Straight from the Heart II: More True Stories of Remarkable Encounters with Once-in-a-Lifetime Horses

Product Description

In celebration of EQUUS' 25th anniversary the editors of EQUUS magazine have compiled a new selection of the best True Tales. Read about Lil Orphan Annie, an orphan foal who went on to win her first race; Sparky, the yard-sale special pony who brought joy to so many; and how one woman's love of horses began with Star, the fruit and vegetable man's horse. These stories will make you laugh and cry and remind you of the horses that are so special in your life.

Customer Reviews:

Great for youth and adults who love horses.......2003-07-18

This anthology contains good to very-well-written stories about horses and the people who love them. Most of this material appeared on the pages of EQUUS Magazine. The quality of writing in these tales improves after the first few until the horse and rider adventures become real page turners. Some are humorous or touching, others are imaginative or inspiring and some are tragic. The owners are men and women, teens and little children but they all respect and love their mounts. Some of these horses make millions of dollars for their owners while others teach their riders life's lessons. This is an excellent book for any horse owner. Suitable for children mature enough to understand horsemanship. I'm buying copies as presents for the children in my family.

Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits

Average customer rating:

A Comforting Look at Our Late Felines
Wonderful Read
A good read for cat lovers!
Wonderful stories of cats and the spirit world
Great book about the spirit realm of our pets

Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits
Dusty Rainbolt
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Ghost Stories of Pets and Animals
Pet Ghosts: Animal Encounters from Beyond the Grave
Personal Stories of Departed Pets (Haunted Encounters series)

ASIN: 1599210045

Book Description

A mezmerizing collection of strange and unexplainable encounters between human and feline.

Customer Reviews:

A Comforting Look at Our Late Felines.......2007-10-12

Dusty Rainbolt's book, Ghost Cats, was not at all spooky or scary (at least to me) as a few other readers have thought. I felt very comforted by the fact that our beloved kitties do not forget us when they are gone. And the fact that they do come back to check on us and to even say "goodbye" is a warm feeling for those of us whose hearts are so broken. I truly believed the stories in this book and all the "ghostly" appearances our feline friends make before going over the Rainbow Bridge forever -- to wait for us to join them someday. This book is on my Must-Read book list!!!

Wonderful Read.......2007-09-28

Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits is not a book to be missed! Dusty did a wonderful job with this somewhat controversial subject. And the stories submitted by people will bring tears to your eyes by the depth of love between them and their deceased feline family members. I have a story in there about one of my favorite cats and it still brings tears to my eyes as well as a sense of well being when I recall what happened that night Harrison passed to the Rainbow Bridge.

A good read for cat lovers!.......2007-09-24

I liked reading this book because there were many instances of seeing a ghost cat under different circumstances. From being a warning, to just saying goodbye, this was a good read from beginning to end. It was comforting also to know I was not the only one to have such an experience, that our animals friends do communicate with us while on this earth and also when departed.

Wonderful stories of cats and the spirit world.......2007-09-19

I love Ghost Cats. Ms. Rainbolt writes wonderful true stories about encounters with cats from the great beyond. I know these stories are true because one of the stories is mine (actually its not my story, its the story of my cats ghostly friends.) The other stories are both uplifting and comforting - its nice to know that a dearly departed friend might stop by to let you know all is well.

Great book about the spirit realm of our pets.......2007-09-19

I have really enjoyed reading this book! It really gives a great insight into the after lives of our pets. Its a must read for those who love to read spooky stories!

The Royal Hunt in Eurasian History (Encounters With Asia)

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An in-depth history of the tradition of the royal hunt as a vital component of political culture

The Royal Hunt in Eurasian History (Encounters With Asia)
Thomas T. Allsen
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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The Mongols and the West: 1221-1410 (The Medieval World)
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ASIN: 0812239261

Book Description

From antiquity to the nineteenth century, the royal hunt was a vital component of the political cultures of the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and China. Besides marking elite status, royal hunts functioned as inspection tours and imperial progresses, a means of asserting kingly authority over the countryside. The hunt was, in fact, the "court out-of-doors," an open-air theater for displays of majesty, the entertainment of guests, and the bestowal of favor on subjects.

