2 comments about Hikes in Northern New England (Exploring the Appalachian Trail).

1. A Helpful guide to hikes along the Appalation Trail in Maine. The guide gives general information as well as specific information about the trail. Each hike includes specific places, distances, where to find a lean-to, and water.



2. I am in the process of section hiking the AT, and this book was a great supplement to the regular guides and maps. It was especially helpful in the more difficult sections such as the Mahoosuc Range because it identified the most and least strenous sections - very useful in planning where to stop and how many miles to try in a day. For example, for northbound hikers, the first 9-10 miles from Route 2 north are not too bad, while the rest are a real challenge. Instead of trying for the usual 10 or more miles per day, I knew where to plan for 5-mile days. I was not disappointed - these were TOUGH miles.
   
   In general, the authors' descriptions of difficulty matched my experience on the trail. I am sometimes a little slower than they predict, but then, I am a little older than most of the people on the trail!
   
   The book is NOT a complete guide to the AT sections - almost all of the hikes use other trails to access the AT. But it is still very useful.
   
   In addition, the authors provide lots of human and natural history. Example: Want to know why there is a trail called Six Husbands in the White Mountains? It's because an Amerindian queen decided she wanted that many mates. They do refer to her as "polygamous" rather than "polyandrous," but that'a a quibble.
   
   The maps (topographic and elevation profile) are a helpful reference, and information about road access is also helpful in planning.
   
   Highly recommended!

No comments about 50 Hikes in the Maine Mountains: Day Hikes and Overnights from the Rangeley Lakes to Baxter State Park, Third Edition.

1 comments about Fishing Maine, 2nd: An Angler's Guide to More than 80 Fresh- and Saltwater Fishing Spots (Regional Fishing Series).

1. My job in the small boat industry requires that I travel to various places on or near the water. As a rabid angler and fish watcher I can't bear the thought of being anyplace where new, different or quality fish might be caught and observed. On these trips my time is limited so I have to plan my outings carefully. As a result I've acquired a small library of regional fishing guides to study before each trip in order to pursue my piscatorial passions most efficiently. Luckily, I'm required to visit the state of Maine on a frequent basis. Fortunately, I discovered Fishing Maine, 2nd Ed. by Tom Seymour. This is the most complete and most intelligently written regional guide I've ever seen. If you follow Seymour's advice regarding locations, tackle, technique and seasons you are almost certain to catch plenty of fish. His recommendations for each site are very specific and accurate. Everything about this book is superior, from the writing style, illustrations, choice of type, to the paperstock. Seymour and Lyons Press should be very proud of what they've produced. I often find myself thumbing through this book and wishing for an excuse to visit Maine so that I can check out more fishing sites, firsthand.

No comments about New England Lighthouses: Maine to Long Island Sound (Lighthouse Series).

3 comments about At Home in Maine.

1. At Home in Maine: Houses Designed to Fit the Land is a showcase of Maine architecture especially designed to be aesthetically pleasing and fully integrated into the environment. Stunning full-color photographs reveal dwellings inside and out with a richness of texture and a smoothly harmonous design. The text by an architect with decades of experience offers insight into the subtle nuances of each house, noting its distinguishing features with a practiced eye in an easygoing, conversational manner that will appeal to lay readers and experts alike. A truly eye-pleasing book to page through, and a valuable resource for architectural design ideas.



2. This wonderful book by Christopher Glass and Brian Vanden Brink will simply take your breath away. I keep it by by bedside and turn to it on those lonely nights when I long for summer vacations in Maine. Brian Vanden Brink's photographs are crisp and amazing and are truly an inspiration to all novice photographers out there! Fans of Vanden Brink can see more of his amazing work at www.brianvandenbrink.com.



3. Beautiful houses and a lot of different styles of houses. A great gift for anyone who has lived in Maine, visited Maine or just loves good architecture.

1 comments about A Pocket Guide to Biking on Mount Desert Island (Pocket Guide (Camden, Me.).).

1. Clear, concise and filled with insightful tips, this eminently portable guide is the perfect companion for Acadia-area cyclists.

1 comments about Colonial Revival Maine.

1. Maine, especially the coast, is a beautiful setting for almost any style of residence, but it seems Colonial Revival was made for Maine. This book does a wonderful job of presenting these buildings in their best light, the images are first rate and gorgeous. The text is highly informative and easy to naviagate. The craftsmanship on these homes is simply amazing and the settings for the most part are breathtaking. If you have any interest in Colonial Revival architecture or Maine in general then i highly recommend this book, I cant image anyone not appreciating this book.

1 comments about Coastal Maine: A Maritime History.

1. This is the most palatable book of history you will find. It's not just a text book with names,dates, and places. That is there, but,the author uses his skills of storytelling, scholorship, creativity,as well as his vast knowledge of the area, and extensive experience sailing along the New England Coast, to painlessly educate,inform, and actually make you feel as if you were right there as Maines maratime history unfolds. You will be taken from Mains earliest "discovery", to present day Maine. You will experience early European sailors and settelers, coastal natives, there interactions. Modern day commercial shipbuilding, past and present fisheries problems, small yacht builders using various building methods,tourism,etc. It's all covered, and done at a pace that keeps you completly interested and wanting to keep turning pages. You will find your self having a most enjoyable time with this book.

1 comments about Maine & Me.

1. First off, I'm one of the "Nouveau Mainers" Elizabeth Peavey mentions in this collection of her essays. She is correct when she writes that most transplants to Maine embrace the state with a passion, and that many native Maine-ahs (as with most people anywhere, for that matter) will often overlook some amazing things to be found in their own back yard.
   
   I appreciated Elizabeth Peavey's desire to reconnect with a place she had once wanted to leave and to discover new things, starting from scratch in some respects.
   
   I remember reading a few of her stories in Down East Magazine and when I saw this compilation of her work at a book store in Bangor I picked it up right away. I enjoy her sprightly, inquisitive writing style and the stories in this collection are always interesting, often amusing, and also very concise, so regrettably a reader will breeze through this book rather quickly.
   
   This book may invoke a serious case of wanderlust among readers, and perhaps I shouldn't have read it in March when cabin fever is at an all time high!
   I enjoyed "Maine And Me" and I look forward to reading more of Elizabeth Peavey's adventures of discovery in the Pine Tree State.
   
   -Michael Alden
   www.newenglandimages.com

No comments about Maine's Casco Bay Islands: A Guide.