After my daughter gave me this book, I plowed through the first few pages and decided this was going to be a hard book to plow through. However, it quickly evolved into a facinating picture of the country, the people. Especially interesting was the Indian story, both past and present she was so skillful in portraying. Her presentation of environmental concerns and solutions should be read by everyone. Long and short of my experience with this book, was I loved it.

Carlene Cross is an extremely gracefull writer. The way she juxtaposed her "coming of age" with a short course in Reservation history was most interesting. As a long time resident of the Flathead Indian Reservation and a local history buff, The Unique West brought many new facts to my attention and the excellent bibliography made it quite convenient to investigate them further.

The Historical Society of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Montana Heritage Project are seriously considering using Carlene's book as the primary resource for for developing a local history course for use in Reservation high schools.

We want to encourage our kids', both Indian and white, interest in their heritage and this is the most engaging expostion of local history we have found.

If you want an interesting introduction to the history of the Flathead Reservation, including what it was like to grow up here in the last 30 years, there is no better book than this.

This unpretentious work comes loaded with surprises as the author evokes the fascinating Camas Prairie of her childhood. This poetic book is as Montana as bear grass and marmots. What is it about the Big Sky country that produces so many fine authors -- Richard Ford, Ivan Doig, Jim Harrison, Thomas McGuane, and now, Carlene Cross? I also appreciated the pictures and line sketches. For anyone with a feel for the great open spaces of the west, this book has it all.

This is a COMPREHENSIVE BOOK that should be read before going to LAS VEGAS for the first time. It should give much value to the reader, i just find that it sometimes is too THICK and have many unnecessary information inside, maybe just slimmering it a bit will be much better... We enjoy the MYSTERE recommendation and went to see it with great satisfaction... AND AMAZON is the PLACE to buy this kind of difficult to get (HERE in INDONESIA) books of special interest.

Great deal of info, particularly in the areas of planning and saving money, finding the cheapest deal, etc. Great overview and opinionated review of hotels, restaurants, buffets, casino, etc., and a good general intro to all the casino games. Areas that are just a tad weak: Comps (or freebie's for players), lighter weight treatment of outlying casinos that aren't on the Strip or downtown, and perhaps a little bit out of date for this fast-changing city. But despite all these the book is highly recommended.

Easily the best $14 we could have invested before our trip! The reviews were candid and witty and right on target. We followed the authors' advice and were extremely pleased with restaurants, casinos, and especially shows. If you take only one book with you to Las Vegas, let this be the one.

Wow! This was such a great book. It may be hard to find, but it is so worth it. I bought it after reading FOREVER AMBER also by Kathleen Winsor. I loved FOREVER AMBER so much that I wanted to read all of her other books. This was the first one I read.

It is very different than FOREVER AMBER in that it follows several people through their lives rather than one. Having read three of Kathleen Winsor's novels so far she doesn't appear to be an author that follows a formula. One thing that she is good at, though, is that she shows the intricacies of human emotions. Sure someone might be in love with someone, but sometimes love borders on a fine line with hate, as do other emotions. She creates very complex characters.

This book is very in depth about the human psyche. It follows the lives of several people for about 20 years. It takes place during the second half of the 19th century in Montana and New York City. I learned so much about this time period as well as what life was like "out west". She has great historical details. It is a bit slow at times, but you still can't put it down. This is not a book that ends happily ever after, or that ties everything up in the end. It is as real as real life. The characters are multi-faceted with multitudes of various feelings. I just cannot describe how good this book is. It's been about a year since I read it and I still think about often. Excellent!

I found this book to be one of the best books I have ever read. It is extremely long and sometimes a bit slow, but overall a great piece of writing. Winsor is a good novelist and it is obvious that she spent years researching history to accomplish such a mammoth novel. It is available through Amazon's rare and used book site.

I found this book in grandma's basement and thought " hey it'll keep me busy for a while" It was suprisingly good. The storylines move at just the right pace, and the unexpected happens, just as the expected never occurs. Good book - a must read, especially for collectors

In the past 6 months, another chapter to the story of "The Warden and His Brother" has been written by fate. Brian Flakes, the brother to the warden, was killed in a car crash in Dallas. Hopefully, Ms. Captain will write yet another 5 star book on the life of her lost son. Brian Flakes touched the lives of many in his brief life of 40 yrs. I am convinced that Brian Flakes knew that his purpose on earth was almost complete as he set about helping his many brothers in recovery of AA and NA. God bless you Ms. Captain for such insight into the life of substance abuse.

