Pacific Books

For anybody going on bike tours this is a humbling book to read, and hard to put down. You can't help but root for two 18 year old boys who don't know enough not to make the trip. It also has special meaning for anyone who has ever driven all or parts of I-5 from San Francisco to Seattle. In 1909 it was possible to stay on the best road between California and Washington, and still get lost. Finally you get a feel for what life was like when my grandfather was alive. The postcards the two boys sent to their parents show buildings still standing today, but life was so much different. A good read.

If you enjoy reading about cycling and living this is a great book. I've read every touring and cycling book you can imagine, but this is the best! It really gives you a new perspective on how we ride today when you look at what these two boys had to endure at the turn of the century when roads did not exists as we know today. A truly well written adventure, great venacular dialogue, credible and yet an incredible story.

This book is an amazingly well-written story of the adventures of two young men bicycling from Santa Rosa, California to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle in 1909. You are drawn into the narrative until, before you know it, you find yourself riding along with them on their trip, tasting the dust, feeling their occasional pain, and even enjoying a piece of pie with them... and then you realize that, like an Ansel Adams photograph, you have been drawn into an illusion of a reality long past. And, smiling, you dive back into the book and continue pedaling.

I bought this book thinking it would be an interesting adventure tale. It is that but so much more. The writing is poetic and heart warming. An absolutely wonderful little book!!

I first bought the book because of its Vashon Island connection, being a lifelong islander myself. But I quickly decided it's one of the best bicycle touring stories in my library -- the boys come alive in the writing, no dreary list of statistics and mileposts, just two boys becoming men on their ride north to Seattle. Puts a whole new perspective on that ride for anyone who has cycled the Pacific Coast route in modern times.

If you have never lived on the Oregon Coast, but are planning a visit, you need this book immediately. If, like me, you spent many childhood years on the Oregon coast, freezing and miserable, and you wish that someone would finally reveal that it is a perfect place to stock with polar bears and penguins, and that the beaches of Oregon are ideal for hardcore fanatic beach-lovers who enjoy sandblaster wind in the face and water so cold that it invites damnation, you must get multiple copies of this book and start handing it out to anyone who thinks Oregon beaches are the northern version of California beaches.

I bought this book because it's by one of my favorite authors, and was not disappointed. Uncle Mike is a talented author. I grew up in Oregon, and all my "beach" experience revolved around the Pacific Ocean--on or near Cannon Beach. My friend grew up in both California and Oregon, and defines Oregon as a coast, which you "look at it from the warm car while you drive by to a real beach (in California)." As I can't stand California beaches, and think cold and gray is a perfect way to see the ocean, we frequently debate the points of our favorite locales. Based on my background, I wholeheartedly support Uncle Mike's portrayal of the sea monster, sea gulls, and other fine folk of the coast. I enjoy reading it to my friend, who morosely insists that it's funny because it's TRUE. (Apparently she's one of those that should have read the book before venturing out barefoot onto the sand as a child.)
The artwood is phenomenal, and Uncle Mike's commentary is first hilarious. If you've never experienced the Oregon Coast, read this book and be warned!

A copy of this book was sent to humorist Dave Barry taped to a six-pack of beer. In return, Uncle Mike recived a dummy front page of the Miami Herald, the headline of which declared: "Michael Burgess is excellent. Why do I say this? Because he sent me beer."

I lived on the Oregon Coast for almost two years. A friend gave this to me as a going-away present and it was the perfect gift. This book sums up all the reasons you wouldn't want to visit Oregon like sea-monsters, clever sea gulls, devious ravens, and, of course, the weather. All in a dark tone that perfectly matches my memories of the dark skies, and yet side-splitting funny. A great gift for an Oregon Coast dweller.

I've lived in Oregon for over 20 years, and this is the first book that tells the frightening truth about the Oregon coast. Forget those posters and coffee table books showing beautiful coastlines and majestic cliffs bathed in sunshine--as Uncle Mike explains, these pictures were actually taken "during a break between storm fronts that occurs once or twice a decade and can last as long as a week." As for the inhabitants, "the culture that endures today, while of morbid interest to anthropologists, isn't for the squeamish."

