I've always been fascinated by Colorado and its ghosts towns. This book contains detailed guides to many of the more interesting ghosts towns around Colorado. It also tells a little bit about the history of the towns, which is certainly a bonus. My one complaint is that it was not quite as thorough as it could have been. There were some areas of Colorado with fascinating histories that were left out. But, all in all, this is a good book for anyone interested Colorado and its amazing history. If you like this book, I would also recommend a new gem of a book I found entitled Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

[Paired review with Arizona Ghost Towns & Mining Camps, by Philip Varney] Ghost town books are traditionally rather scruffy affairs, with dim photos, little organization and an amateurish look. Philip Varney has raised the bar with these two books. Both feature clean design, good directions to the sites, excellent photographs and well-written text. Varley writes "I wanted a practical, informative guide that would give me the details I needed next to me on the sea of my truck." Both books are squarely on his mark.

The Colorado book is nicer: all the present-day photographs are in color, and the extra 24 pages allow more photos and a bit more depth to the text. But the Arizona book is no slouch: it has the advantage of Arizona Highways' long experience in producing good, easy-to-use guidebooks (plus it's cheaper). I've been to most of the sites in both books; in almost every case I've learned something new from his books. The photos are excellent, the maps and directions are easy to follow, and Varney's writing style is personable and informative.

Either book will make a fine companion for your next Colorado or Arizona vacation, even if you don't ordinarily pay much attention to ghost towns. Those with an interest in Western history *need* both books. And they're both excellent for armchair travellers. We're already talking about a Colorado trip next summer --Kathleen's never seen the *real* South Park.

Varney really has no competition for either state. These are the two best ghost-town guidebooks I'v seen. He'salso written ghost-town guides for New Mexico (1987?) and Southern California (1990); both are in print, but I haven't read them. ----------- Pete Tillman visited his first Colorado ghost towns some 40 years ago, and has since been to hundreds more throughout the West, both for work and for fun. Vulture (AZ) is his current favorite "true" ghost. But, hmm, Bodie (CA) is bigger and better-kept.... And Jerome (AZ) has the best views... And I've *still* never been to Crystal (CO). So much to see, so little time....

This is an excellant resource for finding the Ghost Towns in Colorado. It gave detailed directions to locate them. The colored photographs were very interesting to look at and sparked our interest to track certain towns down. It was nice to have some history available from the book to know what went on in town and when its "hay day" was in our history. It is a very attractive book and could also be used as a coffee table book.

This book is really great! It develops more of Abbie and Monte's relationships, taking us through their rough times. It's very excitng too! Way to go Kristen!

I really loved this book about romance, and honor in the state of Colorado in the Post-Civil war era. Abbie and Monte are great characters and the plot took me off guard a couple of times. I like all of Kristen Heitzmann's books so far. They aren't dull, boring and same old kind of plot all the time. She is doing a great job on her books. Abbie is wondering why Monte's property is being sabotaged and when her determination takes over, a gun battle takes place and the results leaves Abbie devastated and shaken. Monte is being pulled back in the days of the Civil War and there is one enemy he must fight to protect Abbie and his ranch before it is too late. It shows us that God is with us in all we do and will forgive us for our sins. All in all this is one great addition to Kristen Heitzmann's ROCKY MOUNTAIN LEGACY series. You won't be disappointed in this book! I certainly wasn't!

I loved this book! It was so good I read it twic

I read Jenny's Mountain first about 5 years ago. This book is very well written, with characters who are real and genuine, very believable. Any woman who has struggled through the early years of marriage and hardship can identify with Jenny in her own way.

While looking for a "quick read" in my youth, I read this in the Reader's Digest condensed version (pub. 1988-9?). I enjoyed the story so much that it's the last book of fiction I think I've enjoyed since then. I tend to read non-fiction (I like to learn), but this book really transported me to another character's life. Elaine's style is easy to read and I even learned something about mining! I didn't remember the name of the story until I recently tripped over the Reader's Digest book again in a local coffee shop. I re-read the condensed version and went online to order the actual book. I can't wait to re-read it AGAIN-- this time with all the details! It cost me ~$2.00 (used) on Amazon.com', I also ordered "Bittersweet Country" and just began reading! (It cost only $0.75 and wasn't "used" at all... it was brand new!)

