I've always been fascinated by Colorado and its ghosts towns. This book contains detailed guides to many of the more interesting ghosts towns around Colorado. It also tells a little bit about the history of the towns, which is certainly a bonus. My one complaint is that it was not quite as thorough as it could have been. There were some areas of Colorado with fascinating histories that were left out. But, all in all, this is a good book for anyone interested Colorado and its amazing history. If you like this book, I would also recommend a new gem of a book I found entitled Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

[Paired review with Arizona Ghost Towns & Mining Camps, by Philip Varney] Ghost town books are traditionally rather scruffy affairs, with dim photos, little organization and an amateurish look. Philip Varney has raised the bar with these two books. Both feature clean design, good directions to the sites, excellent photographs and well-written text. Varley writes "I wanted a practical, informative guide that would give me the details I needed next to me on the sea of my truck." Both books are squarely on his mark.

The Colorado book is nicer: all the present-day photographs are in color, and the extra 24 pages allow more photos and a bit more depth to the text. But the Arizona book is no slouch: it has the advantage of Arizona Highways' long experience in producing good, easy-to-use guidebooks (plus it's cheaper). I've been to most of the sites in both books; in almost every case I've learned something new from his books. The photos are excellent, the maps and directions are easy to follow, and Varney's writing style is personable and informative.

Either book will make a fine companion for your next Colorado or Arizona vacation, even if you don't ordinarily pay much attention to ghost towns. Those with an interest in Western history *need* both books. And they're both excellent for armchair travellers. We're already talking about a Colorado trip next summer --Kathleen's never seen the *real* South Park.

Varney really has no competition for either state. These are the two best ghost-town guidebooks I'v seen. He'salso written ghost-town guides for New Mexico (1987?) and Southern California (1990); both are in print, but I haven't read them. ----------- Pete Tillman visited his first Colorado ghost towns some 40 years ago, and has since been to hundreds more throughout the West, both for work and for fun. Vulture (AZ) is his current favorite "true" ghost. But, hmm, Bodie (CA) is bigger and better-kept.... And Jerome (AZ) has the best views... And I've *still* never been to Crystal (CO). So much to see, so little time....

This is an excellant resource for finding the Ghost Towns in Colorado. It gave detailed directions to locate them. The colored photographs were very interesting to look at and sparked our interest to track certain towns down. It was nice to have some history available from the book to know what went on in town and when its "hay day" was in our history. It is a very attractive book and could also be used as a coffee table book.

My son has a passion for Ancient Egypt. As a homeschool mom I have tried to encourage this, however, I felt that he should understand that history did not come to a screeching halt in Egypt after the death of Tutankhamen. In reading this book we not only enjoyed a page turning adventure that we couldn't put down, we also opened up an entirely new line of study. My son even wrote mock news paper articles in the, "Language of the time," bearing the sad news of the defeat of the Gallant Gordon. This book was invaluable in our study.

My son has a passion for Ancient Egypt. As a homeschool mom I have tried to encourage this, however, I felt that he should understand that history did not come to a screeching halt in Egypt after the death of Tutankhamen. In reading this book we not only enjoyed a page turning adventure that we couldn't put down, we also opened up an entirely new line of study. My son even wrote mock news paper articles in the, "Language of the time," bearing the sad news of the defeat of the Gallant Gordon. This book was invaluable in our study

Bought the book in anticipation of being out in that area soon, and after reading the great historical info and seeing the beautiful photos, I can't wait to get out there and see some of the places for myself!

I only wish the maps had been a little more detailed, and that the author could have provided coordinates of the sites from a GPS, to make it easier to get to the locations.

I am a native Californian, although I have lived in Boston for many years. One of the most intriguing parts of California for me has been visiting abandoned and restored pioneer towns in the Golden State. About 70 miles from my first home in San Bernardino, is located an old mining town, Calico, in the middle of the Mojave desert. That town has set my expectations for visiting pioneer towns.

For my 49th birthday, my father and wife arranged for me to have a 49er vacation that included attending a San Francisco 49er football game and then heading off into the gold country to revisit the sites where the great gold rush first began.

From knowing a lot about California history, I knew of many towns and sites that I wanted to see. But along the way, I was intrigued by signs and notes about many sites that I had never heard about before. I wished that I had had along a source as fine as Ghost Towns of Northern California.

Although his book will seem like a coffee table book to some, I found it to be an essential exploration guide. More than 50 towns and sites are described and pictured. Mr. Varney does a fine job of giving you the local history (which often includes how much gold was mined locally and how it was mined) while the photographs give you a sense of what there is to see. You also get maps that can easily be used to find each of these locations. Most are concentrated in the gold areas (such as near the Oregon border, near route 49, and in the high Sierras), but others have different backgrounds and locations such as Alcatraz and China Camp in the San Francisco Bay area.

