Park Books

I bought this book years ago because of a glowing review in a book close out catalog. I really had no interest in beavers. I was suprised I could not put the book down. It is wonderfully written. Like a funny movie, I feel better after reading this book. The insights into the life and habits of beavers are overwhelming. I had no idea these creatures were so human like. The story is often funny, but we see the sad side when some punky teens try to destroy the beavers home. I have lent the book to many friends, after working hard to convence them it really is a great story. Each person, male and female, loved the story. I just bought multiple copies to loan, and some for gifts, something I have never done with any other book.

Hope Ryden describes the natural world like no other author. Her writing is informative and entertaining. You learn and love the creatures described in her writing. Lily Pond allows you to become a member of beaver family. You feel the pain of winter, the joy of new life. If you like nature, you'll like Hope Ryden's Lily Pond

This is a wonderful book by a wonderful naturalist. Follow a beaver family through seasons of plenty and hardship. Ryden weaves a delightful and moving tale while at the same time maintaining her integrity as a keen observer of animal behavior.

I really didn't have much interest in beavers, but when I was given this book, Lily Pond, I decided to go ahead and read it. I finished it in 2 days, it was phenominal. The way she talked about the beavers was like a sitcom, but at the same time you learned so much. I didn't have to force myself to concentrate, like I normally do with text books, for one second, but the abundance of information I got from this book never fails to amaze me. I have to give Hope Ryden 2 thumbs up for this book. It's one you can't put down no matter how hard you try. I was really sad when it was over.

An insightful look into the saga of a Beaver family. The lives of this Beaver family comes alive through the eyes of author Hope Ryden. You'll begin to feel you're right there with her as she studies this Beaver family over the course of four years painstaking work. Ms. Ryden does an excellent job of conveying what this family of Beavers is up to and you learn an outstanding amount of information about the natural history of Beavers. You become both attached to Ms. Ryden and the family of beavers, feeling both her joy and pain as you see their lives progress before you. I even shed some tears..it was that good. Thanks Ms. Ryden, for an outstanding piece of nature writing

While there is nothing that could duplicate the numerous sleepless nights leading upto the annual summer trip to Lincoln Park, this book comes close. I kept looking closely at some of those b/w pictures from the 60s and 70s to see if me or my siblings were in them!

Going to Lincoln Park for the first time (in the early 70's) was one of the best family outtings we ever had. We were there as part of a special Polaroid day, and the special "Polaroid passes" we had tied to our wrists allowed us kids to ride on everything in the park for only 50 cents!

Unlike the modern theme parks, we were allowed to bring in our own food. Dad set up a home base in the picnic area where he cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on a portable grill. The folks spent all day chatting with the other Polaroid employees while us kids went nuts all around the park (I was still young enough to enjoy the colorful rides in Kiddie Land, yet old enough for most of the adult rides (except the big Coaster...!)). That day started a yearly tradition (either going with the Polaroid group or on my birthday in July). But, 30 years later the park is gone (and Polaroid pretty much is too!)....

This book really brings back a lot of memories! You'll re-discover attractions you may have forgotten about, and you'll learn quite a bit about the park. It has a lot of pictures and you'll go through this book very quickly!

Overall, the book is a treat, but you'll find yourself wishing it was longer. It leaves you hungering for a bit more. I would have liked it to include pictures of *all* the attractions, and maybe an overhead plan/map of the park. (It was kind of hard trying to picture where everything used to be located.) But, this is the only aspect of the book that I found was lacking.

I'm really glad I bought this book, and if you have a Lincoln Park story to tell, you'll be glad you did too! You'll then be compelled to write about what the park meant to you! (We should turn these review pages into "Lincoln Park Remembered - Part 2"!)

I have missed Lincoln Park so much since it's demise. I was so afraid this wonderful place would be lost forever. To see it come to life again in this book brought back so many happy memories. My grandfather used to take my brother and I every Wednesday during the summer. The pictures and stories stirred memories,smells,sounds, and smiles long forgotten. If you ever had the privilege of going you would also enjoy locating the video "Lincoln Park Remembered", with photographs and film clips. How nice to be able to step through the gates again!

