Oregon Books

Robin Carey is a wonderful, subtle, evocative writer. His landscape descriptions are jaw-dropping, and his memoir of the family line of hard-as-nails Presbyterian ministers that came before him elicits enormous compassion for the human condition.

Robin Carey's UPSTREAM has two threads. One is an account of a journey that he and his son took by kayak up the Klamath River. The other is an analysis of psychological and philosophical isses, the genesis of which is the literal trip. Carey meticulously conveys the arduousness of the trip upstream. A reader almost gets tired reading his accounts of the effort that the two kayakers had to expend. This aspect of the book also features some lambent and vivid descriptions of the river, birds and other phenomena. All in all, the trip comes alive. The book's other aspect is an utterly honest recounting of human phenomena, in particular of the relations among a chain of three father and son pairs, beginning with Carey's grandfather and father and extending to himself and his son. In the process Carey illuminates both those particular relations and the general relations of many fathers and sons. This is an engaging book; one immediately becomes absorbed in it. The pages turn quickly, even though it is enlightening.The prose is sprightly and imaginative; the issues,events and ideas are interesting.

This natural history guide is the first to be published in 50 years. A beautiful blend of science and art!

This is a must read for anyone interested in the region!

I am Bob S. Stearns with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Santiam Unit. I am personally dealing with recreational issues on state lands regarding a couple of waterfalls in this publication. Some information has changed with these locations and the publication should be altered to show that. Thank you for any correspondence. Please call at (503)859-2151 or write at adresses listed above. Thank you.

For anyone interested in tracking down waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest region, this book is the bible. Detailed accounts of where to locate them, maps, personal insight, the works. Gregory Plumb has laid the groundwork for my innate passion for these natural beauties. A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest is a must have for hikers and enthusiasts alike.

I enjoyed the book very much, including the new age and mystical elements and the out-of-body visit to the creator. I had no problem with the plotting and am not clear on what others perceived to be the problem when they cited coincidences or a disjointed plot. There were a couple of loose ends that never were completely wrapped up, but I found the book very enjoyable. But as the plot unfolded, I did not find the book to be particularly humorous despite some rather vivid and unusual scenes and bantering between John, Willie, and others -- in fact the story was unusually poignant compared to other John Denson stories (and I have reaad them all). I think there is a lot here to reflect upon about relationships, family, and some serious matters. I liked it very much.

While driving in the Oregon mountains, the heavy rain pours live salmon at private investigator John Denson?s vehicle. During the fishy torrent, he stops, camera in hand, to help an accident victim. However, as the young woman tries to talk through her dying gurgles, fish continue to pelt John and the victim. He realizes this was no accident as someone shot the female who he identifies as Sharon Toogood, daughter of Portland TV weatherman Jerry Toogood.

Unable to forget her murder, John investigates. After talking with the prime suspect, Sharon?s sister Mariah, the sibling is killed too. Needing special guidance to see through the haze of the seemingly too good world of the sisters, John enlists the help of his pal, Native American Willie Sees the Night. With Willie as a guide providing an elixir mixer, John has an out-of-body experience that may provide the clues to solving the homicides.

Though a humorous private investigative tale that feels like a ?Summer of Love? who-done-it, THE WEATHERMAN?S DAUGHTER is definitely not for everyone. The story line uses too much New Age (or is that old age) coincidence to move the plot forward, but the story remains amusing in spite of the murders. The cast is an eccentric delight as hippies, salmon, and poachers (oh my!) dominate the northwest.

Harriet Klausner

This book is perfect for climbers who only need descriptions of routes 5.10a and under. (The author includes highly rated 5.10b/c routes, as well.) It gets discouraging looking at books where I have to flag the few pages that refer to climbs I can do. This book is reasonably priced and full of great pictures, information, and climbs I can do. What more could I want in a guide?

If you are planning a climbing trip to Oregon this Rock Climbing Guide is a must. The routes of Smith Rock are worth the price alone. This guide is for beginning and intermediate climbers (5.0 to 5.10a). The route descriptions, pictures, and diagrams are awesome. Climb some of the states most beautiful locations. This book is a great guide and instrutor.

Westward Go! presents the exciting story of how John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, and twelve-year old Rand Benton explored the American west in the Fremont expedition's 1842 Map-Making sojourn from St. Louis, Missouri to the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. This lively, energetic text is enhanced with line-drawings and marginal notes as the expedition encountered Native Americans, buffalo herds, Sacajawea's son, mountainmen, rivers, and the vast unexplored horizon. Westward Go! is fun, informative reading for anyone with an interest in the Old West generally, and the John C. Fremont expedition in particular.

