North America Books

My grandma originally owned a copy of this book and regularly noted sightings of interesting/rare species. I bought my own copy several years ago and it has proved quite useful. The most interesting example was a Java Sparrow sighted in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I couldn't find out what it was from searching around online, but looking in the back of this field guide, under foreign/introduced species, there it was.

I received this book as a gift and have used it constantly. I keep it on my window sill during the feeding season to identify the visiters to my feeder. The book's size and physical construction are excellent. As someone who is a novice it seems to be very comprehensive on the subject matter.

Even when I lived in the city, I liked to feed and watch the birds (mainly sparrows and pigeons). Now that we live up in the woods, we're in bird paradise. Using this Peterson Field Guide for "Eastern Birds" plus a good pair of binoculars for visual identifications, and the "Birding by Ear Eastern/Central" CDs (Richard K. Walton and Robert W. Lawson) I've identified 42 species of birds in just over a month, as a casual observer for the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II project.

I have other bird books, but it is Peterson's Field Guide that I use most frequently. Roger Tory Peterson's 'system' "is based on patternistic drawings with arrows that pinpoint the key field marks." You don't have to have the bird in hand in order to make an identification. In addition to 136 full-color plates of Eastern birds (male, female, and immature, or summer and winter plumage if they differ markedly), there are also 390 three-color maps (first introduced in the 1980 edition).

The maps are absolutely essential for an amateur like me. If I've narrowed down a blurry little gray bird to X and Y, and Y never makes it north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I can be pretty certain that the bird is X. Here's an actual example on the utility of the maps: I was trying to distinguish a trilling song that could either belong to the Swamp Sparrow, the Pine Warbler, or the Northern Junco. We do see Juncos at our feeders in the winter, but this is July and according to Peterson's map, the Juncos spend the summer north of here, mostly in Canada. So I've narrowed the trill down to the Swamp Sparrow or the Pine Warbler (actually I'm positive we've got both as I've made tentative visual identifications. It makes sense since we live in the Pine Barrens which is dotted with numerous swamps).

This book begins with a generalized introduction to identifying birds by shape, distinctive features and behavior. Physically, it is tightly bound and just the right size to slip into a backpack. The pages are glossy and 'relatively' waterproof if you wipe them quickly dry. There is even a 'life list' up front where you can check off the birds you have seen.

Don't go birding without it.

The Peterson field Guide to Eastern American Birds turned out to be the best birding book I've ever read. The book was well thought out and had the format that we needed in our suburban environment. The illustrations were concise and made identifying the birds extremely easy. We have a large population of Red-Winged Blackbirds and Mourning Doves, and its great to actually know what in the world we were looking at. It was great!

This is the best of the field guides for the amature birder in my opinion. I purchased a guide that had actual photos of birds in their habitats, thinking it would be the best, but it definately was not as good or as easy to use as the Peterson field guide. If you are looking for a good all around field guide to keep near your binoculars, this one is my pick.

Many times in the field you only see a small portion of a track, or an indistinct line of marks, like in snow a line of tracks may be a line of little holes in the snow. . is there a way to still tell what the animal is and what it was doing. . YES. The answers are in this book in Dr. Halfpenny's methodical way of measuring gaits, stride, animal size and other clues. With this guide, as well as Mark Elbroch's heavier one on Mammal Tracks & Sign you can learn to track animals. By that I mean you can tell what animals were there, what they were doing and when, even when you can't see picture book examples in the mud or dust. This book (my third copy) is in my pack, and Mark's is in my car (with a second copy at home).

Animal tracks are more than just impressions in the snow, mud, or dirt. They are a record of what an animal was doing, where it was going, and what it was thinking... IF you know how to read them.

Jim Halfpenny has spent most of his life following, recording, and interpreting the elusive tracks of animals. This book focuses on mammals.

Now there are a number of books on bird and mammal tracks. A Field Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America is much more than a collection of diagrams. This book:

* discusses the anatomy and behavior behind tracks

* develops a rationale on how to look at and measure a track

* revels the differences between a gait, a step, a jump, and a straddle

* discusses tracking techniques (Halfpenny gives seminars on this topic, and it is included as Chapter 4 in this book)

* reviews track characteristics of canids, felids, lagomorphs, ungulates, and rodents, along with bears, weasels, raccoons, opossums, and shrews.

