Northwest Books

Own this book if you love to take road trips in Oregon. Take it with you everywhere, because there is so much to learn just by looking and reading about a place you never thought about!


This book is such a treasure. You can spend hours looking through it all. Its a wonderful database for places in Oregon you may not be able to read about online. Buy this if you research genealogy in Oregon. Very helpful to identify census localities etc.

McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names is the definitive "all you need to know about Oregon" text. The author spends some 500 or so pages describing towns from Alsea to Zigzag. His details include a mix of pioneer history and native lore. What emerges is a singular and often unknown view of Oregon.

As a student of history, this text provides the "little" details that a larger view of history might neglect to tell. For instance, in discussing the origins of the Willamette river name, McArthur explores the first use of the word in local newspapers, and also calls on linguistic records in order to discover its first use. What the reader discovers here, and it is representative of most of the text, is that McArthur digs deep into the archives by following all available paper trials.

As a student of history, and of Oregon in general, this book is indispensable. I suspect too that it could be used by the "Cliff Clavens" of the world as a way of distributing "little known facts" about Oregon at parties.

Bryan Hiatt, Humanities Department Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR

McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names is the definitive "all you need to know about Oregon" text. The author spends some 500 or so pages describing towns from Alsea to Zigzag. His details include a mix of pioneer history and native lore. What emerges is a singular and often unknown view of Oregon.

As a student of history, this text provides the "little" details that a larger view of history might neglect to tell. For instance, in discussing the origins of the Willamette river name, McArthur explores the first use of the word in local newspapers, and also calls on linguistic records in order to discover its first use. What the reader discovers here, and it is representative of most of the text, is that McArthur digs deep into the archives by following all available paper trials.

As a student of history, and of Oregon in general, this book is indispensable. I suspect too that it could be used by the "Cliff Clavens" of the world as a way of distributing "little known facts" about Oregon at parties.

Bryan Hiatt, Humanities Department, Chemeketa Community College, Salem OR

I bought this book and its companion Washington guide at the same time and have not been disappointed by either. The layout of the two books is similar and have all the info necessary to get to the trailhead, follow the trail, and enjoy the hikes. The maps are good and easy to follow, although elevation contours are not shown.

The photography in the Oregon guide is very good, but not nearly on the level of the Washington guide. Being confined to Northwest Oregon, all the hikes can be reached easily from any location in the Willamette Valley as wel as elsewhere. State-wide guides (such as the Washingtom companion) have hikes you may never visit because of the distance to the trailheads from where you live, but this regional Oregon guide has 52 hikes that you will want to visit.

Wildflowers (common and scientific names) you should expect to see are described in the discussion of each hike, although spring and summer bloomers are mixed with no mention made of which is likely to be blooming when.

A small quibble is that five of the hikes are not even in Oregon, but rather on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. Still, these hikes are as easy to reach for much of Willamette Valley's population as some of those in central Oregon.

This guide has good maps, accurate trail ratings (at least for the several places I've visited and know of), beautiful pictures, and a good guide for blooming season. It covers hikes that will take most of the day to ones that are little more than a rest stop with scenic walking paths.

For some of the sights listed in the gorge I've been there both when things are in bloom and when it is the height of summer and things are dry and arid. Both times have their beauty.

This guide is well-written and easy to use.

Filled cover to cover with 115 beautiful color photography of flowers, trails, and natural splendor, Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region is an amazing and informative guide showcasing 51 day hikes for prime wildflower viewing of such stunning visual beauty that it is a wonder for both avid hikers and armchair travelers alike. Specific hiking paths through Columbia Gorge, Cascade Ranger, Willamette Valley and more are presented with 52 "user friendly" maps and 52 plant life profiles in this superbly presented guidebook which is especially recommended for flower and nature lovers who yearn to enjoy all that Oregon's Northwest Region has to offer. If you are planning a field trip or outdoor vacation in the northwest region of Oregon, begin with browsing the pages of George Wuerthner's Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes!

I'm moving to Bainbridge Island and my husband picked up this book. Andy has a great writing style - very accessible and good-natured. He's painted some nice images in my mind; I'll be curious to see how it feels living on the island after reading his interesting stories.

Maybe I like this book because I recognized so many of the things that have also happened to me, with a similar college background in New Haven, then moving to an island in Washington and trying to "fit in" among the reserved and elitist locals. In his case the island was Bainbridge, in mine it is Orcas. The author seems to have made the adjustment to the wet cold weather and the cold reception rather well. His warm sense of humor and training in the colder winters of the East may have had a lot to do with it. Most of the chapters are short.. a few pages.. and will leave you with a smile.

