Park Books

This is a tremendously well-researched, well written and compelling history of the one of the most important regions in America.

The Catskill Mountains are an ecological, economic and cultural region in southeastern New York State, some four million acres in size, stretching west from the Hudson River.

In his sweeping history of the region, Alf Evers, a historian and life-long native of the region, touches on every aspect of the Catskills, including its legends, lore and superstitions. This book has it all - from the Hardenbergh Patent, which continues to haunt the region to this day, to the Hudson River School of art and the Catskill Mountain House.

Alf Evers "The Catskills" is a work of art and of all the many great books he has published on the region, this is his best and most important.

In 1998 and 1999, I spent many of my free weekends in the Catskill Mountains (not too far from where I live), frantically climbing the 35 peaks required for membership in the Catskill Mountain 3500 Club.

As I did, I became more and more interested in the story behind the mystical woods I had become so irrevocably attached to. I learned of this book. I could not find it, but everyone said it was the book to read, referenced in any other book about the region I could find.

Finally I did (not through amazon, but what the hell ...).

I could not put it down - what I had traipsed through came alive on the page, yet many years ago in time.

But you needn't have earned this appreciation to enjoy this book.

Evers, still going strong in his late nineties as the Town of Woodstock historian (I talked to him on the phone once) draws on his extensive training in folklore to make these mountains, America's first wilderness, come alive not just through the lives and works of its rich and powerful but most importantly in the voices of the humble people of the region - the farmers and settlers who in many cases left little to show for their efforts but their names on some feature of land somewhere.

Nor is he dry ... events, whether legendary or factual, that took place centuries ago, like Peter Delabigarre's first recorded ascent of what is now known as Kaaterskill High Peak, or the Anti-Rent War's bloody climax, are related as freshly as if Evers were an eyewitness.

His history also avoids any inadvertent tendency to center on one area and pass it off for the whole Catskill region. He tells the stories of Woodstock well but when he needs to go to Delaware or Sullivan counties, he does, without a hint of ignorance.

And his love for the region ... in his words one can, if one has been there, place oneself amidst the fragrant balsam fir of a high summit, a place like a dream one can always return to no matter the weather or season; athwart a rippling tributary, its clear, trout-friendly waters headed for the taps of New York City, the water John Burroughs said you could live on for a few days. If you haven't experienced those things, he'll make you want to.

So many of these stories - Burroughs' trampings, the construction of Ashokan reservoir, the framing of the Hardenburgh patent, Guyot's surveys - are alone worth the price of admission. You may know them already, but you'll learn so much more.

My only complaint would be the last chapter, an attempt to bring the story into the late 1970s with the Temporary Commission. While this is long on facts, it betrays haste in keeping the book up to date. It lacks the semi-mythical yet assured quality of the rest of the narrative.

But, if your pulse quickens at the mention of placenames like Phoenicia, West Kill, Neversink or Shinhopple; if you have ever braved the spruce ramparts of Rocky Mountain or trudged through snow in waders to cast the Junction Pool's first fly of the season, you will find your ample knowledge of the Catskills amplified a thousandfold.

I purchased this book in 1973 for my Father, who was born and raised in Kingston, New York.

Evers' book is a masterpiece-a popularized history of the Catskills, from the days of the Hardenburgh Patent(early 1700s) up to the time of Woodstock(1969 and immediately after). It is a history which presents the facts, but never loses touch with the human dimension.

It is also serious enough to present the facts as hemlock trees, quarries and other resources were successively pillaged without the slightest concern for the future. This was the world of my Father's childhood and that of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

It is a wonderful book and generously illustrated. It helped both my Father and I to develop a coherent picture of our family past. We were able to bridge the gaps between disconnected names, places and events.

I must give this book my highest personal recommendation.

I think that chashing bears is a very good book and that the forester family got closer, that danny grew stronger and stronger and that him and his dad hank got closer and that mike gain some respect for danny and knew if danny wanted to be a computer freak he can be and if he was weak he was weak...

I found this book to be educational as well as entertaining. It discusses details of canoeing and camping but is also a good story about fathers and sons getting to know each other and changing because of their adventures.

I purchased this book to read to my 9 yr son while vactioning in Voyageurs National Park. On a rainy day I began reading it to my son out loud. Soon my husband and 12 year daughter came to listen. It became our evening ritual, reading several chapters out loud to the whole family. It is very well written and suspenseful. We hope he writes another book.

This was a chapter book for my [...] grandson. We read a chapter each night and it kept him interested and curious about davey's life for weeks... It was a fun book and really sparked his imagination.

