Park Books

I haven't read the book but as a reader of the Idaho Statesman (where his writing appears regularly), I can tell you he's a terrible writer.

A clash of cultures hit Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 1988. New National Park Service ideas on using fire as a tool, and giving natural fires great latitude to burn -- an attitude held in part even my the U.S. Forest Service and other federal outdoors agencies -- ran head-on into the general public's Smokey the Bear says put fires out attitude.

The NPS came under a lot of flak after much of Yellowstone was scorched that summer. Then, in 1989 and thereafter, much of the media spun the story of the Phoenix -- the "rebirth" of Yellowstone.

Barker says the rebirth, at least as normally written up, is a myth, one of many still attached to the fires of 1988.

The biggest myth, still held by many people in various federal outdoors agencies, is that nature in general can be isolated, in wilderness areas, in a state of "reality." The second biggest myth is that fires, no matter the size and spread, can be managed or controlled.

The burn policy at Yellowstone and other national parks, as well as in other federal land agencies has only become more and more a political football between environmentalists and "wise use" types of the West.

Barker, though his sympathies are clearly not with the old-style U.S. Forest Service, makes clear that the modern USFS shouldn't be as demonized as it is by some environmentalists.

The one regret I have with this book is that Barker sounds knowledgeable enough to be more prescriptive about a future course for fire management. Other than citing the obvious lessons from Yellowstone, such as clearing brush further away from buildings in wild and "natural" areas, he doesn't go beyond that with ideas for future generations.

A very interesting history of U.S. Fire Policy that led up to the unforgettable fires in Yellowstone Park in the 1980's.

Rocky Barker's Scorched Earth is clear well written history of wildland fire. The work clearly stands on the shoulders of previous chroniclers of wildland fire, particularly Stephen Pyne, and ties the work of pioneers in fire ecology to today's prescribed fire programs. It does leave the question of how prescribed fire as practiced by government agencies can ever really work to lessen the urban interface danger open. Particularly since very near the end of the book (pp 235) Rocky states that Randal O' Tool found that only 7 million acres in the west have a high to medium likely hood of fires that threaten structures and of those acres only 8% are federal. This well hidden tidbit should be the core of Rocky's next book. Why should the federal government be involved in prescribed fire?

Rocky Barker uncovers a lot information about US fire policy. When I got this book for X-mas I thought it might be another one of the same old song fire books. Once I started reading it I became "fired up" again about US fire policy.
Those that have worked in the wildland fire service should really enjoy reading how people in the Forest Service and conservation movement recognized early in the last century that suppression policy was a mistake that would lead to the problems we are having today.
Well written and researched. Any fire managers out there ought to buy a copy for the office.

I really like this book. This is my second one because my daughter took my other one with her when she moved. I teach an Affirmative Prayer / Science of Mind Treatment class and I use this book as a reference for the class, as well as recommend it to all my students. It's easy and quick to read and would be a good purchase for your reference library. For beginning students, it's good because she gives actual prayers for you to work with. For more advanced students and practitioners, it's very good as a reminder and reference.

One of the best books on the subject. It's clearly written in a friendly, happy contemporary style.

THINKING FROM THE INFINITE is the perfect resource to empower you, transform your thinking, emotional and mental state, and thus your life. Delightful and easy to read chapters interspersed with life application and short writing assignments make this book IDEAL for those who are ready to go from where they are to where they want to be. The prayer treatments energize and give me a zing deep inside and reminds that all is well and unfolding perfectly in the palm of God's hands.
What a relief!

Encouraging, inspiring and transforming - THINKING FROM THE INFINITE is an invaluable resource that you will turn to upon rising each day and before going to bed at night. You'll notice the positive shift within as you move about your day and see small and big miracles unfold.

May all your dreams come true as GOD will do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ever ask or THINK. THINKING FROM THE INFINITE is the solution as problems get smaller and smaller while GOD gets bigger and bigger in your life.

Happy Reading!

Reviewed by Marina Woods [...]

