Colorado Books

Each wilderness area includes a high quality, full color picture, one page of background information, a list of applicable topo maps, and several hikes with route details. Whether you're planning a trip or dreaming about getting out, this book is excellent!

A good reference providing an overview of gorgeous Colorado. The book includes a description of each wilderness area and then lists 4 hikes; a day hike, an overnight, a loop and a shuttle hike (2 cars). My complaints are that the maps are poor, and there is no mention of where to camp (for backpackers this is not a problem). There is a beautiful Fielder color photo for each wilderness area providing a glimpse of where you're heading. Overall a very good book, but you'll need a campsite guide book and a good topo map ("The Roads of Colorado" from Shearer is very good) to properly plan a trip.

This book has become my "bible" for exploring the most beautiful and wild areas in Colorado from my home in Colorado Springs. My original copy of the book was destroyed when it was left in a soft-top jeep with the windows off, during a rain storm (while hiking one of the trails in the book, nonetheless). That is why I am back here to purchase another! One word of warning: the author seems to underestimate, vs. overestimate, the trail distances. Be prepared to hike an extra mile or two! This book is great!

I'm a native Coloradan. No matter what I want to do, be it a quick day hike up to a 4 day backpacking trip, this book has it. I own other hiking books, but this one gets by far the most use. I love the historical descriptions of each wilderness area. The maps are good enough to get your bearings and find the trailhead. Plus each Wilderness Area has a "John Fielder's Favorite" hike which always spectacular.

One thing, though. A reviewer below said the maps are inadequate... If you plan on anything more than a day hike, you should have topographical anyway. This is true for most if not all guide books.

As one of the few Colorado Natives, I have seen much of the state. But our local boy John Fielder has seen much more. His ratings, descriptions and maps have been 'right-on' with what I have seen thus far and with the Fielder photography, it provides a great additional perspective on the already detailed descriptions. I 've gotten lost in the book a few times just dreaming of my next outing!

I've read seemingly every 14er guide available. Much of the information overlaps as one can imagine. However, what really sets this (and the companion volume as well) one apart is the truly four season information that it provides. Louis gives you ratings for summer and snow climbs as well as ski descents. None of the other 14er guides I've read give you that. These volumes are often compared to Gerry Roach's books which are excellent in their own right. However, in my mind the information in Louis Dawson's guides is better as many of us climb in seasons other than summer!

I can't say enough about this book. The most accurate and most helpful information of all the 14er books. My favorite thing about it is that it provides info for all 4 seasons. Most 14er guidebooks, like Roach's, only provide info for summer hiking, but I'm not willing to sit around 9 months out of the year.

This is THE BOOK to get if you're looking to climb the 14ers. Buy this one first, then cross reference it with some of the others.

... and get out to the mountains he loves.

He was the first person in history to ski down all of Colorado's fourteeners. He's climbed all at least once and many several times. Among his accomplishments are four ascents up the Diamond face of Longs Peak, so it is no surprise that Longs Peak figures prominently in this text. Dawson began climbing at an early age, and has written several other guide books for hikers in Colorado. His illustrations are excellent, and his narratives are brief enough to keep your interest and meaty enough to provide the information most are looking for.

Having climbed Colorado 14ers for more than 30 years, I've used all available guidebooks. First rule, remember that the info in the book is often wrong -- unless you're willing to think for yourself, avoiding mountains is the best bet. After that, to me Dawson is the best guidebook ever. Roach is good too -- it's good to have both. But in spite of the price difference, Dawson's 2 volumes are well worth it. And please, tread lightly!

Lou Dawson is incredible, not only does he describe summer routes in this guide but makes one want to get out of their "warm" recliner and conquer some winter and spring routes as well. a must have book for Colorado's 14'ers. While you at it, get Vol 2 as well!

