Park Books

Butch has a wonderful way with words that brings you right into the story. As you read, it is like you are there with him. For years I have heard his stories from my sister, Deb Dirksen, mentioned in his book, and now it is wonderful to be able to read them. His insights into Yellowstone are priceless and you finish the book with a greater love for this jewel of our country. I hope more people read the book and join the cause to save our nations national parks.

Orville Bach has done an excellent job describing the beauty and wonders of Yellowstone; an up-close an personal view based upon over 30 years of back-coutry hiking, canoeing, and all kinds of "natural" adventures. This book was my constant companion during a recent 5-day bought with the flu - I couldn't put it down - wanting to see what adventures and sites were part of the next chapter! Mr. Bach takes the reader on an intimate journey of the Yellowstone backcountry; animal encounters, wacky weather, adventures with friends. The book was very readable and describes a wide variety of natural experiences. I highly recommend this book - I can't wait to go see Yellowstone for myself! I hope Mr. Bach considers a second book in the series.

I would have given this book ten stars! Orville E. Bach Jr. gives the reader an incredible perspective of the park. As a seasonal park ranger for 31 years, he's had the opportunity to experience first hand the many beautiful landscapes and unique thermal features that make Yellowstone such a precious wilderness area. I couldn't put the book down! I felt like I was hiking and paddling along side him during his many adventures. I would fly out to Yellowstone tomorrow if given the chance. It's a great book.

Having just returned from a 3-week trip to Yellowstone and surrounding back-country, I ordered Mr. Bach's book to continue my trip of a lifetime. Combined with my own love of the Rocky's and vivid memories, reading "Tracking the Spirit of Yellowstone" is extending my vacation. I tried not to read it all at once so I can make it last longer! Bach's easy style of writing takes the reader along on his amazing adventures. For those of you who have not been beyond the 'driving tour' of Yellowstone, some of these may seem far-fetched. Having been there, every trip into the backcountry presents a new and unforgettable adventure! Mr. Bach, you are living my dream, and I thank you for sharing it in such an enjoyable collection of stories! Won't you write more?

This book is a collection of short essays about the author's experiences in wilderness areas, mostly Yellowstone National Park. The exciting, exhilarating, hilarious, and frequently frightening stories will leave you wanting more as you move from chapter to chapter and you will end up wondering if the author has nine lives! It's too bad the early Yellowstone explorers aren't around to swap stories with Bach; I think he would have fit right in. After reading this book, I dusted off my copy of his guidebook, "Exploring the Yellowstone Backcountry" and started planning some trips of my own!

The book was sent in a timely manner and in the condition that was promised.

This book is very good lots of great images and information. It is good for anyone interested in wolves or Isle Royale lots of very interesting information on the wildlife and what is driving the ever changing isle royale system.

If you've been to Isle Royale and want to know more about the wolves, then I highly recommend this book. Most visitors to Isle Royale hope to see a wolf, and most visitors leave the island disappointed. Isle Royale is the closest thing to a closed system to study a predator-prey relationship, and is the site of one of the longest running field studies. The book has some good stories about conducting research on Isle Royale, including the winter study when the research team are the only people in the park. It also provides some insight into how theories about the wolf-moose relationship are still evolving after years of research. It also discusses the challenges the researchers faced when the wolf population took a nosedive in the late 1980's, and ponders the question of what should be done if the wolves die out on IR. This book is several years old now, so if you're interested in more recent data, contact the IR Natural History Association [URL] to get the latest report.

This book provides an introduction to the wolves of Isle Royale. Peterson certainly knows the material, since he has led the island's wolf-moose study for decades. The book presents a mix of scientific findings, stories from the wolf-moose study, and Peterson's personal experiences and the island. It's well-written, though the mixture of these materials sometimes seems a bit random.

If your primary interest lies in the science of wolves, I'd read Durward Allen's Wolves of Minong instead. But for everyone else, this should be your first book on Isle Royale and the wolves.

The greatest strength of this book is its photographs. These include wildlife shots, pictures of study staff dissecting carcasses, landscapes of Isle Royale, and a few shots of Peterson and his family. The photographs, the color, and the paper the book is printed on are all top-notch.

