Book News by Vicky Eaves

Richard Louv's Nature Principle (9781616201418, Algonquin, $14.95, TP) has recently been released in trade paper and is an excellent companion to his first book, Last Child in the Woods (9781565126053, Algonquin, $14.95, TP) as Louv takes his "nature deficit disorder" premise a step further & explains how adults also need to get out & take a walk [...]

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Biography - Autobiography

Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father's Search for the Wild

Tom Montgomery Fate
(Beacon Press, $16.00, TP, 9780807000984)

In this beautifully written book about the the quandaries inherent in the effort to live a balanced life, Fate seeks a more attentive, deliberate way of seeing the world and our place in it, not only among the trees and birds but also in the context of our relationships and society. With Henry David Thoreau as his inspiration, Fate explores how we are to live "a more deliberate life" amid a high-tech, material world, and invites readers into an interrogation of their own lives, and into a new kind of vision: the possibility of enough in a culture of more.

Also New in Biography - Autobiography:

Bicycling

Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike

Grant Petersen
(Workman Publishing, $13.95, TP, 9780761155584)

In the same way that Michael Pollan's slim bestseller Food Rules brought a gust of common sense to the everyday activity of eating, Just Ride is a revelation. Forget the ultralight, uncomfortable bikes, flashy jerseys, clunky shoes that clip onto tiny pedals, the grinding out of endless miles. Instead, ride like you did when you were a kid--just get on your bike and discover the pure joy of riding it. A reformed racer who's commuted by bike every day since 1980, whose writings and opinions appear in major bicycling and outdoor magazines, and whose company, Rivendell Bicycle Works, makes bikes for riders ready to opt out of a culture overrun by racing, Grant Petersen shares a lifetime of unexpected facts, controversial opinions, expert techniques, and his own maverick philosophy.

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Birds and Birdwatching

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World

Jon Young
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $22.00, HC, 9780547451251)

A lifelong birder, tracker, and naturalist, Jon Young is guided in his work and teaching by three basic premises: the robin, junco, and other songbirds know everything important about their environment, be it backyard or forest. Birds' companion calls and warning alarms are just as important as their songs and, by tuning in to their vocalizations and behavior, we can acquire much of this wisdom for our own pleasure and benefit. Deep bird language is an ancient discipline, perfected by Native peoples the world over, and science finally is catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the indigenous knowledge, the latest research, and the author's own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, a deeper connection to ourselves.

Also New in Birds and Birdwatching:

Boating / Water Sports

The Don't Drown Out There! Deck

Adventure Medical Kits
(Mountaineers Books, $7.95, Deck, 9781594856624)

When heading into the outdoors, you choose multipurpose gear whenever possible -- bonus points for equipment that's both functional and fun. You can't do better than The Don't Drown Out There! Deck, a compact deck of playing cards that tucks easily into any backpack or pocket, with topics organized by card suits. From hazardous marine life to submersion injury techniques, and from rescue and evacuations to cleaning wounds, that royal flush in your hand contains basic water and first-aid survival tips that could prove to be lifesaving. The Don't Drown Out There! Deck should be added to every beach-goer, boater, kayaker, fisherman, sailor, and diver's list of outdoor essentials.

Also New in Boating / Water Sports:

Children's

A Child's Alaska

Claire Rudolf Murphy
(Alaska Northwest Books, $10.95, TP, 9780882408590)

A Child's Alaska is a visual feast for young adventurers who want to see for themselves what makes the Last Frontier so special. From totem poles to summer berry-picking from sled dog racing to wild animals they may see, this educational book will give readers an unforgettable Alaskan experience. Ages 7-13

Also New in Children's:

Climbing / Mountaineering

Climb Glacier National Park, Vol. 2

Blake Passmore
(Montana Outdoor Guidebooks, $19.95, TP, 9781931291941)

Get your climb on in Montana and don't forget to bring Climb Glacier National Park - a complete guidebook from Montana Outdoors Guidebooks. This book provides in-depth descriptions of routes within the famous park, complete with 300 full-color photographs, 16 full-color maps, GPS waypoints, and elevation profiles for each route.

Cooking & Food

Cook Wild: Year-Round Cooking on an Open Fire

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi
(Frances Lincoln, $24.95, TP, 9780711232815)

Cook Wild includes 100 delicious recipes to inspire you to venture outdoors and eat wild all year round. From the simple dishes that sustained our ancestors to feasts fit for modern foodies, the book draws from a rich repertoire of traditional cooking methods and recipes that have been passed down to this day. With clear instructions on selecting wood and making a fire, a range of ovens and cooking methods and even suggestions for wild ingredients to forage, this is a book for anyone who wants to enjoy the thrill of cooking outdoors, with woodsmoke, companionship and fresh air to sharpen the appetite.

