Minnesota Books

Paul really outlines in alternating chapters the demise of the heartland's habitats for birds, grasses, and grazing herbivores that once dominated the scene. He explains some of the keys in this transformation, beginning with how we farm and how we farm. Ultimately though, he offers solutions and provides some hope that habitats for prairie animals and the prairies themselves could all return if our culture chose to eat Bison meat instead of cows. I read this when it was published many years ago and haven't for one day forgotten the lessons he taught me.

On alternate chapters there is story about him returning to his roots, which is nice to space out the heaviness of the serious chapters. This part of the story I can still remember a little about, but it's not the crux of the book, just Paul's style.

The Great Minnesota Touring Book: 30 Spectacular Auto Trips by Thomas Huhti is a superbly organized and presented traveler's guide to planning a personal or family road trip vacation among Minnesota's most scenic, historical, or exciting places. The offered tours span all parts of this great state. Enhanced with maps, explicit directions that make mention of every single turnoff in every detail, trivia about the sights to see while en route, and so much more, The Great Minnesota Touring Book is a thorough, handy, and welcome resource and reference for self-directed tours.

This book goes into the creation of the Great Northern Railroad, by J.J.Hill from its component railroads. Luecke includes newspaper excerpts dealing with the railroad from towns along the Great Northern right-away, along with his historical research. This adds a touch of the excitment felt by the people who depended on the railroad for their lifeline to the world. The book was well researched and has some excellent photos. Each book Luecke has written has been better then the last. The one place that still has room for improvment would be the addition of a few more maps, with some additional detail. Other wise a must have for any serious railfan or Minnesota history buff

With an honest approach to the world of screenwriting, coupled with a sincere helping-hand outstretched to its readers, this "Selling to Hollywood" Guide was a pleasant surprise.

Many authors claim to know the quickest and easiest ways to market a script, but only in this book have I found the most un-skewed view of the industry expressed. Sometimes brutally honest, Selling to Hollywood exposes many of the unrealized truths about Hollywood to the undeterred screenwriter in attempts to inform rather than discourage. In fact, coming to these realizations gives the edge that is desperately needed to be a successful screenwriter, daunting as the odds may be.

Selling to Hollywood also reveals the "Rules of the Game", addressing vital steps in the process of effectively pitching your screenplay. It describes the Face to Face Meeting, the quick 30 Second Pitch, and the Unsolicited Letter. It doesn't stop there though. It continues to teach you how to sell yourself along with your script.

Everything written is meant to arm the reader with knowledge so as not to be taken advantage of. Extensive information on the copywriting process is provided, helping the screenwriter protect him or herself.

Also, a nice touch was a very thorough list of contact information for Feature Film and Television Production Companies, as well as Literary Agents.

This is a MUST BUY if you are looking to beat the odds and sell your script(s) to Hollywood.

This book was a wonderful insight into the mind of a woman and artist in the early twentieth century. Growing Pains follows the story of Wanda Gag from age 12 to 22 or 23. It is fascinating to see how different life was at that time, and watch a woman with vast creativity and talent as she struggles to survive the poverty of her childhood. How poignant the destitution of her early years, as well as her discovery and development of her talent. Wanda Gag was also a very introspective person, and had a decided trancendentalist slant. It is interesting to read her philosophies about the self which apply even today. I think this book would appeal to people who have an interest in the early twentieth century or illustration. I also recommend it to fans of the Betsy-Tacy books, as Wanda grew up in New Ulm, MN, not far from Mankato (Deep Valley) and during the same time period. She also appears to be aquainted with Delos Lovelace (the husband of Maud Hart Lovelace (the real Betsy) who wrote the series). Later in the book she mentions going to a concert or play with tickets given to her by Delos Lovelace (Before he ever met Maud!). Overall this book was very good and I was extremely sorry to reach the last page.

I have taken canoe trips into the BWCA for 15 years. I have been fortunate to be guiding with a gentleman who has taught me many things about the Gunflint area from his 45 years of life on the Trail. This book is well written and well versed in the people and places of the Gunflint Trail. Many of the people and events from this book I have had direct or in-direct access to. There is so much life and adventure yet to write about that I hope there is another book. The CD that is include is a treasure. I just wish there was more stories by those great people!

Mech's book is an excellent resource when radio-tracking critters. I kept the book with me in the truck as I tracked down the endangered kit fox in California. The books gives a good overview of what telemetry is and a nice section on tracking from the air - which I used several times. Any radio-telemetry tracker needs this book in the glove box.

This is an excellent reference book for those who seek scientific information on mammals of the northern Midwest. It contains an entire section which covers the various environments in this area, the geology past and present, the soils, climate, vegetation, and the influence of human beings on the ecology.

The book also has a wonderful section on the animals themselves, with a page devoted to each creature, complete with scientific name, habitat map, photograph or line drawing of the animal, distribution, written description, natural history, and in many cases additional reference suggestions. It is a very thorough and complete book, well researched and presented.

This compact and unimposing book takes a major swipe at various assumptions in previous accounts of nursing history. Its irreverence is refreshing and the questions that it raises about nursing history (e.g. ?do nurses care??) are provocative and enlightening. ?Handling the Sick? is well worth the read.

If Hannah Arendt has always intrigued you, but you never managed to read one of her books all the way through (or you wish you had read Arendt), this is the book for you. McGowan tells the story of her intellectual life, her passions, her ethics, her principles--in clear and readable prose that makes Arendt and her era come alive. I think it's the best little book ever written about Hannah Arendt.