Peterson argues that the wolf population may be in crisis. Fortunately, wolf numbers have turned around since he wrote this book. His concluding chapter, about whether we should reintroduce "non-native" wolves to Isle Royale if they died out naturally, is very thoughtful and thought-provoking.

I've been interested in the moose and wolves of Isle Royale since visiting the island in the early 1990s. While I spotted plenty of moose (swimming in the lakes, jumping out of the bushes in front of us on the trail, etc.), the wolves remained hidden--a mystery.

Fortunately, Rolf Peterson writes brilliantly of the side of Isle Royale that many of us will never glimpse. Peterson's work switches easily between the science and the 'experience' of studying wolves in a remote setting. The book is chock full of interesting anectodes collected from Peterson's many seasons studying the island's flora and fauna. From landing a bush plane in a white-out to dragging moose carcasses through the woods, Peterson gives us an interesting look at the what being a field scientist might be like.

It's important to note that this book is not just about wolves. Indeed, so many environmental factors shape life on Isle Royale outside of its 'headlining' mammals (moose and wolves): from beaver to fox, from spruce to elder. Peterson does a great job of explaining how the changing environment (some human-induced, some not) has impacted the island's populations.

The book also has some excellent photographs, which illustrate not only the science, but also the beauty that is Isle Royale! Highly recommended.

The strength of the black and white photography strongly captures the feel of the dramatic geography and history of Yellowstone. The intriguing story of the photographer written by Mark Bagne and the detailed restoration of the photographs create a book I will keep on my coffee table for years. This book is a grand tribute to our first National park and stands as a reminder that we must preserve Yellowstone for future generations.

A couple of good friends of mine recommended this book to me. I can't thank them enough for bringing the art of Jack Richard to my attention. The book is wonderfully put together - the selected photos included provide a great introduction to the art of Jack Richard while the text gives you an understanding of what the Yellowstone Country must have meant to the artist. I hope that the authors are hard at work on a second well deserved tribute to the art of Jack Richard!

As my Mom used to tell it, Jack Richard was a gentleman who happened to be a photographer! He did it all--from capturing the splendor of Yellowstone to making portraits of people who lived and worked around the Cody area. Many of the photos he took of my grandparents are lost, but the surviving images are amazing. In this book, Wyoming Journalist Bark Bagne takes us behind Richard's camera and allows us a glimpse into his life and love as a photographer. Bagne, who honed his skills at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and Cody Enterprise during the past two decades, is a perfect match for the story. Anyone who has a love for photography or Wyoming will cherish this book.

The black and white photographs contained in this book -- some never-before-seen -- are absolutely stunning! Mark Bagne's text is as crisp and informative as the photos! Definitely a must-see-and-read book for all!

Many of the photographs in this book remind me of my own childhood growing up in Wyoming. Mark Bagne has done a great job of capturing the feel of the pictures with his writing. This will make a great gift for my mountain-loving friends.

I truely enjoy all the helpful "where to camp in such and such season" and the points of intrest. Most annoying, however, are the maps. Though campsites are marked with the traditional tent icon, they are not labeled. This makes the following list of campistes practicly worthless, as one does not know where they actually are. Had to find other maps and guides to supplement.

Living in Los Angeles, we occasionally escape to Yosemite and the Southern Sierra Nevada. We have enjoyed reading more about this breathtakingly beautiful region in this excellent guide which is by far the best on the region with its historical details, up-to-date comments, and witty literary style that makes us want to read it before, during, and after our trips. Don't travel there without buying this book, you would miss the "soul" of the region, and you would just be another average tourist.

If you're going to Yosemite and the Southern Sierras, this erudite, lively and practical book is indispensable. The author blends history, geology, ecology, arcane local lore and insider recommendations with the skill of an expert mixologist creating a new cocktail. It won't get you high (not that way, anyway) - it'll just enhance your experience of the trip immeasurably.
If you're not planning to visit the area but have any interest in California and/or the outdoors, this book will fire your imagination. I read it in my city apartment and it really did make me want to head for the hills. I normally think of travel guides as functional things that I'd no more read for pleasure than I would a phone book -- not any more. Not this one, anyway.