* discusses "scatology"

* presents a number of interesting cases that he then works through to show the reader how to approach a mystery track and identify the animal, and its behavior, correctly.

This is not a very expensive book. It could have been even less expensive with the elimination of the 12 full-page color illustrations of selected mammals in the center of the book. They were nice, but distracting, and most of the drawings don't even have pictures of tracks, the point of the book!

This book would have been improved with use of a digital camera in capturing images of tracks. However, Halfpenny has been collecting them his whole life, certainly prior to the common use of this technique! This is a "must have" book for the serious tracker.... a bargain through and through.

I've read a number of tracking books and this one is the best. Easy to follow. Sensible. Lots on gait patterns and scats. James tells you what he knows and is careful not to pretend to know more than he does.

This book has so much information about tracking that it will take a while to digest it all. The gait descriptions are thoroughly explained. Finer points of tracking and how to see tracks are well-defined. Explanations are written clearly and amply illustrated to make learning easier. This guide shows you how to identify not only the tracks, but the patterns and other signs left behind by animals. I have an extensive collection of books on tracking and I rate this one among the top three.

More in depth tracks, skills, info, much better than any of Tom Browns books, also does not contain T.B.'s spirituality. The actual art this man retains is amazing!!! GREAT BOOK!!! There is a reason this book is almost always sold out!

If you are interesting in plants, and you live in latin_america this is a book for you!! Al Gentry give us a view of tropical plats...in a taxonomic way... but includes practical and field tips to recognize families and some genera, and includes some simply and helpful illustrations . This "little" field guide it is some like the "Botanic Bible" of tropical American botanists (However I am a template Southamerican, I found this like a book of "head"....!!)

The best avaliable guide to the wood plants of this region of South America that I am aware of.

I'm an amateur naturalist -- and had the plants of the Eastern US pretty well under control. All that went out the window when I moved to Nicaragua. This is the first broad, clear, complete guide to neo-tropical woody plants (and lots of the herbaceous plants as well) I've seen. Although it was written for Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru, it does well enough for Central America. Just leafing through the illustrations has given me the family, and often the genus, of lots of the plants I've seen in our cloud forests. The author has a very readable style, laced with an understated sense of humour that bubbles to the surface on several occasions. See the entry for Euphorbiaceae, for example.

The book is not, however, for the complete beginner. Unless you are thoroughly familiar with the arcane botanical terminology, you will need a botanical dictionary. "Plant Identification Terminology" by Harris is a good one.

I'm an amateur naturalist -- and had the plants of the Eastern US pretty well under control. All that went out the window when I moved to Nicaragua. This is the first broad, clear, complete guide to neo-tropical woody plants (and lots of the herbaceous plants as well) I've seen. Although it was written for Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru, it does well enough for Central America. Just leafing through the illustrations has given me the family, and often the genus, of lots of the plants I've seen in our cloud forests. The author has a very readable style, laced with an understated sense of humour that bubbles to the surface on several occasions. See the entry for Euphorbiaceae, for example.

The book is not, however, for the complete beginner. Unless you are thoroughly familiar with the arcane botanical terminology, you will need a botanical dictionary. "Plant Identification Terminology" by Harris is a good one.

This book is the only one to cover so extensively the flora of Colombia in such an accessible way. You won't regret this purchase. It certainly deserves five stars.

After reading this book several times, my enthusiasm for it just continues to grow. This book is one of the most monumental assets to mountaineering since "The White Spider, The Story of the North Face of the Eiger." It raises the bar on climbing levels and performance to such heights that even experienced mountain climbers will get shivers reading some of the stories. It exposes a cross section of the best climbers in Amercia while telling stories of their favorite ascents. Anyone who enjoys mountaineering books or adventure books will consider this a asset to their library, and it is so readable that anyone who picks it up will have trouble putting it down. What a book! 5 Stars..