The wildlife is not much better. Uncle Mike points out that there are many sharks on the Oregon coast--and that there are no happy sharks, only hungry ones. A giant octopus can "snatch you and your toy poodle from the rocks with the lightning ease of a frog catching flies." An elk is "basically a deer on steroids," and a sasquatch is a "nearly nonexistent" monster that "hunts down humans for sport." You get the idea: from tsunamis to seagulls to ceaseless rain, the Oregon Coast is a scary place to be.

Of course, it may be that Uncle Mike is only joking. It may be that the Oregon Coast is really a bright, beautiful place with cheerful inhabitants and friendly critters. On the other hand, it might be true that Oregon coast crabs "move quickly, are quiet as ghosts, and work well in groups." You do the math.

If you enjoy Uncle Mike's sardonic sense of humor, consider getting "Uncle Mike's Guide to Sex and Drinking" (hard to find) and the two volumes of "Letters to Uncle Mike." Come what may, the Oregon Coast will never be the same.

This book has now become part one of "Eagles Over The Pacific".
It is a brilliant book, 10 out of 10. It has everything to keep you going through it again and again....

This is the standard to which all military unit histories should conform. There is a wealth of information here - from training to combat deployment to VJ Day. The text covers the personalities, battles and tactics, and contains many personal accounts. The photos are superb and plentiful, and are complemented by color photos. Even better are the 55 color aircraft profiles, covering markings and camoflage from beginning to end. I wish that all of the unit histories that I own were produced to this standard.

All the accolades are fully deserved - this is simply the best war history of any air unit fighting in any war for any side. Of course the author had some of the most incredible action aerial photography ever taken to base his work on, and the photos alone make the book worth its price. The cameras used to record the action in such detail with such high shutter speeds would not be out of place today, so it can only be imagined how cutting-edge they must have been over 60 years ago.

This work belongs on every aviation enthusiast's bookshelf. I'd add an extra star if I could!

This is probably one of the finest USAAF unit histories ever produced, it chronicles the air operations of the 345th Bomb Group , the " AIR APACHES ", formed in 1942, and who served in the South West Pacific and Philippines up to 1945. Flying the superb B-25 Mitchell twin engine bomber, they fought through the New Guinea campaign, Dutch East Indies, Philippines, & to the end of the war, including raids thru the South China Sea, Chinese Coast & Japan.

................... 1996, 4th revised edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 8 1/2 x 11, glossy page stock, 448 pages, 634 B&W photos, 53 rare color photos, 48 magnificent color aircraft profiles, 5 combat action paintings and 13 highly detailed maps. numerous appendices, bibliog, index..

Having an Uncle that served with the 345th, I found the detail to be amazing. The accounts and memories of the people interviewed glues you to your seat and gives a fresh perspective of what it was like when war wasn't so cut and dry. Excellent pictures and text. My personal interest made it even more interesting. I found it to be very accurate and concise.

Fantastic cookbook. Beautiful photos and recipes that are stunning.
Local foods and people. A must for anyone who enjoys food and life!

I received this book very quickly and in perfect condition. I will definitely do business with them again!

One of the best cookbooks in my collection.

What's really interesting to me is that almost every recipe in the book goes very well with a nice Oregon Pinot Noir.

Let me be clear - I have never laid eyes on this book. I bought it based on the description for a friend who lives in CA but is from the Northwest and is an avid cook. She absolutely loved it and continues to rave about it. Based on that, I give it a 5.

This beautiful book has been the source of wonderful meals, inspired by the deep, imaginative recipes, exploring the best of the Pacific Northwest. Schreiber puts his own interesting spin on classic flavor combinations. Recipes are complex, but are easily broken down into do-able steps. They are not overly chefy, and have been well tested for home kitchens. This was one of my favorite cookbooks of the year, and I own a lot of cookbooks.

This book tells the story of my wife's cousin, William Swain. Swain witnessed over a hundred cholera victims, alive a day earlier, now buried in the sand banks of the Mississippi River. Bodies strewn along the Nevada trail, he viewed the tragedy. Ships, valued in the millions, he viewed abandoned in San Francisco bay.

