Regional Books

In 1993, the New Yorker published Calvin Trillin's memorable article on the eccentric Flavel family of Astoria, the descendants of Captain George Flavel, whose ornate Queen-Anne-style mansion is a tourist draw today. With Trillin's gracious consent, "First Family of Astoria" is reprinted in Part One of "Astorians, Eccentric and Extraordinary, " making its first appearance in book form. Part Two carries on the theme with portraits of fifty-five other notable Astorians. Five Oregon writers have captured the essence and the flavor of vivid personalities that include the notorious shanghaier Bridget Grant; the charming scoundrel Mayor Francis Clay Harley; the elusive English "barmaid" Jane Barnes, the first white woman in the Pacific Northwest; and Rolf Klep, who believed he could create a major maritime museum in an economically depressed town--and made it happen. In biology, it is said that the richest life forms reside at the edge of the ecosystem. Astoria epitomizes edges--the edge of the country, the edge of a great river, the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and the edge of our American culture. This book celebrates the larger-than-life quality that has appeared with regularity in the town's two-hundred-year history. As Steve Forrester, publisher of the "Daily Astorian, " notes in the book's introduction: "Extraordinary people are not necessarily eccentric. But eccentrics are driven to do extraordinary things." Contributors include M. J. Cody, Amy Hoffman Couture, John E. Goodenberger, Nancy Ricker Hoffman, Liisa Penner, and Calvin Trillin.

The Ballads of Lewis and Clark By: Michael J. Barker $14.95 ISBN: 9780974314815 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: Maverick Publications, 2004. Two hundred years ago a group of hardy frontiersman set out from St. Louis, Missouri and headed west under orders from President Thomas Jefferson to find The Northwest Passage and open up the newly acquired Louisiana purchase Territory. The adventure is still celebrated with all the zeal as it was in the days of yore. Come along on the trip with Oregon wilderness poet and retired logger, Michael J.(Hoss) Barker and partake of the festivities from the comfort of you own easy chair. "What a piece of work. Highly entertaining and educational, you are to be commended. The only history lesson I ever enjoyed!" Leon Flick, Cowboy Poet

The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest. Revise. By J. Duane Sept. Newly revised and updated in 2009 with additional photographs and an easier-to-use layout, this beautifully illustrated guide aids in identifying the most common intertidal animals and plants of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. The 274 most common animals and plants to be seen along the saltwater shores of the Pacific Northwest are described here--the ones that stay put and that cover great distances; the ones that hide and that love a party; the ones that look like rocks or feathers or blobs of jelly. Illustrating each entry is a full-colour photo of the species in its natural habitat, so that even the novice can identify it confidently--without disturbing it. There are special sections on great Pacific Northwest viewing sites for intertidal life, ways to understand tides and choose the best times to look for beach wildlife, intertidal habitats ranging from sandy beaches to aging wharves to rocky, wave-swept shores, and ecologically friendly observation methods. Packed with expert information but wonderfully accessible to any interested layperson, this book is perfect for a family, a school group, a Saturday beachwalker or a naturalists' club. The species described here include sponges, clams, snails, crabs, sea stars, sea anemones, jellies, fishes, seaweeds and others. This informative guide was written to be both accurate and easy to understand. Details for each plant or animal include: description, habitat, range, additional notes and more.

Beyond the Stony Mountains: Nature in the American West from Lewis and Clark to Today. By: Daniel B. Botkin. $38.00 ISBN: 9780195162431 Availability: Out-of-Print, but we have one copy in stock. Ships in 1-5 days. Published: Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. In this richly illustrated volume, which includes more than 100 photos and maps, Botkin takes a look at the American West as documented by Lewis and Clark--and as it can be visited today. Full color and b&w photos.

Cannon Beach Cottages By: Jill Grady $21.95 ISBN: 9780975910009 Availability: Ships in 1-5 days. Publilshed: Jill Grady, 2005. The captivating charm of cottages in Cannon Beach, Oregon is expressed through photographs, personal narratives and historical documents. The author compiles a local cultural history that simultaneously reveals the ongoing production of cottage architecture, cottage industry and the role cottages play in politics and social identity within this small tourist town on the Oregon Coast.

Columbia River's "Ellis Island"; the Story of Knappton Cove By: Nancy Bell Anderson $15.00 ISBN: EL Availability: Ships in 1-5 days Published: Northwest Heritage Adventures, 2002. History of the Columbia River Quarantine Station at Knappton Cove, Washington.

