Travel and holiday Books

Book SynopsisThis accessibly written and authoritative guide updates the beloved 1970s classic, Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas. In this completely reimagined book, Paul E. Hosier provides a rich, new reference guide to plant life in the coastal zone of the Carolinas for nature lovers, gardeners, landscapers, students, and community leaders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOff the shore of Hatteras Island, where the inner edge of the Gulf Stream flows northward over the outer continental shelf, the marine life is unlike that of any other area in the Atlantic. In these essays, David Lee draws on his knowledge of the North Atlantic marine environment to introduce us to the natural wonders of an offshore treasure.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this definitive book on North Carolina's Grandfather Mountain, Randy Johnson guides readers on a journey through the mountain's history, from its geological beginnings millennia ago and the early days of exploration to its role in regional development and eventual establishment as a North Carolina state park.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCombining more than one hundred classic and lesser-known texts, The Jamaica Reader presents a panoramic history of the country—from its pre-contact Indigenous origins to the present—to provide an unparalleled look at Jamaica's history, culture, and politics.Trade Review“Jamaica is an endless paradox, virtually impossible to summarize neatly in any single document. In The Jamaica Reader, Diana Paton and Matthew Smith extend an invitation to us to reflect on this paradox, its histories, and its cultural-political implications. In their thoughtful and diverse selection of texts (some expressive, some analytical, some narrative), framed by an engaging introduction, they offer a searching panorama of sometimes competing perspectives on the very idea of Jamaica.” -- David Scott, Columbia University“This is a bird's-eye view of the island shaped like a swimming turtle. It is a learned and joyful compendium of everything anyone needs to know about the place Columbus called the fairest isle that eyes ever beheld. Diana Paton and Matthew J. Smith have done a brilliant job of curating what is surely the most complete and all-encompassing gathering of writing about Jamaica ever assembled.” -- Lorna Goodison, Poet Laureate of Jamaica"This is an essential text for students of Jamaican history, society, culture and politics, and I am confident it will be a standard reader in Caribbean studies for many years to come.… It is impossible to see this book as anything other than the best introduction to the history of Jamaica, and the lives of the Jamaican people." -- F.S.J. Ledgister * Caribbean Quarterly *"The Jamaica Reader will prove highly useful to students and scholars alike. Indeed, such is the nature and layout of the excerpts that have been included that it appeals simultaneously to those looking for a general introduction to the history, politics and culture of Jamaica, and to those who may be already familiar with the island, but wish to explore further and in greater depth. Additionally, the generally short nature of each of the extracts actually makes the book an ideal teaching resource, whether as an introduction to engaging with the historiography of Jamaica, or as a way of exploring a wider variety of contemporary sources and accounts." -- Ben Markham * History *"It’s hard to think of a better introductory resource on the island, replete with bibliography, illustrations, and excellent brief introductions to each chapter." -- Richard Price and Sally Price * New West Indian Guide *"The cultural selections on visual arts—enhanced by color illustrations—and the worldwide influence of reggae are welcome additions to the more familiar material. Best for courses on Caribbean and Latin American studies in general. Recommended. General readers through graduate students." -- R. M. Delson * Choice *Table of ContentsNote on Abridgment xvii Acknowledgments xix Introduction 1 I. Becoming Jamaica 7 II. From English Conquest to Slave Society 49 III. Enlightenment Slavery 109 IV. Colonial Freedom 159 V. Jamaica Arise 209 VI. Independence and After 289 VII. Jamaica in the Age of Neoliberalism 363 VIII. Jamaicans in the World 435 Suggestions for Further Reading 487 Acknowledgments of Copyrights and Sources 493 Index 503

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Mexico Reader is a vivid and comprehensive guide to muchos Méxicos—the many varied histories and cultures of Mexico. Unparalleled in scope, it covers pre-Columbian times to the present, from the extraordinary power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church to Mexico’s uneven postrevolutionary modernization, from chronic economic and political instability to its rich cultural heritage. Bringing together over eighty selections that include poetry, folklore, photo essays, songs, political cartoons, memoirs, journalism, and scholarly writing, this volume highlights the voices of everyday Mexicans—indigenous peoples, artists, soldiers, priests, peasants, and workers. It also includes pieces by politicians and foreign diplomats; by literary giants Octavio Paz, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Carlos Fuentes; and by and about revolutionary leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. This revised and updated edition features new selections that address twenTrade Review“A wonderful introduction to the history and culture of Mexico. . . . This work is ideal for general readers, and one hopes it will encourage many to read and learn more about this important and diverse nation.” -- Jay Freeman, * The Booklist (praise for the first edition) *“Anyone who has a keen interest in Mexico—in delving deep into the country’s rich history and culture before going there—would be fascinated by this book.” -- June Sawyers, * Chicago Tribune (praise for the first edition) *“There is an impressive, even passionate, commitment to excavating the embedded cultural, political, and economic reference points that arguably constitute something called a Mexican nationalist imaginary. At the same time, the editors have methodologically sought out the contradictions of that imaginary, offering both official, and many unofficial, voices. The result simultaneously exposes and subverts the nation’s foundational fictions.” -- Eric Zolov, * Hispanic American Historical Review (praise for the first edition) *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments xv A Note on Style xvii Introduction 1 I. The Search for “Lo Mexicano” 11 II. Ancient Civilizations 59 III. Conquest and Colony 89 IV. Trials of the Young Republic 153 V. Revolution 277 VI. Perils of Modernity 403 VII. From the Ruins 499 VIII. The Border and Beyond 595 IX. From the Perfect Dictatorship to a Imperfect Democracy 667 Suggestions for Further Reading 737 Acknowledgment of Copyrights and Sources 747 Index 757

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Mexico Reader is a vivid and comprehensive guide to muchos Méxicos—the many varied histories and cultures of Mexico. Unparalleled in scope, it covers pre-Columbian times to the present, from the extraordinary power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church to Mexico’s uneven postrevolutionary modernization, from chronic economic and political instability to its rich cultural heritage. Bringing together over eighty selections that include poetry, folklore, photo essays, songs, political cartoons, memoirs, journalism, and scholarly writing, this volume highlights the voices of everyday Mexicans—indigenous peoples, artists, soldiers, priests, peasants, and workers. It also includes pieces by politicians and foreign diplomats; by literary giants Octavio Paz, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Carlos Fuentes; and by and about revolutionary leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. This revised and updated edition features new selections that address twenTrade Review“A wonderful introduction to the history and culture of Mexico. . . . This work is ideal for general readers, and one hopes it will encourage many to read and learn more about this important and diverse nation.” -- Jay Freeman, * The Booklist (praise for the first edition) *“Anyone who has a keen interest in Mexico—in delving deep into the country’s rich history and culture before going there—would be fascinated by this book.” -- June Sawyers, * Chicago Tribune (praise for the first edition) *“There is an impressive, even passionate, commitment to excavating the embedded cultural, political, and economic reference points that arguably constitute something called a Mexican nationalist imaginary. At the same time, the editors have methodologically sought out the contradictions of that imaginary, offering both official, and many unofficial, voices. The result simultaneously exposes and subverts the nation’s foundational fictions.” -- Eric Zolov, * Hispanic American Historical Review (praise for the first edition) *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments xv A Note on Style xvii Introduction 1 I. The Search for “Lo Mexicano” 11 II. Ancient Civilizations 59 III. Conquest and Colony 89 IV. Trials of the Young Republic 153 V. Revolution 277 VI. Perils of Modernity 403 VII. From the Ruins 499 VIII. The Border and Beyond 595 IX. From the Perfect Dictatorship to a Imperfect Democracy 667 Suggestions for Further Reading 737 Acknowledgment of Copyrights and Sources 747 Index 757

