Mountain West Books

The perfect combination of wonderful pictures and superb story-telling. After having seen and read more than 15 books of the Southwest/Glen Canyon area, this is definitely one of the best. Jack Dykinga and Charles Bowden have done a wonderful job. Also, in the end of the book the raise the very necessary topic of how to (better) preserve the Colorado Plateau.

STONE CANYONS OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU contains 81 color photographs. Each of the photos occupies from 50-80% of the page. The book is large, 10 ¼ by 11 ¼ inches.

Most of the photographs are from Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, a little known park overlooked by most publications dealing with the American Southwest. Vermilion Cliffs encompasses Paria Canyon, Coyote Buttes, and a stone formation called "The Wave." The stone formation called The Wave seems to be in an area about a quarter the size of a city block. Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is noted for its conical, haystack-like stone formations. The book contains plenty of photos of artistic merit.

Page 5 shows a few cones at close range and a dozen cones in the distance. Where the desert floor is made of stone, the stone is striped like a candy cane. FIVE STARS for this photograph.

Page 9 shows Bryce Canyon, with snow-covered cliffs in the distance, and dark clouds overhead. FIVE STARS for this dramatic photo.

Page 20 shows snow-covered buckwheat and a dead juniper. FOUR STARS for this depictions of the texture of the snow residing on top of the buckwheat.

Page 26 shows a hoodoo in the sun. The hoodoo consists of a dark pancake of stone supported by a an orange, funnel-shaped pedestal. Half of the photograph is in deep shadow, a sloping hill of stone.

Page 35 shows an arch with a garden of cottonwoods beyond. FIVE STARS for this rare image of pastoral beauty.

Page 45 shows a close-up of two cones at Paria Canyon. One of the cones looks like a little house.

Page 45 shows an angled stone formation in a canyon wall at Paria Canyon. The crazy angles resemble those of a Kandinsky painting.

Page 67 (also seen as the cover photo) shows a pond at The Wave. This is one of the greatest landscape photographs ever taken in the history photography. FIVE STARS.

Page 69 shows a crazy, bizarre stone formation at Paria Canyon. What we see is a pancake consisting of a cluster of thin stone sheets, where the pancake is supported by two pedestals. This is one of the most bizarre landscape photographs taken in the history of photography. FIVE STARS.

Page 70 shows an excellent arrangement of cones in the distance, with swirling stone spirals, and a dead juniper in the foreground. The juniper has a spiraling grain. FIVE STARS.

Page 99 shows a slot canyon, where there are various qualities of light--a warming bath of glowing orange, a harsh white glare, an even indirect illumination with no shadow, and deep shadow. The image is reminiscent of those depicted in Bruce Barnbaum's astonishing book, VISUAL SYMPHONY.

Page 116 shows a dozen tiny waterfalls, where water spills from knife-edge stone formations that form the streambed. This unique image is somewhat reminiscent of David Muench's depiction of Havasupai Falls, in NATURE'S AMERICA (page 125 of NATURE'S AMERICA).

One wishes for more photos of The Wave. For those interested in more of The Wave, I recommend Reiner Sahm's book, CANYONLANDS PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHY. Reiner Sahm's book also introduces the reader to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, and to Goblin Valley State Park, two other parks vastly underrepresented by books on the American Southwest. Also Laurent Martres has two books (two volumes) on Utah and Arizona. The second volume features a number of photos of The Wave.

The quality of the prints in Mr.Dykinga's book is quite good. With the naked eye, one cannot discern any grain in the color prints. However, with a loupe (5X magnification), the grain is readily evident. The grain does not resemble specks, but instead takes a form resembling that of woven cloth.

Fortunately, only a minority of the photographs in Mr. Dykinga's book are flower pictures. There are only eight flower pictures. Also, fortunately, none of the photos contains people, e.g., tourists, hikers, or indigenous farmers. As is the case with Ansel Adams, Bruce Barnbaum, David Muench, and a handful of other photographers, Mr. Dykinga takes extra care (and time) to wait for the lighting conditions to be perfect, before depressing the shutter.

