Into the Wild

Amazon.com

"God, he was a smart kid..." So why did Christopher McCandless trade a bright future--a college education, material comfort, uncommon ability and charm--for death by starvation in an abandoned bus in the woods of Alaska? This is the question that Jon Krakauer's book tries to answer. While it doesn't—cannot—answer the question with certainty, Into the Wild does shed considerable light along the way. Not only about McCandless's "Alaskan odyssey," but also the forces that drive people to drop out of society and test themselves in other ways. Krakauer quotes Wallace Stegner's writing on a young man who similarly disappeared in the Utah desert in the 1930s: "At 18, in a dream, he saw himself ... wandering through the romantic waste places of the world. No man with any of the juices of boyhood in him has forgotten those dreams." Into the Wild shows that McCandless, while extreme, was hardly unique; the author makes the hermit into one of us, something McCandless himself could never pull off. By book's end, McCandless isn't merely a newspaper clipping, but a sympathetic, oddly magnetic personality. Whether he was "a courageous idealist, or a reckless idiot," you won't soon forget Christopher McCandless.

Book Description

In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter.  How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.

Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir.  In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his  cash.  He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and , unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented.  Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away.  Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild.

Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life.  Admitting an interst that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the dries and desires that propelled McCandless.  Digging deeply, he takes an inherently compelling mystery and unravels the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons.

When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris.  He is said  to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity , and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding--and not an ounce of sentimentality. Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.

Customer Reviews:

sad but inspiring.......2007-10-17

I was'nt sure if this book was up my alley. turns out i read the thing in record time. If you ever wanted to explore the outdoors withour watching the Discovery channel, this is your book. Real life story about a guy who did just that. can't wait to see the movie.

Modern Day Walden-Good Story-Mediocre Story Teller.......2007-10-17

I liked this book because frankly, but there for the grace of God go I. I could relate to this story quite a bit having graduated from university, traveled the world and gone to work in Alaska myself. I think anyone who has struggled with the question of leading a purposeful life in the modern world will find this book intriguing.

This story is sad, but in the end you are grateful knowing Chris couldn't have lived and died any other way. As much as he loved life, what other way could he have gone? He had a morality that was objective of religion and nation. It would have been very very hard for him to find a place in this world. Thank God he didn't have to live to see the age of Bush. He would have been really disappointed in humans if he'd been around to witness the current state of affairs.

The reason I'm giving this three stars is that the story telling isn't very good. I liked about ten chapters of this book very well, then it started to get old quickly. It seemed like Krakauer did too much back and forth in the last third of the book. He'd write about another adventurer to illustrate his points about Chris, then go back to the story, then go back to another adventurer, then go back to Chris, then tell his personal adventure story, then go back to Chris. I think he went through four other adventurers life and his own. Too many examples over too many chapters to make one point about the kind of person Chris was. Seems like Krakauer could have condensed all the other adventurers stories into one chapter, but I don't think he would have had much of a book then. That's the problem with what started out as an article in Outdoor magazine tries to get stretched into a book with creative padding and quotes from good books like Walden. The results are so-so.

I did see the movie after seeing the book and frankly, Sean Penn did a better job. He used Chris's sister to give the story narrative cohesion and left out the bits about the other adventurers and Krakauer's own journey. Works a lot better.

A magazine article made into a book.......2007-10-17

The author tries to extend a magazine article to book length by retelling the same story 4 or 5 times plus inserting chapters of related personal experiences. The story is good. Wish it was written in chronological order instead of in circles. Can't wait to see the movie. But overall, the book "A Walk In The Woods" is a better read for those with a passon for nature.

Bitter sweet.......2007-10-15

Into the wild is a book bordering on genius and insanity much like the people written so passionately in it's pages. The book is a great read for sure but whether or not it is a good thing is hard to say. I feel cheated. After seeing the preview for the movie I hoped for an inspirational book but after reading the cover I realized that wasn't going to be the case. It is written like an article and not a story. That made it feel more real and at the same time ruined the beautiful story with reality. Hopefully this book will deter people from tempting the fates to escape what they'll miss the most in the end.

A memorable book .......2007-10-14

Trips like that always tend to be instructive. The lesson that Chris apparently learned was that there was a reason why people had left the wild in the first place. Great book. I hear the movie is good too.

A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))

Average customer rating:

Up to the usual Peterson Field Guides standards
excellent seller and product
Wonderful
Not quite as good as the medicinal
perfect choice

A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))

Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 039592622X

Book Description

More than 370 edible wild plants, plus 37 poisonous look-alikes, are described here, with 400 drawings and 78 color photographs showing precisely how to recognize each species. Also included are habitat descriptions, lists of plants by season, and preparation instructions for 22 different food uses.

Customer Reviews:

Up to the usual Peterson Field Guides standards.......2007-03-23

Although this book is well written and organized, I have one minor complaint...

