The information is up to date and correct. I use this book exclusively to plan my dives. I have met the author and trust his knowledge of the dive sites and the information given in the book.

The third edition of this book is an improvement on the previous and includes new dive sites, 55 in all. The dive sites are located in Washington State in Puget Sound and Hood Canal. All include a picture of the site which makes it easy to find them, the written directions are excellent. The tide and current table calculations are great, even going so far as to let you know if you should plan your dive for tides or currents. He even includes information on things to do for non-divers while they hangout waiting for divers to return. The maps are exceptional, most have depth measurements and all include ebb and flood current information that really makes it easy to plan dives at these sites. I have dived some of the sites listed in the book and the descriptions are excellent. Highly recommended for those diving in the Pacific Northwest.

Maybe I like this book because I recognized so many of the things that have also happened to me, with a similar college background in New Haven, then moving to an island in Washington and trying to "fit in" among the reserved and elitist locals. In his case the island was Bainbridge, in mine it is Orcas. The author seems to have made the adjustment to the wet cold weather and the cold reception rather well. His warm sense of humor and training in the colder winters of the East may have had a lot to do with it. Most of the chapters are short.. a few pages.. and will leave you with a smile.

I wish I could write like this; I'd love to tell my own story, but it wouldn't be as funny.

A thoroughly entertaining book. Excellent first-read for a Seattle newcomer, as am I. Provocative descriptions of the mountains (especially Rainier!), water, towns, people, animals. He writes beautifully, and his words paint clear, wondrous pictures. I missed my bus stop twice when I was buried in this book. I bought copies from second-hand bookstores in the Seattle area and sent them to my mom, daughters and friends.

Being a fan of books about the area I live in and especilly the part of the state that I love to roam around in This book was a real read. A lot of familiar names both people and places made it even more intresting.

This book tells it all in regards to a part of the west that is not generaly known. The early pioneer days of south eastern Oregon and south western Idaho have all the richness and real west excitment of any place you could name. Complete with mining booms & busts, Indian Wars and hardy sagas of pioneer homesteaders and ranchers...Owyhee Tales tells it all! A great companion to any western history buffs collection or to the new crop of whitewater river runners who journey to the areas namesake river, the Owyhee.

What a wonderful,innovative hiking guidebook! As a hiker andPalm Springs resident, it is a joy to read Linda's prose that soappropriately captures our beautiful desert trails.

I amparticularly impressed with Linda's description of the IndianCanyons. Each year, HIKE FOR HOPE is held in these beautiful canyons,offering 7 different guided hikes to raise money to fund women'scancer research at The City of Hope. Linda understands the magic ofthose canyons and the wonderful spirit that exists there. Linda hasbeen a terrific supporter of this event... we met her because of herbook and our admiration of it...

During our drive out to Palm Springs, I skimmed through the book and map to find hikes that would be near our hotel. I read about six different hikes/chapters and then chose two that I thought would be close and not too long since I would be hiking by myself.

Not familiar with the area at all, the first thing I did after arriving at the hotel was ask the concierge where the nearest hiking trails were. I was told there were none.(The concierge could use a copy of your book.)

Back at my room, armed with your book I found one three blocks away. Perfect! I set out the next morning, found the trail easily and started up. What I enjoyed most while hiking was remembering what you had written about your experience and it was like sharing my trek with an invisible friend. I noticed the canyon below that you had mentioned and wondered if I would have admired it as much if it hadn't been pointed out in your book. When I reached the top with that incredible view of the Coachella Valley, I sat for a long time.I was looking forward to telling you that I had 'made it', it was worth the uphill climb and to say thanks because if I hadn't read about this trail, I would never have known it existed!

I had originally planned to run up the trail--that lasted about one third of the way up. But I did run all the way down on the way back. Yahoo!!!

I finished the rest of the book and intended to do a second hike but ran out of time. We did check out the famous homes listed in your book while driving around.

The Pennsylvania Impressionists were highly influential on the American Art Movement. Their powerfully loose and fluid brush strokes were a way of proving that sometimes "less is more". In this day and age that expression still speaks volumes. This book thoroughly covers each artist and his body of work. From the well-known Redfield to the little known Robert Spencer, "The Pennsylvania Impressionists" contains a wealth of American Art knowledge. The author should be commended on writing such a comprehensive piece.

Thomas Folk's book is possibly the only one of its kind. Well-researched, well-organized, well done! Of this subject, Folk must be the most knowledgable person today. If you want to share his knowledge on one of the most "American" art movements ever, read this book!

Visitors to the famous Pikes Peak region of Colorado must read this book before leaving this treasure trove of Mother Nature. The author writes as though she has walked every square mile of this vast region covering many different climate zones from high plains desert to the alpine summit of Pikes Peak rising over two miles high. This book covers the human history of the region rich in western exploration and ancient native american people. The flora and fauna treatment of the environment is written by an expert. This is a beautifully researched book for the traveler who wants to learn while still being a tourist.

