This new colorful book provides everything an owner needs to know about the Newfoundland and its ancestry, character and standard, as well as puppy selection, feeding, grooming, basic obedience and housebreaking. The author also discusses various activities in which the Newfoundland excels, including water tests, agility trials and dog shows. Illustrated with over 135 color photographs, this comprehensive owner's guide will be relied upon consistently for its coverage of health concerns, allergies, parasite control, senior-dog care and more!
A vigorous, darkly comic, and at times magical portrait of the contemporary North American family, The Shipping News shows why Annie Proulx is recognized as one of the most gifted and original writers in America today.
. This book will show you the ups and downs, the laughter and tears, and frighteningly, how much smarter they are than us!
Read this book to understand you are getting so much more than a "dog". You are getting a human in a dog suit, in other words a Newfoundland!
A Must Have Book for all Newfie Lovers and Wanna Be's.......2002-04-06
This book shows the true sides - all the wonderful traits that we grow to love. Including the stuff only a Newfie "parent" can appreciate!
Of course, with 4 of the stories being about my "grandpuppies", I had to have it on my bookshelf!
Calling all dog lovers!.......2002-04-03
This is a must have for any owner or wanna-be owner of a Newf (or any dog for that matter)! Through the eyes of many different people you can pull together a true picture of what life with a Newfie can be, from the good to the sad to the ridiculous. The varying perspectives come together to show what wonderful, loyal, loving furballs these `Gentle Giants' are and how much they can add to your life. In addition, 90% of the profits made on this book are going to the Newfoundland Health Challenge for scientific research to benefit this beautiful breed. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll want to hug a Newfie! Congratulations and thank you Pat for putting it all together :)
This book is good for you and for our Newfie friends.......2002-03-14
While readers of this book will enjoy the benefits of generous doses of laughter (and sometimes tears), Newfoundland dogs everywhere will benefit from the purchase of "Ninety-Nine Newfies." The author, Pat Seawell, is generously donating 90% of the book's profits to the Newfoundland Health Challenge, a trust run by the Newfoundland Club of America, which funds scientific research into Newfie health problems. So buy the book to bring joy to yourself and to bring improved health to our Newfoundland friends.
Amazon.com
The events of September 11 have seemingly been covered, analyzed, and discussed from every angle imaginable. So the subject matter alone of Jim DeFede's The Day the World Came to Town makes it noteworthy. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 38 commercial airliners carrying over 6,000 passengers were forced, as a precautionary measure, to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. Due to the ongoing closure of U.S. airspace, the passengers spent four days in this isolated town of 10,000 before being allowed to continue on their way. In that time, Gander's residents rallied together to extend a kind of hospitality that seems too expansive for the word hospitality. Townspeople not only opened schools and legion halls for use as emergency shelters, they invited the passengers into their homes for showers, meals, and warm beds while local businesses simply gave toiletries and clothing to passengers stuck without luggage. Despite the grim consequences that led to the situation, DeFede finds humor: two flight attendants are offered a car for sightseeing by a local woman who happened to be driving by; the stranded chairman of Hugo Boss finds himself shopping for men's underwear at the local Wal-Mart. But the real message of the book is how, even in times of great turmoil and conflict, people can and must look to one another for comfort, help, and hope. --John Moe
Book Description
"For the better part of a week, nearly every man, woman, and child in Gander and the surrounding smaller towns stopped what they were doing so they could help. They placed their lives on hold for a group of strangers and asked for nothing in return. They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to doubt such humanity still existed."
When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001, due to the closing of United States airspace, the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers.
Roxanne and Clarke Loper were excited to be on their way home from a lengthy and exhausting trip to Kazakhstan, where they had adopted a daughter, when their plane suddenly changed course and they found themselves in Newfoundland. Hannah and Dennis O'Rourke, who had been on vacation in Ireland, were forced to receive updates by telephone on the search for their son Kevin, who was among the firefighters missing at the World Trade Center. George Vitale, a New York state trooper and head of the governor's security detail in New York City who was returning from a trip to Dublin, struggled to locate his sister Patty, who worked in the Twin Towers. A family of Russian immigrants, on their way to the Seattle area to begin a new life, dealt with the uncertainty of conditions in their future home.
