Northwestern State University Books

This book offers an excellent insite to the period at the tail end of the beaver trapping erra of the "Mountain Men".

Trappers were the first to blaze a trail across the wild frontier west of the Mississippi. Osborne Russell's Journal of a Trapper edited by Aubrey L Haines is a first-person must have account for fur trade enthusiasts whether those who read of the era or those who re-enact.

Russell's first hand comments, descriptions and discourse concerning the time, the topography, the wildlife and life in general provide a peek into the area we know as Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Oregon long before settlement took place by the pioneers. Russell's book provides much information regarding many of the events in the Rockies during this time. Russell was a discriminating observer who was careful to mention distances, directions, who he was with and names of physical locations, as well as animals, topography and the like in his writing. He describes other fur traders, including some of the 'big' names we know from history, as well as providing description of many Native People in the area; particularly Snake also known as the Shoshones, the Blackfeet and Crow.

The hardships faced by the first whites into the country far from the -civilized- East Coast is documented, as Russell provides insight into the Native people already living in the area, and the mountain men who made their way to the Rockies.

Russell lived the time of the 1830s and 40s as a fur trapper/trader in the Rocky Mountains he set down a journal to record his thoughts, impressions and what he saw, in doing so he has provided a realistic depiction for those who have interest, but no first hand knowledge. He was not one of the lauded of history, rather he was a simple man, who described in detail the day to day life, survival, excitement and events of the time.

Joining an expedition heading into the Mountains during the mid-1800's acquired the skills essential for survival in the mountains, and kept his journal recounting the last days of the beaver trapping era of the Mountain Men who have appeared in movies, stories and books.

Rather than the romanticizing of events as is prone in Hollywooded up movies Russell listed the typical commonplace tasks of cooking, cleaning, and other camp chores which all Mountain Men performed while on trapping expeditions and in doing so he offers true insight into what it was that made these men leave the comfort and safety offered in the towns and homes of the Eastern Coastline to tramp out into untried, little known areas where privations were many and ease was hard to come by. He told of laying traps and hunting for game, of scouting the country, and problems that came from weather and terrain, and he described the rendezvous which was the highlight of the fur trapper year as men carried their furs to be traded or sold, re-supplied their food stores, enjoyed the company of others for a short time before returning to the mountains. Russell himself attended six rendezvous before he left the mountains for good.

He told of the travels and the exhilarating episodes of the life experienced by the fur trappers. Trapping for beaver in the Northern Rockies between 1834-1943 Osborne took part in a number of expeditions in addition to battles with the Blackfeet who were less than thrilled to find the white men on their hunting grounds.

Editor Haines has set down the routes of travel taken by Russell as 10 maps in addition to adding clarifying notes to his account. The maps are scattered throughout the text. Without chapter or paragraph divisions to aid the reader the journal is set down pretty much as a man might do in his own journal.

At times it takes a little digging to figure exactly where or when an event is taking place. On the other hand, a true devotee of the era should have no trouble muddling through, as is done when reading the originals of many of the old journals of the time. Leaving the journal pretty much intact in the newer edition provides the reader a better feel for the man and his writing than might be accomplished were the text -cleaned up- with modern paragraph breaks and the like.

The landscape of the area changed so much during the decade Osborne describes. Disease, in particular small pox, alcohol, and loss of lifestyle are the depressing legacy left for the Native People. Reading of the decline of populations of Native Americans, beaver in particular, but all fur bearing critters and the near disappearance of buffalo leads the reader on to the last journal entries as the reader follows Osborne. He grimly describes the plunge in buffalo populations and the approaching finish of the fur quest as beaver populations dwindled, the European desire for the fur declined and other furbearers were becoming more profitable.

Born in Maine in 1814, Osborne Russell left home at sixteen, and became a fur trapper when he was seventeen. He spent eight years as a trapper working for several of the big fur companies before becoming an independent trapper working out of Fort Hall on the Snake River. Opportunely for us, when Osborne first went to the mountains with Nathaniel Wyeth's expedition in 1834 at age twenty, he began keeping his journal.

