I read it on a business trip because that's all I had to read, but once I got access to a different book- only a few scant pages from the end, I happily traded it in.

Not the best of his works. Try Raney or Walking Across Egypt to know why there are Clyde Edgerton fans who will even read Redeye: A Western. And don't ever miss an opportunity to hear him talk and tell tales.

I found this book an entertaining read. There is more to it than that, but you can enjoy it on any level you like. It offers good prose, a plot that moves along at a comfortable pace, and an interesting historical setting. This is my first exposure to Clyde Edgarton but it will not be my last.

The map is not up to date with the scenic drives and ghost towns. Must have a magnified glass to read the print is so small in addition to being a map expert to determine what everything means and follow the maps. Stick with Rand McNally!

I was pretty disappointed with this guidebook. The introductory textual information on Colorado is helpful, but because the guide primarily shows maps, this text information is very limited in scope.

The maps that comprise the bulk of the guide are too small and compressed to be of any use. All the features shown on the maps are way too tiny to be read with the naked eye. You need a magnifying glass to make out most of the details. And even with a magnifying glass, the dark lines or text against dark green or brown backgrounds make seeing the details quite difficult.

Other mapbooks which I saw in many gas stations, 7-Elevens, etc. while I was traveling in Colorado, are much easier to read and offer plenty of detail for getting around the state by car. For detailed backcountry information, you're still better off buying official topo maps at the numerous ranger stations and outdoor stores scattered around the state.

This is absolutely the most comprehensive atlas for Colorado that I have seen yet. If you aren't planning on leaving Denver or seeing what's off of the main highways, get a highway map from 7-11. Roads' details are excellent, showing topo info as well as ownership and management, with clear definitions of roadway maintainence (paved, gravel, dirt, ranch roads, trails, two-track, and highway). This atlas makes the DeLorme Gazetteer look like print-offs from mapquest.com. I tossed the Gazetteer when I found The Roads of Colorado. The DeLorme drops the detail for the entire eastern part of the state, which looses sightseeing and recreation opportunities in the southeastern section. The scale is fairly large, 1" eqalling 2.5 miles, and is comparable to BLM maps in acuracy. A MUST for the adventure touring or dualsport motorcyclist, and will assist four wheel drive enthusiasts planning trips in Colorado. I, too, wish Shearer would do the same with their New Mexico atlas.

I hate to disagree with the other reviewers, but I found the book a big disappointment. The main character, Streeter, is almost one dimensional, the dialogue is a string of cliches, and the rest of the characters are intellectually limited and hopelessly predictable. My impression was that Streeter wasn't "tough", he was just too slow to know what he was up against. Perhaps the other books in the series are better, but this example guarantees that I won't bother to find out.

I was extremely disappointed by this book. I wanted to like it so much and I had read one of the reviews of this book by someone who appears to be as much a fan of Harlan Coben's mysteries as I am so I picked it up first chance I got. This book had tremendous potential but I don't feel it delivered. Here are my two big problems. 1) The main character, Streeter - I don't think he was that well developed in the book. The previous books may have given some insight into him, but I felt like he was more of a supporting character. In that I didn't find him interesting enough to warrant me purchasing another book by Stone.

2. The description on the back of the book. If you read the back of the paperback you'll get a different impression of the story than what you'll find inside. Two of the items it plays on are Streeter, which I mentioned hardly seems to be that well detailed, and Streeter's client's steamy daughter (who is barely in the book). What it amounts to, is that I feel the book falsely advertised itself. I think we all take the reviews that are shown on the cover of a book like "A Masterpiece ..." with a grain of salt, but I take what the overall description of the book to be a statement of fact and not a polished spin on the story. If the book had described itself as is, it probably would have amounted to more in my eyes.

What does this all mean? It means if you don't have high expectations you might enjoy this book. However, if you are looking for a top notch story or character, you should probably try Robert Parker's Spenser books instead

This is a macho detective story written as pulp fiction rather than great literature. As other reviewers have noted, you have to ignore PR blurbs on the backs of novels or elsewhere. Streeter's football experience was in college. After other employment, he started work for a bail bondsman, then expanded into investigative work. He uses public records and a cell phone, but also wears down shoe leather in the traditional manner.

A businessman who owns a couple of pizza parlors and a catering business hires Streeter when he feels he is in danger from a group trying to buy one of his properties as part of a proposed development. The plot thickens as various operators try to make money by fair means or foul. Many of the criminal element are not overly bright. Streeter is joined by a new woman associate who knows how to wiggle her bottom to extract information from men whose egos are bigger than their brains.

