Park Books

Herring's book is in inquisitive and thorough examination of the literature regarding America's national parks. His work analyzes the literature of writers who saw the good, the bad, and the ugly concerning national parks. While some writers saw parks as a necessity, others saw them as something to be feared and loathed. What was to initially preserve and inspire became nothing more than Disneyland.

In speaking with the author, who taught a few classes I took, he told me that this work would normally be reviewed in literary journals and digests, not in commercial circles, which is understandable. Works about literature have a far more limited readership range than literature itself. But hey, I purchased the book immediately when it was released and after reading it, thought I would provide my $0.02. I was curious to see his work. He spoke about Yellowstone on occasion, and had an interesting approach to teaching-- making pop culture references to literature and so forth. This book nevertheless reveals those very qualities in print.

Anyway, if you want some articulate, well-thought insight into the works of authors who wrote about national parks, _Lines On The Land_ is where you should go.

This book really would go better in the "nature essay" section of the bookstore than "literary criticism" (who reads that, really?). The best parts of the book are the sections where Herring talks about living in Yellowstone National Park. They make you want to head off to Wyoming, like, right now. Highly recommended.

Scott Herring writes beautifully about the asthetics and quinessential qualities of the national parks. He traces the historical background of national parks while at the same time, speaks of the great writers of our time and their contributions to both national parks and the beauty of nature.

"Lines on the Land" is a book that demonstrates the importance of national parks to the American Heritage. A collection of historical accounts, literature,poetry as well as personal insights, this book is for the scholar, the climber, and the nature lover within all people. Herring gives great insight on the importance of the land in relation to the American people.

The long awaited sequel to Sunset Park Latin King! Little Machos Revenge took me past the limits. From the street wars that had begun in the first novel Sunset Park Latin King, Brandon pushed the envelope to another dimension. Little Macho was the official gangsta in this part two. The best part two of all time. I didn't expect for it to end how it did. Sensational! Two thumbs up! On core! When's "MASTER OF THE GAME DUE TO BE RELEASED?

Brandon Cory has done it again! An Exciting story that I found impossible to put down. Brandon Cory deserves applause for his fabulous imagination and originality. Little Macho faced death a million times over in his search for his fathers killers. Brandon Cory put his all into this one, it was so easy to see. Excitement, hesitation, friendship, betrayal and secrets all mixed together to form one of the most scandalous hood books of all times. "LITTLE MACHOS REVENGE" was truthfully and greatfully ten times better than his first novel. All my questions I had on the first story "Sunset Park Latin King" were answered in "Little Machos Revenge". Way to go Brandon Cory! I'm drooling for "Master of the Game". When?

Wow, Tremendous improvement with the editing and wording. Outdid the first book. Little Macho was fighting an uphill battle in this one. Little Machos Revenge was a great book. I loved it. I have to read it again. Brandon Cory has stepped it up another notch. This fiction was alternately exciting and emotional. I can not wait to read .Master of the Game. Keep it coming Brandon. Wow, Little Machos Revenge, great book.

Appreciate the communication and attention of seller. Book was received in excellent condition and in a timely manner.

I have never written a review before but felt I needed to after reading this book to my children. This book is a great tool to explain to children how to become a Christian. My children loved the story and we talked indepth about the meaning of John 3:16. Thanks to the author for writing this book. It made a very serious topic easy for my children to understand.

Through creative storytelling, inviting illustrations and the occasional running rhyme, this book parallels a young girl's desire for a trip to a theme park with our opportunity to go to Heaven.

It begins with a young girl, Lola Mazola, begging her father for money to go to Happyland. The brochure tells of a wonderful place with rides, shows, lakes hotels, a water park and a zoo! But her daddy doesn't have the money. He tries to sell a painting so that she can go, but no one buys a painting that day.

The next day Lola goes to Sunday School where her teacher, who is also her Uncle Tom Tweed, teaches the class about John 3:16. He examines the verse little by little from the beginning, answering all the children's questions.

