Arkansas A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure, by Bryan Hendricks, is in my opinion, the best source for information about outdoor activities in Arkansas currently available. I have read several titles that have promised useful information on this subject, but Mr. Hendricks' book has got the most complete listings of places to go and things to do in the most reader-friendly format of any of my previous purchases. I have 3 young children, and accurate information is vital to me when it comes to planning a trip. This book lets me know exactly what to expect when I'm considering a weekend jaunt with my family. Nothing can ruin an otherwise nice outing for me more than getting to a place and finding it totally different than it has been described to me. I have already been to several of the recreation areas mentioned in this book, and have found the author's assessments to be right on track. Therefore, I feel like I can trust Mr. Hendricks' observations when I am planning future excursions with my family. Arkansas A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure, published by Out There Press, covers every region of the state in an easy-to-use layout, complete with locations, maps, activities permitted, contact information, ranger station locations, and also gives you names of businesses in the immediate area which may be of use while on an outing. Everything is easy to understand, with emphasis placed on hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and my personal favorite, mountain biking. It is so hard to get accurate information on what is permitted, and when and where, that the contacts included with the book will make it a valuable refernce for years to come. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to find outdoor activities in Arkansas, as I feel there is not a single wasted page between its covers.

I recently read the book "Arkansas, A Guide to Backcountry Travel and Adventure", written by Bryan Hendricks in anticipation of a combined canoe and back-country exploration of the Buffalo River Area in North west Arkansas. I was pleasantly surprised to find all the information I needed for both the canoe trip and back country hiking trip contained in the same book! Usually, my trips require purchase of at least two different books: one for the whitewater and one for the back-country; but not in this case. This is the first time I've planned a combined journey with the luxury of finding all the needed information, map references, portages, and trail heads in one comprehensive volume. Great work, Bryan!

I was also fascinated upon further reading by the anecdotal information in the book which made for an interesting and "not-so-dry" read. The story of the "Legend of Boggy Creek" was particularly enjoyable and should provide a good discussion point for any family camping trip.

Thanks again for the excellent book and perhaps I'll see Mr. Hendricks on the Buffalo River this April.

If you are looking for an expert, detailed guide to a backcountry adventure or just a highly readable armchair simulation, read this book. It offers detailed suggestions not only to surviving the wilds but thriving in them. ARKANSAS appeals to hiker, naturalist, and layman alike with each district and area offering a general overview for trip selection. Following each of these are detailed maps with topographical descriptions, seasonal guides to vegetation and animals, climate expectations, clothing needs, and equipment recommendations. Also, there are comprehensive activitity guides to camping, canoeing, fishing, biking, and hiking. The book traverses the state like its rivers: from the high-plateau Ozark Mountains of the Northwest, down the Arkansas River Valley, through the piney woods of the Ouachita Mountains, across the fertile cotton, rice, and soybean fields of the Delta to the blackwater swamps of the Southeast. The author's expertise is impressive, but more than this, the book reflects a deep appreciation, respect, and love of backcountry Arkansas.

This book is absolutely spellbinding and captivating in it's presentation that is both an excellent narrative and artistic with imagery to further enhance the experience. The editorial review here at Amazon by Kirkus Reviews is a good synopsis to get a good idea about the books contents. Also there are many sample pages available for your perusal. From a readers perspective this book is one to cherish after the reading experience is over. Carlos Fuentes presents the subject of Spain and it's influence on the new world with clarity and makes his points with the precision of a sugeon, clean and accurate. Beginning with the ancient imagery of the bull found in caves in Spain Fuentes begins his analysis showing how this imagery continues in the arts and culture in such diverse domains as the works of Goya and Picasso, advertisements for brandy and of course the Spanish spectacle of bullfighting. He picks and chooses his historical path, weaving through the centuries concluding with the the growth of Hispanic USA. The book is full oh historical facts, little known bits of information abound as Fuentes draws analogies that stimulate the mind, stimulating the reader to conclude further inferences. The book reminds me of Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" only on a smaller scope, from a perspective that makes connections between Spain and Latin America as oppossed to the whole of humanity. The "mother" countries influence is expounded upon as only Fuentes can, his use of language is powerful, insightful and revealing all the while showing his keen intelligence and sharp eye for details. The accompanying artwork throughout the book is fantastic and helps the reader to further understand the subject. A moving narrative is delivered by Fuentes and I highly suggest this book to anyone interested in the history of Spain and it's long lasting influence in the Americas. A natural outcome of reading this book is to further explore one of the many topics introduced. Included is a complete lineage of Spanish succession detailing the various ruling families and marriages that created the kings and queens of Spain. Aslo there is an outstanding suggested bibliography. This is a superb book that stimulates the mind while you read and beyond.

This book is good for readers who are interested in Hispanic culture but don't know where to start looking for information. Carlos Fuentes introduces Latin America poetically and simply.

