Book Description
With a mantra like âThere are no bad originals, only bad Photoshop operators,â you know best-selling author Dan Margulis is serious about exposing people to the magic of Photoshop. Nowhere is that magic more apparent than in its LAB color processing capabilities, which can make even the subtle canyon colors of rock, sand, and dirt come to vivid life. However, you may be wary of taming the complex beast. Here’s your guide! In these pages, Dan shows that you can derive enormous benefits from just a few simple tools and techniques. He also demonstrates that you can take these techniques as far as you wish, employing the power-user features he describes in later chapters. Starting with canyons and progressing to faces, you will see just how quickly you can begin improving your images by following the ârecipesâ included here. Each chapter includes a sidebar with review questions and exercises as well as a âCloser Lookâ section that examines some of the principles behind the techniques. A CD includes exercise files.
Customer Reviews:
Worth the effort if you've got the time.......2007-09-07
I've been using Photoshop since version 3, but never full time. My primary use is for photography that ends up as gallery prints or for publication.
Bought this book about 18 months ago and read it through once. Picked up some powerful techniques, but realized that there was more to absorb. Started to read it again but life got in the way. I just realized that it is time to work my way through it again.
Why bother? Because I'm convinced that the techniques presented are invaluable and really getting a solid grasp of them will improve my images. What I learned with the first reading allows me to quickly optimize some images that would otherwise be problematic. I love LAB sharpening!
This stuff would probably bee too much for a Photoshop neophyte, but for a journeyman practitioner, it is worth the time and effort to get your arms around LAB color techniques. I suspect that this book will have a much longer useful life than the many version-specific Photoshop technique guides.
Stop The Ego Train.......2007-08-28
Somebody needs to shrink the author's ego before he writes another condescending, verbose, poorly-organized book. Between the unnecessarily long (and self-serving) introduction and the ins-and-outs of Russian history, there may be one or two useful things in this book.
As stated earlier, this book is not for beginners. However, it is not an advanced book by virtue of its subject matter, but by its poor presentation of information: sample pictures do not appear on the same page they are referenced, meandering prose replaces much-needed explanations, and no time is given to aid conceptual understanding (aside from the complex LAB number crunching you're expected to just take his word for).
The author needs to understand that "Difficult To Read" DOES NOT equal "I Am God's Gift To The Photoshop World." I get enough of that from philosophers. I don't need it in my Photoshop literature.
I gave this book two stars because it does have two useful bits of information: saturation enhancement using AB curves, and sharpening of the lightness channel. As for the rest, read at your own risk.
If you love difficult prose, flush your money down the toilet on this book.
Excellent information, but not for the beginner.......2007-07-23
I would consider myself to be an intermediate Photoshop user, and I took the comment in the foreword of this book that I'd have to read it several times before everything "sank in" seriously. I'm on my 3rd reading now, and each time I go through, more of what the author says sinks in. The very beginning of the book is the basic stuff, and anyone with a general knowledge of Photoshop (Elements does not offer Lab color mode) will be able to utilize the information given. The changes look minor, but they really do make an incredible difference in your pictures! Even if you never progress past the first 2 or 3 chapters, the book is well worth it. And, if you do make it through once, twice, three times, or more, you'll definitely see a difference in your pictures. I took some pictures that I had already processed and was satisified with - and tried the technique in the first chapter on them - and was able to bring them up to a whole new level. I definitely recommend this book, but you'll need to make a committment to learning the tips and techniques.
a great new way to work with colors.......2007-07-23
every professional photographer and retoucher knows something about lab. but this book will open your mind and kind of view to work with it. a must for every pro. even if you read it only once, will change your way to work with colors.
Professional Grade Book.......2007-06-12
Wow, what an in-depth book, with some of the most wonderful inner workings and knowledge of Photoshop for the serious learner. If you want to know how you can fine tune your photos, this book is by far one of the best, but it isn't a beginners book, and barely a mid-rangers. I find myself rereading passages to get every little nuance out of them because they are so packed with 'miles traveled' experience. Dan Margulis, you are the master. Scott Kelby is right, as always! It is like finding a brand new horizon to explore and enjoy. Only the serious need dig in on this one!
Book Description
Gripping accounts of all known fatal mishaps in the most famous of the World's Seven Natural Wonders.
Two veterans of decades of adventuring in Grand Canyon chronicle the first complete and comprehensive history of Canyon misadventures. These episodes span the entire era of visitation from the time of the first river exploration by John Wesley Powell and his crew of 1869 to that of tourists falling off its rims in Y2K.
These accounts of the 550 people who have met untimely deaths in the Canyon set a new high water mark for offering the most astounding array of adventures, misadventures, and life saving lessons published between any two covers. Over the Edge promises to be the most intense yet informative book on Grand Canyon ever written.
Customer Reviews:
A Fascinating Study of Human Behavior.......2007-09-17
While the topic of this book might seem morbid, it really is a fascinating and instructive set of essays on human behavior. Well-researched and engaging, this revised and updated edition recounts stories of what most often amount to tragic tales of sheer human stupidity.
What really resonates most strongly is the authors' desire to communicate that the Grand Canyon is not some man-made, man-controlled theme park, but instead a heartbreakingly beautiful and very dangerous natural phenomenon, to be treated with reverence and caution.
