Pacific

I spent 10 days diving Palau in June 2001 and this book was incredibly helpful. There are so many dive sites to choose from in this region, and this book did an excellent job detailing each and every one. Since most dive operators in this region take "requests" rather than dictate where you're going, it's nice to have some information to make an informed decision, depending upon whether you want to focus on macro, big animal enounters, drift dives, wrecks, etc. Going to dive Palau without this book is simply a bad idea.

I used by no means to be a fan of diving and snorkeling. Yet, the beautiful seas of the Pacific, combined with this wonderful excellently written guidebook, introduced me to the wonderful world of this activity. The guidebook provides excellent and invaluable information and advice for divers and snorkelers - beginners and experts alike - with special focus on how great this can be in Palau. Meanwhile, the guidebook is also a wonderful travel tool for visiting Palau, whether or not you are primarily there for snorkeling and diving. All in all, it is surely a worthwhile, if not crucial, purchase, before you set off to the Pacific.

he title comes from the mother who urged: "Son, be careful; fly low and slow." Low and slow is where a pilot doesn't want to be, but it's where a U.S. Army Artillery spotter had to spend his time. Moore is quick to point out that the hazards of flying 800 feet above the Philippines paled in comparison to combat on the ground: war is hell, but his war was "more funky than demonic."

Moore once had a dogfight with a Zero: two cannon and two machineguns vs. a Piper Cub armed only with a carbine. As long as the planes were closely entwined, Moore had the upper hand, since he could turn inside the Japanese fighter. Then the Zero moved off, setting up for a fast attack that the 65 hp Cub couldn't have dodged. Moore dove for home, and he and his rear-seat "gunner" were out of the Cub and into a trench before the Zero passed over.

More terrifying, actually, was the time he was sucked into a cloud. Anti-aircraft guns were popping off beneath him, U.S. bombers roaring through the cloud beside, and Moore had to fly IFR with only a compass, tachometer, airspeed indicator, and altimeter. Against all logic, he made it home that time as well. Still, as his commander warned him, the odds didn't favor a liaison pilot: "All you have to do is fly one of these things long enough, and it will get you."

When Moore doesn't remember the details, he says so. The effect is like a favorite uncle, yarning to his nephews about a 55-year-old adventure so extraordinary that he still can't quite believe that he took part in it. A delightful book.

Dare I say "enchanting" about a war memoir? Honest, Don Moore has accomplished that feat. Nearly 50 years on, he wrote this yarn about his service, flying a Piper Cub L-4 500 feet above Japanese lines, as a spotter for American artillery. His only armament was a Colt forty-five and sometimes an M-1 carbine in the hands of his backseat passenger. He had a dogfight with a Zero (no damage done on either side) and a harrowing flight through the clouds without IFR instruments, while Japanese ack-ack shells exploded around him and fast American bombers dashed through the soup beside him. There's a great chapter also about the Brodie Device, which enabled a Cub to fly off a landing craft, running along a wire suspended to one side--and even to "land" again on the same wire. First class.

I enjoyed this cruising book as a woman. Liked her views on aspects of cruising and gave insight into difference between male and female views of cruiding.

An excellent book of John and Barbara's voyage from San Juan Island in the United States to Brisbane, Austraila. They travel throughout the South Pacific and visit many out of the way places, including Pitcain Island and Penrhyn Island. If you dream of sailing across the Pacific Ocean, this book is a must-read.

The author of this captivating deck is an assistant professor of communications at the University of Hawai`i in Hilo who specializes in intercultural communication. Becker has spent many years connecting "with the natural and spiritual worlds of Hawai`i" according to the biography in the almost 200 page book that acompanies this deck of 44cards. It shows. The artwork on the cards defies description - it's wonderful and accurately portrays Hawaiian cultural concepts and values while maintaining a definite aura of mystery and intrigue.

The book is a virtual primer on the Hawaiian culture. Each card's description consists of three sections: a brief relevant chant, a thorough explanation of the cultural concepts that are pictured on the card in a teaching section and an interpretation section that explains the card's meaning in a layout. Becker also provides the reader with 8 different spreads to use for different purposes. Becker's book has several other important features. There are extensive endnotes that provide excellent resources for further exploration of the Hawaiian culture, and an addendum that describes all of the symbols on each card, including their Hawaiian names.

My only criticism of this deck for fortune-telling purposes is that some of the cards' interpretations are complex and difficult to connect to the image on the card. Again, this can interfere (initially) with intuitive use. But whether you actually use the deck for fortune telling or not, it's a "must have," and studying all of the information here will teach you a lot about Hawai`i. I did give them a try, and my first reading produced some pretty incredible results (chicken skin kine). This deck will take a lot of study for a non-Hawaiian to use effectively, but I think the effort will pay off.

