With the Adirondack setting, Woodswoman II, by Anne Labastille, captures a way of life most people will never know about. The way Anne talks about her life as a woodswoman pulls the reader into her world and life. There are also many good details. While building her second house, Anne faces many difficulties including temporary blindness when she gets cement dust in her eyes, and dropping a large spruce on her leg, injuring herself so she cannot walk for two months. As she chooses her dog, the decision becomes the reader's and the excitement is on them. Around Anne her beautiful world is disappearing to acid rain and people. As the reader progresses through this story he or she will find the true meaning of the woods. The setting and unusual way of writing brings this book together to make a fabulous story of Anne's life. Her unique way of writing shows who she is. She talks about smaller details in great detail, talking about the general one a small mystery. When Anne was building her house, she talks about when her boat flipped when carrying supplies to her cabin. She also talks about her feelings a lot in her autobiography. She explains how she likes her doctor more then why she was temporarily blind when she gets some cement dust in her eyes. Another reason I give this book five stars is the way she decries her surroundings and her land. When Anne is on a walk she Comes upon a cliff and transfer you there in to the fog and wet green moss. She plants a photograph in the reader's mind so that the reader can find every thing in Anne's cabin. As you see there are reasons to like this book. There is one and only one reason why I would not recommend this book is that it skips from one topic to another for example, she talks about building her house, she suddenly starts the next chapter talking about acid rain and polluting. This also happened when she got hurt and talked that in the middle of a chapter about her house. This reason is not bad enough to make this book a book I would not recommend. This book is a wonderful Adironacks story about a young woman and her dogs.

This second installment of the 'Woodswoman' trilogy is a step up in maturity for Dr. LaBastille. "Woodswoman" (one), dealt largely with the purchase of land and the building of a dream cabin on a remote lake. This books becomes more real, as Dr. LaBastille begins to have to worry about trespassing intruders, acid rain and the real threat that the government can pose in this unique environment. Determined not to let these new problems destroy her outlook or her life, Dr. LaBastille begins to build a second cabin - further into the wilderness. Encompassing both the new thrill of building a more isloated respite along with some freinds, brings another insight into Anne LaBastille's life ten years later. Numerous elderly Adirondack guides become great friends, sharing their own stories of the wilderness. A new romance evolves and the author has to deal with the reality of having to deal with both worlds. This book speaks not only of the wilderness, but the grand people that make and keep it unique. Of course, Dr. LaBastille's dogs are always given star treatment and her love of these animals is heartfelt. More refined and a little less naive, this second 'woodswoman' book will break and warm your heart at the same time.

Woodswoman II is the continuing biography of author Anne LaBastille, who found peace and solitude in the log cabin she built for herself at Black Bear Lake, in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York. This is the engaging, compelling, sometimes inspiring story of how Anne decided to retreat a half-mile father into the wilderness behind her main cabin and build a second, tiny cabin (fashioned after the one in Thoreau's "Walden") in which she could write and contemplate. Woodswoman II focuses on her renewed bond with nature, her companionship with two German shepherd dogs; and her sustained and sustaining relationship with a man fully as independent as herself. Highly recommended reading for anyone who has ever contemplating leaving the stress of urban life behind for the contemplative isolation of the wilderness.

Anne LaBastille has penned another riveting read recounting her adventures as an independent woman residing in the wilderness and as a wildlife biologist striving to protect the natural world. She shares her forays in the complex world of self-publishing which adds a new dimension to this already accomplished visionary. Quite frankly, LaBastille is my favorite writer - her life is fascinating and I marvel at her commitment and ability to convey the emotional pain of losing her beloved pet-companions. Her talented writing style allows the reader to experience the fear of death she faced when confronted by out-of-control, gun-wielding thugs while camping in a public wilderness park. WOODSWOMAN IV is a page-turner that chronicles the changes in "Woodswoman's" life - and society.

...

The trilogy of "Woodswoman" has gone one step further by allowing the public one more look into Dr. Anne LaBastille's unique wilderness life. One might get the feeling that after dozens of conservationist and environmental oriented books that Dr. LaBastille might tire of letting the public peer into her private life. Fortunately for us, this didn't happen.

"Woodswoman IIII" is more than just another tapestry of stories and events of these last five years. It marks an abrupt change in the life of a woman who cannot live without a tough balance of serene isolation and public duty. It is a mix of wilderness ideologies and humorous, but tough modern realities.