The people of Gander were asked to aid and care for these distraught travelers, as well as for thousands more, and their response was truly extraordinary. Oz Fudge, the town constable, searched all over Gander for a flight-crew member so that he could give her a hug as a favor to her sister, a fellow law enforcement officer who managed to reach him by phone. Eithne Smith, an elementary-school teacher, helped the passengers staying at her school put together letters to family members all over the world, which she then faxed. Bonnie Harris, Vi Tucker, and Linda Humby, members of a local animal protection agency, crawled into the jets' cargo holds to feed and care for all of the animals on the flights. Hundreds of people put their names on a list to take passengers into their homes and give them a chance to get cleaned up and relax.
The Day the World Came to Town is a positively heartwarming account of the citizens of Gander and its surrounding communities and the unexpected guests who were welcomed with exemplary kindness.
Customer Reviews:
Great quick read.......2007-07-12
It was great to read a book about 9/11 that had a positive spin. The description of the town and characters makes me want to visit Gander Newfoundland someday.
How a town came to t he rescue of stranded passengers and crew.......2007-05-13
This is an absolutely fascinating true story of how the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, rallied around when many aircraft were diverted there on 9/11 when US airspace was closed. How the town coped with more planes and people than it had ever seen before at once is a legendary story of human kindness and support for others. Very hard to put down once started. Will bring tears (mainly of joy) to many eyes.
A Story About the Truest and Kindest People on Earth.......2006-09-29
My son and daughter-in-law were part of the mass of passengers stranded in Newfoundland after 9-11 and I will always be grateful to the Newfies for the loving way that they cared for them. I am also grateful to Jim Defede for writing this book to thank them for all of us.
This book clearly shows how people the world over should be living their lives. Thank you Newfies.
Interesting Subject but Poorly Written.......2006-09-11
I found this book to be extremely interesting. It tells of a true story unknown to many. However, while the subject was excellent, the quality of the writing was poor. I would not conider this book a final product. It is similar to a draft, with words spelled incorrectly and improper grammar. The publishers should be ashamed for printing such a poor quality manuscript that had not been proof read.
The Best of Human Nature.......2006-05-19
If you ever wanted to read a book that took the best part of human nature, you've found it. The people behind 9/11 were expecting the worst of humanity to come about, instead the result was the best humanity. The people of Gander captured my heart and I would love to meet those wonderful people who took strangers in from around the world. This book will move you to tears and astound you in ways you never thought possible. The spirit of kindness is alive and well in Gander, Newfoundland. I love the United States, but we could learn a thing or two from these wonderful in what to do in the event of a tragedy.
Amazon.com
Though judging a book by its cover is ill-advised, assessing The Bird Artist by its first paragraph is a safe bet. Howard Norman's second novel lives up to all expectations promised by the kind of beginning that makes a reader beg for more and then panic that the rest will not be as good: "My name is Fabian Vas. I live in Witless Bay, Newfoundland. You would not have heard of me." "Obscurity is not necessarily failure, though; I am a bird artist, and have more or less made a living at it. Yet I murdered the lighthouse keeper, Botho August, and that is an equal part of how I think of myself."
There are echoes of Vladimir Nabokov's infamous narrator, Humbert Humbert, in Fabian's confessional tone, witty humor, and emotional detachment from the series of bizarre events he describes. Set at the turn of the century in a remote cod-fishing community, The Bird Artist is a love story of sorts, filled with curious characters and a chowder restaurant. The men wear "knitted underwear all year round lined with fleece calico" and periodically escape the island to pursue their livelihoods on the sea. But the women are land bound. Helen Twombly suspects fellow villagers of stealing her milk bottles. Alaric Vas suffers from arthritis that no liniment relieves and plots her son's arranged marriage with a fourth cousin in Richibucto, New Brunswick. Meanwhile, Fabian's childhood love, Margaret Handle, propels herself and the plot forward with unwieldy energy. How did things for a mild-mannered man who just likes "to wake up early, wash my face, and get out and draw birds" go so wrong?
