Book Description
A feat of historical detection--the most significant, andcertainly the most enthralling, book on American prehistory to appear indecades.The greatest "unsolved mystery" of the American Southwest relates to theAnasazi, the native peoples who by the 11th century converged on ChacoCanyon (now New Mexico) and built a flourishing cultural center thatattracted pilgrims from far and wide, a vital crossroads of the prehistoricworld. The Anasazis' accomplishments--in agriculture, in art, in commerce,in architecture and engineering--were astounding, rivaling those of theMayans in distant Central America. By the 13th century, however, the Anasazi were gone from Chaco. Vanished.What was it--drought? pestilence? war? forced migration? mass murder orsuicide? Craig Childs draws on scholarly research and a lifetime ofadventure and exploration in the American Southwest to pursue the mysteryof their disappearance. Considering many possibilities, he points the wayto a new understanding of how a vibrant civilization collapsed.
Customer Reviews:
Childs has done it with this book..........2007-09-11
It's been a long time since I was thoroughly captivated by a book but House Of Rain has managed to do just that. Craig Childs is arguably one of the finest non-fiction writers today. For those of us who live and breathe the Great Southwest, Child's descriptions will bring back vivid memories of Sleeping Ute mountain in the distance and standing where the Ancients stood at Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, and Chaco. For those reviewers who felt like they needed maps and an answer, you can get maps at the visitor centers all bound up in glossy little books with equally glossy descriptions of people and places. This is not one of those books - it's so much deeper. This book is not a souvenier, it's a vehicle that takes you to places that a relative few will ever see and even less will understand. Sometimes, there is no final answer - there's just the lingering questions. That's part of what makes it so interesting.
Excellent Read With Interesting Personal Point of Views.......2007-09-06
This is the first book by Craig Childs that I've read. I will say it is an excellent book on the Anasazi. Craig has spent his whole life in the desert Southwest and appears to be quite knowledgeable about his subject. If you are the least bit interested in knowing a bit more about the Anasazi but don't want to read a "dry" scientific book about the subject, this is "the book" for you. Craig has travelled, worked and talked with many southwest Archaeologists who study the Anasazi. His discussions on the Anasazi are not boring and dry and his writing style is superb. I have a passing interest in the subject matter and this is one of the newest books on the subject and based on reviews of his other books, bought this one. I'm glad I did. Craig covers some controversial areas in regards to the Anasazi and where they went. They didn't disappear, their ancestors are still here, spread out over the southwest. He hits on a few quite creditabal possibilities and presents material to support them. I not being an expert on the subject but none the less interested and with some of my own ideas, I think Craig is on to something in regards to some of the reasons for the abandonment of the ancient sites across the entire southwest not just the Four Corners area commonly attributed to the Anasazi. Craig's descriptions of his backcountry travels are excellent and gives the sense that you are there with him which makes it even more enjoyable to read. This one is a keeper which I know I will read over and over again.
House of Rain, A Great Read.......2007-08-16
If you'd like to take a journey into the SW United States looking for the "missing" Anasazi, you should crack open this book, and delve into Craig Child's riveting journey. Child's style of writing puts you there with him, and he's very skilled at creating images that draw you into the adventure.
House of Rain .......2007-07-07
Craig Childs and "House of Rain" took me to places I've been and most importantly, to places I've been unable to experience. As I was reading this descriptive narrative of the Southwest that I love so much, I felt I was walking right beside him...excellent!
Exception read for the non-archeologist interested in the Anasazi.......2007-07-06
I already own several of Craig Childs books which I enjoy reading so that I can vicariously explore the canyons with him. This book is Exceptional. I bought it just last week at the Anasazi Heritage Center near Mesa Verde and Canyons of the Ancients while vacationing there with my wife and granddaughter. Living in Utah, we make yearly trips to the Moab area and southeastern canyons of Utah always hopeing to find a ruin to explore and photograph. This book is great for the non-scientist but those interested in the cultures of the Southwest like me!
Book Description
Featuring 80 all new maps and more than 350 photos, this guide is the most comprehensive, up-to-the-minute book of its kind on the market today. A perennial favorite with almost a million copies sold in previous editions, it reflects National Geographic's century-long association with America's national parks system and its peerless reputation for travel expertise and cartographic excellence.
The book opens with an essay by Yellowstone authority Paul Schullery, and an introduction to the guide with a locator map showing all 58 of these American treasures (including the newest, South Carolina's Congree National Park). Next, the parks are presented alphabetically region-by-region, with individual maps and geographical profiles of each. These colorfully illustrated descriptions offer tours tailored to the time available, whether it's an hour or a week, and tell visitors the best spots to enjoy hikes, spectacular vistas, wildlife and more. Itineraries and directions, special activities and advisories, and suggestions of hotels and campgrounds are provided, along with scores of ideas for excursions to nearby wildlife refuges, monuments, and other nature areas of exceptional interest—140 in all.