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to bump into the books by Jan Karon's Mitford series. I never ever, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would or could find another author to compare in almost every way to Ms.Karon. Until JoAnn Levy and her "For California's Gold! Her Sarah Daniels completelly captivated me. She is real, and so very human!She became someone who I knew, not one I simply read about. The events, the happenings, the turmoil, the tragedies, all were not simply constructed descriptions. They catapulted me right into those times, those places, and I shared Sarah's sorrow, her utter despair, kl and her unheralded courage and feelings of fear, guilt and despair. The members of her family became as close to me as they were to her! And when she finally cried, I also cried. And yet, I was so very glad that ultimately she found a measure of peace and acceptance so that she could go on with her life. And so did I. Her most appealing quality was that she definitelyl was NOT a heroine, and the ones she met along the way were definitely not heroes. Thank God for that, and thank you, JoAnn Levy for allowing me to find true and honest ability and talent in a journalistic world filled and overflowing today with incompetence and unmitigated commercialized trash! So JoAnn, I also am pleased to utter what Mr. J.S.Holliday scrawled on your manuscript, "This is good! Ed Stember Sr.

"For California's Gold" filled in a lot of blanks for me, and it should do the same for most readers. We all know the rush west was an extreme ordeal. We all know settling California was an ordeal of another kind. We all know tragedy dogged the steps of the men and women who took on the challenge. But therein lies the unsuspected void in our knowledge, certainly in my knowledge.

Before reading this book I gave no particular thought to the nature of my understanding of these historical events. Now I've learned a new perspective is as beneficial in literature as it is in trying to find the car keys. In one 280-page book, JoAnn Levy has given the whole thing life.

Ms. Levy is a unique writing talent - she has done what few authors have the nerve to try; she has written a historical novel in the first person, and she has done it so beautifully it seems as if the book was indeed written in 1856 by a tempered-by-tragedy woman named Sarah Daniels.

Ms. Levy is remarkably clever in her use of storytelling techniques which successfully weave multiple threads of interest from the first page to the last. The attentive reader will pick up on this finely developed skill in the second sentence of the first chapter. Ms. Levy employs similar techniques throughout, and it is a delight.

This book is such a good read that it is recommended on that basis alone. But if a fascinating and unique look at one of the watershed eras in world history also interests you, then you will be doubly rewarded.

Thank you, Joann, for sharing Sarah Daniels with the rest of the world. I realize that she is a compilation of many of the ladies you found in your research for your earlier books on the Gold Rush, but her character is so real you can just picture her walking through her life with all its joys and sorrows. The numbness she felt at the death of each of her children especially rings true, as I watched my mother do the same thing.

This is Joann's best work yet. I look forward to the next.

This is surely Levy's best work yet. If I didn't know for sure that Levy is alive and well, I'd swear this was autobiographical. The main character, Sarah, is so complete, so real! She's the type of character who proves that greatness and heroism comes from simple, down-to-earth determination. The book is no-frills, no pretense. Just a deeply touching, well-written story. I highly recommend this to anyone who, like me, reads to celebrate the human spirit.

For California's Gold is a gem of a story! JoAnn Levy's tale of Sarah's journey through life is enduring to all women. She writes with great heart, compassion and knowledge of women's hopes, fears, loves and losses that are timeless. If you read just one book this year, let it be For California's Gold.

Wonderful photos and descriptions. I felt that I had visually rafted the Grand Canyon and since I'm going to do just that in June of '08 I'm more pumped up having seen some of the sights I'll see in person and so lets go rafting.

I recently purchased this book for my boss who when white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. He loved the book, he related to alot of the pictures and was happy to relive the moment again.

What a treat it is to read this book! Page after page of glorious photographs beckon with their beauty. The pictures capture a wide range of scenes--from the river to its vegetation, animals and canyons. A thoroughly enjoyable book to be read and reread.

This book has page after page of remarkable, vibrant photographs. From the extraordinary landscape, to the animals that inhabit the surroundings, to people running wild rapids--this book offers more than just a glimpse into the Grand Canyon. An absolute must-have for everyone-- be it nature lovers, river runners, or if you just want to admire the scenery, I can highly recommend this book!

