It's small but its got it all. Rather than turn out another normal size book on Route 66 the publishers had the great idea of making it pocket size, four by six inches, landscape and with FOUR-HUNDRED all-color pages. I predict that this will be the standard book for those who want to make the trip. Each of the eight states that 66 goes through has a chapter, they start with a simple map, comments about landscape and climate, then the text details what to look for along the way, with the help of historical and contemporary photos, a linear map with places and mileage goes across the top of all of these pages.

Between all the route pages are some lovely spreads of Route 66 Americana which repeat themselves throughout the book, Route Food (pages 174-175 has Red-Hot BBQ Beef Ribs) Transport (168-169 has a 1936 Harley-Davidson) Music of the Road (Woody Guthrie on 156-157) and Famous Sites (Wigwam Village, Holbrook, AZ, on 294-295). The books production is excellent, good choice of photos, well laid out pages (a tip of the hat to designer Phillip Clucas) with colourful graphics behind the text on most of them. The back has a book list, useful resources guide (including websites) and index.

I recently reviewed 'The Final Cut Route 66' by German photographer Gerd Kittel. Eighty-three wonderful photographs of what he saw along 66 and I think it is the perfect book to complement Nick Freeth's travelogue. Kittel has the knack of producing really good color in his photos. Both books do justice to a unique and fascinating bit of America.

Don't let the size of this book fool you. Approximately the height & width of a post card, it is packed with vibrant full color pictures and information. Archive photos, current conditions of Route 66 icons and roads, and text that is very well written. Even regional culinary receipes from the Mother Road! What more could you ask? An excellent book for both actual and arm chair Route 66 travelers.

I thought this book was very interesting, and not at all something that would appeal only to Minnesotans. It's sometimes hard to remember just how rapidly the neighborhoods and infrastructure of American cities have changed in the last hundred years, and seeing the movement documented is really fascinating. As the authors point out in an early chapter, nothing in a city is permanent, sometimes not even the streets themselves. The book does have some unhappy overtones. Like other cities, Minneapolis-St. Paul have chosen at times to simply bulldoze seedy areas of town and fill them with bland new buildings rather than try to redevelop them. New is not always better, for the city or its inhabitants. It's sad to see a block of aging but still beautiful turn-of-the century commerical buildings give way to cold-looking open spaces, or a stately mansion lawn turn into a weed-choked hillside behind a college. But this book is excellent whether you are interested in social commentary or just amazed at how quickly cities change to meet our changing needs.

I'm reading this book for Augsburg College's history of the Twin Cities. I think the photography is first class and I love reading this book. It is one of few class reading I enjoy (as well as Larry Millett's Lost Twin Cities). Lewis Nelson

A must have if you are planning to fish for trout in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Well organized. Color pictures of flies along with recipes and how to fish them. What else could you want.

Pulling 40 years worth of observation and fishing experience Ross Mueller has written a practical and useful book. It contains over 100 fly patterns that will catch trout in the Upper-Midwest. This is a MUST have book for anyone that plans to fish the area. Not only do you read about what flies to use, but also how to tie them and HOW to fish them!

As wards of the state of Oklahoma, Linda Lakoe (Okee-Chee) and her sister Jackie arrive at the predominately indian Murrow orphanage. As Apaches, they are met with suspicion, fear, and aggression from the other children. Linda struggles to become respected by the others, while Jackie, the younger of the two focuses on finding the adoptive family she has never known.

The book depicts their year together at the orphanage, and the challenges that they endure as orphans, and as sisters with different goals. Linda finds comfort and meaning as an aspiring artist, while her younger sister can only find such comfort with the prospect of having a mother.

This is one of the most tear-jerking, thought provoking books I have read in recent years. It depicts a journey of self realization and discovery. Linda's self discovery, brought on by her prospective adoptive mother, is thrilling and uplifting - provoking anyone who reads it to believe that no matter what, there is always a mother figure in life who can make right, teach, nurture and provide a basis to understand one's own culture.

The entire book consists of chapters that begin with dream like narrations - An excellent method of recalling what should be, and probably are shady memories of a past that is understandably blurry.

Still, this is one of the best books I've read so far... I would highly recommend it to anyone - especially those who have interest in learning about native american identity in the 20th century.

This book helped bring back my inner child and rediscover the relationship I had with the earth as a child. Remarkable insight was present in the author when she described her past.