A Fisherman's Soul Passing Through By: Dave Densmore $15.00 ISBN: DAVE1 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: David Densmore, 2009 I started working seriously with my poetry and storytelling, bringing it to the public because it seemed to me the commercial fishing industry was being demoralized by the press, and no one was speaking up for us. My goal is threefold: To capture the spirit and essence of a way of life that is disappearing, to show the general public that we fishermen are simply the harvesters of their resource, and not the greedy marauders we have been portrayed. Also I hope to acquire a fluent enough voice to influence the perception of those who regulate and impact the industry.

Ghosts in the Arctic: The Biography of a Twentieth Century Electrical Pioneer Leroy "Ed" Parsons, the Great White Father of Communications By: Mark Edward Parsons $20.00 ISBN: 9780615375182 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: Parsons Publishing, [2010] Biography of the man who invented cable television in Astoria, Oregon in 1948. Parsons spent most of his time in Alaska establishing radio, television, and satellite communications for airlines, the government, the pipeline, and residents of the state.

Historic Photos of Oregon. By: William Stack.

Letters to Uncle Mike By Michael Burgess $14.00 ISBN: 9780965763851 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: Saddle Mountain Press, 2000. The Oregon Coast's sobering answer to Ann Landers and Dear Abby. Less mannerly than Miss Manners, taller than Dr. Ruth. Blunt advice on life and love for those that might be sorry they asked.

Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes: Nine Indian Writers on the Legacy of the Expedition. By: Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. For the first time, the Lewis and Clark expedition is seen through the eyes of Native American writers, historians, and tribal leaders of today, for a thoughtful, provocative exploration of history. High school & older.

Long, Dangerous Coastline: Shipwreck Tales from Alaska to California By: Anthony Dalton. On September 8, 1923, a convoy of 14 U.S. Navy destroyers raced astern into the Santa Barbara Channel off California's coast in darkness and thick fog. Minutes later seven of the ships crashed one after another into jagged rocks, and 23 sailors died that night. Only five years before, a Canadian passenger ship steamed blind down Alaska's Lynn Canal in a late-night snowstorm. She was en route from Skagway to Vancouver when she ran up on Vanderbilt Reef, only four hours into her voyage. Less than two days later she slid off the reef and sank, taking more than 350 people to their deaths. The west coast of North America has some of the world's most beautiful scenery along its thousands of miles of bays, coves and forbidding cliffs, but it's often subjected to ferocious storms that play havoc with shipping. Here are stories of ships that met tragic ends-Brother Jonathan, Princess Sophia, Benevolence, Star of Bengal, Columbia and others-and the passengers and crews who found themselves in extreme danger on this long, dangerous coastline.

Nehalem Place People Live By: Hap Tivey. Fishermen and surfers, living in a small Oregon coastal community, respond to the threat of Salmon extinction, when unregulated international interests harvest their coastal waters illegally. The story explores local lives and relationships that are destroyed by the deadly use of massive drift nets. The deeper content of the story examines how people manage practically and spiritually, when indifferent authority threatens the foundation of their community.

Oregon: This Storied Land. By: William G. Robbins.

Oregon Stories. By: Ooligan Press. This collection of over 150 personal narratives from everyday Oregonians explores the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the people who live in this unique state. "Oregon Stories" shows why people love this state and why Oregonians strive to keep it unique and beautiful while celebrating its rich history and diverse experiences. Drawing from the Oregon150’s Oregon Stories project, this book collects the histories of the people that make this place home.

Pacific Reef & Shore: A Photo Guide to Northwest Marine Life. By Rick M. Harbo. "Pacific Reef & Shore" is the 21st century successor to Harbo's 1980 bestseller "Tidepool and Reef," with more species, up-to-date scientific information and many brilliant new full-colour photographs of the 300 most common plants and animals of the intertidal zone. Arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, this ingenious guide has written descriptions of each organism, with size, habitat and interesting facts conveniently placed next to its photo. Authoritative and accessible, "Pacific Reef & Shore" is the indispensable companion for divers, kayakers and beach strollers alike.

Reflections of an Ornery Country Kid By: Paul See $15.00 ISBN: SEE Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: Seaside, Oregon: Paul See, [2008?]. Impressions of growing up during the Great Depression years near Seaside on the Oregon Coast. Interspersed with photos and cartoons.

The Rogue: Portrait of a River. By: Roger Dormand Photos and text about the Rogue River and its ecosystem.

Sea Glass Hunter's Handbook. By: C. S. Lambert. Tiny bits of glass and ceramic have engaged generations of avid collectors throughout the world and connect civilization and nature, often in surprising ways. This perfect guide for both seasoned and novice seaglunkers reveals how to locate the best beaches and predict optimum conditions; understand coastal access laws; determine the personal and professional value of sea glass; and identify the source of individual fragments.

