Book Description
Welcome to mystery lovers’ favorite destination: Alpine, Washington, Mary Daheim’s picturesque old logging town in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. From the Venison Inn to the Upper Crust Bakery, Front Street is jumping–and the nerve center of the community is the office of The Alpine Advocate, Emma Lord’s weekly newspaper, which keeps folks up to speed on everything from joyous weddings to sudden, violent death.
THE ALPINE SCANDAL
It’s a quiet morning at the Advocate until the mail brings shocking news: a formal obituary for Alpiner Elmer Nystrom. As far as anyone knows, Elmer is alive and well. But he hasn’t turned up for work, so Emma and her unstoppable House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, rush to the Nystrom home, where they find Elmer’s lifeless body in the henhouse, half buried under straw. Not only has he been murdered, but his obituary had been mailed before he died. Though Elmer was well liked by everyone, the same cannot be said of his standoffish wife or his son, the town’s new orthodontist.
Rumors fly–straight into the office of the Advocate. Why did Dr. Nystrom’s new receptionist resign at the end of her first day? Why are the Nystroms’ neighbors so close-mouthed? Who mailed that prophetic obituary? With Sheriff Milo Dodge in the hospital, it’s up to Emma and Vida to get to the bottom of the tragedy. Alpiners love scandal, and with Elmer’s murder, they’ll get their fill.
The Alpine Scandal, number nineteen in this bestselling series, is as suspenseful and charming as its predecessors, a delicious look into the life of a small town where all inhabitants know one another–just not as well as they thought.
Customer Reviews:
Read only if you've read A through R.......2007-07-24
Don't read this as your first Alpine mystery. To enjoy it you need to know and care about Emma Lord and her fellow Alpine townsfolk. There's not much mystery here, or plot. It's more about human foibles than murder. I enjoyed it, but it's not the best of the series.
Murder She Wrote set in the Mountains.......2007-06-13
If you like Murder She Wrote you will love this mystery set in the Cascade Mountains of Washington.
The Alpine Scandal: an Emma Lord Mystery.......2007-05-08
Mary Daheim is one of my favorite mystery writers. This series is her best. This book was a tiny bit anti-climatic at the end, but was a worthwhile read, never-the-less. Enjoy and rollicking ride in Alpine!
Emma searches for a killer.......2007-04-26
Emma Lord is the owner and publisher of the "Alpine Advocate" a weekly newspaper in the small community of Alpine, Washington. When she and her friend and employee, Vida Runkel, receive an obituary for Elmer Nystrom they are surprised because they did not realize that the car dealer had died. Upon investigation they discover Elmer's dead body in the henhouse behind his home. Emma Lord enjoys playing amateur detective, so she begins her own investigation alongside the "official" one which is being run by Milo, the town sheriff and Emma's occasional love interest. She uncovers some interesting relationships between Elmer's family, the neighbors, and Elmer's son's employees. Author Daheim includes all sorts of red herrings in her book, and the revelation of the truth will come as a surprise to the reader. The ending is a bit far-fetched, but it doesn't detract much from another enjoyable book in this long-running series.
Need an egg?.......2007-04-02
If so, don't look for one in the Nystrom chicken house. You could find yourself hurt or even worse there.
This is the 19th book in the series that is my personal favorite cozy mystery set. It is amazing that a town of 7000 can provide so many adventures and so many murders. Granted, Emma and Vida have occasionally wandered away from Alpine, but most have occured right there. This time we find the local Chevy repair manager down in the henhouse. It seems impossible, as everyone in town seemed to like him. Well, maybe not everyone, but that is not evident for a while. The mystery is well drawn with some interesting twists and turns along the way. A number of "possible leads" end up having very plausible explanations. The story should hold the interest of those who enjoy reading books of this genre.
For those of us who have read all the books, the more interesting play is often that retelling of smalltown life in the mountains. It was great to have Ben so prominently featured in this one. One hopes that Ben could be transferred to a permanent assignment there. The latest adventures of buffoon Ed Bronsky provide some chuckles. Vida is Vida. No more needs to be said. Milo's role is very interesting here. One sees a bit of vulnerability and even a tenderness that we have not seen so much before. Personally, I am a champion of Milo. I can hardly wait for Emma to come to her senses and realize that he stands head and shoulders above the likes of Tom, Rolf, and the other rather "plastic" men who have walked through her life.
For those who are new to this series, I would urge you to take them in order. There is a terrific story there. Mrs. DaHeim does a wonderful job of painting her characters, both those who continue through and those who show up for only a few books and then move on. My personal favorites are "Alpine Christmas" and "Alpine Quilt", but I do believe there is great value in walking the complete path of life in Alpine, Washington, during the last 13 years.
Enjoy your reading!
Book Description
For many mystery readers, Alpine, Washington–Mary Daheim’s fictional small town in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains–has become a beloved second home, a delicious retreat from the stresses of life. Yet the editor of The Alpine Advocate, Emma Lord, knows all too well that the picturesque old logging town is loaded with scandal: family feuds, illicit romance, chicanery, and sometimes deadly violence.
THE ALPINE RECLUSE
In the middle of a hot midsummer night, Emma is awakened by fire trucks rushing to a blaze at the nearby home of newlyweds Tim and Tiffany Rafferty. At daybreak, Tiffany and her unborn child are safe, but Tim, never blessed with good luck in all his thirty-plus years, has perished in the fierce conflagration. Sheriff Milo Dodge suspects murder and arson, and rumors fly from the Burger Barn and Mugs Ahoy to the Grocery Basket and the Venison Inn. Some swear the Rafferty marriage was crumbling. Others hint at stock fraud. A few mention momentary sightings of a possibly mad recluse known as Old Nick.
