(Planeta.com Journal) - One of the most influential books this year, this work examines the relationship of parks and Indian cultures. Remarkably, this story has not been well told -- until now. The authors point out that "one can find thousands of books about American Indians, a considerable body of literature about natural parks, but almost nothing linking the two." The book draws on extensive research and more than 200 interviews with Native Americans, environmentalists, park rangers and politicians. It also asks important questions such as what are the obligations owed to those displaced by park creation and do aboriginal people have special rights to their homelands. This book is one of the year's must reads.

Beginning with Yosemite and Yellowstone, American Indians & National Parks explains how the creation of these two oldest national parks affected native peoples and set a pattern followed with the subsequent creations of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; Canyon de Chelly; Chaco Culture National Historical Park; Death Valley National Monument; Everglades National Park; Glacier National Park; Glen Canyon; Grand Canyon National Park; Mesa Verde National Park; Monument Valley Tribal Park; Navajo National Monument; Olympic National Park; Pipe Spring National Monument; Rainbow Bridge National Monument; and Wupatiki National Monument. Robert Keller and Michael Turek collaborate to show how and why the National Park Service changed its policies and attitudes toward Native American tribes, the response of environmental organizations to native demands, and how the park service dealt with native claims to hunting and fishing rights in Glacier, Olympic, and Everglades National Parks. American Indians & National Parks is a carefully researched, ably presented reference that is highly recommended to students of Native American studies, environmentalists, and National Park Service operatives.

I have been going to Durgin Park for the past 40 years and it is always the same. Real down home Yankee Cooking. The food is always great and very fresh. I was told that everything is bought daily and it is obvious by the quality of the food. If you are ever in Fanuiel Hall Market Place in Boston, this is a must to go too. Also, buy the book as there are real great recipes to try and there is also the history of Durgin Park in it. You won't be sorry you did............. Enjoy

Chef Tommy Ryan has been referred by many friends, associates and competitors as truly "The Czar of Yankee Cooking." After reading the book and visiting Durgin Park (as I have many times in the last 20 years) the reader will clearly see Chef Tommy Ryan has a basic principle and that is you must start with quality ingredients. Everything from the meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and deserts comes from the purveyors who sell the very best. After the Chef and his team prepare your meal it's truly a culinary masterpiece and this book gives the reader the steps to success in his/her home kitchen.

Probably the best book on the Baja I have in my collection. From the border to Cabo Walt and his son Michael can show you the best of a wonderful vacation area. And I bought it used for $10.00 at Amazon.com.....

Adventurer and author Walt Peterson does it again! With son Michael, he has produced a guide to Baja for those who want to explore this place of many wonders by RV. Walt and Michael provide an extraordinary book, filled with all the information RVers will need to have a really great adventure in Baja. For those who prefer to rough it, Walt's acclaimed Baja AdventureBook is just the ticket

This is a great book on the geology of the Denali National Park area and highly recommended. It is available and still in print; if you'd like a copy contact the Alaska Natural History Association to purchase one. The Denali branch would be the most expedient.

The geology of the Denali area is a fascinating mix where uplift from plate techtonics meet sharp glacially cut peaks. Mike Collier's book is the only one available for this area; and no, it is not out of print!

This book was given to me as a gift by a dear friend who knew I had a deep interest in the communities of Gravesend and Coney Island being that I was born in Gravesend. The book is a paperback time machine. It starts at the humble beginnigs of the farming village of Gravesend in the 1600's and its founder Lady Moody and goes on to tell of the history of Coney Island, its land owners and people. This is not boring history lesson but an amazing recount of the highs and lows of the era. What's described within its pages can't fully be expressed within the small confines of this space. Its is a part of Americana as much as the Battle of Bunker Hill is. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who is curious how evil and how spirit lifting one place could be.

I think Tony the Tiger put it best "It's Great! "

Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland is one of Canada and North America's greatest treasures. Yet, it is also is one of the least known. Michael Burzynski's book provides an excellent overview of the Park which anyone planning a first visit would be well advised to purchase and read. It will greatly enhance a visit.
The book is aimed at the first time visitor but it promises to continue to be useful on subsequent visits . Mr. Burzynski assumes the reader to be intelligent, curious, and to have a desire to go a bit beyond the basics. There are sections on the Park's animals, plants, and history and its unique, intricate geology. All of this is woven into description of the all-important weather and seasons. This includes appropriate warnings for visitors not familiar with the severity of this magnificent land's climate.
Besides natural history, there are useful guides to trails, backcountry (and car) camping, and an overview of the Park's justifiably famous and arduous unmarked backcountry routes. However, be aware that no trail maps are included. Descriptions include activities appropriate to each season.
If I were to level a slight criticism, it would be that much of the material in the book can be found in a series of publications that are available at the Park or in some cases, on the Parks Canada website. Moreover, I might have hoped for more detail in a number of places (for example, in some of the trail descriptions). However, these criticisms are minor. I continue to find the book useful, as have some friends. It provides a complete overview of the Park in one convenient, portable form, it is nicely written, and it is generally very well produced. Over the years I have read many "National Park" books and this is probably the most useful and informative.
If you haven't been to Gros Morne, you should go. This unique place is remote, not heavily visited, and very much worth the trip. Michael Burzynski's book will provide you with an excellent guide and the Newfoundlanders make wonderful hosts.

