Oregon Books

Being interested in taking up hunting, I found Hunting Oregon quite informative as well as enjoyable reading. The full color photos were great!

I found "Hunting Oregon" to be a very good read. It was hard to put it down. Because I am an avid hunter I found myself gobbling up as many chapters as I could before I had to give my eyes a break. For those not familiar with hunting in Oregon or those wishing to bone up on the different species - THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!

Hunting Oregon is a complete hunting guide, covering waterfowl on up to big game. It is full of information and very well put together. It is written for, but not limited to, Oregon Hunters. All those who appreciate hunting will be delighted to see this book, packed with fantastic photos of game in their habitats and hunters in action. There is information ranging from shot selection for birds, Oregon unit maps and capturing your trophies on film. It gives complete instruction on caring for big game meat, and field care of trophies to aid your taxidermist. You'll find information for rifle, archery and muzzle-loaders. This comprehensive guide even includes recipes! A GREAT BOOK FOR HUNTERS, FROM ANY STATE!

In a nice pleasant format this guide delivers what it promises, describes what's to be seen, where to go, what to expect, and helps you get around in Portland. Should be a memorable trip. Can't wait.

I recently visited Portland for the Fourth of July weekend and this book along with {Best Places Portland} were my constant companion. Extensive information regarding EVERYTHING from Shopping, Restaurants, Lodging to detailed information on each neighborhood.

If you are looking to visit Portland and need a Visitor Guide, Grab your highlighter! and get a map. I carried this one with me constantly. The only flaw I could find in this one is that it didn't seperate the restaurants by Meal Type ie; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Respectfully Reviewed

Whether you live in Portland or are visiting for an extended time or have just moved, this is an excellent guide to the Rose City. Everything from shopping, restaurants, recreation, sites of interest, etc. You name it, this book covers it. Want to find a new place to go out to dinner? Look here. Want to figure out where to take a visiting friend from out of town? Look here. This is an excellent guide to all aspects of living, working, and playing in Portland. The one shortcoming this book has is that it has very limited coverage of the surrounding metro area. If it's not in Portland, it's probably not in this book.

Jungle SNAFUs is the highly readable account of the hard-won development of numerous items of jungle warfare equipment. The author tells both his personal experiences of the testing and procurement difficulties as well as makes specific recommendations for the most useful and lifesaving items every soldier should have. Anyone interested in the military - both at its best and at its worst - and anyone interested in saving the lives of men and women who bear arms for our country should read this book. Fascinating, with many rare photographs. I highly recommend it!

