Ghost Riders

Book Description

The New York Times bestselling author of She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket returns with another sweeping novel that juxtaposes the legends of the Civil War with the lives of the modern-day mountain folk immortalized in her award-winning books.

In 1861 the Civil War reached the mountainous South-where the enemy was your neighbor, the victims were your friends, and the wrong army was whichever one you joined. When Malinda Blalock's husband, Keith, joined the army, she dressed as a boy and went with him. They spent the war close to home in the North Carolina mountains, acting as Union guerrilla fighters, raiding the farms of the Confederate sympathizers and making as much trouble as they could locally. As hard-riding, deadly outlaws, Keith and Malinda avenged Confederate raids on their kin and neighbors. McCrumb also brings into her story the larger-than-life narrative of the historical political figure Zebulon Vance, a self-made man and Confederate governor, who was from the mountains and fought for the interests of Appalachia within the hierarchy of the Confederacy.

Linking the forces of historical unrest with the present-day stories of mountain wisefolk Rattler and Nora Bonesteel, McCrumb weaves two overlapping narratives. It is up to Nora Bonesteel and Rattler to calm the Civil War ghosts who are still wandering the mountains, and prevent a clash between the living and the dead.

Customer Reviews:

History, Mystery and Mysticism.......2006-05-09

McCrumb's books are noted for the blend - but in this one, history figures more prominently. As is true of most of her 'mountain books', there is a prevailing feeling of calm. Bloody killing, maiming, Civil War reinactors, history, mystery and a ghost story - all are there, but still there is that feeling of calm inevitability. (Perhaps I'm misusing the word `mystery' since this is not a traditional mystery at all).

The front of the hard cover edition has two compelling photographs - a man and a woman - each with intense eyes. Zebulon Vance and Malinda Blalock. They appear to be inordinately handsome people for the era. Exactly who are they and why are they pictured? These are photographs - after all - and this book is a novel, as its sub-title points out.

Do an online search on those names and find out for yourself - there is a lot of material on the two. Sharon McCrumb has taken the liberty of imagining herself into the heads of actual characters - one of whom attained a considerable degree of prominence, but her account is faithful to the facts as presented in my online `research'.

McCrumb highlights, by inference, the feelings and events that led to some of the fabled mountain feuds. One can even find a parallel to the long simmering hatreds of the Middle East. It is one thing to be part of an organized army in a war won by one side and lost by the other. It's quite another to fight for a cause which makes near neighbors and relatives your enemy. The Civil War is often characterized this way - `brother against brother - North versus South' - but for some people it was more personal than that. I really didn't know, until I read it here, that there was a strong pro-Union movement in the mountain country of Tennessee and North Carolina. For these people, `brother against brother' was not an abstract term and the hatred engendered lived on.

I loved 'Malinda' and her matter-of-fact approach to the dreadful crises that the war brought to her life, the unique way in which she handled them. If you look at the picture of the older Malinda, holding a picture of her husband in her hand, you can see where the author got her inspiration for Malinda's character in the book. (If your copy doesn't have the photos - you can find them online in Google Images).

If you're interested in history, you'll enjoy this book - but even if you're not - it will hold your attention.

Ghost Riders.......2006-03-15

I love Sharyn McCrumb in general and her books are always fun, but this one was especially grand. I love the way she weaves history into the present and throws in plenty of supernatural phenomena as well. Her books always inspire me to check out the historical facts and learn a bit more about the events she writes about. The characters are realistic, the events are perfectly interwoven and the ending is never predictable. Well worth reading.

Beautiful Story with Real Civil War History.......2006-03-02

Beautiful Story with Real Civil War History

McCrumb's Ghost Riders tells the story of how the Civil War in Appalachia was fought not between strangers from far away lands, but among families. For the mountainous regions of NC and TN, it was not unusual to have family and neighbors fighting on opposing sides. As Melinda, the tough mountain woman thinks, "it's (war) always personal and hard to forgive,..maybe it's because we never left home to do our fighting, ...we weren't making war on strangers....it was personal, all right."
Through the lives of the characters, McCrumb brings to life Civil War stories of how the mountain people were affected and suffered; regardless of which side they supported. And as in any war, the uneducated and poor suffered at a greater rate than those who could buy their way to a better position.
Poetically written in a back and forth style between the war and present day, Ghost Riders looks at how Appalachia is still 'haunted' by scars that run through generations of southern families.

