Reviews (5)

A good reference guide
This book was highly-recommended, and it does not disappoint. It provides useful maps and directions for locating trailheads, and detailed descriptions for planning short day hikes or longer multi-day treks for experienced backpackers.
High on a mountain
Since I moved to Georgia 5 years ago, this book has been my most reliable hiking companion. The maps and directions are good, and the trail descriptions are detailed. A handy sidebar tells you the important stuff: what towns the trail is near, what features you'll encounter, the difficulty rating, the ranger district, and the length. Trail histories and Cherokee name translations add interest to the excitement of hiking in the lush Appalachians.
Homan hits a homer
Tim Homan defined hiking in north Georgia.His trail descriptions and mileage are accepted as the most accurate.The directions to the trailheads are right on the money.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Georgia    3. Guidebooks    4. Hiking    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Trails    8. United States - South Atlantic - Georgia   

Reviews (5)

Fabulous!
I ordered this book from Doug after seeing him on a local TV magazine program discussing his book. My husband and I took a vacation of a lifetime last summer by traveling for 3 weeks through Alaska by car and hiking.We left our hearts there and this book brought back wonderful memories.I enjoyed reading about Doug's adventures, especially his experience at Barrow (one place we would have liked to visit).This is a great read for any lovers of the outdoors or who dream of escaping the rat race to come back to nature...

Self Discovery
ARRIGAA!!Journeying with Doug Fine on his many adventures in Alaska in pursuit of becoming "An Alaskan Mountain Man" is a truly wonderful experience.He leaves the safety net of a stable environment and heads for rural Alaska.His purpose was to discover his indigenous roots by learning the skills necessary to survive the subartic winter temperatures, create suitable shelter, and prepare a food supply to sustain him and his dog, Sunny, through the winter months.He is a 'cheechacko', a tenderfoot, who has some harrowing experiences as he attempts to master these skills.
Great book, a humorous look at survival
This is an excellent story which is told with a great sense of humor. Doug Fine morphed from New York City, through the American "west", to his rural Alaska living which he describes in the most entertaining manner. Since we share a love of animals, Doug's description of the moose around his cabin had special meaning. His free-spirited little dog, Sunny, is woven into the story leaving me surprised that a petite Golden Retriever mix could survive at all in the Alaskan wilderness, much less love her surroundings so much. Doug's trip to Barrow and beyond on the ice was yet another sensory level for me and perhaps for anyone who read Going to Extremes. Doug makes the ice and the native Americans feel like adventuresome but familiar friends -- it is a matter of focus. Doug's story struck home to the part of me that years ago secretly wished to homestead in the wilderness in Alaska - to live remotely and simply in a beautiful place without population pressures. (In my day dreams I added a dog team and sled training to my daily regimen, though it sounds like human survival would have been more than enough.) Though I worked in Alaska for several summer "field seasons" out of the Anchorage-Palmer area, and have been to Homer and the Kenai Peninsula, I never lived there and remain curious about Alaskan winter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Country life    4. Fine, Doug    5. Fritz Creek Region    6. General    7. Outdoor Life    8. Outdoor Skills    9. Regional Subjects - West    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Winter   

Subjects:  1. Parks & Campgrounds    2. Travel    3. Travel - General    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Grand Canyon Hiking Guide!
I have been hiking Grand Canyon since 1977 with over 9,000 miles below the rim and have hiked all the trails in this guide, in most cases multiple times.This guide has the most detailed descriptions of all canyon hiking guides; maps are more than adequate; nearly all information is up to date.Adkison's writing style is very clear.I especially appreciate his information about plant communities along the routes.This second edition is largely the same as the earlier edition.I am glad to see the addition of a section on cairns.How can this book be improved?Add an index.Looking through the guide I only found a few errors --- Western Union is no longer available inside the park and the Tanner Trail one way distance is not 7 miles but more like 10 miles!

