Battling the Inland Sea: American Political Culture, Public Policy, and the Sacramento Valley, 1850-1986

Book Description

In its natural condition the Sacramento Valley was a flood-ravaged region where an inland sea a hundred miles long regularly formed during the rainy season, to drain slowly away by the summer months. Today the Valley is marvelously productive, with a great capital city at its center, but only after a seventy-year struggle to devise and build an intricate thousand miles of levees and drains. Robert Kelley sets that battle within the encompassing national political culture, which produced, through the Republican and Democratic parties, widely diverging ideas about how best to reclaim the Valley from flood. He draws on approaches developed in the field of policy analysis to examine the relationship between American political culture and environmental policy-making. We find that the prolonged controversy over the Sacramento Valley illuminates American decision-making, then and now.

Customer Reviews:

A Fascinating History of the Sacramento Valley.......2000-06-13

If you've ever taken a guided factory tour, you know the difference between someone reciting memorized facts and someone who can call upon a deep reservoir of knowledge, accumulated over a lifetime, for information that will illuminate a particular subject. Mr. Kelley clearly belongs in the latter class. Reading his book, it is apparent that we are only scratching the surface of what this remarkable historian knows about the complex interplay of history, politics, personality and nature that conspired to produce the water system northern California has today.

The story of California water is fascinating, although perhaps only of real interest to Californians. Nevertheless, even if only for that audience, Mr. Kelley has written an entirely readable, yet simultaneously scholarly volume. Anyone interested in an introduction to the state of northern California's water situation should begin with this book.

In a general sense, however, this book is also about changing political and sociological trends in America beginning around 1850. The focus is on flooding in the Sacramento Valley, and its battles between gold miners and valley farmers, or between Republican engineers and Democratic populists, but parallels are probably found elsewhere in our country during the same period of history. I enjoyed this book tremendously.

Average customer rating:

Fishing for Dummies !!Mini!!

Fishing for Dummies is a must have book.

This mini book is usless as fishing book for beginners or any level

Buyer Beware- The Mini Version of this book is useless

Heavy Power, Fast Action

Fishing for Dummies
Peter Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Hungry Minds
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Basic Freshwater Fishing: Step-By-Step Guide to Tackle and Know-How That Catch the Favorite Fish in Your Area

Fishing Basics

What Fish Don't Want You to Know: An Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing

Fisherman's Ultimate Knot Guide

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fishing Basics (2nd Edition)

Accessories:

Field & Stream Trophy Bass 3-D

ASIN: 0764550284

Amazon.com

You know the saying: Give a man (or woman) a fish, and you give him dinner; teach a man (or woman) to fish and he'll have dinner for the rest of his life. The always entertaining and instructional "... for Dummies" series reeled in witty outdoors writer Peter Kaminsky to keep the rest of us fed--as in food for the table and food for thought--with this step-by-step guide to pretty much every right and obtuse angle on angling. As with all the books in the series, Fishing is filled with punchy advice, plenty of diagrams, and a series of Top 10 lists that should bag aspiring fishers hook, line, and sinker.

Book Description

No one can promise that you will catch fish all the time. Fish, after all, would just as soon never taste a hook or feel the sizzle of a frying pan. For as long as we have been catching fish, fish have also been outsmarting us. "That's why they call it fishing and not catching," goes the old saying. This book will help you fish, and it will help you catch, too. No matter how much you know, there are still a couple of tricks that even the oldest angler can pick up.

For those of you who have never fished, you will find enough in this book to get you started. You don't have to learn everything all at once. If you are already an angler, there are plenty of tips and techniques that you can turn to right away without going through the basics all over again. And you master anglers will also find this book a handy reference for all kinds of fishing questions.

Once you have a few basic pointers, fishing is as easy as falling off a log (which is something you want to avoid, as the splash will scare the fish). Fishing For Dummies will show you how to orchestrate all of your equipment into a fine-tuned fish-catching machine. You'll soon know all about

Your fishing equipment, from the rod in your hand to the hook on the very end of the line
The fish that people fish for, what they look like, and where they're found
The basics of bait-casting, spinning, and fly-casting
Fighting, landing, and releasing fish
Storing, cleaning, and cooking fish

Fishing is a great joy and a lifetime sport. You will find that there are successful fishing days and unsuccessful fishing days, but there is no such thing as a bad fishing day. This book can make fishing easier and more rewarding for you every time you pick up your rod and reel.