Norman, a folklorist and naturalist, presents us with the possible explanations in the form of fine details from an island life he researched while living in a remote Inuit whale-hunting community. He carefully examines the inner isolation of his characters. The severe landscape and the weather serve as the perfect metaphor. If you're looking for linguistic pyrotechnics, Norman's economy won't suit you. In The Bird Artist--a finalist for the 1994 National Book Award--there is as much to admire on the page as what's not. --Cristina Del Sesto
Book Description
ABOUTBOOK: My name is Fabian Vas. I live in Witless Bay, Newfoundland. You would not have beard of me. Obscurity is not necessarily failure, though; I am a bird artist, and have more or less made a living at it. Yet I murdered the lighthouse keeper, Botho August, and that is an equal part of how I think of myself." With its first paragraph, The Bird Artist announces its central themes. Set in a tiny coastal town, The Bird Artist addresses universal concerns: the safety of the known versus the attraction of the unknown, the redemptive potential of creative expression, and the transfiguring -- perhaps damaging -- power of the human heart. In developing these themes, Norman's prose reflects the unique landscape of Witless Bay: spare and beautiful, with stark emotion jutting out like cliffs above the sea. This guide was designed to illuminate your exploration of Norman's landscape, and we hope that it allows you to venture out into further discussion and study of this remarkable novel. DISCUSSIONQUES: QToward the end of The Bird Artist Fabian paints a mural on the church wall depicting not only the physical aspects of Witless Bay, but also representations of its residents and recent events. How is Fabian's narration of his story similar to the mural he paints? QHoward Norman spent time in an Inuit whale-hunting community in Greenland. The Bird Artist opens with the following epigraph: "Suddenly, with extreme violence, he felt himself seized by the desire to be, rain or no rain, at any price, in the midst of the valleys: alone" (Giorgio Bassani, The Heron). What role does the theme of isolation, both geographic and emotional, play in Norman's novel? QHoward Norman has said that he originally wrote The Bird Artist because of Margaret Handle -- that "she puppeteers many things in the book." He also "tried to develop landscape as a character." What do Margaret and the landscape of Witless Bay have in common, and how do they shape and affect the book's events? QThe final chapter of The Bird Artist comments on the etiquette of correspondence: "A man sends a letter, a man expects a reply." This chapter also contains a lengthy letter from Orkney to Fabian. What role do letters, and mail, play in the book? Which characters write letters, and which do not? What purpose (purposes) does writing play in this narrative? QOn page 163, Margaret remembers a song her mother sang: "There's no love/true as the love/that dies untold," and tells Fabian that "It means, once a third person -- outside the couple in love -- knows a bout the love, it's diminished somehow." How does her interpretation relate to the novel's events? Could the song have a different meaning? QSome critics found mythic qualities in The Bird Artist. If a myth is "traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon," what does Fabian's story explain or unfold? How does it pertain to the world beyond Witless Bay? QAt his trial, Fabian recalls, "I saw Bevel Cabot, Miriam Auster, Giles La Cotte, Ruth Henley, Olive Perrault. Toward the back were Elmer Wyatt, Peter Kieley, Patrick Flood holding his son Colin, Seamus Doyle." How does the community play a role in Fabian's crime and punishment? Although we never "meet" these characters, what is their significance here? What other writers have used a similar device to convey a group's identity and role? QIn saving Alaric's life, Enoch warns her against straying too far away from her known village. And yet, the novel also presents the unknown, Halifax, for example, as an exciting place of opportunity. Which view does the book, as a whole, support? Safety or limitlessness? The comfort of the familiar lighthouse or the opportunity of the vast ocean? QNorman's protagonists, at various points in the book, commit murder and adultery, lie and steal. Does The Bird Artist condone, or even admire, such behavior? What stance does the novel take on religion and the church? Is there religious imagery in Fabian's mural? In the text as a whole? QThe narrator, Fabian Vas, introduces himself immediately as a bird artist. What is the role of the artist in this book? How dose it relate to Fabian's position as narrator, or storyteller? AUTHORBIO: Howard Norman grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from Western Michigan University, he moved to Canada to work as a writer and researcher, with a special interest in the country's indigenous Indian tribes. He is familiar with several Inuit and Algonquin dialects, and his published translations of northern folklore include Where the Chill Came From, How the Glooskap Outwits the Ice Giants (a children's book), and an anthology, Northern Tales, which he selected and edited. In 1977, Norman first encountered the eastern seaboard of Newfoundland, and learned of a local artist who, at the turn of the century, had committed a murder. Armed with a time, a place, and an event, Norman pent the years that followed thinking about the story that would become The Bird Artist. In the meantime, he wrote his first novel, The Northern Lights, which was nominated for the 1987 National Book Award, and a collection of short stories, Kiss in the Hotel Joseph Conrad.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read.......2007-06-19
All I can say is that "I LOVED this book!" If I, as a writer, can hold the reader as captive in my stories as I was held by The Bird Artist, I will be a truly happy author indeed.
