Columbia Reviews

I became familiar with Robert Thurman through a tape set "On Tibet" which I borrowed from my school library. His lecturing style is entertaining and actually very funny at times--not just humorous but actually FUNNY--I found myself laughing out loud in my car! So if you're into buddhism, I think it's worth it just for the humor. This set has some very nice guided meditations: one on the certainties of death,etc., and the other about the concept of regarding all beings as your mothers. He talks about our unenlightened society and what we can do to change it--again, some of his opinions are hilarious! There is some enlightening talk about the nature of emptiness--you can never get enough of that.

Thurman talks quite a bit about buddhist mythology, perhaps moreso than most authors...if you're interested in the stories, the myths, the miracles, etc., then you'll enjoy his storytelling. As it was pointed out in the editor's review, there are many digressions and sometimes it takes a little work to figure out where he's going, but for me, that's part of the fun.

It is something you'll probably want to listen to several times, and for the price, you can't go wrong with 4 lecture tapes from a great teacher like Dr Thurman. Also recommended are the Dalai Lama's four-tape sets...lectures on The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Verses on Training the Mind.

Excellent book discussing the size, coloring, range and habitat of all species found in WA, Oregon, Idaho, and B.C. Yes its from 1975 but the information is still pretty accurate for anyone trying to identify an animal and makes a useful reference for research. A must own for any field zoologist in the northwest.

I own several of the mobil travel books and I have found them very useful. I have tried some of their restaurant recommendations and places to visit and I have been very happy with the results. Try, other Mobil travel guides too.

Clear and precise trail descriptions. Maps are well done and easy to follow. The number of rides in the book will provide one with years of riding.

comprehensive, well organized and a must for any visit to the northwest. highly recommended as a basic source reference or as a travel supplement

This book suggests lovely alternatives to the typical plants that we see so often now in most Northwest gardens. The author suggests many lovely native varieties that will make your garden every bit (perhaps more so) as beautiful than the more common imported varieties. Many nurseries now carry a pretty good selection of native plants. Leave behind what I call highway plants (you know, the ones you see planted by exits) and discover the beauty of Northwest natives!

Williams is doing a marvelous job of illuminating the history of Washington DC's neighborhoods (first title was the Dupont Circle neighborhood & forthcoming 'Greater U Street'). Discriminating eye for the photographs that illustrate architectural history, social history & the portraits of those who shaped neighborhood development.

There are lots of fishing guides but few about fishing in the salt water of the Pacific Northwest. He writes good naturedly about tactics and lures most attractive to the Northwestern fish. He all modes of saltwater fishing, mooching, jigging and trolling. It is both the most complete guide as well as the shortest and most detailed book available on the subject. This book is a real "catch"whether you are relocating or lived here forever and think you have "heard it all"! pelican on Whidbey Island, an avid fisherman.

As exemplified in song by Woodie Guthrie when he extolled the virtues of the great dams on the Columbia River and the subsequent development of irrigated agriculture, man's focus on the Columbia Plateau has been on how it can serve him. Now a new book has emerged that explores the geology, soils, flora and fauna of the region and its shrub-steppe ecosystems. This book serves as primer for all who would seek to understand these natural systems...a starting point for further exploration, both on the ground and in the regional libraries. The book is a gentle reminder of the natural richness of this region and the need to preserve the remaining habitat for future generations so that the land can continue to serve man, but in a different way, enriching our lives through the knowledge that soils derived from the harsh reality of volcanic eruption in conjunction with simple associations of grasses and shrubs can form the basis for a complex and enduring living system.

First, it is a mystery to me why this title doesn't appear from search words "Tlingit, Haida or Salish" since its content goes far beyond Indian Painting/art. While Indian painting, specifically house fronts and interior screens (dying arts enjoying a resurgence) are extremely well covered and illustrated in this book Malin adeptly intertwines culture, geography and history which makes these art forms come alive and take on meaning beyond 'art for art's sake.' This book could have been complete with just the 120 pages of fantastic color and black and white picture and illustrations -- that combined with 160 pages detailing and clearly explaining geography, culture and cultural influences and historical information relating to the Northwest Coast tribes of Alaska and Canada (Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Tsimshian, Bella Coola, Kwakiutl, Salish and Nuu chaa nulth) make this a "must" for anyone interested in these tribes -- either in their art or culture and history! Art was integral to the daily life of these natives...tools made and used for daily subsistence and living were artistically fashioned using the crests "owned" by each clan. Social rank and wealth were at the heart of exterior house painting and interior screens. The author's 55 year fascination with the tribes of the northwest coast is clearly evident in this book.