Customer Reviews (2)

Very detailed, with little action.
This was a very detailed, information rich, book on Kirby Smith. A man caught in a position he wasn't prepared for and was not supported in by his government. After finishing what I thought was a book on a Civil War General who oversaw the area which produced such battles as Vicksburg and the Red River Campaign I was left knowing more about the economic situation of the Trans-Mississippi Dept. and surrounding areas then about any battle fought in the entire area. If you are interested in a book about the south and the political problems they faced and how the areas economic condition was tied to cotton and speculators then this is a very good book. If you are looking to see how Kirby Smith, The General, handled troops in battle and how he contributed the the war effort on the battlefield I do not recommend it. A lot about Kirby the person and the administrator but little about Lt. General Kirby Smith, the battle tested, wounded warrior of First Manassas (Bull Run)and I'm not sure without re-reading it, what other battles.

Missing the Bigger Picture
Edmund Kirby Smith remains one of the most neglected of the important figures of the Civil War era. Best known for his command of the Trans-Mississippi Department from 1863 until the close of the war, Kirby Smith found himself acting with military, civil and economic authority after the Union essentially divided the Confederacy in two. He was an important figure and yet his tale is perhaps better told in studies of his administration rather than in a biography.

Joseph Parks gives a solid if not particularly compelling account of Kirby Smith's career. Kirby Smith, a Floridian, served under Joseph Johnston at the First Battle of Bull Run and was seriously wounded. After recovering from the wound, Kirby Smith commanded Confederate forces in East Tennessee and showed some tactical ability in the invasion of Kentucky which culminated in the battle of Perryville. During that campaign, Kirby Smith feuded with Braxton Bragg who commanded the main wing of the Confederate invasion. Kirby Smith would later command the Trans Mississippi region and, while there were some successes such as the Red River campaign, all in all Kirby Smith was content on the defensive, much in the style of his mentor Johnston. Parks offers little on Kirby Smith's post war career which is fairly odd since Kirby Smith taught at the University of the South, an institution that Parks was affiliated with.

This is all well and good. However, the chief problem with the book is Parks' lack of interest in Kirby Smith's roles in politics and economics. Kirby Smith's role in the Confederacy was not simply that of a general. He was the highest ranking Confederate offical west of the river and was isolated after the fall of Vicksburg in 1863. For almost two years, Kirby Smith dealt with economic problems (such as trade), morale problems as Southerners lost hope in the cause, Indian raids, the continuing struggles of the French in Mexico and political problems, as the Confederate government and the states clashed. Parks does not offer much in the way of insight to these problems that vexed Kirby Smith and prefers to focus more on military matters. Kirby Smith simply did not have that many chances on the battle field and the spheres he occupied were very different than most other Confederate commanders.

Furthermore, Parks seems a bit too willing to give his subject the benefit of the doubt at all times such as his feud with Bragg.While this was not particularly odd (Bragg quarreled with a host of Confederate commanders), Kirby Smith simply can not be as blameless as Parks portrays him. Richard Taylor, for one, would also have severe problems with Kirby Smith later on in the war during the Trans Mississippi command. At the same time, the view espoused by the late Thomas Connelly of Kirby Smith as a young man deluded by a messianic complex seems equally flawed as well.

For basic information on Kirby Smith, take a look at Parks though be warned the book is very dated. For the importance of Kirby Smith and his role in the greater story of the Confederacy, take a look at Robert Kerby's study "Kirby Smith's Confederacy." While not offering much in the way of biographical information, Kerby's book seems a bit nearer the mark in capturing Kirby Smith than either Parks or Connelly did, showing a young man with some talents overwhelmed by a task that was simply beyond his, or anyone else's, abilities. For Smith's feud with Taylor, Jeffery Prushankin's "Crisis in Command" is solid.

