The Nature of Photographs

Book Description

An Essential Primer on Understanding Photography by One of theWorld's Most Influential Photographers "In my roughly twenty years of writing about photography, I don't thinkI've come across a book that has implied so much with so few words, a bookthat raises so many important questions with so little fanfare and withsuch precision."-James Kaufmann, Photographer's ForumBy the age of 14, Stephen Shore (b.1947) took his first photograph.By 17,he was a regular at Andy Warhol's Factory photographing both the artist andhis entourage.At 23, he became the first living photographer to have aone-person show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.At 35, he was appointedDirector of the Photography Program at Bard College.An unrivalled pioneerin the field of color photography, his work has been exhibited in numerousmuseums worldwide, including an exhibition opening this May at theInternational Center of Photography that focuses on the work from hiscritically acclaimed books American Surfaces and Uncommon Places.Withsuch an impressive career, no one is a better suited guide to the nature ofphotographs. THE NATURE OF PHOTOGRAPHS by Stephen Shore, is an essential primer on howto understand photography by one of the world's most influentialphotographers.Growing out of a college course that Shore taught for manyyears, this book explores ways of looking at photographs from all periodsand all types--from iconic images to found photographs, from negatives todigital files.Its aim is to describe the physical and formal attributesof a photographic print--the very elements that form the tools aphotographer uses to define and interpret the content.In the end, Shoreteaches us, on the most basic level, how a photograph "works." As well as a selection of Shore's own work, THE NATURE OF PHOTOGRAPHScontains images from all eras of photography, from classic works by WalkerEvans, Robert Frank, and Eug+ne Atget to more contemporary work by Berndand Hilla Becher, Cindy Sherman, Joel Sternfeld, Thomas Struth, and RichardPrince. It includes all genres, such as street photography, fine artphotography, and documentary photography, as well as images by unknownphotographers.Together with his clear, intelligent, and accessible text,Shore uses these works to demonstrate how the world in front of the camerais transformed into a photograph. Divided into four main chapters--The Physical Level, The Depictive Level,The Mental Level, and Mental Modeling--THE NATURE OF PHOTOGRAPHS exploreshow photographs function visually.By teaching us how to see through theeyes of a photographer, Shore teaches us a new way to look at the worldaround us.This affordable book serves as indispensable tool for students,teachers, and everyone who wants to take better pictures.

Customer Reviews:

Timeless Wisdom.......2007-08-14

Stephen Shore, the well known photographer (and teacher; who, among other things, was the first living photographer to have a one-man show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY) has recently updated his classic meditation on the Nature of Photographs. Recommended to all aspiring (and working) photographers, the beauty of this book is the density of its distilled wisdom.

You will not find anything here on f-stops, film speeds and lenses, nothing on the darkroom (analog or digital), nothing on the raging "debate" whether to pick up an 8 megapixel DSLR or a 10, and no instructions - at least explicit ones - on how to take "better" pictures. What you will find is the crystalline essence of Shore's lifetime's worth of thinking about the nature of the photograph. His short, Zen-like prose-poem musings pierce the proverbial bullseye like an archer's arrow; and leave the reader both enchanted and haunted by their eloquence and wisdom.

Shore reminds us that amidst the infinity of potential images, both real and imagined, the photographer has four - and only four - formal tools for defining a picture's content and organization: vantage point, frame, focus and time. Stop and think about that for a moment. With all the wonderful technology underneath our thumb as we prepare to press the shutter, with all the different ways in which we can image ourselves "taking" a shot, and all the different images that can conceivably exist, the photographer really only has these four fundamental "creative dimensions" with which to work, and no more! Where do I position myself; what do I put in the picture and what do I leave out; where should I focus my attention; and how much of a slice of time do I want to include?

Every picture that has ever been taken, and every photograph yet to be captured - from Adams' shots of Yosemite, to Cartier-Bresson's visual etudes on the "Decisive Moment," to visual realities created by some future technologies - is "reality" as aesthetically transformed by the four-dimensional human creative filter!

Yet somehow, miraculously even, this suffices to provide (however brief) glimpses of an infinite dimensional world of meaning and beauty. That is the magic of photography!

For those of you who have the first edition of this book...I have both versions of this book. The new book roughly doubles the number of accompanying images (including color photos) and adds quite a bit of commentary. It is written (thankfully!) in essentially the same style, which I find almost meditative in its quality and depth of vision. If you have enjoyed the first edition, you will likely treasure this one.

Thoughtful writing and great production values.......2007-05-21

It's not going to teach you how to start using your DSLR, but it's going to give you some great insight into how to approach the overall concept of photography and creating images. Stylish minimal design, sparse well considered text and an unusual selection of photos that are all reproduced to very high standards - nice density, subtle overgloss etc. Recommended.

