Park Books

Awesome book that gives very helpful tips about different locations in Oregon to backpack.
It was my first backpacking book purchased, and since then I havent found better.
He gives very personal accounts of each trail. He also rates each trail on a scale of 10 based on its difficulty, scenery, etc.
A must have for any outdoor-loving Oregonian.

If you are looking for a REAL backpacking trip guide - not daytrips - this is the best book I have seen for the diverse state of Oregon. It's unique organization style is by season, the perfect way to choose a trip in an area of widely varying climates. It gives excellent, detailed descriptions of 27 different trips, including elevation gains, difficulty, scenery, solitude and side trips. This is not a book for novices, no "how to's" here, just great trip analyses. Includes great maps and B/W pictures. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a REAL backpacking trip guide - not daytrips - this is the best book I have seen for the diverse state of Oregon. It's unique organization style is by season, the perfect way to choose a trip in an area of widely varying climates. It gives excellent, detailed descriptions of 27 different trips, including elevation gains, difficulty, scenery, solitude and side trips. This is not a book for novices, no "how to's" here, just great trip analyses. Includes great maps and B/W pictures. Enjoy!

This book is great for backpackers. Warning: it is not a how-to manual for novices, but rather a guide for experienced backpackers. It offers a wide range of backpacking trips thoughout Oregon. The author rates each trip based on difficulty, solitude, and beauty, and highlights any special advantages or drawbacks to each trip. I was excited to read so many suggestions for varied new backpacking trips (and I have been backpacking in this state for 15 years!) His ratings are absolutely correct for the trips I have gone on.

Don't know where to go? Use this guide -- including regional maps! -- to find a site close to you or close to where you are traveling. It's rating system gives you a means to compare sites.

This book needs to have an online counterpart. The dearth of good (objective!) camping information online in this part of the country can be frustrating.

This book fills in the gaps for tent campers who need some details on the multitude of camping spots in Georgia, written by someone who had the time to actually visit many of them. This is perfect for busy professionals like myself who often have no idea where to start, and can't waste a free weekend on a campsite that may be subpar.

Molloy fills in the gaps for you with a rubric of important criteria, all from the standpoint of the casual camper who appreciates a quiet, beautiful setting to enjoy. This is information that doesn't really exist elsewhere, so if you camp in the state of Georgia, it's an absolutely essential reference. Seasoned campers with their own favorite spots may have slightly less of a use for this book, but even then one might find a gem that had been previously overlooked.

This work loses a star because the overall map and legend lacks an easy way to identify which star on the map is which campsite, without thumbing back through the table of contents. This made it slightly harder to see which campsites are in which area at a glance. Overall, a very useful reference.

Hint: Take the book along with you camping in your vehicle or duffel bag. Scribble your own notes in the margin regarding the campsite you visited, best places to park, nearest gas station, etc. Make it your own personal reference as well!

The detail level is fantastic. You feel like you have already camped at one of these sites before you even go. It gets down to descriptions of each numbered site within a campground so you can easily decide which one to grab when you arrive. Details like beauty, security etc...are rated with stars. I have visited 4 sites now from the book and find the ratings right on.

My only knock is the directions need to be a little better. They dont start you from a major road - but rather obscure backroads. You will need to do some additional map work to find some of the more remote spots - but other than that it's a must have for tent campers.

JM has done a great job of camping in the stellar, and not so stellar camping destinations of Georgia doing the heavy lifting for the rest of us.

Each location has all the information needed whether interested in hiking, swimming, boating, etc. JM's descriptions are true to form for each location. I truly enjoy noticing something mentioned in JM's book as I vist the Best in Tent Camping destinations.

The life of Wanda Nell Culpepper takes on another complication when her brother Rusty shows up in town. He is a wannabe songwriter who has been living in Nashville, and he has been out of touch for years. He is back in town in Tullahoma, Mississippi, stirring up trouble. He has had confrontations with several local men that he knew when they were in high school. He is obviously dredging up something from the past, but he refuses to give any information to Wanda Nell.

Now one of the other men has been beaten to death, and a second man shows up dead. Rusty disappears, and Wanda Nell has been threatened and told to keep her nose out of things. Wanda Nell cannot be intimidated, particularly when her brother is missing.

There are the usual side issues with family. Miz Culpepper's cousin Belle shows up in town (a woman who can speak her mind without saying much). Some characters continue is the series, including Wanda Nell's neighbor Mayrene (with her shotgun), and some new characters are introduced. Wanda Nell is still working two jobs.

