Idaho Books

There is a lot of history in the tri-canyon area and (unfortunately) a lot of interesting details had to be left out to keep it to reasonable length but Keller did a good job of organizing the fascinating, sometimes vague or conflicting records of the past into an accessible account. Finding out why some of the areas are named what they are is especially interesting - especially having been to most of them and wondering about it myself.

The only (and very minor) gripe is that if I wanted to find out about just one area, I had to remember all of the many other in the book that I'd read about it, find them, and put all of the pieces together: A slightly more comprehensive index would help in that. Although it has a lot of pictures, more would be nice to help visualize what some of the familar areas looked like a century (or more) ago...

I recently returned from traveling the Lolo Trail. Having read this book just prior to my trip, and having it with me during the trip for reference made the entire excursion a great experience. This book is not for everyone. But no one should travel the Lolo Trail without it.

I bought the book as a reference to historical information about the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark sites on the trail. It was very satisfactory in this regard. But the best parts of the book were actually some of the stories of other, more recent, events that have occurred in this area.

Haven't read de voto for many years and had to pick up the style again, and finally, what a pleasure. The times come alive.

I have 2 other mushroom guides, Mushrooms Demystified and All the Rain Promises (AWESOME PICTURES) and this was a great supplement for my area to distinguish local mushrooms. Used the content of this book with info gained from the other two and pictures and were able to enjoy some new varieties of edible mushrooms this year since morels were in short supply in our area. Great reference!

This is a map that you can hang on the wall and oogle! (Well, one side at a time!) One side shows WA, OR, ID, MT, WY and features the great mountains, parks and forests of the region; they are in color on an otherwise white background. Surrounding areas are muted. The other side is titled: Parklands and the Pioneer Northwest, full of text and illustration, with a few smaller detailed maps (Puget Sound, Glacier, Yellowstone). The text is the briefest intro to the natural areas, in which local points of interest are indicated. Each state has its tourist office address and phone number listed. The map is oriented to the green side of your soul, rather than the urban side. Major and secondary arterials and cities, of course, are noted. There is not great detail, but then, this map does cover six states, not just one. Still, it is most useful for those looking to do the parks and outdoors. Note that the map, when folded, is about 6"x8", slightly different from your basic gas station map. A big plus is that the map is plasticized, so that it is very sturdy and can be rained on with impunity. A map that you will want to keep and show off to friends.

After visiting many of the wineries described within the book I found the content to be very much in line with my observations. Not an exact match (we agreed on about 3/4ths of them), though differences could be explained by palate.

Even though it is difficult to remain current, I think the authors did a very good job. The only item I found lacking is a general guide to vintages, ala the tearout from some wine magazines. For example, which wines are generally best for a particular year and when it is expected to reach its peak. One specifically for the regions in the book would be helpful.

All in all, though -- good job!

If you like a good adventure without all the profanity and sex then you will like this book. Clyde McFAdden is a very likeable character that you will naturally be drawn to. It is a plausible story with characters that are believable. The story immediately draws you in and puts you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens to Clyde McFadden. The plot is very clever, especially the technology that is invented for the story. Warren Wassom has created an imaginative story full of adventure that is hard to put down. This book is an adventure you don't want to miss.

Next to mysteries, my favorite reading material is the essay. A book of essays by one author has special appeal because I get to see many sides of the author's personality. River Earth reveals a sensitive, caring man who has solid relationships with family and friends. He has a great sense of humor. His phrasing makes it easy to visualize him slipping and tripping over river rocks as he seeks out an elusive trout or running down the river bank to confront two workers laying white plastic pipe down the middle of his beloved river. For me, however, the playful stories are eclipsed by the poignant ones. By chance, I read "Who Am I?" within a couple of days of the tenth anniversary of my mother's death. I couldn't stop my tears.
John Pierce also describes paradise in this book. Paradise is a green place with a river and many chances for solitude and quiet reflection. The book contains photographs showing the author, some of the places already artfully described, family and friends. Beautiful illustrations, like the river on the cover, continue throughout the book. Both add to the character of the book.
Thank you John Pierce for the insights into your special places and feelings. I am buying a 2nd and 3rd copy to share with my friends.

I enjoy Judith Freeman's books. I've read Red Water (loved it), and her first novel, Chinchilla Farm (pretty good), and now this one which I almost enjoyed as much as Red Water. Part of it is that she & I both harken from Mormon country. She speaks in a language that resonates with me. Her characters are real, multifaceted and for the most part, unpredictably wonderful as they discover places in themselves that they didn't know existed. And to me that's the essence of life....(re)discovering places in our selves that we have forgotten as life has become predictable or challenging or we have without intention moved away from the best of who we are.

The "folded map is... easy to read" is only true if you get out of the vehicle and spread it out on the hood. Very difficult to use in the car without someone to help. It's an accurate map that should be on pages rather than all these folds. The Twin Falls street guide is on one side and the map on the other. I rarely use it and have gone back to printing what I need off the Internet.