I picked up this book while touring the visitor's center at the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State, on the way home from camping in the Canadian Rockies. In spite of having grown up in Washington State, I'd never seen the Grand Coulee before, and thought it was about time. Besides, the kids thought it would be a treat.

The Grand Coulee dam sits in a wide, deep channel, or coulee, in the Eastern Washington basalt. David Alt's book is relevant because it explains (among lots of other things) where the coulee (and others like it) originated. The story begins with early settlers, who wondered at the scab lands in the area, and their contrast with the rich soils of the Palouse Hills. Some of these scab lands show stream beds much too wide to support current flows, and scouring as much as several hundred feet above the current channels. There are also potholes in the coulees, very numerous, and some of gigantic proportions. Further north, in Montana, there are the unmistakable horizontal lines of ancient lake shores, high on the hills and mountains of river valleys.

These and other clues led early geologists to wonder and speculate about ancient glacial lakes during the last ice age. T. C. Chamberlain was one of these, as was Joseph Pardee, who actually calculated the volume of water in what is now called Glacial Lake Missoula. The numbers are impressive. The lake held roughly 500 cubic miles of water, was nearly 2000 feet deep, and covered an area of roughly 2,900 square miles.

The problem was, it was all held back by an ice dam, an ice finger, actually, from one of the glaciers that moved down from Canada during the last ice age. And when the water in the lake became deep enough to float the ice dam, it gave way, resulting in a tremendous rush of water out of the lake that sloshed its way, making temporary lakes as it went, all the way to the Pacific ocean.

Along the way, this great flood formed many of the features we see in Montana, the Idaho panhandle, Easter Washington, the Columbia Gorge, and the lower Columbia. Alt has structured his book so that he takes the reader on a voyage from the lake's beginnings in Montana through the river valleys the flood scoured. Along the way he explains how the floods resulted in landmarks easily visible from interstate highways, including such features as Coeur d'Alane Lake in Idaho, the scablands and coulees of Eastern Washington, the Columbia River Gorge, and Lake Oswego in Oregon.

The book is nicely illustrated, with lots of black-and-white photographs of geological features as well as useful maps. The story, for the most part, is sequential, and follows the events of the flood from the moment the ice dam broke. An important point, though, is that there were many such floods. Perhaps three dozen or more. This cyclic behavior resulted from the creeping ice: as soon as the ice dam washed out, the glacial ice, continuing it's plodding movement, would begin damming the river again, and the process would repeat.

Alt's purpose in writing the book is to both tell the story of geological events, as well as to illustrate how scientists grapple "with an emerging scientific controversy." As he points out, "[S]ome handle it well, others miserably as personalities, pride, and outright prejudice supercede scientific evidence. While I found some of these stories interesting, for me they were a little distracting, particularly when Alt takes the apparent point of view that earlier scientists who did not readily accept the "monster-flood theory" were somehow bad scientists.

For example, Alt states on page 21:

"When J. Harlen Bretz first proposed his great flood, he could not say where the water had come from. He pointed to the enormous expanse of glaciated country to the north and vaguely suggested that the water had come from somewhere up there, somehow. Perhaps a brief interlude of much warmer weather melted an enormous amount of ice. Maybe a volcano erupted beneath the ice. It was a puzzle. People need not understand everything they know. It is perfectly proper in scientific discussions to recognize that a phenomenon exists without being able to explain it."

In hind site it's easy to criticize people for not "believing." But Alt does a disservice, I think, with his implications that such criticisms were somehow unfair. No doubt there were personal conflicts and bad manners, but overall, my perception is that the scientific community was pretty prompt about accepting the new theory once the evidence was presented. And, certainly, the cause of science is not advanced by accepting uncritically ideas for which only ad hoc explanations about "where all the water came from" are advanced. One need only review the circumstances surrounding the fiasco of "cold fusion" to understand the value in the scientific method of "believing" after the facts are established, and not before.

Philosophical issues aside, I really enjoyed this book. It's part of a class of books aimed at the intelligent arm-chair scientist (but of interest, I believe, to "real" scientists, as well) in which a particular geological micro-history is traced through thousands of years. For me, personally, this was a fun book. I enjoy geology, and I especially enjoy such books that take a particular historical event in geology and explain it in detail. It's the sort of book I can easily read while camping, or in the evening, at home. I highly recommend it.

. . . but don't even think of reading this book without ready access to a large-scale map. A road map is fine for the job.

Geologist Bretz first walked the dry channels of Eastern Washington in the 1920s and observed a landscape which told of a catastrophic flood released repeatedly which held more than ten times the combined flow of all the modern rivers of the world. Glacial Lake Missoula And Its Humongous Floods reveals the geology and research involved in tracing the paths of these floodwaters. Any with an interest in geology in general and Missoula in particular will find this fascinating reading.

The approach is honest as the author wrestles with his desire to do what his conscience tells him is right for the land v.s. the market signals that make those decisions much more expensive. As a complete novice to homebuilding, it gave me a basic understanding of what is involved in building my own home, and made it seem less intimidating.

