Having tromped around the woods, towns, and backroads of Northern Idaho while growing up, I was delighted to have those memories pulled out of deep memory by Bill Gruber's delightful book. "On All Sides Nowhere" chronicles a place and culture seldom deemed worthy of prose. Gruber transforms what might seem seedy (yards filled with junked cars, a skillful but alcoholic handyman, houses continually under contruction) into respectful depictions of everyday life in this hard-scrabble part of the Pacific Northwest. Unlike many writers, Gruber doesn't choose to focus on himself or his family; they are simply the vehicle that allows him insights into the characters around them.

Perhaps the most amazing this is that this structure, visible from the Pullman highway, cost less than one million dollars to build. What a bargain when one considers that this building does for the UI what three separate facilities do for WSU if one discounts the differences in the athletic conferences. This slim book details how Trus Joist Corp. of Boise, ID, coordinated engineers and contractors and built the largest indoor college facility in the nation using laminated veneer lumber and the TRUSDEK structural system developed by Trus Joist. Not only that, they did it within ten months after the bid was accepted, completing the project in time for the first home football game. The author, Peter T. Johnson, knows what he's writing about. He was once the CEO of Trus Joist and he writes: "I remember the day in 1974 when the University opened the sealed bids in Moscow, ID. That morning, having experienced many times the bid, award, construct cycle, I felt the customary anxiety that prevails between the offer and the acceptance phases, as one might await a marriage proposal." Of course the bid was awarded and thus begins the union. And like many marriages, there were some interesting dips in the road. Warping due to weather moisture and other causes was a major concern. Finally, the project was completed and dedicated on Oct. 11, 1975. Its name is officially the William H. Kibbe-ASUI Activity Center Dome. Kibbie is a former UI student and was a monetary contributor to the project. Once finished, the Kibbie Dome received recongition in the architecture and engineering fields world wide. Engineering News Record, Architectural Record, Forest Products Journal, Western Building Design, and other major magazines covered the building extensively. Articles about the structure were published in the Japanes and German languages. The project's most prestigious nod came when the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded this impressive structure the ASCE Outstanding Structural Engineering Achievement Award for 1976 beating out a multi billion dollar mall project in New York State. In the last two decades plus, Palouse residents have come to take this awesome building for granted. "Raising the Roof" reminds us that great things can be accomplished with bold ingenuity and very little money, even in this 20th Century. I recommend this book to any and all architect students as well as those interested in local architectural history. Included are several beautiful photographs.

A plethora of Hollywood stills and on-location photographs chronicle the story of the first Hollywood feature film made in Idaho--and the rcovery of the sole suriving print from Gosfilmofond, in Moscow, Russia. Amazon or you can obtain this book from The Book Store, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725 or by calling 1.800.992.8398 (toll free)!

For anyone interested in the history of Idaho and anyone concerned about the region's natural resources, Williamson's book contains fifty-eight vignettes of river tales and legends, old and new.

The state of Idaho is full of interesting geology; from the Craters of the Moon, to the Snake River Canyon, to the lakes of the Idaho Panhandle. Every tourist and sightseer should have a copy of this informative book to guide them along an adventure that includes geological orientation interwoven with on-site observation. A "must-read" for the traveler!

Betty Derig's book, A Roadside History of Idaho, travels the entire state, giving useful, interesting, and often rarely known facts and stories about Idaho. Without sounding too academic, the book is authoritative. Without being fluffy, it is light and enjoyable. Perhaps the most enjoyable element of the guide is that by cataloguing the history, the people, and the out-of-the-way places of Idaho, Derig successfully conveys a sense of mythology about the state. The reader, while enjoying the interesting and entertaining facts, gets the sense that Idaho has texture and history and a culture all its own - that the state is more than some sparsely populated, out of the way state that is only good for producing potatos. Betty Derig's book reveals Idaho for the enchanting, enchanted place that it is.

It has finally arrived. The bible that everyone in the Salt Lake valley has been waiting for. No, it's not another religious doctrine. It is the guide to the diverse canyons of the Wasatch Range surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah. It's bigger and a whole lot better than the Ruckman's old guide. The guidebook covers all of the canyons that were in the previous guide, plus it covers new developments such as City Creek and Neffs Canyon. The Ruckmans follow the same format they used in their old guide, so don't expect many changes in that department. However, to say that this is only a revised edition is an understatement.

The guide is twice as thick as previous editions and covers almost twice as many routes. It is a little bit more expensive, but it is worth it if you want to find the areas like the Shore Line Crag, Broads Fork and a plethora of new routes throughout the Wasatch. The only shortcoming of the guide is its short mention of the bouldering areas. The guide des! cribes the locations of the bouldering areas but it does not describe any of the routes. This was probably done in order to save space and money but it would be nice for the Ruckmans to pass on some bouldering beta. Overall impression, the guide is an excellent investment and a good excuse to replace your old torn up guide.

Simply I must say "Seismic intensities in Idaho" was a revelation. My entire world view was flipped upside down by Dr. Sprenke's insights into the internal hidden workings of the Idaho substrata. A must read by a future nobel prize winner!

Im Ms. Holden-Bussard's hairstylist. To be very honest, I bought her
book out of loyalty. I knew I would need to read it before her next
appointment, so I set aside a time, on a very, very busy day, with
lots of stops and waiting periods in between, while in town, to read
her book. My first stop was tune-up and oil change, good, at least an
hour or more to start reading this book. My car was finished, I
continued reading the book for more than an hour, at the tune-up
center. I made a crucial decision---cancell all the other business for
the day--go home--READ THIS BOOK!! I did, came home, got comfortable
and did not do a single thing but FINISH reading this book!! I simply
couldn't wait to see what happened next. I came sooooooo close to
calling Ms. Holden-Bussard at 2:30 in the morning when I finished
it--I simply had to share my feelings with her!! I was overwhelmed by
the beauty, the adventure, the mystery, the excitement-the romance,
suspense, intrigue--the easy to read format that Ms. Holden-Bussard
uses. It literally held me in its beauty, its grace and heart-felt
simplicity! I cannot reccommend this book enough. I have since
purchased several copies to give to friends and family--NO, I will not
loan out my autographed copy--it has become an essential part of the
energy of my home! I have only one more comment: Ms. Holden-Bussard,
will there be more?? Please!! I remember you sharing some of the
frustrations and challenges of getting this book published--but the
selfish part of me says--Skinny Scottie was worth it--I WANT MORE!!!!!

This book not only captivates you with the magnificent pictures of Idaho, but entertains you with stories--both past and present--of a wonderful state. Anyone who wants a personal tour guide of Idaho should own this book.