Oregon Books

"The food ranges from the samosas, pakoras, and curries found in Indian restaurants to upper-worldly treats such as Tseral-mixed vegetable balls..." ~George Stevenson describing Himalayan Sherpa in Seattle, WA

There is an entire world beyond salads and side orders of vegetables and this book proves it. If you love visiting Seattle & Portland or you are a Vegetarian looking for an excellent dining guide, this should impress you. The size of this book makes it easy to keep in your backpack, purse or car.

The Restaurants are found in Seattle, Bellingham, Olympia, Tacoma, Portland and Eugene. There are listings for Tea Houses, Juice Bars, Farmers Markets and Green Grocers. You could enjoy tea in a Chinese Temple, visit a fun PCC Natural Market (my personal favorite for natural foods and organic products) or sample Mulitethnic cuisines at many interesting locations. They even list Larry's Markets where I used to work.

Some of the highlights:

The Elliot Bay Café - Try a Veggie Reuben in the café in the basement of the famous Elliot Bay Books in Seattle.

Shalimar - Exotic foods like Mulligatawny Stew or dishes with eggplant, mango and lotus stems.

Persian House - Pomegranate sauces and lentil dishes and they have a nice buffet lunch at a very reasonable price.

George Stevenson's creative writing style is refreshing and honest. He makes each location sound completely tantalizing. The listings all have a star rating, hours, payments accepted, Parking locations, Yes/No for Alcohol and Atmosphere Description. Some of the restaurants are completely Vegan and some have Full Menus with Vegan Options.

You could go to an upscale restaurant in the evening or stop by a Family restaurant with great artwork and enjoy a relaxing lunch.

The next time I'm in Seattle or Portland and my husband asks me where we should eat; this is the guide I'm going to show him. In fact, you could almost plan a trip just so you could visit some of these locations.

Also look for Veg Out Books for Southern California, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C.

~The Rebecca Review

The Veg Out Vegetarian Guide to Seattle and Portland is a pocket guide designed to slip in a purse or travel bag. It's got a sturdy cover and slim design. It also includes a fold-out map of both cities (somehow the map of Portland is much larger and easier to read, perhaps because the editors decided to cover a smaller geographical area.)

The book is organized geographically and actully includes "Seattle East," which is really the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland and surrounding suburbs; Bellingham (north of Seattle); Olympia and Tacoma (south); and Eugene, Oregon in addition to Seattle and Portland. Grocery stores, farmers markets, and juice bars have their own chapters and there's a short list of local northwest vegetarian orgainzations. There are three indices: alphabetical, by cuisine, and an index of "top ten" lists for food, atmosphere and best buys.

Each restaurant is rated by star and price. There's a cuisine designation and the bottom of each entry tells how "veg friendly" each location is, for example "Full menu with vegetarian and vegan options." Since most of the restaurants listed are not exclusively vegetarian, I would have appreciated an index listing the veg-only restaurants. It has been omitted from the cuisine index.

Seattle and Portland are both veg-friendly cities, but it might be hard for a visitor to know where to start. The VegOut editors have listed all the major favorites of local vegetarians as well as some of the lessor known finds like Hillside Quickies in Seattle and The Tao of Tea in Portland. --Amy O'Neill Houck

I have been a vegetarian living in Seattle since 1991; this book revealed some great new vegetarian places I had somehow missed! I gave it to a visiting friend. Great book for a person visiting town; fits right in your pocket.

Like the more gifted Bernard DeVoto (who might have been his teacher at Harvard had not the Depression intervened), Alvin Josephy (1915- ) mucked about in journalism and fiction writing for some years before finding his métier doing history--in Josephy's case, the history of American Indians. Not surprisingly, Josephy writes gracefully, and parts of his memoir--the stories of his New York City childhood and his heroic World War II service, for instance--carry real emotional punch. Nevertheless, Josephy easily slides over important subjects he doesn't care to discuss, such as the dissolution of his first marriage, the difficulties of writing history from oral tradition, and the decisions he made as editor of American Heritage.

Furthermore, although Josephy is proud of his New Deal liberalism, he pulls punches when describing the political personalities of his era. For instance, he describes Harry Bridges as "a tough Australian-born dockworker" and Howard Fast as a "successful author honored for his writings by the Soviet Union" without noting that both were Communists. In other words, early on the reader begins to suspect that Josephy's political views were either more naïve or a bit further to the left than he now cares to admit. Also depressing is his glorification of all things Indian, including Native American superstition--as if rattles and medicine bundles were privileged in a way that the mumbo jumbo of Mexican Catholic priests was not.