This book gives detailed descriptions for ten tours covering the entire Pikes Peak region. Mileages are recorded from easy-to-find intersections and are accurate and easy to follow. However, the best features of this guidebook are the behind-the-scenes details of the historical figures, and the wonderful color pictures of the major animals and plants that may be encountered on each of the tours. The book is beautifully published, with color pictures or historical photographs on virtually every page. The tours themselves range from the top of Pikes Peak to the Air Force Academy to lesser known treasures like the Dinosaur Depot in Cañon City and the historic west side of Colorado Springs. Essential to visitors, this book will also inform and delight long-time residents who will discover new reasons to love this area.

Since the previous reviewer wrote, Mr. Swink passed away. The publisher is working on a new edition, which is expected to be out in summer or fall of 2003. There are only a few copies left of the current reprint. I'm waiting anxiously for the new edition.

Probably the most authoritative guide to plants that grow in and around Chicago. The entry for each plant even contains a map showing where it was found. This is the capstone work for Chicago's foremost Horticulturist.

This is a great adventure story!! Ms. Rios takes us through the Amazon jungle with these two women wonderfully and colorfully. But that's just a hint of what this story has to offer. Rarely does one begin to care about characters in a story and what happens to them. You will when you read this! I would love to read more about these people!! So...WHERE'S THE SEQUEL?!?!?

I found this book totally captivating, I loved the mystery combined with the reality of todays often cruel society. I found myself using the atlas to trace Lindsay's and Mercede's journey, A truely wonderful experience.

Can anyone tell me if Rios has completed the sequel she speaks about in the " About the Author " section of " Playing for Keeps ", I would really love to continue on this journey.

Thanks, Gail.

I rate childrens books on how much I enjoy reading them the 2nd, 12th, and 500th time. Based on this criteria, this book is a winner! The story is simple and universally appealing. It touches on the themes of the stupidity of violence and anger, and the transcendence of love and loyalty, and provided a good starting point for discussions about these themes with my 5 year old. The resolution of the story is very reassuring, even inspirational, so it also rates high in my comfort book collection (along with classics such as the Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon, I Love You This Much, and the Little Bear Books.)

What really makes this book a pleasure to come back to again and again is the illustrations. They are simple but suggestive, rich in emotion, and just plain beautiful. I pored over each picture for a long time, soaking in their atmosphere and emotions which are conveyed sweetly, gently, and strongly. The book gives one a flavor for this distinctive culture while being universally appealing.

Get a copy of this book and snuggle up with a favorite child!

This is a stunning book. The story is simple and universally appealing, dealing with themes of love, loyalty, and mothering that any young child/caregiver will identify with. The pictures are absolutely beautiful - they are simple, yet convey strong, and universal emotions. As I read the book the first time, I savored every page of evocative illustrations, and couldn't wait to start reading it again.This is an incredibly appealing book that , while rich in ethnic/local flavor, could appeal to anyone who experiences basic human emotions. I read the book over immediately, and will enjoy reading it over and over again.

A sure winner - buy it and read it and re-read it with your favorite child!

Turning to page 74, my Danish-born wife, Aino, was amazed to discover her little town of Scoresbysund. She spent her fomative years(age 5-12)growing up there, where her father, Dr. Werner Mortensen, served as the sole doctor for the area of 3 villages.

Galen Rowell's photography captures the typical beauty of a Scandinavian mileau, even though it is truly a facade for the garbage that the typical native Greenlander casts no further than his front door!

His words portray the many problems of the native Inuits, who have been unable to adapt to the influence of Danish culture and progress. For Rowell to elaborate on the problems of alcholism, violent crime, and the high rate of suicide in a village of only 500, distinguishes him as an author that researchs his subjects quite well! It brought back memories for my wife of the "Grundlander" that beat his wife with the carcass of a frozen seal, only to have his wife bite of his ear.

The large yellow building in the left foreground is the eight bed hospital; the little red house with white trimmed windows that is over to the immediate left is where family Mortensen grew up from 1966-72. This book really takes my wife back,and helps me see things that were only in her mind's eye. It also brings her up to the what the present day Scoresbysund has become. And now that my family will be moving to Fairbanks,Alaska, my wife can get a sneak preview of our future from this marvelous book. Having lived in Alaska myself, I definitely recommend this book for its shear splendid photography and candid commentary. Great job Galen!

This is much more than a coffee table book, though its unique photographs of the pristine beauty of the Arctic and Antarctic would impress even the most casual of browsers. A short story about each photo is included, along with more general, thoughtful and poignant commentary from someone that is truly in touch with the global environment. Rowell is one of the great nature photographers, and this is a stunning collection