Great Camps of the Adirondacks

Product Description

Adolph Lewisohn, requiring a staff of forty to minister to his guests' comfort in the wilds of the Adirondacks, imported to his camp a major-domo, barber, caddy, chess-player, singing teacher, and two chauffeurs, Majorie Merriweather Post made do with eighty-five servants for the sixty-five building of Topridge, which was approached by a private funicular railway and graced by a Russian dacha a token of affection for her third husband, a former ambassador to the Soviet Union.

Equally magnificent was J.P. Morgan's Camp Uncas, Julius Bache's Wenonah Lodge, and William Seward Webb's Nehasane. These 'Great Camps' were to the beautiful and secluded Adirondack region what the 'Cottages' were to Newport: contradictions in terminology, but marvels of construction and architectural imagination. Truly fabulous structures, built primarily of wood and stone and set deep among the great forests, they are at once relics of a bygone age and prototypes for the contemporary architect, amateur builder, and historian.

Harvey Kaiser traces the history of the Adirondacks from their first sighting by a European in 1535, through the eras of trapping, iron mining, and lumbering, to the development of railroad and steamboat lines that led to the influx of tourists and the building of the 'Great Camps.' The sixty years from 1870 to 1930 were the heyday of these camps, the 'Gilded Age' of the Adirondacks, and Kaiser give a fascinating account both of the personalities who engineered and financed these fabulous structures and of the buildings themselves...

More than forty years after the Depression put an end to this princely life-style, the camps themselves are threatened by the forces of politics and nature. In Great Camps of the Adirondacks, Harvey Kaiser make a strong case for preservation: the obliteration of these remarkable structures would be an irreparable loss not only to our architectural heritage but to every individual to whom they are a resource and an inspiration.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond The Gilded Age Of The Adirondacks!.......2001-06-05

From the 'opening' of the Adirondacks in the 18th Century to the present, Harvey Kaiser delivers a premier photographic history of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. Exploring the architectural history from an owner's whinsey to the details of a porch railing, Kaiser guides the reader through a history of gorgeous excess and an age of bountiful richness that few knew. Camp Uncas (owner J.P. Morgan), Topridge (Marjorie Merriweather Post) and Nehasane (Dr. William Seward Webb) are just a few of the detailed highlights showcased in this volume. Many of the larger hotels and lesser known camps (and castles) are photographed and discussed here at length. This book is not just for the architect, builder or historian. It is a display of architectural beauty build into a unique and mysterious landscape. It is a history never to be repeated and never to be forgotten.

The seminal work on rustic architecture.......1999-09-30

The discovery of this book made me set aside all the others on rustic architecture. The author does a marvelous job in explaining the beginnings of rustic architecture and why it has a permanent place in our culture. The mix of social background and the history of the early Adirondack camps with superb photographs provides a designers guidebook. The arguments for historic preservation are skillfully written and should be read by anyone in the field.

What's that --- MY HOUSE MENTIONED IN A BOOK!.......1997-07-31

I'm giving this the best review - but, I admit, I am the son of one of the owners of a house mentioned in the book! The house is Kildare Club. However, I'm unbiast! (SORT OF)
Anyway, I think it is an interesting book that is certainly worth reading and it revealed alot to me that I hadn't discovered about the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. (NOTE HOW I CLEVERLY INSERTED THE TITLE IN ORDER TO DELIVER A SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE. HEHE!

Guide to Adirondack Trails: Southern Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 7) (The Forest Preserve Series, Vol 7)

Average customer rating:

Another great one

Guide to Adirondack Trails: Southern Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 7) (The Forest Preserve Series, Vol 7)
Linda Laing
Manufacturer: Adirondack Mountain Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Walking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0935272658

Book Description

Adirondack Trails: Southern Region
GSR

Gives detailed descriptions for all hikeable trails in the southern section of the Park bounded roughly by NY 8 to the north and Lake George to the east. Includes the Silver Lake Wilderness. Edited by Linda Laing with Jack Freeman and Neal Burdick. 2nd ed. 251 pages, 4 7/8" x 6 3/8". Softcover (includes folding map).

Customer Reviews:

Another great one.......2006-08-28

This is another of the ADK Mountain Club's six great trail guides to the Adirondack Mountains, covering the Lake George Region. Despite the fact that the book is 13 years old, the trails really haven't changed much.