I have been using, studying, and analyzing U.S. individual equipment since 1950. I have been publishing articles since the 1960s on the development and evolution of individual equipment, especially the load bearing equipment (LBE) (i.e. , packs, bags, and cases ) used to carry items used for living (surviving) in the field and remaining fit to fight until the objective is taken.
It is easy to determine what was done by studying the item, when by historical research and looking at the object's markings, who by the same, where by looking at images and reading memoirs, but it is very often difficult to determine why a certain thing was done just by looking at it. This book is extremely valuable for the researcher and developer; it explains just why certain things were done, what was tried, and what was best to do the job.
But of course, troops do not live only in jungles, they need training and special items for field living in every clime. This book covers only that for tropical living and fighting. Nonetheless, many of its principles are of world wide application. And in space as well.
There were two parallel threads of development of equipment for field living during WWII. The first is described by the author, the development of special equipment not only for "jungle living", but also for jungle fighting. This is a more difficult task, as the items developed are not for one time or occasional use in an emergency, but must also be of enduring and robust construction for long use in extremely difficult conditions.
The other thread had two strands, the first, was the world wide need for downed aviators to survive in extreme weather conditions world wide. The development of this kind of materiel ended up in the hands of the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Naval Aviation branch. Not only was training needed, the equipment, being intended only for living in the jungle or desert or arctic until rescue, did not need to be robust but it did need to be useful, and small enough in bulk to be worn as part of the individual's flying gear, or able to be quickly attached thereto. So robustness was sacrificed for compactness.
The other major development in the Pacific and Asian operational areas, was training intended for members of ground units, not necessarily cut off from their own side, who, might or might not be, equipped with special jungle fighting materiel, who, first, needed to be convinced that not every creature in the jungle wanted them for lunch, and, second, how to make themselves as comfortable as possible under given conditions for as long a time as possible, with or without enemy activity in the vicinity.
This latter required training in the safe use of commonly available cutting tools such as sheath knives and machetes, and the recognition of edible plants and wild life. This training in "jungle living" was given in many theaters. One of the leading lights was Dr. Kenneth Emory of the Bishop Museum in Hawaii. He had spent many years living and studying among the natives of the SW Pacific islands. His story is covered in the book entitled "Keneti".
Related to jungle living were courses in "Getting Along With the Locals". On many islands, the Japanese occupiers had brutalized the inhabitants to the point where they were happy to rescue downed aviators and to help the ground troops when possible.
The great value of this book is that it puts in a readily available place, the distilled knowledge of the useful equipment needed to live, work, and fight in the jungles of the world. Ever since 1949, the U.S. Army was set up, trained, and equipped for the "Big One"-- the invasion of Western Europe by the Red Hordes of the East. Jungle warfare was a sideshow, abandoned as a matter of consideration just after the defeat of Japan. In fact, even in Vietnam, we persisted in using heavily armed mechanized units against lightly equipped guerillas.
The most widely used individual piece of LBE in Vietnam, the Lightweight Rucksack, had not been designed for the jungle at all, but for use in the Arctic winter, and constantly clashed with the items carried on the individual's belt.
These are the lessons detailed in this book. When the time comes when we are again seriously interested in jungle equipment again, the powers that be can turn to this work. (They will certainly not seek out obscure articles written by myself and my fellow historians and well-buried reports writen by designers and analysts.) Those who served as platoon and company commanders in Vietnam were the generals who ran the Gulf War. They won the "Big One". Same kind of war, just a thousand miles to the south.
Colin Powell and his cohorts are now retired. The institutional memory of Vietnam and its jungle setting is now gone from our forces.

Critical, combat proven life saving information needed for anyone's child in military service

This book is absolutely necessary for anyone with children in the military, especially Special Forces. Cresson includes detailed simple instructions on making/getting items that the military forgot to give or thrifted out of the budget. Proven methods for keeping the soldiers M-16 from jamming due to sand and snow. Proven methods for the prevention of drowning for combat laden soldiers (did you see the men drowing in Private Ryan?). Proven methods to mosquito proof clothing for months/years to prevent transmission of bug born diseases. If you have children in the military, get this book. Even though I am not in the military I learned and used many things from this book. Cressons life saving items have been used in all wars from WWII through Destert Storm and still today. The endorsements on the back cover do a better job than I ever could. I quote:

"....this book provides an amazing revelation of first hand stories and anecdotes that enable the reader to gain ideas and examples of how imaginative thinking by combat leaders can avoid disasters, save lives, and win battles. The book is a fun read and covers many areas unrelated to jungles. I strongly recommend that all leaders, especially those in infantry and Special Operations units, read this fascinating collection of combat wisdom." John K. Singlaub - Major General U.S. Army (Ret.)

"This book includes descriptions of much of the combat-proven equipment, ranging from lightweight breath-inflated boats and individual flotation devices to cool mosquito-protective uniforms, that again should be produced and issued to American soldiers. Teams from my Jungle Platoon needed such equipment when reconnoitering some 40 Japanese-held islands and destroying installations. Nor would all 11 Rangers of the team I commanded have been drowned off Omaha Beech had they had the breath-inflated bladders issued late in WWII to many thousands of our soldiers fighting Japanese invaders." Geroge C. Ferguson - Command Sergeant Major of CONARC (12 purple hearts awarded).

this book is: "Dedicated to American infantrymen, who in our future wars will continue to pay the greatest costs."

If ever there were a story of ultimate courage in modern-day life, this is it. Steven Sharp lost both his arms in a farming accident when he was just a teenager, and years later he sued the Case farm equipment company and won. It was an accident that should not have happened. Steven was very careful about safety while doing farm work. The machine with which he was bailing hay suddenly started up and both of his hands were pulled in. He managed to sever both of his arms in one of the most courageous acts that one can imagine, then he walked back to a farm house for help. The agony is difficult to imagine. This is a story not just about Steven, but also about a company which deserved to be sued. Steven moved on with his life without feeling sorry for himself. This is a true story of bravery written by William Mishler, who died in December, 2002 following a brief illness. It's sad that Mishler could not have lived to write more stories of real life events. I can't say enough about the pleasure I got from reading this book. The pleasure came from knowing that there are still good people in this world such as Steven Sharp.