Mr.Dykinga is an experienced photographer, as indicated by the fact that he won the Pulizer Prize. The prize, awarded to him in 1971, was for his photographs at the Lincoln and Dixon State Schools for the Retarded in Illinois, when he worked for the Chicago Sun-Times.

The number of photographic works exploring the nuances of the Colorado Plateau is seemingly endless. Many can be browsed once and left behind. This book is the scintillating exception.

Jack Dykinga's photographic work is simply exceptional, and beyond the pale. Each color photograph appears as exquisitely crafted as a piece of fine crystal, beginning with very cover of the paperback edition. One can only envy his great patience and expertise in composing each work.

Much of the photography comes from the Paria Wilderness, an area of the Plateau not usually treated to any degree in most works, and the novelty is refreshing. A particularly enjoyable facet of the book is that use of a telephoto lens has been largely eschewed, leaving a series of scenes that the enterprising tourist can find and view with his or her own eyes, just as depicted by the book.

Charles Bowden's accompanying text is evocative and hearkens a wild diffusion of images and memories of the fascinating region.
It is an apt companion to Dykinga's superb work.

If you are limited to five or less books about the Colorado plateau, let this be one of them. I enjoy it more every time I read it.

An hymn to the nature and it's landscapes, whose pictures are superb in both the technical and artistic plans.

In 1998 I'd seen a photo on a calendar of the Vermillion Cliffs in Utah, but had no idea where exactly it was located. I teach photography and my students and I had done some research to find it, but discovered it was a very large area. When I found Mr. Dykinga's book I was even more determined for my students to see and photograph the area. Needless to say, the book is truly inspirational thanks to Jack's remarkabe work.!
If you know a photographer or a traveller - this is the book for them! Enjoy the treat yourself as well.

Jeff Grimm
Bedford, TX

From twisters to Haboobs and quick, sudden changes in temperature which can break windows, wild weather is still with us, though tamer than in centuries past. Meteorologist Tye Parzybok covers weather extremes and their results in the West, presenting rainfall and temperature averages, case histories of sudden and extreme weather results, and insights into the science of forecasting and prediction processes. From disastrous Santa Ana wind effects to maps and microclimate oddities, WEATHER EXTREMES OF THE WEST is an exciting survey of meteorology and weather oddities.

I live in the northwest and didn't know a fraction of all this weather. Very informative. I loved the pictures. It made me feel like this author really loves what he does. Excellent book. Buddy Kirihara

This is a fascinating book! Everyone's interested in the weather and this book is packed full of weather in a big way. From the amazing stories to the great photos you can open to any page and be there an hour before you know what happened. This is NOT a book you read at night to put you to sleep!

Great photos and very informative text. Well written with weather enthusiasts in mind, but without being too overwhelming or redundant. If you are in to weather extremes, you'll find yourself captivated and reading every page like a good mystery novel - you can't put it down! An exciting read.

The stories of the extreme weather themselves are very interesting, but what stands out to me are the maps, graphs, photographs and other imagery used throughout the book. The quality of these visual elements is outstanding and they do an amazing job of telling the story of weather and climate. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in weather or climate, no matter where they live.

If your into hiking mountains or just like looking at them this is the must book for you. When I am locked to the city, and want to get away for a few minutes all I have to do is pickup this book. Todd is definitly a true 'Rocky Mountain High' photographer.

This book is absolutely my all time favorite coffee table book. The beauty of the photographs and depth of the writing captures the passion for the peaks that most of us mountain lovers carry inside. Todd's photography is exquisite and Walt's writing is entrancing.....

This new book written by Walter Borneman and Todd Caudle is a great addition to my coffee table! The photographs are not only breathe taking but they manage to catch a unique prospective of the 14ers, something that many other photographers can not do. The captions explain not only the photographs but they include the history and interesting facts behind each mountain. This book is not only great for those of us who love the 14ers, but will also make a great gift.

What an amazing book! The photographs are so breathtakingly beautiful. Todd Caudle has caught the wonder and beauty of nature at its very best. With Walt's writings and Todd's photographs, this is a must have for every person interested in the majestic "Fourteeners" or the Colorado mountains. I am so pleased to have this as the centerpiece of my coffee table.

