The Rogers' have done it again! I have been down hill, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing for many years and I thought I knew a lot about the Northeast snow country. I have just read about places and activities that are new to me and I thought I had been all over northern New England! Not only do they provide a good overview of the most popular ski areas and in some cases even a small history of some features and events of those areas but they also give any new (or old) visitor a varying list of other activities that might otherwise be overlooked. I have been interested in maybe a dog sled tour but never really knew where to go for information. Now I know what to get for a friend of mine for a Christmas or a birthday presant, an all day dog sled ride. I just know that we will both want to drive our own sleds! I did not know that was possible either. Although for the most part I like to "bushwack" on x-country skiis, my interest in some of the groomed trails that are available and rather inexspensive, has been peeked because of the other possible after ski activities that are available in the area. I never heard of bowling with a frozen turkey but I want to go and watch and maybe even try it now. I like museums and now I know which ones might be open in the winter if the weather turns bad. Snowmobiles anyone? Now I even know where to rent and ride be it for an hour or all day. You say you don't own any kind of skiis? Well with this guide you can find just the kind of place for you first time out and if skiing does not agree with you, because you just hate getting all covered with snow, just try one of those fine libaries or places to eat. Snowshoeing at the Balsams hotel? Yes! I've always wanted to see the ponds that are up in the woods behind the hotel. And afterwards I can maybe either relax there or head back to my snug room in Colebrook or to my favorite cabin by the lake in Pittsburg. How ever you look at it, this guide has something for everyone, skiing nut or not. Take the friend that likes to stay inside while you do "outdoor " things and then spend the evening talking about the good times you have had all day over a drink and a good meal. This book will stay in the truck all winter like my skiis and snowshoes do!

Skiing in New England can be fantastic, but it's not the only wintertime activity available. In fact, in New England Snow Country: 701 Ways to Enjoy Winter Whether You Ski or Not, authors Barbara Radcliffe Rogers and Stillman Rogers describe 700 additional ways to enjoy a New England winter, from snowshoeing to igloo building to ice-bowling with a frozen turkey in the wilds of Vermont. (Don't knock it until you try it, we say.)

The 188-page soft-cover guide, published in October, 1999, is broken down into regions, including New Hampshire, Maine, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

For each region, the authors describe activities ranging from winter recreation (cross-country and alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, dog sledding, and more) to pursuits such as maple sugaring or visiting the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences Raptor Center, where ailing birds are rehabilitated.

The book is sprinkled with New England winter trivia, debunking some myths such as the reason for covered bridges. Were these bridges originally covered to keep out snow? No; snow had to be shoveled on the bridges so sleighs could pass, but the covering did keep the snow from building up too high and putting too much pressure on support timbers.

The guide includes detailed information about places to lodge and dine at each area, as well as event listings. This book is perfect for groups that include a non-skiing member, and will be priceless for those occasions where the slopes turn out to be less than ideal for skiing or boarding - a little freezing rain or a January thaw can make off-slope activities look rather desirable. And, the day doesn't end when the lifts stop running.

New England Snow Country retails for $ and is a fantastic value. (Review reprinted with permission from dcski)

My husband and I received this book as a wedding present six years ago. There isn't a week that goes by without one of us pulling it off the shelf to look for help with clothing and furniture stains, pests, repairs around the house, food storage, plants, pet grooming and anything else you can think of! I am constantly trying to find more copies of this book to give to others. It sounds corny, but it's the gift that keeps on giving.

I felt that this latest book by Roger Winter was a fabulous effort, and that it is one of his better attempts of late. He put together a handy book which shows me, an amateur artist, how to draw simple everyday household items and make it into a work of art.

Thanks, for a great book and great advice.

I selected this little hand book to use in my basic drawing course for a college level class. It cuts to the chase! No baloney, here, just good straight information on drawing. It is great for the students because of its intimate and user friendly size - can easily be put in the student's back pack and carried around without a lot of useless weight.

But, inside the book, it is well organized, has a ton of great illustrations which inspire people to try drawing for themselves. And, best yet, it give the "how to" of doing it.
He clearly gives comparisons with his ideas, by putting up two different kinds of art works to show an idea clearly. He gives a number of good project ideas and best of all you can begin anywhere in the book. You need not read through it from front to back. You can skip around and design your own drawing program with this book. Its a lot of book for the buck, in my opinion.

I actually hesitate to criticize this book since I wish more writers would do as Elwood has done: refused to contribute to the degrading of our civilization in the name of realism, and therefore kept the language and plot clean. However, the poor character development of this story makes it disappointing. The plot has potential, though it, too, is weakly worked out.

Maybe the action of the story will keep young readers interested, but adults will probably want something with more substance.