Park University Books

Utah's acceptance of the 2002 winter games seemed to prove the soundness of Colorado's decision to reject the games decades earlier. As has now been well documented, the award touched off a cascade of corruption, from outright bribery of the International Olympic Committee to various land swindles. It was a seismic event in the rural West, creating a shock doctrine all its own. Here at long last was the perfect excuse for wholesale development at nearly any cost. Honorable state and national legislators morphed into eager enablers.

Steve Trimble wisely opted out of trying to thoroughly assay the political scheming and environmental consequences played out in a spectacular crucible. But he has done something far better. He tracks one emblematic deal -- the transfer of a great swath of prime public land to a driven man who was already one of the largest landholders in the country. Bargaining For Eden is not just another depressing illustration of the corrupting influence of power, but a vibrant montage of unusual suspects expressing quirky aspects of individualism, camaraderie, and Western ethos. The author himself does not stand aside in judgment, but, in going the extra mile for the truth, explicitly implicates himself -- almost shamefacedly detailing his own micro-land development.

I'm grateful that Steve Trimble volunteered to guide us through this minefield of desires and improbable outcomes. His softspoken integrity puts the reader at ease. His own contemplative adventures are mingled deftly with the big doings of "operator" Earl Holding -- a man who, despite the author's careful rendering, seems more bulldozer than flesh and blood. This, above all, makes the book compelling. It is surprisingly easy to read, in spite of the messy wrangling for wilderness and luxury it reveals. In the end, I could not escape the feeling that the author's essential honesty and kindness overshadow even his larger-than-life subjects. He would never concede the point, however. He maintains that we are all Earl Holding, to some degree. That perspective is, at least, instructive and useful for bridge-building. Steve Trimble is harder on himself than on anyone else in this book, and that's saying something. It is therefore the one book about the changing West that every American should read.

"Bargaining for Eden" is really two books in one. The first book, and the one that has garnered the most attention, is about self-made billionaire Earl Holding and how he finagled, with the help of powerful friends, to add over 1,000 acres of public land to his Snow Basin ski resort in advance of 2002 Winter Olympics. It's an interesting tale, and author Steve Trimble tells it with careful, well-researched precision. Trimble, a self-avowed environmentalist, treats all sides of the controversy fairly, as witnessed by the reading he gave at the Salt Lake City public library where one of Earl Holding's minions, who probably didn't care much for the book, complimented Steve on his good writing and accurate quoting.

The second book within the book is, to me, really the more important one, because it's about all of us who love and live in the West. As Trimble writes, "On some level I am Earl [Holding]--we are all Earl." Here, Steve chronicles his own adventures as a small-time land developer in Utah's redrock country, and what he thought about and considered as he built a second home for his family on a previously-undeveloped piece of land. As I read this I thought about myself, the places I've lived in Utah, Oregon, and Montana, and how I've impacted those places. I doubt few of us have considered our own impacts and worked to mitigate them in the way Trimble did. I know I haven't.

The last chapter of the book, "Credo: The People's West" is something of a non-sequitur. It's Trimble's rules for living in the West, and it clearly draws on more than what's in this book. I agreed with some of parts of the credo; disagreed with others. My credo would be different from Steve's. So would yours, I imagine.

Overall, the book is fair and even-handed, possibly to a fault. It is not a rant and it steers clear of the self-righteousness so common in environmental tomes. Buy it. Read it. Think about it.

Steve Trimble's latest book is a compelling look at the tensions between private mega-enterprise and public interests. If you care about the future of open spaces (and not just in the American West), if you care about the future of community, if you care about how to tend to democracy in an age of fracture and fracas, this is a sobering look at a battle in Utah that can stand in for many such battles across the country. Refusing to give into cynical preaching, Trimble offers a nuanced look at his own complicity in questions of ownership and activism, which makes this book even more important. It ends with a hopeful, necessary "Credo," which also was recently published in High Country News. A fine naturalist, photographer and writer, Steve Trimble is a treasure. This book demands to be read, understood--and its lessons put into action by thoughtful citizens everywhere.