Thinking From The Infinite: 4 Practical Steps To Empower Your Life by holistic transformation consultant Carell Zaehn, is an impressively written spiritual self-help book on learning to focus the mind, choose personal goals and then effectively and actively pursue. Zaehn addresses embracing the power of attitude and soul in overcoming dilemmas of money, love, depression, and much, much more. Highly recommended for self-help reading lists, Thinking From The Infinite is a decidedly thoughtful and very positive guide to personal self-improvement.

This insipring book is a gift in itself, even if it has not been given to you. For matters of complicated, everyday life, this book provides practical, easy and effortless answers and solutions to questions and problems. This book is not just about how to "fix things when things go wrong". It is also about upping your everyday consciouness, having more energy, a smile on your face, and how to be a happier person within yourself. For me, this book has helped me find strength, happiness, intelligence, and willpower within myself and not have to rely on the outside world. I am currently a senior in college, appling for graduate school, balecing a social life, a family life, and a job. When things get overwhelming I use the principals and practices laid forth in this book. I highly recommend it to anyone of any age, no matter the situation. Academic institutions teach the scientific connection between mind and body, this explains the practical connection between mind, body, and everything, and to use it to your advantage.

This was a great book and I am looking forward to reading the next one. It has some deep complicated writing at the get go but you catch on quike to everythings meaning and it really is writin well.

I really enjoyed this novel. It took some time to get in to because the prologue bogs you down with a lot of new information, but once you get into the main part of the story, it's pretty enjoyable. There are some spots that lag somewhat, but considering this is Park's first novel, I was very impressed. I was starting to rush through to find out what happened at the end. I'll definitely be looking forward to the sequel, although I hope they do better with the cover art for it. I did not like the art for this edition.

...or at least that I've personally read. Normally I don't seem to get into many fantasy books; science-fiction is my genre. So imagine my surprise when I was drawn into this fantasy book with no desire to put it down in sight.

Greg Park has created a new world for any and all fantasy lovers to delve into with "Veil of Darkness". The characters are the most in depth, real people you can find outside of real life. The locales are exquisitely described, and the reader can immediately see himself behind Jase, following them across the plains and through the forests, into the cities and towns, all while on the run from the Shadowhounds.

This book is a must-read for any lover of fantasy anywhere. You'll be hard pressed to find many better fantasy novels than this, and the next few can only promise to be just as good.

In an epic fantasy novel, Greg Park has managed to combine exciting story with well-rounded characters. With gripping battles and life-like situations, we are given insight into the details of this world. The book goes the perfect pace, never slacking off or speeding up to confuse the reader. It is a book that will not confuse you, but may cause you to reconsider deeper meanings of life- the choices we have to make, whether or not they are good, or evil. Park takes the reader on a journey they will never forget, a shadow of Jase Fairimore couldn't have been written more clearly or perfectly; This book is something that leaves you waiting for more, begging to know what comes next. An engaging, thrilling story, with only better yet to come. It is worth every penny it takes to buy it, and never will your money have been better spent.

Honestly? It's a once-in-a-lifetime book, something you won't see daily. Thankfully, we have the chance to read more, in four coming books. In the meantime, we have one of the best pieces of literature at our fingertips... Veil of Darkness is simply the best.

I found Veil of Darkness to be a wonderfully gripping book with lively characters, brilliant battles, and intense scenes. It is obvious that the author has nurtured and cared incredibly for this novel and the rest of its series since it was an inkling in the back of his mind. I was enthralled as the book played out the characters' personal struggles and triumphs. I've always enjoyed love triangles and one presented by this book has become an all-time favorite. Should you only read a single book this year, I implore you to choose Park's Veil of Darkness.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, almost 450 miles long, connects Shennandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park astride the North Carolina - Tennessee border. In between it traverses some of the most beautiful mountain areas in North Carolina and Virginia. Although it provides splendid views from the road itself and from its many roadside overlooks, it is much more than a scenic drive. It is a ribbon of land administered by the National Park Service, at several places broadening into wider mini-parks. All of those parks as well as various other spots along the parkway's route have hiking trails that give visitors a closer look at the many natural wonders there. This book, as a comprehensive guide to those trails, is the one most indispensable guide to getting beyond your car and the overlooks in this remarkable National Park Service land. All of its official trails are rated in this book as to difficulty, from very easy to quite strenuous. Thus there are ample hikes for whatever level of wilderness adventure you're up for. Each hike is described in details, with points of interest described in the order you'll encounter them, with mileages to each from the trailhead. Some hikes described herein also get beyond the parkway's own lands, into National Forest lands that border the parkway in many places, as well as occasional adjacent commercial attractions such as Grandfather Mountain. Any visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway should be quite rewarding, and this book is one of the best resources for making it even more so, showing that you'll never be very far from places to park and take a walk for a more intimate view. And you definitely should sample at least some of the shorter and easier walks, if not the longer or more challenging ones, depending on what you're up to. This parkway is a natural treasure well-worth exploring, and this book may well be the quickest way to learn that there is so much more there than meets a casual eye.