Read more less

Book SynopsisA merchant's remarkable travel account of an African kingdomMu?ammad al-Tunisi (d. 1274/1857) belonged to a family of Tunisian merchants trading with Egypt and what is now Sudan. Al-Tunisi was raised in Cairo and a graduate of al-Azhar. In 1803, at the age of fourteen, al-Tunisi set off for the Sultanate of Darfur, where his father had decamped ten years earlier. He followed the Forty Days Road, was reunited with his father, and eventually took over the management of the considerable estates granted to his father by the sultan of Darfur.In Darfur is al-Tunisi's remarkable account of his ten-year sojourn in this independent state, featuring descriptions of the geography of the region, the customs of Darfur's petty kings, court life and the clothing of its rulers, marriage customs, eunuchs, illnesses, food, hunting, animals, currencies, plants, magic, divination, and dances. In Darfur combines literature, history, ethnography, linguistics, and travel aTrade ReviewIn Darfur offers an interesting glimpse of a (still) neglected part of Africa, and a surprising wealth of information. * The Complete Review *As edited, translated, and presented by Davies, al-Tūnisī’s account is not only a rich primary source for the early nineteenth-century history of Darfur but also a literary gem marking Egypt’s dynamic and innovative intellectual history at mid-century. * Journal of the American Oriental Society *The translation is most readable and fluent, yet it also follows the text closely. The arrangement of Arabic and English side by side makes it extremely valuable for research, particularly for the historian, the Arabist, and for teaching purposes on the whole. If a reader with knowledge of Arabic is interested, s/he is able to consult the Arabic with ease ... This is the first published and complete English translation. * African Studies Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fantastical field guide to the hidden history of New York's magical pastManhattan has a pervasive quality of glamoura heightened sense of personality generated by a place whose cinematic, literary, and commercial celebrity lends an aura of the fantastic to even its most commonplace locales. Enchanted New York chronicles an alternate history of this magical isle. It offers a tour along Broadway, focusing on times and places that illuminate a forgotten and sometimes hidden history of New York through site-specific stories of wizards, illuminati, fortune tellers, magicians, and more. Progressing up New York's central thoroughfare, this guidebook to magical Manhattan offers a history you won't find in your Lonely Planet or Fodor's guide, tracing the arc of American technological alchemiesfrom Samuel Morse and Robert Fulton to the Manhattan Projectto Mesmeric physicians, to wonderworking Madame Blavatsky, and seers Helena Roerich and Alice Bailey. Harry Houdini appears and disappears, as Trade ReviewThere are no ancient monuments to mark New York City’s magical history; in their place, Dann’s historical guide chronicles the city’s lesser-known magical past. * Foreword Reviews *Enchanted New York is full of wonderful anecdotes, and I enjoyed seeing how many of these addresses were still extant. It’s a nice mental ramble in these claustrophobic times. * Religion Dispatches *It’s a place where poetry grows of chance encounters among strangers below the piers conjuring an alchemy of ideas, where we imagine other worlds; rituals invoke spirits, the dead dance with the living, and the faeries lead us into a blurry world in between. Here pieces of green find inspiration in the cracks in the sidewalk, crawling up from unknown worlds, eternal returns of the repressed. Cycling through these streets, one occasionally stumbles upon urbanist flaneur Kevin Dann, disappearing and reappearing on chance occasions; his Enchanted New York rightfully reminds us “New York City since the American Revolution has been a place where, at each step of its prodigious biography, both witting and unwitting actors have engaged in magic, often with enormous historical consequences rippling out far beyond Manhattan’s shores.” An important and abundant journey through a secret history of a distinct urban space informed by witches and dreams, faerie magic and a creative clash between a new colossus and Moloch. At a time of plague, when the poor are sleeping in the streets, and a cavalcade of bodies are marching for something better, read Enchanted New York and reimagine the city. -- Benjamin Heim Shepard, author of Illuminations on Market StreetPacked with fascinating details and arresting insights, Enchanted New York is a page-turner that illuminates forgotten corners of our cultural past. -- Jackson Lears, author of Rebirth of a Nation: The Making of Modern America, 1877-1920For over a decade Kevin Dann has been cycling friends, family, and clients over the streets of Manhattan to reveal delicious and tragic histories of the tension between the humane desire to understand the supra-sensible universe and the soul-crushing materialism that inundates Gotham. A more talented, erudite, and soulful guide does not exist. Enchanted New York renders those voyages into a book like a butterfly unfurling its wings as it emerges from the chrysalis shaped island. -- Gary Kroll, State University of New York, Plattsburgh

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fantastical field guide to the hidden history of New York's magical pastManhattan has a pervasive quality of glamoura heightened sense of personality generated by a place whose cinematic, literary, and commercial celebrity lends an aura of the fantastic to even its most commonplace locales. Enchanted New York chronicles an alternate history of this magical isle. It offers a tour along Broadway, focusing on times and places that illuminate a forgotten and sometimes hidden history of New York through site-specific stories of wizards, illuminati, fortune tellers, magicians, and more. Progressing up New York's central thoroughfare, this guidebook to magical Manhattan offers a history you won't find in your Lonely Planet or Fodor's guide, tracing the arc of American technological alchemiesfrom Samuel Morse and Robert Fulton to the Manhattan Projectto Mesmeric physicians, to wonderworking Madame Blavatsky, and seers Helena Roerich and Alice Bailey. Harry Houdini appears and disappears, as Trade Review"There are no ancient monuments to mark New York City’s magical history; in their place, Dann’s historical guide chronicles the city’s lesser-known magical past." * Foreword Reviews *"Enchanted New York is full of wonderful anecdotes, and I enjoyed seeing how many of these addresses were still extant. It’s a nice mental ramble in these claustrophobic times." * Religion Dispatches *"It’s a place where poetry grows of chance encounters among strangers below the piers conjuring an alchemy of ideas, where we imagine other worlds; rituals invoke spirits, the dead dance with the living, and the faeries lead us into a blurry world in between. Here pieces of green find inspiration in the cracks in the sidewalk, crawling up from unknown worlds, eternal returns of the repressed. Cycling through these streets, one occasionally stumbles upon urbanist flaneur Kevin Dann, disappearing and reappearing on chance occasions; his Enchanted New York rightfully reminds us “New York City since the American Revolution has been a place where, at each step of its prodigious biography, both witting and unwitting actors have engaged in magic, often with enormous historical consequences rippling out far beyond Manhattan’s shores.” An important and abundant journey through a secret history of a distinct urban space informed by witches and dreams, faerie magic and a creative clash between a new colossus and Moloch. At a time of plague, when the poor are sleeping in the streets, and a cavalcade of bodies are marching for something better, read Enchanted New York and reimagine the city." -- Benjamin Heim Shepard, author of Illuminations on Market Street"Packed with fascinating details and arresting insights, Enchanted New York is a page-turner that illuminates forgotten corners of our cultural past." -- Jackson Lears, author of Rebirth of a Nation: The Making of Modern America, 1877-1920"For over a decade Kevin Dann has been cycling friends, family, and clients over the streets of Manhattan to reveal delicious and tragic histories of the tension between the humane desire to understand the supra-sensible universe and the soul-crushing materialism that inundates Gotham. A more talented, erudite, and soulful guide does not exist. Enchanted New York renders those voyages into a book like a butterfly unfurling its wings as it emerges from the chrysalis shaped island." -- Gary Kroll, State University of New York, Plattsburgh

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy the 1850s, journalists and readers alike perceived Britain's search for the Northwest Passage as an ongoing story in the literary sense. Because this 'story' appeared, like so many nineteenth-century novels, in a series of installments in periodicals and reviews, it gained an appeal similar to that of fiction. Tracing the Connected Narrative examines written representations of nineteenth-century British expeditions to the Canadian Arctic. It places Arctic narratives in the broader context of the print culture of their time, especially periodical literature, which played an important role in shaping the public's understanding of Arctic exploration.Janice Cavell uncovers similarities between the presentation of exploration reports in periodicals and the serialized fiction that, she argues, predisposed readers to take an interest in the prolonged quest for the Northwest Passage. Cavell examines the same parallel in relation to the famous disappearance and subsequent

