Water Sports Books

Well written...easy read for an instruction book. MUCH better than "Sailing for Dummies", for $1.00 more. Nice color plates and diagrams.

With not a lot nautical mumbo-jumbo to tie your brain in a reef knot, Sleight's book is terrific!

There is perhaps nothing as exhilarating as sitting out on a the side of a boat and feeling the power of the wind trying to tip your boat over. To top it all off, I've done this when a storm was approaching fast. Feeling the wind just take your boat and fly it to the shore is great fun, but a few times I wasn't sure I'd make it there without tipping over.

I like small boats where you risk getting your head knocked off by a flying boom, wack. It is such an adventure trying to keep the boat upright and a boom can surely get your attention fast. You soon learn the art of jibing.

Sailing is really an art, and after one class in college and days of sailing many a catamaran in sunny Florida, I am still learning the basics. I love catamarans and there is a special section in this book. Plus, if they tip, they don't sink! Ha... Although, getting them upright again and getting everyone back onboard can be a challenge. I speak from the experience of the adventurous in my younger days.

While a book will teach you the terminology, take a class!!!

Ok, this book will give you the basics on how to sail everything from a dinghy to an offshore cruiser. It will help you know how to choose the type of sailing that is right for you. It might also dispel some fears about handling a boat in a tight situation. Did I mention wearing a life jacket? Ok. There is also a special section about using the liferaft.

So, what is the info:

Getting Started - Your first taste of freedom.

Learning the Basics - How to hoist sails and start and stop. How to steer, turn, tack, jibe.

Improving Small Boat Skills - Weather Basics, tides, mooring, anchoring, working with the wind, sailing in strong winds (fun but dangerous, you have been warned), sailing dinghies, catamarans and keelboats, racing.

Cruiser Sailing Skills - Moving up to larger boats, power, large sails, small sails, passage plans, night, rough weather, fog!

Finding Your Way - Navigation, chart Information, Buoys, electronic charts, compass reading, navigation instruments, heights of the tide, depth sounder, landfall, tidal currents and more. Not for the faint of heart.

Looking After Boat and Crew - Running a happy ship, sailing with children, man overboard, first aid, propeller problems, hull damage, rig damage, fire fighting, distress signals, abandoning ship.

In the Appendices: Ropes and knots, sailing on the web (similar to surfing), a glossary and nice index to help you plot your course through this book.

Sailing is so wonderful. There are great ideas, like how to learn to sail on a vacation, which sounds good to me.

Life is way too short...

~TheRebeccaReview.com

There's lots of information here for not too many dollars. KISS Guide to Sailing is a much bigger, heavier book than you'd expect from a simple sailing primer and it offers a lot more information than I thought it would. Along with the usual dinghy stuff the book covers a whole range of topics that make it pertinent to the moderately experienced harbour sailor as well as the beginner. I've been sailing small keelboats single-handed on Sydney Harbour for about 15 years and it was KISS that finally encouraged me to haul my spinnaker out for the first time. If you're a first timer or need a refresher course, this book is well worth the money.

I am new to sailing, have taken the CYA basic sailing course. This book was an enjoyable read during this long cold winter. Unlike some other sailing books I have read, I found this one easy to sit and read for an afternoon. It covers a lot of detail but keeps it light. Experienced sailors may find it overly simplified, there will be nothing new here for you. For those of us just getting into the sport, or who simply want to enjoy some armchair sailing I would hightly recommend it.

I grew up in Nebraska and return to the Sandhills whenever I can. Unlike nearly every other part of the US, this area is not crossed by an interstate highway, and the resulting isolation allows you to feel a little of the vast distances that used to be the West. To experience these rolling hills of grass, with not a tree in sight, especially in stormy weather, is to feel yourself totally absorbed in a great sweep of landscape - a living carpet of flora and mostly unseen fauna. Jones' book does much to recreate that experience in words. And he deepens the experience with his knowledge of geology and history, explaining how the Sandhills came into existence and in more recent times became peopled by the Plains Indians, cattle ranchers, and homesteaders.

Jones is especially knowledgeable about the birds that inhabit the Sandhills - noting those that are long-time residents and those that have been introduced over time with the changing ecology. It is amazing, as I have heard it myself, to hear a chorus of birds from every direction, all hidden by the grass and not a tree in sight. He also provides an accounting of the white-tail deer and pronghorn that range across this land, undeterred by barb wire fences. His stories of the Indians, the Pawnee, Lakota, Cheyenne, and Ponca are respectful and poignant. He also takes time to visit the grave of writer Mari Sandoz and to describe her life as the daughter of a Panhandle homesteader. This is a fine collection of essays for anyone who enjoys good nature writing. Readers may also enjoy Ian Frazier's "Great Plains."