This book touched my life in a special way. Although I am not a person of color I have been a single mom for a long time. The struggles the author went through are typical of the struggles many of us go through. Then she had the added complication of being a woman of color and the racism that goes along with that to battle against as well. The constant love for her self first and then her family are amazing. There are many people who will never rise to the challenge that this family did and I congratulate the family as a whole. I am also very impressed with her faith in God and how God is not mad at her, as she puts it. God is gracious to us all and I know as a Christian the battles we must fight. Mrs. Captain has fought her battles well. The contrast between the brothers is remarkable but their dedication to each other and their family is even more remarkable. In this day and age when the family is falling apart this fine lady teaches us in this book how to keep a family together, no matter what comes our way. Thank you, Ms. Captain for your book and for your children. They are a blessing.

Family--good, bad or somewhere in between, we all have or have had one--and this book, which deals in a tender and loving manner with family matters, has something for us all! Myrtle Captain captivates in this true life account of raising three children as a single parent in era when single parenthood was uncommon and required even more tenacity than the present. WARNING-You will cry! You will laugh! You WILL come to love this woman! This book INSPIRES! I found myself saying, "If this family can overcome everything they have, what am I whining about?" This book EMPOWERS! Ms. Captain reminds us that we were meant to soar with eagles--each and everyone of us--and the only thing that can keep us down in the barnyard is--US! I would have loved this book even if I were not a child advocate working with youth in the criminal justice system! I loved this book because it is a touching account of a family who, despite the many struggles and adversities life hurls their way, hurdles over each of them--and continues to love, care and support each other. The world needs more books like this!

Wars and Peace is the work of a Vietnam Veteran, Rory Quirk, whose father, James served in WWII and later Korea, as a behind-the-scenes major player. For a seemingly humble, low-keyed guy, James is an eloquent writer as is his wife, Elizabeth; although we see far too little of her work, since it was apparently difficult for James to hang onto her letters as he traveled the front with the likes of Generals Bradley, Paton and Ridgeway. James' letters offer never before published insights into these leaders with some comical anecdotes about Paton that suggest we heard more of Quirk than Paton in earlier press releases, in stark, often amusing, contrast to post-Quirk Paton statements. The Korean letters, researched painstakingly by the younger Quirk, reveal frightening historic events that need to be responded to by those who might still know the truth. Matthew Ridgeway, about whom I read nothing in my history books, is depicted as an incredible leader and strategist deserving of great recognition and adulation. On the other hand, General MacArthur; about whom we spent so much time; comes off as an egotistical, narcissistic insubordinate. Go figure. It would have been good to hear and know more of Elizabeth Quirk, whose letters on VE day and the first birthday of their son, Rory, portray an intense love and loneliness that suggests that perhaps this is all we need to know. This is Elizabeth. Quirk brings us through the third family war with the devastating effect his service in Vietnam had on his father, the loyal patriot. Contrasted are his views of this war then and now, through his memories of 3 former college classmates who died young for something we either don't understand, or worse, for nothing at all. Quirk's father wrote his letters almost 60 years ago and they are remarkable if one thinks of his writing them late at night after, harrowing experiences. We are fortunate to read them unedited. It is uncanny to detect the similarity of style if not language, between father and son who have not exchanged a word in over 30 years. Quirk connects these human stories with flawless historical research, offering a context to the events depicted in the letters. I still don't know how I missed this when it came out. I hope it will be out in paper soon and in print large enough for seniors. It should be on tape for the visually impaired who may well hear this as their last human connection to their past. And if they haven't yet, and I believe I would have seen it, The New York Times must review this important work. This would be great book club material for serious readers interested in the human impact of war beyond the obvious.

This is a family memoir, in the form of parents' letters and a son's narrative, gracefully written by three individuals who lives were touched by World War II, Korea, and Vietnam: a father, who served with Bradley, Patton, and Ridgeway; a loving and supportive wife who served on the homefront; and a son who served as a U.S. Army Ranger in Vietnam. It's a fine memoir of an American family's courage and sense of duty during this American century.

