"The Web of Life: Weaving the Values that Sustain Us," is an incredibly powerful work connecting the present with the past, eloquently capturing the basic values which bring strength to individuals, families, schools, and communities. Through a story-telling approach which immediately connects author with reader, Richard Louv plants the seeds of possibility in the reader's mind, offering simple and do-able approaches to integrating more of the sustaining values into our busy lives.

I used Louv's book in my thesis on Amish culture, as I immediately found threads of commonality between Louv's observations and my personal experiences among the Old Order Amish. In this work, Louv unknowingly, perhaps, touched upon sustaining human values that transcend culture and generational boundaries. In the Web of Life, Louv emphasizes what we can do individually and collectively to begin creating a world of compassion, sensitivity, fulfillment, and joy.

This is a must read for anyone wishing to set aside the temporary lures of self-gratification and integrate more practical and sustainable values into their lives.

This was my first Louv book. As a single dad of a 6 year old boy, I found his stories a wonderful "web". Passing on the values that sustain us and our families is one of the responsibilities of parenthood. I found his blend of short stories and testimonies compelling and thought provoking. His integration of stories about family, community and nature have inspired me to take a second look at how I am raising my own child, and what I am passing along to him as far as what is really important in life. I would recommend this book or tape highly to anyone concerned about family values, raising kids, interrlating with parents, or communicating with siblings. I enjoyed it so much I limited myself to one story per day. I never wanted the book to end!

As a parent I am always looking for words of wisdom on developing a sound value system through every day living for my children. Louv's book did that and more. He brought back my childhood memories of living in a small community and how important it is to create that for our children today. People have the power to change things and Louv has put that power into action by writing this book for us.

Fly Fishing for Sharks

I hate fishing. It's like spitting at birds, or something. Fish are morons who can't tell food from death. Who cares?

This book is about fishing like the Grand Canyon is about holes in the ground. First and foremost and forever, this book is about people: brave, interesting, eminently resourceful, good-hearted, intense people-who, for reasons as varied as ...well, types of fish ... are SERIOUSLY connected to what I was surprised to find was the pretty damn interesting world of fishing.

The thing is, Louv has the touch: he's delicate (without being precious), admiring (without being fawning), intelligent (without being pompous), reflective (without being ponderous), insightful (without being self-congratulatory), and, WAY most importantly, of course, is that he's nothing less than a superb writer (without being...um...a non-superb writer).

Buying books is tough; you never know what you're getting. But buy this one. It's not possible for you to regret it. You'll read it; you'll treasure it; you'll pass it along to a friend and never see it again--and your inner life, and the inner life of the person you passed it to, will actually, tangibly improve. That's what books are for--and only really, REALLY great books, of course, can do it. This is one of them. Don't let this one ... um ... get away. Seriously. Don't.

This 76 year old lady -- me -- from a midwest farming area -- Waupum, Wisconsin -- lover of all nature -- a constant reader of books all my life of all varieties and subjects -- just now reading your book about fishing and the vivid picture of the outdoors and the people connected with it -- wanting to thank you for writing this super book which I've read every word enjoying your description of your travels, life, outdoors, fishing and the people met along the journey of your life. I don't fish. Never have. But you are a great author and writer...so thank you again for the enjoyment you have placed in my hands with your book and in my mind with your words...Books and reading have been my life -- carry one with me every day, where ever I go. So many have seen your book and asked about it.

"Fly-Fishing for Sharks" reminded me of "Blue Highways," in some ways, but for the most part it's in a class by itself. I guess you could call it "fishing literature," but it's mainly a book of stories about people who don't usually get written about. As you meet the fishing guides, fly-fishermen, bass people and so on, from all parts of the country, you find out what it is like to stand in their shoes. A number of women are included here, and that's a little unusual for books related to fishing. Writer Studs Terkel shows people this way, but Louv weaves it all into a story that kept me turning pages. I am better informed now about ecology, early television, Pacific Northwest fishing heroes, New Mexico politics, Florida sport-fishing captains, Montana high-roller fishing lodges and a hatful of other things. On another level, this is a road trip. Lots of facts and figures on the state of contemporary America. But it's the stories about the people met along the way that stick in my mind. This is a wonderful book. Important and entertaining.