Cultural History Book Shelf

V. F. Thomas Co. - P. O. Box 400 - Southwest Harbor, ME 04679

207-BOOKS-4-U (=207-266-5748) - info@vfthomas.com

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE    all

"PRIMITIVE" SKILLS    all    Edible and Medicinal Plants and Fungi    Wildcrafting Tools and Useful Items    Awareness    Camping

MAINE    all    Statewide    Mount Desert Island / Acadia National Park    General

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

Twelve Thousand Years: American Indians in Maine Bruce J. Bourque. This book "documents the generations of Native peoples who for twelve millennia have moved through and eventually settled along the rocky coast, rivers, lakes, valleys, and mountains of a region now known as Maine. Soft cover, 8" x 10", 368 pp. ISBN 0-8032-6231-0, 2001. $19.95

Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail: Map and Guide James Francis, Richard Judd, and Michael Hermann. On one side of this fold-out is map (north-south: Bangor to Eagle and Chamberlain Lakes and west-east: The Forks to Mattawamkeag) showing Henry David Thoreau's 1846, 1853, and 1857 routes and campsites, with quotations from Thoreau's writings and a brief Wabanaki Alphabet Pronunciation Guide. On the other side is a broad summary of Thoreau's travels in Maine plus a section on "The Wabanaki Perspective". Map, 27-3/4" x 17". ISBN 978-089101-115-3, 2007. $8.95

"PRIMITIVE" SKILLS

   When I was growing up I used to hear about starting a fire by rubbing two sticks together. The idea intrigued me, but that was all. I was satisfied if I could start a fire with no more than two matches, and that was on a dry day. Within the past few years a friend of mine has become involved with what are called primitive skills. He starts all the fires in his wood stove by friction methods, usually with a hand drill but sometimes with a bow drill. He has made clothing for himself from deer hides. And he gathers much of his food (more and more each year)—from wild rice and acorns to cattail pollen and red maple (and yellow birch) sap. I have watched him and occasionally have been privileged to help him in the process of preparing food.
   At first I used the term primitive skills because that is what everyone else called them. But as I have watched him and have learned more about what one has to know and do to start a fire or to make clothing or to gather and prepare food, I have come to the conclusion that the common meaning of the word primitive is far from an apt descriptor of the skills required. You cannot collect some acorns, break the shells, and immediately eat the contents. Well, you can, but the taste is horrible, and you will be doing yourself harm by ingesting something with so much tannic acid. However, one day when I was visiting him, he made a pizza whose crust was made from acorn flour and tomato juice. (Water would have worked, but the tomato juice added a little flavor.) The term processed foods has a negative connotation today, largely because of the "stuff" that is added to the food, but that flour in the pizza crust required a great deal of processing, the details of which I will leave for another time and place.
   Due to the great respect I have gained for those who have acquired expertise like that mentioned above, I cannot use the term primitive skills without wanting to explain it to anyone who does not possess them. A more appropriate name for them would, perhaps, be original skills or maybe nonindustrial skills. But whatever term I settle on to describe them, I offer the books described below with the hope that they will be helpful to you.

EDIBLE and MEDICINAL PLANTS and FUNGI

Native American Ethnobotany Daniel E. Moerman. This book "is a comprehensive account of the plants used by Native American peoples for medicine, food, and other purposes". The author's research "has yielded a treasure-trove of information whose magnitude will surprise even those familiar with the anthropological and botanical literature: it documents Native American use of 4029 kinds of plants with a total of 44,691 usages." Hard cover, 9" x 11-1/4", 927 pp. ISBN 0-88192-453-9, 1998. $79.95

Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline Richard Evans Schultes and Siri von Reis (eds.). This book "brings a broad and fully interdisciplinary approach to the study of human evaluation and use of plant materials in primitive or unlettered societies. The contributors of the thirty-six articles represent a broad spectrum of academic and scientific skill, as well as an international perspective." Hard cover, 7-1/2" x 10-3/4", 414 pp. ISBN 0-931146-28-3, 1995. $49.95

Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America Merritt Lyndon Fernald, Alfred Charles Kinsey; revised by Reed C. Rollins. "The heart of the volume is a detailed enumeration of 1000 species of edible wild plants and ferns of eastern North America, including the plant's common and scientific names, appearance, range, habitat, food uses and other data. ... Also included here is a helpful chapter on poisonous flowering plants likely to be mistaken for edible species, and a valuable treatment of mushrooms, seaweeds and lichens." Soft cover, 5-3/8" x 8-1/2", 452 pp. ISBN 0-486-29104-9, 1986. (This is "an unaltered and unabridged republication of the revision first published ... in 1958.) $14.95

Wild Plants I Have Known ... and Eaten Russ Cohen. This book is divided into four parts--The Basics (why, when to, and where to forage), More Useful Information (safety, conservation, endangered species, and invasive plants), Plant Profiles and Recipes (e.g., Strawberry-Knotweed Pie, Wild Fruit and Nut Granola, and Cream of Stinging Nettle Soup[!]), and Tasty Tidbits about More Wild Edibles. In addition, there is a bibliography and an appendix (a checklist and rarity ranking, plus two helpful charts telling when to pick/gather the wild edibles). Soft cover, 6" x 9", 86 pp. ISBN 0-9719668-1-8, 2004. $15.00

Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places Steve Brill with Evelyn Dean. This book "shows readers how to find and prepare more than five hundred different plants for nutrition and better health. ... More than 260 detailed line drawings help readers identify a wide range of plants." Soft cover, 8-1/2" x 11", 317 pp. ISBN 0-688-11425-3, 1994. $21.95

Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants Samuel Thayer. From Sam's introduction: "This book is intended to provide something for every forager. The beginner will find enough instruction and advice to feel comfortable taking those daunting first steps of a new hobby. The casual forager with some experience will find this book opening the doorway to new adventures. The household cook will find new and exciting fruits, nuts, and vegetables to add to the family's meals, along with variety, fun, and a nutritional boost." There are more than 400 color photos, comparisons with look-alikes, a calendar of wild food harvest seasons, and preparation tips and techniques. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 512 pp. ISBN 978-0-9766266-1-9, 2010. $24.95 --- note from the bookseller: I have read everything prior to the plant descriptions (which begin on page 75,) and strongly recommend this book if only for that introductory material. Sam is an excellent writer, and he makes some very important points.

Peterson Field Guide - Edible Wild Plants [of] Eastern/Central North America Lee Allen Peterson. "More than 370 edible wild plants, plus 37 poisonous look-alikes, are described here, with 400 drawings and 78 color photographs showing precisely how to recognize each species. Also included are habitat descriptions, lists of plants by season, and preparation instructions for 22 different food uses." Soft cover, 4-1/2" x 7-1/4", 330 pp. ISBN 0-395-92622-X, 1977. $19.00

Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants Bradford Angier. This book is "a quick, all-in-color identifier of more than 100 edible wild foods growing free in the United States and Canada". Each entry includes the botanical family and genus, common name(s), description, distribution, and edibility. Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 255 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2018-7, 1974. $21.95

Edible and Useful Plants of California Charlotte Bringle Clarke. "This book expands on ... existing sources and tells about both aboriginal and modern uses of more than 220 different species of plants found in California. Recipes are given where applicable. I have written this book for the person with no knowledge of botany, and it is meant to be useful to the average student, city dweller, backpacker, camper, vegetarian, and survival instructor--be they trained in botany or not.". Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-7/8", 280 pp. ISBN 978-0-520-03267-5, 2005. $21.95

Peterson Field Guide to Venomous Animals & Poisonous Plants Steven Foster and Roger Caras. "This essential guide to safety in the field features 90 venomous animals and more than 250 poisonous plants and fungi. The 340 line drawings make identification fast and simple; 160 species are also illustrated with color photographs." Soft cover, 4-1/2" x 7-1/4", 244 pp. ISBN 0-395-93608-X, 1994. $21.00

Peterson Field Guide - Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs Steven Foster and James A. Duke. "With more than 300 photos, this new edition shows how to identify more than 500 healing plants. Descriptive text includes information on where the plants are found, as well as their known medicinal uses. An index to medical topics, symbols next to plant descriptions, and organization of plants by colors all make this an essential guide to understanding the traditional medicinal uses of the plants around us." Soft cover, 4-1/2" x 7-1/4", 411 pp. ISBN 0-395-98814-4, 2000. $19.00

Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants Bradford Angier. "This revised edition of a classic field guide includes characteristics, distribution, and medicinal uses of over 120 wild plants." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 258 pp. ISBN 978-0-8117-3493-6, 2008 (second edition). $21.95

