Thanks Edith for one of the best books I've ever read! I've borrowed Fishing With John at least a dozen times from the public library-in the mean time tried to find it in used book stores, flea markets, and garage sales for a couple of years! Finally got lucky in a book store in Vancouver B.C. A public park in Pender Harbour B.C. is named in honour of John Daly-which says it all! You have to read it folks!

"...it was fishing with John that I loved so much." "and he appeared to remain blissfully content to have me there and trying."

What Edith Iglauer doesn't describe is as important to the texture of this book as her detailed accounts of trolling for salmon with John Daly along the coast of British Columbia. The only intimacies she reveals are the everyday tasks required to keep a commercial fishing boat afloat, John's exuberance in the life, home and friends he has made; and his many choices. The restraint Iglauer exercises in chronicling her four years fishing with John invites the reader to consider the centrality of character in any voyage one may take.

Wonderful story! John Daly was my husband's uncle, and we used to go to Garden Bay, BC to visit him. We have wonderful memories of John and miss seeing him, even tho' it's been probably 20 years since John died. I'm sorry I never met Edith, altho' my husband Lionel and his aunt Leslie Joslin met her when she gave a reading from the book in Seattle in 1988 or 1989. Now made-for-TV movie on Lifetime Channel, they changed the name to "Navigating the Heart" with Jacqueline Smith and Tim Matheson. Watch if you get the chance (TV characters much younger than actual story, tho'). Would LOVE to get copy of movie to keep with the book.

We own the Legacy Ranch high in the mountains of Northeastern Utah. For years we have loved the beauty of the unspoiled wilderness. Nursing newborn elk calves, watching Canadian Lynx outside their lairs, and many other adventures have cast us in the mold of lovers of the wilderness. To read the adventures of true cowboys, who started with nothing else but their "grit" and ended up with lives spent plumbing the depths of fun and hard work was one of the top literary experiences of our lives. This book, far better than the sequels, will be part o four Christmas giving this year.

Nothing to reading it, that is. This is one of the first nonfictions books I've read that I have ever liked. I got interested in it when I saw the TV show 'Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy' and had to read the books. This book made me laugh and almost made me cry. The characters are too funny and very heart-warming.

Outstanding! This book was an absolute, heart pounding thrill to read. An epic illustration of the unstopable drive of the human heart and the unyeilding will of man to print his own name across the pages of time. Men and women of a class that survives now, only in the memories or our lost heritage. People with unconquerable spirit and no notion of the impossible. If comparison were possible, this book would be the Bendigo Shafter of non-fiction but even the endless imagination of the great Louis L'Amour could not stand against the unforgiving truth of a land not tamed by man. The writing is clear and descriptive, showing the obvious education and experience of it's author, a man who chose ranching by choice rather than out of necessity. As the pages turn, the reader gets a look into the lives of these mountain men and without effort, we learn to understand each and every character, almost to the point of friendship. Quite an accomplishment in a fast-paced 250 page book. The pride, drive, knowledge, and respect of these men for the world they lived in is unparelleled. Though I was forced to perform certain daily activities, my mind never left the book until I could complete it's last inspiring page and sit breathlesly paralized in awe and admiration of this newly created dream world. This is the greatest book that I have ever been given the pleasure to read and I don't hesitate to say that the next two books I read will be the conclusion to it's sequence.

This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered

This is a good book for someone who wants to get a glance of Colombian Conflict. Leech tells a brief but accurate story about Colombia - US relationships. First he gives a good introduction to the conflict and then he goes into the interests behind Plan Colombia and the War on drugs.
Interesting summary, sometimes scary. For instance, it was amazing to see the "Pablo Escobar era" summarized in few paragraphs. Those of us who lived in Medellin during that time experienced it quite different.
Killing Peace is a good introduction to Colombia or a good tool to organize the thoughts of those that know more or that simply lived it.