Pacific Voyager Cards - Journey to Kanaka Makua - Rediscovering the Light of Island Wisdom, by Greg Scott, Self Published, Kea`au.

This deck is very different from the previous two. The cards are made of inexpensive patterned beige cardstock instead of slick, coated paper. And the printing is in monochrome brown ink. And the deck doesn't come with a book (which is a work is in progress, Greg tells me), but only with a large folded sheet (which wraps around the cards and protects them) with only two layouts and a brief explanation for each card. These aren't shortcomings; it's a great deck for fortune telling!

There is a simplicity and authenticity about this deck that is appealing. Each of the 48 cards encompasses a basic Hawaiian concept that is illustrated with a single Hawaiian word, a simple phrase in both English and Hawaiian and a simple graphic. One of its special attractions is that once you have read the information sheet on the cards, the interpretation of a reading is pretty intuitive and can be done without having to look up definitions. This is a real asset for using this deck for its intended purpose of guiding you towards becoming a Kanaka Makua, a "complete human being." This is a great deck to use to get started and for quick readings (but don't confuse "quick" with "simple")

The author of this captivating deck is an assistant professor of communications at the University of Hawai`i in Hilo who specializes in intercultural communication. Becker has spent many years connecting "with the natural and spiritual worlds of Hawai`i" according to the biography in the almost 200 page book that acompanies this deck of 44cards. It shows. The artwork on the cards defies description - it's wonderful and accurately portrays Hawaiian cultural concepts and values while maintaining a definite aura of mystery and intrigue.

The book is a virtual primer on the Hawaiian culture. Each card's description consists of three sections: a brief relevant chant, a thorough explanation of the cultural concepts that are pictured on the card in a teaching section and an interpretation section that explains the card's meaning in a layout. Becker also provides the reader with 8 different spreads to use for different purposes. Becker's book has several other important features. There are extensive endnotes that provide excellent resources for further exploration of the Hawaiian culture, and an addendum that describes all of the symbols on each card, including their Hawaiian names.

My only criticism of this deck for fortune-telling purposes is that some of the cards' interpretations are complex and difficult to connect to the image on the card. Again, this can interfere (initially) with intuitive use. But whether you actually use the deck for fortune telling or not, it's a "must have," and studying all of the information here will teach you a lot about Hawai`i. I did give them a try, and my first reading produced some pretty incredible results (chicken skin kine). This deck will take a lot of study for a non-Hawaiian to use effectively, but I think the effort will pay off.

This large-scale, easy-to-read map of Yosemite Valley and surrounding areas is a must-have for anyone visiting Yosemite National Park, especially if you are a hiker. Instead of a straight down view, as is done in most maps, you see the valley from an oblique perspective, from south of the valley, with the mountains shown as they would look in 3-Dimensions - a very pleasing effect. All trails are shown, of course, but also bicycle paths, shuttle bus stops, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, parking areas, etc.

But this is only the beginning! Each trail also has its own description, including approximate time to complete, distance, elevation gain, and trailhead location. Another really nice feature is that many "Vista Points" are included, which are shown on the map, including which direction to look, and are described in their own section, complete with a color photo. Several other parts of the park are also descibed, with photos. There are also detailed write-ups concerning Yosemite's history and geology, plus info on tourist facilities at Yosemite Village. And last, but not least, lots of Natural History information, including photos and drawings to aid in identification of mammals, birds, wildflowers and trees found in the area.

Writing as one who has been a cartographer for more than twenty years, and also as an avid hiker, I wish that I had the opportunity to produce something like this myself!

It gives you an up close view of Yosemite Valley mapped. No more squinting and turning your Yosemite park map every which way just to get a bird's eye view of the valley trails. Major trails are listed along with their milage. It even gives an adequate view of how the trails bend and curve, so you have a rough idea what to expect while out on your valley hikes. Included in the map is historical captions about some of the landmarks along with blk/wht and color photo snippets. There is even a basic park phone directory and a time line of historical events. This is a great magnified map made from a thick durable paper and easy to handle because of its smaller size, NO map folding FUSS! That's an A+ in itself. Just an overall great map to take along on your hikes.

This is an excellent map of the Big Island. It is the only map you will need. I wasted my time looking elsewhere, so hopefully you can save time.

This is the best map of the Big Island I've seen. It has a thorough index on the back and even shows housing subdivisions. It's perfect for those moving to the Big Island like us.

If you have never been to Maui, well you are missing out on Paradise. And if you do make it to Maui, bring this book. You should read Mitchners, "Hawaii" as well for a historical-fictional account of the islands. Also an amazing book. But this guide is a must have for touring the island.

Have Fun!
Aloha!