Josephy worked at Time magazine a few years after Whittaker Chambers, the nemesis of Alger Hiss, had resigned. Josephy's family was nurturing, Chambers' dysfunctional. Josephy's autobiography is nicely structured, Chambers' Witness (1952), misshapen and overlong. Nevertheless, in Chambers' autobiography we encounter a soul, here only the persona of a facile writer lucky enough to have chosen a topic popular in his own age.

Mr. Josephy is 84 years old but this personal account of his "walk", which takes him from the sidewalks of NYC to the mountains of Oregon, from the nineteens to the nineties, is more contemporary and intriguing than any of the more high profile accounts of the 20th century recently published.

I'm a big fan of the author's, having read his books about the American Indians (Josephy does not call them "Native Americans") and their struggles. An Indian friend of mine credits him -- by exposing their plight through the articles he wrote in the 1950's and 1960's in Life and Time magazines -- as being the individual most influential in changing the perception of the Indian in this country.

But the book is about much more than that. Like an intellectual Forrest Gump, Josephy witnessed and participated in much of America's history this century. He begins as a kid on the west side of NYC, goes to Harvard briefly then leaves because of the depression. Gets a job in the 30's as a screenwriter at MGM and as he travels by bus to California, he witnesses the exodus of the dust bowl families and becomes committed to helping the less fortunate of this country. And he does.

He works as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, radio, the Marine Corps; interviews Trotsky, tapes the invasion of Guam as a WW2 Marine sergeant war correspondent as the enemy is firing on him...and receives a bronze star, fights for Indian recognition and rights, helps change the U.S. environmental policies, works for JFK, marches with Martin Luther King...

His is such a fascinating account that it makes history personal and alive. We should all read this not only for the facts of our past, but also for the example Mr. Josephy has set. The "lesson" that much can be accomplished by one person with courage who cares would be well learned by schoolchildren and adults of all ages. I recommend this book to each of them.

There have been several 20th century retrospectives published recently by high profile authors, but none as fascinating as "A Walk Toward Oregon" by Alvin Josephy. Here's a book written by a man that has "walked the walk" from NYC to the west coast -- from the early part of the 20th century to present day -- with stops in Mexico and the WW 2 Pacific along the way.

Mr. Josephy's personal account and participation in some of the most significant events of the 20th century reads like a novel, yet informs like no history book I've ever read. His account of the streets of NYC as a kid in the early 1900's; trying to find a job during the depression (he did...selling stamps in Macy's); interviewing Trotsky as a young reporter; taping the invasion of Guam as a Marine sergeant; writing for Time and Life about the American Indians and changing the public's perception of their plight; serving with Kennedy; marching with MLK; and on and on. Yet it's easy to read and fascinating.

I think "A Walk Toward Oregon" should be at the top of reading lists for schools and book groups. I enthusiastically recommend it!

William Sullivan, the author of this guide book, is reputed to be a fifth generation Oregonian who grew to love the Oregon coast as a child spending time in the family cabin in Lincoln City. As a fourth-generation Oregonian and veteran of numerous day trips and camping trips as a child and adult to the Oregon coast, I have found the book to be a great guide and an eye-opener to places and trails that for years I had driven by without noticing or stopping.

I live in Salem, Oregon and for the last few years I have carried this book in the trunk of my car. I try to get to at least one new place or hike out of the book every time I go to the coast (i.e. the 'shore', for you east-coast types).

If you are stuck in Portland over a weekend on a business trip or planning a vacation in Oregon, this is the book to buy if you want to get off Highway 101 and see some of the spectacular sights on the Oregon coast.

The only shortcoming of the book is the lack of any color photographs.

This guide was great. It enabled me to plan for hikes, and had maps and all information needed to get to the places and take the hike without buying separate maps, etc. Good basic information on the hikes, what to expect, etc. My only complaint was that there was very little "subjective" information on how hikes compared with others, such as "This hike has the best views in the area", which would help decide which to do if you don't have alot of time.

Ancient Modocs Of California And Oregon is the culmination of author Carrol Howe's 45 years of dedicated exploration and research into the ancient inhabitants of North America. Howe's search for new discoveries finally led him to California and Southeast Oregon. Extensive black-and-white photographs, accompanied by detailed commentary reveal the treasures he found. Ancient Modocs Of California And Oregon is superbly written and presented, investigative and analytic book and highly recommended for Native American reading lists and reference collections, as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in North America's first human inhabitants.

