Clark Books

Is it really the right answer to send a kid away from home when they have a mental problem? "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is an examination of children throughout the country who are suffering from mental disorders - and are placed in mental hospitals, foster homes, boot camps, and other 'treatment' solutions so often suggested by professionals. Are these solutions actually solving anything, or could they be feeding the very problems they've set out to cure? Calling for improvements in the mental health care system, "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This narrative non-fiction is gripping and informative about the untold problems with our psychiatric care when it comes to adolescents. I did not know about these issues before reading this book but it has appauled me that we, as a nation, have not done more to remedy this issue. This book is a must read for anyone who has a teenager or is concerned about the mental health care of our future.

I normally read fiction, and I have to say that this book is not only educational and certainly a must for anyone who has troubled children, but also reads like a novel. An excellent read and a valuable font of information on this subject. I was especially impressed to see the sections on what to look for in an institution if you are contemplating getting your child help in this fashion. This really should be a textbook for people in the field of adolescent psychology. I highly recommend this book to professionals and laymen alike.

Writing a book about troubled teens has been an enormously challenging task. While pulling together the notes-to-self that I had written and saved over the years, I found myself re-experiencing many of the emotions I felt as I worked with the kids. It was as if time had not passed, as if I could hear the kids talking, laughing, acting out, threatening, pleading, sobbing--as I were once again in a position of wanting to help but often not knowing the best way to do so. Being constrained by my role and hoping with all my heart that what I had learned--and continued to learn every day--would carry us through. Hoping that the hurt and the pain and the trauma experienced by so many could recede, would recede, back in their minds to a place where each child would become his or her best self. Fearing that would not happen but hoping that the care each child received might make a difference in their lives. Coming to learn that the system of care which I had so believed and trusted in was often a system that I did not know or understand.

The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis tells the stories of a handful of young people with whom I have worked over the years. You will hear them speak and feel their pain and you will come to hope for the best for each of them. You will learn the magnitude of the problem facing America as we deal with and help troubled children to grow and become our leaders: our doctors, teachers, legislators, electricians, mothers and fathers, and others. With an estimated twenty percent of America's children under the age of 18 afflicted with emotional and behavioral disorders, hundreds of thousands of these young people are confined each year to psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, therapeutic foster homes, boot camps, and behavioral academies. While in some cases children may very appropriately be referred to and treated within inpatient psychiatric facilities, one must question the benefit of many of these out-of-home placements.

The Forgotten Future offers an unprecedented eye-opening look into the lives of a group of seriously-troubled teens whose families have entrusted them to the care of inpatient psychiatric hospitals. You may come to question whether our hospitalized children are really receiving the best mental health treatment available, while at the same time you will be encouraged to learn of the dedication and hard work of individuals who work with our children despite the many challenges of their chosen profession. You will come away convinced that our nation must rally to provide a mental health care system that truly works, and you will agree that our children deserve a chance to reach their goals and live to their greatest potential. Their futures must not be forgotten.

Ms Ebel has written a fascinating and disturbing book on a subject that
is all too often pushed into the darkest corners of society. It is a
must read for anyone seriously interested in helping adolescents, and for those who are not aware that the problem exists.

My interest in this book was triggered by an encounter with a brother-in-law who denied any blood-atonment incidents in the early Basin Kingdom. I knew otherwise from reading Mike Quinn and Mountain Meadows history. Forgotten Kingdom was a good dispassionate source confimring the rough-and-tumble times of early Utah. Full-fledged democratic institutions hadn't yet taken shape in the US generally, much less on the frontier, much less in a territory dominated by a theocratic kingdom not yet ready to accommodate outsiders. Violence was a part of life, just as it is now (only more institutionalized now).

I didn't sense any particular ideology or ax to grind. You don't get that voyeuristic feel of sensationalism that you might with a less sympathetic view. Biglet lets the story tell itself. He doesn't pull punches or whitewash, but neither does he judge from a 21st century view how these frontiersmen made do in their lives. The most important thing I look for when I read a history is a sympathetic storyteller - someone who doesn't judge participants from a narrow point of view. Bigler's history is sympathetic and compassionate.