engrossing good read.......2007-03-21
This was my second reading of this book and I believe I may have enjoyed it twice as much the second go-round. The characters were so believable and interesting and the setting was quite visual, made more so by the descriptions of different birds. The first person narration was engaging. I mostly loved the complexity of the characters and their stories but the plot definitely pulled me along as well.
enjoyable, fast, fairly well written.......2005-12-27
a compelling story of an artist's life in a tiny Newfoundland town, around 1900. the bottom line: i couldn't put it down and read it straight through -pretty rare for me in recent years, Norman's foreshadowing and solid character development was enough to successfully create some anticipation and sucker me in. still, it's not a five-star book; the writing is a little uneven, with dialogue sparkling on some pages, not on others, little factoids of Newfoundland life sometimes seem pushed in, sometimes he loses momentum and i occasionally found myself just skimming through paragraphs. but certainly a fine enough book for a plane, vacation, quiet evening, etc. the mix of a long personal history and nice character interaction and development is reminiscent of another recent bestseller, `the kite runner', which is longer and denser, yet seemed executed at a slightly higher level all around - well worth a look if you enjoy `bird artist.'
The Bird Artist Soars.......2005-11-07
There is an elegant simplicity in Howard Norman's language. With the same reticence his characters possess, Norman creates a world -- stark, vivid, enduring and endearing. His characters are complex and human, but never "quirky" or sentimentally odd. They are real people who have earned their peculiar outlooks and responses. The Bird Artist is one of those books that leaves the reader with a debt of gratitude to the author.
Delightful and Humorous .......2005-03-26
I loved this novel, for its humor and its tight and straightforward narration of the plot. The writing is sparing, with only the most necessary details. To write so tightly, the author must have edited it carefully and it shows. Not a sentence is wasted.
You know this book was written `tongue in cheek' from the get-go, because it is set, in the first sentence of the book, in 1900, in a place called Witless Bay, the reverend keeps a talking parrot in a room behind the pulpit, and the parrot squawks during sermons. People's names are funny and the characters are distinct and memorable for their eccentricities.
I especially loved Margaret, who takes all maters of importance in her hand. She also drinks and has a prodigious sexual appetite. She is frequently `over- the-top', shooting bullets through a photograph of her boy-friend's "fiancé-to-be" or taking over his parents' bedroom. She is generally a lot of fun throughout the book.
Other characters are likewise full of vigor, delightful or strange, especially if you don't take them enormously seriously. The book reminded me slightly of Shipping News, which also takes place in New-Finland, though in a different era. It too is as endearing and touching and fun.
The Bird Artist is also an historical novel. I think that for an historical novel to grab you, it has to capture the pace of the era as well as the `spirit' of the people and their geography. The Bird Artist is successful on all accounts, side by side with its humorous identity. It takes you back to the days when light houses were often the only way for fishermen to get back to shore; when it took several days in a mail-boat to get to Halifax, when arranged marriages were not out of the question, and the pace of life allowed time to sit on your porch and paint, without the distractions of a radio or TV.
What a fine, gentle sea breeze this book is!
Book Description
Revised edition of a popular title. Includes: *The breed standard *Selection, care and grooming *Activities and competition to enjoy with your Newfoundland. From first puppy to final farewell, Riley provides a one-source handbook on the breed.
Customer Reviews:
Nice resoure.......2007-01-16
This book is a nice resource for Newfie owners, the only thing I was disappointed with is the lack of color pictures. It is all black and white. However, several times while reading about common traits, I thought to myself, "our Newfie does that!", so it is very accurate information, however nothing you couldn't find online if researching Newfoundlands.
No color.......2007-01-15
I did not realiz this book did not have any colored pictures. I don't recall reading anything telling me this book was not in color. All the picture inside were in black and white and that was disapointing. I took forever to get my books form Amazon. It took 4 weeks and I also order books from privat seller through Amazon which arived much sooner then the new ones form Amazon. Disapointing.....
Want to love a Newfy?.......2006-11-21
This is an excelent book about the breeds characteristics, specialy if like me, you are a first time newfoundland owner or if you are trying to know if a newfoundland is the best breed for you. It contains also information about newfis working abilities, if you like to know what this dogs are capable of doing and you are willing to make the best out of your dog. I highly recomend it for it's magnificent photographs: You'll get in love with this dogs!