This is a book I highly recommend to all my friends who are contemplating a trip down the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. After spending two weeks on a raft trip in the Grand Canyon, this is one of the best guides I have seen about the trip, complete with pictures.

I've been down part of the Colorado from Diamond Creek to Lake Mead but have never had the means or opportunity to see the rest at water's edge. Ed Abbey's text and John Blaustein's photos take me on a vicarious trip that brings back all the excitement of white water and the awsome experience of gazing up and up at the canyon's walls that many only view from the rim. It's a different canyon down there and a river journey allows me to see it all and remember the feel of ancient schist and the plaintive song of the canyon wren. It's a book to read and look at again and again even if you can never visit or revisit the river itself.

As a person how recently did a two week raft trip down the Grand Canyon, I can say that this book visually caputures the essence of the experience! The pictures are wonderful. I have recommended it to my rafting friends as well as some Grand Canyon river guides.

Having done the Colorado in a private raft, The Hidden Canyon absolutely thrilled me - again - as much with its elegant pictures as with Edward Abbey's flat-out-fun narration.

Having rafted the Colorado myself 2 years ago, this was a perfect souvenir-reminder of my trip. The photos in particular are exquisite - some I have no idea how he managed to capture without ending up in the river himself. I lost my Pentax to the very first rapid! This book definitely gives a sense of what the Canyon, the river, and the rapids are like. Makes me want to go back!

I have traveled through the Grand Canyon many times, both on the river and on the trails. John Blaustein has not only been able to capture the beauty of the canyon but also the soul of the river it contains. Abbey's journal is a fine compliment to the pulchritude of the pictures.

The story draws you in. This book provides an inside view to the corporate world. I found his stories to be fairly accurate in what happens in corporate america.

I was entrigued by the main character in his entrepreneurial spirit. I recommend this book for those who think they want to be executives, and for those who are trying to start their own business.

Once you pick the book up, you'll have a hard time putting it down.

For his first novel, Mike Neal has given us an engaging and well-developed story. Interactive Novel describes the entrepreneurial spirit, company politics, and the good and bad side of venture capital funding. With all the hi-tech start-ups and dot-bombs, this book should appeal to a large audience.

Interactive Novel is a great book! I particularly liked the interaction between company leaders.

There were surprises in the book that left me wanting more. I couldn't put it down until I finished the book.

I find myself recommending this novel to all my friends for an insight into corporate life. Even though Michael Neal uses the setting of a start up, I believe these are the same situations that occur in larger corporations.

Mike Neal's Interactive Novel sweeps you up into the world of a high-tech startup and doesn't let you down until you've been through it all. I recommend this book for anyone who wants the adventure of a startup. For those of you who already have been there, you will find yourself nodding your head in agreement with each twist and turn. In either case, you will enjoy the ride of Interactive Novel.

If you are at all interested in the life of high tech startups or just want a book that you can't put down, then this book is for you. Michael Neal does a great job of grabbing the reader's attention from the very beginning and not letting go until you have completed the book. Along the way you will get some insightful perspectives on technology, the creation of a company, and the CEO. Dont pass this book up. I would highly recommend it!

If you plan to climb Longs, have climbed it, wish you could climb it, love visiting the area, love the Colorado mountains etc you won't be disappointed. The photography (and the quality of their glossy reproduction) is simply superb. The text is engaging, well researched, and tells you more about a single mountain than you could imagine. Having climbed it a couple of times and spent 7 years with it dominating the skyline from my balcony this is a book that has pride of place on my bookshelf.

90% of the book kept my attention from the moment I opened it. The last 10 deals with floura and fauna, things that I'm personally not interested in, but some may find helpful.
Lots of great scenery and history. A book I definitely will revisit many times to come.
I've already climbed Longs several times and was so entranced by the history, I went back to search out some of the items mentioned in this book. As I hiked I recalled a lot from the material and next thing I knew my destination was reached in what seemed like no time at all.
Anyone who's going to the area is highly encouraged to read this book. Anyone who's already been there will find things they were never aware of.
I'm not a big history buff, but this book camptivated me.
5 stars eventhough I wasn't interested in the last chapter or two, but the material in the previous chapters was simply awsome.
Thanks, great book. A+

This is an excellent book on the history of Longs Peak. In particular the controversy around who made the first ascent is well researched and fascinating, although I may not agree with all the author's conclusions. This is the best account of the Agnes Vaille tragedy I have seen and contains many factoids I was not familiar with. Many a hiker passing the stone hut below the Keyhole has wondered about it, and reading this account is just what they need.