From planning a trip to making the most of every minute, here's all the information anyone could want on the scenic national parks plus invaluable recommendations and advice from the National Geographic writers who know them well.
Customer Reviews:
Really enjoyed this book.......2007-08-10
Good book of national parks. Good practical information for the short term visitor (how many people have the vacation time to spend 2 weeks anywhere? not many i think) which is welcome to see. I'd recommend this book if you'd like to get a feel for where you'd like to go, what you might see when you're there and where you might stay. Once you've figured that out you might do well looking elsewhere for some detailed information, but for the casual visitor the basic information (10 - 20 pages per park) is great. I'd recommend this book if you're either someone who's like to visit a few parks or someone who's trying to work out which park to go, or someone who'd just like to flick through to see if there's something you hadn't considered before.
Buena ayuda.......2007-07-15
Es una guia fantastica, para recorrer los parques nacionales de EEUU y disfrutar al maximo lo que ofrecen.
National Geographic Guide to the National Parks.......2007-05-14
Very informative, very useful, good size for carrying it around,
great book.
Nice overview.......2007-05-14
Very nice book if you want an overview over national parks in the USA.
Excellent guide.......2007-05-07
Perfect if you want to get a general idea of all National Parks available. Once you decide where you are going, I recommend getting a more detailed guide specific to the place you decided to visit.
Book Description
In the spirit of Jon Krakauer's bestselling Into the Wild, Eric Blehm's The Last Season examines the extraordinary life of legendary backcountry ranger Randy Morgenson and his mysterious disappearance in California's unforgiving Sierra Nevada.
The granite spires of the High Sierra have historically been a refuge of inspiration and adventure for the likes of John Muir and Ansel Adams, as well as for the pioneering rock climbers of the 1960s. But these mountains are as perilous as they are beautiful: here is where the Donner Party was trapped and where scores of unlucky hikers must be rescued every year. The Last Season tells the inspiring, poignant story of Morgenson, who, over the course of twenty-eight summers living alone in this craggy wilderness, became a celebrated ranger in the National Park Service's most adventurous unit. For the solitary, introspective Morgenson, who grew up in Yosemite Valley and as a young man honed his mountaineering skills in the Himalayas, this was more than a job -- it was a calling. He became fiercely devoted to preventing outside forces from encroaching on the wilderness he loved.
But over the years, the isolation Morgenson had once cherished took its toll, and he grew increasingly estranged from his wife and friends. When, at the height of his struggles, he went missing without a trace in Kings Canyon National Park, where he had long patrolled, many suspected suicide or foul play. Morgenson, after all, had once said, "The least I owe these mountains is a body." As one of the Park Service's most intensive search-and-rescue operations unraveled, some wondered if they were searching for a man who did not want to be found.
Destined to become a classic in mountain literature, The Last Season is a work that is as captivating in its writing as it is compelling in its sense of adventure. It is the result of eight years of research by Eric Blehm to uncover the truth about one of the national parks' greatest mysteries. Blehm's reconstruction of a desperate search-and-rescue operation woven with Morgenson's riveting biography takes readers deep into the heart of the High Sierra and into the little-known and much-romanticized world of the backcountry rangers -- revealing in the end the mind and spirit of a complicated, original, and wholly fascinating man.
Customer Reviews:
Sierra Backcountry Ranger Requiem.......2007-09-22
If you have hiked the High Sierras, no doubt you will love this book! It offers a penetrating look at a 28 year veteran back country ranger in the Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, who disappeared during his last season. Why would anyone spend 28 years as a seasonal, low paid, poorly appreciated back country ranger? Who would put up with living in the isolated back country, on call 24/7? How could such a seasoned veteran simply vanish from the face of the earth? Why did an 8 day search for him, using almost 100 experienced rangers, search and rescue dogs, and multiple helicopters fail to find him? What part did depression over a failing marriage and guilt over an affair with another back country ranger play in his disappearance? Did he commit suicide? Or - - - did the fall out of this depression so cloud his judgement that he made a fatal mistake as he crossed his familiar beloved wilderness? As you may guess, I love the High Sierra and enjoyed this book immensely. Randy Morgenson reminds me a lot of John Muir. I take my well worn hiking and back packing hat off to this man who speaks so eloquently for the WILD! There is a lot of food for thought in this book for those who hike and backpack in the bush, seeking the silence and peace that only can be found there!
Captured their world.......2007-08-25
As a seasonal firefighter and helitack crewman in Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs from 1977-1980, I encountered some of the backcountry rangers (Randy Morgenson included) on medevacs, re-supply flights, etc. My wife and I still maintain friendships with George Durkee and Paige Meier. Blehm has done an excellent job of describing their world.