A new way of thinking.......2007-05-16

The Nature of Photographs is sparsely worded and consist of selected photographs. The author takes the reader through a guided tour of the nature of photographs. This starts with the physical level, then the depictive and finally the mental level. By the time that the reader has completed this journey, you most likely will have a new way of perceiving photographs and possibly a new way of thinking about photography.

Magic made more so.......2007-03-23

It was surprising to me that Mr. Shore could find ways of talking about photographs that I had not previously encountered. In deconstructing these classic photographs he has succeeded in making them and the art of photography more, not less, magical. This book would probably be most appreciated by readers who have studied and given careful thought to photography. Statements that might appear esoteric to the casual reader are within the realm of critical photographic discourse. This is a truly wonderful book.

Clear and Smart.......2003-03-16

This book helped me understand photographs in a way I never did before. The writing is deceptively condensed. It is really full of ideas and meaning. Being aware of these ideas has hepled my own photography.

Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation

Average customer rating:

northeastern natives
Wonderful Plant Guide for the Northeast
Going native.
Very helpful
Native Plants of the N.E. by Donald Leopold

Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation
Donald J. Leopold
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0881926736

Book Description

If you've always wanted to garden with native plants, this book is for you. With entries for nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the U.S. and eastern Canada, its comprehensive horticultural coverage is unsurpassed by any other single volume. The natural ranges of many of the plants discussed extend beyond the Northeast; the information on horticultural uses applies to any garden. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations, as well as attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Illustrated throughout with color photographs.

Customer Reviews:

northeastern natives.......2007-09-16

The book is a good list of plants, shrubs and trees for the area. I find the text to be a little technical for the novice/intermediate gardener.

Wonderful Plant Guide for the Northeast.......2007-07-20

I know how to garden in Kansas, Maryland, Australia, South Texas and Florida, but now I'm learning what plants work for New England. This book is a life saver with descriptions of ferns, grasses, wildflowers, vines, shrubs and trees suited to the region.
The photos are good, full-color, but aren't always on the same page as the description. Each plant is listed with its scientific name, followed by its common names and family group. It gives the zones, soil requirements, and light needs plus a short description. There are propagation tips for each and notes for special information and an indication of the plant's natural range. It is really a pretty exhaustive book.
Some helpful lists at the end includes:
Plants that tolerate wet soil
Plants that tolerate dry soil
Plants that tolerate shade
Plants with flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds
Plants with fruits that attract birds
Plants with fruits that attract mammals
This can be used as a wildflower identification book or to select plants for special needs in your northeast garden.

Going native........2007-02-12

For anyone in the Northeastern part of the USA, this book will become a well thumbed reference. The developing of a web of life based upon the system of native flora and fauna is clearly and compellingly presented. In a world where native plants are often thought of as weeds, this book is a fresh look at what makes the Northeast its own special region.

Very helpful.......2007-02-11

This book proved to be a big help in determining native plantings for my yard. The latin names helped eliminate "look alikes" in plant catalogs. It is worth the money

Native Plants of the N.E. by Donald Leopold.......2007-01-11

I am in landscape design and wish to use native plants as much as possible. My yard has been certified by National Wildlife for years and everyone loves it. I needed to learn more about "natives" so I can incorporate them into designs. This book has been pretty helpful in this area. One problem with this is that plant width is NOT listed...only height. Also, it would be very helpful to have sections within the chapters. Trees and shrubs would be more useful if sectioned into size and evergreen or deciduous.

On This Earth: Photographs from East Africa

Average customer rating:

Beautiful photography
Just Stunning
Africa, my love
Images of untold beauty and magnificence.
Moments of recognition!

On This Earth: Photographs from East Africa
Nick Brandt
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0811848655

Book Description

Nick Brandt depicts the animals of East Africa with an intimacy and artistry unmatched by other photographers who choose wildlife as their subject. He creates these majestic sepia and blue-tone photos contrasting moments of quintessential stillness with bursts of dramatic action by engaging with these creatures on an exceptionally intimate level, without the customary use of a telephoto lens. Evocative of classical art, from dignified portraits to sweeping natural tableaux, Brandt's images artfully and simply capture animals in their natural states of being. With a foreword by Alice Sebold and an introduction by Jane Goodall, On This Earth is a gorgeous portfolio of some of the last wild animals and a heartfelt elegy to a vanishing world.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful photography.......2007-09-27

I bought this book as a gift for someone who had just visited East and South Africa. They were thrilled with the absolutely beautiful photography and the memories it evoked of their trip.

Just Stunning.......2007-08-31

I own many, many photography/art books and this one without a doubt is my favorite.

The photography is simply stunning. Brant shoots his work on medium format infrared film and that is a great combination to use.