Every year there are of course newly fallen trees and rocks, but most are removed or pruned in time for seasonal hiking--providing no reason whatever to rewrite the trail descriptions, once again rated for duration and difficulty and listed with careful directions to the trail heads.

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Birds of the Adirondacks: A Field Guide
Alan Bessette , and William K. Chapman
Manufacturer: North Country Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0932052940

Book Description

This latest addition to the North Country Books field guide series will be welcomed by avid fans of the Adirondacks. Descriptions of over 200 species of birds highlight the informative text. For ease of identification the birds are categorized into the eight basic groups. Special sections of feeding, attracting and photographing are included. There is also a checklist and room for field notes.

Adirondack Almanac: A Guide to the Natural Year

Average customer rating:

Just the Thing for the Camp

Adirondack Almanac: A Guide to the Natural Year
Tom Kalinowski , and Sheri Amsel
Manufacturer: North Country Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 092516867X

Book Description

How do birds stay warm in January? What causes meadows to become full of wildflowers in May? Why is August the best time for young animals to develop survival skills? And what is the primary reason brook trout spawn in October? In Adirondack Almanac, Tom Kalinowski chronicles a year in the natural world of the Adirondacks, vividly bringing to life the hidden events that occur there each month. Beautifully illustrated by North Country artist, Sheri Amsel, Adirondack Almanac is both a fascinating introduction to the unseen world of natural cycles and an entertaining account of life among the animals and plants of the spectacular Adirondack region.

Customer Reviews:

Just the Thing for the Camp.......2000-01-23

Consistent with its title, the book is organized into 12 chapters, starting with January. Each chapter consists of a number of titled subsections, or essays. Each essay discusses the expected activity of a species, and is accompanied by an illustration.

The essays do attempt to tie together information about a species' activity in other times of the year, and other species' activity at the same time of year. The illustrations are mostly black line drawings, while some are half-tones. All are nicely done and complement the text well.

Essays on some species appear in more than one chapter. The index allows the reader to locate information about a specific animal or plant.

The book is filled with details that you may have missed or forgotten in school. It explains how to distnguish a dragonfly from a damselfly, where loons spend the winter, and why there's a run on mouse traps in September.

Book Description

Adirondack Trails: West-Central Region
GWC

This region of hills, ridges, and waterways offers an extensive network of inviting trails. Covers all public foot trails in the region south of Stillwater Reservoir, east of the "Blue Line," north of NY 8, and west of the N-P Trail. Edited by Norm Landis and Neal Burdick. 3rd ed. 374 pages, 4 7/8" x 6 3/8". Softcover (includes folding map).

Customer Reviews:

ADK books are great.......2000-10-09

This is another great book by the ADK covering the Raquette Lake, Old Forge, and lower regions on the western side of the beautiful park. A must have for even the most casual of hikers.

Guide to Adirondack Trails: Northern Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 2) (Forest Preserve, Vol 2)

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Finally...A Detailed Guide To The Northwest Adirondacks
The northern Adirondacks bible

Guide to Adirondack Trails: Northern Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 2) (Forest Preserve, Vol 2)
Peter V. O'Shea
Manufacturer: Adirondack Mountain Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0935272631

Book Description

Adirondack Trails: Northern Region

This region comprises some of the most secluded and isolated portions of the Adirondack Park. Covers the portions located in Clinton, St. Lawrence, and Franklin counties, plus Hamilton County near Long Lake. Edited by Peter O'Shea, Duncan Cutter, and Neal Burdick. 2nd ed. 244 pages, 4 7/8" x 6 3/8". Softcover (includes folding map).

Customer Reviews:

Finally...A Detailed Guide To The Northwest Adirondacks.......2001-07-12

The first edition of this book was written in 1993 and has been thoroughly updated since the 1995 microburst. With 84 hikes described in detail, Mr. O'Shea calculates distance and time, fascinating history of the areas and descriptions of the flora and possible animal sightings. Seasons of the year are also described according to what trails are reasonable in winter or summer as well as appropriate safety recommendations. Sights most hikers might missed are noted and most trails have simple accurate maps. The back envelope of this guide contains a very detailed topo map of the Cranberry Lake Region and the Upper Saranac Lake Region. This guide not only improves your trip but can save you great distress with the analysis of lesser traveled trails. The 1995 microburst destroyed many popular trails and one will have second thoughts about traveling these routes. However, there are so many fantastic places to visit, you'll have no trouble finding a hike to remember.