I have the good fortune of knowing Greg and have paddled and fished a bit with him. Always a strong writer, "Wild Shore" surpasses anything of his to date with its blend of frank honesty (about the frequent terrors of the Big Lake and about loneliness), humor (in confronting edgy weather and wind and lakeside culture), and deep respect for nature and history. It's also a bit of a romance, though not ostentatiously so. Beyond all that it is a marvelous kayak trip on which he leads us.

I really enjoyed Greg Breining's new book "Wild Shore--Exploring Lake Superior by Kayak." He loves history and nature and it shows. He starts north of Sault Sainte Marie, Canada and goes west. He goes for little pieces at a time, usually with a friend or his teen-age daughter. He talks to the local people. He explores what's near the shore (such as the Pukaskwa pits) and what is unique about it. He tells you about the Canadian WWII German prisoner of war camp near Ney. He looks for the woodland caribou and discusses their relationship with the wolves. He visits the Rossport Inn and tells about the sinking of the Gunilda. He visits a ship captain and the Indian man who manages the Grand Portage State Park (in MN). He kayaks around Isle Royale with his daughter, describing its interesting history. He goes to the Apostle Islands (in WI). He meets a fellow in a folding kayak going around the lake like him, but in one trip. He visits a crumbling lighthouse and the very private Huron Mountain Club in the UP of Michigan. He fights the waves and has a good time exploring. He finds interesting places you'd never find in a car. He talks about the then and now. He camps at night and enjoys his cigar and a good cup of tea. It's a very different book than Ann Linnea's book of kayaking around Lake Superior, Deep Water Passage. Much more interesting. He does not focus on himself. He takes many pictures. It is an excellent book. My only problem with it were the pictures and maps. The pictures (which are very good) were very dark. The maps were much too small. Have a good Lake Superior map tucked in your book when you read it. Now you can go around Lake Superior--without the work!

I too grew up in Wyo. and this book features one of the most interesting cross-sections of the rugged individuals that live there. I purchased it because my brother is featured in it (horseshoer, p. 130), but my friends and family are fascinated by it. It is a featured "coffee-table" book in our home.

The pictures were excellent and the stories, for the most part were quite interesting. If you've ever wondered what life in Wyoming is REALLY like, you must read this book.

Now in a completely updated sixth edition, Wisconsin Off The Beaten Path: A Guide To Unique Places is an exciting travel guide to enriching one's Wisconsin vacation, whether one is relaxing for a single afternoon or weeks on end. Divided by region, and offering maps, unusual accommodations and attractions, as well as lists of county and state parks and unique museums, Wisconsin Off The Beaten Path is an excellent and enthusiastically recommended guide for any Wisconsin native looking for an entertaining day trip or weekend adventure, as well as the out-of-state vacationer looking for something fresh and new in what the Badger State has to offer!

Now in a fully updated and expanded fifth edition, Martin and Daniel Hintz's Wisconsin: Off The Beaten Path continues to be the premier guide to the unique places of the Badger state, often referred to as "America's Dairyland". Like the earlier editions of this invaluable guide and reference, Wisconsin: Off The Beaten Path is replete with detailed, user- friendly maps; chapter listings of restaurants, accommodations, annual events and popular attractions; a "fact block" provider at-a-glance information about the state including major newspapers, recommended reading for kids, public transportation, climate overview, population figures, and fun facts. Wisconsin: Off The Beaten Path is enhanced with numerous sidebars listing historical facts, geographical tidbits, stories and legends about various attractions, trivia, suggested day trips, and first-person anecdotes about the authors' experiences while researching their guide. Whether you are a vacationing traveler just passing through, or a born-and-bred native looking on a little recreational excursion, don't leave home for any Wisconsin destination without your own trusty copy of Wisconsin: Off The Beaten Path.

I met Pat Lisi and his wife at a photography class for the Women in the Outdoors program last fall in Appleton WI. He taught us patiently how to use our cameras, and I ended up having my photo of a Red-Tail Hawk published! His book is wonderful. We take it with us as we travel, and you wouldn't believe how many waterfalls you pass by as you travel, without knowing you are so very close to one. Without this book I wouldn't know where they are--so now we check the book, stop by the falls, and date the page in the book as we visit. Its a great book, a great gift for anyone, especially yourself! Thanks Pat for the book, and for the photography tips.

The book proivdes a nice walk through of wisconsin waterfalls. The author also did a very nice job with the photos.

This was very well made, for an atlas. The format and legend was easy to understand, and it certainly helped my not so great navigational skills.

This atlas is a great book to have on hand while driving through Wyoming, especially via the backroads. It's a must-have for any traveler and resident.

I know that Erling has experience every single bike path in SE Minnesota and has at least one GREAT story to tell about each of them! Kudos to Erling!