The Silence and The Sun

An historical account of the people, places, and events near old Route 66, and railroad communities in the Eastern Mojave Desert, California

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Book cover titled "The Silence and the Sun" by Joe De Kehoe, featuring images of a road, a sheriff's badge, an abandoned building, and a desert landscape in the Eastern Mojave Desert of California.

Celebrate the Centennial of Route 66 with the 3rd edition of The Silence and The Sun.

In 1999, Joe de Kehoe began transcribing oral history tapes for the Mojave Desert Archives, adding great value to the Oral History Program. In the early 2000s, Joe began conducting oral history interviews on his own, gaining access to collections of historical photographs in private hands. His geographical focus was roughly along old Route 66 in the California Desert. This work, which spanned a decade, resulted in his writing and publishing The Silence and The Sun: An historical account of people, places and events on old Route 66 and railroad communities in the Eastern Mojave Desert, California. The latest edition contains all the material in the first editions and more - newly discovered historical photographs, new stories, and contributions from Steve Reyes, Francis Blake, and Roger Hatheway.

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Buy The Book

Looking to buy The Silence and The Sun? You can find it at select retailers or order directly online through the Trails End Publishing website.

Please note, the book isn’t available on Amazon due to previous customer service concerns.

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Book cover titled 'The Silence and the Sun' showing a desert landscape with mountains, a dirt road, and a clear blue sky, with images of a roadrunner, Route 66 road sign, and an old wooden building at the top.
Golden anniversary badge commemorating 100 years of Route 66, with text and a shield emblem.

About the Author

“Joe de Kehoe is relentless about history. A retired geologist ... de Kehoe loves nothing more than to hang out with ghosts for days at a stretch in the mind-melting Mojave Desert of eastern San Bernardino County.” - Kevin Gerrity, The Bakersfield Californian Staff Writer

Find out more about Joe de Kehoe's history, expertise, and passions.

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