I have ancestors who settled in southern Utah, and Bigler helps me understand better what they went through. The vision of an independent kingdom of God was doomed from the start, for the same reasons that it failed in Ohio, Missour, and Illinois, You can't help but admire the audacity and tenacity of these early settlers, though. Forgotten Kingdom does a useful services by shedding light on these times.

I agreed with the previous reviewers in saying that this is one of the best books regarding the theocratic state that the Mormons tried to create during their early territorial years. The book does a wonderful job contrasting the theocratic values of the Mormon's ideal world to the republican ideology of the United States at that time.

The key figure of this book proves to be the theocratic dictator of Utah Territory, Brigham Young, prophet and president of the LDS. Its pretty clear by the book that Young saved his church from destruction and with his single-minded clarity of mission, managed to saved Utah for the Mormons. But in doing so, he committed himself to unforgivable sins, worst being the cover-up of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. But it was also interesting how he created a shadow government to off set the loss of formal position. But to paraphase one of the quotes from the book, "I may be the governor of the territory but Young is the govenor of the people" (close?). His defense of polygamy aided the enemies of his church and his willingness to over looked the misdeeds of his underlings marked him as a great but deeply flawed man. The book covered this struggled between Young and all his foes who stood against his theocratic dictatorship.

The book appears to be very well researched, clearly written and easy to read. Its an interesting read of Utah's politics, wars and religious conflicts as the Mormons slowly but surely, began to assimulated into the American society.

If you are looking for a comprehensive and accurate history (1847-1896) of the Mormons this book is the one to buy. David Bigler's ability to accurately research and write about Mormon history is second to none. From the discovery of gold at John Sutter and James Marshall's lumber mill to the Mountain Meadows Massacre this book covers some of the most important events in the history of the United States.

This important and seminal work should be required for those interested in or those currently studying Mormonism and its forgotten legacy to western America.

Beggining with the Arrival of the Mormons in 1847 and the creation of the state of Deseret we are taken through the many twists and turns of the Mormon effort to establish a country west of the mississippi. Truly a tale of endurance and originality. This was the only state ever created in the americas not relying on colinialism to create it. Here the 'Saints' built schools, railroads and an army. The settled the land from California to Nevada to Arizona and beyond. The almost came to war with the American government in 1858. Some mormons massacred a group of Gentiles traveling through Utah(but gee history seems to have forgotten the massacres of mormons back east). We learn of the regime of Young.

The book details the indian wars and immigration. Like estbalishing the state of Israel by the Jews, these pioneers esablished their own Zion which in many ways parrallels the creatiion of the Jewish state a 100 years later.

This bridges the gap between the mormon histories of Nauvoo, the hero making of Orrin Port Rockwell, and the modern mormon books that detail the power and secrecy of the chruch. This book also goes beyond the sensationalistic accounts of the Mountain Meadows Massacre(titled 'American Massacre' it would have been more aptly named for the Waco massacre in 93.)

An important book, well written and structured so as to make it easy for the reader to grasp.

Westerners International gave David L. Bigler's Forgotten Kingdom its Best Book award for 1998.

Will Bagley, Series Editor

As an expatriate Quarterite of beau coup years duration, living there from 1964 through 1985, I found this delightful compilation to be a bit like taking a stroll through the old neighborhood. The characters spring to life fully formed in their unforgetable settings, recreating a palpable experience of all the yats and dawlins who make life in the Crescent City almost tolerable...

The array of writing styles, perspectives, insights, and entertainment make this book an absolute treasure. As an outsider looking into the ghostly history of the Crescent City, research for my book could take me only so far. Joshua Clark gathered up so much that is mystical, ethereal, and nearly transparent that would otherwise escape the notice of those of us who have limited time in New Orleans. In the aftermath of Katrina, this book becomes a greater treasure, enlivening the fadding echoes of the old neighborhoods, bars, back streets, and the lives of people we would otherwise never encounter.