Lincoln Park Remembered is one of those special books that from the moment you receive it you just know you will never part with it. The publisher was able to obtain hundreds of remarkable photographs from members of the community who wanted very much to see that very special place honored and remembered. I remember long Summer days spent there as a child with my parents and grand parents and how everyone was able to find things to do that suited them to a T. This book is like a personal photo album and I look forward to introducing and sharing Lincoln Park with my daughter, who will just have to trust me when I tell her the place was holy.

My grandfather, Alphonse Guillmette, ran the roller coaster for many years at Lincoln Park, so when this book was released- it made for a great gift. Needless to say, it went over big! What I didn't expect, however, was the surfacing of my own childhood giddiness: As I read the book, I returned back to a muggy night where flashing lights pierced the dark skies and distant sounds of children's cries enticed us toward the midway. To where the smells of popcorn and fried dough and vomit filled the air. To where a grinning man heckled all the passer-byes until a bell went off- another prize! To where the roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl and Ferris wheel made our stomachs do back flips. To where there was no need for anything but laughter.

Spinner- thank you for allowing me to remember a kinder time!

I thought that this book was an educational yet fun mystery! The map at the front really helped me place what was happening, and relate it to what exists there now. I also found the main character, Sooncy, to be the perfect perspective through which to tell the story! Overall, a fantastic book for anyone looking for a fun and informative read! Best wishes to Ms. Killcoyne on future writing endeavors!

There are few opportunities offered our children to learn an important lesson about both our own past and our nature as individuals than that delivered by Hope Lourie Killcoyne in her gifted story, "The Lost Village of Central Park." Set in mid-nineteenth-century New York City, at the cusp of the construction of that seminal landmark of modern America, Central Park, Ms. Killcoyne's lyrical narrative traces the factual history of Seneca Village, a real establishment in which African-American and Irish immigrants somehow co-existed peacefully in pre-Civil War America. Creating compelling and believable characters, Ms. Killcoyne provides today's pre-teens with an invaluable and unique perspective on an important era in American social development, one which was cut curiously short by the idiosyncratic yet poetically inevitable advancement of New York City, through the creation of Central Park. The Park stands today, a monument to New York civic achievement; what is lost is Seneca Village, perhaps an even more meaningful yet necessarily ephemeral reflection of all that is possible, yet also lost, in the American dream.

Having lived in New York my entire life, I was surprised to find out about Seneca Village. I was never taught about the time, place, and events that surrounded the demise of that area of the city. The author successfully tells the story from the point of view of two young girls, one black and one white, and the strength of their friendship. It's a great way to teach children about their past. There's a lot going on here... plenty to use the characters again and turn it into a series. I'd certainly pick up the next one for my niece!

I had though the art of captivating storytelling in the realm of children's historical fiction was long gone. The last and one of the best was Ben and Me. Not to mention the fact that intelligent prose directed toward but not insulting children has disappeared with the likes of greats like E.B. White, Judy Blume & Madeline L'Engle... until now that is. Meticulous research has allowed Hope Killcoyne to create a captivating historical backdrop that most New Yorkers weren't even aware of including myself. Even as the story unfolded I couldn't help feel a sense of sorrow knowing the timely end to what was probably a fascinating culture within the tapestry of NY. Nevertheless, Killcoyne takes what might have just been an interesting footnote in NY lore and weaves a modern folk tale of ingenious promise and heart. Characters well developed for any novel not to mention one for young adults, add depth and almost tangible realism to a time and era long forgotten and sometimes better off forgotten. Hope Killcoyne places her characters in a small pocket of the American landscape dwarfed by slavery and the dawn of Civil War allowing us to glimpse what might have been and what should be in a world too often blurred with self-interest and prejudice. Although some readers might be wary of the melodrama of a culturally diverse Utopia Killcoyne has pictured, there is nothing contrived about the story and intent behind this book. A highly recommended book for any young or old reader... from any walk of life.

