‘World Begins’ at Sonoma Mountain, says new book

Sonoma Mountain gets its day in the sun, or in the bookstores that is, with the release of a new photo and essay book, “Where the World Begins: Sonoma Mountain Stories and Images.” The coffee-table book features 140 photographs, a dozen maps, and numerous quotes by people who have studied the land and its history – and the contributors all live on or in the shadow of the mountain.

Lead author is Arthur Dawson, the Glen Ellen-based historian, with contributions from Meg Beeler, Kenneth Brower, Rebecca Lawton and Tracy Salcedo. Additional material from the stories of Wendy Eliot, Richard Dale and other local conservation leaders give the book a personal touch.

Photography is by Ed Cooper, with Scott Hess, Ulrich Kolbe and others. The book’s publication is a collaboration with Readers’ Books, Jack London State Historic Park, Sonoma Nature, Sonoma Agricultural and Open Space District and the Sonoma Ecology Center.

“The sweeping, sloping mountain forming the backdrop to the Sonoma and Petaluma valleys has a rich history that Arthur Dawson presents here eloquently,” said Dave Koehler, executive director of the Sonoma Land Trust, in a press release about the book.

There have already been a couple book launch parties elsewhere in the county, but Sonoma finally gets its turn on April 3 at the Vintage House, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Other events are planned as well, including an overnight on Sonoma Mountain on April 13 to 14.

The book was published by the nonprofit Sonoma Mountain Preservation on Feb. 22. Its release date was timed to celebrate the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary this March.

“Where the World Begins” can be ordered directly from Sonoma Mountain Preservation at sonomamountain.org. Cost is $40.