If you are going to depend on a book to decide whether or not you can eat something without poisoning yourself, the pictures next to the plant descriptions ought to be in color rather than black and white sketches.

excellent seller and product.......2007-02-13

Item as described and received in a timely manner... an excellent buying experience!

Wonderful.......2007-01-10

This is a very comprehensive book that I am learning much from. It is exhaustive in showing edible plants, many that I didnt realize.

Not quite as good as the medicinal.......2006-08-17

The pictures aren't good enough to make identification easy. Good information if you have another book to identify the plants with.

perfect choice.......2005-09-13

As usual the Petersen Guide did not disappoint me. It's exactly what I wanted for plant identification

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society Field Guide)

Average customer rating:

National Audubon Society Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition
Great for general curiosity
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society F
Awesome!!
Wildflowers: Western Region by Audubon Society

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society Field Guide)
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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ASIN: 0375402330
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Amazon.com

Covering the vast region from Alaska to California and east to the Great Plains, this well-produced, compact guidebook contains color plates depicting more than 650 wildflower species grouped by flower color to suit the needs of inexperienced enthusiasts. The plates are keyed to texts that offer physical descriptions of the flowers and their leaves and, where applicable, fruit, along with notes on habitat and range and, often, further notes on the flower's name (e.g., "The common name, Clammyweed, refers to the sticky, moist glands on the surface of this plant"). Expertly written and photographed, this guide is just the book to have on hand when traversing western wildflower country. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

WESTERN REGION

This fully revised edition brings a new level of beauty, accuracy, and usefulness to the field guide that wildflower enthusiasts have relied upon for more than 20 years.

More than 940 all-new, full-color images show the wildflowers of western North America close-up and in their natural habitats. The guide has been completely revised to make identification in the field easier than ever. Images are grouped by flower color and shape and keyed to clear, concise descriptions that reflect current taxonomy.

Customer Reviews:

National Audubon Society Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition.......2007-08-08

This book is excellent. It's photos of flowers and leaves are close up and clear. The introduction is filled with information on flower and leaf parts with diagrams. The information, description, and where each flower can be found is very detailed.

Great for general curiosity.......2007-07-05

This book is great for those who like to know what they're looking at when they're out on a hike away from home. Since it covers the entire western U.S., it won't have every single flower you come across, but it can often help you get at least to the right family. I have a book that covers every single plant that I could come across right around where I live, but when I go more than a couple hours from home, this is a fun book to have. Great pictures, and great info on each plant in the back.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society F.......2007-06-27

As in all the National Audubon Society Field Guides the book is great. National Audubon Society Field Guides are my favorite of all the guide books. The color photos are clear and close up for easy identification of the plant. Descriptions are in-depth for information and assistance in identification. I highly recommend this book.

Awesome!!.......2007-01-04

The illustrations are fabulous. I have seen many wildflower books where all the pictures are in black and white. This book has actual photos of the flowers as well as detailed descriptions to help you learn. I recommend this book!

Wildflowers: Western Region by Audubon Society.......2006-11-04

This is an excellent reference book for those interested in identifying wildflowers. It is well organized and is the right size to carry into the field.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating illustrated individual stories in the American west since the 17th century
Where The Buffalo Roamed and the Cowboys and Indians Rode
The West by Geofrey Ward
Booksbycee Book Review for The West : An Illustrated History
The West's Story is An American Story

The West: An Illustrated History
Geoffrey C. Ward , and Dayton Duncan
Manufacturer: Pub Overstock Unlimited Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316922366

Amazon.com

It is the central story of America, a story filled with heroism and hope, enterprise and adventure as well as tragedy and disappointment. It explores the tensions between whites and the native peoples that they sought to displace, but it also encompasses the Hispanic experience in the West, from the time of the conquistadors to the transformation of a Mexican-American village called Los Angeles into the region's major metropolis; the lives of Chinese immigrants who called the region "Gold Mountain"; and the ordeals of freed slaves from the South who sought a better life homesteading on the Great Plains. This book is as sprawling, vast, and rich as the history and land it describes.

Book Description

The companion volume to the stunning PBS television series, and an encore the acclaimed bestsellersThe Civil War andBaseball.In a vivid narrative that begins with the arrival of the first Europeans and ends well into the twentieth century, author Geoffrey C. Ward provides a gripping journey through the turbulent history of the region that has come to symbolize America around the world.Drawing upon hundreds of letters, diaries, memoirs, and journals as well as the latest scholarship, and vividly illustrated with over 400 photographs,many of them never before published,The West: An Illustrated History chronicles the arrival of wave after wave of newcomers from every direction of the compass, each of which invested the harsh but majestic western landscape with its own myths and desires and dreams.It is the central story of America, a story filled with heroism and hope, enterprise and adventure as well as tragedy and disappointment. It explores the tensions between whites and the native peoples that they sought to displace, but it also encompasses the Hispanic experience in the West, from the time of the conquistadors to the transformation of a Mexican-American village called Los Angeles into the region's major metropolis; the lives of Chinese immigrants who called the region "Gold Mountain"; and the ordeals of freed slaves from the South who sought a better life homesteading on the Great Plains. This book is as sprawling, vast, and rich as the history and land it describes.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating illustrated individual stories in the American west since the 17th century.......2005-07-24

As a book based on a PBS documentary, it's a big coffee table affair with plenty of photos (I had the hardcover version). And there are some extraordinary pictures in there - while much of the period of history they're looking at (from November 1528 with a some shipwrecked Spaniards washing ashore on Galveston Island to the early 1900s) was pre-camera, much of it was post. Moreover there are maps, paintings and photos of relatively untouched landscape to illustrate earlier times.