Well worth the money you'll pay for this book

Well worth the money you'll pay for this book

This publication has been my "Hikers Bible" for many years now. As some of you already know, there is not much information out there on this subject. Craig Martin has created a concise, easy to read list of places to the footpaths of New Mexico. Complete with maps and photos. A book I keep in my car!

This book, as the title states, lists 75 hikes that are in New Mexico. I found this book to be very useful in planning our family camping trips.

I particularly liked the fact that at the start of each hike was some information that can help me rule out or count in a hike with very little reading. For example, it will provide: distance, elevation, elevation gain, interesting points of the hike, maps that I might want to have, the difficulty, the best season to hike this trail. THe maps also are very useful.

My only comment would be that the pictures are black and white and many of them can be left out with very little loss since they don't add much to the text. (in otherwords, they are flowers, chipmunks etc.)

An excellent resource for someone who might be interested in hiking New Mexico.

Loy & Allan build upon previous atlas efforts (OR 1976, CA 1979) and make use of technology and greater knowledge to produce excellent, useful maps and charts. Pre-1865 (inch-pound) measuring units are used instead of U.S. (SI) units as used in the 1976 edition (for example, temperatures are in °F not °C). Historic growth and immigration maps, education (K-12, university and school districts), demographics and future temperature and precipitation scenarios make this a handy "big picture" reference.

Economic, water and transportation and other "sheds" enable a you to obtain a good understanding of past, current and future trends. Obtain the Atlas and CD - you will use them both for a long time.

This is the best book about Oregon EVER!...It has all you need to know about the Indians, population and it evan has maps from the Lewis and Clark expedition! If you EVER need info on Oregon this is the Book to get!...

This book is a bargain. The wealth of information collected in one place is amazing. I consider this book the ultimate collection of interesting data on the state of Oregon. Those with children in Oregon should consider this a "must buy" for their children's education.

Loy and Allen's ATLAS OF OREGON certainly is the benchmark to which all others must aspire. The hardcover edition is not inexpensive, but the sample pages displayed convinced me to take a chance, and was I glad that I did! The day I received it, I was mesmerized for hours. The quality and colors of the graphics, the exhaustive research and attention to detail were incredible. The charts, graphs, etc. are all easy to read. Every possible aspect of Oregon is covered. I believe a person could make an intelligent decision as to exactly where to live without even visiting the state! You feel you are there. Bravo!

This is a great resource. It is very accurate when it rates difficulty and terrain of a hike. We have found it to be right on target. It also points out some interesting sites you might see on the hike, such as large pieces of obsidian, interesting plants, etc.

I was recommended this book about 9 years ago...it is one of our most used reference books. The hikes described are quite accurate, with good driving directions. There are plenty of hikes listed throughout the state. I often give a copy of this book to families new to the area and they find it an invaluable resource, too. If you want to get out and about the Land of enchanment and turn your kids on, too...this is the book for you!

This is a great book that really makes my camping trips. I have children and with this we are able to find the hikes that we can do with them so that everyone has a great time, a must for the New Mexico Hiker with kids.

My family loves this reference tool! We plan trips for our 5 children using this book as a guide. Even our baby can be included because the book rates the difficulty and distance of the various sites. We wouldn't hike without it!

The official NPS maps and guide-books are very lame, mostly because of the fear that ancient ruins and art could be vandalized. This book is therefore indispensable to a truly fulfilling visit to Canyonlands. The maps and directions are perfect--just enough detail to be clear and to keep you from getting lost, but they don't deprive you of feeling like you're actually doing some exploring and route-finding.

This is really the only good guide book I have found on Canyonlands National Park. It describes in great detail many trails that arn't even mentioned in the Falcon Guide. It also has a great color section, and its maps are much better than the other books. For some reason the Nat. Park Visitor Centers don't sell this book (maybe it has too much info about things they want to keep secret?), so you better get it before you start your trip!

Canyonlands is a wild and wonderful place to explore. I would have been lost without this book. I was able to decide ahead of time what areas of the park I wanted to spend the most time in by reading the detailed descriptions of jeep roads and trails. The beautiful color photographs helped me make decisions as well. I found the maps to be extremely helpful and the estimated travel times to be very accurate. David Day knows his stuff!