As family members, we have John Holliday to thank. Moreover, I was thrilled with each page of Holliday's book. The 1849 Gold Rush extracted more from its participants, due to gold fever, than they got in return from the California mines. That's exactly what happened to William, who, in May of 1848, left his lovely wife, Sabrina, a newborn daughter, his brother George, and his farm residence in Youngstown, NY. William, in his heart, knew he would make it big in California country. At least he must try. And, Sabrina, not knowing the hardships and penniless outcome, gave her loving agreement. Along the way William witnessed death and deprivation, loneliness and hunger. He arrived hopeful in gold country, plied his efforts, and came away luckily with the skin on his back. He differed from most in one important way: William kept a journal. And, Sabrina and William wrote and saved their letters, from which Holliday made one of America's finest narratives. William, weighted with introspective highlight, wrote to George, "If you're thinking of coming out here, for [Gosh] sakes, do not!" William pleaded. Prospectors and miners everywhere, food scarce, prices high, California gold fields deluded nearly all. "And no one I know has gotten rich," William offered. William, beaten in his quest, longed to be with Sabrina and brother George. Ready to return, he had saved $400. He longed to bring it all home, to hand to Sabrina. But, think of it, did you ever try to get from Sacramento to Niagara Falls in 1850, while tired and broke? Yikes. No train. William would have to walk the same way home he came, over that horrible trail. He couldn't face that prospect. So, William scraped his pockets clean, and purchased passage on a ship, via Panama. Just one catch: There was no Panama Canal. That happened 60 years later. William made his way to San Francisco bay. He boarded ship. He endured sea sickness. He ate crummy food. He arrived at Panama, shaken. Next, he and all passengers traversed the 50 mile overland eastward trek with a guide. Threatened with abandonment in the jungle, he paid double. Weak, he arrived at the east side of the Isthmus, broke. William struggled on board ship. It traveled north, taking forever, to arrive at New York City. There, George, who knew to meet him from William's earlier letter, stood waiting at the gangplank. William, broke and sick, 25 pounds skinnier, staggered into his brother's arms. George helped William toward home, finally past beloved Niagara Falls, north to Youngstown. There, adoring, relieved, Sabrina faithfully nursed William back to health. Asked late in life if it was worth it, William avoided answering. He merely declared he loved his Youngstown. Can you read between the lines on that one? 'Nuff said.

Thank heavens for people like William Swain who took the time to record their personal stories and let it become, in a sense, a first-person history tale to people in the 21st century. Swain goes into great detail about his trials and tribulations and you begin to care so much about him, it almost becomes a novel. It accidentally sets the reader up for disappointment in the end by Swain reaching home and the story suddenly stopping. You'll find yourself asking, how did Eliza greet her papa? What did Swain do with the meager amount of money he made? What was Sabrina and her husband's first words to each other after an almost two-year absence? Of course, it's not Swain's fault for ending his diary at home. He merely kept the journal to update his family on his journey; not give readers 150 years later an autobiography. Holliday can not answer these final questions either and rightfully so, he does not try. You are left to ponder how it ended and hopefully, after reading so many emotional passages from William and Sabrina, you can use your imagination to answer the homecoming questions.

Holliday blends the information together wonderfully by arranging each chapter into three sections:

1. an overall historical account

2. Swain's diary

3. A Back Home section in which letters written to Swain from wife Sabrina and brother George are included.

The format works splendidly for the reader and keeps everything in a proper time frame. Holliday also includes scaled-down regional maps for every chapter which lets the reader follow along on a microcosm/macrocosm scope of the total journey. Holliday has also laboriously researched hundreds of other personal diaries and includes passages from them when Swain leaves gaps or when a quirky story can be added to intrigue the reader further. The World Rushed In is a fast read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Western US history or is just looking for a great story.

"The World Rushed In" is a gold rush history must read. Holliday's approach to telling the 49ers tale was a seamless stitching together of William Swain's journal and letters home with other facts and general information surrounding the rush. It is a personal approach. It is an accurate approach to what being a 49er meant to those who chased the elephant.

Holliday's interpretations and prose keep the story flowing, but do not add extraneous information. Nor does Holliday attempt to explain feelings or jump to conclusions. The ease with which this book flows and the personal feelings expressed by William and Sabrina Swain make this book hard to put down. The reader feels the fear of cholera and the aches at the end of the day.
This book describes the rush mentality of the 49ers extremely well. These young, eager, adventurers truly believed they would easily find their fortunes and soon be back home. Swain himself, who was apparently better read and prepared for the trip than many, believed he would be home much sooner than he was. Unlike many others, his decision to return home from California was easier. He had a farm, a family and a life to return to that did not require any wealth. Many of the rushers had nothing to return east to.