One more book for armchair climbers. It's a good book, but it's basically useless to the real weekend warriors. With the noted exception of Lynn Hill and 2 or 3 others, all the climbers in this book are offering routes that are way beyonb the ability of the average climber. Yes, they are professional climbers, and yes, they want to show off their greatest achievements; so if this book will make you dream, it won't make you want to get up and follow in their footsteps !

I just got my copy of Fifty Favorite Climbs in the mail. What a book! Much to the dislike of my family, I read it cover to cover over the weekend. After reading it, I am so inspired to climb and explore. The book profiles 50 elite climbers and describes their all time favorite mountain and rock climbs. The author does an exceptional job at capturing the personality of each climber, and then tells a wonderful story that explains why the climb is such a favorite.

The book is also BEAUTIFUL. It includes over 150 color photos, and not just shots taken by the author. Most are from renowned outdoor photographers. This is a unique book and a great gift idea for anyone with an interest in rock climbing and mountaineering.

Fifty Favorite Climbs is simply outstanding! Imagine the mountaineering marvel, "50 Classic Climbs" combined with intriguing biographies on 50 notable climbers of today, all tied together with compelling writing and outstanding photography. As one who has and dragged his camera all over Yosemite, the Cascades, Smith Rock, etc. since the 70's, I can tell you that the photography alone makes this book a must have.

Clear my calendar! I'm fired up and going climbing!

50FC is a terrific book about climbing, but it really plays to a much broader audience. Its about climbing and specific ascents, but then climbing and ascents are really about a whole lot more. The book has absolutely killer photos, clear maps laying out the technical aspects of each ascent, portraits and profiles of the individual climbers, and very readable discussion about each particular climb and climber being profiled. The various chapters are each a separate world, laying out the geography of climbing and the broad differences between one face and another, as unique as the characters and personalities involved. The author is a climber who took a number of the photos himself, so this is told from the POV of someone who knows what climbing is about, but not in a condescending way (no pun). Kroese writes clearly, so that anyone can get excited about what's happening up above. I have never climbed, which is what makes 50FC even more intriguing. Its about 50 distinct challenges, and the different ways people plan and conquer those challenges. The methods and process draw a good parallel to any sport, or even business. An inspiring view of high-altitude acheivement. A great book to give someone as a gift. But keep a copy for yourself.

I wish all the pieces in this book ended like the piece "Split Decision". "When the bell rang at the end of the fight
after Joe Frazier had floored Ali with a left hook
you must remember that Muhammad Ali was still standing

he stood up."

There was some hope in that ending, but not in a lot of the others. This book made me very sad and angry about the past and what we as a people continue to do today. How much we have destroyed and how much we have missed by always wanting to stick to who and what we know and surround ourselves with possessions.

Each essay or poem is sharp and clear and vivid. Each scene that is described can easily be pictured but the emotions can only be imagined. It would be wonderful if many, many readers were to be exposed to Sherman Alexie's work.

Sorry if that sounded gushy, but throughout the pathos and humor, I coulldn't help but marvel at this man's spirit-- and his literary skills. I've seen his interviews and featured bios on television and reading his work brings it all to life. I wish I had his ability to draw verbal pictures. Thank you for being you!

A very sad collection of pieces by Alexie, covering all manner of topics of res life. More impressive, however, is his use of style and technique in these works. Sometimes in traditional poem format, sometimes in prose writing, flirting with fiction storytelling. Around every page is a new experience. This is a great collection.

With a voice that begs contemplation and makes you want to find the everyday magic in your own life, Alexie gives us a heart-filled and heart-breaking collection of tale-like poems about Amerindian life in the 20th century and beyond.
Stunning.

Sherman Alexi is an in-your-face poet, there's no doubt about it. He has a voice that demands to be heard, and you will listen, even unwillingly. His style is unique, mixing short, terse lines of verse alternating with long lines of prose that carry contrasts of charged emotion against the calming voice of reason. It is not an easy read. There are harsh truths, but truths that need to be addressed and heeded. His voice is the voice of many and the voice of few, but all demand you hear them. Powerful and moving.When I finished reading it, I felt as if I'd been shot in the back with many arrows and was left carrying around holes in my heart.

this is the legend of how the first strawberries came into being, and it's kind of nice because it's a love story. i'm going to summarize it so if you don't want to know skip over.

one day a husband comes home from hunting to find his wife picking flowers instead of cooking. he angrily reprimands her for this and she indignantly walks off. the husband immediately feels sorry for getting so angry and tries to catch up to his wife to apologize but she's too fast for him so he asks the sun to slow her down. the sun shines itself on various berries but the wife is too angry to see them so the sun makes strawberries right on the ground so the wife would see them, and voila the first strawberries. the wife sees them and thinks to herself that it would be nice to share these with her husband so stops to pick some. the husband catches up to her and they live happily ever after.

it was a nice story. i enjoyed it.

This Cheyenne tale is a great lesson about how words of anger hurt and about forgiveness. Also a nature pour-quoi tale! Can be shared easily with very young, important message for older boys and girls as well as adults. After reading this, eating strawberries will be just a little sweeter!

A wonderful story that teaches a timeless lesson. Everyone married or yearning to be should read it. Now I always get strawberries to follow-up an arguement.

I love this book both for it's great story and because it is a terrific resource for teachers. It's one of those books (like Where the Wild Things Are or Runaway Bunny) that just grabs kids up and speaks directly to things they are deeply connected to. In this case: inequity, anger and how to deal with those feelings.

If you are a teacher (or parent) and want a book that addresses these issues witout being overly complicated or inauthentic - run, don't walk and buy this wonderful book!

This beautifully illustrated lyrical book is very special. It's story of thoughtless words, anger and forgiveness is told simply, but powerfully. It is a lesson both adults and children can hear over and over. The lush watercolor illustrations are breathtaking. I buy this book as a wedding present, and read it on the last day of classes that I teach, and think of it whenever I bite into a ripe, sweet strawberry.

If you want to do more than just read about the Cherokee indians, this is the book to get! The first part of the book is a historical and cultural overview of the Cherokee indians. The second part of the book gives directions to historical sites and goes into some detail about the history behind the site. It also tells you what there is to see now. I am not aware of another book like this. Keep it in your car when you travel. I really enjoyed this book.

A photographer having a special interest in Cherokee history, Vicki Rozema's "Footsteps Of The Cherokees: A Guide To The Eastern Homelands Of The Cherokee Nation" is a seminal contribution to the growing body of Native American history in general, and the Cherokee Nation in particular. Traveling more than 4,000 miles and investing about 2500 hours visiting, researching, and photographing the sites associated with Cherokee history throughout southeastern United States, "Footsteps Of The Cherokees" covers Cherokee farmlands, homes, and sacred sides in North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and the infamous trek to Oklahoma in 1838 called 'The Trail of Tears', when thousands of Cherokees were forced by the federal government to leave their lands and live on a desolate reservation in an inhospitable western frontier. Some 190 sites are listed and provided with historical perspectives. Enhanced with black-and-white photographs, detailed directions to the sites, their hours of operation, along with entrance fee information, as well as relevant phone numbers, "Footsteps Of The Cherokees" is the perfect travel planner and companion. An impressive and original body of work, "Footsteps Of The Cherokees" is a welcome and very highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Native American Studies reference collections.

This book is excellent. It won an Award of Merit from The Tennessee Historical Commission. It is different from other books on the Cherokees because it gives detailed directions to over 190 different sites associated with the Cherokees. Well-organized as well as informative.

We used this book for two years to take prayer walkers to the actual sites of the Cherokee people for prayer and reconciliation in Jesus name. See [URL]. This book was invaluable. We found a lot more sites than she lists, but her book has great directions, history, etc. We met the author for lunch in Knoxville two years ago. She is shy, unassuming, and modest about the great gift she has given to the Cherokee and those who live on their lands today.

A very well written book and very easy to read. Divided into
two parts, the book gives the reader a goodly amount of historical as well as cultural information on the Cherokee Tribe in their Eastern homelands. The second part of the book is a listing of various places in this area that are of historical interest. Not only does Vicki Rozema tell the reader where these places are, but some of the background surrounding them and when available she also includes a picture to help in identifying these sites. As an added feature, the information on business hours and cost to get in is also included.

Vicki Rozema has a good talent for holding the reader's attention, which to me is important. The only thing wrong with this book is that it has now added all these different places I never realized existed before to my itinerary and I don't know if I will be able to get to see them all, but will surely try. The book will definitely go with me when I travel.