for a day trip, a weekend trip, or a long vacation. We have hiked and camped in several of the places mentioned. I have lived in NC all of my life and did not realize there was such enriching trails and escapades off the parkway. I wish I had known about this book while attending WCU! Take it with you, it is very worthwhile.

Designed as a "drive awhile - stop awhile" recreational road, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit in the National Park Service. It has 17 million visitors a year as compared to 10 million a year for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. But the Parkway is more than a beautiful drive; it is also a good base from which to hike. Adkins describes all the ways that we can get out of the car as we explore the Parkway. From a leg-stretcher to a view of Glassmine Falls Trail to the eighteen miles of the Shut-In Trail, Adkins gives a contextual introduction to the hike as well as step-by-step directions. He rates each hike from an easy leg-stretcher to strenuous.

My only objection to the rating is that the author considers too many hikes as strenuous. For example, Adkins labels the Snooks Nose Trail, eight miles round trip and described as "not well-maintained and hard to locate" as strenuous. The two-and-a-half mile round trip hike up to Mt. Pisgah, on a clear, well-marked trail, is also rated as "strenuous". Hikers will have to decide what strenuous means to them. Ratings aside, the book is necessary to anyone looking for a variety of hikes in the area. The appendices are also a wealth of information. He lists every feature on the Parkway along with its mileage, all the inns and campgrounds as well as a roadside bloom calendar

The Blue Ridge Parkway, almost 450 miles long, connects Shennandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park astride the North Carolina - Tennessee border. In between it traverses some of the most beautiful mountain areas in North Carolina and Virginia. Although it provides splendid views from the road itself and from its many roadside overlooks, it is much more than a scenic drive. It is a ribbon of land administered by the National Park Service, at several places broadening into wider mini-parks. All of those parks as well as various other spots along the parkway's route have hiking trails that give visitors a closer look at the many natural wonders there. This book, as a comprehensive guide to those trails, is the one most indispensable guide to getting beyond your car and the overlooks in this remarkable National Park Service land. All of its official trails are rated in this book as to difficulty, from very easy to quite strenuous. Thus there are ample hikes for whatever level of wilderness adventure you're up for. Each hike is described in details, with points of interest described in the order you'll encounter them, with mileages to each from the trailhead. Some hikes described herein also get beyond the parkway's own lands, into National Forest lands that border the parkway in many places, as well as occasional adjacent commercial attractions such as Grandfather Mountain. Any visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway should be quite rewarding, and this book is one of the best resources for making it even more so, showing that you'll never be very far from places to park and take a walk for a more intimate view. And you definitely should sample at least some of the shorter and easier walks, if not the longer or more challenging ones, depending on what you're up to. This parkway is a natural treasure well-worth exploring, and this book may well be the quickest way to learn that there is so much more there than meets a casual eye.

My wife and I have just come home from a 3 week trip along the entire parkway. We started the trip with Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, but ended up buying Walking the Blue Ridge at one of the visitor centers. While Hiking was ok, we found Walking the Blue Ridge to be the better of the two. It was very easy to use, easy to find information, and full of wonderful tidbits. The way the mileage data was set up in a vertical way made it very easy to use while we were hiking the trails, simple to always know where we were. In the Hiking book we had to wade through a lot paragraphs just to match up the descriptions with where we actually were on the trail. Also, it was obvious that the author of Walking the Blue Ridge had actually walked every one of the trails he was writing about. It was also nice knowing that it gave descriptions of every one of the trails along the parkway, even if it was just a short pathway; the other book neglected some that we found to be truly delightful. In addition, its smaller weight and size made it much easier to carry while on the hikes.
All in all, we were happy to have found Walking the Blue Ridge and will be using it often.