Sacrificing the heady enticements of a budding romance to nail down a great story, Emma shifts into high investigative gear while her fearless House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, rushes in where angels fear to tread: straight into the private lives of some of Alpine’s most respectable–and now terminally edgy–citizens. But neither Emma nor Vida suspects the unbelievable truth.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
On Fire.......2007-09-04
Mary Daheim has done it again. She's one of the best writers of this genre that I can recall. It's a must to read.
Emma Lord Made Me a Recluse.......2007-05-14
Once again, Mary Daheim has forced me to abandon my social life in order to catch up on the latest exploits of Emma Lord and her loyal staff at the Alpine Advocate. After 20 odd books, each character feels like family -- so much so, that I'm tempted to draw up a genealogy of the residents of this demi-mythical town! My husband can't understand my obsessions with series of mysteries like this; imagine his confusion when I recently discovered that Mary had written an entirely different series I have yet to complete! Here's an example from the Bed-and-Breakfast series... Major Vices (Bed-And-Breakfast Mysteries)
Brew a good cuppa tea and enjoy!
Not the Greatest in the Series.......2007-04-09
I really enjoy this series a lot and think it blows away the Bed & Breakfast series, which has gotten stale and stupid. This installment, however, was not the best in the series.
The resolution to the murder was disappointing. Under the circumstances of it, it also made no sense that the person involved in the confession. would try to keep it a secret. I was definitely let down when I finished reading it.
One thing I love about this series are all the side characters. You don't have to know who they are per se, but we've learned enough about them over the length of the series for them to fit well into the story. Milo, of course, is the best of them, and I'm disappointed the author hasn't gotten him together with Emma.
That being said, however, it's time for the character of Vida to disappear. In the beginning, she was somewhat amusing. Now, she's an annoying buttinsky who really serves no purpose to the stories other than to get on everyone's nerves by butting into their business. The stories got better when Ed Bronsky left the newspaper and was reduced to an occasional "walk-on" role -- it's time to do the same with Vida and her idiotic grandson, Roger.
Huh? the solution makes no sense.......2006-08-01
You know a mystery writer has run out of ideas when she relies on a confession to solve the crime. This book was written for the sake of sales, not because there was a story to tell. By the time it ended, there were stil a dozens of loose ends and the no evidense to support the solution.
Time to retire, Ms. Daheim, 'cause this series is done.
Fire In The Night.......2006-06-11
It's the middle of the night, when Emma Lord, owner of the Alpine Advocate, the local newspaper is awaken by fire trucks. The house down the road is on fire. Standing out with the rest of the neighbors, Emma is worried about newlyweds Tim and Tiffany and their unborn child.
At daybreak things look up as Tiffany is found to be safe, unfortunately the same can't be said for poor Tim. It's even more unfortunate when Sheriff Milo Dodge confirms that Tim was murdered before the fire was started.
Suspicion seems to fall on either local recluse Old Nick, who is rarely seen and seems to live somewhere in the forest. Or possibly on Tiffany herself, as there are rumors of marital discord.
As usual, Milo doesn't seem to be investigating fast enough for Emma, so she decides it up to her to start her own investigation and find the killer before an innocent person is accused of the crime.
Highlights:
Emma is always a delightful character and I always enjoy her communications with her son, Adam, who's a priest serving at the North Pole.
The Alpine residents. Leo Walsh & Vida Runkel from the paper. The Town Fool - Ed Bronsky who in this installment decides he might run for the county commission board. Emma's son, Adam and Spence, her rival, who owns the local radio station, thereby being able to scoop the paper on all the breaking stories.
Milo Dodge - The Sheriff, besides Emma, is the best character in the book and the best partner for her.
Lowlights:
Rolf Fisher. Emma's new boyfriend. We had to suffer through book after book with the love of her life, Tom and now it's looks like we're stuck with another jerk. Rolf is also a reporter and should understand Emma's responsibilities as the owner and editor of the Advocate. But when she forgets a date they have due to the murder that just happened and she's trying to cover, instead of being understanding when she says she'll still come down but she'll be late, he tells her he already made other plans that afternoon and not to bother. Anyone who makes other plans before finding out if you're going to show up for the date needs to be dropped instantly.
The mystery: I hated the murder, hated the resolution. I can't say why this entire mystery was so bad due to not wanting to give anything away.
You can't expect every book to be a gem, and I can't wait for the next book.
Book Description
Learn the Six Key Steps to Skiing Perfection!
Harald Harb, inventor of the Primary Movement Teaching System, has already helped thousands of professional and recreational skiers achieve ski mastery. Now, Harald reveals the basic lessons that will give you immediate mprovements –at any level!
This easy-to-use yet powerful program is proven to create success on the slopes, whether you are a coach, racer, recreational skier, or just starting out. With in-depth descriptions, clear, detailed photos, and its accompanying instructional DVD, these techniques and exercises will benefit all skiers.
Harald Harb’s Essentials of Skiing will show you how to:
• Perfectly coordinate your upper and lower body movements
• Increase your balancing ability
• Expertly control speed, carving arcs, flexing and tipping, poles, and much, much more
Whether you have never strapped on a pair of skis or hit the slopes every weekend, Harald Harb’s Essentials of Skiing is your guarantee of skiing success.
Customer Reviews:
Best skiing technique reference ever produced.......2007-09-23
Best skiing technique reference ever produced. Using these efficient techniques will enable me to ski to an old age.
For the technical and recreational skier.......2007-09-23
Whether you ski 7 days or 100 annually, this is the book for you. Considering what I have spent in group and private lessons at top-of-the-line ski schools this book and his others are a real deal. Plus you can read them again for free unlike ski school. When you feel the powerful improvements in your skiing, you will want to attend the ski clinics offered throughout ski season. I have no financial benefit from pushing the Harb methods, rather I am trying to save anyone who will listen the time, money, and frustration of trying to improve their skiing any other way.
