Reviews (13)

A fun attempt to showcase AT community
I read this book before my 2000 AT thru-hike and found the use of trail names confusing and kind of silly. I still feel that way now.
Great book.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in hiking part of or thru hiking the appalachian trail!

A trail to inspire us
"Walking the Appalachian Trail" captures the inspiring qualities of our most famous long-distance hiking trail.The history of the trail is in this book, and so are plenty of anecdotes that make the A.T. seem like it's right next door.I'm a day hiker (never a long-distance hiker), but this book still inspires me to hit the trail again, be it on the A.T. or a regional trail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Trail    2. Cycling - General    3. Description and travel    4. Hiking    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Walking    8. North America    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. USA    11. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (4)

good place to start
I thought that it was a volume 2 to "walking for pleasure exercise" but it is really a revision of it. So either one is sufficent, no need for both books by this author. Covers the topics needed to get a good start on exercise walking, a little bit more on diet than the earlier book. A good choice for beginners
Malkin's book is excellent for the beginner. I can say that because I am one. Thoroughly informative!
Dr. Mort Malkin is one of the nation's leading authorities on aerobic walking. He has developed clinics, programs, seminars across the states. Also, check out his other best seller, "Walking, The Pleasure Exercise." Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerobics    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health aspects    6. Health/Fitness    7. Hypertension    8. Reducing exercises    9. Stress management    10. Walking    11. Weight Loss    12. Aerobics & Step    13. Diets & dieting    14. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (3)

Great "Catalogue" of American Log Construction
The golden era of handcrafted log construction was 1920's and 30's, and this wonderful book details, in project after project, the structures that had been built in America's National and State parks during that time. Cabins, lodges, visitor centers, even bridges, drinking fountains, fire pits, outhouses, and log benches-they all get photos, drawings, and commentary in this encyclopedic work.
great reference
This is a beautiful book and an excellent reference.It is a reprint of the three volume set published in 1938."Patterns From the Golden Age" is a cheaper reprint of the same thing - but the quality of the photos in this version is well worth the extra money.

Buildings and sites of the WPA and CCC era.
This is the best source book for the architectural projects and site concepts produced during the 1930's for the Works Projects Administration (WPA)and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).Albert Good's narrativeprovides insight into the motivating forces that employed thousands of outof work architects, engineers, skilled craftsmen and laborers to produceprojects that now form the core of our national and state parksystems.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Camping    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Design & Drafting    5. Design and construction    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Architecture And Design    8. Park buildings    9. Public Buildings Architecture    10. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    11. Recreation areas    12. Sports    13. Sports & Recreation    14. United States    15. Architecture / Design & Drafting    16. Architecture / General    17. Garden design & planning    18. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    19. Landscape art & architecture    20. Park    21. Photographs: portraits    22. Recreation    23. USA   

Reviews (1)

For all 'National Parks' Lovers and others...
Great Photos with good description of each National Park of America - what do you need more ?Read more

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. National parks and reserves    3. Parks & Campgrounds    4. Pictorial works    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds   

Reviews (15)

they shoot canoes dont they
Well, when it comes to books they, aren't my thing. you see, I don't like to read but when I read the book They Shoot Canoes Don't They by Patrick F Mcmanus, now I like to read a little bit better. The book is about this guy Patrick Mcmanus. He tells these little stories about what stupid things he has done and or this that have happed to him or his friends and family. Like this one little story his wife goes through the garage tossing junk in the garbage and she finds this one box with his childhood memories and the he tells a little story about what happened. It all starts when he first meets his wife and he takes her hunting. She puts on his antler tag as a bracelet and can't get it off then he tells a different, storybut Ill leave the restfor you to find out what happens.
They Shoot Canoes Don't They?
This collection of short stories is one of the funniest I have ever read.To fully understand the humor in these stories, you must enjoy outdoor activites and appreciate first-class sarcasm.Included in this book are about twenty-five chorts, all exploding with laughter at every turn of page.
They Shoot Canoes...
Another very enjoyable McManus collection. I first started reading his material in the 80's. Now my kids enjoy his humor with me. Great for anyone who has a love for the outdoors and all the misadventures they have experienced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Fishing    3. General    4. Humor    5. Hunting    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Outdoor recreation   

Reviews (17)

