Pacific

In this insightful survey of ethnicity in world politics the editors and contributors convincingly document the power of ethnicity in the post- cold war era. Ethnic groups as mobilizing forces between states, among states and societies, and within states across the globe highlight the book's theme of ethnic entanglements.Chapters by Stack, James, Copeland, and Croacher are especially well done.

With this book, art historian Bernard Smith established the model for all future considerations of the reception of the South Pacific by Europeans, as manifested in artistic impressions and interpretations of the early explorers and settlers of the region. In a way, you could say that Smith's ideas establish the discourse of 'postcolonialism' long before such a word was used. Essential reading for anyone interested in Pacific studies.

This is a nautical chart atlas of the pacific northwest onto which is printed historical events and the places where they occured. It is great for anyone traveling the waters, or for anyone who is fascinated with the area or loves sailing.

My wife and I used this as one of our navigation atlas' on a 5 month sail up the inland waterway to Alaska and refered to it daily. There is something fascinating about knowing who has been there before.

I would highly recommend this, and its companion edition on Alaska, to anyone who is planning to travel in the area, even if on a cruise ship.

I'll save you some trouble: those that don't like the taste of clams, oysters, crab, or shrimp might as well click on something else. This book will be a waste of their time. They can go to the fridge and pull out some Cheez Whiz® or little, canned sausages made of assorted "meat products." Enjoy.

Those who love shellfish, though, will love the "Evergreen Pacific Shellfish Guide," authored by J.D. Wade. Wade helps shellfish harvesters work their way through maps, messy regulations, and many methods of harvest.

Want to know how to shuck an oyster or clean a crab? Here's where you can find out. Wade also includes a few recipes, which I can't vouch for. Most of them look to be safe, but hey, no guarantees. Anything that contains "orange zest," for instance, you eat at your own risk.

Wade even tells how to prepare a sea cucumber for the pot. I didn't notice any recipes, though, that included the critter. That's probably a good thing.

The book's strongest point, perhaps, is the use of clear maps showing harvest areas. One set of maps, for instance, illustrates year-round recreational crab fisheries in four colors, depicting zones where only a recreational harvest is allowed, and those that also serve as Limited Commercial Zones (along with dates), or Tribal Exclusive Zones (where only tribes can fish commercially, but others can fish recreationally).

Most of the illustrations, charts and tables included in the book are well constructed. I especially liked inclusion of sewer outlets in the final group of beach maps.

One item that confused me, though, was the "Where The Clams Are" table on page 16. Razor clams are shown in the "medium to high tide zone," at a depth of about six to ten inches. Earlier, Wade states that razor clams "are always found below Mean Low Low Water, which means you can only harvest them during 'minus' low tides." I had trouble reconciling the statement with the table.

I guess that information isn't critical, anyway. During one of the too rare openings, the eager clam digger only has to get to a proper beach (shown on page nine) and follow the crowds of people. The trouble will be digging the clams, and Wade certainly gives good instructions about that.

Other good tips include how to "purge" mussels and clams of sand, how deep to place a pot while fishing for spot prawns, and when oysters are best to eat.

If readers are looking for eloquent prose, they might be disappointed. Readers will have to wrestle with phrases like "abundant numbers of crabs," or three sentences in a row starting with the word "this." But maybe this is only a problem for me.

The "Shellfish Guide" comes with a spiral binding, making it convenient to take on an outing. Get hold of a copy while you can - they're disappearing like geoducks.

My apologies -- I haven't read "Explore Maui," I read Mr. Pruitt's other book, "Explore Kaua'i," but I didn't see that one for sale on Amazon. But I just wanted to tell those folks looking for Maui books that if "Expore Maui" is anything like "Explore Kaua'i," then it's GREAT! Mr. Pruitt does a wonderfully detailed job and the book is beautifully produced with lots of great color photos and maps, and detailed reviews of places, restaurants, etc.

And it goes without saying -- if you're also going to Kaua'i, if you can find "Explore Kaua'i," you should pick that up. Another great Kaua'i book is "Ultimate Kauai."

Exploring Alaska's Birds: Alaska Geographic, Volume 28, Number 1 is filled from cover to cover with gorgeous color photography of Alaska's wild birds, ranging from ospreys to three-toed woodpeckers. Packed with insightful articles on these colorful and diverse feathered friends, their migration patterns and navigation systems, adaptations to Alaskan winters, as well as their relationships to people, Exploring Alaska's Birds is a remarkable and highly recommended addition to personal, school, and community library ornithological reference collections.

An excellent all purpose guide to the Oregon wilderness. Contains detailed maps with landmarks and trials. Covers history, geology, climate, plants & wildlife, hiking, climbing, and other sports.

California and Oregon coasts are homes to much hidden beauties and treasures. The Point Reyes National Seashore is just one of the hidden pearls. "Exploring Point Reyes" is by far the most updated, complete, and enthusiastic guide to the seclusive peninsula about 25 miles northwest of San Francisco. Many Point Reyes guide books I found at the bookstore are outdated though they contribute an abundance of information.

"Exploring Point Reyes" refreshes the minds of those who dream of Point Reyes. The guide come with photos of Drakse Estero, Tomales Bay, the Point Reyes Lighthouse standing 330 steps down the valley on the tip of the peninsula, and more. The impact of Point Reyes is most dramatic at the meeting of land and sea. The guide has captured such beauty with the photos.

"Exploring Point Reyes" also provides information and cautionary advice about beaches within the national seashore. The book gives to direction to good protected beach for wading, picnicking, or just lying in the sun. The coverage on the Point Reyes Lighthouse is excellent. One of the greatest location for whale-watching is the lighthouse observation platform from December to April.

"Exploring Point Reyes" also satisfies the desires of adventurous hikers with info on less-known hiking trails. Trail maps are abundant in the book. The coverage on trails is divided into three types of terrain that distinguishes the trail systems of Point Reyes. Whether you're planning a camping trip, a hike-a-thon, or just a one-day photography session at Point Reyes, this book will allow you to see and experience the beauty of the Point Reyes peninsula. Avid hikers should not miss the book.

This book was one of the most important references my wife and I used on our passage from Seattle to Skagway. Not only did it give us ideas on where to go the next day, but where to hide in case the weather didn't cooperate. A must have reference for every boater cruising the Inside Passage.

Boaters around here know the Douglasses as the king and queen of cruisers, and their handbooks are our bibles. They've been everywhere, done everything, and they take *really* good notes. This guide is one result; it includes details on every anchorage, waypoint and description in the area. If you plan to spend any time in Pacific Northwest waters, this book is a must have.