Northwest Books

Fantastic reference. Month by month of what to plant and where (indoors, outside, under cloche, etc). Also lists specific varieties of veggies and is interspersed with good general gardening info.

This is a great book for the northwest gardener (But a must have for the gardener that just moved to the region) because for one it brakes down what should be done each and every month of year to have a great garden. It let you know what flowers, herbs and veggies grow the best, when they should be plant, and how to manage your plants organically. For me it took the mystory out of the organic farming by telling me what to do and why it helps. It shouldn't be the only garden book in your library but it should be one of your first. Have a great year in the garden.

As a newcomer to the Northwest, I was delighted and relieved to find the Maritime Northwest Garden Guide. It is a planting calendar for year-round organic gardening and so much more. Growing in this climate is so vastly different from my experiences in the Midwest that sometimes I felt like a complete novice. Month-by-month, the Garden Guide provides a nearly exhaustive list on which seeds are appropriate to sow indoors, sow outdoors, and sow under cloches. Following their suggestions yields year-round produce. It's full of great reminders that January is the time to start planning your crop rotation, February is the time to have your soil tested, March is the month to begin the soil amendments and April is the time to begin hardening off. What? you don't know what "hardening off" means? You really need to buy this book!

this guy is amazing - seven trips to Alaska on dirt roads after retiring from enduro racing

from 1100 cc goldwing to last trip on 225 CC serow

p. 247" it is amazing how much that little machine can take , not to mention my 72-years-old body. I bounced along the ground and heard my helmet hit the dirt road three times before I finally came to rest. As Jake was picking me up, he said I was lucky I landed on my head; otherwise, I might have really gotten hurt!"

p.272 " I hate airplanes. Besides, they can be dangerous"

This book is the best I have evr read. It has inspired me to attempt a cross-country motorcycle trip. (eventually) Peit Boonstra was a very good friend of my grandfather, and he is as nice in person as he is in this book.

This book is basically a diary of Boonstra's long adventure tours. Some of the conditions he rides in are extremely harsh, and made me think that he was crazy for continuing. I read this book cover to cover, but you don't need to. Each of his trips is a separate chapter. I would definitely recommend reading the first two Alaska trips; it is during these trips that he is learning about adventure touring and he has the most interesting experiences (from a riding standpoint). On his second trip, he gets cought in a blizzard and also does quite a bit of riding in the snow! It was worth the read and really opened my eyes to what you can do on a motorcycle.

Commuting by ferry I always have a few books with me to fill the time either on the crossing or in the line of cars. This is a great book for just that, since it's full of interesting facts and it can be picked up and browsed at just about any place within it. It has lots of interesting graphs, illustrations and photos and has more information than any casual nature lover could require.

Very detailed, scholarly work, description of landforms, geology, soils, climate, vegetation, habitats, animal life, marine life, water resources. Overview of Indian tribes. Bibliography for all subjects is probably 200-300 references. Kruckeburg is Prof. of Botany at University of Washington.

Whenever I have a question about plants, animals, geology, weather, tides, or history of the Puget Sound region, this well-organized book is the place I start. Kruckeberg is amazingly comprehensive and knowledgeable. The book is superbly illustrated, though in black and white. The writing is clear. While a new edition would be welcome, this classic remains timeless.

I've lived in Oregon my entire life and still discovered some great insights in Mr. Eiden's humorous (and educational) review of the Northwest. I particularly enjoyed "how to order a latte." A great gift, too.

I have been around one half of the world four different times and I wish that I read this book before my travels. It goes beyond essential, consider it a manual. Gregg should go international.

Well aside from the fact that Greg makes fun of my favorite Northwest clothing outfitter, Filson, its great! I'm a newcomer but can pass for a native as I've been here long enough to grow moss on my toes and I still found some interesting facts and tidbits that I either once knew and have forgotten or maybe never knew. Anyone from California thinking about moving North should read this. We get cloudy and rainy weather, this is a temperate rainforest after all so don't move here and then complain about the weather. Get some goretex and some wool and some waxed cotten coats and get outside and do something! (like split a cord of wood! Go Fishing! Go for a hike!, Go skiing.) Contary to popular myths, skin does not disolve when wet. It is possible to be warm and comfortable when out in in the rain. The sun will come out for good by Mid July and stays out until Late September and early October. Until then work hard and save your vacation days.