If ever there were a story of ultimate courage in modern-day life, this is it. Steven Sharp lost both his arms in a farming accident when he was just a teenager, and years later he sued the Case farm equipment company and won. It was an accident that should not have happened. Steven was very careful about safety while doing farm work. The machine with which he was bailing hay suddenly started up and both of his hands were pulled in. He managed to sever both of his arms in one of the most courageous acts that one can imagine, then he walked back to a farm house for help. The agony is difficult to imagine. This is a story not just about Steven, but also about a company which deserved to be sued. Steven moved on with his life without feeling sorry for himself. This is a true story of bravery written by William Mishler, who died in December, 2003 following a brief illness. It's sad that Mishler could not have lived to write more stories of real life events. I can't say enough about the pleasure I got from reading this book. The pleasure came from knowing that there are still good people in this world such as Steven Sharp.

This is an extraordinary narrative in its subject matter and in its writing. As the author, William Mishler, says, it is "a contemporary American story well worth telling, " and he relates this true drama with a sympathy and an energy that do full justice to the enduring courage and resilience of its hero. We are carried along vividly from a quiet, small town in Oregon to a contentious courtroom in Wisconsin, where a dramatic trial takes place. Steven Sharp lives in aptly named Eagle Valley in Eastern Oregon, where the rhythms of country life and hunting and fishing form his character and his destiny. He suffers a horrendous accident with a defective tractor and baler, in which he loses both arms in an attempt to clear some hay from the baler. His agony is described in stark detail as he desperately yet deliberately uses razor-sharp metal in the machine to sever both arms that are being mercilessly pulled into the baler; he then finds the courage to cauterize the stumps on one of the red-hot rollers. Steven tells his story to the author and in the courtroom with a calm and modest conviction that he did what had to be done to save his life and his sanity. He earns our immense admiration and empathy for this act of bravery and for his persistence in helping his team of lawyers bring a successful lawsuit against the Case Corporation of Wisconsin. Case brought all their wealth and power in an attempt to deny Steven his due, but owing to a committed team of Minneapolis lawyers and Steven's and his family's perseverance, Case lost in court and in subsequent appeals. A note at the end of the book indicates that three years after the final verdict, Case has done absolutely nothing to warn their customers of the life-threatening dangers of their machine. William Mishler, a fine poet and writer, becomes deeply involved in the human and legal aspects of the drama, which he describes with a superb attention to detail in an intensely absorbing narrative of great imaginative power

This is a book that I will re-read as there was much information that I could use over and over. Definitions, relationships between grape and final product, explainations of wine content and chemical content. Not to mention a GREAT read!

If you live in the Northwest and have any interest in wine, this is a book for you! It is what I call a "great read"(a "must" read if you will). It captures the flavor of real winemaking with a background of facts (vines, soils, geology, geography, climate and latitude), a sustained taste of optimism with a strong aroma of humor throughout. Real people, real places, real wine--this book is the real deal! Try it, you'll like.

Linda Kaplan's book, "My First Crush," is a fun and informative romp through Oregon's wine country. From the colorful town and townspeople of McMinnville to the creepy crawlers on the grape sorting line (and I don't just mean insects), Linda is able to bring winemaking to life.

Inserted throughout the memoir style writing are helpful sidebars which describe winemaking and wine drinking in more detail. From the way that soil and microclimate affect the grapes to holding your own tasting.

I couldn't put this book down and I don't even know that much about wine. I have to say, I know more now.

This is book 2 in the Wagon's West series.

The wagon train is now heading into new territory for them. They are on the way to Oregon and are leaving Independence, MO behind. They are also now being led by Whip Holt. They are traveling through Nebraska and continuing westward.

This is the story of their struggles against the British & Russian forces trying to keep them for making the trip as well and the environment and Native Americans.

This book is one of the 6th printing from back in the late 70's. If you are interested in the settlement of the American West this is one series that you need to revisit.

This is a book I keep reading again and again. It just is a terrific read. If you're interested in the history of early America, then this is THE series for you!