After leaving the mountains in 1843 to settle in the Willamette Valley in Oregon Osborne used his journal to compile a manuscript for publication. From that manuscript the present book has been built. Osborne wrote in the fashion of the day, despite Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary; spelling rules had not yet been standardized as hard and fast, and writers often used a variety of spelling in the same text. Osborne had a tendency to run sentences together and to present unusual language usage, plus, Osborne as journalists then and now tended to abbreviate and use his own form of shorthand, all of which editor Aubrey Haines has kept in this text. Reader's quickly gets used to it Osborne's style and his style is what makes the text such interesting reading.

Working from the original handwritten manuscript housed in The William Robertson Coe Collection of Western Americana at Yale University, Aubrey Haines' edition represents one man's enormous effort for getting Osborne's work to the people. For a step back to life as it was before the Interstate, McDonalds, shopping malls, and rockets in space, Osborne Russell's Journal of a Trapper can carry the reader to the open clear sky of the Rocky Mountains and to the camp of the fur traders who were an important component of our collective history. Excellent read, excellent resource, Happy to recommend.

Molly Martin
Reviewer

Osborne Russell was never one of the elite of the Mountain Men. He spent most of his time in the mundane tasks of cooking, cleaning, and other camp chores while on trapping expeditions. But he wrote one of the best accounts -- certainly one of the most accurate -- of the peregrinations and the exciting events in the life of a Mountain Man. Osborne was in the Northern Rockies between 1834-1943 and was a minor participant in many expeditions and fights with the Blackfeet.

Editor Haines has compiled the routes of Russell's travel in 10 maps and added explanatory notes to his narrative. However, a lot more could be done to make this book more readable. First, there are no chapter or paragraph divisions to ease the task of the reader. It's even hard to keep track of what year Russell is talking about. Secondly, there is room for many, many more footnotes and explanations of what Russell was doing and when and where.

We need a new edition of Russell's work which will make it more accessible to the reader. This old edition is invaluable if you are a student of the Mountain Man, but the casual reader will bog down.

Smallchief

There's not much that one can add to this list of great reviews. That's what kind of book this is. I found it remarkable how quickly the landscape changed in those 10 years regarding populations of Native Americans, buffalo, and beaver. In the last few entries we begin to see some of the damage done upon the Native Americans i.e. small pox, alcohol, and lifestyle and it's very depressing. Likewise, Osborne describes the plummet in buffalo populations and the approaching end of the fur quest as beaver populations dwindled and other furbearers were becoming more profitable. These were a rugged bunch of men and this is perhaps the best look into their lives and into the changed and vanished West.

This well-known and highly-regarded account of the life of a fur trapper in the Rocky Mountain West was born as a corrective by its author of an earlier narrative (Pattie's PERSONAL NARRATIVE) that he thought was filled with inaccuracies. Osborne Russell spent eight years as a trapper in the employ of a number of fur companies before becoming an independent trapper working out of Fort Hall. Fortunately, when he first went to the mountains with Nathaniel Wyeth's expedition in 1834, he began to keep a journal. From his journal he compiled a manuscript for publication; it's from this manuscript that the present book is based on. Osborne had a tendency to run sentences together and to practice unconventional language usage, all of which editor Aubrey Haines retains in this edition. One quickly gets used to it, however.

Russell was an acute observer and, especially in describing his travels, was careful to mention distances and names (streams, mountains, etc.) when possible. Haines has been able to trace Russell's travels accurately, and ten accompanying maps illustrate his wanderings. (Haines's annotations are also numerous and thorough.) He trapped for a time with Jim Bridger, and some of what we've learned about him has direct bearings on Russell's journal accounts. In fact, Russell's book is the major source of information for a number of important events in the Rockies during this time. He also writes about the Indians (especially the Crows, Blackfeet, and Snakes) and much about the animals found in the West. Most of all, he tries hard to convey the life of a trapper - scouting the country, the laying of traps, hunting for game, dealing with the weather and terrain, the rendezvous experience (Russell attended six of them) - all the everyday routines trappers went through. This indeed is the most valuable thing about the book. Russell left the mountains in 1842 and settled in Oregon City; after an unsuccessful run for governor in 1845, he wrote his manuscript for JOURNAL OF A TRAPPER. He got the gold fever in 1848 and went to California, where he became a merchant. After his partner ran off with the company funds, Russell spent the rest of his life trying to pay off the creditors. He died near Placerville in 1892.