When I read this for the first time, I said "I've read this before....". Then I realized it's very much in the style of William Least Heat Moon. Good for laying on a hill, watching the clouds, listening to the birds and animals.... and that's just what the book is!

Mr. Jone's admiration, appreciation and concern for this very special ecosystem shines through this lovely book. In it, he intertwines Native American myth, Plains history and well researched scientific data into a cohesive and readable overview of the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Through his eyes, we visit and experience a landscape of beauty, solitute, history and rich wildlife. It is, in turns, thought provoking, humourous, enlightening, yet never preachy. Steve is most respectful of the current private owners of these lands, and integrates their ongoing stewardship into well reasoned suggestions to insure the long-term integrity of this fecund habitat for posterity.

Stephen Jones notes in the book that the Sand Hills of Nebraska make up one of the few "dark spots" on those wall posters featuring a satellite view of the United States at night. It is, truly, a wide open space, and he does the landscape great justice with his evident love for the land, its wildlife, its people and history.

For those who think Nebraska is simply home to a football team and endless acres of corn, "The Last Prairie" should open some eyes.

Jones is a prose poet. He makes the Sand Hills live and breathe right there on the page. An excellent, deeply-felt homage to one of America's little-known (thankfully?)great natural treasures.

The Last Prairie: A Sandhills Journal is an astonishing blend of nature, myth, and love of the land--richly textured with wry wit and something very close to wisdom. It's so deeply rooted in love and its own particular landscape that it transcends locality and becomes universal. In other words, it's a classic, akin to Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Writing, details, and a sensibility to treasure.

I am not much of a paddler myself. But I am enough of a paddler to fully appreciate the dimension of some of the stories told in this book. There are some great kayaking adventures to be found, and they are told in a way that made it clear to me that Doug Ammons is completely aware of the depth and the profound nature of the experiences. This becomes all the more apparent in those lighter, somewhat fictional stories about those whose view of their sport is maybe not as grounded as Doug's.
What impressed me most about this book, though, were not the big epics and near death experiences also found in this book, but the understanding that all this outstanding paddling is embedded in a very full life as a father of five, as a son, a friend, as a professional. It became apparent to me that Doug's paddeling achievements cannot be viewed without all the other activities in his life, as well as his life as it shines through the pages isn't complete without the paddeling. In this, he is an inspiration to me, and I am genuinely thankful for this book.
And if that were not enough, there are some poetic gems hidden in this book as well, like the story that gave this book it's title, and my personal favorite, the simple description of floating soap bubbles into the misty dawn air along a river. Moments like these are what keeps us returning to the river again and again.

While a lot of other paddler's have been out courting sponsorship dollars with daring and sometimes shameful river stunts; another group of paddler's have been quietly running some of the most difficult and remote rivers on the planet. Although I don't know for sure, it's my best guess that most of the members of this loosely defined group live within a days drive of Stanley, Idaho. Very likely, their old beat-up fiberglass Holoforms, Mustangs, or Class VI kayaks hang in their garages or sheds...... testaments of their more than three decades of paddling together. They've made up no catchy name for themselves and carry on without hype, pretense, or the need for attention. Author Doug Ammons is a long time member of this elite group of friends and he has put together 22 stories that comprise; The Laugh Of The Water Nymph.

My take on the book is that it is refreshingly entertaining... adventure writing at it's best. However, I believe librarians or booksellers are going to have difficult time deciding upon which shelf The Laugh of the Water Nymph belongs. Although it is a collection of stories that will appeal to anyone with an affinity for white-water, it just wouldn't seem right to place it in the "adventure travel" section. Moving water is clearly a metaphor for Doug and his observations oblige the reader to look inward and assess themselves. As such, it could easily be shelved in the philosophy section or even alongside books relating to spiritual growth or psychology. No doubt, some readers who are paddler's will regard The Laugh Of The Water Nymph as a guidebook of sorts for the description, or preview, of the remote and difficult river on their "intend to run" list.