Reading this book is like savoring a box of very expensive chocolates. Each story is its own wonderous delight. Much like a Whitman's Sampler, there is something here for everyone. Up and coming writers like John Verlenden and Joe Longo more than hold their own alongside the great ones...and, no doubt, will join them one day soon. A perfect bedside companion...timeless and compelling.

I've never even been to New Orleans and yet love this
anthology. These are astounding stories, plain and
simple. And will leave you with a better sense of that
famous neighborhood than if you'd spent every Mardi
Gras there for the last 20 years.

Tenessee Williams' previously unpublished piece, a thing of incomparable beauty, is the most harrowing autobiographical account I have ever read of him, providing unparalleled insight to his soul. Ellen Gilchrist's piece is joyful as an angel's whisper. This collection is one one to be savored time and again.

Cheryl has captured the heart of Christ for His Bride in this wonderful book. "Intimately Knowing the Lord" takes the reader on a divine journey into Cheryl's prayer closet and allows us to peek into a very "intimate" relationship between her and her Lover/Lord. As you follow Jesus through the picture-painted pages, you will quickly find yourself drawn into a deeper relationship with Him. If you are spiritually hungry, this is the book for you. Pull up to the table of the Lord and prepare for a feast!

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I couldn't
put it down. As I read the encounters Cheryl had with the Lord
I felt like the Lord was speaking directly to my Heart at times. IT is one of those special books you want to pick up and read over and over again. Each time I read a chapter I come away lifted up and encouraged. I feel anyone who reads this book will be so glad they did. I would recommend it to anyone.
Larry Jones

For someone who is not a book reader to write a review on a book would be the last thing you'd find me doing. This book was placed in my hands by a dear friend, and he asked me to read it. I somewhat reluctantly began, only to find myself totally immersed in it within the first few pages. As I read it, I was consumed by the annointing on it. I could hear the voice of Jesus speaking through every page. Not only have I read it once, but now I'm rereading it, because I can't get enough of the experience of it. It has grabbed my heart and taught me in a tangible way how to touch my Jesus daily myself. I am now daily placing myself in Jesus' presence and I'm having my own experiences with Him, much like Cheryl's. I recommend this book to everyone I know that proclaims Christ. This book has transformed my walk with Jesus. My heart is forever grateful!

This is not a book to read and forget about. Read the book slowly, embrace the message it brings. It is a must read IF you want to have a closer walk with the Lord Jesus. Everyone can be intimate with the Lord, this is evident in the writings of Ms. Clark. This book offers direction and emphasizes there are no barriers if you "have the ears to hear and eyes to see what the Spirit of the Lord is saying." Refreshing to see all Cheryl's experiences are backed by scriptures!!

Want to read a great book? You will ask yourself if you want to experience Jesus in a deeper dimension than you do now.

Per previous reviews, the book is a great read with a great message about friendship. As a parent of a child with Asperger's I would like to offer one caution: this book is a great one to offer those who may be seeking to better understand a child with Asperger's, but would not be a great fit for the Asperger's child himself. Since the book is written from the neuro-typical viewpoint, Jackson comes off as pretty weird--loved, but weird.

Also, disclosure of Jackson's syndrome comes off as somewhat "hush hush." This is, I believe, because the author does an excellent job of depicting the societal dilemma of disclosure in the world of schools and teachers. To disclose is to explicitly state the Syndrome that describes the child's unique personality. It is not generally considered ethical for teachers to decide to disclose; young children with this syndrome may not have the adequate judgment to disclose (hence Jackson's parent's rule that he not do so); and parents' distance from those to whom the information would be most valuable--e.g. friendly schoolmate, Tyler--often prevents them from disclosing even if they would want to do so.

I would recommend this book to school personnel and to children and families who have friends with Asperger's Syndrome, but would turn to other resources for a good read for your young Aspie.