David Page openly admits that no writer will ever compete with John Muir when it comes to describing the Sierras. So Page wisely decides against even attempting to do so. However, he notes that Muir had little, if anything, to say about accomodations, meals and travel routes, so Page modestly addresses his book to these topics. For the most part, he does a very fine job. He divides the southern Sierra region into chapters covering Death Valley, the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and the Sequoia/King's Canyon National Parks. In each chapter he describes lodging and dining options, popular and less well known tourist destinations. (I was pleased to find Buck Rock Lookout and Saline Valley Hot Springs listed along with more popular locations like Moro Rock and Badwater.) I would have included a little more information on Giant Sequoia National Monument, but that is my only criticism.

Page's writing style is also enjoyable. His prose, even when discussing the most mundane of topics is often blunt and never boring. For example, he claims the breakfast buffet at Stovepipe Wells "evokes something recently reconstituted from ancient stores on the planet Tatooine." Having sat for a meal there many years ago, I see my own impressions of the place are still valid. But the best part of the book are the many sidebars and discussions of local history. Page actually went to the trouble of researching his subjects, rather than simply accepting today's politically correct judgements. As a result, people like James Savage emerge from today's fairy tales into the complex characters they really were. I doubt even a fraction of historians, much less the general populace, is aware of the degree to which Native Americans held Savage in high regard. Similarly, the story of how Mulholland stripped the Owen's Valley of its water supply receives a much fuller treatment here than elsewhere. And Page's many sidebars on natural and cultural history show a similar sensitivity to detail that is often lacking in travel guides, and even modern history texts. In all, this book has a lot to recommend it.

It also is appearing in print at a very bad time. As Page notes, visitation at our National Parks, particularly Yosemite, is declining. Although many are happy with that, this trend is troubling because these places were set aside precisely so people could visit them and enjoy nature. For Muir and others, places like Yosemite are necessary for the human condition. But with the economy the way it is, one can expect that even fewer visitors will make the effort to travel this year, and that is problematic. It certainly suggests this book might not get as many readers as it deserves. The main problem is high gas prices and these are due to several causes. Certainly the decision of the Bush administration to fund their war the old fashioned way (by inflation) is a major part of the problem. But it is not the only reason gas prices are making "staycations" more popular than vacations.

A reason that gets less press is the change in the nature of the conservation movement itself. Whereas for Muir and other early conservationists (especially the ever pragmatic Gifford Pinchot) these parks were preserved to allow people to escape civilization, today's environmentalists attack civilization itself, and in particular the energy sources that make it feasible. Since the first Earth Day in 1971 the environmentalist lobby has systematically shut down exploration and new oil production within the US. Meanwhile, our reliance on foreign oil has jumped from 30% then to 70% today. Indeed, over 60% of available land and sea shelf for such exploration is shut off from development and this is hailed as an environmental victory, despite the clear evidence that drilling can be done in environmentally friendly ways. (The 60 year experience at Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is a case in point.) Even "conservation," so often cited as an alternative to exploration, has failed miserably despite massive government subsidies and 30 years of effort. As a result, we find average citizens simply can no longer afford extended vacations. To put a simple number on it, each penny rise in gas prices relieves consumers of 1.3 billion dollars a year. I know at least one "environmentalist" who would assert this is mere "bean counting" which is convenient for him because he is considerably more affluent than those who now are struggling for their next meal. For ordinary citizens, this massive rise in gas prices is devastating. We can put a number on their economic losses. But thousands of people will miss out on seeing some of the great natural wonders the world has to offer, and no price can be placed on that.

Bottom line: this is an excellent read. For the price of just 4 gallons of gas you can learn about the history and travel options in this magnificent area. But if prices continue the way they are, books like this and related internet sites may soon be the only ways to access these places. And that would be a great loss. So get this book now, and found out what is being taken away. In perhaps one of the greatest ironies of history, today's environmentalists have won so much they are in danger of losing their greatest accomplishments.