This is a must-read book for anyone interested in the fur trade period of the trans-Mississippi West. It's gone through many editions and always seems to stay in print, thank heaven. Highly recommended.

the supreme court is my life, i love it, i am doing a project oon the supreme court and i love it!i bought this cd-rom and i have not put it own since, my computer hasnt bee sut down in like 2 months, all it does is play this CD-ROM, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! OH I LOVE THE SUPREME COURT, JUSTICE REQUEST IS SOOO FINE!!

Until Jerry Goldman created his innovative Oyez website, the experience of listening to an actual Supreme Court oral argument was available only to the lucky few hundred people who could secure a seat in the Court's formal courtroom (and to those who would travel to Washington, DC and listen to the tapes at the National Archives). Now that experience is available to anyone who has a reasonably good computer with speakers and a CD drive. Drawing on but also adding to material available on the groundbreaking Oyez site, Goldman has created a remarkable resource that makes history come alive. Litigators can listen, and learn from, some of the best appellate advocates in the country. Law students can also gain many lessons here in the craft of argument, as well as insights into some of the Court's most important decisions. This CD should be in the collection of everyone who is interested in the Supreme Court and how it functions. Especially impressive are the "highlights" links that take the listener to key exchanges between the Justices and the lawyers. Often these are points on which the decision turned. A must-have for any serious student of the Court and of appellate advocacy.

I am not a lawyer. My interest in the Supreme Court is that of an interested observer, who has particular interest in certain topics (such as Establishment Clause, Religious Freedom, etc). Even so, or perhaps especially so, I find Goldmans' product wonderful. It has everything that was missing from Peter Irons' audio series "May it Please The Court" (which wasn't much to begin with).

The Supreme Court hears oral arguments on cases, and these arguments have been recorded since the fifties. Goldman's CD contains the full audio arguments for a number of cases, and, for a few of them, also the public announcement of the decision on the case. Each case also includes a summary, which has a brief description of the facts of the case, the final decision, and final vote (which justices voted in the majority, which in the minority). That alone would make this a wonderful addition to anybody interested in the Bill of Rights or the Supreme Court. But this is not all that Goldman brings to the party.

Also included are the full text of the decisions of the cases included (Majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions), which were sorely missed in Peter Irons' book. Also, for each case, a photograph of the Court's justices is provided, with a halo effect identifying majority and minority. By clicking on a particular justice, you can hear a voice clip, to help you identify their voices when, during the arguments, they interrupt or ask questions. There is also a "highlights" option, whereby specific points in the argument are mentioned, with time index stamps, so you can listen only to those points (the presentation of the case, particular questions regarding certain issues and their replies, summary, etc). You can also use this as a sort of abbreviated program when listening to the entire arguments (which can run over 1 hour). As opposed to Peter Irons' _May it Please The Court_, there is no commentary on the arguments, which are presented completely unedited, and also no transcripts. Finally, if there are any cases which were argued or decided together with the one you are looking at, it is so noted and you can take a look at that one as well.

You can look at the cases sorted by name or by date, and also by broad topic ("Religious Freedom", "Commerce", "Sexual Discrimination", etc), by Justices sitting on the Court, or all together. The cases include some of the more important and controversial of the past 50 years: Roe v. Wade (abortion), Abington v. Schemp (school prayer), Nixon v. U.S. (executive power), New York Times v. U.S. (pentagon papers), Johnson v. Texas (flag burning), Bakke v. Regents (reverse discrimination), and many more among its more than 50 cases.

I have no complaints about the final product, and only a few wishes: I hope to see sequels, with more cases, available; although pretty close to my wish list of cases, a couple I would love are still missing (e.g. Edwards v. Aguillard). I would also have liked to be able to look at cases by author of the opinion, but this is such a minor thing that it is hardly worth mentioning. Transcripts of the arguments would be a nice addition. These are such minor quibbles, however, that they cannot mute your enjoyment of this wonderful program.

If you are a lawyer, or a student of the law, you will find this CD-ROM especially illuminating as it illuminates famous Sup. Ct. cases with the actual audio arguments and questions by the judges. The subsequent reasoning and decision of the Court is a lot clearer when viewed in the context of how the oral pleadings went. RealAudio compression allows dozens of hours of listenable audio to be burnt onto a single CD. Well worth it.

Jerry Goldman has brought forth a veritable treasure trove: full-length oral arguments from fifty landmark Supreme Court cases! Words really cannot describe what a remarkable resource SCGH is--the promise of Peter Irons's audio-tape series "May It Please the Court" is here brought to full fruition. Listen to all or only the most salient parts of an argument: nobody acts as a gatekeeper to the material. Hear the verbal inflections of the justices as they ask questions--nuances that do not come across on the written page. A separate image of the particular Court deciding the case is available, along with the opportunity to hear voice samples of each Justice, so to familiarize yourself with who is talking during arguments. A halo effect comes across the members of the majority when the word itself is clicked, and the same thing happens to members of the minority. All this, along with oral announcements of the opinions, biographical data on the justices, and text of the full opinions. That this is contained on one compact disc is mind-boggling; SCGH is essential for those with any interest in Constitutional Law.

I have read both of Timuel Black's books and recommend both highly. Black is the right person for this job, having a nearly perfect memory for a past that includes important work as an activist, educator and scholar. He knows what his subjects are getting at and knows how to tweek the most out of them. Timuel Black's memories intertwine with the memories of his subjects and create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is truly living history

This is a book that everyone should read but can particularly important to young people, black and white, who don't quite understand that they are standing on the shoulders of giants.

I loved Bridges of Memory Volume 1... and this book doesn't dissapoint either. I love his interviewing style and the variety of people he has choosen to interview about their personal Chicago experiences. This is a well written book and I am looking forward to reading the next volume when it is released.

Here's my bias. I like history. I like to hear people talk about their lives. I like intelligent, articulate, effective language. And I loved this book. The people interviewed are fascinating, and Timuel Black helps them tell their stories in an unpretentious but by no means diffident way. I learned a great deal and enjoyed myself for many evenings.

What a gift this collection is!

In 1988, Timuel Black began to record and preserve the recollections of people who had lived in Chicago a long time, particularly the first generation of the Great Migration. When he wrote the introduction to this book, he had recorded over 125 conversations and still had "many , many more people with whom I would like to speak." Thirty-six of those conversations are presented here, with two more volumes planned to follow.

The interviews are conducted using the "participant observer" technique, and since Dr. Black - a long time resident himself - is an "insider" these interviews are essentially honest, intimate conversations among old friends, many of whom have now passed. As Dr. Black makes clear, this book is not intended to be a history of Black Chicago and its institutions, but rather a collection of oral memories from people who participated in shaping those institutions. But his field work provides invaluable data for future researchers attempting to compile that history.

If this book contained nothing more than the biographical information about each of the 40 participants (some are joint interviews), it would make fascinating reading. But the interviews bring each vividly to life. We meet people from all walks, including civil servants, educators, politicians, jazz musicians, railroad workers, business people, even two generations of South Side Chicago represented by mother and daughter Mildred Bowden and Hermene Hartman. Some, like George Johnson, tell a story of "from rags to riches." Others fall into a category of "just keep on keepin' on."

But all are riveting. I look forward to the next two volumes!

The strength of this book is in its informality. Mr. Black is friends with nearly all of his interviewees (he has known several of them for over 40 years), and the sessions read as a conversation rather than an interview. This book is especially useful for one looking for supplimental material about the neighborhood of Bronzeville in Chicago, segregation (from an individual perspective rather than scholarly leaning), and smaller aspects of city history and social change that are often forgotten. Some of his interviewees include a man that owned a company that distributed hair straightener around the U.S., a man that started what would become the Illinois state lottery, well respected teachers, and military servicemen.

There is a great deal of repetition that could have been eliminated regarding DuSable High School, locations of buildings, boundaries of the neighborhood, and references to people that are not elaborated upon; it is possible that Black chose not to edit this out to keep the interviews intact. It would have been extremely helpful for maps of Bronzeville throughout the past 80 years were inserted among the small selection of pictures that are included, in order to help those unfamiliar with the neighborhood navigate through some of the interviewees' memories of businesses, theaters, and homes.

