North America Books

We used this book every day - and usually more than once. It is filled with great suggestions and recommendations. We found a few entries "outdated," but that can be expected. The suggestions for which shops to visit in small and large cities I found to be particularly helpful. Best book I have ever bought for travel.

Best Places Alaska is an outstanding travel guide that features only the 'best' restaurants, lodgings, and destinations in Alaska, including guides and outfitters in its lists of recommendations for particular Alaskan regions. An excellent, involving survey of Alaska's best places, Best Places Alaska is a recommended take-along tote.

A fantastic guidebook describing some of the off beat places in Alaska. If you want the true Alaskan experience, get this book. It contains over 200 restaurant and lodging reviews and stories of the 'best' places in Alaska. One of the three must travel books (Milepost, Discovering Denali, and Best Places Alaska) if you are going to the Last Frontier.

When planning our Alaska vacation to celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary, we bought this for them to read (since they don't use the internet). They read it with regards to all the stops on our itinerary for the cruise/land package we were taking and found it tremendously helpful!

I have to admit. I went to Alaska alone without a guidebook. But I had a great time anyway! When I came home, I decided to go back again, but this time with a guidebook. After going through many of the guides, we choose this one, because it was written by people who live and work in Alaska. It's full of practical tips ("Bears and Humans), offbeat trivia ("Chicken"), and subtle information ("Eskimo Etiquette"). From small towns way up north, to the rugged beauty of the Kenai Peninsula, and to the urban fun of Anchorage, this guide covers it all. Read this, and you'll be calling the airlines to book your flight the next week!

THIS BOOK IS ANOTHER MANDATORY READING FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE EXCHANGE OF CULTURES OF THE INDIGENOUS OF TURTLE ISLAND AND THE AFRICAN, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON BEFORE THAT THUG COLUMBUS CAME OVER HERE.

Until now I have only read excerpts from bell hooks' works. Then I recently saw a C-Span program in which bell hooks led a discussion with a college audience. Reminded of the intriguing excerpts I had read, I chose Black Looks as my first full encounter with this intriguing woman's thoughts.

I did not examine the readers' comments on Black Looks until completing the book, but I too would like to take the opportunity to give the book my whole-hearted endorsement for everyone's perusal.

Unlike the reader who began a review highlighting his leftist political affiliation and interracial marriage/family, I DO believe that this book was intended for that individual reader, as it was intended for me, a white female -- and for all men and women of all colors, backgrounds, and sexual orientations. One's skin color, (marriage) partner, children, class status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and gender, among many other characteristics, do not determine one's dedication to overcoming the racist, heterosexist, capitalist patriarchy. Indeed, I think that this idea is a theme running throughout Black Looks, as evidenced in bell hooks' essays on Clarence Thomas and Madonna.

I do not find incivility in bell hooks' thoughtful expressions and critiques. Rather, I find a much-needed naming of the incivilities that happen to people in this world, due to various "-ism"s and those who espouse them.

Complaints of "bias" or "slant" in bell hooks' essays and other works seem nonsensical to me, when I recall that no human being's thoughts, feelings, and perspective are "objective." Moreover, "objectivity" is not a quality that one desires in cultural criticism, which functions to set forth an alternative point of view that is so often silenced. An individual who feels the need for "objectivity" in Black Looks might seriously question whether any book, television program, song, or other form of media is "objective," including those forms of communication that comprise mass media.

I think that an individual who can accept that this book is for him/her can also begin to look at mass media with a more critical gaze, an activity that is sorely needed after the hours of unquestioning consumption of TV/movies that fills the evenings and weekends of many Americans.

I'm biracial . . . my father is white and my mother is black, Latina, and Asian. hooks makes us look deeply and critically at the linkages of race, class, gender, and sexuality in ways that are painfully honest and moving. Oppression is never an easy topic. As she has stated, reading hooks' work should make us feel angry, sad, & uncomfortable. Finally, an intellectual who goes beyond the "taken-for-granted" simplistic non-analysis and makes us THINK DEEPLY! This book is a classic!

The book speaks for itself. There aren't enough adjectives in the english language to describe the dynamics of this book. I don't have anything more to say,except 'READ IT.'