I just finished David Page's book. After spending over forty years of my life enjoying the wonder of the Sierras, it is time we had a book so full of information and so well written. It should be a "must" for anyone who appreciates this area and all that it has to offer. The photographs, both old and new, bring another wonderful dimension to the book. Bravo, David Page!

Haven't used the book yet but intend to do so when we plan our next trip. It seems to be very comprehensive and I'm sure it will be very helpful. Thanks.

In this day of "who cares", I am happy to say this was a terrific purchase. I ordered, it was delivered, and it was in good shape. What a simple concept.

Although there are many RV campsites along the roadway a publication such as this gives the RVer the information of various RV campgrounds and their amenities so an informed decision can be made when selecting a good place to stop. This publication with its comprehensive information makes it easy to find a campground in any state. Selecting a campground is a breeze and that adds to the enjoyment of RVing.

This directory is HUGE, and filled with adds but I can't imagine setting off on a long trip without it. Calling ahead, or reserving a spot online is such a good idea when you are driving or pulling a large trailer. It really pays to have an idea of what you are getting into before you get there. If you are arriving later in the day to an area you are unfamiliar with this directory is a necessity.

The book is huge. It lists everything I have searched for so far. We are going on our first outting in a few weeks so will see if the parks are as described.
I think this will be a big help because we just go and see where we land.
It gives great discriptions of the parks and the amps etc so heres hoping.

Central Park is just a national treasure, and this book does a wonderful job of capturing the park. It's easy to say that it impossible to take a bad picture this breath taking oasis, but as this book shows it does take skill to really capture the essence of the park. I believe even a native New Yorker, who had spent their whole life in the park, could appreciate this book and could get a who new feel for the space. I recommend this book to anyone with a love for things beautiful.

Excellent book! I have purchased several for visiting friends and family.

There are several books of photographs of Central Park on the store shelves. This one stands out. The photos in 212 Views are stunning. You feel as if you are standing right there, you imagine you will feel the fresh air on your face as you turn the page! The text is like a well-informed friend who accompanies you, the reader, through Central Park, sharing select details about the history and design of the Park and adding layers of depth to your immediate sensory appreciation of the Park. Whether you are a frequent user of Central Park, an occasional visitor, or an arm chair stroller, experiencing the park only through the pages of the book, I highly recommend 212 Views. It's a great gift for the holidays, too. (I bought copies for my exercise partner who loves fast-walking in the Park and for my mother!)

New York residents and visitors will treasure these vivid photos and charming essays infused by a love of the city and its showcase park. "Views" will entertain and educate readers, and encourage their explorations. Enjoy!

As enjoyable and informative as "Central Park, An American Masterpiece: A Comprehensive History of the Nation's First Urban Park" by Sara Cedar Miller, this book reveals why the great park was known as the "lungs" of New York City. "212 Views of Central Park: Experiencing New York City's Jewel From Every Angle" by D. Sandee and Hartman Brawarsky is gorgeous book, and each of the 212 views are nothing less than breathtaking. It's not only a great coffee table book, but also has very informative text. It is a true glorification of Vaux's and Olmstead's vision and realization of what true civic engineering is capable of, when supported by a responsive government. Of course, there is no substitute for experiencing the park first-hand, but this sure conveys that sense of relief from the city's frenzied pace, and of the park's true beauty. I recommend this book highly.

If you're a photography enthusiast aspiring to visit the beautiful places in this world, this is a wonderful book. I'm a big fan of Tim Fitzharris books and this is another example of his excellent contribution to the field. After reading this book (and referencing it numerous times), I find myself wanting to go to every one of these national parks.

This book is so beautiful and so inspiring that, after reading it, I made a plan to visit 24 national parks over the next four years. (So far I have been to Yosemite... but I still have hope to get to the other 23).

Bottom line, Tim is a truly amazing nature and wildlife photographer. His images alone will inspire and motivate you to make a travel plan like I did. What's more, his ability to write far outshines the competition. The book contains useful instruction on general technique, as well as specific advice on when and where to go in each park. His text is filled with practical, helpful tips - the kind of information you would really use. I found myself jotting down notes again and again as I read through his advice and instructions.