I love this series. The writing is good and the characters are well-formed and interesting. This story was very mature and well crafted. A very sophisticated cozy. Only the cover gives it the cozy feel. More, More, More.

Just like a slice of America Pie. I think this book represents most of America in a rural setting. Love it really.

this is another and the further adventures in a cute cozy series.
Funny and believeable characters throught the whole story keeps your attention and it is fun just to visit them. I look foward to more of the Tullahoma gang. the scary thing is, i could know these people!

This was a great guide to get me started on my Disney vacation. It provided me with a great lay-out for all the parks, tips on making the best use of time, and guides for deciding where to stay and where to eat. I enjoyed the "Birmbaums Best" monikers on many of the attractions so that I would be clued into the absolute "must see" attractions. Overall, this is a good book for getting started at Disney World, especially if one has never gone to the theme parks in the past.

This is THE BOOK for WDW. It keeps you posted on new rides, the quality and prices of on-property accommodations, and much more. We have a "collection" of them going back to 1998. It's not too large or heavy to take to the park for referrals to activities, eating, shopping etc. A good buy.

I am very pleased with this guide book. I am slightly disappointed because the front of the book discusses the coupons in the back; however, the coupons are for special tours or discounts at restaurants that we will not be visiting. Other than that, I am very pleased with the layout and information provided.

This WDW guide is one of my favorites. Like most WDW Guests, I like to use both Birnbaum's Guide and The Healthy Guide to Walt Disney World 2009: How to Eat Right and Stay Fit in Disney - The NEW Diet, Dining, Food, Fitness and Complete Weight Loss Book whenever my family visits WDW. As the two guides seem to compliment each other very well and instill great insights, information and tips for travelers. The Birnbaum Guide has more detail and theme park info. The Healthy Guide to Disney has more dining, menu and activity tips. If you are planning on visiting WDW in 2009, don't leave home without them.

Jennifer Rardin has given us another brilliant extention to quirky Jaz Parks adventerous working and personal life story.
Jaz Parks has an addicting way of sucking you in to the pages; her hilarious coments to her stark raving mad personality make for and enitcing read that will have you turning the pages quicker than the speed of sound.
Jennifer is able to capture your emotions before shoving them back into your face at a double wammy pace. Enabling a reader to feel the joy of Jaz's working progress and worry for her problems in her screwed up life is what makes jennifer a wonderful writer. I have never read a story that has managed to have my heart scrunch up in jealousy, in sympathy for a character,making me feel as if it is i who had been dealt a blow personally, as i have when reading along with Jaz Parks.
Jennifer's unique way of writing and her brilliant way of bringing her character's to life is what makes the entire Jaz Parks series one of the best i haave ever had the joy of reading.

Crap! Now I've finished all four books and I have to get back to the real world. Grrrrr! I can't wait until January when the fifth book comes out! This author is incredibly talented and has a wonderful grasp of her characters. I hope she continues to be passionate about the series because I plan on continuing to be a fan. :)

This was an exceptional follow up to the last three books. Jennifer Rardin moves the professional relationship between Jaz & Val along smoothly and takes their personal relationship to just the right place (no I'm not telling!). She also brings along Jaz's brother for the ride. Very good plotting and sensational story line. I can't wait for the next installment!

They believe the opportunity to destroy malevolent vampire Samos and his minion is near; so assassin Jaz Parks and her vampiric supervisor Vayl plan on the hit. However, when they return to the Trust to finalize their strategy, they walk into a shocker. Vayl is no longer in charge; instead the only vampire he created Disa is now running the show.

Disa has been a nuisance to Vayl since he changed the alien. This time with her as the boss, Disa refuses to allow Vayl to work the field operation to take out Samos. On the other hand, Jaz will not sit idly by allowing Disa to own her Vayl as her relationship with him was just turning to a new more exciting level. Her missions are to kill Samos permanently and keep Vayl at her side not that of Disa, who now gives the orders.

In her fourth CIA chick lit urban fantasy (see BITING THE BULLET, ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST and ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY) Jaz Parks is at her cheeky amusing yet exhilarating best. The story line told from her cynical perspective is fast-paced as she insures the paranormal species seem genuine and her mission essential especially winning the tug of war with Disa over Vayl. Thus the series is refreshed with a weird triangle in which the relationship between top CIA operative Vayl the vampire and his best subordinate has been evolving towards something personal but now with the return of Disa as their superior all bets are off. Jaz is at her mocking best in this engaging entry.

