For those of us born in the late '30s and early '40s, Larance has magically rekindled a time that while not free from complication and struggle, certainly was more secure in many aspects. It centered around family, work and church, and an often unspoken but universally applied set of values -- love, charity, honesty and integrity.

This cocoon of safety provides a perfect foil for the natural curiosity of the young boys looking for adventure as a part of their initiation into manhood, and Larance captures this environment with warmth, humor, and generosity toward the characters described.

The social tensions of racial relations in Arkansas and elsewhere had yet to erupt, and Larance treats them fairly from the eyes of a child, alluding to both the coming storm and his bewilderment.

The setting may be Arkansas, but Larance aptly described my childhood in a western suburb of Chicago. In it, and perhaps characteristic of communities nationwide during that era, neighborhoods reigned and everyone was your parent, doors were left unlocked, people shared their bounty, money was tight but poverty was negligible.

It would be a shame to characterize Miss Myrtle's Boy as only a regional memoir. In truth, in addition to heartwarming episodes of a child's coming of age, in a larger sense, and without preaching or nostalgia for an age gone by, Larance instructs young and old alike on the values that are the great promise of America -- perhaps somewhat out of focus now, but worthy of redemption.

Stylistically, Larance speaks to us directly, clearly, intelligently, with charm and understated humor -- in a way we're sneaking a peek at his diary. Miss Myrtle's Boy is an excellent read that will leave you smiling and musing on your own life look after you've finished it.

"Miss Myrtle's Boy" is a story elegant in its simplicity. It serves as a good reminder of the importance of the journey over the destination, and of what's special about everything in life that is ordinary. If you like the style of Mildred Walker's books, taking us back to a time and place we all know a bit of -- where values endure, common sense rules, and land shapes the people -- then you'll love "Miss Myrtle's Boy." Its lessons are timeless. Charles L. Larance has delivered a delicious bedtime read, as effective as cocoa and a slice of pie to ensure sweet dreams (but with none of the calories)!

"Miss Myrtle's Boy" is a series of vignettes about growing up and coming-of-age in an idyllic small-town Arkansas community in the 1940s and '50s. If you are a male in, approaching, (or exceeding) mid-life and you want a quick nostalgic escape back to your youth--no matter where you grew up or what your family circumstance-- this book IS for you. I grew up in a large city in the Northeast, the product of a divorced home and still virtually every chapter "pinged" me and brought me "home" again. The simplicity, the reality and the honesty will touch you. And this book isn't just for men in their 50s. If you are married to one, or you are the child of one and you want to better understand where he came from, read the book. If you still have an appreciation for the American values of the 1950s, read the book. If you feel stressed out by the pace and pressure of of the world around you as we rush into the next millenium and you want to slow down a bit, read the book. It would be very easy to read this book in "bite-size" pieces whenever you have a few minutes, since each chapter is a story unto itself. But, if you're anything like me, once you enter the world of "Miss Myrtle's Boy," you'll want to linger a while longer. If you'll soon be getting on a plane for a business trip, or if you're headed for vacation, or if you're able to take a "time-out" at home on an evening or weekend, do yourself a favor and pick up "Miss Myrtle's Boy." You will be glad that you did!

Being a traveller who usually swears by Lonely Planet guides, I have to admit that when it came down to taking one or the other, the Lonely Planet book stayed at home and this one made it into my backpack. It's just plain good. I will be sure to check out other Moon Guides in the future. Their series might soon be alongside my LP and Footprint Guide collections.

This may be the best guide book I have ever used. I think I should write Kerry Moran a fan letter for helping me to have an amazing and wonderful time on my six-week trip to Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. This guide is so well written and interesting that I read it cover to cover during the trip-- even the sections about places we weren't planning to go. The cultural descriptions are informative and sensitively written, but not unrealistically rose-colored. The guides to towns and trekking routes give you an accurate and practical idea of what to expect when you get there without being overdetailed or bossy about telling you what do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix really came in handy and Nepalis, even when they could speak English, seemed genuinely pleased that I was trying to speak Nepali. The maps are not especially good, but then even with maps you would still have to ask directions. This is a great guide for anyone whose itenerary is not set in stone and who wants to get some genuine insight into Nepali culture.

