If you fish the catskills, this book is a must. I have never seen such a great mixture of photographs and text in a fly fishing book. The books takes you through all the rivers, then presents the region's historic people, their fly tying, and their rods and reels.

This is by far the most interesting book I have ever read about fishing in the Catskills. Fly Fishing in America pretty much started there and this book explains in great detail everything there is to know about the History of Fly Fishing. Beautiful pictures on every page only add to the value of this book. Coming from someone who never takes the time to read through a 240 page book, I could not put in down. This happened during fishing season.

As I opened the package that contained my copy of Land of Little Rivers I expected a great book. I had read Mac FrancisÕs earlier book, Catskill Rivers, twice. Within minutes I realized the word "great" was wholly insufficient to describe this exquisite volume. At first I was caught by the, near mystical beauty of Enrico FerorelliÕs photographs--by themselves, more than worth the price of the book! But it is Mac FrancisÕs words that captured my heart and imagination completely. They carried me along, hour after hour, through this absorbing, beautifully told story of the birthplace of American fly fishing.

The author ends his introduction, trying to define the almost supernatural power inherent in the Catskill fly-fishing tradition, with these words: "I believe it is this power -- call it passion, dedication, commitment, vision, love, or what you will -- that has inspired the myriad fly fishers who in small ways and large have created, fought for, and extended a great sporting tradition in a hallowed land, and I respect the honor of presenting them, their feats, and their little rivers in these pages."

With this book, Mac Francis does more than simply honor a great tradition; he and Land of Little Rivers become a part of it.

Animation studios are desperate to find proven material for their feature films--especially in the wake of disappointments like "Treasure Planet."

That's why I'm surprised nobody has optioned the rights to one of the greatest children's books ever; it has emotion, thrills, an important lesson, and one of the cutest lead characters I've ever seen.

That book is, of course, "Scuffy the Tugboat."

Scuffy is a toy tugboat (hence the title) who dreams of something more than "sailing" in his little bathtub. When he is taken outside and accidentally swept away in a river, his harrowing adventure makes him realize that he should never have taken his old life for granted.

Just imagine Scuffy the Tugboat brought to life by CGI, charging down rivers, dodging logs and old tires...and facing the bustle of a busy shipyard before being miraculously recovered by his owner.

I can practically hear a popular actor like Ed Burns lending his distinctive voice to the little red tugboat, and Sting's nautical motif from "the Soul Cages" leads me to nominate him for the soundtrack.

As long as it's a faithful adaptation of this classic tugboat tale, nobody would ever be able to say: "the book was better!"

It's been years since I've read this, so I really don't remember it much. I just remember Scuffy. But I do remember that this was always one of my favorites. I read other reviews of people growing up in the 1950s and reading this. Well, this has been a favorite since 1982. Scuffy is still going strong.

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"Scuffy the Tugboat" is a classic in childrens literature. It has an almost iconic status with people who grew up in the early Baby Boomer years.

Way back in 1946, toy stores were quiet uncrowded places. In one toy shop there was a rocking horse, a GI Joe Doll and a few cuddly soft toys ........ and one grumpy red painted tugboat called Scuffy.

Scuffy was ambitious. He thought he was meant for bigger things, than just sailing in a bathtub.

The toy shop owner (with his memorable polka dot tie) and his little boy, took Scuffy off to a laughing brook. It was springtime and the brook was running fast. Scuffy was soon off on his adventure.

The pastoral world he passed through seemed placid, but at night the hooting owl gave him a fright.

The river got bigger and busier. Scuffy was proud because he knew it was HIS river. He was nearly squashed between two logs that were on their way to the sawmill. With the spring melt a great flood burst the rivers banks. A lady and her cow had to be rescued off her roof.

Pushed along by the floodwaters Scuffy arrived in the big city. It was a very noisy and busy place. When Scuffy tooted nobody noticed.

Scuffy was just about to be swept out to sea. He wished the man with the polka dot tie and his little boy could rescue him. Miracle of miracles, there they were just as Scuffy was about to pass the last bit off land. He was rescued.

Scuffy realises that sailing in the bathtub is not such a bad thing ...... in fact he said "this is the life for me".

The illustrations by Tibor Gergely are what make this book so appealing. The scenes are full of life and activity, be it the pastoral river scene with its friendly animals and the colourful towns and cities. Look for the details in the city scene. Try to find the horses.

Tibor Gergely was a great children's book illustrator from this period. In addition to his artwork in Scuffy you can enjoy his illustrations in those other "Little Golden Book" classics, "The Little Red Caboose" and "Tootle". These three books are perfect companions in any young person's library.

One of the best modern American adventure stories. A relatively easy read. These guys swam more than 100 rapids on the frigid Colorado River wearing nothing but rubber shirts and wool longjohns - carrying thier sleeping bags, food and camera equipment in rubber boxes. Absolutely amazing - and their story had me with butterflys in my stomach just reading about what they did.

This was a good book!

Easy to read and captivating....These guys are Canyon legends and their story is told in this first-hand account of what happened.

Interesting to see how the Canyon has changed since Glen Canyon was created post swim....

Only took two days, but I really enjoyed the author's first hand account of his awesome journey down the river.

Interesting to compare the Canyon of the 50's to that of today and the impact that man has made on the canyon.