As for Parks, while he does give some of the basics of Kirby Smith's life, he really fails to capture just how important his subject was in the story of the Confederacy. If Kirby Smith is ever going to rise out of obscurity, it will not be on his military record but on how an untrained military leader found himself trying to maintain some sense of order as he tried to hold together a collapsing economy, society and political system. It's an interesting tale and one that deserves to be told. Too bad Parks simply could not see the bigger picture.
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Product Description
The ecosystems within Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado-from natural meadows to alpine plant communities-support a wide variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, and plants. This new addition to the Visitor's Companion series describes and illustrates in full color dozens of these plants and animal species. It also explores the park's geological history, land-use issues, native people, and past explorers-at once a traveler's guide, field guide, and natural history of one of America's most extraordinary national parks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A visitor center in your pocket

Most of this book consists of the kind of things that you see in a national park visitor center, such as brief texts on geology, habitats, history, and climate.In a book format, Wuerthner can go into a little more detail, and he does.Even so, most of the book doesn't dig very deep in providing this kind of information.Having read quite a bit about the park and visited on several occasions, I didn't really learn much.If you're planning your first visit, however, this would be a good source.

These chapters are easy reads, and the book includes a lot of good pictures.It would have been nice to have more maps - - there is only one, a road map on the back cover.Geology, alpine plant communities, history, wildlife and elevation might each have been the subject of one or more specialized maps.

The book suggests a nice sampling of hikes in its final pages.I've done many of them, and it's a good choice but again, maps would be nice.If you want to hike, see some of the other books on my Listmania page.

What makes the book for me are the fauna and flora identifications, which take up more than half the book (about 125 pages).There are some pictures and a lot of side drawings of the animals of the park, with two or three species per page.Plant identifications show each species in flower, while tree and shrub pages show the overall shape of the plant, close-ups of leaves, and berries, needles or other up-close identifiers.These are very useful and have earned the book a place in my day pack.
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Customer Reviews (1)

A Good Introduction to Percy the Park Keeper and His Animal Friends
The title says it all. Percy the park keeper wakes up one day in the aftermath of a heavy storm. His animal friends are displaced. He helps them find a new one. The story is simple and pretty straight-forward. Its execution however is heart-warming and well-paced. Living in the Philippines, you do see the damage and destruction caused by typhoons. This book will certainly help children understand the effects of natural disasters. Furthermore, it presents the young readers of what to do in these cases as an individual and as a community.

This book is recommended to all. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

A guide for planning a trip to this national park for readers of all backgrounds, regardless of their age or health
Big Bend National Park is one of America's places of great natural beauty. "Enjoying Big Bend National Park: A Friendly Guide to Adventures for Everyone" is a guide for planning a trip to this national park for readers of all backgrounds, regardless of their age or health. Big Bend has many things to attract tourists, and author Gary Clark thoroughly describes the park's many features. "Enjoying Big Bend National Park" is a top pick for nature tourists.

A Simple Handy Guide to Big Bend
This book is easy to read and well organized to best manage and plan one's time at Big Bend. Being a seasoned vet of Big Bend, I even ordered a few books for friends and family new to Texas so they can enjoy and experience Big Bend as much as I have. I even learned of new advetures to try on my next trip to Big Bend.

Good Title - Very Enjoyable Read
Good Title - Very Enjoyable Read

This is an especially great book for someone who has never been to Big Bend National Park, but even a seasoned traveler (6 times for me) to the Park will enjoy reading this book. I always like to see what someone else thinks of my favorite places and trails, so reading Gary Clark's impressions of Big Bend was interesting and about as close to being there as I can imagine.

I loved reading about the difference in hiking styles, Gary's former "beeline race to the finish" vs. his wife's leisurely, "butterfly hiking", meandering down the trail. I had my husband read that section twice just to make sure he got the message!

The mix of geology, nature, practical advice for safety, beautiful prose, humor and more made this a wonderful read and a very useful reference. I highly recommend this book for planning your trip and it is just the right size to tuck in your suitcase and carry with you throughout the park.

The photos go from breathtakingly beautiful vistas to darn cute little critters that I hope to get a glimpse of on my next visit. And reading this book makes me want to plan that next visit right now.
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Product Description
Updated to include the most notable incidents through the summer of 2004, the new edition features recent rescues and rescue attempts from the icy slopes of Mount Rainier to the seas off of Acadia National Park. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Comprehensive, if dry
This is a very comprehensive and thorough book that reads more like a detailed collection of reports and commentary on almost every search and rescue operation in the National Parks (and some outside of them) over the last century.

