Northwest Books

Best book I've read all year. I lived in Olympia, WA for six years and Clearcut transported me back to the area. Not at all what I expected - much better.

I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but this was recommended by a good friend. It's a beautiful and compelling story of three characters who form an odd sort of boy-girl-boy romantic triangle that challenges each of them in unexpected ways. Although there is clearly a "main character" each story comes through clearly. She really takes us inside their head in a way that never relies on easy conventions. The story is funny, sad, moving and Shengold's talent in drawing us into the lives of these three wayward people lost in their search for happiness kept me wanting to know more about them. There is an exciting edginess in the emotional twists and turns of the book that feels, all to sadly, very much like that thing called "life"

There's only one thing you need to know about this book: it's a terrific read. A friend handed it to me and said, "I'm not telling you anything about this novel. Just read it." It's the best advice I can give. The only problem comes when you have to put it down (to continue with your life). Earley is such a haunting character: full of conflict and contradictions. How could anyone not fall in love with him?

Nina Shengold manages to do something magical in this novel: evoking a time recently past while propelling you into the thick of an atmosphere so immediate you won't be able to shake it off easily after finishing reading.

Yes, there once was a time when life-choices had a broader range of erotic and economic possibilities, making for interpersonal confusions, adventures, victories, and sad losses. Nina's characters ring true. She has a remarkable able to imagine the erotic imagination and physical experiences of a man, while clinging to the female version of eroticism at the same time. This is unique and, simply, a gift.

There are times where the book gets bogged down in some detail (usually about logging practices in the Northwest) and I found the beginning a little slow-moving. I was afraid it was going to tread over much-trodden-upon ground with its plot. It didn't.

The second half of the book MOVES; it is hard to put down and it haunts you.

Strong on atmosphere, gifted in its erotic atmospherics and complexity, this book is a keeper. You will find yourself recommending it to anyone with a well-developed brain, love of the erotic, and love of contemporary literature.

I am enormously impressed.

A great book, a wonderful love story, marvelous characters...until the last 24 pages, when a tragedy blindslides the characters and the reader. Suddenly, everything that the entire book has built is smashed to pieces, leaving the main character in an ending as bleak as Brokeback Mountain's, but without the redeeming social message. This tragedy happens for no reason; it comes out of nowhere. As a reader, I feel very cheated by what the author does to these characters I came to love.

This book is very informative and has already come in very handy for a remote location in Alaska where fresh quality commercial vegetables are hard to come by. Now, we're able to substitute fresh quality wild plants for wilted commercial produce.

Living in Alaska, I must say this is one of the finest books out there to help not only identify but work with wild plants in so many ways. The photos are excellent, the descriptions thorough and elaborate, the only negative is that it is too short, and yet too large to take out in the field! GREAT book, highly recommend.

This a great book for the outdoors person & naturalist who wishes not always to eat out of Costco & eliminate the danger of MONSANTO & the world of unnatural & unsafe foods. Great pix & descriptions, also uses both medicinal & edible

This book has provided me with the ability to further my daily quest to eat only raw food. With Global warming now upon us and with the rising cost of organic vegetables this book will allow me to supplement me diet with raw wild plants.

I own three copies of this - an autographed hardbound that I keep at home and two duct-tape reinforced softback copies that have been on many trips into the field on personal trips, as part of field reference libraries on wilderness kayaking trips, at camps and on natural history cruises, and even in my day pack from time to time (though this is really too big to be a backpacker field guide). When this first came out it was THE gift of the year among my coastal Alaskan friends with any interest in nature (thus my three copies).

Salmon Without Rivers is a great book of historical facts. It includes many issues like; original salmon locations/populations, "Economy over Environment" issues, and the ineffectiveness of large decision making commissions/agencies. However, with all his good background information the book does not propose any solutions nor investigates today's coastal human communities as they relate to the salmon and/or habitat.

This is a must read book for anyone interested in salmon, rivers and the ecology and history of the Pacific Northwest. Excellent information and a good read.

This is an excellent book that documents the history of salmon, how native Americans viewed them and how modern Americans view them. It focuses on why the pacific northwest is facing a salmon crisis, and our failed attempts to replace what we have lost. Great read for anyone who is concerned about environmental issues.

A thoroughly researched and impassioned presentation including the history of salmon, their decline, why billions of tax dollars in restoration efforts have had paltry returns, and insights into the where we should go from here. A complex issue is examined from many perspectives in an easy to read and compelling book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in salmon.

