Nevada Books

"Gunning for Ho: Vietnam Stories," is one of those brilliant works of fiction that comes around once in a while to provoke a bit of reflection on the experience of war.
H. Lee Barnes draws upon his first-hand experiences in Vietnam to stitch together a compelling work of literature that begs to be read over and over again.
The stories are perfectly balanced with a combination of suspense, comedy, mystery and anguish all wrapped into a single package.
The world is full of warm-and-fuzzy books for those who need them and this book does not pretend to be one. But if your willing to strap on a Y-Chromosome and enjoy a succinct work of military fiction, then behold: "Gunning for Ho: Vietnam Stories."
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ, AUTHORS DESERVE YOUR OPINIONS TOO.

There are some fine times in Gunning for Ho. My personal favorites are "A Lovely Day..." and the wonderfully mystic and deep "Stonehands..." This gives a glimpse into the author's not wanting to take responsibility for anything too heavy, though he certainly has and will in the future. It's like a fairy tale dream that can't come true. However the story has real merit and is wonderful.

The characters and stories are real and tragic. The Cat in the Cage horrified me. Here the writer actually got in touch with his sensitive more human side and touched me greatly.

However through the book, there is a distance between the author and his characters. As though he doesn't want to get too close. This is so blatant, I found myself not caring very much for them either.

More heart, more soul, more empathy, should be employed in this man's work. It goes without saying he is a superb writer. He simply needs to open himself up to his characters and likewise, he needs to open his characters up as well.

That sort of cutting off of emotions, is part of military training and being in a war, I suppose. But that war is over. A larger focus on the depth of emotion for writer and characters is what is needed.

H. Lee Barnes' collection of stories, Gunning For Ho, need not be looked at as just "Vietnam stories", rather they are stories of the soul, of man, of morality, and of America, uniquely America. This is a writer who doesn't shy away from wit or horror (often in the same paragraph, the same sentence) when describing the wars we fight with ourselves and the wars we fight with the enemy. A powerful, moving reminder that what matters is often not what is written on the page, but what we as readers take with us, to last a lifetime. Nothing short of brilliant.

I am not from Las Vegas, nor a member of any writers' group nor Veterans of Viet Nam group. Neither am I even an acquaintance of H. Lee Barnes, but I know a little about the Ashau, Khe Sahn, Laos, and certain other sites of pertinence. I have also read a considerable number of books on or about that war, and have studied and taught literature for much longer than I care to admit. It would be wrong to compare Gunning for Ho with All Quiet on the Western Front, The Red Badge of Courage, or A Farewell to Arms, because Barnes' collection of stories isn't a novel. It does, however, achieve artistic consonance with them in ways Melville described as providing the universal thump of truth "heard the circle round." Free of the topical politics so common to most books coming out of that now ancient war but full of the true relevance of the interior politics related to human survival in apocryphal circumstances, these stories achieve a gripping poignancy which connects the author's internal experience to the essence of human existence across all time. There is pathos, but it is ameliorated with scintillating humor; there is dignity and honor, but it is balanced by the inevitableness of human fallibility; there are terror and cowardice but they coexist with quiet but determined heroism of the first and lesser orders. To Barnes' credit, all of these elements come together in his tales as natural portrayals of the human spirit in adversity, told quietly, yet with astounding brilliance. He lets us see the pervading haze created by carpet bombing, smell the funkiness of the tropical jungle adulterated by the stink of rotting corpses, and hear the sounds of the unspoken in superbly handled dialogue. This is without doubt the best book I've yet read about the way it was thirty-odd years ago-and still is today, as it was for Jake Barnes in the 20s. Any serious student of literature or anyone with an interest in late 20th century America and the American psyche should read this book.