Harriet Klausner

Kaplan, Danny. "Brothers and Others in Arms: The Making of Love and War in Israeli Combat Units", Harrington Park Press, 2003.

Homosexuality in the Israeli Army

Amos Lassen

The military is an integral part of Israeli society and many of us do not realize that there indeed exists a level of homoeroticism in the Israel Defense Forces. Danny Kaplan takes an in-depth look and thereby makes a valuable addition to the ongoing issue of gays in the military as well as to a better understanding of homosexuality in general.
The first part of the book is made up of interviews with Israeli soldiers about their experiences in the army and they give us a picture of another world. We see relationships of men that go beyond just pure sexual lust. We hear of deep feelings and we learn that the men need some kind of sexual outlet while on active duty.
We get quite a thought provoking fusion of love and war. Kaplan analyzes the interviews with qualitative analyses of individual experiences based on erotic and social relationships in an environment that is made up of only men. He finds that a sexual fling is a symptomatic expression of much deeper feelings but above all his finding shows that sexual needs must have an outlet in a semi-confined place where there are mostly men.

`The book then explores male eroticism and masculinity in the culture of the military and how it affects those involved. It is considered general knowledge that same-sex male relationships go beyond platonic friendships and these have always occurred. Commanders even use these relationships as a resource for military accomplishments.
Danny Kaplan shows a very thin line between brothers in arms and brothers in bed and maintains that the military life is all about male eroticism. Israelis grow up in a culture that is steeped in the military and this book is essential to the understanding of gay and bisexual life in Israel.

In this book the author conducts in the first part in-depth interviews with Israeli soldiers about their experiences in the armed forces. They reveal another world, ususally written out by those who do not wish to recognise it. The author provides qualitative analyses of the individual experiences based on social and erotic relationships in an all-male environment. The point the author makes here is that such relationship go beyond sheer lust. And the sexual fling is a symptomatic expression of feelings which run deeper. It is unavoidable though that sexuality needs some kind of let-out in an all male semi-confined environment.

The book then goes on to further explore male eroticism and masculinity in military culture, and its meanings in real human terms. It is an open secret that male to male relationships transcending platonic friendships have been going on for centuries in armies and navies, and are still going on. The intimate ties that bind individuals to their fellow warriors have been (and are) used by foresighted commanders as a resource for military accomplishments.

In ancient times the sexual organs used to be cut off the bodies of enemy warriors and used in rituals to imbue the victorious army with the strength, virility and masculinity of the other side's heroes, at the same time this demasculation is a means of stripping off power and humiliation. In a perverse way the same sex acts though between comrades in arms not only serve to relieve pressure but also to take on the virility of the other in union. The title of the book, a veritable pun on its contents, says it all in a nutshell.

I suggest you watch the Israeli film Yossi & Jagger as a kind of 'live' illustration to this book.

A thought provoking fusion of love and war, this books offers unsettling real life stories of gay and bisexual men in combat. As one Israeli soldier put it: "when the war started, things became insane, completely shattering conventions. It is permitted to kill...War is an unbelievable thing, anarchy. So everyone came out of the closet during war and went wild."
The second part of the book explores these paradoxes of masculine military culture. The author unveils, chapter by chapter, the thin line between brothers in arms and brothers in bed. How does sexuality reinforce the combat thrill and the "sexual targeting" of the enemy? How do individuals manage their gay identity and at the same time stick to the codes of soldiery and masculinity?
In fact, the book reveals what is really very old news: That military life is all about male homoeroticism! The ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Vikings, and later the Turks, the Japanese, Papua New Guinea tribes, and the modern Israelis - all acknowledged the intimate ties between fellow warriors as an emotional resource for military accomplishment. Irrespective of sexual orientation, these erotic tensions are managed, controlled and then channeled and used as an aggressive driving force to strike at the real enemy, not for targeting your own friends. Reading this book, one can't understand why the American military adheres to his anti-gay witch-hunt, which only reminds everyone this open secret that this book so vividly describes and analyzes.

From Hayworh Press: "Examine the ways that gay and bisexual men reconstruct their identity-in the steaming melting pot of military life!

This unique book combines in-depth interviews with gay/bisexual Israeli soldiers with a systematic qualitative analysis of what they have to say. In their own words, you'll hear these fighting men discuss both their combat experience and their social and erotic experiences with their fellow soldiers. Then the insightful analyses of each soldier's identification with masculine-military culture gives you a new awareness of how combat is related to male desire.

