Nevada Books

This is an excellent chronological overview of the exploration efforts to discover the Great Basin in the western United States. From the Spanish endeavors of the 1700's up through John Fremont in 1843, we see how all of them were attempting to find the fabled water passage of the San Buenaventura River, which was suppose to connect the interior land area to the Pacific. The author very diligently takes us through the efforts of such men as Garces, the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition, Peter Skene Ogden, Jedediah Smith, Joseph Walker, the first overland emmigrants of the Bartleson-Biddle Expedition up to Fremont who finally mapped and gave the area we now call the Great Basin its name. It was an enjoyable book to read, well written and researched.

I used this book among others to do a research paper on the history of San Francisco, specifically, Prostitution which took place during the gold rush days. The core of my paper was based on the useful information provided in this book. It was well written. Barnhardt does a superb job to illustrate that the prostitutes were the true pioneers of San Francisco. She further illustrates how these "ladies" played an important role in the development of the City.

This comprehensive guide offers useful information on every possible thing to see and do in the Las Vegas Area. Reviews of venues, sights, and sounds are great. Recommendations made by Ms. Widwell of the famous Las Vegas buffets were fabulous. Prices quoted for tickets and fees were a little low: approximately $2-$5 per person per admission should be added to the printed prices in the book. The guide is easy to read and follow making it an excellent reference. "Las Vegas Agenda" became an indispensible tool before and during my stay in Las Vegas in 1998. I would recommend that all vacationers who plan to visit Las Vegas purchase and make use of this guide. I was very satisfied.

I think this was my favorite in the whole series. Before you read it, you should google Fort Jefferson and look at all the wonderful pictures so you can picture the story even better in your mind. I still haven't decided which story I liked best in the book...the one with Anna in it or the one featuring the letters of her ancestor. They both kept me on the edge of my seat. Her ancestor had been stationed with her husband at Fort Jefferson during the Civil War period. Read it, you'll love it!

I have just finished reading the new guide entitled Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada by Bill Sunderland, (Aguabonita Books, 1999). When I first heard about it I thought this was the last thing we needed, as Ralph Cutter has long had the definitive guide to the High Sierra, now in its second edition. However, upon reading the new work I see that the two are complementary. Basically Cutter's book assumed you would be backpacking in to high country lakes; Sunderland's book assumes you will making the initial approach by car, essentially along one of the many transsierra highways. Thus the new book takes you up Interstate 80, US 50 and California 4 and 108 and tells you where to get off. Having spend decades coming up these roads without a clue where to find good fishable streams makes the book worth its price immediately. Spending a lot of time in photography myself, I could not help comparing the photographic content of the two works. Both are of top quality. Here Sunderland had considerable help, but I tire a bit long exposures of slow film on rushing streams resulting in flowing milk rather than water. A little fill-flash would not have hurt on some of the images. All in all, I found Cutter's photos and illustrations a small cut above. Cutter also spends 21 pages with detailed illustrations on "Trout food" to 4 pages by Sunderland. On the other hand, where Sunderland shines is the clear maps. There are sufficiently detailed maps of all the major roads and access to the relevant waters. There were a couple I would have liked to learned even a bit more detail. Getting off on those Forest Service roads (where the locals seem to lisf the signs each season) is often an adventure without GPS. Yet, given the number of anglers currently in California, a little obscurity for some streams will not hurt. A nice touch by Sunderland is the extensive listings of resources such as fly shops, camp grounds ranger stations for each section. In sum, Cutter is basically High Mountains and foot travel with a lot on basic techniques. Sunderland is more stream-oriented and road travel, a bit like a AAA guide. All in all, both books are complementary and worth the price. Jerome Yesavage, author Desolation Wilderness Fishing Guide END

I was surprised that they didn't mention vegaspartyhouse.com
I stayed at one of their properties for a bachelor party and it couldn't of been any cooler! Stripper Pole, Pool, Pool Table, big screen TV! It was awesome! Well, hopefully they'll add it in the next edition.

If you are going to Las Vegas for the first time, get this book.

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.

Although this is presented as fiction, the author spent years researching life on the Oregon Trail from diaries of those who made it. He integrated them all into one epic journey. Hulbert was the first author to point out that it wasn't Indians who were the main threat in the journey, but rather the tedious persistance of having to do 20 miles a day no matter what shape your animals are in, how your wagon is working or if you had water. Hulbert was also the first author actually go out and find the landmarks mentioned in the diaries, link them together and plot out the Oregon Trail. That was in the 1920's.

This book is the closest you can come to the "real thing" without really being there. With a true insight to the make-up of The Fountains of Bellagio, the book provides the intimate details to this magnificent artistic production. The photos in the book (most of which are color) are stunning and highlight the parts we like the best in the show. The detailed information, along with the trivia makes us feel like we are privy to the inner workings of something incredible. Nothing can compare to the emotion we feel viewing the actual fountains, but this is a great second!