This book breaks all the boundaries - combining Photography, digital media and narrative to capture the wild spirit in us all. Makes me want to buy and camel and set off!

I bought this book while on a visit to Australia in 1990 and read it on the flight home! I was completely entranced by this woman's tenacity and determination to complete her often difficult but life expanding trek ALL ALONE! I had lost this book in a fire in 1993 and felt like I had lost a friend - I am soooo happy to see it is back in print! The incredible photos that accompany the journey are worth every penny!

I bougt this book in Italy and I knew a little part of Australia. Buy it, you will found marvellous photos in the book and cd-rom also! FANTASTIC.

Why should we care about the oceans of the earth? This meticulously researched book poses a convincing argument: the physical and chemical cycles and life webs of the sea are under siege from humans, with consequences to reefs, plankton and whales, as well as to our weather, health and livelihood. The threat goes way beyond global warming. Cramer effectively illuminates the problems and consequences while showing how we are all accountable for protecting the great waters -- whether we live in coastal communities or in cities far inland that dump pollutants into waterways that eventually enter the sea.

Ms. Cramer has achomplished the incredible here--a historic, scientific and poetic tribute to one of our great masses of water.
This book, while inspiring and "novelesque" in scope, also presents
the alarming ecological state of our planet's seas . . . yet not without springs of hope. I love what Cramer has done for all of us.
Good for anyone who gets excited about the sea and/or science!

This is an incredible book! It manages to take the last 30 years of ocean science and craft it into a compelling, readable, and eloquent story of the Atlantic and our dependence on it. The science is first rate and up to date; there have been few examples of natural history and environment writing so well done....

Although I have read most all of Felice Picano's books, I find myself returning to A HOUSE ON THE OCEAN, A HOUSE ON THE BAY most frequently - sometimes just for recalling his atmospheric descriptions of places with and without people, sometimes just to re-visit Fire Island - a place I've never been but that has become for me a solid symbol of East Coast escape. Picano's memoirs at times are overwhelming: how could one man have experienced life so richly and tranposed it to words for us, the voyeur readers? Perhaps the places and people he so succinctly describes are bathed in poetic license, but that only makes the moments in between interpersonal encounters pregnant pauses. Picano has managed to keep us entertained book after book and I eagerly await the release of ONYX.

Checking as to when the next novel by Felice Picano is due out, I realized that though I have read all his books I have never written about them in this forum. Strange, but understandable when I look back over all the experiences of reading his work. Picano writes in the manner of long nighttime walks with a close friend: he shares quips and bedazzling escapades and memories of lost friends like few others. His stories are at once funny, tender, bitchy (in a way that few can imitate), and just plain good stories. In A HOUSE ON THE OCEAN, A HOUSE ON THE BAY he seems to have paused in the midst of memories very special to him...or at least his characters are so acutely drawn that they seem like pages from a diary. If you've ever wondered what Fire Island was like at its peak, here it is. Wonderful tales populated by people you'd like to know....or at least have observed! Felice Picano keeps treating us to fine writing and I eagerly await ONYX!

I am Felice Picano, or certainly am living his life. Well, sort of. When I read straight through this book--a library copy, I am going to buy it now--I said to myself and to my friends that I loved the book so much because of how much I see of him in me, including that he was also born on February 22nd, that we are both gay, and that I am struggling, as he was, to write. If any book can give me inspiration to live my dream, it is "A House on the Ocean, A House on the Bay." Bravo to Picano for writing a book that was written for me.

I love Lassen's work, and this book shows why. He is a master at beautiful scenic paintings. The colors are brilliant and keeps me wondering on how he gets his paintings to look like that. Although I think Wyland is the master when it comes to painting whales, Lassen is the master at painting dolphins. A must have to any art collector who loves oceanic art.

"LASSEN ISLAND" IS A MUST OWN! It includes "sixty-five of Lassen's most evocative works...[and Lassen] captures the romantic allure of the Hawaiian Islands where he makes his home and pays tribute to the sea's great and endangered mammals."[commentator] His work spans from 1983-1997. My (newest) favorites are: "GALAXY OF LIFE", "COSMIC VOYAGERS", "WHALE STAR", "OUR PLANET", "SERENITY", "SEA OF TRANQUILITY", "PARADISE", "ANCIENT MYSTERIES" and "TEMPLE OF LIGHT". (Just to name a few!)

Also included is a fascinating essay writen by Christian himself about "THE SEA AS THE SOURCE OF MY ART", "NATURE ENERGIZES ME AND MY ART", "THE HIGHLY DEVELOPED MAMMALS OF THE OCEAN", and "OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FUTURE." Christian writes with such sensitivity and style that even if you already have all of his art (books) this essay alone gives you a reason to buy this.

