Alaska: Images of the Country (Sierra Club Books Publication)

Book Description

This compelling portrait of modern Alaska pairs excerpts from John McPhee's classic, Coming Into the Country, with the incomparable images of wilderness photojournalist Galen Rowell.
Chosen from more than 10,000 images taken by Rowell on nine separate expeditions to the Yukon State, the 112 full-color photographs featured here seamlessly complement McPhee's vivid prose. Together, text and images capture the overwhelming beauty and variety of America's last frontier - from the rapidly expanding city of Anchorage to the heights of Mount McKinley to the vast expanses of Alaska's frozen tundra.
McPhee's text includes profiles of a diverse collection of Alaska residents, providing fascinating glimpses of the people who thrive in the desolation and freedom of the Arctic: the self-proclaimed "weird characters" inhabiting the remote town of Eagle; 114-year-old Liza Malcolm, whose only language is an Indian tongue understood by less than a dozen living people; and violinist Frances Randall, who practices while working at a landing site on the Kahiltna Glacier.
This classic book offers readers an incomparable portrait of the complex and dramatically beautiful land that is Alaska. Indeed, as the Conservationist declared, "For those who have longed for years to visit America's last frontier, the purchase price of the book may be the least expense incurred in furthering a deep and abiding interest."

Customer Reviews:

Disturbing Images.......2003-06-03

Galen Rowell was one of the great outdoor photographers and most of his books are full of spectacular pictures of mountain scenery. But if you are expecting a normal picture book about Alaska, this isn't it. Instead this is a look at a place that is full of ambiguity.

The book is structured around John McPhee's book "Coming into the Country". In that book McPhee gives an insightful description of Alaska as a place, and its inhabitants. The Alaskans seem torn between preserving the wilderness and developing it and the extracts contained in this volume capture that spirit. For example, McPhee provides admiring character studies of a number of people who came to Alaska because they just didn't fit in back in the lower 48 states. Even his descriptions of travels in the wilderness have an overlay of the politics of the state, where the federal government, which once owned most of the land, is distrusted by most citizens.

Rowell decided that he wanted to take McPhee's writing and illustrate it with his own pictures. The preface makes clear that McPhee didn't offer a lot of cooperation. In fact he warned Rowell not to overprint his verbal pictures with Rowell's. The text selection was made by Rowell and the pictures included are not directly related to the words but have a close connection to their spirit.

As I noted, this is not any ordinary Rowell book (if there is such a thing). There are far more pictures of human beings and their artifacts then one usually finds in such a book, and I sometimes felt that the pictures were gritty and dark. At first I thought that this was a shortcoming of the photographs but then I realized that Rowell had specifically selected these pictures because he believed that they reflected the spirit of McPhee's words. Oh, there are some grand landscapes like a picture of snow-covered Mount McKinley across isolated Nugget Pond, but there is also a picture of the same snow-covered peak taken across a dark, intruding asphalt highway into the wilderness.

The final pages capture the essence of this book. McPhee describes the role of the 55 gallon steel drum in the Alaskan landscape, and tells how his view has gone from considering them ugly to finding them almost blooming. Opposite these words Rowell has placed a picture of a long line of rusty drums curving sinuously out of the frame into the Arctic Ocean.

This book is more than 20 years old and the McPhee book almost 40 years old. Alaska may have changed since then, although everything I've read about it recently makes me believe that the same forces are still at work out on this frontier. But for a person interested in Alaska this book provides a feeling for the place and its people that has the ring of authenticity.

If you want to see Alaska as a work of art, then I would recommend Art Wolfe's recent book of photographs "Alaska". But if you want to understand how a bright place can still have a dark soul, "Images of the Country" is a good place to start.

a fantastic book about a fantastic state.......2000-04-20

"Alaska" is one of those books that, after teh first few pages lets you forget the world around you and fly to other places. His pictures are breathtaking, and it is true : a picture sas more than a thousand words; rowell manages it to tell you more about Alaska with a couple of photographs than 100 professors could tell you. He shows the reader that there is still some pure wilderness out there and that it is worth to preserve it. rowell is someone who loves the wilderness and the beauty of nature and he makes you love it too.

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ALASKA IMAGES OF THE COUNTRY
Galen Rowell
Manufacturer: Farrar Strauss Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GKFHVQ

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Alaska Images of the Country

Manufacturer: Promontory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GPMIWW

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Alaska: Images of the Country
Galen Rowell; Photographer And Editor; Tex
Manufacturer: PROMONTORY PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WSXST0

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ALASKA: IMAGES OF THE COUNTRY
GALEN and JOHN MCPHEE ROWELL
Manufacturer: Sierra Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NR4LNM

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Alaska: Images of the Country
John (from Coming Into the country) McPhee
Manufacturer: Promontory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQA51K

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Alaska: Images of the Country
John Mcphee
Manufacturer: Sierra Club Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NTEIA6

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Alaska: Images of the Country
John (from Coming Into the country) McPhee
Manufacturer: Promontory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PGHCHS

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Alaska: Images of the Country

Manufacturer: Galahad Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HD00K0

Alaska: Images of the Country: Photographs and Text Selection by Galen Rowell: Text by John McPhee from Coming into the Country.

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Alaska: Images of the Country: Photographs and Text Selection by Galen Rowell: Text by John McPhee from Coming into the Country.
Galen Rowell and John McPhee
Manufacturer: SIERRA CLUB +
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TT72TY

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Fact or Fiction? - Black Magic and Witches (hardcover edition) (Fact or Fiction?)

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Fact or Fiction? - Black Magic and Witches (hardcover edition) (Fact or Fiction?)

Manufacturer: Greenhaven Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

Wicca | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Magic | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0737713186

Book Description

Some view witches and witchcraft a threat to the American way of life. Others insist that wiccas are merely the practitioners of a harmless alternative religion that strives to bring about positive change with their magic. This anthology presents the arguments on both sides of this controversial subject.

Fact Or Fiction: Witches (Fact Or Fiction)

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Fact Or Fiction: Witches (Fact Or Fiction)
Stewart Ross
Manufacturer: Copper Beech
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Mystery & Wonders | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0761304525

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Witches (Facts Figures & Fun)
Nigel Suckling
Manufacturer: Facts, Figures & Fun
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Wicca | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Witchcraft | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1904332471

Book Description

Hecate, Morgan Le Fay, the trio of hags who huddle, round the cauldron in Macbeth: these are just a few of the witches explored in these fascinating pages. Some of the information is historical, revealing details about the infamous witch trials conducted throughout Europe and the New World/British Colonies. Other details are eye-opening: who would have imagined that witches could be great comedians? From spells to guard against them to legends about them from long ago, there’s plenty of enchantment here.

The Witch Next Door: Separating Fact from Fiction about Witchcraft, Wicca, Goddess Worship, and Neo-Paganism

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The Witch Next Door: Separating Fact from Fiction about Witchcraft, Wicca, Goddess Worship, and Neo-Paganism
Craig S. Hawkins
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Wicca | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Cults & Demonism | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Sociology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0801065577
Release Date: 2006-04-01

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