This book continues to be popular, as evidenced by the fact that it has been reprinted a number of times. Although written in 1979, this work continues to have appeal. Part of that appeal, as I indicated in the title of this review, is the pictures. This book has a wealth of beautiful black-and-white photos of artifacts that constitute and invaluable reference for both archaeologists and the general public. This is a great resource.

Story's first guidebook in the 'Bicycling America's National Parks' series (California) is an excellent all-around cycling guide (and general guidebook) for the Golden State. It's concise, thorough, and balanced, presented in personable, witty language. He includes a variety of road and mountain bike routes for virtually every riding level. His lodging, shopping, and especially dining suggestions are first rate. It includes almost all the information a would-be tourist (as I was) needs for a bicycling trip to CA. Story also throws in some nice tidbits about natural and cultural history of each park, as well as description of fauna and flora (plants and animals), and worthwhile less-known attractions.

This guide from Story features most of the same attributes as his previous guide. He includes a variety of rides that highlight the nearly infinite geographical and ecological diversity of Oregon and Washington. Once again, he includes abundant, but concise information and recommendations related to lodging and related travel info, presented in personable language (though he's not as consisently funny). As before, he provides a nice natural and historical background, serving to not just describe, but introduce the reader to each park (or recreational area).

There is one minor shortcoming, relative to Story's National Parks/California book. That guide contained abundant supplemental information related to dining and other special attractions within or near each park. While this guidebook has some info. of that nature, it seems much more sparse. This might be because many trails in Oregon and Washington are in fairly rural areas far from any major (or even minor) population center. This considered, this guidebook still doesn't seem as complete as his California edition, which provided that reader with virtually everything we'd need to plan our trip. This isn't to say this guide is poor, it just doesn't quite match up to the standards of Story's previous guide. Once again, it would be helpful if Story included a general map of each park (this was the only minor problem I had with his CA edition).

Even if it doesn't quite measure up to Story's California guide, Oregon/Washington is still far superior to most other cycling guidebooks available (even allowing for it's uniqueness). It's an indespensible tool for anyone planning a cycling trip to or near the national parks/recreational areas of Oregon and Washington. It's a perfect starting point, though you might want to research the areas more before heading out.

I purchased this book after reading a glowing review of it from the San Francisco Chronicle. I'm very glad I purchased it. This latest addition to the Bicycling America's National Parks series is informative, helpful, and truly captures the ambience of the different national parks it covers. It's not just national parks, but national recreation areas, and national monuments too, and you really get a sense of where the great bicycling opportunities are in places that also have national-caliber scenery and attractions. After reading the book, I'm definitely planning on using it for a Hells Canyon National Recreation Area trip later this summer. The chapters on Crater Lake, Olympic National Park, and Mount Saint Helens totally appealed to me, cause I've been to those places and wondered about biking there. The author does a great job of showing that the myth that you can't ride offroad in national parks is just that-- a myth. (All the rides are legal, though some do take place just outside park boundaries.) The book presents everything you need to know in a clear, often funny way. The pictures are great too. That's about all I ask from a guidebook.

Remarkable for almost entirely ignoring the ongoing war, focusing instead almost exclusively on local doings (from Westport to Grayland). Her gently self-deprecating accounts of her various Victory Garden fiascos are alone worth the price of the book. I spent my childhood in Aberdeen in the '50s (from 5 to 13) and may even have met Kathy Hogan (her face, in the one picture in the book that shows it, is hauntingly familiar).

If you are a Grays Harborite of past or present and have an interest in World War II, this is definitely a book for you. The book also has some fascinating revelations about the curious interactions that occur when military culture collides with civilian culture. Though happily there was no foreign occupation as such, our Pacific beaches were taken over by the gentle and the wild - a crazy assortment of young men from all across the U.S.A. As the author poignantly observes, many were indulging in what simple pleasures remained before going off to war and possible oblivion.

Kathy Hogan was an extraordinarily talented woman and her gift for writing as revealed in "The Kitchen Critic" suggests she could have done great things. She balances a city-bred sophistication with a storytelling talent honed by a keen ear for dialog and an eagle eye for local color which, for those who know the Harbor, is basic gray. (But what a splendid gray it is!) Cohassett Beach Chronicles is truly an endearing collection of homefront yarns, whether about rationing, billeting troops or topics as perennial as weather and wildlife.