This is a wonderful story and fascinating piece of history for children as well as adults. As with so much in history, the more that is uncovered, the more it tells of the way things are today and why. As with many of the colorful stories from the annuls of New York, The Lost Village of Central Park illustrates a very important chapter in the history of the city as well as the nation. Educational as well as entertaining. The fact that such a place existed more than 100 years ago proves that which makes us the same far outweighs that which makes us different. As former grade schoolteacher, I think this book should be on the shelves of every school and public library.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Dr. Parks' little book online, but quite disappointed that it (I assume) was not available last year when I really could have used it.

Unlike many of the large (and expensive) tomes written to help National Board candidates, this very small book cuts to the chase with succinct and helpful instructions for mentors. Two features which definitely make it an improvement over Parks' book for candidates are the Suggested Activities and the excellent Questioning Techniques, which mentors can utilize with their candidates.

What I really appreciated was the inclusion of some of the finest research available on accomplished teaching (Einhorn), Cognitive Coaching (Costa & Garmston), and Bacal's 'Rules for Facilitating'. These add a depth to this work, which I feel, was lacking in "So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?"

Less helpful, but nevertheless nice, are the Mentoring Ethics, the list of websites, and the suggested forms for mentors to use while facilitating their candidates in each of the four entries. I only wish the book had been published in a larger format, since there is a lot of (small print) detailed information on those forms. Oh yes, the Ten Commandments of Mentoring are a nice touch too.

There is no 'fluff' in this book. It is brief, but all in all, very helpful. It presents much of what experienced NBPTS mentors already know, but still helps us fine-tune the process. To new mentors, it will be a Godsend, and is exactly what they've been hoping to find in getting started, but up to now, was not available. Highly recommended.

I will confess I am not a mentor, and although I am a teacher, I am not NB certified, so you may want to stop reading now. But I am in the process of achieving my certification and, needing all the help I can afford (literally), I purchased as much helpful material as I could.

You might ask why I'd want this book, then. Well, I met the author at the 2005 NMSA Conference, and he was very encouraging. So, I wanted to give this, and his book for candidates, a try. Sometime back, after reading the other book, I decided I was NOT ready (you can read that review). Now I am.

Since I haven't passed NB certification, my comments might not exactly be valid. But I found this book sort of 'helpful in reverse'. In other words, I learned what the mentor would teach me if I had one. I appreciated the tips on writing, compiling my portfolio, and as someone else mentioned, the chapter on 'Accomplished teaching' might be the best. Unlike the other book, this one has sample handouts for mentors, but they weren't really helpful in my case.

Maybe I'm just afraid of the process, and need every help I can find, but this book at least made me feel more comfortable. I feel really out of place writing this review, but at least I know what most mentors know, and hopefully, this will enable me to pass.

Good luck to everyone else going through this!

Having read this author's previous work "So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?", I was curious to see how different a book geared specifically to mentors could actually be. To be honest, there was some overlap. However, considering that Weekly Reader Press has kept the price low, and the fact that the book contains (far) more research than the first work, I found "Mentoring the NBPTS Candidate" to be one handy little gem.

Especially helpful were the chapters on "How Adults Learn", and "Mentoring Forms". The first appears thoroughly researched, and the information, I found to be especially relevant to any mentor--not just one working with NBPTS candidates. The latter chapter provides information that only an experienced mentor would think of, and will certainly streamline the process for any mentor starting from scratch. I also found the chapter dealing with the unique concerns of 'Advanced Candidates' (those who did not pass) quite helpful.

The premier chapter however, is "What is Accomplished Teaching?". This chapter alone provides cogent information and helpful suggestions for all teachers--not just NBPTS mentors and candidates. While much of this information is not new, it's nicely synthesized into an easy-to-reference format.

Like the author's first work, included is a self-test, this one on the appropriate and inappropriate aspects of mentoring. While a few statements seem subjective, more than a few were specific guidelines from the NBPTS which (I hate to admit) I was honestly not aware of. This test should prove to be an excellent eye-opener to the novice mentor.

In summary, I think "Mentoring the NBPTS Candidate" will be more indispensable to the new mentor than the author's previous work might be to the new candidate. Not because the first book isn't helpful, but because I've seen no other work specifically geared to NBPTS mentors. The two books are quick reads and conversationally written. Considering their inexpensive price, I would recommend putting both on your short list of 'must haves' regarding NBPTS candidacy and mentorship.