This may be the best guidebook I've ever used-- I read it cover to cover during my trip, and feel like I ought to write Kerry Moran a fan letter. The advice and information in this book helped me to have an amazing and wonderful experience Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. The descriptions of Nepali culture and customs are sensitively written and indespensible for a mystified first time visitor. The guides for trekking routes and towns are right on the mark but not overdetailed, so you get an accurate idea what to expect without being told exactly what to do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix were very handy and I really had fun trying to speak the language. This book does not have good maps, but I was able to get pretty good maps in Nepal.

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me design and implement a hummingbird garden area. I now have a seating spot in the garden to enjoy the many H that come. I am buying another one of these great books for a friend who admired my garden. Thank you author Sally Wasowski

I have the hardcover version (Native Gardens for Dry Climates) and I highly recommend this book. The Wasowski's do an admirable job of showing off the best of each plant - you get the idea that ALL these plants are worth having, and so we covered the book in post-it notes...

The information is detailed enough in terms of native habitat, water, and sun/shade requirements and growing habits that we could build a great "hit list" of plants that we took to the local native nurseries. We found almost everything on our list, so the plants covered seem easy enough to find, at least in Los Angeles.

The best feature of this book can be found under the "Other Value" subhead for each plant listing: whether the flowers are used by hummingbirds or bees; whether it's a larval plant for butterflies or moths; and whether the seed or fruit is eaten by birds. I wish all books had this essential information for the wildlife gardener.

Native Gardening from El Paso to L.A. is actually the Wasowskis' previous book, Native Gardens for Dry Climates published under a new name. The only differences I noted were a change in the format of the introduction and new photographs substituted for a couple of the plants. Nevertheless, as I did not own the previous version, I found this edition very helpful in deciding what type of desert trees, cactus, shrubs and plants to include in a desert landscape. The authors provide full color photographs of the entire plant or tree plus pertinent details such as water needs, amount of sun, type of soil, maximum height and width, native habitat and the desert regions it will grow in. A map included in the book outlines seven distinct regions covering California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and a portion of Texas. A general description and landscaping tips for each of the 146 plants are also provided. Tables are included which outline the color and bloom time for each plant. Several sample gardens plans are reviewed providing the reader with landscaping ideas. I found this book to be an extremely helpful resource.

This is a great little book, and possibly the best overview available of the long and fascinating history of this region. There are Pueblo villages encountered by Coronado in the 16th century that are still inhabited today, and Simmons skillfully portrays the interactions over the centuries of these and the other cultures that have mingled in this harsh region. Those readers who are inspired to study this subject in more detail (and that will probably include most who read Simmons' book!) may then want to delve into a longer classic such as Paul Horgan's "Great River."

This book was a very easy to read book.It displayed a different perspective about the history of New Mexico and it's people.Also,many significant events New Mexico helped shape are described in detail.The book covers the different periods in NM in a clear and focused manner,from Spanish conquest to Statehood and beyond.This book is perfect for persons wanting to learn about NM and the southwest.

I loved reading this book. It presented the highlights of the rich history of the southwest from the Spanish colonization to the recent decades in a essay-like tone that is very readable. The story itself is exotic and very compelling,as anyone who has lived in or vistited the area should know. I imagine that Mr. Simmons is the "dean" of New Mexico history. His knowledge of the broad sweep of centuries of history, comprising numerous diverse cultures, is impressive. More impressive is his ability to convey his personal feeling for the subject matter. A reader can tell by his personal epilogue about camping in the New Mexico desert that Mr. Simmons loves working in the shadows of the Conquistadors, the Pueblos, Navajos and American mountainmen and pioneers. This book brings the history alive. I am on the hunt for other books about southwest history, and for books by Marc Simmons.

