Balancing Water: Restoring the Klamath Basin

Book Description

The Klamath Basin is a land of teeming wildlife, expansive marshes, blue-ribbon trout streams, tremendous stretches of forests, and large ranches in southern Oregon and northern California. Known to waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds, the Klamath Basin's marshlands are a mecca for birds along the Pacific Flyway. This gorgeously illustrated book is a paean to the beauty of the Klamath Basin and at the same time a sophisticated environmental case study of an endangered region whose story parallels that of watershed development throughout the west.
A collaboration between two photographers and a writer, Balancing Water tells the story in words and pictures of the complex relationship between the human and natural history of this region. Spectacular images by Tupper Ansel Blake depict resident species of the area, migratory birds, and dramatic landscapes. Madeleine Graham Blake has contributed portraits of local residents, while archival photographs document the history of the area.
William Kittredge's essay on the conjunction of conflicting interests in this wildlands paradise is by turns lyrically personal and brimming with historical and scientific facts. He traces the water flowing through the Klamath Basin, the human history of the watershed, and the land-use conflicts that all touch on the availability of water. Ranchers, loggers, town settlers, Native Americans, tourists, and environmentalists are all represented in the narrative, and their diverse perspectives form a complicated web like that of the interactions among organisms in the ecosystem.
Kittredge finds hope in the endangered Klamath Basin, both in successful restoration projects recently begun there, and in the community involvement he sees as necessary for watershed restoration and biodiversity preservation. Emphasizing that we must take care of both human economies and the natural environment, he shows how the two are ultimately interconnected. The Klamath Basin can be a model for watershed restoration elsewhere in the west, as we search for creative ways of solving our intertwined ecological and social problems.

Customer Reviews:

Camera and Pen Weave a Story for Stewardship.......2003-12-21

Five stars... without a doubt! Blake, Blake, and Kitteridge craft a compelling case for stewardship of the ecosystems we inhabit. The story is grounded in the Klamath Basin of Southern Oregon where a complex dance of men and nature is being played out. Historically, the federal government in the form of the Bureau of Reclamation identified the water rich basin as a region to promote for farming. No surprise that today the area is largely given over to farming and ranching. Prior communities consisted of local Native Americans who for the last hundred years or so have been driven out of the basin either by our military or our legal system. And last, but not the least in importance, the bio-diversity that suffers at the hands of lost habit, chemicals used for pesticides, and misguided management by public institutions.

Farmers, the indigenous Klamath people, migrating birds and native fish, all have their claims to the basin. From recalling the basin from his early childhood to driving the dirt roads to meet the 3rd generation farmers and ranchers, William Kitteridge's writing is exceptional at putting real faces and names to this place.

The story is made sublime with some of the most outstanding western wildlife photography you are likely to find. The photographs represent the sacredness of a place that serves as a stop for millions of migrating birds that no words can begin to portray.

A tragic postscript to the publishing of this book was a fish kill of some 30 thousand salmon on their way up the Klamath River to their spawning beds. Its been concluded that in stream flows got drawn down to the point where the migrating salmon stacked up in swallow and warm pools which ultimately depleted the water of oxygen. Only recently have federal wildlife managers admitted that diversion of water to farmers in the basin caused the massive fish kill in the Klamath.

Balancing Water:Restoring the Klamath Basin.......2001-08-25

Excellent narrative that provides the historic context for what is emerging as one of the most difficult and contentious fights between economic and enviromental interests anywhere in the US. The photography is outstanding and Kittredge's discussion of the people and the issues in this beautiful area provide concise insight for anyone interested in understanding the tragedy of US government policies on the management of the land, the people, the fish, and the birds of the Klamath Lake basin. Strongly recommend!!!

Outstanding - wonderfully written - world class photography.......2000-06-05

This book is an epiphany. Kittredge is the best essayist writing about the American west living today, and the photographs are almost perfect. This book will introduce readers to an area that has remained mostly obscure, an area where huge environmental dramas have long since began, and are still being played out. Many sympathies are presented in this book; lots of heros, too. An amazing read.

Customer Reviews:

Lum returns.......2005-01-15

Rumiko Takahashi -- of "Ranma" and "Inuyasha" fame -- got her start with the sci-comedy series "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura." With its lecherous-boy-meets-alien-girl storyline, Takahashi came up with all sorts of screwball comedies with a tint of romance.