A "Tortoise" Hikes the Grand Canyon
While writing my book "The Tortoise Diet - Win The Race To Lose!", an account of my 120 pound weight loss, I bought this book an became interested in hiking in the canyon as a fitness goal. This very informative and well written book helped inspire me to hike in 2005 from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch, and back again the next day. This May (2006) my husband and I are hiking from the South Rim to the North Rim. We will be carrying along our copy of the book to help us appreciate thecanyon more as we undertake this huge fitness challenge(my husband is 55 and I am 49.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - West - Mountain (General)    5. Travel / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)   

Reviews (2)

Full of errors
This book is full of factual and spelling errors. None of them are very harmful, so won't get you into trouble.

for himalaya lovers
the book presents a very focussed view for people interested in trekking in the indian region of the himalayas. it gives details of treks along with relevant maps. it is not for those looking for a general tourist guide for the region, but can be used by a variety of trekkers.usually one does not trust the trek details and advice given in such books and this might be very general at times. but it is different in this book. I am myself from one region in the himalayas and some of the facts and details about my region were also interesting and so accurate that this made me like and trust the book.i have also read the previous edition, and the author has built the book across regions. but the information is not very consistent across regions and one can easily make out some gaps for some regions. on the whole a good buy for people interested in specifics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Walking    6. Himalayas    7. India    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (4)

Just another gourmet cookbook
I was hoping that this would be a more useful camping cookbook.It is really a gourmet cookbook that tries to be a camping cookbook by using"sierra cup" as a unit of measurement (a "sierra cup" is a fancy backpacking cup purchased at trendy outdoor stores, and holds about 9 ounces)and by illustrating it with camping pictures and artwork.The ingredients for most of the recipes require access to gourmet and specialty stores.
Move Over Wolfgang Puck
For those of us who like to cook, camp and eat well,this book has no peer. If you love to cook anyway, this is the book foryou.If you don't, stick with the premade stuff you buy at the sporting goods stores as the home prep is critical and time consuming.For me, it was heaven.And the rewards paid off in spades at the campsite because you merely "just add water" to create meals worthy of the finest home dinner party (as proof - we're home and I made one of the recipes for a dinner party this week!).Thank you Rick and Hal for changing the face of camp food -- and for your bright, witty text that made it even more of a pleasure.I can't wait for the sequel.

Gourmet Ultralight Backpackers Rejoice
The fact that everything tastes good outdoors has kept campers eating shoe leather and birdseed for years. This is for the serious back country gourmet who will go just about anywhere and do anything to eat well once they get there. Be prepared to break out the food dehydrator and camping oven. However, recipes like steamed Chinese dumplings and "The Most Dangerous Cake in the Wilderness" are good enough to serve at home. The book is lightweight at 17 ounces, yet packed with tasty ideas. "Leave No Crumbs" is the best kind of camp companion: it kept us well fed and laughing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Outdoor    5. Outdoor cookery    6. Cooking / Outdoor   

Reviews (4)

It's in the name.
The phrase Survival Kit is in the title of this book, and that is exactly what is presented. Survival techniques are not the focus of this book, but assembling survival kits for various situations. In that regard, this book is extremely thorough giving many examples of assembling survival kits for just about every scenario be it personal, vehicle, boat, etc. He also provides many examples of the different survival tools available and where you can obtain these tools. There aren't an abundence of survival techniques in this book, but I don't think that was the author's goal. It's also a pretty dry read and when the author reveals what he carries with him at all times, I thought he was joking. This guy carries on 3 keychains something like 2 micro flashlights, 2 knives, a multitool, metal aspirin container, fire tinder in another aspirin container, and about 4 different tools for fire starting. And, that's just what I remember off the top of my head. He carries this stuff around all the time. While I find that completely ridiculous, the kits and all the tool recommendation make this book rate high for what it is. A guide to assembling survival kits. For actual techniqes, I'd go with another book.

Gadgetry vs survival
If you like gizmos..you'll love this book it is full of cool gear stuffed into all kindsof containers.If you like a kit based on practical survival philosophy and outdoor experience.... Look elsewhere.
Detailed and unique ideas
I found this book very helpful for use with my Scout troop.The author, while admittedly carries too much in his wallet and on his keychain (!), does an excellent job describing new and unique ways to create a variety of survival kits customized to your size and condition requirements. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Outdoor Survival Techniques    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Survival skills    7. Wilderness survival    8. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (7)

Wildrness Navigation: Finding your way using map, compass, altimeter and Gps, by Bob Burns
The book is easy to read and understand.Also, each chapter is well orginized with clear details on compass use.I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Orientation and Navegation...

