Pacific Books

Totally agree about the locals comment. I just moved here from San Francisco and found great stuff in the book to make me feel like a native. Well-written, funny, entertaining, and a great resource for anyone visiting or living here!

This guidebook is witty, useful, and trail-breaking.
Mary Herczog takes Los Angeles and somehow makes it fun, organized, and not scary. What I liked best about it, she focuses on things most people miss, the sort of thing that you absolutely want to know about if you're going there without any kind of inside knowledge or friends in town, and she makes it all so fascinating and entertaining to read about. You can have a good read here even if you're not going to LA anytime in the foreseeable future.

Also she knows where all the really cool places are. And I know the title says "For Dummies" but obviously she's not, and she doesnt' treat her readers as dummies either. A terrific book.
Highly recommended.

My husband travels to Los Angeles often for business
so he knows a lot about the city but I went for the
first time on his last trip. Since he was going to be
in meetings a lot I was worried about being on my own
so I bought this LA for Dummies guide and I'm so glad
I did! It was fun to read and so informative - it
even showed my husband the "LA expert" a few tricks.
I totally recommend it!

We visited Los Angeles for the first time recently and were worried about what we had heard - that the city is a big sprawling mess, difficult to get around, etc. All of which is true, but this book made it less intimidating and actually a lot of fun. We took the author's advice to heart and wound up not feeling like dummies at all! This is a great book for the first time visitor.

Some friends of mine from high school were coming to visit me here in LA and bought this book and had a great vacation, largely due to the terrific advice given in it. LA is a big sprawling mess of a city and the book helps narrow it down to a manageable size, especially for first time visitors. The surprising part was when I looked at the book while they were here - the stuff I learned on restaurants, attractions, and more that I never knew existed was amazing. It's opened my eyes to a whole new LA. Excellent all the way around.

This is wonderful collection of stories based on Browning-Larsen's personal experiences in Asia--cerebral, sensitive, well-written and interesting!

Several short stories with explicit details of Asian love. From the gardens of Japan to the Filipino "guest houses". How it happens, where to find it, and who is doing it.

If you're planning to take a trip to any country in Southeast Asia you can't miss this book. Some stories will touch your heart and some will make you laugh. Avoid getting rip-off by street merchants and visiting great sites is just a few thing you should check out.

I just finished reading Lucky at Love, and having spent the better part of the past ten years living, working and travelling in Asia I feel the author, Eric Browning-Larsen, did an excellent job.

The book is a witty, often times hilarious, and all together personal account of Mr. Browning-Larsen's various travels in the Asia region, as well as his observations of Asian-American lifestyles in the United States.

From red raccoons in Bangkok, working girls in the Philippines and landmines in Laos to the death of a Chinese family in the Unites States, the struggles of a Cambodian refugee family and the father of Gary Locke, Washington State's Asian-American governor, Mr. Browning-Larsen provides deeply caring insight into the lives of Asians both here in the United States and in Asia.

Lucky at Love is the perfect, late night reader, and I recommend anyone with an interest in contemporary Asia consider reading this book.

(And, it should be noted, the author's profits from Lucky at Love will be donated to the Pacific Pathfinder's Foundation, an organization providing educational assistance to Asian students in Southest Asia and the US. So additional kudos to Mr. Browning-Larsen for having such a charitable heart!)

Great book, tastefully written, and tough to put down. I laughed, cried, and was even shocked at the cultural differences and dedication to love in Asia. Suitable for all ages.

There are so many stores selling crafts across the Southwest that it is overwhelming. I love the look of the Southwest, but I never know what to buy--and you see so much tacky touristy junk out there, from dream catchers to turquoise jewelry that is actually plastic. I'm so glad I ran across Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest, because it helped me cut through the trash and go straight to the real deal! In addition to being user-friendly, Made in the Southwest is beautifully photographed, a pleasure for the armchair traveler as well as those of us who like to indulge in retail therapy!

My friends and I just returned from a girls' getaway in New Mexico and Arizona. Thank you, Laura, for this fabulous book! We road-tested Made in the Southwest from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, then on to Sedona. Following Laura's recommendations, we found some beautiful and fascinating crafts, but mostly we just had lots of fun looking! The information was comprehensive and accurate, a real time saver for us since we had limited time. Plan to use it again next year when I go to Phoenix and Scottsdale.