Tomobiki High is thrown into a furor when a new student parachutes in -- Mendo, a ridiculously genteel and wealthy teen, who immediately tries to set himself up as a mini-dictator. Later, Lum finds that either Mendo or Ataru may be her soulmate, according to astrology, and disguises herself as a human girl to gauge Ataru's liking for her.

Ataru receives mysterious love letters, unaware that his pals are playing a prank on him -- until Lum comes to the rescue, realizing that she actually loves him. A flurry of other stories involve Ataru trying to protect a giant caterpillar, studying in a cursed classroom, and Mendo desperately trying to hide an alien baby. Then Lum suddenly vanishes without warning -- has Ataru lost her forever? And will he start to realize that he really cares?

"The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura" is a bit different from Takahashi's later work -- it's not action based, or romance based, or any mix of the two. It's comedy with a tinge of sci-fi, romance, and Japanese folklore. While the opening chapters were a bit thin and clumsy, Takahashi had hit her stride by this time.

The series is a bit like a high-school sitcom, with absurd storylines and plenty of strange physical humor (especially since Ataru chases anything in a skirt, without success). The comedy is a bit on the fantastical side, with the hapless Mendo and Ataru being chased around a giant horoscope. Not to mention Takahashi's interlocking love triangles, with rivals for Lum's affection and plenty of repressed feelings.

While Ataru comes across as a dorky lecher throughout most of the book, Takahashi also shows his more sensitive sides in this story, especially when Lum mysteriously vanishes -- Ataru indulges in a very wet, snivelly crying fit. He also plays daddy to a repulsive caterpillar, because he believes it will be beautiful. Alien princess Lum also grows a little in this volume, both realizing that she actually loves her dimwitted, womanizing "husband," and that he really cares about her too.

While the tone of "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura" is much more fantastical and screwball than her later works, Rumiko Takahashi's comic talents were already in flower. Definitely worth a read.

Old School.......2004-03-01

The second volume in the "Urusei Yatsura" series, this book primarily focuses on Ataru's high school life -- something that was lightly touched upon in the Perfect Collection, but not fully explored.

The character of Shuutaro Mendou, playboy extraordinaire, is introduced here. Because of his snobby richboy attitude and beefy pockets, he is immediately despised of at school... with the male population, anyway. Other the other hand, when it comes to the ladies, there's nothing but love going around. The only exception to this is Lum herself, who mainly seems to feel rather indifferent towards him. Unfortunately for her and Mendou, he becomes smithened as is the usual among boys midway through the book and suddenly sees her as a prize that he must attain.

My personal favorite stories in this volume are "On The Horns of Passion", "Even Though I Wait For You", "Diary of Tears", and the universal favorite, "Since You Went Away". Here are my reviews for these chapters.

-In "On The Horns of Passion", Lum attempts to get closer to Ataru by dressing up as "an oridinary girl". This causes her to look somewhat like a different person. Pretty hilarious ending, and Lum looks quite cute as an "oridinary girl".
-In "Even Though I Wait For You", Ataru's friends play a prank on him by forging a love letter and handing it to him under the promise that it was from a girl. This results in a hopeful Ataru waiting to meet this fictional girl in a cafe, but of course she doesn't show. In the end, Lum feels sorry for him and you can guess what she does to save him.
-In "Diary of Tears", Ataru comes across his own diary from the future, courtesy of Lum. The surprising entries written for the day leads him into all sorts of crazy antics. Utterly hilarious how all of the entries came together, and how they came to be.
-In "Since You Went Away", Lum leaves Ataru a doll of herself, and inexplicably disappears. News break out that Lum is apparently gone, and even Mendou's powerful forces can't locate her. Where's Lum, and has she really left? I believe that this story is a heavy favorite among Urusei Yatsura fans, and with good reason. This story takes a break from the usual slapstick fest, and the characters (especially Ataru) show their humane side. Major character development in a fairly simple story. And by the end of this story, you'll probably start to see Ataru as a human being instead of the vile philanderer he's usually depicted as.

All in all, a most definitely worthy addition to the Perfect Collection. Highly recommended, if not just for the last story itself.

Not my favorite of the Urusei Yatsura books..........2003-04-05

I prefer the 'Perfect Collection', since it features Benten, Kurama, and Oyuki, who happen to be my favorite characters. Lum is cool too, but the above-mentioned catch more of my interest. The stories in this volume are okay.

