1 comments about Best Wildflower Hikes Washington (Best Hikes).

1. I looked forward to getting this book; after all, I've been an avid freelance nature photographer and hiker in this area for many years and had yet to see a title like this. Alas, after buying and reviewing it, I was a bit disappointed. Although it is well-organized (characteristic of "Mountaineers Books" publications) and has a thorough appearance, the photography and image-print quality, some incomplete or inadequate descriptions of locations listed, and the absence of any real photography advice was not up to what I felt could have been better standards. It feels like the Mountaineers took references from their other books, added (35 of 50) chapters written by Karen Sykes, (an avid hiker-journalist writing trail articles for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper and possible source material for the core of the book), used some older general location photographs (taken by Spring) and repackaged it under a new title / approach with enhanced text. See for yourself - wouldn't you expect the photography to be representative of the best wildflower areas being hiked ? Not so here. Instead, there are some general hiking trail shots, or photos of small flower patches, individual flower subjects, even critter portraits. But for most of it, nothing that visually justifies many locations being listed as the "Best Wildflower Hikes". Examples of choices I particularly question are the Rialto Beach, Burroughs Mountain chapters (these are largely barren of wildflowers, yet are listed among "Best Wildflower Hikes"?! and their representative photography leaves alot to the imagination). And why not "Skyline Divide" at Mount Baker? I also know of wonderful wildflower areas in Mount Rainier National Park not identified, even in chapters for those areas! It is sad thing, because although the book justly credits (the late) Ira Spring's historical contributions to other Mountaineers books, this book does not itself justify its own title. Nevertheless, the book is a decent reference to have.
   [...]

2 comments about Longfellow's Tattoos: Tourism, Collecting, And Japan.

1. Charles Longfellow was the son of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Charles visited Japan in the 1870s intending a brief visit, and stayed for two years, returning to Boston with photos and elaborate tattoos he had 'collected' on his body. But Christine M.E. Guth's Longfellow's Tattoos: Tourism, Collecting, And Japan is not so much a survey of collectible items nor even tattoo history, as a cultural expose of Japan in the 19th century travel world. Chapters survey the state and nature of Japanese culture in the world of the times, using art and curios as a focal point.



2. This is one of the most fascinating stories I have ever read. Politically correct academics have succeeded in erasing Longfellow from the American canon, replacing him and his contemporaries with names you've never heard and will never know how to pronounce. Perhaps this bit of exotica if not to say erotica will give life back to this former pillar of American culture. It is the son, not the sage of Cambridge whom Professor Guth has chosen as her subject. But what a character he is. Longfellow Jr. had very little going for himself besides boredom and a nearly limitless bank account, so he went on an extended grand tour of the Orient, setting himself up in a Japanese harem, stocked like a koi pond which nubile Japanese maidens. Besides an addiction to Asian flesh, young Longfellow seems to have keyed into that great American pastime known as shopping with the result that he brought a warehouse full of souvenires back to fill Boston's museums and the mansions of his father's aristocratic friends. Any way you look at it, this story has legs. It's a miracle Hollywood hasn't grabbed hold of it. Stay tuned.

4 comments about Mountain Bike! Washington (America By Mountain Bike Series.).

1. Although I haven't had a chance to actually -try- most of the trails in the book, it seems to be a great guide telling you how to get to the trail, and what to expect on the trail itself.

   Unlike many books I've seen, it also coveres a wide range of skill levels...if you're a newbie (like I am), you'll find a stack of trails. If you're an experienced rider (like I hope to be), you'll find a stack of trails. Whatever you're looking for, you should find it.

   If you're looking for trails, this book would be a great place to start.




2. If you're going to be mountain biking in Washington, this should probably be one of the first trail guides in your collection. It covers almost 90 of the major rides all over the state.

   Each ride is accompanied by an "at a glance" section that will give you basic overview of the ride as well as good maps and very complete writeups. I've never had a problem finding a trail (or finding my way on a trail) and generally agree with all of the comments written about the trails. I just wish the trails had estimated driving times from major areas.

   The front of the book also has all of the trails categorized by "type". So, if you're a single track person, just find the list of single track trails and off you go.

   If you're planning on riding in a specific region (such as the Seattle area), I'd recommend picking up a book specific to the region as this doesn't cover all of the local trails.




3. I recently used this book on a tour of mountain bike rides through Washington State and recommend it highly. The route descriptions are well-detailed. I will say that the writing is strangely uneven--some chapters are bland, while others are very colorful. In any case, it tells you where the great rides are, gives you a sense of what your experience will be on the trail, and makes sure you find your way back afterward.