Where the book may fall short to many is that it's very straight-forward, almost dry reading. Very little effort is put into dramatizing the stories or analyzing character, motivation or emotions of those involved. So if you're looking for a dramatic book on survival stories, this isn't it.

I can however easily see someone buying this and having it on a shelf for reference, and if you're the kind of person who really wants all the details at your fingertips, this book is for you.

Get an inside story on what recently went wrong in Oregon
A somewhat dry accounting, using newspaper clippings whenever available, of mishaps that casual (and quite often very experienced)hikers encounter in what commonly is believed to be safe National Parks. A very quick education in being prepared for the underestimated dangers of dehydration, hypothermia, and heat stress.It is not quite as good as "Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon"or "Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park", both of which manage to get the message of being careful across in a much more narrative style. If you enjoy "Weather stories" on TV, these will all make for fascinating reading.
PS In the Oregon reference I am talking about the death of CNET editor James Kim, who left the relative safety of his car trying to get help for his family, and the three climbers on Mt Hood that perished shortly after. You will learn of countless expeditions that people insisted on undertaking because they were already there, even though the weather has changed drastically.

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.
Most emphasis is on the post 1940 period since WW II when the development of modern aerial search and rescue techniques, as pioneered in the armed services, influenced the postwar organization and methods. The Air Force became responsible for inland activities and the Coast Guard for the sea margins. Ground based searches remained the primary responsiblity of the big land management agencies such as the Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. ... Read more

Product Description
Oakland Park was named for the massive stand of trees that lined the Middle River. Our first permanent settlers were the Whidby family, who came from Georgia to South Florida in 1901, when the area was known as Colahatchee. By 1918, other farming families had moved into the area, and bean and pepper fields were abundant. In 1923, a Miami development company initiated the Oakland Park subdivision with one of the biggest barbecues ever held in Broward County, with an estimated attendance of 5,000 people from Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. The city was incorporated first as Floranada in early 1925 by the American-British Improvement Company, a group of international investors. Plans for the resort included two 18-hole golf courses, a polo field, an aviation field, tennis courts, and a yacht club. It was intended to rival Palm Beach, but this vision was carried away with hurricane winds on September 18, 1926. Bankruptcy and devastating damage brought the development to an end. Despite offers from Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, the citizens of Oakland Park agreed that the community could be run more efficiently as an independent city. The city was reorganized and reincorporated as Oakland Park on July 1, 1929. ... Read more

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Product Description

Product Description
The bestselling puppy is better than ever. Spot's 25th birthday presents are bold, beautiful color covers that give him a great new look. Enjoy Spot in paperback with full-color covers and traditional Lift-the-Flap features. Have more fun with Spot! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Cute Story
Got this book for my daughter and she just loves the story!Great for your own book collection!

Spot is a great dog for children!
My 4 yr old granddaughter adores looking for Spot and raising the flaps on his books. the author and illustrator did a great job on this book. My granddaughter will read this book OVER and OVER till it's worn out! (smile)

Not Spot - not so hot
If you liked "where's spot" you're going to be disappointed by this book. Other than the fact that it features Spot and has flaps.

It is very similar to "spot goes to the farm."Unlike the original "Spot" the plot line is less clear, the answers are less repetitive, and the answers behind the flaps are less concise.

We were so disappointed we returned it.

a flip book favorite
My 13 month old daughter loves this book (and all the spot flip books). There are flaps to lift on every page, and a cute story to go along with it. Everything is bright, colorful, and interactive for curious little kids. Spot is the best.

cute, but not durable
This is a cute story, but my 16-mo-old had the flaps ripped off three of the pages LITERALLY within 10 minutes after introducing this book. Even tho it is a board-book construction, the flaps are only paper and not built to last. With so many other titles to choose from, why bother? ... Read more

Product Description
I'm Jaz Parks.CIA assassin.Black belt.Belly dancer at the Corpus Christi Winter Festival.The last is cover for my latest mission: retrieve a vital piece of biotechnology by killing the maniac who stole it.He's Chien-Lung, an obsessive vamp who's invulnerable while wearing his armor - which is constantly.

