It's all too easy to call photographs "stunning," but in this case the adjective is truly warranted. From wildflowers in the Antelope Valley to apple pies in Julian, every image is a work of art. Even weathered oil pipelines and abandoned pickup trucks become romantic through Wyman's lens, and when his subjects are mountain springs, wind-sculpted sand dunes, and monarch butterflies, the result is irresistibly riveting.

Wyman's photography tells enough of a story by itself that words are almost optional, but here's the great thing -- his words are just as good. For each of the routes he covers, Wyman weaves history, geology, flora, fauna, local events, and landmarks into a narrative that serves well both as a guide and as an armchair journey. These are remarkable journeys, too. The area he covers includes the highest point in the continental United States -- Mount Whitney at 14,495 feet -- to the lowest -- Badwater in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level.

Well-drawn maps, historic photographs, and colorful quotations from other travel works and primary sources enhance Wyman's text and images. After reading Backroads of Southern California, I was left with a renewed appreciation for the region and a nagging desire to go get a few more kicks on Route 66 as well as all the other roads so beautifully portrayed in this excellent book.

Megan Edwards
6/19/05