The binding on this book is horribly done. The glue does NOT hold, and the cover has already fallen off of my copy. I had come to expect more out of Viz Communications than that.

That is really my only complaint with the book.

Lum's back, and this time she's brought Mendo!.......2000-08-26

Urusei Yatsura is a wonderful series which started well and keeps getting better! In this volume the wonderful Mendo is introduced, he's handsome, son of the richest family in the world, has his own private army... And he's an idiot, just like our loveable hero Ataru.

This volume sees the characters starting to grow a little, and develop outside their original roles. Especially great is how Ataru begins to fall for Lum, at first he hates her (wouldn't you hate a beautiful alien who wants to marry you), but as this book goes on he starts to fall for her...

The book has more emotional depth than the first, but keeps the hilarious jokes and fantastic slapstick rolling. Another masterpiece from Rumiko Takahashi!

Very funny - a must for all Takahashi fans.......2000-05-01

Lum: Urusei Yatsura could be the funniest series Takahashi has ever come out with. I'll admit I didn't think so upon my first reading of it, but I definately feel so now. Part of what I like about Takahashi-sensei is her sardonic view of high school (which I share). In a way, the troubles of high school are what this book is about -- even though the characters are totally off the wall.

Lum is both Takahashi's strangest and sexiest series yet. I'm not sure it's for everybody, though. If you are new to manga, I wouldn't suggest you start here. However, if you are already a fan of Takahashi, definately look into this one.

Average customer rating:

Revenge served cold... and hot

The story is good, but the design of the book...

Ran-chan's sweet revenge is sweet

HYSTERICAL

A hilarious look at high school and sci-fi

The Return of Lum vol. 3: Sweet Revenge (The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura) (The Return Lum)

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Return Lum, Volume 2: Lum In The Sun (The Return Lum)

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ASIN: 1569311935

Customer Reviews:

Revenge served cold... and hot.......2005-05-14

Everybody has some skeletons in their closet -- and it's not surprising that alien princess Lum's are a little crazier than normal. In Rumiko Takahashi's "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura," the extraterrestrial gets a nasty shock from her past, which threatens to affect her "darling."

A very enthusiastic young teacher comes to Tomobiki High, and receives a shock when the new transfer student has horns and can fly. Lum soon joins the girl's volleyball team, not knowing that the captain LOATHES all men. Not to mention the parent-teacher day, when the cast's assorted strange moms arrive. Ataru's love for all things female pops up when a pretty female ninja, Kaede, desperately tries to get a secret document from him. He continues pursuing her when she leaves her job and is pursued by a number of inept ninja.

And then a new girl, Ran, arrives at the school -- and turns out to be an old pal of Lum's. Unfortunately, she has a split personality -- one side is sweet and cute, the other is completely insane and vengeful. And because of some unfortunate childhood incidents (involving bedwetting and ice cream), she plans to get revenge on Lum, by stealing Ataru's youth. Since she does that with a kiss, Ataru is all too willing....

Ran is one of the most entertaining characters in the "Urusei Yatsura" series -- she's completely insane. As a result, Takahashi's stories with her are among the most entertaining (with the exception of Rei, whom Ran has a "thing" about). When you have someone who's out for revenge and comically crazed, expect fun.

This is one of the rare collections that has not a dud story in it -- Takahashi veers from strength to strength, be it psychotic ninja hags or a school play disrupted by Ataru and Ran. We also get the entertaining spectacle of Lum being joined to Ataru's hip even at school.

We also get introduced to new characters, such as Mendo and Lum's moms. One is snotty, autocratic and abhors machinery, and the other is an upbeat older version of her daughter. And despite only brief appearances by fan faves Cherry and Sakura, we get Kaede the job-seeking ninja, and Mr. Hanawa, the overenthusastic young teacher who speaks in cliches.

"Sweet Revenge" is indeed a sweet collection of "Urusei Yatsura" stories. And it introduces one of Takahashi's most memorable characters -- definitely not something to miss.

The story is good, but the design of the book..........2003-04-05

I won't review the story since others have done it for me. What I will do is talk about the design of the book itself.

For one, the binding on all of the Urusei Yatsura/Lum books is substandard. My copy of 'The Return of Lum' has the cover coming off of it, from the binding, like it's just peeling up. 'The Perfect Collection' is losing pages in the center of the book, and I have to replace my copy of 'Sweet Revenge' because it has lost EVERY SINGLE PAGE in it! There is just no excuse for this! I'm afraid to touch 'Trouble Times Ten' or 'Ran Attacks' for fear that they will come apart too!