Super knowledge base............2006-03-04
This book is not only a history but an encyclopedia of knowledge. Not only is this book for the prospective newf buyer but also for the owner/breeder who wants as much knowledge as they can learn about their breed. Great, great resource!!
The information provided ranges from puppyhood to adulthood.......2004-09-18
The Newfoundland dog breed is hallmarked not only by their large size, but with a gentle, sweet, fun disposition. The Newfoundland is a wonderful family pet and are willing workers and playful companions. In The Newfoundland: Gentle Giant, author JoAnn Riley draws upon her many years of experience and expertise with the breed to provide a superbly organized and presented guidebook to the selection, history, and descriptive standards of the Newfoundland. The information provided ranges from puppyhood to adulthood. Of special interest are the chapters devoted to grooming and enjoyable activities that Newfoundlands can engage in with their human companions. Other chapters are dedicated to the Newfoundland Club of America; breeding and whelping, and dealing with the inevitable loss of older Newfoundland "family members" when their time finally comes to a conclusion. The Newfoundland: Gentle Giant is confidently recommended to anyone contemplating having or who already enjoys the company of a Newfoundland.
Book Description
Newfoundland is one of the most intriguing places in North America, a land of breathtaking but cruel beauty, populated by some of the saltiest, oddest characters you’ll ever find. In Theatre of Fish, John Gimlette vividly describes the dense forests and forbidding coastlines and recounts the colorful and often tragic history of the region. He introduces us to the inhabitants, from the birds and moose to the descendants of the outlaws, deserters, and fishermen who settled this eastern edge of North America. Leavened with irreverence and affection, this is an irresistible portrait of life in extremis.
Customer Reviews:
Falling Out of Love.......2007-04-11
I wonder if Newfoundland or Labrador has a Tourist Board or some such. If so, I don't think you'll find this book among their recommendations. Time and again, Gimlette promises to treat the land and its denizens fairly. This, he does. Unfortunately, this retelling the story of the people and their history is gruesome, despairing, horrific and almost irremediably bleak. From expert methods of scalping (down to the lips) by the historical aborigines to death by silicosis and the epidemic of glue-sniffing youth in more contemporary times, Gimlette spares not a detail in depicting a place I, for one, do not EVER want to visit, any more than I would want to visit Central Europe during the Thirty Years War. I see that a fellow reviewer has already packed up his kit. I wonder how long he'll last.
I don't understand either why Gimlette's language has been dubbed "poetic". Perhaps these reviewers haven't read much poetry, but suffused with dark humour more aptly describes the writing. Visiting the outpost of Burgeo, Gimlette remarks, "I can think of no more perfect place to fall out of love." I can think of no more perfect book to make me stay away from Newfies and their land. Those of you who found this book somehow endearing must have turned the pages when the going got gruesome---about three/fourths of it. To Romanticize Newfoundland or Labrador is to Romanticize Hell on Earth.
I am reminded of what the poet John Masefield (a great adventurer in his youth) said about it in his later years, "Have you ever seen a lost dog turning one way and then another to avoid being killed by a motorcar in the middle of a busy street? That's adventure."
3 stars for the historical interest. Deo Laus, though, to be finished with this chronicle of rape, murder, suicide and chronic depression.
A most unusual travel book.......2006-06-02
John Gimlette is downright poetic as he describes the geographic, social and sad economic landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador. This prose poetry has a style, but I'm at a loss to say what that style could be called.
His ability to turn a phrase, though, is outdone by the Newfies and Labs themselves... "She'd an eye for my father... always put her tent up he did"... a boat ran into "dirty weather" (a hurricane) and "Got no eyes... got no teeth... but I still shoot". Once you get into it, you laugh out loud when Gimlette tells a local he's a lawyer. Without any of the modern sensibilities about this, the Newfie resonds, "So you're a li'ar, you say."
It's a harsh world he describes using information that I don't believe is available anywhere else. Besides quotes from his great great grandfather's journal, there are recounts of new stories and oral histories. One weakness is that not all sources are attributed in the text and there are no footnotes. He catalogs many horrible ways people have died of cold, hunger and dogs. He tells of famous people who came to this area, made history and left without a trace.
Gimlette describes the "Truck" system that ruled till the 1950s, the fish equivalent of sharecropping, that served to entrench poverty. (Some fisherman never used money in their lives.) With the end of fish in the 1990's, government assistance helped some and 50,000 others left.