The final chapter on murder reads like a historical thriller, unearthing mysteries that have been embedded in the canyon for over a hundred years. But the authors never rely on sensationalism. Instead, they share eyewitness accounts and solid research that reveal many secrets of the canyon, only to show that there are many more buried below.
Can't put it down.......2007-08-24
When I was at the Grand Canyon a year ago I saw this book in a gift shop, at the hotel. I thought, "Na...too morbid". I am now planning on hiking down with a friend later next year and I got this book along with several "how to" guides for hiking in the GC. Both authors are experienced witnesses of the many accounts that are cited. I am not finished with the book yet but Ghiglieri works at a local medical clinic and has seen many emergencies, while Myers is an experienced boatman and river guide. A great read and essential for trip knowledge before you set out on your next hike!
Grand Graveyard!.......2007-08-20
Despite the title, "Death in Grand Canyon", this book by Ghiglieri and Myers is neither gory nor macabre. It is a fascinating account of the truly idiotic, careless, unprepared, and misguided (figuratively and literally) people who over the past hundred years or so have met their maker in the Grand Canyon by various means including:
falling, jumping, hiking, swimming, boating and flying over and in the Grand Canyon.
Their are some truly interesting stories of survival mixed in with the hundreds of deaths documented over the years. It is enjoyable, easy reading.
Kudos to the National Park Service rangers who have to put their lives on the line to try to rescue the unfortunate victims and to Ghiglieri and Myers for a great book.
Interesting, but got old.......2007-08-04
I stopped reading it about half way through as I just thought the stories of death were poorly organized, and the writing didn't seem to flow well for me, I started to find it boring. However, I did find it interesting to see how people died and found that by far and away it was people who weren't respecting the danger of the canyon. I took that to heart when I hiked to the bottom of the canyon about a year after reading the book. BTW: hiking the canyon was one of the greatest experiences of my life! And I didn't die.
Warning.......2007-07-26
We have a trip planned to hike into the canyon. I wanted everyone to be aware of the dangers and I think this book does a good job of presenting those dangers. I'll write more later...if we make it out!
Book Description
The same healthy philosophy and delicious recipes that have attracted so many devotees to Canyon Ranch is now at your fingertips in this richly illustrated cookbook. Canyon Ranch's executive chefs have collaborated with their nutritionists to create this beautiful book that blends innovative cuisine and nutritional expertise. With 214 new recipes, the wide variety of dishes will appeal to all tastes and cooking styles. These easy-to-follow recipes are within the grasp of even the most timid home chefs. Ninety lush color photographs provide inspiration and guidance. Canyon Ranch Cooks incorporates the Canyon Ranch philosophy of Nutritional Intelligence-considering nutrition while using common sense, listening to your body's needs, and enjoying the many delights of eating. From soups to desserts, Canyon Ranch Cooks will inspire people who like to cook and tantalize anyone who eats.
Customer Reviews:
Great gift for cooks!.......2007-05-30
"Canyon Ranch Cooks" offers tempting, delicious and healthful recipes tht anyone can make. The photographs and world-class quality of the book will make it a treasured addition to the library of friends and family alike.
Canyon Ranch Cooks: More Than 200 Delicious, Innovative Recipes from America's Leading Health Resort.......2007-05-12
I can only find ingredients for some of the recipes but they sound good.
New favorite cookbook!!!.......2007-04-25
I can't fully express how much I have enjoyed cooking from this book. I have always loved collecting cookbooks and making interesting recipes from them. However, January 1 I decided that I wanted to take charge of my lifestyle and eat more healthily. I was disapointed as I started to look at most healthy cookbooks available. They seemed like healthy retools of Betty Crocker favorites and often seemed to use a lot of very processed ingredients. Or they seemed very focused on the health aspect of food with little emphasis on taste.
What I love about this food is that it tastes amazing and oh by the way, happens to be healthy too. So far I have made three recipes and all have turned out great. I especially like the vanilla bean ice cream recipe as it is so easy to experiment with other flavors and tastes amazing. I don't miss full fat ice cream at all. The photography is also gorgeous. It makes me get very excited about what I am going to make. I also appreciate that there is a section on vegetarian meals because while I do eat fish, meat and poultry, I occasionally like to make something purely vegetarian and that section gives me some nice options.
Surprisingly Tasty.......2007-03-10
I was requested to cook from this cookbook and so I purchased it. I was really happily surprised by the sophisticated tastes of this healthy and mostly simple food. I am continuing to cook from it and am ready to try other Canyon Ranch books.
Great food, healthy too.......2006-11-10
I ordered this book site unseen after reading UltraMetabolism. This book is great for the average food lover, those with food intolerances and those who like to cook healthy. It has some staples such as salad dressings, to more inventive dishes that are still simple to prepare. Great all-around cookbook and I would recommend it to anyone.
Customer Reviews:
Mission Canyon.......2007-05-07
After all the hype from Stephen King about this author, I really was looking forward to reading this book which I paid dearly for. I was disappointed. Although it did hold my interest, it didn't strike me as one of the best mysteries I've ever read. Plus, I'm getting a bit tired of the constant tug-a-war between the heroine, Evan, and her wheelchair bound lover. Get married or move on...