Stephen Trimble tackles the paradox of the modern west: how do people inhabit and develop a rapidly vanishing landscape? Trimble weaves the important tale of public land transformed into a commercial ski resort with his own construction of a second home near a national park. This juxtaposition elevates the book from polemic to a serious discussion of the many facets of land development. Trimble recognizes that there are no easy answers, but argues convincingly that wise land use policy requires the contribution of all of the stakeholders in the landscape: developers, environmentalists, long-time residents and the public in general.

What sets Trimble's book apart is his obvious affection not just for the land, but for the people who have lived on the land for many years. His interviews with men and women whose families have lived on the land for generations provides the reader with an often neglected perspective on the west. Trimble has an ear for the ironic poignancy of how development displaces those families who have lived and loved a particular place for generations, even as that landscape is changed by their own decisions regarding its value and use.

Highly readable, Trimble's natural storytelling ability comes through to illuminate a transformative moment in western history. As a native Montanan and long-time resident of Utah, I recommend it to all those who seek to understand a sense of place.

Trimble tells the story of reclusive oil executive Earl Holding and his struggle to develop a wild mountainside into a an elite ski resort, using the Olympics as a cudgel to overcome passionate local resistance. This is a compelling story that has not been covered outside of Utah. It is a shocking example of how the powers-that-be facilitate destructive and one-sided land use and how common citizens who personally know thew land and love it resist. The book then takes an unexpected twist: Trimble builds a second-home in a wild canyon in southern Utah and realizes he is becoming like his nemesis, Holding, just on a different scale. This confessional realization makes him dig deeper. Ultimately it is our own human nature he uncovers.

Why do we violate the integrity of ecosystems and habitat and how can we stop ourselves? these central questions are not resolved here. Trimble's book is both a heartfelt and intelligent invitation to public discourse on these critical questions. The reader could not get a more honest or wise guide than Trimble.

I am a biologist that has been working in the Galapagos as a Naturalist leading tours there for the last 6 years. Michael Jackson's book is the "Bible" for the beginning naturalist and certainly more than adequate for the casual "ecotourist". Jackson covers all major aspects of the history, geology, ecology, and biology of the islands. In the "biology" section, he gives a clear, concise, but thorough group-by-group treatment of all major taxa including plants, reptiles, land and sea birds, mammals, and a brief section covering marine life. While there are other guidebooks available, none come close to the accuracy, clarity of presentation, and logical format of this book. Of particular usefulness are the many photos, tables, and graphs which provide a visual representation of many of the topics discussed and a synthesis of large amounts of data.

Every naturalist guide in the Galapagos has this book. They also sell this book at the Charles Darwin Center in Santa Cruz, and it is a must read. It explains how the islands came about and what makes them so unique. I highly recommend this book!

My wife and I bought Jackson's book in preparation for a trip to the Galapagos. The book served us well; when we arrived at the islands we felt that we were almost on a first-name basis with all the fantastic creatures and plants that make the Galapagos such a fascinating place. The book is considerably more than just a field guide; it includes information on the islands' history, their environmental and ecological setting, and the conservation efforts being made to preserve this truly unique place. And, as the title indicates, the book provides a lot of natural history, not just a brief summary of bare facts about each animal or plant. Not only is it a fine guide, it is a most enjoyable read.

I just recently returned from the Galapagos Islands, and the book that guided me throughout my journey was this book by M.H. Jackson. Very easy to find the animal you are looking, and also helps to discover more creatures to look for. Helped explain things further from what the guides had said. Also helped me in answering many people's questions about different creatures. A Great book! A must for all travelers to the galapagos in search of unique wildlife.

I would imagine that most visitors to the Galapaos are not naturalists. For those without a strong background in natural sciences, I would highly recommend this book. The book is easy and fun to read, detailed without being tedious. The photos are amazing and the author's passion for the islands is evident. If you only have time to read one book, this is one I would advise a Galapagos visitor to read in advance of their trip.

This book is informative and very fun to read. I chose it to help prepare me for an upcoming trip to Rome, and, WOW, was it great for that! It gave me an anchor -- Michelangelo's life, art, and times -- to get a great sense of how to approach visiting Rome. It increased my enthusiasm about the trip and really helped me understand and appreciate what I saw.

The author also provides some delightful insights about life in Rome today, such as mentioning the San Giovanni dei Fiorentini church in the heart of historic Rome that welcomes well-behaved cats and dogs to attend services! I not only took the book with me on the trip, but have reread numerous passages since returning.