Illustrations/Photo's were point-of-fact and captivating also....

This work provides information that is detailed and well presented. Many historical volumes deal with one or two issues while Mr. Abruzzi has defined settlement, ecology, and development of the Little Colorado Basin and included detailed analyses of the contributing factors. Anyone interested in the history or ecology of the area will find here a reference that eclipses other books on the subject.

It started with his poetry when I was in high school. Imediately, I was spellbound. Then I found this collection of short stories. I cannot stop reading. I love every aspect of his "craft or sullen art." When I read his works, I feel a kind of longing and comfort. The stories in this collection were taken from books that were already published, and after reading these stories, I want to read everything Dylan Thomas ever wrote. When I see his picture, I sense a bond between him and I. I see the little boy, I see the young man; I know them. Dylan Thomas' type of writing is something all writers want to achieve. His words are completely private and honest. He is an imortal legacy.

In the tradition of "The Giving Tree," this story is a powerful metaphor on the joy that comes from sharing our strengths and talents with all that surrounds us. A "children's" book that teaches altruism to a selfish world. The natural water cycle serves as an analogue to life, from infancy to old age, as the stream contributes to a world lacking (nearly devoid) of life giving love. The story is touching, and the illustrations are beautiful. This is a book that could, and should be read over and over to children and adults alike

This book addresses the worth and goodness of all of us, not just the Little Stream. It addresses the process all of us go through to realize our goodness and to share those gifts. Some of us because of abuse or non-recognition of our goodness stay in that process a little longer.

When I was given The Little Stream by Barry Ellsworth as a gift, I didn't know that I was in for such a treat. I don't believe I have ever read a book that makes me feel so good - that just speaks to my heart, assuring me that everything will be okay no matter what. The story itself is healing and every time I read it I find a deeper meaning. I didn't know that so much could be learned about life simply from viewing life from the perspective of a small stream. What a gift Mr. Ellsworth has given the world. This is a book that all parents should read to their children as often as they can. It is more than a story, it is a philosophy for living a happy life

This series keeps getting better and better. I enjoyed reading about Pa's family, and the members that were around for the Big Dance, grown up, in The Big Woods.

I guess my only complaint for this book and other books in the series is the lack of quality illustrations. Who can mimic Garth Williams exactly, but I the missing illustrations hurt visualizing some things that would be foriegn to readers 150 years later.

This is an excellent book that, if you don't have any plans for the next few hours, I'd sit down and read! You can't put this book down for a second, not even to answer the phone! I want to see more books about Caroline out on the market soon, I've been waiting for over a year now since this book came out!

After reading the first four "Caroline years" books by Maria D. Wilkes, I was surprised to find a new Caroline book by a different author. But, if it weren't for the name on the cover, I wouldn't have noticed, as her writing style seems exactly the same. The books are not exactly suspenseful, but they're lively and pleasant. In this fun addition, Caroline meets her new neighbors across the river, including Charles Ingalls, the boy she would eventually marry. (In real life, Caroline's brother Henry married Charles' sister Polly, and Caroline's sister Eliza married Charles' brother Peter, so the two families were well-acquainted indeed!) If you've enjoyed other Caroline books, or just the little house series, you'll enjoy this one too.

This book made me immediately drive to the Smokies and search out the many logging camps described in great detail. Bill Hooks makes this book a "must have" for the Smoky Mountain Hiker types. The information on the ancient town of Elkmont was fantastic. I will be using this book along with my trail maps to find the many 'turn-of-the-century' archaeological spots tucked away in the National Park.

Hooks and Schmidt have written the definitive history of the Little River Railroad and Lumber Companies with Whistle Over the Mountain. Hooks has spent most of his 80 years researching the natural and human history of the Smokies. Packed with maps and vintage photos. This has become our "Bible" here at the Little River Museum in Townsend, and is a must for any railroad, logging or hiking fan. Beautifully designed and very well written.

This book was much more than a "fly-fishing" book. It was a sensitive view of a woman coming of age not only in her pursute of fly-fishing but also in her pursute of being a woman. I thought it was a very beautiful book. I would recommend it for women intersted in the sport but also for women who have never fly-fished but are looking for something that will make them feel good about their life and the paths they have taken.

Digging through Hemphill's rambling Faulknerian sentences, disfigured O'Connor-like characters, and sensationalized tabloid-type facts, I couldn't find a plot. And I knew what was going to happen. Mr. Hemphill obviously found so much gossip he couldn't stand to leave any of it out, making for a long and winding trip up and down and around and through Highway 59.

And while many of his facts were correct, many were terribly skewed: I suppose making for a more salacios tale. Read at your own risk of falling to sleep.

Hemphill captures each character, and has unerring diction, in this profile of life in rural southwestern Alabama. His detailed portrait of Little River and Baldwin County could stand in for any number of out-of-the-way old places in the New South. Contrary to other reviewers, I found that Hemphill does arrive at a truth, even if it isn't what many might hoped to find, namely, a Klan conspiracy to burn African-AMerican churches. Hemphill finds this, and it was news to me: the African-American family is stonger than the Anglo-American family in the Outback.

An excellent book! It reminds me somehow the situation in what formerly was called "East Germany". The thing I like the most, is that the author doesn't fall into the trap of segregation between "them" and "us". He talks to everyone and nearly everyone is talking to him. Read it!