In the conduct of interstate relations, great hunts were used to train armies, show the flag, and send diplomatic signals. Wars sometimes began as hunts and ended as celebratory chases. Often understood as a kind of covert military training, the royal hunt was subject to the same strict discipline as that applied in war and was also a source of innovation in military organization and tactics.

Just as human subjects were to recognize royal power, so was the natural kingdom brought within the power structure by means of the royal hunt. Hunting parks were centers of botanical exchange, military depots, early conservation reserves, and important links in local ecologies. The mastery of the king over nature served an important purpose in official renderings: as a manifestation of his possession of heavenly good fortune he could tame the natural world and keep his kingdom safe from marauding threats, human or animal. The exchanges of hunting partners--cheetahs, elephants, and even birds--became diplomatic tools as well as serving to create an elite hunting culture that transcended political allegiances and ecological frontiers.

This sweeping comparative work ranges from ancient Egypt to India under the Raj. With a magisterial command of contemporary sources, literature, material culture, and archaeology, Thomas T. Allsen chronicles the vast range of traditions surrounding this fabled royal occupation.

Customer Reviews:

An in-depth history of the tradition of the royal hunt as a vital component of political culture .......2006-08-07

The Royal Hunt In Eurasian History is an in-depth history of the tradition of the royal hunt as a vital component of political culture in the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and China, from antiquity to the nineteenth century. Once, the hunt was the "court out-of-doors", during which royal figures were on display and entertained guests or bestowed favors upon subjects. Chapters distill data from an exhaustive amount of research, revealing who hunted where during what eras, and on what scale, and scrutinizing every detail of hunts from animals used to game management and conservation techniques employed to how hunting was used as a measure of men and much more. An in-depth, scholarly historical study, The Royal Hunt In Eurasian History is very highly recommended, particularly for college libraries, but also as a valuable contribution to political history reference collections as well.

Average customer rating:

Encounters with Animals
Gerald DURRELL
Manufacturer: Rupert Hart Davis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0246635649

Outwitting Bears: The Essential Handbook for Living with Bears, Avoiding Encounters, and Preventing Attacks on Anyone Living in Bear Country

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Outwitting Bears: The Essential Handbook for Living with Bears, Avoiding Encounters, and Preventing Attacks on Anyone Living in Bear Country
Gary Brown
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Camping | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country
Backcountry Bear Basics: The Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics)
Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance (revised edition)

ASIN: 1585741604

Amazon.com

There are plenty of ways to entice bears to come your way: if you rub yourself down with peanut butter, wander through remote cranberry bogs, and slosh across busy salmon streams, you'll be sure to draw one or two curious bruins. If you live in bear country, however, you need not go to such extraordinary efforts to invite ursine company. All you have to do is leave your pet's food (or your pet) outside at night, make a habit of barbecuing on windy days, and keep the gate to your pasture or your front yard unlocked, and the bears will come a-calling.

Gary Brown, former chief ranger at Yellowstone National Park, knows bears and their behavior better than just about any writer alive. His compendium of ways to "outwit" bears offers handy recipes for how to behave if, in fact, you don't want to open your home to bearish visitors--and, for that matter, how to behave if you encounter a bear in the wild. (Don't run, Brown urges: you'll only make yourself a more attractive target to any sporting bear, which in any event can cover twice as much ground as you can in the same time.) Brown provides strategies for securing food and garbage to help make your dwelling bear-proof and effective ways to convince bears to go elsewhere if such bear-proofing efforts come up short--such as installing motion-sensor lights around the house and equipping your loved ones with portable air horns and "bear spray."

If you live in or near bear habitat, you'll find this book highly useful--and perhaps even a lifesaver. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

An essential book for anyone who camps or travels in bear country; or who has a home in areas where bears live or visit.