This is a Great book for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. By including a focus on the jeep roads of the Canyonlands area David Day has provided the hiker with information necessary for access to its fantastic hiking trails. The format is similar to his other hiking books. The maps and trail descriptions and commentary are not only helpful but very interesting. The photography is great. I particularly enjoyed the section of color photos I like his trail overview which includes a rating of his enjoyment of the trail.

I've made a couple of the hikes he writes up and with the help of his book I will be doing more.

There are places in this book that could only be found with a very detailed Internet search. Simply typing in 'things to do in Colorado' would not begin to cover the awesome things that have been put together in this one little book. I have crossed off so many things that I have done as I go along and I have yet to be disappointed! If you live in Colorado, or will be visiting Colorado (especially via road trip as many things are right off major highways) this is a must have.

I bought this book when I first moved here. I wanted to find some fun things to do. I was suprised at all the different events that this book covers. Some are more interesting than others but all in all a great book I have tried a few of there reccomendations and would agree with the author's conclusions.

Colorado's Best By Bruce Calighey and Doug Whitehead

Reviewed by Curt Peoples

With so much travel information on the Internet, I sometimes wonder: Why do authors continue to write travel books? Colorado's Best answers the question by showing that the best travel authors still write about places they've personally visited and enjoyed. If you like Colorado (or think might like Colorado), you should buy this book.

The authors are well qualified. Bruce Calighey has written The Colorado Guide, now in its fourth edition. Doug Whitehead produces Colorado Getaways, a weekly travel television show in Denver - he's like the Charles Kuralt of Colorado.

The authors take you to every corner of the state, with over 200 entries of the best cultural and historical places, outdoor activities and events, and places to eat, drink and stay. The book entertains because the "bests" listed are truly remarkable, sometimes bizarre and not always on the beaten track. My three favorites: Best Way to "Get in the Mood" at the Glen Miller Festival in Fort Morgan, Best Hot Springs at Mount Princeton, and Best Drive-In Without a Car in Monte Vista.

Most atypical, compared to many travel guides, is the writing style: personal and thoughtful with a tone that says, "I really like this place, I think you will too!" I want to take my daughter to the Kit Carson County Carousel because the authors have done it themselves, stopping for a short rest and staying for hours. I want to go to Crested Butte because it's apparent Mr. Calighey and Mr. Whitehead have been there, sampled the restaurants, and now recommend the four best in town. They suggest a few hills they've skied that I've never seen in the slick brochures.

Best piece of writing in the book: the description of the Sand Creek Massacre Memorial. It starts, "Certainly 'best' isn't the most precise word to describe this simple, yet hauntingly affecting memorial to the brutal and unjustified murder of American Indians by U.S. troops, but the event without question merits consideration." In four poignant paragraphs, you'll be compelled to learn more about the lost ways of traditional Native American life. This is what travel writing should be.

Colorado's Best By Bruce Calighey and Doug Whitehead

Reviewed by Curt Peoples

With so much travel information on the Internet, I sometimes wonder: Why do authors continue to write travel books? Colorado's Best answers the question by showing that the best travel authors still write about places they've personally visited and enjoyed. If you like Colorado (or think might like Colorado), you should buy this book.

The authors are well qualified. Bruce Calighey has written The Colorado Guide, now in its fourth edition. Doug Whitehead produces Colorado Getaways, a weekly travel television show in Denver - he's like the Charles Kuralt of Colorado.

The authors take you to every corner of the state, with over 200 entries of the best cultural and historical places, outdoor activities and events, and places to eat, drink and stay. The book entertains because the "bests" listed are truly remarkable, sometimes bizarre and not always on the beaten track. My three favorites: Best Way to "Get in the Mood" at the Glen Miller Festival in Fort Morgan, Best Hot Springs at Mount Princeton, and Best Drive-In Without a Car in Monte Vista.

Most atypical, compared to many travel guides, is the writing style: personal and thoughtful with a tone that says, "I really like this place, I think you will too!" I want to take my daughter to the Kit Carson County Carousel because the authors have done it themselves, stopping for a short rest and staying for hours. I want to go to Crested Butte because it's apparent Mr. Calighey and Mr. Whitehead have been there, sampled the restaurants, and now recommend the four best in town. They suggest a few hills they've skied that I've never seen in the slick brochures.