The cover of this book caught my attention at the library, so I just had to check it out. I must say, Bell Hooks's ideas and opinions are right on the money. She mentions issues such as black male masculinity, feminism, and racism and breaks them down very well. She's not the average traditional black feminist. She's not afraid to talk bad about white folks (like Madonna) and she's brave enough to use the word "white supremacy"; not in a militant way, but more reserved. It's easy to tell she's a liberal, but she's not restricted to traditional left-wing philosophy because of her strong Afro-centric view-points. This is a must read for all Black people, especially Black women who hardly have any intellectual role-model to look up to.

The essays and poems in this collection, which would make a good gift book, are meaningful, and the American Indian tone is meditative and enriching. Even the cover, in dark colors and smooth to the hand, encourages contemplation.

This book is a beautiful collection of stories and references to ceremonies, a good addition to any library of books on native ways or shamanism. It is not a "cookbook" of rituals or ceremonies, but a book that honors the beliefs and energies behind the ceremonies as important.

The primal wisdom that emanates from these ancient teachings lifts up the spiritual practice of reverence-one that is often lacking in modern times. Horn demonstrates a kind of radical amazement, a deep feeling tinged with both awe and wonder as he sees the sacred in all things. These ceremonies touch the heart because they arise out of a felt sense of participation in the universe, a kinship with all beings and with matter.

Anyone wanting ceremonial richness in their own lives will cherish this book and will feel emboldened to start where they are right now-even in the middle of a city, far from the kind of natural surroundings available to the ancients. "It is the spirit of the ceremony that is most important," reassures a grandmother. This is treasure to own and consult, a treasure to give.-SA

The Book Of Ceremonies is an intensely sensitive, reverent collection of Native American sacred songs, poems, stories, observations, and ceremonies. It's prayerful tone is beautifully underlined by the delicate, perfect black and white art work by the author's son, Carises Horn. Drawing from a variety of sources, The Book Of Ceremonies unifies and presents thoughts on Preparing, Greeting and Gratitude, Love, Marriage and Divorce, Birth and Death, Dreams and Visions, and Seasons and Healing. An additional list of recommended reading includes Native Heart: An American Indian Odyssey by Gabriel Horn, and other selected books by Kent Nerburn, Jason Gardner, and Loree Boyd. The Book Of Ceremonies is a beautiful book to be treasured and shared.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

Clear instructions, and helpful advice. The many humorous asides and fascinating photographs (black and white) make for great reading even if you never intend to actually make a bow. Mr. Hamm also covers arrows and traditional Native American bow decorations and quivers. This book will be of infinite help to those intrepid bowmakers out there.

Jim Hamm's book is very entertaining as well as enlightening reading. As an archeologist I am indebted to this author for filling in many blanks for me. My understanding of a primary technology for prehistoric peoples has increased many folds due to the work and clear presentation in Hamm's book. In my two professions as Archeologist and Indian Arts Dealer as well as an archer, this publication has filled a void in knowledge. I'd finished re-reading "Ishi in Two Worlds" just prior to picking up Hamm's book. Jim Hamm has provided understanding of "primitive" lifeways, technology, and the skill and diversity regarding a fundamental weapon and food gathering tool for me. I'd begun to read only to be able to comment to customer's inquiry about the title in our Indian Arts shop, but Hamm's engaging writing style and obvious command of his subject drew me in. I recommend the title not just for those who would build their own bow and arrows, but also for archeologists, anthropologists, pre-historians and the intellectually curious. "Bow & Arrows of the Native Americans" would be an excellent supplementary text for academic Anthropology courses. Could we hope for a publisher to overcome the "out of print" condition for this book? Of course, I am now intrigued by the other Hamm titles.

Every book but this one says simply to cut a branch, work it a bit, cut some sticks for arrows and have at itBR hamm tells how to do it righBrHis methods are not easy, but then, nothing worthwhile isBRInstructions are clear and complete, however, discussion of point making is limitedBRThe only things omitted were the cut fingers and blistersBRFrustration is well coveredBRPThis is not a book for someone wanting an analysis of bow styles among the different groups, but a book for someone who wants to make a "Primitive Bow" that shoots true, fast, and accurately , and is adequate for big game hunting BRHighly recommended

The book was wonderful. Even if I never get to make my own bow, I'am still glad I bought the book. Very well written and easy to understand. The last chapter is worth the price of the book.