As a native upstate New York farmer who has traveled along most of the major westward trails, albeit via car or railroad, I completely understood Swain's descriptions of praise or denigration of the land he passed through. I empathized with his homesickness. There was irony in the travails Swain survived and many of my own one hundred and fifty years later. We both went west to find our fortunes. We both adapted. He was able to return home in twenty- two months. Seven years later, I am still hoping.

My favorite paragraph in the book is a journal entry describing the Black Rock Desert in Northern Nevada. The paragraph ends with "where the hell is California?" I have crisscrossed Nevada in every direction. It is desolate, harsh and will lead even the most proper person to exclaim, "Where the hell is anything!" I can't imagine crossing this state walking beside an ox team.

Holliday artfully tells the big story of the emigration in conjunction with Swain's individual view. Swain had no idea how many people were ahead of or behind him. Swain mentions problems in other companies, but had no idea the extent of discontent among some of the trains. Holliday draws from other sources to compare Swain's adventures with the experiences of others. This approach gives a broader spectrum of the emigration. Swain's crossing was relatively uneventful and trouble free. He was taken ill a few times, but did not die from cholera as so many did. He was fortunate in selecting trustworthy traveling companions. He found decent passage home. Swain made it home.

"The World Rushed In" is a must read for anyone interested in the human side of the gold rush. Other works contain all the facts, figures and dates one could want. This book reveals the personal and social side of 'going to see the elephant.'

This is a superb, gripping and very personal account of one man's experience travelling to and from the California gold rush. The fact that Holliday had access to virtually all the letters sent from him and to him on the trail makes this book even more enticing. It made me feel that I was taking every step with William Swain on his journey, sharing in his joys and sorrows and those of his brother and wife back home. I thoroughly recommend this book, I couldn't put it down.

My wife and I recently visited California for the first time. In a U.S. Forest Service bookstore, I saw this book. Since we planned to return to California and tour the Gold Rush areas, I bought the book. I made a good choice! The use of William Swain's actual diary and letters made me feel almost like I was there, the descriptions were so detailed and vivid. It was an incredible journey that tens of thousands of men, women, and children made across the west. Many of these people thought that they could simply pick up gold nuggets for a few days and be rich. In fact, gold mining was brutally hard work, and few of the 49ers ever got rich. The author does a fantastic job of describing the California Gold Rush in human terms.

If you only read one book about the California Gold Rush, "The World Rushed In" would be a great choice.

Readers interested in fiction about prostitution may also enjoy Naked in Haiti: A sexy morality tale about tourists, prostitutes & politicians. It is probably more entertaining than Yama, and perhaps a bit more generous to prostitution.

For some reason I had never even heard of Yama until recently. Just imagine my surprise upon picking this up and finding a spectacular classic. Kuprin does indeed tread that fine line between cheese and morality (both being boorish methods of storytelling) to create a truly human picture of Russian society. If you are interested in the glorification of vice and youthful indiscretions, please reread Burroughs, Miller or Selby. Likewise, if you are interested in moral high ground, stick to Tolstoy. Here, Kuprin deftly defies the clichés to create not only a wonderful illustration of Russian life but a great story as well. This is amazing considering the time period in which it was written.

Alexander Kuprin dedicated this book to the motherhood and the youth. And even though it deals with unspeakable horrors of people living and acting worse than any beasts imaginable, it's at its heart about friendship, love, and devotion. These virtues, most often absent in the world of the riches, are found in what seems to be the deepest pit (yama) of social injustice.
I read this book in high school, lured in by Kuprin's other famous stories, such as "The Duel" (his first success, just as impressive as the later ones), "Gambrinus" or "The Bracelet of Garnets." Back then the emotional punch of "The Pit" pushed me to become a strong believer in women's rights, and helped me to form a solid idea of what a true man is as opposed to the dispeakable "men" portrayed by Kuprin's stinging prose.
Now, as an adult, I firmly believe that this book is a must read for any growing man, so that he learns how to be human in the highest sense of the word, as opposed to "respectable" and heartless "consumers" like so many showcased in this story.
NB: why do the words "a novel of prostitution" appear in the title? It's not in the original and absolutely unnecessary. What should appear instead is "a novel of real life".