The author defines a "ghost town" as being a town that has had a large slide in its permanent population, even if it is still populated. So few of these "ghost towns" are uninhabited like Calico was when I was a youngster.

I double checked the accuracy of the information by comparing my experiences on my 49er vacation to what the book says, and the information and views tallied perfectly. Nice job!

The photographs are more realistic than artistic. That is not to say that they are not beautiful in many cases, but they give you a realistic view of what you will see rather than a "sunset at Sedona" feeling.

You probably won't want to visit all of these ghost towns, but the book will help you decide when and where you will want to visit. I strongly urge you to decide to visit the sites that interest you and to use this valuable guide to help you plan and follow through on your plans.

I thought the book is an exceptional value. I would have gladly paid more than twice the asking price for this great resource!

After you finish enjoying the photographs and text, spend some time rereading Mark Twain's stories about the gold camps. It will help you get in the mood for planning a wonderful trip!

"How to Camp Out" (HTCO) was written by my great-great-grandfather John M. Gould in 1877. I doubt there are very many, if any, books written by Americans and the subject of how to camp out before that date.

Several things make HTCO special. First, it gives excellent insight into how people camped out over a century ago. I show that people were quite capable of enjoying the outdoors without the benefit of Coleman stoves and lanterns, the L.L. Bean Catalog, an EMS store at the shopping mall or any modern conviences. HTCO helps us understand that people adapted to their environment and could endure the rigors of the simple life because the rewards were far greater.

Another thing which makes HTCO special is that it contains practical camping advice which is still pertainent to this day. This ranges from "Don't waste your money buying every new invention." to "Wear what you please if it be comfortable and durable: do not mind what people say. When you are camping you have the right to be independent."

There are numerous other worthwhile quotes in the book. These may be found at the John M. Gould website.

Another feature is that HTCO gives the reader valuable insite into getting to know its author. John M. Gould served as an officer with theUnion Army for 4 years during the civil war and served on occupation duty in South Carolina for a year after. He was a man who was practical, judgemental and kindhearted. From the book we see his reverence for Creation and his desire to share the best life had to offer with his friends and family. We also see some of his eccentricity when he devotes a full five pages on how it keep a diary. This habit stood him in good stead as his war diaries have been recently published.

Regardless of whether you are a novice camper, a Civil War re-enactor, a nostagia buff or a professional historian you will find a rich and rewarding experience by reading "How to Camp Out".

I picked up a first edition of this book many years ago, and its condition is evidence of how many times it has been read. (I had hoped to find reprints available that I could give as gifts, but I guess I'm out of luck. Rats!) Mr. Gould provides the prospective camper with valuable advice covering the logistical, psychological, and social aspects of camping. One of my favorite pages is a list of necessities (which, the author cautions, "is by no means exhaustive") that includes first-aid supplies, shingles (to be used as plates), beeswax, a bean-pot, and even a Bible! In a reflection of his military experience, he devotes part of the text to the importance of the division of labor in the camping party and the requirements of leadership in the person chosen as group captain. This is not merely an instruction manual for learning how to pitch a tent and build a fire (although it is certainly that), but also an eloquent treatise on the need for everyone to pull his own weight as part of a group that's living in somewhat spartan circumstances. It is also a primer on etiquette and civil behavior: there is a moving admonishment to the reader concerning the treatment of farmers: "Do not be saucy to the farmers, nor treat them as 'country greenhorns.' There is not a class of people in the country of more importance to you in your travels; and you are honor bound to be respectful to them. Avoid stealing their apples, or disturbing any thing; and when you wish to camp near a house, or on cultivated land, obtain permission from the owner, and do not make any unreasonable request, such as asking to camp in a man's front-yard, or to make a fire in dry grass within a hundred yards of his buildings...When you break camp in the morning, be sure to put out the fires wherever you are...see that the fences and gates are as you found them, and do not leave a mass of rubbish behind for the farmer to clear up." (Important rules even in the 21st century!) The author also advocates keeping a diary to remember the pleasures of the camping trip long after it has come to an end. In the same way, Mr. Gould's camping guide serves as a reminder of the attraction of "roughing it" in the 19th century. Even if you're not a camper, if you can find a copy, you'll get vicarious pleasure from this splendid book.

While the topic is original, the writing and presentation are extremely poor. Significant effort went into this book, unfortunately the result does not reflect this. It is a good source of information, but it was clearly written by an amateur.