"Nebraska" is Book 2 in Dana Fuller Ross' magnificent "Wagons West" series. In 1837 the United States was experiencing its first financial depression. Banks were failing, factories closing, and farms were being foreclosed. US citizens were increasingly hungry and dispossessed. Out of a population of 16 million, a quarter of a million were unemployed. People by the thousands were moving West to settle the wilderness and make a new start in life. Former US President Andrew Jackson, new President Martin Van Buren, and financier John Jacob Astor decided to assign mountainman and weathered veteran Sam Brentwood and his partner Michael "Whip" Holt to form the first wagon train of pioneers with the purpose of crossing the North American continent and settling the Oregon Territory. Imperial Russia and Great Britain were also determined to claim the Oregon Territory for themselves and planned to do everything in their countries' power to sabotage the United States' effort.

The caravan now included 500 people and their horses, oxen and prairie schooners. Having reached the frontier town of Independence, Missouri, Sam Brentwood and his new wife leave the group to open a trading depot to supply future pioneers and wagon trains. Wagon scout Whip Holt now takes over as wagonmaster and the legendary group begins to move across the Great Plains to the Rockie Mountains on the second stage of their journey. They are set upon by hostile Indians, British and Russian spies, accidents and illness, and the petty bickering that comes from interacting with the same people day after day, along with the monotony of the trail. Relationships and rivalries are formed which prove to be every bit as exciting as the journey itself.

The characters are outstanding and extremely realistic. The author vividly brings history to life in "Nebraska," as in the other books in the series. And the politics behind the settling of the West are fascinating. As one would expect, the novel is chock-full of adventure, hardship, courage, love, loss, tragedy and triumph. Many details have been taken from actual diaries and journals of early pioneers. Once you start this book you won't be able to stop until you have read all 24 novels. The next one is "Wyoming," and deals with the third leg of the trip -wintering in the Rocky Mountains and the move to Oregon. Very highly recommended!
JANA

I was so pleased with the transaction and the book. It was a great transaction with fast shipping and super packaging. Thank you so much.

As an information junkie, I'm always turning to the Internet for fast and up-to-date information for my garden design business. This book has replaced my computer for first-glance information. Debra provides significant editorial value in this reference, which I find dog-eared and well-used in a few short weeks. A must-have for any gardener in the Northwest, and a brilliant gift for a gardener new to the area.

It's a Northwest garden enthusiast's dream come true! Stephanie Feeney has outdone herself and compiled information in this edition I will refer to again and again. The list of nurserys to visit is complete with directions, business hours, the types of plants they sell and what they specialize in, e-mail addresses, and any other helpful information that may be of interest. I especially appreciate the geographic locator in the very back that breaks down locations by region that makes planning a garden outing a breeze. I even found a few nurseries in my small town that I didn't know existed. Other chapters include organizations that help gardeners, clubs, foundations, societies and volunteer opportunities, education, gardening with children and young people, internet gardening, publications, professional services, gardens to visit, shows and exhibits, and the list goes on. And it's all written in a friendly personal manner.

Own this book if you love to take road trips in Oregon. Take it with you everywhere, because there is so much to learn just by looking and reading about a place you never thought about!


This book is such a treasure. You can spend hours looking through it all. Its a wonderful database for places in Oregon you may not be able to read about online. Buy this if you research genealogy in Oregon. Very helpful to identify census localities etc.

McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names is the definitive "all you need to know about Oregon" text. The author spends some 500 or so pages describing towns from Alsea to Zigzag. His details include a mix of pioneer history and native lore. What emerges is a singular and often unknown view of Oregon.

As a student of history, this text provides the "little" details that a larger view of history might neglect to tell. For instance, in discussing the origins of the Willamette river name, McArthur explores the first use of the word in local newspapers, and also calls on linguistic records in order to discover its first use. What the reader discovers here, and it is representative of most of the text, is that McArthur digs deep into the archives by following all available paper trials.

As a student of history, and of Oregon in general, this book is indispensable. I suspect too that it could be used by the "Cliff Clavens" of the world as a way of distributing "little known facts" about Oregon at parties.

Bryan Hiatt, Humanities Department Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR

McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names is the definitive "all you need to know about Oregon" text. The author spends some 500 or so pages describing towns from Alsea to Zigzag. His details include a mix of pioneer history and native lore. What emerges is a singular and often unknown view of Oregon.

