Now Los Gatos in Spanish means The Cats. I just would like to say Waaaaasssssssssssuuuuuuppppppp to all my homedoggs. EEEYA I have learned a lot from the grate scool district. It is absolootey the best in the wurld. YA! I go to highschool and I is gettin the beest education that this here town can offer. bi guyz

I moved to Los Gatos in 1996. Before I read this book I had virtually no idea of the town I lived in. Now I understand it very well. It's actually interesting! By the way, this book was obviously created as a labor of love by someone with a genuine interest in their community.

This book displays a wonderfully compiled history of Los Gatos. The photography is beautiful, and just about every fact is historically accurate. A good section of the book is where the buildings are shown today downtown, and then their original use is displayed below the photo. Anywone who lives in Los Gatos or anywone who loves Santa Clara County history will love this book!

Over the last several years, I've hiked most of the trails described in "100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon." Sullivan's diving directions, trail descriptions and maps have always been perfect and immensely helpful.

The trail descriptions are both concise and crystal clear. Sullivan does not meticulously describe each detail, which leaves much to discover on your own and allows for a more personal hiking experience. He writes eloquently, and often includes great tidbits of scientific and historical information that add context to your hike. For example, he might briefly describe how a specific area was geologically formed, and point out some evidence that you'll find along trail.

Sullivan's practical advice is invaluable. If he tells you that a trail passes poison oak, you better wear long pants! If he tells you that a trail is open from July to October, don't show up without snowshoes in March! Clearly, he knows these trails well. Readers should not overlook the preface, where he provides an equipment checklist, low impact camping guidelines, contacts for trail conditions, and other useful information.

The one downside of this guide is that so many people use it. If a hike is within an hour of Portland, and is featured in this book, you can count on a crowded trailhead on a nice weekend. Plenty of the featured hikes are off the beaten path, and still consistently provide solitude. Just plan on driving for awhile.

Anybody who hikes in Oregon should consult "100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon," or one of Sullivan's other books. I also frequently use his Oregon Coast and Central Oregon guides, and they too are first rate.

Just a quick additional note: When you do hike, always leave no trace! If you see trash, pick it up! Always be respectful of our Earth, and all of its creatures.

I bought this book two years ago to add to the many guide books in my library. After two years of hiking many weekends in northwestern OR and southwestern WA, it's become clear that this is the book that get's used the most. Most of the trails are suitable for the whole family. We've hiked into the crater of Mount St. Helens, eaten wild huckle berries in Indian Heaven Wilderness, hiked every slope of Mt. Hood, visited water falls in the Columbia river Gorge that we didn't know existed and more.

Many of the trails are suitable for the occasional dry weekend in the winter months as well. Sullivan provides many low elevation trails which extend the hiking season year round.

If you live in southwestern Washington or northwestern Oregon, you should own this book.

I bought this book prior to a trip to Oregon in hopes of finding some beautiful hikes. This book was a valuable tool in my search. Every hike was accurately described from details on finding the trailhead to distances traveled including the level of difficulty and points of interest along the way.

I'm hesitant to leave a review because some of the locations listed in this book are still peaceful and unknown, but this book is so invaluable when hunting for a good paddle spot that I felt compelled to sing it's praises....as long as it's just canoers who purchase this great book and not power boaters! The directions are easy to follow and accurate. The camping information is extremely important when traveling with children, like we do.The lay out of the book is perfect in helping to select drive times and specific locations. I came back to Amazon to purchase the book for a friend but see that it is out of stock. Hopefully this is just temporary. If not, buy it used!!

Coale goes into just enough details so that you get a feel for the area and its surroundings. He also gives suggestions for where to camp. There are advisories for a variety of items: seasonal accessibility, powerboats, potable water, overcrowding, campground closures, etc. Each lake description also comes with high quality images and a map. The images are very impressive. I don't see any bylines for the photographs, so I'm assuming they were taken by Coale. In the back of the book there is a spreadsheet of all the lakes with the following columns: Natural Lake, Paddle-In Camping, Lakeside Camping, Winter Access, Long distance Paddling, No Motors/Speed Limits, Exquisite Beauty. I have no complaints about CTCH and I think it will be very helpful in designing some 4 day trips this summer. I give the book 5 stars ***** :)

dear john coale-congradulation on creating a book that anyone not even interested in paddling would enjoy. the pictures are breathtaking and succeed in capturing the feelings of the moment,such beautiful scenery. i wish your book great success. sincerly, lia medina,mill valley