A highly detailed account that is part of a published series from the Florida University System. It has terrific detail and the writing style is enjoyable. Chock full of photos! Gives a perspective on the park that tells the positive and negative impacts on Florida of these attractions. I liked that it also gives a perspective on development of other water attractions in Florida and the people. I never knew that Ricou Browning, who played the underwater role in "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," had so many other accomplishments and played a large role in the Florida springs attractions. I really enjoyed this book and I believe it is a real bargain for the price. Recently, I visited the park and if you get to Florida I can recommend Weeki Wachee Springs for a great fun-filled day!

I ordered this book by mistake thinking I put it on my wish list, and am sooo glad I got it!! It is a wonderful book not only about the mermaids of Weeki Wachee, but also a history of Florida and the Roadside shows. It brings one back to a simpler, more wonderful era. Very moving and nostalgic. Now I must make a trip to Weeki Wachee. Great book for mermaid lovers.

Book was recommended by a former Mermaid from Weeki Wachee - it's a great book, well done - wonderful pictures and history from the area.

I grew up in a small town just a few miles from the Springs in the 40's and 50's and Weeki Wachee was our old 'swimming hole' where the men of the town would go clean out the 'grass' every summer so we could all swim and play even tho the water was ice cold and we would shiver and shake but refuse to get out and warm up. I remember a lot of the things happening that are included in the book and knew some of the 'mermaids' since I went to school with them and our P.E. teacher was also a mermaid. I spent many summers trying to learn how to eat a banana and drink a grapette under water(I never did accomplish this). This book brings back lots of memories and I think anyone who can 'remember when' would enjoy it and also anyone wanting to see a slice of 'old Florida' would also enjoy this book. I took my grandchildren back to the Springs last summer where we saw the mermaid show twice and once again swam in the icy water. They tried to be mermaids for weeks after and were enchanted with the 'mermaid' idea just as I was back in my day.

Lu Vickers has captured the history and essence of a very special Florida attraction in this book. This book offers a glimpse into a fascinating place during a very interesting time in Florida's tourist history, where the unusual was the draw. It has obviously been written with great care and attention to detail, and is a beautiful homage to the legacy of Newt Perry's vision & creation. We are very lucky to still have this historical and unique attraction~ perhaps this book will help to further encourage locals and tourists alike to take a trip and visit this special Florida icon. Doing so will help to make the experience of watching such graceful and talented performers available for future generations.
~Marina~MeduSirena~

I agree with the other reviews that this book is informative and engagingly written, with excellent and thoroughly researched paved and back road routes. However, I noted two cases in the Yosemite descriptions where the author confused left and right. In ride 74 at the bottom of page 264 he writes that you "turn left (south) and then xleftx RIGHT! immediately again onto narrow Crescent Meadow Road. That one is obvious when you're there, but the other is crucial: In ride 70, in the middle of p. 258 "...before arriving at a meadow. It seems like you should go left, but stay to the right of the meadow." Nope--you must indeed go to the LEFT of that meadow to follow the described route (and the overall loop is to the right), while the right fork soon turns into barely recognizable cowpaths that eventually dead end in the woods. I mention this mainly because he makes such a big deal of it, and want to warn cyclists using the book to take the directions with a hint of caution.

This book must be the first of its kind--a guidebook about bicycling in the national parks. The author shows that the common misperception that bicycling is not allowed off-road in national parks is just that-- a misperception. This book features some outstanding road rides as well as mountain bike rides. I think the descriptions of the parks themselves and the rides therein are well-written and clear. The author gives the kind of information you'd want to know before setting off on a ride, and does it in a colorful, sometimes very deadpan funny way. There's also some cool trivia about the parks and good, useful information about where to buy supplies, repair your bike, do laundry, take showers, camp, and other stuff like that. I think this is a book that shows you how to take part in the most fun sport in the world (bicycling) and do it in some of the most spectacular places in the world (the national parks of California). A must for any travelers to the national parks who want to get out of their cars and explore. (By the way: it's not just for hardcore bicyclists--there are numerous family and beginner-level rides as well.)