While researching my husband's family history, I discovered that Charles Washington Guy, the brother of my husband's ancestor, died as a prisoner in Texas during the Civil War. The information in his parent's pension application was confused as to his final fate--whether he died in Camp Ford or Camp Groce. Since last year, I've anxiously searched to find out exactly what happened to Charles. The internet contained only the most general information on Camp Groce. I was very happy to FINALLY find a source to check--The Last Prison. Mr. Lisarelli has spent much time and effort to gather information that would have been almost impossible to find on my own with my limited resources. The photos are a little gray and fuzzy in tone (but that's better than no photos since they help to personalize the human tragedy of this subject). Thank you, Mr. Lisarelli for helping me to finally find Charles.

This is a well written book which shines a light on a previously unknown piece of history. A necessary addition to any Civil War buffs' library.

This collection of sentences and catch phrases is VERY weak on technical details and VERY heavy on the diatribe. In several instances, it is down right incorrect when referencing history. This book may fit the needs of a poli. sci. type, but it is less than a dust collector when it comes to those working in the fields of IT/IW/IA. As a 2 decade professional in the field, take my recommendation and avoid this book if you are looking for anything beyond recycled political phrases related to IW.

This book tackles international computer system threats that face nations and corporations head on. It presents a theoretical framework for action and will be a valuable resource for the next decade.

Athena was also a serious topic in ancient times when she was the Greek god with a sword and shield, the one who thought up the first Trojan horse... a legacy that connects well with today's netwars.

The authors of each chapter address different issues. Most are from the perspective of military issues. Many use clear historic perspectives to show how one side or the other lost conflicts, for example, the use of smart networks by Mongols to defeat Muslims and by Ho Chi Minh against Lyndon Johnson. Other examples are drawn from the gulf war; the chief of which is that the next opponent will likely not be as dumb as Saddam.

Oddly there isn't much in the book about China and Russia, the cyber-bullies of today's world. Even if one did want to look up material on these countries the missing index prevents it. With a new abbreviation on every page it would also be helpful to have a Rosetta stone inside the back cover.

The example of the wild west is used and very applicable here. There are only isolated pockets of law and order. Good and bad guys are hard to distinguish. Outside occasional enclaves good guys can only trust their resources and a few friends. This high level discussion can be directly translated to domains, firewalls, and virtual private networks. It argues against lowest-bidder security implementations.

Computer network managers will understand diminishing role of government in the direction of commercial systems. This means less traditional compliance-driven security technology will be available. Corporate security, network administrators and infrastructure managers are out there on their own. "Street smart" information behavior will be necessary to survive.

Through the book the term "cyber" is overused. It almost never appears in serious government discussions or commercial security where the emphasis is on all aspects of network issues.

Security managers who want a superficial self improvement should skip this book. It is very concept-dense and filled with ideas which will cause the reader to stop and think about strategy. Few solution specifics are presented. Concepts in this book are suited for someone who is developing a strategic vision for protecting their organization from network attacks.

[adapted from a review published in Security Management. All rights reserved by the author]

In Athena's Camp is, in my eyes, one of the most important books in the area of security policy at the given momnent, alongside 'Sources of Conflict', which has been published by Rand, too. I used the book in a term paper I wrote for political sciences, in which I examined the coming threats in context with the momentary policy of the german government (as I am German and studying here). The book was of utmost importance to me in this case, as it is, as far as I know, the only book covering this topic on such a high level of quality at the moment. Further research also revealed to me, that the momentary german policy is utmost abysmal, and that, surprisingly, the German Green Party, Bündnis 90/ Die Grünen, would maintain the best policy in case of election (just for your information). To all students of political sciences worldwide who love researching the field of global and societal change through the information revolution, get it.

I found the story of the book really gripping. The beginning was deeply disturbing, but it was also terribly hard to put down. I would definately give this book a try if you like thrillers.

The book is so riviting that it makes for a great travel book. I have given this book to more friends than any other book. My husband took it on the train to work and had strangers leaning over his shoulder to get a closer read. The scenes are vivid and intense both sexually and in the portrayal of human suffering. It is a brilliant book for readers who enjoy a book written well.