"LASSEN ISLAND" is the culmination to date of Christian's expertise. I never thought he could get any better but I was wrong! He has taken his art to the outermost level that I can imagine. "The images I paint are no longer simply representations of the forms of animals but the representations of their spirit" Lassen states in his essay.

"Ranked the number nine surfer in the world, Lassen is intimately acquainted with the mother ocean's ever-changing moods and awesome power." [commentator] Christian is one-in-a-million; not to be compared with anyone else. That is what a true artist is; in a class by himself.

88 pages may seem small, but there is a color illustration on just about every page. The only problem I could think of is that there are no descriptions about any of the paintings, just the title. A small section in the back tells of how the ocean has inspired the artist. (It also says this book was originally published in Japan and was a bestseller there). The paintings often include ocean waves, sea life, or space. All are rendered in beautiful color. They are similar to the works of Jim Warren or Wyland. I recommend this book to anyone who is even slightly interested in art or the ocean.

How amazing is it that this novel, which is so well written and has already developed following in my school, was written by an 11 year old author and got published? All the kids all over the country who are talented writers need to read this, not only to get great ideas about writing style and what issues pre-teen and teen readers find relevant, but to get inspiration for sitting down and writing that novel they've been dreaming about. I know this author inspired me - so did the publisher. I wish I could find other books that publishers took a chance on, written by young writers. I bet the publisher of Leaving Jeremiah is happy, becasue it's becoming a big hit! More publishers should jump at the chance to publish books by talented kids. We'll read them because it's exciting to us! I hope Jourdan Urbach writes another novel soon, because I and everyone else I know at school will be waiting to read it. I wish he could come to our school and do a book signing. That would be so cool!

This was my all time favorite novel. I really love that you never know what's going to happen next. The characters are really rich and well drawn, and there's so much humor in the writing that creates this amazing balance between it and the really deep and serious moments. The fact that the story takes place in such a creative and unusual environment makes the plot even more exciting. I loved trying to figure out what adventure the main character was going to have next. you really never know what's around the corner for him.

My whole class has read this book and we've discussed it on a lot of different levels - for peer pressure, teen relationships, use of symbolism, and suspense. There wasn't one person in my class who could put it down. I can't wait to read the sequel. I will be looking for other books by this author, so hurry and write another one.

Not only is this an exciting and amazingly written book, but it also has a sub-theme that's close to my heart - vegetarianism. Without giving too much away, the protagonist is able to convince the Prehistorian society to stop their consumption of humans by starting a crusade, along with the Prehistorian leader's son, against the health dangers of too much meat in a diet. It turns out that their eating habits have been compromising the age to which these creatures live. The story takes incredible twists and the ending is surprising.
I was so pleasantly surprised to meet a leading character is a novel who was a vegetarian (of sorts) - even if it was from an underwater civilization.
This book is so well written. It's the kind you can't put down. Three friends of mine have picked it up and feel the same way. I bet the middle schools start using it in the curriculum.

This book should come with a warning label attached that states, "If you don't want your dreams to become reality, don't read this book"! Gerry Spiess proved that the average man or woman, given enough tenacity, determination, and, yes, even enough bullheadedness, can do just about anything they wish. It is a triumph of the human spirit in the face of incredible odds. Alone Against the Atlantic stirs those coals of adventure that lie deep inside each of us. Gerry makes us believe that we can all "go forth and do likewise". The simple truth is - we can.

Great adventure. Makes a person know your dreams can come true

Gerry Spiess is a school teacher with a dream, a dream to sail across the Atlantic in a tiny boat of his own design. He takes you through the inception, design, building and finally his epic journey across the Atlantic ocean. He spent nearly two months sailing toward Falmouth England at barely walking speed. You will laugh with him, you will suffer with him as he inches his way through rough seas and calm winds as he crosses the Atlantic. He had me grabbing for maps to follow his progress. It's a good read

This is book five in the Drinkwater series, and was a bit of a disappointment after some of the earlier books. Once again, the author skips forward. Book four, "The Bomb Vessel," ended in July 1801 after the First Battle of Copenhagen. This book covers a relatively brief period from May to November 1803, falling into the tendency that Patrick O'Brien had in some of his later novels of putting a little too much action into too short a period of time (sometimes moving ships about the ocean at fantastic rates of speed).