A decent little book
Not as detailed as the new version of Land Navigation Handbook but this covers the basics well and is a good intro to the subject.

the very best in its class
you can feel certain that when you buy this book, you are getting the best that exists for beginning and intermediate navigation and orienteering.all of the basics are outlined here, and written in such a way that is quite easy to follow.the practice problems in the back were especially helpful to me.
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Subjects:  1. Equipment and supplies    2. Navigation    3. Orienteering    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Outdoor recreation    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation   

Editorial Review

Once remote but now among the fastest-growing regions in the country, the five Rocky Mountain states--Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming--contain 22 of the nation's more than 300 wildlife refuges that are open to the public. Some, such as Idaho's Camas National Wildlife Refuge, protect endangered habitat (in this case, the wetlands of the Snake River). Others, such as the 18,000-acre National Bison Refuge west of Missoula, Montana, and the National Elk Refuge near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are devoted (but not limited to) single species that were once at the brink of extinction. Naturalist John Grassy tours each of the refuges in this well-written guidebook, offering notes on the animals and plants found within them and suggesting walking and driving itineraries for visitors. Read more

Reviews (1)

Brief and to the Point
This guidebook will help you to find each of the National Wildlife Refuges operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Rocky Mountain states.There are a 3-4 pages for each refuge, focusing on its history, directions to get there, opportunities for driving, walking, and bicycling in the refuge, and a discussion of major wildlife species protected by each refuge, as well as some of the political issues surrounding certain refuges.I had hoped for some general information on Rocky Mountain wildlife; the book was not at all helpful for that, and had very few pictures or photgraphs of wildlife, but it did alert me to a refuge along the route of my upcoming vacation.So without the book I would have missed an opportunity for some spectacular wildlife viewing with only a 27-mile detour.The book accomplishes its purpose very well; I gave it only three stars because that purpose is very limited. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Natural history    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Parks & Campgrounds    6. Reference    7. Rocky Mountains Region    8. Travel    9. Wildlife    10. Wildlife refuges    11. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds   

Reviews (4)

Excellent material.Well presented sans...............
This is an excellent textbook of geology and some history of our national parks.The text is organized by each park within geographic regions.This is great and helps one to read up on a specific park BEFORE visiting it so as to get the most out of the trip.
Great desk reference, not really a textbook
"Geology of the National Parks" is filled to the brim with information, but it is less a textbook than a nice desk reference. Book good, not great
The provided great geologic information.The colorplates of the parks were nice, but it would be better if the whole book was in color, and if they had pictures of all the parks.A good buy if your intrested in National Parks or geology. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Geology    3. National parks and reserves    4. Parks & Campgrounds    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. United States    8. Science / Geology   

Reviews (4)

Ryan's review
Wolf Stalker
Wolf Stalker: Who will it get next?
Review of the Wolf stalker
Exciting and Real - A great series for boys or girls
This series is wonderful! It has everything a mystery/adventure story should PLUS more.We picked up Wolf Stalker in Yellowstone and have been buying the series ever since. Listen parents, my son is devouring them, he normally is instructed to read but not with these. The books are factual yet fun. Each book is set in a beautiful park that inspire your imagination and makes you want to visit them. I could tell you the valuable lessons they will learn but I just have to say get this series and watch your kid get obsorbed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    6. Nature & the Natural World - Environment    7. Nature & the Natural World - General    8. Wildlife conservation    9. Wildlife reintroduction    10. Wolves    11. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories    12. Sports & Recreation / Hiking   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding
This is a super book. Concise, informative, fun, very well-edited, and honest (about the value of good map and compass skills, in addition to learning to use the GPS, for instance). I went from 0 - 60 in a few days. Bought the book a few weeks ago at lunch, and I've been geocaching ever since.
The ORANGE book is MUCH better!!
This yellow book has nothing in it you can't figure out yourself.
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Subjects:  1. Geocaching (Game)    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Active outdoor pursuits    6. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (11)