Tyler has always been nonplussed by his classmate, Jackson. From the time the boys were in kindergarten, they were classmates and also attended speech class together. Tyler stuttered during the early grades and Jackson had a tendency to be very literal in his interpretation of what people said.

Although the boys were never friends in the intimate sense, Tyler would go to bat for Jackson and defend him when other kids picked on him. A kind girl in their class genuinely cared about Jackson and insisted that Tyler keep standing by him.

By the time the boys are in 6th grade, Tyler is nominated by his class to present Jackson with a class gift. He does not want to do this; reverts to stuttering (only this time it is deliberate) to get out of making a speech for Jackson and generally looks for a way out.

Memories of Jackson's behavior in class during their early grades hound Tyler; he realizes that Jackson bears a strong behavioral resemblance to his 6-year-old cousin, Drew. Drew has Asperger's Syndrome, a neurobiological condition that is the spectrum partner of autism. As he mulls this over, he realizes that Jackson has Asperger's Syndrome. He confronts his classmate, armed with this new insight and Jackson gives him a clinical definition of the term.

Tyler realizes that Asperger's is not a death knell to a full life; Jackson fortunately has been included in the full school program at all times.

This is a truly heartwarming book that presents a very realistic character with Asperger's Syndrome and is a wonderful story about acceptance and inclusion. Definitely a must have!

Be sure to read Marc Littman's masterpiece, EDDIE AND ME ON THE SCRAP HEAP as a companion book to this one. You will be very glad that you did.

This book is a delightful read and holds your attention from beginning to end. It is told from a childs viewpoint of trying to understand other children who are not like themselves and how parents and teachers can be there to help. I have forwarded it to my daughter in college who is majoring in elementary education. Thanks, Joan

This witty story is a lighthearted and so very understanding
of a Asperger Syndrome boy and his friends. It is a fast-paced
and lucid insight of the difficulties Jackson faces in the
world of school children.

Jackson is described by his fellow classmate Tyler throughout
the reading with sometimes unusual...sometimes misunder-
stood...sometimes humorous incidents made by Jackson which
confuse him and the other classmates.

Jackson Whole Wyoming is a wonderful source for parents
and teachers to delve into the feelings of the child with
Asperger Syndrome, as well as his classmates and friends.

I thoroughly enjoyed Joan Clarks' keenly sensitive book
and have learned of a topic of which I knew very little.

I really got a kick out of reading "Jackson Whole." The book gives a funny, yet relevant look into the world of Jackson, a student identified with Asperger's syndrome. The story line moves quickly as one episode after another unfolds revealing Jackson's personality, thought process and unconventional actions. A fun and insightful read.

Whether a child, parent, or first time coach with no prior knowledge, this book is the perfect introduction to children's soccer. Add your league specifics and develop technically as you go. A first, must read.

This book provides a brief introduction to soccer, at the right level of detail for those new to the game. My 11-year-old son found the summary of the rules and strategies quite helpful. As a new coach, I was glad to have a compact volume that included most of what I needed to know. There are other books that provide more detail on the game and more exercises and drills for soccer players -- but this is the ideal "first book" for someone just learning about the game. I recommend it highly.

I am the first time coach of a second grade boys soccer team. This book was very easy to understand for the kids as well as myself. For kids that are relatively new to the game it explains positions, the different kinds of kicks and the all around basics of soccer without getting too technical. It has been a great aid for our team.

As a long time recreation coach and soccer parent, Brooks Clark offer the side of the game perfect for all coaches just starting out, or for any parents who know little about the game their children are playing. Concise and fun, a great read for the basic rules and strategies of soccer.

I read this book and now I feel all the more confident while training my son and his friends. I can explain them about the basics and the game and how to plan their game. Tecnicalities of the game are exaplined well in this book. Go ahead and buy this book to learn the basics of this game.

