In response to Hank Adams review on Esther Ross, Stillaguamish Champion. Regarding the weakness ascribed to the book by Hank when Ruby is delving into comments made by Mad Bear about Dick Gregory. In footnote 6 of Chapter 7, a reference is made to the citation for Ruby's claim of Mad Bear's judgement of Gregory. The source cited is Arlington Times December 15, 1966: "Of the Nisquallies, the Tuscarora remarked that they had made a bad mistake by importing Dick Gregory, Negro comedian, to draw attention to their cause. (Gregory was arrested and brought to trial last month on a charge of illegal fishing.) The Indian and Negro problems are not the same. There is no parallel, Indians owned and occupied the land, while the Negro people were brought in as slaves of the white man. Therefore, he said, the Medicine Creek Treaty was not allowed at Gregory's trial." The authors properly cited their source of information before making the statement.

Esther Ross, Stillaguamish Champion, reads like a novel. It is the thirteenth book by Robert H. Ruby and John A. Brown, co-authors of several popular Pacific Northwest Indian ethnohistories. American Indian activist LaDonna Harris describes it as "A story about an American Indian woman who takes incredible risks." Esther's daring schemes for tribal identification were played out over fifty years (1926-1976).
Legislators who met up with Ross still mention the fiery-eyed Indian woman chief obsessed with the goal of federal recognition of the Stillaguamish people. The tribe was a signatory of the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty, yet without federal recognition the Stillaguamish could not carry into effect the treaty promises-rights to certain lands, use of certain waterways. Eventually the policy makers with whom Esther kept company by way of her frequent trips to the Capitol declared her a nuisance. Her long-winded speeches, highly repetitive, and her disregard for protocol irritated the officials; she would talk far beyond her allotted time, and she wouldn't go home.
Ruby and Brown invested almost a decade piecing together Esther's story after her son Frank offered them the five footlockers of primary documents and secondary source materials which Esther had kept. While the materials provided a close look at twentieth-century Indian politics and federal policy, the compelling subject was Esther Ross, a woman ordinary and extraordinary, complex and creative, tricky and tenacious as a bulldog.
Ruby points out that Ross "was a double minority, one-fourth Indian and a feminist before that word was coined." Hard to believe that this same Esther never knew she was Indian until near the end of her high school years. Her father was Norwegian, and Esther lived her girlhood in white Northern California society. Her mother, not noticeably Indian, did not enlighten her daughter regarding Stillaguamish blood quantum. Esther's father died when she was ten. When Esther was twenty-two, in response to a call from Indian relatives in distress, Esther and her mother moved to Washington State where Esther, ignorant of tribal history, decided to "uncover her identity."
To strengthen her quest Esther searched the vicinity of the Stillaguamish River for a legitimate source of land to qualify as a land base for her people. She sought ancestral burial grounds from the whites who owned and plowed them. Instead she was offered some bones from an exposed site. Applying her flair for the dramatic, Esther would spill these human bone fragments across the desk of governor Dan Evans in Olympia and later, display them in the national Capitol.
In pre-war days Esther's foot-going treks to visit Stillaguamish families increased the tribal membership to more than sixty, but post-war visits revealed a group more interested in award moneys than in Esther's larger goals.
During 1964 Esther's path crossed that of Herbert Holdridge, a retired brigadier general who advocated buying up Nevada desert land and turning it into a sovereign nation for American Indians. However, she had far greater interest in fishing rights for the Stillaguamish, a matter of sustenance and revenue. Joining the Poor People's Campaign (1968), Esther and her son Frank were bused to DC where Esther made her presence felt.
The Boldt Case would make the difference. The federal government was contesting the state of Washington's control of Indian fishing rights. The government attorney advised that Indians were entitled to fifty percent of the fish harvest; the state had ruled five percent. Judge George Boldt would try the case in Tacoma's U.S. District Court. And Esther Ross would have her "fifteen minutes." Fortunately for Esther-and the courtroom-David Getches represented Esther as special counsel. When she took the stand, he guided her through a review of Stillaguamish River history. Judge Boldt's ruling favored the tribes. The grumbling of non-Indian commercial fishers was heard for years, but the Stillaguamish had won the right to fish.
It would be difficult to add up the thousands and thousands of miles Esther Ross traveled during her fifty-year crusade for Stillaguamish recognition by the federal government. Or to say how many state capitols she visited, how many elected officials heard her speak-badgering, cajoling, but never threatening-on behalf of all unrecognized tribes who 120 years ago had chosen to stay on their homelands rather than accept the reserves chosen by white men. Their great-grandfathers had signed a treaty that would preserve fishing rights, but those rights had been denied the landless Indians. Esther became, eventually, champion for the whole, her mission self-sustained despite her meager income. Esther's complete and absolute dedication was not doubted. Perhaps this accounted for her supporters even among those persons who deplored her outrageous schemes.
Among such schemes was one that would temporarily disrupt the national Bicentennial pageant. The escapade began June, 1975 in Blaine, Washington, near the Canadian border, where three horse-drawn wagons and Western-clad riders headed for the 200th National Birthday Celebration, a 3000-mile trek to Valley Forge. It was son Frank's idea to set up an attack, to waylay the wagon train until the Secretary of the Interior unconditionally recognized the Stillaguamish tribe. Frank called television and radio stations, and Paul Harvey on his daily national newscast announced the impending attack. Indian activism of the 1970s was recalled-siege at Wounded Knee, takeover at Alcatraz, trouble at Fort Lawton. The "attack" might prove to be more than symbolic.
At Stillaguamish headquarters (Island Crossing), Frank stopped the wagons. And Esther, age 71, a wrinkled little woman wearing Indian clothing, stood in the middle of the road and read her speech. An assistant to the interior secretary assured Esther that the document granting tribal recognition would be ready in thirty days. Eight months then passed without word from the government, and a new secretary of the interior, Thomas Kleppe, was appointed.
Two years after the Boldt decision Esther "recruited" a steelhead trout from the Stillaguamish river to play a part in a scheme that stunk to high heaven. Needing to familiarize Kleppe with her drive for tribal recognition, she air-freighted him a frozen 18-pound trout labeled "Washington Salmon." The flying fish had begun to age en route; on arrival, dockers, holding their noses, wanted someone from Interior to take it off their hands immediately. Kleppe's response to Esther was to thank her and mention his preference for beef, saying he had given the beautiful fish to his neighbors.
Esther had problems within her tribe. They referred to her style of leadership as nepotism and resented her hiring whites as assistants. They challenged her right to increase, then decrease, the blood quantum for tribal enrollment to suit her personal intent. They openly wondered how much of tribal funds she was spending on herself. The Stillaguamish wanted Esther stripped of privileges and functions. It was more than two years since the promise made at the wagon train; push needed to become shove. Esther Ross sued the Department of Interior. Judge June L. Green heard the case. On October 27, 1976 Esther Ross' goal was achieved: the Stillaguamish had a recognized place in time.
During January, 1988 Esther began to sicken. Ever-protective son Frank cared for his mother until her death August 1, 1988, a month short of her 84th birthday.