At the beginning of this story, we find Drinkwater on the beach, recovering from a wound received between novels. Admiral Jervis (now Earl St. Vincent and First Lord of the Admiralty) was known for promoting officers based on ability rather than interest, and he gives Drinkwater (now a commander) temporary command of the twenty-gun sloop Melusine after the ship's captain in incapacitated and resigns (why this would only be a temporary command is not entirely clear - Jervis had the authority to promote officers).

Action finds Drinkwater guarding a whaling fleet in the Greenland Sea, dealing with French privateers and English renegades, and seeking a French base. There is considerable detail about the operation of the whaling fleet and the hazards involved in arctic whaling. John Nicol, in his autobiography, gave a brief description of a voyage on a whaling ship to the Greenland Sea, and noted his resolution not to make another.

Like other novels in the series, characters in this novel carry over into the next.

The book is in three parts, in the first of which Acting Captain Drinkwater must establish his leadership in a new command and lead a convoy of hard-bitten and angry whalers onto the Greenland whaling grounds. The second concerns the hunt for whales and, despite its misfortunes, how Drinkwater slips into a yacht cruise mentality. The third part returns us to the fact they are all at war with the French, who are rumored to have sent out corsairs during the false peace of 1802 to lay in wait and cripple the British economy when the world war resumed.

I found this one of the most interesting in the series. For all the Napoleonic era novels out there, this contains the first discussion of whaling in the North Atlantic I recall (and only a few other series include the more familiar Pacific whalers). Also, Drinkwater essays humor on occasion, despite his author's rather grim prose and concern with political machinations. Drinkwater often struggles with scepticism and faith, God, and duty to the navy, abetted here by a pastor/surgeon who is philosophically inclined and by a righteously subversive whaling captain. Woodman describes the arctic well, but only occasionally does he evoke its beauty and terror. Pay very close attention to the beginning chapters for there are clues to anticipating a final mystery. If you understand sailing commands and constantly track the state of the wind through the story then all the ship maneuvers make sense; otherwise ignore them as nautical "period atmosphere" and be poorer for it.

We get to hear more sail commands than usual, thanks to an insecure but punctilious 3rd lieutenant, and also learn in great detail the meaning of "jury-rigged." What strange names some fictional captains have: Drinkwater, Hornblower-and quite the opposite of their true characters.

Nat is now elevated to Master & Commander and given Job-Captain cy in charge of a corvette as escort to a group of whalers bound for Greenland. As well as the usual excellent sail evolutions, there is wonderful description of below-decks life here, as well as incidental details (some qory) of whaling boats and the hunt.

Several plots run together in this story; the threat of privateers; the differing agendas of the whalers; insubordination in the officers; and a pastor with a past. All are handled by a Captain who has matured as much as his author, in a way that has neither the bluffness of Jack Aubrey, nor the asperity of Hornblower.
Excellent reading; but why can I not find Mr. Woodman on the average bookstore's shelves? *****

Ocean City Forever took place in Ocean City, Maryland. The main characters are Kate, Justin, Wilton, Grace, and Allegra. The rising action was when Grace was snooping through Wilton's bedroom and he came in and was very protective and he asked her to leave his room and she did. Allegra came over on day while Wilton was getting ready to go on a date with Grace and she tired getting the cocaine from him but he told her "It's not here," Wilton said quickly. "I'll bet." "It's not. It's in the bank, in a safe-deposit box," Wilton said. "I run one of Grace Caywood's beach stands and I have to take the profits to the bank every single day. It was logical and simple to take the coke with me." (Applegate, 52). Then she got very mad and left, so finally Wilton was able to finish getting ready and go to Grace's house to pick her up for their date. Allegra finally got the coke from Wilton and she was trying to find a buyer to buy it. Kate and Justin were finally getting along again after a big dispute and while he was working in his office one day Kate decided to go around and clean the whole entire house. While doing so she found the book Justin was writing and she started to read it. Even though it was fictional it made her very upset because it was about the whole group of "friends" (more or less). She confronted him accidentally, to get over arguing when they were on duty (life guarding), and they had to rescue two kids from a collision accident. While Kate was trying to rescue the one kid she was hit from the behind in the head by one of the ski-doos. She was knocked unconscious and Justin couldn't get to her, because he was too far away and he had the other kid. Mr. Chernak (the owner of the cocaine) took Grace hostage, and tried to get Wilton to come to him with the coke. Kate came out of the coma and when Justin proposed to her she whispered "Yes". Justin pilled away and looked at her, "yes" she said again. "Yes, yes, yes" (191,192). Allegra and Wilton came to Graces rescue with the state police. They arrested Mr. Chernak and his two "buddies". If you like romance books you should read this one!!!!