The reader is always treated to nearly mystical stories of the woods. These include retreating from the remote cabin on the last day of winter thaw as six inches of water cover her remote lake. The ice cold winter water bubbles up through holes from the weight of the ice as she passes over. It is harrowing. The romanticism of the mountains is revealed through generations of bold and gregarious wild loons who seem to recognize their neighbor without fear, even seeming to welcome her.

Danger is also not lacking, as Anne tells of a southern camping excursion where she and a companion where shot at and chased through an Appalachian valley, hiding overnight, cold, wet and terrified. Her ever faithful dogs put her to the test as they get older and desperately try to protect their lifelong companion, while she cannot bear to see their inevitable mortality.

The reality of life as a writer and lecturer continue, however, and the reader learns hard but humorous facts about the complex and harried life of a writer who decides to publish her own books. Her "miserly book factory" is an essay on the realities of making a sparse living from writing of your endeavors. It's hard to believe she uses no computer and the one telephone line is only shared with a FAX machine.

This latest edition in the "Woodswoman" series contains a more modern note than the previous, but that may be the point. Society moves on and one can only ignore the madness of progress so far before your life becomes less meaningful. The last chapter called, "Trust" seems to embody Anne LaBastille's philosophy about her lifestyle. It is touching, moving and without regrets. This edition lives up to its remarkable predecessors.

Dr. Anne LaBastille wrote the foreword to Christopher Angus' new book, "The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty". Her book also includes photos by Gary A. Randorf, photographer and author of "The Adirondacks: Wild Island of Hope".

The trilogy of 'Woodswoman' has gone one step further by allowing the public one more look into Dr. Anne LaBastille's unique wilderness life. One might get the feeling that after dozens of conservationist and environmental oriented books that Dr. LaBastille might tire of letting the public peer into her private life. Fortunately for us, this didn't happen.

'Woodswoman IIII' is more than just another tapestry of stories and events of these last five years. It marks an abrupt change in the life of a woman who cannot live without a tough balance of serene isolation and public duty. It is a mix of wilderness ideologies and humorous, but tough modern realities.

The reader is always treated to nearly mystical stories of the woods. These include retreating from the remote cabin on the last day of winter thaw as six inches of water cover her remote lake. The ice cold winter water bubbles up through holes from the weight of the ice as she passes over. It is harrowing. The romanticism of the mountains is revealed through generations of bold and gregarious wild loons who seem to recognize their neighbor without fear, even seeming to welcome her.

Danger is also not lacking, as Anne tells of a southern camping excursion where she and a companion where shot at and chased through an Appalachian valley, hiding overnight, cold, wet and terrified. Her ever faithful dogs put her to the test as they get older and desperately try to protect their lifelong companion, while she cannot bear to see their inevitable mortality.

The reality of life as a writer and lecturer continue, however, and the reader learns hard but humorous facts about the complex and harried life of a writer who decides to publish her own books. Her 'miserly book factory' is an essay on the realities of making a sparse living from writing of your endeavors. It's hard to believe she uses no computer and the one telephone line is only shared with a FAX machine.

This latest edition in the 'Woodswoman' series contains a more modern note than the previous, but that may be the point. Society moves on and one can only ignore the madness of progress so far before your life becomes less meaningful. The last chapter called, 'Trust' seems to embody Anne LaBastille's philosophy about her lifestyle. It is touching, moving and without regrets. This edition lives up to its remarkable predecessors.

Dr. Anne LaBastille wrote the foreword to Christopher Angus' new book, 'The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty'. Her book also includes photos by Gary A. Randorf, photographer and author of 'The Adirondacks: Wild Island of Hope'.

Any biography that states in its title "extraordinary...journey" has a great deal to live up to. This is especially true if the person is only regionally known. However, the life of Clarence Petty is nothing short of amazing and his life story confirms him as a living legend.

Author Christopher Angus ("Reflections From Canoe Country: Paddling the Water of the Adirondacks and Canada") has taken on the voluminous task of writing the life story of a man who was bred, worked and still lives in the Adirondack Park. Clarence Petty was born to a poor backwoods wilderness guide and lived his life in countless professions all in the name of the environment.

This is not a mundane tale of a "Dudley Doright". The reader soon discovers that Mr. Petty grew from being a well respected wilderness guide into a Federal and State conservationist, all the while honing his skills as a first class aviationist. Between these two professions Mr. Petty traveled the world. From dangerous missions over the Pacific in World War II to environmental works over Alaska and the Adirondack mountains, Clarence Petty moved forward to serve and protect the environment in which he lives. Also worth noting are the staggering number of conservancy organizations to which Mr. Petty belongs and contributes. There are few Presidents, Governors or other noteworthy politicians that Clarence Petty has not met in the last several decades. It is interesting to note that his viewpoint of politicians is adamantly level headed but not without strong opinion.

