5 comments about Down in Bristol Bay: High Tides, Hangovers, and Harrowing Experiences on Alaska's Last Frontier.

1. This is a great little book and a fun read. It takes a lot of guts to do what Bob Durr did. His descriptions of the Alaskan bush and the people who live and work there are wonderful. Everyone should meet a person like Pope at least once in their lives. The philosophical discussions on board the fishing boat were sometimes tedious and less than believable, but somehow it all works. I hope Durr will write another book about the rest of his life in Alaska.



2. This book is a describes a man's struggle to break from the "creature comforts" world to live and fish in Bristol Bay, Alaska. It told a story that was captivating because when reading, you always wanting to know what was going to happen next. The story tells of a man who achieves having the best of both worlds ands puts the utimate dream to the test. I would highly recommend this book to all adventurists and those who would like to "escape" to the alaska frontier; if not in reality, then through this book.



3. While this is a better book that the second one, there is still something lacking. Depth I suppose. The fishing stories are good but I'm afraid the actual techniques and day-to-day trials are glossed over with tales of drunkeness. The characters are accurately portrayed, but each year is a rerun of the last, a quick summary of the same. Frankly, for all of Durr's qualifications this is the one theme that I can't help but think carries on to this day: The acid Leary professor drops out and stays out. But life is what happens between the parties. During this period, at least I know how he made a living, which is what dismayed me with the Coldman Cometh: thirty-five years of successful bush living on imaginary income, from the readers' perspective. He doesn't share finances here either though so we don't know what he made from the fishing trips.
   
   Staying in Alaska without money is tough. And with a family to support even more impossible, yet Durr seems to go about it as if there's nothing to it; the path of least resistence he describes to Pope, but in Alaska there is a great deal of resistence always. I can hear him try to justify the scheme to his late wife who never says anything or gives him a hard time about the difficulties of living on the edge like that, but Durr rarely reveals anything of this nature. He's very much secretive, which is a motivating force for the retreat to Chase and Back-Lake. I found the Durrs to be stand-offish in 1976, suspicious of newcomers to the land, even fellow "hippie" brothers. This may be due to personal paranoia and the more-people-coming fear, which is the message I got. As it turns out Durr managed to outlast the other '70s settlers in Chase of which I was one, albeit briefly. That evidently was what he wanted in the first place.



4. Great read for anyone who wants to get a flavor of the Alaska life and great figurative return for those who have lived it. It is also great literature because he was an English professor.



5. I read this book a little over a year ago, so it is not exactly fresh in my mind, but I must say I disagree with most of the other reviewers here.
   
   If you looked at every book's page on Amazon, you would see that the vast, vast majority of books have an average user ranking of 4 or 5 stars. I think this is because someone who picks up a book and think its junk won't bother to finish it, and rarely would bother to write a review. What ends up happening is that only those people who like a book rank it, and therefore almost everything gets a high ranking. Well, I didn't like this book, but I will take the time to write a review.
   
   Parts of this book are entertaining, especially those dealing with moving his boat from SE Alaska to Bristol Bay, and some of the discussion on fishing. Overall, however, it seems that the author does a poor job of describing the natural majesty of his surroundings nor about the internal conflict of a man embarking on a new life.
   
   Most annoying, however, is the author's slippage into the 3rd person when he describes drinking and 'adult partying' (don't know what words amazon will let me use here) when the rest of the book is in the 1st person. The narrator shows up at a party, and then all of a sudden it is someone else who is sleeping around on his wife.
   
   Anyway, if you want to read a good book about fishing up in Alaska, check out Joe Upton's 'Alaska Blues'.

5 comments about A Separate Place: A Father's Reflection on Building a Home and Renewing a Family.

1. David Brill's book manages to beautifully capture a sense of place with his vivid descriptions of the landscape and people of modern-day southern Appalachia. The natural world serves as a lush backdrop to Brill's painful, yet ultimately affirming story of the end days of his eighteen year marriage.

   Too many books about divorce offer only a laundry list of practical advice. David Brill lets us in on the truth of the matter, which is that each divorce is as unique as the marriage that precedes it. With a stark honesty that is never maudlin or exploitative, Brill offers readers a deeply personal glimpse into his own divorce journey.

   If the story were not compelling enough, Brill's deft and engaging writing is a pleasure to read in an age when a well-done literary memoir is a rare find.

   Highly recommended.

   Katie Allison Granju - Author of "Attachment Parenting" (Pocket Books/1999)




2. David Brill portrays himself as THE MARTYR in an unhappy marriage. I seriously question this author's motives for having this book published. Any man who would abandon his wife (and 2 daughters) after 17 years by leaving a handwritten note needs his head examined!



