Idaho Books

I saw David Johnson at a journalism seminar in Indianapolis a few years ago, discussing his own special type of feature writing. Johnson picks a name at random from the phone book, calls the number and ferrets out something special about the person who answers.
And, as the title says, everyone has a story.
To prove his point, he pulled out a phone book from his hometown in Idaho, had an audience member pick a number and placed the call on speakerphone.
The woman who answered was familiar with Johnson's weekly column and was willing to talk with him.
Her special thing? She does bird whistles. And she did a few for Johnson and the audience.
Of course, the point of all this is that we need to take time to find the goodness and humanity in the people around us, especially strangers.
It's a fun read, especially for those of us in journalism who think all the good stories have been written.

On those long drives across the American west your mind goes numb with mile after mile of flats studded with sagebrush. In Idaho, at least, author Bluestein has shared a secret: there are gems in them thar flats. Seasonal streams have gouged canyons all but hidden until you are nearly at their rim. Voodoo formations watch you. American Indians left petroglyphs and game walls. Birds, coyotes, fox, pronghorn, jackrabbits, horned toads, timber rattlesnakes and more frequent these hideaways.

Mr. Bluestein has uncovered dozens of these hidden places that are accessible from unpaved roads that are navigable in a higher clearance car (think 4wd Subauru). He provides directions, topo map quadrant, ranks the hike, and sketches a probable (these are off-trail explorations, after all) route overlay on a topo map. Tips and tricks anout desert hiking are included (two spare tires, for example, and roads are impassable when wet). You are away from civilization on these hikes.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking solitude in pockets of pristine wilderness.

Sheldon Bluestein gives excellent advice for desert hiking. He gives reminders on the essentials for experienced desert hikers and good advice for beginners. The directions to the hikes are precise. The difficulty levels though, are a lot tougher in the heat of summer than he lets on, and the hikes seem twice as long due to terrain. Most of the trips are day hikes and they are graded by difficulty and length. There are lots of black and white photos, maps, and descriptions of what you will encounter on the hikes. He also names which BLM or USGS maps you will need, as well as what seasons are best to visit, and PLSS locations. As someone new to desert hiking in Idaho, I had no problems finding the trails, dirt roads, and landmarks. I enjoyed it so much, I now live in Idaho's back country and hike in the desert every chance I get.

This book contains a great collection of routes throughout Idaho, from hikes to technical climbs. I never plan a trip without.

A great book! More recipes than you could ever use..a true table-top addition to any kitchen. I never knew there are so many ways to cook spuds. Good eat'n stuff!

I enjoyed the pictures in this book, does Ed have any other books of the same, as my friend is an retired Rodeo Clown and I have heard that Ed had taken some pictures of him over the years in Idaho, etc., how would I find out if there is another book, calendar, etc., Terry

I used this book on a trip a couple of years ago and it was very valuable. The paper is a light grade so while the book is thick it is not heavy. If you are in a town of any decent size then there is info on what to eat, see, and where to stay. The maps are good and suggestions are too. I've read quite a few travel guides over the years and this series may be the best all around and best laid out of any of them. You might want to read more details before you leave but this is the one to carry along on the trip. I have not seen any new editions but I hope Foder's continues with this series.

"Fire warms, dissolves, enlightens;
Is the great promoter of vegetation and life,
If not necessary to the support of both."
-William Paley, "On the elements"
I ordered this book because I am a fan of Mary Clearman Blew and have reviewed some of her books in the past. I also know that most years Idaho is ground zero in the never ending effort to control wildfires in the American west and figured, correctly it turns out, that this collection of essays on fire and how it affects our lives would have a fair amount of writing on wildfires. I also was intrigued with the unusual history of the book. Originally the University of Idaho Press was to publish the book but sadly it was closed shortly after the proofs were submitted by the editors and thus the book was looking for a home. The University of Oklahoma Press, not known for publishing lackluster or marginal books, recognized the quality of the submissions and reputations of the editors and agreed to publish it in cooperation with the Idaho Humanities Council. It was a wise choice and speaks well for the reputation of the folks at OU Press.
This anthology contains essays by twenty writers, both established and novice, including two prize-winning stories by Kim Barnes and Robert Coker Johnson. The book offers a variety of essays not only about wildfires and firefighting but also the affects fire has on our lives in other than a wildfire setting. For example, the frightening story by Robert Johnson, winner of a Gettysburg Review award, about a trash fire that consumed a three year old boy and his experiences in a burn unit, is about fear, courage, and coming to terms with fire in a most unforgettable way. There are stories of campfires and a longing for the past, of burning Presto-logs, stolen no less by an author's mother, the ever present fire danger to ranchers and farmers in an area so achingly beautiful it makes the danger at least acceptable, and a host of other stories that, in the words of editor Blew, "like fire will warm, frighten, and entertain the reader."
The Greeks believed fire was one of the four basic elements which combined comprised the total of creation. This is a wonderful anthology that will provide the reader with a good overview of the many facets of fire and it's place in our history. A worthy addition to the readers' bookshelf.

"Give A Boy A Gun" is the story of two boys, Gary and Brendan, who are intelligent, friendly children. As they enter junior high, a caste system emerges, and they find themselves among the undesirables. This is a result of nothing they have done, but only because they are "different." Gary and Brendan soon become the victims of pranks, teasing and increasingly cruel treatment from the "popular" kids. This treatment is virtually ignored by school staff. As a result, the boys become angrier and more volatile. Soon they are talking about killing their tormentors and a gradual plan unfolds. During their sophomore year on the night of a school dance, Gary and Brendan take the school hostage.

The book contains the voices of Gary and Brendan, their fellow students, friends, teachers and parents. This is done through interviews, e-mail messages and the boys' diaries and suicide notes. Gradually, through these voices, the reader witnesses the events that drive Gary and Brendan to their crime. It is difficult to tell that this is a work of fiction. The plot closely parallels what readers have come to know of the events of the Columbine school shooting.

Nearly every page contains facts on handgun and/or school violence. At the end of the story, Strasser has included key events in the gun control issue as well as a list of school shootings that occurred during the writing of the book.

"Give a Boy a Gun" should be required reading for teachers and other school officials. Parents should read it as well. It would be appropriate for young adults of either sex. The recommendation for adolescents must be guarded due to today's "copycat" incidents, although neither boys' actions are glorified. This is not a book with a happy ending. However, it grimly illustrates the effects of bullying, the junior high/high school caste system and the hesitation of society to accept anyone or anything outside of the dictated norms.

If you have a question about Glen Canyon, the answer is probably in this book.
If you think you know everything about Glen Canyon, read this book, and then think again.
If you like your history as factual and onrushing and unstoppable as an avalanche, read this book.
This book is brimming, crammed full, exploding with facts. It is an astoundingly complete book of Glen Canyon history, and I can find no fault with it.