Customer Reviews:

Fishing for Dummies !!Mini!!.......2007-10-02

I feel that it is my duty to help bring down the review score that this book is getting. some people are obviously mistaking this book for another. The mini is a waste of paper. A book like this is an abuse of freedom of speech. How should a book about "how to fish" not give any information on how to fish. Robbery is against the law; and that's what this is. The best part of this book is the advice of bringing a sandwich with you. You'll need it when you catch no fish. I suggest getting any other book on the subject if you wish to learn about tying knots, casting, bait, etc. The purchaser of this book is sure to be dissatisfied at any cost. I guess there is a lot to be said in the title "Fishing for DUMMIES (MINI)".. Maybe I was a "little stupid" to buy it.

Fishing for Dummies is a must have book........2007-08-07

I recommend this book for the beginning angler. Well written and very informative. The book covers all elements needed to enjoy fishing and to catch fish. Love the book!!!

This mini book is usless as fishing book for beginners or any level.......2007-07-24

This book is not even useful for a reference. It talks about the anatomy of the hook; but no mention of the sizes or when to use these different sizes. It doesn't even mention how to tie on a hook.

This book mentions to take a thermometer with you to check the water temperature, since fish bite at certain temperatures; it fail to state these temperatures.

The diagrams are very few and confusing with not much text in reference to the diagrams in many cases.

No mention in the book of how to tie the line to hook or lure, where to attach float and/or sinker. No mention on how to use lures and for what fish.

The "search inside this book" feature on Amazon showed a lot more information than contained in this book and therefore was misleading.

If you know nothing about fishing and are just starting out, you are better served by asking the sales clerk in the sports department at a department store about the type of gear you will need and how it all comes together and what are the popular baits or lures they sell. You will get a whole lot more useful fishing information this way than from this book.

A fishing book which looked very useful for the beginner and as a reference is "Fishing Basics" Fishing Basics. I ordered this book from Amazon and I shall post a review after I read it.

Buyer Beware- The Mini Version of this book is useless.......2007-07-21

I cannot believe that the Fishing For Dummies Mini is getting the positive reviews that it is getting. People must be referencing the the original 300+ page Fishing For Dummies. The mini is approximately a 2 inch by 2 inch book that has the typesetting of a full-size book. If it was printed on full-size paper, I couldn't imagine it being over 20 pages in length. The Search Inside feature on the website is misleading because it is letting you look at the full-size book, not the mini that is offered here. I was very disappointed when this book arrived. It would make a good gag gift for a fishing enthusiast because it of its size. Please be careful and get the full size book as the mini covers pretty much very very basic items. If you have a small kid who has a limited attention span, this might be decent to introduce them to fishing. Otherwise, the book will probably be tossed to the side and you might not be able to find it again because it is so tiny. This was not the quality of the Dummies book that I have been accustomed to.

Heavy Power, Fast Action.......2006-12-11

Of the several fishing guides I have read, this is the best. It contains quite a lot of information and is easy to digest. This book covers pretty much all areas of fishing, which is pretty amazing. The one short coming of the book is its lack of depth about specific fish, but this is completely understandable since that would probably serve to confuse more than inform and would require many more pages. The knot diagrams are not the best: the illustrations are not that good and are often two pages later than the instructions.

Average customer rating:

Fly Fishing for Dummies not all that great
Falls short for beginners
This 'for Dummies' book misses the mark for dummies
Definitely NOT for beginners
Not Adequate

Fly Fishing for Dummies
Peter Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Hungry Minds
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 076455073X

Amazon.com

For the unschooled, fly-fishing can appear impossibly difficult and otherworldly, the province of tweedy sportsmen with enough time and money to look credible on the water. But as Peter Kaminsky explains in the opening chapter, this graceful method of catching fish doesn't require "the touch of a surgeon, the body mechanics of Tiger Woods, and the spirit of a Zen master." What it does require is a little dedication and good instruction--and Fly Fishing for Dummies delivers on the latter. This crash-course tutorial removes the mystery with chapters on gear, flies, casting, and fishing strategies. There's even a chapter on some of the great North American trout rivers. And the tone is far from tweedy, with plenty of good humor and trivia mixed into the excellent info. --Langdon Cook, Sports & Outdoors editor

Book Description

If you believe what you read, fly fishing requires the touch of a surgeon and the spirit of a Zen master. Forget about what you’ve heard about f ly fishing in the past, if you really want to learn how to fly fish all you need are the right tools, proper technique, and a positive attitude. With these essential elements you can begin to enjoy the sport of fly fishing in no time.