Simply put, there are very few pickings when it comes to help for NBPTS mentors. Perhaps because of the need for such, Dr. Parks wrote this book. I don't know, but until something better comes along--and this one's pretty darn good--this book will be the standard.

Let's face it, books on mentoring are not too interesting, but good ones should at least be helpful. As a mentor, I appreciate the author's the low-key 'talk to me' writing style as opposed to pedantic works which read more like Holy writ! But even more, I appreciate the practical and--dare I say it--usable information contained in the suggested activities which make up every chapter. I'm up to here with books long on theory, and short on application!

"Mentoring the NBPTS Candidate" is a 'from the ground up' guide for aspiring mentors, with websites, sample handouts, and checklists for mentors to use in the tutoring process. I heard the author speak at the NMSA Conference last year, and was not aware that this book was in the works. I can say Dr. Parks writes the way he speaks, and I found both his presentation and the contents of this book enjoyable, constructive, and helpful.

I suspect there will be more than a few candidates who will scope out this book, since many of the helps to mentors could also be used by candidates. Whatever the reason to use it, this book is the best thing on NBPTS mentoring out there, and I can't imagine what more information on the subject could be contained in one book.

As a (former) mentor trainer for the NBPTS, I found this work the finest in the field. It is simple, well-organized, and comprises everything a mentorship for the prospective NBCT might need (including a few sample handouts). I would highly recommend this book to candidates also. Adds a third dimension to learning the process that can only prove helpful. Heck--every teacher could benefit from this book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Having already taken my kids backpacking once and camping via canoe a second time, I thought it might be a good idea to get someone else's perspective on "roughing it" with kids in tow.

I learned a few new things to make it more manageable for the kids (and myself). Overall I liked the book quite a bit. If you haven't tried taking your own kids backpacking because you are worried of what it might be like (whining, screaming, crying ... sometimes by the kids) ... fear not. This book will show you that it can be done and the kids will love it (and you will too).

Tim Hauserman, who wrote the guidebook for the Tahoe Rim Trail (Wilderness Press, 2002), now tells parents how they can take their little ones along on that and other trails, safely and happily. The beauty of "Monsters in the Woods" isn't necessarily that he tells adults exactly what to do to ensure a good trip; his book is packed with advice, but readers can take only what they need from it. (In fact, there are a few points on which I disagree.) Rather, its great value is in its down-to-earth approach to including kids on outdoor adventures. Tim doesn't discount the effort involved or the discomforts and dangers of outdoor expeditions. But he shows how proper preparation and an adventurous attitude result in wonderful experiences for ordinary families. With "Monsters" as a stepping-off point, adult backpackers with any level of experience can move confidently toward taking their children into the wilderness at the age and level of intensity they're all comfortable with. When my husband and I began backpacking with our infant daughter, there were no books of this sort, so we had to learn everything the hard way. Tim interviewed us for the book (we're on page 6) so I can say with certainty that the author did his homework before publishing this well-written family guide to the outdoors.

Professional wilderness guide and outdoors writer Tim Hauserman presents Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking With Children, a straightforward guide to backpacking and outdoors activities written especially for parents who want to bring their children along - whether the children are infants, toddlers, preteens, or teens. Chapters cover how to prepare for the trip (including what to take and what not to take), safety precautions, how to take care of necessary bodily functions, protecting oneself from bear attacks (since bears are guided by smell, two of the best defenses are to camp a fair distance from where you cook and to use a "bear canister" to guard one's food at night) and much more. Written in plain terms for parents and readers of all backgrounds, Monsters in the Woods is enthusiastically recommended as a "must-have" for outdoor-loving families with children everywhere.

The title should immediately tip you off to the fact that Tim Hauserman uses humor to make reading "Monsters in the Woods," and backpacking with
children, lots of fun. Hauserman combines solid advice and stories of his considerable backpacking experience with his own kids to make outdoor adventures safe and rewarding. He provides such information as how far to hike and how much weight children can carry depending on the child's age.