"Killing Peace" is an outstanding book. Garry Leech provides a front row seat to the surreal violence in Colombia. Moreover, he explains why a just and enduring peace is so difficult to attain. The author is a superb journalist who documents how the flames of peace have been doused and the drums of war have been amplified. Recommended.

Leech has done the confused observer of Colombia's tragedy a great service with this short, pocket-sized introduction to the reality behind the sporadic news reports on Latin America's most violent, dysfunctional country. The book provides a clear and concise history of modern Colombia with particular emphasis on the causes of the armed conflict that has raged there for decades. Leech examines Colombia's civil war and how it differs from yet is intertwined with the drug war, while avoiding the common pitfall of completely muddling the two topics.

The book also traces the gradual U.S. entry into the fray of the Colombia's conflict, from early forays into combatting marijuana production to the current strategy that closely resembles Reagan-era strategies in El Salvador, albeit with the additional complication of Colombia being a leading cocaine and heroin supplier. Leech's answer to the uncomfortable question, "Is the drug war working?" is an emphatic "No." He explains how the U.S. drug war is failing on all of its own terms, while at the same time detailing the disastrous human toll of increased U.S. aid to the undisciplined and extremely compromised Colombian military. The role of the various guerrilla and paramilitary groups is explained, and there are also interesting new insights into the relations between the Colombian army and the rightist paramilitaries.

This book should be of particular use to those who seek to quickly learn more about the country and conflict that are fast becoming one of the primary U.S. foreign policy concerns. Its brevity and breadth should prove especially appropriate for high school and college classes focusing on current events, foreign policy, Latin American affairs, and history. A good, short read on a truly important topic.

I bought this book in preparation for 2 weeks of both dayhiking and backpacking in the Mountain Parks, from which I just returned. I had never been to the Candian Rockies before, but have been to other mountain ranges in Western North America.
Travelling through Banff, Jasper, and Robson I found the book accurate in the details and broad in the coverage of trails. The authors give kilometer-to-kilometer logs of the hikes, which is very useful if you are hiking part of the way on a long trail, because it gives you a good idea as to how far you want to go. Historical background and some info about wildlife are given and keep the trail descriptions from being too "dry". If you are to buy ONE book for a trip, this is it. (I also have "Opinonated Guide...etc" and borrowed other books, but this one was the one to get used almost all the time. Get the Gemtrek topos (for example from Maptown.com) that cover the areas your interested in, and you're all set for dayhiking and 98% of backpacking needs.
The one weakness of the book is its lack of off-trail descriptions. While one can debate if anyone going off-trail should need such advice, it is very nice to have an idea about what's doable for a given level of skill and effort. Give the JNP and BNP trail offices a call -very helpful.
Nevertheless, this is a very well-written, comprehensive, yet detailed book.

There is NO reason to have ANY other book. Don't weight down your packs with anything else, this book is simply THE REFERENCE for hiking ANY of the parks in the Banff area. The trail descriptions are so explicit and so correct. The maps make everything a cinch.

BUY THIS BOOK!

This book is the standard reference to hiking trails in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies. It's so indispensable that experienced hikers will often have multiple editions of this book, in order to stay current.

This edition, the seventh, is a more comprehensive revision than usual. Coverage has been expanded to include several provincial parks (including Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in the Kananaskis area, a welcome and overdue addition). There are more maps, and they've been redone: trails are numbered for easy reference. Plus updates and revisions throughout. Owners of previous editions will find it worthwhile to get this one as well.

As with previous editions, the interior photos are black and white and the package is by no means flashy, but this is a reference to be sworn by and used. It's always better to see the mountains close up, anyway. Pack this book along with your topo maps. I wouldn't be caught dead on a trail in Banff National Park without it!

Whether you are a climber, a hiker, a car traveler, or just an armchair explorer, the Beckey guides are the indispensible resources for your mountain experience. The three volumes are filled with information about the natural and human history of the Washington Cascades, as well as complete route and access data for every significant summit. The photos alone are reason enough to own these books. If you are interested in really "knowing" the Washington Cascades, you MUST have them in your library. Highest possible recommendation.

