It's obvious from Voyage of a Summer Sun that Robin Cody loves the wilderness and the river, but he does an excellent job of presenting its importance without sliding very far into environmentalism per se, by which I mean he also shows the people and projects that have tampered with the Columbia, sometimes drastically, and he shows them with a minimum of slant.

Cody's prose is easy to read, and his focus shifts pleasantly between the people he meets, the river itself, the issues surrounding it, and the workings of the canoe trip.

The real problem I see is that Cody took his trip in 1990. Some of his information, obviously, is still solid, but in other areas, Voyage is getting dated. There's been a whole new round of power generation arguments, salmon policy changes, and weather shifts since then. The Hanford tank farms, in particular, have completed a major cleanup project, and a lot of the menacing toxic-waste threats he announces have been solved, softened, or shown to be less dangerous than thought. So it's a good book, but you have to read it with its age in mind.

Of the hundreds of books I have on the Pacific Northwest, this is easily one of my favorites. Aside from Robin Cody simply being an excellent writer, enjoyable to read, easy to follow, this book specifically invokes a true sense of place of the Columbia. It has a flavor of the classic Farthest Frontier, adventure, outdoors, wide open Northwest in the spirit of David Thompson, Theodore Winthrop, James Swan and the like (not to mention Lewis & Clark). Robin Cody evokes a sense of place right up there with the best like Stewart Holbrook, Murray Morgan, Ivan Doig, etc. The books touches on places here and there along the Columbia giving the reader a good feel for not only the Columbia of today, but in the past, before the Damns! Man thinks he's "tamed" the Columbia, but the majesty & power is still there and Cody conveys some of it. The main problem with the book is that it is much too short, I wanted more - I'd like to see the full journal of his travels. You couch potatoes (ok me too) dont really understand what it really means to spend nearly 3 months and 1200 miles in a itsy bitsy canoe on one of the world's biggest river. Clearly the mighty Columbia spoke during his journey, Cody listened well, and did a good job telling us about what the River said. A must read, along with the similar flavored The Good Rain by Timothy Egan.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Cody's observations on the impact of technical advancement on an ecosystem were candid and not overly political or strident. This would be an excellent book for students of atmospheric and earth sciences. Robin Cody is a gifted story teller and narrator.

Iris Origo is an Anglo American woman married to an Italian called Alberto Origo. She settles in the rural Italian countryside of Tuscany. Her husband is a prominent landowner in a small valley. When Italy gets involved in World War II, Iris keeps a small diary. In the book 1943 and 1944 are revealed as hardship years for the Italian people. Food is scarce, and airplanes are indiscriminate in attacks on civilians and soldiers. What is worse are the Fascists who have become vicious in the face of a sullen people. Origo describes how her and her family managed during these most difficult times. I feel this book is a good read for those who want to discover how a civilian population copes with war.

The enthralling story of life on the Origo's estate "La Foce" (just South of Montepulciano in South Tuscany and on the main route of the advancing Allied 8th Army) during the years 1943 and 1944. The contadini farmers and workers on the estate, living in conditions closer to the Middle Ages than the mid Twentieth Century, had no interest in or involvement with the forces of war but equally had no option but to suffer its consequences. They, led by Iris Origo and her Marchese husband, juggled simultaneously playing host to refugee Italian children, escaping British airmen and prisoners of war, partisan fighters, and a German officers' mess, not to mention day to day dealings with facist officialdom. All this in the knowledge that the penalty for a "mistake" was summary execution. An easily readable "must read" not just for those who love Italy and a good story, but for anyone who would like to reaffirm their faith in humanity in the context of a greater understanding of the reality of occupation and war.

Iris Origo makes heroic humanist efforts seem effortless. There is no question as to whether she and her husband will save countless soldiers and civilians, regardless of nationality or politics. I will never view Tuscany with the same eyes, after her description of marching with 28 children (some babies, only 2 her own) over the hills to Montepulciano and safety. The writing is beautiful, the story inspiring.

