This book was very useful in my trip around south central Alaska. The content was up to date and specific and his reviews of the restaurants/lodging held true. As radio connections were sporadic, we took turns in reading the guide out loud as we traveled from one place to another. Not only was it very informative, but also Don's humor was a pleasant addition. Use other books for research, but bring this one along.

I'm the original author of this book, having researched and written the 1st edition in 1983. After that, I got very involved in writing about the South Pacific islands and had to bow out, so I'm happy to see the way Deke and Don have developed the book through five subsequent editions. Last summer my wife and I returned to the area and tried following my old edition. It was striking how little had changed and we enjoyed our trip immensely. We pitched our tent on some of the same sites I'd used nearly two decades earlier! I suggest you use the far superior new edition of Alaska-Yukon - it's a wonderful part of the world, and you're in for a real adventure.

This book has been truely invaluable in preparing for a trip. It is not written in the normal dry style of many travel planners, but with wit and humor. As I read through the tidbits on the communities the author's dry humor and research come through. He is not afraid to tell you where the tourist traps are and when those self-same traps are worth a look because of the tacky items in them. The commentaries are honest and straight forward. Well worth the read if you are planning a trip to Alaska.

This is a quaint little book that is full of interesting facts. My fifth graders have enjoyed listening to the unusual stories. The entries are quick and easy and great for filling those 5 minute gaps or introducing a lesson.

Ms. Keefer needs to improve her spelling, especially if she is a 4th grade teacher (see her review). I live "on" the Oregon Trail, in Pocatello, Idaho. My wife and I visit Oregon Trail sites (especially visual "ruts") whenever we can. Michael Trinklein is a well-respected historian; this book is a keeper!

This is a very fasinating book. It is easy to read and a page turned for my fourth grade students who are studying the Oregon Trail. Kids love interesting facts as do I.

Though this title may be a little pricy, it is a must have for residents of California, Oregon, and Washington. At any rate, any family within which there is a flower collecter, should have a copy of this excellent resource. Though my family originally purchased this title because of a biology project assigned to my daughter, it has since opened up an interesting world of the natural plant life of this area and even those farther away.

I like the book and the topic, however the binding is is such bad shape that the book is useless in the field or for a more robust usage. Can this be fixed?

I take this guide (and the Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers-- west) on all my field trips to identify wildflowers. Though Peterson has fewer real photos, it does have better aids to identify specific wildflowers, as it is organized by color, as well as number and types of petals. The sketches help me do a preliminary id on the wildflower.

This is the ultimate botanical sourcebook for Steens and surrounding areas of Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. Finally a single book covering this area, which as the author points out, contains plants at their geographic limit from several different floristic regions of the West. I was pleased to see a key included. So many popular field guides have forgone keys and only include select species. This key includes every species known from Steens and adjacent areas. If you have ever found yourself frustrated because the plant at hand isn't in your book, this is for you.

For the most part, the organization of the book is good. I was disappointed to see monocots and dicots lumped together in one alphabetic section. The author's intent was to make use easier for the amateur, but I found it frustrating. The black and white illustrations are well done. I found the color plates disappointing. Because of the quality of the paper, the ink has soaked in, obscuring detail and toning down contrast. However, it is easy to overlook this short-coming because of the wealth of information in one convenient source.

This is a great guide to the plants of Steens mountains, very detailed. If you are only casually interested in the plants of this area, be forewarned that this is not a picture book, but rather a key with excellent descriptions.

This is the most comprehensive field guide of any sort that I have ever seen! It's perfectly designed to help one identify any unknown plant in the Steens. Having been to the Steens Mountains I've witnessed the great diversity of the flora and the detail put into this guide for each individual specimen is most impressive!

In 1990, Daniel MacMillan of MAC Productions, published the First Edition of "Golfing in Oregon" and from what I can see, he's mastered the course! From the first tee (the beautiful cover photo of Bandon Dunes Golf Course) to the 19th hole (the numerous indexes of courses in Oregon) this book hits a hole in one.

MacMillan shows where the courses are by map, geographical index, alphabetic index, and regional index. Each of the course descriptions includes a graphical layout of each hole with yardage information, driving directions, address and contact information, fees, rating/slope, cart and trail information, reservation policy, dress code, winter conditions, and amenities available.