Then there are the reavers, ancient fiends who murder innocents and eat their souls.Only I can sense them.So it's not long before they'll want me dead, dead, dead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

And another book bit the dust in less then a week
Great read if you like this author and this style of book. I really dig the james bonish style of action and the mix with some super natural. Over all a good read. Not the most romantic but I did enjoy it. Just wish Jaz would grow some guts and do more with Vayl. This one was more fun then book 4, which I guess after book 3 the books in this series get boring and drawn out.

Another One Bites The Dust
A good series on getting the bad guys and having a good time doing the job

Better than the first in the series...
I was introduced to this series when the first book (Once Bitten, Twice Shy) was offered as a Kindle freebie. This book (second in the series) was better than the first. It had faster pacing, fewer (way fewer) inappropriate similes to ruin the flow, and the secondary characters were better developed. Like with the first book, the author did a good job maintaining the tension between Vayl and Jaz. Their mission (terrorist/CIA plot) kept me turning the pages way beyond the time I should've tackled dishes and laundry. I'm glad there was resolution of some of Jaz's issues introduced in the first book, and the increase in her powers kept things interesting. A great book overall - looking forward to reading the next one in the series!

Another great read!
This book was just as good as the first one! Can't wait to dive fangs first into the next great read by Jennifer Rardin.

Another Wild Ride
Jenifer Rardin does not disappoint her readers with this book. The story is fast paced and does a good job combining action and romance. The characters are well developed and the story is interesting enough to keep you wanting to know what happens next. This is a great book!
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Product Description
Southern California natives Linkin Park are considered some of the reigning kings of the nu-metal movement. Our album-matching folio Meteora features four full-color pages. Titles are: Don't Stay
* Somewhere I Belong
* Lying from You
* Hit the Floor
* Easier to Run
* Faint
* Figure.09
* Breaking the Habit
* From the Inside
* Nobody's Listening
* Session
* Numb. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

...........
Ok people, this is not an actual linkin park book.look on the description where it says "arranged for guitar tablature".that means it is a guitar book with the tabs for all the songs.it doesn't talk about lp at all- it just has the tabs for guitar in it.

Linkin Park... THE BEST BAND EVER!!
Great band = Great book

as easy as that!!!!

:-D

I'm gonna see them live cuz they RULE!!

CHESTER IS SOO HOTT

WhyAm I The First To Rate?
This was an awesome book! Too bad I havent ever heard of it or seen it! I haven't read this book but it's Linkin Park so...The only thing that was abput Linkin Park that sucked big @$$ was the unautherised dvd. ... Read more

Product Description
Yellowstone National Park encompasses many of North America's great coldwater fisheries. Fabled trout waters--the Madison River, the Gallatin, the Firehole, Yellowstone Lake, Slough Creek, the Yellowstone River, and many others--draw anglers from around the world to test their skills amidst the park's spectacular scenery and wildlife. Fishing Yellowstone National Park tells anglers: *where to go--both along the roads and off-the-beaten path*how to get there*what gamefish are found in the park's many lakes and streams*the geography and angling history of many of the park's most famous waters*the top fly patterns and lures for each fishery
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Customer Reviews (5)

I've seen better
I've used other Falcon guides in Montana, and was very impressed. I admit I haven't fished in Yellowstone yet, and from the other reviews it looks like it's pretty useful.

But from just a reading standpoint, it's not very good. The pictures are terrible, and I don't think there's a picture of a fish in the entire book, if you can believe that. Also, there needs to be an overall map of some kind, so you can figure out where in the park the little maps are. Even if the big map was split into quadrants spread out over several pages it would help alot.Check out "Fishing the Beartooths" - now that's a great book.

Just my two cents worth.

A Map to the Cutthroats Homes
Recently, I managed to get the hay baled, unload several cow-calf pairs at the sale barn, and endure a screaming diatribe from one of my neighbors who was desiring to cut a road across the corner of my property for ill-defined reasons involving an elk hunting camp. When I demurred, spittle flew out of his mouth and he became quite agitated. For a moment, I thought I might have to get the Mossberg. In the end, he promised to make things so hot for me with our County Board that I would think the devil himself was after me. Against this backdrop, I decided it was a sovereign time to go fishing in Yellowstone.