That being said, there's also plenty of text. And being that they've consciously chosen to largely illustrate the time by retelling the stories of extraordinary and/or typical individuals of the times, there are many engaging and fascinating stories. C'mon, the whole interaction between European settlers and the native Americans is chock full of tragedy, adventure and colour - you'd have to work hard to make this sort of content boring (although it's been done). It's a very palatable way of reading history, not getting bogged down in statistics or alternate interpretations. Of course in their selection of material you're definitely getting only one version of events, and the bias, while generally subtle, is unavoidable. But, hey, given that I hardly had any version before, this gave me a lot more of an idea than I had.

You have to suffer the odd overblown essay thrown in here and there, where guest writers try to outdo each other for sentimentality and bogus psuedo-spiritual flapdoodle about (FX: turn the reverb right up) `The West'. At least it's not quite as silly as the religious fervour some attach to Baseball as some sort of sacred ritual - but it is still silly. Sure, the West is an amazing place, it's more than just some rocks and sand - we get it. You going on in with some gushy mysticism really just cheapens it - let it speak for itself.

Well, that's what I reckon anyway. But, as I said, the self-conscious attempts at grand writing are only aberrations, most of the time you are treated with amazing but true stories. If that's the sort of history you're after, it delivers.

Where The Buffalo Roamed and the Cowboys and Indians Rode.......2004-08-08

The promos for "The West" series on PBS seemed to imply that Ken Burn's following up to his incredible "Civil War" epic would be as good as the Civil War was.

And it was. Burns was able to capture the whole panorama of the history of the West, and left no stone unturned. Here was the saga of the pioneers, the cruelty of the buffalo hunters, the tragedy of the Native Americans, the bravery of Custer - and of Crazy Horse and Chief Joseph, the terrible "die up" where thousands of poor cattle froze to death in the Montana blizzards, and the courage and perserverence of settlers like the Loves. The musical score too was perfect, capturing every dramatic movement, every nuance just right.

And the book too, while perhaps not as comprehensive as Geoffrey Ward's earlier "Civil War" volume, provided the viewer with a superb text and many, never-before-seen illustrations. The reader can sense the drama of the Earps and Wild Bill Hickok, can hope that Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce reach Canada and safety (which they didn't) and feel the heartbreak when Joseph was cruelly denied the return to his homeland. The reader can also cheer for the courtship of the Loves, and almost live the toil, the disappointments, and the determination of that family through the text, the first-hand accounts, and the marvellous illustrations. I found myself getting angry over the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the Mormon scapegoating of the Paiutes; being sickened and almost in tears over the slaughter of the buffalo, and the old Native American woman's tale of how the last buffalo went into Mount Scott, never to return; and in appreciating how Buffalo Bill Cody and Theodore Roosevelt did their level best in trying to save the West that they loved - Cody through the Wild West shows, and Roosevelt through his conservation efforts.

It is all here in Mr. Ward's excellent text, and more. There may be other books on the West, but for the perfect introduction to anyone interested in Western History, or even for the grizzled enthusiast, this book is not only the perfect companion to the series, it is also a perfect coffee table pictorial history of a history and a lifestyle that is all but gone.

The West by Geofrey Ward.......2003-09-30

This book is well organized and written. It would make a
perfect reference for a class project. There are vivid scenes
from the American West; such as, a majestic portrait of
the legendary Davey Crockett. The Devil's Tower is depicted
in a picturesque Wyoming scene. There are beautiful still
photos of a Snake Priest and Hopi dancer. The author researched
this work thoroughly. It is representative of the early
West. The purchase is recommended as a top rated historical
reference book well-suited for students of all ages and
backgrounds.

Booksbycee Book Review for The West : An Illustrated History.......2002-04-20

The West : An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward, Dayton Duncan has got to be one of the most "Can't put down" type of books I've had the wonderful pleasure of owning, ever! The illustrations, to many to count are of the finest quality I've ever seen in a book not to mention that the editorial choices were perfect. The photos depict the exact expressions that capture those lost moments in time... If you can get this book - buy it! It is for all ages and you could never grow tired reading it, as well. A certain coffee table type book! I rate this book a 5 STAR!