I've been to the South Coast of Newfoundland, which he briefly describes in more positive terms than any other place in the book. Reading about this merely "Dickensian" area is somewhat like a relief after all the tragedy JG describes elsewhere on this rock. I stayed in a home much like he describes (clean... momentos... scant furnishings...no running water). The beauty of the landscape and the hospitality of the people left me totally unaware of the suffering all around. This book, is lovingly written and communicates the writer's affection for the area and his understanding of and empathy with its people.
If Gimlette decides to trace his great great grandfather's steps in China, I'll be very interested in that book.
A View Into a Forgotten Corner of The World.......2006-04-12
An interesting narrative of the author's travels through Newfoundland and Labrador- a little known corner of North America. An intriguing insight to the fall of a society when the natural resources - i.e., the Cod - disappeared.
"Piscium inexhaustia copia".......2006-01-17
"Fish without end" is Newfoundland and Labrador's social, economic and political burden. For something no longer there, the weight seems strangely ponderous. In this account of Canada's youngest Province [cliche for sale - cheap], barrister and travel writer John Gimlette takes us on an historical and sociological tour of the Newfoundland that was - and is. Although a Londoner, Gimlette has ties to "The Rock". His great-grandfather, Dr Eliot Curven, tended bodies and souls in the distant colony, and Wilfred Grenfell was headmaster of Gimlette's school. Grenfell's adventures in Newfoundland clearly helped inspire Gimlette's sprightly prose in relating his follow-along journey.
Gimlette understands the multicultural foundation of this location at "the Edge of the World" as many Canadians do not. He reminds us of the Basque, Portugese, and Spanish who preceded the first hesitant British probings along those shores. He reminds us that cod [the only fish under consideration here] could be taken up in baskets. Photographs in the book show these weren't "pan frys" but substantial animals. With fish so plentiful and the means to take them so restricted, it was natural that control of the industry would pass to a few. Gimlette describes the rise of the "Fishocracy" where a few merchants controlled the flow and price of fish. That control passed along to the entire social structure of the island. Even the "home" government in London had far less power than the merchants. There were the merchants and the fishermen - no "middle class" could arise and farming was next to impossible on the rocky barrens. And now the fish are gone.
Using his great-grandfather's journal, Gimlette tours The Rock [Newfoundland] and along the Labrador coast. His journey is spiced with historical accounts of the original settlers and their modern descendants. The stories aren't always happy reading. Poverty and struggle are a fundamental element in life here. If nothing else, the wind is able to toss houses and shift churches on their foundations. And in tightly packed communities of wooden dwellings, fire is an ever-present threat. St John's itself burned in the 19th Century alone. Grenfell arrived just after one of these conflagrations. In remote towns, dogs offer one threat while the polar bears provide another. Life here may be hard, but it shouldn't be boring. Yet that's exactly what led one of Gimlette's contacts into local politics.
Gimlette's narrative is a rollicking adventure of observation and commentary. He's hardly a "detached" journalist, as his account of Premier Joey Smallwood's career demonstrates. There are heroes, heroines and villains aplenty. Gimlette manages to understand a few of them, even though 66 dialects have been identified and to him, one man sounds as if he's "speaking Irish through shingle". Gimlette doesn't fall into the trap of simply cataloging local idiosyncracies, however. He's more interested in, and relates with fine prose skills, the lives and struggles of people living in a forbidding place. Ye'll never use the term 'Newfie' again, b'y. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Theatre of Fish: Travels Throufh New Zealand and Labrador.......2005-10-31
Author John Gimlette calls Newfoundland a "far-flung place." It's a place that has always fascinated him. And with good reason.
He has known since childhood that his greatgrandfather, Dr. Elliot Curwen, traveled throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in 1893 and kept a journal as a starting-off point for his own journey of a region that, by most accounts, can be considered one of the most eccentric places inthe world, certainly in North America.
Gimlette describes the provinces often-desolate landscape and it's colorful history. Most of all, he revels in the residents themselves, many of them descendants of rebels, deserters and fisherman ("fish-thieves and outlaws," he calls them)
They're a frothy cultural stew of Irish, Scots, English and Micmacs who speak their own distinctive language. (The Dictionary of Newfoundland English is a hefty 700 pages).