Remember The Alamo
Davy Crockett Aileen Wells Parks
The book Davy Crockett is about one of the most famous men in the history of America. It tells about how he became a great hunter with Daniel Boone. One of my favorite parts is where he defended the Alamoe for his country. The book is great if I had a choice from 1to 10 I wold give it a flat 10 all because of its description and its pictures. This is the kind of book that I would conceders to people that love to learn about history.
The author is Aileen Wells Parks. If you ask me I think she writes good books for all ages. I think she should write more and more books for men, women, and children. I encourage her to write more.
The date this book was published was 1986.
A brief discription is when he goes to hunt for his first time he dosen't bring anything home. But the next week when he goes to hunt he finds a new friend named Danile Boone.

As a kid, Davy wanted to be just like Daniel Boone. He hunted the wilderness, protected people from indians, and even joined the government. Soon, he fought in the Alamo, and became a Texan HERO!

This book is the best gardening guide on the market!!! Filled with fun tips, creative crafts, and scriptural devos from the garden.... It will enliven and enlightened any child who loves to get his hands in the dirt. It has lots of easy to follow garden designs (plots) to make the task of gardening enjoyable. Makes a great gift!

My favorite part of the book is the recipe of the "Zapper Spray." It actually works! I am looking forward to getting a garden started. It is a great gardening book for beginners. I got to learn about amazing plants and ways to shape your garden, like in a cross, butterfly and my favorite: the salad bowl. In the salad bowl, it has everything you need to make a salad - just add dressing, which a recipe is also included using herbs grown. Also, I loved the healing garden, with all the plants that heals us naturally. The color artwork makes this a fun way to learn about gardening and growing with God.

Outdoor garden or indoor garden? Tomatoes or flowers? Herbs or lettuce? In the Christian Kids' Gardening Guide, you will discover how to grow all types of gardens from start to finish. And as you plant your garden, you will dig into the Bible so you can grow in Christ as your plants grow.

God's creation is fun! In this book, you'll learn about amazing plants and what to do with them, such as:
Flowers that bloom at night and sleep during the day.
Herbs to keep your pets bug-free.

Popcorn you can grow and eat.
Plants that grow - even if you forget to water them.
Potatoes that bloom in a tire without dirt!

Ready to grow? Grab a shovel, put on your gloves and start digging!

Humans can learn much from bird behavior, and this book provides a very entertaining glimpse into the social and biological world of our feathered friends. Whether or not you are a bird watcher, you will enjoy Bob Levy's easy yet intellectual and witty writing style, and you may be very surprised to discover how closely their stories of love, survival, triumph and tragedy parallel the human condition. Levy makes excellent and timely references to insights from legendary bird experts Sibley, Yasakawa, and others to explain the 'why' behind his sometimes puzzling observations. When faced with limited resources, environmental challenges, life- or lifestyle-threatening conflict or other Darwinian forces, the birds' adaptation and response leaves this mere human in awe...

A wonderful journey through one summer in Central Park in Manhattan, where we meet and learn to love a cast of birds who are residents of the Park.

This is one of the most enjoyable "birder" books I've read in years. The author writes with a delightful sense of humor; if you don't find yourself chuckling over something at least every couple of pages, better check your pulse! Even if you can barely tell the difference between a cardinal and a bluejay, you will enjoy this book; anyone with more than a casual interest in birds will absolutely love it.

The previous review outlined the plot. All I will say is that this book is the most humourous and rivetting read I have experienced in over 30 years. Then once you have finished the book the thought provoking issues behind the story come though. This author is a genius and very very funny.

I really loved this book. Frank starts out as a young man who really doesn't know what to do with himself when his school career finishes. On the advice of a guidance counsellor, he enrols in Oxford to study Theology, with his marks that is the only course he can get into anyway -theology not being such a popular subject and people to fill places in the course hard to find.

Surprisingly, Frank turns out to be rather good at it, depite the fact that he doesn't believe in God, or even a higher power. He then goes on to become a Priest. In order to meet people and raise some funds for his church, he drives a cab in his spare time, which is completely charitable, you can donate whatever you wish and he will take you wherever you wish in London.

One day a beautiful girl hops in, and in spite of himself he finds his feelings for her grow. She even starts calling his cab on vague pretexts.

The most lovable thing about Franks character is that he really is a good man, and never compromises himself. There is quite a lot of drama with the church, trying to get the hall renovated and people interested in going there again.

A really fun read with a happy ending, but beautifully written and funny too.

Highly recommended.

