Oregon Books

An honest story that showed how women were treated as property but sweet in her resulting story.

And I think her name was spelled correctly. Ginny can be a nickname for Virginia.

another Ginny

Yes! I am so glad to see this book available at last. Bargain Bride is the story of Ginny (possibly spelled wrong). Only a teenager, she is married off to an elderly farmer in the Oregon Territory, a bargain struck by relatives who feel burdoned by her care. Her new husband only marries her in order to gain access to more land through the Homestead Act, but Ginny scarcely has time to worry about the marriage because, within a week, her husband dies. Ginny immediately inherits all the land and is left a wealthy widow living alone in a frontier community. She is soon considered the catch of the county, but will Ginny marry for security and companionship before noticing the feelings of real love hidden right under her nose?

As a child, I have to confess I enjoyed Lampman's fantasy novels more, but as an adult, I am only beginning to respect her talent for presenting history in a wonderful, entertaining way. She is especially advanced in her character treatment of Native Americans. ALL of her books are worth looking up in the libraries (as might be expected, libraries in Portland have more than usual). I don't understand why she is out of print, her books are wonderful for classroom reading. Any teachers, I highly recommend her books.

Brutally honest, but not so cynical that it's annoying.

This is a query as to what happened to the On the Loose Series. Did the big boys (Fodors, Frommers, Let's Go swallow them up?) Any information about the demise of these student writers would be appreciated.

This is the best guidebook I've ever read. It's brutally honest, concise, and seriously funny. Offers great resources and detailed maps. Have fun !

This takes all the guesswork out of spending quality time out-of-doors with ones family, an especially tricky affair when you're dealing with babies, kids, and dogs all of whom are restricted in different ways. A guidebook for parents who want to introduce their children to the natural world one easy, beautiful hike at a time.
(Includes a front-page map to find hikes based on their location, especially helpful if one is new to the area.)

This is a wonderful book for people who want to get their kids into hiking. Each hike contains a detailed description of the hike as well as information about age appropriateness, access to food and bathrooms, and points that will interest kids. Since a friend loaned us a copy of this book a couple of months ago, we have done 5 of the hikes with our 6-year-old, all with great success. I also loaned it to my sister when she visited Oregon this summer. She did not hike with children, but still found this to be a good resource for locating interesting hikes. Since we have to return our friend's copy, we are now purchasing a copy for ourselves. I highly recommend this book to anyone in Oregon (or who is visiting Oregon) who likes to hike, but especially to those who are trying to get their kids hooked on it.

I used this book in planning a recent trip to Oregon. Although my wife and I used to be avid hikers, we're not exactly in shape right now, so this book was an excellent guide to pick out a few short hikes in Crater Lake National Park and another near Bend.

Hikes can be located on a numbered map of western and central Oregon, or through the index in back. Each hike is rated by type of hike (day hike or backpack), difficulty, distance, terrain, high point, when it is hikable and contact information. The narrative gives a clear description of the hike, its popularity, what you'll see and how to get there. There is an explanation of the symbols used in the book, and the introduction discusses why you should hike with children, how to use the book, what to take, safety issues, good trail manners and trailhead fees.

So, whether you're a parent looking for some fun hikes for the children, or you're an adult looking to stretch your legs in the Oregon outdoors, this is an excellent guide to help you plan your outing.

Mamie Beaver & Christian Foggy hook up in northern Wisconsin when Christian takes Mamie's father to her hiding place after learning there is a reward for finding her. She has run away from home and at first it looks like Christian is going to betray her simply because he is greedy, but when he sees how her father treats her, he helps her escape and the two of them manage to stay a step ahead of the menacing father and the law as they roam the farm country and towns of WI. One wild and wonderful adventure follows another and there is never a dull moment. Brenna's picaresque story seems to be influenced by Mark Twain's HUCKLEBERRY FINN and the characters that enter the lives of Mamie and Christian are every bit as memorable and fascinating. At times horrible and sad things happen and you'll find yourself in tears, at other times the book is so funny you'll laugh out loud. Brenna is a masterful writer. a born storyteller and THE BOOK OF MAMIE is truly the masterpiece that Andrea Barrett called it when she picked it for the AWP Award. I wanted the book to go on and on and I turned the final page reluctantly. I will never forget Mamie or Christian, a pair as captivating as Huck and Jim or Steinbeck's Lennie and George. Why THE BOOK OF MAMIE has been allowed to go out of print and is not available in paperback is a mystery to everyone I've talked to who has read it(and there are many of us out here). It is very strange that the publishing world hasn't been able to recognize what a goldmine it has in Brenna's lovable and unforgettable book.