Don't even think about not getting this book, just do it.

Africa, my love.......2007-06-27

Having travelled extensively in Africa and being a keen photographer myself, I was happy to find this title in one of the Dutch photography magazines. The book is apparently not for sale in Holland, so I bought it at Amazon's.
My collection of photography books consists mainly of black and white photography. I am sure buyers will love the images in this book as much as I do, allbeit some pictures are a bit over the top, due to the infrared film used. Nevertheless the photos are just overwhelming; it feels like standing there yourself!
Next to 'The Great Migration' by Carlo Mari (which has a different approach) and 'Pink Africa' (also by Carlo Mari, and obviously in color) this book is among my favorite books on wildlife in Africa!

Images of untold beauty and magnificence........2007-05-31

Nick Brandt is one of the most talented and sensitive photographers of the 21st century.
His vision and technique is unmatched.
The patience involved in capturing these sometimes rare creatures is incredible let alone to produce such aweinspiring images.

Moments of recognition!.......2007-02-18

Great photo's of, for us, familiar parts of Africa. Shows the game in a different light.
Every new page is an inspiration! Not only for photografers but for travellers also.

Erik
The Netherlands

Average customer rating:

GEO Book
Abbott explains how Natural Disasters occur
Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters makes geology interesting!
A great book for beginners interested in this topic!!!

Natural Disasters
Patrick Leon Abbott
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0073040770

Book Description

This book focuses on natural disasters: how the normal processes of the Earth concentrate their energies and deal heavy blows to humans and their structures. It is concerned with how the natural world operates and, in so doing, kills and maims humans and destroys their works. Throughout the book, certain themes are maintained: * energy sources underlying disasters * plate tectonics and climate change * earth processes operating in rock, water, and atmosphere * significance of geologic time * complexities of multiple variables operating simultaneously * detailed and readable case studies.

Customer Reviews:

GEO Book.......2006-03-16

The book has an excellent number of graphs and pictures and makes it fairly easy to absorb information through self-learning. Great tool with lectures. Sometimes a bit of a drag on the boredom scale depending upon the topic.

Abbott explains how Natural Disasters occur .......2005-09-19

Although Abbott could have done a better job of simplifying some of his explainations, he does a great job of breaking down the formation of Natural Disasters in easy to understand steps. He also provides briefings on real life natural disaster occurances.

Natural Disasters.......2004-05-07

I used this book for one of my Earth and Ocean Science courses at the University of British Columbia. Although I enjoyed the many good examples, I found that the text did not have a very good flow to it. I found some of it to be choppy, and some of the sentences to be quite unclear. I agree, the examples are interesting, but it seems like the text relies on those examples to be interesting. I think a lot of processes could have been explained better, as I thought the point from class notes I received from my professors did a lot better than the text in helping me understand certain processes. I definetely agree it's a beginner text though as the examples give a good indication that natural disasters only occur because humans have inhabited locations that often times threaten lives.

Natural Disasters makes geology interesting!.......1999-10-28

As a developer of geology and earth science college textbooks for major publishers, I've worked with a lot of excellent books. Patrick Abbott's Natural Disasters, second edition, is one of the most interesting, readable, informative, and engaging books available. It doesn't have all the four-color diagrams and photos, and doesn't need them. The book tells many fascinating stories that engage students (e.g., the Lisbon earthquake of 1755), relates these natural events to humanity, and offers outstanding short summaries of geologic phenomena and events (e.g., the K-T extinction). This is one of the few books I keep on my desk to illustrate geologic events and principles for friends and coworkers. Highly recommended!

A great book for beginners interested in this topic!!!.......1999-01-11

I just finished taking a course at Florida International University having to do with natural disasters and this book was the required text. I found the book very interesting and informative. The different forms of natural disasters were seperated by chapters and were very well explained. I found it very easy to learn about natural disasters using this book.

Average customer rating:

5 Stars Indeed
A Breath of Fresh Air
A sublime experience, but not for everyone
The first of its kind, and still the best
Wonderful

A Sand County Almanac
Aldo Leopold
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195007778

Book Description

First published in 1949 and praised in The New York Times Book Review as "a trenchant book, full of vigor and bite," A Sand County Almanac combines some of the finest nature writing since Thoreau with an outspoken and highly ethical regard for America's relationship to the land. Written with an unparalleled understanding of the ways of nature, the book includes a section on the monthly changes of the Wisconsin countryside; another part that gathers informal pieces written by Leopold over a forty-year period as he traveled through the woodlands of Wisconsin, Iowa, Arizona, Sonora, Oregon, Manitoba, and elsewhere; and a final section in which Leopold addresses the philosophical issues involved in wildlife conservation. As the forerunner of such important books as Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, and Robert Finch's The Primal Place, this classic work remains as relevant today as it was forty years ago.