The West's Story is An American Story.......1999-01-31

The world has known the American West as the wild and untamed land of cowboys and Indians that Hollywood brought along with it's movies. The real story of the West is much more amazing than at first sight. Ward's story is beautifully illustrated with magnificent text that makes it a worthy successor to the movie series. He tells the story through the eyes of those who lived it and that is something very important in the history of the west. Without first hand accounts our knowledge would be vague, but this book captures the essence of all the west had and has to offer: adventure, a beautiful landscape, and a great mysterious past...

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
Great New Adventure
Great book for my 4 and 7 year old
McDuff books
McDuff's Wild Romp

McDuff's Wild Romp (McDuff Stories)
Rosemary Wells
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786819308
Release Date: 2005-05-23

Book Description

Uh-oh-it's time for Sunday dinner at Aunt Frieda's. That means one thing-an evening with mean old cat Purlina. But the pets' tussle over a Turkey Tidbit leads to a wild romp through the house no one will soon forget!

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-07-11

I was so excited to see another title in the McDuff series, a beloved set of books in our house. Unfortunately, Rosemary Wells has not stayed with her original illustrator. One look at the pictures and I didn't even want to buy this book. It's too bad. We'll stick with the 2 sets of the rest of the McDuff books.

Great New Adventure.......2007-02-15

We own and love all of our McDuff books. Our only disappointment with this new book is that we miss the old McDuff. He is updated and doesn't look the same as the McDuff in the earlier editions. My children noticed right away and they prefer the original McDuff. None the less we still enjoyed the new adventure with the New McDuff.

Great book for my 4 and 7 year old.......2007-01-19

Illustrations live up to other McDuff books.. as does the story. We have a cat, so the description of the cat and dog made both my boys laugh. I hope she writes more!

McDuff books.......2006-03-09

I have collected each book as it was published. I love the stories, and especially the illustrations, which seem to be done with real Westies as models because the expressions and body positions are so true to life.

McDuff's Wild Romp.......2005-10-02

A little disappointed, as I don't think it's of the same quality as the other McDuff books. Still fun read for kids, however!

Christmas Kisses: Mackenzie's Magic/ Silver Bells/ A Wild West Christmas

Average customer rating:

I'd hoped for better
SERIES ADDITIONS -- ALL THREE
Satisfying
Ilike the books on the Mckinzies, I would like more of them.
I highly recommend each story in this book.

Christmas Kisses: Mackenzie's Magic/ Silver Bells/ A Wild West Christmas
Linda Howard , Debbie MacOmber , and Linda Turner
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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$Mackenzies' Honor: Mackenzie's Pleasure\A Game Of Chance (Mira Romance)$ Mackenzies' Honor: Mackenzie's Pleasure\A Game Of Chance (Mira Romance)
$Mackenzie's Legacy: Mackenzie's Mountain\Mackenzie's Mission$ Mackenzie's Legacy: Mackenzie's Mountain\Mackenzie's Mission
Mackenzie'S Pleasure (Silhouette Intimate Moments, No 691)
Midnight Rainbow
Diamond Bay

ASIN: 0373483287

Customer Reviews:

I'd hoped for better.......2005-11-26

Book description:

"Mackenzie's Magic" by New York Times Bestselling author Linda Howard
Just in time for the holidays: author Linda Howard's beloved Mackenzies. Meet Maris Mackenzie--and the sexy stranger she woke up to find in her bed! Unfortunately, she had no memory of Alex MacNeil, the previous day...or the prize Thoroughbred she'd apparently stolen...

"Silver Bells" by bestselling writer Debbie Macomber
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Manning family.
It wasn't easy for Philip Lark to single-handedly raise his rambunctious teenage daughter. But the girl had hatched a plot to fin her father a wife, and lovely Carrie Weston fit the bill. Philip claimed he wasn't interested in remarriage, but would the magic of the holiday season--and Carrie's wonderful charms--help him change his mind?

"A Wild West Christmas" by Linda Turner
Years ago, Priscilla Rawlings gave Wyatt Chandler her innocence. He repaid her by running out on her. Now he'd come back to the Rawlings ranch for Christmas, and Priscilla had to face the one man who had broken her heart...but whom she had never stopped loving.

And my review:

I knew when I purchased this book that the stories were part of a series each author had written. I hadn't read any of the other books in any of the series, but I didn't let that deter me. Most authors who've produced series have managed to make each book capable of standing on its own. And after all, this was a Christmas romance anthology, and those are my not-so-secret passion. But I'm afraid I was dissapointed by this book.

I wasn't expecting much from Linda Howard's novella, as I have not been impressed by her work in the past. My instincts were correct. Right off the bat, this was a falling-in-lust story (which I've never liked) rather than a falling-in-love story. I have nothing wrong with sexual attraction between characters (in fact, it's necessary for a good romance) but it needs to be handled well. I need to see more motivation for a couple to be together than just wanting to jump each other's bones. The amnesia plot wasn't as well done as I've read in other books. One star.