A great adventure story about a girl who is the size of a linebacker and a boy who helps her run away. She is Mamie Beaver. He is Christian Foggy. Together they roam the countryside and towns of northern Wisconsin, staying a step ahead of Mamie's abusive father and the law. Brenna's picaresque tale carries the reader along on a sea of writing that is both simple and complex. The book brings to mind HUCKLEBERRY FINN & OF MICE AND MEN and the characters in it are just as lovable and unforgettable as Huck and Jim or Lennie and George. The book is a fast read and the reader doesn't want it to end. It makes you laugh and cry and laugh some more. The descriptions of Wisconsin are spot on and reveal a writer who is at the height of his powers and knows his territory. Among other things, this is a book about the power of movies. Mamie is a creation for the ages, part earth-mother, part genius who has uncanny abilities as a mimic. She becomes, in effect, the greatest actress who ever lived. Her chameleon voice and personality become known throughout Wisconsin and her fame as an actress seems destined to take her to New York or Hollywood. But her father also hears about her and he shows up in the town where she is performing and all hell breaks loose. THE BOOK OF MAMIE is the story of one person's struggle to find her place in the world and overcome the traumas of her childhood. It is a vigorous story about a wonderfully gifted girl and her awed companion, who uncovers her genius and falls madly in love with her. THE BOOK OF MAMIE a masterpiece and fully deserving of the AWP Award it won back in 1988. National Book Award winner Andrea Barrett calls it a masterpiece and she does not exaggerate a bit. How this wonderful novel can be out of print is a baffling mystery to me. It is definitely worth searching for. I've loaned my copy out several times and gotten nothing but raves from the friends who borrowed it.

...with the magical Mamie Beaver and Christian. You will laugh out loud and be drawn into an adventure as wild and unlikely as any found in the pages of classic Americana. Brenna is masterful. You'll find yourself re-reading whole paragraphs just to savor the sound of the words and to linger with the delicious notions they provoke. This first book of fiction won the 1988 Associated Writing Programs Novel Award for good reason. The reader's in very capable hands from page one, as the details of Mamie's and Christian's journey unfold with equal measures of wisdom and hilarity. By page 338 you'll be a true believer that in life it's not the destination, it's the journey. Out of print but worth tracking down.

Be careful reading this book: it may change your life. It changed mine. The book inspired me to retrace Mr. Chase's footsteps, or should I say hoof prints. His book is such a delightful "paseo" (leisurely walk) up the stunningly beautiful California Coast that I found myself unable to resist the temptation to do it myself. Thus, there is another description of Mr. Chase's route, produced more than 82 years later, also available on Amazon. Read Mr. Chase's book. Sit back and enjoy the images and personalities of 1911 that Mr. Chase brings to life. Maybe you, too, will be inspired to take your own paseo.

Anyone who appreciates the unspoiled west and california history should find California coast trails by J.Smeaton Chase a pleasant read. Shortly after publishing his diary journals of extensive journeys throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains in Yosemite Trails, Chase embarked on his next adventure on horseback. This trip would take him from Mexico to Oregon along the coastal route of the spacely settled california. Most of the books appeal to me is Chases daily recording of intimate details such as a rare flower or a unique sunset. His daily travels often ended with a campfire on the sand with the ocean waves for a lullabuy. Chases winning personality and knowledge of California history further enhance the book along with frequent references to former events and places of historical significance. California Coast Trails is a trail guide, history book and personal travel diary all in one. You wont regret the read.

In 1910 J. Smeaton Chase and a painter, Carl Eytel, decided to go by horseback down the coast from Los Angeles. They carried their supplies, rifles for hunting, and a boundless curiosity about the landscape that even then was beginning to change. Far from wilderness, the land had a rural agrarian character. But cars were already starting to appear on the roadways and Chase foresaw the coming of an urban landscape that would replace the small Mexican and Native American pueblos and he wanted to see the land as it once was and would never be again.

The 1910 journey only lasted a few months. Highlights of it included visits to what remained of California's Missions, a day among the Torrey Pines, and exploring the table/mesa ecosystem of San Diego County. One of the leading naturalists of his day, Chase writes thoughtfully on all these topics and published scientific papers on several. But this trip only whetted his passion for a longer journey; one that would stretch from Los Angeles northward all the way to the Oregon border. And in 1911, Chase began that trip, replacing his rifle with a fly rod and small pistol.

