Book Reviews

Reef Creature by Paul Humann

Reviewed by Bryan Nichols

This book by Paul Humann is part of an amazing three book 'Reef Set' (the third covers fish) that is a must for anyone who loves the Caribbean. If you can afford them they are amazing (try buying cheaper rum next trip- your brain will love the books even if your liver suffers a bit more). Reef Coral covers them all, including stony and soft corals. Reef Creature covers other inverts and while it isn't as comprehensive, most things that us paddler/snorkelers see will certainly be in it. Each book is designed to make identification easy and includes a complete checklist of species in the back to note your sightings. Beautiful, full color pictures sit right across from information on distinctive features, abundance and distribution, habitat and behavior and even reaction to divers (where you find out what will sting you if you bump into it). If winter often finds you down in the Caribbean, these books are well worthwhile.Reef Creature Identification (424 pp). Reef Coral Identification (252 pp). . New World Publications: 800 737-6558

		These two books are the companion books to Reef Creature Identification and are available individually or as a boxed set of three.
Reef Fish Identification	Reef Coral Identification

Wayward Winds by Environment Canada

Reviewed by Doug Lloyd

Even forecasters find it frustrating. But in Environment Canada's new book, The Wind Came All Ways-A quest to understanding the winds, waves and weather in the Georgia Basin, author Owen Lange attempts to give boaters a resource tool so that we might further comprehend this area's local effects and how topography and certain winds bend other winds.

The spiral bound book with front over-cover, analyses six localities: Juan de Fuca, Victoria and Islands, Vancouver, Howe Sound, Strait of Georgia, and Desolation Sound areas frequented by kayakers. He does this by explaining seasonal "pressure slopes" (the movement of air from high pressure ridges to troughs of low).

The words and art of Emily Carr are brushed throughout the text and pages, including the title and front cover. Required reading for those who want to "be still enough to hear and see and know the glory of the sky and earth and sea!"

Hazardous Material by Environment Canada

Reviewed by Doug Lloyd

Having the knowledge to handle the dangerous waters of our BC coast is made a lot easier through the material found in Environment Canada's third edition of Marine Weather Hazards Manual, a guide to local forecasts and conditions. While the front cover of my new copy erroneously says second edition, the information is up-to-date and as always, of great benefit to all mariners.

Like all good manuals, the text and illustrations are well laid out and easy to follow. Although written primarily for the commercial fishing industry, I don't know anybody who has bought or seen this book and not found it a rich aid to their understanding of specific marine hazards and their causative factors.

The latest edition omits some information about frequencies and observation sites of forecast regions, as well as some other minor omissions/changes. Owners of the second edition need not run out to purchase this third one, though it does share the same type of spiral-bound over-cover as The Wind Came All Ways. Both books are available directly from Environment Canada. Call: 604-664-9360, Fax: 604-664-9181.

Wind.Water.Sun by Ed Darack

Reviewed by Sue Handel

Complete with detailed maps to wet the appetite and photos to temp the soul, the story of Ed Darack's 850-mile solo journey along the sinuous coastline of the Baja Peninsula will inspire you to head south this winter for some Mexican paddling. If you like travelogues, you'll enjoy following alongside Darack as he makes his way from the Colorado River delta down to the Cape Region at the southern tip of Baja.

Those planning to paddle in Darack's wake and explore the Sea of Cortez first hand will find this book indispensible for its terrifically detailed maps. Darack, a cartographer now based in Colorado and California, has done what few others have, and created a highly detailed and accurate map series of the east coast of the Baja Peninsula. At a scale of 1:500,000 the series of 16 maps give excellent detail of both the aquatic and terrestrial environment along the Sea of Cortez coastline.

Beautifully illustrated with over 100 photographs, this book is a great reference for discovering Baja, whether by sea kayak or through the imagination. Wind•Water•Sun• by Ed Darack, ISBN 1-881663-08-6, 312 pp, color photos. Poudre Canyon Press. $29.95

Travels With A Kayak by Whit Deschner

Reviewed by Sue Handel

Ahilarious account of heading off to exotic lo cations, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Turkey and well...the Grand Canyon too, Whit doesn't go anywhere without the love of his life— his whitewater kayak. His style is all about finding fun— or making it himself. No doubt, you'll learn a thing or two about the Kino River in Japan and the Sun Kosi in Nepal but you'll also find out how Whit and his cavalry manage to access these places and how the locals curiously accept them, but only for a short visit.

Travels With A Kayak, ISBN 0-9605388-6-0, 254 pp, black and white photos. The Eddie Tern Press. $19.95