* WHO IS GOD? "He made trees and plants. Bees and ants. And fleas and seas and knees and peas. And bumblebees and chimpanzees." Though we can't see God, He is all around us and He loves us very much.
* WHAT IS THE WORLD? The planet earth and all that it contains, including you and me.
* WHO IS GOD'S SON? is: Jesus. Lola's uncle tells the class about Jesus' birth; how He grew up to be a man, a teacher and a preacher. "He was perfect. Perfectly perfect." Then he tells of Jesus' death and resurrection.
* WHY DID JESUS DIE AND RETURN TO LIFE? "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish ..."
* WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PERISH? The teacher talks about Heaven and how it is God's happy land; how it is so much better than here. "It's perfect. Perfectly perfect." "To perish means never getting to go to God's happy land."
* WHY WOULD WE BE PREVENTED FROM GOING TO HEAVEN? "Because we have all broken God's rules in the Bible ... But since Jesus died on the cross, God can forgive us ... Then we can go to His perfect place."
* HOW DO WE GET THIS FREE GIFT? We believe in Him.
* WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE? Put your trust in Jesus to cover our sins and believe God wants us to spend eternity with Him. It also means living your life with Him as Lord, seeking to obey His commands.

Finally, Lola's uncle gives the class a sample prayer they can pray along with their own copy of John 3:16 to take home with them.

When Lola gets home, she is still upset about not being able to go to Happyland. That is, until Uncle Tom surprises her with a gift: $100! It's enough for her to go! As she packs her bags, she tells her father it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her. He reminds her: "Not quite ..." Her father opens his Bible to John 3:16 then tells Lola again of the gift God gave her: eternal life if she will believe in Jesus.

As bonus features, this book offers a letter to parents at the beginning and notes in the back for the whole family. A certificate is included for kids to sign and date when they choose to believe in Jesus. Finally, a "Now what?" section which offers four practical tips for helping believers grow their faith and relationship with Jesus.

What I Like:This is the first children's book I've seen that so clearly details God's plan of salvation in such a logical manner! I love the step-by-step (inductive) study of this verse. It's beautifully accurate and age-appropriate. The running rhymes and sporadic repetition are fun to read and hear! The illustrations by Glin Dibley are friendly and colorful. Finally, the front and back matter are excellent.

What I Dislike: This is not a dislike, but ... Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible - a version likely unfamiliar to most. It was distracting and cumbersome at times because I've memorized John 3:16 in different, more common versions.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

Knowing the history of the exploration of this magnificent park makes me even more anxious to visit this beautiful country. After reading this book, when I visit YSNP, I will focus on a time long ago, when all the modern conveniences were not there. It is a great book to have read to get some of the background knowledge of this area, before you go out and explore yourself!

Today, being lost in Yellowstone National Park is as simple as turning on the wrong road after you lost your complimentary map or you can not locate the restroom in the Old Faithful complex. For Truman Everts, being lost in Yellowstone was a struggle between life and death. Everts's account details his 1870 adventure in Yellowstone after finding himself separated from his travelling companions. The separation began Everts's thirty-seven day struggle for survival in a pre-developed Yellowstone in which Everts had to find what little food and shelter he could just to survive. Readers will find this account to be a real-life struggle for survival reminiscent of Jack London's fictional work. The editor, Lee Whittlesey, does a superb job of editing Everts's story by providing the reader with additional information and the historical background of the book. The work is also illustrated with many early day photographs of Yellowstone which provides an stunning visual account of early-day Yellowstone National Park. This book will be appreciated by anyone looking for an exciting true-life adventure story as well as historians of the American West. People who have been "lost" recently in Yellowstone will also appreciate the book, even if their modern-day adventure pales in comparison to Evert's

Besides being one of those - Why haven't I heard of this story before? - adventure stories, this book offers a great opportunity to further enhance the Yellowstone experience.

I read this book while staying in a ranch outside Yellowstone National Park. As luck would have it, our first day of "touring" the park via automobile closely paralleled Truman's path, and I managed to read this story aloud to the kids later that night, in front of a big cast iron stove, while Clark's Fork gurgled 30 feet from the door. I'm not sure if it was the story or the setting, but they were captivated! They were able to tie Truman's adventures in with many of the places we had been earlier that day, and it gave them an entirely different perspective of the park. In addition to bringing the book to life (again - what a story!), it contributed immensely to their appreciation of Truman's ordeal, the magnitude of the park and the wilderness that lies 100 yards off the main roads... Highly recommended.

