Oregon Books

My book is called facing west I like it because it has a lot of adventure and scary moments in it. They name things different then what we do. Zach and Ben are best friends it's a funny book too. AS you read this book you will find what the real Oregon trail and it feels like really on the Oregon Trail with Zach and Ben. I think you should read this book because I think you'llen joy it.

My book is called facing west I like it because it has a lot of adventure and scary moments in it. They name things different then what we do. Zach and Ben are best friends it's a funny book too. Read this to find out if his family will make it.

Ben is the main person in this story. They went west in 1845. His family went to Oregon. His doctor said it was better for him out there. I like the story very much. I liked how they showed the old pictures of the wagons going down the road. I liked the part where Pete pushed Ben and he hit his head against the tree. I also aliked the part where the oxen starting pulling the wagons and Ben sat on the ground. I didn't like the way Pete walked up and started talking to Ben. I thought it would be a surprise meeting.

I downloaded The Haven from my library and listened to it in one sitting. The story was wonderful, the characters delightful, and spending the day "living" with Laila and Ash proved to be a great way to spend my time.

The reader, Stephanie Brush, does a very good job with the voices--I had no trouble knowing who was speaking whether that person was identified by gender or not.

Irene Bennett Brown has written a series of four books placed in Paragon Springs. I'm now off to listen to them. What fun to discover a new author!

Carol

Irene Bennett Brown's Haven blends impeccable historical research with a romantic plot reflecting the morals and manners of the 19th Century. It's this kind of accuracy that has endeared Brown to her fans. For history buffs, background details on her strong-willed heroine, Laila Mitchell's, crusade against the destructive patent medicine industry lend an unmistakable aura of authenticity. Even a wee glimpse of the well-constructed plot would spoil the intrigue for readers. But the setting is a search for her grandparents that leads to a magical peach-laden canyon, and the handsome entrepreneur, Ash Corbett, who disapproves of her independent bent. There's an adorable wild cat of a little girl, and Ash's father, a cantankerous old man who fights change to the last ditch. Haven is a treat for readers of all ages. Another feather in the cap of this fine historical novelist!

Laila Mitchell was an orphan by the time she was fifteen. A few years later in 1893, Laila decides to join her grandparents living in la Grande, Oregon where she hopes to make a living from her medical skills learned nursing an elderly person for five years. In Boise, Laila meets widow Kate Boston who is crossing the Snake River to work as a housekeeper to a gold mine owner, Austin Corbett. When Kate is injured in an accident, she persuades Laila to cover for her on her new job until she can take over.

Across the river, the two women are shocked to learn that Ruby Gold is not a mine, but a peach farm. Austin welcomes the two women, but his father is nasty and abrupt. Austin warns Laila not to go down river, but she does anyway. There she is the only female besides an abandoned wild child. Austin keeps coming down to ostensibly see that's he is okay, but in fact has fallen in love with Laila. She reciprocates, but her need for independence threatens any future together.

HAVEN provides readers with picturesque view of life in a remote area (decades before Kneval's failed jump) during ironically that is so opposite to what is often seen in novels occurring during the "gay nineties". The cast is fabulous as fans can see their movies especially the heroine's need to prove herself to herself. Fans of historical fiction with romance as a secondary subplot will take immense pleasure in this powerfully vivid description of a bygone era.

Five stars plus for this young mans insight, interpretation, and brilliant display of history. I like many other readers were turned off by the boring history books we read in school. Lambers captures the true spirit of history! Because of the excitement this book ignites; this book has the potential to change the course of how history is viewed and studied. This book is a MUST READ for everyone. This book would make a great gift not only for teachers and history buffs, but also the person who hungers for knowledge. (The study guide is an added bonus to treasure) BRAVO!

I read the book first, and it was interesting to realize that the peaceful relations with Britain that we now take for granted were nonexistent and took hard work to accomplish. And the Study Guide is very good, and is surprisingly loaded with historical facts and fun word searches. I wish I had studied with this kind of material instead of boring history books that made me "hate" history for many years. Now I love it!