Guide to Indian Herbs Raymond Stark. "This well-illustrated handbook describes 52 of the best-known herbs used by the Indians of North America. Each plant is identified by locale, sketch and photograph, and the uses to which each one was put are briefly described." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 48 pp. ISBN 0-88839-077-7, 1981. $7.95

WILDCRAFTING TOOLS and USEFUL ITEMS

Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills John & Geri McPherson. "Over 700 photographs and a coupla [sic] dozen line drawings crammed into 400 pages presents for the first time the 'how-to' on primitive skills. Each chapter was first written as a complete book." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 408 pp. ISBN 0-9678777-7-6, 1993 (17th printing, 2003). $24.95

Primitive Wilderness Skills, Applied & Advanced John & Geri McPherson. This book is a sequel to their first volume (see above) and shows with photographs and words the "how-to" and special tips about brain tanning, making a dugout canoe, flintknapping, making water containers, primitive navigation, making two-piece moccasins, etc., etc. Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 293 pp. ISBN 0-9678777-8-4, 1996 (5th printing, 2002). $24.95

Making Native American Hunting, Fighting, and Survival Tools: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Traditional Tools Monte Burch. This book "takes you through the steps of the basic flint-knapping of arrowheads and scrapers to the most complex decorating and finishing techniques of painting and fletching. Also included are chapters on material, tools, and the workplace." Hard cover, 6" x 9-1/4", 264 pp. ISBN 978-1-59228-020-9, 2004. $24.95

The Art of Flint Knapping D. C. Waldorf; illustrations by Valerie Waldorf. One of the country's premier flint knappers shares his techniques. Chapters cover "Some Preliminary Questions", "Flint, Flint Sources and Heat Treating", "Tools of the Trade", "Theory and Terminology", "Reduction Strategies", "Finishing", "Trouble Shooting and Advanced Theory", "Flake and Blade Cores", and "Some North American Bifaces". There are closing comments, a bibliography, and two appendices: "Copper Tools for Percussion" and "Antler and Bone for Pressure". See companion video below. Soft cover, 8-1/2" x 11", 80 pp. ISBN 0-943917-01-8, 2006 (fifth edition). $15.00

The Art of Flint Knapping Video Companion D. C. Waldorf. "The next best thing to a live demonstration is a video tape and this one takes you to Waldorf's home in the Ozark Hills of southwestern Missouri. There he uses his skills to bring to life the techniques illustrated in ... The Art of Flint Knapping [see above]. ... The first hour deals with raw material processing, working nodules, blocks and slabs to Stage 3 with a side-light on making gunflints. In the second half, holding positions, billet swing and strike, platform preparation and pressure flaking are dicussed; a beautiful Adena point is produced. Also covered are Clovis fluting by direct percussion, various notching techniques and the making of a small arrow point." VHS video, 1 hour 44 minutes. 1993. $25.00

Acadian Root Baskets of Atlantic Canada Joleen Gordon. "Seeking to recapture this stunning tradition, author Joleen Gordon profiles three of the last master basket makers in the Atlantic Provinces. Their practices and techniques are carefully explored and incorporated into step-by-step instructions, and are complemented with plentiful and excellent illustration. Gordon also examines the history of the craft, describing how Acadian, Black, and Mi'kmaq styles overlapped and influenced each other, and how important the baskets have been to the Acadians who have created them over the centuries." Soft cover, 7-1/2" x 9", 86 pp. ISBN 1-55109-524-6, 2005. $14.95

Withe Baskets, Traps and Brooms: Traditional crafts in Nova Scotia Joleen Gordon. The author "examines the development of this type of basketry in Nova Scotia from its earliest occurrences until the present day." Soft cover, 7-5/8" x 9", 56 pp. ISBN 0-919680-23-2, 1984. $9.95

Handwoven Hats: A History of Straw, Wood and Rush Hats in Nova Scotia Joleen Gordon. The book was written "to record the art of straw, rush and wood hatmaking as it is now practiced in Nova Scotia and to give the reader a little insight into the fascinating historical background of an ancient art." Soft cover, 11" x 8", 71 pp. ISBN 0-919680-18-6, 1981. $9.95