I read Father Frank on the advice of a friend earlier this year. We were camping and I needed a new book to read. I was expecting a simple, funny beach read and I got that, but it is also much more than that. Francis Dempsey, a lapsed Irish Catholic, gets into Oxford to study theology and eventually becomes a priest, despite his total lack of belief in a higher power. The book, pleasant and enjoyable to read, manages to tackle subjects like faith, sex and the role of religion in every day life without preaching and author Paul Burke does a surprisingly good job of it. The seemingly silly, unbelievable plotline works brilliantly thanks to Burke's impressive comedic talent. This is a purely fun read, and one that will, amazingly enough, leave you pondering faith. Outraegeously funny, sometimes heartbreaking, 'Father Frank' should be required reading for everyone who ever questioned God, and love.

The texture and format of this book is outstanding. It is reader friendly with absolutely beautiful photography. The photos and illustrations in combination with descriptive text gives the reader a first hand experience. I would love to have the opportunity to visit the various archaeological sites and shipwrecks detailed in this book but know that is unrealisitc for me. This book is the next best thing! I always knew our national parks were truly treasures to be admired yet preserved and protected but this book proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. I highly recommend it!

This book is well laid out, easy to reference and has absolutely fantastic photography. This would be a beautiful coffee table book if it were only bigger. The travel information is excellent, as is the general layout of the book. It is functional, as well as, beautiful. If I weren't involved in diving already, I would be after seeing this book. Outstanding!

This volume is helpful in two completely different ways. First way: if you dive. The text is thorough, descriptive and truly useful. Second way: if you don't dive. The beautiful photographs and the witty text open a doorway into--as the title says--underwater wonders you didn't know existed. I doubt you'll find a more informative, engaging travel book in 1998.

Speaking as a counseling therapist, who specializes in codependent, abusive and other dysfunctional behavior patterns, with only very minor exceptions I agree with and recommend this book to all abusers to incorporate into their ongoing therapy. I also recommend it for therapists who treat both abusers and their victims, the codependent.

As a trained domestic violence perpetrator and victim treatment counselor, and one who has been in abusive relationships, myself, I know first-hand the details of these patterns, their causes and their cures. This book is am important part of the awareness, which is the first part of moving oneself toward that cure.

Read and take heed (both of you!)... Do not discount this important book.

I bought this book for my husband; I read it too. It is a powerful first step in his, and hence, my recovery. Because it is written by a man who was an abuser, my husband agreed to read it. It has opened the door to his past and given him the courage to read more.

There comes a time in everyones life when they must take accountability for their own actions. Bravo to Mr Robertson for having not only the bravery to take that resposibility, but for taking the initiative to share those lessons. This book is an invaluable resource for the abuser, the abused, and those who have suffered while watching a loved one go through the cycle. It is obvious that this book has an advantage over all other books that I have read on this subject, in that the personal perspective and intimate insight into the mind of the abuser is so overwhelming and so convincing, as to make other studies seem cold and analytical. If you are truly ready to make a change for the better in your life, and if you are willing to take accountability of your own actions, than you are ready for this book.

Anyone who visited Conneaut Lake Park in the late 60's or thru the Mid 70's such as myself will enjoy the large selection of photos, that tell the tale of this park from its early inception up to the present day. As the years went by I often thought of this Park and wondered if it even still existed. I was suprised to learn it was open many years, and yet sad to see some of the changes that took place, but ultimately gratefull, that it was still there. Many wonderfull childhood memories of this park. This book covers all from top to bottom, and I reccomend it for anyone who ever visited this unique and wonderfull park

Literally, I can't put the book down. I was using heavy duty glue earlier to mend my coffee table and I guess I had some left on my hand. I can't put the book down w/out ripping off its back cover, so I decided to read it. It's pretty good! I think I'll actually go back to Conneaut Lake and check it out again some time. Sure, brings back some memories. Now, I'm hungry for cotton candy...

I really enjoyed this book because it brings back a lot of happy memories from my childhood. Looking at the pictures from the early 1970's really brought a smile to my face. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed and appreciated Conneaut Lake Park.

Thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous photography of my childhood haunts- I went to grammar school in the Cook Forest area and not long ago when a friend was planning to visit for the first time I handed her this book (I work in a library) as a preview-she was hooked. Mr. Cook has captured all the untouched magic of Pennsylvania forests and packaged it up so we can all carry about a bit of solitude in our busy lives.

You'd never guess from reading this bookthat Anthony Cook was not a professional author or photographer. As a long time visitor to the cook forest, I can testify that the author has beautifully captured the spirit and history of these magnificent woods.

This beautiful book of photographs is begun with a fascinating description of the forest's history. I didn't realize that Pennsylvania had such a dramatic history involving the early timber industry and later with conservationists. This book quickly makes you realize how lucky we are to have old-growth forests in America.