About the audio...Outstanding!!!.......2005-07-02

I am a fan of McCrumb and was delighted to find this recorded on tape and unabridged. I HATE abridged audio versions so this was a real find. Other reviewers have discussed the text but I felt compelled to mention the narration. Rarely do I ever prefer an audio version to the book itself but this one is the exception. While I would have enjoyed this book by reading it, it was made superb by the narration. Read by Dick Hill and Susie Breck, this is the best audio I have ever heard. Both render the voices, past and present, in a unique and splendid way. The tone, the accent, even the volume, are all modified to fit the characters. This was so well done that I had no trouble identifying each voice and character. This is phenomenal and McCrumb should insist that this pair of especially gifted readers do every audio for her novels. Fantastic and well worth a listen.

Sharyn McCrumb is the absolute best!.......2005-06-13

I loved this book! Even though I'm a native Atlantan, I've never been interested in the Civil War (or The War Between The States) but I am very interested in Appalachian history. It is Sharyn McCrumb's talent that made me care about this particular chapter of the Civil War - Sharyn explained a lot about the complexities of the issues that led to the war and the people who lived through it. It's not black and white (no pun intended) and really made me think about what choices I would have made if I had lived then.

The only drawback to the book as far as I am concerned is that I wish the Ghosts had been explored more. Why are they still riding? They knew the war was over during their lifetimes. Also, the character of Tom Gentry was unnecessary in my opinion -I don't really understand why his character was needed. But, all in all, I loved this book and I highly recommend it and all other Sharyn McCrumb books. If you're at all interested in Appalachian history - she's the best!

Average customer rating:

Starts off good, but...
Dull and flat characters
The Abridged version is confusing
Faulkner, McCarthy, Frazier
I dunno, maybe it needs more moons...

Thirteen Moons: A Novel
Charles Frazier
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0375509321
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

Charles Frazier’s Thirteen Moons is the story of one man’s remarkable life, spanning a century of relentless change. At the age of twelve, an orphan named Will Cooper is given a horse, a key, and a map and is sent on a journey through the wilderness to the edge of the Cherokee Nation, the uncharted white space on the map. Will is a bound boy, obliged to run a remote Indian trading post. As he fulfills his lonesome duty, Will finds a father in Bear, a Cherokee chief, and is adopted by him and his people, developing relationships that ultimately forge Will’s character. All the while, his love of Claire, the enigmatic and captivating charge of volatile and powerful Featherstone, will forever rule Will’s heart.
In a distinct voice filled with both humor and yearning, Will tells of a lifelong search for home, the hunger for fortune and adventure, the rebuilding of a trampled culture, and above all an enduring pursuit of passion. As he comes to realize, “When all else is lost and gone forever, there is yearning. One of the few welcome lessons age teaches is that only desire trumps time."

Will Cooper, in the hands of Charles Frazier, becomes a classic American soul: a man devoted to a place and its people, a woman, and a way of life, all of which are forever just beyond his reach. Thirteen Moons takes us from the uncharted wilderness of an unspoiled continent, across the South, up and down the Mississippi, and to the urban clamor of a raw Washington City. Throughout, Will is swept along as the wild beauty of the nineteenth century gives way to the telephones, automobiles, and encroaching railways of the twentieth. Steeped in history, rich in insight, and filled with moments of sudden beauty, Thirteen Moons is an unforgettable work of fiction by an American master.

PRAISE FOR THIRTEEN MOONS

“Genius.”
–Time

“Gorgeous…Thirteen Moons calls Cold Mountain to mind in its wonder at the natural world; its pacificist undercurrents; its dismay at the dismantling of what matters, and its convication that one love, no matter how tortured and inexplicable, can be life-defining…fascinating…vivid and alive.”
–Newsweek

“Thirteen Moons is rare in many ways and occupies a literary plane of such height that reviewing it is not really salient….Thirteen Moons has the power to inspire great performances from succeeding generations of writers….For those who simply value the literary experience, Thirteen Moons will provide the immense satisfaction of taking a literary journey of magnitude. Whether on a plane, in an office or curled in a window seat, readers who absorb Will's story will find their own lives enriched….Thirteen Moons belongs to the ages.”
–Los Angeles Times

“Thirteen Moons brings this vanished world thrillingly to life…
One of the great Native American, and American stories, and a great gift to all of us, from one of our very best writers.”
« –Kirkus Reviews, starred review «

“There are things so masterful words can’t do them justice. Frazier’s writing falls in that category…With Thirteen Moons, he’s doing important work fillnig in the gaps, helping restore the roots, of our knowledge of our own history.”
–Asheville Citizen-Times