I collect Native American crafts, and this is the only book I have found that explains in simple, layman's terms what to look for when shopping from everything from baskets to pottery. The author distills a huge amount of information down into easy to use guides on pricing, quality, and history. The listings of shops are right on target--only the best of the best!

If you are in the market for Southwestern crafts--anything from Navajo rugs to cowboy boots and turquoise jewelry--you'll want to take this guide along. It includes invaluable tips on pricing, quality, and value. Don't get ripped off by the cheap imitations you see in stores all across the Southwest! Use Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest to make sure you're getting the best deals on authentic Southwestern crafts.

I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and know many of the stores and craftspeople listed in Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest. The author has really done her homework. This book includes only the best of the best! If you stick to Laura's recommendations you can't go wrong!

An outstanding book covering the founding and development of one of the great ski and resort areas in the country. .

The photographs alone are worthy of buying this book. There are plenty of rare b&w shots of mammoth from the turn of the 20th century on up and prime photos of the Mccoy legend. One of my favorite shots is Dave's Harley with skis strapped to it--circa late '30's! In addition, the text is nicely written giving you a sense of the key players in the development of mammoth as a ski town, mammoth in the world of ski racing, and nice vignettes on some unique things to the eastern sierra--from Schat's Bakkery to big horn sheep.

This book is awesome! The pictures are excelent and the information is great. Nice to know what Mammoth used to look like before it became the famous place that it is today.

Anyone who likes skiing will love this book. Forstenzer's familiarity with the Sierra makes it one that won't just sit around on the coffee table. He writes engagingly and tells great stories about the early days of skiing in Mammoth and its culture, how the ski area was built and some of the people involved. The photographs are astonishing and well worth the price alone, but in combination with the writing Forstenzer lets us glimpse what made Mammoth Mountain the great ski resort it has become. This is a terrific book about past and present skiing days at Mammoth. Like most any ski item associated with Warren Miller - breathtaking!

Absolutely the most beautiful collection of photos of Mammoth and the surrounding area can be found in this book! It provides a wonderful history and insight into the creation and life of this skiing Mecca. This is a must have for any Mammoth lover!

Love the Mana Cards. They have an awesome story and always a deeper meaning!

The author of this captivating deck is an assistant professor of communications at the University of Hawai`i in Hilo who specializes in intercultural communication. Becker has spent many years connecting "with the natural and spiritual worlds of Hawai`i" according to the biography in the almost 200 page book that acompanies this deck of 44cards. It shows. The artwork on the cards defies description - it's wonderful and accurately portrays Hawaiian cultural concepts and values while maintaining a definite aura of mystery and intrigue.

The book is a virtual primer on the Hawaiian culture. Each card's description consists of three sections: a brief relevant chant, a thorough explanation of the cultural concepts that are pictured on the card in a teaching section and an interpretation section that explains the card's meaning in a layout. Becker also provides the reader with 8 different spreads to use for different purposes. Becker's book has several other important features. There are extensive endnotes that provide excellent resources for further exploration of the Hawaiian culture, and an addendum that describes all of the symbols on each card, including their Hawaiian names.

My only criticism of this deck for fortune-telling purposes is that some of the cards' interpretations are complex and difficult to connect to the image on the card. Again, this can interfere (initially) with intuitive use. But whether you actually use the deck for fortune telling or not, it's a "must have," and studying all of the information here will teach you a lot about Hawai`i. I did give them a try, and my first reading produced some pretty incredible results (chicken skin kine). This deck will take a lot of study for a non-Hawaiian to use effectively, but I think the effort will pay off.

Pacific Voyager Cards - Journey to Kanaka Makua - Rediscovering the Light of Island Wisdom, by Greg Scott, Self Published, Kea`au.

This deck is very different from the previous two. The cards are made of inexpensive patterned beige cardstock instead of slick, coated paper. And the printing is in monochrome brown ink. And the deck doesn't come with a book (which is a work is in progress, Greg tells me), but only with a large folded sheet (which wraps around the cards and protects them) with only two layouts and a brief explanation for each card. These aren't shortcomings; it's a great deck for fortune telling!

There is a simplicity and authenticity about this deck that is appealing. Each of the 48 cards encompasses a basic Hawaiian concept that is illustrated with a single Hawaiian word, a simple phrase in both English and Hawaiian and a simple graphic. One of its special attractions is that once you have read the information sheet on the cards, the interpretation of a reading is pretty intuitive and can be done without having to look up definitions. This is a real asset for using this deck for its intended purpose of guiding you towards becoming a Kanaka Makua, a "complete human being." This is a great deck to use to get started and for quick readings (but don't confuse "quick" with "simple")

I've been looking for a deck of tarot cards that I could really work with, these cards are wonderful. I would recommend them to anyone who is learning or a novice at tarot reading as well as experienced readers.

