This is one of the finest guides to New York City that it has been my pleasure to use and peruse. It is strong, unique, and essentially "nonpariel." There is really nothing on the market that has such natural down-home photography. In other words...none of the "faux-monumentalism" and deceptive proprtioning of space and matter which is the downfall of most guides. Ms. Greene accomplishes a Baedeker-style simplicity,with her perfectly concise and edited text. The size,format and substantiality of this book, as well as the ease in carrying it in a tote or rucksack make this guide a complete success. After the tragic events of September 11th, 2001...this book takes on an added poignancy, because so many of the treasured that Ms. Greene has unearthed, collated, collected, and memorialized are not directly connected with specifically "The Ground Zero" area of the Island of Manhattan...she helps to illuminate the complete diversity, universality, timelessness, and the raw raging dynamic power that shall forever be Manhattan"s legacy to the World, and future generations. This book is one of the strongest entries in its class since the Post-World War Two Era bagan. A thoughtful,encouraging,and Ms. Greene never puts herself above or between the wonders that she is illuminaring. She gets the information to you without the boredom of its conveyance. A remarkable job all the way around.

I purchased Liza Greene's book last Spring at my local bookstore and I have been very pleased with it. I have bought dozens of books and guides to New York City over the years. I am a married housewife with four daughters with a workaholic husband and my particular reward and gift from my family is that I get to go to New York City about four times per year for a little shopping, The Pierre, some nice dinners, the Met, Lincoln Center, and a few shows. I am originally from Dallas, Texas and I was just raised that way, and of course I realize that I am just an old dinosaur from a bye-gone time, but that was my generation. I have always thought and known that I was missing alot of New York City by being tethered to such a limited agenda. Last year I decided to broaden my horizons. Well, I couldn't be more pleased with Liza Greene's book, and I have used it as a blueprint, and a guide to some very exciting visual experiences that are just not to be found in any other guidebook. I just think that this book is a peach, an absolute peach. I am very glad that Liza Greene wrote it, and I am very pleased with its very nicely proprtioned size and portibility while it also gives a feeling of heft and substance. I don't think that the writer or the publisher could have done any better of a job of it. This is just a perfect little source and it has improved my feeling of grasping New York City a thousandfold. Thank you Ms. Greene for helping an old woman to get out of her rut.

Liza Greene's book is quite unique, and in many ways is one of the best books on the subject of New York's fabled architecture in the annals of the city. It is very obvious that this book was a labor of love and personal commitment on Ms. Greene's part. There is nothing cliched or by rote in this book. She has captured a number, a very large number of very fresh takes on the city "in situ." This book is so very New York in the fact that it is D.I.Y. She did not use twenty-five thousand dollars of expensive equipment, and lighting with a small horde of assistants and gofers. This book is the work of a single woman's very singular vision of what I think is the ultimate Metropolitan dream in the history of mankind. The labor of single-mindedness is reflected in pictures that are not dollied or craned or overly artificialized by city permits and special access. This is the work of an almost guerrilla sensibility. I only wish that PBS would give Ms. Green a full camera crew and 110 minutes to present her vision in context with her own voice-over so that more and more people would have access to her unique vision and singular passion. This book eloquently proves that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Bravo, Ms. Greene, bravo indeed.

This is another "postmodernist" history -- one that assumes that the Indians were a spiritual, peace loving, disease free people who communed with nature. Then came the big bad honkies with their diseases, guns and "total warfare."

Malone takes bits of information and constructs them in is to history. He finds an obscure record of a White who got in trouble with White authorities for selling a defective gun to an Indian. Obviously the Indian knew the gun was defective, claims Malone, he was just buying for parts and we can assume he was a technological genius.

Worse is that the book gives of very little information on the skulking tactics and technology of the Indians. For example, the Indian of was a master of deceit and subterfuge but Malone avoids that topic like a plague.

