who first ventured out upon these sands and erected missions almost in the heart of the desert, who single-handed coped with dangers from man and nature, and who lived and died without the slightest hope of reward here on earth? Has not the sign of the cross cast more men in heroic mold than ever the glitter of the crown or the flash of the sword?"So the desert can teach real truths; and this chronicler of it has learned them. The desert can supply much valuable information; and it does this through Mr. Van Dyke's book. Since its first publication, in 1901, the book has passed through several printings; and now this Kindle edition comes forth in eloquent testimony to the popularity of a work describing a region not supposedly popular.ContentsTHE APPROACHTHE MAKE OF THE DESERTTHE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL THE SILENT RIVERLIGHT, AIR, AND COLORDESERT SKY AND CLOUDSILLUSIONSCACTUS AND GREASE-WOOD DESERT ANIMALSWINGED LIFEMESAS AND FOOT-HILLSMOUNTAIN-BARRIERSThis book originally published in 1902 has been reformatted for the Kindle and may contain an occasional defect from the original publication or from the reformatting.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

PREFACE-DEDICATION Co A. M. 0. After the making of Eden came a serpent, and after the gorgeous furnishing of the world, a human being. Why the existence of the destroyers ? What monstrous folly, think you, eyer led Nature to create her one great enemy -man ! Before his coming security may have been; but how soon she learned the meaning of fear when this new CEdipuB of her brood was brought forth ! And how instinctively she taught the fear of him to the rest of her children ! To-day, after centuries of association, every bird and beast and creeping thing-the wolf in the forest, the antelope on the plain, the wild fowl in the sedge-fly from his approach. They know his civilization means their destruction. Even the grizzly, secure in the chaparral of his mountain home, flinches as he crosses the white man's trail. The boot mark viiAbout the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the difficult to read text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org

The object of this series of text-books is to provide concise teachable histories of art for class-room use in schools and colleges. The limited time given to the study of art in the average educational institution has not only dictated the condensed style of the volumes, but has limited their scope of matter to the general features of art history. Archæological discussions on special subjects and æsthetic theories have been avoided. The main facts of history as settled by the best authorities are given. If the reader choose to enter into particulars the bibliography cited at the head of each chapter will be found helpful. Illustrations have been introduced as sight-help to the text, and, to avoid repetition, abbreviations have been used wherever practicable. The enumeration of the principal extant works of an artist, school, or period, and where they may be found, which follows each chapter, may be serviceable not only as a summary of individual or school achievement, but for reference by travelling students in Europe

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.