I've read both Bittersweet Country and Jenny's Mountain, which are rich with detail and unexpected plotlines. Both novels I read straight through... which is rare for me. I only wish Elaine Long would write more books, as she is a fine author. I don't agree with her books being categorized as "Romance Novels" -- they are about strong, contemporary women. I learned much about the life of a woman living in the western part of this country from her two books.

I've always felt that every recipe has a story behind it, some ditty that brings the history of the recipe and its origin to light. When I reviewed "La Comida:...." I was pleased to see not only informative vignettes but also the legends of the Upper Rio Grande area. There's even a section on Utinsels and how they were/are used by the peoples of that region. What also amazed me was the bibliography. Now you tell me, how often do you find a cookbook with a bibliography? Not often that's for sure. If you're like me and have a huge craving for the wonderful flavors of the American Southwest then you'll love to have "La Comida:..." in your colletion. Bob Wiseman Author, Reviewer, Historian

The book is well rounded with great suggestions, stories and tips.
Fred just knows how to make things work, simple and fresh.
All it says to me is GAME ON!

When I feel nostolgic about Taos, and wish I were there, I pull out my copy of La Comida and read a few chapters. Brings me back to the warmth and feel of the country. Only wish Fred had included his recipe for Macaroni, cheese and chiles, and the squash stew

Robert Adams' latest book of landscape photographs - "Notes for Friends" - continues to challenge our views of what a landscape photograph can and should be. Beware though, not only are Robert Adams and Ansel Adams not related, neither are their photographs. I believe Robert Adams is responding to a reality that was only beginning to be recognized when Ansel Adams was producing his greatest works during the 30's and 40's. As a result, Robert Adams' pictures are not the glorious large format views of wilderness once synonomous with our concept of 'nature'.

Most of these pictures were taken at the boundry of commercial farmland and encroaching urban sprawl. If you think about it for a while, what else is there? Does it really make sense for any photographer to plant his tripod in the same spot as the previous dozen have done in order to photograph the same 0.1% of our land reasonably preserved as wilderness? Isn't the seemingly endless succession of photographs of pristine beaches, glowing aspens and towering clouds over unspoiled mountains a deception if not an outright lie? Does anyone in 21st century America still think this is 'nature'?

But, what if a perceptive photographer who truly cares about all this were to just go out a few miles from home and walk about with a 35mm camera any of us could afford to own? What if his goal were to find whatever beauty may still exist and, perhaps, some reason to be hopeful for the future? What would result? I believe the result would be photographs just like the ones Robert Adams has given us in "Notes for Friends". For those who can cope with what we have done to our natual heritage, it's a wonderful book of pictures. For others seeking refuge in the past, it will invariably disappoint.

Just this day received my newest purchase, by Robert Adams, wonderful dreamy and poetic, yet gritty and real.

Someone paid me the best compliment ever recently when they compared my own art to Mr Adams'

This book will take a proud spot beside my bed for the next few weeks it will be a joy to fall asleep with it in my hands dreaming of the impending spring and summer light that is soon to reach us here in the southern hemisphere.

I must admit I was pleaently surprised to see that it was almost exclusively images, I was expecting another collection of essays similar to his recent book "Why People Photograph"

Crikey I'm not complaining

I couldn't agree more with the previous review. If I see another (Ansel) Adams calendar on a wine-bar wall, I think I may just throw up. That stuff just feels like chocolate box kitsch to me now, whereas (Robert) Adams is at least trying to show us exactly what he actually sees, rather than a stage managed image of 'natural' perfection, and so to me at least, he feels more genuine and far less smug than his more famous namesake. But hey, I love this book, and this photgrapher, so I'm probably a tad biased.