Revolutionary Skiing Concepts.......2007-04-12
Learn the essential moves you'll need to become a more efficient skier. The concepts in this advanced guide can be applied to skiing in all conditions.
More Revolutionary than Georges Joubert.......2007-01-22
This book and Harld Harbs earlier Books "Anyone Can be an Expert Skier I & II" are more Revolutionary than Georges Joubert and Jean Vaurnet's book "Ski the New French Way" was in the 1960's. They finally abandon Hans Schneider's "Arlberg Technique" which has been the foundation of American Ski teaching since the 1930"s. This book is by far the best explanation and understanding of the Essential Movements of efficient skiing to date. It takes a different approach by breaking skiing down by the movements, isolating and identifying them on one hand and then showing how they integrate with each other on the other hand. This is an advanced book that addresses the movements of efficient carved turn skiing almost exclusively, that one can take and apply to skiing in all conditions. It builds on the foundation of the earlier books by Harald Harb, "Anyone Can Be and Expert Skier I & II". Since I am already familiar with those books it is not clear to me how well "The Essentials of Skiing" will be understood by readers who are not familiar with those earlier books. I would suggest those previous 2 books be read also to get a complete understanding. They also address less advanced skiing, with a progression to advanced skiing and skiing in different conditions.
The Best Skiing Instruction Book, Bar None!!!.......2007-01-04
I have all of Harald Harb's books on skiing. I discovered them 5 years ago. I immeditely knew that he was teaching something different. I bought his first two books (anyone can be an expert 1 and 2) and now I have this book. In my opinion, this is the best manual on how to ski ever written. It is a treatise on how to carve and on how to ski effectively and effortlessly in all conditions. The book focuses on 5 fundamental movements in skiing which Harald calls the essentals. Each one is discussed in detail and each chapter contains specific drills that will enable the reader to perform each essential correctly. Because of this, the book is of equal value to both beginners and advanced skiers.
In my opinion, these are the tools that every skier needs and without them improvement in skiing can be hard fought. This is not traditional ski instruction!!
As with any sport or disciplne, practice makes permanent!! This book give you the the movements to practice that all great skiers use. If you have skied for years yet still have a stem in steeper or more difficult terrain, this book will rid you of it forever. If you want to ski like the best skiers and racers, parallel in all terrain, in all snow conditions, buy this book. It will give you the fundamentals to make you as good a skier as you want to be.
I highly reccommend this book!!!
Book Description
"Covers more information than a week's worth of private lessons."Ski magazine
The All-Mountain Skier helps skiers advance their skills with a foolproof, self-instructional program for mastering advanced techniques in even the most challenging conditions. Drawing from his extensive experience as a ski professional, instructor Mark Elling delivers essential advice and informationincluding tips from other expert skiersto help readers perform like pros.
Customer Reviews:
Did not gain much after reading the whole book........2007-07-07
Do not agree with some of the "tools", especially "steering". Do not think that an intermediate skier (as myself) can benefit from the "tools" introduced in this book. I did learn something new in this book, though not much.
lacks diagrams, pictures, etc........2007-05-27
Yes, this book contains much information about the different components of skiing, ie., balance, weight transfer, pressure control, etc. etc. It also contains a wealth of exercises/drills that allows one to improve every aspect of how they ski...
Unfortunately, there are absolutely minimal pictures (cartoon drawings at best) to explain those concepts, and those exercises/drills..!! Yes, there are pictures - but they are mostly for posterity and not for supporting the words contained in the book.
For a subject like "Skiing," diagrams are a tremendous help, and this book has much to be desired on that area...
I Have Seen The Light, One Little Step At A Time.......2007-03-19
Woah. Problem with skiing instructors (and dance instructors too) is that they put too much into each hour lesson. With this book I was able to read it at bedtime, take it skiing and read it at lunch. I started with jumping around reading part and decided to take the author's advice and get my "tool set" in order so I started at the beginning. Whoa! 2 ski days this weekend and I feel like I've made incredible progress. (Trying to ski the black diamonds). Each chapter is full, but I would come away with one item at a time that I would remember on the slope.
If you are picking up speed that you don't want and then compulsively traversing the hill until you are stuck on your uphill ski, this is because you haven't completed your turn. That's me!! An expert skier is always turning, loading and unloading and using the C-shaped turn to keep their speed down. All of a sudden, the black was no longer scary! Going slow and falling on steeps is very harmless stuff!
Keep your stance very straight on shape skiis. People complain about burning quads and weak legs. It's because you are leaning into your boots and using your quads to take the energy in a turn. You should be using your bone structure. That's me!!! I was going to buy women's skiis because of this problem. Instead, I tightened my boots as stiff as I could so they wouldn't flex forward and I concentrated on skiing with a straigher leg, and guess what? I could ski the whole run and not get tired. (there are times when you need to get down, but a lot less than I thought).
I normally wouldn't think twice about my arms and pole planting. Boy, after reading that chapter last night, I decided to spend the whole day on the slope concentrating on my arms: shoulder width plus a little, don't swing your arms, swing your hands straight forward in relation to the skiis, and KEEP YOUR HANDS(BOTH) VISIBLE IN YOUR PERIPHERAL VISION! I wasn't doing this. You don't have to keep your hands way out in front or really wide like straight skiis demand. And the biggest thing about pole planting? You are always swinging the pole! Your pole is either coming from behind or planting and then falling away. This is pretty no brainer on tight S-turns(the secret behind steep skiing) but on the long GS turns, I was waiting and then at the last minute swinging my pole forward and planting. Brad says this causes your skiing to be erratic and low and behold, I saw a change immediately! All of a sudden it is all related into one fluid dance.