This book "Bicycling America's National Parks" is part of the Backcountry series. Even thought I like bikes I prefer to go on foot. The same trails lend their selves to foot also.

Many a time I have been able to locate ranger stations where you can check in and be loosed on the back country trails. Luckily many people are not aware of these areas. Some trails you can go all day without running into a soul.

David Story should be ashamed of him self fore giving away the secret. But I am glad I found this book.

The book is divided into 15 locations and in each location there is a description of where you can stay and where you can rent bikes along with other relevant information.

There are also trail maps and photographs from the area. Most important is inclusion of addresses for more up to date and more detailed information.

I just returned from a mountain biking vacation to Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area and this guidebook proved indespensible. It contains almost all information necessary to plan your trip and somehow manages to be both concise, thorough and readable.

Story introduces each chapter with a brief description of the geography and history of the park. Then Story lists several rides within the park, each accompanied by detailed descriptions (including technical and aerobic difficulty, best time of year to ride, overall length of trail, etc.) and maps. Though some road bike routes are included, most trails are for mountain bikes. Each trail I rode was accurately described. Each chapter also contains boxes describing the fauna (animals) and flora (plants) you'll likely encounter within each park.

This book isn't just a cycling guide, it contains virtually all the information you'll need to plan your trip. Story concludes each chapter with information about local lodging, camping, bike shops, grocery stores, and restaurants (his recommendations are first rate). He also provides helpful contacts (park visitors centers, etc.) which should be able to provide any other information you might need. Story has also eliminated the extraneous elements so many other cycling guidebooks seem to contain (elevation maps might be visually enticing, but let's face it, they aren't necessary).

What is really remarkable about this book is Story's terse, engaging writing. The abundance of information this book contains is presented in readable, often witty language. He doesn't just describe, he gives the reader a feel for each park and the surrounding communities (when applicable). Unlike most guidebooks I've read (which usually contain flat, predictable humor), Story's humor actually works; it isn't "laugh-out-loud" funny, but wry, witty humor that always relates to and never detracts from the subject matter.

The only improvement I would suggest for future editions is to provide a general map of each National Park. The trail maps only feature a small segment of the park where the trail is located. It is sometimes impossible to decipher where each trail is located within the entire park itself. This is particularly difficult for visitors not familiar with the area (like me). It was sometimes impossible to tell from the maps where the most convenient place to stay (closest lodging to the trails) is. The next edition should provide a map showing where each trail is located relative to the entire park. Before visiting a park, you should obtain a complete map from the National Park Service (Story does tell where to obtain these).

Story has set high standards with this guidebook, the first in the "Bicycling America's National Parks" series. It's the kind of book you'll enjoy reading even if you don't plan to hit the trails anytime soon. Story's writing is so engaging that finishing the 300-pages is effortless (300 pages may sound long, but it really isn't). This book is a must read for any cyclists interested in visiting the National Parks of California. I can't wait to read the subsequent guidebooks for other states.

This book must be the first of its kind--a guidebook about bicycling in the national parks. The author shows that the common misperception that bicycling is not allowed off-road in national parks is just that-- a misperception. This book features some outstanding road rides as well as mountain bike rides. I think the descriptions of the parks themselves and the rides therein are well-written and clear. The author gives the kind of information you'd want to know before setting off on a ride, and does it in a colorful, sometimes very deadpan funny way. There's also some cool trivia about the parks and good, useful information about where to buy supplies, repair your bike, do laundry, take showers, camp, and other stuff like that. I think this is a book that shows you how to take part in the most fun sport in the world (bicycling) and do it in some of the most spectacular places in the world (the national parks of California). A must for any travelers to the national parks who want to get out of their cars and explore. (By the way: it's not just for hardcore bicyclists--there are numerous family and beginner-level rides as well.)