For those of you who have never held a fly rod, you will find enough information here to get you started. You won’t be forced to discover everything all at once. If you’re already a fly rodder, you’ll find plenty of tips and techniques that you can turn to right away without going through the basics all over again. And if you’re a master angler, you will find this book a handy reference for all kinds of questions.

Fly Fishing For Dummies explores the fun and fundamentals of fly fishing—from tying flies to reeling in your catch. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran angler, here you? 8217;ll find all the tips and tricks for choosing the right kind of gear; how and where to catch freshwater and saltwater fish; visual examples of the art of casting; and how to read the water, wade, cast, and (finally) land yourself a whopper. You’ll also find out how to:

Identify the best fish to fly fish for—from rainbow trout to black marlin
Improve your catch and release techniques
Continue your education through recommended references and online resources
Choose the right rod, reel, and gear to land the fish you are after
Master all the casting styles you’ll ever need
Tie your own flies or choose pre-made ones proven to get results

With over 150 illustrations and proven advice, Fly Fishing For Dummies is a great primer on fly fishing’s essential elements.

Customer Reviews:

Fly Fishing for Dummies not all that great.......2006-09-20

This book is an OK overview of the sport but there are much better books out there. Fly Fishing (A Trailside Guide) by John Merwin is one. Merwin's book has extrememly colorful pictures that get you excited about fishing and the illustrations make it very easy to learn somewhat complicated knots. Fly Fishing for Dummies doesn't do a horrible job of explaining things but different books I've read do a much better job making it easier to learn and much more enjoyable.

Falls short for beginners.......2006-05-27

I'm a big fan of the Dummies series but found this one very disappointing. The author goes into excruciating detail about some peripheral parts of fly fishing, while completely glancing over some of the essentials.

Much of the content is anecdotal at best, to the point that it feels like the author is just trying to fill up pages. For instance, he devotes two entire pages to what kind of vest he thinks you should have, and the section on sunglasses is almost laughable. The chapter on "Great Rivers for Trout" across the US belongs in a niche guide and feels hopelessly out of place in a beginner book.

In the mean time, Kaminsky completely skims over the essentials. While there are plenty of lectures about why you should get a case for your rod, the section on casting feels like an afterthought. I find it difficult to believe that the author has ever tried to teach a beginner to cast, nor could any beginner (like myself) learn to cast from his brief explanation. Other areas that left we with a lot of questions include fly selection, how fly fishing is affected by the seasons, and actual fishing strategies and techniques.

This 'for Dummies' book misses the mark for dummies.......2006-03-01

I liked the book but found it to be a 'miss' on illustrations and specifics. For a Dummies book I expected there to be the maximum amount of examples on how to set up a new rod, real and leaders and tippets.

I am brand new to fly fishing. I have a full set up that needs to be rigged and I just did find the book to have a step-by-step area in the book to show you how and where you should tie you flies on your leaders/tippet. I think a section saying "So you bought a new rod, real, lines and flies and now you need to set it up to fish" would be a perfect chapter to add. Then the author can start breaking it down piece by piece and the myriad of options for tying and set up.

Overall it gives you the basic idea but I think the author may have lost the "you know nothing" perspective when writing this book. I do know more after reading it.

Definitely NOT for beginners.......2005-07-29

I have been fly fishing for just over a year and decided to pick up this book to get another opinion on choosing flies, on-stream techniques, equipment to make everything a bit easier. Unfortunately, this book did nothing to help. Even the section on tying knots was more hindering than helpful (and I already knew how to tie most of them!). I'm still on the search for a decent book, but let me tell you, it's definitely not this one.