The Puritans won the war because of more men and virtually unlimited supplies, according only to Malone. Other authors such as Schultz (King Philip's War) and Leach (Flintlock and Tomahawk) tell us that the colonists were short of nearly everything, couldn't get their crops in, and faced starvation. Certainly the colonists had a larger population but fielded smaller army. The books by Leach and Schulz remain the only two good recent histories.

Researchers can use Malone's book for its references. And it's worth reading for those taking more than a casual interest in the 1775-1776 King Phillip's War.

In light of the present situation faced by our military - conducting special operations across the globe, Malone's book ties nicely into what we have now coined "modern combat". In Afghanistan, we have seen our special operations forces "going native" and "skulking" through the bush - adopting native cover and customs to fight an elusive enemy. Malone's seminal work on Native American tactics purports perhaps a vision of what we will see our military conduct in future combat in Iraq. "Red Mike" Edson was obviously a genius of military tactics during WWII and Malone's work should be a must for all present and future military leaders heading into harm's way. The lessons that Malone outlines along with the lessons we learned in Vietnam, must surely be applied in the near future in order for us to successfully locate, close with, and destroy those who use terror as a weapon. A great read!

In The Skulking Way Of War: Technology And Tactics Among The New England Indians, Patrick Malone (Senior Lecturer in the American Civilization department of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island) surveys the weaponry and tactics among the Native Americans of New England and how they changed after the arrival of the European settlers and the introduction of gunpowder. Borrowing and modifying the flintlock musket for their own use, Native American fighters developed superior tactics and became a deadly force in forest warfare. During King Philip's War (1675-1677), Native American groups wrought intense destruction upon European (largely British) settler's colonies, forcing the whites to adopt the same mode of forest combat. These new tactics would re-emerge during the Revolutionary War against Britain and in subsequent American wars down to this very day, altering combat throughout the world. The Skulking Way Of War is very highly recommended reading for students of American history, military history, and Native American studies.

I like reading anything about the Adirondack region and even went to Newcomb this week to take a look at the place the author speaks of. However, the book seems to be more of the author's autobiography than stories about "the last real people." This is fine, but the title is misleading. While there are characters the author speaks about, they are more likened to "accounts" of these people rather than a more in-depth vision of who these people are. I would tend to say this is more of a kind of journal of the author's experiences in Newcomb than about the Last Real People of the Adirondacks. A book more suited for such a title might be the books by Helen Escha Tyler or a book called Growing Up Strong or My Grandpa's Woods. We get to meet some last of the real Adirondackers in those tales and stories. Still and all, this book is a good and pleasant read for any Adirondack lover.

As a native of the Adirondacks who spends his summer fun time in the Long Lake area which is the setting of the book, I looked forward to reading Lapointe's effort. However, I find that his effort was lacking. What we have here are 44 short vingnettes about what could be very interesting characters. And there lies the problem: Short. We only get bits and pieces on each subject, not enough to make us really care to any great extent. I do believe the subject matter is here for a truly great novel of Americana which would tie all these Adirondackers together through their love of survivinging in this harsh land. Instead, what we have are stories you might hear in any bar, donut shop, or back stoop. Interesting, maybe, but just the tip of the mountain.

Read this book. Joe Lapointe presents an enjoyable, easy reading and down to earth style of writing that makes you feel like your involved. I look forward to going along with " Joe " in his next book.