A great buy, at that price...
For what you pay (less than 20 bucks), this book more than satisfies.The sheer breadth of the topics covered is astounding.But it seems that Tawrell went for quantity instead of quality when he wrote this.A lot of the information included in the book is too brief, whetting the reader's interest and then leaving him hanging.This lack of depth hurts Tawrell's credability a bit, but for a book this size, I can understand his need for brevity.The book would have been much better (but more expensive) with photos instead of illustrations.Also, a few reviewers have mentioned the grammatical errors that abound in the book.This bothers me too (I'm an editor), but I can look past it.It almost seems to give the book a sort of old-fashioned charm.The layout of the information is a bit messy sometimes, but again, I'm sure it was done to cram as much information into the book as possible. This is a great source to introduce readers to the wilderness.It almost functions as an encyclopedia of sorts, since it covers such a broad area.You won't be disappointed with this book.It's well worth the cost.Trust me.

Survival is to try this
I bought this book because of the boy scouts and my son and to re-freash my outdoor life.I found the book to be very good and full of good thing and after reading other peoples thoughts of this book is wrong because until you try it out or the tricks of how it works and they do for I tried them or most of them on campouts and a few classes I went through its just you trying it more then once on a few of them others no problem at all.The one that work of you keep them in mine and the ones that don't keep trying them you will find the loop hole as they say.. I would give this book a very good try specally for scouting.

A very Good Book
I also believe that the reviewers are being a bit too critical of the book; it is a guide to outdoor survival.It is not a textbook on magnetism nor the science of burning wood.What this book offers is sound advice that covers a broad and diverse range of topics.Using illustrations rather than vast amounts of text, I believe the author has provided more information than I need.This is, I believe, I positive attribute in comparison to most texts of the "survival" genre.I do agree, though, that the editing is the poorest aspect of this book.It seems, at times, that the book was edited too hastely.Verb tenses are often in disagreement and the textseems just end mid-sentence.Although I find this is often the case in these types of books, it is nonetheless bothersome.Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Safety    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (3)

The Horror!
When you read Ms. Lankford's book, be prepared to get goosebumps or the chills, have the hair on your neck stand up, face one of your childhood fears or just plain get creeped out. She creeped me out with her very first story. It reminded me of two rules I have about bodies of water. One, if I can't see the bottom then I probably don't belong there and shouldn't go in. And two, if I don't heed my own advice and still go in then it's only to waist deep. No dangling legs for this boy.
I have seen you have references to Po-ho-no being Miwok myth, sorry it was Paiute.
I a Yosemite Indian and I heard your book has Po-ho-no as a Miwok myth. Sorry, but Po-ho-no or Pohono is Paiute. The original Native people of Yosemite were primarily Mono Paiutes. People at Yosemite National Park have injustly tried to erase us out of Yosemite and we can prove this. It is one of the biggest injustices in Native American history.

WOW!EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT'D BE~ and MORE!!
I have been waiting a long time for this book to come out. As soon as it was released I bought it right away.
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Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Ghosts    3. Haunted places    4. Hiking    5. National parks and reserves    6. Parks & Campgrounds    7. Special Interest - General    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    13. Ghosts & poltergeists    14. North America    15. Travel / Special Interest / General    16. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

Excellent!
As a book this has not been published yet, but I have read serializations of it in the English The Times.I'd have to say that this is one of the few books which give very rare insights into English and Italian football cultures.The writers, Gianlucci Vialli and Italian journalist Gabriele Marcotti, have extensive experience in both countries' footballing leagues, and they draw on a number of respected coaches and managers, amongst them Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Marcello Lippi and Fabian Capello, on how tactics, techniques and footballing cultures differ in and shape the two nations.As Vialli says, while England football is played with the heart, in Italy football is played with the brains.If you are concerned about how the English game can evolved to be the best in the world (which I seriously think it could), then, as this book prescribes, we should marry English passion with European astuteness.This is one of the most perceptive books on football that I have read.I find it fascinating and revealing at the same time.5 stars! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Sports & Recreation    3. England    4. Italy    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (3)

A must read for Orienteers and others interested in basic land nav
This book is clear, concise and well-organized.It covers all the fundamentals of orienteering, and I think anyone that read it would have a good idea of what to expect on arriving at their first O event.Anyone who completed some of the exercises should have some confidence that he or she could complete at least an intermediate level O course (assuming reasonably good fitness). The book also includes very basic information on physical training (anyone who is a serious runner will not learn a lot from those sections, but trail running is different than road running, so don't skip those sections if you are strictly a road runner).The book also includes dozens of activities to teach various skills, and a good glossary.I highly recommend this book.

