Park Books

Charles Chauncey Wells's new guide to the amazing Boston burying-grounds makes both informative and inspirational reading. Informative, because the graveyards themselves are usually bereft of much in the way of guidance (after all, this is hallowed ground, in more ways than one); inspirational because Wells tells the stories of those interred here with such style, wit and verve. The great men (and women, it should be remembered) are all covered here--but the book really shines, in my opinion, in presenting the tales of the "plain folks," those who filled out the amazing array of courage, talent, cunning and vision that made up revolutionary Boston.

The first time I visited Boston I was making my away around turn on the subway to find a baseball card shop. As I was making my way from the station to the store I notice a burial ground nestled between large buildings. I quickly discovered this was the Granary Burial Ground, where Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, the parents of Benjamin Franklin, and the victims of the Boston Massacre were laid to rest. Also buried there are Phillis Wheatley Peter Fanueil, and a woman who is NOT Mother Goose. But in addition to these famous people there were also ordinary folks. I remember one in particular that was of a physician who came from England to care for his parents and others during an epidemic. There were other tombstones that were noteworthy for their art and symbolism. You could easily spend hours on the grounds and never appreciate everything you are seeing.

What will help you with your visit to the three of the old cemeteries of central Boston is this guide, "Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks: Boston's Burying Ground Guide to King's Chapel, Granary and Central Cemeteries" by Charles Chauncey Wells and Suzanne Austin Wells. The former wrote "Boston's Copp's Hill Burying Ground Guide" in 1998, which performs the same function for that North End Cemetery, while the later provides the black & white photographs taken for this volume (I was wondering why Wells picked that particular cemetery for his first volume and the reason would be that he is a great nephew of Charles Wells, a North End bricklayer who built 89 of the tombs at Copp's Hill and also served as the fourth Mayor of Boston).

The title of this volume actually reflects the three burying grounds since the preachers and early divines of Boston tended to be buried at King's Chapel, the patriots are found at Granary, while the plain folks ended up at Central. However if there is one thing that you will appreciate after reading this 288-page guide it is that the gravestones of unknown personages with their art and epitaphs can be of more interest than the monuments built to those who are famous.

But Wells and Wells also provide concise biographies of apparently every one they could find out anything about, so that when you see the tomb of Captain Robert Keayne at King's Chapel, to pick an example at random, you will learn the Rev. John Cotton wanted to excommunicate the captain for selling goods at exorbitant prices. You can also go and see the grave of Cotton as well. He was the second minister of the 1st Church of Boston and butted heads with both Anne Hutchinson over the doctrine of God's grace over good works and Roger Williams on the belief that civil governors should have no power over men's souls. That will give you a good example of the sort of rich detail you will find in this book.

The introductory Section A explains how "In Boston, the Stones tell the story," which explains the Puritan themes expressed in gravestones, from Puritan death heads and gourds to angel heads and dragons, and also notes the Yankee sense of thrift which had stone carvers inserting letters or words above lines when they ran out of room. The main part of the guide, Section B, is devoted to the three burying grounds. Wells provides an overview of the history of the site, then looks at the famous personages as well as those who are merely "interesting personages." You will also find lists of war dead in a location along with those who were members of the Boston Tea Party. Throughout the book you will find sections devoted to specific topics, such as "African Americans in Boston Burying Grounds" and "Freemasonry & Boston History."

Section C is the reference section, providing both Tomb Indexes and Gravestone Lists for each of the three Burying Grounds. This means that if you are looking for Governor John Winthrop, Gilbert Stuart, James Otis, or other famous individuals you will have to check the alphabetical listings for each site (but you should be able to make educated guesses given the introduction). Section D, in a packet attached to the inside back cover, with consists of a two-sided map for the three locations, which will be helpful when you visit.

It is a mistake to think that reading this fascinating volume is a substitute for actual going to Boston and visiting these sites, because it is not. For me it is both a remembrance of what I have seen before as well as an amplification providing additional insights, not to mention an indication of what I want to see the next time I visit. I have been to the Granary Burying Ground twice and now, because of "Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks" I am looking forward to going back for a third visit.

This is my favorite of all my college textbooks, most of which I didn't even keep after the class was over. I purchased it for a 200 level Microbiology course, and read the thing from cover to cover for this class. I referred to it again and again during labs and whenever I felt like I needed more information. It was an EXTREMELY valuable resource, and it was worth every penny I paid for it, and I bought it new! This is one text I really found to be an investment rather than just another college expense. It is totally packed with color illustrations and diagrams; they're on almost every page. The study questions at the end of the chapters are right on target and really help make sure you understand the chapter's focus. I think this would even be good for homeschooling - the topics can be complex, but they are backed up with an excellent glossary and loads of helpful illustrations.

This book was a required text for my undergraduate microbiology courses for all second-year (microbiology major) students . It was a huge asset to all of my science classes and is a wealth of information for any microbiologist or student.

Having visited Grand Lake several times in my life, I was very pleased to get "A Quick History of Grand Lake" as a gift from my family. In this book, Geary offers historical insight and interesting anecdotes on the Grand Lake region couched within comfortable prose. Yes, it's a quick history - but it's hardly dull. Whether you've visited Grand Lake once or 1,000 times, there's something in this book for you.