The crew from the movie The Shipping News gets some space (if stayed 8 weeks) as does Helge Ingstad, the Norwegian exployer behind L'Anse aux Meadows, a Norse archeological site.
Everybody here seems to agree that Newfoundland is special, but they are not sure why. Using their circular brand of Newfoundland logic, they surmise, "If we only knew why it was so special, it wouldn't be special."
Book Description
IT IS 1804--a historic year in America--the year that Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery set out for their now-legendary exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, departing St. Louis to travel across the country to the Pacific Ocean and back. In this fictionalized biography of the journey based upon the journals of Lewis, Clark, and other members of the team, an unheralded member of the Corps, Seaman, a 150-pound Newfoundland dog, is introduced to young historians. Seaman travels the long journey with the Corps, serving a key role in the expedition's success, catching and retrieving game, and protecting the expedition team from wild animals and hostile Indians. Come along with Lewis, Clark, the Corps of Discovery, and Seaman as they meet Sacagawea who joins the expedition; form friendships with several Indian tribes; survive near-death encounters; grizzly bear attacks; and buffalo bull stampedes through the camp; cross the Continental Divide; overcome the wounding of their seemingly fearless leader, Meriwether Lewis; rejoice as they return to civilization in 1806.
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous book for the young reader.......2007-10-10
This book is based in fact, and done so very well. I have given it only four stars as the majority of the story, such as the dialogues and day-to-day happenings, is fiction. The young reader, such as my son, may very well take that book as all fact.
The author has done a great job bringing the young reader into the adventures that Lewis and Clark experienced through the use of Seaman, the dog, Her use of historical reference such as the diaries kept my the Captains and other written accounts kept by the members of the Corps of Discovery reflect the importance and difficulties of the jouney. Seaman is the comic relief in the story and keeps the young reader interested and giggling. I learned a few things by reading this book myself.
As a mother and historian, I recommend this book highly for the young reader.
Teaching Through Reading.......2007-01-17
I bought this book for my 10 yr old daughter for Christmas, along with 2 others. We have a Newfoundland and I thought she would enjoy reading this. She started reading it Christmas Day, and finished it the same day. She would read passages from the book to me. She learned about Lewis and Clark in school, but this gave her a better understanding of their expedition. Perhaps her teacher should have used this book to make the learning process that much easier. My daughter loved it! Any book she reads in a day will be on her bookshelf forever, and will be read many times over. Who knew history could be so interesting to a 10 yr old?!
I would recommend this book to any parent of a child who loves to learn through reading. It's off the beaten path, but that is what makes it so interesting. The children don't need to know they are learning history. To them, they are reading a good book. The added bonus IS that they are learning.
The Adventure of the Century.......2006-12-11
Seaman is a dog who has never been to the sea. When his owner sells him to Lewis (as in Lewis and Clark) his sea life adventure begins. He has to overcome Indians, wolves, the long winter, bears, and a rampaging buffalo. To go along with their troubles they get stuck on the Rocky Mountains with Sacagawea, her little baby boy, and no food. But of course it might get better, but it always gets worse. One of their crew members gets sick and the captains don't know what to do, and if that isn't enough, Seaman gets captured by Indians. If you like a good adventure or you like to learn or you like both this story is a combination of the two. Hope you enjoy the book!
Seaman, Fearless explorer of the west.......2006-03-20
Seaman: The dog who explored the west with Lewis and Clark by Gail Langer Karwoski 179 pages
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery set out for their now-legendary exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, departing St. Louis to travel across the country to the Pacific Ocean and back. Seaman, a 150-pound Newfoundland dog, is introduced to young historians. Seaman travels the long journey with the Corps, serving a key role in the expedition's success, catching and retrieving game, and protecting the expedition team from wild animals and hostile Indians. Seaman and the Corps of Discovery are joined by an indian woman named Sacagawea who helped translate the other indian tribes languages into english. Seaman and The Corps of Discovery form friendships with several Indian tribes; survive near-death encounters; grizzly bear attacks; and buffalo bull stampedes through the camp; cross the Continental Divide; overcome the wounding of their seemingly fearless leader, Meriwether Lewis; rejoice as they return to civilization in 1806.
I really like this book because I learned alot more about their journey and perils they faced. The only part in this book I didn't like was that Seaman didn't stay with Meriwether Lewis in the end. I would really recommend this book because it was fun to read and kept you wondering what was going to happen next.