Read more less

Book SynopsisMy Omaha Obsession takes the reader on an idiosyncratic tour through some of Omaha’s neighborhoods, buildings, architecture, and people—celebrating the city’s unusual and overlooked history Trade Review“Miss Cassette is a social and urban historian of the highest order because her enquiries into Omaha’s past—idiosyncratic, haunting, and full of derring-do—bring endless delight to both herself and her readers. I inhaled this book.”—Alexander Payne, film director, screenwriter, and producer“I think even if I hadn’t spent the first third of my life in Omaha I would still adore Miss Cassette and her curious, charming, big-hearted, rigorous, and illuminating love for this random American city.”—Kurt Andersen, author of Evil Geniuses and Fantasyland"Nothing is too small or insignificant for the author of the blog My Omaha Obsession. A detective of the best Nancy Drew variety, she hunts down the histories of grand and unusual homes, restaurants and clubs and revels in revealing the mysteries about each of them."—Marjie Ducey, Omaha World-Herald"Based on Cassette's blog, My Omaha Obsession retains that intimate voice, addressing the readers as fellow detectives spying on these people's lives."—Linda Lombardi, Shelf Awareness“I have learned a great deal personally from Miss Cassette’s fascinating and erudite blog and have suggested this valuable resource to many local history researchers. Architecture, history, drama, and mystery: she finds the stories that bring old buildings alive.”—Martha Grenzeback, librarian of genealogy and local history, Omaha Public Library“In addition to the interesting stories Miss Cassette breathes to life with her research, she has helped me as a residential appraiser for Douglas County to ensure that our records on these historical properties are as accurate as possible.”—Scott Barnes, real estate appraiser, Douglas County Assessor Office“Old buildings are filled with great stories. Miss Cassette uncovers and tells them beautifully.”—Kristine Gerber, Omaha historian and former director of Restoration Exchange OmahaTable of ContentsForeword by Chris Ware Introduction Note to the Reader 1. The Mysteries of 4025 Izard Street 2. The Adventure of Twenty-Fifth Street 3. For the Love of Rose Lodge 4. The Secret of the House That Moved 5. The Clue to Bircheknolle 6. The Quest of Harkert’s Holsum Hamburger 7. The Curse of the Clover Leaf Club 8. Password to the Twenties Club Epilogue Acknowledgments

Read more less

Book SynopsisThrough more than five hundred years of the history of Peru's Interoceanic Highway, this book shows how the purposes, portrayals, and importance of roads change between historical periods, and thus why roads bring many more impacts and costs than their advocates and critics generally anticipate.Trade Review“This book teaches us the challenges of integration in Peru. It shows us that simply connecting through roads, without taking into account history, different cultures, and local visions of development, is not enough to achieve the long-awaited development.”—Cesar Gamboa, executive director of Law, Environment, and Natural Resources, a nonprofit in the Peruvian Amazon“This is a very timely and, in some ways, timeless subject of the post-industrial era. . . . It is an extraordinary undertaking, tracing five centuries of policies, programs, people, paradigms, and projects.”—Amanda Stronza, professor of ecology and conservation biology at Texas A&M University and co-founder and director of the Amazon Field School, Peru