The northern Adirondacks bible.......2000-06-28

Let's face it, it's hard enough to get a book focusing strictly on the Northern Adirondacks. I went to school in Potsdam, New York and needed something to get me through the year. This book did it. Hikes are broken down even further into sections, such as Paul Smiths, Tupper Lake & Cranberry Lake. It includes distances, alternative routes, along the way, etc... all the typical stuff in a good hiking guide. It also includes a large topographical map of the region. One my favorite aspects of this book is that the author lets you know which trails are great for hiking in spring/summer/fall and if these same trails are recommended for cross-country skiing in the Fall. This book covers as far North as the boundaries of the Adirondack parks, as far West as Star Lake, as far South as Great Sacandaga Lake, and as far East as Lake Champlain. Enjoy, it's a great guide.

85 Acres: A Field Guide to the Adirondack Alpine Summits

Average customer rating:

fantastic

85 Acres: A Field Guide to the Adirondack Alpine Summits
Nancy G. Slack , and Allison W. Bell
Manufacturer: North Country Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

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Customer Reviews:

fantastic.......1998-10-14

For anyone who enjoys hiking in the high peaks of the Adirondaks this is a must have companion. Informative with wonderful photographs enables even the novice to learn a great deal about the flora of the high peaks

Forests and Trees of the Adirondack High Peaks Region: A Hiker's Guide

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Forests and Trees of the Adirondack High Peaks Region: A Hiker's Guide
Edwin H. Ketchledge
Manufacturer: Adirondack Mountain Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Adirondack Trails High Peaks Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 1) (Forest Preserve Series, V. 1) (Forest Preserve Series, V. 1)

ASIN: 0935272496

Book Description

This pocket guide describes 34 species of Adirondack trees and interprets their role in the region's ecology. Written by a noted naturalist and educator. Numerous photographs. By Dr. E.H. Ketchledge. 164 pages. Softcover.

Average customer rating:

Good guide

The Adirondack Nature Guide
Sheri Amsel
Manufacturer: Pinto Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

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Drawing Adirondack Wildlife

ASIN: 0963247638

Book Description

All the common flora and fauna of the North Country plainly described and beautifully illustrated by Sheri Amsel in 260 drawings; 87 in full color, 173 in black and white. Conveniently arranged with details for each species directly opposite its illustration...Book includes maps with directions to and descriptions of nine nature preserves...Check-off boxes for those who want to keep track of the species they have identified.

Customer Reviews:

Good guide.......2006-08-19

This is a good basic guide to trees, plants and animals to be found in the Adirondack moutains.

It's especially good for children, as the explanations are easy to follow and understand, and the book also contains many illustrations of the flora and fauna named and described.

Adirondack Alpine Summits: An Ecological Field Guide

Average customer rating:

Adirondack Alpine Summits: An Ecological Field Guide
Nancy G. Slack , and Allison W. Bell
Manufacturer: Adirondack Mountain Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1931951187

Book Description

Originally published as 85 Acres: A Field Guide to the Adirondack Alpine Summits, this ecological field guide brings the alpine world of the Adirondack High Peaks to the hiker, naturalist, and casual observer through the use of stunning photographs, the insightful knowledge of plant ecologist Dr. Nancy G. Slack, and helpful charts and maps. This winner of the New York State Outdoor Education Association's Environmental Impact Award also encourages the reader to take part in the protection and preservation of this fragile environment by providing education and conservation tips.

Book Description

Your guide to the best assortment of family walks, day hikes, overnighters, weekend trips, and backpacking adventures that Yosemite National Park has to offer!

100 Hikes in Yosemite National Park includes Yosemite Valley (Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan), Tuolumne Meadows (great for peak bagging), Hetch Hechy Reservoir (excellent, less trafficked trails above the reservoir and along the Tuolumne River), Wawona (see the giant Sequioas), and Glacier Point area (more opportunity for solitude yet less than an hour outside the valley).

90% of the trails presented are easily accessible by car
Tips for avoiding peak foot traffic times on most trails
More than 100 color photos--a wonderful keepsake from your trip
Trail guide index indicates ideal wildflower excursions, top family outings, birdwatching trails, and more

Bonus hikes in the surrounding Hoover and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas, plus Mammoth Lakes and Sonora Pass--great for avoiding crowds in the summer.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and comprehensive.......2006-11-10

The only thing not to like about this book is its weight, which discourages you from taking it along on a hike. That aside, it is blessed with great color photos, good trail maps, elevation gains, how to get to the trailhead, and generally everything you need in a hiking guide. If you only buy one Yosemite hiking guide, this should be it.

