The Wine Project is a well written and researched book. It appeared Mr. Irvine enjoyed his subject. As with the development of many industries, there is usually someone behind the scenes who was instrumental to the success of that industry and is only known within that industry. Dr. Clore, Mr. Irvine's collaborator is that person. For anyone interested in the history and development of the Washington wine industry this is a book that needed to be written and needs to be read.

Anyone, ranging from a wine professional, enthusiast, home winemaker or a person just interested in another aspect of Washington State history, will find this book full of insight into the beginnings and future of the world class wines of Washington, the land it is grown in and the past and present players involved. It is told in large part by the leading scientist who helped create the industry in Washingon. While at times clumsy due to its occasional stringing together of anectodal passages, the book remains essential to those wishing to learn more about one of the recognized emerging areas in the world for the growing of premium grapes and the resulting production of fine wines.

I enjoyed a local telephone conversation with Ron regarding his research on the 'Island Belle' grape stock. My personal interest in this variety dates back years, when my uncle cultivated the "Island Belle" and sold to a local NW Washington winery. His informative and helpful suggestions sold me on buying this book.

After reading "Into Thin Air" I wanted more.....but this book was nothing but a "he said, she said". Very poor writing style and the facts were not even correct. 12 people perished in 1996...wonder about the other facts....a historian?

This is a most significant book which fills in much of the detail about the early British expeditions to the North Face of Mount Everest. Yes, the 2001 climb failed to locate Irving's body and with it the missing cameras which may determine for once and all whether or not Mallory and Irvine did reach the summit in June of 1924. But the 2001 Expedition did uncover the several of the camps used by these early climbs and Hemmleb recounts how this makes our understanding of these early expeditions much more complete than it previously was. For instance, Hemmleb describes how it can now be determined that Mallory did not relocate his high camp, a point of great interest to and debate among Everest scholars for decades. And, what is most crucial in this book is Hemmleb's description of the patient and persistent work with veterans of the earlier Chinese climbs which has made the future location of Irvine's remains much more likely -- including a revelation that the Chinese had located Irvine's body not just in 1975 but also in 1960. Jochen Hemmleb is to be congratulated for his clear and concise writing, his brilliant scholarship, and the dogged devotion which keeps bringing him back to uncover ever more secrets, however reluctantly surrendered, on the 1921, 1922, and 1924 British expeditons. And this book, in short, is a necessary read for all with even a peripheral interest in the history of Mount Everest and of these early expeditions. Bravo, Jochen!

I take issue with Mike Golden's comments that cast doubt on Jochen Hemmleb's research skills. First of all, when Hemmleb wrote that eight climbers were killed in 1996, he mentioned specifically that this was during the storm of May 10/11. The TOTAL number of fatalities on Everest in 1996 was indeed twelve. Secondly, Hemmleb and his colleagues have carefully documented the early ascents of Everest and are the pioneers in the area of high-altitude archeology. The revelation at the end of the book opens a new chapter in the mystery of Mallory and Irvine. Written in an easy narrative style, I devoured this book in one sitting. A must read.

If it was possible to get less than one star, this book would get it. Worth a good laugh, but not much more, and even that is mitigated by the fact that many uninformed people will read this book and really believe that witchcraft is the child of satan.

People who enjoy this book will also enjoy: book burnings, cat killings, worrying about the free demon that comes in every Harry Potter book, and the Left Behind series.

This is possibly the most touching book I have ever read in my life. The true life story of Doreen Irvine is a life story I don't believe I will ever forget. I still shed tears every time I read it. She speaks openly and honestly about her extroardinary experiences, and is a living reminder that human beings can we all have within us the power to triumph over our situation, no matter how desperate our circumstances may ever become.

Missonary Doreen Irving is a fantastic person. I was a young lad out of high school when I first heard her testimony of being freed from satanism and witchcraft that was over 20 years ago. Today what she said still leaves an indelible impression on me. Her lessons have helped me even beyond what I could realize. Please get her books you will learn things that will stay with you for a lifetime.

As a big fan of cycle-touring and Lonely Planet guide books, I was quite excited to find the LP Cycling New Zealand book. I'm leaving on a 2 month cycle-tour throughout New Zealand soon, and figured this book would be all I'd need guidewise. Structured the same as regular LP guides, it gives all the basic info for New Zealand, including cycling specific info wherever it fits. The sections on taking your bike on trains and busses within New Zealand was especially helpful.

The routes however, were a bit disappointing. While each individual route is well laid out, almost none of the routes are connected. If your plan was to cycle the North Island from Auckland down to the Southern tip of the island, it would be impossible to follow the routes highlighted in the book. Also missing is an overview map showing all the routes. On the positive side, each route description is well done, including distance/navigation info, elevation profiles, accomodation, and sightseeing info.

If you are looking to do a series of shorter tours, I would recommend this book. If your goal is an extended tour covering long distances, Bruce Ringer's "New Zealand By Bike" book is a better choice.