What I liked most about this book is Doug's ability to shift perspective.......In some passages of the book it's obvious Doug's narrative is rooted in the fact that his neoprene covered feet are firmly on the bedrock that embodies the river. In others; he's in his boat...gripped.... giving us that adrenaline charged, wide-eyed, white-knuckled, and tunnel-visioned perspective of what lies immediately downstream. And in other sections you'll find Doug philosophizing about the illusion of control....both on the water and in our day to day lives.....with only a half lung-ful of air remaining and hull presented skyward amidst churning rocky water. From these and other creative angles; Doug takes on a wide range of issues....wilderness ethics, ecology, river management, and the cycle of living, being, and dying. Subjects that are at the essence of paddling and that make his book difficult to catagorize. As for my wrinkled and worn copy; it's on my nightstand. --

It's a shame there are no pictures; as the pictures in this book tell so much. I discovered that Patagonia used the cover picture to advertise there products, the pictures are that good.
This is a book about extremes; and the beauty of the world and the music of the river. One mans attempts to conquer that which most would never even think of attempting to conquer.
This is the entertainment of a smart, hardworking man that needs to push the limits. Stories told take on a life of their own and see the events that happen in unexpected and entertaining ways.

In this collection of short stories, Doug Ammons takes the reader through his twenty years on the forefront of expedition paddling. If you are not familiar with him, Doug began paddling in the early 80s with many of the early big water paddling legends, like Rob Lesser and Bob McDougal. He has since pioneered a number of big descents, including the first self-supported descent and a solo descent of the Grand Canyon of the Stikine in British Columbia.

The book is a series of short stories that begins with his days as a new kayaker learning the ropes from those he looked up to, and ending with the year of his last big expedition, the Triple Crown. In between, there's some great fiction, giving Ammons a chance to have some fun and comment on the state of the sport in general.

The stories in this book come together very nicely in this layout, complete with a corresponding set of color photos from his experiences. Rather than feeling like a set of unrelated stories, this feels like one flowing narrative of a man's experiences with the sport.

Anyone who knows Doug would agree that he is a complex individual, and that sense certainly comes through in his stories. He displays a unique ability to write about the whitewater experience, describing in great detail the feeling of dropping into a huge rapid, or the satisfaction of paddling out of a deep, dark canyon.

This is more than just a hair-raising, thrill-ride kayaking story, though. It's a thoughtful examination of the sport and the people who are involved with it. If you are involved in adventure sports long enough, you realize it's not just about the adrenaline and the excitement, but it also has a lot to do with friendship, camaraderie and accomplishment. This book is a reminder of what makes kayaking more than just a weekend hobby and why it is so meaningful to so many of us.

Doug Ammons' book, The Laugh of the Water Nymph, is anything but the usual adventure narrative. It is a collection of good stories, well-written, often hilarious, sometimes touching, always fun to read. As might be expected, many are narratives drawn from his experiences in the 1980s and `90s on the far edge of kayaking in such places as Agua Azul in Yucatan and the Stikine Canyon in British Columbia. Mixed among the adventure accounts are essays and some fiction. Although the focus is kayaking, Ammons shows awareness throughout that there is more to life than paddling down steep mountain canyons in small boats, fun though that may be.

Ammons' account of being busted running the forbidden Yellowstone Canyon is a farcical tale about the collision of exuberant kayakers with intransigent bureaucrats. It has a posse of a dozen or more rangers pursuing rogue kayakers through the canyon on foot and by helicopter. The good guys win in this tale, more or less, but Ammons recognizes that the bad guys are not totally bad either, just doing their job with logic that's hard to follow. It reminded me, though, of why many people prefer to avoid the national parks.

"Revenge of the Killer Radical Extremes" is another very funny piece satirizing the cult and culture of extreme sports. It called to mind some of the stories by Donald Barthelme and others that I used to enjoy in the New Yorker, back when the New Yorker published things that actually made me laugh out loud (a long time ago, but that's another story).

Interspersed among the adventure narratives appear stories about people like Nara, the Nepalese porter, and Ammon's friend John Foss who died on a river in Peru. These well-drawn portraits give the book some balance. They help distance the reader from a simple chase after fun and adventure. Ammons' yearlong diary recounting the death of his father is a touching but balanced piece about things that matter, to use Ammons' phrase.

The low point of the book is a piece that ridicules the commercialization of whitewater kayaking and mourns the loss or dilution of the true and genuine. The store manager and salespeople in this story may deserve some ridicule, most people do, but in the end the story comes off as both uncharitable and unrealistic. If we want good stuff, somebody has to sell it. It is hard to reconcile the harsh view of this story with the very humane, balanced tone Ammons strikes elsewhere in this book.

That small criticism aside, Laugh of the Water Nymph is a wonderful book. Whether you fancy yourself flying down some impossible pitch upon the medium of your choice or prefer your adventures on the couch in front of the tube, it's a good read. I liked it, and I think others will too.