It's always a pleasure to discover the occasional historical novel that both educates AND entertains. This is not the tedious textbook presentation of America's past that I remember (and so painfully endured) over the years in required American history courses. Ms. Loftin's book is engrossing, with dialogue as dazzling as its illustrations. More significantly, she proves something I've always believed but rarely experienced--namely, that we can learn about America's remarkable past without being bored into a stupor.

White Poplar, Black Locust is about the joys and sorrows of growing up in a small town in the `50s, but it's no Leave It to Beaver or Happy Days. Louise grew up in an isolated company logging town on the California-Oregon border, in many ways a paradise for kids. But it wasn't all white poplar, her childhood had its thorny locust side as well. One marvels at the resiliency of the human spirit in memoirs like Jeanette Wall's Glass Castle and Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. This spirit is very much in evidence in White Poplar, Black Locust, as is the same tone of detached and loving acceptance of circumstances and parents who are not as good as they could be. Wonderfully written, I loved this book from the first sentence to the last, and many times in the midst, I stopped just to marvel at a particularly apt phrase or to take in the deep honesty of the author.

I thought this was a phoenominal book. Louise weaves this memior of her childhood in a company logging town integrating social insight with the logging haydays of the 1950's and 1960's. Well researched and poignant. My copy was devoured by fellow employees while I was on vacation...

I found this book in my youth ministers office after he moved out. Evidently, it was a gift and obviously it was never read. Ready to give it the heave-ho into the trashcan, I paused and looked at it again. Am I glad it did- it is a delightful book.

It is a collection of short stories about the history of the Pacific Northwest up to the early twentieth century. A third generation Oregonian, thought I knew Northwest history, but this book filled me in a side of history never taught in school. For instance, Holbrooks tells us of outlaw Jim Turnow who he describes as the most crafty and dangerous man ever to roam the timbered reaches of the Pacific Northwest- a cold blooded killer who had a reign of terror in Grays Harbor. Compare this killer to the story of Miss Fern Hobbs, a twenty-five year old, 104-pound secretary to Governor West, who single handily disarmed and brought peace to lawless mining town of Copperfield Oregon. By far, my favorite story is about The Death and Times of Joshua the Prophet. A charismatic leader who lead astray the women of Corvallis Oregon, the ending of this story is both surprising and tragic.

Holbrook takes us to another time and to another culture. His prose is beautiful; it is a work of art. So put on your cartharts and cork boots and flannel shirt and tin hat, this is a great read. Even if you are not from the Pacific Northwest, you will be captivated by these stories. Buy this book and place it in your guest room. Your guests will thank you for a great read.

This is an anthology of some of Holbrook's mid-1900's articles about the development of the NW around the turn of the last century. Holbrook's prose is easy-reading but carries well-researched along with humor and style. Each chapter is a treat!

If you haven't read Holbrook before, who should I compare him to?..... Well, if Ken Burns was primarily a writer, I think that he might produce similar stuff.

There is a bonus in the introduction. The editor's lengthy piece fills us in on who Stewart H Holbrook was and is fascinating reading in itself.

This writer's work deserves further resurrection.

A great opportunity to experience a Rancher's love of the land and devotion to animals. The author engadges the reader in his challenges and sacrifices in order to survive in a world most of the population can not imagine. The book moves along quickly and leaves you wanting more.

This book was so good that I had to limit myself to a few pages a day in order to make it last as long as possible. Dayton Hyde has such an appreciation of nature, wildlife, and the delicate relationship between man and his surroundings. It was just an incredible book.

Excellent guide to keep with you while roaming the city. Filled with
lots of tips. Great buy. Jim

On my last trip to Portland I came across a huge stack of copies of this book at Powell's Books near the front of the store. It only took a brief browsing to tell that this was a keeper and I spent the entire trip back to Seattle on the Amtrak reading it. This is the fourth edition of this guide and is primarily useful for lots and lots of cheap (or relatively cheap) restaurants, coffeehouses, bookstores, bars, clubs, record stores, etc. It is broken down by the various parts of town and has additional chapters on Bridges, The Multnomah County Library System, Bicycling in Portland, City Repair, Museums, Hiking in and around Portland and Skateboarding. It is basically intended for locals as it's full of the kinds of places that one would frequent if one lives in Portland as opposed to the four star hotel rankings and expensive retail stores that often make up the listings in a more typical travel guide. The design and layout of the book is especially appealing...small, easy to carry in a pocket, with lots of illustrations by Portland zine/comic artists and easy to read type.