Richard Manning is an environmentalist writer who can write. He has a voice—an open, honest and emotionally engaging one—one that makes this book a pleasure to read. Manning puts his cards right out on the table, addressing the contradiction of trying to act in an environmentally sensitive way while embarking on a building project that from the start appears less than environmentally sound (building where there was no building before in “ranchette” fashion). Like most of life the resolution is in gray rather than black or white. But Manning succeeds in getting the reader to intimately understand the environmental impact of all facets of modern housing. Whether you build a new home like his or not this is worthwhile information. In my case it prompted me to give my 100 year-old home an “eco-overhaul,” a process which has to date reduced its energy consumption over 60%. And now my family, friends and students occasionally get an uninvited lecture on the virtues of compact fluorescent lighting, on-demand water heating, shutting off “ghost loads” and the like… And you can’t avoid Manning’s contagious love of the art of building and tools. There are all sorts of small gems hiding within this relatively straightforward work, and all of them are worth digging out and mulling over for a moment. ....

This book was pretty good. Definently worth buying if you like Serial Killers.

Praetorian

Definitly a book for adults only, this is the tale of a furniture delivery man named John Wayne Nance who is confirmed as having killed four and possibly eight people in a twelve year period up until his death in 1986. He attacked a couple in their home who fought back and killed him. My heart went out to the victims and their families, in particular three orphaned children. John Nance must have been SICK to do the revolting crimes he did and to hell he can go!! The book is a moving account of what happened and also very graphic. Two of the victims remain unidentified to this day. May those who died rest in peace.

Maybe Toni Volk only has one good novel in her, because Maybe in Missoula isn't just inferior to her first novel, it's downright bad. The characters are flat and empty and the plot is dull. Annie is a woman with no direction--she takes a big step leaving her husband and then just seems to drift along in life, making very little decisions about her own life. The only positive thing I can say, is that the reader does get a nice feel for life in Montana. Volk obviously knows and loves the area.

This novel, Maybe In Missoula, is beautiful, and its rich landscape and lovable, eccentric characters irresistible. Introspective Annie addresses many of the questions and dilemmas I, as a women, have grappled with myself, sex equality and its possible consequences, for example. Though the author speaks openly about women's issues, her treatment of the male characters shows a great compassion and understanding of the male point of view. In fact, it is Annie's ex-husband Morton who evolves the most of the three main characters. Definitely a must read.

Just finished re-reading "Maybe In Missoula". What a good read! I'm enjoying it even more the second time. I absolutely love all the characters and the way they think. Ms. Volk is so good at picking quirky little stories that each character is thinking about that tell so much more about the character than any direct information ever could. I'm just so impressed with her writing! Volk has this subtle sense of humor and wisdom that pervades everything she writes. It's as though she sees the truth about human nature in its occasional bumbling fallibility but nevertheless essential goodness, and she just has to smile about it. You will too, I'm sure! Also, when you've finished this one, check out "Montana Women". It's a winner, too.

The book covers an aspect of WWII-events that only in later years came into focus: the alien-detention of Italian- and Japanese civilians in the US.

It's a gripping well-researched tale which moves the reader. No 5-star generals here but innocent individuals who were overtaken by the event of something which was much bigger than themselves, which they couldn't control nor define ... they were mere pawns on a global chessboard.

Little guys are the heroes ... the cook, the hairdresser, the musicians from the Italian luxury liner ... and the innocent Americans who'se only crime it was to be from Japanese ancestry.

The book, rather than painting a grim story about the detention, highlights the life of unfortunate individuals and is an inspiration for good feelings. It shows that something good can come out of something not so good.

I'd recommend the book to anyone with a healthy feeling for contemporary history.

Blending hope and heartbreak, Pushed to Shore delves fearlessly into the nature of loneliness, both cultural and personal, and, at the same time, opens a window on the commonality of humanity without regard for racial differences. Janet Hunter is a teacher in an ESL (English/Second Language) class of relative-sponsored Vietnamese and Hmong high school students in Missoula, Montana.

Montana in winter is covered with snow and nothing like the verdant homeland these young people have left, and they must adapt to this entirely different and unfamiliar terrain. Unlike the other students in their high school, who are a jumble of enthusiastic adolescents on the cusp of adulthood, Hunter's special students are subdued and introverted, many with life experiences far exceeding their teenage peers. In their short lives, they have already known abandonment, violence and deprivation, with little comfort, luxury or leisure time for childish adventures. Unaware of her own personal deficiencies, Hunter feels emotionally drawn to her students, willing to lend her skills to help mold their futures in this unfamiliar land.

Acculturation is a difficult process, at best. Hunter is keenly aware of her shortcomings as a teacher, unable to pronounce or understand more than a few phrases of her student's dialects. She clumsily attempts to master language skills that seem beyond her reach and can only imagine their frustration without the English phrases necessary to communicate with fellow students. A lack of language skills is a primary obstacle to success. Hunter takes her job seriously; she must conscientiously prepare her students for economically feasible futures and it is her goal to help them graduate with the required level of education. As she interacts with her students, Hunter becomes aware of their subtle, yet critical differences. Gadbow avoids categorizing these young Southeast Asians, concentrating instead on their variety, the traits and idiosyncrasies that make each student a distinct individual. For all their ethnic similarities, each has a definitive personality, a variety of goals and ambitions.