I have not yet heard from my sister and brother-in-law, who were the recipients of this Christmas gift. They have an apartment on Central Park, but also have a place in Key West and may not yet have received the present. I thought it was a handsome book.

If you like birds, you'll love the unbelievable photographs. If you like Central Park, you'll enjoy the map on the front and back flats which help you identify where the pictures were taken. Glad I purchased this book.

Birds flying up and down the Atlantic flyway inevitably encounter a huge patch of concrete, asphalt and brick. In the center they see a large patch of green, with plants and insects. That's why Central Park in New York City is one of the best birding spots in North America. Several hundred avian species can be found there. In addition, there is another species there in large number, Homo sapiens birdwatcher and still another smaller subspecies, Homo sapiens bird photographer.

With all these birds, birders and bird photographers, there was a huge niche for a book called "Birds of Central Park". Cal Vornberger has filled that niche.

Vornberger has digitally captured the wide variety of birds that pass through Central Park. He presents these birds by season rather than in taxonomical order, which helps to give an impression of the bird life in the park the way that a birder would see it. Like all good photographers Cal is concerned with the light. But his style is different from those of other bird photographers, like Art Morris or Tom Vezo. Instead of being concerned with artistic composition, or deep focus to give a sense of the environment, the author seems aimed at a sense of intimacy with the individual birds. Most of the birds pictured fill the frame completely, forcing us to focus on the individual.

What is amazing is not only how close Vornberger has gotten to his subjects, but how he has caught them in the details of their daily lives. I have never seen so many photographs of birds with food, whether insects, berries or crustaceans, in their mouth. And he has caught many of these birds in flight, reminding me of the bird pictures of the great Eliot Porter. But the artist that Vornberger's portraits most remind me of is the great John James Audubon. There is this same sense of intimacy and presentation against a subtle background.

Occasionally, Vornberger brings his own special aesthetic to the book, as when he pictures a cardinal taking off in the snow on the face page to the winter section. The bird's wings are cut off, the bird faces away from us and the only way that the reader can tell that the white background is snow is from the white snowflakes that follow the bird's ascent. And yet this picture captures a moment better than most technically perfect photographs.

Vornberger's occasional remarks interspersed with the pictures often present a little known fact about the subject or give a hint to other bird photographers hoping to duplicate his accomplishments.

This book should not be considered a guide to Central Park's birds, although there is a convenient pocket guide in a slipcover in the back of the book. Instead it is a testimonial to the birds of Central Park. New York lovers, birders and photographers will want to page through this book to recall the avian pleasures of the park.

I'm not an ornithology buff, but I am a serious amateur photographer. I also happen to live in New York City and do a lot of shooting in Central Park.

I've seen Cal Vornberger a few times as he was going about his business and intensely bringing his huge 600mm lens to bear on some unsuspecting bird.

Until purchasing the book, my exposure (no pun intended) to Vornberger's work was limited to a few looks at his website.

While there are some standard "bird on a stick" shots, they do not by any means make up the majority of the photos. Frankly, anyone with a long lens can take a picture of a perched bird.

What sets Vornberger apart is his knowledge of each species and having the patience to wait for his subjects to be doing something interesting. His shots of so many different species going about the business of feeding, nesting and simply interacting with each other are outstanding.

The printing is excellent and the essays by Vornberger and Marie Winn are informative and very well written. I spend a lot of time in Central Park shooting general nature subjects, but Vornberger's maps led me to discover some areas of the park that I'd never before explored.

If you have any interest in birds, Central Park or photography, this is a must buy.

Just one look at the images of the beautiful Warblers amongst the tree limbs will melt your heart... This is one to definately have on your coffee table!!!

For anyone that uses Camtasia Studio, Daniel Park's Definitive Guide is just that. With an engaging and easy to digest style, Daniel leads you through pretty much every aspect of using this program suite to it's full potential.

Along the way, he also covers the intangible and often overlooked aspects of preperation, planning, and time saving tips and tricks that make it possible to produce a quality poduct with Camtasia.