I'm a backpacker. I'm also a grandmother who wants to be certain that my youngest grandkids (aged 2 and 4) don't suffer from "nature deficit." Right now, I'm sticking with car camping with them, but I'm looking forward to the day when we can venture further afield and get away from crowded and dusty campgrounds.

I will definitely reread "Monsters in the Wilderness" before we go. I'm impressed by the fact that Hauserman doesn't gloss over the challenges, but gives lots of great ideas for keeping everyone upbeat. And I'll keep in mind his advice to let your child take a friend, because there'd be a lot less whining!)

Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking With Children is a wonderful book. Not only does it contain concrete, useful insider information (such as how far children of different ages are generally willing to go, what supplies to bring -- and, more importantly, what things not to bring), it also contains fun insider information (such as eleven things to do with a bandanna, and ten things to do with duct tape). Hauserman's credentials as a hiker (he's a professional wilderness guide) give him expertise in all things hiking, and he includes sections on much of what you'd expect from this experience: bear safety, dehydration, first aid, and even outdoor etiquette. But it is his friendly voice that makes the book a joy to read even if you never intend to leave your front yard. His sense of humor makes him the perfect guide into the challenges of bringing little monsters into the woods. The entire, short book (135 pages) is packed full of useful information, but my favorite part was Chapter 6, where Hauserman simply and beautifully tells about some of his own trips with his two daughters. Monsters in the Woods is filled with great advice, but it's also simply a great read.

As an avid reader of WWII fighter pilot first-hand accounts, especially from the Pacific Theatre, this is one of the very best available. Edward is concise, a powerful wordsmith, and you will be hooked after reading just the Introduction (one-third page) and the first couple pages of the first paragraph. He was the typical WWII Army Aviation cadet, and fell in love with his Bell P-39 Aircobra. He starts, "Nanette was an airplane. That should be made clear right at the start. She was not a very good plane; actually she stank. But she did a lot for me, I realize, as I look back on her. All the planes of that old war had distinguishing looks and personalities. The P-40, the Warhawk, was knobby and arrogant, a tomboy. The P-38, the Lightning, was lean and coltish, a rich debunte. The P-47, the Thunderbolt, was massive and dull, a peasnat girl. The bombers had their distinctions, too, but I didn't know much about them. Of all the fighters, two could really excite a flyer. One was the P-51, Mustang, lovely to look at, honest, efficient, hardworking and dependable. In those days she was thought of as a wife, and I know men who married her, back then, and are still inlove with her. The other was the P-39, the Aircobra. It was slim, with a gently curved tail section, a smoothly faired in air intake, and a perfectly rounded nose cone with its ugly, protruding cannon. But the Aircobra was lazy and slovenly and given to fits of vicious temper. It was a sexy machine, and rotten. Nanette was like that, and I was a little queer for her." You can find a lot of books by fighter pilots, but you won't find many better to read than this one.

For awhile I've had a fascination for the air war over New Guinea during WWII. To help me with this, I was visiting the website PACIFICWRECKS.COM looking for more material to read. In reading thru their listing of books I discovered this book; Nanette: Her Pilot's Love Story by Ewards Park.

Nanette tells Edwards Park's story as a young airman in WWII and his time spent in the South West Pacific flying Bell P-39 Airacobra. In telling his tale, Mr. Park focus's on his aircraft and it's temperament rather than on specific battles. We get to read about Mr. Park's training in the US (interestingly, he ground looped three times and was still made a fighter pilot), his trip to Australia, preparation for combat, and then flying in New Guinea. Once in New Guinea, Mr. Park is assigned to a P-39 squadron near Port Moresby. While there (and other locations in New Guinea), Mr. Park tells us about flying P-39's. Rarely does he focus on this opponents, rather he focus's on his temperamental aircraft that seems to have life of it's own. We learn how Nanette will do anything to avoid aerial combat (the only aerial engagement he describes was when he was flying a different plane), bucking, stalling, starving itself of gasoline. Instead, Nanette lives to be at low altitude, not worrying about the Zero's and Oscar's the Japanese fly.