I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the books; this is a wonderful series and everyone should read it, Takahashi fan or not. But just be warned that the books will fall to pieces on you.

Ran-chan's sweet revenge is sweet.......2000-08-27

Another day, another Urusei Yatsura book. Oh how I wish this series would never end... In this book we start by introducing a new teacher to the ranks of Tomobiki High school, then a nice two part tale of the girls' volleyball captain's love for Mendo (her and every other girl...ever), then move onto a long-winded multi-part story about a ninja. This is a nice story, and it contains the seeds of what eventually became Takahashi's popular series Ranma 1/2. After the ninja stories comes the main event.

Ran-chan

A sweet, demure red head with her heart set on Ataru.

No, wait.

An evil conniving alien from Lum's past with her heart set on stealing Ataru's youth so she can have revenge on Lum-chan. THAT's it. Ran is a fantastic character, who has two personalities, the sweet endearing Ran and the evil murderous Ran.

Ran works so well in the story because she adds another level of sheer twisted brilliance, she's totally insane and her plans are completely off the wall, resulting in more trademarked Urusei Yatsura slapstick.

Another book you need to own. But you knew that already.

So order it before I zap you all.

HYSTERICAL.......2000-05-31

I loved the pictures and the story line! I have four other Revenge of Lum books on hold for me (I didn't bring much money the day I got this book, so I ended up getting whichever graphic novel was thickest!) It was GREAT. A really fantastic book with captivating plots. I felt, however, that the Ninja chapters ended up slightly...unfinished. Oh well! Does anyone know what order this series goes in? Does it even have an order?

A hilarious look at high school and sci-fi.......2000-05-01

Of the three books in the 'Lum' series that I've read (The Return of Lum, Lum in the sun, Sweet Revenge), this one is the funniest. This book starts out with a new teacher to Tomobiki High school - boy is he in for a few surprises! Ahh, the foibles of a new teacher. The next story revolves around Kaede the ninja. Kaede is very cute, and the story is hilarious. Finally, the book ends with a meeting between Lum, and her childhood friend, Ran. The first too stories were funnier, but this one certainly provides plenty of fodder for laughs. This book, though not one of my all-time favorites, was still very funny. I recomend it.

The Return Of Lum * Urusei Yatsura : Feudal Furor (The Return Of Lum * Urusei Yatsura)

Average customer rating:

Magical... Just magical!
Fun for long-time fans
Fun for long-time fans

The Return Of Lum * Urusei Yatsura : Feudal Furor (The Return Of Lum * Urusei Yatsura)

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ASIN: 1569312109

Customer Reviews:

Magical... Just magical!.......2000-08-26

Lum and co. are back again with another collection of stories from the pen of Rumiko Takahashi. As ever everything here is gold, not a bad tale here, but the best is the wonderful Heian retelling of the Urusei Yatsura story, set in feudal Japan, this tale is (to say the least) utterly insane, and totally enthralling. Certain to have you laughing aloud almost immediately.

Another great set of stories you HAVE to own.

Fun for long-time fans.......1999-04-05

I have been a huge fan of Lum since I was in 3rd garde, so naturally I love this book! But I must say a lot of the jokes are inside and taken from other books. But it really is a lot of, but it's not as good as "the Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura"

Fun for long-time fans.......1999-04-05

The Return Lum, Volume 8: Ran Attacks! (Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura)

Average customer rating:

Childhood memories
First Benten, then Oyuki, and Kurama--here comes Ran
Welcome back Ran-chan
This book got me hooked!

The Return Lum, Volume 8: Ran Attacks! (Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura)

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ASIN: 1569313369

Book Description

In Rumiko Takahashi's original hit comedy, life for teenager Ataru changes radically when volatile extraterrestrial princess Lum falls in love with him. In this episode Lum's arch rival, an alien named Ran, pays a visit to Earth -- and uses drones, clones, love potions, alcohol, food fights, and more to wreak havoc. As this installment proves once again, nobody combines imaginative, zany story lines with romantic comedy like Rumiko Takahashi.

Customer Reviews:

Childhood memories.......2005-05-08

A very chaotic way of life got worse for Ataru and alien princess Lum when deranged redhead Ran entered the scene. And Ran's revenge attempts rule "Ran Attacks!", one of the most entertaining volumes of Rumiko Takahashi's first long-running series. ("I still have scars from that coincidence!")