This book, combined with Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1, which covers Colorado and Utah, is an absolutely essential tool for serious photographers who are looking to spend time photographing some of the most spectacular natural sights of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.
I own both books, together with the accompanying cd roms, and I can honestly say, as a serious advanced photographer, I have never made a better investment. Since aquiring these guides, I have returned to the Southwest three times in three years, and each time have returned home with memories and photographic images that I had never known existed. These books are well written with great attention to details and chock full of black and white photos which excite the imagination. The cd roms provide hundreds more photos of these and nearby areas in vivid color. Together, this is a must have collection.
These books are not mere travel guides; they are an indispensable aid to photographers looking for the most photogenic spots in any given area of the Southwest. After spending hours enjoying these volumes, you will learn exactly how to get to each of these awesome spots, the best time of the year to travel to them, the preferred time of day to arrive for ideal lighting, suggested lenses and equipment and even the best spots (literally) to stand for ideal camera angles. Laurent Martres pretty much does it all for you; however, you will have to put on your own hiking boots and do your own walking, climbing, scrambling and whatever else it may take to get you to some of these hidden and often out of the way places. The rewards are great for those willing to follow his suggestions which will often include getting up well before dawn, hiking a few minutes or a few hours in some cases and a few days in others, scrambling over bolders or squeezing thru narrow canyons, wading thru waist high water or four-wheeling over back roads that will challenge the most adventureous among us.

Since getting hold of these books I have done all of the above and have always come home with more than my share of wonderful memories and prizewinning photos. I have discovered spots that I must return to over and over again because I just can't get enough of their jaw dropping beauty. I have spent time in locations you won't find in travel books or just about anywhere else for that matter. Many of these are places you would drive right by, never realizing their existence were it not for these books. A good number of the places featured in these books are generally not well publicized or often written about.
If you have interest in photographing or seriously exploring the lesser known and less often visited scenic wonders of America's Southwest, then I can't recommend both of these books and their accompanying cd roms enough. They should be on the bookshelves and in the backpacks of all serious lovers of the Southwest. They are invaluable in planning my photo trips; before I leave home, I pretty much know where I'll be going each day and what I can anticipate along the way. I have yet to be disappointed in any of the places I've spent time hiking to; quite the contrary since I am most often overwhelmed upon experiencing these spots in person. I expect to spend many future years searching out and exploring the great number of wonderful places Laurent Martres brings to our attention in both of these volumes. Thanks, Laurent; I'm looking forward to your future works.

Have you ever been in "The Southwest" without looking at Laurent Martres two guide books Vol. 2 and Vol. 1, than you really have to visit the place again.
If you see landscape-pictures in magazines, calenders, on postcards or posters and you think: "Whow, this is something I want to see with my own eyes.", than you will surely find it in Martres' two books "Photographing the Southwest".
He not only shows beautiful pictures from things you have never seen before and I'm sure you like to, no, additional he gives very good way descriptions (including needed time) and a lot of tips how to take the best pictures and at which time of the day.
I visited the area and the National Parks (and the visiting tourists) in more than one vacation. Laurent Martres was able to lead me to the places I ever dreamed of, "behind the tourists".
Planning your next trip? Best buy!!!

Laurent Martres' Volume II has been the most valuable and most helpful guide book for me during my last trip to Arizona in November 2002. He describes all those locations and viewpoints, I was always looking for, and never found in any other travel book. In addition, he gives tons of detailed advice about shooting professional photos. I also recommend his separately sold Comparison CD Rom with hundreds of Martres best photos in high resolution. They are a great source of inspiration, too. While viewing the pics on my PC, I could "pre-visit" the locations and choose my personal favorites.
Karsten

Race to the Moonrise, by archaeologist Sally Crum, is a wonderful resource for teachers teaching the history and cultures of the Southwest and Colorado. It is a fictional story which contains a vivid picture of the cultures of the Southwest from Casa Grande to Chimney Rock in Colorado. I used it with my fourth grade students to enable them to visualize the people and their lifestyle, compare the environments, weapons, religions, clothing, tools, foods, building styles, use of natural resources, trade, household objects, and travel of the Pre-Puebloan people. The story is appropriate for fourth grade and above and through a fictional narrative with carefully researched background, keeps students interested and learning throughout. The author has also published a teacher's guide with questions and activities to use with the book. I would recommend Race to the Moonrise to other teachers. It has been a great addition to my unit on Colorado History.