The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Volume 1: Steve Allely, Tim Baker, Paul Comstock, Jim Hamm, Ron Hardcastle, Jay Massey, and John Strunk. "Volume One introduces the traditional bow, seasoning and cutting wood, bow design and performance, finishes and handles, and much more." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 324 pp. ISBN 1-58574-085-3, 2000. $22.95 --- Volume 2: G. Fred Asbell, Tim Baker, Paul Comstock, Dr. Bert Grayson, Jim Hamm, Al Herrin, Jay Massey, and Glenn Parker. "Volume Two covers ancient European bows, Eastern Woodland bows, recurves, strings, steel points, quivers, and much more." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 316 pp. ISBN 1-58574-086-1, 2000. $22.95 --- Volume 3: Tim Baker, Paul Comstock, Gabriela Cosgrove, Jim Hamm, Gene Langston, Jay Massey, Jay St. Charles, Jeff Schmidt, Scott Silsby, David Tukura. "Volume Three covers tools, Korean and African archery, bows of the Plains Indians, custom shafts, stone points, and much more." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 351 pp. ISBN 1-58574-087-X, 2000. $22.95 --- Volume 4: Steve Allely, Tim Baker, Paul Comstock, Steve Gardner, Jim Hamm, Mickey Lotz, Tom Mills, Dan Perry, Marc St. Louis, Jim Welch, Mike Westvang. "Volume Four covers bow woods, heat-treating bows, the mass principal, design and performance revisited, Ishi's archery tackle, and much more." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 336 pp. ISBN 978-1-59921-453-5, 2008. $24.95

Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans: A Complete Step-by-Step Buide to Wooden Bows, Sinew-backed Bows, Composite Bows, Strings, Arrows & Quivers Jim Hamm. The title well describes this book. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 156 pp. ISBN 1-55821-168-3, 1989. $14.95

The Art of Making Primitive Bows and Arrows D. C. Waldorf; illustrations by Valerie Waldorf. In this guide to bow and arrow making, the author includes chapters on "Some Theory and Terminology", "Making the Simple Selfbow", "Tools", "Bow Woods", "Bow Design", "Tricks of the Trade, Some Advanced Techniques", "Sinew Backing", "Snakeskins, Handle Covers and Finishes", "Bow Strings", "Making Arrows", and "Quivers". There is also an introduction and a bibliography. Soft cover, 8-1/4" x 11", 64 pp. 1999. $15.00

AWARENESS

A Guide to Wildlife Sounds Lang Elliott. This guide includes an hour-long audio CD with the "songs, calls, buzzes, rattles, and other sounds of one hundred species ... of animal life east of the Great Plains", full-color photographs for each species, and information on range, habitat, and behavior. Soft cover, 6" x 8", 106 pp. (plus audio CD). ISBN 0-8117-3190-1, 2005. $24.95

Bird Tracks & Sign Mark Elbroch with Eleanor Marks. "This book provides you with ways to recognize and identify the presence of birds from other clues they leave that are far more enduring than a wisp of song or the brief glimpse of a tail flared for landing. Birds leave other clues to their presence in the forms of tracks and sign. Sign refers to all the possible signs of their passing: sign of feeding, gathering materials for nesting, the nests or cavity holes themselves, pellets, droppings, feathers lost during molt, or kill sites." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 456 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2696-7, 2001. $34.95

Mammal Tracks & Sign Mark Elbroch. "This amazing guide brings together concise text, detailed line drawings, range maps, and more than 1000 color photographs to illustrate and describe the tracks and sign left by North American mammals--feeding signs, scat, burrows, tunnels, bedding areas, rubbings, and remains. Organized for in-the-field use or at-home reference, it includes a handy section of 104 life-size tracks. An invaluable resource for wildlife enthusiasts and beginning or experienced trackers." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 779 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2626-6, 2003. $44.95

Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks Olaus J. Murie. "This completely updated edition includes 100 color photographs of tracks and signs, more than 1,000 line drawings, and updated nomenclature for all the mammals of North America. The text includes descriptions of habits, habitats, tracks, signs, and ranges and is filled with wonderful natural history stories." Soft cover, 4-1/2" x 7-1/4", 391 pp. ISBN 0-618-51743-X, 2005 (third edition). $19.95

Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign Paul Rezendes. This book "provides complete information on the behavior and habitat of over 50 animal species and shows you how to identify animals by their tracks, trail patterns, droppings, dens, scratches and other sign." Soft cover, 7" x 10", 336 pp. ISBN 0-06-273524-1, 1999. $25.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - Nature Observation and Tracking Tom Brown Jr. "Utilizing the ancient lore of Native Americans, Tom Brown passes on a timeless tradition that connects humankind to the earth ... How to restore to our senses all the amazing powers stolen away by civilization ... How to move as silently as the Native American scouts ... How to spot and identify the tracks of a vast variety of animals ... How to find humans lost in the wilderness." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 282 pp. ISBN 0-425-09966-0, 1983. $14.00

The Science and Art of Tracking: Nature's Path to Spiritual Discovery Tom Brown Jr. "[The author] shares generations of wisdom through one of the most rewarding pursuits to be found in nature. Tracking lets us unlock the secrets of each animal we follow, and in turen, become more aware of our own place in nature and the world. It is a journey of discovery that engages the senses, awakens the spirit, and enlightens the soul." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 219 pp. ISBN 0-425-15772-5, 1999. $14.00

The Tracker Tom Brown Jr. The author "reveals how he acquired the skill that has saved dozens of lives--including his own. His story begins with the chance meeting between an ancient Apache and a New Jersey boy. It tells of an incredible apprenticeship in the Wild, learning all that is hidden from modern man ... and ends with a harrowing search in which far more than survival is at stake!" Soft cover, 4-1/8" x 6-7/8", 229 pp. ISBN 0-425-10133-9, 1978. $7.99

The Search Tom Brown Jr. This book contains the continuing story begun in The Tracker (see above). Soft cover, 5-1/4" x 8-1/4", 219 pp. ISBN 0-425-18181-2, 1980. $14.00

Wilderness Survival Mark Elbroch and Mike Pewtherer. This book is the authors' "highly practical and uniquely observant introduction to survival in the deep woods. Mark and Mike tested generally accepted truths, questioned conventional solutions, and distilled the best techniques for making fire, obtaining shelter, finding water, and hunting with primitive weapons." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 260 pp. ISBN 0-07-145331-8, 2006. $15.95

Tom Brown's Field Guide - Wilderness Survival Tom Brown Jr. "Here, in one essential volume, are the basics of wilderness survival. ... How to build natural shelters ... How to get safe drinking water ... How to make fire without matches ... How to find, stalk, kill, and prepare animals for food ... The 'big four' edible plants." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 287 pp. ISBN 0-425-10572-5, 1983. $14.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - Living with the Earth Tom Brown Jr. "Now, [the author] goes beyond basic survival skills by helping us establish a more enduring relationship to the natural world. ... How to construct your own superbly functional 'Earthshelter' ... How to make your own tools, weapons, furniture, utensils, clothing ... How to develop more advanced survival and nature awareness skills ... How to use plants, animals, and earth to nurture yourself." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 252 pp. ISBN 0-425-09147-3, 1983. $14.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants Tom Brown Jr. In the book, the author tells "How to use every part of the plant ... Where to find useful plants and the best times of year and stages of growth to harvest them ... How to prepare delicious food dishes, soups, breads, and teas." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 241 pp. ISBN 0-425-10063-4, 1985. $14.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - City and Suburban Survival Tom Brown Jr. "In this uniquely practical handbook, [the author] gives you the specific skills and detailed knowledge you need to protect yourself and those you love in almost any emergency: Alternative heat and light sources ... Preventing and coping with electrical failure ... Automobile survival techniques ... Protecting your home from intruders ... Unconventional food sources for the city dwelling ... Surviving earthquakes, floods, blizzards, hurricanes, and more ... Guarding against urban crime." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 266 pp. ISBN 0-425-09172-4, 1984. $14.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - Nature and Survival for Children Tom Brown Jr. "Here is the perfect guide to exploring the wonders of nature with children--safely. Whether your outdoor experience includes day trips to local parks or long wilderness treks, [the author] can help children and adults fully appreciate the boundless beauty of our most precious natural resources. ... Observing and identifying animals and plants ... Lost-proofing children ... Stalking and tracking ... Finding water and food in nature ... Safety and first aid." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 227 pp. ISBN 0-425-11106-7, 1989. $14.00

