Colorado Books

Life in Peking (Beijing) China before World War II was the ultimate big frog in a small pond experience for Europeans and Americans. Persons of modest means and position, such as Marine Captain John Letcher, could live like pashas on a modest salary. Moreover, Peking had fabulous art, architecture, food, and a glorious culture to enjoy.

Life was not nearly so good for the Chinese and that was why Letcher was there. He was a member of a US Marine Corps contingent with the mission of protecting foreigners and property. The Chinese had the disconcerting habit of rising up occasionally and killing the Westerners enjoying their bounty. Captain Letcher's tour in Peking was made memorable by the beginning of World War II when Japanese and Chinese troops clashed at Marco Polo Bridge, just outside Peking. What is perhaps most remarkable is how little the war between China and Japan disrupted the good life of the foreigners inside the walls of Peking although there is a sense of gathering doom in Letcher's account.

This book consists of Letcher's letters and diary entries from 1936 to 1939. A lengthy introduction, a few photos and maps, extensive footnotes, and a bibliography supplement the text. Letcher has no startling insights or wisdom to impart, but his stories of daily life conjure up life in Peking pretty well and his eye-witness observations of the war are interesting. "Goodbye Old Peking" is a well done book of interest to scholars and those of us who are fascinated by old time China and the Westerners who lived there.

Smallchief

Mr. Letcher's letters were written in a style that gives the reader a "visual" description of pre World War II China. Although some of his opinions may not be politically correct by todays standards, I think he honestly expresses his feelings of the people and surroundings at the time. Some of his predictions regarding the upcoming war are almost right on--however his prediction that California would eventually be captured by the Japanese happily did not come true. Regardless of Mr. Letcher's personal opinions, his letters are well written and gives the reader the feeling of being there. A good story. The editors did a great job of keeping the story on track, and the footnote information was very informative (Their references led me to several other publications which I subsequently read). The copy I read was from the public library. I plan to buy the book for my collection in the near future.

Despite statements to the contrary, this book is not out of print. It is still available. Publisher ships within 24 hours.

The majority of this collection is from the Southwest or Mexico but interestingly there are similar pieces from less expected places e.g. Eastern US, central Europe, the Philippines. A significant number of the pieces are pictured. The text mixes technical information about the art pieces with information about how they came into the collection. The art itself ranges from primitive to superb folk art - executed in a variety of media. Among the pieces that catch my attention is a crucifix with an angel at Jesus' side and the retablo of Our Lady of Refuge.

This is an excellent volume for those interested in folk devotional art or Mexican / Southwestern art.

This book is great and i love the recipes that the auother has put in the book it has helped alot with how we cook . I was really impressed with the book . I think rockey mountain gourmet is one of the best and most specific on how to start a gourmet group that i have found i recomend this book to anyone that is even thinking about starting a group because this book will defently help you the best .

Rocky Mountain Gourmet was a fabulous book and I would reccomend it to anyone who is thinking about and or starting their own gourmet group! After reading this book I was determined to start my own group and now I have a very succesfull gourmet group thanks to Rand A. Christenson!

A challenging hike in Colorado becomes a journey through Colorado history and a personal journey of self-discovery. Funny and insightful, Hood brings the reader along on an adventure that changes the writer and changes the reader in surprising ways. This is a fascinating book that I read in one sitting and felt entertained, emotionally touched, enlightened and wanting more at the end. I am going to reread it and then look forward to his next book.

In this book, Searching For a Perfect State of Colorado, published by Buu Press, Bill backpacks 100 miles in the Weminuche Wilderness on top of the continental divide all by himself. You'll experience his physical, mental, and spiritual experiences. His hiking events here and life events are intertwined and related to fascinating history in Colorado, some including Baby Doe and Horace Tabor, the last known grizzly bear, John Denver, Silverado, Columbine H.S., Alfred Packer, Mesa Verde, San Juan Valley unidentified flying objects, Chief Ouray and more. The book is comical and sometimes controversial. It is an entertaining book with interesting history; perfect if you've lived in Colorado or plan on vacationing there.

Seven Perfect Days In Northern California: A Guided Driving Tour is expertly written by the husband and wife team of Bill and Celia Ginnodo. Unlike typical travel guides which just list attractions and phone numbers, the Ginnodo's book is organized into a complete seven day itinerary. Nothing is left to chance in Seven Perfect Days as readers are provided all of the information they could possibly need for their trip. On page 126 Bill and Celia even teach the basics of wine tasting!

Seven Perfect Days is complete with information about the best places to see, stay, and eat. The seven days in the book start in San Francisco and meander across the countryside, finally ending in wine country on day seven. An alternate 4 day tour is provided for those who have less time. For someone who wants to do the entire seven days, boundless energy will be needed as the Ginnodo's itinerary does not contain much downtime. With all of the little extras described, one could easily spend a leisurely two weeks exploring all of the attractions the Ginnodo's list.