Customer Reviews:

5 Stars Indeed.......2007-08-20

I knew I would enjoy this book right from the start, when I found the following passages in the Foreward: "There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot..." and "For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television..."

If you can relate to those statements, you will love this book. Guaranteed. Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, but he was so much more. He was a visionary. Read those statements again, and when you realize that he wrote them back in 1948, you might be amazed. But as you read the book, you will come to understand how special he was. Facts or knowledge that we take for granted today (e.g., predators play an important role in a healthy ecosystem), Leopold was talking about them over 50 years ago. Time and again I found myself checking the copyright because I could not believe someone was actually thinking this way so long ago.

However, it's not just the ideas of Leopold that made him special. The way he wrote was special, too. His talent drew you in, even though he was writing about something that, by the sound of it, might be kind of dry. For example, in a section called "Good Oak," he connects the passage of years to the rings of a fallen tree that he is cutting for firewood. Starting with the 1940s he relates one environmental tidbit after another for decades or years: "Now our saw bites into the 1890s...when the last passenger pigeon collided with a charge of shot near Babcock." By the time Leopold is done cutting the fallen tree, the reader has received a fascinating and sobering account of what had transpired to the environment in the area of this oak tree for the previous 80 years. The way he used the backdrop of cutting the tree rings as "markers" of environmental mishaps was masterful. It is Leopold at his best, but fortunately, the book is full of writing like this.

It is divided into three sections. The first one follows a calendar year on his farm in Wisconsin, with Leopold relating little vignettes about chickadees, skunks, flowers, or whatever else he comes across. It is probably the most charming part of the book. Part two ("Sketches Here and There") contains short remembrances of Leopold's travels to different parts of North America. Unfortunately, the story usually has a "bad" ending - at least, for the environment or for a species (like the now-extinct passenger pigeon). But Leopold had a reason for that. He moves to part three, "The Upshot," where he spells out his ideas for saving the land and the wild things that live there. It is too much to discuss here, but Leopold again hits the mark. His goal was to try and change how Americans think about the use (and abuse) of our environment. Pehaps his biggest lament then, and mine now, is that not enough people care about what we are doing to the land.

That's why this book was published. The hope of this book was to change the hearts of the average American. It still is. Over fifty years later, it's still in print, and it's still relevant.

Five stars. Absolutely the best nature/environment book I've ever read.

A Breath of Fresh Air.......2007-02-20

Life got you down? Live in a big city? Take a refreshing break and escape to the Wisconsin countryside in this beautifully written little book about the land and the plants and animals that live and grow there. Aldo Leopold's writing is more compelling than John Muir's,and more knowledgeable than Thoreau's. In a series of short sketches you follow the cycle of the land from January to December. Along the way you learn about history, meet amazing plants and animals, and experience the drama of both the destruction and the rebirth of our land.

A sublime experience, but not for everyone.......2004-12-21

I keep this book on my nightstand and read an essay or two after my pj's are on and before going to bed. My bookmark is a pencil for making notes in the margin when particularly wonderful passages are encountered. The margins are very full.

Aldo opens our eyes to worlds in our own backyards which have always existed but which have remained undiscovered due to our own dull-sightedness. I considered myself an avid nature-watcher, but the extent to which Mr. Leopold carries this hobby is humbling. He inspires any true fan to learn the names and habits of every tree, shrub, weed, thistle, bird, insect, and critter native to one's home county, and to hone one's journaling skills and master the talent of imagery and metaphor.

But, this book is not for everyone. I've read favorite passages to friends only to watch their eyes glaze with disinterest. If you're the outgoing, life-of-the-party, must-always-be the-center-of-attention type, then perhaps The DaVinci Code would be of interest. But if you enjoy solitary walks in the woods, canoe paddles on distant foggy lakes, or reading prose with your pj's on, then this is required reading.

The first of its kind, and still the best.......2004-09-05

"Thus always does history, whether of marsh or market place, end in paradox. The ultimate value in these marshes is wildness, and the crane is wildness incarnate. But all conservation of wildness is self-defeating, for to cherish we must see and fondle, and when enough have seen and fondled, there is no wilderness left to cherish." (from "Marshland Elegy")

"It must be poor life that achieves freedom from fear." This, from reflections on being caught on horseback during a lightning storm, is a comment on the "civilized" mindset that wanted all to be safe, and so feared and destroyed wildness.