This book was a quick reading history of a wonderful area in the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Anyone visiting Grand Lake should give this a read, well worth the money.

This book is especially valuable because it gives much more than just organizing tips. It outlines an organizing SYSTEM, based on your values and needs, that can last a lifetime. There's a lot of humor but the book is serious about organizing, from closets to home offices to kids' school papers to other important papers -- insurance policies, financial records, etc.

Great book! I found the information to be very helpful. This book is concise and easy to read. However, I found the illustrations to be below average quality. I think I could do better.

What can you say?? AS always the Collins sisters give a humble yet riveting approach to bush life in Alaska. Unlike so many of the yuppies that take a two week trip somewhere and hurry back to suburbia to write about how they challenged the extremes of nature the Collins sisters simply live it. There is no bravado - just a matter of fact - this is what has to be done so we did it approach - that's what makes their writing so interesting to the common folk like me - it's not about them its about whatever they are doing - and therein lies the big difference between the yuppie on vacation and someone who lives what they are writing about.

I read Miki Collins' Riding the Wild Side of Denali in one sitting on a cold November Yukon morning and dreamt about it for many days to follow. If you'd like to taste real adventure and feel the cold crispness of life on the Alaskan trail, grab this one! Here, Miki relates the empassioned tales, sometimes hair-raising, sometimes hilarious, that she shares with her twin sister Julie as they embark on their wildest dream (or folly!!), yet : that of utilizing Icelandic Fjord Horses on their remote trapline at the base of Mt. Denali, AK. If you'd like to find out what it takes to convince a bush pilot to fly a horse that would like to join him in the cockpit of his small plane, or want to read true tales of a modern day trapline, ran by two women, huskies and Icelandic Fjord horses, this is the book for you. Humour, respect for the animals, images of human determination and the natural beauty of the alaskan wilderness are the gifts Miki Collins will leave you with. Whether you are a wilderness, adventure or horse lover or dream of the North as the last frontier, you'll love it. It would also make a great gift for teenage girls: the Collins are true models of women becoming all they can be.

Got this book this month (December) and have already began picking out new routes I want to do! I definitely am an advocate of his (Randy Vogel's) seeming conviction that his original JTree book needed some updating. This guide gives new route info, as well as more developed topo's, pictures, etc. I will likely get his new book when it comes out in print this January, simply because I am already impressed with this one and his next one will cover the Central (Split Rock, Saddle Rock, etc.) more extensively than his original 1 book volume did.

Just got my copy and after spending a couple hours with this guide, all I can say is Wow! Kinda thick, but so much info and really liked the history section. Can't wait to visit some of the new spots...

Only question, when are the other volumes coming out?

i was born and raised in Rogers park along the beeches and gardens of a fascinating part of Chicago.
i loved this book and its history of an extremely important part of Chicago History.

I purchased copies of "Rogers Park" for my husband and his brother. Having grown up in Rogers Park they could not put their books down. My husband remembered many of the buildings depicted in the book. He had so many stories to tell, many of which he had long forgotten. I saw him reliving his childhood! The book seems to be right on! They really enjoyed reading it and are showing it to anyone who seems interested. I would highly recommend as a gift to someone from that area of the country.

From the Back of the Bus to the Front of a Movement explains why Rosa Parks is considered the mother of the civil rights movement. The book gives an excellent review for a young audience of the history of race relations in the South. It details the events of the day Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus to a white man and the cascade of changes that resulted. Parks's many other contributions to the civil rights movement are also brought to light. The portrait of life in rural Pine Level, Ala., where Parks spent her early years will be an eye-opener for young people who are more familiar with urban and suburban settings. This is an informative, revealing account of an important era that makes valuable reading for young and not-so-young audiences alike.

From the Back of the Bus to the Front of a Movement explains why Rosa Parks is considered the mother of the civil rights movement. The book gives an excellent review for a young audience of the history of race relations in the South. It details the events of the day Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus to a white man and the cascade of changes that resulted. Parks's many other contributions to the civil rights movement are also brought to light. The portrait of life in rural Pine Level, Ala., where Parks spent her early years will be an eye-opener for young people who are more familiar with urban and suburban settings. This is an informative, revealing account of an important era that makes valuable reading for young and not-so-young audiences alike.

I have backpacked and camped for years, but when I decided to try canoe camping, I had questions. This book provided guidance. First, we were going to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and that's the focus area of this book. From Roughing It Elegantly, we gained a better idea of how to pack and portage a canoe, and learned about how canoeists pace themselves. I also got some great recipes! This book spends a good deal of time discussing the pleasantries of canoeing to and through a wild area, not just describing how to lug equipment. A pleasant and useful read.

This is the best how-to guide to canoe camping/tripping--period. Ms. Bell covers the gambut of canoe camping, from planning, equipment selection, considerations concerning traveling with children, health & safety issues, and on and on. It exhaustively covers every imaginable topic, and should answer any question any potential canoe tripper might have. We've been canoe tripping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for several years, and Roughing it Elegantly is our how-to guide book. Even veterans will find it useful.

Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.

Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.