Good, but..........2007-04-01
I have read three of Meg Gardiner's books now in the past three weeks, man oh man are we all just lemmings or what? A celebrity tells us something is great and we all jump off the cliff. I bought them all without even reading a word, pathetic! For the genre, ala female hero, mystery woman, this is good. The plot is feasible, the characters build with each passing book and they are generally fast reads. The only thing I would wish for is a bit of tightening from an editor on these. There are moments of mind wander because of what I would deem as "filler". With a good 50+ page trim the suspense would be more dramatic. I won't go into explaining plot, because the previous reviewers have done so. If you like the Alphabet mysteries, the culinery mysteries then this should be your cup o tea. Speaking of tea, when will the Brits get a US publisher to push Ms. Gardiner onto this side of the pond, so she can climb a few of the bestseller lists due to distribution and readily available titles in our stores? Oprah? Stephen King? Imus? What will we all read next or should I say, WHOM?
Evan Delaney helps Jesee Blackburn confront what happened in Mission Canyon.......2007-03-19
I was also directed by Stephen King to the Evan Delaney thrillers, although I did not get the word until his column in "Entertainment Weekly" extolled the novels of Meg Gardiner. It has been years since I had read a first rate thriller by Tom Clancy and the last time I took a recommendation from King, the Chief Mario Balzac crime novels of K.C. Constantine, that had worked out great so I decided to make the effort to track down Gardiner's novels. I knew that the books were not published in the United States, since that was a key part of King's encomium, and since it never dawned on me that there is another country in this hemisphere that publishers books in English, I did not stop, passed go, and went to Amazon on the Thames to get the first three paperbacks. They did not come in that order, because that would have made sense, but I held out and waited until I had "China Lake" so that I could start at the very beginning. I forced myself to read a couple of other books before I allowed myself the pleasure of devouring Gardiner's second effort, "Mission Canyon." It has been a long time since I had to stay up hours past my bedtime to get to the last page of a novel, but that is what happened with this one.
The titles of Gardiner's books (so far at least) are the names of places, and "Mission Canyon" is the place in the foothills of Santa Barbara where a satin-gray BMW left Evan's fiance Jesse Blackburn paralyzed and broken. It also killed his friend his friend Isaac Sandoval. Now it is three years later and while Evan is trying to help Jesse serve papers to Cal Diamond of Diamond Mindworks, a software company, when Jesse Brand spots Franklin Brand, the hit-and-run driver who ran him down. What would make a multi-millionaire who fled the country to avoid manslaughter charges come back to Santa Barbara? Jesse does not care, because all he and Isaac's brother Adam want is to see Brand pay for what he has done. But Evan knows that figuring out why Brand is back will make it easier to track him down and bring him to the authorities. What she does not expect is that every thing she finds out about Brand, Jesse and Isaac would make her rethink what happened that fateful day in Mission Canyon. Even if they get out of this one alive, Evan and Jesse's relationship could be over.
I do think that you can enjoy "Mission Canyon" without having read "China Lake," although obviously the first book is where Gardiner introduces her characters. There is really only one real reference to the previous novel and Gardiner does not provide any spoilers that would ruin the experience, but of course I would urge you to do the other one first. Either way I would be surprised at anybody who would not want to read another one of these, although I suppose such a thing is possible. There are two significant twists in this thriller, or rather I should say that there were two significant twists that I anticipated. This was not because Gardiner was telegraphing the twists, but instead that since this was my second Evan Delaney Thriller I had a good idea of how complicated she likes to make things and I kept taking each new disclosure with a grain of salt and challenge my basic assumptions. So actually the fact that I was not surprised was a good thing, because I was on the same wavelength as Gardiner, which would also be a good thing, especially when that covers before her caustic wit as well as her plot complexities. Now the only question is how long I can wait before I start doing her third novel, "Jericho Point." My best guess would be not long. After all, it promises: "Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll. And Murder."
It's always magic to discover a new author with a fabulous series!.......2007-01-01
I first heard about Meg Gardiner and her five "Evan Delaney" novels (China Lake, Mission Canyon, Jericho Point, Crosscut, and Kill Chain) almost three weeks ago when Stephen King wrote a rather long endorsement on his website about this fabulous crime-suspense author, who's an American, but lives in England and whose books are only published outside of the United States. Whew! That was a mouthful. King praised all of Gardiner's novels and was unable to understand why someone so talented isn't being read on a much larger basis. Because Meg Gardiner's books are not being published in the United States (King should talk to his American paperback publisher about this), it's a little more difficult to find her stuff without paying an arm and a leg for it. I was able to find two of her paperbacks on Amazon through the "used books" section. Not bad for a few minutes of work. The only catch is that I have to start with the second novel in the series, Mission Canyon, but beggars can't be choosers.
The plot of Mission Canyon revolves around a hit-and-run accident that happened three years before and involved Evan Delaney's fiancé, Jesse Blackburn, and his close friend, Isaac Sandoval. Both Jesse and Isaac were riding their bicycles through the hills of Santa Barbara and were struck from behind by a car that was supposedly driven by Franklin Brand, a VP at Mako Technologies, a corporation that deals with cyber security. Jesse was paralyzed below the waist and Isaac was killed. To avoid prosecution, Franklin Brand skipped the country and disappeared. Now, he's suddenly back in town, and Evan, Jesse, and Isaac's brother, Adam, want him arrested for vehicular manslaughter. If only life was so easy. As Evan and Jesse and Adam try to put Brand behind bars once and for all, they unexpectedly find themselves caught up in a labyrinth of deceit and lies that go far deeper than the car accident. There's something going on that not only involves Franklin Brand, but also Mako Technologies, the F.B.I., money laundering, cyber crime and extortion, a small ring of criminals from Los Angeles, and a pair of ex-contract assassins who used to work for the Central Intelligence Agency. Before Evan can even say, "Cousin Tater," people are going to be dropping like flies, and she's going to have a hard time keeping herself alive, not to mention Jesse and Adam. Justice will come at a heavy price!