Very Good Book.......2007-08-10
Just finished this book, very good. It would have rated 5 stars for me if it was just a wee bit shorter as it did drag just a tad. I usually don't write reviews but I needed to counter some negative reviews in comparison where people contrasted it to "Into the Wild". "Into the Wild" is better written, to be sure. But contrary to some reviewers opinions, this man, Randy Morgenson, was truly someone who's life was "book worthy." The kid in "Into the Wild" basically threw his life away and really never contributed anything to anyone or anything. Randy really helped alot of people and "the land" and his life stood and meant something. I did enjoy Into the Wild, it was compelling, but as far as the main characters, NO comparison. Randy is an inspiration, Cris McCandless was just a lost soul......
Randy Morgenson - Gentle Giant.......2007-08-10
Over the last twenty years I have hiked all or most of the John Muir Trail sixteen times from south to north. Between 1987 and 1996 I had the privilege and honor of getting to know Randy on the trail. His friendly kind face at McClure was always a welcome sight. I would always take a layover day just to be able to spend some time talking to him about wilderness and the incredible beauty of the Sierras. His understanding of the mountains was deep and compelling. He was perhaps one of the most experienced introspective mountaineers the Sierras have ever seen. His knowledge of the High Sierra was tremendous and his humble sincere love of the land truly an inspiration - for such a powerful mountaineer Randy was such a gentle poetic person. This book does a superb job of capturing Randy and his pure love of the High Sierra while at the same time documenting the monolithic effort to find him. Also, having known over the years many of the backcountry rangers involved in the search, and knowing first hand what a close family they are I would also say that the author very deftly weaves into the book the fraternal nature of the search. I highly recommend Eric Blehm's "The Last Season" to anyone that has spent time in the wilderness (especially the Sierras) it reads like a mystery but has a very personal touch. Randy the Range of Light misses you, there is a tear in every thunderstorm, thank you for all the beautiful words.
Couldn't pull myself away.......2007-07-30
Eric Blehm crafted a tale rich in detail and sincerity with The Last Season. While Morgenson's life and his disappearance made for a great mystery ripe for any author to pick, Blehm's attention to the true main character-the high Sierras-gave the story a texture that would have otherwise been lacking. The layers of the story contantly unfolded to reveal a depth that gave the reader pause to contemplate the inherent conflicts. The enormity of the landscape crept up from the pages-it was like traveling through the park each night as I picked up the book. A great read for anyone who appreciates a well written, complicated story-especially the endings.
Book Description
In his thirty years with the National Park Service, Jim Burnett has seen it all: boat ramp mishaps that have sent cars into the water; skunks in the outhouse and bears at the dumpster; visitors looking for the bridge over the Grand Canyon.
Customer Reviews:
Fun and Enjoyable Read.......2007-10-13
I just finished reading Hey Ranger and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was an easy read and it held my attention - I didn't want to put the book down! Anyone who has visited the National Parks, or just spent time in the outdoors, can probably relate to at least one tale in the book. For me personally, my family has done alot of boating and I was laughing hysterically during the chapter on boating, including mishaps that occur when launching a boat! I think anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and humorous real life tales will enjoy this book.
Heartwarming but..........2007-09-08
I've got to say that this book definitely made me care about the narrator and feel for the amazing amount of sacrifice and difficult situations that he and his family endured in service of our National Parks. And it's very hard to knock that ever, especially from someone who seems so genuinely likeable and friendly. However... this is not the greatest book. The combination of acronyms and Shakespeare quotes seems quirky and interesting at first, but quickly gets old. The "people are idiots" theme gets somewhat overplayed. Many of these stories and humorous anecdotes are the tough-day-at-work/funny quote type of thing I would put in an e-mail to family or laugh about with friends, not the kind of thing that I would record for posterity.
The last chapter of the book, among other things, earnestly advises you not to get high and jump off a cliff. If you are the kind of person who would responsibly read a book of back-country safety tips and stories, you are probably not also the person who would take some hits of acid and decide to roll off a cliff. Or you are. But that's on you and no books will help you at that point.
I like the author and his family. I feel for his struggles and sacrifice and find the humor in some of his stories. But I can't call this a great book.
A fun, light-hearted book.......2007-09-04
This is a great book that is fun to read, each chapter can stand alone, so you can pick it up at your leisure. A great book to take on vacation.
It tells humorous stories of misadventures in our National Parks written in a way that you feel Mr. Burnett is talking to you. It gave me a good laugh and some good advice for visiting these or any parks.
(Snake in the cold water is my favorite story!)
Milk Toast.......2007-07-09
Hey Ranger ! Is lightly entertaining & minimally informative. It is well written but the acronyms the writer makes up are corny & get old quick. It's just not that interesting !I read these type books on a regular basis & must say that it is below average & definately not on my Re Read list. I keep most of my books but this one will be gone when I'm finished. Try Jim Reardens "Alaskas Wolf Man", Pete From's book "Indian Creek Cronicles",Larry Kanuit's books or Dick Proenneke's story.