But despite her intellect and breeding, Hogan was not a woman ahead of her time. She is at her best when writing about the funny folks in the neighborhood and their uniformed guests. She can be forgiven for her mumblings about Eleanor Roosevelt's activism (which echo many of the criticisms towards Hillary Clinton), but it is embarrassing to read her racist ramblings about Japanese and Japanese-Americans. She shows us the pervasiveness of hatred and ignorance of Japan at that time, even among those citizens you'd think would have known better. Granted, few readers of the Grays Harbor Post who had boys fighting in the South Pacific could be bothered with the notion that Japan has a highly developed civilization, but it is a fact and a plain fact at that. Only writers with true pluck would have acknowledged it in those days.

The editors provide the reader with a marginal chronology for each month of the war. Occasionally Hogan's racism is parroted even here, though I want to think this is more a sin of carelessness than design. For example, the entry for November 1942 reads: "U.S. air force bombs Japs daily on Aleutian Kiska." Many will agree that "Jap" these days is a racial epithet regardless of how conveniently short it might be. "Japanese" is the term to use now. I am an ex-Harborite and have been living in Japan for almost 20 years now. There is a great deal of affection for things American here and I have spent the happiest years of life in this country. The war is long over. In this borderless age the thoughtless use of "Jap" is more inappropriate than ever.

My other beef with this book is that photos don't have captions (and photo acknowledgements at the back of the book aren't all that helpful). Yes, some of the pictures are pretty obvious and require no explanation. And yes, a picture may be worth a thousand words. But Hogan wrote for a newspaper, after all. When have newspaper photos not had captions?

But these are minor complaints. Despite the one problem with the chronologies, the editors did well by providing them. A useful glossary is also included which tells the book's reader what few of Hogan's original newspaper readers needed to have explained - such as who Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink was (an opera singer who was "a mountain of a woman," says the glossary). The fine illustrations by Lucy Hart render the essence of Grays Harbor flora and fauna and put a lump in this expatriate's throat.

All in all, this is a fun read - and an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of the Pacific Northwest, particularly where that history coincides with one long and bloody nightmare that consumed the world six short decades ago.

This is a lovely story about good people in a horrible situation. Jean is very real, she grows slowly into a kind, mature woman. Tom is incredible. The book has a very deep message about prejudice and responsibility for your own actions.

I enjoyed this book very much. I found it by accident at an outlet mall on a discount counter. The book was so good I came on line as soon as I finished it to find the next one in the series. I can't wait to find out why life has in store for Tom and Jean! I hope the next book will be available soon.

DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT is a rare ethnic romance between an Asianhero and Caucasian heroine. For this I applaud Mrs. Larsen and ThomasNelson Publishers. The story is a unique romance showing how love can prevail over prejudice and bigotry. It is nice to see someone writing the stories I would like to read as well as giving me the hope of a market for my personal Japanese romances. Thank you, Mrs. Larson, I enjoyed reading your novel.

"Don't Call Me Rosie" is very inspiring! These women and men are terrific role models and proud Americans. I gained a greater appreciation of my father's war experience after reading this book. Everyday people who made a difference!

This was truly a different view on life in a world at war. Women and men building ships to defend our country and the type of people that applied to do the job. Truly an interesting and enlightened viewpoint to a time period I did not know. My father served on one of those ships that were built and I would like to thank the women who carefully built the ships and the way they suffered through cold and nasty weather and long days to make sure they were top notch. Thank you.

An Oregonian for over 50 years, I've of course been marginally aware of Chinese cultural influence in the state--who hasn't been to Chinatown in Portland? However, until I read this book, I had no idea what a tremendous contribution has been made by the Chinese to the basic fabric of our agricultural economic success. Dreams of the West provides a fascinating close look at those contributions which started in the mid-1800's.

Did you know that CHINESE immigrants were responsible for clearing 2/3 of Oregon farmland that has been the basis of our strong agricultural presence? Did you know there were huge Chinese labor forces in the salmon canning industry and that there were Chinese gold miners?

These and many other contributions of the Chinese to the cultural and economic fabric of Oregon are detailed in this wonderful account of words and pictures.

Katherine Lawrence

An excellent introduction to the Chinese immigrants that became part of Oregon and how they persevered.

I've read this book at least 3 times over the last 30 years. I highly recommend it to all who love historical novels. The writer did extensive research on Oregon History and integrates it very well in this fiction. In this story, Kitty, who thinks she is sophisticated and mature at barely 20, but in truth, spoiled by a soft life on a southern plantation, sets out to join her fiance in Oregon Territory. She is a fish out of water, stubbornly trying to remain unchanged in a country that is constantly changing. Ultimately, we see her grow and mature in to a strong pioneer who falls in love with the country she so hated when she first arrived. I couldn't put this book down! Kudos to the author.

A must read every coffee table kind of book, once I picked it up it was hard to set it down.