A beautiful odyssey, brilliantly toldNovember 12, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Whether you start with the Book of Genesis or the Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, we humans have long loved tales about creating a new world--or building one from scratch. Lloyd Kahn's new book, Builders of the Pacific Coast, is primarily an account of builders and hand-crafted structures dating from the 60s to the 80s. Yet the rugged coastal setting of his odyssey--a blue and green world from Point Reyes Peninsula to Vancouver Island--invokes a simpler, more pristine time, an Eden of sorts. When forests grew down to the sea, building codes were few, lumber was plentiful (often free) and anyone with skill, a strong back and the courage to try could create something beautiful and enduring.
On every page of this book is something shocking and delightful. A boat with legs. A roof like a leaf. A caravan with eyes. A split-cedar woodshed shaped like a bird. Stair rails so sinuous and snakey they might come to life and grab you. Sculpted earth walls. Round windows and arched doors. Roofs curved like seagull wings. Grottos choked with ferns and flowers.
Not that there's any shortage of creatures and fantastical characters. Just off-camera lurk orcas, eagles and bears. And then there are the builders themselves. There hasn't been a cast of characters this colorful since Ken Kesey packed up his Underwood.
Builders of the Pacific Coast rolls on, mile after mile, in an odyssey so firsthand and vivid that you feel every rut in the road. And come to know, as Lloyd Kahn did, the soul of the place. The strong hands and big hearts of the people, the staggering abundance of the land and sea, the leaping joy that such a place still exists.
Great BookOctober 24, 2008 Great book that I was first introduced to at work. I am a Massage Therapist and this book assists me to give the best home-care for my clients. It has many different stretches for all activities, as well as isolated stretches for particular parts of the body. An inexpensive addition to a home or professional library.
Very good book.October 15, 2008 I'm an aging athlete. I know I should stretch more and this book is exactly what I need.
The Best EVER!!!!October 12, 2008 I'm an ancient, creaky registered nurse who works with an increasingly ancient, creaky population of inmates in a state prison. Not that inmates have ever been known to demonstrate poor judgement, bravado, or an overinflated sense of how to cope in a limited world, but STRETCHING is written in language they understand and has the best diagrams and instructions I have ever seen in a "How-to..." book about exercise. Without being preachy, it recommends moderation; without being childish, it emphasizes care, conditioning and attention to body messages. It is gentle, generic, and non-aggressive. It was recommended to my by a physical therapy student and I pass along that recommendation wholeheartedly. No matter what one's physical fitness level, restrictions or circumstances, STRETCHING is a "must have."
Doctor's Favorite PickOctober 5, 2008 As an arthritis doctor, I have suggested this book to probably over 200 patients in the last 5 years. It is like "Ibuprofen on paper" but MUCH healthier. Don't be intimidated by the index, simply look at each page that offers stretches for your area of pain...then follow the ones that show the shaded area where your pain is. I use it myself daily! KH, MD