As I journeyed through the pages of Michelangelo's life, I couldn't put this wonderful book down. The photography is beautiful, and the sidebars give little glimpses of life during the Renaissance and also in present-day Italy. I'm ready to sign on for a tour to Rome with Angela!

"A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome" combines intriguing, enlightening details about Michelangelo's life with historical facts about Rome. It also brings Italian culture and history alive and transported me back to our amazing first visit to Rome and Florence. We were fortunate to travel with the author, Angela K. Nickerson, on that first trip to Italy and I can truly say it was the best travel decision we ever made. Angela's book is accurate, exciting and a great read whether you want to learn more about Michelangelo or Rome, the city where he spent most his life. It's also the perfect book to have before and during a trip to Italy, enhancing every experience. You can read hundreds of travel books on Italy but nothing compares to traveling with this author, seeing Italy through her eyes and benefiting from her years of travel and research.

I recently traveled to Rome and Florence with Angela Nickerson, the author of "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome". The experience was both tremendously enjoyable as well as deeply educational. Ms. Nickerson has filled her book with passion for art, history and the great beauty of Rome through the lens of Michaelangelo's life and artistic triumphs. While visiting Rome is one of the greatest trips you can take, it can be truly enhanced by taking this book along as companion reading. The photos, sidebars, diagrams and insets all serve to make this book a treasure-trove of fun facts and delights to devour while in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Happy travels and happy reading!

In January 2008 a few friends and I had the good fortune to meet Angela (the author) and some members of her delightful family in Italy at Ostia Antica where we learned of the publication of this fine book. I've been to Rome twice in the past year and Angela's book is acccurate, informative--and best of all--interesting. The author's text, photos, and maps combine to make "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome" a pleasure to read, to carry as a resource while visiting Rome--and in my case a book of memories and treasures and regrets...regrets only in the sense that this book did not exist prior to my visits to Rome. More than just an exposition of Michelangelo and his work, she captures the historical personalities of the period and brings the "rinascita" to life. Like taking a tidy course in Humanities, reading Angela's book will help anyone to become more learned in a pilgrimage to achieve the worthy status of being called "l'uomo universale."

Having already taken my kids backpacking once and camping via canoe a second time, I thought it might be a good idea to get someone else's perspective on "roughing it" with kids in tow.

I learned a few new things to make it more manageable for the kids (and myself). Overall I liked the book quite a bit. If you haven't tried taking your own kids backpacking because you are worried of what it might be like (whining, screaming, crying ... sometimes by the kids) ... fear not. This book will show you that it can be done and the kids will love it (and you will too).

Tim Hauserman, who wrote the guidebook for the Tahoe Rim Trail (Wilderness Press, 2002), now tells parents how they can take their little ones along on that and other trails, safely and happily. The beauty of "Monsters in the Woods" isn't necessarily that he tells adults exactly what to do to ensure a good trip; his book is packed with advice, but readers can take only what they need from it. (In fact, there are a few points on which I disagree.) Rather, its great value is in its down-to-earth approach to including kids on outdoor adventures. Tim doesn't discount the effort involved or the discomforts and dangers of outdoor expeditions. But he shows how proper preparation and an adventurous attitude result in wonderful experiences for ordinary families. With "Monsters" as a stepping-off point, adult backpackers with any level of experience can move confidently toward taking their children into the wilderness at the age and level of intensity they're all comfortable with. When my husband and I began backpacking with our infant daughter, there were no books of this sort, so we had to learn everything the hard way. Tim interviewed us for the book (we're on page 6) so I can say with certainty that the author did his homework before publishing this well-written family guide to the outdoors.

Professional wilderness guide and outdoors writer Tim Hauserman presents Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking With Children, a straightforward guide to backpacking and outdoors activities written especially for parents who want to bring their children along - whether the children are infants, toddlers, preteens, or teens. Chapters cover how to prepare for the trip (including what to take and what not to take), safety precautions, how to take care of necessary bodily functions, protecting oneself from bear attacks (since bears are guided by smell, two of the best defenses are to camp a fair distance from where you cook and to use a "bear canister" to guard one's food at night) and much more. Written in plain terms for parents and readers of all backgrounds, Monsters in the Woods is enthusiastically recommended as a "must-have" for outdoor-loving families with children everywhere.

