Oregon Books

After searching in vain for books on Black-Tailed deer for years, I purchased Dr. Terkla's fine book many years ago. His scientific training comes thru in his straight-forward, logical approach in which he talks about the favorite browse plants in different seasons, their behavioral habits, water requirements, and preferred habitats. He uses this information to explain how to successfully hunt these elusive creatures. He also goes into detail on how to minimize your human scent, discusses the need for maintaining good physical condition, and makes a good case for consuming venison as a health-conscious strategy. Finally, his tone is an encouraging one, and he approaches this subject with humility and admiration for the deer. If you believe that hunting is all about how powerful your rifle is then this book is not for you. If you see hunting as a complex set of skills using knowledge of deer habits, weather, plants, navigation, a good level of fitness, and patience then you will find this book useful. This is a thinking man's guide to hunting black-tailed deer.

Shelves of books exist about whitetails, but very little is in print concerning blacktailed deer. Terkla fills a real need. I am an amatuer naturalist and a hunter, and I found his book to be very well researched. He cites from numerous studies found only in college archives and wildlife department file cabinets: information that is inexcessible to the general public. It compares favorably to the text on blacktails published in the 1950s by the Washington Department of Game (now the Department of Fish and Wildlife). Details include the seasonal movement and diet of blacktails, their favored habitat, and the best methods to observe and hunt these shy creatures. Forget about trying to translate what you read about whitetails or mule deer to the blacktailed deer. This book will deals with them specifically.

I'm Sorry Almira Ann is a wonderful book about a young girl named Sarah . Sarah and her family are traveling on the Oregon Trail from Missouri on a covered wagon with a group of other covered wagons . Sarah's best freind,Almira Ann , is also traveling with the group and with her family . But if only Sarah's , hasty spirit would just leave the trip would be alot easier for everyone. But Sarah can't quite keep the hasty spirit from causing her to disobey the rules . Along the way Sarah accidentally causes Almira Ann to fall from her wagon , and when she does she breaks her leg . Sarah knows she needs to control her hasty spirit . If you enjoy historical fiction you should enjoy this book.

Jane Kurtz's newest book truly fulfills the need for accurate historical fiction for the middle grade reader. The story of Sarah and Almira Ann, two best friends, as they travel the Oregon Trail with their families moves quickly and should draw in even the most reluctant reader. Sarah rapidly moves from one adventure to another, some with unfortunate consequences. When Almira Ann is injured as a result of Sarah's actions, it is easy to identify with Sarah as she struggles to deal with her feelings. Susan Havice's soft pencil illustrations and colorful cover add to the warmth of the book. This is a great transition book for student s who are moving from easy chapter books to novels. Also, as an elementary school librarian, I am so pleased to be able to offer this little gem of a book to students who must choose a book "over 100 pages" for their next book report.

This book in the form of a diary was foremostly a handbook by and for an emigrant on the Oregon Trail. Palmer took the Trail in 1845, within 5 years of the first practical wagon crossing of it and had published his book within 2 years. It contained practical advice on the composition of the train,the ill-defined route, chosing nightly camp sites and the daily problems facing the pioneers. With wonderful practical advice on the choice of wagons, animals, supplies and proposed progress. His observations of the land crossed, native people encountered and perilous problems facing the pioneers, particularly of the desperate forcing of a road around Mount Hood in appalling conditions, are made with the eye of a seasoned traveler. Although the prose retains the flavour of having been written contemporaneously, it is easily assimilated by the modern reader. However, armchair pioneers will benefit greatly from access to a topographical map of the route which will supplement the somewhat limited sketches from the original documents.

Thanks to Joel Palmer's artistic writing abilities and keen observations, we have a sweeping visual perception of what it was like to travel along the Oregon Trail in 1845-46. Palmer is very descriptive of landforms, climate, people he met, and all the other happenstances not only along the Oregon Trail itself, but also of Oregon. He was one of few to blaze a new wagon road from the Dalles, around Mt. Hood to the Williamette Valley, which was later referred to as the Barlow Cutoff. Also included are excellent descriptions of the disastrous Stephen Meek wagon party; Oregon City in its infancy; advice to future emigrants; economic and agricultural possibilities in Oregon; etc. There is also a somewhat lengthy but insightful and prophetic letter from Reverend Spalding to Palmer with his thoughts and descriptions of Oregon.
I did find it somewhat peculiar though that Palmer's advice to emigrants mirrors the same advice of Overton Johnson's "Route Across the Rocky Mountains" published a year earlier. A map would be handy for those unfamiliar with the geography as the one included is quite vague. Still, a great book.

This is a great book as an all-around reference for understanding not only the science and theory behind CA earthquakes, but also the hitory and cultural factors that have shaped our response to earthquakes.

Living With Earthquakes In California by Robert Yeats is an excellent book. I bought the book on the strength of The Geology Of Earthquakes, a textbook Yeats co-authored, but I never expected a book that would rival Bruce Bolt's Earthquakes in my mind. Even though the book is focused on California [Yeats also has one coming out on the Pacific Northwest], it is comprehensive enough to be an all purpose reference on earthquakes. The book covers everything from the science of earthquakes to earthquake insurance. People that find Bolt a little too difficult will find Yeats a little more comprehensible. While the College Board mulls over whether to instate an AP Geology course, I'm already compiling my supplemental reading list for the class and this book will be at the top of the list.

