Imperial (book) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | William T. Vollmann |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary non-fiction |
| Publisher | Viking Books |
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Publication date
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July 2009 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 1344 (first edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-02061-4 |
Imperial is a huge book written in 2009 by an American author named William T. Vollmann. It's a deep dive into a special part of California called the Imperial Valley and Imperial County. Vollmann spent over ten years researching this area to write the book.
The book is very long, with 1,344 pages, making it his biggest single book! It has thirteen different parts. Imperial explores the history, money matters (economics), and geography of the region. It covers a huge timeline, from about 13,000 years ago all the way to today. A big part of the book focuses on the border with Mexico. Vollmann even compared it to the famous book Moby-Dick because it's so big and detailed. It was also recognized as a top non-fiction book in 2009.
Contents
Exploring the Imperial Valley
The Imperial Valley is a unique place in California. It's known for its hot weather and rich farming land. This area is very important for growing food, even though it's mostly a desert. The book Imperial helps us understand how this dry land became so productive.
What is the Imperial Valley?
The Imperial Valley is located in southeastern California. It's a desert region that gets very little rain. However, it's made fertile by water from the Colorado River. This water is brought in through a system of canals.
The valley is below sea level in some parts. This makes it a very interesting geographical area. It's also close to the border with Mexico.
A Look Back in Time: History of the Valley
The book takes readers on a journey through time. It starts way back, around 13,000 B.C. This is when the area was very different. Over thousands of years, the land changed.
Ancient Times
Long ago, the Imperial Valley was not a desert. It was once covered by a huge lake called Lake Cahuilla. Native American tribes lived around this lake. They used its resources for survival.
Early Settlers
Later, people began to settle in the valley. They learned how to live in the harsh desert environment. The book explores how these early communities developed. It shows their struggles and successes.
Modern Development
A major change happened when people figured out how to bring water to the valley. This led to a farming boom in the early 1900s. The book explains how this transformation happened. It covers the building of canals and the growth of agriculture.
Life on the Border
A key part of Imperial is its focus on the border. The border between the U.S. and Mexico runs right through the Imperial Valley. This makes the region a special place.
The Border's Impact
The border affects everything in the valley. It influences how people live and work. It also shapes the economy and culture of the area. The book looks at how the border has changed over time.
Sharing Resources
Water is a very important resource in the desert. The book discusses how water is shared between the U.S. and Mexico. This sharing is crucial for farming on both sides of the border. It's an example of how countries work together.
Why is this Book Important?
Imperial is important because it tells a big story. It shows how history, geography, and people connect. The book helps us understand a complex region.
It also highlights the hard work of researchers. William T. Vollmann spent over a decade on this project. This shows how much effort goes into writing a detailed non-fiction book. The book was even a finalist for a major award, the National Book Critics Circle Award. This means it was considered one of the best non-fiction books of 2009.