Daniel Parks' book Camtasia Studio 3 is an excellent resource for those just beginning to learn the application or with a fair amount of knowledge about it. Although he doesn't delve into certain subjects as deeply as I would have liked (e.g., limitations with certain options), at 550+ pages you're still getting a good deal of information.

I've found one or two areas of the book I don't believe I agree with Parks on in how to manipulate the software, but maybe I'm just not reading his instructions in the way he intended.

If you've never used Camtasia but expect to need some of the lesser-used options, I highly recommend you buy this book when you buy the software. Good job, Daniel!

This book is my Camtasia "Bible." It's well-written and has answered a lot of questions I didn't even know I had. Now that Camtasia has moved to Version 4, I wonder if the book will undergo a revision to cover all the great new features.

If I could give 10 stars I would. THis book is the definitive guide to Camtasia and much, much more. The Camtasia part doesn't even start till Chapter 5. You spend the chapters before that learning about the how-to and why of 1) training, 2) marketing and 3) demo presentations. It's a Camtasia book and a How-To-Do-Great-Presentation book in one. And all done in an entertaining by the author's warm personable conversational style.
I wish the author would write more books. About Sony Vegas, about Serious Magic Ultra 2, about search engines. He is so good.

If you are serious about getting a proper understanding of Camtasia, then you definitely need this book. As far as I'm aware, it is the only such book available. Sure you can try using the Help material supplied with Camtasia, but it is difficult to learn well enough that way.

Camtasia Studio is a complex video recording and editing package, and there is a great deal of detail which is difficult to understand at first. Even with this book I'm needing to re-read whole chapters in order to get sufficient understanding of the suitable techniques to apply. The book isn't an easy read, but essential if you are to get maximum value from Camtasia.

The author, Daniel Park, has actually worked for the makers of Camtasia in the past, although he now works as a consultant. This gives him both an insiders and outsiders objective perspective, which allows a reader to get a fuller understanding of all the intricacies. The presentation is well-informed and conversational, although more attention could have been given to the learning needs of a naive user.

From back cover:

"Since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Congress has designed 41 wilderness areas in Colorado, totaling some 3.4 million acres ranging from desert sagebrush to alpine crags. In addition, other underdeveloped areas and national parklands have been proposed for wilderness status. In its newly revised second edition, 'The Complete Guide to Colorado's Wilderness Areas' continues to serve as the foremost guide to these magnificent wild places.

Hikers, rafters, and cross-country skiers benefit from Mark Pearson and John Fielder's wilderness expertise and thoughtfully written descriptions. Within these pages are new excursions, providing first-time readers with the best backcountry possibilities and giving users of the guide's first edition even more travel options. The color maps in this revised edition offer an enhanced level of detail and visual appeal.

Renowned Colorado nature photographer John Fielder's 45 new images provide fresh glimpses into the beauty of the state's wildlands. The seasoned backcountry travelere also highlights his favorite hikes within each wilderness area and shares photographic tips to help readers best capture on film the woundrous natural subjects encountered on the featured excursions.

* 51 of Colorado's wilderness areas and other special wild places to explore - including the recently designated James Peak, Black Ridge Canyons, and Gunnison Gorge wilderness areas!
* 315 day, destination, loop, and shuttle hikes, as well as other recreational opportunities
* 63 full-color photographs
* 53 area maps with featured trails!

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

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

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

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

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

If you've ever wondered what your dog was thinking, Goody Beagle may have the answer. Dog Park Diary: The Social Round of Goody Beagle describes life at a dog park in great detail. This is the story of Goody Beagle as told to her human, Kim Pearson. The story is perfect for animal lovers of all ages.

Dog Park Diary focuses on the daily events at a dog park. Each day, Goody Beagle and "her human" go to the park. It's a daily doggie soap opera with conflicts among the dogs and occasionally their owners. The dogs form friendships and deal with conflicts among the group. Goody even copes with being snubbed because she doesn't have a red collar.