I had much higher hopes for Debbie Macomber's story. While not very many of her books make it onto my keeper shelf, her stories are usually cute, heartwarming, and sensual without being too explicit - worth it for a one-time read. But this one felt much too rushed. The author touched on the characters without really fleshing them out. I couldn't really see why Carrie should be attracted to Philip, nor why, apart from the fact that she would make a great stepmother, he would want her. I found myself getting bored by the end and had to force myself to finish the story. Two stars. (If you want really good Christmas romance by this author, check out her "Angel" books, including 'Shirley, Goodness and Mercy', 'The Trouble With Angels', 'Touched by Angels', 'Season of Angels' and 'Those Christmas Angels', available at Amazon.com)

Linda Turner's main characters were just not likeable. Priscilla was a sour harpy, and Wyatt was a conceited jerk. The way he spurned her when she was a teenager was utterly unforgivable, yet he justifies it by saying that he did it for her own good. As if taking a barely-at-the-age-of-consent's virginity and then setting it up so that she finds you in the arms of another woman is anything other than reprehensible. I tried to push past this, but the book descended into a silly contrived scene where Priscilla tries to prove that he means nothing to her by kissing him, which of course backfires. Oh brother. I started rolling my eyes at this point. And Wyatt was so full of himself that I wanted to push him into a pile of horse manure. I couldn't even finish this one. One star.

I hate to give such a negative review, but this book just wasn't up to par. I would not recommend buying this book, unless you happen to be a hardcore fan of these authors, and/or want to complete the series collections that these novellas belong to. While any of these stories could stand on its own, (I wasn't confused, even though I didn't read any of the other books in any of the series) I didn't think they were good enough to justify the price of the book.

SERIES ADDITIONS -- ALL THREE.......2003-09-21

The story of Maris Mackenzie should have been full length but the story was excellent in itself [if too short].
Meeting up with the FBI special agent Alex MacNeil and tumbling in love with him in the process of trying to catch horse killers was fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes of setting up the sting and the complications.

But most enjoyable of all, of course, was going back to Mackenzie's Mountain and rejoining Wolf and Mary's family.

Note that this is the 4th story in the Mackenzie series with Chance's story following to complete the series.

Also be aware that Debbie Macomber's story is a follow-up of the Manning family series.
And Linda Turner's story is a follow-up to the Wild West series of the Rawlings family - Love these add ons. Just too short.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL especially for family catch-ups.

Satisfying.......2003-07-17

For once, I like all of the authors who contributed to this book. I got it because I wanted to read about Maris McKenzie. It was very satisfying to me. I love the McKenzie family.

Debbie Macomber and Linda Howard also contributed a good story each. The only reason I give this book 4 stars is the stories were too short. I prefer these authors in longer formats.

Ilike the books on the Mckinzies, I would like more of them........1998-04-21

The kook on the McKinzies mountain and the mission were just Great ,I also like where they always got the family togeather, it shows much love for each one even Chance, I would like one where Chance finds some one and gets married,

I highly recommend each story in this book........1998-04-16

I especially enjoyed Linda Howard's continuation of the Mackenzie family. Maris' story includes all of the elements that make a Linda Howard book so difficlut to put down. The hero was a surprise. A must for this author's fans. Debbie Macomber's "Silver Bells" was one of her better stories and a true pleasure to read. Then Linda Turner added her story to make this one of the best holiday books published for Christmas.

Chasing the Rodeo: On Wild Rides and Big Dreams, Broken Hearts and Broken Bones, and One Man's Search for the West

Average customer rating:

Call of the wild . . .
Exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike
Rodeo: Universality of the American West
This book deserves a buckle.
A classic American tale

Chasing the Rodeo: On Wild Rides and Big Dreams, Broken Hearts and Broken Bones, and One Man's Search for the West
W. K. Stratton
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0151010722

Amazon.com

The rodeo is in W.K. Stratton's blood. He attended his first one in utero just days before he was born (on Will Rogers birthday, naturally). He is also the son of a bull-riding cowboy that left him and his mother when Stratton was an infant. The search for this elusive "rodeo bum" father is an underlying theme of Chasing the Rodeo but its main focus is on the action in the ring. Stratton spent a year following the professional rodeo and bull-riding tours and he explores the circuit with a keen and sympathetic eye. He writes about the history of the sport and its place in the mythology of the West, cowboy legends, current stars, and classic rodeo towns, such as Prescott, Arizona, and Pecos, Texas--both of which claim the title as the true birthplace of rodeo. He also looks at the growing popularity of rodeo and bull-riding and what it means for its future now that major events have corporate sponsors and are held in Las Vegas casinos rather than fairgrounds. While acknowledging that the big money prizes are good for the athletes, Stratton worries that marketing considerations will force the sport away from the very traditions that make it interesting. As proof, he bemoans the fact that helmets and Nike shoes are starting to replace Western hats and boots at some rodeos. Still, he encounters plenty of true Western spirit and memorable characters during his journey to keep his love for the rodeo alive and his enthusiasm for his subject proves contagious. Even those who have never considered attending a rodeo will likely find themselves enthralled by this wild ride of a book. --Shawn Carkonen

Book Description

From its roots as the quintessential Western pastime, rodeo has grown to an international, prime-time television sport. Steeped in tradition and the independent spirit of the range, aspiring cowboys and cowgirls are called to its high-stakes, rough-and-tumble fame as they risk their lives for eight seconds of triumph.