This book was widely praised by the Bolsheviks during and just after the Russian Revolution even though the author fought with the White Russians and was forced into exile in Paris at the conclusion of the Revolution. The book was made into a film in 1936 by the Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi.

ALEXANDER KUPRIN (1870 ~ 1938) was a Russian who opposed the Bolshevic revolution and thus found himself an exile in Paris. he wrote strong novels of realism. Yama: The Pit shocked the world with its graphic presentation of life in Russian brothels and the inherent violence prevelent in the underside of Russian urban life. It is a brutal, but honest portrayal and, even through translation, one realizes that Kuprin was a great writer with a strong style.

I truely enjoy all the helpful "where to camp in such and such season" and the points of intrest. Most annoying, however, are the maps. Though campsites are marked with the traditional tent icon, they are not labeled. This makes the following list of campistes practicly worthless, as one does not know where they actually are. Had to find other maps and guides to supplement.

Living in Los Angeles, we occasionally escape to Yosemite and the Southern Sierra Nevada. We have enjoyed reading more about this breathtakingly beautiful region in this excellent guide which is by far the best on the region with its historical details, up-to-date comments, and witty literary style that makes us want to read it before, during, and after our trips. Don't travel there without buying this book, you would miss the "soul" of the region, and you would just be another average tourist.

If you're going to Yosemite and the Southern Sierras, this erudite, lively and practical book is indispensable. The author blends history, geology, ecology, arcane local lore and insider recommendations with the skill of an expert mixologist creating a new cocktail. It won't get you high (not that way, anyway) - it'll just enhance your experience of the trip immeasurably.
If you're not planning to visit the area but have any interest in California and/or the outdoors, this book will fire your imagination. I read it in my city apartment and it really did make me want to head for the hills. I normally think of travel guides as functional things that I'd no more read for pleasure than I would a phone book -- not any more. Not this one, anyway.

David Page openly admits that no writer will ever compete with John Muir when it comes to describing the Sierras. So Page wisely decides against even attempting to do so. However, he notes that Muir had little, if anything, to say about accomodations, meals and travel routes, so Page modestly addresses his book to these topics. For the most part, he does a very fine job. He divides the southern Sierra region into chapters covering Death Valley, the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and the Sequoia/King's Canyon National Parks. In each chapter he describes lodging and dining options, popular and less well known tourist destinations. (I was pleased to find Buck Rock Lookout and Saline Valley Hot Springs listed along with more popular locations like Moro Rock and Badwater.) I would have included a little more information on Giant Sequoia National Monument, but that is my only criticism.

Page's writing style is also enjoyable. His prose, even when discussing the most mundane of topics is often blunt and never boring. For example, he claims the breakfast buffet at Stovepipe Wells "evokes something recently reconstituted from ancient stores on the planet Tatooine." Having sat for a meal there many years ago, I see my own impressions of the place are still valid. But the best part of the book are the many sidebars and discussions of local history. Page actually went to the trouble of researching his subjects, rather than simply accepting today's politically correct judgements. As a result, people like James Savage emerge from today's fairy tales into the complex characters they really were. I doubt even a fraction of historians, much less the general populace, is aware of the degree to which Native Americans held Savage in high regard. Similarly, the story of how Mulholland stripped the Owen's Valley of its water supply receives a much fuller treatment here than elsewhere. And Page's many sidebars on natural and cultural history show a similar sensitivity to detail that is often lacking in travel guides, and even modern history texts. In all, this book has a lot to recommend it.

It also is appearing in print at a very bad time. As Page notes, visitation at our National Parks, particularly Yosemite, is declining. Although many are happy with that, this trend is troubling because these places were set aside precisely so people could visit them and enjoy nature. For Muir and others, places like Yosemite are necessary for the human condition. But with the economy the way it is, one can expect that even fewer visitors will make the effort to travel this year, and that is problematic. It certainly suggests this book might not get as many readers as it deserves. The main problem is high gas prices and these are due to several causes. Certainly the decision of the Bush administration to fund their war the old fashioned way (by inflation) is a major part of the problem. But it is not the only reason gas prices are making "staycations" more popular than vacations.