Nanette is fabulously written! When I first got this book, I was reading another book. After sampling a few pages I became engrossed in the book. Mr. Park's writing still is first rate, his love of his saucy strumpet is shown by how clearly he descriptions her. I can't imagine having that great of a memory where I could remember every fact of how my plane performed. Because of this, I'm certain that Nanette was his first love. This book is great for those interested in P-39's, what it was like in New Guinea in WWII, or reading people's stories about going to war, this is a great book. For those wondering, I give this one a solid 5 stars!

I am a veteran of New Guinea through the eyes of Edwards Park. I am seasoned and wiser for reading it. I bought Nanette in 1977 as a wild eyed 19 year old WW II aircraft fan. I found that Nanette was the first time I could relate to a story personally about WW II. Mr. Park's point of view in the book was not an aged veteran. He wrote as a young man fighting in terrible conditions while showing all the confusion, bravery, machismo, fear, and honor that a boy would have so far from home. Who knows if Mr. Park was a great pilot? But I have read books from great pilots who couldn't write. Mr. Park will make his experience your experience because he is a great writer. I wrote a letter to Mr. Park about the book back then. He even wrote a cordial reply to my questions. I have read this book at least a dozen times in almost thirty years and had to buy another copy to keep the original from falling apart. Nanette is easily one of my all time favorites. Easy reading and easier to relate to. I wish I could give it ten stars.

"Nanette- Her Pilot's Love Story" is distinguished from many WWII pilot memoirs by the superb writing of Edwards Park. His vivid, often wry prose truly takes you into the world of the WWII fighter pilot in the Pacific as he focuses not only on the heroic but also the mundane, the frightening and, sometimes, the downright unpleasant.

But for all its worth as a detailed glimpse of the pilots' war, the real story here is the growing love of a young pilot for his first fighter aircraft. "Nanette", a P-39 Airacobra, is nondescript, skittish, often dangerous- and enlessly fascinating to her pilot. Anyone who has ever formed a bond with a machine which, inexplicably, transceded flesh and metal will find this book a superb read.

My fascination (or should I say obsession?) with the Bell P-39 and the air war in New Guinea in WWII is fueled by the pages of Edward Park's "Nannette."
Park's likening of his tour of duty as a P-39 pilot to an affair with a strumpet named Nanette is a can't put down read for any aviation buff.
While short on historical details such as dates and statistics, the human drama and personal feelings of a pilot and his squadron mates come alive much as Nanette did for Parks. Life, death, and reason for being are examined through the eyes of a reluctant combatant and pilot.
My favorite all time aviation book.

This book is a treasure for anyone planning to visit the Florida Keys, or even those merely interested in a vicarious experience with one of the country's most astonishing destinations. It also lists resources for people who might want to become more involved with environmental issues. Thoroughly researched and full of valuable insights, Deborah Straw's beautifully-written work resonates for readers who consider the ecosystem important.

Deborah Straws book makes visiting the Keys a wonderful natural approach. This is not a book for high end, hotel and restaurant types - if you are looking for recommendations to such. But for those of us that want to view and explore the beauties of nature, this book is number one. No, not meaning it is a camping book. Instead, it is a book for those wanting to explore the Keys - stay where you may but use this book as a source of great and fun ways to see the natural aspect of the Keys.

If Deborah Straw ever leads a trip to revisit her Natural Wonders of the Florida Keys, I would like to know about it. In her book, she brought back many wonderful memories to me of my three years living in Key West, and traveling all over the keys with my family. It was many years ago, in the 50s, when the keys were more alive with flora and fauna than colorful humans who habitate there now. She made it come alive for me again. I read the book in a night, and am rereading it again. Yes, I think she would be a wonderful guide. Take me there, Deborah.

Natural Wonders of the Florida Keys is a friendly, informative companion for a leisurely journey through our country's sultry southern archipelago. Along the way we are introduced to a wide variety of animals, plants, and ecosystems. There are directions for finding beaches, parks, trails, and organizations dedicated to wildlife and habitat preservation. Thumbnail descriptions of various animals that inhabit the Keys pop up from the narrative like furry heads peering through the bushes. Leafing through the pages, one is surrounded by skinks and alligators. Herons and egrets take flight on our approach, and manatees glide gracefully by. We are introduced to forests, mangroves, reefs, and tropical gardens. There are also hints for observing and interacting with the human fauna, such as the quirky characters who inhabit Mallary Square in Key West.