Read more less

Book SynopsisFew ecosystem destinations are as abundant in their biodiversity as Costa Rica. Having the right field guides in hand can make all the difference when you're enjoying the country’s birdlife. Photo Guide to Birds of Costa Rica features 549 excellent photographs and treats 365 species.Table of ContentsIntroductionMap of Costa RicaAnatomical FeaturesGlossarySpecies Accounts and IllustrationsTinamousCurassows, Chachalacas, GuansNew World QuailSungrebeGrebesDucksCormorantsAnhingasPelicansFrigatebirdsBoobiesGulls, Terns, SkimmersSunbitternHerons, Egrets, BitternsIbises, SpoonbillsStorksLimpkinThick-kneesPlovers, LapwingsStilts, AvocetsSandpipers, AlliesJacanasRails, Crakes, GallinulesNew World VulturesOspreyHawks, Kites, EaglesFalcons, CaracarasOwlsPotoosOilbirdNightjars, AlliesSwiftsSwallowsHummingbirdsPigeons, DovesParrotsCuckoosTrogonsMotmotsKingfishersPuffbirdsJacamarsNew World BarbetsToucan-BarbetsToucansWoodpeckersOvenbirds, WoodcreepersTypical AntbirdsAntpittasAntthrushesTapaculosTyrant FlycatchersTityras, Becards, AlliesManakinsCotingasJays Thrushes, Allies Dippers Mockingbirds Silky-flycatchersGnatwrens, GnatcatchersWrensVireos New World WarblersTanagers, Seedeaters, AlliesFinches, New World Sparrows, Allies Grosbeaks, Buntings, Allies Blackbirds, Orioles Euphonias Species Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmphibians of Costa Rica is the first in-depth field guide to all 206 species of amphibians known to occur in Costa Rica or within walking distance of its borders.Trade ReviewAmphibians of Costa Rica: a Field Guide is one of the best books of this kind published thus far for Costa Rica. * HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn August 1858, William James Stillman, a painter and founding editor of the acclaimed but short-lived art journal The Crayon, organized a camping expedition for some of America''s preeminent intellectuals to Follensby Pond in the Adirondacks. Dubbed the Philosophers' Camp, the trip included the Swiss American scientist and Harvard College professor Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, the Republican lawyer and future U.S. attorney general Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, the Cambridge poet James Russell Lowell, and the transcendental philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, who would later pen a poem about the experience. News that these cultured men were living like Sacs and Sioux in the wilderness appeared in newspapers across the nation and helped fuel a widespread interest in exploring the Adirondacks.In this book, James Schlett recounts the story of the Philosophers' Camp, from the lives and careers ofand friendships and frictions amongthe participants to the extensive preparations for the expedition Trade ReviewOther scholars have paid glancing notice at this event but have confused its details or missed its importance. The most thorough scholarly account remains Paul Jamieson's "Emerson in the Adirondacks," published in New York History over a half-century ago and largely overlooked ever since.Until now.... Focusing primarily on the Follensby Pond expedition, Schlett uses it to develop a series of linked themes. The response of Stillman, Emerson, and others to the untouched wilderness of the central Adirondacks invites an assessment of how American culture was coping with the dramatic and often traumatic move away from its rural past and into an urban, industrial future. This is both an American and an Adirondack story (neither urban nor industrial, the Adirondacks is nonetheless what it is today because the rest of New York was becoming both), and Schlett employs it well. -- Philip Terrie * Adirondack Explorer *In his meticulous new history of the Philosophers' Camp,... the first book to focus exclusively on the event, Schlett tackles the subject with serious diligence, lending it a new kind of weight.... As readers will likely learn with some regret, Follensby Pond remains inaccessible to the public. In 2008, the Nature Conservancy purchased the 14,600-acre tract that includes the lake for $16 million from a private landowner. But after several unsuccessful attempts, Follensby has still not entered the state forest preserve, at which time the public will be permitted to visit. Neither is it a high priority. Nevertheless, it could be that Schlett's book redoubles those efforts. That is not something he intended with the book, yet he certainly wouldn't mind it either. -- James H. Miller * The Lake George Mirror *Many of us have heard the story of the Adirondacks' Philosophers' Camp near Follensby Pond that legendary getaway attended by such 19th-century dignitaries as Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Russell Lowell. But it’s always remained just that: the stuff of lore and legend rather than real tangible history. Until now. Award-winning reporter James Schlett... has shined a journalist’s spotlight on this excursion. -- Susan Arbetter * Capital Pressroom *This book offers considerable depth on an important event. Devotees of Adirondack history will find it well worth their effort. -- Richard Frost * Adirondack Daily Enterprise *Schlett makes a convincing argument for its significance. His archival detective work illuminates how widespread the interest in the event was at the time and beyond and contributes to an understanding of its importance in the biographies of the participants, as well as telling a history of the Adirondacks. * New York History *Modern visitors who find retreat and rejuvenation in the Adirondacks will likely enjoy knowing a bit about the people who blazed the trail. But I think that the book will be even more valuable for people living inside the Adirondacks. This is a region whose economic fate depends on outside people and their capital—either visitors or, tragically, prisoners. And to move forward as a region, it is important for locals to learn the cultural history and vocabulary of "the philosophers," even if the favor is not always returned. * Environmental history *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Amid the RuinsPart I. Nature and Society 1. Path to the Adirondacks 2. Turning Points 3. The Crayon 4. "Adieu to the World" 5. The Artist Reborn 6. Trial Run 7. The Procession to the PinesPart II. The Camp and Club 8. Acclimating to the Wild 9. The Worthy Crew Chaucer Never Had 10. Ampersand [Color Plates] 11. The Inaugural MeetingPart III. Campfire Lore 12. War 13. Peace 14. The Ravages of Modern Improvement 15. The Old America and the NewConclusion: The Story RebornPostscriptNotes Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Bolsheviks took power in Russia 1917 armed with an ideology centered on the power of the worker. From the beginning, however, Soviet leaders also realized the need for rest and leisure within the new proletarian society and over subsequent decades struggled to reconcile the concept of leisure with the doctrine of communism, addressing such fundamental concerns as what the purpose of leisure should be in a workers'' state and how socialist vacations should differ from those enjoyed by the capitalist bourgeoisie.In Club Red, Diane P. Koenker offers a sweeping and insightful history of Soviet vacationing and tourism from the Revolution through perestroika. She shows that from the outset, the regime insisted that the value of tourism and vacation time was strictly utilitarian. Throughout the 1920s and ''30s, the emphasis was on providing the workers access to the repair shops of the nation''s sanatoria or to the invigorating journeys by foot, bicycle, skis, or horseback that Trade ReviewClub Red, Diane Koenker's excellent new book on Soviet vacation travel, adds to a countercurrent that has gathered force in the past few years. Viewed from the perspective of vacations—or, in other recent works, of automobiles, moviegoing, television, or circuses—the divisions between the NEP, Stalin, and especially Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev periods often seem less sharp than we had previously imagined. Without ignoring repression, works in this vein elucidate aspects of normal Soviet life that previous scholarship had tended to obscure. -- Julie Hessler * The Journal of Modern History *In the early years of the Soviet era, vigorous outdoor activity held sway as a restorative and as a repudiation of the pleasure-filled, hotel-bound vacations favored in the West. Gradually, the regime made room for health sanatoriums and vacation travel, although still guided by 'scientifically planned and purposeful activities.' Ironically, these changes began in 1927, on the eve of Stalin's brutal collectivization of agriculture and first five-year plans. Koenker, with discriminating thoroughness, traces the evolution of Soviet vacationing from that point through the mid-1980s.... This is well-told history, a portrait of life in the Soviet Union that will be recognizable to those who lived it. -- Robert Legvold * Foreign Affairs *This solidly researched history of tourism concerns rest and recreation for the masses as well as outings by more privileged groups.... The book should interest historians and social scientists of the Soviet Unionas well as specialists of tourism elsewhere since she compares Soviet programs with Western tourism. -- Jeffery Brookes * The Journal of Interdisciplinary History *While adding a fresh perspective to the already rather extensive literature on Stalinist consumption, Koenker's work breaks substantial new ground in this account of late socialism and its reforms of consumption and consumerism, on which only a tiny number of archive-based studies yet exist. It also lays a foundation for scholars to investigate this important aspect of the Soviet experience from other perspectives and using other methodologies, including oral history... this ambitious, wide-ranging but still remarkably rigorous study will be of relevance and value to scholars of every period of Soviet history. -- Polly Jones * Slavic Review *Prodigiously researched and expertly written by a pioneering scholar of Soviet tourism, Club Red expands the analytical frameworks of Koenker’s earlier work, particularly her 2006 volume co-edited with Anne E. Gorsuch, Turizm: The Russian and East European Tourist under Capitalism and Socialism. -- Olga Mesropova and Thomas Waldemer * Slavic and East European Journal *[Readers] will be rewarded by seeing Soviet society from a unique and valuable vantage point. Koenker is to be commended for bringing this story to light and to life. * The American Historical Review *Koenker's extremely well researched and well-written book traces the two kinds of vacations (health resorts and tourism) through time and demonstrates how the Soviet state sought to construct a unique socialist leisure regime to benefit the proletariat.... This book will be of great interest to specialists in Soviet history and in the history of travel and tourism. * History *Club Red already provides readers with so much. It does an excellent job describing and analyzing the changing institutional leadership of and cultural and social meanings associated with spa and rest home vacations.... It provides important insights into the contradictions and tensions in the Soviet vacation system. It effectively situates vacations in the "socialist" consumer culture that began to emerge in the 1930s and burgeoned in the 1960s, as well as in the broader Soviet experiment. This extremely well-researched and fascinating book will be of value to many scholars, particularly those interested in consumer culture, vacations and tourism, and the Soviet Union. * Business History Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Vacations, Tourism, and the Paradoxes of Soviet Culture1. Mending the Human Motor2. Proletarian Tourism: The Best Form of Rest3. The Proletarian Tourist in the 1930s: Seeking the Good Life on the Road4. Restoring Vacations after the War5. From Treatment to Vacation: The Post-Stalin Consumer Regime6. Post-Proletarian Tourism: The New Soviet Person Takes to the Road7. The Modernization of Soviet TourismConclusion: Soviet Vacations and the Modern WorldBibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis guide is an essential companion for those interested in stewardship and conservation of the region. With multi-image composite photos that allow for unparalleled depth and clarity, this unique guide illustrates the myriad varied and beautiful—and often overlooked—mosses of the Northern Forest. * Northeastern Naturalist *Table of ContentsIntroduction Visual Glossary About Mosses 1. Quick Guides to Habitats Moss Map 1: Living Trees Moss Map 2: Woody Debris Moss Map 3: Acid Boulders Moss Map 4: Boreal Forest Floor Moss Map 5: Limy Boulder and Cobble Moss Map 6: Acid Ledges Moss Map 7: Limy Knolls and Ledges Moss Map 8: Rocky Woodland Stream Moss Map 9: Forest Floor in a Medium-Fertility Swamp Moss Map 10: Bog Pond, Open Bog, Spruce-Tamarack Swamp Moss Map 11: Rich Fen, Cedar Swamp 2. Quick Guides to Acrocarps About Acrocarps Dominant Acrocarps Acrocarps With Distinctive Shoots Acrocarps With Distinctive Leaves Ordinary Acrocarps With Sharp-Tipped Linear-Lanceolate Leaves Ordinary Acrocarps With Lanceolate Leaves Ordinary Acrocarps With Long-Tipped Leaves Ordinary Acrocarps With Oval or Oboval Leaves Acrocarps With Gemmae or Brood Branchesor Leaves Whose Tips Break Off Acrocarp Capsules 3. Quick Guides to Pleurocarps About Pleurocarps Dominant Upland Pleurocarps Dominant wetland and Stream-Bank Pleurocarps Treelike Pleurocarps Pleurocarps With Pinnate Branches Pleurocarps With Flattened Shoots Worm-Branched Pleurocarps Shaggy Pleurocarps Small Stringy Pleurocarps Straight-Leaved Pleurocarps With Slender Leaf Tips Broad-Leaved Pleurocarps With Oval or Oblong Leaves Falcate-Secund Pleurocarps, Not Pinnate Pleurocarps With Brood Branches Pleurocarp Capsules 4. Quick Guides to Sphagnum About Sphagnum The Sections of Sphagnum Colored Sphagnums Dominant Sphagnums, Covering Large Areas Sphagnums With Distinctive Heads Sphagnums With Distinctive Branches and Branch Leaves Sphagnums With Recurved Branch Leaves Sphagnums With Distinctive Stem Leaves Two Difficult Species 5. Systematic Sections Acrocarps Pleurocarps Sphagnum

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDevoted birders and readers with a more general interest in wildlife will appreciate this lovely collection. * Publisher's weekly *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Nighthawks: Lake Perez 2. Spotted Owls 3. Birding in Traffic 4. Buried Birds 5. The Problem with Pretty Birds 6. Red-headed Love Child 7. Crane, Water, Change: A Migratory Essay 8. The Black and White 9. One Single Hummingbird 10. Assault on the French Canal Bridge 11. Wild Swans 12. The Snowy Winter 13. Koan 14. This Is My Tribe 15. In the Eyes of the Condor 16. Little Brown Birds 17. The Keepers of the Ghost Bird 18. The Hour (or Two) before the Dawn 19. Secret of Owls 20. Guardian of the Garden 21. Chasing the Ghost of the Imperial Woodpecker 22. Extralimital 23. Death and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak 24. Birding on Bleaker Island 25. Nest Watcher 26. My Bird Problem