Not a bad read.......2007-07-03
The acronyms are really annoying--don't pay attention to them. At times the author used so much detail that the stories became rather boring. However, there are a few humorous stories in the book. And, I did enjoy the way he introduced his stories with "Hey Ranger, how about you ___". Good info on park history. A worthwhile read in spite of skimming though sections.
Customer Reviews:
Information circa 1992: even the roads have moved!.......2007-07-13
The material in the 2nd edition is from 1992, NOT 2000 as the Amazon page says. We recently moved to Southern California, bought the book on Amazon, then went to boulder at Hidden Valley Campground. I had trouble getting my bearings... Intersection Rock was in the wrong place... the roads have all moved in that area since the book was written. I met a local in the parking lot and asked him what was up. When he saw the book in my hand he asked if I bought it at the ranger station, then complained that it was still on their shelves given how out of date it is.
I don't know if the publication date is a typo (maybe 2000 was the last reprint date?) but I'm not impressed with the book. Combine the lacking route descriptions (see other reviews) with 15 years since publication and you've got a pretty weak guide book. Spend your $33 on a better, more current book.
Great overall climbing guide.......2005-08-05
If you don't know where in JTree you would like to climb or if you plan on doing a little bit of all kinds of climbing, this is the book to have. It provides an overview for the whole area with great maps and photographs to easily locate all rocks (and there is a lot of them so the book is thick). Some of the maps and info are out of date and need to be replaced (the Hidden Valley campground/Intersection Rock map and information about showers). I also found myself constantly writing on the map page references for the different rocks. It may also be nice to include a guide on all major toprope, bouldering, and sport climbing sections, although these exist on the web. Overall, I had an amazing trip and knew where to go every day, I just wish I had more than 5 days to climb there. Ooooh, also the book doesn't tell you that you will have no finger tips left or that the ratings are really hard and you shouldn't use them :-) A 5.10c in JTree is apparently not a 5.10c anywhere else, but this is a one of a kind place!
This is the book........2005-03-11
There are others out there, but Vogel's Rock Climbing Joshua Tree is the definitive overall guide that both new and experienced climbers rely upon. However, for more detailed information on routes in specific areas of Joshua Tree (Lost Horse, Indian Cove, Hidden Valley, etc.), don't leave home without Alan Bartlett's excellent guides.
That said, Rock Climbing JT is and will always be a work in progress, as is any climbing guide, and should be viewed as such. Bolts on old routes can become unreliable, new routes are always being established and the ratings themselves are highly subjective. Some 5.8 routes have felt like 5.10, while another 5.8 can seem like a walk-up. Paradoxically, it is the trusted guide that can't always be trusted.
Each route has a star rating, a qualitative scoring process which is again highly subjective. Some routes have descriptions, some don't. Not all routes have accompanying photographs and in this second edition, there is still an annoyingly large number of misspellings and incorrect cross references. But as I said before, this book is a work in progress. It takes years and years of climbing prowess and research to gather information for a guide of this magnitude and despite the highly opinionated nature of this and all climbing guides, it is still an essential piece of climbing gear no Josh climber should do without.
Missing details, but great guide.......2004-01-22
This is a very comprehensive guide to Joshua Tree for climbers. It is the book that we always take with us as the defintive reference. Generally, the information is accurate and the maps detailing which rock is which in various formations is quite good.
However, there are several notable drawbacks to the book. First - the routes often have no description of them or any guidance as to the trad gear needed for a given route. Second, many of the routes for some areas do not appear in the pictures making route finding without a good desription, difficult. Third, descent information is often not found or has to be interpreted.
It may sound like there are major faults with the book, but in reality it is a good book that is very useful. Just don't expect it to tell you everything you need to know about a given crag.
The best guidebook to Joshua Tree.......2003-07-08
If you're looking for the comprehensive catalog to Joshua Tree climbs, look no further. Author Randy Vogel has undertaken a huge task in compiling over 4,000 routes for the Park. The downside is that the route descriptions are very, often too, concise. For example, "Walk on the Wild Side", one of the best moderate climbs in Joshua Tree has the following "description":
"WALK ON THE WILD SIDE 5.7+ ****".
For a first-timer, this description lacks the necessary detail to be complete. Is this a bolted or trad route? How many pitches? Do I repell off or walk off? Are there bolted anchors? What gear should I bring?
I've found that using this book in conjunction with climbingjtree.com (which includes color pictures and user-submitted commentary along with detailed route descriptions and gear suggestions) to be the best of both worlds!
Book Description
Wild, spectacular Yellowstone thrills visitors with gushing geysers and free-roaming wildlife. Grand Teton entices with jagged peaks and glacial lakes. Packed with information for everyone from families with small children to hardcore outdoor adventurers, this guide takes you there.
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Thermal Wonders: From world-famous Old Faithful to gem-colored hot springs, Yellowstone's wild thermal features.
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Wildlife: Bison, elk, bears, moose, wolves, bald eagles - this guide tells you where to spot them.
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Outdoor Fun: The best spots for hiking, camping, rock-climbing, skiing, fishing, boating, and more.
