The DevilÆs Punchbowl: A Cultural & Geographical Map of California Today is an anthology edited by Red Hen PressÆs Managing Editor, Kate Gale, and Los Angeles Times reporter and editor Veronique de Turenne. Essays were commissioned from writers living in California, who were asked to reflect on an aspect of the stateÆs geography, natural or man-made: Alcatraz Island and its prison; Manzanar and Mt. Whitney; Big Sur and Joshua Tree; Los AngelesÆ oil derricks and Mountain ViewÆs Google headquarters; the farms of the Central Valley and the redwoods of the Northern Coastland. Does Alcatraz, from its important role in Native American activist history to todayÆs defunct prison, retain meaning beyond a tourist attraction? How is the expanding border fence between Southern California and Mexico affecting, economically and psychologically, the individuals who live near it? CaliforniaÆs outsized cultural and economic impact on both our country and the rest of the world necessitate a continual taking stock, to prevent losing ourselves in the stateÆs constant transformations. The DevilÆs Punchbowl captures a pivotal time in our countryÆs history, as some of the stateÆs most recognized, complex, and accomplished writers describe their relationship with CaliforniaÆs ever-changing geographic, economic, and psychic landscape.