This book is well done. Full of good information for the beginning bowyer. The only criticism I have is that it does not cover all of the woods used by the american indian. overall I rate the book as excellent.

This is a great resource for identifying butterflies. Species that resemble each other and are often confused are located on the same color plates for easy identification. Plenty of good life history information too.

I really appreciate owning this book. It has a huge number of pictures and allows for much more specific identification than the typical field guides. The arrangement of the book, however, makes it a little time-intensive to use. For this reason, and it's a little large, I would not recommend it as a field guide. It is a great book to have when you are pinning, or to really indentify down to the species level, or to nail-down regional variations.

Probably the most valuable feature of this book are its colour plates, which depict a huge amount of subspecies and variations. As the colour plates are made up of photographs and not drawings, the species have certain natural defects and thus make it easier to identify species caught in the wild. The text is also exceptional, pointing out minute differences between species and describing in great detail their natural behaviour. Another extremely useful feature is the maps, which point out the exact distribution of species throughout North America. This is a wonderful book and belongs in the library of any naturalist, scientist, or entomologist, both amateur and professional.

By far the best single volume covering the North American butterflies. I have only one reservation. I don't know if this is a cultural thing, but US guide books tend towards colour photos instead of drawings. For a foreigner (UK) who hasn't been brought up with the American fauna, it is nearly impossible to tell from a photo which marks on an insect's wing are characteristics of the species, and which are that-own-specific-individual-in-the-photo's unique birth marks, imperfections etc. The better of the European butterfly guide books, and most of the world's better bird books all use high quality generalized drawings/paintings.

Superb overall quality and an absolute must for anyone with the slightest serious interest.

This book is a superb natural history. The author has obtained information from studies in scientific journals and from experts in the field. He consulted 700 sources for information on how butterflies overwinter. There is a wealth of detail. For the Spring Azure alone, he describes four subspecies and six forms, giving appearance, range, and flight periods of each. 56 of its host plants are listed, the most common ones marked with an asterisk. There are 10 photographs of the forms. Host plants for all butterflies are listed in alphabetical order in the index with the species numbers on the same line.

There are better books for use as a field guide. This book is too big (8x10) to carry in a pocket or binoculars case. I would be afraid of damaging this large, relatively expensive book. The sheer number of photographs makes a quick tentative identification harder.

This is a book that any butterfly enthusiast should add to his library. However, he should start his library with one of the smaller guides, such as Butterflies Through Binoculars: The East, the Golden Guide, or one of the regional guides.

That's the driving spirit behind this wonderful book -- Texas' missing National Park.

At one time, in the early 1930s, the National Park Service was looking at a national park at least 150,000 acres, and as much as 1 million acres, for Texas' Panhandle caprock. That's right, 1 million acres -- 1,600 square miles or so.

What happened? Don't blame the Depression; the NPS bought land in Texas at the tail end of the Depression to create Big Bend.

Lack of political will and a dime-store solution on the cheap are what happened.

After helping the state of Texas create Palo Duro Canyon State Park -- around 15,000 acres, not 150,000, let alone 1 million -- the NPS simply didn't carry that through. So all we have today is Palo Duro and another dime-sized state park, Caprock Canyons (Copper Breaks is not a canyon, per se, and it's not in the Caprock).

Flores, who once had a rough-it/hippie house in Yellow House Canyon, on one of the Caprock forks of the Brazos River, knows this land intimately and personally -- including the vast majority of the Caprock still in private hands.

Read this intimate account of what many of you may be missing who haven't visited either of the two state parks in Texas' Panhandle, and for those of you who have been to Palo Duro but not explored the rest of the Caprock, see what could have been -- and what Flores dreams still could be.