This is by far the best book I have encountered that deals with Spanish and Latin American culture. Fuentes is at once poetic and historically fluente. The book moves smoothly, and the subjects with which it deals (which may be made boring by a less skilled writer) always hold the reader's attention. It's better written in Spanish, but the translation is pretty good too. If you like any of Fuentes' other works, or are simply interested in Hispanic culrture and philosphy, buy this one.

One of our teaching assistants came to me and begged for this title to be added to the library collection. After checking the book out online, I ordered it. To my delight, it arrived in my book order, and I immediately read it to my 2nd graders in library. We all fell in love with Clarence and Smoky. Both characters are well written and delighfully drawn. The simplistic storyline can easily be read by beginning readers. This is a must for every personal collection!

Clarence, a city dwelling little pig, sets out on his first big vacation to a dude ranch, out west. After a long and interesting bus ride, he arrives and meets Smoky, a very large and friendly purple horse who introduces him to all the pleasures of western ways. Smoky takes him on long rides through the mountains and canyons, teaches Clarence to play cards with the boys, line dance, and perform on the washtub in a cowboy band. They eat, nap, and even read stories together. It's a wonderful week. But as his vacation comes to an end, Smoky tells Clarence he's getting too old to work on the ranch anymore, and is going to be sold. Best friends are hard to come by, and Clarence can't stand the thought of never seeing his favorite horse again. So he uses all his bus money to buy Smoky, and together they begin the long ride back to the city. It may take years, but as long as they're together, they have all the time in the world..... Jean Ekman Adams has written a delightful story with a gentle message about loyalty, compassion, and friendship, that won't be lost on young readers. Her simple and engaging text, with its satisfying, happily ever after ending, is beautifully enhanced by her charming, bold, and vibrant illustrations, full of endearing ranch characters, and subtle, humorous detail. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Clarence Goes Out West And Meets A Purple Horse, is a sweet and entertaining, feel good story, that is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. This soon-to-be classic, is a picture book youngsters will beg to read again and again.

Not only does my daughter thoroughly enjoy Clarence & Smoky & the colorful illustrations, but I like the idea that she's getting fun lessons on compassion, friendship & priorities. Having lived in the big city & now finding myself in "the West," I truly enjoy this book myself. (Or perhaps it's my similar tendencies to pack my favorite snacks & not enough clothes when I travel...)This is one of the few books I don't mind reading 4 times before bed!

An outstanding work of narrative history. Fehrenbach occasionally refers to works he has cited but most often presses forward with the story uninterrupted by footnotes. A bibliography is included following the text.
This is a wide-ranging look at the Comanche spanning their first known origins and their ethnic, cultural, and environmental evolution into the ultimate horse Indians. The tribe's history is set in the context of the history of the land they occupied. First, Fehrenbach lays out the Spanish conquest of northern Mexico, and the imperial policies that governed their frontier, and delineates how those policies and practices fostered the advance of Comanches as a horse culture built on raiding and marauding. Then with the demise of the Spanish as a power, he juxtaposes the Comanche against the advancing Anglo-Texan population. Not only does this paint a complete picture of the Comanche, it provides an overview of the history of the region and great insight into the differing approaches to empire among the Spanish, French, and Anglos and the results those policies produced on the ground. Not dull stuff at all the way he tells it.
Fehrenbach's writing style is fluid and transparent, designed to tell the story not to draw undue attention to himself as a writer. He has a novelitst's sense of pace and drama that never allows the story to bog down. He also has an eye for character and detail that deftly draws together the telling elements that make his vignettes poignant and memorable. Most of all, however, he formulates deductive historical insights that pinpoint the causative factors shaping the direction of history. And all this in a text as readable as a finely crafted novel.

If it's possible to write five hundred pages of historical non-fiction without bias, Fehrenbach has done it in Comanches. The book is devoid of rhetoric, overstatement, or preaching. He is a man absolutely committed to fact. What he presents in Comanches is a sweeping tome on the origins and ultimate destruction of a fascinating culture.

Vast in scope, Comanches begins with an anthropological study of the warring tribe's development and domination of rival Indians. They were nomadic people, living in harmony with the plains, sustained by the seemingly-infinite buffalo herds. More than anyone else, the Comanches are responsible for America's English-from-the-East-coast heritage rather than what would have been domination by the Spaniards coming north out of Mexico. The Comanches' fierce resistance delayed European domination of the West by several centuries.

Fehrenbach's treatment of the Comanche's adoption of the horse, introduced to North America by the Spaniards, is brilliant. Anyone who has ever ridden a horse bareback knows how difficult it is to stay aboard, and can't help but be in awe of the "horse people's" ability to ride at full gallop and accurate shoot arrows or, later, rifles.

The book finishes with the sad destruction of the Comanche culture by the relentless and overwhelming advance of European "civilization" from the East.