Seashells of the World. Updated. (Golden Guide). By: R. Tucker Abbott et. al. Colorful and easy to use, this guide for the identification of shells includes general information on mollusks and advice on shell collecting and study.

Seaside, 1920-1950 By: Susan L. Glen Following the great fire of 1912 through the Daddy Train era, Seaside grew as a holiday and summer resort. The opening of the Oregon Coast Highway from Astoria to California in the late 1920s and of Wolf Creek Highway (Sunset Highway) in the late 1930s made Seaside accessible from Portland by automobile. Reconstruction of the boardwalk, the era of the big bands, saltwater swimming pools, and lumber riots kept Seaside in the news. Seaside survived the crash of the stock market, and World War II brought about an era of reconstruction, along with the Miss Oregon pageant. Seaside: 19201950 documents the citys growth and the people and businesses that helped it flourish.

Shotgun on My Chest: Memoirs of a Lewis and Clark Book Collector. By: Roger Wendlick. $28.00 ISBN: 9780692004814 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: 12-Gauge Press, 2009. Shotgun on My Chest: Memoirs of a Lewis and Clark Book Collector is the title of a recently published book by Roger Wendlick. He spent decades acquiring the premier collection of literature related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. His collection is now in the Lewis & Clark College Aubrey R. Watzek Library in Portland. Wendlick is a recipient of the National Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Preservation of History and is a past board member of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. He is an internationally recognized historian who continues to study and write about aspects of the expedition with a particular focus on civilian interpreter George Drouillard. Wendlick is a delightful and knowledgeable storyteller.

The Story of Sacajawea: Guide to Lewis and Clark (Dell Yearling Biography. By: Della Rowland. $4.99 ISBN: 9780440402152 Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days. Published: Yearling Books, 1989. This book draws an accurate portrait of the woman who helped forge the trail across the West. Sold as a slave to a fur trader, Sacajawea later became his wife and met Lewis and Clark.

Trespassing on Holy Ground. By: Garrett Johnson $12.99 ISBN: 9781456520359 Availability: Ships in 1-5 days. Published: Dirk Press, 2011. When an angel of death arrives to collect his charge, he quickly learns that things are seldom as they first appear in matters of the human heart. His assignment reveals that a man's last hours are rarely a reflection of the way he's lived his entire life. A visit to death row during Last Rites, as seen through heavenly eyes, shows much more than a convict, a guard, and a priest. It shows how a guard's journey to find his faith challenges religious dogma and social labeling while displaying the human soul's incredible capacity for change. Your own beliefs will be tested as con-victs, their guard, and a priest, each with their own tortured past, faces reconciling forgiveness in Trespassing on Holy Ground.

Warrenton-Hammond (Paperback) By Susan L. Glen, Warrenton-Hammond Historical Society, Historical Society Warrenton-Hammond. Located near the mouth of the Columbia River, Warrenton, incorporated in February 1899, is a city comprised of many earlier towns and villages. Hammond, although still having a separate post office and zip code, was merged with Warrenton in 1991. Fort Stevens, now an Oregon State Park, is located near Hammond. Lexington was the first county seat for Clatsop County until the county seat was vacated on December 4, 1879, and moved to Astoria. Skipanon, located near the same site as Lexington, was also annexed by Warrenton. Flavel, along the Columbia River between Warrenton and Hammond, was an active port for the Great Northern Steamship Company. It was annexed by Warrenton in 1918. Warrenton-Hammond documents each of these towns as they grew and became the present city of Warrenton.

Where the Heart Is By Claire Ruthrauff Lovell $16.95 ISBN: 9780976421931 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: Winchester Place Publishing, 2009. Searching through her memories, a history of Seaside emerges from Claire Lovell, a writer for the Seaside Signal. She had put down on paper her own story about many of the ordinary events and people in this coastal town. In this book she takes you though events and changes, starting from the house and family she was born into, to the same house she lives in now.

Women of the Sea. By John and Patience Wubben. $20.00 ISBN: 9780615182933 Availability: Usually ships in 1-5 days. Published: John Wubben and Patsy Wubben, 2008 Choosing employment in marine-related activities can be a complicated decision. Although fishing and related professions enjoy a rich cultural heritage, they often demand dogged commement in face of diminishing returns. Women working in non-traiditional martime careers face additional barriers, challenging their strength, perseverance, resourcefulness and skills. A 90 page book with lush color photographs of women in the maritime industry and a wealth of heritage written down for the first time.