The expert skier is always turning, making us of the dynamics, turning complete "C" turns to maintain speed on the steep, and swinging their poles into plant (sometimes you use more of a pole, sometimes you don't). Everything falls into place. My turns started matching my pole rythm and/or vice versa and I started feeling like I was really skiing.
Get the latest edition, I believe it is the 2nd Edition because it has been updated for shape skiis.
John A. Davis
All-Mountain Skier: The way to Expert Skiing.......2007-03-16
What I appreciate the most about this book is that it covers everything...in detail! Understanding then incorporating the subtle adjustments to stance, conditions, equipment, etc. allows the refinements to become part of better form. That translates into more fun skiing. There are a lot of paperbacks out there. The two "must have" books are this one, and Witherell's "Athletic Skier".
All-Mountain Skier.......2006-12-22
I've bought three books about skiing recently and this is the best. I'm an aspiring expert skier. This book is really helping me reach my goals. The book has a chapter each on the repertoire of fundamental skills like stance, steering, outside ski dominance, edging, pressure control, etc. The book would great for that alone. But the book in later chapters explains how to use these tools to carve, ski powder, crud, bumps, steeps and trees. I'm reading this book again and again. It's the bible for people wanting to be and expert skier.
Book Description
A year-round guide to Colorado's fourteen-thousand foot peaks north of Pikes Peak, including snow climbs, technical routes, ski descents, and classic hikes. Routes are described in detail, shown on photos, and detailed on maps that are the most usable maps in any guidebook.
Customer Reviews:
Must have for Mountaineers!.......2007-02-07
I can't say enough about this book. The most accurate and most helpful information of all the 14er books. My favorite thing about it is that it provides info for all 4 seasons. Most 14er guidebooks, like Roach's, only provide info for summer hiking, but I'm not willing to sit around 9 months out of the year.
This is THE BOOK to get if you're looking to climb the 14ers. Buy this one first, then cross reference it with some of the others.
Dawson Makes You Get Off Your Duff..........2002-07-17
... and get out to the mountains he loves.
He was the first person in history to ski down all of Colorado's fourteeners. He's climbed all at least once and many several times. Among his accomplishments are four ascents up the Diamond face of Longs Peak, so it is no surprise that Longs Peak figures prominently in this text. Dawson began climbing at an early age, and has written several other guide books for hikers in Colorado. His illustrations are excellent, and his narratives are brief enough to keep your interest and meaty enough to provide the information most are looking for.
The peakbagger's best friend.......2002-06-22
Having climbed Colorado 14ers for more than 30 years, I've used all available guidebooks. First rule, remember that the info in the book is often wrong -- unless you're willing to think for yourself, avoiding mountains is the best bet. After that, to me Dawson is the best guidebook ever. Roach is good too -- it's good to have both. But in spite of the price difference, Dawson's 2 volumes are well worth it. And please, tread lightly!
Year Round Guide is Tops.......2000-09-23
I've read seemingly every 14er guide available. Much of the information overlaps as one can imagine. However, what really sets this (and the companion volume as well) one apart is the truly four season information that it provides. Louis gives you ratings for summer and snow climbs as well as ski descents. None of the other 14er guides I've read give you that. These volumes are often compared to Gerry Roach's books which are excellent in their own right. However, in my mind the information in Louis Dawson's guides is better as many of us climb in seasons other than summer!
a great guide for year round climbing.......1999-04-27
Lou Dawson is incredible, not only does he describe summer routes in this guide but makes one want to get out of their "warm" recliner and conquer some winter and spring routes as well. a must have book for Colorado's 14'ers. While you at it, get Vol 2 as well!
Book Description
·For climbers who know the basics and are ready to venture higher
·Written by longtime guides and climbing instructors certified by the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA)
·Teaches situational thinking and learning as well as technique
This intermediate-level guide addresses tools, skills, and techniques used in alpine terrain including rock, snow, ice, and glaciers at moderate altitude-approximately 5000 meters (16,000 feet) and lower. The technical protection systems are covered, of course. But 30 years of alpine climbing experience has convinced the authors that mastery-and safety-lie in the far more difficult task of knowing exactly which techniques to use, where and when. Therefore, they teach step-by-step decision-making skills, providing scenarios, checklists, and self-posed questions to inform the decision process.
Alpine Climbing assumes some prior knowledge, primarily in rock climbing skills and techniques. Basic knots, belaying, rappelling, building rock anchors, leading, placing rock protection, and movement skills on rock: variations of these skills that are of particular value in the alpine environment are addressed in this book.
Customer Reviews:
good book, well thought out.......2006-03-28
I agree with the reviewers above (below) that this book complements "Freedom of the Hills". In particular it focuses more on the decision making process than most books of these types. Although I've never traveled with either of the authors, they seem like lovely people and the stories they tell flesh them out for the reader. They also answered a question I had when I wrote them via email. In all, a solid book that it would do to put on your bookshelf.
Excellent book for anyone venturing into the mountains.......2005-11-16
The section on Common Problems with Decision Making was alone worthy the purchase!I could identify many issues and suggestions with my own experiences. Very well laid out book and a must read for anyone venturing into the sport of climbing, or those of us who wish to brush up on skills and ponder ways of continuous learning no matter the level of prior experience. One of definite climbing "bibles" written by people who do it for a living and are prepared to share their experiences and knowledge. Five stars IMHO!!! Happy climbing!