Tom Brown's Field Guide - The Forgotten Wilderness Tom Brown Jr. "This unique volume in the [Tom Brown] series shows readers how to open their eyes to the surprising abundance of natural beauty in the everyday world--urban and suburban landscapes, backyards, local parks, highway medians, and even windowsill flower boxes. ... How to attract wild animals to unlikely places ... How to 'read' the subtle trails animals leave in their wake ... How to observe animals without being noticed ... How to explore nature in playgrounds, parks, alleys, lots, waterfronts--or almost anywhere." Soft cover, 6" x 9", 222 pp. ISBN 0-425-09715-3, 1987. $14.00

The Vision Tom Brown Jr. The author writes, "The language in this book may be hard for some to understand, because mere words can never come close to describing the concepts of the spiritual world. The language used is that of the world of vision, of dreams, and symbols, and of spiritual reality. I have tried to express ancient concepts in more modern language, without diluting or polluting the intended lesson. ... This is a book to be reread. It is, in its own special way, intended as a field guide to the spiritual, and at each new sitting the reader should discern in the manner of the coyote new and greater meanings." Soft cover, 5-1/4" x 8-1/4", 241 pp. ISBN 0-425-10703-5, 1988. $14.00

Grandfather Tom Brown Jr. "Grandfather is the true story of a Native American whose tribe roamed free, far from the chaos of civilization. He lived without limits or time. His world was one of eternity. His life was one of grand simplicity, where true riches were defined in the beauty of nature, and wisdom was a remarkable integration of different philosophies, of different people, tribes, and religions." Soft cover, 5-1/4" x 8-1/4", 202 pp. ISBN 0-425-18174-X, 1993. $14.00

Awakening Spirits Tom Brown Jr. The author writes, "This book may challenge the very core of your belief systems and shake up your personal philosophy, but that is not my intent. What is set forth in this book is meant to enhance and magnify your beliefs. Simply, the techniques and skills can be easily integrated into al philosophies, religions, and belief systems. After all, Grandfather considered these techniques the common thread that runs through all things." Soft cover, 5-1/4" x 8-1/4", 217 pp. ISBN 0-425-14140-3, 1994. $14.00

The Way of the Scout Tom Brown Jr. "[The author] "shares timeless secrets of self-discovery through the ancient art of survival." Soft cover, 4-1/8" x 6-3/4", 281 pp. ISBN 0-425-15910-8, 1995. $7.99

CAMPING

NOLS Wilderness Wisdom John Gookin (ed.). This book "collects more than 900 quotations from over 500 sources to form the most comprehensive quote book available to outdoor enthusiasts", from the clarity of expression of Yogi Berra ("If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else.") to the observation of Thoreau ("We make ourselves rich by making our wants few."). Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 140 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2646-0, 2003. $7.95

NOLS Winter Camping Buck Tilton and John Gookin. "Based on the official NOLS curriculum, [this book] is the definitive guide to camping in conditions of extreme cold. In these pages you'll learn how best to organize a winter expedition, what to bring with you, and how to stay warm, dry, and safe." Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 180 pp. ISBN 0-8117-3183-9, 2005. $14.95

NOLS Soft Paths Bruce Hampton and David Cole. "Included in this new edition: details of new laws that affect outdoor enthusiasts; new research into the public's use of the wilderness; updated information on waste disposal, fire building, and many other topics; and specific advice tailored to a variety of environments, from deserts to arctic tundra." Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 225 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2691-6, 2003 (3rd edition). $14.95

NOLS Wilderness Mountaineering Phil Powers. "This field text is written for NOLS mountaineering course participants and other aspiring wilderness mountaineers. It is not a substitute for professional instruction, an experienced mentor, or time in the wilderness." Chapters include Wilderness Mountaineering, Mountain Hazards, Climbing Movement, Equipment, Safety Systems, Leading, Descending, Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue, Improvised Rescue, and Style and Ethics. Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 226 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2861-7, 2000. $14.95

NOLS Wilderness First Aid (3rd edition) Tod Schimpelpfenig and Linda Lindsey. "A revised and updated edition of the guide that has taught thousands of NOLS students and general readers the essentials of wilderness first aid. New in this edition: the latest medical protocols for wilderness treatment; new information on patient assessment, cold injuries, eye injuries, gender-specific conditions, asthma, pneumonia, and unconscious states; and a new chapter on leadership, teamwork, and communication in the wild." Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 316 pp. ISBN 0-8117-2864-1, 2000. $14.95

