San Francisco is a very "livable" city, especially without a car to worry or pay for. "Short Bike Rides..." suggests two dozen fun routes in and around the city that allow you to make the most of living here without a car. From the fastest way to get across town, to a wonderful rides in Marin and the East Bay I have ridden nearly all of these rides, and enjoyed them immensely. Not only are the directions and maps clear, but Kingman's comments are often very entertaining. There is also a handy supplement in the back listing public transportation contacts for taking your bike on BART, CalTrain etc.. Absolutely essential for any SF cyclist - commuter, weekend warrior, out of towner, tourist entertainer. And for less than $10 I have used this book 10x as much as any of the other rides books I have.

One note: I would assume Kingman is one hell of climber, since he does tend to downplay the physical effort required to climb the "hilly terrain" of some the rides.

This is my favorite bike rides book. It's an excellent read and lets you see the best of the city.

Not only is Henry Kingman's book a great way for visitors to explore San Francisco by bicycle, it is also a handy reference guide for local cyclists looking for new or better routes. Every S.F. cyclist should have a copy.

I bought this book when it was on a clearance rack. It is by far the best book I have ever purchased for my family. We have made many loans and have always prayed that it would make it back to us safely. Thankfully, it has. The picture of the author has left us rolling on the floor with tears in our eyes, a stitch in our sides, and gasping for breath. What a wonderful imagination and sense of humor. Make sure you read all the little signs in the hotels and feed shop. You will not regret buying this book unless you need to find another copy. It needs to be back in print!

I love the pictures and the story. I like the pictures of the coneys, they're so cute. I especially like Saladin, he's so cute and quick on the draw. I love the shops and stores that the coneys go to like the Bunny Hop Saloon and the Pellet Exchange Building. It's a great story. I wonder if you made another story? If you did I would sure like to read it.

I have read this book (and the author's earlier book) to my two year old fourty to fifty times. He is fasinated by the construction of the rabit's machines and by the detail of the drawings. I have enjoyed the puns and quips in the story. It is a book which will not drive a parent nuts in the re-reading

My girlfriend and I recently took some of Ropers advice on a Mt. Conness Loop 5 day hike in Yosemite. It was an increadible trip. Roper gives just enough hints to get you there but few enough to make it still feel like exploring. Be advised however when he referes a section of your hike as 'adventurous' or 'exciting' he means it. We pushed ourselves to the physical and mental limit on this trip.

This book outlines a magnificent experience following an off-trail, higher version of the Muir Trail through the High Sierra. We have followed most of Roper's route over several years: sometimes we thought we were lost or overwhelmed, but it always turned out fine, and usually excellent. He treads a fine line between complete instructions that would allow no mistakes, and an experience that gives the hiker their own opportunity for route-finding, discovery, and growth. This is one of our favorite books, and we keep an intact copy plus another one torn apart for each journey and sometimes given away to people met along the way who need it. We still travel the trail some of the time, but genuinely value this alternative farther away from the crowds.

I made good use of this book to plan a wonderful cross-country trip in the Sierra. Roper was kind of vague at times, but I never got lost.

The route he described was breath-taking. I intend to use this book to plan next summer's trip.

I wouldn't necessarily say that what I'm dealing with is a trauma, but I'd call it a difficult transition. Read this book if you're in something similar! It's easy to read and understand-I felt like West was speaking right to me, and so have several other people I've recommended Silver Linings to. It's practical, too-I like all the suggestions she gives about how to deal with loss. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with loss, or a difficult life transition. Read it, and pass it along to anyone else you know!

A friend gave me this book-I'm going through a divorce that's pretty tough. Silver Linings gave me an entirely different way to look at, and work with, everything I've been resisting. I read it last week and already things feel different. I'm not out of the woods, but Silver Linings has been like a lifeline. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you're going through a tough time, or if someone you know is, get this book! It also has a very helpful section for support people, how you can also take care of yourself during this time and actually use it as a healing time for yourself.

This book is a GEM. I've had a whole string of losses in my life and didn't know what to do with it all. Silver Linings has given me hope and courage, and helped me see that, even with all the pain, that this is a very powerful time in my life. I especially liked that Melissa West calls these times "destiny points", when the opportunity for emotional and spiritual healing and renewal is so present. Thank you so much, Melissa, for giving us all this gift!

Just finished reading this wonderful book for the second time, and once again I am gobbling it up rather than savoring it. We are shown that holiness (wholeness?) comes in very different packages. To see this is inspiring after so many "holy" biographies that leave out much that is human. What great joy it must have been to serve these holy men as Swami Yogeshananda has served them. Beautifully written, I highly recommend this book to all.

Just a comment on another reviwer's observation: the Swamis mentioned in this book are not the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna; however, they were the disciples of the direct disciples. In other words, they were the direct disciples of the Ramakrishna order.

