This book takes a good concept (retracing John Muir's travels) and indelible subject matter (southeast Alaska) and reduces it to mediocrity with dull anecdotes and amateurish writing. I got so bored that I stopped reading. I'm still waiting for a truly skilled author to do justice to Alaska and "get it right."

It is set on the page as prose but Nancy Lord's prose is poetry. Thought, emotion, reflection, and insight, blend together to form a simple eloquence that is at once the state of Alaska then and now. Following a 'millennial' voyage across this vast territory, Nancy manages to make us understand the ending of the last century, attitudes toward the world, the environment, its theft in some cases, and she does it in as few words as possible. Join her on her own journey as well as she brings into strong relief the changes that took place over the last 100 years and what has not changed. This is exceptional work and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand not only Alaska but also what it means to love the land.

Though I read the library's copy, now I have to buy it. Lord, New Englander turned long-time resident of Homer, AK, traces the route of the 1898 Harriman expedition, with many glimpses of her own work on a fishing vessel and of her fellow Alaskans. Amusing vignettes of Harriman and his fellow travellers, esp. the "Two Johnnies," Muir and Burroughs, and their opposite approaches to appreciating & protecting nature. Altogether, a riviting and poignant tale of the Bring 'em Back Dead school of science, but not too heavy on the eco-enlightenment, and well researched, using a wide net.

Overall an ok book for a beginner. If you come into this as a naturalist you will likely be disapointed. There are some other serious problems that I was able to spot straight out.

Plate 40. "Auger Shells" One of the 'augers' is not only NOT an auger and it's not even from the Carolinas at all. It's the Common Vertagus (a certh) from the Indo-Pacific (likely from the Philippines).

Plate 54. "Oyster Drills". Contains several Murexes in addition to the drills.

Plate 59. Sundials. The figured Sundial is not The American Sundial (Architectonica nobilis) but rather the Clear Sundial (Architectonica perspectiva) also from the Indo-Pacific.

The substitution of shells from the other side of the world really shows sloppy work in this guide. The other major problem I have with the book is that it just isn't complete enough; it only shows a small fraction of the plants and animals that one finds on Carolina coasts. The naturalist who trys to depend on this book will likely be frustrated and will find that they need other guides. As an introduction for a beginner it is ok, short the above noted plate problems.

Being a transplant from Michigan, I had little knowledge of coastal animals and plants. I purchased this book to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not knowledgeable enough as the other reviewer who found the inaccuracies in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The information is presented in a very interesting way and all the photographs are in color. I can't wait to spend more time on the coast and see some of the creatures myself. I'll definitely have this guide on hand. I also enjoyed the respect the author has for nature.

For the past four years I have had a place at the beach. Dr. Meyer's book has become our bible. Using it, shells, shorebirds and seaside flora are easily identified by my family, friends and renters. Being an amateur photographer, I am in total awe of the skill of the other physician who took the pictures.

this book wasn't even worthy enough for me to wipe my butt with. i regret stealing this book it was a waste of my time this book is what made me give up reading. this book made me hate trees.

This little book is an excellent survey of the most common plants in the redwood region. Definitely a wonderful introduction for beginning students of these plants. The book helps to identify these organisms at the same time as it adds some interesting information about each plant. Highly recommended. It appears as it now is out of print which is a pity. Please bring it back!

This book has nicely reproduced pictures, classification, and very readable and informative text on many of the trees and flowers of the northern coast of California. The text includes description, natural history, and special notes regarding native American uses of plants, edibility, or cautions regarding poisonous plants. Very nicely done!

This book tells where along the North Carolina coast that you might see listed birds and what time of year. I suuppose if you knew all the birds and there characteristics it might help you get around the areas.

This book is a wonderful resource for people who want to know where to go to find birds in North Carolina. It is detailed and thorough. It might be a bit intimidating for newcommers to birding but shouldn't be. It is a wonderful companion to a field guide for anyone lining or visiting in NC. A prior review by Chuck Riddle rated it low because it had no pictures. The reviewer apparently was expecting a field guide and unfortunatly rated the book based on his mistaken expectations.

The quintesential birders guide to NC! Great maps, very accurate driving directions.

This broad series, which includes "Western Forests" and "Deserts" are too broad. They include only the most common plants, animals and insects. Since I already know the difference between a redwood tree and douglass fir, or a red fox and groundhog, I was looking for less common things. MANY times I have come home to look up a flower, bird, or insect, only to discover that it is not in the book. What is in the book is covered well, but there's not just enough in the book. Perhaps they should further break the guides into "Invertebrates of the Pacific Coast", "Plants of the Pacific Coast", etc.

While beachcombing with my children, heads down to the sand and waves, I thought to myself "I wish I knew more about what we're looking at." Once home, I searched online for a guidebook describing the life of the Atlantic coast that would be informative AND interesting to my kids (both under 6 years old). This book has the perfect title, and is very informative and accurate, but it is missing something. After some thought I realize it is color. While Kochanoff's drawings are good - simple yet specific - they are plain line drawings. Without color, one loses so much. One certainly loses the interest of young children (who are stumped by black & white TV!) I also wish the format of the book was smaller - the 8-1/2 x 11 inch size eliminates it as a candidate for the beach bag. So, if you're interested in a basic illustrated zoological study of the life of the Atlantic beaches, this may be your book. But if you're trying to teach your kids about what they are picking up out of the sand, you probably will need to keep looking.

I eagerly read this book with the expectation that it would be as good as Alper's other political works. I was very disappointed by the bias of the book towards the enviro-groups and the lack of respect for the timber community. A balance would have been nice to see. Perhaps Salazar, an author I had not read before, pushed Alper's work in the extreme enviro direction. Because of its strong bias, I cannot recommend it.