This is the best book I have seen for showing in detail where to hike on the California coast, from the Oregon border to the bottom of Monterey county. Other books talk about restaurants, inns, city walks or big trails, but don't take you to the trail head and tell you where to turn left and how far to the next marker. Besides being a real trail guide (even telling where this "coastal trail" has not been completed and how to keep going anyway) the book has interesting history and anecdotes. I have looked at dozens of books on the coast, and this one is THE BEST.

it encompasses the hikes that every avid hiker must do before or during death.

The book is useful for beginners and experienced homeschoolers. After answering some "whys" and "hows", the author lists a multitude of resources such as magazines (and their subjects), organizations, publishers, places to go, etc

Delightful, exquisitly illustrated story of the development of "the best japanese garden outside of japan". Includes a few design sketches and photos of the work-in-progress as well as photos through the seasons.

This book is an absolute must read for scientists and laymen interested in the peopling of North America. It contains up-to-date articles by the world's experts in ice age archeology and the complex conditions that lead to the early population of the Americas. The book is well illustrated and summarizes much of the most recent data available on this subject. The articles have been written clearly and concisely. If you are curious about the Paleo-Indians who first settled the Americas, how they got here, and why they came, then you must read this book. As a researcher interested in this subject, I find this book indispensible.

"In the fall of 1982," writes Ellen Nichols, "I sent letters to more than 200 individuals and community organizations throughout the state, requesting suggestions of women they admired personally or professionally, whom I might seek to interview for this book. I did not require superstars. I did require women who lead their lives in a manner helpful to others, either by specific deeds or through challenging lifestyles. I wanted to know of women who, through their experiences, reflections and accomplishments, had met and learned from life's challenges and could share their insights with others who might gain inspiration and direction for their own lives." (Introduction, page 5)

There is one woman profiled this book who has done just that for me: shared her insights with me, inspired me, and gave me direction in my own life. She is in fact the first woman profiled in this book. Her name is Mary Vinton Folberg. Mary Vinton Folberg in 1969 founded the dance department at Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon. I attended and graduated from Jefferson High School. Mary Vinton Folberg had a huge hand in shaping my high school experience, and therefore has shaped who I still am nearly a decade later (Incidentally, Mary Vinton Folberg is the sister of Will Vinton, the creator of "Claymation" and most famously of the "California Raisins"). This book notes that, "Many Jefferson High graduates are touring with dance troupes based in New York, Los Angeles, Montreal and London. Some have obtained scholarships with the greats: Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, the Dance Theater of Harlem." I did just that after graduation: studied on scholarship at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York. Mary also founded the regionally, nationally, and, in some cases, internationally recognized "The Jefferson Dancers." The Jefferson Dancers is a company of the most proficient dancers from the Jefferson dance program, organized into a very professionally maintained company with seasonal performances in Portland, Eugene, and countless regional demonstrations. The highlight of my time with The Jefferson Dancers was the tour we made to Russia in 1991, where we performed in Moscow and the city still known as Leningrad.

This woman, Mary Vinton Folberg, gave me so many wonderful experiences that I would not have had otherwise. She exposed me to so much culture, and she knew how to package my talent (and that of all other company members) into a beautifully manicured work of art. Indeed, I had not even intended to be a member of the company until my sophomore year. Mary observed me in my ballet class, still in my freshmen year, and told my teacher she wanted me in her company. I was scared at first, and Mary was at times an intimidating taskmaster (as are most teachers who know what they're doing), so it was not always easy. But, looking back, it was always worth it and I am thankful Mary noticed me in class that day. "Great genius is common," Mary says on page 10, "What's not common is the combination of genius, the environment that nurtures it, and the drive to carry it through." I suppose that, due to my natural ability for Classical Ballet and my years of study by the age of 13 when Mary first saw me, I did have a type of genius (or perhaps, more honestly, a potential for a type of genius). And Mary did exactly what she is quoted as saying: she gave me an environment that nurtured my talent, and she had the drive to carry my talent through. I mean, we're talking Oregon here - this is a beautiful state and I love it, but finding people who respect a male ballet dancer is not easy. I'm thankful I found Mary.

Also profiled in this book are: Arlene Schnitzer (for whom the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland is named [unfortunately, I couldn't get tickets to Jerry Seinfeld's recent show there!]), Susan Sokol Blosser (the owner of a well-known vinyard in Oregon famous for annual concert performances by such acts as Bo Diddly and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart), Norma Paulus, Mary Roberts, and Judge Mercedes Lopez Deiz. Fifty women in all are profiled, women interesting enough to make me wish that this book could be published on annual basis.

In Search of Steam Donkeys is a well writen and very informative book. At a time when there is very little information on steam donkeys other than by word of mouth, this book sheds considerable light on a rather specialized and certainly interesting topic.

Recently I relocated to the Portland area from California. I bought and received 4-5 different books on "About Portland" and this by far was the greatest help. This book helped me determine where I wanted to live, where I want to go on the weekend and where to eat. There is a ton of helpful information on where to go and what to do. It has become my bible for the area. If you are planning to move here or just visit- a great purchase.

0...Sept 2002- I still use this book monthly after a year and a half. Can't say enough good about it or how much it has helped me get to know where I live.

After the rest of his family drowned while fording a river on the Oregon Trail, Jedediah Barstow finds himself all alone and carrying on the family "dream" which to him has already been shattered. Adopted by the Henshaw family Jedediah finds himself braving the trails of the old west to carry on the family dream. Even through the constant complaints from grouchy Mr. Henshaw Jedediah perseveres knowing he is the only one to fulfill the dream of his family. Through fording rivers, meeting Indians, getting stampeded by bufflo, and carving his name on Chimney Rock, you get to look into the life of a brave young boy carrying on the family dream.

I have read and re-read this book over and over again. I got the book when I was about 12 and now I am 18 and it never gets boring. The book is an excellent one to read to younger children and would be a great teaching guide in elementary school. It explains the high points of trekking across America when the West was first being settled and when the Northwest Territory was opened up. Read it, its great!!!