Take it from a real "map nut", this is the best road atlas ever. RM and AAA might as well stop publishing. Not only is it VERY readable, but it contains references to interesting places along the way, places like "Carhenge", lots of rail and otehr museums and other off-beat but interesting sites you just shouldn't pass up.

My friend from Ohio summed it up best: "When I look at it, I can see the roads." As the earlier reviewer says, it blows Rand-McNally away. I was a big RM loyalist until we used the National Geo atlas on a recent drive from New Mexico to Iowa.

The major highways and state roads are much clearer on these maps than in the RM, and the national parks are exponentially more visible.

It is a pleasure to use this atlas. Can't wait til the 2000 version comes out in September.

I bought my National Geographic atlas last November. I have been pretty amazed at its accuracy and detail. I think it is ALOT better than Rand McNally or AAA maps. I threw away all my other atlases!

This book is the perfect combination of all the books in my library!

Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with how our ancestors used plants for food as well as medicine. It wasn't until a few years ago that I started seeking out and purchasing books on edible and medicinal plants. I subscribed to different publications whose main focus was this subject. Any article in magazines on this subject immediately grabbed my attention. Then with the wonderful internet becoming available to anyone with a computer, my search for information took an exciting turn. One website for information linked to another site, and then to another and so on. But through time and my amateur research I discovered my interest started centering more and more on how Native Americans used plants for different purposes not only edible and medicinal but for dyes for ornamentation, for baskets and cooking vessels, for seasoning, etc. But I was so overwhelmed with information that didn't focus on this specific area until I came across the website of Dan Moerman's Native American Ethnobotany database; I found nirvana. I blundered around and through the website for months but with his kind help and patience with my questions I began to use his database in a more productive way. But then I discovered he had recently published a book called Native American Ethnobotany!! (...) When I received the book I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I can't speak for professionals but for amateurs like me he has saved me many hours of research in one way but has in turn stimulated my desire to continue researching this fascinating subject but now with a more educated direction. This is one of the items I would run back to save if my house ever burned down! It is worth every penny and is priceless in its information.

Dr. Daniel Moerman has spent several decades building a database based on the scholarly literature on Native American Ethnobotany. The steadily growing information has has several print and online incarnations, and this book, the latest, is by far the most extensive. A summary review of the body of literature on the subject, cross referenced by plant, by tribe, and by therapeutic catagory. Indispensable for the student of native ethnobotany. The book may be a disappointment for the reader wanting great detail on dosages and specifics on usages -- much detail has been lost while adapting the information to database style. It remains the one book a student should own if he or she can afford only one.

Comprehensive and interesting. As the other reviewer said, perfect coffee table book.

Whether in the pages of Field & Stream magazine or in one of his 13 books on fishing, Ken Schultz writes with a clarity, intensity, and passion for the sport that is unparalleled in the field. This newest book is no exception. North American Fishing is a beautiful book that will help anglers make it through the winter months by dreaming of the places they can go, whether it's Canada, Mexico, or anywhere in the U.S.

My husband and I are sad that the regular fishing season is over here in the great lakes, but we are looking forward to ice fishing! This book has brought us to new places here in the midwest in search of some different catch. My husband likes to read, and I like to look at the pictures -- they make me feel like I am out on the water with those folks! We were so happy when Ken Schultz came out with this book, we put it right on the coffee table with the Encyclopedia he put together as well. Thanks for some great pointers Ken! Keep on writing :)

I gave this book to my husband. He is a rangeland management major and he is in love with the book. I do not know anything about plants, but he seems to love it and find it extremely useful. Compare to the expensive "weeds of the west" this book is relatively cheap for the amount of plants it has.

As a Range Conservationist in WA State a great book for all range mgrs, range techs., however, I was surprised to see Thurber needlegrass taken out of the most recent issue.

North American Range Plants is a great book for any beginer, taxonomy student, layman, and expert alike. It is easy for the novice, because it's not in a key format, which may disappoint some more serious plant collectors. It contains 200 of the most common, and important plants found in the United States, Canada and Mexico. I have had this book for sometime now, and it has become an invaluable resource in my studies at Texas A&M University, where I have come to know one of the co-authors, Stephan Hatch. He has an unparralled knowledge of plants and a dedication like no other to put forth a good product, so i know from experience that this book was written by folks who are the top in their field of study. Being from Texas, i have worked internships in the plains of central North Dakota and the desert "outback" of eastern Oregon and have found the book to most useful, oftentimes referring to it before trying to "key out" a plant in a more technical publication. It just doesn't get any better than this.