This book is early American history in a "capsule," full of important events describing the conflicts between America and Britain, yet imagines the ordinary citizen's feelings about the wars in an interesting blend of fiction and history. Young people especially should read it.

These four volumes do more to explain the depth and extent of the Indian Nations that existed in the Northwest prior to the fur traders. A vast empire headquartered in present day central Oregon, near the major Indian trading centers on the Columbia River with influences extending east into present day Wyoming, south to Santa Fe, NM and Indio, CA. This series of books is perhaps the only written account of the Shoshone Indians. An Indian nation that witnessed and bore the brunt of the indiscretions of fur traders, explorers, gold hunters, religious pioneers, settlers, and others.

I borrowe this book from a friend. She had never read it. It was stuck in a box. This book is Indian & American History as if written By Clancey!!! This book presents the history of Indian and uropean settlement through the 1800's. It presnts cultural clashes from a global perspective starting in the 1600's. For once, I could understanfd the conflicts and their timing between Spain, Russia, England, France and the emerging US. The clear presentation of the Spanish presence as miners and slaveers. The English, French and Russians as fur robber barons represented by greedy men and the lowly US taking up the rear. The Indian population with thier established tribes, hunting areas and culture were spelled out clearly and convincingly. It was understandble now that Europeans really didn't or couldn't have removed the Indian without the use of our deseases such as small pox and meassles. More Indians died of small pox than any US Army battle. Not that we didn't remove, push, cheat them only that their population was overwhelmed by our deseases first. The history is written like a fast moving novel, exciting, detailed , twisting and turning. It has political plots, robber barons, government plots, greedy people and bungling fools. It tells of Indians against Indians, Indians against Spanish, French, English, Russians and the US. The vast majority of the western movement was only to pass through the plains, over the Rockies for most people to Oregon and California. It is remakable that Oregon has remained as rural as it has while California is the state which has really grown. The wealth of California apparently was sverely understated while Oregon was overstated.

.You will love this book.

I was captivated by this writing that covers the history of the Western United States from before European intrusion, up through the peak years of the fur trade. Very interesting view from the Native American perspective and the white man's greed that laid waste to the animals and Indians alike. Very easy book to read. Once I got started, it was hard to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Having lived in Oregon for 20 years, I have always beeninterested in the history of why Oregon is so unique and such awonderful place to live. This Book covers it all! From the Spanish and English ships of the 1500's to the late 1800's this book covers in very readable detail the who, what, where, when, how, and why things happened as they did. If you confine yourself to the adventures of Lewis and Clark for your Oregon history, you'll miss some of the best stories about how this area was developed and people who developed it. I higly recommend this great work to anyone who is serious about wanting to know the complete history of the region. END

Now in its third edition, General History of Oregon by Charles H. Carey is an exhaustive, complete-in-one-volume, 916 page history of the Oregon Territory. An impressive, definitive, meticulously researched history ranging from the days of Spanish explorers in the New World to the opening years of Oregon's statehood, General History Of Oregon is a classic repository of knowledge, informed and informative reading, and highly recommended for academic American History reference shelves and supplemental reading lists.

I found this gem in a non-chain bookstore in Eugene. (The Book Mark) Having lived in Oregon for 20 years, I have always been interested in the history of why Oregon is so unique and such a wonderful place to live. This Book covers it all! From the Spanish and English ships of the 1500's to the late 1800's this book covers in very readable detail the who, what, where, when, how, and why things happened as they did. If you confine yourself to the adventures of Lewis and Clark for your Oregon history, you'll miss some of the best stories about how this area was developed and people who developed it. I higly recommend this great work to anyone who is serious about wanting to know the complete history of the region.

Written in a "natural" fashion, this book is part of American history from a most objective point of view. It's amazing how Perlot was able to record his adventures in vivid detail.

First-hand accounts of this time and place are very scarce...beside being rich in detail and easy to read, I have another reason for recommending this book. This summer I presented to Yosemite visitors (as a naturalist volunteer) a program on the Miwok of the Wawona (Yosemite National Park) and how nature shaped their culture. Perlot's journal on how he cam e to understand the Indians and appreciate their skills was so suited to what I was tring to convey, that for my visitors appreciation, I read a paragraph or two to them. A "thank you" to the Indians of this park who guided me.