Bill Mason and son Paul really get down to basics in canoe and paddling technique in this revised soft-cover paddling manual. This book is geared to those who want to learn everything there is about flat-water and white-water travelling. It's the most definitive guidebook on the market.

This is an almost perfect book - Bill Mason's love of the craft shines through homey but well-written prose, while his descriptions of canoe technique and rivercraft are generally clear and easy to follow. He obviously writes from a wealth of experience, which translates into solid advice without becoming needlessly dogmatic. As a technique book, I much prefer this to Jacobson's series of canoe texts (although those are reasonable in their own right); I especially appreciated his series of river scenarios and discussions of how to handle them.

I would really liked to have rated this 5-stars. However, the production could have been much improved. The b/w pictures accompanying the text are often poorly reproduced, with insufficient greyscale to allow them to be clearly interpretted. Additionally, a bit more editting might have spotted some inconsistent terms as well as other undefined terms. But all in all, this is one of my favorite canoe books. It certainly should have a place on the shelf of every serious paddler.

Path of the Paddle provides more than an instructional text, it introduces the reader to the art of canoeing. Mason infuses the practicality of the subject with a respectful dose of philosophic underpinnings that anyone who has ever slid a canoe onto the water's surface and experienced the joyful dance of boat, paddle and water will appreciate. There are many "how to" canoe books, covering the basic stokes and safety concerns, but this book conveys that information in a form that demonstrates the author's love for his craft.
If you want to become a canoeist, not only do I recommend this book, I recommend finding and getting the video of the same title.

Best canoeing book on the market. Not only is it a great how to guide on canoe handling, it is an excellent read for those long winter nights for the canoe enthusiast. The book imparts Bill Mason's love of the canoe. Written by a true legend in canoeing and wilderness film making.

I own both "Path of the Paddle" and "Song of the Paddle". These are the best books I have seen on canoeing, written by one of the best canoeists ever. They cover all facets of the canoe and how to use them properly. The "step-by-step" photos and the diagrams help teach proper techniques and the text is both informative and entertaining without becoming confusing or boring. Bill Mason and his son Paul have done a splendid piece of work and these books are a cherished addition to my personal library.

Jerry Dennis' A PLACE ON THE WATER is a quiet treasure of memories early and late. The writing is spare and pristine. Good essay requires truth and no rush to judgment, a healthy restraint from embellishment and, above all, brevity. Dennis succeeds on all fronts. Like a diamond among rubies, the piece entitled "Brook Trout in Traver Country" stands out as an enduring portrayal of time, place, and one truly unforgettable character. Though from Illinois, I have fished and paddled the waters of Michigan for over twenty years now, and as Jerry Dennis suggests, it would take more than one puny life to really know any one piece of it. Think of this book as an elegant, almost hushed, primer on that road. I would like to meet this Mr. Dennis.

My father-in-law lent me his copy knowing that I enjoy both a good read and a day on the water. I really enjoyed Mr. Dennis' home-spun stories which described his love of the outdoors from childhood through adulthood. I also enjoyed the beautiful illustrations. Living and fishing in the upper midwest my whole life makes me feel right at home in the lakes and streams described in the book. I look forward to picking up one of Mr. Dennis' other books.

I think this is probably the best outdoor book I have ever read. Jerry Dennis has a way of making you laugh and realize how much the water means to you as an angler. Every angler should have a copy of this book in their library.

A Place on the Water: An Angler's Reflections on Home
My first review and this book deserves it. "A Place on the Water" belongs on the shelf of every outdoorsman, especially if you have fished the Midwest. Fully captures the joys of youth, family, friends, and the outdoors. The best of short story, outdoor writing.

This is the first book by Jerry Dennis that I have read, and I love it! I grew up in Michigan and have fished some of the same places mentioned in the book. He shares some very fasinating childhood tales. I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover. Enjoy!

This book is so cute. I was having trouble with my eight year old wanting to read. I got this book thinking it unique, and may capture her interest since we love to go to the beach and watch the surfers. She loves it! We had to buy them all. The illustrations are very cool.

Julie Mammano's book is entertaining and enjoyable. Her vivid (and detailed) illustrations alone would make the book worthwhile, but add in the portrayal of rhinos, and the piece is even better. It's perfect for a gift or for reading aloud--kids love it.

Rhinos who surf is a colorful, exciting adventure into the world of surfing. As a surfer myself, this author accuratly captures the lingo of the surfing world in a fun way. I keep buying more and more copies for mu surfing friends.