Read more less

Book SynopsisBoas of the West Indies is a comprehensive survey of boid snakes, commonly known as boas, found on the islands of the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles. Bringing together the expertise of leading herpetologists R. Graham Reynolds, Robert W. Henderson, Luis M. Díaz, Tomás Michel Rodríguez, and Alberto R. Puente-Rolón, this volume synthesizes established knowledge and new findings on the evolutionary biology, natural history, and conservation statuses of these iconic snakes.One of the most ecologically diverse snake families, boas have inhabited the West Indies for millions of years. From the Cuban boa, which in many folk legends may grow to over twice a person''s height, to the Hispaniolan vineboa, discovered only in 2020 and known to measure less than a meter long, Boas of the West Indies examines the eighteen species extant on these islands along with several others now extinct. Species accounts include details such as phTrade ReviewUltimately, what stood out to me while reading the book was the obvious dedication that the authors have for studying and conserving West Indian boas. This dedication is manifested in this excellent body of work that represents a leap in knowledge over the last 30 years. * Herpetological Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Shared History of Boas and Humans in the West Indies 2. Comparisons between West Indian and Neotropical Mainland Boas 3. Boas as Invaders in the West Indies and Beyond 4. Conservation of the West Indian Boa Fauna 5. Species Accounts 6. A Brief History of the Study of West Indian Boas Epilogue

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"J. M. Tyree's Vanishing Streets is a journey through the streets of London—and also through loss and failure, and, most of all, through the writer's 20-year love affair with his wife. In turns delightful and heartbreaking, Tyree's is the best kind of travel writing; it is an exploration of how one place can vividly reveal us to ourselves." -- Miranda Kennedy * author of Sideways on a Scooter: Life and Love in India *"Vanishing Streets is difficult to classify—parts travelogue, guidebook, and criticism, maybe even a bit of memoir—but this strange and wonderful book is easy to like. J. M. Tyree writes with wit and insight about everything from Free Cinema to his marriage to gentrification. These idiosyncratic tours of London create a mosaic portrait of his city that feels like a gift to its reader." -- Justin St. Germain * author of Son of a Gun *"Vanishing Streets is a vivid, sensual, and multi-directional take from a masterful writer who knows his craft, knows himself, and knows London. London is my favorite city on earth, and this book is a treasure house for all who adore this capital city." -- Jay Parini * author of The Last Station and Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal *"Vanishing Streets re-maps London. As both intimate guide and wide-eyed outsider, J. M. Tyree dwells in the places and histories lesser writers would ignore. Through his wry photos, searching intelligence, and witty, incisive prose, he imbues every street and every sentence with wonder and mystery. London is the most-visited city in the world. Open this book and see it anew." -- Will Boast * author of Epilogue: A Memoir *"Vanishing Streets encompasses so many different forms: it's a travelogue through an endlessly fascinating city, a deeply affecting memoir, and an elegy for London. J. M. Tyree's voice is myriad as well: wise and ironic and funny and frank and searing and honest. Readers will want to remain in Tyree's London long after they finish this book, drunk with wandering and wondering." -- Jesmyn Ward * author of Salvage the Bones and Men We Reaped *"Tyree's lyrical prose is distinctly cinematic, describing sweeping landscapes interspersed with tight shots, close-ups, and all the drama and symbolism of character quests with director's commentary, resulting a fresh portrait of London and an intriguing travelogue." -- Publishers Weekly"J. M. Tyree writes gorgeously, hauntingly of London. He enchants with ghostly byways, mythical wellsprings of memory, and astonishing secret civic trapdoors that lead to taproots of personal and cinematic identity. This is a dreamy subterranean work where one can equally find echoes of other cities—yours and mine—buried alive, subconsciously in sync with the great vanishing streets of a great city." -- Guy Maddin * director of My Winnipeg *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exploration of the winter wonders and entangled histories of Scandinavia’s northernmost landscapes—now back in print with a new afterword by the author After many years of travel in the Nordic countries—usually preferring to visit during the warmer months—Barbara Sjoholm found herself drawn to Lapland and Sápmi one winter just as mørketid, the dark time, set in. What ensued was a wide-ranging journey that eventually spanned three winters, captivatingly recounted in The Palace of the Snow Queen. From observing the annual construction of the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, to crossing the storied Finnmark Plateau in Norway, to attending a Sámi film festival in Finland, Sjoholm dives deep into the rich traditions and vibrant creative communities of the North. She writes of past travelers to Lapland and contemporary tourists in Sápmi, as well as of her encounters with Indigenous reindeer herders, activists, and change-makers. Her new afterword bears witness to the perseverance of the Sámi in the face of tourism, development, and climate change. Written with keen insight and humor, The Palace of the Snow Queen is a vivid account of Sjoholm’s adventures and a timely investigation of how ice and snow shape our imaginations and create a vision that continues to draw visitors to the North.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA journey to find Norway’s supposed bliss makes for a comic travelogue that asks, seriously, what makes Norwegians so damn happy—and does it translate? Norway is usually near or at the top of the World Happiness Report. But is it really one of the happiest countries on Earth? Eric Dregni had his doubts. Years ago he and his wife had lived in this country his great-great-grandfather once fled. When their son Eilif was born there, the Norwegian government paid for the birth, gave them $5,000, and deposited $150 into their bank account every month, but surely happiness was more than a generous health care system. What about all those grim months without sun? When Eilif turned fifteen, father and son decided to go back together and investigate. For the Love of Cod is their droll report on the state of purported Norwegian bliss.Arriving in May, a month of festivals and eternal sun, the Dregnis are thrust into Norway at its merriest—and into the reality of the astronomical cost of living, which forces them to find lodging with friends and relatives. But this gives them an inside look at the secrets to a better life. It’s not the massive amounts of money flowing from the North Sea oil fields but how these funds are distributed that fuels the Norwegian version of democratic socialism—resulting in miniscule differences between rich and poor. Locals introduce them to the principles underlying their avowed contentment, from an active environmentalism that translates into flyskam (flight shame), which keeps Norwegians in the family cabin for the long vacations prescribed by law and charges a 150 percent tax on gas guzzlers (which, Eilif observes, means more Teslas seen in one hour than in a year in Minnesota!). From a passion for dugnad or community volunteerism and sakte or “slow,” a rejection of the mad pace of modernity, to the commodification of Viking history and the dark side of Black Metal music that turns the idea of quaint, traditional Norway upside down, this idiosyncratic father and son tour lets readers, free of flyskam, see how, or whether, Norwegian happiness translates.Trade Review"Eric Dregni is the best kind of tour guide, bringing to life a country vis-à-vis its people, its (sometimes odd) customs, and its places. Brew some kaffe, get koselig (cozy), and settle in to do some armchair traveling to Norway. It’s a trip you’ll be lykkelig (happy) to take."—Lorna Landvik, author of Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes) "For the Love of Cod is full of Norwegian culture, social structure, language and climate erudition."—Rochester Post-Bulletin "Honest, funny, and down to earth, For the Love of Cod is an eye-opening look at how Norway discovered the key to real happiness."—Foreword Reviews"[Dregni] writes about the country’s stunning beauty."—Third Coast Review "An insider’s view of the Norwegian perspective on democratic socialism, Viking history, and long winter nights."—Ely Summer Times "For The Love of Cod reminds us of the importance of exploring heritage, and the joys of immersing oneself in a new culture."—The Sword Newspaper