I paid over-due fines on this book twice at the Austin library...I wouldn't return it until I was finished. It was worth it though. Flores writes in simple terms and speaks from the heart. This book educated me while causing me to reflect on my life...Imprinted DNA from old relatives...I've believed this for years.

it might not be fair to comment, but i haven't read this book. nevertheless i was flying to san francisco from miami the other day and as the pilot mentioned that we just passed over texico, nm i noticed one of the most arresting sights i have ever seen from a plane.

seemingly endless plains, farmed into a quilted patchwork of green squares and circles, abruptly dissolved into a brownish red fractal universe.

at 34.946 north 103.438 west is one of the most striking features. you can check it out online at the terraserver or on any map program. of course they could never do justice to what it really looks like. i've been obsessing over this area for a few days now, although i hope it'll pass before i crank out bucks for yet another book i don't really need.

I paid over-due fines on this book twice at the Austin library...I wouldn't return it until I was finished. It was worth it though. Flores writes in simple terms and speaks from the heart. This book educated me while causing me to reflect on my life...Imprinted DNA from old relatives...I've believed this for years.

Having lived in the Caprock area of Texas for a few years I never knew what history and hidden geography were just beyond the flat, flat plain across the highway! After reading this book I must return to the Caprock to discover these things on my own! There is much beyond the state parks that Texans should claim as a part of their heritage and strive to better understand. Get this book and see if you don't agree!

Adrian Louis kicks butt! Ceremonies of the Damned is the best poetry book I've read in years. He's sad and funny at the same time. He sees right through this pile of crap we call "America." I really loved this book. Check out his hilarious "Copulation" poem. Yeah!

Adrian Louis's Ceremonies of the Damned seems to have been written over a relatively short period of time. Louis writes in direct, aggressive and emotional voice, making extensive use of line breaks to emphasize words or phrases. He incorporates slang and profanity into his work and, while this is sometimes excessive, generally he chooses specific words or phrases because they communicate exactly the idea or emotion he wishes to communicate -- not for their shock value. His writing appears to be well-disciplined and well-focused. Louis demonstrates an ironic sense of humor. This humor, while enjoyable, is clearly used to make a point. For example, in "Dead Rez Land Dream" (47-48), Louis lays a scenario of an Indian man surrounded by cavalry who are shooting at him from all sides. He gleefully relates, "I only have a bow, but then a miracle happens./ I whip out a Thompson submachine gun/ with a huge wheel clip and start to/ mow the bluecoats down." This boyish wish to beat impossible odds is related in a humorous way, but it communicates the despair that would be felt by the Indian trapped by cavalry without a machine gun. Ceremonies of the Damned is a tightly-focused, well-constructed poetic work. The writing style is well-disciplined, coherent and easily understood. His manner is aggressive and emotional. His writing is rich in meaning and rewards careful reading.

Ceremonies of the Damned literally knocked the air from my lungs. One of the harshest and most beautiful poetry books I have ever read. Get it!

Ceremonies of the Damned by Adrian Louis is truly a collection of poems that is wrought with moral destruction. Louis leaves a lot to the imagination. Did he really sleep with his student Serena? He never really answers this. He lets the reader's imagination run. And what about his wife's Alzheimer's? How do you blame a man for being unfaithful to a woman who is just a shell of the woman he once loved(?). This collection of poetry is some of the best poetry that I have ever read. Louis paints a horrifying picture of reservation life that is decorated ever so slightly with a love for his wife that keeps his guilt alive and strong. I read this book beginning to end several times. Spellbinding!

Adrian Louis's Ceremonies of the Damned is a book wrought from love so rare that it destroys down to the last particle the image of the emotionless Indian man. It is the personal tragic journey of dealing with the tragedy of losing one's life partner to a debilitating disease, Altzheimers, and is a pain-filled love story. Ceremonies is the best book of poetry written by a Native American man in the whole history of native literature. It begins with the human contradicitions in character in a poem entitled "Petroglyphs of Serena," in which Louis documents an affair. The stage is set for what comes later. We have to question if the disease that afflicts his wife is a direct result of infidelity? Maybe. Without this preface, though, I believe, we would elevate Louis to sainthood. In the end, without this poem, we as readers would not be privey to the real human contradictions at work in Ceremonies. There are implications to our own lives. The last poem, too, is a remarkable testimony of human resiliency wherein Louis, despite his pain, is still able to ask if there is still the possibility of love. Between the two ends of this spectrum are: beauty, pain, tragedy, and anger. Louis is a fine-tuned poet that pulls you from laughter to tears in a few lines. I read this book from front to back in one sitting; I could not put it down. When I finished reading it, I wept.