I wish I could write like this; I'd love to tell my own story, but it wouldn't be as funny.

A thoroughly entertaining book. Excellent first-read for a Seattle newcomer, as am I. Provocative descriptions of the mountains (especially Rainier!), water, towns, people, animals. He writes beautifully, and his words paint clear, wondrous pictures. I missed my bus stop twice when I was buried in this book. I bought copies from second-hand bookstores in the Seattle area and sent them to my mom, daughters and friends.

I like how this couple presents their information. The book is full of useful data. I have purchased this in preparation for our journey to Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories. It does a superb job of helping you understand what to look for, where to look for it, how much things cost relative to other areas. Excellent job.

Having lived in the Pacific NW for many years I know lots of places for camping and RVing. I found this book accurate and very resourcefull. With rising fuel prices, we are all looking for closer to home places to "get away" and this book is a required resource to help find them, and determine their suitability. The only criticism I have is the way its organized. A little hard to find individual places since it is organized based on tour routes.

I bough thtis with the MOON bok, and am using both of them , this one is helpful with trip ideas, and the best of the large campgrounds, a very usefull book.

I expected a romance and got an inspiring war. Wow!
During Marie's first visit to Munich, I felt everything was a mistake. How could she get so sucked in?! I hated Günter. I hated an imaginary character - not even Wilkie Collins can do that!

Hegberg has created a masterpiece than even a tough chick like me will become enveloped in. A novel to give the true meaning of living through challenges, for those experiences to become our best moments.


Season BubbleGirl

Author of 'A Doggy Diary' and the coming autobiography, 'Life In a Bubble.'

Carol Hegberg's new novel, "Pen Pals," introduces us to first love amidst the pressures of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team. This novella-length story is filled with the poignancy of young love while taking the reader on a journey from sacrifice to forgiveness. Its length does not shortchange the reader by revealing a tight, well-written story.

Marie Masterson, the eighteen year old main character, shares her story with us of her longtime pen pal, Gunter Hoffman, a German adolescent of similar age who has corresponded with Marie for seven years. At long last Marie travels to Germany as part of her budding career in gymnastics and for a chance to finally meet her friend, Gunter. The resulting relationship that develops between these two friends sends Marie rocketing into adulthood with all the life decisions that are associated with that journey. The choices she must make and how she deals with those pressures are just one of Hegberg's skills in weaving a tale of morality and values.

"Pen Pals" is filled with moral dilemma and a testing of values as we follow the human condition. This book would make an excellent basis for family discussion and the development of young adults. It harkens back to a more innocent time in our society when the decisions were no less difficult than today, but the element of choosing the right path was always clear. What Marie loses in her life is more than compensated for by the wisdom she gains.

Much like an accomplished gymnast, Carol Hegberg, a seasoned editor and now a novelist, performs exceptionally with the writing of "Pen Pals." Her beginning is artistic and flawless. She then launches into her story with clean, sharp moves that never wobble, building on the strengths of her characters. Then she closes with an equally satisfying dismount, leaving the reader fulfilled by paying off the story's earlier promise. This first effort is clearly worthy of the gold medal.

This is a delightful love story, partly set in Munich, Germany, and partly in the US. The protagonist Marie is a 18-year-old gymnast on her way to the Olympic trials but for an unorthodox reason (which is learned later in the book) her coach allows her to travel to Munich to visit her pen pal. She wins an Olympic berth but must forfeit because she is pregnant by her German pen pal, Günter Hoffmann. After the Olympics, she writes Günter about her pregnancy but he never contacts her until, by letter, he tells her he is married. Seven years later he and his wife visit America and stop by to see Marie. During their visit Günter meets his son accidentally and is excited he has a son. He and his wife could not have children. Marie doesn't believe him and thinks he only wants to take him away from her. After his visit, Marie finds her letter, which tells of her pregnancy, in their basement where it had slipped between the walls. To help heal the situation and not thinking of herself any longer, Marie flies with her son to Munich to give him to Günter. This is an amazing first novel, one in which you can read about real-life Germany and parts of the Olympic and gymnastics preparations, and still feel the trauma over lost love. Love can conquer all even though the man and woman cannot live as husband and wife. I recommend this highly.

I found this book to be really informative about the ways of the brown bear on Kodiak Island. These two men are truly great men of conservation ecology. The book is easy reading and keeps you interested throughout the book, craving more information about the bears and the lives of these men. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in bears or Kodiak Island.

