Northwest Books

The plot summary is entertaining and easy to follow, even if you are not an avid novel reader. The ending will definitelty throw you for a loop!

Most of this book is interestingly mostly to literary historians or really-dedicated Oregonians. Mr. Davis was a character in his own right, but for most I don't recommend his essays and imaginative, fact-bending "non-fiction" portrayals of Oregon.

However, buy the book for three pieces of short fiction, one of which is perhaps my favorite short story of all, beating out some pretty stout competition from Albert Camus and James Joyce.

The third best story is "Open Winter", a richly-described opportunity to experience youth and mentoring through the lens of a just-beginning sheep-driver in the early 1900's. It's mildly profound but sweet reading.

The second best story is "Old Man Isbell's Wife". It's a humorous ode to the passing of the old west and the old-timers that peopled it. It works at the superficial level of humorous satire, at a slightly deeper level of social satire, and is best at extolling some values of genuineness, compassion, and vigorous living.

The real gem is "The Homestead Orchard." This beautifully crafted masterpiece is, in my opinion, the best work to come from this Pulitzer-prizewinning writer. It is at once hilarious, beautiful, exciting, and stunningly profound. I get misty-eyed every time I reread it. The final three-line paragraph clicks home oh so softly and simply. Why, oh why did he only write three short stories?

"The Kettle of Fire", while fictional, isn't really a short story but an original "legend". It's okay, but disappointing after some of the rest.

Davis fans will find his traits demonstrated: long sentences, rich descriptions of nature--both the beautiful and the blighted, minor characters that are humorous caricatures, and rich descriptions of place and history.

This is a little-known and under-appreciated author whose works are not of even quality. Following is my list of his works that I've read, in order of my esteem from highest to lowest.

1. The Homestead Orchard--Humorous, sad, joyous, beautifully crafted short story about a father and son.
2. Winds Of Morning--novel of a junior-grade lawman
3. Old Man Isbell's Wife--Humorous short story
4. The Distant Music--reminiscent, a little, of East of Eden
5. Open Winter--sheepherding story
6. Beulah Land--epic novel of pioneers
7. All of Davis's essays
8. The Kettle of Fire--a fictional legend
9. Honey in the Horn--spare yourself! Overlong, random, Pulitzer-prize winning, historically inaccurate, pointless

If you're interested in Alaska, you've probably read all about the natural history, gold rush history, Russian history, etc. But here's part of the history of Southeast Alaska from the view of its orginal people in their own words. A must-read for those whose interest is anthropological, historical, cultural or social. Thornton's introduction to the government study provides a brief but enlightening context.

From back cover:

"Hair tissue mineral analysis is a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive, biological stable sampling technique which can be employed by any skilled, trained physician, and which will provide information not readily available by any other competitive diagnostic technique.

Dr. Bland..gives a carefully reasoned and well referenced account of the technique.

Contents Include:

* Dietary Influence on Hair Minerals
* The Relationship Between Serum and Hair Mineral Levels
* Analysis of the Data Supporting Hair Mineral Analysis
* Hair Minerals as a Screening Tool for Toxic Mineral Exposure
* Integration of Hair Mineral Data with Serum, Urine and Dietary Data

This is an absolutely excellent book for the area it covers, but the title is misleading. It purports to cover the entire Northwest, when in fact it only covers a few counties in Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade Mountains. I'll keep the book because one of the counties covered is where I was born, and I'm already fairly familiar with the plants there, but I was looking for a book that would cover the whole Pacific Northwest, so I'm pretty disappointed. If I'd known before I bought it that the coverage was so limited, I wouldn't have bought it. Still, I gave it five stars, because for the area it covers (Lane County, Oregon, to just north of Seattle) it is probably the best book you can buy.

This novel about a pioneer in Oregon is very well written. I was intrigued by the struggles encountered and the relationships formed. I don't know how else i could possible describe this novel without giving the magic of its discovery completely away. It was well written and quite a page turner. I highly reccomend it to those who enjoy stories of struggle and motivation.

One of those books that just puts you in the time and place. A great perspective on labor in an important region of the country. A must for those interested in American expansion and our history.

More than 150 healthy recipes.

With chapters on soups, hot-pots, sauces, and miscellaneous, this is one of the best easy references I have ever seen on this subject.

The author, Revell, is a licensed registered dietitian.

I like this book because on a couple of pages it documents the Paiutes in Hetch Hetchy. They were the Native Americans of Hetch Hetchy Valley. This book is great if you are hiking around Hetch Hetchy. Which is inside Yosemite National Park.

Pretty good book. Unlike many historical essays, its easy reading, not boring to casual reader, keeps moving, doesnt get bogged down in uninteresting details. On the other hand, it doesnt gloss over events nor retell ad nauseum same stories one can find anywhere. Thus, a good mix - enjoyable reading, yet substantial. Cantwell describes many of those that formed and identified the character and sense of the PNW. The invaluable geographer David Thompson, Father of Oregon Hudson Bay's John McLoughlin, free spirited Theodore Winthrop (serious Wanderlust!), Seattle pioneer David Maynard, timber baron George Weyerhaeuser. Cantwell describes their lives and experiences and relates them to the NW character of today. It makes a good interwoven story. References to Thompson & Winthrop continue throughout the book illustrating the continuity of people, places, and history. "Hidden Northwest" covers a lot of material but does justice to each to wet one's interest sufficient to head directly for the journals of Thompson, Winthrop, etc. Cantwell interjects his personal perspective, observations, and experiences in a complementary and nonobtrusive way. Stealing from the book flap - "Hidden NW incorporates all the elements which distinquish routine narrative from vital history - true life adventure, insights into the personal lives of extraordinary people, and revelation of little known facts." Cantwell finds the NW "still a place of vast promise" and "naturalists paradise" seen by Thompson and Winthrop "despite the encroachment of modern life." "Hidden Northwest" is well documented with 45 pages of notes, references, an extensive bibliography, and a detailed index.