Mayhem rules when Sakura agrees to create a love potion for Lum to give Ataru... except it seems to have a strange effect on him. Later on, Ataru tries to cheat with a god of knowledge, a host of deities crash the "Plains of Heaven" play (or as Lum calls it, "Stairway to Heaven"), and a closed campus policy sets off a war between the rebellious students and their wily teachers. Then a ghost cat starts haunting the staircase, and Lum and Ten get drunk on pickled plums -- and Lum is a mean drunk.

But all is not over with Ran, the deranged redhead who holds several childhood grudges against Lum. To protect Ataru, Lum clones him -- except that Ran also clones him, and soon an army of Atarus is running amuck. Ten loses his powers when his horn falls off -- much to Ataru's delight. And gluttonous yet gorgeous alien Rei arrives at the school, and Ran tries to win him over with her lunch -- but things are not that easy.

Rumiko Takahashi excels at creating complex, entertaining series that would have been drivel in someone else's hands. In this case, the comical story of the world's unluckiest, most lecherous teenager, and how he (very slowly) falls in love with a strong-willed alien princess. With lots of electric shocks, creepy priests and flying tiger-cows, of course.

Probably the closest thing this volume has to a dud story is Ran's tough-talking button, which she sends to control Ataru. The rest of the time, it's lovable mayhem, out-of-control attractions, and weird alien problems (like the cactus growing from baby Ten's head).

Ataru is the same ol' girl-hunting lech as always, who inexplicably doesn't notice anything weird about Ran. Takahashi provides a bit more insight into the childhood grudges that Ran has against Lum, and also shows what happens when Oni lose their horns. Alas, fan favorites like priestess Sakura, creepy monk Cherry, and long-suffering Shinobu appear relatively briefly.

The deranged Ran adds extra spice to an already funny volume of alien hijinks. A thoroughly amusing collection of sci-comedy stories.

First Benten, then Oyuki, and Kurama--here comes Ran.......2003-04-14

The arrival of the Oni princess Lum has allowed us to meet a variety of interesting characters, from biker girl Benten to elegant Neptune Princess Oyuki to Kurama, the leader of the Crow Demons. Now, we have the schizophrenic Ran.

Ran was a childhood friend of Lum, but now they are enemies. All of these accidents kept befalling Ran, and since it was Lum's bad luck to be present at all of these incidents, Ran blames her. So, she comes up with these plans to make Lum unhappy and steal the oni man Rei for herself.

Ataru loves Ran at first sight (like he does with every woman), and refuses to listen to Lum's warnings. Most of the other characters take to Ran immediately as well.

Ran is an interesting study in character and behavior. The face she normally presents to the world is sweet, innocent, and timid. But when she gets angry (which is often) she goes into her 'demon' mode. So far, Lum is the only one to have seen this side of her, so no one believes her stories of Ran.

A good book, and a worthy addition to the Urusei Yatsura line.

Welcome back Ran-chan.......2000-08-27

After a couple of volumes absence from Urusei Yatsura, Ran-chan returns with a vengence. This is another brilliant book from Takahashi-sensei, and it looks more at Ran and Lum's relationship. The stories are as solid as ever, and the only flaw in its otherwise perfect visage is that it's the last one Viz have put out. There's still a huge volume of unpublished Urusei Yatsura manga out there, let's see more!

This book got me hooked!.......1999-10-23

'Ran Attacks' was my introduction to the Lum books. I've read two others since then, but 'Ran Attacks' remains my favorite. It is definitely one of, if not the funniest book in the series! When Lum's childhood friend/rival decides to be mean to her, anything can happen! Unfortunately, all Ran's mischief seems to center on poor Ataru! From Ataru being cloned, to Lum's ex fiance, Rei showing up, to the gods arriving to liven up a school party, absolutely anything can happen! I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone, but I would suggest reading 'The Perfect Collection' and 'The Return of Lum - Uresei Yatsura' first, to introduce you to the characters.

Average customer rating:

Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura Pt 2 #5
Rumiko Takahashi
Manufacturer: Viz
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Binding: Paperback

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Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura Pt 4 #10
Rumiko Takahashi
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Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura Pt 4 #11
Rumiko Takahashi
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Return of Lum Urusei Yatsura Pt 4 #9
Rumiko Takahashi
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