Fort Dearborn is the best of what fiction has to offer: a fast-pace, interesting plot, engaging characters, and an effortless education about the prominent figures of a fascinating and violent era of Chicagoland's history. Great work!

- Steve

I just finished reading Fort Dearborn. The author did a great job weaving facts about early chicago into his novel. At the end of the book I wanted to read even more about the aftermath of the massacre. Great job!

I have just finished Fort Dearborn: A Novel and I love it! This is a most interesting, detailed,, exciting, and very well written account of an important event in Chicago and American history. It is most impressive that Mr. Crimmins studied the Indian culture and languages and folded his knowledge so skillfully into the book. The details in the notes section at the end of the book are just as interesting as the story itself.

I loved your book! You deserve a Pulitzer! I felt as though I got to know everyone and will never forget their sacrifices. It took tremendous courage to do what these people did to give us the city we now enjoy. And I thought my parents sacrificed--spending seven days each in steerage.
I marvel that you could keep everything straight--the tribes, the Americans, etc. I read all the notes and found them very helpful. Again, thanks so very much for such a wonderful story.
- K. Glynn

In high school around 1985, I tried to argue with a Republican classmate that US bombers were targeting civilian neighborhoods in Libya. "No," he said, "You see, the A-rabs don't know any physics. They're firing antiaircraft missiles at ninety degrees, and their own bombs are falling back on them." The following year, when our government teacher announced that the Challenger had exploded, another classmate of mine said with a crooked smile and a faux-childlike tone, "Gee, Mr. Duffey, it's a good thing *you* weren't the teacher they chose to go into space!" I only began to understand these incidents--the naively credulous belief in government statements, the postemotional reaction to atrocities--when I read Mark Crispin Miller's essay on "The Hipness Unto Death." MCM exposes the vitiating effects of late Seventies and early Eighties media--the sadism of Jerry Lewis, the subtle thuggery of Bill Cosby, the crazed sensationalism of Dan Rather, the vacuity of Reagan's public face, and the ability of "Lettermanesque irony" to drain everything of meaning are among his themes. Miller is a dissident ironist, in the tradition of his sometime friend Christopher Hitchens and his avatars Michael Berube and Thomas Frank, but he is also a prophet: no one familiar with Boxed In was surprised when audiences began to treat the characters on Seinfeld as role-models, when Sam Donaldson became a Republican spokesman, or when Bill Maher smiled while pantomiming the attack on the World Trade Center. Fans should look at Miller's other books and his articles in The Nation, Extra!, and CONTEXT magazines.

The first 8 or so essays in this book constitute some of the greatest writing on TV and advertising that I have ever run into. Analysis of texts is often so freaking esoteric and bookish that there's no point in reading it unless you want to impress an english undergrad at a department meeting. However, everyone who has any ability for introspection will benefit from the essays in this book, which use the tools of text analysis to help understand american culture and the motivations behind the culture creators. Other than incredible essays about advertisting and TV news, there are also some pretty decent essays about technology and movies and some pretty mediocre essays about music. Notwithstanding that, this book is required reading for all smart Americans, and you really won't be able to read advertising until you've read the opening essay, Hipness until Death, which becomes more and more applicable with each abstraction put out by Sprite or Arizona Jeans. Thank you Mark Crispin Miller!

"Boxed In" is a collection of essays on TV, Elvis, movies and the future. Miller's piercing critical analysis of the world of pop culture is no dry thesis. It contains hilariously colourful, laugh-out-loud, read-to-your-friends, genius (and often biting) observations of the media and the world we live in. There is a cunning essay on the TV game show "Family Feud" as well as a very shrewd essay on the Jerry Lewis telethons that are especially clever and funny. A must read.

Gertrude Stein is one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century. She has influenced all modern art, literature and theatre. She has often been ignored or set aside as unreadable,unperformable, opaque. Yet when approached with an open mind; the genius is awe inspiring. Ula Dydo, is another gift, someone who has taken the time to sit down and explore, to play in her own scholarly way. Dydo's love of Stein is contagious. She has created an opening that I hope a lot of curious people step into.