This easy to read book about hiking trails on the island of Maui, Hawaii, offers insight not found in a lot of Hawaiian hiking guides, many of which are outdated. If you plan to go it alone on Maui's many trails, or even if you plan to hire a guide (see Eco Maui @ supak.com), this book offers the kind of up-to-date information, easy to understand directions, and a wide variety of other important tid-bits you need.

Several weeks ago, my wife and I visited the Little Bighorn (Custer) National Battlefield Monument in Montana. As we were leaving the grounds of the monument, we noticed the Big Indian Tepee Trading Post (or something to that effect) across the road ("Gifts, Souvenirs, T-Shirts, Cold Drinks, Food, Whatever"). I didn't feel like getting scalped in a tourist ambush, but my wife wanted to check it out. So, of course, we stopped. And, I'm glad we did, because I came across this absolutely marvelous book.

Owen Tully Stratton was a medicine show pitchman from 1898 to 1904, and a licensed, small town MD from 1906 to 1950. MEDICINE MAN is his memoir, as edited by his son. In the book's first 100 pages, Owen recounts his crisscrossing of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Montana and Idaho as a medicine show huckster. While today one might view such an entrepreneur as not much better than a used car salesman at best, or scam artist at worst, I learned one very surprising fact. Owen's medicine show, and the others he talks about, regularly employed an MD licensed in the state they were traveling through. In any town the show happened to be working, the physician would set up a temporary office to see patients referred to him by the pitchman. The show's MD was not necessarily any more of a quack than the local medicos, so he was actually in a position to provide legitimate medical care - and often did. Of course the medicine show and its tame MD were bitterly resented by the local sawbones and pill pushers.

The remainder of the volume is Owen's recollection of his life as a degreed and licensed MD, practicing at various times in Washington, Idaho and Montana. It was a hard existence, both on himself and his family. But Dr. Stratton reminisces with a perceptive wit that calls to mind the writings of the great Mark Twain. At one point, the author, a self-confident general practitioner (GP) but reluctant surgeon, recounts the time he assisted on an appendectomy with a more experienced, but inebriated, cutter:

"My surgeon, in his drunken enthusiasm, discarded contaminated instruments by throwing them against the wall. The patient knew nothing of that, and her convalescence was uneventful. With that experience, my surgical feet warmed up a trifle."

Evident to the reader are the striking differences between the practice of medicine then and now, with some not necessarily for the better. Take, for example, "house calls". For those of you too young to be acquainted with the concept, a house call was a visit by a physician to a patient's home to render care. This was simply the way medicine was practiced in those days, and up until the time of the mid 20th century. (As a young boy in the early 50's, I remember accompanying my father, also a GP, on his house call rounds.)

I cannot recommend this book to highly. I was particularly impressed by the circumstances surrounding the good doctor's own death, as related by his son in an Editor's Epilog. His departure from life was pure class.

My own father is deceased these past 25 years, but I shall give this volume to my mother, also an MD. Her maternal grandfather was a physician in rural Missouri at the end of the 19th century, and I'm sure she'll find it as fascinating as I did.

I may be a bit biased as this book is written by my great-grandfather and edited by my great-uncle. However, the "Medicine Man" is a fun look at a time in U.S. History when the west was still to be explored. It was a time of story tellers and colorful characters. That is the story of the "Medicine Man". I would love to hear what you think of the book. Owen "Brad" Stratton

I have used this book with great success in my Colorado history classes and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in mining history and the Rocky Mountain West. Other books tell you where the "ghost towns" are located, but this book is unique in helping you understand what you are seeing when you get there. Their chapter on tin can dating alone is worth the price of the book. The research here is incredible and the photographs very clear. Take this along on your next trip into the mountains.

This is a fabulous book which should appeal to anyone who spends any time in the back-country of the American West. You know those tumble-down buildings and random bits of rusted iron you occasionally encounter? Turns out they're not the junky nuisance you thought. This book, which is a fascinating read, will enable you to appreciate how folks 100 years ago were living in the very places you're exploring by showing you what all those things were used for. A wonderful find (or gift) for anyone with an interest in the mountains.

It is obvious that Mitsuaki Iwago went to great lengths to produce the photography he displays in this book. His photo captures of the cooperative 'bubble feeding' behavior of the humpbacks is remarkable. This type of behavior seems to be unique to the humpback whales of southeast Alaska which Mr. Iwago has done a remarkable job documenting in this book with absolutely fascinating photography. This is one book that should not be left out of any collection pertaining to whales.

Some of the photos in this book are the best I've ever seen of nature photography. It's a book I've enjoyed looking through many times with my son, who is now 3 years old. My only quibble is that some of the photos are too much alike, e.g., too many spouts together in one place. But I hate to say anything negative at all about such a beautiful set of pictures. There's also some useful information about humpback whales.