My name is Sandra M. Allen, Chief Esther R. Ross Was my Mom and grandmother.

My brother David has received a history book for his birthday about yrs after grandma passed away in 1990 and we had noticed that the full information wasn't in it about Stillaguamish and this is when we decided to have Esther's(grandmas)story written.

I spent from birth till I was 16years old on the road with grandma and I had an education that I thought should be shared and here it is. To me Grandma was a role model and someone I wanted to live my life by and follow. In the book tells everything both good and bad in some eyes, but everyone has a opion. When my dad (Frank)and myself talked about it too me I wanted a book out because I wanted to have people read and see what she did and was able to do. To me she did more then she was ever given credit for. David and myself gave our education while growing up but in this book everyone can see why we are proud to have had the experience. I have finished high school and college this year will be going on to law school to finish grandmas work... I will be going for Land and Water rights and am very proud to have had her as a Mom and as a role model. My Father Chief Frank Allen passed away one week before seeing the cover of the book on May 14.2001 it was given to us at the gave site, this is to us a wonderful book and has everything in it that we wanted and to my brother David and myself we hope schools will use it and hope that it encourages people to not give up and that one person can make a difference. This women you all are reading about was a legend, role modle,history maker,mother,and friend. She had people who couldn't stand to be around her and she had people who couldn't wait to see her she was a honor to be around and I am proud to say this book is a 5 star. This wasn't to be about facts or to please everyone this book is from us to you the readers its not just one more book Ruby and Brown have written, this is a part of our lives and a way to keep it all together for our children and grandchildren and so on this is opening up our lives to you to share with you what kind of women she was, she was a loving, caring and I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for her and my dad Frank Allen, I would have been like my other siblings out drinking and no education or just given up but my goal in life is to be like her and do as she would have me do. So please take the time and read about my mother/grandmother, and see why we wanted to share her life with you and I hope she can be a role model for you also or your children. I was with Esther till she was taken from us and went on to school and when I graduated I dedicated my diploma to my grandma and dad cause without them I wouldn't have had the wisdom or strength to try and be the most I could be....

So please share this with others and I hope the memories of our life with our mom/grandmother and father will live on. Dad and Grandma always were together and now they are together in peace.
I miss dad and grandma so Dearly but with this it makes it as they are here with us still and I can still her my grandmas voice when I read the book so many memories. Some people have a scrap book we have a history richer to us then gold that is what dad and grandma left me the richest person on earth a life time of fighting and tears and sweat to give me and my children and theirs an IDENTITY and its one we hold close to our hearts.

Good information but very general and lacks any useful detail. One can get a lot of this information on line or from the locals.

I've been sea kayaking for 16 years, all of them on the coast of Maine, as well as many other places around the globe. . .and I've read LOTS of sea kayaking guidebooks. . .and this is by far the BEST I've ever read!

I thought that I already "knew" the coast of Maine really well. . .but reading Dorcas' book, I realize there is lots to learn and lots more coast to explore.

Not only has Dorcas done a superb job at gathering a huge amount of information useful for kayakers, she has presented it in a very kayaker- and reader-friendly way. I really appreciate that it isn't a book of "suggested trips," but rather a book with thorough info about launching spots, safety considerations, places of interest, and useful local knowledge. Her focus on natural and cultural history information also helps me figure out places I want to explore.