One of my favorite books
I came across this book by accident and bought it out of my sheer love for coffee.But the book not only has the great tale of how coffee came from Africa and made it's way all over the earth to the daily drink we know today, it also is a first rate travelogue.The author follows coffee's migration from Africa to Europe.Mr. Allen has quite a knack for finding and reporting his adventures and misadventures with a fun easy to read style.
A Coffee-tastic Tale
The Devil's Cup is a very enjoyable book...
Writing on a Coffee Buzz
I enjoyed this book by Mr. Allen.It is basically a personal narrative on his travels so it can also be considered a travel essay.As he experiences various regions, he stops and samples various brews.The "History of the World" portion of the title comes from amusing anecdotes throughout the book relating to coffee.I enjoyed learning about some of the regions where coffee was outlawed at a time and the reasoning or lack of behind it.I am only giving it four stars because I wanted more as was related to the title and less narrative.Some chapters are amusing, but there are portions of the book I just skipped over, but all in all a nice effort and I would recommend it.This book appeared to have been written very quickly with quick tidbits of humour. I am convinced Mr Allen was intoxicated with double shot's of espresso while writing this text.After I finished, I brewed up some coffee of my own!
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Subjects:  1. Coffee    2. Cooking    3. History    4. Parks & Campgrounds    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - Mountain - Idaho    7. United States - Mountain - Montana    8. Cooking / History   

Reviews (4)

A coming of age book of tracking and survival.
This is a coming of age book by one of the great trackers and naturalists: Mark Elbroch.It is not just a journal of his life changing experience living off the land, however.It is also a book that contains very specific guidance on survival skills from pine tea to debris huts, baskets and cordage to fire, hunting and fishing to cooking and food storage, and many more, always emphasizing function over form.Thus, it's like two books in one.But it is his journal of survival and growth that will touch you; from his crying as he held the deer he had just killed, to his realization that when he eats an animal or a plant it becomes a part of him, and creates an obligation to do good in his life.While the survival information in the book is excellent, the journal portion tells, in Elbroch's words, "a story of learning rather than expertise."I for one enjoyed that, and I highly recommend this book.

Excellent guide
This book offers a terrific blend of the standard, "how-to" information of wilderness survival and a first-hand account of actually living it.I personally tend to absorb information much better when it's offered with personal experience.Nearly all wilderness survival guides on the market offer tons of information, but no personal experience.This book presents both in a very easy to read and enjoyable style. Five stars all the way.

Not just a survival guide!
This book is unlike anything I have seen to date (and I have almost every title on survival). The combination of detailed skills instruction and the first-hand account of their implementation in a true survival situation clearly illustrate how such skills are to be put to use. Definitely inspiring! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Outdoor Survival Techniques    3. Outdoor life    4. Safety    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. United States    8. Wilderness survival    9. Outdoor survival skills    10. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (4)

camping europe by carol mickelsen
We love to camp and think it's a great way for families to be together.I read about the book Camping Europe in a popular budget travel magazine.The campgrounds sounded so inviting that we thought we'd at least try it once.We had a great trip!We chose The Netherlands and Denmark because many of the campgrounds listed rented bikes and we like to cycle together as a family.We rented a car and took our tent like the book suggested.It made the trip very inexpensive compared to other ways of traveling.Our son loved playing with the other kids at the campground's play and swim areas.We enjoyed meeting other parents and relaxing with them.We found the things recommended in the book to do interesting and fun, particularly since there were driving directions on how to get to them.Campground lists usually just give an address.The book gave detailed directions on how to drive to them.We would have had a hard time finding them without the book.I highly recommend the book and camping as a wonderful way to enjoy Europe.