   The author(s) did a great job of finding amazing rides near Mt. St. Helens. In short: if you ride in Washington, this book is a must.




4. I used this book extensively to dicover all the excellent off-road riding Washington has to offer. The author offers very useful information for a wide variety of riders and trails. From lung-busting backcountry epics to leisurely suburban trails, this books covers Washington mtb'ing fairly comprehensively. The maps and trail descriptions are especially helpful. Second only to Zilly's excellent trail guide.
   Highly recommended!

4 comments about A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home.

1. "A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home" provides an outstanding window into the life and times of the American migration westward. Through the eyes of Phoebe Goodell Judson, one lives the trials of the Oregon trail, the challenges of pioneering, and a powerful perspective on the American mind during the last half of the 19th Century. 20 years old and 7 months pregnant, Phoebe begins the 7 month treck from Ohio to Vancouver, Washington. Through her diaries, she chronicles the life changing experiences of exploration and community building that did so much to shape the American culture. One only wishes that she had kept additional records and thoughts as the reader is left wishing that there was more. First person story-telling at it's best, be prepared to go looking for maps of Washington and the Oregon Trail.



2. scence Phoebe is my Great grandmother it gave me a background on my history alone! this is a great book!



3. An excerpt from this amazing book:
   "While adoring the various brilliant tints of (October foilage)we are reminded "that we all do fade like the leaf." A more perfect simile could hardly be given. For a time "we flourish like the green bay tree," and then comes adversity, trials and griefs that sear and beautify the soul, as the strong blasts and chilly frosts bring out the beautiful tints of the leaves, making "old age" as glorious as the autumn season of the year." p 81



4. What a fantastic view into what it was like to be a poineer and what it was like during the formation of western Washington State. I'm from the east side of the state and enjoy our state history but to see an overall picture of what it was like by someone living through it was just a fantastic experience. Much more interesting that just learning "facts" about the history of Washington and the early settlers.
   
   Great book - even if you're not interested in the state itself!

1 comments about SHORT BIKE RIDES WESTERN WASHINGTON, 3rd Edition (Short bike rides).

1. Fortunately I only checked this book out from the library, but the condescending tone, vague directions and dining recommendations prompted me to review it here nonetheless. The snobbish tone pervades nearly all the ride descriptions, in turn disparaging tourism and tourists (I believe a cyclist would be a touring tourist!) and alternately being awed by Fort Worden as the supposed filming location of "An Officer and a Gentleman". She missed the correct attribution in the description of Fort Casey of course. Perhaps she was too distracted by the innkeeper's "(not a cyclist)" bathrobe.
   Also take her "Eats" recommendations with a grain of salt. I'm certain that most of the fine dining establishments she suggests would not appreciate a sweaty textile athlete such as Wagonfeld dripping upon their tablecloth despite being clothed in "Capilene or Coolmax" as opposed to merely "plump and polyestered".
   To be fair, I did get a couple of ideas for some new areas to explore with my bike, but it certainly won't be with her guidebook in my panier.

No comments about Yakima, Washington (Images of America).

1 comments about Lonely Planet Washington, DC.

1. Just so no one else gets confused...this is a city guide of Washington DC, not a 'traditonal' Lonely Planet guide book. That having been said, I do love the small size of the book makes it a lot more handy to carry around. The content however is a little more heavy on the history of the town and little usless tidbits then on the what to do & where to go. Single paragraph discriptions of the various museums & attractions are good for an on the fly type book, but not so much for doing resarch on planning a trip.

   Of course there is so much in DC that I can understand the smallish descriptions, all in all, good to keep in the pocket when in town. 3 stars for not identifing it's self as a City Guide other then in the picture.

2 comments about The Everything Family Guide To Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions (Everything: Travel and History).

1. Buy another "kids in DC" book. The prices are way off and Leaf doesn't appear to know much about traveling with children. The hotel reviews look they were used for an adult travel book and then cut-n-pasted into this book. Lots of talk about elegant and extravagant... Hotels in terrible neighborhoods are recommended without any warning of safety issues.



2. We found this book very useful with a lot of trivia info that was very helpful. Tour information, transportation information, hours of operation, etc.

No comments about MapEasy's Guidemap to Vancouver (City Guidemaps North America).

1 comments about Mountain Bike America: Washington, D.C./ Baltimore, 3rd: An Atlas of Washington D.C. and Baltimore's Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides.

1. This Book has developed with each Edition, and it very well has met its Peak!. It is Must Have for anyone interested in staying sane in this Urban Jungle! I ride fairly regularly and I have not been able to ride a fraction of the trails in this book! Get this Book! And Get out and Ride!