Not Adequate.......2005-07-14

This book does not tell you what you need to know to get started in fly fishing. Armed only with this book your initial enthusiasm will degrade into frustration. Fly fishing is a very knowledge and technique intensive sport and this book is very spotty here, although an enjoyable read. Try the L.L.Bean Fly-Fishing Handbook or some other book which gives you details on casting, strategies, and techniques and from there you will need to find a knowledgeable friend or guide to progress.

Average customer rating:

Fishing For Who?

Fishing Essentials for Dummies
Peter Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Courage Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0762412658

Book Description

Introducing our gift editions of selected For Dummies® titles! These hardcover books with stunning full-color photographs offer the best-selling how-to guides in a handsome new format. Just in time for Father's Day, this comprehensive look at a popular sport features instructions on identifying types of fish, lures, bait, and knots; choosing and using gear; packing a tackle box like a pro; developing a casting style; and cleaning and cooking the catch of the day.

Customer Reviews:

Fishing For Who?.......2007-02-05

I know absolutely nothing about fishing. The title suggested it may be elementary enough for even me to learn how.
If you know a little already, this may be nice reading on days you are house bound.

Wine Spectator's Champagne (Dummies Minis)

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Wine Spectator's Champagne (Dummies Minis)
Marvin R. Shanken
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Inshore Ocean Fishing for Dummies : Complete Guide to Fishing the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California Coast

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Inshore Ocean Fishing for Dummies : Complete Guide to Fishing the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California Coast
Gary Luerding
Manufacturer: Morris Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S7GCQG

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Fishing for Dummies 2007 Desk Calendar
John F. Turner
Manufacturer: John F. Turner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
ASIN: 1403849897

Fishing for Dummies Generic 6 Pocket Display

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Fishing for Dummies Generic 6 Pocket Display

Manufacturer: Hungry Minds Inc,U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Sears Fishing for Dummies One-Pocket Counter Prepa Ck

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Sears Fishing for Dummies One-Pocket Counter Prepa Ck

Manufacturer: Hungry Minds Inc,U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Sears Fly Fishing for Dummies One-Pocket Counter P Repack

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Sears Fly Fishing for Dummies One-Pocket Counter P Repack

Manufacturer: Hungry Minds Inc,U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Taxidermy Color or the Dummy Guide to Speedy Airbrush Color Workbook

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Taxidermy Color or the Dummy Guide to Speedy Airbrush Color Workbook
Gerald O. Schaefer
Manufacturer: Schaefer Studios
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0961492805

Customer Reviews:

Would have been 5 stars except for three problems........2000-06-30

Baedecker's is an old name in the travel guide world. I reallylove my Baedecker's Turkey except for two minor and one major problem.The first minor problem is that Pisidia Antiocha is not metioned in the book. I was hurt by this as it is near my home and this region of Turkey is quite proud of it. The second minor problem is the map that comes with the book is too large and cumbersome for use while driving. The major problem is the binding. After just two years of sparse usage the binding is completely wrecked. I love the book so now I will have to shell out the money to have it bound but since I already paid ... for it I think the binding should have lasted longer.

Baedeker Guide: Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's Guides)

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Baedeker Guide: Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's Guides)

Manufacturer: AA Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0749514191

Baedeker Turkey (Baedeker's Travel Guides)

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Baedeker Turkey (Baedeker's Travel Guides)
SONS
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671896865

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Baedeker's Turkey (AA Baedeker's Maps)

Manufacturer: Automobile Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map

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Baedeker's Turkey (AA Baedeker's S.)

Manufacturer: AA Baedeker's
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0749508639

Baedeker's Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's S.)

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Baedeker's Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's S.)

Manufacturer: AA Baedeker's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0749504145

Baedeker's Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's)

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Baedeker's Turkish Coast (AA Baedeker's)

Manufacturer: AA Baedeker's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0861456130

Baedeker Guide: Istanbul (AA Baedeker's Guides)

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Baedeker Guide: Istanbul (AA Baedeker's Guides)

Manufacturer: AA Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Baedeker Istanbul, 1996 (Baedeker's Istanbul)

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Baedeker Istanbul, 1996 (Baedeker's Istanbul)
Jarrold Baedeker
Manufacturer: Baedekers Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0028606779

Customer Reviews:

The Day Elvis came to Town.......2000-05-27

A great story of a young girl that lives in a hotel with her parents, until one day a different person comes to town. A lady that has a singing career and has been all across the country. They form a special friendship, both sharing a love for Elvis.

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