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Erik Davis
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The Visionary State: A Journey Through California's Spiritual Landscape Hardcover – June 1, 2006

by Erik Davis (Author), Michael Rauner (Photographer)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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With a rich cultural history and Hollywood stars publicly attesting to a wide range of faiths, it's no surprise that California's spiritual landscape is as diverse as its natural surroundings. The Visionary State weaves text and image into a compelling narrative of religion, architecture, and consciousness in California, from neopaganism to televangelism, UFO cults to austere Zen Buddhism. Acclaimed culture critic Erik Davis brings together the immigrant and homegrown religious influences that have been part of the region's character from its earliest days, drawing connections between seemingly unlike traditions and celebrating the diversity of California's spiritual composition. Michael Rauner's evocative photographs depict the sites and structures where these traditions have taken root and flourished. The Visionary State is a landmark look at what is likely the most varied locale for religious activity anywhere.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Chronicle Books
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2006
  5. Grade level
    8 and up
  6. Reading age
    13 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    10 x 1.25 x 10 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0811848353
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0811848350
  10. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Erik Davis's books include Techgnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information . Much of his work can be accessed at www.techgnosis.com. He lives in San Francisco.

Michael Rauner is a San Francisco based photographer and installation artist whose works reside in numerous collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; First Edition (June 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0811848353
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0811848350
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.59 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 1.25 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

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Erik Davis

Erik Davis

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I am a writer, teacher, and scholar who lives in Northern California. When I'm abroad, I usually tell people I am from California rather than the United States. I'm not just trying to be clever, I actually identify that way. I was born in the Bay Area in June of the Summer of Love and currently reside in San Francisco, where my settler ancestor I. C. C. Russ disembarked with his family from the Loo Choo in the fortuitous year of 1847. My roots lie in this rootless place.

That said, I spent a good ten years on the east coast, first at Yale and then in the freelance writer trenches of New York City, where I wrote tons about music, philosophy, fringe culture, \ media and technology. In 2010 I returned to university to get a PhD in all this weirdness, a degree in Religion that led to my book High Weirdness. My essays have appeared in a couple dozen books, I have spoken all over the world, and my writings have been translated into a dozen languages.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
28 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Theseus Augustus
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best guides to alternative spirituality
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2008
Verified Purchase
This is a fabulous book, like everything Erik Davis writes. The photography just takes it to a new level. This book will be a standard reference for us in future journeys on the North American west coast. We intend to visit all the sites, or as many as we can, documented in the book.

But it is much more than a travel book. Davis brings his masterful knowledge of American gnosticism and materializes it in his historical, rich narrative about the numerous temples, religions, and cults of California. I strongly recommend "Techgnosis" for a much deeper treatment of the same topic. Let's hope he keeps bringing his skill as a writer to craft more beautiful essays about the rich and fragmented American life, and the strange worlds emerging as the American imperial reign draws to a close.

Davis is probably the most talented of the current psychedelic authors, and has a talent at keeping an open and critical eye on both the dark and light aspects of emerging subcultures.

I love his wordcraft and eclectic reach. Every time I read one of his books, I come back with at least twenty new words and a few new concepts.
3 people found this helpful
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Teresa Hampson
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2019
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Beautifully written. Wonderfully illustrated. Full of fascinating places to visit (if you're lucky enough to live in California). Have given away several copies to family and friends, as every time I start talking about it (or every time someone opens it up) they want one of their own.
One person found this helpful
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Naren S.
5.0 out of 5 stars very useful from a historical and spiritual/religious perspective
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fascinating subject, very useful from a historical and spiritual/religious perspective. I never knew how many places of spiritual and religious importance existed in California. It reflects a unique 'movement' that we still don't have a name for but is very much a part of America and more specifically California. The author writes with a witty humor and intuitive insight that I enjoyed more than the beautiful photos themselves. Important book to have.
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Brad N.
4.0 out of 5 stars Take a trip on the California side
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2018
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This book reviews one of the reasons I love California!
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S. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than a coffee table book
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2012
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I bought this book when I saw one at a friend's. I'm from California and was experiencing a little homesickness in Vermont. I got so much more than beautiful photos, though they are certainly wonderful. Erik Davis's writing is so strong, and the stories he tell are abundant. Davis makes the point that perhaps growing up in this environment leads to religious and spiritual views particular to it, and I have to admit that there's something to that.

In all both a good read and a great series of photos of some places that I wasn't aware of, along with some old friends to me.
One person found this helpful
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Heidi The Firefly Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars The pictures are beautiful and the writing engaging!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017
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This book was a lot more fun than I had expected - a really engaging writing style with excellent photography. I kind of fell in love with California reading it. When I'm done, I'm going to give it to my friend in San Diego who just bought a house with a bedroom he's renting out as an air bnb. I think guests will really enjoy it too!
One person found this helpful
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TODD PRATUM
5.0 out of 5 stars What a joy to read
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015
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As a longtime student of the history of the utopian culture of California, who has pursued the original sources for 40 years now, there can't be more than a handful of books that are this valuable in that pursuit. Everything about this book is top notch, the photography, the text, and the overall book design. What a joy to read, this is a permanent treasure. It covers ground few have bothered to examine but grounds which turn out to be integral to the subject.
One person found this helpful
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Kendall Longstreet
3.0 out of 5 stars superb photos/ lousy script
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2013
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This book had very good, infact beautiful photographs by Michael Rauner, that actually took one to places of wonder.
Where as the written part was lacking in lustre and had some false data about the subject matter and was an insult to the photographs.
Apparently the written matter was by some fellow that couldnt streighten fact from fiction in his poorly researched job.
Buy the book for the photographs and tear out the written parts.
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Top reviews from other countries

Fran.6.23
5.0 out of 5 stars great! have not read it all
Reviewed in Canada on June 30, 2017
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great!
have not read it all yet
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