Family & Parenting

Before They're Gone: A Family's Year-Long Quest to Explore America's Most Endangered National Parks

Michael Lanza
(Beacon Press, $24.95, HC, 9780807001196)

In Before They're Gone freelance writer and photographer Michael Lanza sets out to show his two young children the wonders of the national parks before they are forever changed by global warming. Lanza's ambitious journey to see as many climate-threatened wild places as he can fit into a year includes backpacking in the Grand Canyon, Glacier, the North Cascades, Mount Rainier, Rocky Mountain, and along the wild Olympic coast; sea kayaking in Alaska's Glacier Bay; hiking to Yosemite's waterfalls; rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park; cross-country skiing in Yellowstone; and canoeing in the Everglades. Lanza shares the beauty of each place and shows how his children connect with nature when given "unscripted" time. Ultimately, he writes, this is more their story than his, for whatever comes of our changing world, they are the ones who will live in it.

Also New in Family & Parenting:

Fishing

Moon Oregon Fishing: The Complete Guide to Fishing Lakes, Rivers, Streams, and the Ocean (2nd Edition)

Craig Schuhmann
(Avalon Travel Publishing, $19.99, TP, 9781612381688)

Lifelong angler and Oregon resident Craig Schuhmann offers thorough coverage of fishing spots all over the state, from the waters of the Columbia River Gorge to the lakes of the Cascades. Schuhmann supplies fishermen with accurate, knowledgeable information on special regulations, appropriate fishing times, the best fishing attire, and when to use which baits and lures; and he includes handy maps and detailed directions to help anglers find even the most hidden locations. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, after rainbow trout or steelhead, you will find all the necessary tools to head outdoors.

Hiking / Camping

100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades (4th Edition)

William L. Sullivan
(Navillus Press, $18.95, TP, 9780981570174)

The updated Fourth Edition of this classic guide includes a dozen new hikes, 20 pages of color photos, campground & cabin rental information, a wildflower identification guide, and a guide to hot springs. This terrific guide covers every trail in the region that is best for backpackers, children, mountain bikers, or equestrians.

Also New in Hiking / Camping:

Nature

Decade of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to Yellowstone (Revised, Updated)

Douglas W. Smith and Gary Ferguson
(Lyons Press, $16.95, TP, 9780762779055)

In Decade of the Wolf, project leader Douglas W. Smith and acclaimed nature writer Gary Ferguson describe the journey of thirty-one Canadian gray wolves that were released in 1995 and 1996 into Yellowstone National Park and the people who faithfully followed them. The wolves have not only survived but completely changed the ecosystem, spilling a fresh measure of wildness across the world's first national park. This updated edition will include a new foreword, additional wolf profiles, new information on the effects of climate change and disease on the wolves, and a retrospective on what the scientists have learned during this extended study of the Yellowstone wolves.

Also New in Nature:

Outdoor Skills

Outward Bound Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Buck Tilton
(FalconGuide, $14.95, TP, 9780762778614)

Knot-making is simpler than ever. This new easy-to-follow guide, published in partnership with Outward Bound, includes information on using knots in your favorite outdoor activities. Outdoor expert Buck Tilton takes you step by step through each bend and turn with clear instructions and detailed color photographs. You can count on this handy volume to guide you toward quick success and fool-proof knots.

Rivers, Lakes and Streams

Field Guide to California Rivers

Tim Palmer
(University of California Press, $27.95, TP, 9780520266445)

Loaded with tips on where to hike, fish, canoe, kayak, and raft, it offers an interpretive approach that reveals geology, plant and wild life, hydrologic processes, and other natural phenomena. Palmer brings a natural history guide, a recreation guide, and an introduction to river ecology together in one illuminating volume; it belongs in every river lover's book collection, boat, and backpack.

Also New in Rivers, Lakes and Streams:

Travel

National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States (4th Edition)

Editors of National Geographic
(National Geographic Society, $25.00, TP, 9781426208898)

Featuring more than 200 gorgeous, color photographs that capture the splendor of the state parks, along with insider tips from park staff that are invaluable planning tools, plus 32 easy-to-use maps that highlight sites, trails and campgrounds, as well as information on recreational activities, camping, and lodging. All material, including photos and practical data such as opening fees and contact numbers, has been updated for the 2012 edition.

Also New in Travel: