Big Books

This book has outstanding photos of the Bankhead Wilderness Area and also easy to follow trails and information. I give this book to all my hiking friends.

Beautiful photographs, informative text, impressive maps...much more than a guide book. This book will be on my coffee table for a long time.

As a picture book of the Sipsey Wilderness Area, this book cannot be beat. Not only do you get great shots of the most popular attractions in the Sipsey, but you also see pictures and read about some places that are "off the beaten path". In addition, the text describes how to find some of those same places. Finally, the authors even include GPS coordinates for many of the sites.

So why not 5 stars? The only complaint I have about this book is that I wish it were more of a guidebook and less of a picture book. Yes, the pictures are nice and the text is informative -- I just wish the authors had put a bit more effort into the text. I would have liked to read more detailed information about the various hikes and perhaps to have had more detailed maps.

Again, this is a fabulous picture book of my very favorite outdoor area and it does provide the best written descriptions and "hints" of any book I have found. You should be cautious, though, if you are buying this as a guidebook.

I live 75 miles from The Bankhead National Forest, but had no idea how beautiful it is until I read this book !! I plan to spend many hours there this Spring !!!

In the late 70's was when Mr. Annabel reached his prime in story telling in writing for Petersen's Hunting when it was still the haunt of the old legends like O'Connor, Keith and Annabel. This book is his early stories for magazines and while good is not his later perfection. It is though an interesting and moving tale. His World War II stories about life in Alaska are fantastic. Reading this book makes me miss him even more and remember the time when we were still young in another America. My only complaint is the price on his books even if they are worth it.

The venerable father of hunting and fishing literature, none other than Ernest Hemingway himself, said that Russell Annabel was the finest outdoor writer he had ever read. After reading this book I have to agree. Mr. Annabel is clearly one of the best, if not the very best, outdoor adventure author of the 20th century.

Most stories are set in Alaska and all are based on Mr. Annabel's real-life experiences or are based on historical fact. In particular, a few stories about the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian islands during World War II will bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded and hardened military historian.

But most stories are happier and deal with the sporting life in its most natural and enjoyable way. The essence of Mr. Annabel's writing is the essence of outdoors Alaska itself and comes from a time when fishing and hunting provided the basis of daily life for most resident Alaskans and many visitors.

Not to worry though, this book is not a dry historical treatise or boring account of sporting economics. It is a series of "up close and personal" accounts of the process of horsepacking, backpacking, hiking and exploring with rod and gun throughout Alaska. The stories also occur during a time when circumstances and attitudes were just a bit different than they are today.

This book is terrific, easy, entertaining, fact-based reading. If you are an outdoorsman (or woman) Annabel's stories will make you long for life in a different era.

This is an outstanding collection of stories from the Alaska of 50 years ago. Annabel lived an outsized life in Alaska's most interesting time, and told each story with an eye for both the beauty and adventure all outdoorsmen love. His dispatches from the WWII Aleutian campaign are riveting and heartbreaking, and his face-to-face encounters with bears, wolves and wild-eyed moose are enough to make you want to give up your job, sell the house and find your own place in among the northern lights. Nobody pens a better description of an Alaskan sunrise, and nobody gives a better taste of true Alaskan sourdough life. This book is a bargain at twice the price.

This book and the other four in the Annabel collection are a must read for any outdoor enthusiast.I have searched literally for years trying to find anything written by this author because of his unbelievable ability to make readers live his stories. I have remained captivated by Mr. Annabels writings in Outdoor Life since the late 50's and all of the 60's (all of my childhood years).You feel as though you are walking with him in all his adventures. When I read his articles in the early years I was mistaken to think that he was an Indian or part Indian because of the magic words he uses. This book will explain the reason for this misunderstanding. I wish there were many more books by Mr Annabel because since finding these five books, I read them all, then reread them and now wish there were more.

Part of the Becka and The Big Bubble series, Becka and the Big Bubble: All Around Town is a lighthearted, rhyming children's picturebook about a young girl who likes to blow bubbles - then ride on them! Adopting the name Becka and The Big Bubble for herself, she floats atop her bubble like a dream, seeing everyone all around town, but when the wind carries her so high that her bubble bursts, she's in big trouble! Becka has to figure out how to save herself in the nick of time, and return home to her loving parents, in this whimsical adventure. Also highly recommended is "Becka and the Big Bubble: Becka Goes to the North Pole".

I read Beck and the Big Bubble-All Around Town to my two-year-old son every night. He doesn't understand the story yet, but he loves the colorful illustrations and seems amused by the rhythmic language. I've also given these books as gifts to my nieces. They are a few years older than my son and they love the concept of "bubble travel". They think Becka is very cool and pretend to travel places on bubbles just like Becka. The Becka books are a fantastic way to introduce kids to the concept of other places and cultures outside of their own.

An easy fun book for boys or girls. I took this book to my son's preschool and the class went crazy with cute stories about where they would like to go.

I bought every one of the Becka and the Big Bubble books for my 3 year old son. And I'm happy to say he loves every single one of them! I'm sure your kids will enjoy them as well.

My 2 and 4 yr old girls LOVE this book! Now before they go to sleep they say "A present for you mommy?" and I reply "Just what I always wanted." Very sweet.

When I read this book, it made me remember when I was just a little kid. All the times I had been too little for things that other bigger kids could do, yet I never forgot all the things that I could do because I was little. Things such as the book said, getting a piggyback ride down the stairs, crawling under my bed, and being able to ride in a stroller everywhere. All the younger years that were so easy and yet went by so fast. This book lets me remember all the good times that I had when I was that age. Especially all the times I will never forget, for one, when I would go to weddings or other big things, and be able to dance on my daddy's feet. Or when I would play with my older cousins and they would swing me around and I was so small it would make me feel like I was weightless. Yet now I am too big to do most of those things and I miss that feeling, but I have learned that being older brings great things such as responsibility. So if someone asked me if I knew a good children's book, I would have to say Am I Big or Little? by Margaret Park Bridges.

This is a sweet story of a little girl asking her mother if she is big or little. With each question, her mother lovingly answers each of her daughter's questions.The last 2 pages just make this book special to me.... " Yes, Sweet Pea You're like a big present in a little box. A Present for you, Mommy? Of course- just what I always wanted! What wonderful words to say to your daughter, and words that should be said often, if not every day! I know without a doubt, my daughter is a wonderful gift!

Tracy Dockray does a fantastic job illustrating this book. The pages aren't cluttered up, but focus on the little girl and her mother and are done using both watercolor paints and pencils, that just gives the pages a softness.

I remember when my brother was born, my mom started calling me her Tiny Big Girl, even though I was 2, it made me feel big, when I really was little! I am so pleased that this boardbook found it's way into my hands and now heart! And will absolutely be perfect for your tiny big girl who is just wanting to be big!

This is a terrific book that doesn't just talk about the sizes, big and small, but the possibilities. The child has a enormous amount of fun being both big and little, with the story focusing on the things that she can do. The book is written as a conversation between the child and her mother. It reminds me a little of "The Runaway Bunny". The conversation is not as protective but the love shows through. It also reads smoothly so it is a good book to read aloud.

I remember reading this book when I was a kid (I got it from a book club) and laughing out loud hysterically. I still remember it as one of the best books I read as a child, and something made me think of it and look it up more than 30 years later. I think I may buy it again for another go-round!

I loved this book when I was twelve (the same age as Andrew). It is chock full of verisimilitude and I loved the style, which is conversational without being hackneyed.

When in my twenties, I read Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye." A few pages into it, I said "HEY!" Holden Caulfield's voice is almost exactly the same as Andrew Kellogg's. Barbara Brooks Wallace cannot convince me she was not inspired by Salinger.

Barbra Brooks Wallace has written a book for youth that brings home what it is like to grow up unappreciated and lonely in a new community. Andrew, the book's hero, moves with his family to Washington DC and immediately begins facing all of the troubles a boy in junior high must face: the fears that go along with being the "new kid," bullies, loneliness, a big brother with no time for him unless he is bossing him around, and a kid sister he finds himself having to take care of. Top it off with a mother who has to go away for a while, and it is a wonder Andrew doesn't go crazy! Blessed with smarts and a wry sense of humor, however, Andrew rises to the challenges (even when he doesn't want to) and truly becomes the "big deal."

This book brings back memories of my childhood. It's a story of a boy who moved with his family to Washington D.C. and tells about his struggles with childhood, and getting no respect. It is a very funny book for kids, and was the first book I remember laughing out loud while reading!

I orginally bought this book for my son (now age 10). He absolutely loved this book. It has peek-a-boo pages where it shows many different things. It has one section where its focus is contrast. So, you will see a short flower, and you lift the flap and it's a tall flower. Or, it will show a full plate of cookies and you lift the flap and the cookies are gone.

It also has counting, alphabet and the story of the three pigs. This book was used throughout his infant/toddler and preschool years. Now, my 2 year old daughter has attached herself to the same book (great quality board book). She loves to lift the flaps and see what is underneath. The alphabet is the last 2 pages..and under each letter is picture of something, so this also teaches word recognition and memory recognition. This one book has so many aspects of learning in it. It's bright and colorful and your children will love it! Worth every penny!!!A++++++

It seems like most all of this kind of big lift the flap books are a little similar---a page about letters, one about numbers, an opposite page and so forth, but they are also all pretty well done and big child pleasers! My 2 sons really like this one. Their favorite part is the "book within a book" of The Three Little Pigs. It got my older son interested in that fairy tale, which we then read in different versions, and then in fairy tales in general! One thing to note---the characters of Arthur and Francine and all of the gang seem younger in this book than in the show, more like preschool versions of themselves.

My four year old son has 3 precious "comfort" reads and this is one of them. We've read it so many times together he knows it by heart. It's a great book because not only does it hold his interest (he never tires of the flaps) but it also reinforces the alphabet, counting and teaches him about opposites. And it's also a fun book for me to read aloud (over and over . . . )

An excellent book for school readiness. My kids
fought over it so much that I had to buy a
second copy! An absolute must-have for all
4-year-olds. Make sure to buy one for each
child!

This is one of the best books ever written on a lifestyle all Americans would be better off living today. There is a peace, contentment, and satisfaction exuded by the people and stories in this book that should be the envy of all who struggle with the problems of modern society. As a child I heard my grandparents talk of the things covered in this book. I realise they were the lucky ones to have lived in such simple times. Men and woman were truely free and a man's word was his bond. Neighbor helping neighbor and, though times were hard, there was a satisfaction in making ones way in the world without expecting government or society to come to your rescue. Recommended for anyone who feels like they were born in the wrong historical time.

This book is the best book I`ve ever read about the area known as "The Big Thicket" in Southeast Texas!

My family was among the first settlers in the Thicket and I feel proud that someone took the time to really understand the culture of the people that live there. They are very old fashioned and plain folks, and they still cling to the "Old Ways"... Their "Indian Ways", as the author often reminds us.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would be interested in knowing the truth about these people who are always dismissed as ignorant and lazy. That is not true, no not by a long shot, as the author gives you insight into their daily lives, in their own words!

This book lets you in on their secret. The secret that `True Freedom` still exists in at least this one part of America. And that nothing or no one can really change them. The author shows you how self reliant they truely are, and you get the sense that they will stay that way, as much as the law allows. (and they do push the limits of SOME laws, for sure!) But no matter what changes happen around them, they will stay the way they are... A humurous, independent and determined people who instinctually know how to live off the land.

This book made me feel very nostalgic and on the last page, when the old men are recalling the "Hunt" it just brought tears to my eyes and I`m not even a hunter. I Love this book! I`m gonna read it again and again, and I highly recommend it.

The book has mentioned my own family in this book. I am very interested in this book because it speaks of my grandfather and some of my other relatives. It also speaks of my grandmother and her family. I was told about the book by my father and he went out and bought the book. I have been trying to get a copy of it but I have been unsuccessful. I hope some day to own it myself. I do appreciate the mention of my family by the author of the book. My family that I speak of is Brooks Williams and Fannie Jane Martin Williams. They were good people to get to know by anyone that ever met them. Anyone who ever met them would agree with me that they were the friendliest people they ever met. I know this is not the kind of review you were looking for but I was thrilled to have my family in a book on history of the past in Texas. They deserve to be remembered as part of the history of East Texas.

Fascinating and accurate insight to the culture, geography and ways of life in Eastern Texas. Describes the hunting, fishing and stock raising methods practiced by settlers in the forests of East Texas and how they have evolved into the 20th century. Includes stories of local lore and first hand accounts from those involved. Very interesting reading for anyone who grew up in the South, particularly in the Neches and Trinity river basins. Gives insight and perspective on attitudes and values of a slowly disappearing population of stockmen and outdoorsmen.

In the past couple of years I've read 5 Ralph Cotton books. When I'm done with a book I always rate it and or write my feelings on the first page. I have just pulled all of these books from the shelves and read what my comments were. All of them said it's an OK story. What amazes me is the comments of other readers from most westerns. They say "the best ever that I have read." It is obvious to me that these people have never read Robert J. Conley or Cameron Judd. .

Ralph introduced us to the ranger in "Montana Red," and it was "Classic Cotton." I didn't think it was possible, but I believe old Ralph has done even better in "Badlands." The action keeps you turning pages till the wee hours of the night. Keep it up Ralph! You've got us hooked on your writing and we now need our "Cotton Fix" on a regular interval.

Although Ralph Cotton writes the best westerns I've ever read, he has outdone even himself with Badlands. The Arizona Ranger Sam Burrak series has to be made into a movie, that is if Hollywood can do these characters justice.

After reading Border Dogs, I thought Ralph Cotton was a newwriter on the western scene. However, I see now that he has fourbooks about his ranger Sam and Maria and I plan to read all of them. Cotton does not rely on old cliches and dull plots. His characters are as real as the people we see on the news at night. His stories go farther than most of what I find at the movies. I am his newest fan, and will continue to be a fan from now on. Good work, Mr. Cotton. Keep them coming.

In short, there isn't a more comprehensive set of books on Mixed Martial Arts training. Bas' credentials are impeccable and he's a charismatic guy. That charisma shows through in the books.

One can quickly see where Bas's game evolved from. He's a stand up and duke it out guy but he can handle himself on the ground. In both areas, there are different ways of playing the game and Bas has his own.

He believes in having great conditioning and rightly so. His technique is largely based on conditioning, as well. He covers stand up in the full-contact karate and kickboxing vein. His ground game is very much rooted in the Japanese submission wrestling style and he covers the "Ground 'n' Pound" in good detail.

I think there are better books on stand up, ground and conditioning, but none that can bring it all together.

OK, so the game's evolved since Bas competed. So what?! This is still the best book on the MMA game.

I've just got my copy of these books - and, I can say, without a doubt in my mind - That these books are totally usefull in everyday training and, in preparation for lessons in mma! They are Extremely complete - the variations and honesty of the techniques - simply amazes, even a pro fighter like myself!!
If i were to get only 2 books on MMA, these would be the ones to recommend - beyond any shadow of a doubt!!
Bas knows what he teaches - as he's tried it all!! And these books stay by my side during training, as an ever usefull guide to MMA!!
indeed - a Must-BUY!!

Very Sincerly, Lars "Bad Boy" Besand - of Skagen Fight Gym .dk

In this book, Bas Rutten focuses on the groundfighting and submission game of NHB. His chapters are extensive, using decent black-and-white photos to demonstrate his holds. The chapters focus on one body part or subject at a time (for example, "Escapes" or "Arm and Wrist Locks"), and most run about 100 pages long. The sense I get is that Bas really cares about making sure the reader understands how to perform the moves correctly. On the plus side, he shows quite a variety of different ways to enter in to these subs, and also shows how strikes could compliment the subs. On the down side, there is little in the way of new or different holds being shown, and the quality of the photos and print are below what I'm used to. Of course, that doesn't really take away from what's a very good book overall.

The chapter on escapes was especially good, since every escape led to a better possition and sometimes a hold. There was a nice chapter on stand-up to ground combos that I think is worth looking through. I thought the chapter on banana bag combos should have been in the first book, though. Also included inside the chapters were blank lines that could be filled with training notes.

Overall, a very good book, and a good compliment to Bas's first BBOC. The fact that the holds were given generic names could prove confusing for training purposes, but if done propperly, they are very good holds indeed, and the book provides more than enough for either beginners or advanced.

Bas Rutten's "Big Book Of Combat" Volume 2 is a perfect compliment to his "Big Book Of Combat" Volume 1. Where Volume 1 covers training and stand-up striking, Volume 2 covers all the groundfighting skills needed to compete in NHB or mixed martial arts competition. The combination of these two outstanding books will give you Rutten's complete fighting system which I find to be one of the best in the world. Both books are a must have for all students of the martial arts.