These essays were written mostly in the 1940's, although some of them are about earlier times in the author's life. In a way, reading Aldo Leopold is like watching Humphrey Bogart in those old movies, with his smoking and tough-guy sexism. We understand these as disreputable today, but can put them in context. Likewise, Aldo Leopold was in many ways a typical countryman of his time and place. He loved to hunt and fish, and even reflexively shot wolves, like everyone else. He came to regret that, and in fact to realize that in the new era, where hunting and fishing have become mass recreations, that the old ways just don't work anymore. But they did in his day, and he does not retrospectively apologize for having been, in a sense, just another predator.

But he was also a college professor, and an expert naturalist and ecologist. In this book he is a poetic writer about nature and a loving reporter of all things wild. No matter where I lived I would love this book, but having lived not too far from his sand counties and walked his restored prairies makes it the sweeter.

Wonderful.......2004-03-25

Read Walden, then read Sand County Almanac. They might just change the way you think about the world.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful book...
Love this book!!!
Gerald Durrell at his funniest
An amazing work of art!
A Good Animal Lover Novel

My Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142004413
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Book Description

When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of DurrellÂ's familyÂ's experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into their home.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book..........2007-09-21

This is a fantastically written book that anyone who appreciates literature can love. The immagery rich and deatiled, the charccters are wonderfully brought to life by some witty dialogue, and the charm is undeniable. It also arrived on time and in perfect shape. Reccomended.

Love this book!!!.......2007-09-03

I picked this up when I was in Spain because it was one of the only books I could easily find that was written in English. I loved it!!! Durrell's amazing depiction of Corfu made me really want to go and explore the magical island that he brings to life. Almost twenty years later, this is still one of my favorite books of all time.

Gerald Durrell at his funniest.......2007-07-11

This book is captivating and plain funny. Whether you're an adult or a teenager, you will be consumed by Durrell's great description of his family life in Greece. You'll see the sights, hear the sounds and experience the smells through his teenage eyes. From the mystery of the rose-beetle man, to his distracted mother, and the various friends he makes in Greece, you'll love it ALL.

When I first read this book, I couldn't put it down until the very end. And it introduced me to a whole new world of writing. Durrell's other books are lightweight (but just as amusing) compared to this one. It's a classic and deserves to be on every bookshelf.

An amazing work of art!.......2007-06-21

Wow! This is an amazing book. It has made me want to go to corfu! The book is the true story about gerry durrel and his stay on the greek island of corfu. Gerry has an extreme intrest in nature, (Much to the anoyance of his writer brother, Larry, lover of things hunting, Lesly, and his sister with an acny problem, Margo.) The story takes many twists and turns, in which he comes across many different animals including Dodo the dog, the maggenpyes, and Geronamo the gecko. Five star!

A Good Animal Lover Novel.......2007-05-27

The book My Family and other Animals is most definitely a different book. It is about a young boy, the author, who moves to a small island with his large and diverse family. Gerald is very interested in animals and such. So when they move to the island he likes to just wander around and look at the species and try to capture them. There are really two types of writing going on in the novel, a story part and an informational part. It is very interesting during the more story part, for me, since something is actually happening. However, I do no necessarily like the informational part since it is about animals. I do like animals, but I think it is a bore to read about them like it was a text book. Overall, this is a really good book and it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it makes you laugh when the whole family gets together with all their differences. I recommend it highly to all the animal lovers out there

Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide (Don't Waste Your Time)

Average customer rating:

excellent guide to the Canadian Rockies
Best hiking guide for the Canadain Rockies
Not a waste of time at all.
Excellent Guide, and Service!
Great idea, great book

Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide (Don't Waste Your Time)
Kathy Copeland , and craig Copeland
Manufacturer: Hikingcamping.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 0968941974

Book Description

This all-new, fifth edition describes 138 dayhikes and backpack trips in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, and Waterton national parks, as well as Mt. Robson and Assiniboine provincial parks. Here's the discerning advice you need to create rewarding adventures. This guide rates and reviews trips as Premier, Outstanding, Worthwhile, or Don't Do. 260 colour photos reveal this stunning wilderness. Trail maps for each trip enhance the comprehensive route descriptions

Customer Reviews:

excellent guide to the Canadian Rockies.......2007-08-26

I purchased this book to research where the best above-timberline scenery and scrambles would be in Banff and Jasper, and was not disappointed. I can't remember ever seeing a better guidebook -- some in the same league, like J. Gordon Edwards' book, but not a better one. Usually, the lack of good color photos is the major drawback to guidebooks, but the number and quality of the photos in this book is amazing, and the text is really helpful in getting a feel for what the place is like, above and beyond the simple mileages. Even if you're not hiking there soon, this is a great armchair book.

I might have rated this book only as 4 stars, due only to lack of topographic maps... but on reflection, if you're going to be out hiking, you'll be carrying topographic maps with you anyway, not an entire hiking book, so that's not really a drawback.