As the days grow shorter and the temperature outside begins to fall, I can imagine myself hopping into a little sports car, cranking down the top, and pointing it south down Route 1. And who better to accompany me than the author, Deborah Straw? She clearly knows her way around, and sprinkles Natural Wonders with anecdotes, local history, and insider's info. Unlike dense travel guides crammed with useless data, Natural Wonders of the Florida Keys is good reading; introspective, humurous, and insightful. You'll enjoy it even if the closest you get to the Keys is Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

I liked this book so much I've already given it as a gift. It's aimed at those of us who simply want to enjoy wildlife in its natural surroundings without experiencing too much physical discomfort. In an appealing, conversational style Deborah Straw imparts a wealth of information including the history of each Keys area, tour opportunities, camping facilities, parks, wildlife refuges, etc. For example, in the Key West section you learn about walking tours, a glass bottom boat, the beaches, and how to get easily from Miami to Key West without taking an inconvenient car. You can feel in every page the author's deep love and respect for animals of all kinds. She has definite opinions with regard to their treatment and protection, and this compassionate current runs throughout. She tells the would-be visitor about the climate by season, and she even includes warnings about what NOT to do. And, she looks out for the cost-conscious travelor. At the end of the book is a short reading list and a good index. I haven't been to the Florida Keys yet, but when I go, I'll definitely take along this book.

Laura and Bill Riley's book is a unique directory and guide to the best wildlife reserves around the world. It is a tremendous resource for ecologists and orginary tourists like myself. The many photographs are beautiful and the detailed descriptions are suberb. The book is a valuable tool for travelers and fascinating and enjoyable even if you cannot make the trip.

Nature's Strongholds, by Laura Riley and William Riley, is a very important book for the history of life.
It is not really an encyclopedia. Nor a lesson in geography. It is not just a very practical travelog with rich inside information.
It is all of those, but what it really shows is a detailed locator, through all the continents, of the Sacred Places, indeed the Strongholds, where the evolving wildlife is guarded, protected and preserved for now and the future.
The pictures and text are brilliant and flow from their many years of exploration and devotion.

This book is a must for serious travelers who like to include visits to intereesting natural habitats and wildlife--I have given the book to a number of friends and they are all thrilled with it--Bill Etz--wildbilo@aol.com

An indispensable guide if you're thinking of going to any of the great places, but equally wonderful armchair reading if you're staying home. Marvelous photographs.

Nature's Strongholds is one of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long time. The photographs are not only gripping and moving, but also sharp, clear and very carefully printed. The layout makes the wealth of information enticing and accessible, which is a great boon to the armchair traveler as well as to the regular explorer. The information provided for each site is just what the serious traveler, amateur ornithologist, conservationist, or eco-tourist would want, too--a list of significant birds, beasts, and other features not to be missed. Most valuable of all, perhaps, is the inside information on each location that the Rileys, explorers and conservationists of many years experience, provide. Both as a record and as a call to preserve the spectacular refuges described, Nature's Strongholds is a magnificent gift to the world!

I have almost completed this book. It has detail on the trail conditions at the time. It is a shame her life ended so soon, I would like to read more books on the treks in the Canyon. Very good reading for anyone who has hiked or plans to hike in the canyon. She has information on other books that she read and gained info from for more Grand Canyon reading.

Today this book is still valuable for its orignal purpose: a testimony to the accessibility of the Grand Canyon Backcountry and practical advice on trails and hiking. If you are wondering if you can successfully hike in the canyon, this book will help convince you to go ahead. Ms. Spangler's trail descriptions are still very relevant. Of course there is a wealth of trail description data available that was not at the time of publication. The avid GC hiker/mystery buff is attracted to this book by the poignancy of Sharon Spangler's personal story. As you read her accounts (as well as when you follow the same trails) you are overcome by an eerie sense of foreboding knowing she hiked with and lived with a cold-blooded killer...and you are following his route as well. This is even more the case due to the large number of references to husband Bob Spangler in the book. Sharon's story and her book are part of the lasting lore and mystery of the Grand Canyon.