All courses, whether resort, public or private are listed. 9-hole, 18-hole, and additionally, it lists driving ranges and golf specialty shops. MacMillan even included courses that are yet to be completed in 2001.

Macmillin includes personal notes about each of the courses, which is a reassuring touch. He's actually been to each of the courses and shares his personal comments both pro and con.

The book is sized to easily fit in a golf bag and for my money this is a perfect companion for any golf trip to Oregon. It would be a great addition for any golfer living in Oregon or coming for a visit.

This is a great book for golfers interested in a comprehesive list of all the golf facilities in Oregon. It has a full list of all courses, driving ranges, and other facilities. There is a state map, listings by course names and by city names. Each listing has a map to the course, a map of the hole layout for the course, a review of the course and it conditions, and other very usefull information. This will be my third copy of this must have book. I lost my first one and the edition I bought in 97 is about worn out. That's about the only negative comment I have, or is that positive because I use it so much. I also own the Washington and Idaho / Montana copies. Good books all.

I have used this book many times to plan golf outings or trips in Oregon. The author frequently releases updated editions with new courses and course changes. Since my goal is to play all courses in Oregon, this book has been my bible.

From directions to the course to course descriptions, almost all that you need to know is contained within.

Edsel Colvin's letters and commentary will appeal to anyone who has fought in a war, particularly WW 2. Edsel was an unofficial war correspondent when his Dad submitted his letters from overseas to the local weekly paper. His letters brought some of the difficulties of soldiering to the home folks. Edsel was careful to not detail all of the gory details as he did not want his Dad to worry too much.

Edsel story begins with his life as a fire lookout following high school graduation in 1941, his brief time in college before being drafted, and then his experiences as a scout in an infantry squad of the 103rd (Cactus)Division. His style of writing is easy to read and makes the reader feel a part of the story.

Edsel returned to Gold Beach after the war, attended the University of Oregon, married and started a family and taught at Gold Beach High School where he had graduated in 1941. His abilities were soon apparent and he was named Principal of the Union High School and then Superintendent of the school district. His influence made the school district one of the best in the state and he was respected and admired by both faculty and students.

I've known Edsel for over 35 years and our three sons were privileged to attend Gold Beach High School while he was the superintendent.

I'm sure you will enjoy reading his book, "Got to Go Now"

Got to Go Now: An Oregon Gi Writes Home During World War II
by Edsel V. Colvin, Paul Colvin (Editor)takes you back to a time when people knew what it meant to be an American. It also revealed the emotions, motivations and situations created by war. I have had the honor of knowing many veterans and have noticed in listening to them that war is a very personal ordeal. Large nations having rather monumental disagreements are most often settled by individuals making sacrifices; time, limbs and sometimes lives.

The book paints a vivid picture with words. The heat of California can be felt as well as the cold of the German winter. I enjoyed the prelude to the war about the summers spent at the lookouts and the backroom at Frank's store. It gives you an insight into the soul of a man. Of the things that really matter and are important - family, the close friends you remember for a lifetime and taking a stand for the good.

The simple things matter most - living to see the next day, a hot meal and dry socks. Read the book.

By not telling the story with a standard narrative and just doing an occasional splicing comment or paragraph in the flow of letters, I had the feeling I was living through the descriptions in the time frame experienced.

Those weeks on fire watch in the mountains wondering about a future path, the busy-busy days at a small college trying to keep schoolwork, job, family and friends all juggled, the hardness of basic training followed by the double course load at Oklahoma, a picking up of pace as the time for overseas draws nearer, the time in the line and all the changes that happen from heavy combat to trying to survive the winter to being in the hospital to finding the little comforts one can to the sadness of the death of the Russian in the Wehrmacht, the winding down of the war, the wait to go home and the final obstacle in San Francisco with the loss of the personal effects.

It all seemed to play out in real time as I read those letters and since there were so many unexpected turns both good and tough, it had a ring of reality that the movies never seem to capture.

The book is as true a snapshot of real life's twists and turns as could be. The fact that the main character in the story came out a good man for all the events he had been through is a story of the innate goodness of a man holding true despite life's vicissitudes and in the telling it offers a ray of hope for all who read and see that despite the struggles they may have in life, that they too can keep the essential decency and soul in their own lives.

This was definitely a page-turner! I live in this area. So, it was interesting to imagine that this went on right here! I had never heard about it, and I have lived here for the last 25 years. Makes me want to examine all the houses and areas they went to.

The book is written with a newspaper sensationalism kind of feel, but that shouldn't bother you too much.

The authors give us a true account, set in "the good old days", showing us that murderous cults didn't start with the Manson family, and religious fanatacism isn't an import nurtured only in foreign lands. Immediate and enthralling as any real crime story currently on the shelves or TV, this page-turning ride has just the right amount of wry, observational wit to balance the horrors. I loved it.

Collaboratively researched and written by T. McCracken and Robert B. Blodgett, Holy Rollers: Murder And Madness In Oregon's Love Cult is the "truth is stranger than fiction" story of the "Holy Roller" religious cult that made brutal newspaper headlines in 1903. It all began when Salvation Army dropout Edmund Creffield arrived in Corvallis, Oregon and founded a new "church". The city fathers were less than impressed -- but not so their wives and daughters! A century later, descendants of the people involved in the macabre events of Creffield's Holy Roller Cult still refuse to discuss what happened. Holy Rollers is an incredible, painstaking reconstruction and revealing expose that create a gripping book that offers especial insight into the dark side of mass psychology, religious hysteria, and unbridled charismatic religious authority.

The book was well designed and nice to read. The book also included cabins and guard stations. The title should have read "How to rent a fire lookout or cabin in Oregon." Almost all the places were in Oregon. I live in Washington and was dissapointed to only see 8 places in Washington (I'm sure Washington's shortcommings and not the authors). The book is a great reference though and I can't wait to visit Oregon!

How to Rent a Fire Lookout in the Pacific Northwest is a valuable tool for exploring the beautiful backcountry of the Northwest! Authors Tom Foley and Tish Steinfeld have given a great gift to those of us in search of outdoor adventure. As a seeker of Oregon Stories within the landscape, I am enjoying this book immensely. I will include it in preparation of future sauntering and discovery!

Just astounding! I have stayed at three of the lookout featured in the book, and they are every bit as wonderful as the book illustrates. This book is a must for the nature lover. I'm not much of a hiker or skier, so fortunately this book tells you how difficult it is to reach each lookout. And most all the lookouts are a mere $25-$40 a night! My lookout trips have been the best vacations I've ever had. Please, please pick up this book if you plan to be in Oregon for any length of time and love great scenery...

As the contributing editor for "Oregon" on Suite101,com, I'm always on the lookout for great books about Oregon. Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest is great for what it includes and should probably be broken into three separate books so that more places in Oregon, Wasington, and British Columcia can be featured.

I agree wholeheartedly with the picks included. There are just so many great restaurants and B abd B's that are missing.

An entry in Bend, Oregon states that Bend is known better for outdoors kissing spots than cozy restaurants, yet I can name Kayo's Dinner House, Le Bistro, and McGrath's Fish House right off the bat that are left out.

In addition, I don't know if this would be considered a best place to kiss in other people's books, but growing up in Bend, the two best kissing spots were on top of Pilot Butte (might be closed to cars now) and Pioneer Park. Neither were included.

In Washington, Centralia's got a very cozy B and B I'd love to go back to visit (no Centralis entries) and Ocean Shores isn't even mentioned.

That said, the most annoying factor of the book is its organization. Within each section, (e.g., Vancouver and environs) towns are listed all higgledy piggledy! Ladner comes after West/North Vancouver, which is followed by Tsawwassen, then Point Roberts. It took me longer than it should have to find what I was looking for.

The write-ups are fair and show little bias. It is very journalistic, without any real personal stories. I really wanted to know why each spot was chosen.

What's there is good and even great for some areas. It's too bad there are gaps.

This is a terrific travel guide for true romantics. I have used it on many trips and have never been disappointed. A great companion book to take along is The Romantic's Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love.

From the Oregon Coast to the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, my wife and I have relied on previous versions of this book. In every case, the B&B's have been accurately reviewed and the restaurant choices top notch. You can trust this book.