I found this book a disappointment because the author allowed his personal issues and problems (e.g. family problems, illness, drug use) to interfere with the picture he was trying to paint. Henry Beston's THE OUTERMOST HOUSE, A YEAR OF LIFE ON THE GREAT BEACH OF CAPE COD, is much more to my liking, because of the beautiful prose and the full concentration of Mr. Beston on the topic at hand (i.e. the Cape, its history, its beauty, its wildness). I find it incongruous for this author, David Gessner, to make the effort to get in touch with nature by living out in the wilds by the ocean, and then to take the unnatural step of using drugs while doing so. It offends my senses almost as much as do the actions of people who play boomboxes at the beach while supposedly enjoying nature. I guess I like my nature natural and without the distractions of these other modern day intrusions. And I like my information and insights gleaned from my readings to be based on reality not drug induced fantasy. These personal issues (which in another context, might have been appropriately raised and interesting) seemed only to be undesired distractions in this context.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gessner at a bookstore he made an appearance at. I bought two of his books, "Wild Rank.." and "Return of the Osprey." I was almost unable to put down "Wild Rank." It was so moving...so touching...so brilliantly honest, I kept the pages open as I did mundane things so I could peek over occassionally and be mesmerized by his essay. The book is a mix of so many things -- there's a little "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" in his brutal honesty. Then there's a little Thoreau when he briefs us on what the marshes and the "Suet" mean to him. This book is a must read for anyone who understands or wants to understand that life on life's terms is the only way we can exist -- and one of life's terms is that we take care of the land. Another of those terms is that our parents, for whatever faults they have, shape us in ways we can neither forget nor sometimes identify. David, I'm so glad I met you -- the book has been one of those wonderful surprises in life that change you a little bit when you encounter them. Kudos!

Mr. Gessner has created a powerful memoir of his childhood on Cape Cod, the loss of his father and his love for the harsh Cape environment that is emblematic of personal struggles Gessner has faced and, with humor and intelligence, ultimately overcome. A thoughtful and thought-provoking work from a promising young author.

I bought this thinking it was about hiking the Appalachain Trail as I'm always hunting for hiking ideas and/or inspiration. Mary Twitty has a very folksy writing style, but what bothered me more was that at the end of each chapter I said to myself "who cares". I found little in the way of new hiking ideas, hiking guidance or hiking inspiration in any of the chapters. For inspiration on the Appalachain Trail, I much prefered the books by Ross, Berger or Setzer. As far as a diary of the hike, I find many of the internet on-line thru-hiker diaries better.

Most books about hiking the entire AT are by thru-hikers (hike it all in one season). This one is different because the author took 11 years to complete the trail. Because section hiker accounts are unusual I rated it 4 rather than 3 (average) which is where I would have rated it if it were a thruhiker journal. "Den Mama" gives a fairly detailed account of the places she hiked through but there are some inaccuracies regarding details of places and events (such as her statement that John Brown was a negro. He was actually a white abolishionist). She is rather cryptic when it comes to most of the people except her husband who, she frequently reminds the reader, has a wooden leg. Overall an interesting account in a day by day format for the AT hiking journal junkie.

I liked "The Dream Trail" because there is no attempt on the part of the author to sell a particular style of equipment, method of hiking or political agenda. It is simply a journal of one womans effort to complete the trail and the adventures she encounters along the way. Although not a professional author, Den Mamma has moments of insight that contribute greatly to the overall appeal of the book. Her book has inspired my wife (a retired school teacher) and I to take up the sport of backpacking when we should be thinking about rocking chairs. If she could do it at her age (63) we can too.

I read several of the individual newspaper articles originally written by these journalists and was hooked on the story. When I bought the book I was not disappointed. The photography is marvelous and I love the anthology of the different writers. Each journalist and photographer brought their own perspective and "eye" to the project. I definitely recommend this one, but not necessarily as a preparation to hike the AT. It does a better job convincing you that you want to make the hike.

I especially found the full page picture (near the beginning of the book) of the three little Chandler girls catching frogs to be very inspirational. If little ones like that can be out there hiking the trail, I sure can get out there and do some! Very nice "coffee table" type book to own.

I guess having my picture in this book makes me biased. Regardless of the authors' backgrounds, this book captures many of the truly unique stories on the AT and covers topics normally not found in other thru-hiking books. The pictures alone are worth the price of the book.

John Mitchell can't quite decide if 4 Go Mad in Massachusetts is a travelogue or a travel book, but therein lies its perfection.

