A good reference guide for a group of birds that many people only know from one or two species (e.g., the belted kingfisher, the laughing kookaburra). As with nearly all field guides, the text is fairly dry and confined primarilly to descriptions of the various species, their habits, et al. Still, for those who enjoy a celebration of the diversity in nature, this book is a treat. The plates are of good quality (and occasionally surprising--apparently there are several species of kingfisher in which the female is somewhat more brightly colored than the male) and show all of the living species, as well as many of the major subspecies. Great for the armchair bird-watcher.

Alan Fry is a Canadian woodsman with years of experience in the art of wilderness survival. His book is a concise and readable guide for the preparation and execution of a survival plan, especially in the extreme environment of the boreal north. Although its emphasis is on emergency situations in a particular ecosystem, many of his ideas can be readily adapted to any temperate region or contingency by the intelligent reader. Please note that this is not primarily a book for the recreational backpacker. Rather, it's a hard-core guide to survival under extreme circumstances in a particular environment. That having been said, it's still recommended reading for anyone who ventures into the outdoors. Useful, light-weight, and perfect for the field.