Never Get Lost Again
This book is a MUST for anyone who dreams of wandering off the beaten path. It teaches the skills and techniques to ensure safe travel through the woods. Down to Earth, clear explanations and practical advice
Good from begginer to medium/advanced, this book covers the basics of navigation as well as advanced techniques, such as handrailing.There are equipment and training chapters as well, in all a comprehensive book on a great sport. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Orienteering    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Walking   

Reviews (10)

Good story
The book itself is hardy, heavy with an attractive format, lots of color pictures and advise for future travelers. This couple must have been in their fifties or early sixties and very adventurous and friendly. I will never own a motorhome but really enjoyed reading their story. Thanks for the book!

Tonight is the night
With great sadness, tonight,I will finish the book by the Halkyards.My husband and I were thinking of making the Mexico to Panama trek with our dog and were reticent but now after reading the book, we have changed our minds and are planning the adventure.
Share the adventure!
I enjoyed reading John's and Harriet's adventure so much that I couldn't put it down and was sorry when it ended.Aside from that, 99 Days to Panama is full of details of what to expect when traveling by road throughout Central America.I think anyone who enjoys traveling will enjoy reading about their experiences.I hope to read about more of their travels in the future! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Description and travel    3. Halkyard, Harriet    4. Halkyard, John    5. Parks & Campgrounds    6. Reference - General    7. Travel   

Reviews (3)

Not only basic but for the experinced also
I am not a big fan of Cliff , but having said that, this book is one of his best. Many great tips are given and will keep food on the table/lap on those long trips.
A Good Amount of Unique Information
Although I found a lot of this book to be useful, I was most impressed with the author's system to conserve fuel and speed cooking time while cooking outdoors in colder climates.

great basic book
This is a great basic book 70 page book on this subject. I have about 10 different books on camp cooking, and this one covers many areas of outdoor cooking including camp stoves, fire making, selecting the right pots and pans. How to pack lightly is covered as well as sources to find things. Then there are the recipes which all work great and tste delicious. The writer has a homey style that is very comfortable to read, kind of like an old friend or uncle explaining things to you.The book is affordable. The interior illustrations are nice too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Outdoor    4. Outdoor cookery    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Active outdoor pursuits    8. Cooking / Outdoor    9. General cookery   

Reviews (4)

Not really essential at all.
Since the way to get the Geocache locations is to go to the website and get them online, which also tells you everything else you need to know about the game, you don't really need this book at all.
Basics of navigation, outdoor safety and geocaching games
Both beginning and experienced geocachers can learn the basics of navigation, outdoor safety and geocaching games through this survey of an outdoor activity all ages can enjoy. 'Geocaching' uses a GPS receiver and map, compass and computer access to locate a 'virtual cache'. The better you hone your GPS navigational skills, the more quickly a cache can be located. A 'cache' is a hidden location where players can leave a variety of 'treasure' and clues - geocaching is a fun concept and Mike Dyer's The Essential Guide To Geocaching: Tracking Treasure With Your GPS provides all the basics.
Excellant resource on a great family activity
I found this book to be well-written and an easy to use guide on geo-caching.This book was clear and concise and made learning about this new sport easy to do.Geo-caching is a great activity to get the family outdoors and have fun altogether and this book certainily helped.
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Subjects:  1. Geocaching (Game)    2. Global Positioning System    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (4)

Nice...could be better...
Great diagrams to refresh your memory or make you consider investigating new techniques.But probably not a "field guide" as such due to the paper quality.
Technical Rescue Riggers Guide
One of the best, I highly recommend it as a quick refresher. The technology is excellent, and the illustrations clear. Lipke has distilled the material to the essence of what is needed to perform high end rescues.