As a freelance author writing a piece about salmon for a California-based magazine, this book was indispensible and eye-opening. It is unfailingly sensitive and intelligent about salmon, discussing the fish as fellow creatures in the "natural economy" in which we all live, rather than as mere commodities in the "industrial economy" that has transformed the West in the last 150 years. It is fascinating about the geology that shaped the salmon's environment, the evolutionary history of the fish, the relationship between Native Americans and salmon in the Northwest, and it provides a detailed history of the many factors that have led to the salmon's decline, including habitat destruction, misbegotten hatchery programs, overfishing, dams, mining, grazing, irrigation. If you like to read books about ecology, the creatures of the earth, fish, or the Northwest--you can't go wrong. This is a wonderful book.

A fantastic read that I couldn't put down. A story of not only friendship but of the impact we each can have on the life of another. The characters were so real-I felt as if I knew each one personally. Reading this book was like sitting down to chat with an old friend. I look forward to her next book.

I can see many women, of all ages, relating to this book and it reads beautifully as the author has natural talent in story telling. Bottom line...this was a marvelous read. I loved the ending, I never saw it coming. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for her future novels, she really has a great talent!

Cassandra, What an incredible story!! I was captivated from page 1!! This is a story that brought out every single emotion that I have. I had a hard time putting this book down. I highly recommend this novel to anyone. Toasting Cora, really reminds a person that "paying it forward" is such an important part of life. And a person doesn't really know what kind of impact we have on other individual lives, and this novel reminds us of this. We truly can make a difference in the world, by caring, sharing and paying it forward. Thank you for this ever so important reminder in life!

I can not wait for your next novel to bless the shelves, as I'm sure that it will be a smashing hit as well. I loved this novel sooooooo.... very much, I recommended it to Oprah, for her book club!

Here's to "Toasting Cora" and I am also "Toasting Cassandra!"

Cheers!

I loved this story. I was completely captivated by the characters and felt present in their heartfelt emotions. I toast her with her first novel that made me appreciate my Family, My Friends and relationships. I cried, I laughed... I look forward to her next novel with great anticipation! Cheers Cassandra!

Ms. Miller's,Toasting Cora, made me feel I was one of her characters. She drew me right into the character's conversations. The book made me laugh, cry, smile and think about my relationships with older and wiser friends. Thank you, Cassandra. From Butler, Maryland.

This book got an award from the American Horticultural Society, and at first read, it deserves it. While a little heavy for a backpacking trip, it would easily fit into a day-pack for a trip to a high mountain meadow or other heavily flowered location. It is well organized, and the flower photos are detailed enough to be useful. Of the various flower guides I have, it comes the closest to covering mountain flowers in Washington -- while omitting most of the flowers that would never appear in this environment. It seems as though that should be an easy and obvious thing to do ... but I have at least 3 other flower guides that don't quite pull it off.

Our kindergarten student is interested in wildflowers. We live in the Northeast part of the State of Washington. While most wildflower books pretty much ignore us this author has taken great pains to include our area.

This book is so good that our child's older brother, who is in the third grade, carries the book with him on the family's weekly hike where the entire family, including the kindergarten student, identifies flowers.

The author has a website http://www.pnwflowers.com/ that has pictures (of fine quality) of all the flowers in the book. We plan to let the kindergarten student download the pictures of the flowers he has found locally, make comments about the flower and where he found it, and make his own little wildflower book of Northeast Washington. (I expect the older brother and parent may help some.) He may even start his own little wildflower garden next year.

We found one flower that is supposed to only be on the west side of the state but because we have such sandy soil it is doing just fine.

It is especially important, and useful, that the author is willing to answer questions submitted by email and is even available to return your phone call. The author does not have much extra time so the conversation is kept right on target but he fully answered all the questions I had.

We bought this for our daughter who lives in Seattle. She walks often out in the wild, camera in hand, and many things in the west are different from here in Michigan. When she got this last Friday, she was thrilled. Photos are lovely and information is very helpful.

Bought this for my Daughter's birthday. Wish I had one for myself. Very useful book if a person like gardening and lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Mark Turner's books has become my bible for wildflower hunting in the Pacific Northwest. Not only is it jam-packed with most species, his photos are great and he offers great details for each plant. I have just about every wildflower book published for flowers throughout this region and Turner's is by far the best and first one I grab when heading out the door in search of flowers.

Wonderful book. Spent a few year in Alaska and remember when Velma Wallis' first book came out, "Tale of Two Old Women." Love Alaska Legends. This was an awesome read.

This is a wonderful book. It ebbs and flows with a rhythm of its own. I read both of Velma's books and they are both wonderful.

The book was obviously well cared for, and it was very nicely packaged. There is not one single mark in the book or even one bent page. It's a wonderful book.

