Book Cover / Branding
One of the last free-flowing desert streams in the American Southwest is Arizona’s Verde River. The River of the Kings tells its unique story – from its geologic beginnings, prehistoric inhabitants, explorers and settlers to today’s efforts to use and protect it.
A promise of precious objects
Arrowhead findings in the Verde River region are crucial evidence of the area’s deep and dynamic human history, illustrating technological, cultural, and environmental changes over millennia.
Spanish explorers reported being given emeralds shaped like arrowheads by local people. They were said to have come from high mountains to the north, where they were traded for feather-brushes and parrot-plumes. There is no evidence that such emerald arrowheads were ever found in the Verde River region, but the tale is significant as it illustrates how stories of precious objects like emerald arrowheads influenced the course of exploration and myth-making in the American Southwest.
This book is more than just a design project
I grew up in the Verde Valley and have enjoyed all of the unique natural benefits the river gifts to the area. Steven Ayers has been a long time friend of my family and I respect the years of research and writing that he has put into the book. I am so proud to be given the opportunity to be a part of this project and contribute how I know best, with the cover design.
The River of the Kings is available at Arizona State Parks visitor centers and the Sedona, Camp Verde and Clarkdale historical societies as well as online at Amazon.