The photos in the book are magnificent and very well reproduced. There is also a list of recommended routes in the back. This is not a climbing guide, however, and I suggest you buy such a guide if you are planning on climbing any of these routes.

This very readable account of Long's Peak from Dougald MacDonald is an excellent volume. Divided into four general parts, MacDonald opens the book with a personal account of hiking the "Through the Keyhole" to the summit. The writing is personal, wry and engaging as he details the common summer hiking route to the top. The History portion begins with the earliest Anglo-American accounts of climbing the mountain and includes some of the colorful personalities that have scaled it. John Wesley "Wes" Powell, the "one-armed mountaineer" to the tragic rescue attempt and death of Agnes Vaille, "one of Colorado's best climbers, male or female, during the 1920s" are here. Early commercial and National Park Service efforts at tourism and stewardship of the mountain are explained. The Adventure portion discusses changes in hiking and climbing methods and routes, along with rescue efforts and the 54 recorded fatalities on Long's Peak. The Natural History portion details the geological, flora, and fauna resources and the best places to look for them.

A sports journalist for years, MacDonald is the former editor of Rock & Ice and has been climbing Long's Peak since 1982. More than a guide book, his Long's Peak is filled with full-color photographs, historical photographs, maps and trail routes. Numerous inset boxes are scattered throughout the book that provide additional information or refer readers to other resources. Appendices include the best routes, a glossary, an index, and a brief explanation of sources. MacDonald conducted and distilled extensive research including primary resources and there is a bibliography; however, the selected notes are too vague for researchers. Long's Peak is the most comprehensive and current volume of the mountain, including the classic by the late Paul Nesbit and a must for public libraries and others with regional or mountaineering history collections.

Dougald's new Longs Peak book is outstanding. He expertly retells many of the familiar Longs Peak tales, but also tells some new ones. In particular, his account of the first (white) ascent of the peak is the surprising product of some good sleuthing. The writing is superb, as are the photographs. This is an essential book, whether you are contemplating your first ascent of the peak or whether you know it as well as Dougald.

I havent got much time to talk to mike myself althought my uncle help him guide and train in northern Idaho and Colorado. To this date I hvae met Mike and worked with a few of his dogs. This is an awsome book one for all to read.

I have read this amazing book over and over. I can tell you this is an amazing adventure into a life that is so sensitive. I know this man, Mike Gould, and can attest to his sincere belief in what he writes here. He lives this adventure every day. I am very proud to call him my friend. I have lived the stories in this wonderful book with Mike and never tire of it contents. Do yourself a favor and read and reread this book. Mike, thanks for being in touch with all God has given us, his hand is surely on your shoulder. It is so nice to find hope,instead of doubt and despair within the pages of a book, again thanks Mike.

This book is full of insights into how our relationship with animals and the wilderness are a reflection of man's relationship with his fellow men and the larger world around them. The stories are humorous and sometimes emotional. They weave for us great insight into a man who loves people, animals and nature. Mike's love of dogs and his insight into training them can be a help to anyone who wants to know the best way to treat all living things. He is kind and considerate of both man, animal and nature. I applaud this book and the man who wrote it.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful person my dad is. This book is proof of everything he has accomplished. I am so proud of my dad for everything he has gone through to put him where he is today. He taught me to never give up. I love you dad so much. love, rachelle l.

Well I just have to say my dads book is living proof of everything he has overcome and acomplished. I am his biggest fan and I can't tell you how proud of him I really am.He is not only the best dog trainer and breeder in the world today but he is also the best dad a kid could ask for.Thank you dad, you are so important to me. I love you, Rachelle Leann Gould

This and the others by this author are a fun and enjoyable read--highly recommend them and await more.