The title should immediately tip you off to the fact that Tim Hauserman uses humor to make reading "Monsters in the Woods," and backpacking with
children, lots of fun. Hauserman combines solid advice and stories of his considerable backpacking experience with his own kids to make outdoor adventures safe and rewarding. He provides such information as how far to hike and how much weight children can carry depending on the child's age.

I'm a backpacker. I'm also a grandmother who wants to be certain that my youngest grandkids (aged 2 and 4) don't suffer from "nature deficit." Right now, I'm sticking with car camping with them, but I'm looking forward to the day when we can venture further afield and get away from crowded and dusty campgrounds.

I will definitely reread "Monsters in the Wilderness" before we go. I'm impressed by the fact that Hauserman doesn't gloss over the challenges, but gives lots of great ideas for keeping everyone upbeat. And I'll keep in mind his advice to let your child take a friend, because there'd be a lot less whining!)

Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking With Children is a wonderful book. Not only does it contain concrete, useful insider information (such as how far children of different ages are generally willing to go, what supplies to bring -- and, more importantly, what things not to bring), it also contains fun insider information (such as eleven things to do with a bandanna, and ten things to do with duct tape). Hauserman's credentials as a hiker (he's a professional wilderness guide) give him expertise in all things hiking, and he includes sections on much of what you'd expect from this experience: bear safety, dehydration, first aid, and even outdoor etiquette. But it is his friendly voice that makes the book a joy to read even if you never intend to leave your front yard. His sense of humor makes him the perfect guide into the challenges of bringing little monsters into the woods. The entire, short book (135 pages) is packed full of useful information, but my favorite part was Chapter 6, where Hauserman simply and beautifully tells about some of his own trips with his two daughters. Monsters in the Woods is filled with great advice, but it's also simply a great read.

Laura and Bill Riley's book is a unique directory and guide to the best wildlife reserves around the world. It is a tremendous resource for ecologists and orginary tourists like myself. The many photographs are beautiful and the detailed descriptions are suberb. The book is a valuable tool for travelers and fascinating and enjoyable even if you cannot make the trip.

An indispensable guide if you're thinking of going to any of the great places, but equally wonderful armchair reading if you're staying home. Marvelous photographs.

Nature's Strongholds, by Laura Riley and William Riley, is a very important book for the history of life.
It is not really an encyclopedia. Nor a lesson in geography. It is not just a very practical travelog with rich inside information.
It is all of those, but what it really shows is a detailed locator, through all the continents, of the Sacred Places, indeed the Strongholds, where the evolving wildlife is guarded, protected and preserved for now and the future.
The pictures and text are brilliant and flow from their many years of exploration and devotion.

This book is a must for serious travelers who like to include visits to intereesting natural habitats and wildlife--I have given the book to a number of friends and they are all thrilled with it--Bill Etz--wildbilo@aol.com

Nature's Strongholds is one of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long time. The photographs are not only gripping and moving, but also sharp, clear and very carefully printed. The layout makes the wealth of information enticing and accessible, which is a great boon to the armchair traveler as well as to the regular explorer. The information provided for each site is just what the serious traveler, amateur ornithologist, conservationist, or eco-tourist would want, too--a list of significant birds, beasts, and other features not to be missed. Most valuable of all, perhaps, is the inside information on each location that the Rileys, explorers and conservationists of many years experience, provide. Both as a record and as a call to preserve the spectacular refuges described, Nature's Strongholds is a magnificent gift to the world!

This is nature writing which deviates quietly and profoundly from the main American currents. In the 1940s, Sally Carrighar spent her summers in a cabin in Sequoia National Park. She distilled her observations into this exploration of the experiences of nine creature during a single day near the same granite cliff. The interlocking portraits are engaging and convincing. Carrighar keeps the inevitable anthropomorphization to a minimum. Her descriptions allow us to enter into the animals' sensations and impulses. A deer mouse "wanted the walls of the nook to press her all over, but however she crouched, one of her sides had no touch of shelter on it." A lizard is tempted by "a gamey, delicately tart green leafhopper." A chickaree giving an alarm call "jerked, as if he were a little bag filled to bursting with bright sound that piped out whenever the bag was jostled."

