Oregon Books

The Horseless Rancher
Great book of modern day ranching feature articles. Fun to read, humorous and the stories are true to live of everyday ranch life in Eastern Oregon. Great follow-up book to Tails of the Countryside. Anyone who relates to ranching and farming will enjoy this book.

.......Debby Schoeningh is to life in the country. A second book with side-splitting stories about country life in Eastern Oregon, filled with amusing interactions about cows, four-wheelers, critters, cooking, dogs, kids, her husband Mike, life and morals of the story will keep you spell bound wondering what could possible happen next. And what you expect, isn't necessarily the rest of the story. It's another one of Schoeningh's books that you just won't want to put down until you have read it from cover to cover.

This book is an absolute must read for scientists and laymen interested in the peopling of North America. It contains up-to-date articles by the world's experts in ice age archeology and the complex conditions that lead to the early population of the Americas. The book is well illustrated and summarizes much of the most recent data available on this subject. The articles have been written clearly and concisely. If you are curious about the Paleo-Indians who first settled the Americas, how they got here, and why they came, then you must read this book. As a researcher interested in this subject, I find this book indispensible.

This book is written in a way that presents understandable language to the avocational archaeologist, or man on the street. An in depth look at the ages of north american artifacts, and thus man's presence on the landmass. Also covers the evolution of mammals in NA, the effects of the glacial ice retreat, what the land was like in post glacial north america. From Clovis, Folsom, Cody, Goshen, Plainview, Agate Basin, Hell Gap...to the chip artifacts from sites such as the Burham site, Meadowcroft Rockshelter, Dent site, etc. The dates for human occupation seem to be pushing further back. This book will reawaken the curiosity and interest of the reader, that it is a wonderful time to be alive and pondering these new finds and their implications! I thank the many authors who contributed their writing into this workhorse of a book.

People from other states should settle for something thin, like Scenic Driving Oregon, but for natives who are looking to explore deeper, who have wondered what's up that pigpath, this is the very best. Too bad he didn't do Eastern Oregon in the same manner.

Ralph Friedman hitchhiked his way to Oregon in 1933 as a 16-year-old. He spent the next six decades or so lovingly chronicling the unique people and places of his adopted state.

"In Search of Western Oregon" is really a culmination of his life's work. Yes, it's structured as a travel guide; but it's also much more. Friedman covers the well-known sites and history, but his clear emphasis is on the forgotten faces and places that are such an essential part of the Beaver State. Many of the photographs in this book are by Friedman's wife, Phoebe, his partner in both life and work.

Friedman's earlier "Oregon For The Curious," also still in print, offers a similar, but less comprehensive, treatment of both halves of the state. Separately, or together, they provide a unique overview of this diverse, beautiful, often still wild state, and the people who have attempted to find a life in harmony with it. It's wonderful for the armchair traveler and invaluable for anyone who has the desire and opportunity to travel off the beaten path.

Levida Hileman has done an exceptional job of painstakingly picking through the thousands of inscriptions left behind by the overland emigrants at the celebrated Oregon Trail landmarks of Independence Rock and Devil's Gate. Levida and her coworkers tallied over 2,000 names, and where historical documentation was available, brief notations of these individuals are included. As she points out, this book may also be used for some to trace genealogical ancestry.
Reviewer Dr. Lund notes on the book's back cover, "If you are a serious student of the western emigration, you will want this book." No argument there. Even to the novice of westward migration this is a wonderful look into the history, mystery, legends and emigrant experiences of this seemingly mythical, but certainly real place, along the Oregon Trail.
An insightful read.

This is a well-written and thorough resource for Independence Rock and the surrounding area. I found it facinating and helpful and would highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in the area. The authors have put an incredible amount of time and effort into listing all the known and readable writings in the area. You should get it before you go, rather than after you leave as I did. Your experience will be much greater if you look through the book first and take it with you.

James Lavadour's collection of Landscape pieces in this book are, well just tremendous, the finish of the paper complements the works upon it. I had never seen his work prior to coming across a series landscape at the Heard Museum in Phoenix,Arizona. It stopped me in my tracks, rather knocked the wind out of me so to speak. The light the expanse, the sanctity of The Land just grabs you by the throat in his pieces. The Book pretty much captures that in this collection as best as may be in the smaller scale of things.
Yeah I ought to read this book as well, and I will as well, as for the present i am still looking, and looking. Wow.

A long time ago in Pendleton, I saw James Lavadour drag boxes and boxes of REALLY crappy paintings into my high school class. Yet his face was alight with enthusiam for the work he was doing and I can see now that his vision was providing him with the momentum he needed to reach the point he has. He spoke of sitting in the foothills all day long painting. A couple years later I saw a painting of his, it was dark and mysterious and a tiny trickle of water in it appeared to actually move. I still long for that painting today. His work now is so luminous and beautiful that you find yourself transfixed and caught in the emotional content. I have always looked up to him as an artist, that this is what you can do with your talent if you are willing to work hard and seriously involve yourself with the subject.