At the same time, Hunter becomes aware of her lack of a personal life. In a sense, she realizes the extent of her self-obsession and self-protection, finally prepared to join the world around her, buoyed by the daily courage of her students. Like Sleeping Beauty, Hunter awakens to the real necessity for developing more extensive friendships and interests, with or without a man. When the opportunity presents itself, she begins a relationship, the first since a painful divorce eight years ago. Because of her willingness to engage in the new affair, Hunter gains some valuable insight into the real difficulties inherent in any risk, let alone a complete change of life-style.

With incredible perseverance, the students work diligently in their adopted country and Hunter is amazed at the enormous fortitude and courage they exhibit along with their indomitable will to survive. The clean, spare story describes the difficulty of merging cultures and the unceasing commitment involved, undertaken here with the courage and spirit of the early immigrants who first came to the distant shores of America.. Luan Gaines/2003.

Jenny Siler is a lyrical writer and her first book Easy Money was an intriguing blend of tough/bad girl protagonist with beautiful writing coupled with an intriguing plot.

This second novel, Iced, is not nearly as strong. Another heroine who has taken a few too many walks on the wild side, but the plot elements don't tie together. The supporting characters aren't adequately developed and the "bad guys" don't give you the appropriate goose bumps.

It feels like this book was written in a hurry and not given enough time to rewrite and expand the story. This is a book that just doesn't have enough depth. If the writer had just digged a little deeper it could have been a much better book. As it is, wait until it comes out in paperback.

ICED takes place in Missoula Montana, where Meg Gardner an ex- con turned repo woman, is trying to get her life together. Meg has to repo a jeep belonging to Clay Bennett, the same Clay Bennett that was just found dead. Meg figures that it will be easy to get the jeep back, but once she has it back the trouble starts. Someone else wants the jeep, next thing you know Meg is drawn into a murder mystery involving sex and violence. As Meg tries to solve the mystery she must deal with her own ghosts from her past as well as deal with Russian thugs and Tina Red Dear, a Native American woman who could very well be her half sister. I thought that ICED was well written but left me with to many unanswered questions about Megs past. The mystery involving Clay Bennett was top-notch with plenty of suspense. Meg is a protagonist that really wants to be left alone to live her life low- key with coffee, cigarettes, beer, and burgers in that order.

Meg Gardener, ex-con, tough and resilient repossesses cars for a living in Missoula Montana. If you have read either of Jenny Silers other two novels, EASY MONEY and SHOT, you know that Siler's novels feature women protagonists who know how to take care of themselves. They are not perfect specimens like the women you see on TV ads. These tough gritty women do not mind a little dirt under their fingernails. Featuring characters that most of us know a little (if not a lot) about, you can almost smell the mountains in Montana and feel the crunch of snow under your feet: that is how realistic a story Siler writes.

Meg has just repossessed a jeep defaulted on by local eccentric Clay Bennett. That same evening the jeep is broken into outside of her house by a trio of Russian thugs who then get up close and personal with Meg about the jeep's contents. Meg realizes that she just might have walked into the middle of some dangerous business. Bennett's body had been pulled from an unfrozen channel earlier by the local constabulary: an apparent victim of foul play. The timing of Bennett's death and Meg's search for the jeep had allowed Meg to repossess the jeep with relative ease ...and no complications or so she thought. Bennett had been considered a kind of hero-celebrity in the community. He had crashed a plane in Montana's tough mountains during a blizzard many years earlier; and had walked out of those same mountains two months later to tell about it. Apparently, Bennett had been trying to find the location of that plane from the day he walked out of the mountains until the day of his death. Thus the basic ingredients for a real potboiler. The basic plot revolves around the plane crash (the subplot involves some unanswered questions about Meg's family history). The characters range from, among others, Russian thugs, a smart cop, a bewildered suitor, a suspicious relationship between a woman and her stepson and another gun toting gal tougher than our Meg. The character development is superb: all of the actors are well fleshed out and are more than just interesting caricatures. The novel moves at a good pace and keeps you going. It is as good as Siler's first and last novels. Buy it; and you will not be disappointed.

This book lacks everything you would expect from a useful guidebook. The trail maps are completely useless in the field. Compounding the complete uselessness of this book are the vague and poorly written hike descriptions. Every hike sounds as boring as the next (even though they traverse some stunning scenery), almost as if this book was researched/written completely at a desk - instead of out in the field. I wonder if Mr. Stone even set foot on any of these trails. Don't waste your time / money.

This book may lack high quality info. for the experienced outdoorsman but for the common Missoula area Native this book supplies the perfect amount of pertinent information. Where it lacks in detail it excells in simple english.