Smoking Mirror: An Encounter with Paul Gauguin (Art Encounters)

Average customer rating:

Loved It
cool story

Smoking Mirror: An Encounter with Paul Gauguin (Art Encounters)
Douglas Rees
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Casa Azul: An Encounter with Frida Kahlo (Art Encounters)
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ASIN: 0823048632

Book Description

This second book in the new Art Encounters series centers on Paul Gauguin's painting Landscape with Peacocks, or Matamoe, and recreates the world the artist found in Tahiti when he painted the picture in 1892. This action-packed South Sea adventure is about a young sailor, Joe Sloan, and his mission to avenge the death of his friend, Robert. Joe searches for Robert's girlfriend, a Tahitian girl named Tehane, to deliver the sad news personally. He doesn't have to go far before fate reunites him with his friend's killer, the Marquesan warrior, Gun, and his evil master, a man known as the White Wolf. As Joe navigates the unknown territory of Tahiti and its people, he finds an unlikely ally in French artist Paul Gauguin. In the course of the story, readers are introduced to Gauguin and his work, the artist's relationships with the Tahitian natives, and his artistic temperament.

Customer Reviews:

Loved It.......2005-03-23

This is such a masterfully written book. Even apart from the fact that it is based on historical events (interesting enough!), I thought the story worked so well as just a damn good story. If you have any interest at all in Paul Gauguin (or even if you don't!), I highly recommend this book.

cool story.......2005-02-21

This book is soooo cool! about a guy who gets revenge for his best friend's death at the hands of pirates. paul gaggin is in it too. he was a famous artist. he painted lots of pictures and had sex with lots of hot Tahitian girls! then he died of siphilis!

Maverick Cats: Encounters With Feral Cats

Average customer rating:

Fine book on feral cats
Fine book on feral cats
Delightful anecdotes and useful feral cat facts
On of the best and captivating non-fiction cat book EVER!!!!

Maverick Cats: Encounters With Feral Cats
Ellen Perry Berkeley
Manufacturer: Walker & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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The Stray Cat Handbook (Howell Reference Books)
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Living in Shadows: How to Help the Stray Cat in Your Life (Without Adding To the Problem)
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Community Approaches to Feral Cats: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations (Public Policy Series)

ASIN: 0802707149

Customer Reviews:

Fine book on feral cats.......2002-11-12

I found this in a Bennington, VT bookstore after my wife Andi pointed it out and bought it right away based on a warm description of how loving a cat could be, even moments after killing and gutting a grouse. Berkeley does a wonderful job of showing that duality of cats, of how at once they're incredibly close to us they are as well as being close to natural hunting machines. Warmly written, funny and touching, she also fills out the book with very well-researched scientific info on feral cats, and cat populations. A must-read if you're a cat person and owner.

Fine book on feral cats.......2002-11-12

Delightful anecdotes and useful feral cat facts.......2001-06-13

This book is out of print and copyrighted 1987, but it's the only book I found with information regarding a feral cat colony. The author's experiences with the feral cats living around her Vermont home are a delightful insight into the person/cat relationship, and her interest, curiosity, and research regarding the realities of feral cat colonies is incredibly useful to me, as a lay person is just starting to trap, spay/neuter, and return strays and ferals in the Los Angeles area. A must-read!

On of the best and captivating non-fiction cat book EVER!!!!.......1999-03-13

I was hooked! I love cats, and all other felines for that matter, but fiction is more my range. This, however, is a great book! I LOVED IT!!! A must read! Yay! Heheh!