Have I used the book? Yes, this past weekend I went paddling near Kittery and the book was helpful for figuring out launching spots and weather/tide concerns to watch out for. And when we found a baby seal "stranded" on the beach, I knew that there was a phone number in Dorcas' book that we could call to report the "stranding" and help out the seal. We called, the seal was fine.

And relaxing after the paddle, I started thumbing through the book to figure out the next stretch of coast I wanted to explore.

This is definitely a must-have book for any sea kayaker planning a trip to Maine!

Kayaking in the Northeast has just gotten easier and NE kayakers much better informed thanks to the release of D. Miller's book. This book lives up to its title in every way. The book is well written, detailed enough to provide confidence and an opportunity to plan well for a paddle adventure. The information in this book will save those less familiar with the coast of Maine many frustrating mistakes and bad trips,and for those more familiar with Maine some new ideas on what to do and see. In addition there are informative chapters all who use the coast of Maine for recreation should know and follow. For those of us beginning to explore the coast of Maine by kayak this is an essential addition our bookshelf.

This is definately a book for teachers, but it is definately one that we can use -- especially for us beginners who seem to make one mistake after another.

The concept is simple -- some of our most famous teachers, the folks who wrote the books we read in college about how to be wonderful teachers, will own up to some of the mistakes they've made. Some mistakes are big, some small. Some are heartbreaking and others are funny. But most importantly, they simply ARE.

New teachers (and experienced) are going to make mistakes. We're human. But we try awfully hard not to and tend to get down when we do. These stories say to us, in the words of a popular science fiction tale, "we are not alone." And, perhaps, from some of them we get ideas of how to move on with our lives and careers after we've made some of those really doozy mistakes.

This collection of short tales is ideal for keeping in your desk or by the chair at home for those times of doubt when you need a pick-me-up.

This is a very cute book- UNTIL the last page. I don't want to read to my children: "the bear pooped on my bed".

I'm a children's librarian who has used this book with groups from age 4-adult with as many as 150 listeners at a time. I have yet to meet anyone who was offended by the final page. Listeners tend to gasp in amazement "Did she really say what I thought she said?" and then burst into gales of laughter.

Anyone who has had a pet can relate to our camper's consternation--who hasn't had a pet leave a "present" somewhere?
For young children who occasionally have accidents, it's reassuring that a little "oops" can be laughed away.

This is a fun read-aloud. The art is just absurb enough not to be cloying. The verses flow well and your children will soon be repeating, "He could have, he should have, he didn't. Instead..." as this loveable bear does all kinds of naughty things like dancing, playing his banjo and bouncing on the bed before reaching the surprise at the end.

To the reviewer that objected to the last page of "Bear on the Bed", I'd like to recommend "Everyone Poops" by Taro Gomi -it might give you a whole new perspective on things.

For the rest of you, this is a book you will probably really enjoy.

As a children's librarian, I have used this book in numerous storytimes and programs. It is a delight to share aloud with children, as you read the rhyming, rhythmic text that portrays the author's actual experience with a bear while at camp in her childhood. Yes, the last page says "The bear POOPED on my bed", which has brought hysterical giggles to children in the 2-8 year range but might be offensive to some. However, if you are a parent or educator that does not find this offensive, then buy this book - it is guaranteed to delight you and your children. One tip, though: keep the ending a surprise until the last page, and watch your children's faces evolve from incredulous to hysterical.

I realize that the above description of this book states it is only 52 pages long but I was still surprised that it's basically the size of a pamphlet. I have been looking for this book for years because I have an interest in Southwestern history and was elated to find it on Amazon. Then it arrived in the mail... "Our Trip to Mesa Verde" reads like a private diary: characters pop up and disappear just as quickly with no explanations, little backstory is given for each situation the girls find themselves in, and the writing style is personal and chatty. While it's a charming 30 minute read--the photographs are priceless--I wish there was more and I'm vaguely disappointed I spent money on it.

This book is nothing more than a sales pitch for the author's "Color Charisma" program. It talks about what right and wrong colors will do for you, then it says you can't color analyze yourself. You must have a professional do this, of course, preferably through one of their "Color Charisma" offices. The rest of the book consists of rudimentary color information you could find on the web for free. This book has nothing to do with success or charisma and is a waste of time and money. I'd suggest "10 steps to fashion freedom" by Malcolm Levene and Kate Mayfield if you want an informative, uplifting alternative. It focuses on building self-awareness while updating your wardrobe and has a great chapter on color.

-Success Through Color Charisma- was a fast, interesting read packed with information on color that explains how color impacts individuals and businesses in every day life, personal relationships, reactions and advertising. The premise of the book is that people have to be trained to see color, its advantages and disadvantages, and how to maximize the use of color in their lives. The book doesn't advocate throwing out everything in your closet, make-up drawer, or home, but to gradually change over to a more compatible color scheme to use color more effectively. Color analysis can help an individual feel better about himself, or herself and gain self-confidence! Give it a try!