“Fascinating…Reading Thirteen Moons is an intoxicating experience…This is 21st-century literary fiction at its very best.”
–BookPage

“Thirteen Moons is rare in many ways and occupies a literary plane of such height that reviewing it is not really salient….Thirteen Moons has the power to inspire great performances from succeeding generations of writers….For those who simply value the literary experience, Thirteen Moons will provide the immense satisfaction of taking a literary journey of magnitude. Whether on a plane, in an office or curled in a window seat, readers who absorb Will's story will find their own lives enriched….Thirteen Moons belongs to the ages.”
–Los Angeles Times

“Once again, we are in the hands of an assured writer who knows how to bring history to life…Gorgeous.”
–New Orleans Times Picayune

“Magical…the history lesson in Thirteen Moons is fascinating and moving…You will find much to admire and savor in Thirteen Moons.”
–USA Today

“Incredibly powerful.”
–Melissa Block on NPR All Things Considered

“Verdict: A powerhouse second act….a brilliant success…Frazier's second act should convince everyone that he's here to stay. It is a powerful, dramatic, often surprising and memorable novel.”
–Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Thirteen Moons is a boisterous, confident novel that draws from the epic tradition... Frazier is a natural storyteller, and throughout his picaresque tale are grand themes and eulogies”
–Boston Globe

“Warm hearted…Frazier is a remarkably meticulous and tasteful writer… Thirteen Moons is a worthy successor to the first novel
and a highly readable book.”
–Seattle Times

“Fiction of the highest order…Another indelible character. Charles Frazier has a knack for them.”
–Charlotte Observer

“Splendidly written.”
–New York Daily News

“What a story!... Frazier's creation, Will Cooper, is utterly charismatic….Frazier's genius lies in his ability to convey emotions that feel pure and genuine…It was worth the wait.”
–Dayton Daily News

“To Charles Frazier, words are playthings. Like very few other contemporary American novelists, he puts them together in such a way that they can transform an otherwise mundane moment, scene or conversation into one that is transcendent….No sophomore jinx here. Reading a Frazier novel is like listening to a fine symphony. He's a maestro whose pen is his baton, beckoning the best that each sentence has to offer. And just as you wouldn't rush a conductor, you should take the time to savor Frazier’s work, to take in each thought, to relish the turn of phrase or the imagery of a craftsman.”
–Denver Post

“Two for two…Here is a book brimming with vivid, adventurous incident…Charles Frazier set himself a daunting challenge with this book. He set out to write a historical novel that was retrospective and meditative, yet still vibrant and immediate with life. Thirteen Moons succeeds in classy fashion.”
–Raleigh News & Observer

“If current fiction is anything to go by, it’s hard for a novelist to make Santayana's puzzle pieces - lyricism, comedy, tragedy - fit together, as they do in real life and real history. Frazier has done it…Thirteen Moons makes you feel that change that happened so long before our own time, and makes you mourn it.”
–Newsday

“[Thirteen Moons] is superbly entertaining, and it packs enough emotional heft to measure up to most readers’ high expectations.”
–Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Thirteen Moons is a fitting successor to Cold Mountain…fans of Frazier's debut will be cheered to discover that the new book is another compulsively readable work of historical fiction.”
–St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“If there is any doubt that Frazier is an incredibly gifted storyteller - and not just a lucky name or a one-hit wonder - it will be put to rest with the publication of Thirteen Moons. Within 10 pages, this long-awaited new novel bears the reader swiftly out of the waking world into its own imagined universe like nothing else published this year.”
–Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Achingly beautiful descriptions of nature…It’s rich, it’s beautiful.”
–Columbia State

“Forget the sophomore jinx. Frazier demonstrates that Cold Mountain was no one-hit wonder with this fully realized historical novel again set in the South….Again, Frazier shows himself a master of landscape and language, both often fresh and surprising in his telling.
–Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“Thirteen Moons contains achingly beautiful passages of snowfalls, fog-wrapped rivers and moonlit forests. There are ribald and hilarious events, too, including a description of the Cherokee Booger Dance that is a masterpiece of satire. The love affair between Cooper and Claire threads its way through this pseudo-historic epic like a brilliant, scarlet ribbon. There is also a melancholy refrain that celebrates a wondrous time and place that is gone and will never return.”
–Smoky Mountain News

“Once again, we are in the hands of an assured writer who knows how to bring history to life…Gorgeous.”
–New Orleans Times Picayune

“Magical…the history lesson in Thirteen Moons is fascinating and moving…You will find much to admire and savor in Thirteen Moons.”
–USA Today

“Verdict: A powerhouse second act….a brilliant success…Frazier's second act should convince everyone that he's here to stay. It is a powerful, dramatic, often surprising and memorable novel.”
–Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Thirteen Moons is a boisterous, confident novel that draws from the epic tradition... Frazier is a natural ...