The book is clearly aimed at the first time visitor. Mr. Burzynski assumes the reader to be intelligent, curious, and to have a desire to go a bit beyond the basics. There are sections on the Park's animals, plants, and history and its unique, intricate geology. All of this is woven into description of the all-important weather and seasons. This includes appropriate warnings for visitors not familiar with the severity of this magnificent land's climate.
Besides natural history, the book includes a useful guide to trails, backcountry (and car) camping, and an overview of the Park's justifiably famous and arduous backcountry routes (the Long Range and North Rim traverses). Be cautioned however, that no trail maps are included. Descriptions include activities appropriate to each season.
If I were to level a gentle criticism, it would be that much of the material in the book can be found in a series of publications that are available at the Park or in some cases, on the Park's website. Moreover, I might have hoped for more detail in a number of places (for instance, in some of the trail descriptions). However, the fact is that these criticisms are minor -- I continue to find the book useful, as have some friends. It presents a great overview of the Park in one convenient, portable form, it is nicely written, and it is generally very well produced. Over the years I have read many "National Park" books and this is probably the most useful and informative.
A final note. If you haven't been to Gros Morne, you should go. This unique place is remote and not heavily visited and very much worth the trip. Michael Burzynski's book will provide you with an excellent guide and the Newfoundlanders make wonderful hosts.

For those who love chimpanzees, MAHALE is the perfect photographic look into their lives. Most of the 160 pages consist of full-page, glossy photographs of chimps and their habitat, taken in the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania. You'll see a contemplative young chimp dabbling his fingers in a mountain stream, five chimps arranged in a grooming line, a female lounging in her day nest, chimps feeding and hunting, nurturing, playing. Much of their social lives are captured within these pages. Perhaps unfortunately, the accompanying text, while well-written and interesting, is overshadowed by the first-rate photography. The text supplies insights into the lives studied here: diet, social behavior, self-medicating techniques, adaptive behavior, and much more. As with most books about chimpanzees, MAHALE has a foreword written by Jane Goodall.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in chimpanzees and other non-human primates.

To anyone who loves chimpanzees: This book is wonderful! The pictures are absolutely beautiful! There are even little bits and pieces about researching chimps in the wild. To anyone who doesn't already love chimps: Read this book and you will!

This guy Michael Jahn's family has been in New York since before there were printing presses. He knows more about the Big Apple than any other writer. Read "Murder In Central Park" and you will know enough to give guided tours, somebody said, and I agree. Have a great day!

Though Manhattan's Central Park seems like a vast oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle, there are sections that few people will ever visit. Captain Bill Donovan, Chief of NYPD's Special Investigations Unit, camps out in the park with a friend who is conducting research on crows. The next morning, Bill sees a crow eating a human corpse slashed several times by a knife. Bill's overnight companion Lauriat is a suspect because he was not with his camping partner at the time death occurred. Bill and Lauriat heard teenagers nearby, but when Donovan and his men track down the two people, they find it to be the researcher's son and his cyber-stripper girlfriend.

Officials believe the victim was killed for spying on the queen of cyber-nudity. Lauriat lies to protect his son, which only muddles the bewildering case further. Bill goes undercover to try to ascertain new leads since he does not truly believe the trio of prime suspects are killers. Bill's hunches have always worked out in the past, but this time his need is more personal than ever before.

Anyone who has not read the Bill Donovan mysteries should try them because the lead character is an everyman doing his best. Bill is a devoted husband, a doting father, a dedicated police officer, and a recovering alcoholic. MURDER IN CENTRAL PARK continues this fifty plus anti-hero's exploits to see that justice is served. The support cast enhances the star quality of Bill by making him seem more vulnerable and human. Respected author Michael Jahn focuses his latest police procedural on one of Bill's most puzzling cases and will send the audience seeking out Mr. Donovan's previous tales.

Harriet Klausner

This book (and its earlier editions) has been worth its weight in gold for finding clothing optional places in Hawaii, Italy, Key West and even locally here in the Phoenix area. Naked Places led me to what I think is the most gorgeous nude beach anywhere, that being Little Beach on the island of Maui. The photos in the book are very nice, but the descriptions are what really help the reader decide where they want to go. This is my Number One travel guide, as it should be for any man who likes to vacation naked and naturally.

As far as I am concerned, Naked Places is the best gay travel guide out there. True, this book zooms in precisely on my main travel interests, namely gay nude beaches and resorts. But what really impresses me is how amazingly detailed and well written this book is, and the amount of information is really awesome... TOP NOTCH! I have every edition of this book and Mr. Boyd continues to out-do himself with each updated version. I really appreciate the fact that the author has gone to the effort of explaining in detail the risks involved in going to certain "traditional" nude beaches where it is technically illegal to be naked. You can read the facts and then make an informed decision about what risks you are willing to take. One of the things I most like about this newest version is the fact that all photos are reader submitted. The photos are nice to look at (and they do show EVERYTHING) but do not look like posed model shots. You can really imagine seeing one of these guys at a nude beach! This is a terrific book, and if you've ever thought about going to a nude beach or staying at a gay resort with a "clothing optional" policy, this is your book.

This book was a quick reading history of a wonderful area in the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Anyone visiting Grand Lake should give this a read, well worth the money.

Having visited Grand Lake several times in my life, I was very pleased to get "A Quick History of Grand Lake" as a gift from my family. In this book, Geary offers historical insight and interesting anecdotes on the Grand Lake region couched within comfortable prose. Yes, it's a quick history - but it's hardly dull. Whether you've visited Grand Lake once or 1,000 times, there's something in this book for you.