In a word, Fehrenbach's scholar-level book leaves you with a deep respect for the Comanches. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

Well researched, interestingly written. I could not put this book down. Mr. Fehrenbach provides a balanced perspective many books do not.

This is the book that piqued my intrest in John Waters over ten years ago before I could even be called a teenager.

For a man with such a reputation for being "filthy, perverse, trashy, etc., etc., etc.", this book ggives the reader a delightful gllimpse into his bouyant and often child like mind. Whether raving over meeting with Pia Zadora, listing the events of a truly hellish day, or giving a guided tour of Los Angeles as only he can, he guides the reader along in a cheerful skip, full of bounce and frolick.

Even for one who's unfamiliar with his films, this book is a light, quick read sure to entertain and provide laughs, crating a vivid and lovable image of the man known to so many as "The Prince Of Puke"

I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me. Take a look at ..... site regarding the first chapter of Crackpot. It is as wild as the book. Many of the links are gone, but many are still there. Loved this book.

This collection of essays is one of the most compulsively readable, and re-readable, books I have ever owned. I was drawn to it, as you might expect, by my enjoyment of Waters' camp classics. But to be honest, I enjoy Waters the essayist at least as much, if not more, than Waters the filmmaker. Waters' films, and particularly Pecker, Serial Mom, and Hairspray, set the scene for the miscellany of obsessions which animate this book. Crackpot offers a comforting way to understand Waters' recent turn to a more conventional cinematic venue: these films are *also* celebrations of his passionate likes (and dislikes).

Waters writes a witty and acerbic prose, which conveys genuine passion for his obsessions, obsessions which include trials, the National Enquirer, Woody Allen's Interiors, dangerous candy, menthol cigarettes, and Christmas. His preferred methods seem to be the catalogue and the reminiscence: Waters' list of 101 things he hates, and 101 things he loves, are obsessive ruminations on the everyday, and Waters' methodical survey of his everyday touches gives new meaning to the sublime *and* the ridiculous. Most memorable to me, perhaps, is his LA Tour, a pre-OJ intinerary of murder, mayhem, and showbiz, and his loving tribute to the Enquirer. But his celebration of William Castle, or shame-faced coming out as a fan of avant garde, his ritualistic account of Christmas and his loving descriptions of his interests, home, and personal history all make for a case study of obsession that feels both candid and arch, in Waters' inimitable, and paradoxical way. If you read it once, you're going to read it again.

This book was extrememly helpful. Not only did it provide medical information, but real life stories of BFAR mothers. It explained in detail how to increase your milk supply, how to suppliment, and what you can expect emotionally. It gives you advice on what to do before baby is born, how to handle things after baby comes. Well thought out, Well referenced, Well written. A necessary book to have if you want to nurse your child after having breast surgery.

I was so glad to find this book while pregnant with my son! It really answered all the questions I had about attempting breastfeeding after my breast reduction surgery. There is much good information about the various reduction techniques and likliehood of successful BFAR (breastfeeding after reduction) with each technique. The book includes personal stories with a variety of BFAR experiences as well as tips for increasing and, if necessarly, supplementing your milk supply. It really focuses on the aspects of breastfeeding that are unique to those who have undergone breast reduction surgery, and, in companion with a good book on breastfeeding basics, is all you need!

Defining Your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Beast Reduction Surgery is specifically written to enable mothers who have had breast reduction surgery to breastfeed their babies. Though breastfeeding after such surgery is generally thought impossible, recent advances in breast reduction surgical techniques now allow lactation capabilities to be better retained than in the past. Trial and error experience combined with knowledge has allowed thousands of post-surgical women to breastfeed in spite of the obstacles. Defining Your Own Success explicitly describes how to maximize a woman's milk supply and confront challenges. A special section is also devoted specifically to the professional perspective, from health care providers to plastic surgeons and maternity nurses. Personal anecdotes and several appendices round out this well thought-out reference. Highly recommended.

Considering we live in Key West, when I go into the book store I rarily if ever look at the 'touristy' books. While standing in line waiting to pay for my daughters new books, there was "Confessions of a Key West Cabby" next to the register. I flipped through it while waiting to be rung up and at the last second threw it in the pile. When I got home I started reading and did not put the book down till I was finished. Mr. Suib managed to introduce me to people and places in Key West that I never knew existed, or that I took for granted every day. Now I have his book in the back seat of my car as I drive around on daily errands I look around for that Pink Cab (and they are EVERYWHERE) with Michael Suib so I can score and autograph. Worth a read, over and over again for visitors, locals and wishful thinkers everywhere.

Michael Suib deftly captures the essence of humanity, one fare at a time, from the driver's seat of a Key West cab. Each story in this enchanting book delivers an insightful, humane and witty glimpse into the inhabitants of this wacky world we share. If you've never been to Key West, no worries! Michael's words will transport you. And for those who've been, one story and you'll feel like you're standing in the middle of Duval Street again. Waste no time in getting your copy--it'll put a smile on your face.