In Chasing the Rodeo W. K. Stratton follows this quest for one season of the pro rodeo and bull-riding tours. He explores the history of the chutes -- from rodeo's disputed origins (Prescott, Arizona, or Pecos, Texas?) to its current skyrocketing popularity. But out on the trail Stratton finds more than calf-roping and unrideable bulls, uncovering a culture complete with myths, codes of honor, million-dollar purses, Cowboy Church, and the kinds of legends that make good stories unforgettable.

Just such a story emerges here as Stratton tells of his runaway "rodeo bum" father --Cowboy Don -- whose specter haunts his travels on the circuit. As he learns more about the life that proved too seductive for his father to abandon, Stratton fills in a portrait of the man he never knew but whose legacy he couldn't help but inherit.

Filled with cowboy longing and rodeo dreams, this is a tribute to the characters of the West -- Freckles Brown, Lucille Mulhall (the first cowgirl), Wild Bill Hickock, Lane Frost, and today's superstars like Jesse Bail. In the great tradition of Wallace Stegner and Ken Kesey, W. K. Stratton fashions an expansive tale out of the gritty reality of the life around us. Chasing the Rodeo is a bucking, riveting, glorious ride -- you'll want to hang on for the whole go-round.

Customer Reviews:

Call of the wild . . ........2007-08-21

While rodeo insiders may find fault with this book and quibble over details, it remains an excellent introduction to the history, the personalities, and the meaning of this sport as it's evolved over the past century. Stratton, a journalist based in Austin, TX, with roots in Oklahoma, comes by his "kicker" credentials fairly enough - his mother a cowgirl in her own right and his father a rodeo cowboy who went on down the road and never came back. Stratton's book is a personal journey, a search for an understanding of the romance of rodeo - the call of the wild in the soul, the appeal of risk-taking, the love of a past that can be recaptured for a moment in a beautifully executed ride on a bucking horse or bull. And he does much to reclaim the essentials of a pastoral ritual that has been compromised by commercialism, corporate sponsorships, and marketing that positions it as an extreme sport.

Stratton covers some familiar ground that will not be new for all readers, but many stories deserve retelling, such as that of George Fletcher at the 1911 Pendleton Roundup, the first bulldogger, Bill Pickett, and the death of champion bull rider Lane Frost. Then there is an account of the first rodeo "cowgirl," Lucille Mulhall and of Indian cowboy Will Sampson, who played Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In Prescott, AZ, he has occasion to recall at length the rodeo film "Junior Bonner" with Steve McQueen.

There is a wide array of other personalities who find their way into Stratton's book: Justin McBride, Will Rogers, Tom Mix, Willie Nelson, Jack Kerouac, Ben Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, and evangelist Susie Luchsinger. He gets closest to the sport itself in conversations with all-around champion Jesse Bail and bullriding champion Freckles Brown. The first-chapter account of Brown's famous ride on Tornado at the National Finals in 1967 just takes your breath away. Finally there is the search for the story of Stratton's absent cowboy father, which rounds out the book with more than a little poignance. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone curious about rodeo, the fascination it holds for both fans and participants, and its place in American popular culture.

Exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike.......2005-11-04

Rodeo's roots may be in the primitive West of the past, but today it's prime-time TV material, even while steeped in tradition, filled with pros and tours. Journalist W.K. Stratton followed the pro rodeo circuit for one year, exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike. His findings about the people and politics of today's rodeo make for lively reading in Chasing The Rodeo: On Wild Rides And Big Dreams, Broken Hearts And Broken Bones, And One Man's Search For The West. A spirited account of today's wild riders.

Rodeo: Universality of the American West.......2005-09-19

Having grown up in Texas, I easily recognize many names and places and am quite familiar with rodeos. W.K. Stratton brilliantly blends the romantic lure of the rodeo as an expression of the American West with the univeral theme of the quest for identity. The book is a delightful mixture of colorful characters, amusing anecdotes, and sad stories. Mr. Stratton's personal quest mirrors that of all, not just those familiar with the sport or the region. His story's appeal lies in the universality of each human's struggles with issues of identity, values, and sense of place. I heartily recommend Chasing the Rodeo to anyone who appreciates a book that both transports one to another time and place and allows one the opportunity to be inspired by another's personal journey through life.

This book deserves a buckle........2005-05-18

**For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?** "Kip" Stratton has written a winner of a book, here. I felt it appropriate to begin this review with that familiar biblical quote, although "Chasing The Rodeo" is about the search for soul as well as about its diminution. What I mean by "soul" in this context is that which makes us part of society as well as unique individuals within it. Stratton's father, whom he never met, was a bull rider. Stratton's literal search for his father is overlaid onto his broader search for the soul of the rodeo and the American West.