I did not like the very last Sweet Valley Twins books as much as most.I got this feeling..and it could be wrong..that Jamie Suzanne wasn't trying as hard.They were a bit silly and the slightest bit boring.I find it hard to remember this book as I've not read it often,and it didn't leave a memorable impression.I think there was a television game which all of the kids were involved in which would help thrm find a date to an upcoming carnival...or something.Or something.Or something!!!Sophia and Patrick cheat so that they can go with each other,and Elizabeth passes herself off as Jess and makes a fool of..Jess!

0n the TV show, YOUNG LOVE Sweet Valley Middle School kids are on it. Yep, that right! They get to be on TV!...

This book is GGGGRRRREEEEAAAATTTT! A Super duper BOOKKKK! I say, if you're a Sweet Valley fan, e-mail me at mimipony38@hotmail.com. This is a great book! Makes you want to read, The Boyfriend Mess! Trust me, that one is even better!

Jessica went a bit selfish when she turned 12 and started hanging out with 'cool' kids.She recieves a visit from the ghosts of christmas past present and future.(The ghost of teh Present is a unicorn)

I've always enjoyed Sweet Valley Twin books, but the special editions in particular. This book was fun and exciting. Like in "A Christmas Carol," Jessica is shown the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. We learn a lot about Jessica's personality, and a lot about her life. I think it's a great book, especially since it's the Holiday season. This book will probably get you "in the spirit." While I don't think it's very scary at all, it's a great Christmas story. And as usual, it shows the strong bond between two great sisters.

This book isn't scarry at all.In fact it's really sweet and is about Jessica(my favorite twin).I recall reading this as a kid and am now rekindled reading the Sweet Valley series and was so tickled and thrilled to fine that this book was still in print.
If you're a fan of the Christmas Caroll like retelling and am a big of Sweet Valley fan as I am.You will love this book.

This book was pretty good and I enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down as I wanted to find out what happened next. A great book if you like mysterie

All the 6graders at Sweet Valley reckon that their headmaster is a killer who would keep a body in his attic.It is exciting and funny and interesting..and now that I think about it I think I might go find it from my bookshelves later.Mind you,there are so many SVT books there it'll be tough to find.

PS.When Jessica has to throw some poor goldfish in the toilet so they dont die,it is funny.

This book was excellent for words to describe.This book keeps you on your toes. I read the whole book in one hour. It is excellent. When Jessica and Elizabeth start a house sitting service it turns in to a big mystery.Got to read it.BUY THIS BOOK.

Enough nepotism here. This is a solid work in an area that has long attracted the interest of scholars of the colonial frontier. What really gives Hinderaker's work some novelty is the way he addresses economics in the imperial contest for the Ohio River Valley. The one glaring weakness of the work is the sparing use of French and Spanish primary uses, particularly those not readily available in English translation. Still a well-written work w/ some new insights.

Here is a book that colonial history lovers really need to add to their collection. A new perspective on early American history, with brilliant insight into the motivations of colonists and the consequential reactions of regional Native Americans. The book offers depth into the subject and makes for very interesting reading. And I am not even his sister! Highly recommended reading.

This book examines a little known subject at great detail. The author is obviously well subjected in the material. He offers new insight to a foggy chapter in our country's development. While it can be ponderous at times, the overall book is a jewel that will play an important role in your early American book collection. I strongly recommend it (and I am not even a relative!)

This book is almost great. Almost. It tries to give you the best of all worlds-- in depth tours; some local knowledge (restaurants and such); and pictures. As one might expect, the scope becomes to broad to do any of it well. I was disppointed with the tours it gave; it seems like it missed much-- so much so that I bought the Michelin Green guide while there. One of my main gripes is the size of the book-- its too big to fit in any type of pocket. It does however have a slick rain-resistant cover, and the cover folds to become a useful bookmark.

Whenever I'm getting ready to take a trip, I check to see if there is an Eyewitness Guide for my destination. My husband and I spent one week of a two-week 25th anniversary trip in the Loire Valley and this book was our guide. I love that everything is divided into regions and that you get so many pictures so that you know what you're really going to go see. My main complaint with a lot of other guides is that you have to rely on a short written description and often when you get there, it's nothing like you expected.

There are numerous maps with the sites marked. They also include restaurants and hotels rated by price and region. There's a history of the region in the front of the book.

All of their guides follow the same basic format, so if you travel a lot, there's no surprises between the books.