Read more less

Book SynopsisA century ago, New Yorkers, hungry for mountain air, good food, and a Jewish environment combined with an American way of leisure, began to develop a resort area unique in the world. By the 1950s, this summer Eden of bungalow colonies, summer camps, and over 900 hotels had attracted over a million people a year. This was the Jewish Catskills of Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Born to a small hotel-owning family who worked for decades in hotels after losing their own, Phil Brown tells a story of the many elements of this magical environment. His own waiter's tales, his mother's culinary exploits as a chef, and his father's jobs as maitre d' and coffee shop operator offer a backdrop to the vital life of Catskills summers. Catskill Culture recounts the life of guests, staff, resort owners,entertainers, and local residents through the author's memories and archival research and the memories of 120 others. The Catskills resorts shaped American Jewish culture, enabling Jews to become more American while at the same time introducing the American public to immigrant Jewish culture. Catskills entertainment provided the nation with a rich supply of comedians, musicians, and singers. Legions of young men and women used the Catskills as a springboard to successful careers and marriages. A decline for the resort area beginning in the 1970s has led to many changes. Today most of the hotels and bungalow colonies are gone or in ruins, while other communities, notably those of the Hasidim, have appeared. The author includes an appendix listing over 900 hotels he has been able to document and invites readers to contact him with additional entries.Trade Review"With an insider's love and knowledge and a sociologist's objectivity, Phil Brown has written a book that avoids the sentimentality and condescension that have marred many of its predecessors. Interviews with former employees, owners and guests provide priceless insights into the culture of the Mountains. Brown's own voice is so warm, rich and good natured you will feel as if you are in the care of the most gracious of hosts as you experience life at the great-and not so great-Jewish resorts of the past." -Eileen Pollack, Director of Creative Writing, University of Michigan, and author of The Rabbi in the Attic and Other Stories "A powerful blend of personal memoir, sociological study, and historical ethnography, Catskill Culture recalls the life of Jewish Catskill mountain resort culture from its early years before World War II through its heyday in the postwar era and its subsequent decline in recent decades. Phil Brown's engaging and eminently readable account is shot through with nostalgic ambivalence for the world of work that produced the leisure industry known as 'the borscht belt'... An insightful exploration of the workplace culture of the Catskills resorts, the book speaks to all who have ever visited the mountains or heard stories about them as well as to students of contemporary ethnicity and culture." -Deborah Dash Moore, Professor of Religion, Vassar College, and author of To the Golden Cities: Pursuing the American Jewish Dream in Miami and L.A. "With part autobiography, part ethnography, Brown takes us back, nostalgically, to the halcyon days of this resort community. Remarkably, he depicts the area with such vivid illustrations that he brings alive the emotions, sentiments, and good will for which the Catskills were known. A labor of love...Mazel Tov, Phil!" -Contemporary Sociology "Using photographs and interviews, [Brown] takes a nostalgic look at the Borscht Belt and its decline...A pleasant read." -Library Journal "Because of his fond experience, Brown's ethnography is much warmer, more personal than most. It is a documentary of assimilation and a return to one's roots." -Publishers Weekly "One of the virtues of Phil Brown's unapologetically nostalgic memoir of growing up and working in the legendary Catskill Mountains-as busboy, cook, waiter, musician and all around 'mountain rat'-is that his particular nostalgia is profoundly earned. Indeed, he is deeply in touch with the vanished Jewish world of his parents who labored for their entire lives in the mountains. Brown offers an insider's-a native ethnographer's-account of this region and the astonishing Jewish culture it spawned." -American Jewish History "Whether you remember the summers in the Catskills, or heard nostalgic tales about this bygone era, this book is worth reading." -Lifestyles Magazine in Buffalo, NY "Part memoir, part history, part sociology: Catskill Culture is basically an engagingly-written jog down Memory Lane augmented by anecdotes..." -The Journal of American Ethnic HistoryTable of ContentsAcknowledgments 1. Returning to the Catskills 2. How the Jewish Catskills Started 3. Kuchalayns and Bungalow Colonies 4. Hotel Life 5. Entertainment 6. "Mountain Rats": The More Skilled Workers and Other Veterans 7. Young Workers: Waiters, Busboys, Counselors, Bellhops, and Others 8. Guests 9. Resort Religion and Yiddishkeit 10. Decline, Present, and Future 11. What Made It So Special? Appendix: Hotels of the Catskills Notes Bibliography Index Photographs

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book leaves no stone unturned. A complete guide that includes many wonderful sights not included in other travel books. The long history of celebrity association in Palm Springs is regaled in detail (including some juicy gossip)! Distinctive for their accuracy, simplicity, and conversational tone, the diverse travel guides in our Explorer's Great Destinations series meet the conflicting demands of the modern traveler. They're packed full of up-to-date information to help plan the perfect gateway. And they're compact and light enough to come along for the ride. A tool you'll turn to before, during, and after your trip, these guides include these helpful features: chapters on lodging, dining, transportation, history, shopping, recreation and more; a section packed with practical information, such as lists of banks, hospitals, post offices, laundromats, numbers for police, fire, and rescue, and other relevant information; and maps of regions and locales.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeople everywhere are waking up to the extraordinary health benefits of coconut oil. Rejoice, then, in more than 75 mouthwatering, gluten-free, grain-free coconut oil and coconut flour recipes paired with beautiful photographs.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGuiding you to the best of everything in Vermont for over 30 years!

Read more less

Book SynopsisFinally, for every resident and visitor to the region, a comprehensive guide to the gardens of eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware. Magnificently illustrated with nearly 200 full color photographs, A GUIDE TO THE GREAT GARDENS OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION provides essential information on how to locate and enjoy the finest gardens the area has to offer. As the horticultural epicenter of the United States, Philadelphia and the surrounding towns, suburbs, and countryside are blessed with more public gardens in a concentrated area than almost any other region in the world. Stretching from Trenton, New Jersey through Philadelphia and down to Newark, Delaware, this area (often called the Delaware Valley) offers more horticultural riches than a visitor can possibly see even in a coupl of weeks of hectic garden-hopping. In A GUIDE TO THE GREAT GARDENS OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION you will find: Detailed coverage of almost 100 gardens Maps to indicate where area gardens are in relation to each other to plan day trip itineraries Key information about each major garden, including hours, fees, time needed for a tour, history, acreage, and special features Over a dozen gardens that have never before been featured in any garden guidebook Arranged by interest, to help guide readers to gardens that will most meet their needs Notations about historical houses, cafes/restaurants, gift shops, and chidren's features at each major gardenTrade Review"I am thrilled to finally see such a thorough and useful guide to the gardens of the Delaware Valley. A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region will make a wonderful addition to any garden lover's library. Adam Levine and Rob Cardillo are the perfect guides-bringing these gardens to life in word and image. Their knowledge about the gardens in our area makes this an invaluable book indeed."—Jane G. Pepper, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural SocietyTable of ContentsCONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. How to Use This Book Garden descriptions 1. Central 2. Central Philadelphia 3. South 4. West 5. North 6. More Gardens (Community, Private) 7. Garden Visit Hints Back Matter 1. Maps 2. Acknowledgements 3. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster is a memoir of a twenty-first-century literary pilgrimage to retrace the famous eighteenth-century Scottish journey of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, two of the most celebrated writers of their day. William W. Starr enlivens this crisply written travelogue with a playful wit, an enthusiasm for all things Scottish, the boon and burden of American sensibility, and an ardent appreciation for Boswell and Johnson--who make frequent cameos throughout these ramblings. In 1773 the sixty-three-year-old Johnson was England's pre-eminent man of letters, and Boswell, some thirty years Johnson's junior, was on the cusp of achieving his own literary celebrity. For more than one hundred days, the distinguished duo toured what was then largely unknown Scottish terrain, later publishing their impressions of the trip in a pair of classic journals. In 2007 Starr embarked on a three-thousand-mile trek through the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, following the path--though in reverse--of Boswell and Johnson. He recorded a wealth of keen observations on his encounters with people and places, lochs and lore, castles and clans, fables and foibles. Starr couples his contemporary commentary with passages from Boswell's and Johnson's published accounts, letters, and diaries to weave together a cohesive travel guide to the Scotland of yore and today. This is a celebration of Scottish life and a spirited endorsement of the wondrous, often unexpected discoveries to be made through good travel and good writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Mississippi Delta has been called ""the most southern place on earth."" This fertile expanse of flat land sprawls along the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, southward to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Culturally rich as well, the Delta is the land where the blues began.New Delta Rising is an exploration of Mississippi Delta life and a celebration of the indefatigable Delta people who live there.Award-winning photographer Magdalena Solé spent a year interviewing and photographing hundreds of residents in the Mississippi Delta. The deep connection she felt comes through in the compelling images in this book. Solé captures their personal dignity, resilience, and resourcefulness, along with the closeness of family and community she found among them.The accompanying text gives voice to the people of the Delta, illuminating their strength and character and spirit---a spirit bound up in a deeply rooted sense of place and shown in their compassion for one another. In their stories the people of the Delta have much to offer to the rest of the United States.Rick Bragg, the acclaimed author of All Over but the Shoutin', contributes to the volume a lyrical essay evoking the distinctive aura of the Mississippi Delta. He writes, ""Myth and magic and legend swirl into the real world, and it can be hard to tell where one stops and the other begins.""

