This Months Books
June-July 2006
This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD
by Diana Mumford
To have your Books or Videos considered for review, contact DianaMumford@WaveLengthMagazine.com or call 1-800-799-5602
Kayaking the Broken Group Islandsby JF Marleau Pacific Rim Informative Adventures, 2006 ISBN 0-9739877-0-7 $17.99 US, $19.99 Cdn, 128 pp, b/w photos “The Broken Group Islands is one of the most famous sea kayaking destinations in the world. Its spectacular beauty and abundant diversity of wildlife offer a unique wilderness adventure.” The introduction to Kayaking the Broken Group Islands begins with this declaration and goes on to prove it by providing a wealth of information for those who wish to experience this famous place. An all-in-one guide, it outlines camping and access regulations, provides travel and accommodation information, discusses paddling routes, tells the history of the area, and describes flora and fauna that you are likely to encounter. This is an indispensable guide for paddlers who plan to visit the Broken Group. |
Paddling the Yukon River and its Tributariesby Dan Maclean, self-published, 2005 ISBN 1-59433-027-1, $19.95 US / $25.95 Cdn 192 pp, b/w photos & maps, bibliography, glossary, index www.publicationconsultants.com/paddle.htm This is a very practical guide to paddling the five longest rivers of Alaska from their headwaters in the Yukon Territory to the Bering Sea. The author speaks from experience, having paddled all these routes solo. This country is not for the faint of heart, and Maclean suggests that people prepare themselves for the isolation and lack of amenities en route, and that they paddle shorter segments before attempting a headwaters-to-delta expedition. General considerations are frankly discussed in the introductory chapters, followed by specific guides to the Yukon, Tanana, Porcupine, Koyukuk and Kuskokwim Rivers. If you have excellent outdoor skills, this book could be your guide to one of your greatest lifetime adventures. |
Tears, Fear & Adventureby James Michael Dorsey, self-published, 2006 ISBN 1-59113-893-0, $21 US, 308 pp b/w photos, James Michael Dorsey has been traveling off the beaten track for decades—not as a tourist looking for rest and relaxation on vacation, but to see and learn something new and to meet new people. In this volume he participates in the age-old story-telling tradition as he recounts adventures from his travels all over the world. Loosely organized by the points of the compass, the stories tell of unique experiences with wildlife, people and the elements (including versions of the paddling stories previously published in WaveLength). Dorsey takes his reader from Alaska to the Baja and South America, to Europe, to Japan and Cambodia and other Asian destinations, relating each adventure and the lessons he learned in a casual style as if you were a close friend. Armchair and active travelers will be entertained and inspired by this collection of stories. |
Greenland Paddles: Step by Stepby Brian Nystrom self-published, 2005 $19.95 US, 54 pp, b/w photos Order at: greenlandpaddlebook@verizon.net After catching the “GP” bug, Brian Nystrom wrote this detailed, illustrated manual for creating Greenland paddles. It lists the tools and supplies you will need (and some extras you might want), discusses the selection of wood suitable for paddle building, clarifies the characteristics and variations of Greenland paddles, and clearly outlines a step-by-step construction process. If you too have a soft spot for GPs, this manual will help you create your own beautiful, functional paddle. |