Race To The Moonrise is a carefully researched adventure tale of two young Mogollon trader children who run an exciting race against the full moonrise in prehistoric (1200 A.D.) northern Mexico and southwestern U.S. Little Basket, the young girl prophetess and her brother Long Legs make the arduous journey from their village in northern Mexico to the area of Chimney Rock and Finger Rocks, near the Four Corners area of today, before the 19th full moonrise to participate in a religious ceremony. All details are carefully researched and help authenticate this exciting children's educational action adventure book. Note: Race To The Moonrise was approved for use with Native American children by the Intertribal Cultural Committee of the Council for Indian Education. It is fascinating to follow the ebb and flow of this exciting tale. So much of early Native American prehistory is not known, yet what can be surmised of these ancient MesoAmericans is both intriguing and of enduring value to the young people of today. Race To The Moonrise is a fine work to honor one's ancestors with.

I have a really difficult time reviewing children's books. Until now. I have just finished "Race to the Moonrise: An Ancient Journey" by Ouray, CO author Sally Crum. It is a wonderful book. It was written for the fourth grade level, but let me tell you, I think readers of any age will not only enjoy the book but will finish it with a greater understanding of native American culture and feel good about having read it. The setting of the book is around 1200 AD and centers around Little Basket, a young girl with some very special powers, and her brother, Long Legs. These two, with their uncle, embark on a journey from their home in Mexico to what is now southwestern Colorado. The purpose of the journey, which takes them through the country of the Mogollon of New Mexico, the Hohokam of the Gila and Salt River Basins, the Sinagua of Wupatki Pueblo, the Hopi, and the Chaco Canyon, Aztec, Mesa Verde and Chimney Rock Pueblo peoples, is to save their village. Besides being a great read, the book is impressively accurate in its description of the native American cultures, and geographic and archaeological places which exist today. On a recent trip which included many of those places I was amazed at the author's accuracy. Do Little Basket and Long Legs save the village? To be sure, it's not here today. But then, when a little girl has special powers and a strong, brave, and protective brother...who knows? Sally Crum is a working archaeologist and has worked for numerous national parks and monuments over the past 16 years. The book has been approved for use with Native American children by the Intertribal Cultural Committee of the Council for Indian Education and published by Western Reflections Inc., so you know the quality is second to none. This is a wonderful, enchanting book. It is truly for children of all ages...right up into geezerhood!

In 1998 I'd seen a photo on a calendar of the Vermillion Cliffs in Utah, but had no idea where exactly it was located. I teach photography and my students and I had done some research to find it, but discovered it was a very large area. When I found Mr. Dykinga's book I was even more determined for my students to see and photograph the area. Needless to say, the book is truly inspirational thanks to Jack's remarkabe work.!
If you know a photographer or a traveller - this is the book for them! Enjoy the treat yourself as well.

Jeff Grimm
Bedford, TX

The number of photographic works exploring the nuances of the Colorado Plateau is seemingly endless. Many can be browsed once and left behind. This book is the scintillating exception.

Jack Dykinga's photographic work is simply exceptional, and beyond the pale. Each color photograph appears as exquisitely crafted as a piece of fine crystal, beginning with very cover of the paperback edition. One can only envy his great patience and expertise in composing each work.

Much of the photography comes from the Paria Wilderness, an area of the Plateau not usually treated to any degree in most works, and the novelty is refreshing. A particularly enjoyable facet of the book is that use of a telephoto lens has been largely eschewed, leaving a series of scenes that the enterprising tourist can find and view with his or her own eyes, just as depicted by the book.

Charles Bowden's accompanying text is evocative and hearkens a wild diffusion of images and memories of the fascinating region.
It is an apt companion to Dykinga's superb work.

If you are limited to five or less books about the Colorado plateau, let this be one of them. I enjoy it more every time I read it.

An hymn to the nature and it's landscapes, whose pictures are superb in both the technical and artistic plans.