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Insider Tips: Hundreds of places to stay, eat, and play, as well as how to find a wealth of hidden treasures.
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Beyond the Parks: From the Wild West bluster of Cody to the exhilarating ski slopes of Jackson Hole.
Customer Reviews:
Most helpful guidebook.......2007-09-11
Before my Yellowstone trip, I had purchased many books and maps and visited websites-you know the drill. This book helped with many insider tips-when talking with other visitors, they had consistently asked me how I knew these things, and I told them-the Lonely Planet guide. Even two park rangers wanted to know how I knew these lesser known tips-and they were impressed with the information. My favorites: how to get the best view of the Grand Prismatic pool (I'm not going to give that one away) and how to avoid bears on trails-which I'll let out of the bag-sing show tunes! Yes that sounds ridiculous-but when I saw a bear about 150 ft ahead of me on a trail and started singing Ethel Merman, well, bears are smart enough not to stick around for the encore!
Not The Lonely Planet I've Come to Expect!.......2007-06-15
Maybe it's because the author admits that he ventured off to complete this project only a couple days after getting married, leaving his bride behind. Perhaps a publishing deadline loomed large. I'm not sure what Lonely Planet's excuse is, but this book is the most thrown together, unhelpful guide I've ever seen in their repertoire! I've appreciated their "secret" tips and organized guides for many of my world adventures, and this one is just way below par. Abyssmal on any scale.
I did tons better researching on the internet on my own, which might be the best approach to these parks anyway, so that you're sure to get up to date information. This guide doesn't even mention the great guest ranch outside the park at which I snagged six nights a few months before my visit, how to make sure that you get tickets for special ranger-led, half-day back-country adventure hikes with 15 person limits, or that there are boat and kayak rentals/tours in Yellowstone from concessionaires.
The book literally gives you a headache, trying to figure out how to make sense of the vast amount of listings presented. A menage of maps and thrown-together tidbits are pretty meaningless without the necessary organization to figure out an orderly travel plan. It would have been a lot better if the book took you around each of Yellowstone's loops and through Grand Teton in a more logical format.
I alos found much of the information to be grossly outdated and inaccurate, and so many basic outdoor activities weren't explored in depth, and no real useful information or how-tos were given. I was thoroughly disappointed with my selection. With the vast amount of knowledge that I've accumulated through my own research, I could certainly re-write this guide myself!
You'll be lost without it!.......2006-10-15
If it's your first time in Yellow Stone or the Grand Tetons this'll be your bible .. the hikes listed in both places are well presented and with the maps included will help you plan you time in this wonderful part of the world .. The information on where you are likely to spot animals is really useful - Elk, Bison, Moose and Bear ... all accurate! The highlights and intineraries suggested helped with planning the trip .. but in addition to the traditional 'must sees' the book also suggests some wonderful off the beaten track experiences as well. Has info on where to stay and eat ..I stayed outside the park and would recommend either Teton Village or Jackson Hole as a good base with lots of top class accomodation. For European travellers Jackson Hole was the only place that I could get a mobile phone signal!
A Guide To the Tetons and Yellowstone.......2005-10-26
For one contemplating a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons this book will be a fine handbook and guide.It is very detailed in regards to information about the parks and offers the reader a fine source of information for things to do on your visit.
As a backup source.......2005-10-06
For general planning of our trip, this book provided some useful information but the book does not give enough detail for a day to day planner.
Book Description
"There are several very good guidebooks to the trails of Yellowstone. This one is great. It is the most accessible to the novice Yellowstone hiker, and the most useful for knowledgeable trekkers. -
Tim Cahill, author of Lost in My Own Backyard: A Walk in Yellowstone Park, Jaguars Ripped My Flesh, and Hold the Enlightenment
Hike, Backpack, Horseback
Whatever you're looking for, there's a trail for you in Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Make the most of a trip to
Yellowstone and
Grand Teton national parks by exploring the absolute best trails that the parks have to offer. The latest in the Top Trails series covers the most exciting dayhikes and overnight/backcountry trips in these two popular parks, from the roaring geysers of Yellowstone to the singular mountain scenery of Grand Teton. Top Trails Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks covers every corner of Yellowstone, including the Mammoth, Tower, Canyon, and Lake regions, and Old Faithful, plus Bechler and the Cascade Corner, as well as the premier trails throughout Grand Teton National Park.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks offer the ultimate in natural and geothermal wonders: untouched backcountry lakes, panoramic alpine summits. glacier-carved canyons, steaming geyser basins, and vast meadows teeming with charismatic wildlife.
With 45 "must-do" hikes from
Mammoth Hot Springs to
Old Faithful, from the
Absarokas to the
Gallatin Range, and from
Jackson Hole to the
Teton Crest Trail, this is your guide.
Whether you're a lucky year-round resident or a happy visitor for a day, week, or an entire season, in this guide you will find: "Don't get lost" trail milestones, innovative trail-feature tables and elevation profiles, a detailed map of every trail and region, and detailed driving directions to every trailhead.