This book surprised me. I was not expecting much from it and bought it only because I found if for a great price. Other reviewers have talked about the pictures and how good they are, but they fail to mention the text. This is well written with very precise explanations of how moves are done. Explanations of how strikes and kicks are performed with the reasoning why. The book also explains the common mistakes made and the outcome of those. All and all a good addition to anyone's TaeKwonDo library or a good general martial arts library. I only wished they had explained the more traditional forms.

Duk-sung Son is one of the original students of Chung Do Kwan founder Won-kuk Lee, who studied karate in Japan during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Originally published in 1968, this is the "old school" tae kwon do Chung Do Kwan pretty much as Son learned it from Lee in Korea, prior to the changes made to the art directed at making it much different from Japanese karate and more sport oriented.

The level of detail in this volume makes it worth obtaining. It was clearly written for university level students (I believe Son taught at a New York University for many years). Eschewing simple explanations and redundancy, Son presents detailed descriptions of techniques, skills, and common mistakes. Son himself posed as the model for all of the photographs, and indeed one can see from various photos his incredible physique. This text is a complete beginning through intermediate course for Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do, covering all materials up to black belt level. The chapters are as follows:

1. Introductory

2. What is Tae Kwon Do?

3. The Fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do

4. Warming Up Exercises

5. Basic Blows, Kicks, and Blocks

6. Forms

7. Three-Step Sparring

8. Practical Applications

9. Free-Style Fighting

10. Other Exercises and Breaking

11. Conclusion

~Index

The chapters "what is tae kwon do?" and those on sparring illustrate the influence of Korean culture as well as similarities to Japanese style karate. The chapter on forms (hyung) includes the two basic forms Son devised himself (Kuk Mu 1 & Kuk Mu 2), the five Pyung Ahn Hyung, Chul Gi 1 (Naihanchi Chodan), and Pal Sek (Bassai).

Son offers no easy solutions, and does not cloak his advice in the mists of myth. This is martial arts for martial art's sake, devoid of salesmanship and window dressing, before the days of 4-year-old black belts, when martial artists were known as people who pushed and worked. Son tells us:

"Although Tae Kwon Do does not have a philosophy per se, its philosophy, if it has onem is most closely akin to that of zen if, in fact it is not the same thing." (302)

Also recommended is Son's sequel, "Black Belt Korean Karate".

This is an excellent book on Chung Do Kwon Style TKD ! The pictures are clear and very well planned - each movement is shown from start to end, stage by stage and the pictures were taken with foot-placing lines drawn on the floor, so it is easy to see where you have to step. Clearly, the author knew what he wanted: to teach you each aspect of the art.
Even for a WTF TKD student like me, this book is most invaluable, although the names of the stances, attacks and defenses are a little different from what I'm used to.

Having studied Chung Do Kwon for twenty years (receiving my Black Belt from Grandmaster Son himself), I find this book invaluable! Now an instructor myself, it is a wonderful tool to aid in the instruction of Basics & Hyungs, showing excellent breakdown of each move. The history section could be have a bit more meat to it, but for someone interested in the technical aspects of this style it is a MUST HAVE!

This is a masterpiece of a book, showing the forms necessary to grasp Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. Photos at different angles, foot diagrams and text explanation will be a great supplement to instruction.

I bought this book after meeting the author. The book cover doesn't look as pretty as other books but they are wonderful! The writing is marvelous! I learned a lot about the Lewis and Clark Expedition from this book. I was also impressed with the activities that go along with the book. Very nice. I wish I had bought the book on Columbus and the exploration of the New World, it is out of print, but I bet it's good!

This book is full of information and activities that are interesting to kids. Many pieces of information that I never came across in other books. For younger children (4-7), the best one might be Lewis & Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President.

Build a keelboat, learn how to use a compass, carve a canoe - all of these adventures await you in The Lewis & Clark Expedition! Terrific book which makes the Expedition come alive. The activities and illustrations are excellent and have proven to be winners with children of all ages.

What a lot is packed into this brief (112 pages) activity book for children! It's a vivid account of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, rich in adventure, yet also presenting the journey from many political and cultural angles. Activities and lively descriptions bring out not just the physical conditions of the trip, but leadership dilemmas, and moral issues faced along the way.