A series of short stories about his family's travels all over the state make more fun reading than a bland travel book, while imparting the kind of hidden information about attractions both offbeat and obvious that often goes unsaid (like that when visiting 'The Butterfly Place' his twin boys get more excited about an infestation of mealy bugs they find, or how the boys' 'Uncle Biz' accompanies them to a historic site and meets a man in period costume portraying his Mayflower riding ancestor but all he can think to ask him is "Where is the bathroom?"). From the Thermometer Museum to an Anatomical Museum, to the Freedom Trail and Edaville Railroad, Mitchell paints a portrait of the state with equal parts sarcasm, wit, and wonderment that goes far outside the lines yet entices the reader to delve deeper into finding the Massachusetts that lies just outside the box.

Throughout the nearly 200 pages of this book, John Mitchell finds himself facing an age-old dilemma: can a family find places to visit that won't leave at least one side of the parent-child team screaming for mercy? How do two young hipsters entertain their kids without hooking them up to the corporate theme park teat?

It's a tribute to the Mitchells' parenting skills that they and their children derive as much fascination and enjoyment from talking to hens at the zoo as they do from wandering through a World War II-era submarine (although the boys get as much pleasure from crawling across the lined-up bunks and pretending to be moles). Between John's smart, clever prose and Jana's gorgeous, fluid illustrations, 4 Go Mad will make you want to visit more places and spend time examining their beauty, their pathos, and how different age groups derive different meanings from them. A smart, fun read.

From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked - and I don't even live in Massachusetts! The adventures of the Mitchell family not only entertained me - they opened my eyes to a small part of the vast array of hidden oddities out there in the world just waiting to be discovered and explored!

And what explorations they have! Every chapter uncovers yet another amazing locale - each more fascinating then the last.

Harry and Hugo sound like wonderful children with vast creativity and an immense amount to offer - who wouldn't be with parents like these?

Love it! Love it! LOVE IT - keep up the good work!

This book, thanks to the very accurate drawings and precise indications (length, diameter, type of wood and fletching, colours indications) have enabled me to duplicate native American arrows with precision. I have often counterchecked the descriptions with some information I have found in museums and found the book very reliable. First pity, there aren't enough photos or colour drawings. Second and most catastrophic pity: why has the publisher apparently given up the idea of publishing the second volume about the Great plains, Columbia and Southwest?

It is true that this book is not a how-to book, but I think that was the author's intention. What it is, is a much-needed reference work, indeed, it is the first and certainly most up-to-date record of American Indian archery equipment. It's been at least 50 years since a book of this sort has been published. My only objection is that the book does not (cannot?) provide enough context or provenance; this is a minor objection. Perhaps fans of Hamm would be more satisfied with Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans. I'd say the book is directed more towards the ethnographer or anthropologist; however, the book is clearly an invaluable reference for the traditional archer/bowyer (hey, this is a "living" hobby - be creative), as it provides dimensions, materials used, colors, and closeups of designs. Fans of American Indian art in gerneral will also appreciate it. Volume II, which should be available before the end of the year, should be at least as good.

I read the two previous reviews, so before buying I exactly knew what to expect.
I received my book a couple of days ago, I really liked it, at least for what it is, a kind of catalog of bows, perfectly drawn, with explanation of wood used, dimensions, and colours.
This on Tribe by Tribe basis.
I'll wait volume 2, about western and Plains Indians.
So, if you are really intrested in Native American bows, this is a book to buy, if you prefer something like a "how to", than the traditional Bowyer's bibles are more fit to what you want. Alberto

McPhee's book can be read on several levels, but I prefer to think of it as an example of the triumph of nature over rational planning, or perhaps the triumph of nature over our ideas about nature.

It is the story of a young man's obsession with the old ways of constructing a birch bark canoe. In the first half of the book, McPhee describes in great detail Henri Vaillancourt's dedication to the ethic of craftsmanship. His knowledge comes largely from the books and sketches of Edwin Adney, from visiting other canoe-makers, and from trial and error. He confesses his desire to build the perfect canoe. He uses no nails or screws; even his tools are homemade and archaic. Little else holds his attention.

