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TIM RENKEN, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
12/07/2002
Here's the early read on some great holiday books. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. And the quickest way to learn a skill is to read about it.
The books on this short list are all instructional on outdoor skills chosen from dozens received from publishers throughout the year. Any of them would make a fine Christmas gift for a person who loves the outdoors. All are available through local or on-line retailers or the publishers.
"Encyclopedia of North American Hunting Dogs," edited by Steve Smith, Willow Creek Press, $45.
An outstanding resource for the person thinking about getting a sporting dog or the person who just wants to know more about these essential companions. The first six chapters contain general knowledge about sporting dogs, the remainder describe specific breeds in the retriever, spaniel, pointer, hound, versatile and cur categories.
The illustrations are in full color and superb, the presentation is brief and direct.
"The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook," by Brett Dufur, Pebble Publishing, 573-698-3903, http://www.pebblepublishing.com, $6.95 in softcover.
The sixth edition of this little book, the standard work for trail users, is the best yet with many revisions and editions and lots of pictures. Having it with you will increase your enjoyment of America's longest rails-to-trails project and Missouri's most popular state park.
"Bicycle Repair, Step by Step," by Rob Van Der Plas, Van Der Plas Publications, 877-353-1207, $18.95 in softcover.
After you've trashed your bike in doing the entire Katy in a day, this book can save you a ton of money on repair and maintenance. Some 400 good illustrations and clear instructions take you through most essential processes on almost all kinds of bikes.
"Cycling St. Louis," by Margo (Dirt Gypsy) Carroll, Pebble Publishing (address above), $15.95.
This is a major update, revision and improvement of Steve Katz's Guide to Cycling St. Louis. Some 40 rides in and around St. Louis, ranging from a few miles to many, are described. Most are to attractive destinations. Maps show the way, amateurish pictures show the why.
"A Guide to Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish & Game," by Wilbur F. Eastman Jr., Story Book, 413-346-2185, http://www.storeybooks.com. $16.95 in paperback.
Unless you plan to eat that deer you shot in just a few days, you should learn the preservation methods described in this authoritative book, which is a revision and update of a work first published in 1975.
Eastman will walk you through preservation methods on game, fish, pork, lamb, poultry, beef and veal. You'll learn things about meat you didn't know you didn't know. Recipes for beef jerky, pemmican, venison mincemeat, corned beef, bacon, Canadian bacon and smoked sausage are included.
"Birding by Ear," two CDs by Richard K. Walton and Robert W. Lawson, Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin, $30.
Real birders don't have to look up to identify a bird. They just listen. These CDs, then, can make a person a real birder. They are more than a catalog of song samples, they teach by creating learning groups of similar vocalizations and point out distinguishing characteristics. They spark your memory with phonetics, mnemonics and descriptive words.
If you already have the first eastern/central series, you might want "More Birding by Ear," also of eastern and central birds, or the Bird Songs CD with calls and songs off 267 species. They cost $30 and $20, respectively.
Here are some other books you might want to give as gifts:
"The Ultimate Guide to Bowhunting," by H. Lea Lawrence, a book that promises "hunt like a pro with these easy tips."
"Animal Tracks," by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson, a Basic Essentials guidebook to a great winter outdoor pursuit.
"Weekend Walks in St. Louis and Beyond," by Robert Rubright, a backcountry guide that has 30 town and country walks within 150 miles of the city.
"Knowing Bass, The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish," by Keith A. Jones, Ph.D, The Lyons Press, $26.95 in hardcover. Scientific explanations of why bass do what they do and why they sometimes don't.
12/07/2002
Here's the early read on some great holiday books. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. And the quickest way to learn a skill is to read about it.
The books on this short list are all instructional on outdoor skills chosen from dozens received from publishers throughout the year. Any of them would make a fine Christmas gift for a person who loves the outdoors. All are available through local or on-line retailers or the publishers.
"Encyclopedia of North American Hunting Dogs," edited by Steve Smith, Willow Creek Press, $45.
An outstanding resource for the person thinking about getting a sporting dog or the person who just wants to know more about these essential companions. The first six chapters contain general knowledge about sporting dogs, the remainder describe specific breeds in the retriever, spaniel, pointer, hound, versatile and cur categories.
The illustrations are in full color and superb, the presentation is brief and direct.
"The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook," by Brett Dufur, Pebble Publishing, 573-698-3903, http://www.pebblepublishing.com, $6.95 in softcover.
The sixth edition of this little book, the standard work for trail users, is the best yet with many revisions and editions and lots of pictures. Having it with you will increase your enjoyment of America's longest rails-to-trails project and Missouri's most popular state park.
"Bicycle Repair, Step by Step," by Rob Van Der Plas, Van Der Plas Publications, 877-353-1207, $18.95 in softcover.
After you've trashed your bike in doing the entire Katy in a day, this book can save you a ton of money on repair and maintenance. Some 400 good illustrations and clear instructions take you through most essential processes on almost all kinds of bikes.
"Cycling St. Louis," by Margo (Dirt Gypsy) Carroll, Pebble Publishing (address above), $15.95.
This is a major update, revision and improvement of Steve Katz's Guide to Cycling St. Louis. Some 40 rides in and around St. Louis, ranging from a few miles to many, are described. Most are to attractive destinations. Maps show the way, amateurish pictures show the why.
"A Guide to Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish & Game," by Wilbur F. Eastman Jr., Story Book, 413-346-2185, http://www.storeybooks.com. $16.95 in paperback.
Unless you plan to eat that deer you shot in just a few days, you should learn the preservation methods described in this authoritative book, which is a revision and update of a work first published in 1975.
Eastman will walk you through preservation methods on game, fish, pork, lamb, poultry, beef and veal. You'll learn things about meat you didn't know you didn't know. Recipes for beef jerky, pemmican, venison mincemeat, corned beef, bacon, Canadian bacon and smoked sausage are included.
"Birding by Ear," two CDs by Richard K. Walton and Robert W. Lawson, Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin, $30.
Real birders don't have to look up to identify a bird. They just listen. These CDs, then, can make a person a real birder. They are more than a catalog of song samples, they teach by creating learning groups of similar vocalizations and point out distinguishing characteristics. They spark your memory with phonetics, mnemonics and descriptive words.
If you already have the first eastern/central series, you might want "More Birding by Ear," also of eastern and central birds, or the Bird Songs CD with calls and songs off 267 species. They cost $30 and $20, respectively.
Here are some other books you might want to give as gifts:
"The Ultimate Guide to Bowhunting," by H. Lea Lawrence, a book that promises "hunt like a pro with these easy tips."
"Animal Tracks," by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson, a Basic Essentials guidebook to a great winter outdoor pursuit.
"Weekend Walks in St. Louis and Beyond," by Robert Rubright, a backcountry guide that has 30 town and country walks within 150 miles of the city.
"Knowing Bass, The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish," by Keith A. Jones, Ph.D, The Lyons Press, $26.95 in hardcover. Scientific explanations of why bass do what they do and why they sometimes don't.