Founding Character: The Words and Documents that Forged a Nation opened my eyes to the whole picture of our origins. First, I hadn't read the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution since college. And, the original draft of the Declaration by Jefferson? It was never mentioned in high school or college, so I missed its relevance altogether!

Then there is the Treaty of Paris which I know see in a whole new light - it's the formal recognition of our country after all. And, I had never read the full text of George Washington's farewell address until Founding Character; what an eye opener!
The significance of a peaceful transfer of power every four to eight years now seems trivial, but it really isn't.

But, the most eye-opening part of this book is the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms; written a year before the Declaration of Independence, this resolution from the Continental Congress called for armed resistance to the crown. I had completely missed this in my history studies.

This is much more than a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, with the additional content, this is a complete picture of the character of our nation at its founding.

If you are tired of the tiny pocketbook edition of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and want a version with more substance, then Founding Character: The Words and Documents that Forged a Nation is the book for you!

Not only do you get the Constitution and the Declaration (both final version and Jefferson's original version), but you also get the Articles of Confederation, The Treaty of Paris (a very important document where the United States are recognized as a nation by England!), as well as the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (never included in other books, but oh so important!) - a document from the Continental Congress that predates the Declaration by a year!!

This is a book that I have given to each of my teenagers as well to take off to college!

I found this book "Founding Character:The Words and Documents That Forged a Nation" to be outstanding. In todays climate of Red States vs Blue States and the Division that the last election has wrought, it was uplifting to read the words that
formed our nation.
I highly recommend this book for every American whether they are liberal or conservative. It gives you pause , makes you think and appreciate what we have today.

I really like this book. It almost has everything you need. If the editors had included "Common Sense" it would have been perfect. Still, though, it is the best all-in-one reference I have found.

Found this book while doing a search for the Constitution and was pleased to find that it had everything in it I needed for my American History class. Saved me from having to buy a couple other books.

This is the third book of Parkman's that I've read. Previously, I read Pioneers of France in the New World and The Jesuits in North America. About all three I would say a) they are absolutely amazing works of brilliant, inspired scholarship, b) Parkman's measured, objective, caring approach to the topics -- and the beauty and tone of his writing -- is extremely compelling, and c) my grade school, high school, and college education did not provide me with the gritty, fascinating facts about what REALLY happened back in the 17th Century in North America.

This is not James Michener (as much as I have enjoyed his works) packaging and making sense of history -- or the dry, intellectualized expert texts I had to read in school -- or the politically correct wholesome simplified upbeat teachings of my youth, with for example the perfect Puritans and the friendly Indians sharing Thanksgiving.

This is what really happened, detail by detail, based on exhaustive research of original texts -- letters, reports, maps, government documents, earlier histories, etc. Fortunately for Parkman, the early adventurers did a lot of writing, including many of the members of religious orders who accompanied or in some cases led the explorations.

My main takeaway from these true histories is how incredibly dangerous, unsuccessful, and unpredictable the courses of events were in these times (and probably in our time as well). In a way they are like anti-stories, or anti-history. Good often does not prevail over evil; heroes do scandalous things; scoundrels act heroic; no one is assuredly, consistently good or evil; when you least expect it there is a generous caring act; and when you least expect it, when all is going well, there is a foolish, unfortunate, destructive act that ruins all that has been accomplished, etc.

That is, while there may be certain patterns in events, these patterns themselves are constantly shifting, and the most logical and predictable outcomes almost never happen. In other words, Parkman has truly captured life in all its shades of grey and inconsistencies.

His treatment of the Indians is a perfect example. By modern day standards, it is egregiously politically incorrect. But he reveals them in all of their savagery, helpfulness, childish immaturity, wisdom, thievery, generosity, deceit, and unpredictable kindness. The commonplace cannibalism and similarly common extreme forms of repulsive torture done by Indians are carefully documented and reported throughout his texts, as well as the way their easily given friendship essentially saved the lives of most of the key European adventurers at one time or another.

These books are definitely not for the faint of heart or people who want a simplistic "Dummies Guide" to history!