Despite having been born in the latter years of the Vietnam War, and not having read deeply in the field, I am confident this collection of six short stories and a novella by a former Green Beret, is destined to be a classic of Vietnam War fiction. Destined because they resound with the truth--and aren't really concerned with making any political statement. Barnes's stories tell you about the young men who went off to war in an alien landscape, and how they--and those they left behind--were transformed forever. The first three stories are thematically joined by strong surreal elements that speak to the wider confusion and disorientation felt by many who served. More like Kafka than Conrad. The fourth and fifth stories are more straightforward tales of aftermath and picking up the pieces. I found the novella ("Tunnel Rat") to be somewhat more elusive than the stories, and less forceful. It may take a re-reading or two to really get at it. The final (and title) story is a direct descendant of Heart of Darkness, and succeeds in spite of traveling that well-worn path. As a whole, this collection is a testament to the humanity of the men who went to Vietnam.

Great book...some of everything and not too big/heavy to bring along. Excellent to use with kids too because of all the good color pictures!

Just returned from a tour of the Southwest. The field guide was easy to use. I liked the fact that it covered so many aspects of the Southwest and eliminated having to tote five or six field guides to cover most of the subject matter.

This field guide is really usefull. It has a basic description of hte animals, plants, geology, insects, and weather of the Southwest.

I initially found this book in the library and enjoyed it so much I wanted my own copy to carry with me when out hiking in the Tucson, AZ area. Informative, accurate, and easy to access information. For such a small field book it packs complete info regarding plants, trees, birds, reptiles and general info on geology and natural history in the southwest. If you want to learn more about the southwest desert - this is a must have field book

This is a good book to have along as you explore the beauty of the region. It is not very comprehensive, but then if it was it would not be small enough to carry with you in the field, which would defeat its purpose. I feel it is well worth the price and will use it on my upcoming venture into the Southwest this October. I will also take several other books on the Southwest because each provides additional information for this region. It's not possible to get all the reference information in one volume, but this is a great book if you can only have one, and it is small enough to carry along on hikes or explorations. It is also bound properly for field use, an important feature.

While no book can capture experiencing Burning Man, this book does an excellent job telling the history of the event, and giving background to the culture surrounding Burning Man. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has attended BM in the past, and would like to know the history of the city, why it's layed out the way it is, where the DPW came from, who the main founders are, etc.
If you've never attended the event, this book is NOT a primer on what to do or how to prepare. Go to the Burning Man site, and read through the survival guide.

good book, just to know about the history of the celebration and some good pictures. quick read ...

"This is Burning Man" is an excellent view on the Burning Man festival held every year in the desert near San Francisco. The book provides a rare multi-viewpoint perspective on the festival and it's researched very well.

The first part of the book describes the history of the burning man event, how Larry Harvey one day decided to burn a wooden man in the golden gate park and how it created an audience of people who organized around the burning of the man. He decided to do it again and slowly the burning man event was created. It describes how Larry hooked up with several other groups and how they moved to the middle of nowhere, in the desert. The stories about the early days of the burning man event are insane and clearly describes the sense of freedom that's part of the burning man event.

The second part of the book focuses more on the later years of burning man and describes the different viewpoints as it follows several different people and their burning man history. It talks about the art creation, the city build-up, the city cleaning, the expressions of total freedom and the shared sense of making the event a better place. Near the end of the book, it tells how burning man has now grown and how, unfortunately, the original atmosphere started changing and how everything is slightly more controlled. That's probably inevitable for growing an event like burning man.

The book is exceptionally well researched and the writing style is clear. The author tells the many stories from his research while linking it with his own experience and his own opinion. I enjoyed reading burning man, recommended for everyone interested in the burning man event.

No one can tell the whole story, but to date no written account is out there to equal to this masterful work.

I just finished reading the day that John Law sued the other founders over the name. So what are they calling it now? Hot Dude Fest?
For someone who would like to but cannot attend Burning Man (no guts!) it is fun to read. I did not go to Woodstock either. (Too pregnant.)
The book really is an underground networker's dream.

A Hike for Mike is a detailed description of the author and his wife's 218-mile hike on the John Muir Trail. This mountainous wilderness trail travels through the Sierra Nevada of California. The author had previously hiked other long distance wilderness tracks before his marriage. However, his wife had been wary of going on a long term hike.

This particular excursion was the direct result of a family tragedy. The author's brother in law, Mike, committed suicide. Mike had unknowingly suffered from undiagnosed depression. In an effort to raise awareness about depression, the couple decided to undertake the Hike for Mike campaign based on the premise that exercise, particularly hiking, is beneficial to those suffering from depression.