Must have for all aspiring and experienced climbers.......2005-10-24
A gem of a book for all aspiring and experienced climbers. Mark Houston and Kathy Cosley are highly respected working mountain guides. Their book is full of practical and modern advice based upon their years of climbing around the world. Climbers of every level will want this well written addition to their library.
Climb harder than Freedom of the Hills..........2005-08-10
...but not to the extreme.
This book is the second chapter in an aspiring alpinists handbook. I found myself over the years amassing a pile of pooks on running, fittness*, nutrition*, supplements*, advanced rock climbing, ice climbing, crevasse rescue, orienteering*, navigation*, avalanche evaluation, etc. This book would have saved me a few bucks by putting alot of this in one place.
* = These are covered well in this book.
If you know Freedom of the Hills like the back ouf your hand, have Extreme Alpinism and a good book on slightly more advanced rock skills, don't bother. If not, get it.
Even with this book, you need a resource of some sort in avy eval and advanced rock/rope skills.
Sweet spot between the basics and the extreme.......2004-12-28
This book hits the sweet spot between Freedom of the Hills and Mark Twight. Finally, a book for those of us who know the basics, maybe have done some guided mountaineering trips or novice routes, and already know how to rock climb, but need to know more in order to venture further on our own. The authors frame everything in terms of making decisions, which is very helpful when you are doing things for the first time. Good discussions of equipment, hazards, weather, navigation, and protective systems. The approach is very down to earth and practical.
Customer Reviews:
Too focused on plants instead of troughs.......2005-09-03
I was disappointed in this book for many reasons. I was looking for a resource on how to create different shapes, depths and sizes of hypertufa troughs. This book focused on fairly shallow, square troughs. Because most of the trough photographs were in black and white, it was difficult for a beginner to visualize how a finished product should look. Too much of the book was focused on the type of plants you can grow in troughs. I feel a trough is just a container with unique characteristics and was hoping for information on the kinds of problems trough gardners face and how to deal with those problems. I gave the book a 3 rating because chapter 2 - 'Constructing A Hypertufa Trough' was well done. Even with the lack of color photographs in this chapter, you will know how to create a small, square trough. If you are looking for creative trough ideas this is not the book.
Great resource for this niche gardening style.......2004-05-03
Stone agricultural troughs, either as a theme or an accent, can add a special look to a garden. Of course you don't have to use a real stone these days as cement can be used to create the troughs. But, whether stone or cement it still ends up extremely heavy. One way to get around this is to mix peat moss with the cement. This produces a much lighter weight, porous trough that looks like stone. That is the focus of this particular gardening book - how to make these "hypertufa" troughs, what plants do well in them, and some basic plan layouts for using them in a garden design. Pictures of the troughs created by these techniques show troughs and stones that appear very old with lichens and mosses growing on the sides. They remind me very much of pictures of ancient Mayan or Indonesian stone ruins. For anyone who wants to add this type of accent or wants to create a garden that has the appearance of ancient stone structures this is a book you will want to have.
Practical workbook...........2001-02-01
CREATING AND PLANTING GARDEN TROUGHS by Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt is a pragmatic and down-to-earth (or hypertufa) work book with 164 jam-packed detailed pages printed on non-gloss heavy paper. The book contains about 10 pages of color photos, so if you're looking for a "look-book" as opposed to a "work-book" don't stop here. TROUGHS won an American Horticultural Society Book Award, and like AHS publications and U.S.D.A. government publications this publication is filled with good, solid information. (Reminds me of the Girl Scout Handbook.)
Fingerut and Martin begin with an overview of the history and background of troughs (originally carved from solid stone and used to hold water for livestock). Even though most of the photos are in black and white, you obtain a clear idea of the beauty various shapes and sizes can add to your garden. The older troughs covered with moss are to die for.
A section on "Hypertufa" explains what it is and why it is useful for making incredibly lightweight and strong facsimiles of real stone troughs. Next, the reader is supplied a shopping list of ingredients, utensils and other supplies (rubber gloves, polystyrene foam, duct tape, etc.) needed for the trough-making project. Exact quantities and amounts are not provided, but ratios are given instead. This lack of exactness might prove frustrating to the new trough maker.
A good part of the book is devoted to the design and installation of plants in troughs. There are many excellent photos and an informative text describing plant choices, plant care, recommendations, etc.). If you aren't inclined to take on the obviously dirty and labor-intensive work of making your own troughs, you can check to see if your local garden supply store or nursery sells ready-made troughs and then use this book as a guide to filling them with plants.
Most Comprehensive Resource in Print!.......2000-04-04
For the novice or experienced trough maker or trough gardener, this book is a MUST HAVE. I could have been spared months of research and many lost hours in trough construction had this book been available when I began making troughs! A very organized presentation of material with breath taking color photographs, detailed resources, extensive plant index, and easy to assimilate instructions. I recommend this to all my "trough students"! A worthy investment!
Average customer rating:
- Well-characterized and cleverly crafted whodunnit
- What a series!
- Quite Quirky but Enjoyable
- endless reader
- Slow Beginning But Should Be A Great Series
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Alpine Advocate (Emma Lord Mysteries)
Mary Daheim
Manufacturer: Fawcett
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ASIN: 0345376722
Release Date: 1992-10-24 |
Book Description
The debut of the Emma Lord murder mystery series.
After a year as publisher-editor of the Alpine Advocate, Emma Lord feels fine about her move to this small town in the foothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains. What she really needs for her paper, though, is a big story. And she gets it--when handsome Mark Doukas, grandson of rich, old Neeny Doukas is murdered. Emma discovers that trying to get straight answers out of Neeny and his thin-lipped son is like poking a nest of sleeping rattlesnakes. What begins with an innocent story about the murdered man, ends with Emma conducting the most interesting, and probably the last, interview of her career from the wrong end of a .38....