I noticed that one review compared this book unfavorably with Brian Patton's "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide." The latter is also an excellent book (I have both the 8th and a previous edition), but is more "factual" and less opinionated in tone, has black and white rather than color photos, and doesn't attempt to compare quality of trails with each other. Both that book and this one are very good (I have both and they complement each other), but the color photos and willingness to venture opinions (and just plain enthusiasm) are among the strong points of the Copelands' book. Highly recommended.

Best hiking guide for the Canadain Rockies.......2007-08-07

I purchased 5 or 6 books on the subject and this is far and away the best guide. Very detailed, reliable and practical info, basic maps in the back with references to Gem Trek topo maps for each hike. Definitely worth the price. Don't waste your time or money on other references. The book is a bit dense and heavy to carry, but (as the authors point out), just make copies of what you need and leave the rest at home!

Not a waste of time at all........2007-06-04

This was almost the only guide we consulted when my sister and I hiked trails in eastern BC and Alberta in 2005. I say "almost" because we also looked up schedules for the Canadian railways. You see, one of our cranky specifications on the trip was that we would not drive anywhere, nor would we fly into or within Canada. Our goal was to see only those trails and towns within reach of the railroad tracks. We succeeded marvelously and could probably have done just as well had we used only the Copelands' books. Apparently they too are train-and-hike aficionados.

Excellent Guide, and Service!.......2007-03-05

Review of FIFTH EDITION (published July 2006)... I originally ordered this book through Amazon, but after not shipping for more than a month I decided to order it directly from the Authors. I was pleasantly surprised to have my email answered within a few hours, and to receive a phone call from Kathy Copeland shortly afterwards. As I was awaiting for the book to arrive, I had several email exchanges with Kathy, in which she freely gave hiking suggestions for Glacier NP, and answered specific questions. Before even seeing the book, it became obvious to me that the authors have great satisfaction in experiencing great hikes, and perhaps greater satisfaction in helping others have the same experience (something I can really relate to, and the very qualities you want in the author of a hiking book). With that quality of service, I had great anticipated the arrival of their book. I was not disappointed.

While the writing style is unique (interesting, humorous, whatever), make no mistake about it-- the book is "COMMON SENSE" to the core, both in content and in it's organization. And it follows the "golden rule"-- the authors provide exactly the kind of information that they (and most hikers) would want if they were to purchase a hiking book. The emphasis in rating hikes is primarily placed upon the WOW-factor of the hike (i.e. how much does this hike STIMULATE me scenically, be it through sweeping vistas, lush meadows, iridescent lakes,... whatever). Distances and elevations are specified in both English (miles/ft) and metric (km/m)... for those of you in the US who have never spent hours converting figures in a hiking book published in Canada, believe me, this is something to be VERY thankful for!

The beginning of the book includes a "Trip Locations" section-- overview maps of the various national parks, dotted with trail numbers, and on the same/opposite page they list names of the hikes and their rating (Premier, Outstanding, Worthwhile, Don't do). So the hikes are arranged visually by park location.

Shortly afterward, a "Dayhikes at a Glance" section arranges the hikes by rating (Premier's listed first, then Outstanding,...etc.), first for the dayhikes, then the backpacking trips. These tables also show distance and elevation gains. This is precisely the kind of information you need to plan a trip. An index of the very best "Wildflower Hikes" is a nice touch.

The introduction section(s) also cover all the standards you typically would expect (i.e. preparation, weather, bears, trail ethics,...etc.).

The back of the book includes a "Trip Maps" section-- these are not topo maps (which are generally useless tiny black/white photocopies in hiking books anyway), but appear to take the form of sketches, though apparently done using computer software. The maps do not illustrate 3-dimensional relief (i.e. valleys, ridges, mountains), but everything is clearly named: the path of the trail(s) shown in red, the lakes/rivers in blue, mountain peaks as black triangles, and parking/trailheads as black circles. The scale is also shown. The inclusion of distances and elevations (which is included in the individual hike overviews) would have made the maps perfect for a hiking book, but they fall short in this area (improvement project for the next edition?)

The individual hikes are very logically arranged. First, all of the day-hikes are listed in one section, followed by another section listing the backpacking (extended) hikes. VERY helpful if you mostly day-hike (as e do), or mostly backpacks. Within each of these sections, the authors list the Premier hikes first (ordered geographically as you move northwest through the Canadian Rockies), followed by all the Outstanding hikes,....etc. VERY helpful in identifying what hikes should be at the top of the itinerary. The description of each hike first includes the authors "Opinion", followed by all of the "Facts". Again, VERY helpful, because when facts/opinions are combined (as with most hiking books), you have to wade through all the factual info to get the opinions (i.e. determine if the hike is worth doing). Likewise, when you want to get the facts, you sometimes have to wade through opinions. Keeping them separate was a smart decision.