Seaman, a brave and loyal dog explorer, who left his big pawprint on the history of America!.......2006-03-15
Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark
by Gail Langer Karwoski 183 pages
The book Seaman started out with Merriwether Lewis buying the Newfoundland dog Seaman from a hunter. Lewis and Clark were getting their explorers ready to go explore the continent. All of the characters were real explorers who were in the Corps of Discovery. This book showed how brave Sacagawea really was. She never once panicked when the boat tipped over. She was calm and quiet. Seaman, one of the main characters, was a wonderful, intelligent animal. What I liked about this book was that I really enjoyed reading it. It made me understand the Lewis and Clark expedition a lot better, and I loved how they included Seaman along in their journey. Seaman was a really smart dog and he cheered the explorers up whenever they were sad and homesick. This book was also based on true events. What I didn't like about this book was how at the end, Seaman didn't stay with Merriwether Lewis. He stayed with John Colter and continued to explore the West. I wish I knew what happened to Seaman. All in all I loved this book! I would definently recommend this book. I can tell it is for younger readers, but I still thought it was a nice book. I think that any animal and history fans will LOVE this book! Seaman is so smart and he has a wonderful personality. I am happy I chose this book.
Book Description
Walk on the ocean floor at low tide among stunning rock formations, ascend rugged coastal cliffs on the world's most scenic drive, mingle with the locals at a seaside lobster boil, or spend the night in a historic lighthouse—Fodor's Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada, 9th Edition offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the area, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador 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 Atlantic Canada guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area to 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 Atlantic Canada.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.
-----------------------------------
With Fodor’s you get much more than a guidebook–we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation.
Visit
www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more!
And, for more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” online at
www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.
Customer Reviews:
Best buy.......2007-03-11
I am organising a trip in the Maritimes and this guide was the best. Very helpfull, very easy to read and you can tell the writers are from the area, they know the places.
Detailed info very helpful.......2006-08-17
The details of what is seen in the various areas are very helpful. Fodors takes you town by town in an orderly fashion with helpful information in planning your trip.
I found that after reading this book, my vacation plans were changed to accomodate more sightseeing. It was very beneficial.
Book Description
Learn about the history, care, training and special talents of the beloved Newfie in this comprehensive, expertly written book.Hedd and Delphine Richards are a husband and wife team from England with decades of combined experience with Newfoudlands.
Customer Reviews:
BRILLIANT.......2004-01-11
A BRILLIANT BOOK WONDERFULLY WRITTEN BY TWO GREAT PEOPLE. ALL YOU COULD WISH TO KNOW IN ONE BOOK. HISTORY, BREEDING, GENERAL INFORMATION AND LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS REMARKABLE, NOBLE, LOVING AND FAITHFULY BREED.
A MUST FOR ALL NEWFI OWNERS TO HAVE AND READ TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
Absolutly Wonderful.......2000-07-25
This book was wonderful and will tell you everything you ever needed to know about the Newfoundland.
Wonderful ,priceless work of art!.......2000-02-20
My thought of this book is: WOW! That is the best thing to say when you are overwelmed with gratitude. Thank you so much for writing such a detailed book about something I didn't know much about in these magnificant dogs! I have learned breeding is not for everyone, but I also feel it is something I must do. I can just pray that all prospective dog owners of Newfs will read this book before getting a pet for life.
Books:
- Of Mice and Men (Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century)
- One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter
- Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions
- Perl Best Practices
- Perl Best Practices
- Pit Bulls for Dummies
- Pit Bulls for Dummies
- Puppy Kisses are Good for the Soul (& Other Important Lessons You & Your Dog Can Teach Each Other)
- Puppy Training for Kids
- Rabbit Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market
- History of Modern Art
- Chapman Navigation Rules: International - Inland
- Conservatives Without Conscience
- History: Fiction or Science
- Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: GET OUT THE SHOVEL -- WHY EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG
- Fish! Sticks: A Remarkable Way to Adapt to Changing Times and Keep Your Work Fresh
- Co-Operation and Partnerships in Tourism: A Global Perspective
- Cost Accounting: Traditions and Innovations
- The Foreign Correspondent: A Novel
Breeds
| Dogs
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
The Newfoundland, Gentle Giant
Newfoundlands (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)
Newfoundland Today (Book of the Breed S)
The Newfoundland (The Pure Breds Series)
Ninety-Nine Newfies
!!!Can't get any worse than this!!!.......2007-04-30