If you are a nature lover and photography enthusiast... if you find yourself at your greatest place of peace and tranquility when you visit our national parks, you'll love this book. It's a true gem.

I was prepared not to like this book. I mean, what could an automobile club teach me about photography? Then I saw that the author was Tom Fitzharris, a noted nature photographer, so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised.

The book starts out with a chapter on photographic equipment and technique , and then proceeds with separate chapters on 22 of the major national parks. The book claims that it is aimed at both beginners and experts, but I'm always skeptical of such claims. Once again, I was wrong.

Consider the first chapter on Photography Essentials. The techniques described are indeed essential if one expects to take better than average pictures in the national parks. The beginner may indeed be a little awed by what the author considers essential, but he will learn where there are holes in his knowledge. I would recommend reading John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" if you want to get a better understanding of technique. More advanced photographers will use the first chapter as a checklist.

The author recognizes that many of the shots are classic shots that appear on calendars and postcards but says that the individual photographer's variations will make the pictures worth taking. He also suggests that the reader study the author's photographs for ideas on how to handle different subjects and I think that's good advice.

I was very interested in the chapters on parks where I had photographed. I found that not only was Fitzharris quite comprehensive, but he even suggested some places to go to that I had not visited, and some approaches I had not tried, even in parks I thought I knew well. I wish I had had this book before visiting some of those parks. I also know I may visit a few parks because they are in Fitzharris' book.

I have a few minor quibbles. Fitzharris suggested visiting Yosemite before June and shooting early in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. It's good advice but the last time I was there in May at 6:30 PM at Tunnel View, there were fourteen tripods set up with crossed legs by photographers making an homage to Ansel Adams. I suppose that's better than it would be at 3:00 PM on a July day, but some of the hot spots suggested by the author will always be crowded.

The author makes no reference to digital photography, but I don't consider that much of a problem. The book is aimed at getting you to the best spots in the major national parks, and creating the best composition. That doesn't change very much with digital photography.

My biggest complaint about this book was that it only covers 22 of the national parks. I wanted more coverage.

This is not a book to learn about photography. If you already know the basic of nature photography and plan to take photograph in national parks, this is what you need. It covers most of the more popular national parks. It shows you what to expect and what to photograph in each national park listed in the book, including best tripod locations and best time. Very organized and clear. The pictures and print quality are superb.

I bought this book for the beautiful photos and was overwhelmed by the great photography advice and information about where to go to take these pictures. I'm traveling out west next month and look forward to taking this book along so that I can go to these beautiful parks.

This book is soooooooooo cool I mean it has everything. I love that action when I turn the page. and in big letters it says OH NO. But then again i fell sorry for the seals because it seams like nobody wants them around but other than that this is a must have book....OH NO

This novel is action-packed and provideds my with the nessesitys of life, such as oxegen. The moment I read this, I got over the flu! No joke! My life is now complete! OH NO!

The book kept me on the edge of my seat. My friend showed it to me at age 14 and i'm 14 and I still love it. The book teaches good morals like how to deal with seal break downs. This book replaces the nessesity of food and water. It shows you can have fun with out the tv. My friend read it and quickly went out to buy a stuffed seal. The action packed OH NO! sequences are truly to behold. But beware the dark side of the seals as they have been known to reek unforgivable havic....... So enjoy!!!

I relize it is somewhat odd for a 15 yr old to be commenting on his favorite childhood book but I am.

If not for the concept of there being seals in sandboxes which is awesome then for the art which is also awesome. and its a mystery. What will those seals do next...?

My husband and I have read this book to both our are daughters during their babyhood and toddler years, and they loved it! The bright illustration of silly seals taking over the park, and the anticipation of yelling "OH NO" when the seals are discovered adds to the delight!