The book is divided into sixty five chapters with an prologue and a epilogue. It told the story of Genetic Engineering experiment that was carried out by the Nazi Government under Hitler in 1943 during the Second World War. The principal focus of the book is the exposure of the activities of the Nazi to control the mother earth by a technique of thought-control, genetic selection by eradication of the unfit and unwell beings. In the modern world, a mafia group in Europe(former nazi members)operating under the code name Thunderbird aimed at destroying the American society and controlling the American youths by devicing a high technology medical technique of hiding and exporting very pure cocaine and heroine to America through human skull that are not detectable by custom agents in America. To achieve their aim, they usually target and kill American tourist and citizen in Europe through whose cadaver, the drugs are exported to America. The second phase of the book relate the story of how the Nazi aimed at creating a master race through controlling human mind and destruction by using Genetic engineering experiment carried out on unwilling Polish citizens and create a master race of German descent. The case study of a Polish girl named renamed Helga Baumann was well illustrated in the book. Years after the war, her mind remains bent to the will of the Nazi doctors. She became a tool in the hand of the Thunderbird. She became a super assasin, super espionage and heroin expert. She was tortured by her past memory until she met the love of her life Jeffry Landon through who she was able to recover her past memory destroyed by the Nazi governement.

This book is a master piece and a thriller. It's a must read for custom agents, police, medical experts, lawyers and the whole human race especially Americans, Jews, Polish etc. This generationis bound to benfit from the information contained in this book. The author wrote the book from the view an experienced medical doctor.

In elvira's second fiendish foray into fiction,we find the mistress of the dark dealing with the great outdoors! Yes, you heard right. It has the glamour ghoul leading a group of teenage girls through hill country,in which they find a beast stalking them, which turns out to be not what it seems,in fact much more deranged. It's full of gloriously campy humor and has a good lesson in the form of Chloe, the unpopular"Happy Campers" member, who rediscovers herself on the journey.Even though it's not real literature,just brain candy, it's still nice to snack on.It's not really that scary, but the surprise ending is somewhat gruesome.Very, very quick read, and even though "werewolf' is the funniest and "transylvania 90210' is the best from a technical point of view, it's still good fun.Too bad it's out of print

This book was extremely helpful to campers of all levels. I have been camping for quite some time and still learned a lot of tips on how to make your trip as enjoyable and environmentaly friendly as possible. Anyone considering a day hike or longer should read this first.

Though genocide is something that continues to fill evening news and panel discussions on clashes and conflicts in countries that seem like an eternity away, this book explores the dark side to the Holocaust, darker than normal because, in this unbelievable biography, genocide and Nazi evil is given a human face in the form of the smiling and smartly-dressed SS doctor, Josef Mengele.

Known greatly by survivors and Holocaust historians/scholars, there is little literature out there that paints a complete portrait of this man, from his spoon-fed existence in Bavaria to his existence and later death in several South American havens, which, by sheltering this infamous Nazi, unwittingly spat in the face of international justice and law. The full story of his escape and hiding from the international community is described. Everything one could ask for on Mengele is contained within the pages of this book, sometimes shocking, sometimes sinister, sometimes bewildering, and often very thrilling.

Posner's book reads like a fast-paced thriller, in which the reader is transported back into time and placed before the spectacle of Mengele, the "Angel of Death." This is the first book by Posner read by the reviewer, and he admits that he was (and continues to be) very impressed. Meticulously researched and even given access to Mengele's unpublished and largely unused diaries and autobiography (still not released by the Mengele family), this biography stands out over all other 'attempts,' for they all fail miserably to even try to surpass or compete against Posner's masterpiece. He is to be commended on a fine job in painting a vivid portrait of Mengele. Hopefully, readers will begin to see the truth behind the many distortions surrounding the Holocaust and its perpetration - and that the perpetrators of this nightmarish bloodbath were human beings like everyone else, not a label of dissent that brings about a rift between Holocaust (or any other genocidal) perpetrators, and thus ensuring that genocide continues forever. Most certainly, Mengele's deeds were monstrous, but their monstrosity does not change the fact that he was still human, just like us. If we forget this fact, then genocidal forces existing within the souls of us all will continue forever.

Find out all this for yourselves, fellow readers, and read this book.

Posner delves deep into the life of one of the sickest, most disgusting human beings to ever walk the planet earth. The Angel of Death, as Mengele has been refered to was the chief "medical" officer at the Aushwitz death camp, during its hayday in the latter part of WWII. Posner examines his life from boyhood, through the end of his life, hiding in Peru. The chapters that involve Auswitz are the most horrific I have ever read. This book is an absolute must for anyone who is interested in the war or the Holocust. Mengele is arguably as sick as Adolf Hitler himself, and his life must be examined to ensure it never happens again. I am a huge fan of Posner. I believe this is his most important work.

I read this book many years ago when it was first published, and it remains one of the most important books I have ever read in my life. It is a detailed look into the disturbing life of Josef Mengele, from Nazi Germany and his horrific experiments to his last days hiding out in South America. You will be left wondering how one person could be capable of such evil. A truly excellent book.