As a professional, I found the book to be somewhat illuminating. For example, I understood why a colleague in another part of the state insisted that I prescribe certain drugs to a patient who needed them, rathen then him, himself. However, at most parts, the details are far too discrete. This leads to speculation, which is unfair to both the professional and the public. To say that the professional is required to have psychiatric care while practicing medicine without details, opens up all sorts of speculation that could harm the doctor - patient relationship unnecessarily.

I have 1936 edition, given to my dad as a high school literature prize. Having grown up in southern Idaho, this was a treat to read the first hand stories of Mr Walgamott. A great asset is the town/place name bibliography with historical notes as to their origin, such as "Kuna...shoshone...meaning, green leaf good to smoke". If you grew up in southern ID, you will identify with many of the places and long to have been able to see the wonderous Snake River in its glory before it was dammed up.

This book is told in flashback, and it has an autobiographical feel. It's short, readable, nothing outstanding. It's a good book to read when you want something light, simple, and uplifting. If you're a baby boomer, you may be reminded of your own childhood memories as you read this book.

The test was concise and detailed for the trails I hiked. I would have liked to see more detailed maps, though. The variety of and designation of trail types and difficulty gave me enough information to determine the best trails for my ability.

This book is at best a reference that must be used in conjunction with another book, or better yet, Forest Service maps. While the author does point this out, I feel that several necessary details could have easily been included in this ...book, but were not. For example, elevations are not included, reference maps are far too vague, hiking difficulty ratings are there, but are less than accurate; and when a road that must be traveled for 17 miles to get to the trailhead is very close to 4-wheel terrain, it should be noted so (fortunately I was in my 4-wheel truck). Also, if signage to the trailhead is poor, or non-existent, better instructions on finding it are in order. And the trail I'm referring to is one of the most traveled in Idaho. I later found that Falcon's 'Hiking Idaho' did a much better job making up for 'Wild Idaho's' shortcomings. Problem is, the former doesn't cover all the same hikes.

This book covers the state reasonably well and will help you make good decisions about where to go and what to avoid. I used it during a recent three-week trip.

It's not superlative, so normally I wouldn't post. After reading the first two reviews, however, I almost didn't buy the book, so I wanted to persuade others that the author's frequent political intrusions need not push you away. His opinions do slant the narrative and make some of the sidebars less attractive, but I found them easy to ignore.

Given the absence of other guidebooks, the solid coverage of the food/lodging/activities stuff makes this a valuable resource. It's also consistent with Moon's emphasis on hidden places and the great outdoors. An added bonus is that the author has a talent for capturing the feel of a place; this doesn't suffer much because of his political views.

Those who've come to trust Moon publications shouldn't hesitate.

After reading some of the reviews on this book, I decided to reread The Idaho Handbook. The book that I read was quite a bit different than some of the reviews.

While the author's position on land-use is well documented throughout the book, I would hardly classify those views as extreme. Quite a few of the Idahoans that I talked with in the two weeks that I spent in Idaho last summer expressed real concerns regarding land-use throughout the state.

When I am looking for a tour book, I want something more than the AAA travel books. The book contains a significant amount of the history of the state. The book also contains all of the usuals for a tour book - an objective analysis of the lodging and food options in many small towns. This is very important as some parts of the state, the options are somewhat limited.

In addition, he covers the major (and many of the minor) attractions in the state. A number of these attractions were not found in other books.

I enjoy the Moon Guides a whole lot more than other guides. Their strength is that that they are written by people who spend a lot of time travelling throughout the state rather than the tourist areas. For example, Deke Castleman's Nevada Handbook dedicated 10-15% of the book on the Las Vegas area.

Idaho may not be everyone's idea of a "hot potato" destination. But if you want a clever, concise guide to a wonderful state -- this is it. Check out "Rural Bar Etiquette" on p. 78 for a sample of Root's humor.

This is not your average dry guide (Although Root's sense of humor is indeed dry!) You will find instead detailed descriptions and opinions(some very funny) which can help you decide the places that might be of special interest to you. It is one of the best guide books I have ever read.