This book and its companion volume, "A Natural History of Western Trees," are by far the most detailed accounts of the trees of North America. It's truly too bad the author didn't have the chance to complete the third book in this series: "Southern Trees." Never have I read a richer, more lovingly or enthusiastically written description of trees. Aside from being packed with facts, the books offer a glimpse of man's interaction with trees and teaches one how to interact with them and respect them. The author's enthusiasm is contagious!

This is a great book for tree lovers.Though not very good for identification(one of the field guides would be better for that),this is an excellent book for the reader who has already learned to identify the various trees and now wants to learn something about them.The short,non-technical articles cover a host of topics,from botany and historical reports to the author's personal acquaintance with the various trees discussed.

A Natural History of Trees is a compilation of a rich resource of material on native U.S. Trees. While you'll do better with a Peterson's Field Guide for identification, I don't think you'll find more fun.

Grouped by Family(beginning with Pines and ending with the Ashes) the stories are king here. Just pick your favorite tree and sit back and enjoy. The history of the White Pine, for example, seems almost mythic in its sheer height and size back in colonial days. It very well helped build near most of colonial America, too!

From White Pine to White Oak to Redbud to Sycamore, this is a fascinating and informative read. There is an index of both scientific and common names, plus a glossary and a section called Keys to Species and Genera (which is much easier to decode with a Peterson's Guide at hand).

Also recommended, Petrerson's Field Guide to Eastern Trees(ISBN: 0395904552) and National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees(ISBN: 0394507606) for IDing and Trees in my Forest(ISBN: 0060929421) and the Man Who Planted Trees(ISBN: 1570625387) for more great stories.

Joan Leslie Woodruff is one of the most refreshing, original voices in current American fiction. Her books rank well in the company of such writers as Barbara Kingsolver and Amy Tan. "Neighbors" is a quirky story, humorous yet spiritually deep. The Native American sensibilities are authentic, derived from the writer's ancestry and her experiences in New Mexico. The heroine, Dana Whitehawk, moves from Los Angeles to New Mexico, where she discovers that some of her 'neighbors' are not ordinary folks. The beauty of Woodruff's tale is in the language. She explores the boundary between magic and reality, leaving readers to make up their own minds about some of the book's questions. Both comparatively short and generally upbeat, "Neighbors" is a good read for someone with a tight schedule who would like a "feel good" book. If you like this one, try "The Shiloh Renewal" -- it's topically different, but told with similar skill.

A hilarious and heartfelt detour through New Mexico's hinterlands. Its portrayal of the protagonist's pueblo neighbors leaves more stereotyped "colorful native characters" whimpering in the dust.

Joan Leslie Woodruff writes with a voice that warms the heart and makes the reader smile. I couldn't put this book down. The characters are quirky and entertaining and the story held me in its grip from page one.

This is a story about the North Country, and how it is on a snowy night when all the people are in their cabins and houses asleep. Read along, as you experience each individual adventures of the animals. Travel with an owl one minute, then a gray coyote the next. Read about the fox, looking for a place to sleep. This story is an okay story, but really good for litte children who love animals. They can follow along with them, experiencing what they are to do next. The illustrations let you experience and see what the animals are getting into. Read this story to your littlest one, curled up on the couch with hot cocoa on a cold, snowy, winter evening, and they'll go to bed wondering, "What are the animals doing tonight?"

As night falls, animals of the north gradually appear to search for food. This book is beautifully illustrated and was another favorite of my children. Done in the hues of a bluish dusk/early evening.

Daniel San Souci carries a soft tonal effect from daylight to dawn. The book is created on a pale blue stock. An environment pervades, which allows the reader to feel as if they are watching a live cast of characters from behind a tree on a cold winter's night.

