This is not a book of taxonomic keys, like Light's Manual. It is, rather, a book that provides a summary of the biology and ecology of invertebrates of the west coast. The authors provide lists of the best research literature for each animal (up through 1980), as well as photographs and line drawings that show what the animals look like.

This is not a field book, per se, but copies of this book are found on the shelves of most marine biological laboratories in the world, and on the shelves of most invertebrate zoologists who have visited the west coast of the USA.

A professor of mine once said, "That is a 'big boy' book." And, as books on invertebrates go, he is right.

This book is well worth the price!

Though not a native of La Jolla, I have visited it since 1938. I moved my residence here in 1985.

I have sent this book to family and friends out of town who have also become intrigued with this Town with the Funny Name by Max Miller.

Indeed, anyone, anywhere, interested in history and the arts will open a book filled with them.

Signed: Leigh Sherman, member of La Jolla Branch of National League of American Pen Women since 1984.

The world renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography with its pioneers, such as Roger Revelle, is one of the many outstanding features and facts of a well written record of our paradise-on-earth village.

Though not a native of La Jolla, I have visited it since 1938. I moved my residence here in 1985.

I have sent this book to family and friends out of town who have also become intrigued with this Town with the Funny Name.

Indeed, anyone, anywhere, interested in history and the arts will open a book filled with them.

My favorite piece in this collection is "Beat the Qaaviks," Jans' account of an Arctic basketball game, but they're all excellent. I'm hoping to return to Selawik, and to take a friend with me. I gave him THE LAST LIGHT BREAKING to whet his appetite.

If you're reading this, you're already thinking about buying the book. Just buy it. It's great.

The running conversation between several of the siginficant personalities who shaped the history of the Pacific explains why events unfolded as they did. Although lighthearted at times, these conversations clearly set forth the policies and morals possessed by the nations who constantly struggled in this vast expanse.

Similarly, Professor McDougall's descriptions of the significant events of this era are outstanding. It often feels like you are there.

Most noteworthy, Professor McDougall cuts to the heart of the issues, shares only the essential facts, and demonstrates their significance. Thus, the reader can appreciate the complex multitiude of attitudes, personalities, and morals that caused nations to act the way they did.

Always entertaining and certainly insightful, this book is a must read for any person interested in the history of this region.

With the subtitle "A history of the North Pacific from Magellan to MacArthur" and a thickness of 2.5 inches, this Pulitzer Prize-winning author's book might seem awfully heavy reading.

It's not.

Let the Sea Make a Noise has all the elements of a world-class adventure yarn, made more exciting because the tale is actually true. McDougall begins by exploring different ways of enticing casual readers to plunge into his story. Thanks to this device and his flowing style, you're well into the book before coming up for air. By then, however, you'll be enmeshed in the ebbs and flows among Spanish California, Imperial Russia, Japan, Alaska, the kingdom of Hawaii and the United States.

Any story, no matter how gifted the writer, lives or dies by the elements of the tale. McDougall has chosen well -- during the last four centuries the Pacific has been washed by successive waves of expansion, conquering, defeat, retreat, retrenchment and return.

McDougall carefully shows how two countries' interactions have affected other countries -- sometimes in surprising and unexpected ways. He intersperses his narrative with conversations among historical figures that a reader might initially find artificial but eventually will anticipate.

McDougall correctly realizes that tales of momentous times read best when they're seen through the eyes of the people experiencing them.

After all, people make history.

c1997, Camie Foster

The most interesting story was that of a construction crew and Coast Guard team working nearly around the clock for five days to restore the Cape Flattery lighthouse near Neah Bay in Tatoosh, Washington. Also worth noting were the descriptions of life as a lighthouse keeper, the artisanship of making the Fresnel lights, and the automation that replaced the need for human presence in these remote outposts.

As the Oregon Contributing editor at Suite101.com, I am always on the lookout for books my visitors will enjoy and will help them plan their next trip to Oregon. This one is a winner!

Rujen encounters a series of mishaps that day, including having his work-boots stolen, and the reader is drawn into his story as he goes through the day, trying to conform to what is expected of him and looking forward to his volunteer job as an usher at the Catholic church later. In the meantime, his son Jebro and his younger brother Nuke, set out on a small boat to visit the homeland of their grandfather, a small island which has been declared off-limits to Marshallese people. To add another dimension to the story is the magical tale of mischief-making gods and demons appearing as characters who play tricks on each other.

The story is told through alternative chapters, turning a flashlight on one harsh reality after another as the characters struggle through their day. And yet, there is sense of humor throughout, as we see each character's strengths, weaknesses, complexity and growth. Everyone is breaking some sort of minor law, including three American teenagers who are cutting school and out fishing that day. Their encounter with the two young brothers is both frightening and inspiring as they, too, learn a lot from the day's events.

I was immediately drawn into the writing and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and I loved the situation. I also gained understanding of the history as well as and myths and legends that define the Marshall Islanders as a people. I usually don't like books that include magical characters, but these were so outrageous that they held my attention completely. The author is great at description and he lets himself go really wild as he describes the demons. Another theme throughout is scatological which addresses the very real issue of sewage management on the islands. And then there are the themes of father and sons, and Good Friday suffering. But best of all is the theme of love and camaraderie and lessons learned.

This book is a small gem that not only taught me a lot, but also made me think. Even the conclusion, which is indeed satisfactory, is something that gave me even more food for thought. I hope to hear more about this author, who now lives on Hawaii. His is fresh clear voice brings reveals some universal themes. Highly recommended.

Robert's descriptions of life on Kwajalein struck a cord within me - one I thought I had put to rest years ago. His descriptive prose will offer you an unique perspective on Pacific island life where the ocean is more prevelant and often more revelent than land.

My highest praise for a novel is that I "cannot stop reading" and that when I finish I immediately begin re-reading passages. Melal fulfilled both. It forced me to explore my perspective on the Marshallese people and to remember friends, both American and Marshallese.

If you enjoy myths, legends, adventure, fishing, travel or just want to read a book with incredible prose - try Melal!