Overall, it is an interesting tale with various subplots. Streeter only shoots as a last resort (not really a make-my-day type), and has little luck with women (he does not end up in bed). There is some unexpected justice as people are hoisted on their own petards, and some people find out who their friends are.

This book is about as useful as a Rand McNally state map. Basically here's how to get to the mountain and good luck. No maps/photos. The CMC appreciates your donation.

Anyone griping about the lack of the big features in this guide should realize that this is a basic guide just by glancing at it. This guide was meant for the beginners and families with children. Those who feel that they must have every typographic map of the state of Colorado should visit some mega sports store, where they get their $500 NorthFace parkas.

This is a wonderful beginner's guide to the Colorado mountains. It's user-friendly and easily transportable.

Sleeping Beauty will be an alarming tale for those who have experienced the injustices faced by Anne and for those who fight to protect children. After forcing myself to go on, I was drawn into the story. Anger, sadness and excitment were only a few of the emotion I felt. I could not put it down. I feel relieved when the victim conquers his or her fears and Anne was allowed to do that?

However, I was disappointed that "good ole Uncle Vince" received to what amount to a on slap on the hand for his transgressions and slimmy Keith no doubt continues his escapades in Washington. Does Vince really have the guts to "get rid of him"? What happened to Dora? Wouldn't she be outraged about Josh & Anne, and go after Anne with a vengence? Shoudln't Rita apologize? I think this book calls for a sequel. It would be worth purchasing.

A survivor of child sexual abuse, Anne Garnett leaves home far behind at a young age and becomes a high-powered, beautiful -- yet romantically untouchable lawyer. Until love enters the ice princess's life, and her beloved grandfather dies. She finds she must go home and face faces of relatives she'd rather forget in her painful memories of incest. Anne's character is so real, as are the characters readers meet from her past and in the present. This is an example of a romance novel that dips into one of life's true horrors -- incest -- and doesn't romanticize it or try to make it any less pretty than it is.

This is truly my favorite novel. Much of my admiration for this novel is centered around the herione of the novel, Anne. A lonely motherless child that was sexually abused by her uncle becomes a smart but empty woman. We might not agree with all the choices she has made but we can't blame her either considering all that has happened to her. We eagerly await how her family will react to having her appear after 25 she ran away from home. And we are disappointed that they still deny her accusation. A truly inspiring novel for those who have been beaten yet survives nonetheless. I highly recommend this book.

Being somewhat familiar with the history of the Navajo-Hopi conflict, I was naturally drawn to the premise of this novel which resulted as being a one-sided, extremely inaccurate account of the 20th century Hopi history. After performing my own "due diligence" on the subject, I was appauled to learn that the author's slanderous accusations of attorney John Boyden are not substantiated and grieviously misleading. Peabody Coal has officially denied and submitted written proof that Boyden was never engaged in any "conflict of interest" nor on any payroll while representing the Hopi. I discovered that Wilkinson's mysterious "proof" of Boyden's affiliation with Peabody is painfully erroneous as the author draws awfully creative conclusions from very little evidence.
In 1997, Wilkinson suggested that legal recourse would be sought for Boyden's "devious conduct" against the Hopi, but seven years later, Wilkinson's claims have not been substantiated at any significant level. Why is this? I was very unimpressed to learn that after writing with such conviction and certainty, Wilkinson's "shocking revelation" about Boyden's "misconduct" as a focal point of the novel is and will most likely remain a hollow witch-hunt. I would not recommend that anyone read this novel because of it's poorly executed investigation of John Boyden's service to the Hopi Indian Tribe.

Anyone with interest in the Four Corners/Colorado Plateau, Native America, Public Land issues, wilderness, law or Western Americana must read this book. Wilkinson's credentials and legacy of work for justice are impeccable. His "Land and Resource Planning in the National Forest" is the best on the subject.

Critics on this site claim that it never happened; that is, Mormon attorney John Boyden never created a conflict of interest by represented Peabody Coal Company and Native America concurrently. (Read: "a Mormon simply wouldn't do it"). Mormons might think themselves irreproachable but greed and the need for glory know no boundaries. The veracity of Boyden's conflict of interest is archived at the University of Utah Marriott Library Special Collections. Anyone can read Boyden's own documents and come to their own conclusion. I have.

Conflict with Peabody or not, the critics have not disputed and cannot dispute the fact that Boyden represented both Hopi and Navajo horrendously over decades, advising them to accept legislation, water and mineral contracts that favored Anglo government and industry -- not the Indian or his land. (I use both "Native American" and "Indian" because some of my Native acquaintances prefer "Indian.") The contracts were so obviously bad and so far below market rate, they were successfully renegotiated many years later.