I like this book. Info is given in an effort to keep the ways of the Medicine Man alive. Too much of the Native American spirituality and ways is being muddled and lost.

I don't believe this book gives me all the info I want and need to cure what ails us but it's a solid and very intersting start. This book is a well loved member of my library and I recommend it to anyone interested in where we come from and how and why we are to respect Mother Earth.

Kudos to the author for making such a lofty goal a reality.

The material is covered in a readable manner and with useable details. This is a very useable resource on herbal remedies for the southeast US area and provides insight into Cherokee methodology. Both aspects are well covered.

This book is not a field guide and doesn't really have any pictures. What is does have is a lot of information on the traditional Cherokee uses of herbs (over 450!), their directional and spiritual associations, and myths and stories about Cherokee herbal medicine. I recommend it to people who want a book on herbalism from a cultural perspective, and I think it blows away "Indian Herbalogy of North America", which couldn't seem to focus on the *Native American* cultural interpretations.

The definitive book on Cherokee Herbal Medicine is availble to the World. I can give away all my other plant medicine books because this has all I will ever need, it is a masterpiece. Generations of people in the future will be so grateful that this knowlege has been set to paper especially the Cherokee People. This book is the culmination of more than 30 years of learning and research, gifting the World with crucial knowlege that could easily have been lost forever. Wah Doh

If you, or someone you know has interest in herbal knowledge, don't pass this book up. It's very reflective of what eastern herbs were, and still used by many eastern tribes. Not all the herbs mentioned are given the Tsalagi/Cherokee term, but the ones given not only tell you the name, but the reason why that plant was named so. This book has been the product of helping to stop the loses of so much knowledge. I treasure this one, I feel that you will also. There are no photos, nor sketches of what these plants look like so you'll need to have access to a field guide as well when using this book. But, a field guide doesn't have the description of knowledge this book has, so they go hand in hand, you won't want without the other.

Cherokee Sister is a historical fiction story about two girls from different backgrounds that form a lasting friendship. Allie McAllister is white and comes from a farming family that is struggling to make it during hard times. She has only one dress to wear and has difficulty reading. Leaf Sweetwater is a Cherokee Indian. She is raised by her grandmother who owns the trading post used by the Cherokee people. Leaf can read and has manyy nice clothes to wear. Despite their many differences Allie and Leaf become the best of friends. The two girls like to play in the sunshine, Allie doesn't hed her mother's warning to wear her bonnett and is getting "as brown as your dog". One Sunday, Allie slips out of church to visit Leaf at the trading post. While at Leaf's house Allie notices the beautiful white animal skin dress Leaf has in her closet. Allie puts on the dress and here is where the adventure begins. While wearing the dress an army captain comes to the door to take the Cherokee Indians away to The Dark Land. Allie is mistaken to be a "half-breed". Allie is taken along with Leaf's family down the Trail of Tears. Allie and Leaf's friendship strengthens as they make this journey together.

Cherokee Sister is a historical fiction story about two girls from different backgrounds that form a lasting friendship. Allie McAllister is white and comes from a farming family that is struggling to make it during hard times. She has only one dress to wear and has difficulty reading. Leaf Sweetwater is a Cherokee Indian. She is raised by her grandmother who owns the trading post used by the Cherokee people. Leaf can read and has manyy nice clothes to wear. Despite their many differences Allie and Leaf become the best of friends. The two girls like to play in the sunshine, Allie doesn't hed her mother's warning to wear her bonnett and is getting "as brown as your dog". One Sunday, Allie slips out of church to visit Leaf at the trading post. While at Leaf's house Allie notices the beautiful white animal skin dress Leaf has in her closet. Allie puts on the dress and here is where the adventure begins. While wearing the dress an army captain comes to the door to take the Cherokee Indians away to The Dark Land. Allie is mistaken to be a "half-breed". Allie is taken along with Leaf's family down the Trail of Tears. Allie and Leaf's friendship strengthens as they make this journey together.