AS ALWAYS, GILBERT MORRIS DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB IN BRINGING THIS BOOK TO LIFE. I ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS NEXT BOOK.

Temperance Peabody has the daunting responsibility of getting six orphaned kids to their relatives back East. Against his will, but indebted to Temperance, Thaddeus Brennan has agreed to be their guide. His hate for children and dislike of Temperance makes the arrangement less than ideal, but Temperance has no choice, and Thaddeus has reason himself to put space between him and the little town of Walla Walla, Oregon.

A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE is an enjoyable story. Though somewhat predictable, some amusing twists added to the pleasure of reading it. Thaddeus is far from hero status when he is introduced in the story. A hard man with a hot temper and an unhealthy drinking habit, Thaddeus¡¯ bristly ways takes some time to warm up to. Temperance, ever level-headed in the task before her, butts heads with Thaddeus but has to put up with his vices if she is going to see the kids safely home to their extended families. The characters of Rena, Belle, and Quaid, really added to the story. I especially enjoyed watching the transformation in Rena.

With its western setting and colorful characters, A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE has entertained me enough that I have decided to read SANTA FE WOMAN, the first book in the Wagon Wheel series by GILBERT MORRIS.

Dorothy I love your books... Soft, clean, romantic, mysterious... I cannot get enough!! I let the whole house go because I cannot put down your books!!

This book is up there with the rest of Dorothy Keddington's books. You fall in love with the characters and love the mystery and adventure. I love to read it over and over - or just skim through it for the good romantice parts! I recommend it!

Smyth has delivered a straightforward account of a forest economy's ascension and decline, plus that forest's natural history and management evolution from old-growth to tree farm to conservation area. Any outdoor person can relate to Smyth's recollections of unromantic hard work in the woods while still invoking the inherent romance of forestry among trees big and small. The book is a business history as well, recounting events regional and in the world at large that reached into southwest Oregon to alter best-laid plans.

Daniel Botkin, Professor of Ecology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, writes "Smyth provides a facinating saga of one of Oregon's most productive and intensively harvested forests. In the final analyisis, what Smyth's book suggests is that to deal with and solve our environmental problems about forests, we should understand and learn from the details of history - obtained from many different avenues- and that we need to see the use of forests against the panorama of changes in human values and changing scientific knowledge."

This book from the very beginning kept me in a trance and wanted me to stay up and read the entire thing. There is a movie made on it but it does not give justice to the book as most movies are cut too short and leave out too many important details. I loved the way the writer took the time to make sure the book is not only intruiging but fascinating.

According to the PW summary synopsis listed for this book; it is the incorrect description. According to another description found elsewhere this is really what this book is about:

When the police in Oklahoma arrested her husband, Jimmy, on a charge of first degree murder, Jeannie Taylor was certain they had the wrong man. Not only had she and Jimmy been together for seventeen years, but they had three children. However, one's past is never far behind, nor can history ever be erased. Deputies from Oregon had his fingerprints, found atop Dead Indian Mountain near Glenn True Clark's dead body. A new police computer had targeted the fugitive. It mattered not that the crime was twenty-one years old.

There was a movie on The Lifetime Movie Channel based on this book called (it was originally aired on another channel in 1999 but shown on Lifetime Movie Network)"Murder on Shadow Mountain" Starring Peter Coyote, Michelle Lee, and Rex Linn. A good movie and will keep you engaged. I have not read this book but I will purchase this book eventually. I wanted to let the readers know because the PW editorial described a completely different plot which raised my eyebrows more than once. I wanted to give the book a reasonable rating to make the statement of correction.

hi everyone, please buy, read and cherish this book! you would not believe how much work went into this - I know because I'm the author's daughter. BUY BUY BUY! :) thanks

This is a remarkable look at the untamed American West of 1834-1837 through the eyes of a young naturalist. Despite its age, this account is quite readable. The smaller segments describing Townsend's visits to Hawaii, Tahiti and Chile are also enjoyable.

Since this is a diary, it does have some flat spots (not every day can be an adventure), but mostly Townsend fills his descriptions with details and color that bring his encounters alive. You can sense Townsend maturing as the journey goes on. One suggestion to the editors: If a new edition is produced, it would be nice to include a map of Townsend's travels, because in some places it's hard to tell where he is.

A tip to the reader: Skip the introduction, since it's mostly just a summary of what you'll be reading. It does, however, contain a description of what happened to Townsend after the book, so go back and read that once you finish.

This is a beautiful book which will interest anyone researching Oregon history. The photographs are large and colorful and explained with great care. As a matter of fact, any history buff might enjoy looking through this book to see what time does to place.

Beautiful and provocative on several levels, this book shows the varied environments of Oregon at two points in time. The book constitutes an important historic document. Comparisons of the photos also lead the reader to ponder the effects of growth and development on the landscape and to wonder about the future of The Beaver State. Let's hope that when a future photographer sets up a camera at the same benchmarks, he or she records the effects of good decisions Oregonians make about growth and land use today.