Customer Reviews:

Starts off good, but..........2007-10-05

The first half of "Thirteen Moons" soars; the second half sinks. As I got into the story and its lovely language, I was prepared to give it a rating of 8.5 or higher. But it eventually fades into dissolution, ending with a whimper, not a bang. Rob's rating: 8.0 of 10.

See http://www.bluecorncomics.com/13moons.htm for a longer review.

Dull and flat characters.......2007-09-24

I started this book because our book group is reading it. The character is flat and self-absorbed. You get to the point that you don't care what happens to the character because he is so dull. I don't finish it because there was nothing of interest to keep me going.......You feel nothing for the characters... so why read?

The Abridged version is confusing.......2007-09-23

I bought this book as an audio book, abridged.
It was confusing. Stick to the unabridged.

Faulkner, McCarthy, Frazier.......2007-09-19

Thirteen Moons is a pure Masterpiece. I think it should be getting more credit for being one of the greatest American novels ever written. I cannot believe how rounded Will Cooper is as a character. I have never read a book that has a character as real as this. Everything about his life and times, reactions, words, feelings, inner thoughts are absolutely real and consistent. Bear, Featherstone, Claire all come to life so perfectly. I was amazed that anyone found reason to criticize this novel. The metaphors, details and knowledge of the region makes Frazier seem supernatural to me. He was there. It's just weird how well he knows this tale and how real it all is. Perfect writing.

I dunno, maybe it needs more moons..........2007-08-10

Remember when you first picked up Cold Mountain, how the first few pages were, well, boring? Yeah, yeah. Lying around the hospital bed, blind neighbor, looking out the window. It was only a few pages, but it made me put the book down for about 3 months and wonder what the heck everyone was so excited about. Then I picked up the book again, and at last, there was the magic. Inman was on his amazing journey. Ada was surviving, having located Ruby, and their various adventures were compelling and moving and the book flew away with me. Well, Thirteen Moons is that first part of Cold Mountain. The boring part. It never takes off, it never flies, it just stumps forward. One or two interesting passages are lost in a reptitive scenery, lesser journeys, and characters who are either cardboard or cliched. So if you loved this book, go hate me. I'd hate you if you didn't love Cold Mountain. (Gratuitous advice: Forget the Cold Mountain movie. Ada as played by Nicole Kidmann is inane to the point of disability; Ruby, that stalwart little plug of a woman, is played by Renee Zellwegger, who acts as though squinting her eyes is character development; Inman was morphed into a latter-day teenage superhero. Utter
+disappointment.

Foghorn Outdoors Northern California Biking: 150 of the Best Road and Trail Rides (Foghorn Outdoors)

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
An excellent resource
very handy indeed

Foghorn Outdoors Northern California Biking: 150 of the Best Road and Trail Rides (Foghorn Outdoors)
Ann Marie Brown
Manufacturer: Avalon Travel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1566914221

Book Description

Devoted campers, hikers, boaters, anglers, bikers, and golfers agree: Foghorn Outdoors guidebooks are essential for anyone who wants to spend less time planning and more time enjoying the outdoors. Each book is an excursion guide packed with the latest information on a variety of adventures near and far. Foghorn Outdoors: Northern California Biking features 150 of the most scenic routes in regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Mendocino, Wine Country, Tahoe, Yosemite, and Big Sur. Also highlighted are rides for mountain bikers, road cyclists, and recreational riders of all abilities, including those pulling trailers or sporting training wheels. Each route is rated for level of difficulty, terrain, mileage, estimated riding time, and elevation gain; and every ride description includes a route map, elevation profile, and a black and white photo. Mile-by-mile route details include where to stop for water, groceries, cafes, picnics, parks, short hikes, historic sites, and more. Additional advice offers tips on equipment and clothing, rules of the road and trail, bike maintenance tips, and a listing of regional bike shops.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-09-10

Gobs of information! This book didn't leave me on an abandoned trial that is blocked by a new housing development like SOME BOOKS. Recommended!

An excellent resource.......2007-07-11

This book organizes all of its road rides and off-road rides together in 8 geographic areas in Northern California, and includes difficulty ratings, distance, time, elevation profile, map, directions and useful descriptions for each ride. What I like best is the author's lists of "best" bike rides in 12 different categories, such as Best Oceanfront Rides, Best Rides for Wildlife Viewing, and Best Rides to Waterfalls, among others. It covers more routes than any other bike guide I've seen or owned.

very handy indeed.......2004-02-03

I am an avid biker (http://www.sujee.net/outdoors/biking/) and this book has found a permanant place in my camel-back! I have read/bought my share of biking books in Northern california. But I liked this one better b/c

A) rides are clearly classified mountain or road : this seems trivial, but more than once I had turned up to a trail with my road bike, just to find out the trail is not paved / dirt.

B) Every ride has clearly marked 'how to get there' 'difficulty' and 'elevation maps', etc.

C) All rides are neatly catogorized into locations and a very easy to use reference / Table of Contents

Book Description

Some of the motorcycle byways of the southern Appalachians are world-famous: Georgia's Highway 60, the ³Dragon² at Deals Gap high in the Smokies, the Cherohala Skyway. Others are remote back roads leading to out of the way mountain towns, stunning waterfalls, fascinating civil war battlefields, and motorcycle-only resorts. In this new guide, former metro Atlanta motorcycle policeman Hawk Hagebak covers the best of them, with easy to read maps, complete directions, road conditions and more, all liberally sprinkled with his own special brand of humor and practical advice. Includes over100 maps and photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for planning trips on a motorcycle or car.......2005-09-26

This is a great book for planning trips on a motorcycle or a car. The descriptions are detailed and there are bonuses listing restaurants and gas stations. The author goes into a lot of detail about each route. My only complaint is the book is a little thin for $15.00. There is a second book for the rest of North Carolina. It would have been better to combine the two books for $20 - $25. Don't let this comment keep you from getting the books though. The author does a great job.

Excellent guide.......2002-06-18

Great book, well written, easy to read, good humor.
Smart layout enables you to xerox the two facing pages to have a complete map and guide for each ride.
The reference section at the end of the book gives you phone number and other info for hotels, restaurants, dealerships, chamber of commerce, etc.; very convenient.

Highly recommended.

Motorcycle Adventures in the Southern Appalachains.......2001-07-10

I first read about this book in an article in the Atlanta Journal/Constitution and had to buy a copy. It was a little hard to find. After reading and taking in many of the adventures listed in the book by Hawk Hagebak, I must say that it is the most insightful and intelligent Motorcycle Guidebook I've ever read. The author uses his experience as a former motorcycle cop to give practical (and humorous!) advice for everything between avoiding a ticket to handling a breakdown. He's really funny! The book is broken into 20+ chapters, each chapter is a ride. The rides include restaurant recommmendations, road descriptions, a map and often some interesting information about the area. My favorite quote from the book is on page 9 where the author is telling the reader how to embellish a "road lie". "I was riding Mile High and the abominable snowman came out of one of the scenic overlooks and chased me all the way into Robbinsville!" The author continues, "Lesson learned? Other than the obvious hazard of a slick road, there's an abominable snowman to contend with, and who wants that?" Another funny quote is in Ridge and Valley Chapter. That ride cuts through a town named, "Sublinga". The author pokes fun at the name by saying, "No, not the medical word- Doctor, my Sublinga is swollen!" The maps are great and they're next to written directions to the right of the maps. I found the rides easy to find and easy to follow. He even includes the mileage from point to point (you can reset your odometer at the start of the ride to keep up with the map mileage). If you are new to the area or have been living in the region for several years (myself for 7 years). I thought I knew all the mountain roads, I do know a lot of them, but not with the detail provided in the book. Very handy, if only the area for the book were larger..... Maybe he will put out another motorcycle guide book? A great buy, even if you are not a biker like me. Just stick your head out the window to act like you're on a bike.... Enjoy...I sure did.