This book is an interesting piece of a complex puzzle involving Sharon Spangler's life and death as well as those of her ex-husband, his first wife and the children of that marriage, and his third wife. Before he died, Bob Spangler confessed to the murders of his first wife and children and his third wife, whom he pushed off a trail in the Grand Canyon.
I worked with Bob Spangler and then Sharon Cooper in the 1970s before she became his second wife.

This is the most accurate representation of the true experience one gets in hiking the Grand Canyon. Other books I have read, actually written by super-hikers, can seriously misrepresent what a typical hiker will get into down there. Her style is also a very comfortable read. Nobody should hike in the Canyon without reading this book!

This book is full of wonderful stories and very useful information on particular South Rim trails. It is not a trail guide, but rather a well-written and very interesting report on what it is like to backpack in the Grand Canyon.

This is nature writing which deviates quietly and profoundly from the main American currents. In the 1940s, Sally Carrighar spent her summers in a cabin in Sequoia National Park. She distilled her observations into this exploration of the experiences of nine creature during a single day near the same granite cliff. The interlocking portraits are engaging and convincing. Carrighar keeps the inevitable anthropomorphization to a minimum. Her descriptions allow us to enter into the animals' sensations and impulses. A deer mouse "wanted the walls of the nook to press her all over, but however she crouched, one of her sides had no touch of shelter on it." A lizard is tempted by "a gamey, delicately tart green leafhopper." A chickaree giving an alarm call "jerked, as if he were a little bag filled to bursting with bright sound that piped out whenever the bag was jostled."

Unlike Thoreau and all his literary descendants, Carrighar does not focus on the spiritual reverberations of nature in the human soul, and she does not speak of herself. In his introduction to the California Legacy Book edition, David Rains Wallace highlights her "down-to-earth, impersonal" approach. Today's nature writers, perhaps influenced by postmodernism and multiculturalism's emphases on individual perspective, rarely attempt to enter the consciousness of other beings. Perhaps they avoid cuteness, projection, and presumption that way. They also miss a chance to help us realize that other creatures exist as hungrily as we do.

As a veteran reader of nature writing, I am embarrassed to say that I felt surprised when this book made me remember that the animals I glimpse and don't glimpse on the trail must have continuous, emotional and sensory lives. I felt like going outside to watch a bluejay for an hour. I felt that the jay wouldn't bore me and I might be able to figure out what the he was up to.

Carrighar didn't entice me with the promise of objective knowledge of a secret kingdom. Rather, she made me wonder if I could achieve a sense of home in that kingdom through intimate knowledge. Though she never describes her own process of observation, Carrighar offers herself as a teacher. With her clear, faithful gaze, she comes as close to joining the community of Beetle Rock as a human can.

I haven't finished reading this book because I don't want it to end. Each chapter takes you through the same day as the other chapters, only from the vantage point of a different animal. Most humans don't have a clue as to the life of any other species 24/7. The detail, the nuance, the empathy that Carrigher brings is stunning, without being anthropomorphic. I'm starting a book club based on this book.

Each chapter is about a day's adventure of one of the animals (Weasel, Sierra Grouse, Chickaree, Black Bear, Lizard, Coyote, Deer Mouse, Stellar Jay & Mule Deer) on the rock and surrounding forests and meadows. Sally Carrighar compresses her observations into one day and weaves a fine tale of the activities and imagined-thoughts of each animal.

This is one of my favorite books. Carrighar writes about the lives of nine animals during one day in Sequoia National Park, one chapter per animal. Each animal interacts with the world and fellow creatures in its own way, and each has its own problems and anxieties -- which creates dramatic interest. Carrighar anthropomorphizes her characters, but convincingly and unobtrusively -- how could you avoid it in a book of this type? The writing beautifully describes sounds, scents, the play of light on leaves, etc.

This book, written from the point of view of each of a series of animals living around Beetle Rock, follows the web of life and illustrates the beauty of the natural world. This is a book for anyone seeking to understand the natural world, and anyone who truly loves animals.