Each hike begins with a table which lists: Location, Round Trip Distance(s), Elevation Gain(s), Key Elevations, Hiking Time, Difficulty, and Maps (pg on which map is found, and specific topo map which can be purchased).

Nearly all hikes include a sizable color picture(s) of the most scenic portion(s) of the hike-- exactly what you would want to see. The opinionated descriptions describe exactly what makes this hike appealing, the degree to which it has appeal, and if unappealing, then suggested alternatives in the vicinity. VERY well done.

Suggested improvements? I think the authors place a heavy emphasis upon solitude, but for a significant number of people, this is not nearly as important as the scenic splendor. Yet, some hikes may have slipped a notch in the rating scale because of their heavy use. It would be helpful if hikes of this nature were denoted with a special symbol of some sort, both in the overview tables and in the table which introduces the individual hikes. To their credit, the authors frequently mention (in the Opinion section) which hikes see heavy usage, but a prominent visual cue indicating that the hike was demoted a rating level (for lack of solitude) would make an excellently arranged book even better.

I also own Grame Pole's book "Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies" (1999 edition). While this is one of my better hiking books (I own about a dozen), the Copeland's book is better in a variety of ways. If you want multiple opinions, buy both. If you want just one, then "Don't waste your..." money on anything other than Copeland's book: "Don't waste your time in the Canadian Rockies".

Great idea, great book.......2006-10-03

I hike a few times a year, and need to make each trip work well for me. This book was very well executed, and it let me pick exactly which hikes to do(for me, one backpack and two day-hikes), once I decided on the Canadian Rockies. I avoided what would have been a poorer alternative hike.

The concept for the book is refreshing and welcome. Many hiking books seem to have a sort of Lake Wobegone perspective, with all the trails average or above. I would use their other books if I ever go to one of those locations.

Twister On Tuesday (Magic Tree House #23)

Average customer rating:

twister on tuesday
twister on tuesday
MY BOY LOVES READING IT
magic, danger, history
TWISTER!!!!!!!

Twister On Tuesday (Magic Tree House #23)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679890696
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Amazon.com

In book 23 of the Magic Tree House, award-winning author Mary Pope Osborne's popular young adventure series, siblings Jack and Annie travel back to American pioneer times. Their task, assigned by mysterious Camelot librarian Morgan le Fay, is to find "something to learn." When their magic tree house alights on a Kansas prairie in the 1870s, Jack and Annie quickly find a one-room schoolhouse with classes in session. Something to learn! After an all-too-brief school day, the two return to the tree house with their mission completed. But wait: "In the distance, twisting black clouds had dropped out of the storm clouds. They swirled into a funnel shape." A twister! And the young teacher and students in the school don't realize there's a storm cellar under the floor. Jack and Annie must brave the howling winds to return and save their new friends.

Osborne's insatiable devotees will devour her latest adventure story, following Civil War on Sunday, Revolutionary War on Wednesday, and all the other titles in this exciting series. What better way to learn about history than to travel through time and space, experiencing it firsthand? (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In the third book of the American history cluster, Jack and Annie are whisked to a midwestern prairie in the 1870s. They visit a one-room schoolhouse and learn about the hard life of the pioneers. When they return to the magic tree house, Jack and Annie spot a twister on the horizon. Is there time to warn the teacher and the children back at the schoolhouse? Or should Jack and Annie just save themselves?

Customer Reviews:

twister on tuesday.......2007-02-28

This book is about two main charactor, named Jack and Annie, and every day they ask if they can go out side to play, but they actually go out to this tree house that is full of books, and they find a book they like well in this book they found a book with tornadoes in and they decided to wish to go into that book and it took them
there and in the story Annie becomes a teacher who work in a wooden place that had one room and they called it a school. So these funny looking shapes start to appear in sky made out of clouds that looked like
cones and then they started coming down to the floor. If you like old histoy, school and/or tornadoes than I would sujest that you read this book.

twister on tuesday.......2007-02-28

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

magic, danger, history.......2006-06-02

The book Twisters on Tuesday features magic, danger and history. The magic is the tree house. I bet you're saying huh? Read the book to find out about this magical adventure.
The main characters of the story are Annie, Jake,Ted and Morgen. Annie is Jake's sister. She likes danger and Jake likes to study.
Ted is a featured charactar in this book. He starts out as a human and changes, into a dog and the story's plot is how Annie and Jake help him. I recommend this book to people who like magic and history in their books.
- Moises

TWISTER!!!!!!!.......2006-01-19

I enjoyed reading Twister on Tuesday. Although this book is fiction, it uses many facts so that you always learn something new. Jack and Annie go back in time to a prairie to help Morgan, the secret librarian. They end up getting caught in a twister while helping their new friends to safety. I recommend that you will like reading this book as much as I did.