Hawaiian wisdom has the power to heal and mana is something that everyone has. It connects people with the ability to heal physically, emotionally, spiritually. These cards will not heal you, but they will inspire you, as you will see, the author was inspired when she created these cards. After handling these cards for several months, or however long it takes, they will become "yours." If you handle someone else's deck, you may find yourself choosing cards that pertain to issues surrounding that person, or your relationship with that person.

There is nothing threatening in these cards, there is no "death" card, or any cards marked, "the unknown." These cards give evidence of our intimate connection with the world and the freedom that is involved. For example, the Hawaiian word for waves is "nalu." The card for nalu gives the reader perspective through the analogy of experiencing a wave on an emotional/spiritual level. Sometimes we duck under the wave where the current is calm or sometimes we ride it out. The richness of the Hawaiian wisdom presented in these cards is derived from Hawaiian language, chants, beauty, and culture.

If you want a deeper understanding of the power and beauty of Hawaii, these cards will put you in touch with your mana.

The author of this captivating deck is an assistant professor of communications at the University of Hawai`i in Hilo who specializes in intercultural communication. Becker has spent many years connecting "with the natural and spiritual worlds of Hawai`i" according to the biography in the almost 200 page book that acompanies this deck of 44cards. It shows. The artwork on the cards defies description - it's wonderful and accurately portrays Hawaiian cultural concepts and values while maintaining a definite aura of mystery and intrigue.

The book is a virtual primer on the Hawaiian culture. Each card's description consists of three sections: a brief relevant chant, a thorough explanation of the cultural concepts that are pictured on the card in a teaching section and an interpretation section that explains the card's meaning in a layout. Becker also provides the reader with 8 different spreads to use for different purposes. Becker's book has several other important features. There are extensive endnotes that provide excellent resources for further exploration of the Hawaiian culture, and an addendum that describes all of the symbols on each card, including their Hawaiian names.

My only criticism of this deck for fortune-telling purposes is that some of the cards' interpretations are complex and difficult to connect to the image on the card. Again, this can interfere (initially) with intuitive use. But whether you actually use the deck for fortune telling or not, it's a "must have," and studying all of the information here will teach you a lot about Hawai`i. I did give them a try, and my first reading produced some pretty incredible results (chicken skin kine). This deck will take a lot of study for a non-Hawaiian to use effectively, but I think the effort will pay off.

This book is one of the most amazing publishing accomplishments I have seen. The authors and their friends have accumulated 1700 superb photographs of marine life, especially the tiny and obscure invertebrates that almost no one has even seen or suspected, let alone photographed. (Where else are you going to find photos of neon sea-fleas and parasitic copepods in the wild?) Many of the animals herein are not even described scientifically. I studied fisheries development for years and thought I knew something about marine life, but I never knew there were so many worms and snails and tunicates out there, let alone did I ever see them or photos of them. Everyone interested in nature or biology should have this book, or at least look at it, just to see what amazing things there are in the world. It is of interest far beyond the narrow confines of Northwest Coast shores.

so I'm no expert on marine life, but I'm very interested in the subject. I got this book and had high expectations that were more than met. The photography is excellent, the organization is excellent, and the contents extensive. I really like how they tell you both the common and the scientific names, and how they have some short descriptions of behaviors or charactoristics. I actually got it for my boyfriend because he wants to study to be a marine biologist and i saw the other reviews by people who were in related fields, and they made it sound like a book that would be useful even to an expert but not only useful to an expert. And it is. He loves the book (says its one of the best gifts he has ever gotten) and was very impressed by the quality of the contents, he uses it all the time. Bottom line the book is awesome i would reccommend it to ANYONE who loves ocean life.

This book is a blessing for us tidepool/beach explorers in the Pacific Northwest because of its wonderful, clear photographs. It saves us many hours of tedious and frustrating puzzling over technical jargon trying to figure out the identity of whatever amazing creature has captured our hearts. The volunteers at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington have already practically worn out their first copy from looking up critters and plants that show up in the tanks via the flow-through seawater system. Many mysteries have been solved, and many fascinating tidbits of natural history gleaned to share with the visitors to the exhibits. Books like this will open the eyes of a society blind to our own environment, like the Peterson guides did a couple generations ago.
All praises and cliches apply: "a picture is worth a thousand words", "greatly needed and long over-do"... Consider this a definite rave review for a timely book. Now all we need is a waterproof edition!