As this book makes clear, the towns that hold rodeos provide an essential part of its unique character. Moving the National Finals Rodeo from Oklahoma, which is steeped in Rodeo tradition, to Las Vegas is symbolic of the sacrifce of soul for that most America of obsessions, making money. Character is also lost when things are made safe and sanitary, and when elements that are foreign are incorporated into a thing in order to make it "accessible" to a wider audience. Early in the book, Stratton frets about being "a generic, white bread American" but learns that the "Kicker Culture" is as much a part of him as it is of the Rodeo. I grew up in a small town in North Texas and will tell you that the "Kicker Culture" ain't pretty and it ain't sanitary or even safe, but it is genuine. There are parts of it that should be eschewed entirely, but never "prettied up."

Stratton obviously spent a great deal of time researching this book. It is chock-full of the people and places that make up this sport and their history. At the same time, he does not blink from calling racism what it is or identifying as bovine scat some of the aspects of recent Rodeo venues. He may offend some folks in doing so. But to be less than honest in his assessment of these things would certainly diminish the soul of the book.

A classic American tale.......2005-05-13

In these fractious times, it is a joy to come across a book that embraces something as distinctly American as the rodeo. W.K. Stratton has delivered a handsomely-rendered treasure for every man who ever wanted to be a cowboy and every woman who ever wanted to be a cowboy's sweetheart. He traces the origins of rodeoing, takes us to this wild sport's biggest events, and introduces us to the kind of outsized characters it is hard to believe still exist. So here's to Freckles Brown, the rodeo clown who rode the fiercest bull in captivity, and to Jesse Bail, the spiritual descendant of Larry Mahan and Ty Murray and all the great rodeo riders who preceded him. And here's to Stratton himself, the son of a rodeo bum, who weaves the search for traces of his father into the larger tale he is telling without ever getting thrown by it. He stayed in the saddle, and by doing so, he has given readers a chance for the ride of their lives.

Hunger for the Wild: America's Obsession With the Untamed West

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Hunger for the Wild: America's Obsession With the Untamed West
Michael L. Johnson
Manufacturer: University Press of Kansas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Cowboy Trout: Western Fly Fishing As If It Matters

ASIN: 0700615016

Book Description

Just what was so wild about the Wild West?

Americans have had an enduring yet ambivalent obsession with the West as both a place and a state of mind. Now one of the most knowing observers of the Western scene offers a monumental cultural and historical analysis of how ideas of wildness have shaped the ways Euro-Americans have perceived, reacted to, and acted upon the West for nearly five hundred years. Bringing the sensibility of a poet to a sweeping discussion of place, Michael L. Johnson considers how that obsession originated, how it has determined attitudes toward and activities in the West, and how it has changed over the centuries.

Investigating views of Western wildness from pre-European times until the present, Johnson tells how explorers and settlers bent on exploiting the West brought with them Old World ideas, full of muddled and even bizarre contradictions, that have defined the region in its most fundamental aspects. And he shows how those contradictory ideas were woven into an ambivalent ideology of conquest that has given us today's degraded wilderness areas, overtaxed water supplies, and sprawling suburbs.

Brimming with word-play, personal anecdotes, and telling vignettes, Hunger for the Wild provocatively addresses a cornucopia of Western personalities, phenomena, and events. Invoking a vast array of writers and thinkers-from Claude Lévi-Strauss to Black Elk to Richard Etulain-Johnson casts his critical eye on conquistadors and cowboys and revisits myths of Noble Savage and "red devil" alike. His kaleidoscopic text examines Dust Bowl woes and Wild West shows, and whether contemplating the Disneyfied frontier or the Ralphlaurenized range, he takes readers on an intellectual romp through the wilds of the contemporary West, with its UFO fanatics and postregional cowgirls.

Emphasizing his call for seeing the West as "a place of roots as well as routes," Johnson's tour de force marks a major contribution to the deeper history of the region and points toward a more sustainable West for the future. It should interest not only Western historians but also art and film buffs, ecocritics, cross-cultural specialists, and rodeo fans-anyone fascinated by the wild, Western-style.

Average customer rating:

As good as it shall be

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers 2

great book!

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers 2: A Field Guide to Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest (Falcon Guides Wildflowers)
Doug Ladd
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Flowers | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology

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The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands (The Science and Practice of Ecological Restoration Series)

ASIN: 0762737441

Book Description

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers is the ultimate field guide to wildflowers of the midwestern tallgrass prairie. This valuable reference enables all prairie enthusiasts to quickly and accurately identify hundreds of tallgrass prairie plants. Fully revised and updated to reflect new trends in conservation and plant identification, this remains the classic guidebook for prairie enthusiasts.