camping europe by carol mickelsen
After reading Camping Europe my husband and I decided to try it.We decided to go to Italy.It worked out great.We followed her suggestions on what equipment to take, how to pack, and how to take our bikes.It was much easier than we anticipated.We didn't realize how sophisticated campgrounds were in Europe.They are very popular with Europeans.It was lots of fun to meet people from so many different countries.She gave lots of helpful hints on how to drive in a foreign country.Getting directions from locals wasn't hard even though we didn't speak their language.Her written directions and the maps made finding the campgrounds easier than we thought it would be.We loved her ideas on what to do.She also gave directions on how to go to fun out of the way places that you couldn't go to without a car.It was wonderful to have our bikes and our a bike rack.It was so cheap and fun to camp that we are going back to Europe again next year.Every country she writes about sounds like lots of fun so it is going to be hard to decide.We met a few Americans in the campgrounds. Several were having a great time using her book too.Too bad more Americans don't know how easy and fun camping in Europe can be.

Too Much Territory Too Little Detail
This book is relatively worthless. Not only does it try to cover too much territory by doing all of Europe, it strays from it's intended purpose as a camping guide book.Most area descriptions are only a short paragraph long and have more info on area attractions than on the campgrounds (just check out all the activities listed in the index, unfortunately insufficient detail is provided for the activities as well). When I want info on area attractions I consult dedicated guide books such as Rick Steve's.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile travel    2. Camping    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. Guidebooks    6. Parks & Campgrounds    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Caravan & camp-site guides   

Reviews (10)

Pass
I'm not enamored by this hiking series.I think it could go into more trail detail.Some of the trail descriptions were real fuzzy and oftentimes wrong.An overall good map is sadly missing.Not a bad book but choose another if you're looking for accuracy.

Pass
For advanced hikers this book misses the mark. I would have liked more detailed hiking descriptions and more off the beaten track destinations. Longer distance hikes are also needed in this book.

Buy the second edition of this great book!
I owned the first edition of this book (the one with the Golden Gate Bridge on the cover) and I just loved it. It completely changed the way I feel about living in the Bay Area. There are so many wonderful trails around here and this book takes you to the best of them. I just recently bought the second edition (the one with the red cover) to give to a friend, but I wound up keeping it for myself because I saw that the author added trail options for every single hike in the book, so now there are really 202 hikes in the book and not 101! I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who lives in the SF Bay Area. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - Pacific - San Francisco    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. California    7. Caravan & camp-site guides    8. USA    9. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Hiking    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (4)

I never leave home without it.
Although a bit heavy this book is a must for any serious outdoorsman. Whether you like mountaineering, ice or rock climbing, hiking, biking, canoeing, snowboarding, piloting or just simply travelling this book is suffused with helpful tips on staying alive.
What a Great Book!
This book is full of Information that anyone can use, especially if they are an outdoors person, or travel alot. You can not go wrong buying this book. Way to go Reid. Amazing Amount of Information
I certainly hope I don't have to use such fascinating information!Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Personal & Practical Guides    3. Reference    4. Safety    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Survival after airplane accide    8. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    9. Survival skills    10. Test Prep    11. Wilderness survival    12. Outdoor survival skills    13. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (8)

Not very detailed
This book is best described as an overview.It lacks detail and covers too many subjects.

Great practical book
What I liked most about this book is that the author tried to strike a balance between using only the most basic and natural tools and using resources derived from civilization.

A bit overwhelmed...
Wow, this book is for someone who wants a little more nature than I could handle! I'm very glad the deer gutting is in black and white - I am still a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information in the book. Haven't read it cover to cover yet, but can see why it's getting such high ratings.
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Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature / Field Guide Books    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    7. Outdoor life    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Survival skills    10. Wilderness survival   

Reviews (2)

The info that was not there
I`ve always heard these were good books , after I purchased thisI found I must have been lied to. I`ll never buy another Frommer`s anything.

Great All-Around Reference Manual
We just got back from our trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!).This book was GREAT!Everything stated was right on the money, and we loved the compactness of it.It was easy to just throw in a backpack or carry-on. We also liked how the book was set up.It was easy to understand and to navigate.If you're looking for a good general overall book, this is the one for you.
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Subjects:  1. Parks    2. Parks & Campgrounds    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Mountain - Wyoming    7. United States - West - Mountain (General)    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)    10. Wyoming