Spirit Bear: Encounters with the White Bear of the Western Rainforest

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Spirit Bear:Encounters with White Bear of the Western Rainforest
Wow! Great for any bear lover
great content, credible author, fascinating photos
Fantastic!!!
Studying the white bears of Princess Royal Island

Spirit Bear: Encounters with the White Bear of the Western Rainforest
Charles Russell
Manufacturer: Key Porter Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nature & Wildlife | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Spirit Bear
Grizzly Seasons: Life with the Brown Bears of Kamchatka
Garden of the Spirit Bear: Life in the Great Northern Rainforest (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards))
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Touching Spirit Bear (rack)

ASIN: 1552634574

Book Description

Princess Royal Island--an uninhabited spot of land off the coast of British Columbia--is the home of the rare Kermode bear, a variety of grizzly bear. Also called the white, ghost or spirit bear, it has long been the subject of myth, curiousity and fascination to humans. Until recently, these animals had never been exposed to civilization. Now reissued with an introduction by the author, Spirit Bear is the story of Charles Russell's quest to forge a unique relationship of mutual trust with the rare spirit bear of Princess Royal Island. Russell was on the island to help Jeff and Sue Turner with their film, Island of the Ghost Bear. During the course of the shoot, he became intrigued with, and eventually befriended the shy young Spirit Bear who was the subject of the film. Russell has spent many years studying bears in their natural habitat. In this book he describes his early encounters with bears in the Rockies and Alaska, shared with his father, well-known writer Andy Russell, and his encounters with grizzlies in British Columbia's Khutzeymateen Valley. This wonderful book, which is illustrated with 100 breathtaking colour photographs, is part of an ongoing effort by conservationists to save Princess Royal Island as a sanctuary for the Kermode bear.

Customer Reviews:

Spirit Bear:Encounters with White Bear of the Western Rainforest.......2007-10-02

amazing photographs and experiences by author. I did not know the Spirit Bear existed until read this book. L'Ohanna

Wow! Great for any bear lover.......1999-07-15

This is a fascinating story of rare and beautiful animals and the crew of research photographers who became intimately associated with them. It offers some startling revelations into the life and behavior of bears. The Spirit Bear, or Kermode Bear, is a white genetic variety of black bear, found only on Princess Royal Island off British Columbia. The region is also home to black bears and grizzly bears which are included in the book as well. What is most remarkable here is how the bears on the island, which had very little prior human contact, accepted the crew with an open gentleness allowing many close encounters to be documented. The book is written in an engaging first person style and beautifully photographed with close ups of bears in various activities. It will surely be a favorite addition to the library of any nature lover.

great content, credible author, fascinating photos.......1999-06-04

Spirit Bear is the best combination of a well-conceived book design, telling photography, and an exceptional storyline. The author's credibility is supported by a three-generation family history in grizzly bear country. His true experience, though, is reflected in his down-to-earth sincerity and simplicity of reporting. Reverence, balanced with pragmatic humor, sets a very ageeable tone for this fascinating book. With only one very moderately bloody-nosed bear photo, you could quite readily share this book with children. I grew up in bear country and now live in the heart of tree-hugging country and I found this book to be true to the core of both. And a darn fine read.

Fantastic!!!.......1999-03-29

This book will give you the chills! A mystical yet true story on the nature of "wild animals" and the mystical and spiritual link between "us" and "them".Gorgeous full color photography. The book ends with the impending destruction of the Spirit Bears habitat by logging and a plea to save this unique island ecosystem.

Studying the white bears of Princess Royal Island.......1998-05-14

Eyeing you from the dust jacket of Spirit Bear is a very relaxed, improbable looking white bear with a benign, even friendly, air. It is the embodiment of the main subject of the book.

The author begins by summarizing his own and his family's long history and experience with black and grizzly bears. In so doing he establishes his credibility before describing his encounters with' the Kermode bear, a rare white variant of the black bear that inhabits some of the largely undisturbed west coast islands. Russell was wise to open in this manner as the story that follows truly stretches the reader's credulity.

After recounting how he came to be on Princess Royal Island to film the white bears with Sue and Jeff Turner, we learn how they got to know the Spirit Bear, and how they developed an extraordinary relationship with him. The Spirit Bear not only "enjoyed" human company, but he fished with people, slept beside them, and allowed the author to scratch and even tickle him between his toes! Perhaps most incredible is the incident when men and bear play tug-of-war, with the bear attempting to initiate a wrestling match without harming his human friends.