We follow the life's of Bird Girl and Daagoo. Both try to break with tradition and do what they want, on their own, without being controlled by their family or tribes. They try to run away from the roles that their people try to force onto them. In the end they find out that individualism and being their own person is just wrong.
Women should marry who their parents want them to, have babies and work about the camp till they die from old age. And Men should become hunters, working day and night, to keep the people in food and furs, then die an early death. Unless they are tossed out because nobody needs them anymore.
In other words, everything has a price, even being your own person.

Velma Wallis, an Athabaskan Indian woman from Alaska, was set on codifying some of the legends that her mother had told her about their people. Her first endeavor, Two Old Women, became a bestseller. Her second project was the mingling of two legends she had heard throughout her childhood. Each of the stories were similar because they focused on "loners" or people who do not fit into the norm of society.

Bird Girl and Daagoo are from different bands of the Gwich'in tribe and have one chance meeting when they are young. The story follows as each go separate ways, Daagoo to the "Land of the Sun", and Bird Girl as she is kidnapped and enslaved by an enemy tribe. Their stories mirror each others through their struggles for independence, and the great tragedies they endure.

A wonderful story from which I learned a great deal about the Native Alaskan people... Beautifully written story.

I absorbed Cold River Spirits in a flurry of intense reading. Once the book was opened, I could not put it down. The stories were compelling and engaging, full of warmth, amusement, charm, sorrow, and tragedy. I was drawn into the lives of this Alaska Native family and rejoiced in their triumphs and commiserated in their troubles. The icon of the family, Louise, embodied the power, strength and wisdom of the Alaska Native woman. Louise's thoroughly modern daughter, Flora Jane, became the first Alaska Native, man or woman, to graduate from the University of Alaska! These real life stories reflect the difficulties and challenges of the Alaska Native people as it has in more recent times interfaced with the pervasive and dominant white culture. But Cold River Spirits is not just an ethnological family history; it has much broader appeal, for it crosses cultural and racial lines, and the reader senses the deeper message of the themes of humanity that unify us all. This was an immensely satisfying book.

A proud but impoverished Alaskan Indian family struggling to move into modern white society from its ancient culture filled with spirits -- deeply moving, humorous, tragic, yet inspirational.

I absorbed Cold River Spirits in a flurry of intense reading. Once the book was opened, I could not put it down. The stories were compelling and engaging, full of warmth, amusement, charm, sorrow, and tragedy. I was drawn into the lives of this Alaska Native family and rejoiced in their triumphs and commiserated in their troubles. The icon of the family, Louise, embodied the power, strength and wisdom of the Alaska Native woman. Louise's thoroughly modern daughter, Flora Jane, determined, bright, and plucky, became the first Alaska Native, man or woman, to graduate from the University of Alaska! These real life stories reflect the difficulties and challenges of the Alaska Native people as it has in more recent times interfaced with the pervasive and dominant white culture. But Cold River Spirits is not just an ethnological family history; it has much broader appeal, for it crosses cultural and racial lines, and the reader senses the deeper message of the themes of humanity that unify us all.

An informative and important ethnographic work giving a glimpse of one family's life experiences in interior Alaska. A story well crafted and researched by one of the descendants of an Athabascan/Irish family filled with the realities of the sometimes harsh aspects of life in the north but yet also filled with the joys of living with strands of hope. It demonstrates how people cope with the clashing of cultures and how people on another level recreate their identity with one foot in the past (belief in Cold River Spirits) and one in the present. This book is highly recommended as a prime example of how to do ethnography. At times an air of expectancy is created and much like Louise, a central character in the family story, we get a sense of what's to come. It was story told with candor and helps to give us a snapshot of the cultural landscape of her people.

COLD RIVER SPIRITS is a wonderful and welcome addition to my library. Jan Harper-Haines writes with wisdom and humor. She tells the story of her family with candor, helping readers appreciate the challenge of living in two cultures. The book is a fast read; I couldn't put it down. As a result, I gave several copies as holiday gifts to friends and family. COLD RIVER SPIRITS deserves five stars.

"Cooking Alaskan" is well-written with good, easy-to-follow recipes. Not only does it have great suggestions for varied recipes, it also teaches the reader how to actually work with the foods from live crab to fish or octopus. I recommend this book to anyone, especially if you live in or visit Alaska!

I had no idea that a whole porcupine could be cooked by throwing it on hot coals and burning off the quills. This could change the face of suburban barbecue. The whole book is a delight in many ways. It gives a real sense of people who depend upon the bounty of nature, and make the best use of the great things they have. It would be worthwhile just for the read, but there is good advice on cooking game and seafood. The recipes are mostly simple, no lavish sauces here. The message is a basic one: if you have great stuff to start with, there is no need to doll it up. The great chef James Beard said his favorite foods were raw apples and raw oysters -- things that require no cooking at all. It's worth pondering.

