John McLoughlin is called -- by vote of the Oregon legislature -- "The Father of Oregon." Yet the government of the United States deliberately invalidated his claim to his Oregon home.

McLoughlin helped the early pioneers get a foothold in the Oregon wilderness, then was accused of keeping them in poverty for his own enrichment.

He was a compassionate man with a violent temper. McLoughlin was loved, hated, respected, reviled. And now he is the subject of a thorough, honest and compulsively readable biography.

In one sense, this book is an unexpected treasure coming from this writer, who is a respected author of history and fiction for young readers (including a work for young people about McLoughlin), not a traditional writer of biographies for adults.

"Outpost: John McLoughlin and the Far Northwest" is the work of Dorothy Nafus Morrison, an accomplished historian. "Outpost" is a major historical work designed for the general reader and for historians. But it is also a natural step in her development as a writer. It is an astonishing tale, exceptionally well told.

In my former hometown of Oregon City, John McLoughlin is an unavoidable figure. He virtually founded the city, is buried there, his home is a landmark, streets, schools and businesses are named for him. There every school child knows about Fort Vancouver and the Hudson Bay Company. In the rest of the world I fear he is an obscure personage. Ms. Morrison has done extensive, (colossal?), research on McLoughlin and this is the most comprehensive biography of the man we are ever likely to see.

The book is also an excellent resource for information on the HBC and the lengths to which the company went to attempt to keep the country North of the Columbia River in the British Empire. McLoughlin is a towering figure in the history of the United States and deserves more fame and renown. His likeness even stands in Statuary Hall in the United States capitol. Unfortunately despite Morrison's best efforts he is likely to remain obscure outside of the Pacific Northwest. The story of McLoughlin and his Empire is all here...if you care.

Bruce Roberts is one of the best lighthouse photographers working in the U.S. today. In this book, he and his partner Ray Jones give you an excellent photograph of each lighthouse featured, a short historical story from Jones and directions of how to get to the lighthouse. Lighthouse lovers could scarcely ask for more.

I have been an avid hiker most of my life and have read many guides. The PNT Guide is both well written and fun to read. The many maps and tables make planning of one's hike easier and the sections are broken down in a manner that makes sense. Lots of guides give you information about the trail, but it is only the best that make you eager to get out there and experience it, those that actually paint a picture prior to seeing it in reality, the PNT is one of these.

This volume is filled with beautiful photographs of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. If you're looking for a coffee table volume about the area for guests to peruse, this may be the volume you're seeking. If you're looking for photographic tips, I'm afraid you will need to look elsewhere.

For anyone who has or may have anything to do with forests, now or in the future, including environmentalists, students, educators and the like, this book is a must read.

The author takes a touchy subject by the horns and without wresteling it to the ground, certainly shakes it.

The author has his points well thought out, and very well proven as well.

If you think the practice of clear cutting is cut and dry then you should probably have a gander at this book. No doubt it will shake what small eyed view you may have of the world we live in.

No.. seriously, this is an extensive, well organized, accurate and well designed field guide.

Includes medicinal uses and history for many prairie plants.

THIS IS A KEEPER

I had the honor of hearing Marianne Love read chapters of this book as she was writing them and shared in her glee as it was published. She writes such vibrant, wild tales of her youth that one can't help but be absorbed into the book and want to keep reading. This book has all the flavor of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and more. It's a shame this book never spent time on the bestseller lists for all the world to discover.

One of my favorite railroad history books, filled with information and numerous prints in color and black and white. The reproduction posters and advertising media is some of the best I've seen for a regional book. It is a great book to sit down with for an hour or a day, easy to read bits or chapters. Good historical information, well written.

There is a famous portrait of Katlian, Chief of the Kiksatti Clan of the Tlingit Indians of Sitka, Alaska, that shows him wearing a blanket of a design otherwise lost. Weaver Cheryl Samuel spent around a year trying to replicate the pattern, which she named "Raven's Tail." It is a bold black-and-white symmetrical design completely unknown today. The book is a result of Ms. Samuel's research. It is well-illustrated with photographs of her work. She not only finally managed to weave a blanket but since has traveled within Southeastern Alaska and down to British Columbia to demonstrate the technique to other weavers. There is an up-date to this; only a few weeks ago (July, 1998) a tiny sample of an actual blanket was discovered during an archaeological dig in Sitka, Alaska. To add to the excitement, another, larger piece has been discovered nearby. These show, on preliminary examination, a complete vindication of the author's technique. The only drawback to the book is the sometimes confused writing. Overall, an important book in the study of NW textiles, affirmed by the discovery of actual pieces.