I have to say that Mission Canyon is certainly one of the most complex novels that I've read in quite a while. It's necessary for the reader to pay attention to what's going on, or he may find himself lost and confused about who's doing what to whom. I won't say that a score card is needed, but it does come close when you consider how many different characters are involved in this story and how often their roles change throughout the novel. Almost no one can be trusted. Every character seems to be hiding something. Poor Evan Delaney finds herself caught in the middle, not knowing whom she can turn to. I only wish she carried a handgun. She comes so close to being killed a number of times that I found myself shouting out loud in my apartment. "Get a gun! Get a gun, damn it!" Now, since this is only the second book in the series, I hope this issue has been resolved. If you're going into dangerous territory, you'd better be packing some heat. I also want to add that the book is extremely fast paced. Gardiner knows exactly how to pace her novel so that the reader has to put off going to the bathroom in order to find out what happens next. I hated her for that! Though a great read, I still had a couple of problems with some of the scenes in the book. In one scene, though Evan understands that she's in danger, she still decides to baby sit her neighbor's child and almost gets herself and the kid killed. I think this was bad judgment on the main character's part. In another scene, though several people have already been murdered, Evan and her fiancé, Jesse, have an argument about a woman he had an affair with before she came into the picture. She already knew that he'd been involved with someone, just not who. To me this was wasted energy on Evan's part. If she's going to be tough, then she needs to start acting tough and not like a prima donna. My thought was that if you and Jesse get out of this alive, then you can rake him over the hot coals. Right now, both of you have more important things to worry about. As one character tells her, "You're not as tough as you think." All in all, a fabulous novel by a relatively unknown author, who just happens to look like her main character. I'm certainly looking forward to reading my next "Evan Delaney" novel and eventually the whole series. Come on, Steve, let's get moving with your publishers. That's the only way Meg Gardiner is going to become a household name here in the United States.
Book Description
Christy Canyon's flamboyant debut into the world of adult video in 1984 rocked the porn industry like never before. Selling millions of copies, her videos quickly established her as the world's leading porn star. Take a ride on the wild side with her in this new, explosive tell all autobiography. Loaded with juicy behind the scenes details, Canyon describes her adventures and misadventures with other porn stars such as Traci Lords, Ginger Lynn, Ron Jeremy and Peter North, just to name a few. She also blows the lid off of her encounters with mainstream celebrities.
Go behind the scenes in this explosive autobiography!!
Customer Reviews:
Geniunely Enjoyable.......2007-08-25
It is not difficult to understand why there are so many mixed reviews of Christy Canyon's autobiography. But the majority of the less-than-stellar reviews are made by readers who really missed the point of the book. These reviews are largely based on superficial shortcomings which include typos and the lack of titilating material. But we all know that including such content would be an easy way out for the author. This is the author's perspective of her own life in her own words. The typos come with the perk of reading Christy's work in her own words and this makes the content all the more geniune and substantive. If this book wasn't self-published then Christy wouldn't even have the option of choosing its title.
Naturally, an autobiography will be colored by the author's perspective on her own experiences. This is inevitable. But if you can identify with some of these experiences (I know there are many readers with dysfunctional families and bad relationships) you'll definitely find this book an enjoyable read.
Lights, Camera, Sex! by Christy Canyon .......2007-08-06
A very intertesting story into the darker side of life that a few people will every travel in their life time. Christy Canyon comes out the other side I think much better off in life.
Who'd behind the lace ?.......2007-06-30
I've never written a review for a book before in my life, and it'll no doubt show, but bear with me. I felt like this book was worth an attempt!
I didn't buy this book for the sex. A strange statement, perhaps, but it's true. I bought it because I love a good, interesting story. Often, books dealing with time in the adult industry make for uncomfortable reading. "Ordeal" by Linda Lovelace being one example. So I kind of began reading this with one eye shut and in a state of uneasiness. However, upon completing it 48 hours later, I'd have to say that this is not the book I expected it to be.
One of the effects of porn may be that it traps individuals in the roles they play. So that after the dvd or the vhs tape is ejected they remain forever in the memory wearing stockings and suspenders, insatiable (and unnaturally flexible!). It's often hard to think of those stars as people with family problems, having trouble finding stable relationships, who make these bold statements of sexual liberation and then have to deal with the social stigma that can accompany it when they go back to the world. But these are the things that are laid out in honest, forthright detail by Christy over the course of the book.