In his first novel, Time Trial, Derouin introduced his winsome police detective, David Dean, who was house-sitting in the Colorado mountains while recuperating from a gunshot wound he'd sustained back home in Pennsylvania. Since his peace and quiet was soon shattered by a parade of fascinating characters who dragged him into a plot involving an alleged time machine, you might have thought that as soon as that mystery was solved, Dean would have gone home to Pennsylvania and stayed there. But now, in San Juan Solution, here he is, back in those very same mountains. It seems that he liked the Colorado lifestyle so much, he's returned with his new wife, Cynthia, and his father-in-law, Fred O'Connor, to run a bed and breakfast in Ouray. That could easily have been the happy ending of Time Trial, but since it's the beginning of this new novel, we expect more trouble, and we get it. In fact, before Dean's establishment is officially open for business, his father-in-law has already registered two guests, one of whom quickly winds up dead. So even though Dean has retired from police work in Pennsylvania, there's no way that he can avoid becoming involved in this new adventure. Once again, Derouin's characters think fast and talk tough, and Fred O'Connor is as sharp and colorful an old geezer as you're likely to meet anywhere.

Derouin is also an Easterner who moved west, and his love of his new home is so evident in his careful descriptions of the mountains surrounding Ouray that the landscape itself almost becomes part of the plot. All in all, this second David Dean adventure is so lively and intriguing that someday I may have to leave my flatland Florida home and make a visit to Colorado. If I do, however, and someone invites me to take a ride on those winding mountain roads with their breathtaking dropoffs, I'm not going!

Retired east coast police detective, David Dean, is at it again-sleuthing, that is. This time he is accompanied by his beautiful new wife, Cynthia, together with an off-beat ensemble cast of characters led by irrepressible mystery fan, Fred O'Conner, Dean's stepfather. The Deans and O'Conner are the new proprietors of Bird Song, a bed and breakfast in the charming, Victorian town of Ouray, Colorado. When their first guest turns up murdered and the second is missing, David Dean is irrepressibly drawn into a scam that involves a wronged widow, suit-and-tied, pipsqueak attorney, tent-dwelling heir to a fortune and a net-surfing cook with a dog named Brutus. Oh, and a legacy of a hundred million bucks, give or take a million or so.

The reader is drawn into the tale, gently at first, then with increasing speed and complexity, much like riding a carnival carousel, where the painted horses whirl faster and faster. Newer, and more bizarre characters, pop out of the woods and the woodwork with increasing frequency. A crutch-toting, inebriated movie star moves into Bird Song's back bedroom. The widow's fake-French boytoy camps out nearby, waiting to start a new hustle with whichever legally recognized "daughter" gets the millions. And Bird Song fills up with lawyers, heirs and contestants to the will of a man who could not have fathered any of the daughters.

The setting is stunning. And, mystery author Ray Derouin, a part-time resident of Ouray and owner of a toy store there, presents the San Juan country well, giving it a sense of character nearly as strong as protagonist David Dean. "San Juan Solution" is fun read, with lots of action, zany characters and great scenery. It's a good book to curl up on the couch with on a snowy evening.