My wife and I went to New Zealand on Nov 2000 and used this book along with the regular LP New Zealand book. The description of the rides and maps are very accurate. We had purchased New Zealand by Bike by Bruce Ringer but decided to take this one instead. This one fits our needs better as we take 3 week touring vacations every year and there is just so much you can ride and see in that time. Buy and carry this book with you, it offers all you expect from a LP guide.

Now stop wasting your time reading this and go tour New Zealand.

I must disagree with bikermitch's review below and must defend this fine guide with five stars.

Lonely Planet's NZ cycling guide is geared to cyclists throughout, so much so that if you had to carry only one guidebook in your panniers, this could be it. There are clear maps for every ride (with the route highlighted in blue). And the rides can easily be pieced together to just about circumnavigate the entire country, north and south islands. So Lonely Planet's guide is useful for those planning mostly paved road tours lasting from a few days to a couple of months.

I agree that New Zealand By Bike is also a must, but if you are going all the way to Kiwi Land (or on any major trip), buying, studying, comparing and cross-referencing two or three guidebooks is the way to go.

As for the Lonely Planet guide, I especially appreciate the authors' list of New Zealand's cycling superlatives, such as Most Challenging Climb, Best Downhill, Best Seacoast Ride, Best Scenery, etc. - and the list of where to ride if you have one week, two weeks, even a month or two. This guide is not an amateurish, small press attempt at being thorough yet concise. It consistently sets a professional, honest, experienced, authoritative and enjoyably wry tone. This book is worth every penny - and every ounce. I predict it'll be the one cycling guide you actually carry along.

Lucy Irvine is enlisted by the strong-willed Diana Hepworth, who has been living on Pigeon Island for the past 40 years, to live for one year on Pigeon Island and write her story.
Lucy, not one to be pushed around herself, takes her three sons to the island and records Diane and Tom's story of sailing around the world for ten years and then settling on Pigeon island to raise a family in paradise.
The book is a combination of Lucy's year on Pigeon Island with the Hepworth's experiences there. She pulls no punches, presenting the bad with the good. Photos are included of the family, the local islanders and Lucy and her sons. It's a fascinating story and very compelling reading. Her dreamy descriptions of the warm water and sun made me long for the sea. I was under the book's spell until I could finish it.

Having had the experience of 3 weeks on Pigeon Island in 1996, I read the book with fascination. It certainly brought memories back. I wish I could have added my stories for background information. I found the book very real and very sympathetic to the individual personalities. I can also vouch for "Lucy getting it right". Well done.

As of October 2001, this appears to be the best book available on the subject of bike touring in France. Neither Karen & Terry Whitehill's nor Jerry Simpson's books come even close to being as comprehensive as this book. The best thing about this book is all of the useful logistical information it provides. For example, the authors thoroughly document how to get out of Paris with your bike (both from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports). They also explain the SNCF's fairly unfriendly policy with respect to bikes on trains. And in typical Lonely Planet fashion, they also document the myriad of important details for survival in France, such as how to make a telephone call and how much to tip.

With respect to the actual tour documentation, this book does a good job. There are tour choices in all regions of the country including Corsica. Routes are well documented and the road choices seemed pretty reasonable. Cue sheets are provided with good distance information between all intermediate points. Some tours have elevation profiles included. I would have liked to have seen a bit more information about food and lodging availability--particularly in the intermediate towns.

The truth about cyling in France is that the bike touring part is really easy. Unless you are worried about hills (in which case you should stay in the Loire), all you need is a Michelin map. The color scheme tells you all you need to know about route choices (seek out the white roads, and green highlights mean scenic routes). You can usually find some place to stay and eat in any town and if you can't, you can usually find another town a few kilometers down the road. All of France is wonderful for riding, so you really don't need a book to lay out a tour for you. What you do need is information telling you how to get around with your bike and how to survive once you are over there. This book does that exceptionally well.

With this book, you find the most interesting roads to ride on. In addition, you will also find nice stories of professionals who ride these roads - experiences on what to do & what NOT to do. So, whether you come to france, or stay at home, with this book, you'll have your own tour de france in your room!

I got much information specific to analyses of electroplating solution and additives. Experience that world for yourself! thanks!

I am a new pillow sewer and this was a great book that was easy to learn from. I just loved it.

I purchased this novel after reading The View From the Mirror series. Geomancer invloves new characters set on Santhenar. Their personalities are marvellously created with the same brilliant talent as Irvine use in the first series. It was a pleasure to read Geomancer. I eargerly await to see Tetrarch in my local store! Happy reading to you all :)

After reading The View from the Mirror series, I decided to go on to the next series, which is set in the same world. Geomancer has turned out not only a great read, but also engages the reader. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. Some reviews on The View from the Mirror series have been quite unforgiving. Although Ian Irvine's books are not the best ever written, they are not as bad as the reviews display them as. You really have to finish all the books in the series before you make a judgement or comment on his writing.