Customer Reviews:
Well-characterized and cleverly crafted whodunnit.......2007-09-11
I picked up The Alpine Advocate virtually at random while searching for a new mystery and was pleasantly surprised. Emma Lord and the snowy Washington village she lives in do remind one of the impeccable Jessica Fletcher and her Eastern roots. There is something reminiscent here about Twin Peaks, with the eccentric locals and their closets full of skeletons. The novel does have its flaws: Ms. Daheim spends a few too many pages establshing a relationship between Emma and her old flame Tom and I impatiently read through these passages waiting for more clues about the murders. Although I dare not reveal the ending, the conclusion is quite satisfying, and it turned out to be one of those mysteries in which I thought I had everything figured out but was pleasantly surprised. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Daheim's mysteries, and have already ordered the second novel in the series.
What a series!.......2007-08-14
Meeting all the delightful residents of Alpine can be a challenge. Make a list as you go (that's what I did). You will be well rewarded as this series progresses; it provides a lot of chuckles, and you hardly care who-dun-it. As I write, I have read down to "Icon" and was only disappointed once!
Quite Quirky but Enjoyable.......2005-12-13
In this introduction to her Emma Lord series, Daheim sets the stage, introduces us to her recurring characters, and of course provides a fun little murder mystery to solve.
Since this is a fanciful, cozy style murder mystery, the reader is prepared for the inevitable eccentric characters and the necessity to sustain disbelief in the interest of having an enjoyable story experience. Still, some of the characters' quirks and some of the coincidences are sufficiently over the top to warrant mentioning here.
For example, the main character, Emma Lord, hit the jackpot when her former boyfriend died, leaving her a quite substantial insurance windfall. This explains her ability to move to a quaint and super-quirky small town, buy its only newspaper, and set herself up as its editor. I can accept this as a valid plot device intended to set the stage and move the story along. However, nothing really explains her ambivalence to an advertising manager of stellar incompetence who came with the purchase of the newspaper, and who actively works to sabotage the paper's profitability. Equally incompetent is her junior reporter, who is portrayed as a likable but harebrained bimbo who can't spell and forgets to remove her camera's lens cap when taking photos in the field. Small town or not, no editor puts up with that for any length of time.
But, "quirkiness" seems to be the watchword, as is further illustrated by some of the characters' outlandish nicknames ("Eeny" and "Neeny") and weird personal idiosyncrasies (like the sidekick's bizarre propensity to rub the daylights out of her eyes whenever she becomes upset, which happens at the drop of the hat).
A particularly hard-to-swallow coincidence is the friendship between the main character's son, Adam, and the lynchpin character whose arrival in town is the catalyst that dredges up ghosts of the past and sets the rest of the story in motion. (They met in Hawaii after Adam moved there for college, and he arranges for his mother to pick him up at the airport). Really, what are the odds?
Still, let none of this serve to dissuade you from reading this book. Whatever this book's shortcomings, they are minor in the overall scheme of things. For all their foibles, the characters turn out to be likable (or detestable, in the case of the bad guys); the setting is unique and compelling; and most importantly, the puzzle portion of this mystery evidences a nimble use of time, motive and unexpected story twists that will delight the reader.
All told, The Alpine Advocate is a solid murder mystery that will appeal to those who enjoy quirky murder cozies. It's not bad at all for the first of a series.
endless reader.......2005-04-28
Sentences TOO choppy. Becomes very tiring in the beginning. Almost gave up on reading it.
Slow Beginning But Should Be A Great Series.......2004-04-12
Having finished reading a "so so" mystery series,(Can't say which series.)
I have now started on Mary Daheim's second series of books. Her B & B Series is my favorite of all mystery series. I love them and am really looking forward to the Alpine books.
The Alpine Advocate is ok. A slow start, but many series start out slow. It was good enough to have me starting the second book as soon as I had finished it.
Emma Lord, 40ish year old former Seattle reporter was shocked when her fiancee, from twenty years previous died without ever remember to change beneficiary on his insurance policy at Boeing. With a windfall of a half million dollars, Emma buys two things, The Alpine Advocate, a newspaper in the small town of Alpine at the foot of the Cascade Mountains and a green Jaguar.
Emma as been publishing for a year when Mark Doukas, grandson of rich, old Neeny Doukas is murdered at an old boarded up mine on his grandfather's property. Rumors were that he had found gold.
Suspicion falls on another grandson, college student Chris who had just arrived in Alpine after being banished to Hawaii with his late mother, who had enraged her father for marrying someone he didn't approve of.
Sheriff Milo Dodge is trying to investigate but Emma keeps popping up asking questions and tracking down clues with her employee Vida.
Chris is Emma's son, Adam's college roommate and she doesn't want to believe he could be a killer. Plus, everyone else is acting suspicious.
Phoebe, who has been old Neeny's mistress for years. Mark's father Simon, who's having an affair. Marks' brother-in-law, Kent who he had a big fight with the night of the murder. And almost anyone else. Mark was not liked by very many people in Alpine.
Will Emma solve the crime or will the murderer think she's getting to close and put an end to her?
What I like about this book is that I liked so many of the people Emma is wonderful and so is Vida, a sixtish grandmother, who knows everything and everyone in Alpine and is related to half of them.
I liked Emma's sort of, starting to be, maybe but probably not, romance with Milo Dodge, the sheriff. She goes out with him, doesn't really enjoy it, finds him a little dull, but is a little put out when he doesn't at least try to make any kind of pass at her.
This leads me to what I don't like about the book.
Emma has a son, Adam in college in Hawaii, he seems to have the IQ of a turnip. He was born out of wedlock, the result of an affair, Emma had with married, Tom Cavanaugh, a wealthy publisher.
