Joaquin Miller Books

It's been almost 20 years since I read this book and the author's passion has stayed with me. I'm going to have to read it again and write a longer review; it just seemed odd that there were no customer reviews for such an important work.

A comprehensive map of the trails (including roads and tracks closed to cars) of the central part of the East Bay Hills. Good detail, including property jurisdictions, topographic (20 foot contour intervals), ground cover, points of interest and conveniences like bus stops. It also includes a good index (of trails), mileage marked on trails, rules and regulations for the various parks, general and contact information for each.

Map is printed one side only, on regular paper.

A great resource for finding and enjoying hikes of any length in the area.

There is also a Northern Section map of the area.

Califronia as it once was. A vast wilderness where the great grizzly bear still roamed free! The author's memories of northern California pioneer life in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Recounted years later for his daughter, Told with wry humor and wisdom. The stories ring true.

The first tale, "Bear on Fire," sets the tone. The author is guiding some artists near Mount Shasta when a wildfire threatens the entire party. Seeking shelter he keenly observes the wildlife as it too flees.

The second story & third stories hark back to the author's boyhood. The rest can be read in any order. Some of the stories range farther afield to Alaska, Louisiana and Mexico.

The tales often speak of the potential diasterous consequences of bad decisions and ignorance. Exciting, yet not gory. Good initiation theme stories for young and old alike.

I am no educational research expert, but the Sadkers seem to have a very left-wing political slant in their presentation of "the facts". Their so called "You be the judge" and other controversial issue discussions often give both sides without any evidence behind the various points of view, leading the reader to believe that they are equally valid.

The book isn't particularly useful either when it comes to seeking real world advice on lesson planning, disciplinary procedures, or how a mere teacher can make his/her voice heard on the school district board to effect change. It's highly theory-based and speaks in very general terms. This is characteristic however, of many published pieces in the genre. Facts, figures, and charts are prominent and welcomed, but are few and far between.

Overpriced for little content.

The seller of this book was not upfront in her business dealings. I needed the 5th edition, and she put the ISBN # for the 4th. Consequently I ended up paying an outrageous amount for an out of date book. The content of the book is good, but inn comparison with the current edition doesn't compare with the quality.

The other reviews for this are for the old edition and not the Brief Introduction to Education, so please be aware that the date of the reviews is before this text was published.

In reading the other reviews, it was obvious that the reviewers missed the point of the text--it is to be used in an introductory course, not in a course where preservice or practicing teachers would be designing lessons and units.

This text provides a great overview of the educational issues and problems that someone contemplating becoming a teacher needs to know about before investing time, energy, and money into obtaining certification. The brief version is much better, more up-to-date and student friendly than the original text by Sadker and Sadker.

For anyone contemplating being a teacher, the issues presented in this text may help you decide if you really have what it takes to be a classroom teacher. It gives an overview of the political, economic, and social issues facing educators as well as the historic perspective of American Education.

Well worth the cost.

The book was very detailed. We used in our college class and it really has very interesting, upto date information. It tells us how to teach, can teaching be taught or is it an art or science. The book also tells us about pedagy and we discussed adrogogy as well.