Excellent review of my Great Great Grandfather's 20 years in America after leaving first Belgium and then Paris to seek his fortune with a company that upon arrival in Monterey, California was bankrupt. Being a self starter and not one to give up easily; he headed off to the gold fields on his own gathering other people as he went along. He gives an excellent account of the hardships and heartache suffered by not only himself but others who found themselves so far from home. It was either charge forward or give up and go to wherever it was you could afford to travel. It shows his compassion for his fellow man and also his ability to get along with the Indians and adapt to whatever the world threw at him You have to be proud of a guy like that. Eventually he married a cousin and brought her to the U.S. to live in Portland, Oregon but eventually they returned to Belgium where he whiled away his last years enjoying life and most probably thinking about the wonderful and exiting years of taking each day as it came; solving lifes problems and standing up for what he believed in; occasionally backing that up with his pistol and rifle. This is not a shoot em up story or anything of the sort; however, it does reflect what it was like to be on your own in a very difficult environment and time when only the strongest survived. Naturally, I am biased since the old fellow blazed a trail for the rest of us Perlot's----of which there are but a few.

Going through our large collection of quality paperbacks, I found this book this week. I read the book 20 years ago and wrote enthusiastically about it inside the front cover upon finishing the book. It is WONDERFUL READING, perhaps on a par with the writing of Wallace Stegner. I couldn't stop reading it and stayed up 'way late a couple of nights. If you like books dealing with historical America, this one is definitely for you.

This is the first review I've written for a book on Amazon but I just couldn't resist adding my praise to that of others here.

I could not put this man's writing down. His skill with the language is just awesome. I believe he could have been one of our country's greatest authors with more exposure. He didn't start writing until quite late in life I understand but his mind held every detail beautifully.

A HEAVEN IN THE EYE by Clyde Rice is an exceptional first hand account of life in the Pacific Northwest and the San Francisco Bay area in the early 1900's. Not only is the story of the hardships and joys experienced by the main characters riveting, but the manner in which Mr. Rice paints the backround canvas of life and locations so detailed, you will feel as though you have been along with him in a time one can only dream about. I highly recommend this, and any of Clyde Rice's books to every reader, but particularly those who live or have lived in the richly portrayed locations that he shares with us. Especially fascinating is his accoumt of the erection of the Bay bridge in San Francisco, and what life was like before, and after its completion.

As the director of several programs for the homeless, I know that Ms. Connolly's account of her work captures the complexity of homeless services. This book is captivating as she layers the client's stories with her own responses, as well as artfully mixing in theoretical and philosophical points. A great book if you are in the field, considering the field, needing closure on feelings if leaving the field. I would also highly recomend this as required reading for any clinical field training, particularly where the subject is supervision. Ms. Connolly does a fabulous job illustrating the points during interventions when her own feeling bubble just over the line. While her actions remain professional, this read takes you into the subjects that supervision is designed for, while giving an honest beautiful illustration of "the work." Thank You for not only describing the complex reasons for peoples homelessness, but also the approaches you used to work with them, and the way most of our "clients" fall into the gaps between services.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about homeless women and their personal struggle. The author did an excellent job of bringing the mothers and children to life for the reader and showed the reader the human side of their struggle. The families depicted are easy to relate to and their stories are thoroughly engrossing. An excellent read--A++++!

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. The author really made the women come alive and I feel like I got a first hand glimpse into the lives of mothers struggling to make ends meet. This book is for anyone interested in why people become homeless and what it would take -- personally and politically -- to get back on track. The stories are fascinating and enlightening -- it's absorbing reading and you'll learn a lot from it.

Being interested in taking up hunting, I found Hunting Oregon quite informative as well as enjoyable reading. The full color photos were great!

I found "Hunting Oregon" to be a very good read. It was hard to put it down. Because I am an avid hunter I found myself gobbling up as many chapters as I could before I had to give my eyes a break. For those not familiar with hunting in Oregon or those wishing to bone up on the different species - THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!