Tom had married a wealthy woman and used her money to become even wealthier. When Emma and his wife both became pregnant at the same time, he chose to stay with the money instead of Emma and has not helped her at all in Adam's support.
1. Emma keeps saying they were in love. If they were so much in love, how come his wife ended up pregant at the same time she did. Wouldn't you at least expect a man who's supposidly madly in love with you not to be sleeping with another woman, even if she's his wife.
2. Tom never supported or acknowledged, Adam. Emma says she told him, she could take care of the baby herself and didn't need him. That doesn't justify him not being a man and stepping up to the plate.
When he shows up in this book, Emma is still crazy about him. Now he wants to get close to Adam and help him. Nice, after twenty years and his own kids are a mess and his wife is halfway to a nuthouse.
Problem number two is also a man - Ed Bronsky, her advertising salesman at the newspaper. Ed spends most of his time trying to talk people out of taking ads, to take smaller ads, not to use pictures, in other words, try to make as little money for the paper as possible.
A newspaper can live or die on it's advertisement. Emma says she can't fire Ed because she's too soft hearted. There's a fine line between soft-hearted and soft-headed and she has definitely crossed over in this case. I know he's used for the humor value, but it just makes Emma look stupid, if she doesn't want to fire him, move him to another position, and hire a salesman, she could afford the extra person if she got someone who did his job.
Even with these problems, I enjoyed the book. I hope Emma realizes what a loser Tom is and he isn't too involved in future books. She should look a little closer at Milo, being a small town sheriff doesn't have to be a negative. Maybe he just needs some one to get him going.
I only gave the book 3 stars because I know how much better Mary Daheim can write and I'm sure the series is going to improve a lot more. The fact that I'm "excited" that I have 15 more of the books in this series to read, says a lot. The books are currently up to "P", Alpine Pursuit.
I'll be reviewing each as I finish them.
Book Description
A TRIP TO DIE FOR...
Accompanying her grandmother on a seniors tour of Switzerland, Emily Andrew had envisioned a vacation straight out of a travel brochure: spectacular scenery, great food, and a classy European hotel, all worlds away from her rural Iowa hometown. But her dream trip quickly snowballs into mayhem when smooth-talking tour escort Andy Simon is found dead. To be sure, Andy was as randy as a mountain goat on Viagra, hitting on every miss -- Swiss or otherwise -- within striking distance. His constant advances were driving Emily cuckoo -- but had someone orchestrated his untimely death?
For savvy, resourceful Emily, leading the tour in Andy's place is only natural. But she can't remain neutral when a fellow traveler takes a fatal plunge -- she's convinced a murderer lurks among them. With precision timing, sexy Etienne Miceli steps in to investigate, and Emily warms to the suave detective. Still, with the group roster suddenly sprouting more holes than the local cheese, Emily wonders: is there a safe haven anywhere in the shadow of the Alps?
Download Description
Accompanying her grandmother on a seniors tour of Switzerland, Emily Andrew had envisioned a vacation straight out of a travel brochure: spectacular scenery, great food, and a classy European hotel, all worlds away from her rural Iowa hometown. But her dream trip quickly snowballs into mayhem when smooth-talking tour escort Andy Simon is found dead. To be sure, Andy was as randy as a mountain goat on Viagra, hitting on every miss -- Swiss or otherwise -- within striking distance. His constant advances were driving Emily cuckoo -- but had someone orchestrated his untimely death? For savvy, resourceful Emily, leading the tour in Andy's place is only natural. But she can't remain neutral when a fellow traveler takes a fatal plunge -- she's convinced a murderer lurks among them. With precision timing, sexy Etienne Miceli steps in to investigate, and Emily warms to the suave detective. Still, with the group roster suddenly sprouting more holes than the local cheese, Emily wonders: is there a safe haven anywhere in the shadow of the Alps?
Customer Reviews:
Lots of fun and great characters!.......2007-09-20
I really enjoyed this lighthearted cozy mystery, right up to the end... then it fell apart for me. It was the dialogue. It felt contrived and cheesy (no pun intended). However, I was able to overlook that part and enjoyed the whole book as great fun. I especially loved Emily's grandmother - says what she thinks when she wants to and has good ol' fashioned common Midwestern sense. Lots of fun! Just ignore the silly dialogue at the end! I did laugh out loud several times while reading this, which I have only done when reading Stephanie Plum or Scumble River books. I will be reading more in this series.
Hilarious mystery !! .......2007-06-24
Emily Andrew is her grandmother's traveling companion on a senior citizens' tour to Switzerland. They check in at the hotels and "events" start to happen: people die, Emily repeatedly gets into water of one kind or another, the food is awful, someone else dies, Emily gets chummy with the police, their luxury hotel room never seems to materialize. And it goes on and on, all depicted by the very witty mind of Maddy Hunter.
I can't wait to read this whole series and the esccapes of of Emily Andrew.
Highly entertaining.......2007-01-19
This is the first in a series, and let me tell you - I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on the next book! I loved the main character (for you Evanovich fans, she has a lot in common with Stephanie Plum - down to the eccentric grandmother!) and the storyline was well done and kept you guessing. I laughed out loud several times through the book, and I'm hard pressed not to rush out and buy the rest of the series! One interesting note, though - part of the theme of the book - was that Iowans are particularly punctual people. My boss is from Iowa, and we consider him timely if he makes a meeting in the same day it was scheduled. So I wonder if he's an aberrant specimen or if her conclusions about Iowans are a little off the mark.