The title above is what my great-uncle inscribed on the inside cover of this book. He is the Tommy Morris whose story is told in the pages of this book. Like many more famous sailors and soldiers, Uncle Tommy (who died only two weeks ago after a long decline, for those readers who might be interested)used to tell me and my grandfather (Tommy's brother) that it was impossible for him to think of people as "civilized" having seen how we turn our new discoveries and technology so easily to the unhappy task of killing each other. He also said to me once that his role in the Quincy sinking was that of a "damsel in distress".. which description was follwed by that sort of masculing deep-seated chuckle which only come forth from heroic men who have seen hell on earth.

I am biased, but I wer I not, I would still think this an excellent book!

Gary Morris

Between August 1942 and February 1943, a land-sea and air battle was waged for an island in the south pacific called Guadalcanal. The six-month long battle for the island would be one of the definitive battles of the war. It was also one of the costliest. Thousands of Allied and Japanese soldiers died. And a channel north of the island had so many ships go down there that it was renamed Iron Bottom Sound.

It is possible that more men died in the waters off Guadalcanal then on the island itself. But for many years, most of the ships were out of reach to divers and eventually were all but forgotten. Then, in 1992, Oceanographer Robert Ballard, who had found the Titanic and the Bismarck, decided to explore the area using the latest in technology. It is quite an experience to see a past battlefield on land like Normandy, Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg or Guadalcanal itself. But the battlefields were obviously cleaned up afterward and don't look the way they did when the battle concluded. But time knows no boundaries in Iron Bottom Sound. The paintings by Ken Marshall and the photographs show many of the ships still upright on the ocean floor; Their guns and torpedo tubes still trained outward as if firing at a long gone enemy. But some of the ships are not so beautifully preserved. The Battleship Krishima, for example, lies upside down in two pieces on the ocean floor. And the Destroyer Barton is broken in half and lying on its side from two torpedoes. Nevertheless, most of the ships appear ready to rise up and continue fighting.

Lavishly illustrated and with a detailed text, The Lost Ships of Guadalcanal will make a welcome addition to the collection of any War, Naval or Shipwreck enthusiast (If you can find a copy that is).

Dr. Bob Ballard discovered the Titanic in the mid 1980's using cutting-edge underwater technology. For this book, he turned that skill and knowledge to lead an expedition to examine the wrecks of one of the bloodiest naval battles of World War II, one so full of death and destruction that veterans of the battle gave the waters of Gualdalcanal the nickname of "Iron Bottom Sound" because of the number of ships and aircraft that lay underwater. Guadalcanal was the linchpin of American and Japanese military strategy for control of the south Pacific islands. The Americans controlled the airfield, but the Japanese controlled the island and the waters around it. The Japanese couldn't resupply its army because of attacks to its freighters by Allied aircraft and the Americans couldn't resupply its airfield because of attacks to its fleet of ships. In one single battle in the pitch-black darkness of night, the mighty Japanese fleet engaged a weaker American destroyer group where American guns were aimed by radar and Japanese guns were aimed by looking for the flashes from the American weapons. The American fleet was destroyed but it was a Pyhric victory because the Japanese supply ships failed to reach the starving Japanese troops on the island. Dr. Ballard does a remarkable job of capturing both the essence of the battle and the essence of underwater archeology to create a wonderful book filled with full-color pictures of the wrecks and period black-and-white pictures of the war. He also includes the fantastic paintings and maps in the style that has adorned his other books to show how the wrecks would look if there was absolute clarity underwater and with a "God's Eye". This book is one of the better ones I've found that deal with the ships of Guadalcanal and underwater archeology. I've noticed copies adorning the workbenches of many model-ship builders (including mine). Its a great gift idea and sure to please anyone interested in great battles, maritime history, WW2, underwater exploration, or tales of bravery (by those who fought and those who study the ocean).

I would make one small addition to the other reviews. Lunchtime Walks in San Francisco, Gail Todd, is as useful for tourists as is it for residents! It became a permanent addition to our library after we were able to flip through a copy at the Rand McNally Store in San Francisco. For those not having the opportunity to peek first, this is a wonderful resource for trip planning. The walks aren't too long (about an hour for most), are centrally located, and a handy map is included with each. Information is provided on the history and the architecture of the area, shops, restaurants, picnic areas (yes, even in San Francisco there are areas for relaxing and enjoying your lunch in the great outdoors), and gorgeous views. Perfect for the visitor wanting to take some delightful jaunts including the 'must see' sites in a city that is made for walking. We've already book marked several of the 33 walks for our next visit to the city by the bay.

Now that Spring is here, Gail Todd's walking guide to San Francisco is indispensible for anyone living in the City and looking for a new way to explore it. Beautiful pictures, detailed maps, tons of great ideas for lunchtime walks -- this guide has it all.

As a 20-year resident of San Francisco, I'm pretty jaded when it comes to guidebooks about my city, but this book is a real treat! The author's fresh approach and clear, concise information makes this book a pleasure to read. Buy two and give one to a friend.

Stavisky's book is a must read for those who care about WWII, providing the view of the enlisted man who folks back home would know and care about. It has the authentic ring of the writing and ethics of that time in history, and does more than hint at the actual horrors faced in jungle combat, yet still treating the war as a crusade.

While the tone is authentic and detailed, there are a few editorial lapses that knock the book down from 5 stars for me. For example, in one paragraph Stavisky states that Enterprise had been sunk a year earlier (which of course it had not been) and in another, states that Chesty Puller led the Marines into Korea in "1955". Presumably, he means actually during the Korean War, which ended in 1953. While these type of errors do not disqualify the book, they disfigure it and make one wonder what else the author has wrong.

Recommended with this reservation.

I have just finished reading the book, "Marine Combat Correspondent" WW2 War in the Pacific, by Samuel E. Stavisky.
This is an Excellent book, I recommend it to anyone interested in the War in the Pacific. Savisky does a Great job of telling his personal accounts during his tour. Starts off with basic training and goes through most of the Solomon Islands to Hollandia.
One of the things that I liked the best was when he would tell about a story or an account of certain patrols, he would name most of the men and their hometown. Kind of neat to find one in your own state, or even a town close to you.
Stavisky did every thing that the Marines did, all the hardships, struggles and pain that they when through.
This is one of those books that is hard to put down once you start. I always said just a few more pages and then it turn into chapters.

As a member of Marine Corps Combat Correspondents for many years, and as a survivor of the battle for Guadalcanal, I can say that Sam's book is an authentic account of how it was. Over 50 years is a long time to remember details, but Sam is smart,and kept his notes which now jogs his memory. Considering the short time Stavisky was in the Marine Corps he had an opportunity to see just about every phase of combat during those months. I congratulate him on a well done effort in behalf of my beloved Corps.

I came across this book overseas 12+ years ago. It is a great read for anyone who enjoys WWII books and likes well written stories. Other reviewers have described the plot enough so I won't waste space.
Suffice it to say that Fleming captures the spirit of the times and has a true gift for filling out characters. Writing as a Navy veteran, I can say that he got this right. I would recommend this without reservation.

I read this book a while back. I just saw it in the library today. I remember it so well that I felt compelled to right a review.

Anyone that is familiar with WW II and the naval campaigns will want to read this book. This is the story of a light cruiser with a new captain. The previous captain (if I remember correctly) was court martialed for cowardice. He was a close friend of the new captain. That's the first sub plot in this book.

There are other plots that that happen throughout the book. The book is so well written and the character so well developed that I can still remember the pleasure of reading it. There were good guys and bad guys, creeps and regular Joes. The ship is like a small town.

Oh, I left out the battle sequences. Wow! Incredible. Even the aftermath and cleanup after the battles was well handled. The cruiser limping back to port for a refit and overhaul.

The ending is a little sad. But, after you read the book, you will understand why it had to be so.

If you at all enjoy WW II naval action, this is a must read book.

I just finished "Time and Tide" this morning and perhaps I'm still "under the influence" but I don't think so. I've read hundreds of novels...many about the Navy/military/WWII. This is truely a cut above the rest. I agree with the other reader/reviewer that this reminded me a lot of Herman Wouk only a little better. This is my first book by Flemming but it sure won't be the last. As a mustang Captain I could see myself and former shipmates in so many of the characters. They were alive for me. They were so real I find it hard to realize I must bid them "fair winds and following seas".

I liked the details and the historical background information very much.
What I missed are more color pictures on glossy paper like they are on the cover.

I have been exploring the Anza-Borrego Desert region for 15 years. The Lindsay book is an invaluble resource if you truly want to become intimate with the area. The Lindsay's include a lot of the area history in an interesting, easy reading format. I just ordered the latest edition (I have two previous editions, which are completely dog eared and very well used) to make sure I am up to date. The State Park has a way of changing every few years and some back country trails and roads are no longer accessible. If you have only one book of the Anza-Borrego desert, this is it! The map that comes with it is excellent.

If you only get one book on this area, get this one. I actually have an older copy I bought over ten years ago and it is still well used. It has a very detailed map (of which mine is tattered and well used) and the book is a great accompiament. I often use the book to determine how many miles I had walked or driven in for that day. It also gives you some advice as to camping and rules of the state park and surrounding public lands.

The Lindsays are well known in the area and Diana Lindsay is active in the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association. She and Lowell are known the be two of the foremost authorities of information of that region.

I found Hawaii For Dummies very informative. I purchased the 1st edition in November in order to start planning our trip to Maui in June. One of the reasons I purchased this book (in addition to "Frommer's Maui") was because the cover of the book states "Updates at dummies.com". So, I figure this meant that up to date information would be provided on that website (as far as Hotel recommendations, restaurants, activities..etc..). Well, after reading the book and making many notes, I went to the website and perused the ENTIRE site..went to the travel section...located the book but could not find any reference to any "updates". All that was there was information on ordering books. So, I wrote 2 emails to them asking about the "updates" and have not received one word in response. So, has anyone out there actually been successful in getting updates or does this simply mean that we have the opportunity to purchase the 2nd and 3rd editions of Hawaii for Dummies online at dummies.com? The book is worth purchasing...but better if you can get it on sale...and forget any updates.

This book was incredibly helpful for my first trip: I used it as a starting point for research. This book is easy and fast to read but very informative, which is exactly what I wanted.

The book gives summary descriptions and helps you decide between the islands first, then goes more in depth on all each island has to offer. Add the internet to this to flesh out the author's information a bit more and you will be set. The maps were good here too for Waikiki: I never got lost as I drove around, amazingly enough, even though my Hawaiian born friend and her friends did!! The hardest part was just trying to decide between all the attractions/entertainment Hawaii had to offer: the author is thorough, and there was nothing I hadn't already been introduced to by the author when I got to the islands.

When my wife and I were planning for our "once in a lifetime" trip to Hawaii last summer, we looked at perhaps 15 different tranvel books on the islands. They all had a little of something, but Hawaii For Dummies had a lot of everything. Save yourself some time and just buy this book. Perhaps after you read it you might want to get a book on a specialty topic, but this is the "Hawaii Travel 101" class textbook to read to get a great start on the topic. Nuff said.

Like most Falcon hiking guides, this one provides useful and reliable information. The only shortcoming is it doesn't provide comprehensive information on all the trails and destinations. It wouldn't take much to add this info so that a reader who wanted to cobble together a different hike from the ones described in detail could figure out distances and altitudes gained (similar, for example, to AMC guides for hiking in various locales out East).

I purchased this book for a trip to Yosemite that I took earlier this year. The descriptions of the hikes were wonderful and included such key details as where to park and what the water & facility opportunities are on the trails. Another key detail in the book was a breakdown of elevation gain per foot. I used it to help plan my Half Dome hike and it was essential. Unfortunately there was an incident in my pack with the bug spray so I'm online today to purchase this book again to help plan my new conquest - El Capitan.

Great book. Has maps and descriptions for a ton of hikes in Yosemite. Contains a chart of hikes by difficulty, scenery, etc. I'll definitely go with FalconGuide for future hiking books.