Seven Perfect Days In Northern California: A Guided Driving Tour serves as the ultimate companion guide for people on an active vacation in Northern California. People who love to RV will probably find this book to be the most useful Northern California travel guide on the market.

Simply stated, Northern California is a tourist paradise of places to see and things to do. It is because there is so much that the towns, valleys, mountains, and waterways of Northern California have to offer that the husband and wife team of Bill and Celia Ginnodo have written "Seven Perfect Days In Northern California: A Guided Driving Tour", a deftly organized, professionally presented, and thoroughly 'user friendly' compendium of information about attractions, accommodations, restaurants, campgrounds, tours, visitor centers, weather, history, geography, and everything else necessary to construct a week long vacation itinerary. Enhanced at the beginning with a section of full color photographs showcasing 'not-to-be-missed' experiences, "Seven Perfect Days In Northern California" is enhanced with the inclusion of maps, thematically appropriate websites, a bibliography of selected readings, advice on what to wear and what to bring along, as well as tips about road trip health and safety issues. Of special note is the section devoted to the issue of having children along for the trip. If you are planning an excursion, start planning for your trip by acquiring a copy of Bill and Celia Ginnodo's superb travel guide, "Seven Perfect Days In Northern California". Also very highly recommended is their earlier travel guide, "Seven Perfect Days In Colorado: A Guided Driving Tour".

An well-written true story compiled from diary entries and other personal narrative writings of a woman born around the turn of the century. She chose to stay ina beautiful but remote area of Colorado on a piece of property that she and her husband had homesteaded, even after his untimely death. Very simply and eloquently written, very philosophical. She was alone but not lonely, she enjoyed the magnificent beauty of nature and chose to be content. I want to read it again!

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This is a wonderful story of a young lady born in Texas, and settled in the elk river valley with her husband.The story gives you a impression of the hard life to survive as only woman in this area running a farm.

Are you looking to squelch the UFO-doubters once and for all? Need conclusive data to support your extraterrestrial viewpoint? Well, here's a book that might help. Join the cast of Silverville characters as they sort out a bizarre, glowing turn-of events. Silverville Swindle is a clever novel about the wacky life we encounter. A pleasure from cover to cover.

Reminiscent of Christopher Moore and Carl Hiaasen, the authors have created a setting and cast of characters that are funny, wacky, and loveable. The remote mountain community of Silverville, Colorado wants to find its niche and promote economic development like many rural communities. When a local resident thinks he encounters a UFO, local community promoters create a UFO theme park and hire a so-called UFO expert to help promote the town. This effort creates hilarious scenarios that make the citizens of Silverville wonder if unbridled town promotion is worth the results. Silverville Swindle is a page-tuning, fun read even if you don't believe in UFOs!

Rick Skwiot's novels, Flesh and Sleeping With Pancho Villa, are like a fine pair of custom-made Mexican boots, crafted by hand in the good old way, with love and expertise and an eye for the important detail. You will get a lot of flash and wear from these babies and every step will surprise and comfort you as you make your way along the camino real.

The small Mexican town this novel is set in is virtually the main character. The author has captured the sense of the country in a way that makes me want to go back and appreciate the people better than I have as a tourist in the past.

The murder mystery is a backdrop to the characters and setting, and kept me turning the pages. But what I remember best are the people and places. I'd like to hang out with them in the kind of town I would have driven through without noticing before. Skwiot creates a vivid world, draws you into it, and makes you want to stay.

I have just about every wildflower book on Colorado that has ever been written, and this is one of my favorites. The author did an exemplary job of researching the facts, including good photos, and fitting it all into a manageable sized book. Because it also includes wildlife, I keep it in the console of my vehicle, a handy identification guide to most everything, particularly birds. It is specific to the Aspen area, but the info applies to most of the high valleys of the state.

From photographs to descriptions to layout, Janis Huggins' book is a work of art. It details the flora and fauna of Colorado's high mountains with such detail, clarity, and beauty that it received the 2005 Colorado Book Award for Non-fiction. This book would make a very thoughtful gift for someone you know loves the mountains of Colorado -- or it will bring about that love.

I own a lot of summer and winter trail guides, and this is one of the best. It's quality and quantity, with dozens of trails all over the state, and also tours, races and even a few tips on cool places to eat and stay. It has maps showing the trailhead locations, but I wish it had topos too. Oh well, you can't have everything--and topos are the only thing missing here.

I picked up this book at the local library, and now I plan to buy it. Claire really knows her topic! My only quibble with the book (2nd edition) is that in a few places she didn't delete information from the 1st edition, but merely superimposed a black box saying "trail closed" or "this restaurant is now closed". This is somewhat bizarre, and might be an editing/production error. In any case, this is a valuable guide that I want on my bookshelf!