Customer Reviews:
great hiking guide.......2007-09-27
We spent a week in the Yellowstone and hike everyday - this guide helps us as a lot to find what is the best for each day. We easily found the way how to get to the trails and we never lost our way. This book is definitely very useful for everybody going to the Yellowstone (or Grand Teton) not to stay on road but enjoy hiking.
Novice Trail Walker.......2007-03-09
I won't be traveling out west until this summer. I think this book does an excellent job in reviewing the trials in short order, from an experienced hiker. It gives you all of the information you need to decide on which trails you should plan on hiking if you do not know the area. Allows you to plan your trip for maximum effect.
The elevation guides and ratings guide allow you to make reasonable decisions about setting out on a hike based not only on mileage but also on the difficulty you can expect and practical decisions about parking and taking kids along.
I think it it will be very useful.
not enough Teton.......2006-12-28
First of all, this is a GREAT book.
I just want other readers to know that 3/4's of this book, if not more, is on Yellowstone hikes. I would have loved more hikes on Tetons - at least half and half...which is what I was expecting when buying this book.
Top Trails Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks: Must-Do Hikes for Everyone (Top Trails).......2006-08-25
very helpful
Perfect book for the LOCAL Idaho/Montana/Wyoming Regular.......2006-06-07
I live about 90 miles from Jackson and 100 from West Yellowstone, so I go to both parks a lot. As a teacher, I have my summers to go camp and hike from time to time, and I just got back from a trip today. While at Lake Hotel, I chanced on this book, and bought it. This was yesterday. The book has 45 different trails in it to hike in Yellowstone and the Tetons (though most are in Yellowstone). I went ahead and hiked one yesterday (Elephant Back) and got a great view of Yellowstone Lake. The directions were very clear and there were guide-points along the route in the book so I knew just where I was. The book even mentioned this is Grizzly habitat in the spring/early summer, and sure enough, when I got down from the hike, there was a bear. This kind of information could be a lifesaver to the inexperienced Yellowstone or Teton hiker. Today, I hiked two more hikes in the book, one short one at West Thumb and a longer one at Biscuit Basin up to a waterfall and overlook. This book is very easy to use, has great maps, grades the difficulty of each hike, and has a variety from hikes under a mile to hikes of over twenty that take several days. My goal, using this excellent book, is to hike them all in a year or so. Great photos, durable cover, great maps. This is the perfect book for locals or for tourists who come often or who are planning a two to three week stay. I would not think it would be good for someone visiting for a day or two, as you could not scratch the surface of this gold mine of information. Two thumbs up!
Book Description
Cynthia Moss has studied the elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park for over twenty-seven years. Her long-term research has revealed much of what we now know about these complex and intelligent animals. Here she chronicles the lives of the members of the T families led by matriarchs Teresia, Slit Ear, Torn Ear, Tania, and Tuskless. With a new afterword catching up on the families and covering current conservation issues, Moss's story will continue to fascinate animal lovers.
"One is soon swept away by this 'Babar' for adults. By the end, one even begins to feel an aversion for people. One wants to curse human civilization and cry out, 'Now God stand up for the elephants!'"—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times
"Moss speaks to the general reader, with charm as well as scientific authority. . . . [An] elegantly written and ingeniously structured account." —Raymond Sokolov, Wall Street Journal
"Moss tells the story in a style so conversational . . . that I felt like a privileged visitor riding beside her in her rickety Land-Rover as she showed me around the park." —Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, New York Times Book Review
"A prose-poem celebrating a species from which we could learn some moral as well as zoological lessons." —Chicago Tribune
Customer Reviews:
Captivating Elephant Saga.......2006-12-21
Moss takes you on an incredible journey into the lives of African elephants and allows you to take a bird's eye view of the research she has done. The book, while captivating, can seem a little discombobulated to some, however. The book divides itself into the different years Moss is writing about, each chapter being a different year. This set up, however, is a bit confusing as the chapters do not limit themselves to that particular year, but instead discussed a myriad of years all while focusing on a particular topic. That said, you do see progression in the timeline as the book reads on.
The only downside I saw to this book was the fictional retelling of circumstances that she was not witness to. She describes the deaths of a few elephants as well as some mishaps involving the elephants in near poetic detail, though she never actually saw what happened, or she only witnessed the very end of the circumstance. She does not note where the fictionalization begins, and you only understand what parts are ficionalized after reading on and seeing where she says "I don't know what happened." These are merely assumptions made on the part of the author and though they could have very real merit, it can hurt the integrity of the book when read by someone who is looking for a purely factual account of African elephants. While Moss does warn that she does make assumptions, it would have been better if she noted right before each fictionalized story that it was an assumption. That said, the stories do involve true elephant behavior and shows the audience how elephants may react in certain situations.