Well-written, well-researched, well-reasoned and at times, more than a little funny. I think this book is a must for all lupus sufferers frustrated with currently approved FDA treatments. We're lucky that Mr. DeBartolo, a great investigative journalist, got sick. The 3 years of research he did to find a treatment that worked for him - UVA1 photo therapy - benefits us all. What I do not fully understand is why the work of Dr. McGrath at LSU has been so "long-ignored." Is it really because the big drug companies can't make a dime off his work? Makes me want to move to Canada! Especially useful (and informative) is the book's extensive reference of UVA1 lupus therapy research. Thank you, Mr. DeBartolo. You've given me some hope!

I have reviewed this book twice. I review books for a National Foundation. It offers more information for the treatment of Lupus (withholding drug treatment) than any other book I have reviewed. The information provided in this book allows a person with lupus to "look outside the box" of conventional drug treatment for lupus. Understand that in doing this the person may meet with some resistance from physicians. Who rightfully are doing what they know, what they have been taught. This treatment has not received the attention it deserves. Nor has the physician who heads this research, Dr. Hugh McGrath. The author is amazingly informed of the technology involved. He tells of his own battle and appears driven to regain his health. In searching what may help him, he finds this amazing treatment for the immune system, an approved NIH study, not a fly-by-night theory. I am grateful that the author, Anthony DeBartolo, was inspired to share with us this fascinating technology. Since the treatment doesn't involve drugs, the pharmaceutical companies are not interested. So people, rise up and claim your health, read this book. It may save your life.

I've had lupus for 10 years and have read everything I could get my hands on. This is positively the most helpful book I've read. What is so surprising is that the UVA1 light treatment has also been around for 10 years. Like I just read in another review, I guess I'm lucky that a investigative journalist got sick. This is one lupus book I'm sure the money-grubbing drug company cartel didn't want written. Thank you!

man, what can i say, this book was apart of me years ago, about 10-15 years ago, i lost mine i guess and i have been wondering for years how to get another one, i want to read it again and recapture that youth, and have it to share with children, if i ever have any, when i had this book, i read it so many times, it is truly a classic, and i cannot wait to find it again so i can remember what i so cherished about that story of the Magic In The Park.....and of the children who were allowed to explore.

LOVE THIS AS A CHILD AND A MUST FOR ANY CHILD TODAY. GREAT FOR A ADULT LOOKING FOR A WAY TO RELAX AND FIND A WAY TO GO ON VACATION AND LEAVE YOURSELF AT HOME.

DAVID

I READ THIS OVER 25 YEARS AGO AND IT'S A EXCELLENT BOOK. IT STANDS IN MY MIND LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. YOUR IMAGINATION WILL FLY FREE AND YOU'LL UNLOCK SECRETS AND MYSTERYS IN YOURSELF YOU FORGOT ABOUT YEARS AGO.GREAT ON A COLD NIGHT WITH A CUP OF TEA,WITH THE WIND HOWLING OUTSIDE AND BRANCHES CRACKING. THIS IS AN IDEAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE. TAKE YOURSELF BACK TO A SLOW RELAXING TIME WITH THIS CLASSIC. I HAVE TO OWN ANOTHER, MAYBE 2 COPIES! LOVED THIS WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND NOW I WILL LOVE IT AS A AN ADULT.

For Animal Kingdom fans, there isn't a lot of published information that focuses on the theme park. Malmberg's book is a rare gem for several reasons: it is an in-depth look at the creation of the park; a thorough look at the team, the political process and environmental issues; and most importantly, it is one of the few resources that looks at the step-by-step development of a Disney theme park--how it grew from a small team led by Joe Rohde to a cast of thousands.

This book reflects the Animal Kingdom in so many ways. The park was shepherded by Imagineer Joe Rohde, who had the vision and the desire to keep the project moving forward. Ms. Malmberg was able to collect the stories of the Imagineers, follow their progress and take us behind the scenes of the park. She interviewed key people that were there from the beginning: Joe Rohde, Rick Barongi and Zofia Kostyrko. You get the feeling that you were there, day-by-day, watching as they create the park.

You learn, early on, that the Imagineers knew they needed one thing to make the park a success; their rallying cry was Proximity Equals Excitement! During one budget and planning meeting, the Imagineers, unbeknown even to Marty Sklar, brought in a 400 pound female Bengal tiger that walked around the conference room while Rohde spoke. The executives got the point and let the group move forward (p. 25). They were able to try and develop new means of getting the guests closer to the animals--safely, of course.