An interesting insight of six monks who were direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and who came to USA and England to propagate universal philosophy of Vedanta.

Well, Mr. Criscuolo has proven me wrong. Having growing up skiing other places like Idaho, Utah, and California I thought all skiing up in the Washington area was wet and marginal. I had no idea that there were all these different places to ski in the Seattle area (2 hour drive or less).

There are even more if you want to do some traveling but not make the hike all the way to Sun Valley or get on a plane to make it to Utah, Colorado, or California.

Thanks Mr. Criscuolo This is a resource that I needed to make my winters fun in Seattle!

Finally, a book about Pacific NW skiing that nails it!

Criscuolo obviously did his research, because the information is dead-on. While the book is meticulously detailed, it is easy to navigate and well-written.

Anyone who's serious about NW skiing & boarding needs to have this book.

Santo has done extensive research and this book is excellent! Santo writes very clearly and provides and all the pertinent information you'll need to enjoy any of these Northwest resorts to the fullest. Having grown up in the Northwest and skied many of these mountains, I found myself agreeing completely with what Santo wrote. His descriptions brought the resorts back to life in my memory. I especially like that he chose some out-of-the-way places that haven't been covered in other guide books. Santo gives press to some of the best-kept Northwest secrets, for which I suppose I can forgive him, and I applaud his honest enthusiasm for snow riding. This book makes me excited about the upcoming season and want to ride every single mountain he's reviewed! Get this book. Then get out there and make some turns!

This is a super book with loads of great stories and wonderful photographs! A must own for any skiier.

Ray Atkeson was the premier skiing photographer in the 30's - 50's. Through his beautiful photographs you'll enjoy seeing the early days of skiing in the Pacific Northwest, Utah, Colorado and California. It's remarkable not only for the photographs, but for the camera equipment Ray had to use to capture these scenes. See the ski areas, equipment and clothing from this early area. This is a terrific coffee table pictorial of a bygone skiing days.

First saw this book in the Denver, CO airport. What a great book. If you like skiing you will enjoy the photos in this book - particularly if you frequent any of the resorts featured in the photos (most of which are in the western US - WA, CO, UT, CA). Like most any ski related item associated with Warren Miller - awesome!

Richard S. Wheeler's Skye's West: Rendezvous and his character Barnaby Skye...eh, make that Mister Skye! offers a reading treat for anyone who wants something out of the ordinary with their adventures.
Besides providing a good story Wheeler's writing is grown-up good as it leads us into an historical realm and offers a well- crafted look, convincing dialogue, and characters who breathe.
It's easy to see why Wheeler has won the SPUR Award for his western writing and easy enough for a reader to be spurred on with his stories.
There's only a handful of talented writers in this genre out there and Wheeler is one of them.

This is a good read, with a lot of historical facts mixed in with the fiction. It describes life in the wilderness of the Northwest in what is now the United States, and the struggles people faced just to survive. Has a good story line and keeps your interest. This is the first of the Barnaby West novels I have read and I would like to read more books about this character, if I could just figure out which one I should read next. I can't find anything that gives me any indication of which book in the series comes next.

From the time that Skye deserts the British vessel holding him captive to his meeting with the mountain men and Indians, I was held captive and felt as if I took each step into this new world with him. Mr. Wheelers use of historical facts and people, ie: the Hudson Bay company, Jim Bridger etc. just added to the overall effect of the story. I feel as tho I have gained a little more insight into the way the early trappers lived and faced death on a daily basis.

I will look forward to reading his previous novels on Mister Skye -i backward order to see just where he went from this point on. Anyone who enjoys the historical novel will enjoy this one. Thanks for a trip into the past!

It is apparent that Mr. Morrison spent many long hours slaving over this book. It is well written, interesting, and a must have for civil war buffs. I only wish Mr. Morrison would write more books. It's heartwarming to see that Mr. Morrison credits his parents Al & Joan Morrison, and his siblings - Chris, Nancy, Jim, and Tony with the fortitude, intellegence and support to get this book completed. Keep up the good work, Mr. Morrison. I want to read more of your books in the future!

An incredibly well researched, well written account of the causes of the American Civil War! It's actually worth the high price!!!

This book is remarkable. It is very apparent that Mr. Morrison did his research well. A must read for any history buff.

We love CO and Jon's book brings it right into our home. It is the only book that we place out on our coffee table for others to enjoy. The book is like a vist to the best that there is in the west. Thanks for the sharing of such beauty, Jon.

The images captured by Jon are truly amazing. You turn each page looking forward to the next breath taking view. You close the book feeling like you have just taken a journey, living each picture reflected. A great coffee table book.

Someday in a place out west by Jon Sheppard
Jon captures the imagination and wanderlust in us with his beautiful photography. He draws us in to the romance and history of the old West, its peoples and places, with incredible stories and poetry. Truly an uplifting and inspiring book!