While there is a new Introduction, this is the historic account of Robert LaSalle's exploration of the Louisiana territory in the 1680s. Parkman first published this treatise in 1869; it has since been reprinted numerous times. An excellent, thoroughly engrossing recounting of the exploration of the territory which LaSalle claimed for France in 1682, through which the reader not only learns of the daily travails of the little band of explorers, but also, the human frailties of the man, Robert Cavelier, known as LaSalle. This book gives life to a name from history, and exemplifies the methodical research done by Parkman in the days before telephones, faxes, and copiers. I was thoroughly impressed by the subject and the writer. Excellent; informative, totally enthralling reading-writers of today should take note! Kudos to the publishers (and Krakauer) for bringing this series (back) to life!

For those who liked Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage" or Lansing's "Endurance", make room on your bookshelf for another favorite. Parkman tells the story of LaSalle's journeys in North America with a novelist's style and a historian's attention to detail.

Of particular interest were Parkman's references to things which exist "today" referring to his time, the mid to late 1800's. As such, the reader is treated to a double dose of history by viewing past events through the eyes of someone who wrote over 100 years ago. The book was an exciting and enjoyable read.

My only criticisms of the book were that the volume of the footnotes was somewhat distracting, and that a few key phrases were not translated from French. Otherwise, excellent.

Parkman is that unusual combination of great scholar and wonderful writer. His books depicting the history of French exploration of North America and the conflict between the French and the British for control of North America remain the basic narratives of these events. Parkman's writing, combining narrative, psychological insight into major historical actors, and use of rhetoric that seamlessly reflects his narrative, is often superb. This particular book is almost entirely devoted to the career of the Sieur De La Salle, the French explorer obsessed with establishing French control over the Mississippi valley. Parkman provides vivid portraits of the almost incredible hardships of travel in North America, the character of politics in the French colonies, and an insightful treatment of La Salle and his associates. Parkman's powerful but restrained language often recalls the style of Tacitus.

I picked this up on a lark and found I couldn't put it down. A fascinating story, extremely well written and a pure pleasure to read. I travel extensively and found it amazing how many places I go to regularly have a direct link to La Salle. Couldn't recommend it more.

Went to Bermuda to celebrate 10th anniversary and purchased this book to guide us to the best dining and sights. It was right-on with all recommendations. We got a great taste of Bermuda out of a 4-night trip thanks to this book. On our last day there, in the airport we talked to another couple who had just spent 4 nights there as well. They had no idea about Ginger Beer, Dark and Stormy drinks, Fish Chowder, or Wahoo - Frommer's made sure we did not miss the essential elements of Bermuda. Highly recommended. We'll be using it for our next trip there.

I have read several books on Bermuda in preparing for our upcoming trip, and this one is by far the most helpful--and most thorough. It has a good combination of background info/history and travel info/tips. The detachable, fold-out map if the islands is particularly nice. I wish I'd bought this travel guide first (I've purchased several)--it would have saved me a good bit of time and money, since now I don't feel like I need to buy another!

I have often wasted money by buying several travel guides for my trips abroad. This time, I wanted to buy only one for my four night trip to Bermuda. This Frommers guide turned out to be an excellent choice. It provides all the needed information about getting from the airport to your hotel/resort, getting around the island, places to stay, beaches, golf courses, the sights, restaurants, bars, shopping and everything else you could need to know for your vacation. It also has a very useful detachable map of the whole Island, including detailed maps of St. George and Hamilton. This book should truly be all that you need for your trip to Bermuda.

This was a great guide for visiting Bermuda. The hotel section was accurate and current enough to plan most of the logistics before I arrived. The guide also had a lot of current suggestions of quaint places to visit that only a long timer would know. Well worth the small investment in improving your trip.

Travel tip - Although the cover of the guide shows sun and beaches, be careful about the timing of when you go. Bermuda is in the Atlantic, not the Carribean, so the water won't be so pleasant in the winter.

This book is great for anyone going to Bermuda for their honeymoon or for a vacation. I found all the top beaches and my husband found exclusive details on all the top golf courses. With exact prices and candid reviews on hotels and restaurants, we were able to make a budget for the entire trip.