Best piece of writing in the book: the description of the Sand Creek Massacre Memorial. It starts, "Certainly 'best' isn't the most precise word to describe this simple, yet hauntingly affecting memorial to the brutal and unjustified murder of American Indians by U.S. troops, but the event without question merits consideration." In four poignant paragraphs, you'll be compelled to learn more about the lost ways of traditional Native American life. This is what travel writing should be.

This is not your typical tour book. The author is more interested and making you know about Las Vegas then telling you about it. Las Vegas is made tangible and not just rated in terms of good or bad.

The typical tour book stuff is here including hotel rates and restaurant reviews. However, if you want to know more, it's there. It provides description of hotels as well as details their history. Every subject is handled in this manner as well making the book feel more like a narative.

There are small excerpts from popular authors for even more perspective. Perhaps, perspective is the right word for this book. The reader is treated to a point of view and not just vague recollection of facts and figures. This is the first tour book I ever read cover to cover.

Though it has some slow parts, over all it is a great quick history / guide of Las Vegas. Even if you've been there, you'll find amusement in some of the tales or info included. I did.

This is not your typical tour book. The author acutally suceeds in being entertaining as well as informative. Las Vegas is made tangible and not just rated in terms of good or bad.

The typical tour book stuff is here including hotel rates and restaurant reviews. However, if you want to know more, it's there. It provides the description of a hotel as well as detailing its history. In Vegas, even the hotels have personality. Every subject is handled in a like manner. This has the added bonus of making the book feel more like a narative.

There are small excerpts from popular authors for even more perspective. Perhaps, perspective is the right word for this book. The reader is treated to a point of view and not just a vague recollection of facts and figures. This is the first tour book I ever read cover to cover.

Though it has some slow parts, over all it is a great quick history / guide of Las Vegas. Even if you've been there, you'll find amusement in some of the tales or info included. I did.

How good is this book? Another guidebook recomedns reading it! This book gives great insight into the history of Las Vegas as well as the individual hotels. While it is a little short on specific information, this guide more than makes up for it with specacular color photography and well written articles. A must read for those who want to know more than what the Chamer of Commerce or the Convention and Visitors Bureau will admit.

I work in tourism, so I'm required to know all I can about Vegas. Castleman's Las Vegas is more than another guide. It can be read like an exciting novel that you don't want to put down. Or it's index makes it a quick reference tool. It's all here. History, the characters, the gaming, the hotels, weddings, maps, side trips, bargains - everything in a good size to carry and read on the plane.

By the time you land, you will feel like a Vegas veteran and save time and money.

Besides a great read, this book is worth the price simply for the fantastic photography.

Interesting old photos of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, side-by-side with modern photos taken from the exact spot and perspective as the old ones, showing the changes that have occurred in the past 50-100yrs. The photographer, Mic Clinger, took a lot of time and energy to get the views right, and it shows. Great book! As someone who lives near the area, I heartily recommend it!

We vacation in Estes Park every summer and we enjoyed the book very much. It's interesting to see the history and read the stories of Estes.

Time well spent reading this well investigated and reported step through history. To be able to see what we missed before our time, and then to see what it is now, makes one wonder if only....The photos were right on target as far as placement and the history was fasinating. It made you want to go and explore the area, or at least dream of being there. I have been to this area and know of its wonder and beauty. Take the time to read and wonder.

There are 98 groups of pictures, old and new. The book is sectioned by areas: Estes Valley Scenes and Sites, including the familiar, but also the mostly forgotten. The Village. Hotels, Lodges and Ranches, plus two sections on Rocky Mountain National Park, East and West.

The text is by Dr. James Pickering, who has written numerous histories of the area, including the excellent "This Blue Hollow" in 1999, about the early years of Estes Park.

The old photographs in the current book come from a number of sources, but most of the new ones, which duplicate exactly the viewpoint of the older photo, are by Mic Clinger, who has been painstaking in finding the precise vantage point, often with some difficulty.

If the history of the area interests you at all, this is a book you will enjoy. And it will invite you to ask a question: What has been gained, and what has been lost forever?