Medicine for the Backcountry: A Practical Guide to Wilderness First Aid Buck Tilton and Frank Hubbell. This book "can prepare you for just about any major or minor medical emergency you might face in the outdoors. Using real-life anecdotes, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations, this invaluable guide shows you how to assess, manage, and care for: bone breaks and fractures, muscular injuries, heat and cold injuries, near drowning, spinal trauma, bites and stings, and many other potentioal maladies." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 224 pp. ISBN 0-7627-0527-2, 1994. $14.95

NOLS Cookery (fifth edition) Claudia Peterson (ed.). "[H]ere you'll find recipes (including plenty of vegetarian options) and culinary advice guaranteed to please the palate and provide the energy needed for strenuous outdoor activity. ... In addition to an extensively researched and revised nutrition section, NOLS Cookery covers the following: menu and ration planning; packaging; fire preparation; stove and open-fire cooking; and site maintenance." Soft cover, 4-3/4" x 7-3/8", 175 pp. ISBN 0-8117-3108-1, 2004. $14.95

MAINE

STATEWIDE

Maine: The Pine Tree State from Prehistory to the Present Richard W. Judd, Edwin A. Churchill, Joel W. Eastman, editors. "The first comprehensive history of Maine to be published in decades, Maine: The Pine Tree State surveys the region's rich history from prehistoric times to the early 1990s. Chapter authors are respected scholars in Maine history from the fields of archaelogy, anthropology, ethnic studies, and the various subdisciplines of history: political, cultural, economic, labor, military, maritime. ... Featuring extensive bibliographies, 24 detailed maps, and 95 illustrations, this book will be a comprehensive and authoritative resource about Maine for years to come." Soft cover, 6-1/8" x 9-1/4", 616 pp. ISBN 0-81901-082-3, 1995. $30.00

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND / ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Acadia's Carriage Roads Robert A. Thayer. Here is "the third volume in the popular series by author/photographer Bob Thayer, a naturalist at Maine's only national park since 1982. ... The photographs in this book span a twenty-year time frame and reflect the many changes that have occurred in the carriage-road system over the past two decades." Soft cover, 11" x 8-1/2", 48 pp. ISBN 0-89272-551-6, 2002. $12.95

The Bulletins of Reef Point Gardens Beatrix Farrand; introduction by Paula Deitz. Hard cover, 6-1/4" x 9-1/4", 134 pp. ISBN 0-89831-052-0, 1997. $25.00

Beatrix Farrand's American Landscapes: Her Gardens & Campuses Diana Balmori, Diane Kostial McGuire, and Eleanor M. McPeck. Soft cover, 7-1/2" x 9-1/4", 215 pp. ISBN 0-89831-003-2, 1985. $24.95

A History of the Houses of West Tremont, Maine Raymond E. Robbins Jr. This two-volume set of books tells the history and recollections of the houses of West Tremont, Maine, and the people who owned them. Volume 1 contains an introductory section about the history of the area and includes many maps. Section two of Volume 1 and all of Volume 2 (image shown) covers each house in the area with a history of ownership, a photograph of the house, and sometimes photographs of earlier inhabitants. West Tremont is fortunate to have such a detailed history. Soft cover, 8-1/2" x 11", 256 pp. (Vol. 1) and 284 pp. (Vol. 2), b&w photographs. 1997 (Vol 1, no longer available), 1998 (Vol. 2). $35.00

Cemeteries of Cranberry Isles and the Towns of Mount Desert Island Thomas F. Vining. Recorded in this book are every name and every date on all grave tones in all 110 known cemeteries in the Hancock County, Maine, towns of Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, and Tremont. Detailed directions are given to each cemetery. All grave stone references to Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans are included. All maiden names are cross-referenced, and every surname is indexed. For more details, click here. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 592 pp., b&w photographs. ISBN 0-9664874-1-9, 2000. $35.00

Census Records of Cranberry Isles and the Towns of Mount Desert Island - Volume 1: 1790-1840 edited and with notes by Thomas F. Vining. A companion to the cemetery book (see above) for the same towns. Includes the decennial reports plus a special 1837 report for the town of Mount Desert. All records are presented in their original order and alphabetically arranged. Indexed by surname. For more details, click here. Soft cover, twin wire binding (enabling the book to lay flat), 8-1/2" x 11", 139 pp. ISBN 0-9664874-3-5, 2002. $25.00