North Carolina from the Mountains to the Sea

Average customer rating:

North Carolina from the Mountains to the Sea

Manufacturer: Aerial Photography Serv
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0936672013

Average customer rating:

As expected
Uplifting
In This Mountain Audio CD
In This MOuntain
Dwindling ever dwindling

In This Mountain (The Mitford Years #7)
Jan Karon
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0670031046
Release Date: 2002-05-27

Amazon.com

Father Tim Kavanagh and his wife, Cynthia, return from Whitecap Island to "the little town with the big heart" in Jan Karon's seventh novel in the bestselling Mitford series, In This Mountain. Retirement holds challenges Father Tim hasn't anticipated, and even as Cynthia's career as a children's book author and illustrator brings her new accolades, he finds himself dogged by health troubles and dissatisfaction with the way his life is turning out. However, the beloved villagers of Mitford are on hand to offer support and humor through every crisis, and a few new characters are introduced to keep interest in the series fresh. Throughout the tale, Karon folds in themes of grace and forgiveness, and offers hope for even the most difficult situations. Fans will be delighted to find that this installment of the series is full of the engaging descriptions and charming depiction of life in Mitford that first won Karon the loyalty of legions of readers. --Cindy Crosby

Book Description

Father Tim and Cynthia have been at home in Mitford for three years since returning from Whitecap Island.

In the little town that's home-away-from-home to millions of readers, life hums along as usual. Dooley looks toward his career as a vet; Joe Ivey and Fancy Skinner fight a haircut price war that takes no prisoners; and Percy steps out on a limb with a risky new menu item at the Main Street Grill.

Though Father Tim dislikes change, he dislikes retirement even more. As he and Cynthia gear up for a year-long ministry across the state line, a series of events sends shock waves through his faith-and the whole town of Mitford.

In her seventh novel in the bestselling Mitford Years series, Jan Karon delivers surprises of every kind, including the return of the man in the attic and an ending that no one in Mitford will ever forget.

Customer Reviews:

As expected.......2007-09-24

This is a great "next chapter" to the series. If you've read the others you'll love this too.

Uplifting.......2007-08-31

I have read all of the Mitford Years books, and have found this one
just as entertaining and uplifting as all the rest. It is spiritual
without being "preachy", with a strength and gentleness that renews
ones faith in her fellow man.

In This Mountain Audio CD.......2007-07-23

I obviously didn't read the product info well enough - this is an ABRIDGED audio book, which I don't enjoy; I like to hear every word the author wrote, and feel frustrated when the action doesn't flow smoothly as originally written, but hops and skips all over the place.

In This MOuntain.......2007-06-09

Like all the other Mitford Series I loved this one and looked forward to the next one!!

Dwindling ever dwindling.......2007-05-26

I very much enjoyed the first few books in this series, but it seems that the author had written herself out, alas, and had nothing much more worthwhile to say. This seventh offering in the lot is just not worth reading, when there are so many other books out there waiting.

For one thing, the author waxes more and more religious with each book. In this volume people are throwing prayers at each other on virtually every page, over the smallest of trifles. It gets a little annoying after a time, annoying and ludicrous. For example, when the bishop has chest pains, his secretary calls Father Tim and asks him to pray for the bishop. The call might have been spent to greater good in finding a competent cardiologist first. Jesus himself admonished his disciples to pray in private without fanfare or show, for those who pray loudest in public "have their reward." At various times Tim does remind himself to pray the prayer that always is answered: Thy will be done. Asking God to change his laws or abrogate the laws of nature feels wrong to me. Prayer and dogma get in the way of the story and weaken this novel to a great extent. That the prayers are answered in fiction is a matter of the writer stacking the cards that way.

Secondly, while I'm sure some readers are much taken with Dooley, I've found him unpleasant and occasionally obnoxious (for lack of better words) since book one. He is no better in book seven. Why Father Tim takes such pleasure from seeing him is beyond me. Dooley is self-centered and thoughtless.

My advice to a reader who has not read any of this series would be to stop after book four. There is nothing after that worth one's time.

Average customer rating:

Better than Spenser
Very exciting sequel
Unusual plot
Spider Mountain
Spyder Mountain Mystery

Spider Mountain: A Novel
P. T. Deutermann
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 031233379X
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

A huge dog came out of the woods from our right and lunged at my face. I ducked the snapping jaws by throwing myself backward hard enough to crack my head on the ground. The dog went over my head, landing in a heap, but then whirled around . . .

Summoned by a friend, ex-cop Cam Richter agrees to do a favor: investigate the assault of a young woman in a remote area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cam knows the misty hills and shadowed hollers of the park, and his outdoor skills might break a case that local cops can’t---or maybe don’t want to---solve.
Cam has no idea how dangerous his search will become, because in this part of Appalachia, matriarch Grinny Creigh and her extended family destroy those who intrude into their web. The Creighs control the crystal meth trade and own just about everything and everyone in their neck of the woods. But they also operate a much worse enterprise, a dark secret that terrifies any children unfortunate enough to come within their grasp.
Blocked by a menacing sheriff with ties to the family, Cam is shut down and sent away, no wiser about why the young woman was attacked and what she saw. He returns, stealthily stalking the Creighs and their secrets, moving ever closer to Grinny’s mountain house and what it might conceal . . . not knowing that his presence on her web has been detected, and that the Creighs are hunting him with creatures bred for that purpose and starved into relentless fury.
Spider Mountain features nonstop action, frightening night pursuits through deep wilderness, and a shocking finale---a masterful novel of suspense by the author of The Cat Dancers.