If the reader is not familiar with some of the colorful Adirondack legends of the past century, there are some pleasant surprises. His family personally knew all of them and the truth behind most. These tales are woven through the upbringing of Clarence Petty and serve as a time table to his growth. Exciting stories from mountain and river mappings to political controversies over the Adirondack Park fill the saga of Clarence Petty. The reader can not help but wonder what keeps a man like this going so stealthily for so long. His story is impressive.

People like Clarence Petty seem to be put on this earth at a time they are needed most. His influence and hard work to save the qualities of the Adirondack wilderness through the most crucial era of its' existence is inspiring. Mr. Petty's story is told in an unsentimental, yet moving manner.

The foreword is written by Dr. Anne LaBastille, a close friend of Clarence Petty and author of the "Woodswoman" series, as well as environmental gems like, "Mama Poc" and "Jaguar Totem". Her latest book, "Woodswoman IIII" has just been released.

Mind you, I am a great fan of Dr. LaBastille and have nearly all of her books; most of them signed. However, this third installment of her career as a "woodswoman" seems achingly final. All three books are adventures in the North Woods, however, this one clearly shows how her writing has matured with her own experiences. With harsher stories of vandals, environmental scoundrels and the personal tragedies, she seems to counter it all with great stories of bravery, incredible freindships and profound people. She still endears the reader with magical stories of the woods, lakes and mountains. Marking her third decade living in the Adirondack wilderness, Dr. LaBastille's writing is more realistic, world-wary and sometimes achingly mature. Facing ageing, near helplessness at the pollution and noise on wilderness lakes, she still keeps her sense of humor with great dignity. A gracious gift or a book for your collection; she shares her life of passion.

Reading this book summarizes not only one woman's experience but my own more limited experience in the world of humans and the world of wilderness and animals. Hopefully one or some will be raised to a greater awareness/conscience. Anne has made a GREAT difference with her honesty, love, strength, initiative... I mark all of her books with hopes that those reading after me will learn that I, too, agree with her insights and assertively support her work! Anne's books are 'must reads' for EVERYWOMAN, not just 'wilderness types.'

This book is simply a continuation of one woman's life in the Adirondacks, in a house she built by herself. But if we look deeper it really is another look into the life of a fascinationg woman who chose to leave civilization and do what she truely wants. Each chapter is a different adventure and you follow her life with her dogs and her friends and especially the land on which she lives. The writing is beautifully descriptive and you can't help but wish you were her.

An inspiring chronicle of conservation endeavors, sometimes against great odds. Learn what it is like to be a conservation heroine - the adventures, the frustrations, the triumphs. Jaguar Totem is not only a compelling story, it is also a clarion call for action on behalf of the natural world. Anne LaBastille believes that anyone, any time, any place, can do something to save the beauty, wildness, and natural resources of our planet. I agree!

Anne LaBastille made her mark by showing the world how life can be simple and rewarding thorugh her Woodswoman Trilogy. Now "Jaguar Totem" has encompassed all of her life's experiences in the cause for conservation in a delightfully frank and clear perspective. With hope and dreams worn on her sleeve, she takes the reader from the beginnings of her travels and accumulation of experience with a thoroughly rewarding update after each chapter. A complex woman in a complex world, Dr LaBastille proves how one person can make a difference. If this is her best; I can't wait for the next.

I have been privileged to participate in Dr. LaBASTILLE'S Writer's Workshops for the past ten years. Her works from Woodswoman to Jaguar Totem have brought our family much reading pleasure. As an Ecologist, Dr. LaBastille takes you on several journeys that enlighten the reader to what it means to spend time alone in her cabin in the wilds of the Adirondacks, where she relates to her enviornment. She is an intellectual with indepth perception about the woods she knows so well and all the ingredients that make up Mother Nature. She travels nationally and internationally and is well known in her field of endeavor. And, in addition possesses much skill in photography and lectures about her works. Jaguar Totem is an excellent read and I was proud to add this book to my collection of Dr. LaBASTILLE'S LITERARY accomplishments. Her work is important to the present generation and generations to come.

Every year, newspapers dole out articles about the endangered or even extinction of a species somewhere on the globe. Yet, few describe the multitude of reasons for this event, much less the brave people who fight the battles. Dr. Anne LaBastille's, "Mama Poc" details the myriad of mistakes and consequences of the now extinct Atitlan giant grebe. Starting over 25 years ago, Dr. LaBastille started a one-person movement to save a rare species of a water bird on a large volcanic lake in the middle of Guatemala. A modern day Dr. Livingston, Anne LaBastille dealt with local residents of Lake Atitlan, the Guatemalan government and dozens of foundations to obtain the necessary grants. These were not just to save a bird species, but a large recreational lake, a way of life and the residents livelihood. The author has woven a personal memoir detailing the dilemmas of her work. Far from a flat testimonial, one reads about the friends and coworkers that befriended Dr. LaBastille during her years of research. It is a personal story as well as a brilliant documentary of her research filled with stories of earthquakes, revelations, periless lake storms, successes, political guerillas, murder and love. At first the reader may wonder why on earth someone would go through all this trouble to save a water bird. By the end of the first chapter you will find yourself cheering for the underdog with all the odds stacked against her. The Smithsonian Institution's Thomas E. Lovejoy summed it all up in the 'forward'. "The measure of our success will be in the number of species that survive. They will also be our reward". Well said.

Of all Anne LaBastille's books, this is my favorite. She practices what she preaches and heads to South America where she documents the extinction of a species. Her compassion for the environment coupled with her own personal narrative make for very compelling reading.

The only thing I do not understand is why so many of her books are out of print. The Woodswoman series should be required reading in college courses and Mama Poc should be read by anyone that cares about the environment.

Among all the tales of commitment to a cause, personal loss, and bravery to face the world despite the heartbreaks it brings, Anne LaBastille's story of the decline and eventual extinction of the giant pied-billed grebe of Guatemala's Lake Atitlan is a winner. Beginning with the author's arrival at the lake in 1965, the memoir-cum natural history tells the saga of how the young naturalist came to fall in love with the most engaging of the country's water birds and its surroundings, and how against the odds of weather, earthquakes, and political turmoil, she and her Guatemalan cohorts documented the gradual erosion of the species's habitat over the subsequent two and a half decades. LaBastille weaves together the story of losing a species with that of losing a lover and friends, so that we feel her grief in both personal and professional domains. At the same time, she keeps enough distance so that we learn the facts of the case with its details of over-development and careless management of the lake's assets that contributed to the final loss of a species. Although we know the outcome of her story from page one, her suspenseful account leaves us hoping for a different ending right up until the last sentence. LaBastille blames no one cause, but her tale makes it clear that the the giant grebe's fate was not inevitable.

Woodswoman, by Anne LaBastille is an autobiography of ten years of LaBastille‚Aeôs life. The novel is uplifting and personal, and enjoyable to read. LaBastille‚Aeôs writing style is easy to read, making the 277 pages fly by. It is a novel of LaBastille‚Aeôs life after her divorce and her triumphs trying to make it on her own. She moves from a condo to a plot of land in just a few months. She does not know where to live so she decides to build a log cabin. Her dedication and proactive confidence is shown in the novel when she designs, builds, and maintains a log cabin all by herself. This novel never makes many political statements. She makes it accessible for everyone to read the novel no matter what their beliefs are. She only tells the story of her life in the Adirondacks. She never mentions any social events or movements that occur at the time. She does not even mention any historical facts. She does not want to tell the reader about social policy related to her life, she solely wants to invite the reader into her life as she tells them a story. La Bastille does a beautiful job at intimately drawing the reader into her life. She makes her life into an ideal adventure which the reader is left day dreaming about even after the book has been completed. When she visits a neighbor or an old friend the reader feels as though they are visiting this person as well. She does a great job at character development even when the a character does not play a major role in the novel. She poetically describes the changing seasons and all of the natural beauty around her and how they effect her life. She spends a few chapters in the novel just describing the life in the woods during every season. The details are so rich that the readers can make clear images in their head of the setting. I can easily visualize LaBastille sitting at her table in her cabin writing this story to the reader. To enhance her descriptions she also provides many comely pictures of her hiking, the log cabin, a pond, a layout of her cabin, and many general pictures of her performing woodsy things. I was given this novel by my sister who is traveling around the United States. She had picked it up from a used book store and told me that I had to read it. She said that I would relate to LaBastille‚Aeôs life and that it was an engaging read. Only a few pages into the novel and I was already falling in love with the story. I am a female who loves the woods, pets, camping, and feminism. LaBastille is a symbol of a strong female. She is not afraid to live in the woods all alone and she has the courage and willpower to build her own home. My dream home is a log cabin and I hope that it will be tucked away in the woods like hers. I also love to build and do creative projects on my own like she does. In the novel one of her only companions is her pet wolfs. I own a dog which is part wolf so I relate to her caring for her dog. I also love to backpack and camp. LaBastille shows her love for the recreation of backpacking as a dynamic part of who she is. When I read this novel the world seems like a utopian. A type of world that nowadays one would only experience in the Yukon or Alaska. While I read the novel I have to remember that it is written in the 1970‚Aeôs. A time when she does not have to worry about giardia or pollution. She very rarely mentions any environmental issues. She dislikes hunters on her property and is worried about her dog being shot, but she does not even have that big of a problem with trappers. LaBastille seems to understand the necessity and economic drive for trappers in order to support their families. She also dislikes the increasing number of boats on the pond. She often comments on the absence of loons on the pond due to the disruptive motor boats that overtake the pond. LaBastille‚Aeôs biggest hatred is seasonal cottage owners. Seasonal cottage owners do not respect the land well enough and they do not see the impact they lay on the land all year long. LaBastille is ‚Aeòone‚Aeô with nature and her surroundings. She knows how to live peacefully in a land that would be frightening to city dwellers. The only change to the novel I would make is for there to be more knowledge and concern for environmental and political problems that happened around her life and the time period that the novel was written. She seems too naive about the environmental impacts she makes. She also does not seem to know how politics impacts her life and the Adirondacks. I think that this novel could have had more depth to it by adding how her life related to the world outside of her little cocoon. Overall I really enjoyed the novel. I would suggest it to anyone regardless of their political and environmental views. It is a strong and encouraging novel for feminists and nature loving people to read. I look forward to reading the sequels to this novel.

If you love the Adirondack Mts. of northern New York you will love to read Ms.Bastille's books. She makes the woods come alive. Her books are about her Adirondack life written from a woman's perspective. Her writings are gutsy, romantic, while at the same time they are a honest portrayal of life in the North Country. If she keeps writing them I'll keep reading them. Anne Bastille is a role model for women and girls who love the outdoors.

"Woodswoman" is the first of a trilogy and the reader can see the talent and enthusiasm of Dr. LaBastille's grow with each book. The reader can also detect the maturity and 'lessons-learned' from this and the following books. Truth is stranger (and more interesting) than fiction and Anne LaBastille lets her feelings and emotional experience permeate every chapter. One can actually feel the authors' growth, love and anxiety of her life experiences in every chapter. This is just the first of many wonderful stories that Dr. LaBastille gives the world. You will read it again and again, just to experience what it is like to do what you REALLY want to do when you put your mind to it. The start of an inspirational writing career, "Woodswoman" is a collector's item.

In celebration of the Adirondack Park Centennial, Dr. LaBastille released this marvelous collection of poems, nature essays and short stories, all filled with glorious photos. This book is not limited to the Adirondacks, but includes Central America and Alaska. Each work is mesmerizing and invokes the true feeling of beauty in the wilderness and the kind people she has met along her travels. You can find this book and the search is worth it.

I have purchased numerous (10+) copies of this book and given it to students (both male & female) majoring in forest resources management. I want them to have both career and adventure and this book presents numerous examples of both. Thanks Anne.

I was disappointed in this second book and enjoyed the first one (Woodswoman) much more. I had a hard time connecting emotionally with this book and did not feel the same sense of adventure as with the 1st book. I would definitely recommend Woodswoman, but you can skip this book.

I thought this book explained how Anne was feeling in a time of remorse. Being from the country area I too understand how Anne could want to retreat. It's horrifing to see the world of wilderness torn up by business. People walking around on your land, bugging you ever chance they get. Thinking for themselves, and not you and your privacy. It's a shame. I think Annes book explained how alot of us may feel inside. The joy of nature can sure bring out the best in us.

This second installment of the 'Woodswoman' trilogy is a step up in maturity for Dr. LaBastille. "Woodswoman" (one), dealt largely with the purchase of land and the building of a dream cabin on a remote lake. This books becomes more real, as Dr. LaBastille begins to have to worry about trespassing intruders, acid rain and the real threat that the government can pose in this unique environment. Determined not to let these new problems destroy her outlook or her life, Dr. LaBastille begins to build a second cabin - further into the wilderness. Encompassing both the new thrill of building a more isloated respite along with some freinds, brings another insight into Anne LaBastille's life ten years later. Numerous elderly Adirondack guides become great friends, sharing their own stories of the wilderness. A new romance evolves and the author has to deal with the reality of having to deal with both worlds. This book speaks not only of the wilderness, but the grand people that make and keep it unique. Of course, Dr. LaBastille's dogs are always given star treatment and her love of these animals is heartfelt. More refined and a little less naive, this second 'woodswoman' book will break and warm your heart at the same time