I have been working on a novel regarding Nordic Mythology for 2 years and have found Simek's Dictionary to be the single, best resource for checking facts in a quick, orderly fashion. Though a translation, it is very readable whether for research or browsing. Simek melds Teutonic and Norse subjects with etymology, cross references and original sources, as well as insightful interpretations and bibliography under entries. No pictures, all images are verbal.

William McKenzie is a former Northern Pacific Railway employee who has created this delightful narrative of the NP's dining car history, complete with numerous priceless photographs of gorgeous dining cars created by the Pullman Company and furnished with the finest of mahogany, crystal, Irish linens, etc. This is not a dry recitation of historical facts; the author has a gift for story-telling. A wonderful bonus to this historical jewel is a list of 150 NP recipes personally tested and modified for the reader by the author's wife. There is also a modest list of drinks and cocktails which the author assures the reader "Have not been tested"! This book will appeal to far more than the typical railfan; all those who enjoy good writing, especially of historical Americana, will find this a delightful discovery.

The book The Dinosaur Project, by Wayne Grady, describes the joint Canadian and Chinese paleontological project starting in 1985. During the course of this project, Canadian researchers worked alongside Chinese researchers in the paleontological cornucopia of the Gobi Desert, as well as Chinese workers working with Canadians in the also fruitful Southern Alberta Badlands and the Canadian High Arctic. The field areas are so harsh and the characters are so interesting that this book could easily be made into a Spielberg movie. The start of the book immediately draws in the reader by describing the history behind the project. This project is referred to as the largest and most ambitious modern dinosaur hunting expedition ever mounted. It detailed the networking of the Chinese and Canadian colleagues over several years at various conferences until the project eventually became a reality. Narrative style keeps the reader interested as the paleontogists go into extreme conditions in the field, and as their finds are put into perspective relative to contemporary paleontogical dogma. This book was surprisingly gripping for a bone book. It covered many important paleontological theories, but kept the jargon to a minimum. Quotations and anecdotes were often used to relay how science works as well; science both as an abstract methodology and also the reality of working in extreme conditions. One quotation in particularly was well-worded "science is a way of thinking; it's how we move from what we think we don't know to what we think we know" (Dale Russel). The anecdotal style of the book is what really makes it well-written.

As a group of short stories this book is quietly powerful. Each piece has is own soft lament for what has passed as the soul of a life. A lucky find for me at Kenny's in Galway!

Trevor Boyer's beautiful and accurate illustrations make this book a must-have for anyone researching the physical attributes of various North American waterfowl. John Gooders writes well; the book is an easy and enjoyable read and not at all dry as one might find in other reference books. The only minor problem I have with it is that the birds are not presented in alphabetical order, making it a little tedious to locate them in the table of contents.

This is a well written and engaging look into the importance of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indian villages as a pivotal point in trade systems during the late 1700's through early 1800's. Being located along the Missouri River in present day North Dakota, the Mandan/Hidatsa Indians traded horses, robes and furs to Canadian Fur Companies in return for guns and ammunition. They would then trade these goods for other commodities from various Northern Plains Indian Tribes, who previously may have traded with other tribes or the Spaniards further south. In part one, the authors give a lengthy but excellent and relevant chronological introduction as to the fur trade history of this geographical area. Part two includes five journals (or excerpts) of some of these Northwest Fur Company traders' first hand accounts depicting life as it was: John Macdonell's descriptions of the Indians, geography and trade in the 1790's; David Thompson's narrative describing his harrowing 1797 journey from Fort Assiniboine to the Mandan villages in the dead of winter; Larocque's two narratives, the "Missouri (1804)" and "Yellowstone (1805)" Journals, the latter of which, in the company with Crow Indians, he may possibly have been the first white man to descend the Yellowstone River, pre-dating William Clark by more than a year. The final narrative is of Charles McKenzie's four journeys to the Mandan villages (1804-1806), the first two in company with Larocque's expeditions. This is a fascinating read for fur trade enthusiasts and/or those whose interests are in early western exploration.

My daughters turned 6 & 8 this summer and we decided it was time to head out and see some of the great outdoors. I chose this book because I needed 'Easy Camping' given my daughters' ages. I'd also read another book by Tom Stienstra and enjoyed his style of writing.

Anyway, we've tried 2 of Tom's recommended excursions and they've both been absolutely amazing (Castle Rock Trail Camp and Pan Toll at Mt. Tamalpais). Although the book is called 'Easy Camping' that doesn't mean camping in a parking lot! My challenge was finding places that were a far enough walk that you'd feel like you were "out there" whilst not being too far for young children (my daughters can't hike more than about 3 miles with their backpacks). This book is right on the money in this respect.

I don't know about you but I often feel let down when I read guide books full of glowing recommendations only to visit a place and find it ain't that great. This doesn't happen with Tom Stienstra, what he describes is what you get. The book is well laid out with just the right balance of descriptive writing and details for planning a trip. I do recommend you call the sites before you visit however because his info on reservations, pricing, etc. is a little out of date.

Owning this book is like having your own personal guide to the best that Northern California has to offer for weekend/overnight camping with young children. Do yourself a favor - get this book and get out this weekend

A must read for anyone who wants more than the partisan or political slant on a horrifying event. Any story by people, for people, about people has much more impact. I have been reading and studying books on Northern Ireland for many years and none has drawn me into people's lives as this book has. By the end I knew these people and the loved ones they left behind. As hard as it is to tell, this story must never be forgotten. Thank you Denzil for making these people a permanent part of my life. Their remembrance day must be every day.

This is a wonderful book for elementary age girls. The reading is fun and light while sending a message that self esteem is something you can find inside yourself. The illustrations are also well done.

Reading this book, along with my other guide book to California, I discovered far more interesting things to do in "Extreme Adventures" during my visit to California. The "Extreme" doesn't always apply -- there are mellow hikes, bike rides, raft trips, etc. -- but if you're looking for some fun off the beaten trail, this is it! I liked Brad Olsen's other books "World Stompers" and "Sacred Places" too. He writes (and illustrates) in a way that I think I'm hanging out with the guy!