The Northwest Essentials Cookbook is a superbly produced regional cookbook that offers a culinary wealth of more than 150 recipes representing a delicious spectrum of flavors and tastes. From Warm Duck and Apple Salad, Poached Salmon with Tarragon, and Chocolate Almond Apricot Cake, to Oysters Mignonette, Savory Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and Simple Rockfish Stew, The Northwest Essentials Cookbook is a welcome addition to any kitchen cookbook shelf.

I live on the northern california coast and we share many of the same wonderful foods that create the northwest flavor. This is a great cookbook, the recipes are simple and tasty. The book is broken down into chapters like salmon, prawns and crab, wild mushrooms, herbs, lentils split peas & chickapeas, and apples & pears. These are a few, but certainly not all. This is a book full of recipes at their best when you use the freshest of ingredients. I recommend!

- - - -In my heart, my palate, my stomach, memories of home and thoughts of wanting to visit the Seattle area! I really feel good about the support Greg Atkinson gives his recipes in the way of stories, personal experiences and appreciation of the people, places and tastes in his life. This book is a great experience before, during and after meals, for singles and families alike! I'm giving it to my friends!

I was so pleased with the transaction and the book. It was a great transaction with fast shipping and super packaging. Thank you so much.

As an information junkie, I'm always turning to the Internet for fast and up-to-date information for my garden design business. This book has replaced my computer for first-glance information. Debra provides significant editorial value in this reference, which I find dog-eared and well-used in a few short weeks. A must-have for any gardener in the Northwest, and a brilliant gift for a gardener new to the area.

It's a Northwest garden enthusiast's dream come true! Stephanie Feeney has outdone herself and compiled information in this edition I will refer to again and again. The list of nurserys to visit is complete with directions, business hours, the types of plants they sell and what they specialize in, e-mail addresses, and any other helpful information that may be of interest. I especially appreciate the geographic locator in the very back that breaks down locations by region that makes planning a garden outing a breeze. I even found a few nurseries in my small town that I didn't know existed. Other chapters include organizations that help gardeners, clubs, foundations, societies and volunteer opportunities, education, gardening with children and young people, internet gardening, publications, professional services, gardens to visit, shows and exhibits, and the list goes on. And it's all written in a friendly personal manner.

O'Brien and Smith's The Northwest Green Home Primer is a timely, comprehensive manual, certain to inform and inspire. From initial conception and planning through construction, commissioning and disassembly, the well-illustrated primer walks you through all stages of a green building project, helping you navigate this exciting, dynamic, important design process. It includes an introduction to modern green technologies and practices, up-close and personal case studies, and detailed checklists to ensure that your methodology is complete. If you're building or remodelling a home, The Northwest Green Home Primer will be an indispensable partner, giving you the knowledge and confidence to do it green.

Submitted by: Gina Diamond, M.Ed.;Eco-Lifestyle Coach

The Northwest Green Home Primer is the perfect blend of text, pictures, and graphics. It is easy to read and one can glean information quickly on almost every page through the use of bullet points, tips, and charts. It is packed full of region-specific information for build/design professionals, home owners, and renters who want to help create a socially just and environmentally sustainable future. This unique green guide offers something for everyone including those just beginning the process and those who have already made lots of changes. I believe it can help anyone confidently move forward in their journey to live a more eco-friendly life. I intend to use it personally and professionally.

From the first chapter I knew I was reading something special. O'Brien and Smith take the time to tell us exactly why building and remodeling in more sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner are not only important to reduce our imprint on the animals and resources of our lovely planet but also our responsibility to our native history and our current and future everyday lives. Boom! Totally sucked in!

Their dedication to teaching the reader - at minimum - enough to ask the right questions, providing solid resources for digging deeper into issues that are relevant to each reader, and the constant mantra about early planning leading to the best results is amazing. I think those new to green building as well as seasoned folk will find this book to be a great collective resource.

Major kudos to O'Brien and Smith and all those that contributed to such a fabulous product.

This book is highly regarded among divers in the BC/WA/OR area. My only criticism is the latest edition (3rd) wasn't really updated much in that it still lists the Edmonds Oil Dock as a "working" pier. This hasn't been a working pier for a long time. But other than that, it's still an excellent book, highly recommended.

The third edition of this book is an improvement on the previous and includes new dive sites, 55 in all. The dive sites are located in Washington State in Puget Sound and Hood Canal. All include a picture of the site which makes it easy to find them, the written directions are excellent. The tide and current table calculations are great, even going so far as to let you know if you should plan your dive for tides or currents. He even includes information on things to do for non-divers while they hangout waiting for divers to return. The maps are exceptional, most have depth measurements and all include ebb and flood current information that really makes it easy to plan dives at these sites. I have dived some of the sites listed in the book and the descriptions are excellent. Highly recommended for those diving in the Pacific Northwest.