Since I first read Three Lives in high school I became fascinated with the writing of Gertrude Stein. During the past three decades I have read all her work. Because she requires so much effort, so much attention and concentration to detail, I have also tried reading as much about her as I could find; none as enlightening, as lovingly researched, as clearly written as Ulla Dydo's The Language That Rises. Hers is truly an "elucidation!"

What better way to get to know Gertrude Stein than to be guided through some of her key writings by one of the world's best Stein scholars, Ulla Dydo! It's not "Stein For Dummies," but it certainly is a very readable book which analyzes Stein's texts bringing in information from her life as appropriate to get a clearer picture of not only what she wrote, but why and how she wrote what she wrote. A must-have book for anyone who is really serious about reading and understanding Stein, as well as a great introduction to Stein's other works if the only thing you've ventured to read is THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B. TOKLAS, which is also, by the way, addressed in this book.

Having lived near Northwestern all my life, I thought I knew the history. However, 'little did I know!' This is an extremely well done book, the pictures are priceless as are the narratives. A must have for history buffs and university supporters.

I have this book displayed on my shelf right next to my Northwestern yearbooks because it is prepared in a simlar format. This book methodically and beautifully details the history of Northwestern University through illustrations, historic photographs, and memorable accounts that will keep you interested from start to finish. I particularly appreciated the aerial maps of the campus that appear at the beginning of each chapter. This shows the layout of the campus for the time period covered by the chapter, and truly shows the progress that has been made over the years.

My only complaint is that there were not more pictures of the building of the landfill section of campus. This, to me, is the most fascinating part of Northwestern's history and is now one of the most beautiful parts of campus. In summary, I would like to have seen a few more 'old vs new' photographs. The way it is, there are just enough to tempt the palette. So, it is only natural that, after reading this book, you will be thirsty for more. I hope a next edition will be written to answer that call.

As it is, this is a well-executed account of a terrific university. Happy birthday NU! And thank you, Mr. Pridmore, for this wonderful gift.

I have very fond memories of the time I myself spent at NU, and this book never ceases to bring them back to mind! This sesquicentennial tribute does it all -- from detailing the history of the school as well as of longstanding Wildcat traditions (i.e., Waa-Mu, Mee-Ow, painting The Rock) to showcasing some of the Evanston campus' most "photogenic" spots. This is definitely a must-have for any NU-loving alum.

I read this book when it came out and have used it to hone the edge of my irritability with the discipline of philosophy for the past few years. It was good then; it gets better with time.

If you need to make sense of why and how philosophy has devolved into the academic and theoretical vacuum it has, lash yourself to the mast, stuff your crew's ears with bees wax, and have them row slowly between John McCumber and Bruce Wilshire. Afterwards you'll be able to shake off the Trojan wasteland of the last 100 years and return to the company of human life, there to enjoy the wine of conversation and the company of good and decent friends. -- and if you can't parse out the metaphor here, then you really really need to read this book.

In search of histories of recent (analytic) philosophy I came on this book, which pursues the alarming thesis that McCarthyism and analytic philosophy are somehow circumstantially evidenced, a thesis that left me non-plussed, and muttering, 'must be something to Marx's charges'. One often has the feeling one is crossing a desert in this branch of philosophy, but then the same has been said of reading Kant's critiques. But philosophers need not apologize for being bedouins, and this work actually spiked my interest here, not only because it raises the toughest of questions, echoing since the days of the Left Hegelian charges against Hegel with his 'absolute science'.
Interesting, and somewhat unnerving book.

This book finds a connection between the McCarthy witchhunts of the early 1950s and the decline of American philosophy in the second half of the 20th century. McCumber argues that accusations about communist sympathies drove many American philosophy professors into analytic philosophy and away from metaphysical questions. In the years following the McCarthy witchhunts, American philosophy drifted apart from European philosophy, while at the same time American philosophy departments shrank. Philosophy in America had less and less to do with the practical considerations of everyday life. In the latter half of the book, Professor McCumber reviews the course of western philosophy through the entire 20th century and lays out a program for a revival of philosophy in America that will restore it not only to a central position in academia but to a vital role in the life of the republic. I strongly recommend this book to anybody interested in 20th-century American thought.