This book does a great public disservice. The information in the book has not been updated in years and is terribly outdated. Quite a bit of the information is absolutely wrong. Send the publisher a message - don't buy the book until they update it. Save your money, there are much better, current books out there such as "Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest" & Northwest - which are updated ever two years

The only useful thing about this writer's books on hot springs are the USGS maps and the latitude/longitudes. I bought a book of his nearly 20 years ago and was thoroughly dissatisfied, & was incensed when it seemed to me he was more interested in providing info for the land yacht crowd. I wonder if his book alleging that the lunar landings were hoaxes is any better. I doubt it. He probably denies the Holocaust took place, too. If you want a book on hot springs, check out Jayson Loam's books. They are much better. If you want info on faked lunar landings, get the movie "Capricorn One."

We have tried one hot spring listing and enjoyed our hot soak, found one shut down, one remodeling and one a bit too pricey for us. Would like to see some reference to actual costs rather than than reasonable or free or deluxe. One place inacessible without 4 wheel drive but we will keep trying, the maps are good.

"Montana Rail Link" is a collection of black and white photographs by the author, taken across much, but not most or all, of Montana Rail Link railroad. It is a pictorial - not a history - of Montana Rail Link after its first decade of existance, with some good information. There are some factual errors contained and the book is lacking depth in both text and photographic coverage of this 600-plus bridge line across connecting two divisions of BNSF railroad in Montana.

"Montana Rail Link" is an engrossing history of the MRL, one of the most successful operating railroads in the United States. At the start of this handsome volume, Wesley Fox, who has photographed and closely studied western railroading for the past eighteen years, chronicles the ten-year history of MLR, which was born on Oct. 31, l987. From the opening picture of a panoramic southern view from the Sheridan Hotel in Billings, Montana (BN 091 just happens to be crossing 27th Ave) to the closing photo of a retired MLR caboose in soft shadows, Fox's pictures--all b&w--have an aura of heartfelt eagerness about them. Alas, not all the photographs are first-rate. But his pictures (Train 024 passing through a triple truss bridge over the Yellowstone River; Train 122 rolling beside the lovely Flathead River; and, of course, the cover shot of Train 251 crossing an unnamed bridge) are admirally-timed and angled. Western rail fans will definitely want to peruse this volume.

Its time for serious update. This guy has been rebublishing the same stuff for years. You might as well buy the first edition for nickels since nothing really has changed. Difficult to follow topo's, bad trail info, and lack of info are just a few of the problems with this book. Maybe used in conjunction with Calderone's book you'll get a good idea about the climbs, otherwise go without and ask around and you'll most likely get better info.

In response to the critics of my City of Rocks guide, it is still the most accurate and complete guide on the market. The book began as a self -published labor of love in 1985 and, like the City, has been constantly evolving. I have been working on a new, fully updated, all-photo guide which will be out by fall '03. Until then, the 2001 edition of "City of Rocks, Idaho - A Climber's Guide" provides the most accurate maps and route information of the area.

If you do happen to get your hands on Calderone's book, consider yourself unlucky. It was withdrawn by the publisher because it had so many errors and misinformation. I haven't read Bingham's book yet, but it can't be worse than Calderone's. Go to the City without scouting thoroughly (more than usual) Calderone's info. is at best dangerous!

I had mixed emotions over this book. Mary Jo gives great details of how they manage to live off the land in Idaho for only $2500 per year income and as a person always looking to simplify my life and live below my means, I found this helpful and the reason for the 2 stars. This book also gives great descriptions of rural Idaho, as well as an account of building a home with no outside help. She breaks down costs and gives details. However, I came away from reading the book disliking Mary Jo and her husband Stew a lot! She says goodbye to her children and family to take up with a man she has known for only a few months for this dream of a modern day Walden. He kidnapps his own children and ends up in jail for custodial interference. The irresponsibility and self-centeredness that these 2 show is unbelievable and what is more unbelievable, she writes as if she is proud of it. If you can get past the personality, there is some good information.