Herb Boyd is well known to readers in New York for his hard-hitting, easy and informative journalistic style. He also deserves to become well-known for his award-winning book on the African American experience, "Brotherman -- The Odessy of Black Men in American," co-edited with Robert Allen. It displays a keen knowledge of African American documentation concerning the role of Black men in our society. His "Down the Glory Road" shows a fine sense of the sweep and force of the African American experience and how it can be rendered in easy-to-grasp prose. Now Boyd has given us the carefully researched and stirring documentary, "Autobiography of People: Three Centuries of African-American History Told by Those who Live it." This is no mere celebration of achievements nor is it a tale of woes and pain. What Boyd has meticulously constructed by ferreting documents famous and unknown from the dusty files of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and elsewhere is a powerful narrative of Black America told by those women and men who walked the miles, scaled the mountains, fought the battles, suffered the losses and achieved the victories. Here are Africans telling what it meant to be wrenched from peaceful villages and stuffed into suffocating slave ships for the terrifying and deadly voyage across the Atlantic, and then living to fight for their liberty and to tell their tales. Here is the lone African American, Osborne Perry Anderson, who survived the famous John Brown raid in 1859 on Harper's Ferry, and disclosing as no history books used in our schools does how the enslaved population rose up to fight and help Brown and his gallant band, which included four other free men of color. Here is the Harlem Renaissance told in the words of its legendary participants: Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston and others. Here is the civil rights movement captured in its intensity, pain and triumph by Paul Robeson, Rosa Parks, Ella Baker and James Forman. Herb Boyd has given us an America our schools need to study and learn from.

Twice I attempted to write this review of Herb Boyd's AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PEOPLE, with it's" three centuries of African American history told by those who lived it"

but soon realized I should finish reading it first. His collections (of excerpt) is so powerful so revealing; and each one seem to flow into the next. like a chronological change of events.

I can see how it may be differcult for some to believe (and easier to deny) the suffering and sacrificing our ancestors endured, to make possible the freedom and well being we now enjoy. Surely it'll instill pride in we Americans of African descent and Americans of goodwill..

Myself, more so being the fact that I too, made a contribution. An excerpt was selected from my Korean war memoir, WHAT'S A COMMIE EVER DONE TO PEOPLE? (Publishes by McFarland Publishers Inc.). Sure, at the time, I was politically ignorant to the reasons I was there fighting, like many others black soldiers, then we were fighting for our lives, the fight for our freedom, we who survived, was to come on our return t o America.

Hopefully, my story, alone with the many others that appears in AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PEOPLE will help enlighten other 17 & 18 year old American-American to the reality, that the freedom we now enjoy, others fought and died for it.

PS; In "AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PEOPLE" includes my favorite hero, the adventurous, explorer, scientist and author, Mr. Matthew Henson, who's life story inspired me to be an adventurer.. DARK COMPANION. It was the first book I read. I was nine years old.

Again, My Sincere Thanks to you Brother; Herb Boyd your book is a magnificent collection of excerpts. And no doubt it'll serve as an inspiration to many.

Peace & Pleasant Writing Curtis J. Morrow

Conversations with Herb Boyd

While I attended New York University in the late 80's, I majored in 18th Century Literature and minored in African American history. Hands down, my biggest challenge was being able to keep up with my reading, and retain all that was required of me by my professors. If only Autobiography of a People Three Centuries of African American History Told By Those Who Lived It, Herb Boyd's newest book had existed years ago when I was a student in college.

As I am still a student of African American history, Boyd's book is right on time. Booksellers and African American history buffs who live in Manhattan received a royal treat on Saturday, February 5, 2000 if they tuned in to "Books That Matter" with Leroy Baylor and listened to Boyd talk about his newest success. "Books That Matter," a public access program promotes reading and literacy to a diverse readership and interviews new and well-established authors. Recent guests include: Tavis Smiley, Sapphire, Johnnie Cochran, and William Loren Katz. The show airs on alternate Saturdays in Manhattan on Channel 34 at 10:30 p.m., in Brooklyn on Channels 34 &67 at 10 p.m. every Friday evening and each Monday evening on Bronx Net at 10:30 p.m.

I found Baylor's interview with Boyd enjoyable, and several times I felt like I as a student again learning about the great history of my people. The wonderful rapport between Baylor and Boyd was immediate and a treat for the viewer. The book, which is a compendium of 118 powerful African American voices is quickly being heralded as a New Classic in African American Literature --a compliment it rightly deserves.

