Outdoors Books

A Collection of Bowhunting Adventures

A great gift for the bow hunter in your life...
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor [...]
Breathtaking Bowhunts is a book for those that dream of stalking their prey. Mike Lamade is a talented author. In his book Breathtaking Bowhunts, he shares his many experiences. From bear to turkey, Lamade has sought his quarry. He stresses safety and responsibility. The rules include "Don't shoot!--unless you've practiced properly, unless the deer is in range, at running game, or if rain or snow is in the way." The photographs add much to this book. Breathtaking Bowhunts will make a nice gift for the hunter in your life.

While I have never gone bowhunting and only went gun hunting once, I am no stranger to the sport. My father was an avid hunter and was gone from before dawn until after dusk every weekend during the Iowa bowhunting deer season. He managed to kill one nearly every year and he is listed in the Iowa record book for the quality of the buck that he killed with a gun.
Therefore, while I have no personal knowledge of the events Lamade relates in this book, I certainly understand the thrills he had while bowhunting. Unlike hunting with a gun, bowhunting requires patience, guile and a cool hand. Even the most talented bowhunters must get within twenty yards to make sure of the kill. Furthermore, they only get one shot so they have to make it count.
Lamade describes his adventures on the North American and African continents. He successfully hunted everything from turkeys to moose to stingrays, including some animals capable of hunting him. His exploits are true and he writes with such flair that it is not difficult to imagine your presence at his side. Lamade is also a hunter in the purest sense of the word. He has very strict rules regarding the shots that he will take, passing on the opportunity to shoot if he is convinced that the probability of the kill is too low.

by Ihor Rebensky
Scranton Times-Tribune, June 17, 2007

At age 6, Mike Lamade made his first connection to what would become a lifelong passion.

An aunt, returning from a trip to Yellowstone Park in 1941, gave her young nephew his first bow, an item he said he treasured as one of his most-prized possessions.

Some 40 years later, Lamade experienced his first kill with a bow, taking down a 6x6 bull (six points on each side) on his first try. He was hooked on the sport and never looked back.

Lamade decided to share his experiences, submitting an article, "Turkey tactics for bugling bulls," to Bowhunter Magazine. The article was published and Lamade began what has become a more than 20-year career writing about bowhunting.

Lamade has since compiled a book of his published articles beginning with that first one which has been published by Tribute Books in Eynon. "Breathtaking Bowhunts" provides an exciting insight into bowhunting and should be a must-read for any outdoors enthusiast.

Lamade will be at Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, from 2-4 p.m. for a book signing.

"Bowhunting keeps me young," said Lamade, 72, who grew up Kingston and now resides in Cold Spring, "on the road to Upper Woods Pond, a top trout lake for many NEPA fishermen."

Lamade will be celebrating his first wedding anniversary Oct. 7 with his wife, Kathleen.

"The only problem is," he said, "I have a bowhunt for mule deer booked in Alberta this coming Oct. 6. Shes a very understanding woman."

Along with the articles, Lamade provides an array of fascinating photographs, from his youth to his impressive trophy room, which showcases a number of his triumphs.

Each article is followed with information, including the date and publication in which it ran, as well as some background on how the article came about.

For example, his article, "Scout like a hawk: One hour in the air can save days on the ground," provides a helpful tips on the advantage of using a guide plane to scout prospective hunting sights. Lamade follows the reprint of the article with background on his own skill as a pilot, and details the kinds of planes he has flown.

The book, which retails for $[...] and can be reviewed and ordered on line at [...], is worth every penny.

Bowhunters will enjoy the stories while non-bowhunters can learn alot.




"The Sacred Nature of Hunting: Stories That Reveal Our Humanness"
by Peter N. Jones

One of the most famous writers in American history was Ernest Hemingway. He wrote stories about the American experience, and what it ment to be a living and breathing human. Some of Hemingway's most famous stories centered on hunting: "Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted ... long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter" (from 'On the Blue Water' in Esquire, April 1936). I loved reading Hemingway - having read everything that he wrote - and have always kept my eyes open for someone else who could convey the spirit, excitement, and humanness of "the hunt."

Breathtaking Bowhunts by Mike Lamade turns out to be just that book. In this collection of bowhunting adventures the author brings the reader along on over 20 different hunts over a period of almost four decades. What sets these hunting stories apart - at least for me - is the fact that they were all done via bowhunting. I'm not a big fan of long-range rifle hunting, where the hunter is a half-mile away on some hill and the animal has no idea that they are being hunted. No, that does not seem like an adventure to me. However, these stories reveal what it is to be a human out in the wild - just you, a bow and arrow, and nature. No chance to shoot off your rifle if the bear suddenly turns and attacks! Or if the wildebeast that you have been tracking for a couple of days decides to turn and charge!

No, in Breathtaking Bowhunts Mike Lamade shares with the reader not only the hunt itself, but also the preparation, tracking, and care that goes into a successful hunt - one where you have to actually put your life on the line. For example, Lamade's hunt of a record Mule Deer on the eastern plains of Colorado in winter made my palms sweat. Fighting through a horrendous blizzard, I could feel the tension and fatigue Lamade was holding back as he stalked his prey. Similarly, when I was reading the story about Lamade's amazing hunts of the elusive African Kudu, my senses were heightened and my hands tingled.

I'm not a hunter. I've never killed anything so much as an ant. However, I've always had respect for those people who still maintain that sacred tie between man and beast. That sacred tie involves skill, determination, and respect for the animal on the part of the hunter, as well as some recognition on the part of the prey that they are being hunted. Native Americans talk about a bond between the hunter and the hunted - the animal has sacrificed themselves for the purpose of fulfilling the needs of the hunter and the hunter recognizes this and offers something in return. This is what most impressed me about Breathtaking Bowhunts - this understanding is clearly part of Mike Lamade's hunting practices.

The stories in this book demonstrate that not only is hunting ok, but if done with the right intentions, hunting can become a sacred act. I respect Mike Lamade and others who hunt in a similar fashion. They are preserving an important part of human heritage - one of our sacred bonds that we share with animals and the natural environment. This book will thrill any hunter. But more importantly, it will help others realize that not all hunting is bad. In some cases, it is sacred.

Mike Lamade has hunted the continents from Norht America to Africa. One thing I was impressed by is he tells beginners to long time hunters to be responsible hunters. He says more than once "Do Not Shoot." Unless the animal is presenting the proper shot angle for placement in the vital chest area behind the shoulder---do not shoot.

Sometimes people can be so caught up in the hunt that they shoot not taking the time to wait for the proper shot. Then the animal will wonder off and if not found can die a slow death.. Mike has hunted just about every type of game that is allowed. He even went along with a friend who was hunting gators with a bow. While Mike did not hunt he was still taken on a wild ride.

This book teaches you not only about the responsibilty of bowhunting but the history as well. Angus Brown is a professional bow hunter and outfitter in Africa. He was instrumental in getting bow hunting legalized in this country.

I come from a family of hunters. They only hunt for the meat. My husband Larry hunts with either a bow or rifle. When I showed him Mikes trophy room his eyes opened wide and he said, "I want to read this book when you are finished."

This is a great book for all outdoor enthusiast.

Sandy Heptinstall

My husband read this book and even though he's not a hunter, he thought it was excellent! Mike's writing style paints a very visual picture of the action/location of each of his hunts. A very readable book.

First let me tell you about myself, like Brooks Robinson I am a third baseman. This book has inspired me to try my best. On page 35 in the book it says, "He was once again sent down to the minors-this time to Vancouver." He spent about four years in the minor leagues, but he kept trying and later became the greatest defensive third baseman who ever played the game. This book also inspired to work on my defense. Brooks Robinson was never that great of a hitter but he made his mark by his defensive plays on the field.

First let me tell you about myself, like Brooks Robinson I am a third baseman. This book has inspired me to always try my best. On page 35 in the book it says ,"He was once again being shipped to the minor leagues-this time to Vancouver." He spent about four years in the minor leagues, but he kept trying and later became the greatest defensive third baseman who ever played the game. This book also inspired me to work hard on my defense. Brooks Robinson was never that great at hitting ,but he made his mark by his defensive play.

First let me tell you about myself, like Brooks Robinson I am a third baseman. I am fifteen years old and I play baseball for my high school baseball team. I have twelve brothers and sisters. This book has inspired me to try my best. He spent about four years in the minor leagues, but he kept trying and later became the greatest defensive third baseman who ever played the game. This book also inspired to work on my defense. Brooks Robinson was never that great at hitter but he made his mark by his defensive plays on the field.

First let me tell you about myself, like Brooks Robinson I am a third baseman. I am fifteen years old and I play baseball for my high school baseball team. I have twelve brothers and sisters. This book has inspired me to try my best. He spent about four years in the minor leagues, but he kept trying and later became the greatest defensive third baseman who ever played the game. This book also inspired to work on my defense. Brooks Robinson was never that great at hitter but he made his mark by his defensive plays on the field.

First let me tell you about myself, like Brooks Robinson I am a third baseman. I am fifteen years old and I play baseball for my highschool baseball team. I have twelve brothers and sisters. This book has inspired me to try my best. He spent about four years in the minor leagues, but he kept trying and later became the greatest defensive third baseman who ever played the game. This book also inspired to work on my defense. Brooks Robinson was never that great at hitter but he made his mark by his defensive plays on the field.

One of two mandatory books for gardeners who can't afford the $200 Ortho book. First comes Sunset's Western Garden Book and then comes this Burpee seed book - ever wonder how come those Dogwood never seem to germinate - or how come Trillium, despite your twenty years of trying, just seem to lie there mocking you? This book explains all those arcane secrets that seem to defy any logic you can come up with.

I found this book to be an excellent resource and highly recommend it to my customers!

This is the first book I've found that specializes in growing from seed. It gives some good advice on equipment, and some good insights into procedure. It is published by Burpee and somewhat biased toward Burpee products. A few of the charts in the appendix are indespensible -- such as first- and last-frost dates by city, and recommended seed-starting and planting times for vegetables. Unfortunately there is not also such a list for flowers and seed-fruit, but it is a good starting place. It should also be noted that 155 of the books 256 pages are spent on a plant-by-plant index that provides information similar to that provided in other garden books, only scewed slightly towards growing from seed. So less than half the book is really focused on seed-starting.

One of two mandatory books for gardeners who can't afford the $200 Ortho book. First comes Sunset's Western Garden Book and then comes this Burpee seed book - ever wonder how come those Dogwood never seem to germinate - or how come Trillium, despite your twenty years of trying, just seem to lie there mocking you? This book explains all those arcane secrets that seem to defy any logic you can come up with.

If you want to successfully grow seeds indoors or outdoors, read this book! You will find detailed information on the time of year to sow the seeds, germination hints, and plant descriptions.

Pete Dye has long been one of my favorite course designers and this book gave me some great insight into the mind of a master. I recommend this book to anyone who has played one of his courses and cursed Dye's name, it will make you appreciate all the design elements that you may have missed.

You are going to love this book despite if you are a golf lover or not. It's the story of some of Pete Dye best golf courses described in a chapter base. Those who know Pete will enjoy the book since it is like talking to him in person because of the simplicity of the words chosen and the graphical description that he makes of how each course was conceived.

The story of the famous island green 17th at the Stadium Course at TPC is one of a kind. I particularly enjoy the story of "Teeth of the Dog", a course that could hardly be replicated in history since it was practically built by hand decades ago at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. It is not only the best Golf Course in the Caribbean -according to Golf Digest and many other publications- but also the birthplace of golf in the DR at this enchanted destination. I consider this course as the "Prima Donna" of the Caribbean and one of the top 20 in any most play list. I hope that in a next edition he could also include one of his most recent courses "Dye Fore" also at this destination which I partially saw in the book Caribbean Architecture: Exclusive Designs by Gianfranco Fini in Marina Casa de Campo and has a breathtaking view all over the Chavon Cannon, the Casa de Campo Marina and, of course, the Caribbean Sea.

Pete's book will help you understand why there is such connection between the player and his courses, how he makes it happened and best of all the anecdotes behind the creation of each one of them. This book is a keeper and it rating is 5 out 5 starts with any doubts. The pictures are touching; the text is like talking to Pete himself and; is a most for any golf aficionado.

Having played several of Dye's famous layouts, you realize this guy knows the game and challenges all facets of your shotmaking abilities (or should I say streches them.) Enjoyed the organization by layout. Must seem like real chapters in his life. Great book from a great architect.

Books by golf architects tend to be on the dull side for most people. They don't tell you a story of their development as architects, or how their courses evolved during the design phase, but just seem to begin and end with "see, wasn't this brilliant?"

Pete Dye is something of a mystery to many. His designs are "unique", which can be bad or good for most people. Where did his ideas come from? What influences him the most? What stories are behind his greatest feats?

In this one book, we get pleanty of answers, all in a tale that feels like you are sitting down and listening to it as it is being told. Even golfers tend to think course architecture is a dull subject, but hopefully this will change a few minds. Architecture isn't some great mysterious practice. It is an art, and the artist is often times less seperated from us than we care to imagine.

Some think Pete Dye's golf courses are tricky or too hard. The courses Pete designs are built to be fair but punnishing for the right reasons. Played right, Pete's courses offer memorable rounds to the golfer. Now, it's not Pete who designs the course but a strong team of Pete, his wife Alice and his sons Perry and P.B. (architects in their own right) as well as the site managers and crews that are hired to do the building.

You'll learn that Pete designs courses on a sheet of paper and this is where his skills lie - understanding the land offered for the course and knowing how the wind and terrain will match in creating a great experience. Courses like PGA West, TPC Stadium (Sawgrass), The Pete Dye Club, Harbour Town and many others are discussed. One chapter per course.

Pete talks to you in this book. It's not an interview but it is presented as if Pete is telling you his life's story.

For a golfer looking for lessons, these are a different kind of lesson - from the eyes of a designer (and historically gifted golfer too). You will play better golf after you read this.

When you play a Pete Dye course, you'll remember Pete's words and how Alice was a main contributor to the design you're playing.

Having just arrived from El Chaltén I felt as traveling there again, so vivid and precise are the author's descriptions of the Fitz Roy area.
But better and unexpected was the candid exposure of the feelings, doubts, fears and joys before, during and after each of Sebastian's achievments in the beautiful and still pristine mountains of Patagonia.

At the end of the book I was rooting for Sebastian to finally get to the top !!! My wife kept on telling me to turn the light off, but I could not put the book down until i knew what the final outcome was.

Sebastian is a great writer who has the ability to transmit the reader the magnificence of nature through his adventures. His story made me think about the possibility of making dreams come true and how to balance those dreams with the traditional aspects of life. I strongly recommend this book.

Cita en la cumbre is the story of a climb of Fitz Roy and some other mountains. But fundamentally is an inner trip to the reasons that a mountaineer that lives and works in the city and is father of two has to go to climb those mountains. It goes deep into the complexity of the coexistence inside every one of us of our social responsibilities and the powerful will of living transcendental experiences.
It is a very interesting book for all the urban nature loving people, as for sure it will help our own questions to find some answers.

I think this is a wonderful book. I was trapped by it from the very beginning and finished it within a weekend.

Even though I have never met the author, through this book I can see a person who is looking to do something bigger than himself by living life with experience and therefore the knowledge of its profound mysteries. It seems to me that he recognizes the positive values in what appear to be the negative moments and aspects of the adventure of life.

I really like the way he shows himself in communion with nature

Since his initiation by climbing Mount Tronador near Bariloche to his fulfillment by reaching the summit of Mount Fitz Roy in the southern Patagonia, he looks like someone who chose and chooses to undertake the journey not simply as an adventurer but also as someone who does it responsible and intentionally to perform his goals.

People who love outdoors life will enjoy this book very much. I strongly recommend it to those who have entrepreneurial spirit.

[...]

At first my daughter and I were not big fans of this book. It took me a few readings to learn how to incorporate my daughter's favorite sounds -- animal sounds and "clapping" to the clip-clop sounds. But now, my daughter LOVES this book! She cries when we get to the end of the book and I usually end up reading it to her more than once. The repetition is great in that she is learning to identify each of the five animals in the book. Sounds such as "plop-plop" are music to baby's ears. Highly recommend it.

We checked this book out from the library and it has become one of my two-year-old's favorites. Toddlers will love the farm animals, and parents will enjoy (maybe) coming up with different voices for each animal. The text is simple enough that your 2-year-old will soon be reading along with you, and most likely will be galloping around the house saying "Clip-Clop!"

My daughter just giggles everytime we read this to her. Great buy!

My little niece loves it when characters in books fall down and then get up again. So this book is very exciting because the children go for an exciting ride, bounce in some straw, get up, and start again. The rhymes are very fun to read out loud!

Friendly Mr. Horse offers rides to the other barnyard animals. One by one, cat, dog, pig and duck ask to be included, and then to go faster, FASTER!! They start to fall, Mr. Horse "skids to a halt"-- and over they fly, into a haystack. Mr. Horse is worried, but his friends are fine-- and want to go "AGAIN!"

From the familiar theme, to the simple but evocative art, to the demonstration of manners (many requests are accompanied by "please"-- frequently enough to reinforce the message), this book is wonderful. My 3 year old wants to hear it again and "AGAIN!" and loves to show me where each animal is going to be on the next page. I enjoy the art, and the suggestion of motion and emotion. This book is a big hit with us both!

We were very unhappy we bought this through Amazon.The seller was asked to please put a RUSH on this book because our trip was planned in two weeks. We did not receive a response from the seller indicating it would be longer and we didn't receive out book before our trip to Colorado. It was a big disappointment. Never again.

F. Mitchell

The detailed and varied information in this book far exceedes other comparable travel books. It is well organized and concise. Especially enjoyable are the historical backgrounds provided about each place. Knowing Colorado better than my home state, as I travel there frequently, I would not go without this book!

The Colorado Guide (5th edition) is exactly what I was looking for in a Colorado guide book. Besides giving your usual guide information for Colorado, it also included some of the more unusual places to check out, like the Wheeler Geological Site for example, near Creede, CO. Wonderful history stories of areas of interest, and food and lodging info/ratings also. I use it to find new ares to explore and as a reference. I highly recommend The Colorado Guide, especially if your looking to explore this beautiful state.

I am a Colorado resident and use this book (and the previous editions) frequently for weekend getaways. In all the many times I have counted on the author's advice, they have never let me down. Excellent book!

Jim in Littleton

This book is a thorough review of things to do, places to see, state history, restaurants and places to stay. In brief, there is not a better guide anywhere!

Each wilderness area includes a high quality, full color picture, one page of background information, a list of applicable topo maps, and several hikes with route details. Whether you're planning a trip or dreaming about getting out, this book is excellent!

A good reference providing an overview of gorgeous Colorado. The book includes a description of each wilderness area and then lists 4 hikes; a day hike, an overnight, a loop and a shuttle hike (2 cars). My complaints are that the maps are poor, and there is no mention of where to camp (for backpackers this is not a problem). There is a beautiful Fielder color photo for each wilderness area providing a glimpse of where you're heading. Overall a very good book, but you'll need a campsite guide book and a good topo map ("The Roads of Colorado" from Shearer is very good) to properly plan a trip.

This book has become my "bible" for exploring the most beautiful and wild areas in Colorado from my home in Colorado Springs. My original copy of the book was destroyed when it was left in a soft-top jeep with the windows off, during a rain storm (while hiking one of the trails in the book, nonetheless). That is why I am back here to purchase another! One word of warning: the author seems to underestimate, vs. overestimate, the trail distances. Be prepared to hike an extra mile or two! This book is great!

I'm a native Coloradan. No matter what I want to do, be it a quick day hike up to a 4 day backpacking trip, this book has it. I own other hiking books, but this one gets by far the most use. I love the historical descriptions of each wilderness area. The maps are good enough to get your bearings and find the trailhead. Plus each Wilderness Area has a "John Fielder's Favorite" hike which always spectacular.

One thing, though. A reviewer below said the maps are inadequate... If you plan on anything more than a day hike, you should have topographical anyway. This is true for most if not all guide books.

As one of the few Colorado Natives, I have seen much of the state. But our local boy John Fielder has seen much more. His ratings, descriptions and maps have been 'right-on' with what I have seen thus far and with the Fielder photography, it provides a great additional perspective on the already detailed descriptions. I 've gotten lost in the book a few times just dreaming of my next outing!

Excellent pictures. Good overall introduction to Yurts. Quick read. Not a lot of stupid info.

None of the chatter, just good info on how to build yurts and gers. Forget the other larger books. Simple and to the point. Most of the drawings are freehand and not cad, but nothing is lost in the process.

It's amazing how much information is in this rather small book. You could keep it in your pocket as you built your own functional yurt. The writing is to the point and very informative. I've checked out many books on building yurts and this is the best. High points of this book for me: clear patterns, listing of materials and tools needed, time estimates for building, vocabulary of yurt parts, basic history of the people who use yurts, their various regions, and yurt variations. Get this book if you really want to build a yurt and do it right.

One of the best books I've found with concise building instructions. It also gives the historical context and more period method of construction as well. Great book for a beginner, which I am.

This book is an invaluable source of information on the history, building and use of the portable felt structures called Gers. Well researched and clearly written, the book covers all the detailed procedures needed for building one of these structures including authentic plans for a variety of sizes. There is a good glossary of terms and many helpful suggestions for the sourcing of materials.

Just picked up the book yesterday and read it from cover to cover last night. Great opening section about how solar cooking works. I haven't seen it explained more clearly anywhere else. Great explanations on how to build your own- two types. And the recipes look wonderful. I'll be trying many of them when I finish building mine.

This book is easy to read and use. The information is presented clearly and it is easy to understand. This book is a great source book to teach yourself solar cooking. It is also easy to include younger children. Older children could pick it up and teach themselves from reading it. The recipes are of a wide variety so there should be a favorite for just about everyone. It isn't too "new age" as some other books on this subject. Outlines food safety issues very well with easy to remember rules and suggestions for building your own solar cooker. Easy enough for a child to do.

I must say this book is a real gem. It is small but contains some good information. Half the book is information on solar cooking and it even tells you how to build two simple solar cookers from things you probably have around the house or can get cheap. The other half of the book contains recipes for cooking with your solar cooker. Excluding the recipes, the book can be read in a few hours at most. After which you will know enough to be able to build your own solar cooker and be cooking in no time. The book also gives sources for buying a cooker should you really want to do so.

I built a panel cooker in about an hour or two following the easy instructions. The next day I cooked a meal with it using a recipe I modified a bit to work with the cooker. It turned out better than I thought it would to be honest. I have cooked several dishes using the cooker now and everything has turned out great. I personally find the food to be of better quality than the typical high heat cooking usually done on stoves and ovens.

Most recipes can be adapted to be cooked with sunshine so you are not limited to what is provided in the book. As the book says a general rule is a conventional recipe will take about twice as long to cook in the solar cooker. I found this to be about true, though it might take just a little longer but doubling the time seems to be about right.

If you are interested in learning how to build a solar cooker and start cooking with one then I recommend getting this book. It keeps things pretty simple and easy while still giving you the information you need to start cooking good meals with free energy from the sun.

I usually preview my books by borrowing them from the library to see if they are worth buying. This is one that I chose for my personal collection.

I also checked out "Cooking with the Sun" (by Halacy and Halacy), which had some good introductory information and interesting-looking recipes. However, as soon as I got to the list of supplies needed for actually building their solar oven (plywood, fiberglass insulation, 1/16" thick aluminum or iron sheets, double-strength window glass, etc.) I gave up. My tools are limited to hammers and screwdrivers, and I didn't even know what some of the required items were, much less what to do with them.

This book, by contrast, has wonderful, step-by-step, illustrated directions on how to make a solar oven (box cooker) using simple stuff I have at home (cardboard boxes, newspaper, aluminum foil, turkey oven-roasting bag, Elmer's glue, etc.). There are also simple-looking directions for making a reflective-panel cooker.

I love how this book caters to the average Joe (or Josephine) who wants to cook with solar but doesn't want to spend a bundle to get started. The book gives lots of recommendations for improvising inexpensive options in cookware, explaining what works best and what doesn't work so well (and why!). For example, two dark 9" cake pans held together with large binder clamps (those things used in offices to hold large quantities of paper together) can work just as well as an expensive enameled dutch oven.

You must try the Asparagus Pesto! By my calculations, a batch of this makes more and costs less than store-bought pesto. (Also less oily, if you wish.)