Wilkinson does a great job of explaining the cultural roots of both Mormons and Native Americans on the plateau that led to such travesties. The ultimate tragedy is that the Hopi and Navajo will never get back any of the plateau land that defines -- or rather defined them culturally.

From the detailed maps to the near 350 sources cited at the end of Fire on the Plateau, it is clear that Charles Wilkinson pours some of himself into these pages. He blends his personal experiences into the stories of the Colorado Plateau, especially the times he has with the people of the Hopi and Navajo culture binding together the issues that have defined the four corners region for over the past two centuries. His affection and admiration for the region and Native American cultures adds to the intimacy of the discussion about how those cultures have been affected by what has happened in the Southwest.
Wilkinson's extensive historical background and personal narratives makes for a powerful combination that is critical to understanding the conflict that has dominated the Plateau. Issues such as greed, ignorance and long drawn out legal battles prove to the reader that this 'wasteland' is being pulled at from all sides by all types of corporations. Especially good are Wilkinson's discussions of the Mormon influence on the region, and the dubious dealings of John Boyden, a questionable lawyer who is said to have gone behind the backs of the Hopi people to benefit himself financially.

Fire on the Plateau is a book that needed to be written. Misdeeds, betrayal and environmental chaos are all subjects that have been brought up and dealt with on the Colorado Plateau. These are issues that no human should have to deal with, no matter if the people are "just Indians" or not. The book addresses not only the people of the Four Corners area, but anyone who lives, or has lived, in the Southwest. The facts cannot be ignored and doing so only eludes one from the truth of what has happened, and what will continue to happen in the Southwest if people such as Charles Wilkinson do not speak up for the land.

Wilkinson is a rare mix of a writer who demonstrates an expansive knowledge of the subject matter and who also exhibits a fiery passion for his subject. A major strength of the book was the audacity that Wilkinson possessed as he crusaded for justice, peace and equality for the Native American people. Although Wilkinson can play hardball with the toughest lawyers in the West he portrays a man who is very down to earth and appreciates the beauty of the land.

Overall, I would be lying if I said the book did not captivate my attention. I have lived in the Southwest all of my twenty-two years and did not know injustices such as these were going on right under my nose. Wilkinson has enlightened me and woken me from what I thought was a peaceful and undisturbed land. Fire on the Plateau has kept me up well throughout the night and as I turned each page of the book, I was just as engrossed as the last page. Wilkinson does a fantastic job creating such an informative narrative and to say the least, I was not disappointed.

Only 27 pages devoted to actual RMNP destinations and the rest a basic beginners guide to flyfishing. Better than nothing, but I recommend stopping by the Estes Angler for some real advice.

This book provides a basic introduction to fly fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park, but left me wanting for a lot more. The focus is on lake fishing, with little emphasis on the beautiful little streams throughout the park. The information on hatches and flies is sparse, something I'd expect a lot of information about from a book targeted at such a specific area. There's a lot devoted to casting, knot tying and general fly fishing technique that I found of little use, but that's not uncommon in this type of book. All in all, if you'd like to get started in RMNP, this is a decent way to go, but realize going in that there is a lot missing here.

This book is a phenomenal find. I live just 25 miles south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Each year, for the past three years, I sit down with my fishing buddies, we open up Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park: An Angler's Guidebook, and plan approximately eight trips to the "park" using this book as our guide. So far the trips have been fantastic. Every year the question is raised "How can we go to another spot when the last trip was so great?" The guidebooks advice never fails us, have faith, read the book and GO! I have caught Colorado River cut throat, green back cut throat, rainbow, brown trout and brookies. The book is well written and will serve as a guide for anglers wanting easy, moderate and difficult hikes. A must buy for someone who doesn't know the area. I am looking for a recommendation for Yellowstone.

If you want a murder mystery that reads like a Weight Watcher propoganda indoctrination, then read this book. Every page is filled with Weight Watchers spiel. You can tell the writer lived the WW life right down to the scales and the constant water drinking. All the meeting stuff is very realistic. Yes, I am a WW backslider, so sue me.

If you want to read an interesting book filled with interesting characters, interesting conflicts and well thought out plot lines, then run and find another book. The writing style is stilted. The dialogue is bad. The writing connecting it all together is bad.

If you want to read about interesting fat people in mysterious circumstances, read Kathleen Taylor's mystery series. It's set in South Dakota with a fat crime fighter. It is hilariously well thought out and very clever.

