This book is a must-read for those concerned about the Chesapeake Bay and those interested in environmental politics. Highly recommended.

This book contains everything that an experienced kayaker needs to know to plan a trip to Alaska's Inside Passage. For those who already know where they want to paddle, the first chapter and apendices still provide great local information and advice on gear, clothing, and techniques that are most appropriate for this area. Anyone who will be paddling in these waters should read these sections of the book not only because they will answer many of the difficult logistical questions but because they will make your trip safer and more enjoyable while helping reduce your impact on the area. For those seeking ideas on where to paddle, the rest of the book offers a wealth of suggested routes without getting so specific that you lose all sense of personal discovery.

As a sea kayak guide based in Gustavus I have paddled most of the northern routes described in Jim Howard's book over the past 20 years and I can report that his descriptions and advice are current and accurate.

Something that really bothers me about some guidebooks I have seen is that they name specific campsites and suggest day-by-day itineraries for a few selected routes; they are like a journal of the author's trip. This approach leads to over-use of a few areas and sites and diminishes the sense of discovery that is one of this wild area's greatest attractions; following one of those guidebooks is more like taking someone else's trip than one's own. Not only that, but many of the best sites along a route are (thankfully) NOT named in those guidebooks, so kayakers can have a better trip by ignoring those authors' detailed suggestions.

Jim Howard took a different approach. His routes cover most of the region and for each he gives a description of the area and an assessment of the difficulty of the trip. He names the hazards and gives helpful logistical advice and a general description of the route. This is just what I look for when visiting a new area. I want to know whether I am getting in over my head and how to get to the area. I don't want to know exactly where someone else paddled and camped and what they saw. Finding my own campsites, wildlife viewing areas, and special places is what sea kayaking in a wild place is all about.

Because Southeast Alaska is a wild place with plenty of hazards far from help, it's wise to have solid sea kayaking skills if you are alone or leading less experienced paddlers here. Therefore, this book doesn't cover basic sea kayaking and navigation. Beginners will need to find this information in one of the many other general sea kayaking books and by going with experienced paddlers.

Jim Howard does an excellent job of giving helpful area-specific information while preserving opportunities for wilderness self-discovery. I can tell he's explored the area thoroughly and talked to lots of local folks. Get this book if you're coming here.

This fabulous and thorough isting of chorusus should be on the shelf of every singer in the Bay Area. An amazingly thorough listing of hundreds of ensembles, from fully professional ensembles to corporate in-house amateur groups. The listing for each ensemble includes administration, conductor, address, style/type of music performed, where the performances take place, and lots of other info. The editors have done a marvelous job, and this book does a great service for all singers in the extended Bay Area.

Diamond Bay by Linda Howard unites together Kell Sabin previously from Midnight Rainbow and Rachel Jones and continues her legacy of crafting romance with heartmelting heroes and heroines. Kell is unexpectedly attacked by the villains on the high sea and is swept to the Diamond Bay where Rachel found him and nursed him back to health. Linda Howard weaves an intricate and emotional tale when the sexy Kell falls in love with Rachel but takes rein on his passion for fear of Rachel's safety. His job is dangerous - and he knows it, and soon after his enemies are on the chase for him...

Diamond Bay is a passionate read but even more stirring in the emotions it awakens. It explores Rachel's vulnerabilites, Kell's undying love for her in the line of duty which altogether climaxes in the suspenseful end when enemies hunt them down. Realism aside, this book is definitely a keeper for romantic fanatics - who likes sexy, gorgeous heros and an abiding passion. Out of the Silhouette collection, this is Ms. Howard at her best and certainly jewelled fun and passion.

Just when you think you've found the ultimate romance in Linda Howard's Midnight Rainbow, along comes Diamond Bay. Romantic novels just don't get any better than this. Kell Sabin is the ultimate sexy hero and Rachael suits him perfectly. I read this one five times in a row before I could put it down! If you haven't read it and can still find a copy- run, do not walk!! I only hope Ms. Howard's future books contain half of the excitement and romance of Diamond Bay and Midnight Rainbow. This is romantic fiction at it's very best.

I started reading Linda Howard's novels a couple of years ago--since I enjoyed her more recent novels so much, ("Kill and Tell", "All the Queen's Men", "Mr. Perfect", etc.)I decided to search our her earlier stuff. So far, this is the best one I've read--almost hated to see it end. (I haven't read any books in the MacKenzie series, but I intend to!) "Diamond Bay" is set in my home state of Florida (a possible reason why I'm partial to this book), and involves two very well-developed characters, Rachel Jones and Kell Sabin. Sure, you knew from the first few pages that these two would end up together, but they are such interesting people, that the slightly unbelievable situations which develop don't seem as important as how the relationship between Rachel and Kell grows. Incidentally, for some reason, most bookstores don't seem to carry this novel, although they do carry a lot of Ms. Howard's other early works. I found my copy in a used bookstore--thank goodness for them!