You get a detailed look at how the art (re: buildings, details, interiors, roofs, painting) was constructed using as many local and foreign talents as available. Sculptors, thatchers and artisans were brought in from all over the world. Malmberg spends a lot of time looking at the backstage care and living areas. Since Disney was creating a park that would, inevitably, be compared to zoos, there is a focus on how Disney treats the animals. The first two animals to arrive, the giraffes Miles and Zari, were greeted with tears and cheers. Malmberg goes into great detail explaining how the animals were procured, transported and acclimated to the park.

The book is filled with photos, artwork, and concept drawings. One of the final sections looks at the next few years of the Animal Kingdom. Asia is the next land planned with the river ride and the Maharajah Jungle Trek opening first. The possibility of a new hotel called the Animal Kingdom Lodge, with savanna views, is even mentioned! The very last section is a listing of all the Imagineers that worked on the Animal Kingdom. Eight pages of names.

The park has come a long way in 10 years.

Bottom Line: This is a one-of-a-kind resource for Disney fans. There is not another work that takes such a detailed look at the making of the Animal Kingdom or a Disney theme park. There is a lot of discussion about conservation and animal care--this is not a negative, but the whole work is a balanced look at the creation of the park. There are chapters dedicated to the creation of the attractions and lands, but equal attention is paid to the zoological needs of the park. There is a lot less of the geeky stuff and more a look at the animals and their care. Ms. Malmberg is able to capture the passion of those involved and it translates very well to the written word. You will enjoy this work for the vast detail dedicated to the creation of a Disney theme park.

This is a wonderful look behind the scenes at a truly magical park. I had the priviledge of working for Walt Disney Imagineering from 1996 through 2000. My main assignment was supporting the engineers' computers during the construction of Animal Kingdom. As I recall Melody was all over the place and now I know why. She has done a spectacular job of documenting how the park was put together. From the drawings and sketches to the actual construction photos, this book gives names to the many talents that were brought together to create this masterpiece.

This is the first book that takes a look at *how* Disney designs and builds its theme parks. This information was once only available to those who work for Walt Disney Imagineering and others in the Walt Disney Company. Now, we all get to go behind the scenes to learn how it's done--from the experts themselves. This book is a must-have for any fans of Walt Disney Imagineering

I absolutely loved this book. Shorter than I thought it would be but well worth the money.

I just completed reading THE MAN WHO TALKS WITH THE FLOWERS by Glenn Clark and awesome describes my feelings as the author gave insight into the man known for his discoveries of multiple uses of the peanut and sweet potatoe, AND, what I did not know, was also known as a "liberated slave who saved the South from another type of slavery".

If you enjoy searching to find what kind of life experiences were involved with those who changed the course of familes, cities, nations, or who have inspired your life - then you will not be dissappointed in reading this small but powerful account of one man's encounter with Dr. George Washington Carver.

In this book, you will get a glimpse of him through the eyes of someone who knew him personally, not only as a chemist, but as a man who knew his Creator. You will discover why Dr. Carver had such a fascination with flowers and what part this played in the development of his study and research. You will learn how he received his name, get a glimpse of his beginning years as a child born to slavery, how he was educated, and what passion always kept him striving to discover more. You will learn why he was referred to as "the man no one sees without a flower in his buttonhole and the love of God in his heart".

I hope that others will enjoy this reading as much as I have.

I re-read and re-read this little book. One of my favorite parts: the author walks into Carver's lab and he's just sitting there looking at this little white flower. "What are you doing?" he asked. Carver explained briefly that this was the flower of a crop in North Carolina that was suffering statewide. No one knew what to do to help the farmers, so they sent a plant sample to Dr. Carver. Looking up, he commented, "I'm sitting here loving this plant. If I can love it enough, it will reveal it's secrets to me." A high spiritual love, that's the method of science that Carver used. He had a direct link with God. Read this book if you can get it.

If you want a great bird's eye view of Yosemite Valley to orient yourself to the location or if you plan to hike around the Valley -- you want this map. It's plain, simple, to the point and gives you an up front idea of what the terrain is like in an oblique topographic view -- almost three-demensional.

The other side of the map is filled with information about hikes and scenic wonders of Yosemite Valley. I'm sure Ansel Adams would have approved of this one for getting around the place! Fabulous supplement to the NPS guide.

