This is an incredibly insightful contribution to our understanding of why Western institutions have become so destuctive of the world around us while generally failing to provide people with a sense of meaning, direction, or pleasure in life. As Loy so clearly articulates, Buddhism offers a perspective that can transform our lives and, perhaps, our self-destructive culture.

For Westerners who've had a taste of Buddhist practice or insights, there comes a moment when we must look back on our own cultural heritage and wonder, "What the hell happened?" Why this long 2,500 year detour into dominating nature and building social empires? Why this absorbtion into disconnected individualism? Loy's book is exciting trailblazing into the emerging field of putting Buddhist concepts to work to decode history. Highly recommended. Gassho.

Buffalo Jones had to deal with horrible weather, a pack of wolves, and other difficulties in his quest to capture buffalo calves. The clever way he outwitted the wolves adds a surprising twist to an exciting story. Especially good for readers 8 to 12 who like true adventure, but older readers (including adults) will enjoy it, too.

Fast-paced and colorful, this book describes one of Jones' expeditions in which he captured buffalo calves to create a captive herd and preserve the species. The difficulties Jones had to overcome make exciting reading, especially the ingenious way he protected the calves from wolves. Great for ages 7 to 10, but older and younger folks will enjoy it, too.

I use this as a companion to my Butterflies through Binoculars book. The great thing about this book is the caterpillars that it shows. I'm consantly finding caterpillars in our garden and wonder what they'll turn into. This book helps sort all that out. The pictures are really good as well

I had purchased three other butterfly field guides prior to this one and this is the best in terms of help in identifying species seen in the field. Based on my experience, the butterfly photographs displayed in this book do the best job I have seen of accurately portraying species as they appear in the field. Photographs of like species are lumped together on the color plates and both upperwing and undersides are displayed. Both common and latin names are given in the species descriptions, which I personally find to be very beneficial. I found the overall format of the book to be very well done. I feel that any one living in nearby areas can be benefited by this book but, for someone living in West Virginia, this book is the definitive work on butterflies. True, there are other books that contain more, in-depth reference information, but none that exceeds it as a useful field guide. This is the book I have been waiting years to see!

Gary Felton

I don't know why, but this book is captivating to both my kids - my (almost) three year old girl liked it from about 6 months (and still does) and its all over if my 18 month old boy sees it: 3-4 read throughs minimum. The illustrations are bright and clear and yet there is enough detail (and, if you can imagine it, suspense!) to keep my older toddler interested.

A Great bedtime read for baby to age 3. Soon to replace the classic "goodnight moon". This rates high with the baby and the dog.

I bought this on a whim at the Dollar Store and never looked back. With phrases such as the above, Belle and Calamity give voice to a ton of very feminine and very valid concerns - in fact, I've 'bitch-sessioned' some of those very same comments myself with gal pals. Fun. Thought-provoking. Some things made me laugh. Others made me cry. The illustrations fit the tone of the book - tough, wildly feminine, yet curiously private. A wonderful book.

I don't know if finding this at the dollar store is good or bad overall... definitely added to its charm. Either way, this is a great book: just enough pop-culture refs (Thelma & Louise, Elvis,..) and southwestern kitsch without overdoing it, while still having something genuine to say undermeath. The Warhol-esque illustrations are great. Great for all ages (read : not just acceptable, GREAT)

I have owned this book for years and use it often in my work as a historic garment researcher & seamstress. Copious primary source material in the form of store ads, photographs of original garments in the Museum's collection, and easy-to-understand, logical descriptions of the times and social conditions under which these clothes were worn. ...

The pictures are beautiful, the information is extensive, and it'll make you want to sew!

California by Train is a very informative and helpful guide to travel in the state of California. It lists points of interest served by public transit and detailed route-by-route information of all buses, trains, and ferries serving the Golden State. In addition, there are fare summaries, phone numbers, and information on intercity carriers like Amtrak and Greyhound. Much of the information is out of date now and a fifth edition is definitely needed.

This book makes it easy to travel around California without a car.

Contrary to popular (ignorant) belief, you can get around California by transit. Schneider's book makes the ride just a bit easier.

The book contains frequency information on buses, trains, ferries, and even intercity (Amtrak, Greyhound, etc.) information. It also has phone numbers for the transit agencies to get information. Best of all, the book also contains popular California attractions and what is the nearest transit service available.

There are directions and other info for finding and visiting lighthouses. They do not always show all lights for a given area. The photos are all color. I own 3 of these books. There are not many other guide books out there so if you are looking for guide books these are good to have...

I am a lighthouse lover and this book is the best refence book for lighthouses of California. It leaves very little out and is quick and easy to read. Perfect for the coffe table or bedside table. I recommend this whole line of lighthouse books to everyone.

Stewart tells us a splendid story. In 1840, California was there to be settled, but how to cross the deserts and mountains to reach it? Beginning with the Bartelson Party in 1841, pioneers blazed ever-better trails that avoided deserts, followed water, and crossed the mountains, especially the forbidding peaks of the Sierras. But even though trails improved, they were still treacherous, as shown by the doomed Donner Party in 1846. We get a fascinating picture of the West, and Stewart even takes on a trip along the California Trail, from Independence, Missouri to Sacramento via Fort Laramie, Wyoming's South Pass, Nevada's Humboldt River, and over Donner Pass. If you enjoy travel or American history, you can spend many, pleasant hours with this book.

Because my family also migrated to California (albiet in 1993) I have been interested in the history of the settling of the American west. This book was wonderfully informative but also very compelling reading. It chronicles the annual human migrations from the Missouri to California, including the ill-fated Donner party (in 1845)and the famous "49ers". The author did a very good job comparing the immigrants mode of travel, unique difficulties faced during each of these migration years, route finding and heroes and villans, and the sweat and tears progress which lead to the wider opening and settlement of the west.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the settlement of the west or anyone who just wants to read a good old-fashioned adventure story based in historical fact.

This is a coffee table book full of photographs of California's diverse and varied climates and regions. The theme of the book is California's land, and the relationship Californian's have had with the bounty of their state. The book begins with an introduction by State Historian Kevin Starr and a pictoral history of each region of California. The book can be appreciated for its beautiful photographs and its engaging text. One can understand, after reading this book, the emotions that the beauty of California provoked in naturalists like John Muir and others.

I was given this book today as a conservation award -- it couldnt have been a nicer suprise. the pictures and illustrations are magnificent, and the text is enrapturing. This is a book i will save to share with my children.