Book Description
Long before the arrival of Columbus, the civilizations of Mesoamerica were among the most sophisticated and spectacular of the ancient world. In Exploring Mesoamerica, the second volume in the Places in Time series, John M. D. Pohl takes us on a guided tour of the most amazing archaeological sites of Mesoamerica, bringing to life the civilizations that once flourished there. Lavishly illustrated with photographs, maps, reconstructions, and site plans, Exploring Mesoamerica examines eighteen well-known archaeological sites from 2500 B.C. to 1519 A.D., from Izapa, Tikal, and Palenque to Cacaxtla, Casas Grandes, and Tenochititlan. Each site is a time capsule reflecting the cultural lifespan of that particular region and providing clues to the societal evolution of ancient Mesoamerica as a whole. Every chapter describes the history of a site's excavation and its most revealing architectural treasure, then goes on to discuss the people who lived there and the technological advances, class structures, and spiritual beliefs that characterized their culture. From intricate terraced gardens to palatial residences, from complex celestial calendars to thriving trade networks, Mesoamerican civilization springs into bold relief in this carefully researched volume. Most important, every site discussed is fully accessible to the public, and the author provides their locations, listing the museums that contain the primary artifacts for each. Lucidly written and based on the most current archaeological scholarship, Exploring Mesoamerica reopens this fascinating region for history buffs, armchair time-travelers, and anyone planning to explore these intriguing sites.
Book Description
10 b/w photos 65 maps Complete descriptions of 170 great day hikes on the AT Easy-to-read topographic maps and elevation profiles for each hike Plants, wildlife, and historical points to see along the way From the spruce forests of Tennessee and the leafy gorges of Virginia to the rolling Pennsylvania hills and the rocky heights of New England, the Appalachian Trail offers 2,200 miles of hiking opportunities. The five books in this series present accurate, detailed information for 170 day hikes (and a few overnighters), all recommended by AT experts. Where to start and finish, water sources and shelters, early exit options, and what to expect on the trail itself are described. Specially commissioned easy-to-read-and-use topographic maps and elevation profiles accompany each recommended hike; mileage data, the best direction to travel, route difficulty, and sources for additional maps and information are also included. Each book points out natural and historical featuresplants, trees, animals, landforms, bridges, vistasthat make the recommended hikes special. 32 hikes in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Customer Reviews:
Well worth the money.......2005-08-31
PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.
I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.
This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.
I have not used this edition as much as I have the other 2 guides that I own in this series, but it did come in handy during a spur of the moment trip to NC/TENN. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographical maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.
All 45 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.
When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.
So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in the 'Southern Appalchians', you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.
Exploring The Appalachian Trail: Georgia, North Carolina, Te.......2002-10-28
I checked this book out of my local library and found it to be the most informative book on the AT. The sections of the AT that I have personally hiked were very well covered in this book.It is very difficult to find accurate maps with tons of land marks and information the terrain. As well as a well thought out itinerary so you may better gauge your time and enjoy the trail, rather than worrying about where you are going to find water and shelter. So now I'm on amazon.com to buy this book to use on my next visit to the AT.
not for the out of stater.......2002-05-03
I'm probably spoiled by the AMC guides for New England, but I found this book to be somewhat uninvting and lacking in some key areas. The maps weren't all that great they clearly aren't for a guy from the north east who's trying to find his way through the red dirt maze that is North Georgia. Directions to the trailheads could be markedly improved, as some (particularly the ones I used) use forest service roads that park rangers (let alone easily purchased maps) don't know well.
The copy and descriptions are good once I got to the trailhead, and organized linearly along the trail. I really enjoyed the plots of trail elevation over distance.
A guide beyond the day hiker.......2000-09-25
I used this book to plan my first trip to the AT with a group of Boy Scouts. It was extremely useful in selecting my route. Especially useful was the trail summary in the beginning of each chapter. Also equally useful was the hike itinerary, giving distances between significant points. I found, however, the linear trail profile to be slightly misleading on a few sections of the trail. (More useful was the profile found in The Appalachian Trail Official Map from the Appalachian Trail conference.) This day hike book was perfect for my 5 day trip because each hike begins where the other left off. This was vital in my planning and I would highly recommend it for anyone needing a detailed description of the trail. Oh, and don't forget your hand lens. :)
Finally, planning a day hike is EASY..........2000-06-25
If you're planning to hike a small day or two-day section of the Appalachian trail in or around NC, this is the book for you. I wanted to hike a small section of the trail, but I only had two days and had to finish at a very specific point. I used the book to help me plan the hike and it was amazingly easy; none of the obstacles I expected caused problems. The hike went off without a hitch, thanks to the brilliantly organized hiking guide. Aside from the planning aspect, the topographical maps were priceless along the trail. I considered doing the hike without a planning book, but I'm thankful that I used such a quality source.
Book Description
More than a thousand years ago, a people known as the Anasazi lived in the North American Southwest. They produced pottery, baskets, and cloth, and engaged in trade. They were master builders and erected magnificent structures. Then in the last half of the thirteenth century, something mysterious happened. The Anasazi walked away from their world and vanished into history. But why?