After these amazing adventures, the last chapter is somewhat disappointing. We read about how the author and the Turners, after several months' absence from Princess Royal Island during the winter, returned and spent their last summer finishing their film. However, only one brief paragraph is devoted to their meeting with the Spirit Bear and the renewal of their extraordinary friendship.

Book Description

In Wild Echoes, environmentalist and photographer Charles Bergman chronicles his experiences tracking down and interacting with the few remaining members of nine of North America's most endangered species. Bergman soars in the company of two of the last remaining California condors, swims with manatees, assists in the capture and release of a Florida panther, and comes face to face with the last remaining dusky seaside sparrow, a species now extinct.

As he relates these and other poignant encounters, Bergman describes the factors, both manufactured and natural, that have led to the animals' endangerment. He also examines the efforts of those who hope to pull species back from the brink of extinction. Wild Echoes was originally published in 1990; this 2003 edition contains a new introduction and substantial updates on the good news and the bad concerning the current status of the species Bergman discusses.

Customer Reviews:

A must-read classic.......2006-07-01

I've read Bergman's book twice over the past decade. It is beautifully written, and demonstrates detailed research as well as a real love of the environment and animals. Anyone who cares about nature should read this book. Bergman was ahead of his time when he wrote it.

Largely outdated, but provides good historical information........2004-04-08

I'm not sure exactly how to rate this one - I've been hedging between a 3.5 and a four, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and going with a four. For the time it was published (originally in 1990), it's probably a four-star book. What Bergman has done here is compiled his personal experiences with nine different endangered species (all North American). He's devoted a chapter to each: the wolf, the dusky seaside sparrow (now extinct), the California condor, the Florida Panther, the manatee, the Puerto Rican parrot, the black-footed ferret, the North Atlantic right whale, and the ivory-billed woodpecker (possibly extinct in North America). In each chapter Bergman gives us both a personal account (he has seen all of the above listed species in the wild except the dusky seaside sparrow, the last individuals of which were in captivity at the time, and have since died), and then explains both the history and current status of the species and what, if anything, is currently being done to help save it.

However, having been written in 1990, much of the "current" information is vastly outdated (particularly on the wolf and condor), so if you want the latest news, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Steve Grooms's "Return of the Wolf" is an excellent and comprehensive text on wolves, and while it too is a bit outdated, having been written in 1999, it is more recent than "Wild Echoes" by far, and much more factual. Lots of the information on wolves that Bergman provides here is either no longer true, or wasn't true at the time and has since been proven false (and, ironically, Bergman concentrates almost entirely on wolves in Alaska - the only place in America where wolves are NOT endangered). However, the historical background provided for each animal is very good (and quite interesting!), making this book more suited for historical study than as a reference on current events.

One other thing that concerns me is the philosophical side of Bergman's writing. He often writes in circles, and while I can understand and empathize with the gut responses he has to certain animals' situations, in the text he frequently contradicts himself. He says that when humans talk of "saving endangered species," it separates humans from other animals and gives us power over them, and he rails against this mentality, and yet he still emphasizes most strongly that we need to save them. He both rails against biologists, and alternately praises them hightly. Bergman also argues that starting captive breeding programs for severely endangered species is just another power-trip for humans, but does (almost grudgingly) admit that they do some good. And the most contradictory, he says: "I don't want more commonness. I want more of the rare" (pg. 240). He does not seem to recognize the fact that, once we have more of the species that are now rare, they will no longer be rare and will then be "common" themselves. Bergman also states in one chapter that today's culture is responsible for all endangered species. I understand what he meant, but it was poorly stated, considering that many, many species went extinct for various reasons before humans even existed.

