Northwest Books

This book is fantastic. It's well organized, easy to navigate and very informative in a concise manner. As a photogrpher I use this book to help me identify wildflowers that I've photographed. It's amazingly helpful to have the full color photographs as visual markers. I also enjoy the commentary which includes interesting facts and tidbits (did you know wild birds feed on lupine seeds?) So far I have not photographed a flower I can't find in this guide. I don't believe it's all inclusive, but it is a darned good start.

This is the book I take in the field and flip through almost daily!

Karma

This book is orgranized for easy identification of over 200 wildflowers of the Inland Northwest. You don't have to know what you're looking for to find it. You first search by color, then by number of petals, then by picture (every flower has a photograph). It includes indexes by common names, scientific names, and by color.

The book also contains trivia and folklore associated with many of the flowers. For instance, in it you will find out how Strawberries and Mustard got their names, whose stems were used by the Native Americans of the Northwest to make arrows, and whose leaves' smoke was inhaled as a headache remedy.

On a personal note: This book was written by my parents, just everyday people with a genuine love and respect for nature. All photographs (but one) were taken by my father on his retirement excursions. Unfortunately, he did not live to see it published, but we all rejoice at their novel accomplishment.

I found this book in my youth ministers office after he moved out. Evidently, it was a gift and obviously it was never read. Ready to give it the heave-ho into the trashcan, I paused and looked at it again. Am I glad it did- it is a delightful book.

It is a collection of short stories about the history of the Pacific Northwest up to the early twentieth century. A third generation Oregonian, thought I knew Northwest history, but this book filled me in a side of history never taught in school. For instance, Holbrooks tells us of outlaw Jim Turnow who he describes as the most crafty and dangerous man ever to roam the timbered reaches of the Pacific Northwest- a cold blooded killer who had a reign of terror in Grays Harbor. Compare this killer to the story of Miss Fern Hobbs, a twenty-five year old, 104-pound secretary to Governor West, who single handily disarmed and brought peace to lawless mining town of Copperfield Oregon. By far, my favorite story is about The Death and Times of Joshua the Prophet. A charismatic leader who lead astray the women of Corvallis Oregon, the ending of this story is both surprising and tragic.

Holbrook takes us to another time and to another culture. His prose is beautiful; it is a work of art. So put on your cartharts and cork boots and flannel shirt and tin hat, this is a great read. Even if you are not from the Pacific Northwest, you will be captivated by these stories. Buy this book and place it in your guest room. Your guests will thank you for a great read.

This is an anthology of some of Holbrook's mid-1900's articles about the development of the NW around the turn of the last century. Holbrook's prose is easy-reading but carries well-researched along with humor and style. Each chapter is a treat!

If you haven't read Holbrook before, who should I compare him to?..... Well, if Ken Burns was primarily a writer, I think that he might produce similar stuff.

There is a bonus in the introduction. The editor's lengthy piece fills us in on who Stewart H Holbrook was and is fascinating reading in itself.

This writer's work deserves further resurrection.

James Yood has captured William Morris's art form almost like being there. The photographic display shows the glass art in its best light. He has revealed the timeless beauty and power of a truely expectional artist. The size of the book allows incredible detail to show through - truely one of the best art books I have seen.

This is a stunning book, The photographs and details of these amazing pieces By Big Bill Morris and his incredibly talented team are breathtaking. As a glassblower myself, I can only imagine the degree of skill to fashion these pieces, let alone the colours that the team is able to achieve. (they're good!)
I found myself unable to put this book down, I have been looking at it every day now for the last two weeks.
It is a MUST have for anyone interested in Glass or fine Contemporary Art/Sculpture.

I understand that Morris is onto an entirely new series of work, I can hardly wait to see it.

Order this book Now!

A delightful romance with upheavals and recoveries.Full of suspense providing one with an eagerness to "know what's next." An under current of life's ethics and moral values was very refreshing.Definitely a reader's choice.

Beautiful and exciting and often poignant "Wine" intoxicated me. Laughed, wept, and on several occasions banged my fist on the arm of my chair. Adored your young women of fire and warmth but Steve is my buddy. Mrs. Hare has the spirit of romance in her soul, affection for the environment and fervent hopes for harmony on this planet. I've read the book, now I want to see the movie!" Quoted from a letter to the author from Ernest Knox, Montgomery, Al. poet.

I bought it for my daughter, who is a chef, after seeing it in Homer, AK. Will give it to her for Christmas and I know she'll love it.

I had the good fortune to stay at Winterlake Lodge this past summer. Kirsten and Carl Dixon have built, literally with their own hands, a slice of heaven in the wilderness. Kirsten's new book captures the majic and majesty of their home on Finger Lake Alaska. Her recipes and narratives make you feel you are there. Actually, I had a chance to see the publisher's proof of the new cookbook during my stay. I even had a chance to join Kirsten in her kitchen to prepare her recipe for Gruyere cheese puffs. I couldn't wait for the book to finally go to press. After reading it again, I definitely plan to go back to Winterlake Lodge. But, in the meantime, I'll have a chance to relive my experience by trying some of Kirsten's simple, yet outstanding, recipes. This is a great book for cooking afficionado's and for those who just want to learn more about the Alaska experience.

This book is a popular book up here (Alaska) and many of the stoves are in wide use in remote cabins. A very practical, hands on book for anyone interested in constructing their own economical wood stove. Quite thorough and well illustrated but somewhat dated as are most books in the do-it-yourself outdoors genre.

In this book the Author gives a good overview of stoves for heating a small space and excellent information on dealing with a wood stove as a sole heat source. Then, where he really takes off is on MAKING very simple stoves out of oil drums, old tins or used gas tanks. What had before seemed to me a difficult or near impossible task, was quickly transformed into a very do-able thing. For use as a cabin or garage heater, a stove to use in a large tent, or as the Author suggests, as an emergency stove, this is the way to go.

A great opportunity to experience a Rancher's love of the land and devotion to animals. The author engadges the reader in his challenges and sacrifices in order to survive in a world most of the population can not imagine. The book moves along quickly and leaves you wanting more.

This book was so good that I had to limit myself to a few pages a day in order to make it last as long as possible. Dayton Hyde has such an appreciation of nature, wildlife, and the delicate relationship between man and his surroundings. It was just an incredible book.

When this book first came out in 1987, it transformed the idea of "gardening" (previously in my mind the purview of elderly aunts and cranky bachelors) to something that I, myself, could play at -- "play" being a most important word when other responsibilities pressed fast and hard. Ann Lovejoy's light-hearted reporting on happenstance in her little (35 foot wide by 60 foot deep) lot stirred me to think that something beautiful could happen just outside my own front door. In this little book, organized helpfully (for maritime Pacific Northwest readers) by month, one chases the heady scent of the possible.

We have long since moved from our capacious lots in the Northwest to an unpromising tiny scrap of land in Zone 5 (if we're lucky) at about 5,000 feet (the altitude being something that can contribute to bad luck for gardeners). Surprisingly, I find myself turning again to this first book of Ann Lovejoy's, even though much of the specific data does not pertain. Here's what is so engaging. First, you will not find a more practical book about the vagaries of gardening on a postage stamp lot shared with cats, children, and the inevitable surprises of urban life. Second, some of the information translates beautifully across zones; see, for instance, her lovely idea about moonlight on white roses. Besides which, her homage to "Just Joey" pre-dated its award as favorite by many years. Finally, her enthusiasm infects the reader, sends her students out in search of their own tiny scrap of gardening paradise.

Here is a durable and informative guide to finding fulfillment on the tiniest plot, against what you thought were the odds of finding success in the garden.

A how-to book broken down month by month. Advice from a Seattle native on how to add color to your garden. The book is fun and takes you beyond the usual Northwest gardenscape. Did you know that the winter foliage of azaleas can be as spectacular as their Spring blooms?

I bought this at Yellowstone in the summer of 2005, in the opening legs of a vacation trip from Grand Teton to Banff. After reading the book, I already have ideas for a trip to northern British Columbia and the Yukon. The only thing that could top this would be a nice two-hour video.

But the book is about more than nature travel, although that alone would be a five-star effort. It's also about the preservation of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem on the U.S. side of the border, and similar land on the Canadian side. Chadwick details how the consciousness of ecosystems, especially for large animals such as grizzlies, has grown in recent years as we try to improve wildlife protection in the 21st century.

A must read to understand what natural history in this portion of the Rockies is all about.

Rediscover what makes North America such a beautiful continent. The photographs are in typical National Geographic excellence, as is the writing. I had the pleasure of meeting Douglas Chadwick in person and having dinner with him one day. This is not just someone doing a writing assignment, but someone who is very passionate about nature and its beauty. A wonderful gift for anyone you know who hikes or even drives around the country. Explore the splendors that Mother Nature has created.

One of the most complete looks at Inuit life ever! Great deatil and photographs. Shows every aspect of the traditional Inuit lifestyle now disappearing.

This is a book that needed to be written. The failure of the Western world to understand the depth and complexity of Yupik technology is only over shadowed by the failure of many young Yupiks to understand the survival technology of the previous generations. The coasts and rivers of the Bering Sea contain some the richest food resources in the worlds. The number of species of sea mammals, land maammals large. small,and water fowl, salt and fresh water fishes is incredible. You add to this huge amounts of berries and greens and what is necessary to survival is the technology to capture, process and store for long periods the wild foods that are so abundant during such short periods. The hunting equipment, clothing, preservation methods, storage containers were so successful that from the middle of October to the end of March was a time of creation. Food gathering became secondary at this time. This was a time of great religious celebrations, creation of great art and all the necessary tools that made their lives possible. Music, literature, graphic arts, and the technology of survival in the great Bering Sea littoral were all fused together in great celebrations of life. It was the time of giving thanks to the souls of our beloved dead and of the souls of the souls of the animals and things that made our life possible in those days. Here in this text are a collection of observations of elders of this technology in use and often how it is still used in slightly different forms. Who would have thought a seal gut raincoat as great technology and yet I wore one as a youth that made my life bearable in the cold damp falls of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It was the difference between life and death from exposure. My still hangs in my closet replaced by Halley-Hansen gear. As I examined it with the knowledge of this text I could see its remarkable construction. Fine water proof stitches partially hidden and over a strand of crash to keep from tearing. I can remember my father-in-law mentioning how often that the village used to run out of shot gun shells in the spring, but it didn't matter that much to him because his throwing stick and duck spear brought down geese without much more trouble. He thought that the geese and eider ducks preferred to be taken by duck spears instead of noisy shot gun shells. Understanding Yupik technology gave our family confidence in their own identity. All young people can benefit in reading this book. Marie Meade, Ann Fienup-?Riordan and others have put the Yupik technology in the sunlight for all to understand, use and adapt to the modern world. Richard E. Wisecarver