The second half of the book chronicles McPhee's trip with Henri and a few friends, paddling in Henri's canoes through the lakes and streams of the Maine woods. Interestingly, Henri had made only a handful of canoe trips before, and this would be his first portage and his first trip in rapids.

The book's humor comes from the tension between what the travelers consider natural (good) and what they consider unnatural (bad). Among them there is a partially self-conscious competition to see who can be more "authentic."

For example, Henri tells his friends, before the trip, that the idea is to travel light, "like the Indians," and therefore dissuades them from bringing their larger, more durable tent. When a rainstorm wrecks his friends' lighter tent, and he is forced to share his tent with them, he scorns them for not bringing the bigger tent. Eventually he forsakes his homemade jerky for clams baked on a very modern portable stove. Nothing like an empty stomach to challenge a man's ideals. There are also many discussions about Henry David Thoreau, the original New England nature boy who accidentally started two forest fires.

I don't see these subtle revelations as a criticism of Henri. His canoes may survive the trip, but whether they will survive the modern world, with its inauthentic, aluminum canoes and its Mountain House Freeze-Dried Beef Stroganoff, is another question. The story here seems to be that Henri's efforts, however fine, will remain impure and imperfect because he is human, and that a return to a more "natural," Indian way of life is neither possible nor preferable. In part this is because that life has never existed. It has been imagined and idealized by people like Henry Thoreau. But then Henri Vaillancourt is a craftsman, not a nature boy.

To my mind, McPhee's book raises some interesting questions about what ought to be preserved and what ought to be left behind.

As a canoeist, handyman, and McPhee fan, I enjoyed this little book very much. Like the 5-11-2000 reviewer, I found it to come in two parts. The first part details technical details about birch-bark canoes and how Vaillancourt became a self-taught master of their construction. The second part describes a canoe trip with Vaillancourt and others.

That other reviewer found the second half to be parody of Vaillancourt, but I disagree. As in The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed, real life sometimes takes a turn that a dreamer would not expect. Like his other non-fiction, I felt that McPhee offered real insights to the peoples' character and doesn't hesitate to sing their praises nor describe their shortcomings.

I enjoy the copious background information that McPhee includes in all of his books. Even more than a Tracy Kidder book, you come away feeling like you have some in-depth understanding of the subject.

This is a well-written, informative, and also very strange book. McPhee opens the book in an earnest, almost didactic fashion, and you get the idea that this book is going to be one of those staid affairs in which the subject of the book, in this case, a canoe maker named Henri Vaillancourt, is going to be portrayed as some kind of environmental saint and a keeper of Native American tradition. What you get instead though, is almost a parody, with some wickedly wry observations on Vaillancourt's character. You'll either see this book as a mean-spirited vehicle for the author to make fun of Vaillancourt, or you'll giggle all the way through. The Time magazine blurb from the editorial section was obviously written by someone who hadn't read the entire book. This book was written with a wicked grin on the author's face and a little bit of poison in the ink. The only complain I have is that McPhee often plunges into rather overly-technical writing about canoe building, but this occurs less and less often as the book nears its conclusion.

The local tourist authority has better hiking tips than the old fare the Zatzes warm over. The chipper tone hurts one's teeth and makes Kathie Lee Gifford seem pensive and profound.

This book is very well laid out from the initial NJ map showing the location of all the sites to the pertinent information given at the beginning of each hike, the excellent site maps and the handy signs in the margins. The writing is clear, interesting, filled with geological and historical background information, points of interest, helpful suggestions and cautionary notes. I have ventured out on several of the hikes and they've been great. Would recommend to anyone interested in hiking in The Garden State, with or without children.

I don't live in New Jersey, but I have visited several times. After reading Ms. Zatz's book, I'm ready to pack my hiking boots, borrow my nieces and nephew, and introduce them to what sounds like some terrific places. I highly recommend this well written, well researched guide. Ms. Zatz knows her stuff.