Mr. Josephy is 84 years old but this personal account of his "walk", which takes him from the sidewalks of NYC to the mountains of Oregon, from the nineteens to the nineties, is more contemporary and intriguing than any of the more high profile accounts of the 20th century recently published.

I'm a big fan of the author's, having read his books about the American Indians (Josephy does not call them "Native Americans") and their struggles. An Indian friend of mine credits him -- by exposing their plight through the articles he wrote in the 1950's and 1960's in Life and Time magazines -- as being the individual most influential in changing the perception of the Indian in this country.

But the book is about much more than that. Like an intellectual Forrest Gump, Josephy witnessed and participated in much of America's history this century. He begins as a kid on the west side of NYC, goes to Harvard briefly then leaves because of the depression. Gets a job in the 30's as a screenwriter at MGM and as he travels by bus to California, he witnesses the exodus of the dust bowl families and becomes committed to helping the less fortunate of this country. And he does.

He works as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, radio, the Marine Corps; interviews Trotsky, tapes the invasion of Guam as a WW2 Marine sergeant war correspondent as the enemy is firing on him...and receives a bronze star, fights for Indian recognition and rights, helps change the U.S. environmental policies, works for JFK, marches with Martin Luther King...

His is such a fascinating account that it makes history personal and alive. We should all read this not only for the facts of our past, but also for the example Mr. Josephy has set. The "lesson" that much can be accomplished by one person with courage who cares would be well learned by schoolchildren and adults of all ages. I recommend this book to each of them.

There have been several 20th century retrospectives published recently by high profile authors, but none as fascinating as "A Walk Toward Oregon" by Alvin Josephy. Here's a book written by a man that has "walked the walk" from NYC to the west coast -- from the early part of the 20th century to present day -- with stops in Mexico and the WW 2 Pacific along the way.

Mr. Josephy's personal account and participation in some of the most significant events of the 20th century reads like a novel, yet informs like no history book I've ever read. His account of the streets of NYC as a kid in the early 1900's; trying to find a job during the depression (he did...selling stamps in Macy's); interviewing Trotsky as a young reporter; taping the invasion of Guam as a Marine sergeant; writing for Time and Life about the American Indians and changing the public's perception of their plight; serving with Kennedy; marching with MLK; and on and on. Yet it's easy to read and fascinating.

I think "A Walk Toward Oregon" should be at the top of reading lists for schools and book groups. I enthusiastically recommend it!

I am Bob S. Stearns with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Santiam Unit. I am personally dealing with recreational issues on state lands regarding a couple of waterfalls in this publication. Some information has changed with these locations and the publication should be altered to show that. Thank you for any correspondence. Please call at (503)859-2151 or write at adresses listed above. Thank you.

For anyone interested in tracking down waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest region, this book is the bible. Detailed accounts of where to locate them, maps, personal insight, the works. Gregory Plumb has laid the groundwork for my innate passion for these natural beauties. A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest is a must have for hikers and enthusiasts alike.

Westward Go! presents the exciting story of how John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, and twelve-year old Rand Benton explored the American west in the Fremont expedition's 1842 Map-Making sojourn from St. Louis, Missouri to the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. This lively, energetic text is enhanced with line-drawings and marginal notes as the expedition encountered Native Americans, buffalo herds, Sacajawea's son, mountainmen, rivers, and the vast unexplored horizon. Westward Go! is fun, informative reading for anyone with an interest in the Old West generally, and the John C. Fremont expedition in particular.

It's always a pleasure to discover the occasional historical novel that both educates AND entertains. This is not the tedious textbook presentation of America's past that I remember (and so painfully endured) over the years in required American history courses. Ms. Loftin's book is engrossing, with dialogue as dazzling as its illustrations. More significantly, she proves something I've always believed but rarely experienced--namely, that we can learn about America's remarkable past without being bored into a stupor.

One of the very best area-specific wildflower books ever. Descriptions and photographs make identification easy. The guide to location includes best times to go, roads to travel and paths to follow.

CLEAR GLOSSY COLOR PHOTOS OF EACH FLOWER, THE SCIENTIFIC AND COMMON NAMES, HABITATS AND BLOOMING DATES MAKE YOUR COLUMBIA GORGE WILDFLOWER IDENTIFICATION A SNAP! THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR THE LIBRARY OF THE GORGE HIKER, BOTANIST OR ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES THE SPECTACULAR BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF THIS NATURAL SCENIC AREA.

This book was so good that I had to limit myself to a few pages a day in order to make it last as long as possible. Dayton Hyde has such an appreciation of nature, wildlife, and the delicate relationship between man and his surroundings. It was just an incredible book.

A great opportunity to experience a Rancher's love of the land and devotion to animals. The author engadges the reader in his challenges and sacrifices in order to survive in a world most of the population can not imagine. The book moves along quickly and leaves you wanting more.

This book features an excellent range of hikes: from challenging longer hikes to short hikes suitable for families with kids, well known hikes and little known gems. The author has done a great job selecting hikes that explore the mountains and high desert of Easter Oregon, and his written descriptions are precise and descriptive. Sullivan's maps and photos add a lot to the book. A great book for hikers in Central or Eastern Oregon -- or those of you visiting.

The is the best guide ever! I thought planning my wedding was going to be a difficult experience, but when a friend reccommended this book, I had no idea how easy planning my wedding would become. This book not only lists ceremony sites, reception sites, photographers, florists, etc, it also gives very detailed information such as price, deposits and capacity. I also discoverd this book is online at bravowedding.com. I fully reccommend this book to anyone planning a wedding in Oregon or SW Washington

This is an excellent and much needed book on the history of railroad building in the Interior Northwest. Some of the chapters include the various Palouse lines, Stampede Tunnel, Coeur d'Alene area, NP's Central Washington Branch, and more. Well written and researched. A few photos, mostly text. Lengthy appendix. Highly recommended. I hope somebody writes another book on this area continuing on from 1893.

An excellent first hand narrative with lively and descriptive writing by one of the first pioneers to help settle the untamed Northwest. Alexander Ross joined Astor's Pacific Fur Company expedition in 1810 and this is his story of the day to day struggles which he and the other men had to overcome. He left New York on the soon to be ill-fated, doomed ship the Tonquin, with a pompous and overbearing Captain Thorn. They sailed around the tip of South America, then to Hawaii and finally to the mouth of the Columbia River, all the while prevailing over many hardships during this voyage. Upon landing and without delay, the men began to construct the trading post Astoria. Ross' detailed descriptions of their adventures amidst the forces of Mother Nature, Indian relations, the Northwest Fur Company, geography, etc. makes this book a real page turner. They all had many obstacles to overcome, and as I said, his writing skills are exemplary. He devotes the last few chapters to the culture and customs of one of the local Indian tribes. The man was a keen and acute observer of all his surroundings and this is an energetic effort on his part to put it in writing.

To find the new edition of this book, search for "Moon Handbooks: Alaska-Yukon" on this site.