For the most part, A Hike for Mike is about the actually wilderness hike and the couple's adventures and misadventures while on the trail. However, the last chapter of the book does include information about depression: statistics, the symptoms, various types of treatments, and where individuals can seeks help.

Jeff Alt is a motivational speaker, expert hiker, speech pathologist, teacher and author. We first got to know him in his first book, "A Walk for Sunshine" where he hiked the Appalachian Trail. His openness, humor, and purpose make this book a great read.

In A HIKE FOR MIKE, Alt hikes the John Muir Trail in California. The hike and book was dedicated to his brother-in-law, Mike, who committed suicide during depression. Throughout the book and his hike, he educates us and people he meets about the seriousness of depression. The last chapter, 24 - Depression: know the facts, is full of information and on-line resources for both the sufferer and family.

The John Muir Trail, JMT, is 218 miles of rugged, climbing trial through California's Sierra Nevada mountain range which begins in Happy Isles, elevation 4,035 ft., and ends at Lone Pine beside Mt. Whitney, elevation 14,496 ft. All of it is exposed to extreme temperature swings, deadly lighting storms, flash floods, bears, and mountain lions (hikers have been attacked and killed by the lions and bears). That's not including potential strange and dangerous people - Chapter 18, A Creep at 10,000 Feet - yikes!

Jeff and his wife, Beth, take on the JMT with humor and resolve. Jeff's writing is so good that you experience the adventure, pains, fears, wonderment, and appreciation for nature's beauty that they had. He writes with candor, telling everything.

Their underwear shopping, Chapter 5, Finished Basements, is funnier read than explained. From losing his clothes on the first day, to catching his first trout, to the arguments with Beth, to protecting her with a makeshift spear, to Beth's almost deadly accident he tells all.

I really enjoyed this book. His description of what they did and explanation of why they did it shows what a great teacher and writer he is. The amount of detail is well integrated with the story and dialogue. Based on his book, I feel I can hike the trail and know what to expect. Personally, I now know I'm not going on that hike. It's too rugged for me. The importance of Jeff and Beth's purpose is Depression Awareness, which is highlighted by the stories from the other hikers and people they met along the trail.

As someone who struggles with Bi-polar Type 2, I am so grateful for the awareness and information provided by this book. There are so many people suffering needlessly from depression. Kudos to the author and his wife for doing so much to spread the word.

On top of that, the book was an enjoyable read. I particularly liked the development of the author's relationship with his wife, who had never been on an extended backpack trip before.

"A Hike for Mike" is an excellent read and fun journey through the John Muir Trail all for a great cause... To raise awareness about depression. This book is a follow up to Alt's first book, "A Walk for Sunshine", an epic journey along the Appalachian trail to increase awareness of cerebral palsy and the Sunshine House in Ohio. Both books are a must read for everyone, especially those who love the outdoors. Even if you're not an avid hiker, Alt will captivate you with his unique style and great storytelling. Once you start reading you won't want to put it down!

I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff at one of his appearances, and that is where I learned about this book. It was fantastic! As a JMT'er wannabe, it gave me valuable information about the trail, and the mental illness discussion woven throughout the book was especially meaningful to me because my father suffers from depression. The story is beautifully and lovingly told - I loved it!

Good information, a little out dated in places but equipment changes over time. Good read.

This is great and has all sorts of helpful information. Book was in great condition.

Very informative. It's nice to have the encouragement this book brings to the wanna be driver. One day I'll have my own team of dogs, and expect this guide to be referenced often and well tagged.

I am a beginner dog sled driver without a mentor. This book answers ALL my question, and provides you with the meaty content that it will take to get you to the next level. If your trying to make a choice between this book and another on dog powered sports; get this one. I have others, this is the best one for the beginner.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to take mushing seriously. It has designs for harnesses, ganglines, dogsleds, carts, and booties. Overall, it is a great book for anyone to get.

Occasionally talky, but overall a real page-burner! Rustlers, gunfighters, gamblers and whores, and plenty of rottin' tootin' action! This book was a favorite of the late Richard Farina's ("Been Down So Long it Looks Like Up to Me"), as well as a favorite of Thomas Pynchon's. Highly recommend!