In the summer of 1985 I spent a day roaming the Rosebud battle site with the author, Neil Mangum. I was lucky to have the "expert" on this fight interpreting the story for me.

For those of you not so lucky, I highly recommend this book. Of all the books written on the Rosebud fight this is by far the best. The maps alone are worth purchasing this book because one gets a great sense of soldier and Indian movements, in time, along with the engagements just by reviewing the maps.

Plus, there is a great chapter entitled, "Crook and the Custer Connection." This chapter should make all those who blame Crook for Custer's defeat eight days later on the Little Bighorn rethink their ideas.

Neil Mangum served as superintendent at the Little Bighorn from 1998-2002. During his administration we saw for the first time red granite markers on the battlefield (similar to the white ones for soldiers) for Cheyenne and Sioux warriors; Lame White Man, Noisy Walking and Long Road. On June 25, 2003 an unknown warrior marker was unveiled on Wooden Leg Hill. The next day a marker for Dog's Back Bone was placed at the Reno-Benteen Defense Site. This year, 2005, we plan to place two markers for some of the "Suicide Boys" -- they joined the fight near the very end promising to give their lives for their people.

The old wayside exhibits that stood along battle road have been replaced with modern interpretations. Most importantly, Neil's efforts finally produced $2.3 million dollars to build the Indian Memorial. This memorial stands 75 yards from Last Stand Hill. Construction began in the spring of 2002 and completed in May 2003. The Indian Memorial was dedicated on June 25, 2003 with thousands of Indians, from all tribes represented at the battle, attending.

Between the confusion typical of any engagement and the scarcity of surviving testimony, it may be that no definitive account of any Euro-American vs. American Indian battle can ever be produced. However, Neil Mangum has produced a through, balanced, and convincing book that is as close as any such work may ever come to being authoritative.

This is by far the most intriguing and accurate book I have read concerning the Rosebud. Neil Mangum's writing is accurate and a complete joy to read.

Mangum, the Superintendent of the Little Big Horn (LBH) battlefield writes a portrayal of the Crook's campaign against the Sioux that culminates in the Battle of the Rosebud 8 days prior to Custer's attack. Since the LBH is roughly 30 miles southeast of the LBH, Mangum is extraordinarily familiar with the battlefield that still looks like it did 134 years ago. The book covers Crook's earlier March campaign where he was first in the field which peaked at a failed attempt to destroy a predominately Cheyenne village which also included some Sioux on the Powder. Crook again restarts in June with almost 200 Shoshone and Crow allies. As Mangum expertly retells the battle, Crook is surprised while encamped leisurely along Rosebud Creek on June 17. Mangum notes that Crook was similarly surprised also with great consequences in the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864 where he was surprised by Jubal Early. In the description of the battle, Mangum points out that if it wasn't for the Shoshone and Crow who spotted the Sioux and Cheyenne first relatively distant from camp while also absorbing the initial attack, Crook's command may have been destroyed. The allies gave Crook's troopers a chance to prepare for the attack. Crook's forces, which included mule mounted infantry and miners, stemmed the attack but as Mangum points out, the Sioux seemed to come at Crook from three sides from the high ground to the north. After Crook seems to control the battle, Colonel Royall with his calvary battalion rolls up the Indian right so successfully, his enthusiasm isolates himself from Crook allowing the Sioux and Cheyenne to consolidate against him requiring a furious battle of retrograde movements causing the most severe casualties of Crook's forces. Mangum states that Crook was in peril with Royall's potential collapse because Crook sent off another battalion to the Indian's left in search of their village that was not in the immediate area as perceived. Only the recall of Mills saves the day but the Sioux and Cheyenne have initiated enough casualties and psychological harm to cause Crook to retire and take over a month to retrofit his command. I was at the Rosebud site in 1999 and had I read Mangum's book with the terrain maps, my tour would have been far more beneficial. The battlefield today is a State park and the modest valley that Crook stopped in on June 17 looks is framed with high hills and interesting landmarks like Conical Hill. This is a great book about a key battle that indicated that the Sioux and Cheyenne were agressive in defending their village which was overlooked by all of Sheridan's generals. This battle besmirched Crook's otherwise great post Civil War career.