The series of books by Beckey on climbing and high routes in the cascades gives the most comprehensive and complete presentation of cascades. Each peak is described with great detail and the photos and pictures are great. This is truly a great guide!

I have used this Guidebook so many times in the past 12 years that I've had to purchase it three times. The definitive section on the Picket Range alone is worth the price of the book.

For those who want to experience the North Cascades as they were in the 30's and 40's, reading the "Trails and Alpine Hiking Approaches" section will steer you in the right direction. This book is rife with golden kernels of information found nowhere else. Any serious climber should have all three of the Cascade Alpine Guide books.

Mike Quinn

I read this book after finding it in a box in my parents attic at the age of ten. I have been trying to remember the title or author for years so I could read it again! This book is a magical read for anyone familiar with the ebb and flow of life in the wild. It inspired me to move to the Pacific Northwest and I am now planning my own trip to the Driftwood Valley. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and reading about nature! Top notch!

I first read this book while on a solo bike tour of southern Vancouver Island (1973). Over the past 25 years I have reread Driftwood Valley several times and have passed the same tattered copy to family and friends multiple times. A must read if you are lucky enough to find a copy. Does anyone know what became of the author or the family of the author?

The adventures and challenges of a married couple sent to a remote part of British Columbia to catalog flora and fauna. The book is the compilation of the authors diary notes written down over an 18 month period. Her descriptive talents are exemplary. One can easily visualize the natural beauty of this unchartered area and feel the winter cold, or the spring onslaught of the first mosquito hatch. A captivating true life story I read in one sitting.

I have an autographeed copy the ©1946 edition of Driftwood Valley. I had the privilege of growing up in the same rural Pennsylvania town as Ms. Fletcher. When I was a teenager, I was employed by Ms. Fletcher to clean house for her one summer while she was away. She is a very nice woman with a remarkable background. She has set aside a nature conservatory in Northeast Pennsylvania which is open to the public. She has always been active in protecting the environment and wildlife. I re-read Driftwood Valley every couple of years and just love the adventure and challenges of this true-life story. What made it even more exiting for me is that the author was from my hometown.

I am pleased to see this book has recently been reissued. I have an old, but treasured paperback copy. The author is observant of, informative about, and acutely responsive to the environment she describes. Having experienced winters in that region I would say she is especially adept at rendering the harsh, but radiant winters.

This book is an amazing journey into the frontiers of nature, exploration and science in the 1930's.

Go Ask Alice! refers to the website of the same name maintained by Columbia University. It is a forum for college students to ask about nutrition, exercise, symptoms, general illnesses, mental health, STDs, sexual relationships, friendships, etc., mostly in the context of adjusting to living on their own for the first time.

This book is a compilation of all that great advice and the letters that inspired it. I have found this is a good book for high school kids as well, as many of them are concerned about the same topics.

This book fills a definite need for adolescents. It presents the facts, not fallacy, to all of the questions they have that parents and other caregivers may be too embarrassed to talk about. It is from an extremely reputable source (Columbia University), and is readable and accessible to the average teen. Kudos to the people who put together "The Go Ask Alice Book of Answers".

The review dated May 9, 1999 is not germain to this book, having a similar title to an earlier fictional book simply titled Go Ask Alice.

This book illustrates and discusses issues regarding healthy practices on many levels.

A few years ago I read the Bhagavad-Gita for a religious studies class and loved it. Although I knew it was part of a larger work called the Mahabharata, I remained largely ignorant of the details of this latter work until recently. When I found out that the actual unabridged Mahabharata was a poem in excess of 2000 pages I decided to opt for an abridged version. I checked out various reviews and versions until I stumbled on this very concise, modern and readable one by Narasimhan.