The book is filled with apt and frequently witty illustrations. Also, numerous intriguing asides about the trip mesh nicely with the main narrative.

Facts are presented; questions are posed. Children are asked to think - and after the mental activity - they'll come away from the book feeling they were there

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, by Carol Johmann, is a fantastic book filled with first-hand information about two of our U.S. history's famous explorers. Johmann includes excerpts from Lewis & Clark's own journals, as well as from some of their fellow soldiers. This lends a great deal of authenticity to Johmann's book, as well as gives the reader a feel of being right alongside these men as they progress on their journey west.
As a home-schooling mom, I especially find Johmann's kid-friendly style of writing refreshing as well as informative. The inclusion of various age-appropriate crafts throughout the book is a great way to stimulate further interest in the reader, and gives the child an even greater understanding of what these two men and their crew dealt with during their journey.
I highly recommend this book. For the home-schooler, this is an excellent social studies curriculum combining intellect with creativity. For public schools, it's a fantastic way to draw the students in and give them a more thorough understanding of the trials and accomplishments Lewis & Clark underwent. For parents who want to give their child(ren) (or themselves) a more informative and well-rounded experience of Lewis & Clark's exploration for westward expansion as well as to determine if a single water route existed across the continent to better accommodate for trade, this is the book for you!
Ms. Johmann, two thumbs up!

Much has been written, let it simply be said this is the type of book you can pick up for ten minutes and learn something new and fascinating. The pop-outs and pull-out copies of historical documents is wonderful. I've stumbled on it at a retail outlet and have since bought several more as gifts. A good investment for all ages.

This is a wonderful source of material and has been most beneficial as a teaching tool for my middle school students as we study the Lewis and Clark journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
The pull outs are excellent and help students to really connect with Lewis and Clark as "real" people.
A wonderful addition to any educator's collection!

This is a very fun book to read. It has many pockets that contain maps, receipts, and letters that look and feel like the real artifacts. One gets the feeling of history looking through these things. It is appropriate for young people, and adults. It is not a book to read though for the "details" however. I highly recommend this book to school libraries or young people with an interest in Lewis and Clark history. For details of the expedition look at Undaunted Courage, and/or Moulton's book.

I purchased this book for my daughter after we visited Fort Clatsop, Oregon where The Lewis and Clark Expedition settled for the winter. My daughter is ten years old and absolutely loves the interative features of the book, such as the replicas of the maps and journal entries from the expedition. The book was such a hit for my daughter's birthday that my parent's ordered the book and a little girl at the party ordered one also.
The replica maps and writings are a little hard to read as the writing 100 years ago has evolved to what we have now. But helping your child interpret these readings makes this book a true family book.

Keeping history in perspective is important.What is 200 years?I am creeping on to 70 and my father was born in 1891.So,it was only 85 years before my father was born that Lewis and Clark completed their journey.Another way to look at it is that Clark died in 1866 only 25 years before my father's birth.Not really all that long ago,when you think of all that has happened in that short time.
This is a very unique book,only 48 pages;but a real excellent effort.Scattered throughout the book are over a dozen packets containing authentic looking reproductions of maps,letters and other documents that were prepared along the trip.It's almost like handling museum documents.Also included are many excellent paintings of scenes along the journey as well as sketches,maps and photographs of important items used.The paper,printing and overall construction of the book is superior in every way.At the back of the book there is a wealth of source material covering,acknowledgements,credits,notes and transcriptions.
All in all,a first class book on the Lewis and Clark Journey that shaped America.

An excellent book for those Lewis & Clark enthusiasts to keep in their library - very comprehensive.

As a Lewis and Clark author myself, I have bought a lot of guidebooks about traveling their trail. Some have great pictures ... some have journal excerpts ... some list the sights to see. But none of them bring together all of these things, plus more, the way that Kira Gale's "Lewis and Clark Road Trips" does.