This book was a great!!! great!!!read. I have never read any of J.D. Salinger's books. But, I will surely pick up one of his books now. The author's dream of meeting the author, the reason's for this search, the actual journey, the fulfillment, and events leading up to the meetings are so rewarding!!! You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book. I am not a quick reader, but I could not put this book down.
I only wish Mr. Herriges could meet with J.D. now, in 2007 and discuss how his literary skills have changed or have been enhanced since the interview in the 1970's. Thank you Mr. Herriges, for such an enjoyable and passionate read!!!

This book is as much about the journey as it is about the author's fascination with and devotion to J. D. Salinger. It centers around a young teacher, full of passion for the writer who inspired him at an early age as well as for the lovely lady who accompanies him on his trek to meet with the reclusive J.D. The book is riveting as I got swept up in his escapades and the events which took place on this journey. I read the book in one day, I simply couldn't put it down! Funny, introspective and very entertaining. Mr. Herriges' finest piece to date. A must read!!

This family history chronicles the journey of a Nebraska extended family (seven adults, one child) as they trek from dust-embraced mid-western farms to the rich Willamette valley. With three cars, there is always some automotive difficulty to be faced, and these hardy souls camp out by the roadside (it's summer) and cook up meals from the home-canned victuals they've brought with them. The child, Gesina, is pictured frowning on the first page and continues to whine about the fact that she will not be able to go to fifth grade with her friends. Each character contributes texture as the story unrolls, but the blended voices of the adults are what sticks with the reader. Moving is never easy, but when you have nowhere to go back to and must move on, with very limited funds at hand (less than $[...] in the pockets of each family). Along the way, the women learnto drive the cantankerous cars down treacherous mountain inclines. Near the end of the tale, ever-grumpy Gesina, takes ill and spends feverish days in the car, building suspense and engaging the reader. The "good old days" were full of not-so-good days, but a lot of pluck and courage.

This book was a wonderful read that had me so engrossed I expected to look out my window and see the dust blowing in hurricane patterns on the scorched pavement. A great story of a family's tough decision to head west and the perils they faced on the journey there. Braden expertly captures the emotions of the difficult journey.

If you are in the Gorge with kids...then this guide is the BEST!! It's written by actual Hood River moms, and they really know how to keep the kids entertained on a visit to the Gorge. There are lots of kid-friendly hikes and places to see...but also this book goes the extra mile by providing directions to ice cream shops and playgrounds and the like.

Great guide to get the kids exploring and active during the summer months. A must have for people new to the area to familiarize them with all the gorge has to offer.

As I read these two sister's enthusiastic descriptions of a number of national parks, I found myself forgetting that they were only kids. I'm a habitual reader of travel guides (otherwise known as the armchair traveler), so I feel qualified to say that this one is very refreshing. In fact, if you're thinking of travelling with your kids to any national park, you should pick up this book so you can see what it's like from their point of view. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with park rangers who treated their thoughtful questions very seriously and added a needed perspective on many parks. I'm impressed that two young kids were able to put together such a professional book -- I can only imagine what their next project will be!

In the Kids' Guide To The National Parks Of California And Oregon, 12 year old Jenna Sullivan and her 14 year old sister Laura effectively collaborate to write a thoroughly "kid friendly" guidebook to the spectacular parklands of California and Oregon. These include Redwood National Park; Yosemite National Park; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Pinnacles National Monument; Point Reyes National Seashore; Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lava Beds National Monument; and Crater Lake National Park. These descriptive text covers the geology, vegetation, and wildlife of the parks, along with the young authors' insights into natural resource issues like air pollution, acid rain, fire ecology, wildlife habitat, plant ecology, and resource management. Very highly recommended for any family planning to visit these west coast parklands, the Kids' Guide To The National Parks Of California And Oregon is enhanced with an introduction, a conclusion, an index, author bios, and four color plates.

Retta Barre is truely an engaging character. She is 12 yrs. old the summer her family leaves Ohio to travel the Oregon Trail. The days are long and boring for Retta,but that doesn't last for long once she meets up with the indian Two Bears and his family.....the adventures begin. Retta finds herself in in fixes that she knows God is leading her through. This is a fun little series.

Don't miss the rest of the books in this series:

Book 2. The Buffalo's Last Stand
Book 3. The Plain Prairie Princess

A delightful young heroine and realism on the westward journey. A clean, delightful read for myself, my children, and grandchildren!