Unlike Thoreau and all his literary descendants, Carrighar does not focus on the spiritual reverberations of nature in the human soul, and she does not speak of herself. In his introduction to the California Legacy Book edition, David Rains Wallace highlights her "down-to-earth, impersonal" approach. Today's nature writers, perhaps influenced by postmodernism and multiculturalism's emphases on individual perspective, rarely attempt to enter the consciousness of other beings. Perhaps they avoid cuteness, projection, and presumption that way. They also miss a chance to help us realize that other creatures exist as hungrily as we do.

As a veteran reader of nature writing, I am embarrassed to say that I felt surprised when this book made me remember that the animals I glimpse and don't glimpse on the trail must have continuous, emotional and sensory lives. I felt like going outside to watch a bluejay for an hour. I felt that the jay wouldn't bore me and I might be able to figure out what the he was up to.

Carrighar didn't entice me with the promise of objective knowledge of a secret kingdom. Rather, she made me wonder if I could achieve a sense of home in that kingdom through intimate knowledge. Though she never describes her own process of observation, Carrighar offers herself as a teacher. With her clear, faithful gaze, she comes as close to joining the community of Beetle Rock as a human can.

I haven't finished reading this book because I don't want it to end. Each chapter takes you through the same day as the other chapters, only from the vantage point of a different animal. Most humans don't have a clue as to the life of any other species 24/7. The detail, the nuance, the empathy that Carrigher brings is stunning, without being anthropomorphic. I'm starting a book club based on this book.

Each chapter is about a day's adventure of one of the animals (Weasel, Sierra Grouse, Chickaree, Black Bear, Lizard, Coyote, Deer Mouse, Stellar Jay & Mule Deer) on the rock and surrounding forests and meadows. Sally Carrighar compresses her observations into one day and weaves a fine tale of the activities and imagined-thoughts of each animal.

This is one of my favorite books. Carrighar writes about the lives of nine animals during one day in Sequoia National Park, one chapter per animal. Each animal interacts with the world and fellow creatures in its own way, and each has its own problems and anxieties -- which creates dramatic interest. Carrighar anthropomorphizes her characters, but convincingly and unobtrusively -- how could you avoid it in a book of this type? The writing beautifully describes sounds, scents, the play of light on leaves, etc.

This book, written from the point of view of each of a series of animals living around Beetle Rock, follows the web of life and illustrates the beauty of the natural world. This is a book for anyone seeking to understand the natural world, and anyone who truly loves animals.

I remember seeing Olympic Park many times as a child, through the windows of my parents' car as we drove past it. We were never able to go to the park because entry was restricted, but from the pictures in this book it must have been a fun experience if you were the right color.

I grew up in Irvington, new Jersey where Olympic park was and never knew the history. Found it extremely interesting and may buy more copies for friends.

Anyone that is interested in New Jersey History, or just to go back in time when times were not as complicated, then this Book is for you! It is about one of the Greatest Amusement Parks & all of the difficult times & mostly all of the Fun Times all the Visitors that went there had. This Book is a Must Have for your Collection. Long Live The Memory Of Olympic Park! Peace

Olympic Park was more than an amusement park with a big swimming pool. It was an experience shared by countless people who had a personal and emotional attachment to it. This book brings back vivid memories and captures the essence of a time and place that will never be again.

i recommend this book very highly. if you know anyone who remembers olympic park this would be a great gift for any occassion.

It was handy to have along to check tracks or droppings. Nicely written and easy to read.

I liked this book a lot. The author has a knack for choosing to present facts that are interesting. Made me want to get out into the woods.

'Nuff said. The rating-stars do not apply, as I have not seen the book, and am not likely to until I can find out more on its content. *-(

This is a great field guide to all the creatures you might encounter on a canoe trip in the North Woods. It is very succinct, yet written in an interesting prose, with about 2 to 3 pages dedicated to each animal, fish, or insect it describes. We consider it an essential part of the gear we take on all our canoe trips up North. You will not be disappointed in this book. Great for all ages.

An excellent overview of wildlife of the Northern Minnesota area. There are interesting and informative descriptions of everything from birds to insects to fish. The scope of the book is so broad that only a few of each type of creature can be listed, but he has chosen the ones, such as loons, herons, and otters, that are so special to the North woods. Highly recommended.