I rode my bike in the Loire Valley. This book helped me in planning the route (along with Michelin Green Book). Wonderful, alluring pictures! Wonderful color code/guide system. Interesting information on the differences on the variety of castles/chateaux and churches & abbeys. Detailed yet concise history. Provides different themed tours for walking or driving. Nice pictursque maps of old towns with interests. It helped me decide which villages to stop for the night. I highly recommend this book! I also have Eyewitness Travel Guide of Paris, London, and Amsterdam. I plan to buy more books on Greece and Italy for my next trip!

This book is fab you learn about the twins who play the Wakefields,also about the rest of the cast. It's cool if you're a hardcore fan otherwise you may find it a little 'duh'
For those SVH lovers out there it's truly another dream come true.The only dissapointing thing was that the pictures inside that you so eagerly await are not in colour only black and white.... Sorry.(if i've put you of it) but hey I don't know about you but I love it!!!

This book is for all die hard Sweet Valley High fans!Theres lots of pictures and loads of info on the cast.It tells you all about the stars of the TV show and and I couldnt put it down.Definatley order it!

This book is good for people who like the show Sweet Valley High. It introduces you to the people who play the book characters with an in-depth profile of each. No SVH fan should be without.

it was just sort of the usual- in my opinion. a new, mysterious dude comes to sweet valley and jessica pulls every trick in the book to get him. uh-huh. the book was all right but outrageous 2 me. liz was da only girl with da sense in dis story because she didn't fall under da guy's spell. SV will always be my favorite book series but they should kinda chill with da cursed/vampire/werewolf/magic stuff. just an opinion. i'm out.

This is another enticing Sweet Valley thriller.However,I feel the twins have met way too many vampires,werewolfs and other murderous psychopaths,and have had too many boyfriends.And too many boyfriends who are vampires,werewolfs and murderous psychopaths.

I haven't read the book, but I think that it's pretty cool to team up two teams of detectives. Just like when Nancy and THe Hardy Boys are paired up as parters.

This book is really great. Jessica Wakefield moves in with her boyfriend, Michael McAllery. She spends lots of time with him, but soem time with the Thetas. But he wants her to spend all ehr time with him. Elizabeth Wakefield is working with Tom Watts on a hazing story. She has now gotten over her ex-boyfriend Todd Wilkins, and has romantic feeligns for Tom. Winston is getting hazed by the Sigmas, but is his hazing all fun and games, or dangerous? Celine Boudreaux knows that William White has an obsession with Elizabeth. Celine wants William all to herself, and despises Elizabeth. But William want ELizabeth desperately. This book is great!

In this book, Jessica Wakefield moves in with Michael McAllery. Mike loves her, but he wants her to make a little more sacrifices for him. Todd and Elizabeth made such a cute couple, but now Todd's dating Lauren, and Tom likes Elizabeth, but I still think Todd and Elizabeth make the best couple. I wish Todd and Elizabeth were together. Todd and Elizabeth forever! They make such a cute couple. Tom has a crush on Elizabeth, but I still think Elizabeth should be with Todd. Elizabeth and Todd are my favorite character, and they are always so cute together in Elementary School and Middle School and High School they were so cute together. I wish Elizabeth and Todd get back together. Todd is made for her. Winston Egbert is a fraternity pledge going through hazing. He does the crazy things, and soon realizes that they are all for nothing. Celine Boudreaux is annoyed. Her love, William White, has an obsession with Elizabeth Wakefield. She has never liked Elizabeth, now she's really out to get her! But William is unfazed. This book is really exciting and great!

This, among the other first 11 books, is one of the best in the series. Jessica decides to move in with her boyfriend, older badboy Mike. But living together doesn't really go over so well with her sorority/school life OR her nosy brother Steven. Jessica makes some decisions about the sorority in this book, and has to get a job to make ends meet. It is nice to see a character concerned with money in these series...it adds a dose of reality to the book! Meanwhile, Winston is putting his life on the line over and over again to join the fraternity, who has decided separately that Winston is a joke. Elizabeth is involved with a campus-athletics scandal, and is getting closer to Tom all the time...but William White is always in the wings, pursuing Elizabeth steadily. It's not as good as the first book, but it's definitely humorous!