Chase's journey through the California coastal region includes lyrical prose about both the landscape and the people who inhabited it. A passionate lover of trees, Chase went out of his way to visit Monterrey Cyprus, Santa Lucia Firs, and of course the Redwoods. Of the latter, he wrote, "They seemed to lack the individual majesty of bearing [found in Sierran Sequoias] and gain their distinction rather from the cummulative effect of their statuesque beauty..." Muir Woods, then only a few years old, was described as "the most beautiful of any preserved enclosure that I have ever seen, and the soft gray day gave them their finest aspect." A repeat visitor to Muir Woods, I find Chase's comments still hold today.

Chase was something of a Jack London socialist, a romantic heavily influenced by Rosseau. He enjoyed the company of all classes of people but like his literary mentors Henry Dana and John Muir, found his true calling in nature. But unlike today's environmentalists, Chase was not anti people and for the most part enjoyed their presence in nature. Old habitations held a special fascination for him. But he was clearly an agrarian at heart and the urban landscape that was gradually spreading along California's coastline concerned him. Writing about Morro Bay, he wistfully predicted, "This pretty place is destined, I think, to be more of note than it is now." Chase was correct, but I think he would have preferred to be wrong. If you want a glimpse of his California, by all means read California Coast Trails. It is one of the best examples of that truly American literary genre, trail literature, that has ever appeared in print.

If you're looking for a hiking guide to the central cascades, get this one. I hike all over the west and I've got several of the oregon hiking guides, but I like this one the best because it's just so easy to use - it's got everything you need to know right there in the columns on each page. You don't even really have to read the description, but they're good too and funny. I'm not even a mature person (so I'm told) but I like this book anyway! My cousin used it to find hikes his kids could do with him.

I got the first edition of this book last summer, so I will be getting the new one too. I visit Central Oregon every summer and hike a lot. This is the book I will use from now on! I love the way the authors layout each page so you can see at a glance when the trail's open, if it's got exposure, do I need my poles, etc. It makes it quick and easy to plan. Also, I really like knowing the elevation gain before I go, so I can plan for easier or more strenuous hikes. This book is awesome! - also I think I will get this book as a gift for some of my more "mature" friends here in central Oregon who let me come stay with them to hike every summer.

If you live in or just visit Central Oregon, and want to be outdoors and see the area, Walks, Hikes and Strolls is an excellent tool. It contains all kinds of informatation about what there is to see, exact directions, and what to expect when you do get there. The margins have nice tidbits and suggestions of equipment that might make the outing more enjoyable. Facilities,necessary permits, dates the hike is open...they are all included. So, if you want a good vigorous hike, or just a leisurely stroll, they are all here! I certainly recommend this book!

CITY SMART: PORTLAND is a great guide to the Portland, OR, metro area, with lengthy discussions on all the culture, recreation, dining, shopping, and other stuff you'll need to know while visiting there. However, the radio station listing comes up very short, failing to include rock stations KUFO, KRVO, KINK, and KGON. Other than that, though, this book is wonderful, so don't pass it up.

I loved it. It was funny and witty and interesting. For the person moving to Portland, this book is for you. It outlines the areas where one should and should not live. It give detailed and interesting reviews of everything from children's parks to gay bars. It illustrated the history of Portland perfectly and was a hoot to boot. Five stars!

When you browse through the US Travel books for something on Oregon or Portland, this is the one book that you can find that goes beyond the cool places, the neat restaurants and the best deals in hotels. It's comprehensive in terms of including information that a person considering the move to the city will find extremely useful! Thanks, City Smart!

This is the greatest guide book to Smith Rock State Park ever. It has it all. That is all there is to it. This is the perfect guide to the perfect climbing area.

Alan Watts did an excellent job in putting together this guide. The topos and maps are high quality, the photos are excellent and it's easy to navigate. But what really sets this guide apart from many others is the quality of the historical perspective and the overall readability of the text. Watts played an important part in the development of sport climbing in the US and thus was a controversial figure for years. His treatment of those tumultious times is worth the cost of the guide.

One of the best guidebooks out there. The topos and pictures are clear and the descriptions are detailed. The author has probably done all the climbs so he should know. The topos even give specific gear needed at certain places on the climb. Where the author's climbing style lays is obvious, he seems to dislike anything with a chimney. Quality of routes are measured by a 4 star system. The author uses R and X rating. This guide has everything you could ask for. If you only want one guide to the area, this is it.