A great inspirational book for young and older families. After all is said and done, whether success is achieved through financial rewards or attainment of immense power, the most cherished parts of our life are, and should be, our loved ones.

This is a delightful book and will be enjoyed by adults as well as children. John Muir was a remarkable man and I was surprised that he was also a truly gifted writer. Muir writes in a fun, infectious style similar to Mark Twain. He infuses all of his tales with vivid descriptive words and a dose of humor. It's a pure joy to read and shows what an incredibly courageous, physically fit man he was. I decided to buy this book because for years I have hiked larged sections of the famous John Muir Trail in California. The scenic beauty is so overwhelming that it stimulated my interest in the man for whom the trail was named. All I knew was that Muir was a Scottish-born enviromentalist who had lost his sight and then miraculously regained it. But there is so much more to his story than this.

This book will fill you in on many of the adventures Muir experienced. It's amazing that he was able to forge trails and do the things he did in an era when convenience was unheard of. He mapped out the wilderness with nothing more than a compass, a hard set of leg muscles, basic clothing and no comforts. Muir didn't rely on sunglasses, sunscreen, maps, granola bars or cell phones, he was the "real deal" and my respect for him is endless. I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's a joy to read and to learn about this magnificent and underrated man.

There is one, though certainly not the only, thing that sets Muir apart from other naturalist writers in my mind... adjectives. You will not find minimalist prose in any of the condensed tales found in this beautifully bound book. However, you will find wonderfully descriptive passages that engage the senses and provoke imagination. The Wild Muir is a great introduction to Muir's exploits and beyond that to the creative non-fiction field in general. This book will provide a wonderful escape for adults and children alike.

This absolutely wonderful volume distills some of John Muir's more memorable wilderness adventures into an absorbing, thrilling read. Lee Stetson, who for years has brought the spirit of John Muir alive to audiences in Yosemite and elsewhere, has assembled some of Muir's most hair-raising stories of mountain exploits into this single volume. Fiona King provides delightful illustrations that effectively compliment the narrative.

John Muir was many remarkable things: Explorer, adventurer, environmentalist, inventor, and much, much, more. This volume shows off two of his most prodigious talents: His literally stunning writing ability (as fresh and delightful today as it was when it was written a century ago) and his penchant for daredevil adventures. Muir's boundless, heartwarming enthusiam for the wilderness and all its wonders somtimes led him into truly precarious situations, which will both amaze and fascinate the reader. Of course he escaped them all with nary a scratch, as if guided by a divine hand, and went on to proselytize his message of conservation to a waiting world. Muir's entire life is the stuff of legend, these true-life stories transform it into a mythic adventure.

I purchased this book from Lee Stetson himself, at his performance in Yosemite Valley. See him there if you can, but if you can't, buy his book here. I guaranteee that Muir's words will never disappoint. This book makes a fabulous gift for kids as well...but you'll be reading it as much as they do!

great descriptions of the hike, recommendations on best seasons, really good maps, wonderful colour photographs, comprehensive driving directions and easy USGS quad map referenes - could it even be better than the incredible California Hiking? I bought Canyoneering the San Rafael Swell as well, and am sending it back because this book covers what I need in a much easier to read style - and is less likely to get me killed en route while rock climbing without a belay. Highly recommended.

Who knew there were so many great hikes local to the Wasatch Front? And it gets better than that, this book has a hike for every season and every day of the year. From easy to difficult, senic to exercisic, you'll never get bored in Utah again. This book offers some of the tradional hikes Utah is know for plus many hidden treasures. At first I was a bit overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. There were so many interesting sites I wanted to do them all. Having done quite a few now I can't wait to do more. And you'll never get tired of the views, you can do your favorites hikes again and again, try one in summer and in winter. The book als has great descriptions of the plants and animals native to the area. So take it along and lean about your suroundings in a quite medow or under a shade tree. A must for the hiking enthusiest!

Anyone intending to do any amount of hiking in Utah, whether it be for a day or an overnight trip, will find David Days' "Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails" an invaluable source of information! The layout and design of the book aids in pre-trip planning. Included are detailed trail maps for each hike, an extensive index, a rating of each hike by the author and a clear and definitive description of the route of the trail. Along with the maps and numerous black and white pictures, the author includes two multi-page groups of color photographs of the areas listed in the Guide. My wife and I found these to be very motivational and inspiring and are looking forward to our return trip to Utah to visit many of the areas Mr. Day lists in his book. I have seen and used many trail guides over the years and find "Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails" to be among the best and would highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Utah.

