Newly Published: Recent Books that Have Come Across Our Desk
The following are newly published books that have come across our desk. Note that we are not doing complete reviews here. Rather, we're letting you know that they have been published and are available. At the end of each year, we look over these books and the entries in the National Outdoor Book Awards and put together our "Best Books of the Year" list.
2010 - Books that have come across our desk . . .
Abandoned on Everest: A Summit Murder Mystery. By Charles G. Irion and Ronald J. Watkins. Irion Books, Phoenix, AZ ISBN 9780984161812
This is the open salvo of a series of mystery books about murder on the highest mountains in the world. The first two books are about the murder of the fictional character Derek Sodoc on Mt. Everest. In this first volume, Abandoned on Everest, we are told in the preface that the story is authored by tabloid journalist Quentin Stein. Stein is a fictional character. Yet, for someone perusing the shelves of a book store, it appears they are buying a book about a true story about true people and true events. The book's cover shouts disingenuously "True Story of Derek Sodoc's Death." And while I can forgive the authors (and publisher) for playing a harmless trick to entice people to buy the book, I can't forgive them for the inanely written story within its pages. The short of it is: don't bother.
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Murder on Everest. By Charles G. Irion and Ronald J. Watkins. Irion Books, Phoenix, AZ ISBN 9780984161805
This is the second installment in the mountain murder series which began with the above clinker. Better news on this one. Clearly the authors have improved, and while this is not top tier stuff, it's not too bad. In this story, the wealthy Michael Sodoc finances an expedition to recover the body of his son Derek who died high on Everest. Did Derek die from exhaustion and exposure, or was it . . . murder?
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2009 - Books that have come across our desk . . .
The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon. By John Hanc, Chicago Review Press, ISBN 9781556527388
If you're a runner, you're going to love this book! Put away any of those ideas that a book on running is dry. Not this one. Not in author John Hanc's hands. Hanc knows the craft of writing, and he knows how to keep a book moving along at a good clip. You'll quickly find yourself keeping pace, running with him in one of the craziest, most adventurous marathons ever.
You'll find a more complete review under Best Books of 2009
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Wild Moments: Adventures with Animals of the North. Edited by Michael Engelhard. University of Alaska Press. ISBN 9781602230484
Wild Moments is an anthology of writings by 33 contemporary writers and naturalists. Each writer describes their encounter with a particular species such as snow geese, wolverines, musk oxen, mountain goats, and more. It's quite a nice approach to a nature book, and you'll find much to enjoy in your own encounter with Wild Moments.
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The Trail to Table Mountain: A Location Based Guide to 186 Plants Found in the Teton-Yellowstone Region. Written and Illustrated by Kelley Coburn. Black Timber Press. ISBN 9780615218946
This is a guide to the plants found along the trail leading to the top of Table Mountain. The mountain lies on the west slope, or the Idaho side, of the Tetons near the town of Driggs. Before I sat down with the book, I thought I might read a chapter here and there, skipping throughout until I got a feel for it. But from the first few pages, I was completely taken in by Coburn's soothing voice, his well chosen words, and the way in which the book is ordered and arranged. I found myself totally absorbed. All in all, this is a superb guidebook
Available from: Dark Horse Books in Driggs, Idaho (phone: (208) 354-8882 / email: dhbooks@tetonvalley.net)
Whitewater Wanderings by Chuck Hines, AuthorHouse ISBN 9781434385369
In the later decades of the 1900s, Chuck Hines was very much the kayaking world's impresario. It came from his work with the YMCA, a career that spanned 40 years. Early in his professional life, he developed aquatic programs for "the Y," and in later years, he created and managed the YMCA's national kayaking program. His influence was felt far beyond the YMCA, and he was very active in the competitive kayaking scene: coaching athletes and volunteering for the Atlanta Olympics. In his book, Hines reflects back on a full life of wanderings and adventures.
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South Crop Forest. By Lorne Rothman, iUniverse. ISBN 9780595495887
This self published fictional work for pre-teen, teens and adults is an interesting combination of fantasy and natural history. The story revolves around a legendary creature who embarks on a quest to save the forest's greatest treasure from destruction.
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Alaska/Yukon/Arctic Light: Gifts of the Wild. By Kathleen M. K. Menke. Crystal Images, Haines, AK. ISBN 9780976426110
This is a beautiful, new photographic book on Alaska's wildlife. Menke has a sharp eye for just the right combination of light and shadow. The book is graced by photographs taken along the Yukon River, Denali and Kluane National Parks, and Tetlin and the Arctic National Wildlife refuges.
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Whitewater Philosophy. By Doug Ammons. Water Nymph Press, Missoula, MT. ISBN 9780976158011
Doug Ammons always has something up his writer's sleeve, always something thoughtful to say about his kayaking experiences. In this book he zeros in on philosophy. Philosophy? Here's how Ammons describes it: "I chose the word philosophy because every essay here is about our values and beliefs and expresses the ways in which the river becomes an intimate and important part of our lives. It is a set of themes about adventure sports, because all of them in their own way confront us with the critical problem of how a weak, awkward human is able to fit into the natural world, and live with its sharp edges and awe-inspiring powers."
Available from the author: http://www.dougammons.com/
2008 - Books that have come across our desk . . .
The Accidental Explorer: Wayfinding in Alaska By Sherry Simpson. Sawquatch Books, Seattle, WA ISBN 9781570615375
An literate and insightful collection of outdoor writings by an outstanding Alaskan author.
This one gets our nod for the one the best books of the year. You'll find a more complete review under Best Books of 2008
Amazon.com: More Information or Purchase
The Milepost: Alaska Travel Planner Kris Valencia (ed). Morris Communications Company, Augusta GA ISBN 9781892154248
Can it be? Yes, it's the 60th edition of this well-known, mile-by-mile travel guide to the Alaska's highways and roads.
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Search for a Perfect State of Colorado By William Hood. Bauu Press, Boulder, CO ISBN 9780972134972
A self-published volume of a little of everything: hitch-hiking and backpacking, marriage and family, history and politics, rain and religion, job loss and job gain.
Amazon.com: More Information or Purchase
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