One place to look for clues is in northwestern New Mexico, among the ruins of Chaco Canyon. The discovery of a network of roads leading to the canyon have led some archaeologists to believe that this may have been the very center of the Anasazi universe. But what drew them to this hot, dry canyon?
Customer Reviews:
Another wonderful Anasazi Read............2007-06-12
This book is well written with some wonderful photos to boot...I enjoyed this book thoroughly and very happy with the purchase. Great photos, nice layout. Definitely earned a place on my bookshelf!
Great Book!.......2003-12-23
What an awesome journey this was with Pete Lourie. I didn't know anything about the Chaco culture, but after reading Lourie's book, I was inspired to visit. When I got there it was exactly like Lourie had described it. I camped a few nights in the canyon. Lourie perfectly captured the mystery of the place.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Information.......2006-08-12
This is a wonderful book to read if you are wanting to go into the outdoors and handle your own survival. Pictures are well illustrated and presented and very realistic. If you plan on spending some time in the wilderness this is a must read with insightful information in the event you were stranded or lost. Allan MacFarlan did a good job with lots of information to absorb if you are considering camping, hiking or exploring on
your own.
An Exellent Book .......2005-09-14
This book is an exellent book for anyone who wants to learn how to survive in the wild without having to depend on help from someone else. Its got exellent information and itd definitely hepled me.
Great book!.......2000-06-12
This was an great book! The pictures did alot better than other popular survival books. A most have for any primitive survivalist or survivalist. Goes into much more deepth than othe survival books.
Book Description
The archaeological remnants of the first Americans tell a story of advanced civilization and culture. From the Pueblo dwellings of the Southwest to the buffalo jumps of the Great Plains to the coastal villages of the Northwest, the author combines the latest field research with accounts of tribal life to offer a new perspective on Native American history, culture and ritual.
Using a chronological and regional framework, Thomas describes each of the prehistoric early native cultures, including Paleoindians of the North, the moundbuilding Mississippian cultures, and the ancient Anasazi peoples of the Southwest. Covering nine million square miles and 25,000 years, Exploring Ancient Native America suggests more than four hundred accessible sites where individuals can observe the remains of prehistoric American cultures today. Thomas also includes relevant contributions from Native American scholars, poets, and activists on topics such as language, oral tradition, contact, and sacred sites. The mostcomprehensive guide available, Exploring Ancient Native America is an excellent primer on early Native American cultures in every region of the country for both the intrepid explorer and the armchair traveler.
Customer Reviews:
They are probably not arrowheads........2007-09-22
After fining an arrowhead in Colorado I was curious as to its provinence. In this book I learned that what we call arrowheads are projectile points, and too heavy for a bow, even though they seem small. And it may well be over 1,000 years old. This is a wonderful tour through Native American sites and the past.
Book Description
The best adventures and sites that Nova Scotia has to offer.
Nova Scotia is an attractive destination for travellers from all over the world. This book is a well-informed guide to the province's best and off-the-beaten-track attractions.
The fifth edition of this authoritative guide to the province presents the wide range of activities that keep visitors enthralled, from sea kayaking to golf, from shopping trips to genealogy searches. The authors take the readers down every interesting back road in the province. Previous editions have drawn rave reviews from residents and visitors alike.
This revised, expanded and fully updated activity guide offers more than 400 adventures as well as recommendations for accommodations and dining in all corners of the province.
Product Description
NULL
Customer Reviews:
Great help for planning........2006-10-10
I am in the process of section hiking the AT, and this book was a great supplement to the regular guides and maps. It was especially helpful in the more difficult sections such as the Mahoosuc Range because it identified the most and least strenous sections - very useful in planning where to stop and how many miles to try in a day. For example, for northbound hikers, the first 9-10 miles from Route 2 north are not too bad, while the rest are a real challenge. Instead of trying for the usual 10 or more miles per day, I knew where to plan for 5-mile days. I was not disappointed - these were TOUGH miles.
In general, the authors' descriptions of difficulty matched my experience on the trail. I am sometimes a little slower than they predict, but then, I am a little older than most of the people on the trail!
The book is NOT a complete guide to the AT sections - almost all of the hikes use other trails to access the AT. But it is still very useful.
In addition, the authors provide lots of human and natural history. Example: Want to know why there is a trail called Six Husbands in the White Mountains? It's because an Amerindian queen decided she wanted that many mates. They do refer to her as "polygamous" rather than "polyandrous," but that'a a quibble.
The maps (topographic and elevation profile) are a helpful reference, and information about road access is also helpful in planning.
Highly recommended!
Great Book!.......2000-06-06
A Helpful guide to hikes along the Appalation Trail in Maine. The guide gives general information as well as specific information about the trail. Each hike includes specific places, distances, where to find a lean-to, and water.