Good, but...
This is an excellant field refrence guide providing that you have completed a class in rope rescue.Also, the pages are made of paper instead of plastic, which is the norm for Fire / Rescue field guides.Since it is made with paper, it is rendered useless quite quickly in adverse conditions.All in all, only buy this book if you are competent enough to understand the instruction and responsible enough to put it to good use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering    3. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    4. Technology / Industrial Health & Safety    5. Emergencies    6. Emergency medical technicians    7. Emergency medicine    8. Methods    9. Mountain Climbing    10. Mountaineering    11. Outdoor Life    12. Paramedical Technician Practice    13. Safety measures    14. Search and rescue operations   

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Outdoor Survival Techniques    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (2)

You mean it is in your backpack?
It's portable reference for everything backpacking. I can't imagine heading out into the wilderness without it. It covers everything from first-aid to a few sample recipies. The only thing I would change is an unexplicable change between the last edition and this one. Before the front and back covers were laminated which gave the book more survivability in your backpack. Since they bill it as a portable reference I'm at a loss to explain why it now has a standard cover. Obviously that has nothing to do with the info inside the book and that is, as I mentioned, invaluable.

Backpacker's Field Manual
For technique and a GREAT overall guide this book rates among the top.Add Walker IV, Mountaineering and Winter Hiking and Camping to the library and you are set for the outdoors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backpacking    2. Camping    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Hiking    5. Low-impact camping    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Recreation / Camping   

Reviews (6)

Excellent resource
I've reviewed many books for both my site and Amazon and this one is a real gem. I was a little skeptical at first but the recipes were great. The food tasted delicious when we took it on our trips.
A Really Helpful Guide
It was really helpful for me in pre-preparing easy to transport tasty meals. I have used a few other backpacking cookbooks but found this one the most helpful. I really loved the Sierra Spaghetti and the summer lasgna. I even make them to eat at home. I thought all the meals when rehydrated tasted amazingly fresh. I was really happy with my purchase and use of this book.

Not enough variety
This was the first backcountry cookbook I bought. I was looking for recipes that could be mostly assembled at home, would be lightweight to transport, and were easy to cook over a backpacking stove.
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Subjects:  1. Backpacking    2. Camping    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Drying    6. Equipment and supplies    7. Food    8. Hiking    9. Methods - Outdoor    10. Outdoor cookery    11. Active outdoor pursuits    12. Preserving   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    2. Nature    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Reference    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Reference works    9. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (8)

slim crib notes version
There are many types of books on survival, this one purports to help you make a safe place to live in an emergency.
total plan?more like general principles....
The Survival Retreat by Ragnar Benson (subtitled 'A Total Plan for Retreat Defense') is a slim volume and an interesting, if somewhat dated read that might best be aimed at someone who has never thought about serious security before. This book has several strengths and several weaknesses in my opinion. I'll outline what I consider to be the book's weaknesses first, then talk about what I did like... Save your money
Who in thier right mind tells you to stockpile gynasmite? very limited use info here, several points that make you think but i belive most would benefit more from a more common sense approach ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: American    3. Military - Strategy    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Personal & Practical Guides    6. Reference    7. Safety    8. Outdoor survival skills    9. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    10. USA   

Reviews (5)

Reality check for the Great Outdoors
This book is a fine overview of the history of search and rescue in the parks from one of the professionals in the field. In addition to lots of historical information, it provides plenty of food for thought for anybody planning an outdoor trip. There are lots of lessons to be learned from the mistakes of others.

Left me wanting to know more
If you are interested in the subject matter, it would be hard not to enjoy this book. I was amazed at the number of bodies that had to be left in the parks because they couldn't be retreived for one reason or another. I was also surprised to learn how many planes had crashed onto the lands or into the mountains of national parks. There are also the things you would expect, such as falls from mountain climbing and people who get lost while hiking. It was sad to read about the rangers who risked their lives and became heroes to save others, only to read about some of them succumbing to the dangers of the park themselves later on in the book. Many of the stories made me wish there was additional information, because I wanted to know more about what happened to these people. Overall a very engrossing book.

Compelling Gathering of Varied Narratives
As the NPS's Chief National Emergency Services Coordinator the author spent many years in the search and rescue business. In the course of his career he had access to the original records and was able to select most dramatic and cautionary stories. Each covers at most a few pages but the reader will want to keep reading. Very hard to put down and a substantial amount of research and good writing. Read more

Subjects:  1. Disaster Relief & Rescue Operations    2. General    3. History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: World    6. National Park Service    7. National parks and reserves    8. Parks & Campgrounds    9. Search and rescue operations    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. United States.    13. History / General    14. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    15. Nature / Essays   

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation