"Children's book review? Come on, Camp Host Chad! Is this a tardy April Fools joke? Are you kidding us?" Not kidding. I bought What's the Difference? by Emma Strack in a Yosemite National Park gift shop for an adult friend who loves Jeopardy! Loves loves it. Watches it every night religiously. He enjoyed this book. … Continue reading Book Review: What’s the Difference?
Book Review
Book Review: The Walk West (A Walk Across America 2)
The Walk West continues the story of Peter Jenkins' journey - joined by Barbara Jenkins, the woman he met and married along the way - as they continue west from New Orleans on an epic quest to walk across America. Having reviewed the first book last May, I set out to quickly read and review … Continue reading Book Review: The Walk West (A Walk Across America 2)
Book Review: A Walk Across America
A Walk Across America, a bestselling memoir by Peter Jenkins first published in 1979, chronicles the first ½ of his journey on foot across the USA, stretching from Alfred, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana. The remainder of the journey unfolds in The Walk West (1981). “One half” is a fitting phrase to describe this … Continue reading Book Review: A Walk Across America
Book Review: The Man Who Planted Trees
Full Title = The Man Who Planted Trees, A Story of Lost Groves, The Science of Trees, and a Plan to Save the Planet, by Jim Robbins. This is NOT the allegorical tale of the same name by the French author, Jean Giono. This is the modern-day, non-fiction account of David Milarch, who survived a … Continue reading Book Review: The Man Who Planted Trees
Book Review: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Cover photo courtesy of Kelley McMorris Mention Island of the Blue Dolphins, and almost everyone says "I love that book!" You either know it and love it, or you need to read it so you can love it. Definitely don't go here (SPOILERS) first. End of review. Anyway, imagine my surprise at finding this: http://islandofthdolphins.weebly.com/ ...a … Continue reading Book Review: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Book Review: Our True Nature
Our True Nature: Finding a Zest for Life in the National Park System by Audrey Peterman perfectly serves one defined purpose: as an inspirational guidebook to the uninitiated national park traveler. Filled with gorgeous photos, personal experience intros, basic directions, lodging recommendations, and highlighted activities for 57 locations in the national park system (grouped by … Continue reading Book Review: Our True Nature
Book Review: Celestial Yosemite
If you are a fan of stargazing, do yourself a favor and check out Kristal Leonard's Yosemite night sky photography, either via her book Celestial Yosemite, or her blog: http://www.isntthatbeautiful.com/ Although the book is slight, it reads like a stargazing hors d-oeuvres, just enough to both curb and whet your appetite, satisfying you and leaving you wanting … Continue reading Book Review: Celestial Yosemite
Book Review: Anna Pigeon Series
Over a series of 19 books (as of this post), the author Nevada Barr has guided the fictional character of National Park Service employee Anna Pigeon through various adventurous mysteries, each one of them set primarily within the boundaries of a national park, a national monument, etc. Rather than review one or more of the books (which … Continue reading Book Review: Anna Pigeon Series
Book Review: Legendary Truths
Reading through Ken Johnston's Legendary Truths: Peter Lassen & His Gold Rush Trail in Fact & Fable, I kept asking myself, "Who is this written for?" Sara Balmuth - in her review found here - addresses the same issue (and gives a fair summary of the book, a bit more than what is already covered in the title). Her conclusion … Continue reading Book Review: Legendary Truths
Book Review: Under the Stars
To follow up recent posts about camping and nemophilists, I now present the inaugural Campfire Tales book review, Dan White's Under the Stars. My brief description is, "A humorous overview of camping, delving into all aspects of America's relationship to the wilderness, through both the historical past and the personalized present." The book approaches the subject of camping through … Continue reading Book Review: Under the Stars
Campfire Tales 