Warlock is the first in a trilogy by author Oakley Hall, the second novel in the trilogy being Badlands, followed by Apaches. I was simply awed by the writing of Mr Hall, and the universal human truths he reminds the reader of. I can see that more than a few writers must have read Oakley Hall's novels, most especially Cormac Mccarthy. Warlock was published in 1958, and Badlands was at least 10 yrs later, followed by Apaches, which was at least another decade later. Mr Hall also does the fine Ambrose Bierce series of novels, and with a career spanning 5 decades, he is still underated and underapreciated by the general public. do yourself a favor and discover this most excellent writer.

back in 1958 it seems that an excellent book like this could actually be a finalist for the pulitzer prize (which this was). nowadays, gender and racial political correctness would put a squash to any such justice. oh, well. anyway, i have not consumed a lot of westerns in my reading days. 9 of them, if i have counted correctly. "warlock," by oakley hall, is my 2nd favorite of the lot (1st place going to "true grit," by charles portis). mr hall's book is a vastly superior reading experience than cormac mccarthy's "blood meridian," which has been touted by many as the best western out there. "warlock" embraces both the cliches of the western and the prototypes of its characters, while at the same time being anti-cliche and turning prototypes on their heads. how can this be? i don't know. it just is. i'm not smart enough to figure out or put into words the whys and the hows. here's my advice: read the thing.

Like Lonesome Dove and Deadwood, Warlock takes the western genre and refuses all the cliches, creating the possibility of actually understanding history in the terms of men, women, their frailties, and the power of the land. It goes beneath the obvious surfaces, reweaves actual history, and adds a level of writing expertise that makes it an American classic along the lines of what Hawthorne does to the Gothic in The Scarlet Letter. I couldn't put it down. In it, you see the roots of McMurtry's work and Deadwood, and even intersections with John Ford. For those who love the Western, you must read it. For those, like Pynchon, who want to groove on characters, sentences and a fictional world made vivid and compelling, check it out. A wonderful, satisfying and heartbreaking read.

Page 408 of Warlock contains the following:

"Men are like corn growing. The sun burns them up and the rain washes them out and the winter freezes them, and the cavalry tramps them down, but somehow they keep growing. And none of it matters a damn so long as the whisky holds out."

I don't usually read books that talk about whisky and cavalry, but this one was really good. Although a lot of the writing is like the quote above, the plot is a fairly sophisticated examination of the practical complexities of human morality. At first glance, the two main characters seem to be from the wild west boilerplate, one good guy and one bad guy. But the good and the bad are close friends, and they actually identify with each other qutie a bit. There's also an ugly guy who turns out to be the closest thing the book has to a hero. In contrast to the standard cowboy-movie theme, the characters struggle with the difficulties of figuring out what it would even mean to be good, bad, or ugly in a place that has no real laws and exists permanently on the brink of extinction. Apparently the book was made into a movie, but I would bet that it didn't translate well.

Author Phillips follows a handful of champion steer wrestlers on a year's round of rodeos, focusing mostly on 23-year-old Luke Branquinho from Los Alamos, California, who in 2004 went to the National Finals and finished first, with over $193,000 in overall earnings. That is the book in a nutshell. Readers follow along as Luke, his brother Casey, best friend Travis Cadwell, and a colleague Marc Jensen crisscross the West to compete at dozens of rodeos. The steer wrestling itself and the competition get almost as much attention as the long-distance rig driving, poker playing, carousing, beer drinking, junk food eating, gambling, pot smoking, cell-phone talking, and the idle conversations, story telling, boredom, practical joking, raillery, tomfoolery, and high jinks that fill the time between rodeos and rides.

The book is an honest effort to recreate the experience of being on the road with this fraternity of men in their twenties and thirties, living out dreams of rodeo glory, pitting skill against luck in the arena, building friendships that qualify as a rough-and-ready kind of male bonding, struggling with disappointments, and dealing with physical ailments that range from colossal hangovers to serious injuries. You won't find much padding - no history of steer wrestling, no side-trips and detours into related subjects, and very little character study or analysis of the sport itself. It's pretty much play-by-play - whether behind the scenes or out in front of the crowd - ending in a 40-page account of the ten-day Finals in Las Vegas. A quick read, with a 16-page section of great action photos and thumbnail portraits of the cowboys featured in the book.

I got very interested in the characters, and learned some things about the life of a rodeo cowboy. It's a good summer read.

I bought this book as I college rodeoed with some of its characters. Appears they haven't changed much. The author did a great job of showing what it really is like out on the road. Not just the glitzy outlook but the behind the scenes.

Phillips takes all those fans of professional rodeo on the road at 85 miles an hour in a 350 pickup, pulling an alumumum trailer loaded with horses and living space.Due to the descriptive skills of the author, the reader becomes a silent witness to the good, the bad, and the ugly side of life with the rodeo cowboy. I couldn't put the book down.

I had read a glowing review of Blacktop Cowboys that piqued my interest. Though my husband describes me as a neo-aristocratic fashionista, little did he know that up to the age of 11 I rode western saddle and particpated in, albeit very small, local rodeos. There is something about these men (and women) who capture a part of America that holds a seemingly romantic life. Hats off, literally, to Ty Phillips! He wrote a wonderful book on today's steer wrestlers. And thanks to the gentlemen who allowed Mr. Phillips into their life. Without their participation I don't know if Mr. Phillips could have written so honestly about them. Mr. Phillips does not romantize, per se, about the life, but is able to put one there, watching the milesigns go by, feel the dust in one's nose, and the frustration or joy of an event. Whether one has an interest in rodeos or cowboys, buy this book, you won't read anything better. Thank you Mr. Phillips for writing about a subject few of us will ever know as well,than through your words.

I was completely stressed out about my trip to vegas. this book gave me so much information, I am ready to go! I have used this brand of book with other trips and would recommend anyone who needs to research destinations to read them.

This book gives a great overview of Vegas. It rates places to stay, shows to see, restaurant price ranges, tips for gambling, etc. Great book!

This book is full of information, for the beginning Vegas tourist, or the experienced traveler. The ratings and recommendations of the hotels, restaurants, casinos and places to visit are excellent. Highly recommended.

If you are looking for a hotel, nightclub, show, and dining options, this is a fantastic book. But, I had already made my hotel arrangements, and really am not a big show person. I don't gamble and am with my family, so nightclubs are not of interest. I just wanted to let you know why my rating is not 4 or 5 stars.

So, the dining section was the only part I found interesting - perfect for me, as there are so many dining options in Vegas. There was a very small section towards the back of the book that devoted attention to attractions for families. I probably should have bought a book titled "Las Vegas for Families" instead.

Like one of the previous reviewers, I bought this book after previously buying their guide to Walt Disney World. The WDW guide was superb, stuffed full of information about everything you could possibly need to know in the planning stages and also during your trip. In fact there is nearly too much info in the WDW book, with the author going as far as giving exact measurements of some of the hotel rooms! As a result, I expected the same high standard from the Las Vegas book and I have to say I was left a little disappointed.

First of all I have to say that I love the way the authors write these books. They have a very amusing turn of phrase and they have an irreverence toward their destinations that I find a refreshing change from a lot of the overly serious travel guides. I have really enjoyed reading this book, I find that their mix of amusing background stories, reader reviews and helpful advice, entertaining as well as informative.

The area where I found this book a little disappointing was the descriptions of the hotels. When I bought this book, I hadn't yet booked my hotel and was hoping for a little guidance. Like the previous reviewer pointed out, there might be two or three pages devoted to a particular hotel, but little or no mention of the actual room quality size or amenities. After all, when you book a hotel, you're paying for a room, so this is surely the main area of interest rather than what the `feel' of the lobby is like. If I were feeling sceptical, I'd nearly think that the authors had not actually been in the rooms of the hotels they were critiquing but merely the public areas and gardens. I'm sure that isn't the case, but that is an impression one might get when faced with the complete lack of mention of rooms in some of the hotel descriptions!