Laugh out loud funny!.......2006-07-02
As a frequent traveler, I can sympathize with some of the humor about touring foreign countries. Lighten up people, this is not a guidebook, it is a work of fiction :-) I recommend it to anyone who likes their mysteries with lots of humor.
Great New Find.......2006-05-11
THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK. I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.I LOVED THE WAY THEY TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFRET BUILDINGS IN THE TOWN. IT WAS A GREAT LIGHT MYSTERY READ. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT. I'M GOING TO GET THE REST OF THE SERIES.THIS IS ONE YOU JUST DON'T WANNA PUT DOWN ONCE YOU GET STARTED.THE STORY LINE JUST PULLS YOU IN. THE CARICTERS ARE WONDERFULL AND FUNNY.AND I LOVE THE TRIPS THEY TAKE. I JUST HAD TO GIVE IT 5 STARS FOR A GREAT FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES.
Amazon.com
With diagrams, photos, and extensive instruction from the experts, The Athletic Skier is designed to improve the skills of skiers concerned with equipment, technique, and training details. The authors conclude that the majority of recreational skiers are skiing far below their potential. Their solution? Start with equipment--make sure boots, skis, and poles fit correctly for maximum balance--and then learn to use that equipment as intended to carve turns. Once skiers feel balanced and can use their edges most effectively, they are ready to become "athletic skiers." The final chapters are devoted to advanced technique, conditioning and practice exercises, and instruction for racers and coaches.
Book Description
Warren Witherell is a legend in American skiing. Written for skiers from beginners to World Cup racers, "The Athletic Skier" covers the basics of ski and boot design; progresses through teaching and learning skills; reviews new technologies and choices in equipment; and concludes with racing techniques.
Customer Reviews:
Essential reading for anyone that aspires to become the best skier they can be........2006-01-16
As a full certified ski instructor with over 14 years teaching experience, and as a former club racer and High School coach, this is the only book I recommend to anyone (and everyone) that seeks to improve their skiing. In this book (and previously in his first book, How the Racer Skis) Witherell does more to define and clarify the skills necessary for achieving and mastering the highest level of skiing than the piles of PSIA books and manuals I accumulated during my five year progression from uncertified to full certified instructor. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL; Witerell also addresses the most critical, yet most overlooked, aspect of alpine skiing: THE EQUIPMENT. Most specifically BOOT FIT: fore/aft balance, and canting. In so doing Witherell attacks the "disease" that most skiers suffer from, poor fitting equipment (boots) that puts them out of balance and out of alignment and leads them to constantly struggle with compensating movements in a desperate and futile attempt to regain balance and compensate for poor alignment. So much ski instruction and (sadly) coaching only attempts to treat the symptoms (poor "technique": most often caused by compensating movements in attempt to try and correct equipment caused imbalance or alignment problems) and thus miserably fails the student or racer. When a student comes to a lesson for help with their skiing or a racer puts her trust in a coach they deserve to be taught and coached with, and given, the knowledge that is contained in this book.
Simply put for those that have knowledge of NASTAR handicapping, the information contained in this book (and two days skiing with Witherell) took me from an 18 or 19 handicap to a 7 or 8.
This book is even more critical and more cogent today than when it was first published 13 years ago considering today's shaped skis.
Buy this book. Read it. Address boot fit and canting. Read it again. Ski. Constantly play with your equipment, dialing it in. Ski. Play on your skis. Read this book again and again and again.
Skiing isn't as complicated as most instructors make it. Trust me. Trust this book. Warren Witherell and David Evard know what they're talking about.
Careful.......2005-10-09
As a PSIA Ski Instructor I would recommend folks be very careful about some of the canting information in this book. The book assumes that all bowlegged skiers are overcanted and while this is mostly true it is not absolutely true. Many bowlegged skiers (including myself) are naturally undercanted and the advice presented in this book is incorrect for us. This book seems to be the source for the 'if you are bowlegged, cant on the outside of the ski' common wisdom, and again that is simply not true in all cases. Canting solutions are individual and must not be over generalized. Instead, read the descriptions of what effects over or under canting can have and see which fits you. Then cant as necessary.
Also, I would say that this 'used to be' the definitive guide. After reading both this and All Mountain Skier by Mark Elling, I would definately recommend the latter. Ellings book is much more useful for actual practice. There is not much in here that is not better covered in Ellings book. Also, the technical information in Ellings book (on canting for example) is much more accurate.
Learning to ski.......1999-12-31
What can I say that the book doesn't already say. A great book for beginning to intermediate skiers. Including several sections covering your equipment and proper fitting techniques.
Improve Your Skiing - Read This Book.......1999-11-22
This book was written in 1993 (it is now almost 2000) and you may be tempted to think that this book is outdated. You couldn't be more wrong! Everything in this book is as relevant, if not more so, that when it was written.
The section on canting and alignment is amazing. On first reading I was sceptical. However, I have recently been correctly canted and aligned and am amazed at the difference. As an instructor and racer, I work a lot on my skiing technique. Being correctly aligned has shown the biggest single improvement in my skiing for years.
The techniques discussed in this book are also very very good. Most of them are now more relevant than when the book was written as they allow you to get the most out of the new generation of carving skis.
Buy this book, read it, read it again, be aligned and then ski better than ever.
THE definitive guide.......1998-11-04
If you buy only one book on skiing, this should be it. It is a joy to read, and re-read. Keep it on the coffee table at your ski condo and read any random chapter. You'll learn something.
Warren is the father of carving long before it became a fad. It is "how the racers ski" (which is also the name of his first book from the early 70's that is a classic).
The content if outstanding and the writing and presentation is equally as nice. Glossy pages, excellent photography.
I've given this book to more hard core skiers than I'd like to say.
The section on balance and alignment alone are worth the money. Buy it!
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