It strikes me as being two very distinct parts; "less control" and "more control". The first part deals with all the personal circumstances leading to Christy becoming involved in the adult film industry. It seems, to me anyway, that Christy still hadn't yet fully gained control of her life at this stage. She details her struggles to make ends meet, her extremely close relationship with her sister Clair, and her tentative steps into modeling which brought her, gradually, into adult movies. This is the half which details the drug problems, the difficulties in maintaining relationships with her family, and the often unsavory business practices of some photographers. Yet it's at this point, having been on the receiving end of an improper advance from a photographer called "Ed" that the "less control" portion of the book ends, with Christy screaming "IT'S MY JOB! IT'S NOT WHO I AM!". It's almost like a switch is flicked and that's the final act of Christy working "for" the porn industry to the road which would lead to Christy making the porn industry work for her.
There is then a gap between leaving the adult business, working in her fathers office, and then making a comeback but it's the style of the return that intrigued me. From the decision to see a counseller to address the issues in her life that troubled her, to the way that rather than being at the behest of an agency she walks into the offices of Vivid and lays out what she requires before she'll work for them. In an industry which is accused of dis-empowering women, it's great to see someone so in command of their own life this way.
In closing, I really enjoyed reading this book. I don't know Christy but through reading about her life, I feel like she's emerged from a potentially destructive business with a level head and only a few scars to show. I hope that's the case, because what she went through to get where she is a testament to her determination to succeed on her own terms. Whatever your views on porn, you have to admire her spirit. I look forward to the next chapter.
Nice rading.......2007-05-12
This is a nice written, entertaining book. I would like a bit more on the 80's porn subject and scene and a bit less on her troubled personal life and relationship with his father. But it is a nice purchase, and there aren't that many porn actress bios out there!
Great book ignoring typos and malapropisms.......2007-03-18
Christy's book is very good for a first time effort and if she had a professional editor, it would be great. What amazed me most about the book is that she is not afraid to make herself look bad, whether it's her being shallow or narcissistic. I look forward to more stories from Christy.
Book Description
One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aron Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought him home.
It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mountaineer and outdoorsman, a walk into the remote Blue John Canyon was a chance to get a break from a winter of solo climbing Colorado's highest and toughest peaks. He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him.
It was 2:41 P.M. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.
And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an 800-pound boulder 100 feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.
What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. (For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.) The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place -- a brilliantly written, funny, honest, inspiring, and downright astonishing report from the line where death meets life -- will surely take its place in the annals of classic adventure stories.
Download Description
"One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aron Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought him home. It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mountaineer and outdoorsman, a walk into the remote Blue John Canyon was a chance to get a break from a winter of solo climbing Colorado's highest and toughest peaks. He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him. It was 2:41 P.M. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall. And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an 800-pound boulder 100 feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that. What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. (For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.) The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself. Between a Rock and a Hard Place -- a brilliantly written, funny, honest, inspiring, and downright astonishing report from the line where death meets life -- will surely take its place in the annals of classic adventure stories. "
Customer Reviews:
Digressions Reveal Character.......2007-10-10
While many reviewers are frustrated with the many digressions throughout Aron's work, his discourse on past adventures and history reveal an unsettling mass of information about Aron's character: Aron lacks remorse and takes pride in his recklessness as an adventurer, without respect and humility for the wilderness around him.
Adventurers should have a healthy level of respect for mother nature. The situations in which we willingly place ourselves can be termed by outsiders to be reckless; however, for most adventurers, that is not the case. We go into the situations knowing full well the risks and uncertainty and make prudent decisions.
Aron exhibits none of these characteristics and as he reflects on his past adventures through the book, he notes how this disposition greatly increases the risk to him and those around him. In one story in particular, Aron points out that his disregard for volatile situations nearly cost the lives of those with him and subsequently cost him the relationships he had with them. And most dissappointing about it is that he shows no remorse for that choice.
The book was interesting to read, but I can't tell you how many times it raised my blood pressure. What Aron did by cutting off his arm was astonishing; more astonishing is the fact that it doesn't seem to have matured him in the least.
I have mixed feelings on this one.......2007-09-15
Aron is either very brave or irresponsible, possibly a little of both.
I give this man points for bravery and his thirst for the outdoors, but I found myself shaking my head and rolling my eyes about the things he did.
The book starts out with him stuck in the rock quite early in the book, but after the 2nd or 3rd chapter, he alternates every other chapter to his Present Stuck situation and his stories of hiking around the great outdoors.
I found myself needing to get to the end of the book so i can read about him hacking his right arm off, so the book had me wanting to keep reading. For that it was a good read.
Lessons of Aron: Don't "SHOO" off a bear, don't bring your friends skiing into a Potential Avalanche zone, and never go hiking with out telling friends and family where you are or leaving a map or note at your bike or truck so they can find you.
Oh, I almost forgot, you can drink your own urine for up to 3 days in the wild apparently...haha
I recommend this book, but barely.
Somewhat Boring .......2007-08-31
Throughout the writing, Aron Ralston constantly strays from the actual plot. The book has constant flashbacks to his past adventures become monotonous after the first few chapters. The main storyline of is entrapment was very interesting. The fact that he was able to survive for so long in the Moab desert is nothing short of a miracle. All in all I enjoyed the book, despite some boring chapters that strayed from the point.
Wasted Opportunity.......2007-07-12
The story seems compelling: an unfortunate hiker has his arm pinned by a boulder and must cut off his own arm to rescue himself. It is a terrible thing for anybody to lose part of a limb (indeed, ask any of the many Iraq War casualties), and we like to look for some positive outcome from such a loss. I read this book because I was curious what changes such an experience would cause in one's approach to life. I was left disappointed and angry.