Nice book but be careful.......2005-06-22

I purchased this book for a trip that my wife and I were to take to Yosemite. As a reference I backpack for 5 to 15 day trips every year. My wife looked at the book and some of the hikes I had talked about and couldn't figure out the maps.

Looking over the book I could see why. The only friendly way to say it is that the maps are pretty and pretty useless. They are the type of maps you would find on a treasure hunt breakfast cereal box and SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANY PLANNING PURPOSES. Purchase a topo map from the USGS or a backpacking supply house and then use this book to find out where in Yosemite a described hike really is and what the countryside is like around it.

One mile walks look the same as a 16 mile several day hike. Every map takes great license with the topology and direction of orientation. Follow one map to the next on a trail and you will get lost since the first puts north at the top of a page, the next shrinks it and flips north to the bottom of the page and the next slants north off to the left while changing the size of landmarks again.

The natural guides are nice. The verbal descriptions are nice. The rating of the hikes are fine. The maps are cute but border on being dangerously so. Sorry but I feel that a hiking guide that has bad maps is not appropriate. It would have been better to have none in the book.

Great Book!.......2004-03-10

Beautiful guide and thorough examination of the myriad of hikes one can take in and around Yosemite National Park. Excellent graphics and map layouts. Detailed description of the hikes, trailheads and parking. Good descriptions of what you can expect to encounter along the way as far as hiking time, high points in elevation you will encounter (along with the hikes averaged elevation gain) and the hike's relative difficulty ranked from easy to strenuous (with some hikes running the gamut of just that in the very hike itself). Also, the best seasons for each hike are included.
A good job of was also done of including the various contact numbers that might be of interest to those planning to visit the Park plus required permits and tips on what wildlife/insect life you can expect to encounter along the way.
The author has thoughtfully included various safety tips concerning what to bring and a nice section on wilderness ethics. For those hikers looking to do a quick scan of what each various hike has to offer, there's a helpful trail index in the back of the book.
Personally, my favorite sections were the hikes surrounding Mono Lake, especially hike No. 50 with it's detailed information on the lake itself, it's strange composition and insect inhabitants. A description of Mono and its tufa castles as "a sci-fi dream city" seems entirely appropriate.
Special distinction must be made of the book's photographs, most credited to the author, which are gorgeous! Some are simply jaw dropping. Helpfully included in the book's introduction is a section on taking photographs in Yosemite -- although one would be hard-pressed to match some of the photographs he has included. One would hope for a future publication devoted entirely to the author's photographs.
Pretty easy to see why "100 Hikes in Yosemite National Park" has recently garnered the prestigious distinction of winning the 2003 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) for best guidebook.
If you're planning to hike Yosemite, don't leave home without it. Good job!

2nd. edition needed........2004-02-21

I like the basic organization of this book.
Many useful photos and easy to understand trail maps.
(But do not reply on them while hiking.)
I use this book to get an idea for my next hiking destination.
However the 2nd edition is needed to correct some easy
to spot errors. Fo example, ten photos are described with wrong mountain names.

Gorgeous photos and great trail descriptions.......2003-09-24

The most enjoyable hours of my life have been spent hiking in Yosemite and Mammoth and this guide is absolutely indispensible for the novice or experienced hiker.

The photographs themselves are breathtaking; all in color and printed on hih quality, glossy paper. The photos give you an excellent idea of what each hike is going to look like. I use it almost daily during hiking season and it helps in selecting hikes, planning them, reaching the trailhead and gauging whether a hike will be worthwhile. Each hike contains an accurate and fairly detailed description of the rigors of each trek. Occasionally I quibble with the author's ranking of a given hike, but usually he is on the mark.

A few cautionary notes: there are no detailed maps in the book, except general maps which introduce the hiker to each specific place. The map for the John Muir trail, for example, is very basic. Don't expect detailed maps for each hike because there are none. The descriptions of how to reach each trailhead are excellent, unless you have little experience with Yosemite.

My favorite part of the book is that the Touloume Meadows High Country area is not neglected, nor the great hikes around Hetch Hetchy. Equally detailed are the fantastic hikes in Mammoth, including Ediza and Shadow lakes, Duck pass and Valentine Lake. All in all, a fabulous and beautiful hiking guide.

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