I have mixed opinions about the worth and accuracy of some Falcon Guides, but not this one. Armed with this guide, I wended my way through the bunkers of industrial tourism that blight our otherwise wondrous first national park, dodging the hatch of RVs and uncurious flabbos that choke the roads in high season. I settled first on a stretch of the Lewis River, which Merriwether Lewis never actually saw. It fished about the way the author said it would, and his descriptions were accurate and clear.

Of course, anyone can write a roadside fishing guide but what about the pristine streams and creeks accessible only by foot or horse? I shouldered my pack and hiked twenty miles into the backcountry in search of some of the original strain of cutthroat. Again, his descriptions of Wolverine Creek and the upper Snake were clear and easy to follow. I used various atttractor patterns recommended by the author and some that weren't. Each produced an equal and abundant share of fish. I finished my week with a couple of nights on Pebble Creek in the NE corner of the park, fishing the undercut banks and big pools in the manner the author suggests. The cutthroat were plentiful, surprisingly sizeable, and not too selective. As a bonus, I saw a wolf pack cruising across the valley as I made my way down the stream bank.

The short sections on ethics are a pleasure to read. Use barbless hooks at all times and don't poach another angler's water if he's clearly fishing a stretch you covet. Get out of bed earlier next time. The author occasionally gives short shrift to some of the more difficult trails in the Park, but if you want to get away from your fellow sportsmen and enjoy Yellowstone the way Colter did, take such damnings with a grain of salt. Overall, his impressions of the park's waters and their fishability mirror my own over the last 15 years or so. Also, he is not kidding when he estimates the number of fisherman who crowd popular sections of river, such as Slough Creek and the Yellowstone near Hayden Valley. Leave these waters in high season for the Zebco crowd and plan on fishing them in the off-season.

Best guide for where & when to fish Yellowstone
The best book on access points and times to go inside and outside the park.It provides many useful hints on further exploring you might do as well.It is a perfect complement to Craig Matthews' Yellowstone Fly Fishing Guide, which focuses more on hatches and flies rather than specific access to each stream or river.

Very Informative Book on Fishing in Yellowstone!
I had purchased this book and one other for my trip to Yellowstone. This was by far the best book, had all regulations and great information onwhere to fish in the area. I studied this book in anticipation of my trip,had always wanted to go to Yellowstone and fish. With the use of this bookand its recommendations, I had the best day of fishing in my life, caught40 trout in one day. All I can say is get the book read it and follow therecommendations and guide you wont be sorry. Jeff

Excellent and intimate guide to fishing Yellowstone.
Extensive and very detailed tour of fishing in the Park, organized bywatershed and with detailed information re: seasons, popular flies andlures. This book is packed with useful information and does not waste thereader's time with flowery descriptions and sentimental musings. Directionsto fishing waters are clear and concise.Thorough maps are included.Poorfishing areas are identified as such and may save the reader from fruitlessefforts.Guide includes directions and descriptions of waters which may befished from the roadside as well as those requiring a day-hike or multi-daypack trip to reach.Highly recommended for novice and expert angler alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Book
I have owned this book before and it is excellent for its content.Great for kids when exploring the Everglades and south Florida.This shipping on this product was weak. No reason this could not have been shipped within 4 days. The book is small and by priority mail would of cost next to nothing. ... Read more

Product Description
An authoritative study of Yosemite's geology, written in layman's terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An indispensible companion for a trip to Yosemite
Huber has done a terrific job! Don't go to Yosemite without acquiring this book first. Short, clear, and without a peer as a pocket guide for the layman and rusty professional. Use this book for Yosemite and also get James Moore's wonderful book "Exploring the Highest Sierra" (Kings Canyon and Sequioa parks)for a greatly enriched tour of the Sierra Nevada.

Great introduction to geology of the Sierra
This is a great book for anyone who climbs or backpacks in Yosemite or the high Sierra.If you've ever looked at the knobs on Cathedral Peak, the dikes at Lover's Leap, the domes around Tuolumne, or the cirques and jaggedpeaks in the high Sierra and wondered what caused them to form, read thisbook.It gives a great background on the geology of the Sierra,specifically focusing on Yosemite.It is accessible to someone without abackground in geology without being dumbed down. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: Chicago : E.B. Myers; Publication date: 1897; Subjects: Architecture / Landscape; History / United States / State ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Parks; Playgrounds; Architecture / General; Architecture / Landscape; Business ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more