The cheesecake is not well plotted at all. She gives a quote from Gilda Ratner in the FIRST full paragraph which tells the book title. -please- The opening page is so important. It establishes the whole premise for the book. The opening page sets the stage. It should be catchy, but certainly not reveal in the 2nd line the whole reason for the title forgoodnesssake.

Okay, I admit it, I'm a Weight Watchers member and was intrigued by the plot of this book because of the focus on dieters and mystery. And to put it bluntly, I was also looking for something to keep my mind off food. And guess what? This book worked - I lost 5 pounds in the time it took to finish the book, less than a week. Every time I wanted a doughnut or a chocolate eclair, I read another chapter. Having said that, I should add that you'll love this book even if you haven't counted a single calorie in your life. It is fun trying to find out who is killing the Great Dieters of America -and why. Now I just have to get my hands on Denise Dietz's other mysteries, so I can keep my eyes on the page - and my hands out of the cookie jar!

I loved this book. In fact, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Same for Ms. Dietz's second diet club mystery, Beat Up a Cookie. Now I'm hoping for a third in the series. Soon! I highly recommend Throw Darts at a Cheesecake. You won't be sorry you bought it, and that's a promise.

I bought this book thinking it was a sci fi book. I thought it was going to be about people made of coal who go around doing stuff that people made of coal would do. Author Clyne really misleads with his title. If the book included chapters where the Coal People go back in time and do stuff like climb into peoples furnaces and burn themselves and stuff, that'd be one thing. Instead, this book deals with stuff about a group of people Clyne refers to as "Italians". Whatever. All the pictures of these so called Italians showed these swarthy, dirty, ragged bunch of toothless hags, and those were just the pics of the babies. The women and older people were horrendous to even look at. Next time i buy a book like this I'm gonna read the sub title part, the part about mining towns in Southern Colorado. I'm thinking that Clyne ought to write another book, maybe one dealing with Anthracite or some other kind of mineral. What about people that dig for diamonds? That boring enough for you? It is for me. Ever notice how books about gold mining aren't on the best sellers list? Of course you do. The reason? They're BORING!

Clyne, go back to your drawing board and come up with some cool science fiction stuff dealing with people made of minerals mined from the earth. Now THAT"S interesting.

This is my rebutal to the ill advised likely a bit youthful fantsy or drug induced "review"posted. This is a book about people many Americans who worked the coalfields (mines) of Colorado the late 19th and early 20th century.The reviewer is likely "on drugs" or worse. It's(the book)about people;mostly immigrants as my famiy who worked in the mines and died in the hundreds but many of their children went on to become America......

The negative review should have never been printed as it is not a review but some likely racist and sad soul playing around with a serious facet of how America was formed into what we are today.

It is an honorable and important book that documents life that was harsh but full of promise for America: coal was fuel;fuel equated America's future: to supply the world with the tools to stop wars of aggression.......

it is simple:how the West was won.........

Joe "Doc"

son of a coalminer;grandson and more.....

You definately need to get a life. You should have reviewed the book BEFORE you bought it.

Mr. Berkowitz sounds like another of those kind of people that are not used to living indoors in the winter and never regularly seeing the inside of a shower while it's in operation. In general, a tree-hugging, hippie environmentalist of the wrong kind.

Another reviewer commented on the poor rating system which was based on scenic beauty- we agree: we found some sites she rated highly as totally undistiguished, while others that were just OK by her had wonderful mountains, lakes, views, etc.

Our biggest complaint was that it is not complete. Two wonderful campgrounds that we found, Town Park at Telluride and Red Rocks (maybe it was Red Canyon) north of Canyon City were not even mentioned in her book.

The Telluride campground was fabulous- if we had relied on this book alone we would have missed the highlight of our vacation.

We were excited to purchase this book with the scenic rating system. What we didn't realize (and are perhaps still unclear on) was that the rating on the beauty of a campsite was based on the other campsites in the general area. For instance, Eleven Mile was rated a "9" and we consider it a "4" at best. What a disappointment. No trees, no shade, parched (except for the reservoir), no privacy. Yuck! But, then again, maybe it was the prettiest in the area. Aspen Glen was another disappointment although not as significant. It is rated a "9" also, but much prettier although it is right on a major road and not much privacy. Some pretty trees, but hardly a "9" but a whole lot closer to a "9" in our eyes than Elevenmile was. Don't get lured in by her idea of beauty. But, I will say this.....the information in the book is accurate and that means a lot. The directions can't be beat. Maybe when a very high or a very low score is given....a bit more of a description about why might prove beneficial.

I used this book on my honeymoon, while camping all over Colorado. Since then I've bought three as gifts for friends. I liked the detailed descriptions of the campsites and found them to be accurate and complete.