3. This book needs a sequel written by Susan Brill. One-sided divorce stories need to be categorized either as fiction or self-help which this author obviously needs.



4. David Brill's portrayal of his own divorce is why the divorce rate is 50% in America today. He is obviously a very self-centered and selfish man who is trying to trick the reader into believing that he has done everything imaginable to keep his 17 year marriage from ending. Was this book published to use as toilet tissue?



5. Brill is my hero. He hiked the Appalachian Trail (which I should have done after college--now a dream of retirement), dreamt of and built his get-a-way of seclusion, and wrote excellent books of both experiences. My dreams exactly! This is a very nice book detailing the problems and joys of fulfilling a dream. Who hasn't dreamt of a simpler life? We can all relate. Indifferent to another reviewer of this book, there are echoes of Thoreau's Walden Pond. Brill quit his high-stress job. He knew there was more to life. Thoreau, too, disagreed with the "modern" life style. He worked only enough to sustain life, and therefore had more time to enjoy the rest of life's experiences. Just thinking about a cabin in the woods brings a feeling of relaxation to me. Just thinking about hiking the A.T. (Brill's other book), with no deadlines, no clocks, carrying only what you need for shelter and food, soaking in the scenery, gives me something to look forward to. Sure there are problems to both; building a house creates many problems, hikers deal with many blisters, bad weather and aching muscles. However, it is these minor problems that make the good experiences even better. If you want to escape a little and live Brill's dreams, read his books. Also along the same lines, and very much recommended are: Jon Katz's book on finding his retreat in the woods, Running to the Mountain; Elizabeth Gilbert's, The Last American; and, Mark Phillips', My Father's Cabin. If you can think of any more, please inform me at john@delbridge.net.

4 comments about Hard Knocks and Straight Talk: From the Jungles of Vietnam to the American Classroom.

1. Hard Knocks and Straight Talk: From the Jungles of Vietnam to the American Classroom Howey's book is captivating. An ordinary American has an extraordinary life of service to our country. He served as an active US Marine for 32 years from private to Lt.Col. including 3 action tours of Viet Nam. His career endeded with 15 years as a HS teacher. Howey's life lessons learned are shared as straight talk that all Americans need to hear.



2. Wow! Mr. Howey's tell all book about his experiences as a Marine and as a high school teacher is outstanding. I felt like I was right there in Vietnam fighting the VC with him. This book contains many experiences that show how brave our soldiers were in this unpopular war, and how inept our politicians and the media were in conducting it.
   
   In the education arena Mr. Howey discusses his life after the Marines as a high school social studies teacher. His experiences provide hope and optimism for our youth. However, we cannot let inept and self-serving politicians destroy two valuable institutions -- the military and public schools.
   
   Once you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down!



3. Fascinating story of a young man whose determination and dedication to excellence enabled him to enrich his life by living all over the world and to rise through the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps. In every opportunity he was given from the Viet Nam jungles to the Pennsylvanian classrooms, he performed his best with many benefiting from his efforts. His observations on war, politics, the media, education are as interesting as his life. Thank you, William Howey, for your service to our country and our youth. Keep up the good work!



4. This is an excellent essay of a determined survivalist. Graduation was
   followed by next day enlistment in the USMC; he never looked back. Howey
   took on every task with determination, rising to Lt. Colonel by doing more
   than expected by those above and below him. He never asked others to do
   something that he would not do himself, including self sacrifice for a
   normal living. After 32 years of intelligence/counterinteligence and three tours in Viet Nam, he changed vocations and became an exemplary
   teacher of high school students. He explained the real world and how to
   interpret; lessons well learned and well taught for our future leaders.

4 comments about Arctic Schoolteacher: Kulukak, Alaska, 1931-1933 (Western Frontier Library, Vol 59).

1. I ordered this book because I like reading books about teachers in various parts of the world. This book was not about teaching,but about her life in Kulukak. That part was well written, but depressing. I guess it is what life was like there. Abbie Morgan handled the depressing landscape with humor and love. I was disappointed because it was not what I was looking for, but it does not mean that it is not a good book. If you are looking for a description of 1930 Alaska, then this is your book. Morgan describes life in this town with clarity and handles lifes disappointments with grace. She was an amazing woman to have worked there.



2. A particularly moving story. This book takes place about the same time as "Tisha" but in the famed Bristol Bay Region in a village called Kulukak. It was published in 1992 and available in paperback, this book should be easy to locate.



3. I came across Arctic Schoolteacher by accident. I had taken my kids to a summer program at a county library. While we waited for the show to begin, I browsed the shelves and came across this book. I have probably read 20-30 books this year, and Arctic Schoolteacher makes the top of my list. In it, the author tells the story of how she and her husband travelled to a remote Alaskan village in the 1930s as government employees. Abbie taught school, and Ed, her husband, oversaw the reindeer herd. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the book is filled with the numerous joys and sorrows that Abbie experienced in her two year stay in the Last Frontier. I only wish that Abbie had mentioned more about her life before Alaska, and about how she and Ed met. I am glad that the book included an epilogue by Abbie's daughter that mentions what happened in Abbie's life after Alaska.



4. 
   Abbie and Ed Morgan were adventurous and brave when they traveled to a remote Eskimo village to live among the people and serve them for two years. The actual photographs and details of their adventures are so interesting and transport the reader back to a time very different from today.
   You might also enjoy a new release, another book of courage and survival that takes place in early Alaska.
   When the Water Runs: Growing Up with Alaska

5 comments about Terry Sanford: Politics, Progress, and Outrageous Ambitions.

1. Former North Carolina Governor and United States Senator Terry Sanford is one of this century's outstanding political leaders. While serving as Governor in the early sixties, Sanford became known nationwide for his commitment to improving education in North Carolina.

   Covington and Ellis' biography of Sanford offers a great deal of insight into Sanford's formative years and his political career. The authors researched their subject thoroughly, and the reader gains a great deal of insight into North Carolina politics and into the historical forces shaping the country.

   Many of Sanford's colleagues, family, and friends were interviewed for this book, and their stories and perspectives add depth to this book. Many of the characters in the book are still active in North Carolina politics, including "Jimmy Hunt" (as he is referred to in the book) who now serves as Governor of North Carolina.

   People who still believe that our government can be a force for good, and that a political life can be synonomous with a life of public service, will be inspired by this book and by the life of this outstanding public servant.




2. Anyone who lives in North Carolina will learn much about the state's recent political history in this book. And anyone who is interested in progressive politics should read it too. Terry Sanford's forward-thinking approach to government is an inspiration, particularly in the areas of race and education.



3. Every Tarheel, or any non-Tarheel who has an interest in one of the most important political figures in the South, Terry Sanford, should read this book. Senator in the NC General Assembly, Governor, President of Duke University, and US Senator, this book covers it all. It provides an interesting look at Southern politics, and how our past still effects us to this day. There should be a "Six Degrees of Terry Sanford" game, as he can be linked to practically anybody in the field of NC or National politics. Kerr Scott, Lauch Faircloth, Bill Clinton, John Edwards, The George Bushes, Al Gore, Jesse Helms, Jesse Jackson, Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Dole & Erskine Bowles (both front runners from their respective parties in the 2002 Senate race) and the list goes on. Terry Sanford witnessed great movements in history. The race issue in the South, a political atmospheric change, the wheeling and dealing of politicians. Throughout he kept his values and goals, which helped him become a symbol of Progressive policies, and helped place Duke University into national prominence. This should be required reading!



4. Outrageous Ambition" by Howard E. Covington, Jr., and Marion A. Ellis is the biography of Terry Sanford. Sanford was a North Carolina politician, child of the depression, President of Duke University, Governor, Senator and failed Presidential Candidate. The book chronicles his life and times. It assesses the impact he had on the state and visa versa.
   
   This book is excellent.
   
   The writers have a readable and exciting style of prose. The narrative moves along well.
   
   The book is not simply a story about Sanford's life, though that is covered in good order. It is a history of the politics of North Carolina from the 1930's to the early 1990's. It would be of benefit to students and teachers, and any reader who wanted to more about this era in state politics. The account of desegregation is especially well written.
   
   As for the biographical nature of the book, it is clear that the authors liked their subject, and made no attempt to hide that fact. This is a clearly stated account of Sanford's life from two admirers. Though the book is not free of some criticisms, the writers measure Sanford's life and find the good outweighed the bad. Their case is strong.



5. From his efforts to improve public education and race relations in North Carolina to his success in transforming Duke into one of the top universities in the country, Terry Sanford left an indelible impact upon both the North Carolina and the nation. In this book, Howard Covington and Marion Ellis provide a sympathetic account of Sanford's life. Using an impressive array of sources, including Sanford's papers and interviews with Sanford and dozens of other figures, the authors chronicle his life and times, from his childhood in Laurinburg to his years as governor, university president, and United States senator.
   
   Yet this is more than just a biography of a great public servant. In seeking to explain Sanford's achievement, Covington and Ellis provide the context of his life and career. Their subject occasionally recedes into the background as they navigate state politics or describe the issues Sanford faced as president of Duke University, but it helps the reader better understand the challenges he faced and the full measure of his achievements. This perspective that they provide makes the book a valuable resource not just for understanding Sanford but the many areas of American life that he effected in his lifetime.

No comments about Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Continuum Library of Educational Thought).

5 comments about Earth and Water: Encounters in Viet Nam.

1. This book is unusual, for it offers readers a sense of the sights, feelings and sounds of Vietnam in the late 1990s. Shillue is an honest reporter, who travels to Vietnam without war baggage. She writes like a dream and the only criticism I have of the book is that I wanted more. Read it.



2. I am enjoying this book, but the numerous grammatical errors (ex.: the use of "it's" to indicate the possessive, as opposed to "its") are beginning to prove distracting. In this day and age, there is no excuse for such inattention to detail on the part of the publisher.



3. Excellent Read! In the early 1990s I was an American businessman living in Vietnam and this well written book takes me back to the country and a time which I still miss every day.

   It reminds Americans that Vietnam is a place and not a war.

   If anyone wishes to see and feel Vietnam and Cambodia as they are today this is THE book to read. I look forward to Ms Shillue's next book.




4. This book was alright, a good description of Vietnam for those that have never been and want to know what is about over there. I studied in Hanoi for four months during college and it was a real trip back for me while reading this, especially when the author speaks of her visit to Hanoi. I stayed in Bach Khoa while I was there and lived in that very neighborhood for four months and it made me very nostaligic. However, the author tended to irritate me at times with what I saw as an attitude towards the culture and traditionalism of the northern region. Frankly, I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would...but then again I'm very biased when it comes to Vietnam since the country means a lot to me...



5. As a child of the Vietnam era, I've long been curious to find out what became of the people that populated the Time magazine of my youth. Shillue brings up to date with a personal look at the lives and times of the Vietnamese. It is reassuring to hear about the resiliency of the Cambodian people and I was glad to see that Shillue's first-hand accounts bring us right into the lives of those we left behind. I particularly liked when she compared contemporary Americans to their counterparts in Asia.

1 comments about Hesburgh: A Biography.

1. This book is a superbly written history of one of the greatest leaders of the past century. You do not have to be a Notre Dame fan to appreciate the impact that Fr. Ted has had on our society and culture.

5 comments about Oxford Days.

1. As a devoted reader of West's novels, I knew the prose would be stylish and witty, but I didn't anticipate how funny this memoir would be. It's a wonderful evocation of an era at Oxford, full of eccentrics, later-to-become famous writers, and West's touching memories of his life at a nearly mythic university. I found it smart, charming, and spirited.



2. West is one of the most versatile writers I know, as his ever-growing list of both fiction and nonfiction titles show. He's particularly fabulous when recalling in his elegrant and playful prose those events and places he experienced first-hand. This recollection and preservation of his youth defines the moments that will eventually make the great stylist he became. He is a writer and a man extraordinaire...and this is a book to be cherished.



3. Oxford Days is a omni-sensual remembering -- of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of mid-C20th Oxford University. West brings to life some of the people with whom he lived (he is especially good on Edith Sitwell, George Steiner, Warden John Sparrow, and his supervisor F. W. (?Freddy?) Bateson), loved (several girlfriends are introduced, though discretion gets the better part), and laughed (particularly the camaraderie he enjoyed with fellow undergraduates). There is a series of vignettes of supporting cast members (a custodian, a baroness visiting the college, a college dean, a groundsman, etc.). His mother and father are also lovingly summoned.

   On contemporary Oxford he is acerbic ("the Oxford of today is a glum, sulfuric place . . . an ammoniac show-place . . . a Frankenstein overlay on the road map of Southern England"), but on the whole this is a sympathetic, entertaining, and charming appreciation of what Oxford was and bestowed.




4. Paul West is a brilliant novelist but it wasn't easy for him to get into Oxford. When he was finally accepted at one of the less well known colleges he had, well, arrived.

   This is a touching memoir full of humor and just nice experiences in a world long gone. Oxford still exists of course but the Oxford attended by Paul West exists only in memory. He has, however, put it all down for us in this wonderful book.




5. A tome perfectly cromulent in its wordness and allusive vagueosity. On the whole enjoyable - much though at times rarefied prose and wit too lost on me were better spent *THUD* against my bedroom wall.

No comments about Teacher Education and the Cultural Imagination: Autobiography, Conversation, and Narrative.