Customer Reviews:

Better than Spenser.......2007-09-14

Fans of Robert B. Parker's style of novels will find this a rare treat. "Spider Mountain" is just a touch better than Parker's work, even when he was at his best (which has been a while).
Also, living in the western N.C. area, I found this book VERY plausable, which makes sense, since P.T. also lives in N.C.
Basically, it's one of those books that, you like the characters so much, you just don't want to see it end.

Very exciting sequel.......2007-05-31

This sequel to "Cat Dancers" is a stand alone story but reading the first book would help understand the characters and some of the story line. That said, don't start this one unless you are prepared to dedicate some seriou time to finishing it. The action is constant, the dialogue crisp and the bad guys are really bad. The story takes place in the North Carolina mountains with Cam and his two German Shepards helping out a friend with an unusual assault case. From there things pretty much go downhill for Cam. There are a lot of interesing characters and plenty of action and hair raising adventure. Frick and Frack bring a lot to the story as Cam's friends and protectors. Mr. Deutermann is one of the best thriller/mystery writers around today. I suspect there will be a third novel in this series. Highly recommended.

Unusual plot.......2007-05-24

I have purchased all the books this author has published. Each one possesses an interesting plot, taunt action, exciting pace and is well-written. This one involves some of the most sinister villains yet. You have it all: corrupt political figures, dishonest cops, violent rednecks, horrible deaths, pursuit by bloodthirsty huge dogs, drugs, white slavery, sale of little children, evil foreigners, retarded offspring, Western North Carolina Mountain setting, a powerful matriarch, and likeable protagonists. My only quibble is the actions of the principal hero pretty unbelievable, thus the four stars. Still, it's a good read. I recommend it to any reader for a breathless adventure.

Spider Mountain.......2007-05-10

Another great novel from Mr. Deutermann, well written, an unexpected ending to a good running plot. Didn't want to put the book down. Let's hope there are more to come.

Spyder Mountain Mystery.......2007-03-29

This book I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the first protagonist (Cam Richter) that was brought back for a second story that Pete Deutermann has written. All the characters in the book are realistic people and even though creations of the author's imagination ring true as I've seen similar characters during my lifetime. The best thing to do with this book is to read the first one as well as this one to get the proper background, even though the 2nd story stands on its own merits!

A Rockhounding Guide To North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains

Average customer rating:

Very good little book short and to the point
Nicely Done!

A Rockhounding Guide To North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains
Michael Streeter
Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 1889596159
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Product Description

Geologist Michael Streeter includes everything you need to know to have a rockhounding adventure: clear, concise directions to each site, a list of rocks and minerals to be found there, recommended tools, color photographs of mineral specimens, and a glossary of geological terms. Guidelines for safe and responsible collecting, along with information on the region's colorful mining history, make this a very useful and educational guide.

Customer Reviews:

Very good little book short and to the point.......2007-01-30

This little book was very good. It gives GPS info and map pictures to help you find the spot. The pictures in the book are black and white but if you turn to the back you can view the same pictures in color. I, myself need to see the color pictures to help me know what to look for. Many books are only in black and white and that bothers me. So, with the color pictures, good directions and short to the point info, I really liked this book. If you are going to North Carolina looking for rocks then buy this book !

Nicely Done!.......2004-07-02

This is the kind of book all rockhounds dream about -- it gives you everything you need to know to get to a location and actually find something! Mr. Streeter's knowledge as a geologist combined with his gift for narrative plus his experience as a rockhound all come together to make this boook as enjoyable as it is useful. He lists sites by county and each site has everything you need to know clearly labeled and easy to find: the name of the site, pictures of the site, a list of what can be found there, pictures of specimens collected there, information about the geology and history of the site as well as access information, equipment and tools you will need, latitude and longitude coordinates, maps, and directions. The maps include a map of the county showing where the site is located, a larger map showing where the county itself is situated, a topographical map of the area where the site is located, and a detailed road map with written directions and a star marking the actual collecting site! I really like the color pictures. They are so helpful because they are not museum specimens, they are pictures of real rocks, just like you might find when you visit the places he has written about. The appendix has a glossary, references, museums in the area, clubs in the area, and an index of the minerals and sites. Incredibly well done -- I can't think of anything this book is lacking!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler's Companion

Average customer rating:

Excellent resource for the GSMNP
The Bible for GSMNP Anglers...
A great guide book by a really nice guy

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler's Companion
Ian Rutter
Manufacturer: Frank Amato Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1571882413

Book Description

Between the weather, geology, geographic location, entomology, native plant life, and fisheries management policies have combined to create daunting obstacles for the Great Smoky Mountain fly-angler. In this book, Ian Rutter unlocks the secrets of this gorgeous region, including: trout streams, game fish, fishing methods, fishing seasons, catching larger trout, trout flies, and more. Some of the streams are closed to fishing for the study and preservation of brook trout populations, but those that are open to fishing are described individually, including fish species, productive flies and techniques, stream features, access, easy-to-read icons, and more. If you are fortunate enough to fish this beautiful, historical area of America, this handbook will be your perfect guide.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent resource for the GSMNP.......2007-03-11

Ian did a great job of presenting the information on the park and identifying great placed to fish for trout. A highly recommended reading.

The Bible for GSMNP Anglers..........2006-03-16

A tribute to concise writing, Ian's book imparts exactly the amount of information needed to plan and fish the Smokies. I'm a dedicated fly fisher from Northern California who travels to Tennessee each Spring, and while there are other guide books describing the park, Ian's is the best at capturing the flavor of each stream and river.

What shines through all the information is Rutter's obvious love for these streams, rivers, and typically smallish trout. Indeed, he's widely regarded as a leading expert on the Brook Trout of the park, and even helps the scientific teams gather data about the range and recovery of the native Brook trout.

Adding a love of fly fishing to that level of knowledge - and wrapping it up in a direct, friendly writing style - and you've got a winner. Thumbs up.

A great guide book by a really nice guy.......2003-10-26

Up front I have to say that I have had the author guide me on three separate occasions. On one of those trips, he taught my wife how to fly fish in the Smokies and she caught some nice trout on dry flies. So he doesn't just write about fishing - he really fishes. If you are looking for a guide book that will tell you precisely where to fish and gives away all the prime spots; this isn't it. The author tells you where the streams are and how to get to them. He tells the equipment you need and some techniques. If you already know a little bit about trout fishing this is a perfect guide book. It has enough information but it isn't a kiss-and-tell book. Having read the other available books on the GSMNP, I can say this is the best of it's kind. If you want to really get the inside scoop hire Ian as a guide for a few days. He is a great guy and this is a great book!

Average customer rating:

Trout Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains
Outstanding book on trout fishing in the Smoky Mountains
A must for the tourist anglers in the Smokies

Smoky Mountains Trout Fishing Guide
Don Kirk
Manufacturer: Menasha Ridge Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0897320360

Book Description

The revised and updated edition of Smoky Mountains Trout fishing Guide covers all fishable streams within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This guide takes the guesswork out of both the geography and the fishing in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. This book is designed to help both experienced and novice anglers select waters that suit their tastes and abilities. You'll find a chapter on each of the major streams in the Park. Listed with each stream is such valuable data as its location, fishing pressure, species of trout found in that particular watershed, both auto and trail access routes, campsite accommodations, and other information. Also included are chapters covering the early history of trout fishing in the Park, information on the aquatic insects that are most abundant in the streams, proven dry and wet nymph patterns, tips on gear, spinner fishing, etc.

Customer Reviews:

Trout Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains.......2001-02-12

This is an excellent book. It is very well written and informative, too. I have fished several of the streams in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and it has helped me immensely. I can tell that Don Kirk is an accomplished fisherman, a lot of the authors only fish with their typewriter. He has made locating streams easier and offers very good advice on how to fish them. I would have to say that this is the best trout fishing book I have ever read and I have read many of them.

Outstanding book on trout fishing in the Smoky Mountains.......1998-03-21

This is one of the best books on Trout fishing the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. It is informative, well-written, and intersting. This is one of the best books I have ever read on Trout Fishing, period...

A must for the tourist anglers in the Smokies.......1998-03-19

This is an excellent book for the angler visiting the Smoky Mountains. This book lists all the streams in the area with the following information: type of fish, size of fish, size of stream, location and fishing pressure. If one wants to beat the crowds without shelling out the cash for a guide, by this book and a map and you are set.

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