Census Records of Cranberry Isles and the Towns of Mount Desert Island - Volume 2: 1850 edited and with notes by Thomas F. Vining. Volume 2 in the series. All records are presented in their original order and alphabetically arranged. Soft cover, twin wire binding (enabling the book to lay flat), 8-1/2" x 11", 178 pp. ISBN 0-9664874-8-6, 2004. $25.00

Census Records of Cranberry Isles and the Towns of Mount Desert Island - Volume 3: 1860 edited and with notes by Thomas F. Vining. Volume 3 in the series. All records are presented in their original order and alphabetically arranged. Soft cover, twin wire binding (enabling the book to lay flat), 8-1/2" x 11", 204 pp. ISBN 0-9664874-9-4, 2009. $25.00

GENERAL

L.L.Bean: The Making of an American Icon Leon Gorman. The inside story of the enterprise started by Leon Leonwood Bean as told by his grandson, who turned the company into a business with more than $5 billion is annual sales and who still stops in at the flagship store from time to time to do some shopping. Hard cover, 6-1/2" x 9-1/2", 304 pp. ISBN 978-1-57851-183-9, 2006. $26.95

Bates Through the Years: An Illustrated History Charles E. Clark. "With careful and critical scholarship, an affectionate and wide knowledge of Bates, and a gentle sense of humor, Professor Clark tells the stories of Bates in nine topical essays--focusing on its presidents, faculty, curriculum, Bates during wartime, debate, college life, sports, students, and alumni. A building chronology of the campus, the first of its kind, concludes the book." Soft cover, 9" x 12", 131 pp. ISBN 0-9769921-0-8, 2005. $18.95

The Grand Masters of Maine Gardening: And Some of Their Disciples Jane Lamb. The "Grand Masters" include Currier McEwen, Bernard McLaughlin, Beatrix Farrand, Charles Savage, Celia Thaxter, and many more. Hard cover, 9" x 11-1/4", 143 pp. ISBN 0-89272-637-7, 2004. $30.00

The Old Somerset Railroad: A Lifeline for Northern Mainers Walter M. Macdougall. Soft cover, 7" x 9", 192 pp. ISBN 0-89272-492-7, 2000. $19.95

Maine's Coastal Cemeteries: A Historic Tour Karen Wentworth Batignani. The author says, "On these pages, I offer thirty-eight of my favorite Maine coast cemeteries. ... Features that influenced me included a rich history, well-carved stones, a variety of stones, notable people, stunning water views, park-like grounds, woodland settings, location, and those indefinable qualities that create personality and ambience." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 215 pp. ISBN 0-89272-604-0, 2003. $14.95

The Language of Fire Lawrence T. Dolby. "This book is a series of vignettes and other stories drawn from my experiences of some forty years with the State of Maine as a Fire Investigator, and then ten more in 'private practice'." Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 316 pp. ISBN 0-9665704-0-5, 1997 (first edition). $19.95

The Story of Baxter State Park Bill Silliker Jr. and Steve Pulos. "In this remarkable video, [the] filmmakers ... explore the history of the park and the efforts of the man who had the courage, perseverence, and ability to buy it all and then give it all away so others could enjoy its magic too." Video, VHS, 45 min. 1998. $19.95

Lobsters Great & Small: How Scientists and Fishermen are Changing our Understanding of a Maine Icon Philip Conkling and Anne Hayden. Soft cover, 10-1/2" x 10", 119 pp. ISBN 0-942719-32-8, 2002. $24.95

Islands in Time: A Natural and Cultural History of the Islands of the Gulf of Maine Philip W. Conkling. "Conkling, as president of Maine's Island Institute, has an intense understanding of the social and environmental factors that have shaped and continue to affect this coast's thousands of islands." Soft cover, 8-1/2" x 11", 319 pp. ISBN 0-89272-478-1, 1999. $19.95

Wildfire Loose: The Week Maine Burned Joyce Butler. This is the classic book about the fire of 1947. It contains many black and white photographs of the fire and its aftermath. Soft cover, 6" x 9", 278 pp. ISBN 0-89272-409-9, 1997 (50th anniversary edition). $15.95

Fire: The Big Story of 1947 Lawrence T. Dolby. A first-person, first-hand account of the 1947 fires in the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard area by a long-time State Fire Inspector. Soft cover, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 32 pp. 1997. $4.95