And if you want a broader view of Yosemite NP, National Geographic has a fabilous fold out map.

It gives you an up close view of Yosemite Valley mapped. No more squinting and turning your Yosemite park map every which way just to get a bird's eye view of the valley trails. Major trails are listed along with their milage. It even gives an adequate view of how the trails bend and curve, so you have a rough idea what to expect while out on your valley hikes. Included in the map is historical captions about some of the landmarks along with blk/wht and color photo snippets. There is even a basic park phone directory and a time line of historical events. This is a great magnified map made from a thick durable paper and easy to handle because of its smaller size, NO map folding FUSS! That's an A+ in itself. Just an overall great map to take along on your hikes.

This large-scale, easy-to-read map of Yosemite Valley and surrounding areas is a must-have for anyone visiting Yosemite National Park, especially if you are a hiker. Instead of a straight down view, as is done in most maps, you see the valley from an oblique perspective, from south of the valley, with the mountains shown as they would look in 3-Dimensions - a very pleasing effect. All trails are shown, of course, but also bicycle paths, shuttle bus stops, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, parking areas, etc.

But this is only the beginning! Each trail also has its own description, including approximate time to complete, distance, elevation gain, and trailhead location. Another really nice feature is that many "Vista Points" are included, which are shown on the map, including which direction to look, and are described in their own section, complete with a color photo. Several other parts of the park are also descibed, with photos. There are also detailed write-ups concerning Yosemite's history and geology, plus info on tourist facilities at Yosemite Village. And last, but not least, lots of Natural History information, including photos and drawings to aid in identification of mammals, birds, wildflowers and trees found in the area.

Writing as one who has been a cartographer for more than twenty years, and also as an avid hiker, I wish that I had the opportunity to produce something like this myself!

Mara-Serengeti captures the essence of living in the Mara-Serengeti region in a way that you would not experience in a dozen safaris to Africa. The images of predators, prey, wildlife migrations, and the Masai bring you close up during moments of blazing color in the sky and dramatic action in the grasslands. The images are improved by thoughtful essays that draw on the photographers' many years of experience with these subjects.

The animal photographs are mostly grouped by subject and include lions, leopards, zebras, wart hogs, impalas, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyenas, crocodiles, vultures, and wild dogs. The subjects are usually of animal families, migration, killing, and eating in often symbolic settings for these activities. The Masai images come at the book's end, sort of completing the evolutionary progression of the food chain.

You probably have heard of the Serengeti. It's a vast grassland in Tanzania, and is now protected as the Serengeti National Park there. The Masai Mara National Reserve is in neighboring Kenya, and the two lands are connected geographically, if not politically. A map in the book will display all of this for you. This site is the area where humans probably first walked the face of the Earth, and the dwindling of these remarkable spaces marks the potential for us to lose our ability to visualize our roots.

The name, Serengeti, in Masai means "land of endless space." The closest we have to this habitat in the United States that I have seen is the brief enclosure in the wild animal park that the San Diego zoo maintains near Escondido, California.

The action photographs impressed me the most. These show predators literally flying and spinning in the air just before they land while the terrorized prey wheels desperately away. The action is captured almost like a key play in a sporting event. That's pretty typical of the photography here. The images emphasize action and perspectives that you do not yet have, and this book will add wonderfully to your sense of the special nature of the grasslands of Africa.

After you have finished expanding your vision of natural selection, I suggest that you think about the ways that our lives are enhanced by understanding our origins and how our lives are not. How can we draw inspiration from nature and stand in our most meaningful role?

Look for what few have seen . . . always! Truth will emerge from your trial.

This book was more than I had hoped for. The moments captured are extrordinary, some of the best photos of African Wildlife I have ever seen. I haven't read the text yet, but the captions by the photos are very informative and contain little interesting tidbits I didn't know. I have a lot of coffee table books and this is definitely a favorite.

Having been to this area of Africa three times, twice in the Masi Mara and once to the Serengeti this book brings me back over and over again to this heaven on earth. The combination of drawings, photographs, and writing of Jonathan and Angela Scott are outstanding. This is my all time favorite book. The love these authors feel for this area and the animals and people who live there comes through on every page. For anyone who has the slightest interest in wild animals, ecology, photography, art, travel or Africa this book is a must have. Awesome!