But as I said before, outdatedness and philosophical loops aside, this is still a very worthwhile read for anyone interested in the history of these endangered species. Bergman has obviously done a great deal of research. The author's personal encounter stories are also interesting. The book is well-written and easy to read, with vivid and touching imagery (though I must admit I found Bergman's description of the right whale's body shape as "unavoidably phallic" (pg. 216) to be a less-than-attractive analogy, though he seems to have meant it as a compliment). The book also includes black-and-white photos of some of the species discussed, an appendix listing extinct species of the United States, and a second appendix with contact information for many wildlife advocacy groups. Though this is certainly not a definitive work on endangered species, it is nonetheless informative, interesting, and well worth the read.

Running With Reindeer: Encounters in Russian Lapland
Average customer rating:

Fantastic peek into a relatively unknown area of Russia!

Into Europe's "Last True Wilderness"

Running With Reindeer: Encounters in Russian Lapland
Roger Took
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0813342104
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Book Description

Exploring the wilderness of the Russian Lapland, Took shares his adventures spent with a reindeer-herding and hunting community on the fringes of the modern world.

Russian Lapland, a region of amazing contrasts. Here lies the last true wilderness of Europe, a rich and pristine ecosystem teeming with bird and animal life. But here too lie the dark, satanic mills of the former Soviet Union and the rotting remnants of nuclear submarines. Running with Reindeer is the first account in over a century to describe life in this harsh but beautiful land. Living among remote reindeer-herding and hunting families, Roger Took spends a decade following the lives and traditions of the indigenous Lapps, or Saami. He meets pioneering villagers descended from medieval Novgorod fur-traders who are now learning to cope with the new economy, and the men and women originally forced north to mine Russian Lapland's fabulous mineral wealth but are now unemployed and stranded. Avoiding the still vigilant security services, he explores the naval bases where nuclear-powered submarines are lying dangerously neglected. His encounters with the land and its inhabitants are dramatic and comical as well as emotionally disturbing and physically dangerous. Moving between the lines of the official histories, coping with arduous Arctic conditions, he writes compellingly, offering a vivid account of a unique part of Europe.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic peek into a relatively unknown area of Russia!.......2007-04-01

Who frequently tresspasses into closed military zones in Russia - sometimes for the purpose of viewing the wildlife and wilderness, other times for the purpose of viewing closed military and nuclear facilities? Roger Took, that's who. I'm certainly glad that he did, as it allowed for the creation of the fabulous book that is Running With Reindeer... but seriously, the man's got to be a tad nutty. I've done my share of crazy things in Russia, but did I ever sneak into any closed military zones? No. However, I suppose whether or not Took's actions have a bearing on his sanity doesn't really affect the outcome here, which was his creation of a stellar book.

Running With Reindeer chronicles Took's adventures in the Kola Peninsula, a frigid bit of land in the northwest corner of Russia, over the course of a decade. Took interacts with the remnants of the native Saami (Lapp) and Komi tribes. Took addresses in detail their force relocation during collectivization, and the impact it had on their formerly nomadic lives. He traces the influx and impact of ethnic-Russian settlers in Tsarist and Soviet times - and the effects of their post-Soviet exodus from Kola. He examines the Allied invasion of Russia at the end of WWI (this chapter is actually one of best accounts of this occurrence that I have read; most historians have a tendency to gloss over this for some reason). Took addresses the enormous problem of pollution in the once pristine Kola Peninsula and its impact on the neighboring countries of Finland and Norway. He also spends a significant amount of time discussing the environmental and geopolitical impact of the decay of Russia's Northern (nuclear) Fleet. Apparently, the Kola Peninsula is full of nuclear products and biproducts just ripe for the taking - which is quite distressing given the current fears over what would happen should nuclear materials fall into the wrong hands.

All in all, this book was fabulous. It provided an excellent glimpse into the lives and histories of the people of the Kola Peninsula, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Russia. My only complaint with the book was that I wish there had been more photographs!