I worked for Bill and Morris on Kodiak around the same time as the author. I went to visit Morris a few years ago and he gave me a copy of this book. He said it was close to the real thing. Since Bill told most of the stories and Bill was a real story teller, some things may have been a little em-BILL-ished so to speak. If you have ever sat in a hunting camp telling stories around a wood stove at night then you know what I mean. The parts of the book that were told to the author by Morris are dead on the mark. Morris didn't talk much and when he did he told it like it was. The book describes pretty well what it was like to hunt with Bill and Morris on Kodiak Island. It was hard, cold, wet, tireing work most of the time. I loved it. I would do it again if I had the chance. I read the book as I know most of the guys that worked for P&T do, just to bring back memories of how it was.

I was so enthralled with this book that I could imagine setting out on a hunt with the brown bear men. I was transported back to a time that can never again be. A time when fair chase and hard work were what a hunt was about. The character of these men is such that today it is hard to imagine finding anyone like that. I only wish I could have experienced the era these men lived in. A GREAT book.

This is book actually teaches you skills so you can deal with a variety of circumstances and do so with confidence and dignity. It reaches the heart of the problem so you are no longer tempted to yell, spank, become frustrated, etc. It clearly explains behavior that can be ignored (inconsequential) and to do just the opposite of what we are all too often inclined to do--ignore kids when behaving well and "nipping things in the bud" when they get out of line. Now I respond to positive behavior in a constructive manner and ignore the whiney, annoying behavior so it will not flourish. It has been amazing the results we have enjoyed on our home because of it. Greater peace, the kids play together better, others notice and enjoy my kids constantly, etc. I am much more relaxed and confident. It spills over into all aspects of your life!

The Power of Positive Parenting is the best book on Parenting that I have ever read. I am a School Psychologist, and have thus spent hours and hours studying parenting and parenting practices. Dr. Latham presents information in a clear, easy to understand fashion. His book provides many examples and case studies. Not only is this good reading, but I have tried his suggestions, ideas, and theories at home, and they really work! This book is a must for parents. It is the parenting handbook we have been waiting for

My wife purchased this book. Having already read many different books, I thought this was "just another parenting book" rehashing various parenting techniques. However, one evening I picked up the book and read the summary chapter at the back of the book titled "Positive Parenting Skills". I was very impressed and proceeded to read the entire book cover-to-cover over the next few weeks. The author Mr. Latham has put a book together a book that has topics which range from basic theory to highly practical "how-to" explanations. The book is based on behavioral science, yet is highly practical. His book deals with behaviors of children of all ages, and of both "typical" and "difficult" children. One principle that he teaches was very impressive: "Whether a behavior has been punished or reinforced is known only by the course of that behavior in the future". In other words, even if I think I have disciplined my child to discourage a particular behavior, if the behavior persists, then the child's behavior is somehow being reinforced and I need to make some adjustments. Mr. Latham made another profound statement that helped me to understand and empathize with my chidren's errant behavior: "In most instances, age-typical behaviors are not as inappropriate as they are uncivilized. As parents, we must realize that our children are in the process of becoming civilized. Our job is to civilize them, that is, teach them how to behave appropriately within the society of human beings. To judge children's behavior using adult standards is both inappropriate and unfair." This book is a winner!

This book is great! It's an easy to read book, full of scripture and stories to display the scripture being lived in a real, live family. It is one of the most practical parenting books we've read, and it is backed up by scripture, not just some theory of the day. Nelson gives many ideas for all families, but an especially good picture of a Christ-centered family for those of us who don't really know what that resembles.

There is a quiet crisis in Christian parenting that cannot be ignored. In large numbers, kids growing up in "good" Christian homes are not having a postive impact on our world. Steve has written an excellent, easy to read, and very practical book about how our parenting must be intentional or "premeditated". We have to see what the target is and take steps to shape our kids into godly men and women.

This is a collection of small, straigtforward articles that will challenge and encourage you. This is not theory or abstract theology, it deals with the practicals of being a parent that wants to 'win' with your kids!

I know Steve and Kathleen and I know their kids. You need to read this book!

I was recently asked to review this book for a Women's Center where I regularly volunteer, and as a parent of a ten month old, I took the assignment quite seriously. By the time I was halfway through chapter one, I found myself taking notes! This book is truly a great resource for parents.