There is an incredible amount of insight in this book. You become attached to certain elephants, feel joy over new births, celebrate victory over hardship, and mourn the deaths of these creatures. It teaches the reader about their behaviors, environment, and most of all, the conservation of these majestic animals.
HOW WONDERFUL ELEPHANTS ARE.......2006-07-05
IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT MAN DOESNT KNOW OR CHOOSES NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW INTELLEGENT AND WONDERFUL THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES OF GOD ARE AND THIS BOOK MAKES IT REAL CLEAR.
The lives of elephants revealed.......2002-01-18
This is a wonderful book. Cynthia Moss takes the reader deep into the intricate social lives of Africa elephans in Amboseli National Park (Kenya), and leaves a profound impression. How very sensitive these animals are, and how endearing. It is entirely clear how these creatures have suffered at the hands of humans, but also nobody can read this book and not feel the urge to conserve this fantastic species. Also it may inspire some to travel to Amboseli to see the elephants 'in person' - an experience that you will never forget!
Intriguing.......2002-01-05
This is an excellent book. At first, the book seems confusing as the author continuously refers to the individual elephants on a first name basis when one has no idea of who these "people" are. As the names become more familiar and the individual stories develop, the strange names develop into a wonderful, although at times anthropomorphic story on the natural history of these gentle animals. As she warns us, the author takes the liberty of adding unwitnessed, fictional pieces to most stories, which can be confusing and at times blur the objective observations that she makes with subjective, although probably real, assumptions.
But this book is not a hard core technical text, despite glimpses of it being so in the beginning. The book is about remembering the wonderful social and behavioral characteristics of individuals that make up a population. From matriarchs to lonely males, from birth to death during periods of drought or at the hands of Masai warriors, this book gives a comprehensive insight into relevant issues affecting the survival of the African elephant. The author comes across as a human being, with emotions that go beyond the hard-core science. Although her prose is dry at times, this book is very enjoyable and opens a magnificent window into the world of the Amboseli elephants.
Thorough and moving study of elephants!.......2001-01-11
This book covers thirteen years of Cynthia Moss' research on elephants at Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Several of the elephant families residing at Amboseli are featured in this book. Cynthia Moss learned to distinguish each individual elephant by such characteristics as the shape of their ears, ear markings or the size and shape of the tusks. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of elephant life like mating, draught etc. Together with fellow researcher Joyce Poole Cynthia Moss discovered that the bulls like their Asian cousins go into musth too (the period they are the most attractive to the cows). Thus a longstanding mystery was solved. But through it all shines Cynthia Moss' deep love for the elephants, she found with them so much to recommend. Learning from them. She certainly succeeds in sharing the joy of studying and living with elephants. I warmly recommend Ian and Oria Douglas-Hamilton and Joyce Poole's books too. Indeed Cynthia Moss has found new insights but this is still the book to read on elephants in the first place.
Book Description
When Louis Leakey first heard about Jane Goodall’s discovery that chimps fashion and use tools, he sent her a telegram: “Now we must redefine tool, redefine man, or accept chimpanzees as human.†But when Goodall first presented her discoveries at a scientific conference, she was ridiculed by the powerful chairman, who warned one of his distinguished colleagues not to be misled by her “glamour.†She was too young, too blond, too pretty to be a serious scientist, and worse yet, she still had virtually no formal scientific training. She had been a secretarial school graduate whom Leakey had sent out to study chimps only when he couldn’t find anyone better qualified to take the job. And he couldn’t tell her what to do once she was in the field— nobody could—because no one before had made such an intensive and long-term study of wild apes. Dale Peterson shows clearly and convincingly how truly remarkable Goodall’s accomplishments were and how unlikely it is that anyone else could have duplicated them. Peterson details not only how Jane Goodall revolutionized the study of primates, our closest relatives, but how she helped set radically new standards and a new intellectual style in the study of animal behavior. And he reveals the very private quest that led to another sharp turn in her life, from scientist to activist.
Customer Reviews:
Re-writing the book.......2007-04-06
Louis Leakey put it best. Jane Goodall's work in Gombe prompted a complete revision in how humans view themselves. The subtitle could well stand as the lead for this book. In this exquisitely detailed biography, Dale Peterson depicts how Jane's personality led to a number of fresh insights about how the other animals live and how science learned new ways to study them. Coming out of a rather obscure and unpromising life, Jane Goodall rose to prominence by unusal methods. She applied a sense of caring, developed through attention to her many pets, to the study of chimpanzees. Lacking any preconceptions about what chimpanzees were "supposed" to do, she was able to learn what they actually did do. To say her approach disturbed many "establishment" researchers is putting it mildly. However, her other major attribute in support of her caring, is persistence.