Read more less

Book SynopsisRoads, Peoples, Birds, Mountaintops, and Billabongs recounts the unparalleled 3-year adventure around the world of a passionate ornithologist and an aspiring entrepreneur in an overweight Jeep camping van, 1959–1962. In this expedition around the world, Dean Fisher, with only one companion and a vehicle that broke down endlessly, speaks not only of the birds and natural history, but also the people and cultures encountered, not to mention the many challenges that had to be solved. This was all done long before international travel had become commonplace or bird guides were available for most of the places he visits. For many years, those of fascinated by his accounts urged him to write down these tales of adventure so they wouldn’t be lost. Finally, he has done so, and now we can all share in his incredible journey, from a time that seems quite distant and more innocent.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this information-packed, month-to-month guide to the wildlife, plants, and natural events that define the seasonal cycles in Big Bend National Park, naturalists Lynne and Jim Weber offer a richly illustrated guide to the natural rhythms of this beautiful and remote region in far West Texas. If you're on the lookout for deer in January, tracking hummingbirds in August, photographing wildflowers in September, or listening to frog choruses after a summer rain—the authors provide “Where to Watch” suggestions on when and how to see these and many other park inhabitants, from beavers and bats to lizards and dragonflies. Each chapter features a weather and temperature chart, photographs, and eye-catching illustrations by Lynne Weber. Whether you are a casual tourist or a frequent visitor to Big Bend, the authors hope that knowing what to look for during your stay in one of the nation’s largest national parks will heighten your awareness, sharpen your observation skills, and enhance your overall experience in this iconic Texas landscape.Trade ReviewFew people know Big Bend National Park as well as Lynne and Jim Weber... and in Nature Watch they share that knowledge with readers"" - Roland ""Ro"" Wauer, author of Naturalist's Big Bend

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Pacific Northwest has a thriving, rich film culture, and it's finally celebrated in a guide as visually arresting and compelling as the films and television themselves. Author David Schmader put in a lot of screen time watching movies and TV shows, and the result is more than 200 entries that feature hilarious and insightful synopses, behind-the-scene facts and trivia, and regional scenic highlights. Sidebars showcase filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and Lynn Shelton, the television shows that shaped the public's perception of the region (such as Twin Peaks, Shrill, and Portlandia!), documentaries, queer cinema, silent films, Vancouver-shot imposters, and more. This is a book for any cinephile, but for those who love and live in the PNW, it's an absolute must-have.Trade Review“Filmlandia is a quick, joyful read that’s as much a love letter to local film and television icons such as Lynn Shelton, Megan Griffiths, and Irene from the Real World as it is to the Pacific Northwest’s (mostly) sparkling scenery. And oh, boy, is this corner of the country filled with weird little treasures.” —The Stranger“David Schmader’s film writing has always been dryly funny and incisive, but it has rarely been this affectionate. This very comprehensive collection of PNW-centric film and TV capsules is for locals or tourists, hardcore cinephiles or casual viewers. Full disclosure: David once called me a "Showgirls truther.” —Matt Lynch, Scarecrow Video, cohost of The Suspense Is Killing Us podcast and YouTube’s Viva Physical Media Table of ContentsCONTENTS Introduction: A Film Lover's Paradise SEATTLE & WASHINGTONWashington Fun Boxes (sidebars to appear throughout)Bruce Lee | Dystopian Futures | Film Festivals | Frasier | Grey’s Anatomy | Kurt Cobain | Lynn Shelton | Megan Griffiths | Movie Houses | Northern Exposure | PNW Film All-Stars | PNW XXX | Queer Cinema | Seattle Verite: Seattle Documentaries | The Real World | Rose Red | Scarecrow Video | Twin Peaks | Vancouver Switcheroo10 Things I Hate About You | 21 & Over | 50 Shades of Gray | American Heart | The Art of Racing in the Rain | Assassins | Battle in Seattle | Beacon Hill Boys | Benny & Joon | A Bit of Bad Luck | Black Widow | The Book of Stars | Boy Culture | Brand Upon the Brain! | Bustin Loose | The Changeling | Cinderella Liberty | Come See the Paradise | Cthulu | Daredreamer | Dear Lemon Lima | The Details | Disclosure | Dogfight | Double Jeopardy | East of the Mountains | Enough | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Fear | Frances | Georgia | Get Carter | Gory Gory Hallelujah | Grassroots | The Hand That Rocks the Cradle | Harry and the Hendersons |Harry in Your Pocket |Highway |Hit! |House of Games |The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle | It Happened at the World’s Fair | Karl Krogstad | The Last Mimzy | Late Autumn | Life or Something Like It | Little Buddha | Love Happens | Mad Love | Money Buys Happiness | My Last Year with the Nuns | Officer & a Gentleman | Old Goats | Paper Tigers | The Parallax View | Plain Clothes | Police Beat | Power |Practical Magic | Red Dawn | The Ring | Safety Not Guaranteed | Say Anything | Seven Hours to Judgment | Singles | Slaves to the Underground | Sleepless in Seattle | The Slender Thread | Snow Falling on Cedars | Surviving the Game | This Boy’s Life | Trouble in Mind | True Adolescents | Tugboat Annie | Twice in a Lifetime | Twilight | Unforgettable | The Vanishing | Waiting for the Light | War Games | Where’d You Go, Bernadette? | World’s Greatest DadPORTLAND & OREGONPortland Fun Boxes (sidebars to appear throughout)Astoria! | Behind the Music | Eternal Silents | Film Festivals | The Technicolor Frontier! | Grimm | Gus Van Sant | Jack Nicholson | Kelly Reichardt | LAIKA Studios | Movie Houses | PDX Docs | Portlandia! | Prefontaine vs Prefontaine | The Real World: Portland | Shrill | The Simpsons Animal House | Benji the Hunted | The Black Stallion | Body of Evidence | Captain Fantastic | C.O.G. | Dead Man | The Fog | Foxfire | Free Willy | The Goonies | Hear No Evil | How to Beat the High Cost of Living | I Don’t Feel at Home in This World | The Indian Fighter | Into the Wild | Kindergarten Cop | Lean on Pete | Leave No Trace | Lost Horizon | Maverick | Men of Honor | Mr. Brooks | Mr. Holland’s Opus | My Name is Bruce | Overboard | Pay It Forward | PIG | Point Break | The River Wild | Ring of Fire | Roaring Timber | Rooster Cogburn | Short Circuit | Sometimes a Great Notion | Stand By Me | Swordfish | Thumbsucker | Wild ConclusionViewing ListsAcknowledgmentsSources Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisOutback Nevada is a collection of articles John M. Glionna wrote as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and as a freelance writer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. These stories introduce readers to the "real Nevada," revealing hidden subcultures, offbeat tales, and the diverse spirit and character of the state's rural people and the land they inhabit.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNeon Nevada takes readers and viewers on a literal and pictorial journey not only along the old Las Vegas Strip, but also down quiet two-lane rural roads punctuated occasionally with neon signs, those glistening beacons of civilization against the desert night sky. Because the neon resurgence has resulted in an institutionalization and appreciation of Nevada neon unlikely to fade, it is time for this updated statewide neon survey to complete the four-decade project – first published by the Press in 1994.Trade Review"This is not merely a coffee table book. It's an immersive journey through time, a celebration of art, culture, and nostalgia. Whether you're a history buff, an admirer of stunning photography, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of a bygone era, this book is a must-have. It provides a rare glimpse into a captivating part of Nevada's history, preserving the legacy of these iconic neon signs for generations to come."—Nick Vedros, president, the LUMI Neon Museum"The illuminating pages of Neon Nevada are back in print! Our well-traveled, dog-eared copy went with us on our first epic neon road trip and will sit side-by-side on the shelf with this beautiful new edition. Two copies recommended: one for your neon library, and one for your next Nevada road trip."—Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna, coauthors of Saving Neon and San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons "Neon Nevada captures the energy and vitality of neon—one of the . . . most effective forms of advertising. The book is a testament to the largely unknown sign designers and tube benders who have made and continue to make Nevada's magnificent commercial landscape all aglitter!"—Alan Goldman, Blue Plate Productions, producer of the documentary film, "Glowing in the Dark" "Neon Nevada takes hits the jackpot, taking readers on a hellbent ride. . . . Through their vivid images and narratives, the authors bring the beauty and stories behind this fascinating slice of Americana to life." —Douglas Towne, editor, Society for Commercial Archeology JournalTable of Contents Chapter One: Electric Jewels of the Nevada Desert Chapter Two: Few Neon Reflections Splash at the Lake while Carson Glows Chapter Three: The Biggest Little City in the World Chapter Four: Neon in the Cow Counties Chapter Five: Wandering the Neon Desert from Wendover Will to Cactus Pete Chapter Six: Light on the Loneliest Road in America Chapter Seven: New Flare in the South Chapter Eight: Las Vegas! Chapter Nine: The Tube-bending Craft Chapter Ten: Museum Pieces Chapter Eleven: A Date with Vegas Vickie Chapter Twelve: A Tour with the Young Brothers and a Hello to Paul's Signs Star Bender Epilogue: The Future for Neon in Nevada Acknowledgements Index About the Author

