Here are a few of the books I used in researching the discovery and logging of the redwood trees in California.
Andrews, Ralph. Redwood Classic. New York: Bonanza Books, 1958. This book talks about the early days of logging in California.
Dilsaver, Larry M., and William C. Tweed. Challenge of the Big Trees: A Resource History of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Three Rivers, Calif.: Sequoia Natural History Association, Inc., 1990. This book focuses on the human story around the creation of these national parks.
Johnston, Hank. They Felled the Redwoods: A Saga of Flumes and Rails in the High Sierra. Fish Camp, Calif.: Stauffer Publishing, 1996. Go to this book for fabulous photos of the sequoias and learn how they were cut down.
Peattie, Donald Culross. A Natural History of Western Trees. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1953. Biological information on the trees. His description of sequoias captures their quiet majesty.
Sargent, Shirley. Pioneers in Petticoats: Yosemite’s Early Women 1856-1900. Yosemite, Calif.: Flying Spur Press, 1966. This book will give you a good idea of the unconquerable spirit of the women who helped settle California.
Seagraves, Anne. Women of the Sierra. Hayden, Idaho: WESANNE Publications, 1990. Short biographies of the women who lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains between 1840 and 1890.
Zauner, Phyllis. Those Spirited Women of the Early West: A Mini-History. Sonoma, Calif.: Zanel Publications, 1994. More biographies of the strong women of California and the West.