Nelson Zink has put together a wonderfully winding roadmap for self discovery. I find myself returning to each one of the masterfully written stories at different times in my life to regain perspective. A perfect book for anyone who believes in defining themselves or gaining understanding of others without textbook labels.

I had the good fortune to hear some of Nelson's stories even before this fine little book was published the first time. With nary an explicit mention of "NLP" this book demonstrates many aspects of NLP in a particularly inviting way that lets folks experience positive change now. And besides that, there's lots of darn good stories!

Utilizing stories within stories, Zink spins an interesting (although at times hackneyed) tale of personal growth. A great way to package many different techniques in a lively format. Definitely a nice reprieve from "technique textbooks" and "seminar transcripts" that seem so common in the world of NLP. I found myself highlighting many useful quotes and stories, and have recommended the book to several close friends and associates. It's on my list of books to reread every so often.

A wonderful read, both encouraging and disheartening, with some real family values thrown in. A graphic, first-hand description of the way things were and are, and might be. Mr. Preston provides many enduring messages about the sanctity of life and living that the Bilagaana have nearly completely lost in our rush of subservience to the technology god.

This book and its predecessor, Cities of Gold, chronicle the amazing, arduous, foolhardy, inspired journeys of a "yankee" in search of the traces of cultures his own people have nearly annihilated. Unlike many memoirists, Preston doesn't shrink from chronicling his own failures and misjudgments, and that's what makes him so accessible to the people he meets along the way, and to the reader him or herself. Most of us will probably never have the guts to make these journeys or get to know all these people - that's what makes this book such a radical act of anti-tourism. Above all it's a poignant homage to "the people." (They know who they are!) If you're a horse person, a traveler to the southwest, or if you're just interested in the question "what is American?" you have to read these books now. And don't miss the great story about the skinwalkers - it's enough to keep you cold in July.

Preston's TALKING TO THE GROUND is one of the most gripping narratives I have read. Why? He takes us along with him (and family) to the dusty trails of Navajo Mountain on horseback down into Navajo Lands including Monument Valley and eventually Shiprock. As we ride the pilgrimage trail with the author, we too become faint and dizzy as we pick our way down incredibly steep, almost trailless cliffs. We hope, as we follow the route of the mythological monster slayer, that there will be some little spring or seep for our horses to take a drink. We hope we will get to the next Navajo dwelling where we might purchase some hay for our tired and hungry animals. We are elated when Preston and family make it to safe terrain after weeks of hardship. No novice to this marvelous country of the American Southwest, Preston had studied Navajo mythology and mysticism deligently during his days as a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. He had also studied maps and made inquiries about the possibility of riding across the entire Navajo Nation to gain spiritual strength and wisdom. It is as shocking to the reader as it was to Preston when he was told by sunglassed young Navajo turks at Monument Valley that he couldn't possibly know a damn thing about Navajo lands and culture on such a superficial trip as this--riding horseback for several hundred miles and reading other honkies' books. Yet this moment of humility strengthens the narrative by allowing for soul searching and further journeying into wonder to trail's end at Shiprock

I did the Annapurna Circuit trek (Around Annapurna) last September with this book. I was my bible.
The book has very good chapters about Nepal in general, Kathmandu and Pokhara but it's strength lies in the trail maps and text.
The maps are very very detailed (you can't get lost...), they indicate where is the next steep climbing and how much time does it takes to the next village. In the text you can find recommendations for eating and lodging (that never miss...).
The book covers all the popular treks in the Annapurna region but also offer side treks for more adventrous trekkers.

The bottom line : Worth every Penny!

This guide is all you need for the Annapurna. Beats the pants off Lonely Planet. Great maps, highlights, places to stay, etc.; small and lightweight; good gear list for preparing, info on when to go; bits on Kathmandu and Pokhara. We hiked the entire circuit and used Bryn several times each day.

I found the information in the book was great help. The maps together with the estimated timings were particularly helpful in deciding the route to take.

In addition to the treks Bryn Thomas also gives useful information on places to stay.

We used the book when treking from Jomsom to Pokhara and it was invaluable.