Perhaps what impressed me most about this book is that it gives hope. In the information age in which we live, parenting can be a daunting task as we muddle through the many different theories on parenting, discipline, psychology, etc. We almost feel like we're destined to warp our children in some way before they can even talk. However, Steve's clear ideas and biblical references caused me to find myself actually getting excited all over again about being a Mom!

For example, I found it so helpful that at its core, Steve narrowed Christian parenting down to this: to teach our children to love. He explained that keeping this goal in mind simplifies a lot of parenting questions, such as, "Is it okay for my kids to fight all the time?" or "Is it alright for my child to tell me he hates me?" Steve isn't arguing that we should tell our children to bury their emotions; rather, they need to learn to express them in loving ways. Because plain and simple, it's NOT loving for kids to constantly be at each other's throats, and it's certainly not loving to tell anyone you hate them. I found such clear advice a breath of fresh air.

All in all, I highly recommend this book to any parents who, like me, love their children with all their hearts but feel somewhat in the dark about the job of parenting. This book offers excellent advice, encouragement, and hope.

Very well researched, very readable. I bought the book originally because I was interested in the period, and was glad I did.

Wiley Sword has written the definitive book on one of the most important chapters of our national history; a chapter that has unaccountably remained obscure and understudied despite its overwhelming importance to the development of the United States. The Indian War of 1790 to 1795 was an important postscript to the Revolution, involving undefeated belligerents and a continuing, undeclared cold war with Britain. It was central to the eventual development of a professional, standing army in the United States, an idea that had previously been anathema to many Americans who preferred the idea of national defense through state militias. It contained the worst single defeat of an American army in the 100 years of war between the United States and the Native tribes, a defeat that dwarfed Custer's much more famous one, and was comparable to the Braddock Massacre of the French and Indian War. And it was the single most important action in the one hundred year history of war between the United States and Native American tribes. It marked the best chance the tribes ever had to gain their objectives, and their eventual lose of that war was a mortal body blow to the tribes, making all their proceeding wars little more than the inevitable death throes of their cause. Finally, it cleared the way for the American settlement of the Northwest Territory; modern Ohio, Indiana, Illinios, Michigan, and Wisconsin - it created the heartland of America.

In the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the British not only gave up their claims to the thirteen colonies, but ceded the vast track of land beyond them that would become known as the Northwest Territory - the homeland of many of the tribes that had been their allies during the war. The treaty made no provisions for or any acknowledgement of their former allies, the tribes that inhabited that land. Americans prepared to expand their nation westward, and settlers began pouring into the Ohio country. The undefeated tribes were determined to protect their homeland from the encroachments of an alien civilization, and began to resist with all possible force. The British, seeing in this an opportunity to maintain their influence and their profitable fur trade, as well as a possibility of regaining some of their lost territory, broke their treaty agreements, and continued to maintain several frontier forts on American territory from which they provisioned the tribes and encouraged their resistance to the Americans. For the next seven years, intrepid American settlers floated down the Ohio River to make a life in Indian country, and determined Natives resisted them ferociously and effectively, until the Washington administration decided that they must move decisively against the tribes to make continued westward expansion of the nation possible.

Sword's book effectively captures all the elements of the war, the drama leading to it, and its aftermath. He examines it not only from the American perspective, but from the point of view of the tribes and the British as well, without injecting value judgments. He chronicles not only the military action, but the often flawed and usually deceitful diplomacy that was carried on, and the goals and strategies of all three of the players involved. His descriptions of the battles are riveting, and he captures a sense of the times and the people involved in the action believably. While his writing here had not yet developed to the full potential of his later books, it is still a cut above the typical fare of scholarly histories, and anyone at all interested in the subject should find reading his book enjoyable, as well as enlightening. I know of no other single book that details this crucial chapter of American history half as well as does Sword's book, and I recommend it highly.

Theo Logos

This is one of the most well-researched books on the Federal period of our country that has been written. It has become the "bible" of anyone interested in this turbulent period of our nation's history. If you want to know anything about the settlement of the Northwest Territory, this is the book to read. It has a lot of historical detail in it, but it is still a very readable book. I use it for reference all of the time, living is one of the historical towns mentioned in the book

The pictures alone were worth the price of the book - such a rich history we have here in B.C., I learnt many things I had not known before. The recipes were also great. Definitely a five star review.

The pictures alone were worth the price of the book - such a rich history we have here in B.C., I learnt many things I had not known before. The recipes were also great. Definitely a five star review.

The pictures alone were worth the price of the book - such a rich history we have here in B.C., I learnt many things I had not known before. The recipes were also great. Definitely a five star review.