Reminded me of the recipes my grandmother use to make while growing up in New England. Many traditional italian recipes. Was given to me as a gift and I will purchase several as gifts as well. Will there another? Thank you.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I'm half Italian and I grew up outside of Boston. My Dad stumbled across this book and I had to buy him a new one. I stole his original copy and it's covered w/ splotches from all of the good things I've cooked. The recipes are authentic and very easy to make. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Let me just say you will be amazed at the recipe's that are in this book. I know I was. Remember Mom's cooking and Grandma's cooking? How you begged them for the recipe and how they would never give the recipes or omit some of the ingredients so it would never quite taste the same? How many of those recipes have gone to the grave with them? Well they are in this book and you can enjoy them again and again!

...when I arrive at the North Rim which is where I want to spend our honeymoon now, after reading Madison's book. We're getting married in Las Vegas, Nevada in September and we were going to honeymoon at the south rim... not anymore! The dance of a thousand stars will shine brightly once again when we open the door to room 306 and cross over into THE NORTH RIM!! Loved this book. Can't wait to read Latrobe's Crossing now.

After stumbling upon this literary treat, i was left in wonderment as to the correlation with the author- and the main character...where did the author draw the line between her lead character, and her own life. I'm sure that many women can relate with Maggie, and after reading this novel, i recomend it to anyone willing and ready to read a complete, honest and exciting fiction that will keep your attention from the get go..

Loved the North Rim. Now I can't wait to check into Room 306 at the North Rim and relive the adventure all over again! Great easy read- Wasn't disappointed one bit. Book arrived right on schedule.

North to the Rails runs with a fun story that carries along with it a different western tone. Unlike many of our western heroes, Lamour develops a character that doesn't believe in guns. He learns the uses for it but carries an internal feeling against them, very different and unique. A good read.

The book is called North to the Rails. Louis L'amour wrote the book. It is a western. A young man from the east comes to buy cattle and ship them on the railroad. He buys 2,000 cattle and drives them to the railroad which is moving westward. His business depends on him and the cattle but he encounters many problems along the way. I have read many books by Louis L'amour and they are all good. This one kept my attenion very well and had a good plot. "I am not a coward. I simply do not believe in carrying guns, and I do not believe in killing."pg.16. One of the main problems in the book is that the main character, Tom Chantry, will not carry a gun. That gets him in a couple of fights with people. That also makes him defensless against anyone who want to push him around. When he gots tired of people pushiing him around he decides to change his mind. He was not use to having to use guns because he comes form the east where there is law and order. In the west there is no law and people kill people and it is no big deal. This book had many suspensfunl parts in it but in the begging it is kind of boring.

Tom Chantry came from the East to the West to buy cattle then bring them to the railroads at Dodge. But when he backs down from a shoot-out with a drunk named Dutch Akins, everyone takes him for a coward and a man who doesn't keep his word. Tom can't find anyone now to buy cattle from or even help move them to the railroads. Tom must learn that he is now in the untamed land of the west where there is no law but only a man's courage and his gun.

Then Tom shocks everyone with how much nerve he has. He makes a deal with French Williams, a well-known man who everyone accuses of stealing cattle though there is no proof. He is said to be able to swindle anyone out of a cow deal. Tom says to Williams that if French Williams will supply the men to help take the herd to the rails, Chantry will give him some shares of the profit. Then Tom makes the deal more interesting. He says that if he himself can't keep up with the outfit and doesn't make it to Dodge City, French Williams will get all of the profit. Williams agrees to it.

Now Tom must be sure to keep up with the herd. But everyone forgets that his father was the famous Borden Chantry and that Tom knows what he's doing. Though at first he is against having a gun, he buys himself a gun and a rifle. And not only does he know how to shoot, he knows how to fight. Local outlaws and gunmen mistake him for a victim but they were going to learn that he is no greenhorn and not a man to be trifled with.

This is a great book to read!! When I first read it, I had such a hard time putting it down when I had to do other things. I couldn't stop reading it. It's very exciting and suspenseful. The character of Tom Chantry is really likable and I was rooting him on throughout the whole book. But probably my most favorite character in the book was French Williams. He is cool, smart, fast with a gun, and a very honorable man. He might steal cattle from others and swindle people out of a cattle deal, he still is very nice and trustworthy. Then there's also the character of Mr. Sparrow. He's very mysterious yet nice and kind, and strangely very attached to Tom Chantry, even though they hardly know each other. But if I tell to much about him, I'll spoil the story.