I began visiting Key West in 1979 before moving here permanently in 2001. I guarantee you Michael Suib has captured the true flavor of this "One Human Family" community, plus a univeral understanding of everyone's psyche, no matter where you live. Each vignette is right on the money. And, each one had me saying, "Oh, this is the best one in the whole book," to be followed by, "No it's this one; no, that one!"

Michael has the uncanny talent of getting to the very base of the human experience, and through humor, pathos, empathy and love of his fellow humans, shows us the best and worst of the human condition.

This book is a triumph of the human spirit. Michael Suib, poet, soul-searcher, talent extraordinaire, a giver and one of the "good people," of this world (along with his soulmate, Nancy Butler-Ross), has captured the soul of Key West and the human race wherever. Relish, savor, bathe in this book in which you will often see yourself. It doesn't get any better than this.

I thought that The Saddle Club No. 6 Was a very good book ! IT is a must have for horse and dog lovers. When the Saddle Club flys out to there Friends Dude ranch The Saddle Club has an adventure waiting for them . In the early morning the girls encounter a mysterious rider who the find out is a young girl named Christine . It made me a little angery becasue the girls are so prejudiced twards her but it all turns out good in the end . Also stevies birthday is coming and nobody seems to care. Do lisa and Carole have a surprize? read this book and find out also will stevie be trapped by a rattle snake ? This a really good book and I suggest you read it !!!!!!!!!!!

This book, Dude Ranch, is also one of the Saddle Club series. In one of the previous reviews, I wrote about "Hoof Beat" which is the same series as this book. The characters (Stevie Lake, Carole Hanson, and Lisa Atwood) are also the same. In this book, they go to the west to Carole's friend Kate Divine's ranch. They meet a 'mysterious' rider that goes out every early morning, Stevie is trapped by a dangerous rattlesnake, and her birthday is coming and no one seems to actually care or think about it. Will Stevie get away with the rattlesnake? Who is the 'mysterious' rider every early morning? What about Stevie's birthday? Read this book to find out every answer of these questions! It's really interesting, and I say that you should get this exciting book!!!

A really good one. All of Bonnie Bryants are good, especially the western ones. it was a little sad but GOOD!

As always Palin has produced a great travel book and series... this I found better than his "80 Days". The other thing people might find interesting about this travel book is that it takes us to some places which are hard to reach even in this day and age, so this is the only way we can know them.

Also suggested- "Hemingway Adventure"

Full Circle is just as good, if not better then his othertravel/comedy books. It is simply magnificent.

Michael Palin does it again with Full Circle. Starting in Alaska Michael travels anti-clockwise around the rim of the Pacific Ocean visiting countries as diverse as Russia, Korea, Viet Nam, New Zealand, Colombia and the west coast of North American. He tells of his adventures getting to and exploring some fantastic natural wonders, visiting a Russian gulag with a former inmate, the relief of Japan, the Vietnamese reactions to a westerner, the biggness of Australia and the hardworking people of South America. The section on the United States is short and not always sweet. Palin is taken aback by the physical bigness of Americans, and rush, and loudness. By the time he reaches Canada and attends a "lumberjack" fair (no singing Mounties included!) he really "wants to go home". We also learn a bit about how the series and book were produced, his wife Helen and their children, and that being on a job for the BBC doesn't always mean smooth sailing! Michael's friend Basil Pao took the photographs - he also joined Michael on "Around the World in Eighty Days". I can highly recommend this book and not only to fans of Monty Python - it doesn't end how you might expect!

One of my favorite childhood authors was Robert Louis Stevenson. The excitement/tension in his books is palpable. I get that same feeling w/Louis L'Amour.
It's a simple story simply told. I survived a 12 hr. marathon Xmas shopping trip by reading this book between stores. Great characters & great action... Consistent themes include education,family & honor. The Sacketts are a family for the ages. This uis a great place to start the Sackett Saga!

This happens to be the first Louis Lamour that I have read, but from discussing it with other Lamour fans I have found that this book is one of his best. I really enjoyed it and although I am relatively new to his books (only 7 so far) it is probably my favorite. Lamour has opened the Western genre to me and I am now an avid western reader. This is definitely a good one to start with.

I read The Daybreakers in one sitting and not since discovering Conrad,Asimov,and Vonnegut in high school had a book so strongly introduced me into a new genre of fiction. The Daybreakers is the best Sackett book I have read to date. With beautiful imagery of the new american west and thoughtful page devotion to its characters and setting. It has great gunfights and a quick-paced story to back them up. I now find myself as big a fan of the warm frontier years as I was of the cold sterile future. I recommend this book to anyone with enough time to give this great story.