1 comments about Polar Pioneers: John Ross and James Clark Ross.

1. Sir James Clark Ross went from end of the world to the other in a little wooden ship (or so it seems to me, comparing the expedition craft of the early nineteenth century with the supertankers and aircraft carriers of today).

   His uncle, Captain John Ross, managed some of the most successful Arctic winterings-over of his time, as well as suffering some of the most appalling privations. (Captain John Ross' operant procedure for the prevention of scurvy deserves respect and praise.) At the same time neither of these gents was perfect in every respect, and Captain John Ross' career may be said never to have recovered from a premature decision he made to abandon a search for the Northwest Passage based on a disputed sighting of a mountain chain (later found to be non-existant) that would have made northerly progress impossible.

   This book presents the accomplishments, and errors, of uncle and nephew in full recognition of their human failings and failures of judgment; but appropriately credits them for their accomplishments -- which are unexpectedly significant when seen as a whole.

   It also traces the history of the animosity that existed between Captain John Ross and Secretary of the Admiralty John Barrow -- a relationship characterized by sometimes truly puzzling venom. It seems pretty funny now to read about the violence and vitriol with which the two of them spoke of each other in print, and there is probably something to be said about the cultural environment then versus now; but the conflict was very real, and had very real -- sometimes tragic -- repercussions.

   This book may be very profitably read either by itself -- for the entertainment and interest it provides -- or in conjunction with Fergus Fleming's "Barrow's Boys," which also provides a window on the tension between Barrow and Captain John Ross (one is tempted to say, sometimes between Captain John Ross and the world).

   It is a biography that covers a remarkable span of Polar exploration during the glory years of Royal Navy expeditions. A readable and intriguing study of the careers of two of the English-speaking world's more influential Polar explorers!

No comments about RECOMMENDED HOTELS INNS, RESORTS AND SPAS THE AMERICAS, ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC 2007 (Johansens Recommended Hotels Inns and Resorts: North America, Bermuda, Caribbean Pacific).

1 comments about A Cruising Guide to Nova Scotia: Digby to Cape Breton Island Including the Bras D'or Lakes.

1. If your travels ever take you to the often surprising and always beautiful shores of Nova Scotia this book will prove very useful. It was obviously produced as a labour of love with practical knowledge that makes following in the authors foot steps a little easier

No comments about CMH Heli-Hiking.

No comments about Touring Canadian Rockies.

No comments about The Vancouver Paddler: Canoeing and Kayaking in Southwestern British Columbia.

No comments about Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories Between 1760 & 1776.

4 comments about Lake Erie: A Pictorial History.

1. This is an essential book for any library in the Great Lakes region and any collection that aspires to cover the geography of the United States and Canada. One would have to cover many miles and search out innumerable obscure museums and photo collections in both the United States and Canada to see the photos brought together here for an afternoon's reading. Here are pictures of giant sturgeon, the canals, the storms, a 100,000 fans at a 1914 baseball game, rum runners, the tycoons who made Lake Erie boom. Coverage of such places as Long Point and its wealthy club members and other points of interest on the Canadian side of Lake Erie is good. This coverage of the Canadian shore is especially useful for the American reader or at least it is for this American reader.
   Photo reproduction is very good-- often surpassing my memory of the original prints.



2. Authors Julie and Ken Sobol are together and independently the authors of several books and numerous TV screenplays, and while an initial glance at Lake Erie: A Pictorial History might indicate it to be a specialty item for limited collections, take a look under the appealing vintage photo cover: there's a lot more going on than meets the eye. For one thing, the history of Erie and the area's role in the development of the US and Canada as a whole is fascinating: it was the pivotal factor in the War of 1812 and conflicts over its future ultimately led to an era of rapid economic boom for America. Pack in archival photos, illustrations, and portraits of major players and events in the region and you have a piece of American history which should not be missed.



3. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. I wish I could read better, I would probably enjoy more.



4. I grew up near Lake Erie in Lake County, OH. In doing family
   history research I have discovered many links to this lake. The
   book has great pictures to help us understand how they lived many years
   ago!

2 comments about Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Volume 1.

1. This book is like haivng a local friend who knows all the trails. Great directions to great locations. Make sure you know how to read topo maps.



2. Let's start with the best stuff first: There are B&W topo maps in the back of the book displaying all 100+ trails on them. The trails are numbered, so they can be located quickly on the maps. The area the maps cover runs from Canmore down to the Southern tip of Kananaskis. There is one large map showing the location and area coverage of each one of the more detailed maps, making for easy orientation. Natural features such as lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and icefields are pointed out on the maps, as well as viewpoints and the path each trail or route follows.
   
   There are 100+ trails described in this book. For each trail, basic information such as distance and elevation gain is given. Official *and* unofficial trails are listed. The author has done an excellent job of providing a lot of detail for each trail: Where to start and how to get there, directions to follow while you're on the trail, things you will encounter on the trail, a few historical facts here and there, etc. etc.
   
   I cannot recommend this book enough to any person wanting to visit and hike in K-country. It is an excellent resource and provides invaluable information to hikers.

No comments about Backroad Mapbook: Southwestern Ontario.