This is hands-down the best book I’ve read in a long time. There aren’t enough superlatives to express my admiration and appreciation for what Powers�This is hands-down the best book I’ve read in a long time. There aren’t enough superlatives to express my admiration and appreciation for what Powers� has created. Loved every word ....more
Ugh. Poorly written, poorly organized, spotty accuracy, little context, repetitive, outdated and outmoded attitudes. Reads like a self-published familUgh. Poorly written, poorly organized, spotty accuracy, little context, repetitive, outdated and outmoded attitudes. Reads like a self-published family history. Culled a few interesting factoids about early history of my adopted home town, but overall cannot recommend unless you are looking for a blow-by-blow of the ME church in the area (I'm talking about who married whom, newspaper gossip, lengthy descriptions about when the wallpaper was changed, etc.). Nice historic photos, though....more
More a book about the tree *climbers* than about the trees, there was nonetheless enough science in it to keep me interested. I could have done with mMore a book about the tree *climbers* than about the trees, there was nonetheless enough science in it to keep me interested. I could have done with much less biographical information and love life data on the ‘protagonists� who struck me as the arboreal counterparts to peak baggers. Always a treat to read about your chosen hometown, though, and I loved learning more about my beloved Humboldt County botanical claim to fame: Sequoia sempervirens. Pretty funny stumbling across the name of a friend who made a cameo, too.
Quibbles include: the aforementioned unnecessary soap opera-treatment of the lives of those featured; a lack of citations and bibliography/further reading section; and an anachronistic paternal/colonizer tone (no one should refer in print to “Indians� when referring to Native American first peoples, nor proclaim a woman “maintained her honor� because she didn’t sleep with someone, not this late in the game when they should know and do better).
Bottom line: a quick, enjoyable read despite a few shortcomings....more
After participating in last night's celebration of what would have been his 40th birthday, with members of both of Gypsy's families -- the one he was After participating in last night's celebration of what would have been his 40th birthday, with members of both of Gypsy's families -- the one he was born into, and the family of environmental activists he chose as his second family, including my husband -- I realized that I need to move this book up my tbr list. Sixteen years after he was killed by a redwood tree felled -- some say intentionally in his direction -- by a Pacific Lumber Company logger, David "Gypsy" Chain's families reminded me that it is all too easy to forget our history and, in my case at least, not necessarily even know all the details of it. I've been reading what I can about it online today while I think about what my husband and his friends went through that day Gypsy was killed in the forest, but I'm left wanting more. Hopefully, this book will provide it....more
Short, sweet, and specific to Humboldt: a regional gardening hat trick!
Only 60 pages, this little gem is packed with everything the aspiring NorthernShort, sweet, and specific to Humboldt: a regional gardening hat trick!
Only 60 pages, this little gem is packed with everything the aspiring Northern California gardener needs to know. Topics include: choosing a site; when to plant and what crops/varieties thrive here; pests and their control; how to extend the growing season; all tailored to local growing conditions (the book gives specifics on both coastal and inland sub-climates). In addition, there are basics on composting, soil fertility, crop rotation, irrigation, tools, and other gardening basics.
Packed with charts, lists, hand-drawn illustrations, and referrals to other resources, Tanner, an Arcata farmer and former Humboldt State University agriculture instructor, offers step-by-step instructions on how to successfully raise organic crops in Humboldt. My favorite quote: "Choose what to plant by seeing what grows well for your neighbors".
Written with an eye to basic techniques, this book is not the definitive gardening guide but a concise and thoughtful introduction to gardening on the North Coast.
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