Hunting Oregon is a complete hunting guide, covering waterfowl on up to big game. It is full of information and very well put together. It is written for, but not limited to, Oregon Hunters. All those who appreciate hunting will be delighted to see this book, packed with fantastic photos of game in their habitats and hunters in action. There is information ranging from shot selection for birds, Oregon unit maps and capturing your trophies on film. It gives complete instruction on caring for big game meat, and field care of trophies to aid your taxidermist. You'll find information for rifle, archery and muzzle-loaders. This comprehensive guide even includes recipes! A GREAT BOOK FOR HUNTERS, FROM ANY STATE!

Banning Eyre has obviously spent a great deal of time loving and learning the music and culture of Mali. His book takes you straight to the heart of what the people and their music are all about. Effortlessly, he guides you on an excursion to this unique land. You'll taste the food, feel the heat and hear the music! In fact, you can hear the music in the companion CD. I love both the book and the CD!

"In Griot Time" is a MAJOR travel literature event! Readers of V. S. Naipaul's travel nonfiction will delight in this new book written by a former student of Naipaul, Banning Eyre of National Public Radio and Boston Phoenix fame. This astonishingly good book rivals and even surpasses Naipaul in the very areas Naipaul excels. Eyre's writing recalls Naipaul's best, with a fresh new vibrance, mature with a quiet, intelligent masculinity, reflecting Eyre's years of magazine and newspaper work. The Canadian Eyre masterfully takes the best of his teacher's legacy, then expands it, using his relative youth and considerable musical and literary skills to show us a fascinating view of travel and Malian culture not just as a writer, as an outsider, but also as a working musician and student of Malian styles, a view requiring a stamina and persona more reminiscent of Hemingway than Naipaul. Eyre is truly an exciting and important new voice in travel literature. NOT TO BE MISSED. I've read and loved all of Naipaul's books--and "In Griot Time" is even better if such a thing is possible! Thank you, Banning Eyre! [Note: I'm an old friend of the author, and have read his writing from his early teenage days on. He was good to begin with, and I've watched him get better and better over the years. I'm also a long-time fan of V.S. Naipaul's works and consider him one of the great masters of 20th-century literature. Imagine my utter joy when I read "In Griot Time," and found Eyre has grown into everything Naipaul is and more! Now I can say "I knew him when..." :)]

Due to the low profile of African music in the States, this subject matter is so esoteric that any work on the subject would certainly be welcome. But thankfully, this is the work of a seasoned music journalist, whose charisma opens nearly every possible door to the life of Mali's great musicians. The book starts as Eyre shows up unannounced to meet Djelimady Tounkara, perhaps Mali's greatest living griot artists. As Eyre is taken under Djelimady's wing as an understudy, he finds opportunities to meet other great and colorful elements in Mali's music world, including a musician who shunned his royal upbringing to a humble music life (Salif Keita), and a mysterious millionaire patron of the arts who worked his way up from humble roots (Babani Sissoko).

Throughout his study, Eyre remains humble, admitting that there is a whole host of young musicians in Mali half his age more advanced than he in this study. At one point he likens studying with Djelimady to "reaching into a rushing stream of water hoping to pull out a fish before it slithered away forever." Though Eyre is upfront about his preference to study music "stripped of its context," he doesn't skimp on highlighting the importance of politics, religion, and history surrounding the music.

His approach to viewing Africa is refreshing; where international aid workers "looked around and saw sickness and suffering, good people held down by backwardness... I looked around and saw a cultural lodestone, musical diamonds and gold everywhere. I wanted the Malians to give me the hard lessons." It's hard not to agree with Eyre's perception of Mali's musical greatness; in fact, in the `60s and `70s, the government mandated that the bands they subsidized all maintain deep roots to Malian tradition- unlike many other African countries, whose musical identities have been whitewashed by Western influences.

Of course I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in studying African music, but it should also be compelling for anyone interested in a "cultural exchange" with the remote and exotic city of Bamako, Mali, which happens to not be all that far from Timbuktu.