The information is up to date and correct. I use this book exclusively to plan my dives. I have met the author and trust his knowledge of the dive sites and the information given in the book.

Although of no Swedish descent, I enjoyed this book thoroughly; since I like to read about different nationalities. But of course the Swedes must like it more for some of the language, which only they can understand.

This fine book is a compilation of the life experiences of wonderful old and new traditions of the people in Sweden. The author dedicated her life to the instruction of Svenska (the Language) and the everyday happenings in Sweden. Though is was written several years ago, it is timeless and always in fashion. The tome is divided into many chapters that are easy to read in that myths and maps as well as traditions and festivities are all introduced to the reader. Ms. Lorenzen was my beloved teacher in Minnesota, where she taught at the University and the American-Swedish Institute for many years.

... because my ancient copy of this book seems to have disappeared.

Lily Lorenzen was my cousin. Third cousin five times removed or something like that. When I was an aspiring writer of about ten I went to a family reunion (where yes they served lutefisk eeeewwwww) and took the book and mom introduced me. I think she (Lily, not mom) must have been in her 70's or 80's then. A very very sweet lady. As I recall she did her best to talk to me as a semi peer. And she signed my book and now I can't find the thing.

~sigh~ I read that book so many times. I'm sure some of it was beyond me, but for a ten year-old "reader" it was highly readable and remained interesting as I grew older. Guess I'll have to break down and get a PB copy so at least I can read it again.

Fresh out of Yale, McClintock went to Montana in 1891 as an employee of the forest service. He ended up living with the Blackfoot tribe and learning their way of life. One elderly chief, Mad Dog, adopted him and taught him tribal culture and rituals so that someone would write them down. This book is the result.

The bison were gone and the Blackfoot economy lay in tatters. Still, McClintock's band was following his traditional seasonal movements, keeping the Sun Dance, and trying to live as they always had - - even as everyone realized that their way of life could not survive in the face of the white man.

McClintock serves as a very sympathetic scribe for the tribe. He was clearly a good listener. One Blood chief in Alberta told him that he had vowed never to speak with white men again, and yet he ended up adopting McClintock as a son. Because the tribe trusted him, he was admitted into a tribal society, invited to participate in rituals, and so forth.

Through most of the 500 pages in this book, McClintock takes a very fair-minded approach to both the Blackfoot and to white society. He often notes how tribal norms, such as sharing, are superior to the behavior of more "civilized" peoples. He takes both Christianity and tribal religions seriously.

Oddly, all this falls apart in the last chapter, where he endorses destructive policies that take away tribal land, convert the Indians to Christianity, and force assimilation on white terms. This chapter contradicts the tone of the rest of the book so deeply that I can't imagine what he was thinking when he wrote it.

Aside from that last chapter, this is a fascinating record of the tribe's traditions at the last possible moment that the tribe was still living its traditional life.

Walter McClintock was a young man who came to the Blackfeet Country at about the turn of the century. He was a trained scientist who could use a camera and he kept careful notes. This is not a romance novel nor anthropological interpretation. McClintock was simply there and made friends well enough to be accepted. He recorded stories, rituals (also took photos), and daily incidents as well as much natural history. He was really there and he is an honest and graceful reporter.

How could it be possible to adequately describe such a powerful -indeed, magical- account of a young man's time with the Blackfeet in the early twentieth century, a time when much of the Old Ways still lived among the Blackfeet people. I have owned or or another edition of The Old North Trail since 1970, and have ever since then been entranced by McClintock's unselfconscious limpid prose style, his descriptions of a summer snowstorm, or a grand encampment of the Blackfeet, the way Indian people in northern Montana prepared and stored food for the coming of winter, or the simple, deep, and everlastingly real relationship with a culture which was even at that late date still indescribably precious and beautiful. Both a superb travelog and a microscopically observed anthropological account of life with the Blackfeet, this book is an extended love letter to the Indian people with whom Walter McC lived. As I write this review I'm transported back to my early twenties, a California surfer just out of college, immersed in a hot deep bath, reading The Old North Trail at sunup in Inverness, Scotland, and forgetting where I was, so completely did this book cast its spell. This is one of the very, very few books with which I am still in love.