Book Reviews
October-November 2000
This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
 Jungle Islands-My South Sea Adventure by Maria Coffey with Debora Pearson.
This is a beautiful adventure travel book for kids 8 and up. It's the true story of Maria Coffey and Dag Goering's travels through the Solomon Islands with their Feathercraft kayak. They paddle through uncharted islands, snorkel on incredible reefs, visit Skull Island, learn to cook taro & cassava roots, and see leatherback turtles laying their eggs in the sand. Sidebars contain fascinatining cultural information. Bright maps and spectacular photographs make this a book the whole family will enjoy.
Annick Press, 2000. ISBN 1-55037-596-2, 88 pp. softcover, color, $14.95 Cdn
|
 The Kayaking Sourcebook by Cecil Kuhne.
In the Sourcebook, Cecil Kuhne has compiled up-to-date information about today's kayaking market. You'll find information about types of boats (touring, whitewater, kit boats, surf boats, sit-on-tops, folding kayaks, inflatables), paddling accessories, safety & rescue, and much more. The product information grids allow you to compare features of different models. He has included contact information for manufactures, paddling clubs & publishers. If you're looking for new gear, this could be the place to start.
The Globe Pequot Press, 1998. ISBN 0-7627-0189-7, softcover, 161 pp. B&W photos, $18.95 US
|
 Desolation Sound & the Discovery Island-A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide by Anne & Laurence Yeadon-Jones.
This beautiful cruising guide, second in the Dreamspeaker series, features more than 100 detailed, informative, hand-drawn shoreline plans and approach waypoints-checked for accuracy by the Canadian Hydrographic Service-for selected marinas and small boat anchorages ranging from safe all-weather havens and popular marine parks to secluded coves and one-boat hideaways. The text accompanying the maps provides vital information about each location such as where to anchor, locations of showers, swimming spots, lodges, restaurants, picnic spots and viewpoints. Beautiful photos & interesting information. This is a valuable book for kayakers, power and sailboaters.
Raincoast Books, 2000. ISBN 1-55192-272-x, 187 pp, softcover, colour, $49.95 Cdn/ $36.95 US
|
 A Year on the Wild Side by Briony Penn.
A Year on the Wild Side is a witty "social and natural history comedy" written by Briony Penn, writer, illustrator and lecturer, with a Ph.D. in geography. It's composed of 52 essays arranged in 12 monthly chapters (ex. in August you'll read about which berries are ripening on the west coast). This engaging book reveals the magic and humour of the natural world and reminds us of our place in it.
Horsdal & Schubart Publishers Ltd., 1999. ISBN 0-92-663-68-0, softcover, B&W, 170 pp. $15.95 Cdn
|
 Reef Fish Identification by Paul Humann - Rewiewed by Bryan Nichols
This is easily the best guide for Caribbean fish, with tons of full color pictures and an easy to use format. It is part of the Reef Set (two companion books cover inverts and corals) that covers the Caribbean well. Instead of using strict taxonomy, Humann divides the fishes into identification groups like "odd shaped swimmers" and the perennial favorite "heavy body, large lips". It's not cheap, but if you're even remotely interested in Caribbean fish, this is the one to get.
New World Publications: 1-878348-07-8. 424p full color $39.95 US
|
This site uses valid HTML, CSS and Flash. All content Copyright © 2010 Wild Coast Publishing. 