Customer Reviews:

As good as it shall be.......2007-10-09

As true virgin prairies are certinly rare, so rare that it takes an extrodinary effort to find one, I have been blessed. Previous to buying this book,I,on a whim decided to visit Hayden Prairie, in Iowa, listed in this book, some of the photos may have been from there. I visited and took pics with my new camera with the macro and ring flash(my book is coming)but didn't know what the photos were of. This book will straighten you out on the ID section of flowers. I was disappointed on the lack of leaf differentiation-palmate vs pinnate in the leaf ID. I have found flowers in the undergrowth that were not covered in this book. Things like this cannot be restored. Stand on a hill at Hayden Prairie, look around, and try not to be depressed, as the vista used to be as dynamic and intricate as what you are standing on.

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers 2.......2007-10-05

This is an excellent field guide. Great photos to help with identification. I would purchase it again without hesitation!

great book!.......2007-01-12

This book is full of wonderful information and great pictures. It has helped me identify many plants and weeds. I especially love the section on weeds that seems absent from many other books.

A Hero's Kiss: The Founding Father/Wild West Wager/Snow Maiden

Average customer rating:

what a stinker
A Hero's Kiss
Yawn!!!
three intriguing western romances

A Hero's Kiss: The Founding Father/Wild West Wager/Snow Maiden
Diana Palmer , Judith Stacy , and Mary Burton
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Anthologies | Romance | Subjects | Books

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$Bound By Honor: Mercenary's Woman\The Winter Soldier$ Bound By Honor: Mercenary's Woman\The Winter Soldier

ASIN: 0373835620

Book Description

For over a decade, New York Times bestselling author
Diana Palmer
has won fans' hearts worldwide with her tantalizing Long, Tall Texans tales! Now as a special holiday treat, this treasured storyteller brings you the story of how it all began.

The Founding Father by Diana Palmer
Discover how legends were made when Jacobsville founding father Big John Jacobs weds the daughter of a prosperous railroad tycoon! Will passion blaze when this fortune-seeking Long, Tall Texan brands his sweetly unassuming wife with his soul-searing kisses?

And from beloved Harlequin Historical authors Judith Stacy and Mary Burton

Wild West Wager by Judith Stacy
Rebecca Merriweather comes west to rural Colorado, only to alienate all eligible men in town! Now the "prim and proper" spinster must sweet-talk a devilishly handsome saloon owner into a most disreputable dalliance . . . .

Snow Maiden by Mary Burton
Dashing real estate magnate Adam Richmond is bah Humbugging his way through the holidays when he is driven to distraction by Russian beauty Sophia Petrovnova. Are Yuletide wedding bells about to ring?

Join them for A Hero's Kiss a brand-new collection from Harlequin Books!

Customer Reviews:

what a stinker.......2004-03-04

This book was awful, simply awful. I like Diana Palmer, as a rule; in fact that's why I bought the book, to read about The Founding Father of Jacobsville. I wish I hadn't bothered. The wording was clunky and uninspiring, and even the other two stories by different authers weren't that great. My recomendation--don't waste your time. Choose something else.

A Hero's Kiss.......2004-01-08

Pleasant stories and a fun read, but not dynamic. I will donate this book to the library.

Yawn!!!.......2003-12-09

In Diana Palmers story The Founding Father I made myself finish it. There was no passion (very dull and ugly people).Diana's stories are usually about 2 people who can't keep there hands off one another. These barely kissed, he thought she was plain and did'nt change his mind through out the story. Big John never once came close to losing control, even after they married it was weeks before he touched her, then end of story. If this is going to be Diana's new style of writing I'll pass on buying anymore of her books. So if your expecting hot steamy romance I would pass on this book.

three intriguing western romances.......2003-11-27

"The Founding Father" by Diana Palmer. Former Georgian farmer turned Texas rancher Big John Jacobs hopes to persuade New York tycoon Terrance Colby to swing a rail past his spread to expedite the moving of cattle. John offers a business marriage to Terrance's unmarriageable daughter Camilla Ellen. He would receive access to her father while she would gain her freedom, but neither expected love to emerge. This is a solid Tall Texan tale starring an honest hero showcased in an intelligent story line though one must question the change in Camilla from rug rat to heroine.

"Wild West Wager" by Judith Stacy. In 1888 Colorado, saloon owner Jack Delaney does the unthinkable when he becomes the first male to enter the Marlow Tea Room. Jack hires the tearoom co-owner Rebecca Merriweather to decorate his new house so that his eastern company will feel at home. Though she thinks he is bringing his fiancé west, they fall in love. This is a fine lighthearted western romance.

"Snow Maiden" by Mary Burton. In Colorado, business mogul Adam Richmond wants the construction of the new organ to fail because that will badly reflect on the new minister, who he wants to keep away from his sister. He offers the builder Russian emigrant Sophia Petrovnova money to leave town, but she refuses though the cash would enable her to go home. Sophia loves Adam, but knows his heart is colder than her homeland's winters though she had hoped to melt it. Fans will enjoy this warm yet simplistic tale of redemption.

All three intriguing western romances bring to life the late nineteenth century through strong lead couples and fine support cast.

Harriet Klausner

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