Jessica M.(Holland, PA)

Earthquake in the Early Morning (Magic Tree House #24) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

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Books
took over a month to receive it
Earthquake in the Early Morning
MY BOY LOVES READING IT
Earthquake in the early morning

Earthquake in the Early Morning (Magic Tree House #24) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 067989070X
Release Date: 2001-07-24

Amazon.com

The year is 1906, the place is San Francisco. Annie and her brother, Jack, have just traveled here in their magic tree house, on a mission from Morgan le Fay, the mysterious magical librarian from King Arthur's time. In an effort to save Camelot, the children have already found three special kinds of writing for Morgan's library: something to follow (Civil War on Sunday), something to send (Revolutionary War on Wednesday), and something to learn (Twister on Tuesday). Now it's time to find "something to lend." It's a quiet, peaceful morning in San Francisco, and Annie is eager to start exploring. So eager, in fact, that she pulls Jack away from his research just before he would have learned a very important piece of information... All too soon, the siblings figure it out for themselves: they have arrived in this lovely city a moment before one of the biggest earthquakes the U.S. has ever known shakes the Bay Area to pieces! Stunned, Jack and Annie wander the streets, but quickly find a purpose. Lots of people need help transporting goods to safety, and many more are left without any idea where to go or what to do. But what about their mission? Will the kids find something to lend before the entire city goes up in flames?

Mary Pope Osborne's tremendously popular Magic Tree House series offers young readers a chance to immerse themselves in spellbinding adventures even as they learn about history. The terrible San Francisco earthquake is described with great historical accuracy, but with admirable age-appropriateness. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Jack and Annie travel back to the morning of the great San Francisco earthquake. While they are there, they meet a reporter and help get some kids to safety.

Customer Reviews:

Books.......2007-05-09

My children love these books I didn't know if they would like them because they don't have alot of pictures. They just can't get enough

took over a month to receive it.......2007-05-07

waited for a month to receive the book.

Earthquake in the Early Morning.......2007-04-27

This book is fabulous.
One of the reasons I like it is because it talked about fires, earthquake and natural disaster. Another reason is because it was near our city! The last reason I liked it is because they lost their city but still had hope. I learned some exellent facts. I learned the fire burned 28,000 buildings! They had half a millon people there. The earthquake was called "The Great Shake". It was one of the biggest earthquakes ever! I would recommend this book for three reasons. The characters are fun. Jack likes the realistic and Annie likes the magic. The second reason is the excitement and learning wonderful facts.
Earthquake in the Early Morning is a excellent book.

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

Earthquake in the early morning.......2005-12-20

I like this book because it is interesting.
It keeps you wondering whats going to happen next.
It is also very funny.
So you might want to read this book.

Costa Rican Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press)

Average customer rating:

Short and usefull
Expected more
Glad I had it!
Pocket Guide Intro
Nice laminated quick guide to common animals/birds

Costa Rican Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press)
James Kavanagh
Manufacturer: Waterford Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet

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ASIN: 1583550739

Customer Reviews:

Short and usefull.......2007-08-08

I'm back from Costa Rica and I can say this booklet is a good resumé of what you can see in that wonderful country. On 152 differents species shown on the booklet we saw 16 of them. I will bring it with me on my next trip in hope to see more.

Expected more.......2007-05-13

This handy pocket guide has the most frequently seen species, but I expected a bit more. Handy, but not what I expected.

Glad I had it!.......2007-03-29

I wasn't holding out much hope for value on this little "brochure" of wildlife but it turned out to be very nice to have. We just returned from a trip to Panama and Costa Rica and the guides - experienced naturalists with National Geographic and also from the parks and the Smithsonian - used it along with others. They are available for different regions and types of wildlife and I purchased two more when I was down there. Easy to carry on a hike, easy to refer to and great for the kids. They are certainly very basic but we were in isolated areas and some of us only got glimpses of an anteater or agouti so as the naturalists were talking about it, we could look at the guide and try to spot it again. Then if I only saw the tail, I knew what it looked like! Hiking up 300-500 ft. on muddy uneven trails with a camera in one hand, binoculars around my neck and a small backpack with water and such, it was hard to pull out a book for reference so if your trip is going to be at all like that, I recommend them.

Pocket Guide Intro.......2006-03-16

This booklet was offered as a bundle with another book I purchased. The booklet itself is well done, but not very extensive re: the wildlife of Costa Rica. It seemed to be a bit pricey to me, even at a discounted rate, for what I received.

Nice laminated quick guide to common animals/birds.......2005-09-29

These are great for families, casual wildlife fans. For die-hard bird fans, you'll need the BIG Birds of Costa Rica book.

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