Brothers and Others in Arms brings you the words of these Israeli men of action. Steeped in `masculitary'culture (a term fully explored in the book), these soldiers--on missile boats, working in reconnaissance units, in tanks, as paratroopers and pilots-share with you the inner workings of their minds and their passions as they perform their life-threatenting jobs along with their peers, both gay and straight.

Essential to understanding gay/bisexual life in Israel and its military, Brothers and Others in Arms focuses on the emotional process behind military performance."

I liked this book a lot. The author has a knack for choosing to present facts that are interesting. Made me want to get out into the woods.

'Nuff said. The rating-stars do not apply, as I have not seen the book, and am not likely to until I can find out more on its content. *-(

This is a great field guide to all the creatures you might encounter on a canoe trip in the North Woods. It is very succinct, yet written in an interesting prose, with about 2 to 3 pages dedicated to each animal, fish, or insect it describes. We consider it an essential part of the gear we take on all our canoe trips up North. You will not be disappointed in this book. Great for all ages.

An excellent overview of wildlife of the Northern Minnesota area. There are interesting and informative descriptions of everything from birds to insects to fish. The scope of the book is so broad that only a few of each type of creature can be listed, but he has chosen the ones, such as loons, herons, and otters, that are so special to the North woods. Highly recommended.

The official NPS maps and guide-books are very lame, mostly because of the fear that ancient ruins and art could be vandalized. This book is therefore indispensable to a truly fulfilling visit to Canyonlands. The maps and directions are perfect--just enough detail to be clear and to keep you from getting lost, but they don't deprive you of feeling like you're actually doing some exploring and route-finding.

This is really the only good guide book I have found on Canyonlands National Park. It describes in great detail many trails that arn't even mentioned in the Falcon Guide. It also has a great color section, and its maps are much better than the other books. For some reason the Nat. Park Visitor Centers don't sell this book (maybe it has too much info about things they want to keep secret?), so you better get it before you start your trip!

Canyonlands is a wild and wonderful place to explore. I would have been lost without this book. I was able to decide ahead of time what areas of the park I wanted to spend the most time in by reading the detailed descriptions of jeep roads and trails. The beautiful color photographs helped me make decisions as well. I found the maps to be extremely helpful and the estimated travel times to be very accurate. David Day knows his stuff!

This is a Great book for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. By including a focus on the jeep roads of the Canyonlands area David Day has provided the hiker with information necessary for access to its fantastic hiking trails. The format is similar to his other hiking books. The maps and trail descriptions and commentary are not only helpful but very interesting. The photography is great. I particularly enjoyed the section of color photos I like his trail overview which includes a rating of his enjoyment of the trail.

I've made a couple of the hikes he writes up and with the help of his book I will be doing more.

Makes a perfect Holiday gift! Shows the vibrancy and timeless appeal of New York.

Makes a perfect Holiday gift! Shows the vibrancy and timeless appeal of New York.

This photographic excursion through Central Park is a real delight. It is just what we all need to remind us of the splendor and joy of New York. The photographs are breathtaking and the text is beautifully wirtten , with just a touch of humor and humility.After enjoying the book myself, I've ordered a number for holiday gifts. I've already heard form some of the folks I sent it to and they share my enthusiam. The real advice: if you don't get this for the holidays, buy it for yourself to get you through the January doldrums.

by showing us his "park for all seasons". With his spectacular pictures of the monuments and statuary, the animals, the foliage, the rock formations, the whimisical pictures like the Bride and Groom on rollar skates, the shots of the same setting in different lights, the fountains (and my particular favorite, a sudden snow storm interrupting spring), Mr Freund takes us on a magical trip through the park. There are photos of spots you never knew existed but will long to explore. As a bonus, there are great tips for all of us amateur photographers. And "Lucy" has my vote for cutest dog of the year! Especially in these difficult times, the book is a wonderful reminder to everyone of the beauty and wonder that exists right in the middle of New York City. I couldn't stop smiling as I looked through it. Thank you, Mr. Freund for sharing "your" park with us.

My grandchildren love when I read this book to them. Children of all ages love stories about puppies.

Clinker's Flea is a wonderful story that I have read to my grandchildren. They can easily understand the story and seemed to fall in love with Clinker.

Clinker's Flea is a delight for children. The clever ending leaves readers wondering who really won. A great gift for children.

A subject kids can identify with - dogs and fleas! Siimple story that young children can easily understand. The moral of the story - if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. My grandchildren loved it!.