This book is an anthology edited by Herb Boyd.It contains compelling material that is written by various authors who tell of the African American experience as they witnessed it.The book should be read by all those who would like to know what has occurred in the collective experience of the only Americans who were brought to this country against their will and treated as chattel. It may surprise many to learn that the African American community is not monolithic.The various voices selected by Mr.Boyd attest to this notion in the telling of the story.Again,this book is one that should be read by everyone who needs or wants to know of the tragedies and triumphs of a proud and glorious people and their multiple experiences in America.

Do you ever wonder how black people living as slaves described life in America? Herb Boyd, author and journalist, has been a professor of black studies for thirty years. Thus, he is uniquely qualified to distill from the reams of black thought that which might best stand as a fitting testament to African Americana. Editor Boyd has deftly woven the dark backstory to the glamorized myth on which the American Dream rests. The author establishes that blacks in America have never been that content underclass by and large depicted in this country's history books. He disputes the notion, central to American history, that Africans brought to America were docile, uncivilized, unintelligent and, thus, deserving of their lot. Culling from the words of those who did dare to speak out (often with disastrous consequences), Boyd has woven an eloquent, emotional tapestry of the black experience. Its power derives not from any self-conscious rage, but from the simplicity, the unguarded frankness of the voices. This is a timely book, sorely needed at a critical moment in this nation's history.

"Basic truths have been recorded in every language for time memorial. The Balancing Act is a consumate study of these basic truths - the philosophies by which we can successfully pattern our lives.
This volume weaves multi-colored threads into a fabric that provides a portal into these masteries and more. At first perusal you may think, "this is familiar." I ask you to dig deeper, for Sharon has eloquently and brilliantly given you a gift - a map - answering every question you could possibly want for a successful life.
Sharon Seivert is an extraordinary author of vanguard vintage. We are most fortunate that she has encompassed complex mysteries into basic truths. You will want to keep this book on your desk at all times."

Sharon Seivert's insightful understanding of the process of emotional growth provides clients with new avenues to deepen their involvement in their own therapy.

I have "The Balancing Act" side-by-side with my "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." I find this book to be even more insightful than Mr. Covey's in helping me articulate who I am, what my core beliefs are, and how to balance this with the rest of my other elements.... It's like soul music that just reaches into your very being.

Sharon Seivert is a very wise woman who has developed a powerful model that will indeed improve the quality of your relationships to your life, your work, and your community. Using Sharon's simple yet not simplistic assessment tools, you will discover where you are out of balance in your life or your organization, and then learn how to create an alignment of the five elements. Her lessons are comprehensive yet practical and clearly defined. If you are ready to change your life, get this book!

More Americans are talking about seeking balance in their lives. Many of them have actually gone beyond talking and are on the quest. The Balancing Act is one of a number of books that have been written (and will be written) on this topic. Seivert, a business consultant and executive coach, has put together a design that suggests five areas that need to be brought into an appropriate balance for you: Personal Life, Relationships, Leadership, Organizations, and World.

Various chapters of this book are keyed to the five elements; others are presented as being of general interest to the reader. This approach and book organization (the chapters are coded in the table of contents) enables the reader to concentrate, during first or subsequent readings, on those areas of greatest interest. Two appendices and an index provide additional support.

The book is organized into three parts: Finding Your Balance in Life, Relationships, and Work; The Five Elements of Success; and The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts. The first section, pre-chapters, offers almost three dozen pages of introductory material on Finding Your Balance, The Elements of Success, and The Great Ally Inside You. Readers will find a collection of worksheets to engage in some self-analysis before proceeding into the meat of the book.

The text is heavy on spirituality, as opposed to books focused on life activities and common sense advice. Seivert's elements: air, fire, water, and earth are discussed in the context of balancing them in the way you lead your life. If you are receptive to a deep spiritual approach to life, you'll enjoy this book. If you are not engaged by this approach, it will be difficult to connect with this presentation.