I enjoyed the whole ocean city seriesby Katherine. And was wondering was there another one after Ocean City Forever? Does anyone know? If not I hope Katherine writes another good series like this one soon!

I have read Katherine Applegates three top series: Boyfriends Girlfriends, Summer, and now Ocean City. The Ocean City series is my favorite. I love all of her series, and she is my favorite author, but the ending to Ocean City Forever made my heart explode!! It made me gitty and happy. I recommend this to any teen looking for a feel-good romance. My only complaint now is that I have nothing to read! I hope she comes out with a new series soon, and until she does, I will be re-reading her books over and over again!! She's the best!!!!

I fall immediately under the spell of good sea stories. Essex is among the frontranks. Phibrick supplies a richly textured background to his subject. The author always respects his readers curiousity and interest. He presents various theories and sociological information in an even handed and non judgemental manner. My only regret was the unresolved nature of the ending. I sensed the author had run out of interest towards the end. Yet one must admit that life has a way of being existential and not part of a process but punctuated by moments of crisis and survival. One is left with a greater respect for men and whales.

This a terrific collection of personal accounts gathered together for the first time in one volume. For well over a century Owen Chase's story of the sinking of the whaleship Essex has been the only firsthand documented account. Now side by side with Chase's tale is fellow shipmate Thomas Nickerson's account of the sinking and trial of the Essex crew lost at sea. As is to be expected, the style of the period makes itself felt throughout via word choice, spelling, etc. but more so in Mr. Chase's recounting. The real gem in this volume is Nickerson's retelling of the tale from his point of view, in spite of the strange twists of phrase his warmth and humor show through. If you enjoyed Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea" and want to delve a little deeper and explore some of his resources this is the perfect place to start.

This book is a collection of accounts, remarks, annotations, and letters from the people involved in the tragedy, their rescuers, and other notable persons, which paints a vivid portrayal of the life of a Nantuckett whaler in the 1800's.

After having killed off the whale population in the Atlantic, the New England whale ships pushed farther into the ocean to find their prey - the spermacetti whale. Hunting grounds in the Pacific were discovered and, after a year's journey rounding South America in which it lost half of its boats in a sudden gale, the whale ship Essex set out to fill its hold with the valuable whale oil armed with only 3 small boats. During a hunt, one of the boats was stove by the death throes of a speared sperm whale and returned to the ship. While enacting repairs, the pings of the first mate's hammer attracted the attention of a large bull sperm whale, a creature uniquely designed for ramming. The bull made two charges, collapsing the bow of the ship on either side of the keel, and 20 men found themselves alone, in 3 open boats, deep in the heart of the blue Pacific, with only faint hopes of rescue.

The Essex did not sink immediately, and the men were able to salvage a few casks of water, some navigational instruments, and hard biscuits (which would later be fouled by ocean spray and induce dehydration in the men). The first mate also had paper and pencil, which he used for keeping a daily diary of their attempts to survive the ravages of storms, thirst, hunger, and attacks by killer whales and large sharks.

I read this book prior to reading "In The Heart of The Sea", also by Nathaniel Philbrick, and I was glad I did. The first-person narratives really bring home the tale, and Philbrick's other book helps fill in the historical background. I would recommend reading this book with a good atlas, so that you can plot the narrator's progress as he tries to bring his ship to South America, against the wind, the current, and his dwindling strength, and realize just how screwed these sailors really were.

I read this book in elementary school and went looking for it again last year as a gift for a niece. Be warned that there's a scene that she found really sad (Minn gets hurt) -- and it made her cry. So maybe it's not for sensitive first-graders. Still, the story is wonderful and little Minn is a great character. There's also a lot of fascinating natural detail. And stunning illustrations. It's a children's book version of a top-notch Nature documentary. "Nova" in print, if you will. Also check out Holling Clancy Holling's other books. They're all great, even looking back at them after three decades.

At age 52, I can vividly remember discovering this book in my local library as a boy in 4th grade, especially the luminous color illustrations and drawings Hollings used to tell the story of the journey of a snapping turtle from the Mississippi's trickling source in Minnesota, to its fullness in the Gulf of Mexico. In following the life of "Minn," from hatchling to a veteran survivor of many predators and adventures, I learned the history and lore of the river and the animals and people who live in it and along its banks. This is a book that does not talk down to its young readers. I am buying one now to read again, and to share with any grandchildren who may come along in our family.

I discovered this book when I was in fourth grade. I thought it was the best book ever written. I especially enjoyed the juxaposition of the biology of the snapping turtle with the history and geography of the Mississippi River