Aron Ralston survived what should have been a life-changing experience, yet came away from it the same arrogant, self-centered boy as before. The reader hopes and prays that the tiresome egotism of the early chapters is simply a literary device, designed to set the stage for Ralston's transformation. Instead, the egotism remains the constant in his life, both before and after his accident.
Although Ralston claims to have had a revelation while pinned behind a boulder -- finally understanding it is not what you have done, but how you have lived -- this revelation is discarded the moment he survives. Once healthy again, Ralston returns to stupid, dangerous activities (e.g., solo winter ascents) with no consideration for those he loves. He has learned nothing. He was given the opportunity to make a major change in his life. He ignored the chance to mature and act responsibly, and returned to reckless behavior that only puts his family and friends at risk of heart ache.
Ralston begins his story by documenting his many stupid mistakes that almost cost him his life. He makes winter ascents of Colorado peaks without spare outer gloves. He pushes himself to the point of hallucinating, putting himself and his partner at risk. He goes solo canyoneering and mountain biking without a first aid kit. He ignores advice of a park ranger and goes hiking in inappropropriate snow conditions, and almost is attacked by a bear. He puts himself and friends at risk skiing in areas with a high risk of avalanche. Despite his supposed training in search and rescue, his ignores the first rule (always let somebody know where you are going and when you should be back). Yet, Ralston seems baffled when his mother doesn't want to hear the details of his latest in a long series of scrapes with death. Perhaps she cares about him. Perhaps she wonders why he insists on always doing things the dangerous way. Perhaps she wonders how he can do these things to her.
There are many ways to immerse one self in the great outdoors, and there are many ways to test one self. Many a young person has thought that placing themselves in life-threatening situations is the ultimate test. Luckily, most of us outgrow this stage. We start to recognize the value of life. We start to recognize the devastation that our deaths would have on our family and friends. We mature.
There are many, many skilled mountaineers in Colorado. Many have the requisite skills to complete solo winter ascents, but most forego the activity because it is stupid. There are too many variables, and the odds of dying are too high. Ralston fancies himself a Super Man because he is dumb enough to go on winter solo ascents. Despite repeated narrow escapes, it never occurs to Ralston that he is being cavalier with his life, the lives of his friends, and the emotions of his family and friends.
The baffling thing about Ralston's history is that he never matured. He had plenty of occasions for reflection, and he had friends endeavoring to change his perspective. Yet, he continued on his own little self-centered journey. He wanted to be bigger than life, no matter what the cost.
Indeed, the bizarre thoroughness of his photo-documentation of his struggle attests to his dreams of grandeur. If he lived, he was going to be famous. If he died, he was going to be a legend. Ralston would have us believe that he was fighting for his life on the hike out, yet he never even considered leaving behind his video camera and digital still camera.
At some point in Ralston's effort to show that he was the prime mover in the many good times with his friends, he recounts making fun of 1980s music. I found this ironic, in that Ralston is the embodiment of the 1980s Me Generation. It is all about Aron, without any consideration for anybody else.
Do not buy this book. To do so is to encourage a reprehensible approach to life. To do so is to reward a selfish little child. To do so is to buy into a false hero. To do so is to support the extreme of self-centeredness. To do so is to cast a foreseeable event (based on poor preparation and a belief of invincibility) as an unavoidable accident. Do not buy this book.
Mr. Ralston was given an opportunity to see the light and to mature, but squandered that chance in exchange for celebrity. If he continues with his solo winter climbing, I fear that he will eventually pay the ultimate price for his contorted self-image and lack of judgment.
Boring and pretentious.......2007-07-06
I first saw this on Dateline or 20/20, and thought what a wonderful story, that the book must be better and give us better details. Well, TV was apparently a better medium for this story, because they could edit out his pretentiousness and direct his story to more of what actually happened, rather than a stage for him to tell the world how great he is.
And even after having to drink his own piss and cutting off his arm with a pocket knife, he still hasn't learned a single lesson.
Average customer rating:
- Well done
- Mixed results for an unevenly written book.
- It's the 60's Again
- Better than "White Bicycles"
- Interesting look at L.A. and Hollywood in the 1960's - 1980
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Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood
Michael Walker
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Similar Items:
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Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies
ASIN: 0571211496
Release Date: 2006-05-16 |
Book Description
In the late sixties and early seventies, an impromptu collection of musicians colonized a eucalyptus-scented canyon deep in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles and melded folk, rock, and savvy American pop into a sound that conquered the world as thoroughly as the songs of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones had before them. Thirty years later, the music made in Laurel Canyon continues to pour from radios, iPods, and concert stages around the world. During the canyon’s golden era, the musicians who lived and worked there scored dozens of landmark hits, from "California Dreamin’" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to "It’s Too Late," selling tens of millions of records and resetting the thermostat of pop culture.
In Laurel Canyon, veteran journalist Michael Walker tells the inside story of this unprecedented gathering of some of the baby boom’s leading musical lights—including Joni Mitchell; Jim Morrison; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; John Mayall; the Mamas and the Papas; Carole King; the Eagles; and Frank Zappa, to name just a few—who turned Los Angeles into the music capital of the world and forever changed the way popular music is recorded, marketed, and consumed.
Customer Reviews:
Well done.......2007-10-10
This is a good choice for anyone interested in the history of 1960's rock music.
Mixed results for an unevenly written book........2007-09-11
In the summer of 1972 forces that had been building for decades coalesced to give us the opening strains of the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and Country-Rock went from being a musical undercurrent to being a pop phenomena that affected music, fashion and the culture of young adults for the rest of the '70s. Strangely, in the early '80s this musical phenomena vanished much more quickly than it had appeared leaving little to mark its passing until the Eagles reunion in 1994. Now, over 30 years later there are any number of books telling the story of how Folk, Country, Rock and (to some extent) Blues all came together in LA's Laurel Canyon to make LA the musical promised land which bred this phenomena. Likewise, these books explain how it all collapsed into a heap as cocaine inflated egos clashed and creativity was overtaken by monetary concerns and other realities.
Of the books I've read on the subject of the LA music scene in the '60s and '70s this one perhaps best explains the poisonous effects of cocaine and other vices on the whole scene yet he seems to resist the conclusion that the absolute freedom of the times opened the door to its eventual demise. Michael Walker refers to the culture of the '50s as if it were a nasty communicable disease and he seems genuinely surprised that the free spirits of Laurel Canyon weren't able to change the world to their liking and eventually they too had to conform to reality just as their forebears did.
This brings me to my greatest problem with this book, it seems to be written from the viewpoint of someone who wishes he was there and feels as if he missed out. While he is honest in pointing out that drug-related crime and prostitution surfaced in spite of the tidal wave of idealism that existed at that time he seems to write from a viewpoint of wistful nostalgia for something he never actually was a part of. He seems to believe in the fantasy even though he is chronicling its failure. Accounting for the fact that the author is a Chicagoan that relocated to Laurel Canyon helps to explain this; at least to me. The author (and this book) seem divided; one foot rooted in the past "glories" of the era he writes about while the other foot cautiously treads the reality of the present. It's as if part of the author is wishing that some of the old crew would show up in his yard and start partying while the other half of him would call the police in a heartbeat if they did.
I wouldn't warn anyone off of buying this book, it is in fact very informative, but it is nonetheless uneven. It is a book I would recommend to a true afficinado of the subject but not as a sole purchase if you want to read about Country-Rock. A few other books you might enjoy are: Desperados: The Roots of Country Rock, Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles, and Their Many Friends and To The Limit: The Untold Story Of The Eagles.
It's the 60's Again.......2007-09-06
The 1960's music scene in Los Angeles comes vividly alive in this account of the rock world that thrived in Laurel Canyon. This is a must-read for anyone (like me) who grew up listening to CSN&Y, Frank Zappa, the Mamas and the Papas, Joni Mitchell and others. It's amazing to think that all this talent and more converged in one place at one special time. Michael Walker provides a thorough accounting of the birth and death of Laurel Canyon as a rock colony in a captivating and insightful way. You can almost smell the marijuana wafting from the book! These truly were the good old days, probably never to be seen again. A great read!
Better than "White Bicycles".......2007-08-22
Put on your wire-rimmed granny glasses when reading "Laurel Canyon", an affectionate and breezy evocation of the area that virtually birthed the "laid back" California musical sounds of the 60's and 70's.
Author Michael Walker painstakingly constructs a portrait of this sequestered piece of real estate, with its narrow, winding roads, quaint bungalows, and eucalyptus trees. It came to serve as a refuge, salon, and social laboratory for the Western fringe of the Woodstock generation.
A whole rogues' gallery of rock stars, groupies, club owners and passers-thru is recreated, to accurately reflect the milieu of people that interacted, "back in the day." You'll get a ringside seat at Frank Zappa's audition of Alice Cooper, see David Crosby careening down the road, cape flying, on his motorcycle, and find Arthur Lee of "Love" tripping on a hill top.
It's heady stuff. And don't believe the snide comment about "a magazine piece" from Publishers Weekly. Yes, there may be a resemblance to the kind of recreations of times and places that "Vanity Fair" publishes... but I view that as a GOOD thing. The writing in "Laurel Canyon" is crisp--it's juicy and it flows. It has flair, it's not prosaic, and that's what you want in a book about places where great music originated. Grab a glass of vintage wine and enjoy.
***Recommended cds to accompany reading:
"Ladies of the Canyon", Joni Mitchell
"Deja Vu", Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
"Blues From Laurel Canyon", John Mayall
"Forever Changes", Love
"Permanent Damage", the GTOs
"Jackson Browne" ("Saturate Before Using"), Jackson Browne
Interesting look at L.A. and Hollywood in the 1960's - 1980.......2007-08-12
Laurel Canyon is a good two sitting read that offers the reader an insightful perspective into the world of West Hollywood and LA over a roughly 20 year period. The writing style seemed odd at times, but overall not a great obstacle. For some reason Walker finds it necessary to elevate the importance of the LA music scene and culture while purposely downplaying or omission of the San Francisco Bay Area's colossal influence on 1960's musical and cultural significance with such bands as The Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Country Joe and The Fish, Sly and The Family Stone, Blue Cheer, Quicksilver Messenger Service etc.). Walker seems to consider "L.A Citizen" Janis Joplin more of a fixture of LA than San Francisco despite Janis' extended stay and musical development with Big Brother and The Holding Company and shacking up with the Grateful Dead in the Haight. The music scene and draw to LA/Hollywood was largely reciprocal to the movie industry presence there where as the cultural development in San Francisco in the 1960 was he next phase of the 1940-50's Jazz and Beat movements - think Kerouac. From the famous Psychedelic light shows (Glenn McKay and The Brotherhood of Art at the Fillmore and Winterand (The Last Waltz) Cow Palace (Rust Never Sleeps movie), Candlestick Park (Last Beatles Concert) to the 1960's rock art; Stanley Mouse, Robert Crumb (keep on truckin'), Golden Gate Park (first love-ins), Electric Kool-Aid acid test, Purple Haze (Stanley Owsley (bear)) etc.. All roads lead to San Francisco in the 1960's ..
