No comments about A Place Beyond: Finding Home in Arctic Alaska.

4 comments about Passage to Alaska.

1. This is a gem of a book. The author does a wonderful job narrating an adventure story while providing valuable information about the geological and ecological background of this ever evolving part of Alaska. It made for an entertaining and informative read. Having had the pleasure to explore this part of the country by kayak myself, I enjoyed how this book's descriptions of the ocean and landscape captured the experience of exploring the Inside Passage.



2. I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviewers about this book! I loved the adventure story of kayaking through rough water and harsh weather for two months. The author really brings to life the forest, glaciers, mountains and wildlife of the Inside Passage. The information about the nature and history of the area separates this from a mere adventure story. It's really the story of the coast told through a gripping adventure. And the many sidebars that contain tips for sea kayakers are a great plus. I highly recommend this book!



3. This is a terrific book. The author does an impressive job of weaving together not only his personal story of his kayaking to Alaska, but also accounts of Vancouver's voyage, the explorations of John Muir, and a lot of natural history regarding the region. It's quite well-written and makes for a book that is very readable and often even riveting.



4. Wow. What a great read. This is a top-notch adventure story that inspired me like few others. The author and his companion really took on the challenges of the northwest coast and came back with a story of high seas, wildlife and terrible weather. The descriptions were so good I actually felt WET after some of the passages. But it is more than an adventure story. The author weaves in fascinating information about the nature and culture of the Inside Passage, providing an informative look at this fascinating place. I've been to the Inside Passage on three different trips and always learn something new. I think Passage to Alaska would be a great companion for anyone traveling the area or simply wishing to learn about one of the wildest places remaining in North America. And it's a great adventure story, too!

2 comments about African Obsession: The Life and Legacy of Carl Akeley.

1. Carl Akeley was a true pioneer in so many fields that it must have been difficult for Bodry-Sanders to decide which to emphasize. She has managed to combine the stories of his youth, his innovative taxidermy, his adventures in Africa, and his concern for the wild animals he loved, into an immensely readable book, that engages the reader from start to finish. Even though the author has been more than thorough in her research (she actually travelled to Africa to experience what Akeley did), she makes you want to know more. This is a fine book, by a fine writer.



2. This is the best account of Carl Akeley and his accomplishments that I have ever read.

1 comments about TEX JOHNSTON PB.

1. This is a great historical accounting of the life of an American aviation pioneer. Tex Johnston's life was a colorful mix of barnstorming through the flight testing and air racing of WWII fighters, and finally the experimental flight testing of the Bell X-1 (prior to Chuck Yeager) and the Boeing aircraft when the jet age was underway. The book is a little scant in his accounting of the famous (infamous?) barrell rolls of the 707 prototype over Lake Washington, which is disappointing. Overall, a great book and must reading for any fan of the early years of experimental flight testing.

No comments about Vasco da Gama: Renaissance Crusader (Library of World Biography Series) (Library of World Biography).

1 comments about Voyage of the Heart.

1. I loved reading this book. The author's adventure became my own as he made his way north from Florida to New York - mostly in the intracoastal waterway. The best part of the book was seeing the author's love for Jesus expressed in every situation. It inspired me to be more open about my faith. It was almost hard to believe that so many things could go wrong, and yet God brought good out of every situation.

No comments about The Fatal Voyage: Captain Cook's Last Great Journey.

1 comments about De Soto, Coronado, Cabrillo: Explorers of the Northern Mystery (National Park Service Handbook).

1. I didn't realize that this little book was published by the National Park Service until coming to the end, where there is a section of brief descriptions and photos of a few of our national parks named after early explorers. These include deSoto National Memorial in Florida, Coronado National Memorial in Arizona, Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico, and Cabrillo National Monument in California.

   The first part of the book is a synopsis of the explorations of these conquistadores, all from Spain, who searched the New World for riches, in particular, gold. What they encountered were Native Americans, some friendly, some ferocious. Although the Spaniards suffered physically through hardships of difficult terrain, shortage of food, and battles with natives, they also inflicted injustices on the native peoples.

   This book offers a brief but important understanding of the history behind the names of places we often take for granted. It is the history of the U.S. before the English arrived and created the colonies. The Spanish were here first, and as maps show in this book, traversed much of the land. Unfortunately for the Spanish, they were disheartened about the lack of gold, and did not pursue its other natural resources. How different the U.S. might have been if they had not given up.

   This little publication deserves a 5 for fulfilling its purpose of bringing awareness to the history that created these national parks. It can serve as a springboard for other research, as well as create interest in including these sites in one's vacation plans.

No comments about Pizarro: Conqueror of the Inca.

No comments about The Stettner Way: The Life and Climbs of Joe and Paul Stettner.