Makes a perfect Holiday gift! Shows the vibrancy and timeless appeal of New York.

Makes a perfect Holiday gift! Shows the vibrancy and timeless appeal of New York.

This photographic excursion through Central Park is a real delight. It is just what we all need to remind us of the splendor and joy of New York. The photographs are breathtaking and the text is beautifully wirtten , with just a touch of humor and humility.After enjoying the book myself, I've ordered a number for holiday gifts. I've already heard form some of the folks I sent it to and they share my enthusiam. The real advice: if you don't get this for the holidays, buy it for yourself to get you through the January doldrums.

by showing us his "park for all seasons". With his spectacular pictures of the monuments and statuary, the animals, the foliage, the rock formations, the whimisical pictures like the Bride and Groom on rollar skates, the shots of the same setting in different lights, the fountains (and my particular favorite, a sudden snow storm interrupting spring), Mr Freund takes us on a magical trip through the park. There are photos of spots you never knew existed but will long to explore. As a bonus, there are great tips for all of us amateur photographers. And "Lucy" has my vote for cutest dog of the year! Especially in these difficult times, the book is a wonderful reminder to everyone of the beauty and wonder that exists right in the middle of New York City. I couldn't stop smiling as I looked through it. Thank you, Mr. Freund for sharing "your" park with us.

Having grown up in Maryland and evolved into an ACC basketball fanatic (even attending dreaded NC State), Cole Classics brought back wonderful memories of idols, games and the cold, crisp days of college basketball on Tobacco Road. I kept turning pages and saying, "Oh yeah, I remember him"! From great triumphs to mind-boggling losses, it all came back with a smile and a story for MY young kids. Fantastic reading, great stories and even greater memories!

In March 2002, a great piece of sports history closed its doors for the last time...Cole Field House. Home to the University of Maryland Terrapin basketball teams for 47 years, the 2001-2002 season was the last season that Cole would be host some of the greatest college basketball ever played. "Cole Classics" is a wonderful way to journey through the past and remember all the great moments that were visited upon hardwood there. "Cole Classics" remembers all the great games, from Maryland's 'slowdown' victory over #2 South Carolina back in the early 1970's to a stunning overtime victory in 1998 over a #1 North Carolina team just 10 days after getting dismantled by Duke, to 2001's 35-point season finale destruction of a good Virginia team that foreshadowed Maryland's run to the Final Four for the first time in history. In addition to highlighting the great games, "Cole Classics" also remember the great players and coaches who graced the Maryland program through the years.

Published prior to Cole's last season in order to capitalize on the nostalgia and demand for memorabilia of this arena, "Cole Classics" is missing a key element, the final season. In this final year, Maryland added another #1-ranked victim to its count when Maryland hammered Duke 87-73 in the last game to be played by these two teams at Cole. There is probably no other arena in the country that has proven to be a graveyard to as many #1 ranked opponents as Cole. In addition, Maryland finished the season undefeated at home for only the third time in school history. Oh, and there was that little think about a National Championship. This would have been a satisfyingly complete remembrance of Cole if the publishers had waited and the last season had been included. Aside from that omission, however, "Cole Classics" still serves as a marvelous scrapbook at one of the true sports landmarks in college basketball.

The book has a great way of jogging your memory of those great ACC battles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Each mini-chapter tells the story of the old Maryland stars and big games. The book has lots of great photos and terrific quotes like this one from Derrick Lewis:

"We ran one play all year and we got away with it because Lenny [Bias] played like Superman. He was double-teamed and triple-teamed every night, and they couldn't stop him. I remember asking him, 'How do you do it?' Lenny said, 'If you want it more than they do, they can't stop you. You have to be intense all the time and you won't have a problem.' "

The final chapters bring you up to this year's team by including profiles of Gary Williams, Juan Dixon, and Lonny Baxter. Terp fans will really enjoy it.

Fear the Turtle!

I never missed a home game in 4 years in the ACC. This book brings back the feeling of a game -- the heat, the noise, the raucous fun. Great stories and quotes from players that I'd never heard before, they open up to tell what they loved about the game and the forum and what drove them to win. A quick read, an excellent gift for any fan of the ACC or college basketball. When Cole Field House goes inactive, it'll be a sad day in Maryland (although a happy one in North Carolina!).