There's a wonderful irony in the circumstances of Jane's becoming a foremost field primatologist. In an era when women reject being "objectified", it was Louis Leakey's roving eye and philandering habits that propelled Jane into the African bush. Having found evidence of early humans at Olduvai, he wanted some signs of evolutionary links. Chimpanzees, as Darwin had noted a century before, were the most likely indicator. Peterson points out that science was woefully lacking in data on apes. They're elusive and shy. It was Jane Goodall who demonstrated the value of "habituation" - long, enduring and subtle contact with her subjects - that allowed her to see what nobody else had before. Chimpanzees use tools, and they're effective hunters. It was the latter trait, the author notes, that helped Jane and her associates to begin formulating the structure of how chimpanzee society is formed.
Those findings led Jane Goodall to both challenge old, staid thinking about field research and chimpanzee life in particular. More, they resulted in Jane's methods and reports led her to become a major figure in science. Whatever Leakey's carnal ambitions toward Jane, he saw her worth. He propelled her through Cambridge's graduate programme almost by brute force as Peterson describes well. Yet, even that endorsement didn't make up for the work Jane had to produce to earn her degree. By that time, she was writing for National Geographic, producing journal papers and books. Oh, yes. She also got married and had a baby.
The richness of detail may deter a few readers of this book. It shouldn't. Jane Goodall, her diminutive stature and uncomplicated expression belie a powerful individual. Peterson isn't simply filling pages, he's building a picture of that individual. That image cannot be imparted with a few strokes of a broad brush. Jane Goodall, under the author's careful touch, isn't a flashy genius, but a dedicated hard worker who built up her own methods one bit at a time. The edifice is indeed imposing as the work led her on speaking tours, teaching assignments, and negotiations for funding, all while raising her family and running a research programme. It's not a simple life Peterson is relating and its complexity cannot be conveyed in a few words. Goodall is an imposing figure in science and the many details are but a start in doing her justice. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Jane Goodall Merits The Nobel Peace Prize !.......2007-03-06
This comprehensive and compelling biography of Jane Goodall is truly inspiring. For decades Jane Goodall has valiantly and tirelessly traveled the planet imploring the world community to have reverence for the lives of humans and the animal kingdom. She is arguably the foremost advocate on behalf of primates and other endangered species. Her whole life has been dedicated to espousing universal peace and the kinship of all life. The brilliant and compassionate Jane Goodall merits a Nobel Peace Prize. Now !
A bit long, but oh, what a ride...........2007-02-25
I do agree with another reviewer that Jane Goodall, The Woman who redefined Man is a wee bit longish. Okay, at 714 pages plus an index it is a long read. However, I disagree that the attention spent on her early life is the culprit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Peterson lavishes many pages to Goodall's upbringing; her strong and directing mother and her danger loving race car father, her love of competition and her love of detail are overly mundane I feel that they tell us a lot about the person that Goodall eventually becomes. What other person, woman or man in 1960 was willing to chuch everything to study monkeys?
Peterson obviously loves his subject. As a teenager I remember hearing stories about this young and attractive woman who had devoted her life to studying primate behavior. I didn't realize until much later that she had been sent by Leakey. I certainly didn't know until reading this book that Goodall had been trained as a secretary. How the fates have a way of stepping in and changing things....a truth that is delivered to any reader of this book.
Jane Goodall has contributed a huge body of information to the world by her devoted work and study. Reading Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man will impress you and awe you. A truly great read.
A Must to Read.......2007-02-18
Great insight into a legendary woman. She is totally amazing!
A top pick not just for public libraries, but for high school to college collections strong in science biography........2007-02-08
Coverages of Jane Goodall and her work with chimps usually focus on her role as a scientist, her discoveries, and her contributions: now receive a better-rounded survey of her entire life in a title not for the casual reader. JANE GOODALL: THE WOMAN WHO REDEFINED MAN holds some 700 pages packed with insights bout her life, surveying her work, her ability to set radically new standards, and her private journey. Even if you're an avid Goodall fan who has read prior coverages, be prepared to be surprised at the depth here: JANE GOODALL is for any avid enthusiast who has always wanted more and is a top pick not just for public libraries, but for high school to college collections strong in science biography.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Customer Reviews:
Stunning black and white masterpiece.......1999-05-22
Published in 1979, Yosemite and the Range of Light is 116 impressive prints demonstrating the mastery of Ansel Adams. The book contains poster classics like "Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite Valley, 1944, Moon and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, 1960, and Winter Sunrise, Sierra Nevada, from Lone Pine, 1944." Non students of Mr. Adams will discover many "unseen" photographs that are beautiful in their own right but did not have the mass-market appeal of his classics. Too valuable to be a coffee table book, this collection is the archetype for fine art books. My copy is a family treasure.
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- Introduction to Law: Its Dynamic Nature
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Books Index
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General
| Native American
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
The Secret Knowledge of Water : Discovering the Essence of the American Desert
In Search of the Old Ones
Sandstone Spine: Seeking the Anasazi on the First Traverse of the Comb Ridge
Soul of Nowhere
Ancient Ruins of the Southwest: An Archaeological Guide (Arizona and the Southwest)