Enhanced with 1,700 superb color photographs, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia Of Invertebrates, Seaweeds And Selected Fishes by Andy Lamb (Marine naturalist and educator) features the photography from Bernard P. Hanby (recipient of the Vancouver Natural History Society's 2003 Davidson Award for Conservation) and is an impressively thorough collection of the majestic ocean life associated with the Pacific Northwest. Featuring a "user friendly" and alphabetically organized listing of diverse fish, seaweed and invertebrate aquatic life, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest offers a comprehensive compendium of more than 1,400 saltwater plants and animals, and includes a quick reference usability with guide, maps, glossary, index, and color-coded pages for easy information access and identification, as well as entries that include the common name, scientific name, size, range, depth, description, picture, description and comments, and more. A core reference work for professional and academic library reference collections, Marine Life Of The Pacific Northwest is very strongly recommended for all marine-savvy explorers of the Pacific Northwest area.

I work for a West Coast marine lab and I purchased this both for my work and for my own enjoyment. Twenty years in the making, there is nothing close to this in terms of illustrated guides for the region. Being that I work in the lesser known of the invertebrates, I was glad to see that the minor phyla are paid just as much attention to as the more common ones. I showed my copy around the lab, which led at least four more copies to be purchased. Upon opening the cover and flipping to any page, the first-time reader is speechless at the quality of the photos and the overall organization of the work. Yes, reference books like these are a bit more expensive than the everyday field guide, but this has so much more: Common name, scientific name (and limited synonymy), distribution, special remarks on each species... Very recommended!

A beautifully realized novel which goes far beyond a voyeuristic account of the subjugation of the Marshallese by Americans and its use of the islanders as nuclear guinea pigs with its terrific characters, a terrifying plot and mythological monster gods who vie with Grendel in amusement and disgust.

Admittedly, I'm not 100% objective about Melal. I grew up on Kwajalein and attended high school with the author. However, Melal is an incredible work of fiction. It is part adventure, part mythology and part commentary on the human condition. One dimension of the story takes place in 1981 as Rujen Keju and his two sons confront that unique Marshallese heritage that includes the legacy of atomic testing and the relationship with the American community on Kwajalein. The other dimension is timeless, based on the complicated Marshallese mythology of dwarfs, spirits and demons.

Robert's descriptions of life on Kwajalein struck a cord within me - one I thought I had put to rest years ago. His descriptive prose will offer you an unique perspective on Pacific island life where the ocean is more prevelant and often more revelent than land.

My highest praise for a novel is that I "cannot stop reading" and that when I finish I immediately begin re-reading passages. Melal fulfilled both. It forced me to explore my perspective on the Marshallese people and to remember friends, both American and Marshallese.

If you enjoy myths, legends, adventure, fishing, travel or just want to read a book with incredible prose - try Melal!

Originally from California, I have lived in the Marshall Islands, and I speak the Marshallese language. L'etao and other demigods were familiar as names, but Barclay's novel drew me much deeper into the Marshallese psyche. Barclay also captures the personal side of the controversial use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US army missile testing -- "Star Wars" -- site. This should be required reading for anyone -- Peace Corps Volunteer, teacher, missionary, health worker, etc. -- who plans to live in the Marshall Islands.

Every morning, Rujen Keju takes the 3-mile ferry ride from his home on Ebeye in the Marshall islands where he lives in squalor, to his job at the sewage plant at Kwajalein, the American-run island which is off-limits to him after the workday. He's accepted this as his way of life, and his older teen-age son, Jebro, is supposed to start working there also after the weekend. By the end of the day, however, he and his two sons come face to face with challenges, which will change their outlook forever. It just happens to be Good Friday, 1981 and the symbolism of that day is one of the many intertwining themes in this novel by first-time author Robert Barclay.

Rujen encounters a series of mishaps that day, including having his work-boots stolen, and the reader is drawn into his story as he goes through the day, trying to conform to what is expected of him and looking forward to his volunteer job as an usher at the Catholic church later. In the meantime, his son Jebro and his younger brother Nuke, set out on a small boat to visit the homeland of their grandfather, a small island which has been declared off-limits to Marshallese people. To add another dimension to the story is the magical tale of mischief-making gods and demons appearing as characters who play tricks on each other.