Book Description
Hike the multitude of varied and awesome paths of the Grand Canyon, sip a margarita poolside at a spa resort, cheer for the cowboy or the bull (your choice) at a rodeo, buy authentic Native American jewelry, or simply enjoy the clear night sky against the desert–Fodor's Arizona & the Grand Canyon 2007 offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.
The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best –"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."
- We frequently update our Arizona and Grand Canyon guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area at Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor's guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best–so you know you're seeing the real Arizona.
- Book includes full-color, pullout map of Arizona and Phoenix & the Grand Canyon.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.
Customer Reviews:
Good Guide.......2007-08-15
First of all, the guide is design for people who want to travel across the Arizona. Only 55 out of 463 pages was dedicated to the Grand Canyon, which was my main destination. However, I found the GC chapter very helpful with planning my stay. It describes everything you need to know without unnecessary dragging. It covers not only important topics such a accommodation and restaurants but also helps you to get the most out of your stay depending on how many days you have. It briefly describes the hiking trails on all three rims and gives a very good tourist related tips. The book doesn't mention the glass platform over the Canyon on West Rim called Skywalk, probably because the opening of the platform took place in March this year. To sum up, buying the Fodors Guide was a good choice.
Product Description
New 2nd Edition printed April, 2007. Improved shaded relief gives a beautiful, detailed & stunning view of the canyon. Mileage info added to all trail junctions, plus cummulative mileage for select segments. Trail profile graphs added. Thoroughly reviewed by Park rangers. Detailed topographic & trail map of 308,000 acres in central Grand Canyon. 1:40,000 scale covers 8 USGS quads. 295 miles of trails shown with trail ratings, descriptions & statistics. Most complete & accurate map of the area. Includes contours, shaded relief, UTM grid, hydrography with springs & drinking water, backcountry use zones for permit planning, and other trip information. Printed on waterproof, tear-tough paper. This map covers the huge core of Grand Canyon National Park. This is the area where 99% of visitors travel and where 90% of backcountry trips take place, and where most trails and reliable water sources are. Hope you like the new edition!
Customer Reviews:
A Great Trail Map of the Grand Canyon.......2007-07-29
I like this trail map. It's much better than National Geographic Road Guide to Grand Canyon National Park (NG Road Guides). This map is easier to read. There is a wealth of information on this map; it's almost a mini-guidebook.
What I like the best about the cartography it Kent Schulte's approach to 3D topo maps. Instead toe usual approach of using shading to light and shadow as if the sun were shining obliquely across the landscape, in this map they use shading to indicate elevation. In terrain as rugged as the Grand Canyon, this approach works better.
a great hiking map.......2007-06-10
This turned out to be a very useful map for planning our trip. I couldn't have asked for anything better, and so colorful and durable too.
Best map available.......2007-05-14
This map is a great guide for hiking on the primitive trails or routes. The only problem I found with it is that it shows 6.0 miles from the North Rim to Cottonwood via the Old Bright Angel route, but it is actually 9 miles.
Very Detailed Map.......2007-04-06
This map has about every feature a map could have; well... everything I could ask for. It covers everything from trail mileage between landmarks, trail difficulty, springs, backcountry use areas, plus all of the usual thing on a map. This map along with a detailed guide book, you could plan any kind of trip you want in the Grand Canyon.
I'm backpacking in the Grand Canyon for 4 days this summer and this map is all I'm going to carry with me; I'm leaving my book at home because I won't need it. I've done a lot of backpacking and this is one of the nicest maps I have.
The best Grand Canyon topo map available.......2007-03-27
In the interest of full disclosure, I'll start by saying that I sell this map. The reason I sell it, though, is because of its high quality. I searched for the best GC trail map to put on my web site and this is the one I came up with. I was expecting National Geographics Trails Illustrated map to be the best (typically their maps are superb) but their GC map is really lacking.
Kent Schulte's map is easy to read, lists mileage distances on the more commmonly used trails and lists other important information such as perennial water sources, contact information for obtaining a backcountry permit, etc.
Book Description
Thoroughly updated and revised, this guide covers fifty-six hikes in the two featured parks as well as the surrounding areas--Cedar Breaks National Monument, the Markagunt high country, and the Paunsaugunt area.
Customer Reviews:
Had it's points.......2007-06-08
The book was chock full of great ideas and valuable information. It list every conceivable day trip/hike that you could take. There is one negative to the book and that is that the cover leads you to beleve that it will be full of colored photos and it does not. Sure there are photos to peruse, but they are all in B/W. This was dissappointing. But, this travel guide is indeed full of helpful advice to aide a first time visitor.
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