My kids like the book so much that they drew their own pictures of rhinos surfing. Best of all, they are bugging me to take them surfing with me.

The book is colorful, funny and teaches kids surfer slanguage in a fun way and at a fun pace.

k55@pacbell.net

I bought this book as sort of a joke, because it sounded so typically California sufer dude. And it is, but it is also awesome. Children love the colorful pictures and rhythmic language. Adults never get tired of reading it to the kids because it is so funny. This book now forms the centerpiece of my standard baby gift for new parents (along with a beach pail, swimsuit, or other appropriately aquatic-themed item). Everyone who's received one has told me they and their children love it.

Great book, but I just couldn't give it 5 stars like many others did. I reserve 5 stars for truly monumental works. In this rating system, if you rate The Lord of the Rings, Les Misrables, Great Expectations, and The Grapes of Wrath 5 stars, can you honestly count this work with them?

Stephen Harrigan has captured the most enjoyable account of his Diving adventures. I felt myself re-living the events and relating them to my own modest enoyable times spent in the Caribbean recently. Superbly written and hard to put down. Makes airplane flights disappear. Happily discovered we are in the same City too.

When people want to know what it's like to dive, I give them this book. Harrigan has captured the essence of scuba diving. He has nearly expressed the inexpressible.

I was in tears by the end of the first chapter-- I thought I was one of a FEW who feels more at home underwater than on the surface. I don't get to dive very often (family, etc.) but whenever I need to "dive", I pull out this book & I'm in Heaven. Harrigan's descriptions of not only what he sees but what feelings these visions invoke move me beyond words, as I think they would anyone who feels the ocean in their blood.

This is the best book about scuba diving I've ever read and should be read by anyone and everyone that is interested in scuba diving. It does a fabulous job of describing the great things about scuba diving without telling you what you already know. That said, it is also a great story and would probably be enjoyed by non-scuba divers. This is a great gift idea for a diving inclined loved one.

One warning... one of the reviewers recommended reading this to get your diving fix when you aren't going to be able to get underwater for a while; NOT TRUE. I found the exact opposite, this book only heightened my desire to go diving to near pathological levels!

If you've read this, I'd also recommend reading Neutral Buoyancy by Tim Ecott which is another good book about diving. It has more history and straight information than this book.

Of all the training books out there today, this is the only one i have seen that really speaks to the swimmer specifically! This is an invaluable resource for any swimmer or coach. I would recommend this to the novice swimmer or a pro. Two thumbs up!

I strongly recommend this book. I've been using it for just one month and I see the improvement in my swimming workouts!!

I found that this book increased my speed, strength, and endurance. Often times, by increasing strenght, swimmers lose efficiency in their strokes. I found that this book did a great job increasing stroke power, while reiterating the need to maintain stroke efficiency. A GREAT BUY!

Every swimmer knows that strength and conditioning is everything. The stronger and better conditioned you are, the better swimmer you will be. That's why i bought this book, and it did exactly that. It improves your strength, conditioning, stamina, and endurance, and reduces injuries too. The weight training programs in this book hit the nail right on the head for what I was looking for - a swimming specific workout.

This book is an excellent training guide for the swimmer at any level. I have been swimming for many years and after reading this book I have taken my skills to a higher level. I feel much stronger in the pool and my endurance has really increased. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone who loves to swim.

Over the years I've found Ruth's books to be beyond informative. She is a groundbreaker in her field and no healthcare provider should be without her reference material. Her discoveries in the field of fitness, health and healing are a "must know" for healthcare professionals.

Over the years I've found Ruth's books to be beyond informative. She is a groundbreaker in her field and no healthcare provider should be without her reference material. Her discoveries in the field of fitness, health and healing are a "must know" for healthcare professionals.

this book gives everyone from the novice to the aquatic veteran infromtaion. it is inclusive and it reminds you of things you should be doing.

This book helps, not only the professional fitness expert but also the everyday person who just wants help with their exercise program. Great job, Ruth.

This book is an excellent introductory resource for individuals working in an aquatic environment. While the text is geared toward Aquatic Fitness Professionals it contains fundamental information necessary for anyone working in the continuum of Aquatics to Aquatic Therapy. Although the information is basic, the book contains information often over-looked by clinicians unfamiliar with the water environment. It possesses the elements that transition a therapist from a land based practice to the world of immersion.