This book may be entertaining to those unfamiliar with Animal Planet's popular Emergency Vets TV program, but somewhat confusing to those who are faithful fans of the show. The plot revolves around the adventures of a fictional young woman named Megan, who is supposedly the niece of the real Dr. Robert Taylor, owner of Alameda East Veterinary Clinic in Colorado, where the E-Vets series is filmed. Megan gets to spend the summer working at the clinic, interacting with the series' veterinarians as well as a number of fictional characters, such as her friend Rick. Many of their escapades are highly improbable, and much misinformation is provided about both the vets and the clinic; the book's inevitable happily-ever-after ending, for example, suggests a lack of security at Alameda East that surely does not exist. The problem with the book is that it is neither fact nor fiction, but reads more like a teenager's fantasy, based on her favorite TV show. Marino would have done better by her young readers had she written either a real novel or a real work of non-fiction.

This book is the ruler of words the king of the best everybody will love this book if they love animals. Teachers and librarians should love this book because it is ecucational and it teaches and rules!

This book is great. If I could rate it 1-100 I'd give it 100. Maybe even more. It is about a girl, named Meagan, who wants to be a vet and is so excited when her dad says she is going to intern at an animal hospital. Her Uncle Bob works there. He's Dr. Robert Taylor from the show "Emergency Vets". She has a fun-filled summer with her cousins Allsion and Tommy -- Dr. Taylor's kids. She goes to a party at the zoo at night. It is called the Do At The Zoo. She goes with her friend Rick. She has a delightful six weeks including injuries, dog-napping and a whole lot of talking parrots. You'll have fun reading this story.

Hunting and Fishing is the focus of this guide. Wildlife viewing is a third, but more distant focus. The list of wildlife often refers you to the birds and animals listed under hunting. This guide could have been so much more if there had been better and more detailed wildlife information. I would have also enjoyed information on habitat and plants. On the other had this guide does a good job on the rules, camping information, directions and has some interesting general information. I imagine that fishing and hunting enthusiasts would love this guide. As a wildlife enthusiast I am moderately disappointed.

This book is excellent. The writing is superb and the photography exceptional. I ordered a copy for myself, and I am now purchasing extra copies for Christmas presents.

Dennis McKinney's "Gude to Colorado State Wildlife Areas" is a terrific resource for those who hunt, fish, and otherwise enjoy Colorado Wildlife areas. It is the first compendium that I am aware of which lists all of the wildlife areas and provides good directions to them. Some of these areas have been difficult to locate before this book came out, so it's worth the money if that was all it did.
There's much more than directions The "Guide" provides a synopsis of the kind of terrain and cover found in each wildlife area, and which kinds of activities are allowed, or desired. It also lists the size of the areas and other public areas nearby.
It's also nicely illustrated...many of the photos are quite lovely.

While trying to identify some slides that I shot during June of some wildflowers in Colorado, I tried to use Peterson's Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. I had a very difficult time trying to identify anything. I picked up Guennel's guide (for both prairie and mountain) and within minutes I had EVERY wildflower slide identified. I'd like to see more information about each plant, such as when it indicates 'poisonous' for the plant, is it for the whole plant, root, petals, ??? But the ease in identification more than makes up for the lack of additional info. I definately recommend this book.

Nice guide, grouping by color helpful for identification. Could use more detailed anatomical descriptions and photos are a bit small.

See review for Guide to Colorado Wildflowers: Mountains for this review. Same author and same style applies to this one. Excellent resource with ease of use.

This is the story of a young man's journey to discover the mystery behind his family's troubled history. It is rich in its description of life in the Colorado mining towns, including the mistreatment of the miners, and the degradation of the Navajos. The characters are well-developed and the reader is left feeling like she knows each one personally. However, I did feel that some of the descriptions were overly dramatic, and some of the prose seemed redundant. I enjoyed the book, as it enriched my knowledge of the Colorado mining towns and the shameful politics that surrounded that life; however, the book was full of misery from start to finish.

Written with a compassion for working men in much the same vein as John Steinbeck, "Mine Work" treats the ruins of memory and the need for family reconciliation in the backdrop of desolate mining country in the Southwest. The author, Jim Davidson, deftly inerweaves the present (in which a tormented son despeately attempts to piece together three generations of family tragedy) and the past (in which a compelling narrative of injustice, racism, and personal pain) seamlessly.

One of the significant themes of this beautifully-paced first novel is the disgraceful treatment of Native Americans by rapacious industry and racist individuals. Markus Cottin's quest for knowledge and inner-peace cannot exist without a coming to grips with this aspect of history. The author has not written a polemic, however; Mr. Davidson's language is elegant, spare and precise.

MINE WORK is not your standard western fare. It combines mystery with an episodic quest for a middle-age man's family history and identity. The story focuses on the plight of Markus Cottin and his search for a reason why he's estranged from his father and why a troubled younger brother committed suicide. Along the way, the author weaves in many little known historical and social elements of the 1940's and 1950's American West, including the struggles of the socially disenfranchised Navajo Nation, a dimension which lends this story a Hillerman-esque feel. The novel was a little difficult to digest in the early sections, however after a few chapters this reader was absolutely enthralled with the story. The writing is vivid and accomplished - the story itself, heart-wrenching.

Small company politics and manipulations mangled many laborers' lives during this bleak era, including the parents of Markus Cottin, about whom he knows almost nothing. Physically and emotionally alienated from a father who lives as a hermit and spits venom on the rare occasions they meet, Cottin pursues all leads in the hope that someone can give him some idea of who his father is, and why he's so consumed with bitterness and hatred. Revelation comes at last when Cottin is made to understand the horribly tragic experience of the oppressed working-class Colorado miners, second only in emotional devastation faced by the economically hapless Navajos. The author succeeds wonderfully in bringing these peoples' heroic struggles to life, allowing the reader to look back at a excruciatingly tragic episode in 20th Century American history.

MINE WORK is a powerful "western". I'd recommend to my friends of the most sophisticated tastes. This novel is as go

OK, the author is more into mountain biking and skiing rather than hiking. Not as good as moon press's Arizona book and northern California book

I love this book. Like all Moon Handbooks, it it packed full of excellent and invaluable information.

Features: Sightseeing, festivals, special events, shopping, camping, hiking, historic sites, restaurants, entertainment, parks and recreation, museums, fishing, skiing, art galleries and much more.
Comprehensive information is listed for each town.

Here are just some of the places covered in this book:

Northwestern Colorado: (Glenwood Springs and Vicinity), Vail and Beaver Creek, Utah Border to Steamboat Springs, Craig, Meeker and Vicinity, Steamboat Springs and Vicinity)

North Central Colorado:
Winter Park, Grand Lake and Vicinity, Estes Park and Vicinity, Rocky Mountain National Park, Greeley and Vicinity, Fort Collins and Vicinity)

Northeastern Colorado: Fort Morgan, Sterling, Julesburg, etc...

Southeastern Colorado: Lamar, Las Animas, La Junta, etc...

South-Central Colorado:
(Trinidad, Walsenburg, La Veta, Pueblo and Vicinity, Canon City, Royal Gorge, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak area, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Victor, Ute Pass, Fairplay).

Southwestern Colorado:
Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Gunnison and Vicinity, Crested Butte, Curecanti Natl' Recreation Area, Black Canyon Of The Gunnsion National Park, Delta, Montrose, Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, Telluride and Vicinity, Cortez, Four Corners Area, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Creede, and Lake City.

Summit County:
Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, Montezuma, Frisco, breckenridge, Copper Mountain.

Denver Area and surroundings:
Golden, Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Silver Plume, Boulder, Central City and Black Hawk.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
***** FIVE STARS

Like all Moon Publishing books this one offers a detailed account of Colorado. With everything from Geology to the best watering hole in the town you may be he heading for. Great back road trips, camping, and fishing info. It is a must if you are planning to visit the state!