Northwest Books

This book, originally written in 1944, is a true insight into the life of natives of the Upper Peninsula. Martin wrote these stories based on real interviews with the characters of this wild and untamed land. And through the stories one gets a unique perspective on not only the depth with which folks loved this place, but also the various ways in which this land was exploited for its timber, iron ore, and copper. It was in many ways the treasures that this land held that shaped its evolution. And after these treasures were depleted, the true value of the Upper Peninsula was discovered: its pristine and unchanged beauty, and its unique ecosystem, wildlife, and human inhabitants. Folks who stayed and never left, and folks who came and never left, all recognized what a sanctuary existed here. Somehow time has not yet changed the majority of this wonderful place called North Country.

I was probably one of the first to read this book. I actually still have it on my shelf. I've known Dan for years and have read many of his works during that time. This, however, was his first published work of this length (i.e. novella/novel). It is an outstanding first effort and I hope there is more to come.

I live near the Columbia River, and when I bought my new Equinox Kayak (from Eddyline) I went looking for a really good book that would describe trips in Oregon that I might enjoy. Philip's book was just the ticket. It describes dozens and dozens of waterways that can be used for something as short as a day trip to something as long as a week or more. He describes trips on lakes, rivers and bays, with most trips being most appropriate for a sea kayak, though there are plenty of descriptions of trips appropriate for canoes and shorter river kayaks, too.

Jones describes the salient issues associated with each trip, such as where to put in, take out, and hazards/points of interest along the way. He has lots of maps, though not particularly detailed (he has information about where to get detailed maps).

Generally speaking I've found the rout descriptions accurate and detailed enough to make it work. If you enjoy kayaking or canoeing in northwest Oregon, this book really belongs on your bookshelf.

Over a decade before those icons of Manifest Destiny, Lewis and Clark, finally camped on Pacific shores, Scots fur trader Alexander Mackenzie had already crossed the entire North American continent. Mackenzie's traverse prompted President Jefferson's counter with the government employees' well-equipped expedition. Mackenzie had undertaken the journey at his own initiative. Likewise, Max Finkelstein suddenly convinced himself it would be a fine idea to duplicate, as far as he might, the traverse Mackenzie made at the end of the 18th Century. Due to time constraints, Finkelstein had to follow Mackenzie's track in stages over several years. This book is an account of those expeditions.

The opening chapters portraying Mackenzie's journeys and more recent continental crossings reveal the immensity of the task. Finkelstein then describes his personal crises, an aged mother and his own doubts, as he prepares [with a list of equipment at the back of the book], then is blocked from launching by Ottawa River Valley weather. Once under way, he imparts his successes and challenges with deep feeling. It's a wonderfully descriptive, evocative story of a man almost driven to explore Canada's river and lake systems. Max is helped, coaxed, encouraged, frustrated and elated by turns. You are with him at every portage; you share his joys and illnesses; you feel his rapture at being on Canada's rivers. Mostly, you gain some insight as to what kept both Mackenzie and Finkelstein going as they sought the vast Pacific shore.

It's easy to disparage the modern canoeist, particularly one on such an immense, but well-planned, journey. Finkelstein carries a GPS locating device, video recording equipment, Kraft Dinners [TM] and even "Sir Alex", a Teddy Bear, for good luck. With modern conveniences, friends who provide dinners and showers, getting a lift over crossings in a ute, it's clear he's not portaging into the past. That wasn't his intent. Finkelstein wanted to see, so far as possible, what Mackenzie saw. He succeed and imparts his observations in a readable and truly captivating account. Along the way, he gently reminds us that GPS devices and Kraft Dinners fade into obscurity when you're alone in a Lake Superior storm or shooting rapids down the Blackwater River in British Columbia. Then, Finkelstein is every bit the man the Scots explorer was and deserves much credit for his endeavours - and his narrative of the adventure. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

I have paddled the Kazan River & used this book as a paddling guide. I found the book to be right on the mark. Great book to paddle by or to dream of your next trip.

Milo Quaife is the Stephen Ambrose of that time period. You can digest your history and enjoy it too...If you can get you're hands on a copy of this, keep it in your library...

This book is a great resource for the 2nd to 4th grade reader. Blashfield does an excellent job of making the material accessible to the younger reader. The pictures and illustrations help to keep the reader's interest.

Often out of print, GRAB this book if you can find it -- it's the single best description of the geology of the Pacific Northwest. And it's worth the interest of those from the rest of the world, since the NW encapsulates so many different geologic zones and eras, and McKee does an excellent job of describing plate tectonics, vulcanism and all the other geologic processes that put the Cascades together...

Thanks to the criminals at North West publishing you currently cannot purchase this great read from amazon.com. Just google Northwest Publishing and you can read all about the scum who took many authors hopes and dreams and smashed them into pieces as they headed to Vegas to gamble away all their capital. Enough about those scum though. If you enjoy the likes of Hunter Thompson, Jack Kerauk et all, then head over to jigglebox.com and enjoy all that writer Rick Mckinney has to offer! Support Gonzo Journalism!

Anyone whose ancestors were in the Pacific Northwest during the 1830's-1840's should find this book of great interest. I found several ancestors listed in this book. It gives marriage dates, dates of baptism's and death's.