Readers: I am going to get right to the point about this book. The three great strengths of Charles Cook's "Awakening to Nature" are: (1) his intimate knowledge of the natural world; (2) the descriptive language he uses and (3) perhaps most the most important strength, what I call the "micro-structure" of the book itself.

Cook is believable. It's quite obvious to me that he has recreated and worked in natural settings. He has accumulated an earthy knowledge of nature that is revealed in his writing. And the language he uses in the book is detailed, descriptive, and at times, challenging to the reader. Perusing through "Awakening to Nature is like having your own nature guide, philosopher, and therapist all rolled up into one.

The third great strength of the book is once again the micro-structure Cook uses. By micro-structure, I am referring to the the detailed sections he has created within each chapter. As a prospective reader, you are not going to see this micro-structure by reading through an online table of contents. Here's an example: In Chapter 14, "Going With the Flow of the Water," Cook includes separate and highly descriptive sections entitled: "Brooks, Creeks, Streams, and Rivers;" "Exploring a Waterway on Foot;" "Waterfalls and Cascades;" "Communing With a Waterfall;" "Lakes and Ponds;" "Circumnavigating a Lake;" "The Ocean;" "Opening Yourself to the Sea;" and "Snow and Ice." Each section is very well written and could be considered a nature essay in of itself.

When reading through "Awakening to Nature," I thought of nature writers Enos Mills and John Muir. And when hiking through the Colorado foothills and backcountry with friends, I thought of Charles Cook and this book, one of the most beautiful treatises on nature that I have ever read.

If you yearn to reacquaint yourself with the natural world, in any environment, I strongly urge you to read this book.

Throughout recorded time, the ax has been a principle tool for carving out from the wilderness the homes, farms, and roads so necessary to the advance of civilization. Even today, those who use chainsaws and other power equipment still need to be familiar with the hand tools of their craft. In many situations, only a hand-ax will suffice for the felling of trees, the rough shaping of lumber, the creation of firewood, and clearing out the nooks and crannies of forested areas for other purposes -- including the planting of new trees. Cook's The Ax Book is an ideal "how to" manual of instruction enhanced with the illustrations of Whipple to provide what is simply the best introductory guide to the subject available to readers today. The Ax Book is a "must" for anyone needing to use a hand ax for any purpose, under any circumstances.

I've read 4 of Will Cook's books and liked three of them including this one. The only one I didn't like was "the rain tree" or some name like that. The rest were really good though.

This is volume 2 of the collection and covers birth, marriage, and death records for Barkhamsted, 1779-1854; Berlin, 1785-1850; Bethany, 1832-1853; Bethlehem, 1787-1851; Bloomfield, 1835-1853; and Bozrah, 1786-1850

This is a great way to learn of your family history. Barbour has done a great job at noting all of the towns vital statistics. Great reference book.

This is the third volume of the Barbour Collection. It contains the birth, marriage and death records of Branford CT from 1644 to 1850 and Bridgeport CT from 1821 to 1854.

When I decided to start entertaining professional colleagues in our home, I needed help FAST!I found it in this wonderful book which is full of creative and impressive meals. There are a variety of menus for a variety of situations; including "stand and nibble" entertaining,celebrations and holidays, buffets, sit-down dinners, brunches, and even outdoor entertaining. A section called Mixed-up Menus creates even more menus from those already laid out. The recipes use readily available ingredients and are not time-intensive. All are simple enough for a beginner like me (step-by-step with timetables,and illustrated) but sophisticated enough to make me look good! This book has been a real life-saver.

Excellent piece of work with great descriptions of Balibago, Angeles, the customs of the Philippines and not far from the truth in some cases. A very nicely woven story with many of the places and people covered by the thin veil of a fiction book. After living here in the city of Angeles and running a business for 6 years after 20 years in the army the book was a summary of some of the strange stuff that happens in a strange land, far, far away. This ain't Kansas Toto.

Pictures and descriptions of many famous and not-so-famous railroad bridges abound in this beautiful hardcover book. Return to a time when things were built to last, and the iron horse was king!

what to serve has always been a dilemna to hostesses, both those who are experienced cooks and those who are just beginning. In this book, Beginning Again, one finds recipes that have stood the test of time, of ease of preparation, simple to serve, and ingredients readily found. When one becomes jaded with the same ol, same ol, this book, in beautiful simplicity, provides the type of pick me up one needs to face another gathering. I think of this book as a classic and it stands in a place of honor in the forefront of my four long shelves of often used cookbooks.