First off, contrary to earlier reviewers, this book has NOTHING to do with the Lewis and Clark expedition. Out of the 350 pages in the book, they might be mentioned a half dozen times and one might want to get Lavender's "The Way to the Western Sea," if interested on Meriweather and William's trip.
Instead, "Let me Be Free," is on the Nez Perce tribe which lived in Oregon's Wallowa Valley until it was forced from the land in the 1860's. This is a great book if the reader is interested in a century's worth of history about the tribe but I'd suggest something else if the intent on reading this is solely learning about Chief Joseph's tragic flight from the US military in 1877.
I originally got into Lavender's works after reading his fantastic book, "Bents' Fort" which is about the trading family of William Bent in SE Colorado. I had no interest in the subject but was recommended the book and I fell fully immersed into it because of Lavender's detailed writing-style and ability to create real identities to the historical characters instead of just giving names and dates. He has the same writing style in "Let Me Be Free," and will never shy from a unimportant but lighthearted side story. The writing is anything but dry.
The first half of LMBF is on how the tribe lived and existed, its neighbors, and its relations with the first whites to reach Oregon. Lavender has a contentious understanding of the western Native American tribes and writes in a fair and unbiased reader-friendly style and includes the correct names and terms the Nez Perce (Nimipu) used.
The last 100 pages cover Chief Joseph's (Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kehht's) flight and includes a fantastic map in the front for the reader to follow the tribe along on its failed march to freedom.
The book fails to get five stars from me because I was most interested in the Nez Perce march and it just took too long to finally reach that subject in the book. It reminded me of "Undaunted Courage," (Ambrose's book on Meriweather Lewis) where there is no much buildup to the expedition that once the reader finally reaches it in the book, it falls a bit flat. However, if anyone is interested on the Nez Perce tribe itself, you won't find a better book. Any Western Oregon historians would also immensely enjoy this work.

David Lavender just may have written the definitive history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is a wonderfully wrought narrative, capturing the full width and breadth of this incredible journey. Lavender's sardonic tongue deflates many of the myths surrounding the "voyage of discovery," noting that for the most part this was a well-trodden path. The only actual "discovery" was that of linking the Missouri to the Columbia. However, this makes it no less an adventure.

He downplays the significance of Sacagewea. For the most part she was little used on this voyage. Her one major contribution was helping to secure horses for the great fording of the Bitteroot Mountains. Still, Lavender lavishes much attention on her and her son, which it seems that William Clark did as well. Her presence seemed to secure safe passage during their final leg down the Columbia River, as it made the expedition team seem less war-like.

Lavender also provides the background for the voyage, detailing President Jefferson's dream to establish an American Northwest Passage, linking one ocean to another. Lavender probes the seemingly paternal relationship between Jefferson and Lewis, and how Jefferson was able to win Congress over to a third attempt to cross the continent, despite questions regarding Lewis' qualifications. Jefferson personally trained Lewis for the expedition and provided added tutelage in the form of the leading lights of American science. Like a devoted son, Lewis made every effort to carry out the mission, which Jefferson sponsored, even when it seemed foolhardy to do so.

For those who haven't travelled this route before, you will be in good hands with David Lavender. For those who have, I think you will marvel at how masterful a job Lavender does in recording the events, giving the best rounded version of the "voyage of discovery" that I have read.