Book Description
Alexander Mackenzie (1763-1820), explorer and fur trader, was possibly the first white man to cross continental North America. He traveled mostly by canoe, determining his longitude by observing the eclipses of the planet Jupiter's satellites. He made two trips: one to the Arctic Ocean in 1789, and another to the Pacfic Ocean in 1793 (twelve years before Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark west). This edition includes both journals, plus Mackenzie's own General History of the Fur Trade.
Customer Reviews:
north by northwest, 2 miles. then south by southeast 1.2 miles...etc. etc........2007-06-19
if you like reading that kind of stuff for a page an a half - interrupted by the description of some exciting episode for maybe a paragraph, only to return to the endless and minute directional footnotes of the journey, then this book is for you! moreover, if you like to know the distance of every carrying-place from Churchill to the Great Slave lake, then this book is definitely for you!
while I enjoyed some parts of the book immensely, I cannot but feel that it was written in way too much detail, and probably for a different audience. perhaps an abridged version of Mackenzie's journals are in order.
Scott, Francis, while they may not have been great explorers (let's face it - they both perished and cost the lives of many of their companions through their sheer incompetence), were nonetheless great writers, that knew how to relate to their audience - both then and now. by comparison, Mackenzie is as dry as the bones of an old nag that died in the Arizona dessert a hundred years ago.
Product Description
NULL
Customer Reviews:
Excellent, provides everything from mileage to maps to descriptions for every inch of the AT.......2007-04-05
I have 2 books in this series, and have frequently used photocopied pages from them on my AT section hikes. I never needed to buy the AMC versions of the maps since comprehensive maps are provided within this book, along with mileage charts for road crossings, springs, campsites, landmarks, etc. for every section of the Trail.
Although this book is obviously geared for the day-hiker or overnighter, it has also come in handy on my longer hikes. And the writers have narrowed down every section into either 1- or 2-day hikes, along with directions to the trailheads (even in the remote 100-Mile Wilderness section in Maine!), proving that the AT can be enjoyed by casual hikers as well as hardcore mile-crunchers.
Cons: This book, and the others in the series, is seriously due for an updated edition. Lots has changed along the trail even in 8 years. (carrying up-to-date pages from the ALDHA Thru-Hikers' Companion is necessary to have the full info). Also, the maps are two-color, making certain features hard to read, i.e. roads are the same color as elevation markings.
Well worth the money..........2005-08-31
PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.
I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.
This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.
I have only done a few of the hikes in the Mid-Atlantic Guide, all of which have been out and back day hikes, and this book has been very informative during these hikes. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographocal maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.
All 41 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.
When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.
So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in PA, you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.
Must-have for scout leaders / Excellent for planning hikes.......2003-12-08
It is clear that these authors were not kidding when they stated that they have a love affair with the Appalachian Trail. The descriptions not only cover all you need to know to be prepared to hike a certain section, but there's lots of history and local color as well.
I've used this book successfully to plan hikes for a youth group. I must admit I disregarded the advice that a certain section (Knife's Edge) was not for those suffering from vertigo and sure enough, the group of kids I took on this section included one who suffered severely from fear of heights. But the kids worked together to get through that section and all was very well in the end.
This book is by no means dry. Sprinkled here and there are humorous passages, like the classification of vampire rocks versus jumping rocks. A pollution-damaged section is described as "shaved clean."
An experienced hiker who has decided to hike section-hike or day-hike the trail between Harper's Ferry and the New York / Connecticut state line needs no other guide. I also recommend this book for the library of every youth group, particularly scouts, in this geographic area that would (or should) plan hiking outings as part of their yearly plans.
Excellent book for detailed sectional or thru hikes on AT.......1999-06-08
There are many books about the AT, but this one is superb for it's detail and attention to partial sections for hiking. Can be used for thru hiking as well. Gives day and overnight parking details, profile of terrain, degree of difficulty, recommended direction, water and shelter locations, topo maps, mileage etc. Everything that a hiker needs!! Excellent.
Book Description
This must-have guide details the island¿s best hiking and biking trails, and includes a section of kayaking trips.
Customer Reviews:
AN ISLAND MUST HAVE.......2003-01-30
A DETAILED MUST HAVE GUIDE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO EXPLORE THE VINEYARD'S WATERS, PATHS, AND TRAILS. EXCELLENT MAPS, LOCAL HISTORY, BOTANICAL AND WILDLIFE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COMBINED TO ENHANCE EVERY ADVENTURE. A GREAT GIFT FOR A NEWCOMER TO THE ISLAND.
A Must-Have!.......2003-01-30
I've been vacationing on the Vineyard for about a decade - but only last year picked up this great book, packed with terrific suggestions on places to go to see the "real" Vineyard -- on foot, on bike and even on kayak. The format is easy to follow - providing local history, step-by-step directions, and details on what you'll see along the way, such as the types of flowers, birds and trees. There seems to be a wide variety of activities (I didn't try any of the kayaking options), geared to people of all ages and fitness levels. The book is very well-researched, and since the summer I've recommended it to many Vineyard residents as well as to vacationers - there's something in it for everyone. I did found it helpful to tear out pages of interest and bring them with me, as the book is a sizable one. But I will be using it for years and years.
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