A reason that gets less press is the change in the nature of the conservation movement itself. Whereas for Muir and other early conservationists (especially the ever pragmatic Gifford Pinchot) these parks were preserved to allow people to escape civilization, today's environmentalists attack civilization itself, and in particular the energy sources that make it feasible. Since the first Earth Day in 1971 the environmentalist lobby has systematically shut down exploration and new oil production within the US. Meanwhile, our reliance on foreign oil has jumped from 30% then to 70% today. Indeed, over 60% of available land and sea shelf for such exploration is shut off from development and this is hailed as an environmental victory, despite the clear evidence that drilling can be done in environmentally friendly ways. (The 60 year experience at Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is a case in point.) Even "conservation," so often cited as an alternative to exploration, has failed miserably despite massive government subsidies and 30 years of effort. As a result, we find average citizens simply can no longer afford extended vacations. To put a simple number on it, each penny rise in gas prices relieves consumers of 1.3 billion dollars a year. I know at least one "environmentalist" who would assert this is mere "bean counting" which is convenient for him because he is considerably more affluent than those who now are struggling for their next meal. For ordinary citizens, this massive rise in gas prices is devastating. We can put a number on their economic losses. But thousands of people will miss out on seeing some of the great natural wonders the world has to offer, and no price can be placed on that.

Bottom line: this is an excellent read. For the price of just 4 gallons of gas you can learn about the history and travel options in this magnificent area. But if prices continue the way they are, books like this and related internet sites may soon be the only ways to access these places. And that would be a great loss. So get this book now, and found out what is being taken away. In perhaps one of the greatest ironies of history, today's environmentalists have won so much they are in danger of losing their greatest accomplishments.

I just finished David Page's book. After spending over forty years of my life enjoying the wonder of the Sierras, it is time we had a book so full of information and so well written. It should be a "must" for anyone who appreciates this area and all that it has to offer. The photographs, both old and new, bring another wonderful dimension to the book. Bravo, David Page!

Love this book! I rate and write about my hikes on its pages. I always carry it w me on my hikes, in a zip-lock bag. The maps are so necessary. The trails have changed slightly on only one hike, so far, but we just made notes in the book.

One thing to keep in mind, he rates the difficulty of the hike by the distance, not the exertion... so, we've had a few fun surprises.. mostly being that the hikes are EASIER than he leans towards rating them.

Opens up a world of local hikes. Fabulous!

Very useful. Allowed me to plan and take hikes without any other information or maps. Had good information on elevation gain, miles, etc. Maps of each hike were useful and accurate. Good background on what to expect, natural features, etc. Could use more "subjective" information on scenic views, how crowded it gets, etc.

I bought all three books that Mr. Sullivan has written about the Cascades, but I never got a chance to try out all the trails. I just moved from Eugene, and just before I left, at the end of the summer, I got a chance to go to Bryce Creek outside Cottage Grove. What a hidden secret. The area was beautiful, lots of small waterfalls, not too far from the main road, and I even took my little car up to Bohemia Mountain and had an incredible view! I am glad that one of my last activites in my home state was going to this place, all thanks to Mr. Sullivan! He knows what he is talking about, so buy this book and explore your state!

An indispensable guide to hiking the Oregon Cascades. It contains all the information that you will need to find your way around in these spectacular mountains. The information on lodging and camping is also very helpful.

This is simply the best hiking books I've ever owned (and I own a lot!) A great selection of hikes, well written descriptions and directions, and excellent maps. I've been on over 30 of Sullivan's recommended hikes and enjoyed them enormously. The photos are beautiful. Get this book, get out and enjoy the wilderness!

The most comprehensive guide available for anyone interested in skiing the best of the California peaks. This book will seduce the timid into a world of adventure and outdoor recreation previously thought to be for the "Big Boys" only. The experienced skier and snowboarder will appreciate the breadth of information available in one source. You'll scrunch this one into your backpack along with your topo map. Mr. Richins' writing style flows easily. His excitement for the subject will capture your outdoor spirit. His vast experience will give you the confidence and trust you need in a guide (and this guide will fit in your backpack).

Mr. Richins book is a veritable treasure-trove of information. From well researched check-lists to clear descriptions of everything from how to get to the trailhead to routes on the peaks; this book covers it all! Mr. Richins love of the Sierra Nevada shines through these pages. He invites his readers to share his love of the winter Sierra and imparts knowledge that makes it possible for expert and novice alike to enjoy these mountains. History of the Sierra Nevada is woven in throughout the book, creating an interestng counterpoint to the climbing routes. A must for the backpack on winter trips in the Sierras! Something to read by headlamp on those long nights in the tent!