Originally subtitled "the U.S. Army's War Against Seven Hundred Nez Perce Men,Women, and Children," this moving history documents the brutal persecution of a small Northwestern tribe. Western historian David lavender never hides his sympathy in this powerful chronicle of Chief Joseph's "flight toward freedom" in 1877 to avoid reservation life. This is a really sad story filled with overlooked possibilities for compromise, understanding, and tolerance. Lavender considers the Nex Perce War the final betrayal of a long and once-promising relationship between white explorers, fur trappers, Christian missionairies, and the tribe. Chief Old Joseph, father of the more famous Chief Joseph, even converted to Christianity for both spiritual and practical reasons. Peaceful coexistence and friendship with the new settlers was his policy. Greed, cultural intolerance, and racial hatred eventually doomed those possibilities for Nez Perce. Although Chief Joseph developed a reputation as an Indian Napeleon for his brilliant fighting tactics, Lavender emphasizes that Chief Joseph continually sought to avoid war. Chief Joseph's simple hope was to have a reservation that would allow his people to live in their traditional land and stay close to his father's grave in Wallowa Valley, Oregon. The United States military commanders of that time, however, demanded the tribe move. This compelling account of the Nez Perce's failed 1700 mile exodus to join Sitting Bull in Canada captures the cruelty, mindlessness, and viciousness of 19th century America's expansionist policies. Chief Joseph's eloquent words, especially when surrending after a blizzard just a few miles south of the Canadian border, accents the pain and injustice.

You can stop looking for books on business law. This book it the definitive guide to business law. West's is synonymous with business law, and this text proves why.

Just a tremendous wealth of solid info. I only wish I had the most updated version, and not one a few years old. (I bought a used copy on Amazon to save some money.)

I recently purchased this book since it was directly related to my job (Purchasing). My friend went to a college that used this same book and it had looked interesting.

After I bought it from Amazon (lowest price, believe me), I was very satisfied. The author explains all topics in a clear manner and provides interesting case examples. This is one book that I will use as reference over and over. I can't imagine myself without it now. I also can't imagine a better business law book.

I used this book for two law classes. It is understandable, well written, and has intersting cases. I strongly recommend the additional study guide.

We just added "Westward to Home" and several other "My America" books to our elementary school library, so it remains to be seen how popular this particular title will be.

Author Patricia Hermes does a fine job of telling the story of a nine-year old boy, through brief journal entries, about life on the Oregon Trail in 1848. While we get a kid's eye view of the hardships, the people, and some of the typical events associated with traveling west by covered wagon, I'm not convinced that this is a genuinely BOY'S book.

I have traveled along the Oregon Trail, from Independence, MO, to Walla Walla, WA, and I was once a boy. That makes me no expert, but I think a nine-year old kid on the Oregon Trail would be less interested in the interpersonal difficulties of the adults in the wagon train, and more fascinated with guns, never-before-seen animals such as pronghorns, prairie dogs, snakes, lizards, and buffalo, and some of the amazing landforms that come into view after a monotonous trek across the flat prairies.

There was a brief mention of Chimney Rock, which would be awe inspiring for any kid to see and muse about. And what about Register Rock where a kid would surely stop to scratch in his own name and read the signatures of those who had gone on before? One would think a boy would be more amazed at his first views of the Rockies. And even when Joshua is curious about the Indians he sees in the forts along the way, I'd expect him to be more fascinated with the way they looked and talked, what they wore, how they smelled and how they did things like eat and smoke. This could also be said for the soldiers and trappers he must've seen at these forts.

I also can't imagine a nine-year old boy spending so much time in his journal worrying about a girl who was "sweet" on him. Instead, I would like to have seen his male friendships developed a bit more fully.

Having said all this, I still think this book is a welcome addition to middle grade titles about the Oregon Trail. The overall picture of the life, people and hardships, including many tragic deaths, is realistic. I anticipate that more girls will be reading this than boys, but it fills a need at this level.

Patricia Hermes' account of this dangerous exploration needs quiet time to listen. The young boy's relationship with his grandfather becomes my chief reason for buying and recommending this book to grandparents who often care for children's needs more diligently than birth parents.
The author manifests a unique sense of humor when she creates the name for "ME-TOO". Capturing the surf and the breeze the story, WESTWARD TO HOME renders the journey as nature's spiritual turf. Mary Kelly,Toms River, NJ.

Joshua is excited when he is told that his family is going to be going to Oregon. Joshua is also fortunate because his aunt,uncle and cousins are also coming with him. The only thing he doesn't like is his grandfather isn't coming. However Joshua gets a surprise when his grandfather shows up unexpectantly and decides to come with them. Joshua stares at death many times as many people die in their wagon group. However Joshua also manages to have fun as every young boy should do as goes on a bufflo hunt. However when one of his family members gets into trouble crossing a river will Joshua be brave enough to save her? Will his family ever make it to Oregon safe and sound? This is a great book and I think anyone who is interested in the Oregon Trail should read this book!