Now I don't claim to know much about The Mahabharata except for what I've read in this book. But I can say that this prose abridgement, at a mere 215 pages, was much more pleasant than I had expected. In fact, I read the whole thing in about 3 or 4 sittings without a hitch! Not too bad for what is, in its original form, the longest epic poem in any language. What makes all this possible is Narasimhan's simple and crystal clear writing. Everything except for the names is in modern, plain English. And the names are somewhat of an initial burden to the unsuspecting reader. In fact, the majority of the time I wouldn't bother to pronounce them but just thought "Oh yes, and this is the guy that did such and such and whose name I cannot hope to pronounce because it begins with 9 consecutive consonants and has numerous punctuational appendages that I have never seen before." Actually I guess it isn't all that bad. And once you know who's who the rest of the story is pretty easy to follow. The clarity of this translation, however, comes with a price.

While reading this book I couldn't help but feel that I was missing a large part of the real Mahabharata. Of course this is to be expected with a book that is 1/8 the original in length. Indeed, Narasimhan explains in the preface that the book is designed to be a straightforward narrative account of The Mahabharata and thus omits nearly all material that does not directly contribute to the advancement of the physical storyline. And apparently these omissions constitute a large portion of the more philosophical and theological exposition contained within the original. Thus I think Narasimhan could have more accurately titled his book "The Mahabharata: A Summary." Nevertheless, I feel much better informed about what the Mahabharata is, and at least I now know the basic plot. And if I ever decide to attempt the original I won't be going in totally blindly.

For those who don't know the story, the Mahabharata is mainly about two families of feuding cousins named the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The climax of the whole thing is a massive battle (if my reading is correct, 40,000 chariots, 200,000 horses, 400,000 soldiers, and 60,000 elephants!) between the two families over--what else--control of land. So...what did I think of the story itself? It was interesting: at times exciting, sometimes odd, unbelievable, exaggerated, or downright dull. But all stories, especially epics of this size and scope, are expected to involve a certain amount of all of these. I most enjoyed the part of the story where the Pandavas are exiled and spend their days in the forest. Arjuna's journey to see Indra and acquire weapons is also curiously interesting. The gearing up for and the beginning of the battle was another of my favorite parts. But the main struggle drew on and on...and Arjuna and Bhima and Bhishma and so and so kept firing a gazillion arrows per second, even using these so called "celestial weapons" (which I took to be arrows with certain divine powers) and discharging fireballs the size of palaces and lightning bolts as if they were gods. Actually many of them are gods, or at least incarnations of gods, so I guess this kind of behavior is excusable.

This is, however, a mythological story at its core so events that border on the unbelievable (here they do more than border) are to be expected. But more importantly we should take these stories seriously because of the insight they offer into human nature. I don't know much about mythology or its psychological importance but the kind of events and descriptions we see in The Mahabharata are not unique (in a very broad sense) to Hindu culture or religion. All cultures and people have their stories, even if they are exaggerated or taken to be true by blind faith. We modern sophisticates may occasionally scoff at what we consider blatantly unbelievable (and therefore "useless and irrelevant") in the face of modern science, skepticism and general ideology. But I cannot help but feel doubtful of our ability to live without these stories. In some strange, perhaps mysterious, way they make us feel more human and more divine and more connected to each other.

From page 193: "Bhisma...addressing his grandson in a sweet voice..." After all the fuss about Bhisma being celebate, where did this grandson come from? If you know the answer, please let me know.

The translation is very easy to read, but you should watch the DVD first -- it helps greatly in keeping the characters straight. And you will want a separate edition of the Gita, which is here condensed into just a couple of pages!

Rick Norwood

Reading any abridgement gives me a bad feeling of missing something important, but this book deserves five stars:

- It is written in simple English, without archaic words, so I was able to read it without using my dictionary too much. It means much to me, English not being either my mother or second, but learned language.

- Every Sanskrit word is written using diacritics, so that you know how to pronounce names and places. I like to know that Pandu's brother is DhritaraSHtra and not DhritaraStra.

- All the ninety-nine chapters are self-contained, each forming a logical unit, so you can read one chapter at a time.

- It has very useful genealogical tables, glossary and list of alternative names.

Like the Mahabharata by Rajagopalachari this is a very good book for introduction to this great epic.