To me, trying to lay aside an unfinished David Dean mystery is like trying to eat just one homemake chocolate chip cookie. It can't be done. This is Ouray, Colorado author Ray Derouin's second mystery in what one can only hope will be another in a long series. For the reader not familiar with Derouin, suffice it to say he is no stranger to the written word. He has written twelve plays, all of which have won national awards. His first mystery, Time Trial: A Mountain Mystery, has garnered wide spread acclaim. Thus, it was with much delight and anticipation that I received San Juan Solution. I thought his first mystery was wonderful, and it was, but this latest offering is off the scale. The protagonist, ex-Pennsylvania police detective David Dean, is back with a new bride and his indispensable, unforgettable stepfather, Fred O'Connor. The setting is the incomparably beautiful Ouray, Colorado and the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Dean, along with his wife and stepfather, have just opened a bed and breakfast, named Bird Song, and plan to enjoy a leisurely life far away from the crime ridden east coast. Unfortunately for the trio, but fortunately for the reader, Derouin's magic and diabolic mind begins to weave a story guaranteed to please the most avid mystery fan. It seems the first guest of Bird Song ends up alone at the bottom of a mountain side ravine in his car...strapped in the passenger seat. What happened to the driver? one might ask. What driver? A good question and, well, somewhat of a mystery. This, in the hands of Derouin, is reason enough to read on. However, it seems the second guest is missing and there is reason to believe her life might also be in danger. A coincidence you say? Perhaps, but the rapid arrival of a host of characters all making inquiries into the whereabouts of the two makes for spellbinding reading. Oh, did I mention the search for an heir to a fortune, which may explain some of these coincidences? This is vintage Derouin but better, much better, than anything he had done before. Having lived in the San Juan Mountain area of Colorado I can assure the reader that the setting is authentic. In addition, the characters are believeable and the writing style is first rate. It is not until the last few pages that the mystery(s) are solved and, in his wonderful style, the loose ends are tied into a honeymoon bouquet, so to speak. If you haven't met David Dean and friends, this is your best chance. It is a delightful book.

After fifteen years on the Parkside, Pennsylvania police force, Officer David Dean retires. Almost immediately after that, David marries Cynthia Byrne. With those two radical moves to jolt his equilibrium, David makes it a trio of lifestyle events when he, Cynthia, and his stepfather Fred O?Connor move to Ouray, Colorado where they plan to run Bird Song Bed and Breakfast.

Although the B&B is not ready yet for the public, Fred rents the room of David and Cynthia to a guest and his own room to a second guest. However, someone kills their first guest and their second guest expects to be the next victim. Though the cop can leave the police force, police work never leaves the cop and with a little nudging from Fred, David begins to investigate what happened to his guest.

The mystery of SAN JUAN SOLUTION is fun to watch as it unwinds like the mountain paths that the transplanted easterners trek. The lead trio is a hoot, especially Fred and his ability to manipulate everyone and the support cast provides either trouble or local color to the terrific tale. As with the first tale (see the delightfully wacky TIME TRIAL), R.E. Derouin?s novel pays homage to the Colorado Rockies. Readers will feel as if they are hiking the trail along side of David and Cynthia. Mr. Derouin is two for two with both of his Dean novels being outstanding and a ?tri-quel? needed for fans of the series.

Harriet Klausner

I've been using this book for over ten years. I have a large cookbook library, but this is the most reached-for, dog-eared, ingredient-stained of all my cookbooks, by far. I've probably bought this book for more than ten people, and continue to give it away as a perfect gift. Every recipe I've tried is delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare. Most of our family favorites come from this cookbook. As a bonus, the cooking tips are invaluable, and I've learned a lot about healthy, nutritious cooking, and ingredient substitutions from this cookbook. A MUST HAVE for every cook's library!

This is my all-time favorite cookbook. I've been using it for more than ten years. The recipes are easy, tasty, and healthy. Our favorites are the Cinnamon Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Creative Carrot Cake, Blue Ribbon Zucchini Bread, and Rosemary Lemon Chicken. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone who needs to add some great easy recipes to their kitchen.

I first got this book when I was in Colorado about 10 years ago, and used it and loved it. Then, it was lost (stolen?) during a move. I had no idea how to get another one, since I live in Canada. Then we found Amazon carried it. O happy day!

I love these recipes and make the Mountain Biker's Banana Muffins each week. We eat them every single day and never get tired of them! Also like the sections for Mexican, Vegetarian, Kids'Cuisine and Brunch. Good nutrition; great taste. Thanks Colorado!

Easy to prepare, simple ingredients, healthy and nutritious. The green chile enchiladas are our favorite. Enjoy

For a cook interested in easy, light, healthy, and QUICK, this book is perfect! As a new cook, I appreciate the tips, and I have not yet found a recipe in this book that I didn't like.