Other than that, I really loved this book. The sections on shopping, restaurants and shows are outstanding and as a first time visitor to Vegas and a non-gambler, I really appreciated the `how to' section on gambling. There is also a comprehensive section on tours outside of Vegas, for those who want to escape the bright lights for a day or two.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, it is way more in depth than a lot of other travel guides that I have looked at. I would especially recommend it to visitors who are staying more than a couple of nights and who want to see more than the usual sights as this book is choc full of info on some of the more `hidden gems'. In fact, one other slight disadvantage to this book, is that it is quite thick and heavy and so may be better for pre trip planning than actually carrying round with you.

This book gives a great overview of the Eastern Sierra. Lots of pretty pictures, and both history, cultural and natural sites are covered. However, the binding for this book is terrible. Mine fell apart the day I bought it.

This book was fantastic! It was a great guide for the Eastern Sierra. It took us to places we wouldn't have otherwise gone and that I'm glad we didn't miss. For instance, without this book I would have had no idea that there were hot springs in the area (Hot Creek) or that the Alabama Hills would be both beautiful and interesting. The photography in the book is fantastic and it's just beautiful to look at even if you never intend to go. My only complaint is that the author didn't say more about the Little Lakes Valley. It was an absolutely spectacular hike, although I had to hear about it from a stranger at a campground. The author mentions it briefly, but in my opinion, it's a "can't miss" area that she should have said more about.

The pictures are terrific. The coverage is complete, but doesn't go into excessive detail. The only problem with this being a great coffee table book is that people will won't stop reading it. Also the maps are very high quality.

I was fortunate enough to purchase this book on the first day of two-week vacation in the Sierra. Since part of the vacation was a planned visit to Mono Lake, the title attracted me. A brief perusal demonstrated the exquisite color photography throughout the book.

After reading sections of the book, plans were changed to include much more time in the Owens Valley and kindred points. We saw and experienced many things that I had never imagined, such as the Long Valley hot springs, the Owens River Canyon, rockhounding areas galore, Fossil Falls, the Coso Domes, Convict Lake, etc., etc.

The book is well writtten, and very well organized, taking the reader from south(Mojave Desert) to North(Bridgeport area, about 100 miles south of Reno) in successive chapters. Although written for any person with a high school background, the book is particularly well suited for students of earth processes, including physical geology, weather, and field biology. Attractions such as the Ancient Bristlecone pine forest, home of the worlds oldest trees, and the Mono Lake volcanic domes, one of America's most recent sites of volcanic activity, are especiall.y well discussed.

One of the most impressive features of this work is the careful road directions included at the conclusion of each subsection discussing a particular attraction. Without these guideline, finding some of the areas would have been much more difficult.

Mixed in with the recitation of attractions, and things to see and do, is a history of the area, where you will find discussion of the various mining ventures in area mountains and dry lakebeds, as well as a narrative of the Owens Valley Earthquake of 1872. America has not experienced a quake of this magnitude since that date.

The book was a treat to possess, both during my vacation and now. Its photography and text rekindle memories of this wonderful region of our country, and I recommend it as highly as possible.

This book has been a good friend to us over the last dozen or so years, as we have made many trips into the east Sierra/Owens Valley area, mostly for photography. The book is well-written, well-organized, and has thoughtfully-chosen sites to visit.

The photography, of couse, is wonderful, from some of the top landscape photographers in the western U.S.

If you might ever be headed in this direction, you need this book.

Simple to read, even for me that I dont understand some english words. Great explanation about the premium player segment. Thanks to the authors, wich I reckon they put maximum effort to make it.

An invaluable primer on casino management. This book should be on the shelf of every executive in the gaming industry.

"Casino Operations Management" is the best book on the market now focusing on operational issues that confront casino managers. It is arguably "too much" for an undergraduate course, but the book is highly recommended for casino managers who want to strengthen their understanding of what makes a casino really tick. Those simply interested in in-depth knowledge of the industry's operational issues will also find the book helpful.

Good overview of casino operations. It covers Indian gaming as well as Nevada and mentions where there are difference. I am the controller and I wish it had more accounting /finance.

This book is a must read for everyone entering the casino business. It's a clear reference, and it shows derails some myths about gaming operations.