Into Europe's "Last True Wilderness".......2004-06-16

Touted as Europe's "last true wilderness", Russian Lapland (which goes by a number of names, including the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk Region) lies mostly north of the Arctic Circle and is generally unknown to the West. This combination of undeveloped wilderness and mystery proved to be an irresistible destination for British art historian and fisherman Took, who made a number of trips there during the early to late 1990s. This book is the result of these trips he took to the region as well as a capable synthesis of the literature available on its inhabitants. It follows no distinct narrative pattern, hopscotching around in time and subject matter, as Took weaves his own travel narrative in with the history of the place.

Although a glance at a map might lead one to think otherwise, this is no arctic tale. Due to a surprisingly beneficent gulf stream, the climate is much more temperate than one might expect. Which is why a great deal of Took's travel involved backpacks, camping, and industrious plodding through wildernessónot to mention decrepit planes, trains, and automobiles, and the odd helicopter or ex-Army tracked vehicle. Indeed, despite the title, he actually spends very little time with reindeer herders, as most of his visits involve trekking to remote villages and hanging out with the locals. As Took recounts, the traditional nomadic reindeer herding culture underwent profound system shocks under Soviet rule, when the Saami (the correct term for Laps) were forced to settle and their herds were collectivized. The parallels to the American conquest of Native American tribes all too striking, right down to the forced education of Saami children at boarding schools where they would be beaten if they used their native tongue. And just as in many Native American communities, modern Saami settlements have extremely high rates of alcoholism. His encounters and friendships with these native fishermen and foresters is engrossing, especially when he delves into the issue of fishing rights, which are tightly regulated. There's a very illuminating chapter on the establishment of luxury fishing camps for wealthy Westerners.

Took's presentation of the area's history is quite fascinating as well, and he tries as much as possible to link it to people living there today. The region first came to prominent attention in the West in the 16th century, when trade routes were established, primarily seeking furs. Just after the turn of the century, an amazing wealth of minerals were discovered there, and mining became a large concern. Still, like Alaska, the area mostly remained a hinterland ó although it was a popular locale for gulag work camps. World War II saw the establishment of a front against German and Finnish troops, and the enlistment of thousands of native Saami to the Soviet Army ranks. Following the war, it acquired strategic significance with the advent of the Cold War, and much of it was militarized and placed off limits as numerous naval bases were built, and much of the Soviet nuclear submarine fleet was housed here.

Which brings me to the book's one problematic area. In his zeal to explore every square mile of the peninsula, Took continually butts up against restricted military zones. Now, these areas are generally little more than crumbling decommissioned bases, many housing nuclear submarines that area literally falling apart into the sea. Still, they are patrolled by special services, and they are explicitly no-go areas. Took repeatedly scoffs at the notion that these areas are still off-limits, and finally deliberately crosses into one for a period, going so far as to get close enough to a base to observe its workings. This strikes me as the height of Western arrogance as well as the height of stupidity. First of all, he's lucky not to have gotten shot by some nervous conscript, or trigger-happy patrol. Second, his actions immediately endanger everyone who assisted him on his various trips, placing them under suspicion. Thirdly, I wonder what he would make of a Russian adventurer who decided to poke his nose around some military zones in the UK? Yes, the rules about these areas may appear stupid and arbitrary, but it incumbent on all who travel to respect the laws of the country we are traveling in. Otherwise, we not only endanger ourselves, but those travelers who come after us. This is the one aspect of the book that really upset me.

By the end, Took has done much to dispelling the mystery of the region with his exhaustive travels and research. Ironically then, it is the sudden appearance of wealth in the go-go days of the late '90s that confounds him. In less than a decade, the Murmansk he first came to, with virtually no consumer culture or tourist infrastructure, is transformed into a fashion-concious city with boutiques aplenty, and heartbreaking child prostitutes. And upon reflection, this bleak end to the book is fitting for a region which, despite it's natural beauty, has seen a great deal of human and environmental catastrophe over the last century.

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