As a lifelong Alaskan, this book contained recipes that I've been searching for, but have never found. Yay!! It covers a variety of recipes - from blueberries to Walrus - and it would make a great gift for friends in and out of Alaska.

Bought this for my daughter and she loved it. I've gone to her home unexpectedly and there it was propped open on her coffee table with markers in pages, so I know she is reading it.

Even though I live in Louisiana, I think this is a great book on cooking. It has lots of useful ideas, and you can substitute your local foods for the Alaskan products. The important thing is that this book teaches how to use what you have on hand, and how to prepare it and make it tasty, the same way that Alaskans have adapted to their environment. Great book at a great price.

I couldn't put this book down -- from beginning to end the narrator takes your breath away with her dazzling descriptions of the remote and beautiful Driftwood Valley; the accounts of the valley in dead of winter, covered in twenty feet of snow with wolves singing mournfully and stars and northern lights dancing in the sky, brought tears to my eyes. The physical hardships and hair raising adventures she shares with her husband and their animals, her descriptions of the native people and wildlife, fascinating commentary on wilderness survival, and most of all her heartfelt love of the land itself, are nature and adventure writing at their best.

I read this book after finding it in a box in my parents attic at the age of ten. I have been trying to remember the title or author for years so I could read it again! This book is a magical read for anyone familiar with the ebb and flow of life in the wild. It inspired me to move to the Pacific Northwest and I am now planning my own trip to the Driftwood Valley. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and reading about nature! Top notch!

I am pleased to see this book has recently been reissued. I have an old, but treasured paperback copy. The author is observant of, informative about, and acutely responsive to the environment she describes. Having experienced winters in that region I would say she is especially adept at rendering the harsh, but radiant winters.

This book is an amazing journey into the frontiers of nature, exploration and science in the 1930's.

I have an autographeed copy the ©1946 edition of Driftwood Valley. I had the privilege of growing up in the same rural Pennsylvania town as Ms. Fletcher. When I was a teenager, I was employed by Ms. Fletcher to clean house for her one summer while she was away. She is a very nice woman with a remarkable background. She has set aside a nature conservatory in Northeast Pennsylvania which is open to the public. She has always been active in protecting the environment and wildlife. I re-read Driftwood Valley every couple of years and just love the adventure and challenges of this true-life story. What made it even more exiting for me is that the author was from my hometown.

This cookbook is absolutely gorgeous. It is a wonderful guide to the Pacific Northwest for both locals and visitors. The recipes are fabulous (try the Chipotle Chocolate Cake) and very easy to do at home, while still elegant. And the wine pairing suggestions are spot on. Outstanding book that would make a great addition to anyone's cookbook collection - and one that you will actually use.

Braiden has captured the unique flavors of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and B.C. with her lively commentary of the distinct ingredients you can find there. Her profiles of people and places make me want to visit each and every destination. If I can't get to that farm or winery, at least I can make the meal myself - and pour a glass of Braiden's hand-picked Northwest wine recommendations to accompany it.

The recipes are easy and delicious, inspiring us to use local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. So far, our family favorites are the Grilled Asparagus Salad with Prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Balsamic Vinaigrette and the Dungeness Crab with Ginger-Cilantro Mayonnaise! Yummy~

This book offers many exceptional recipes however there are two from Chef Maury Bennett in Idaho that are amazing his passion for local fares radiates through his ideas. I would like to see an entire cook book done by him!!

For the wine and food nut, this book is of epic proportion. Vivid and lively pictures combined with the real people and real stories of the Pac NW illustrates the connection between Braiden Rex-Johnson and her subject. The
wine country traveler's guide to the good life in the Pac NW. Bravo!

To counter the damp and dreary days of winter I surround myself with distractions that promise better days to come. At the top of my pile is Braiden Rex-Johnson's Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining. Just looking at the cover of this love letter to NW cuisine warms me. I imagine myself dining al fresco on the patio of this restaurant or a myriad of others. Then I pour over the interior pages, like a gardener pouring over a seed catalogue in winter. I indulge in the descriptions of familiar restaurants and wineries as well as intriguing new ones. I plan our next excursion into Eastern Washington or the Willamette Valley or the always promising Vancouver area, while noting the recipes from these areas that we want to make today and the wines we will want to serve with them. I smile at the quotes from favorite and unfamiliar chefs and feel as though I now know something of what makes them who they are. And then I remember another friend who I want to share this book with and I'm back online to order it. What a perfectly luscious way to wile away the winter days.