The dog park is a snooty little place. As Goody describes each dog, she gives some of the breed's characteristic behaviors. Obviously, she is more than a bit biased towards beagles. Just from an educational standpoint, I would have liked to see more mutts included. There is only one true mutt in the book, and he was abandoned. As a result, he has some personality problems. Goody's tone when talking about Crockett Mutt is a bit condescending. I realize that this humor is rather tongue-in-cheek, but that tiny section bothered me. This is a good opportunity to show children (and adults) that all breeds and mixes are wonderful pets. Instead, Pearson missed the mark.

Overall, the humor in this book works well for both children and adults. The story is told solely from Goody Beagle's perspective. She is a bit biased toward other beagles, but her observations are hilarious. She is a witty little dog with a sharp eye for detail. She notices everything and comments on it. One of Goody's funniest observations regards the "sniff butt" greeting at the dog park. She thinks humans should try it even though they would look silly doing it. Children will find the obvious jokes very funny. Adults will see some of the less obvious jokes as even funnier.

The diary covers the activities of one week at the dog park. Each day is filled with different dogs and different doggie drama. Some of the days are hilarious, such as when "the Mad Pee-er" and Sigmund C. Terrier are both in the park. Sigmund thinks he is Goody's boyfriend, despite her dislike for him. Meanwhile, "the Mad Pee-er" runs around the park doing just what his name describes. When seen through Goody's eyes, this is a very funny spectacle.

The pictures in Dog Park Diary are adorable. Anne Lindsay really did a great job of capturing the behavior of the dogs. I know that could not have been easy. There are also numerous pictures. Each dog that is mentioned in the story appears in at least one photo. Readers can put a face to each dog in the story. It also makes it easier to envision some of the behaviors that Goody describes. I also like the fact that her dog also appears in the book. That's really just a nice touch in a cute book.

Dog Park Diary is a fun book for kids and adults. Dog owners in particular will appreciate the humor, and the pictures are wonderful. It is truly enjoyable for all ages.

My ten year old loved this book. He asked me to write this:

"This book is the funniest dog book I've ever read, and the photos are GREAT! All the dogs are very cute, and the story is funny. Mark, age 10."

It's hardly high society, but don't tell the dogs at Goody Beagle's favorite venue that their dog park is anything but THE place to go for socializing and maybe a treat or two. "Dog Park Diary: The social round of Goody Beagle" chronicles a week at the Robinswood Dog Park in Bellevue, Wash., as told through the eyes of ... you guessed it, Goody Beagle.

A keen observer and somewhat opinionated hound, Goody introduces the reader to his many friends. She also offers commentary on other dogs at the park and explains proper dog park etiquette, including the all-important meet-and-greet. Of course, doggie greetings involve a bit of sniffing, but as Goody explains, it's important to know who is friendly and who is not. It's also a great way to size up new visitors or find out what kind of mood regulars might be in that day.

Goody's owner and the author of the book, Kim Pearson, has successfully found the voice of her canine companion, which makes this 60-page book entertaining and an easy read. Readers who love dogs will enjoy hearing what Goody REALLY thinks about the park and its frequent visitors. The book also includes photographs by award-winning photographer, Anne Lindsay. No dog diary is complete without a pictorial romp in the park with Goody and her friends.

A dog's life may not be laced with as much drama as those of their human counterparts, but they love life and their human companions. And when they interact, they can be very much like humans as well. On second thought, perhaps there is a place where the "Dogs of Society" howl. There's no better way to find out than to pick up a copy of "Dog Park Diary" and settle back for a look at Goody's world through her soulful eyes. Maybe you'll find out just why dogs enjoy being dogs. One good sniff goes a long, long way!

How refreshing. Try to pick your favorite day in the diary, they are all great. Going to the dog park with my dogs has increased our bond even though I still can't speak dog. The lessons in manners from Goody and her friends will give you some idea of what your dog is trying to tell you. The photography couldn't be better. Everyone should enjoy Dog Park Diary.

Dog Park Diary is entertaining on several levels. Adult dog owners will concur that the human attributes ascribed to the various breeds are very perceptive (trust me, I once owned a beagle!). Kids will enjoy the dog interaction through the text and photographs. Additionally, Dog Park Diary serves as a great guide for potential dog owners as to general breed characteristics, especially charm and temperment. A very original book!