The most comprehensive guide available for anyone interested in skiing the best of the California peaks. This book will seduce the timid into a world of adventure and outdoor recreation previously thought to be for the "Big Boys" only. The experienced skier and snowboarder will appreciate the breadth of information available in one source. You'll scrunch this one into your backpack along with your topo map. Mr. Richins' writing style flows easily. His excitement for the subject will capture your outdoor spirit. His vast experience will give you the confidence and trust you need in a guide (and this guide will fit in your backpack).

Having recently purchased Paul Richins book, ³50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California,² I was very impressed. Like all books published by ³The Mountaineers,² it is nothing but First Class in every way. Mr. Richins has gone out of his way to provide the rest of us with a gem which will lead one to enjoy the fantastic world of the winter Sierra.

Even if one is nothing more than an arm chair cross country skier they would find this book highly enjoyable and enlightening reading. For the more adventuresome person, Mr. Richins book would be their ultimate guide to a world of adventure. The pictures, the writing, the maps are all five star. The little extras that Mr. Richins has added throughout the book, such as writings of John Muir, and others, adds the spice to this delightful book.

Mr. Richins, since he has obviously researched, personally , all 50 of the peaks listed in his guide, has been able to make a very reliable summary of each peak, from Intermediate, Advance, to Expert. This would easily allow me to select a challenge within my ability and, along with the excellent guide of the book, make winter trips I would have never thought possible.

If you are planning a winter/spring backcountry trip and want accurate, detailed information on routes, terrain, and level of difficulty for some of the best skiing/snowboarding terrain in California than this is the perfect book. The book is well organized, clearly written and beautifully illustrated. Everytime I pick up the book I find myself mentally planning new trips and plotting descent routes on the photographs. An added plus to the book is the wealth of information that it contains on preparing for a backcountry experience. The author covers everything from avalanche danger to equipment to bring on an extended trip. He even includes an excellent website for those who want more information. There always is a question in my mind when I read any backcountry guide about the accuracy of the information. Who wants to set out on a trip only to find out that the route maps or the descriptions don't match the terrain? The author is someone with extensive backcountry experience who has done each of the 50 trips described in the book at least once. We all sould be so lucky! Having taken two trips with the author that are detailed in the book, I can say that he did an excellent job of describing the routes and the terrain. If you are someone who is looking for backcountry ski/snowbaording adventure, this book will make your trip planning a whole lot easier. Enjoy

The book was very good from the standpoint of showing an uninformed family what the plane I flew in as a combat gunner was all about. Even though he left out a lot about my squadron and slighted us for other units it did not deminish my interest in others who were justly remembered. There are a lot of people who knew nothing about Navy heavy bombers and the book certainly introduced them to our war. Thank you. I have purchased a lot of these books as presents for my family and friends.

Both of his books on this part of the war are more than excellent. There are no more superlatives that can describe the accuracy of the events depicted. Great reading

This is one of the most informative and telling documentation I have ever read. I highly recomend the reading of this book. It would be a great addition to any historian's library. Every page is loaded with personal accounts of what it was really like to fight above the ANGRY SEA! Mr. Carey has captured the true essence of life on a PB4Y. If Spielberg could get a hold of this book, there would be a great movie made.

Mr. Carey has written a great book on a little known aspect of U.S. Naval History. He clearly brings out the suffering and bravery of the combat aircrew that served with Navy B-24 squadrons. His interviews of veterans and the multitude of photographs captures the spirit of fighting above the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Alan Cary has followed up his earlier book (We Flew Alone)and if possible he has surpassed himself with this second volume. I must admit to being a bit prejudiced since I was one of those Navy men who served in the old B-24 that the Navy called the PB4Y1. Prior to these books, the story has only been reported occasionally and not always accurately. These two books by Alan Cary are exceptionally well done.

As one who was there during much of the time that he describes I can testify to the accuracy of his book. He has accurately captured the feelings, the fears, the loneliness, the pride of the men who performed these missions. Almost always a single airplane at the maximum range of the aircraft and over "an angry sea" that was a final resting place for too many brave men.

For anyone who is interested in this phase of the war in the Pacific, these two books are absolutely essential. There are many fine photographs, including many combat action shots and many of the stories are in the actual words of the men who performed so gallantly.

Thank you, Alan Cary and God bless America.