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect companion to experiencing everything that America’s most famous road has to offer, The Route 66 Photo Road Trip guides the reader from Amarillo to Las Vegas, with recommendations for dining and lodging, lists of attractions, itineraries and tips for capturing memorable photographs with professional gear or a phone.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Halfway Homemade, discover flavourful, simple recipes for any meal. From quick and delicious week-night dinners to beautiful, party-pleasing desserts, every recipe includes tips and tricks that will make cooking dinner—plus snacks, side dishes and desserts—a joy.Trade Review"Time-poor folk will adore the enticing recipes, which are clever and comforting. Parrish’s write-ups for each recipe are entertaining and informative. It’s a great idea for busy households." -- Choice Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisA happy dog radiates joy. Yet the mystery of what is going on behind the gleeful eyes of a happy dog remains. Are they operating at a higher stage of enlightenment or just buttering us up before we discover the tiny, torn remnants of wrapper dotting the hall? Grace Chon’s collection of world-class canines offers Melanie Monteiro plenty of opportunity to pair expressions with inner dialogue.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCuba is continuing to see a big upswing in American and Canadian tourism since relations between the nations were relaxed a couple years ago. As locals and thrifty travelers know, the cheapest, healthiest, most scenic—and often fastest—way to travel in Cuba is by bicycle. The rides vary in length, many combining to create multiday loops. Detailed directions describe rides leaving Havana to the west and east. Subsequent rides are clustered in the three best regions of Cuba for cycling: Pinar del Rio, Central Cuba, and the Oriente. Organized cleverly by regions outside Havana that are just made for cycling, this guide will include 36 rides that make the most of every mile. In addition to directions, maps, and a scenic itinerary for each ride, there will also be crucial information for the bicycling traveler, including where to get supplies and equipment, how to safely park your bike, safety tips, and more.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMake your own journey through the natural wonders of Upstate New York.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom a social media powerhouse, a witty and unpretentious cocktail collection featuring both classic and original recipes, vibrant photography and whimsical illustrations

Read more less

Book SynopsisRomantasy fans will enjoy 50 enchanting cocktails sure to transport you through starry skies, bloody battles and steamy hookups

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat goes better together than chocolate and peanut butter? This match made in heaven has delighted young and old alike for decades. In the Midwest, these two delicious ingredients are combined into a sweet treat named after an Ohio tree nut: the buckeye. These little round balls of peanut buttery goodness—rolled and dipped in chocolate, of course—appear on platters at fan tailgates, church potlucks, family gatherings, and on cash register displays. They have become a staple of Midwestern culture and even have their own Buckeye Candy Trail through the state of Ohio. Midwestern native, author, and food lover Cyle Young reveals the history of the buckeye tree and the stories, folklore, and superstitions that accompany the famous nut. From the buckeye's place in the presidential campaign of William Henry Harrison to Ohio State's self-proclaimed biggest football fan, Buckeyes includes fascinating tidbits and stories for any candy lover. Young also shares which stores on the trail still make the buckeye candies the traditional way—by hand. Alongside classic recipes for the candy itself and sweet treats inspired by buckeye flavors—cakes, brownies, beverages, and more—are numerous tips on how to choose your peanut butter and chocolate, the many ways to melt your chocolate, and other secrets to help you become a buckeye connoisseur.Table of Contents1. The Buckeye Candy2. History of the Buckeye Tree3. People, Places, and Things (and the Buckeye Candy)4. The "Original" Buckeye Recipe5. Recipes6. Appendix: Original Buckeye Candy Trail

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeer. Friends. Fun. Put them together, and you have a beer fest! Join M. B. Mooney as he travels the United States to bring you the delights of Beer Fest USA. While beer has always been an important part of American culture, the last three decades have seen an explosion in the popularity of craft brews and microbrews, and, along with them, beer festivals. Modeled on their German counterparts such as Munich's Oktoberfest, beer festivals allow brewers to introduce customers to their creations, to educate the public about the differences between various craft beers, to learn from beer drinkers, and to promote friendship. Beer Fest USA introduces beer enthusiasts—novices and seasoned beer geeks alike—to thirteen of the biggest and best beer festivals in the US, giving you a taste of the unique history and flavor of each. So get ready to drink up, laugh with friends, and start planning your next beer festival vacation.Trade ReviewBeer Fest USA is a delightful armchair romp with a baker's dozen touchdowns, Alaska to Georgia, California to Washington, DC., with a lot of heartland in between. Each stop is surrounded by pertinent historical background, personalized stories about the people who developed each festival, and verbal snapshots about the people who attend. * Nuvo *A wealth of black-and-white photographs enhance Beer Fest USA: Celebrating American Craft Brews, a tour of thirteen of the biggest beer festivals in the United States. Inspired by German occasions such as Munich's Oktoberfest, these venues are choice picks for craft beer connoisseurs and vacationers enjoy! Beer Fest USA is highly recommended for American travelers who are also connoisseurs of craft brew. * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsForewordAcknowledgments1. Suwanee Beer Fest (Suwanee, GA)2. Great American Beer Fest (Denver, CO)(Portland, OR)3. Oregon Brewers Festival (Portland, OR)4. Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (Chicago, IL)5. Brewgaloo Beer Fest (Raleigh, NC)6. Great Taste of the Midwest (Madison WI)7. Culmination Beer Fest (Anchorage, Alaska)8. Hard Liver Barleywine Festival (Seattle, WA)9. Firestone Walker Invitational (Paso Robles, CA)10. Tailspin Ale Fest (Louisville, KY)11. Prairieland Beer and Music Fest (Wichita, KS)12. Brews on the Bricks (Hays, Kansas)13. Savor Beer Fest (Washington, D.C.)ConclusionNotesBibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeer. Friends. Fun. Put them together, and you have a beer fest! Join M. B. Mooney as he travels the United States to bring you the delights of Beer Fest USA. While beer has always been an important part of American culture, the last three decades have seen an explosion in the popularity of craft brews and microbrews, and, along with them, beer festivals. Modeled on their German counterparts such as Munich's Oktoberfest, beer festivals allow brewers to introduce customers to their creations, to educate the public about the differences between various craft beers, to learn from beer drinkers, and to promote friendship. Beer Fest USA introduces beer enthusiasts—novices and seasoned beer geeks alike—to thirteen of the biggest and best beer festivals in the US, giving you a taste of the unique history and flavor of each. So get ready to drink up, laugh with friends, and start planning your next beer festival vacation.Trade ReviewBeer Fest USA is a delightful armchair romp with a baker's dozen touchdowns, Alaska to Georgia, California to Washington, DC., with a lot of heartland in between. Each stop is surrounded by pertinent historical background, personalized stories about the people who developed each festival, and verbal snapshots about the people who attend. * Nuvo *A wealth of black-and-white photographs enhance Beer Fest USA: Celebrating American Craft Brews, a tour of thirteen of the biggest beer festivals in the United States. Inspired by German occasions such as Munich's Oktoberfest, these venues are choice picks for craft beer connoisseurs and vacationers enjoy! Beer Fest USA is highly recommended for American travelers who are also connoisseurs of craft brew. * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsForewordAcknowledgments1. Suwanee Beer Fest (Suwanee, GA)2. Great American Beer Fest (Denver, CO)(Portland, OR)3. Oregon Brewers Festival (Portland, OR)4. Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (Chicago, IL)5. Brewgaloo Beer Fest (Raleigh, NC)6. Great Taste of the Midwest (Madison WI)7. Culmination Beer Fest (Anchorage, Alaska)8. Hard Liver Barleywine Festival (Seattle, WA)9. Firestone Walker Invitational (Paso Robles, CA)10. Tailspin Ale Fest (Louisville, KY)11. Prairieland Beer and Music Fest (Wichita, KS)12. Brews on the Bricks (Hays, Kansas)13. Savor Beer Fest (Washington, D.C.)ConclusionNotesBibliography

Read more less