The Great South Woods Rambles of an Adirondack Naturalist

Rating:
Summary: The Wilderness Never Sounded So Good!
Review: Peter O'Shea's "The Great South Woods" is a detailed and heartfelt account of the flora, fauna, geography and people of the Northwestern part of the Adirondack Park. All the native creatures of the area are described in detailed narratives similiar to one heard around a deep woods campfire. Golden eagles, racoons, bears, bobcat, snowshoe hare, beaver and white tailed deer are just a few of the animals reviewed in detail and passion. O'Shea easily describes the large variety of trees native to the area. Black cherry, white ash, tamarack, sugar maple, white birch and white pine read more like personalized characters rather than simple plant materials. The rivers and famous waterfalls of the region are also portrayed in delicate prose, prompting one to want to visit them over and over, if only in this book. Hiking along these ancient trails, O'Shea conveys a magical aura to everything he views, including the sweeping vistas from the many peaks and the experience of having a quiet hike interupted by a flight of a grouse or the discovery of a rare plant in a bog. Not content to stop with these topics, O'Shea delves further into the local lore and legend with well researched stories of the trappers, guides and sportsmen that first discovered and then protected this land. You'll find many favorite passages here and a wealth of information that will last lifetimes.

Rating:
Summary: You feel like you're there!
Review: Peter O'Shea's "The Great South Woods" is a detailed and heartfelt account of the flora, fauna, geography and people of the Northwestern part of the Adirondack Park. All the native creatures of the area are described in detailed narratives similiar to one heard around a deep woods campfire. Golden eagles, racoons, bears, bobcat, snowshoe hare, beaver and white tailed deer are just a few of the animals reviewed in detail and passion. O'Shea easily describes the large variety of trees native to the area. Black cherry, white ash, tamarack, sugar maple, white birch and white pine read more like personalized characters rather than simple plant materials. The rivers and famous waterfalls of the region are also portrayed in delicate prose, prompting one to want to visit them over and over, if only in this book. Hiking along these ancient trails, O'Shea conveys a magical aura to everything he views, including the sweeping vistas from the many peaks and the experience of having a quiet hike interupted by a flight of a grouse or the discovery of a rare plant in a bog. Not content to stop with these topics, O'Shea delves further into the local lore and legend with well researched stories of the trappers, guides and sportsmen that first discovered and then protected this land. You'll find many favorite passages here and a wealth of information that will last lifetimes.

Rating:
Summary: You feel like you're there!
Review: Reading this book I truly felt that I was walking with Peter O'Shea through the woods listening to his wonderful stories. This book is lovingly written and provides the reader with vivid, memorable descriptions of what I know to be a magnificent area of New York State. Well worth reading!