As a student of history, this text provides the "little" details that a larger view of history might neglect to tell. For instance, in discussing the origins of the Willamette river name, McArthur explores the first use of the word in local newspapers, and also calls on linguistic records in order to discover its first use. What the reader discovers here, and it is representative of most of the text, is that McArthur digs deep into the archives by following all available paper trials.

As a student of history, and of Oregon in general, this book is indispensable. I suspect too that it could be used by the "Cliff Clavens" of the world as a way of distributing "little known facts" about Oregon at parties.

Bryan Hiatt, Humanities Department, Chemeketa Community College, Salem OR

This novel is the last published by Mr. Ross, who unexpectedly died in April 2003. While the story features many futuristic technological ideas and products, it continues the broader theme of his earlier novels Engels Extension, and BTB (his only published e-book) in honoring the spirit of individualism and ornery resistance to statism. And while set in Oregon (Ross's home state), it could easily be located anywhere so this is not just for Northwesterners. I was a personal friend of Ross since the early 1970s, and among his many talents and avocations, I think he most wanted to become a successful novelist. I think this novel accomplished that goal, even though he was working on several others. I do recommend reading his first novel (Engels Extension) prior to this one, but it isn't necessary to get thoroughly transported into his world of intrigue and inventiveness.

I love reading fiction that incorporates up-to-date information about technological advances. For example: electrogravitics; mental states created by magnetic induction; and miniature, insect-like flying machines of which there are already working models.

Ross gives the reader a glimpse into the future. His books are "futur-orical" novels. What you read about is likely to show up in the media sooner or later.

The places too are real. If you'd like to sip a bit of Oregon, Ross provides an entertaining tasting room to enjoy it in.

I also enjoyed Ross's previous books, Engels Extension and Project BTB.

What does the future hold for America? Many have conjectured with
predictable, unlikely speculations. E.G. Ross tackles this question
with verve and imagination, while holding to a plausible story line
that engages the reader. There is no lack of action, intrigue and
subplots to keep a mentally sharp bibliophile happy. Yet there is
more here. One finds a basic questioning of current trends in the
role that government plays in our lives, and a believable projection of
how this might effect us in the near future. The importance of
individual responsibility and freedom is one theme of this thoughtful
novel. Readers will also enjoy the fast pace and technology that add
zest to this excellent adventure.

I bought this book and its companion Washington guide at the same time and have not been disappointed by either. The layout of the two books is similar and have all the info necessary to get to the trailhead, follow the trail, and enjoy the hikes. The maps are good and easy to follow, although elevation contours are not shown.

The photography in the Oregon guide is very good, but not nearly on the level of the Washington guide. Being confined to Northwest Oregon, all the hikes can be reached easily from any location in the Willamette Valley as wel as elsewhere. State-wide guides (such as the Washingtom companion) have hikes you may never visit because of the distance to the trailheads from where you live, but this regional Oregon guide has 52 hikes that you will want to visit.

Wildflowers (common and scientific names) you should expect to see are described in the discussion of each hike, although spring and summer bloomers are mixed with no mention made of which is likely to be blooming when.

A small quibble is that five of the hikes are not even in Oregon, but rather on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. Still, these hikes are as easy to reach for much of Willamette Valley's population as some of those in central Oregon.

This guide has good maps, accurate trail ratings (at least for the several places I've visited and know of), beautiful pictures, and a good guide for blooming season. It covers hikes that will take most of the day to ones that are little more than a rest stop with scenic walking paths.

For some of the sights listed in the gorge I've been there both when things are in bloom and when it is the height of summer and things are dry and arid. Both times have their beauty.

This guide is well-written and easy to use.

Filled cover to cover with 115 beautiful color photography of flowers, trails, and natural splendor, Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region is an amazing and informative guide showcasing 51 day hikes for prime wildflower viewing of such stunning visual beauty that it is a wonder for both avid hikers and armchair travelers alike. Specific hiking paths through Columbia Gorge, Cascade Ranger, Willamette Valley and more are presented with 52 "user friendly" maps and 52 plant life profiles in this superbly presented guidebook which is especially recommended for flower and nature lovers who yearn to enjoy all that Oregon's Northwest Region has to offer. If you are planning a field trip or outdoor vacation in the northwest region of Oregon, begin with browsing the pages of George Wuerthner's Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes!