Outdoors Books

This was my first ever book about photography (actually, the first edition of this book). Not that I was an absolute beginner; I just never bothered to read any photography books. James Martin's book nicely surprised me since in the first chapters I found a lot of ideas I was subconsciously aware off before. I am not sure this is the right book for someone who does not know what 'shutter speed' is but it is highly recommended for someone who wants to go over photography theory quickly and get some nice tips. It covers photo-shooting techniques, basics of composition, information on archiving photos and digital darkroom skills. My skills are definitely improved after reading the book, instantly I started to take better pictures!

The other day I wanted to purchase a digital photography guide as a birthday gift. 'Digital Photography Outdoors' book would not be available in the stores so I went through almost everything that was on the shelf. There would be lots of books for absolutely beginners in the book stores, "Dummies" books etc, we are not talking about these. Among 'serious' books, I did not find any one that can beat 'Digital Photography Outdoors'. I ended up purchasing this book via Amazon and going to the birthday party with the excuse that the gift is still on the way! This also motivated me to write this review, hope it helps.

With every passing year, digital cameras are becoming more 'user friendly', more popular, more effective, and more versatile. Now in a thoroughly updated and significantly expanded second edition, James Martin's "Digital Photography Outdoors" continues to be the premier instructional manual and guide for the use of digital cameras in taking memorable and dramatic photographs in the field. Still providing novice digital photographers with a comprehensive and basic grounding in how a digital camera works, special considerations for its use and maintenance in the field, and how to select the best equipment and most useful accessories for capturing outdoor action and then storing those images safely, this new edition goes on to provide up-to-date information on the latest changes in Photoshop (CS3 version) and an illustrative description of the latest equipment options. Profusely illustrated throughout in full color, "Digital Photography Outdoors" provides digital camera users with a wealth of invaluable tips on photographing outdoor subjects in all manner of field conditions. Superbly organized and presented, practical and portable, "Digital Photography Outdoors" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Photography instructional reference collections.

Very interesting book with several useful tips. It is focused in the "digital darkroom" processes and it becomes an interesting handbook while working with image processing software. Moreover, it gives some advices on photographic techniques specially oriented to digital cameras and their particular performance.

This book is packed with solid information. It's really helping me take better travel pictures now that I have upgraded to a digital single lens reflex camera.

This is the most comprehensive and informative book I have ever read about the creation of any of the Disney parks. Randy Bright tells the story of how Walt Disney came to re-invent the amusement park industry with ideas starting in the 30's.

Although this book is unfortuantely out of print now, if you love the Disney parks, this is the book for you.

The book (in true Disney fashion) is overwhelmingly positive, but it doesn't leave out interesting stories from the formative early years. For example, you can read about the opening day disaster (fondly remembered as "Black Sunday"), when twice the projected number of people got in. Or how, one day shortly after the park opened, a gas leak threatened to blow up Sleeping Beauty castle while reporters watched.

Most importantly, the book takes great care to introduce to us the people that were instrumental in designing the park. Practically, all of the attractions, new and those that are long gone are described, and fondly remembered.

Lastly, this book is simply the best collection of archival photographs that I have.

Good Luck in finding a copy.

This is by far one of the best books written about a Disney themepark. If you can get your hands on this one, it's a best buy!

Randy Bright has done a wonderful job capturing the early years of the park. Fantistic pictures. A must for all Disneyland collectors. he gives the inside story of the park's history from concept to around the mid 1980's.he talks about everything from landscaping to why each realm has it's own style of garbage can. A truly great book.

Randy Bright does an excelent job giving the reader and inside glimpse on the inspiration, design, and execution of "the happiest place on earth." He takes you on the journey of how Walt Disney and his creative team of Artists, Story Tellers, and Engineers carefully crafted one of America's greatest icons.
The story is carefuly told and documented with many photographs of the park from its earliest concpetion to the finished product. Take a journy into the imagination of The Disney Organizaion and see how they created an true american icon.
This book is rare and hard to come by but it is well worth the read.

I think this book was great. It was so great because it told a true story of courage. I recommend it to anyone who wants adventure.

"Distant Fires" was published in 1990 and is the true account of a summer canoe trip from Duluth Minnesota to Hudson Bay Canada by two men in their early 20's. More than anything else, this book speaks to the modern charisma and abilities of the author, who planned and accomplished the journey, then, wrote such a wonderful and humorous account of it. Chapter by chapter, the reader is taken to the water, along the route, and into the perspective of the adventure. This book is testomony to what's in the future and beyond the horizon. It cannot be over-recommended for young and old. Thank you Scott Anderson for sharing your uncommon knowledge and insight of "Distant Fires" on earth and in our lives.

This is an astonishing book about two young men who want so much to have a great adventure experience before they get too old and can't go. So, they set out in their canoe to recreate an adventure 50 years ago, by Eric Sevareid, to canoe 2000 miles, from Duluth, Minn. to the Hudson's Bay. Every step along the way they encounter adversity, bugs, hardship, danger- yet they press on with a determination and will to complete this task, and win. They do so with much humor and dry wit. I found myself laughing out loud in many places. Where else can you read about two young men moving at the speed of a canoe paddle, going upstream, battling headwinds, eight foot waves that could easily swamp their canoe, rapids, portages through dense growth, beaver dams, and of course, mosquitos, mosquitos and more....?

It seems that they must have never been dry or warm over this journey that took them over three months to complete. But they never lost their sense of humor and never gave up, even though the odds were immense.

I greatly reccommend this book. It reads easily, and will be an excellent choice for young as well as older readers who enjoy a good travel adventure. It is a wonderful inspiration to all who read the book.

This is the book I read when I feel "displaced" from wherever the Air Force has me at the present time. If you are familiar with the outdoors lifestyle of northern Minnesota, this book will refresh any memories you have of trips up "The Shore" (north shore of Lake Superior) or the Boundary Waters. The author is a Duluth, MN native who tells his story of an extended canoe trip that started at his home and ended in Hudson Bay. The reading is light, and is enhanced with a lot of local color humor.

I loved it. I have referred to it many, many time for my sled dogs' problems, and it is a great source of information. It covers just about everything you need to know for mushing, choosing a dog, making supplies, running them, etc. I would reccomend it to anyone who is an experienced musher or a beginner.

This is an excellent book for beginners as well as professional. It is the most detailed and updated book on the market. Covering finding the right dog, proper gear and how to use it (detailed photos) quality of food, daily care, medical needs, breeding, training, recreational, distance and sprint racing. I reccommend it to ALL beginner mushers.

Dog Driver by Miki and Julie Collins is a book all who have ever wanted to drive a team, who are driving a team, or who have drove a team should have. It has something for everyone.

While considered a 'beginners bible' it has much to offer the established dog driver. Any dog drivers who feel that they dont need it are the ones who do need it.

The Collins Twins are probably the two best known dog mushers in Alaska who arenot on one of the competitive racing circuits, they are known for their competence and ability in getting a dog team from point A to point B . This book is a distillation of their experiences in a wide range of situations, and they have presented it in a clear and straight-forward manner.

They cover the topics in a thorough and effective manner, from getting started to trekking and racing. If sled dogs are your interest, you will want this book.

Although the title implies that the book is for the "serious musher", it should properly read "any musher". Topics include nutrition, training, health care, distance and sprint racing, camping, breeding, buying, skijoring, etc. Each is dealt with in a practical and understandable manner.

This book shares information about Dogtown at Best Friends Sanctuary. It is an uplifting book that shows what
people are doing to help dogs with behavior problems, health issues to become whole and hopefully find a
forever home. With all the news about the abuse of animals, it is encouraging to read about people working
to be the solution. While we cannot all start a program as expansive at Dogtown, we can at least support
such facilities so they can continue to rescue dogs that people have abused or abandoned.Dogtown: A Sanctuary for Rescued Dogs

i bought this book because i am huge supporter and lover of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary... this book is a beautiful collection of pictures and stories about the dogs at the sanctuary, some of which i even got to meet!! i would recommend this for ALL dog lovers, and anyone interested in rescue. this place is BEYOND special... definitely buy this book

For a species dubbed Man's best friend, canines are sadly horribly abused by their so-called friends. "Dogtown: A Sanctuary for Rescued Dogs" is the story of the country's biggest no kill animal sanctuary. The sanctuary focuses on keeping animals in loving homes and off the streets and away from cruel masters. An uplifting tale that dog lovers will relish, "Dogtown" is enhanced with more than eighty full color photos, earning it an enthusiastic recommendation.

All the things in it that best friends does, but just not long enough . Left me hungry for more.

This book has wonderful photos of rescued dogs and heart warming stories of dog rescues. I really appreciate the hard work of Best Friends Animal Society and all the awareness they bring to the needs of homeless animals.

IF YOU ARE A DOXIE FAN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!! IT'S TRULY RIGHT ON TARGET!
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS AND WONDERFUL TEXT.

If you love Dachshunds or know anyone that does, this is the book to get or give as a gift! The pictures are absolutley adorable and funny - puppies, different colors, different poses, costumes - very sweet!
The text, written as a "doxie" describes the dog very accurately and uses several quotes in just the right places.
A great book for "Doxie" lovers and a great little "pick me up" book for anyone else!

This little book is BIG on laughs for anyone who owns a Doxie or who loves dogs in general. Excellent photography and true-to-life snipets of what the famous Doxie's are all about. Great reading for all ages. Highly recommended.

How can you go wrong with a photographic book about dachshunds?
Author Melissa Sovet has captured the long and short of the spirited breed. There are photos of doxies with bling, doxies being naughty, as well as doxies being charioted by working dogs.

If you love doxies you need this book!

Dr. Beach's Survival Guide is a terrific book that really hits the mark! The book is small, informative, easy to read, and adroitly uses simple but effective diagrams and charts to relay concepts to the reader. I would think that this guide is a "must read" for anyone contemplating a beach vacation. The book addresses widely-held beach mythology and clarifies many misconceptions about beaches, waves, currents, common beach dangers (such as sharks, etc.), and a host of other related topics. Seldom can you purchase such a wealth of information at such a reasonable price. This book should be on every out-doorsman's bookshelf!

This is another excellent book from Dr. Beach, one of the country's foremost authorities on coastal processes. This book is a fine introduction to the hazards at the beach. His chapter on rip currents is especially interesting and informative. Anyone who ventures onto the beach and into the water should read this section in order to recognize the telltale signs of a rip current.

If you're a regular beach-goer like I am, this little book is a gold mine. Although not big, it's filled with interesting information about beaches, sharks, and other things that can mess up your beach vacation. While the shark section is a real eye-opener, its all the details about how beaches really work that I liked most. Who would have thought there would be so much to know about our favorite summer vacation spots? I guess if anyone would know about beaches, it's Dr. Beach! This is a great little book that's now a permanent part of my beach gear.

This book is full of interesting info and useful tidbits about the dangers and hazards of going to the beach. Some of this I already knew, but much of it was new. For example, when I was growing up in L.A. as a beach bum, I learned that you can spot riptides by standing on the cliff or getting a little elevation, such as by climbing up a lifeguard stand, and looking for a triangle of white water pointing out to sea. They could be anywhere from 50 feet wide to hundreds of yards wide, but they were detectable if you knew what to look for. I also learned that most sharks don't like the murky water where the waves are breaking and stirring up the sand, and to head for that if there was trouble. Better yet, just get out of the water. I learned how to recognized each shark species by their fins and which ones to get out of the water if they appeared, such as bluefins, which are also known man-eaters in addition to the infamous great whites. Interestingly enough, technically great whites are only "man-biters" rather than mean-eaters. They usually bite humans by mistake looking for seals, their favorite food, and so spit it out. Of course, that's not much consolation to the person at that point. Some of these attacks are because a swimmer in a wet suit looks a lot like a seal with their dark, blubbery skin. It's also probably not a good idea to decorate the bottom and sides of your sea kayak with pictures of seals, as I saw once. :-)

Having been at the beach many times and body-surfed some pretty big waves occasionally, I've had a few harrowing experiences myself. I once had the experience of being in an undertoe that actually pulled me underneath the water, but only for about 5 seconds. It was still a little scary. One time I stupidly tried to ride an 18-foot wave and almost got killed because the wave was what the Aussies call "a dumper" and it smashed me on the bottom. You should avoid fast-breaking dumpers because of that. I think the biggest wave that's safe to ride for most people is probably about 10 feet, unless you've got a belly board, which can outrun the break. Wearing one swim fin (yes, only one is needed, because it's inconvenient to have two fins on) is a trick experienced body-surfers use, that's also helpful for catching waves. Back in the 60's, I saw TV footage of this crazy guy belly-boarding 30-foot waves at Waimea. Talk about guts.

The beach that's the king of the riptides is Sunset Beach in Hawaii. Many people have died there because of rips, and it's capable of pulling you under, too. Once it pulled 3 surfers under at the same time, who unfortunately drowned. One thing to remember is if you "wipe out," be sure to tuck and roll up into a ball. One thing that happens to tourists and neophytes at Sunset is that when they go "over the falls," they don't tuck and then get slammed face first into the bottom, breaking their necks. This happened recently to a young couple that was on their honeymoon, and it's happened a number of times to inexperienced swimmers and body-surfers before. So be careful about that.

Speaking of getting pulled under, I once had the idea for a little invention, a small oxygen cylinder that would weigh maybe 5 or 10 pounds max but that would contain enough air to allow you to breath for a few minutes, if you were going swimming or body- surfing, especially at a potentially dangerous beach like Sunset. Not sure if it would be practical, but I never did follow up on it to find out. But there were a number of times when I wiped out on a big wave and didn't get to take a full breath before I got slammed under, and then I got held down for 20-30 seconds or so, or had to stay down that long because of other breaking waves, and I was almost out of air a couple of times before I was able to surface, and that would have been nice to have.

Another odd fact is that the reason why your feet itch after a day at the beach, at least on western U.S. beaches. It's not because of the hot sand and the salt water. It's because of the pieces of jellyfish, especially man-'o-war, that wash up on the beach, and can still irritate your feet even after days on the sand.

Well, if I haven't scared you off completely from going to the beach again, this is a great little book to learn about all the hazards and dangers. Good luck and happy beach-going!

"David, get out there and find those dragonflies. Enjoy!"--signed by author/odonatologist Kurt Mead, B.S. (biology), BFA (art), in my copy of his 203 page, 2003 field guide, entitled "Dragonflies of the North Woods," which I bought because it covered my region of northern Ontario (as well as the northern areas of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin).

The definition of an insect, according to "The Audubon Society Field Guide of North American Insects and Spiders" by Lorus and Margery Milne (1980), is "...an invertebrate animal...a...Phylum Arthropoda....Class Insecta." Concerning the insect dragonfly (translated from the Romanian name "Devil's Fly"), Mead states in his book, "Dragonflies and damselflies are....odonata...'toothed ones,' a reference to the...toothy lower lip...used to capture and hold prey....'Odonata'...coined by...Fabricius in 1793." The two suborders of odes are Dragonflies, or Anisoptera--meaning different wings, and Damselflies, or Zygoptera--denoting wings that are identical (discussion of the latter just touched on near the end of this volume).

Kurt's anatomy lesson on his "'Winged Dragons'" is replete with diagrams (including colour photos), and the essential facts, i.e., that a dragonfly has 30,000 lenses in one of their compound eyes. Following this is information on mating, their life cycle and behaviour. Every facet of observation/netting/collecting/photographing them are outlined, too.

All 102 dragonfly species of the North Woods are meticulously investigated here in Mead's work--Darners, Clubtails, Spiketails, Cruisers, Emeralds and Skimmers, respectively--accompanied by their scientific nomenclature in italics, that's later indexed, as well. Size-bars illustrate the insect's precise length on each gloriously coloured photo, with distinguishing characteristics singled out by fieldmark arrows. And phenograms are juxtaposed to the bottom of each photo, instructing us what terrain and months that specific dragonfly can be found.

This volume features a useful glossary, followed by a seven part appendix, which includes a checklist for each family/specie, list of world synonyms for dragonflies, phenology flight chart, addresses of odonata websites and groups, recommended titles (like "Beginners Guide to Dragonflies" by Blair Nikula and Jackie Sones with Donald and Lillian Stokes, 2002; but no mention of "Damselflies of the Northeast" by Ed Lam, 2004) and lastly, advice on the appropriate binoculars to use for "'Dragonflying.'"

"Dragonflies of the North Woods" by Kurt Mead is irresistibly comprehensive, so visit your bookseller soon to get your copy, where Eden is heavy with the flutter of an insect's sombre mating call.

I purchased Dragonflies of the North Woods based on recommendations of people. I live a bit south of the North Woods but most of what lives near me in Northern Illinois is said to live in the North Woods area. I am new at Dragonflies, but so far have used that book and the Stokes Beginners Guide to identify several species I had not seen before. The North Woods book has clear pictures, and for each species shows time of year they are active. There is also a little tidbit of interesting information called a Nature Note for each species. While I could wish for a range map, this book is a very useful general guide as is.

Kurt provides all the details to make identification possible: clear photos, description of habitat, and the time when a species is active. In addition, the chapters at the front of the book spark your interest in this fierce predator: What is a Dragonfly, Dragonfly Biology 101, Behavior of the "Winged Dragons" and Dragonfly Observation.

This fine book is well-written, sharply-designed, and full of interesting facts about dragonfly life, as well as what you need to identify the species in the area covered. The author's obviously extensive experience shines through in the text.

Over my different stays in Kauai I have walked the first two miles of the Kalalau trail several times, and always wondered how it would be to walk it all the way to the Kalalau Valley. Thanks to "Dramas of Kalalau", I now have a good idea of what the trail is like, and the valley as well... I liked a lot reading the very specific descriptions and the tips for the trail itself. Intertwined with this, you have past and recent history of the area, and some really interesting and amusing real-life stories of some of the people encountered there. To my knowledge, there is no other book like this, and I highly recommend it! Not only for those planning to walk the trail, but also for those who would like to do so, but can't. You won't be disappointed.

Having just spent a month on the north shore of Kauai, I was especially interested to read Mr. Moeller's book; to go deeper into Kauai's history, both contemporary and early. I'm glad I did. I couldn't put this book down. The beauty of the Na Pali cliffs is obvious for anyone who has seen them even from a distance, and Mr. Moeller has a special talent for revealing some of this beauty through true-life drama, humor and eyewitness details that can't be faked. The Kalalau valley is brought to life here up close and personal. The characters and situations described in this book will keep you guessing, gasping and laughing. They could only exist in such an other-worldly atmosphere such as Kalalau. This Edenic mythical valley is certainly one of the most beautiful and difficult to access in the world, and worth your time to explore! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book!!

Starts out a little slow, but eventually catches on. Some of the descriptions of the Kalalau characters are very funny and the author has some hilarious chapters about the local scene there. Useful for anyone interested in Hawaiian culture and history. The book ends with the wonderful and inspiring story of Koolau the leper, first recounted by Jack London. In this case the author used primary sources (Koolau's wife's diary) rather than a dramatized version of the legend, though that itself is good reading.
Tom

If you've ever wanted to hike the famous Kalaula trail, or simply would like to read about one of the most fascinating places on God's good earth, this is the book for you.
Dramas of Kalaula focuses on what many consider a "top ten" hiking experience in the world, the eleven- mile trail along the Na Pali Coast in Kaua'i. The book contains excellent color photography as well as practical safety information, but I particularly enjoyed the amusing tidbits. It is filled with bits of history, as well as entertaining interviews with Kalalau hikers, recluses and "personalities."
I confess that I am entirely too lazy to have ever done the entire trail myself, but the book (almost) has prodded me into trying again. Kalalau beckons, all you armchair travelers and avid hikers out there. Answer the call and start with this guidebook. Eminently readable and thoroughly entertaining.
Cheryl Swanson, Mystery author, Death Game
www.cherylswanson.net

Excellent book!

I found the author's elegant yet down-to-earth style to make for very comfortable reading. The stories (there are several) are well-told.

I do have a small complaint, however. I think the author would do well to add more detail and then split this book into several books. Take the first chapter, for example. Definitely fascinating but I found myself saying, "Oh. That's all there is." when I reached Chapter 2.

Complaints about story length aside, I still highly recommend this book. If you're a fan of Tim Cahill, you'll definitely see some similarities.

This book was pure fun! Peter Stark who has written on winter sports for Outside magazine, has penned some interesting and informative essays on his lifelong fascination with snow, the Arctic and winter sports. The author packed up a 1974 Volkswagon minibus and set out to drive to Greenland. Full of fun escapades and musings on that wonderful fluffy, white stuff-snow.

The publisher's blurb refers to Peter Stark's "infatuation with snow." Obsession may be a better choice! Stark has written on winter sports and winter adventures for Outside Magazine and other periodicals. This is an exceedingly fine description of his recent journey from Montana through Canada to the icy reaches of Greenland. A "must read" for anyone interested in modern arctic and northern travel.

Peter Stark speaks warmly of the `carnivorous' North in his introductory essay, "A Life Built on Snow." The `life' he refers to is his own. His grandfather was a skater and iceboater, he and his mother and father were (and are) skiers. His whole family belonged to the winter. All the way through this book, wintery thrills overtake fear--the thrill flying four hundred feet down a ski jump; the thrill of stomping a ski into the snow at the top of a slope, then watching the resulting avalanche take out the whole hill; the thrill of hunting narwhal off Greenland's icy shore.

The author drives to Greenland in the sense that he arrives in a two-engine Cessna Skymaster after puddle-jumping across the bleak terrain of Baffin Island, dodging through flocks of lesser auks along the way.

First though, his essays take us ski jumping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, sliding for glory down Lake Placid's Olympic luge course, through a run down Aspen's World Cub downhill course, and down Mount Hood. There's a sense that the author only really comes alive during these icy adventures, when all his senses are focused on the moment.

Luckily for us, he is able to share that aliveness with his readers. He puts us in touch with something beyond our immediate selves--I'll call it the spirit of the North for lack of a better term.

Between adventures, there are long, interesting riffs on different types of ice and snow, a short history of Iceland, and a discussion on building the perfect sea kayak (among other Northerly subjects).

Peter Stark is a contributor to "Outside," "Smithsonian," and "New Yorker" magazines. His latest book is "Last Breath: Cautionary Tales from the Limits of Human Endurance." He is also the editor of an anthology of writing about the Arctic, "Ring of Ice." He typifies a rugged new breed of 'hands-on' journalists, and "Driving to Greenland" should appeal to both armchair adventurers and to those few among us who actually long to live in the heart of winter.