I bought this book to plan an elaborate driving trip through Montana and Idaho, and boy did it deliver. For each region of the country, you get an overview of the Lewis and Clark significance of the area, a reliable general map, and then detailed maps of individual driving tours. The sights to visit are numbered on the map, described, and have detailed directions. These include both Lewis and Clark sights that might be difficult to find on your own, and then other points of interest in the area that you might want to see and enjoy during your visit.

This book really helped us prioritize what we wanted to see and plan an interesting, safe, and realistic itinerary. I loved "Lewis and Clark Road Trips" and look forward to using it to plan future trips on the Lewis and Clark trail.

Let's face it. Most of us who dream about one day traveling the route blazed by Lewis and Clark won't do it. There are just too many things that get in the way, not the least of which is the necessity to earn a living. Nearly none of us have the time or the resources (or the stamina, for that matter!) to do the entire trip at one swoop.

Kira Gale of Omaha did do the entire trip, beginning in Washington DC, where Jefferson first commissioned Lewis, all the way to Fort Clopstock on the Oregon Coast, and circling back to wind up in Tennessee. She reckons that she was lost about 20% of the time, even after spending a full five years pouring over the Journals no fewer than three times. So she decided to put her personal experience to good use by writing this road trip guidebook for the rest of us. It's ideal for exploring the Lewis and Clark trail in small chunks--the only way most of us can.

Gale's guide divides the trail up into 10 regions, beginning east of the Alleghenies and winding up, on the return, to the Natchez Trace, the Tennessee trail Meriwether Lewis traveled before killing himself at that lonely roadside inn. Summer vacationers with minimal time can easily choose one or two of the regions to explore, depending (for instance) on which part of the Lewis and Clark Journals especially appeals to them.

The chapters devoted to the ten regions each include an historical introduction, topographical maps, road maps, a few photographs of select sites, extremely helpful descriptions of attractions (complete, in most cases, with phone numbers and/or web addresses), and a bibliography. At the end of the book is a region-by-region guide to all the expedition's campsites (in and of itself, a remarkable resource), a very convenient region-by-region checklist of destinations, and a very good general bibliography. One of my favorite features is on the inside back cover: a timeline, culled from the Journals, which parallels with the ten regions. This makes for easy chronological as well as geographical orientation. Finally--and thankfully!--the entire guide has a pretty good index.

This is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to travel the in one grand journey or--more likely--who wants to do the trail bit or bit or only a portion or two of it. Highly recommended.

Lewis and Clark Road Trips is an absolutely gorgeous compendium of information, maps and sidebars on the explorers' routes and what to see on the way.

Author Kira Gale and her husband traveled more than 8,000 miles on the Lewis and Clark Trail in preparation for this oversize, full-color book, and the result is an incredibly detailed look at every mile of the Trail. The book is divided into regions, including (1) East of the Alleghenies (2) Pittsburgh to Cincinnati (3) Louisville to Wood River Camp (4) St Louis to Kansas City (5) Nebraska and Iowa (6) South Dakota and North Dakota (7) Montana to the Rockies (8) Western Montana and Idaho (9) Washington and Oregon (10) and New Orleans andthe Natchez Trace. The author has also set up a Web site with a companion Trip Planner with individual maps, a newsletter and a blog on the Trail.

This lovely book will inspire many a trip through time and history and will intrigue American history buffs, modern-day explorers and especially RVers in search of a theme for this summer's vacation.

Whether preparing for your Lewis and Clark journey or arm chair traveling, Gira Gale's masterful guide book will be indispensable. Divided into ten coast-coast color-colored regions, it provides regional and city maps, mileage charts, Lewis and Clark points of interest, plus nearby attractions, all briefly discribed and detailed instructions to find them. Each region's Corp's of Discovery relevance is discussed, and a bibliograhy listed for each. For those who have labored to locate camp sites, a twenty-two page table will end your quest. Meticulously researched and complete, it is a reference book as well as a guide book, and can be opened at any point as your interest leads you.