The story is told through alternative chapters, turning a flashlight on one harsh reality after another as the characters struggle through their day. And yet, there is sense of humor throughout, as we see each character's strengths, weaknesses, complexity and growth. Everyone is breaking some sort of minor law, including three American teenagers who are cutting school and out fishing that day. Their encounter with the two young brothers is both frightening and inspiring as they, too, learn a lot from the day's events.

I was immediately drawn into the writing and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and I loved the situation. I also gained understanding of the history as well as and myths and legends that define the Marshall Islanders as a people. I usually don't like books that include magical characters, but these were so outrageous that they held my attention completely. The author is great at description and he lets himself go really wild as he describes the demons. Another theme throughout is scatological which addresses the very real issue of sewage management on the islands. And then there are the themes of father and sons, and Good Friday suffering. But best of all is the theme of love and camaraderie and lessons learned.

This book is a small gem that not only taught me a lot, but also made me think. Even the conclusion, which is indeed satisfactory, is something that gave me even more food for thought. I hope to hear more about this author, who now lives on Hawaii. His is fresh clear voice brings reveals some universal themes. Highly recommended.

For me a great book is one where I keep going back and rereading to clarify or deepen my understanding of sections, and to put off starting another book because it was so fully satisfying. I have travelled may times to French Polynesia, Bali and Southeast Asia and somehow thought the Americans treated their "protectorates" somewhat better than the European countries--this book was a rude awakening to me. This is a part of our nuclear history I never gave much thought to, nor has there been adequate coverage of the evils of Nuclear Testing--I kept being shoked that these things were hapeening in the '60s and still in the '80s. Reading this was like a gunny sack to the head--hey, there were people on those island, DUH.
I liked the book from the start, but had some problems with all the names of gods and demons. At times the sheer ugliness of some of the images would overwhelm me, but then it would become clear what the author was trying to relate in a beautiful metaphor or a shocking parallel. These passages would be balanced by the many lyrical passages, compelling images and exciting story lines. I was left thinking about so many aspects of modern versus traditional life. There are almost too many images overlaping in layers to do a review service, but a couple of my favorites were the adventure with the dolphins in the fountain (with a whole other perspective about the use of dolphins opened to me), and the Good Friday incident with the statue of Jesus. By the end I kept jumping back to the mythological stories, very unlike any I have encountered before and was pbusy reviewong the many paradigm shifts I had to make during the reading. Satisfying and fulfilling on every level.

Great information for the budget-conscious traveler. Informative and honest reviews are very helpful, especially for hotels and restaurants.

As a UK visitor to Las Vegas I have found it a very handy and the best guide on the market with up to date rieviews of shows and hotels with plenty of tips for especialy for us people across the pond

I enjoyed reading all the information from the work. A good book to take with you on your trip to Las Vegas. It well be helpful for restaurants, entertainment ideas and just places to have fun.
The maps in included with the book are also helpful.

This is a great guide book for Vegas. The author has personally visited all the hotels and attractions and is very honest in his reviews. His is an "everyman" perspective matching well with what I've found when I've visited there. He also provides updates and corrections on the website http://vegas4visitors.com , which is really helpful when this town changes on a weekly basis. I highly recommend this book for any first-time Vegas visitors and also anyone who wants to know what they missed when they were there.

I love this guidebook. I've been looking at many travel guides for Vegas lately, but this one is by far my favorite. It contains a witty writing style that matches the feel of the city. The author is brutally honest about every sight, lounge, hotel, and restaurant, lending his own experiences as trial runs for vacation planners. For me, restaurants and hotels are the areas I need the most help with while traveling, and this book did a great job of breaking down the pros and cons, fronting advice, and reassuring my travel worries. This guide really helped to sort out the overwhelming choices. I highly recommend it!

Profusely illustrated with brilliant, full color photography, Gary Wyatt's Mythic Beings: Spirit Art Of The Northwest Coast is a superb introduction to aboriginal art including totems, wood sculpture, masks, stone carvings and more. Wyatt's informative text is an outstanding survey placing each art piece within their cultural context, enhanced with the artist's own descriptions and commentaries. Mythic Beings is a very welcome addition to personal, academic, and professional Native American art and cultural reference collections.