As a professional who lectures and writes about Aquatic Therapy, I often use this book as a reference. It is destined to become a standard book in the aquatics arena. Ruth Sova's style is knowledgeable and informed, yet pleasant and easy to read.

The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book For Kids by experienced fishing enthusiast Paul Amdahl is an excellent and "reader friendly" introduction to the sport of fishing for aspiring young anglers of all ages and backgrounds. Individual chapters address catching a variety of different fish, from catfish to bass and walleyes, as well as lures, fly fishing, bait fishing and much more. The Barefoot Fisherman is an enthusiastically recommended "how to" guide for preparing the neophyte fisherman on how to get them most out of their fishing trip!

I read this book for myself, then I passed it along to my nephew and he loved it. It is so well written and geared for the younger audience that you will find yourself wishing that you were of the age it was meant for.

Paul Amdahl's love for fishing is infectious and it is clear that he is of an easygoing and happy nature because it is so reflected in his writing.

I urge anyone with children who possess a desire to fish to have them first read "The Barefoot Fisherman" and then when your child is not looking, sneak a peek yourself. You will be glad you did!

This "how to" book targets young kids; however, even adults who read it learn new things.

My father and teenage son fish often. Though my son is still learning the basics, my father has spent his life fishing in every pond, lake, river, and body of water he could find. In fact, every year he teaches the kids at the local fairs how to tie flies and cast. yet even he learned one or two new tricks from this book. I kept yelling through the house, "Hey Dad! Did you know..." The instant I finished and set the book down, he picked it up and began.

Author Paul Amdahl wrote out all the basics of fishing, the equipment, and some very helpful tips in a simple, easy to follow, dialogue. If you are age eight or have never touched a fishing rod before, this book is for you! Excellent!

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

The Barefoot Fisherman: a fishing book for kids will take adults back to childhood days of ice cream trucks and lightning bugs. But, sorry friends, pleasant as the trip may be, this book is not for you. It's for your kids. The book explains the fundamentals of fishing as if the author were your older brother. Amdahl does not preach; he shares. The book reads like a pirate's treasure map as each chapter tugs the young reader deeper into the seaside caves of angling. The Barefoot Fisherman does not discuss entomology, advanced knots, or difficult casting techniques. Instead, it focuses on the aspects of fishing that kids love: raising earthworms, catching crawdads, making doughbait. Try to find a grownup book that considers tomato worms as bait. The author's contagious love of the sport and gentle humor will probably create many new fisherman. But even adult anglers will pick up some tricks and tips. The ideal plan is to buy this as a Christmas present for some youngster on your list, but give yourself time to read it before you wrap it.

I went fishing once when I was a kid, but I certainly did not know what I was doing. I caught a couple of fish, which we released, but had trouble getting the hooks out without really damaging the fish (yes, I have guilt over this; the reason for killing a fish would be to eat it). My kids have gone a couple of times with Granddad Nelson in the mountains of California and have all enjoyed success, but they were pretty much told where to stand and what to do and the only thing that mattered in the end was that my son was ticked that his younger sister caught the biggest fish (we have the photo to prove it). So we know virtually nothing about the art of fishing. Enter "The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book for Kids."

Books trying to teach kids how to do things are tricky, especially when it comes to providing the proper balance between breadth and depth. Paul Amdahl covers a lot of ground quickly and proficiently. The tone is authoritative without condescending into juvenile humor as a way of enticing readers. Clearly fishing is serious business, which is why "The Barefoot Fisherman" keeps the focus on what to do and why. If Amdahl is talking about equipment then that means reels, rods, and line; not only defining each but explaining when and why you would use each along with their strengths and weaknesses. There are photographs (B&W) throughout the book to illustrate key concepts and to show the young readers lots of different types of fish. Amdahl covers a bunch of different types of fish, focusing on where to find them and how to catch them (Just plan on getting your hands dirty).

There is also a key philosophy at work throughout "The Barefoot Fisherman." The main thing is that fishing is fun and that while catching fish does have an element of luck to it there are certain things you can do to make it more likely that you will be lucky. What Amdahl offers are not rules (i.e., no guarantees), but rather good, practical advice to help young readers to become young fishermen. At the end of the book he tells his readers to never step on wet rocks, be careful when you are by yourself, and to have fun. By the time neophyte fishermen get to that point they should feel pretty confident about going out and trying to catch some fish. Now, chances are that I am never going to do a whole lot of fishing in the future, mainly because this book does not talk about how to cut through the ice that covers out lakes this time of the year, but someday I might have some grandchildren that could benefit from taking this book down from my shelf. Hey, it could happen.