Love is an irrational emotion. "Crazy Love Stories" is a collection of short stories based on that maddening trait that eventually catches us all, Love. With nearly twenty stories, all entertaining and lovely, author Leslie What marvels' her readers when they learn the fact that she isn't a professional writer, making her stories that much more impressive. "Crazy Love Stories" is a must for anyone looking for a charming bit of offbeat romance.

This is a wonderful book. Here's what Booklist said in a starred review.

An ace at the new weirdness defined by the anthology Feeling Very Strange (2006), What uses it to be creepy, polemical, and funny, all at once or in various blendings. These 17 stories progress from grim to laugh-out-loud ludicrous without ever derogating their common subject, love, though they do depict it as fairly insane. The opening stories, "Finger Talk" and "Babies," feature women in abusive relationships they don't want to change; that one is trapped in a gorilla suit and the other is, unbeknownst to hubby, carrying sextuplets leavens their dire circumstances some, but enough? "The Cost of Doing Business" is about a professional victim, whose clients must be able to afford her subsequent hospitalizations and quite adequate comfort between jobs. Things lighten up through the predicaments of a man who masturbated for science when 18 and at 49 discovers he has thousands of offspring, a man who realizes that work doesn't proliferate during vacation without cause, a nauseating senior who expects familial love although he intends to live forever, and others, until at last there is the hermit researcher's tale, from which we learn, through a vale of our own tears of laughter, why there are always hermits. Love is why, of course. Crazy!

Ray Olson ~ Booklist starred review

A "slim volume," Kate Wilhelm calls this in the introduction, but you could have fooled me. Its 195 pages are packed with stories that range from touching to unsettling, haunting to quirky; seventeen stories that keep you not only entertained, but thinking. What's narratives drive ahead, make you continue to read and guess. They are disturbing, funny, and very very brave.

The scene: 1844, Caldwell, Colorado, high in the Rocky Mountains. Fourteen-year-old Daniel LeBlanc lives with his aunt and uncle while his father is out hunting and fishing. Daniel's father is a Mountain Man, an experienced trapper who knows the mountains, forests, and streams like he knows the back of his hand. Then one day he disappears! No one can find any trace of him.

Daniel is, understandably, hit hard by the loss of his father. He swears that he is hearing a voice --- a voice that is telling him frightening things about his father. He's also having severe dreams at night. Frightened by these hallucinations and omens, Daniel goes out to search for his father. Daniel has many escapades and adventures. One particular stormy night, Daniel sees a scar-faced man stealing horses. The thief sees Daniel, too, and Daniel barely escapes being shot. In fear, he joins a wagon train heading west. After many long months and many obstacles, Daniel finally finds his father. How does Daniel come to understand that he and his father aren't the only ones in danger? Read this book to find out!

I like to learn about the lives of people in America's past, so I thought this book was really informative and awesome. I also liked this book because it was exciting and full of adventure and action, and I never knew what was going to happen next! If you want an exciting book to read then read this book!

--- Reviewed by Ashley, age 13, Book Boss

(...) This is an adventure story, and on that level it works very well. In addition, the characters are diverse, rich, three-dimensional, funny, and complex. No simple formula writing here, though you can see the capture-escape-recapture-escape rhythm that you also see in the best of authors in this genre. Plus, it's a coming-of-age novel. Daniel goes off to find his father, and ends up finding himself. I'd compare it to Gary Paulsen's _Tucker_ series, or even (if you're old enough to remember) _True Grit_. Many YA readers and adult readers alike will find this book a very rewarding read.

Furthermore, this book shows a more accurate picture of the impact of white settlement in the Amer West than most of the popular YA historical fiction. There is no whitewash of the settlers, and no romantic images of the native Americans, either. Compared to some of the "Dear America" books, for example, _Daniel's Walk_ is far and away more historically accurate.

Students especially should get hold of it. (...) It's rare enough that we come across a decent story based on decent historical research.

Daniel's mother died in childbirth when he was just a small boy. After that, his father, a fur trapper, left Daniel to be raised by relatives in Missouri. Aunt Judith believes Daniel's father is a good-for-nothing responsible for her sister's death. She and her husband discourage Daniel from ever searching for his father. But a mysterious voice in the night warns Daniel that his father is in danger. Determined to save him, he sets out to cross the country and find his father in the Rocky Mountains. Daniel joins up with a wagon train and meets a headstrong girl named Rosalie as well as a horse thief determined to kill him. But even if Daniel survives the dangers of the overland journey, can he escape the horse thief's vengeance and find his father before it's too late? This was an exciting historical novel with a new perspective on the Oregon Trail.