Great color photos and and discriptions of the carvings and artwork. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is interested in Northwest Coast art.

Mythic Beings is an unassuming but impressive book. The major organizing theme is that spirit art captures the rich cultural and aesthetic traditions that permeate regional artistic expression. Northwest Coast art can be intimidating because it has a complex cosmology and iconography. Wyatt, however, makes this complexity accessible by using two underlying principles. The universe consists of separate but interrelated realms (e.g., sky, underwater), and each realm has its characteristic real and mythical creatures. Mythical creatures have distinctive physical representations used in both sacred and secular representations.

Mythic Beings features 75 beautifully reproduced photographs of masks, robes, and rattles representing the work of 34 artists. Each artist provides a commentary about his/her piece. This provides an opportunity to become familiar with the physical depiction and mythological roles of the creatures depicted by the artists.

Mythic Beings is a gem. It is a wonderful gift book for anyone interested in indigenous art and First Nations peoples.

Great color photos and and discriptions of the carvings and artwork. I would definatly recommend this to anyone that is interested in Northwest Coast art.

I recently came back from a trip to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It isn't enough that it is some of the most beautiful landscape on Earth, but I also discovered the amazing artists of the Pacific Northwest community. The artworks within this book (as well as Spirit Faces also by this author) are so moving and beautiful, my only regret is that I am not able to start collecting on a massive scale.

Mr. Wyatt also allows the artists to describe for the readers their inspirations and ideas behind their products, which allows us to get to know them a little. After a short while I was able to determine the various artists based upon the varying styles of the pieces depicted here.

Highly recommended!

I was lucky enough to spend three days in the Napa Valley twenty years ago and I've always wished that my family and I had spent more time there than in San Francisco. But now, thanks to Charles Feil and Ernest Rose, I can go back to Napa again and again and again.

Stunning is the only adjective that accurately describes the photographs in this wonderful coffee table book. From "a churning sea of fog (that) floods the landscape" to hot air balloon drifting over the Valley and the delightful changes of the seasons, Napa Valley---A View from Above takes viewers on their own little vacation to paradise!

Wine lovers, artists, nature lovers and everyone in between will enjoy the small inscription of the seven regions and the many wineries that make California a top-notch competitor for wines, romance, climate and sheer beauty with the most enviable regions of France and Italy.

Come, put your feet up, and take a mini-vacation right there on your couch and enjoy the fabulous views of Napa Valley!

Napa Valley: A View From Above By Charles Feil And Ernest Rose is a full-color photographic celebration of the renowned wine-making Napa Valley of California. Sweeping aerial views dominate the lavish expanse of this remarkable book; few captions interrupt the majesty of the images themselves. Napa Valley: A View From Above is an enthusiastically recommended sky-high feast for the eyes of Napa Valley's natural and cultivated wonders.

Stunning photographs of America's number one wine region. Every page of this masterpiece is a feast for the eyes.

If you have no idea where the Napa Valley is, or that it is an exquisite little Eden, & if you like the wines that come to you from this delightful part of California, then A VIEW FROM ABOVE NAPA VALLEY will be a grand adventure.

Come fly with Charles Feil in his gyroplane, & see the mists over the patchworks of vineyards, the rows of vines as they undulate over rolling hillsides, the startling & poignant blends of water, trees, roads & fields; catch glimpses of the elegant architecture of the wineries, hot airballoons over sunset fogs.

Perhaps the most telling feature, as we glide above this inspiring landscape, is that all the things we human have made are foursquare & angled, whereas all the vines nurtured & groomed, are in flowing patterns following the contours of the earth.

There are so many photos that take my breath away & the fabric of corduroy often came to mind.

A great gift idea!

Not to brag, but I have personally seen California's famed Napa Valley, the foremost wine-growing region in America, from above - courtesy of a half-hour glider tour I took some years ago. Of course the sights I saw from that airborne vantage point have faded from memory, so I was pleased to receive this lovely book that provides much of the same experience to the general reader (without requiring you to strap into a fiberglass flying machine). A number of towns, well-known vineyards, and geographic features such as the Napa hills and Lake Berryessa are all seen here from the expert eagle's-eye view. This book is one in a series from veteran high-flying photographer Charles Feil; through his lens you can also look down on Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Key West. If you want to get the lay of the land before planning a trip to Napa, this volume provides a spectacular overview. - D. Patrick Miller for the FEARLESS REVIEWS