Cherokee Sister is a historical fiction story about two girls from different backgrounds that form a lasting friendship. Allie McAllister is white and comes from a farming family that is struggling to make it during hard times. She has only one dress to wear and has difficulty reading. Leaf Sweetwater is a Cherokee Indian. She is raised by her grandmother who owns the trading post used by the Cherokee people. Leaf can read and has many nice clothes to wear. Despite their many differences Allie and Leaf become the best of friends. The two girls like to play in the sunshine, Allie doesn't hed her mother's warning to wear her bonnett and is getting "as brown as your dog". One Sunday, Allie slips out of church to visit Leaf at the trading post. While at Leaf's house Allie notices the beautiful white animal skin dress Leaf has in her closet. Allie puts on the dress and here is where the adventure begins. While wearing the dress an army captain comes to the door to take the Cherokee Indians away to The Dark Land. Allie is mistaken to be a "half-breed". Allie is taken along with Leaf's family down the Trail of Tears. Allie and Leaf's friendship strengthens as they make this journey and endure many hardships together.

Historical fiction about the Trail of Tears describes the friendship of a teenaged Cherokee girl, Leaf, and her Georgian 12 year old best friend, Allie. When soldiers arrive to drive the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma in 1838, they mistake Allie for a Cherokee and take her with them. The reader sees the forced march through the eyes of Allie. Allie's Dad finds the trail of beads she has dropped like Hansel's pebbles in Hansel and Gretel and rescues Allie and Leaf. Leaf's grandmother is a strong female role model, a businesswoman, knowledgeable about medicinal herbs, and courageous and generous. Her love pervades the novel, providing strength to herself and everyone. Provides insight into Native American and "white" pioneer American family values, and customs of the time. Includes an explanatory author's note describing the historical background and her connection to the Trail of Tears.

This is a wonderful way for a child to learn about a time in our history that is not taught the way it should be. The beautiful friendship of Allie and Leaf was touching. This shows children that although racism has been around for a long time, even then there were people willing to stand up agoinst it.I would encourage any child that is learning about this part of history to read Cherokee Sister. It gives an extememly realistic picture of the way life was at that time, the lack of medical knowledge, communication, and the importance of family. Keep the tissues close!

...and have been referring to it regularly ever since. (Probably the only refs I use more often are World Almanac, Statistical Abstract of US, and Encyclopedia Americana.) I know of no better first place to go when I have a question about Chicago (which happens often, even tho I've lived here continuously for 33 years.) The illustrations are a little cramped - if you want better, get 'Above Chicago' (but no where near 1,000.) A good mix of pics and intelligent copy. I was surprised to see it still in print, but that just proves many share my opinions.

This is a must read for any Chicagoan (as we all know there are two types of people....Chicagoans and people who wish they were Chicagoans.

I still have my 1974 purchase. Well worn and borrowed often.

This superb book describes the evolution of Chicago with over 1,000 photographs and dozens of maps. Readers see how a combination of geography, industrialization, railroads and immigration rapidly changed Chicago from an 1837 outpost on Lake Michigan to one of the world's greatest cities. Quickly becoming the earth's leading railroad center, Chicago grew to 110,000 persons in 1860, 550,000 in 1880, 1.6 million in 1900, 3.5 million in 1930 - and at this writing some nine million persons call Chicago (or more often its suburbs) home. Readers see how "the Windy City" has always been a magnet for immigrants seeking jobs, opportunity, and/or urban flavor. The authors focus heavily on the many neighborhoods, and show how our city's growth was influenced by architectural, historic and economic trends. There's also solid coverage of downtown and its famous skyline, our differing ethnic groups, plus many parks, suburbs, slums, highways, railroads, the subway/EL system, etc.

You can read this book straight through, use it as reference, or just learn about our city from the many photos. Either way, you'll sense the pride that leads many residents to identify themselves first as being from Chicago, and only later as being from Illinois, the Midwest or the USA.

I first read this book over 10 years ago. it quickly became one of the only textbooks I have read cover to cover more than once. Anyone wanting to learn more about Chicago history will love this book. I continue to use it as reference and as a continous form of entertainment.

This book is a very thorough overview of Chicago's rich history. It also has a very large amount of pictures which make it good as a display book for your coffee table. Anyone who has lived in Chicago can read this and understand the significance of Chicago's past and its influence on the city's evolution.