Compiled and organized by Mary Houser Caditz, "Wandering & Feasting: A Washington Cookbook" offers more than two hundred tempting and tasty dishes reflecting the culinary heritage of Washington State. Spiral bound so as to lay flat upon the kitchen table or counter, "Wandering & Feasting is a regional collection organizing dishes from the Olympic Peninsula (Halibut with Macadamia Nut Crust; Whole Baked Salmon with Medley of Three Dill Sauces; Filet of Sole Turbans with Shrimp Sauce), Southwest Washington (Individual Salmon Wellingtons with Dijon Cream Sauce; Cream of Carrot Soup with Marsala; Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence with Rum Cream), North Puget Sound and San Juan Islands (Dungeness Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps; Strawberries in Raspberry Sauce with Orange Cream; Easy Apple Raisin Chutney), Puget Sound (Fried Calamari in Beer Batter; Cheese Puffs with Smoked Salmon Filling; Steamed Clams with Tomatoes and Herbs), Cascades (Flank Steak with Blue Cheese, Mushroom and Sun-dried Tomato Stuffing; Baked Pears in Apple cider and Cinnamon; Trout with Chive Cream Sauce), Central Washington (Beef on Skewers with Peanut Sauce; Spinach Salad with Apples and Ginger Vinaigrette; Minted Cantaloupe Soup), and the Inland Empire (Venison with Juniper Berry Sauce; Bulgar Wheat Pilaf with Mushrooms; Asparagus napoleons with Orange Hollandaise Sauce). Occasionally illustrated with historical photography, and featuring appendices that include 'Basic Recipes', 'Low-Fat Suggestions', Glossary, 'Selected Bibliography', and an Index, "Wandering & Feasting" is an ideal and strongly recommended addition to any personal and family cookbook collection.

Well written book with fascinating information about Washington State. The book includes recipes which highlight different regions in Washington. Ms. Caditz, a Washington native, weaves interesting stories and features throughout the book. A must have if you enjoy cooking and enjoy Northwest cuisine

This cook book is informative, useful, and inspiring. The recipes are yummy and well worth the effort. Be sure to try the Walnut Torte with Chocolate Glaze!

The book is divided into regions of Washington State, with an interesting narrative about each region in each section. There are historic photos, too, so Wandering and Feasting is a book to read, in addition to cook book as reference.

The presentation is crisp and appealing.

A great gift for gourmets, people who cook, NWophiles, and those who like to eat others' good cooking!

A superb biography of a complicated person who was not only a key figure in the development of ballet in America, but a cultural leader in a wide sweep of artistic endeavors over most of the last century. While his creative partnership with George Balanchine is central to this book, Lincoln Kirstein also had important early roles in introducing many modern painters to the public and with various fine literary endeavors.

The author, Mr. Duberman, does not flinch from Mr. Kirstein's "own varied sexual-affectionate history." Potential readers should know this is an unusually candid account of a notable person's private life.

While not a high-lighted part of this book, I especially admire Mr. Kirstein's service in World War II as one of the "Monuments Men", who helped save a large part of European art at the end of World War II. Readers interested in this overall effort might wish to read "Rescuing Da Vinci" by Edsel.

(The book's jacket design by Chip Kidd is first rate.)

Anyone attending performances of New York City Ballet will benefit from reading Martin Duberman's book. The Worlds of Lincoln Kirstein details the history and the development of the company and illuminates Lincoln's contribution to City Ballet's standing as one of the best dance companies in the world.

The Worlds of Lincoln Kirstein is terrifically detailed and sweeps the reader into the best years of New York, especially. I could not put it down and walked around carrying this massive tome everywhere because I could not be parted from it. He truly crossed paths with EVERYONE, and it was enthralling to realize how one did that then. Duberman is frank and honest about the material that causes unease, particularly about fascism and social ambitions of some of Kirstein's colleagues over the years. His life was so layered, like a mille-fleur pastry, that Duberman has to keep sweeping back across the same period of months again and again to get it all, which takes some getting used to, but, by 1934, seems as natural a way as any to make the portrait complete.