Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Tour

I bought this book because I live in the Pacific Northwest and I wanted a memento of my area in case I ever move away. There are excellent large photos of areas I have seen with my own eyes, such as Portland Oregon with Mt Hood in the background, the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon beaches, Multnomah Falls and Vista House's view, both along the Columbia River Gorge, an inside picture of Timberline Lodge, Stonehenge, which is a 10 minute drive from my home, the Riverfront park in Spokane and the HUGE Radio Flyer wagon slide that is there, Mt Saint Helens, to name a few. Also there are pictures of places I haven't seen yet that I would like to see, in California, and Vancouver BC and Oregon's Crater Lake that is on the cover as well as in the book. Includes some history and historical photos in the beginning of the book. If you don't live in this area this book may inspire you to visit.

Like wow! When my parents were looking at this book and hoping to get an idea of the Pacific Northwest, I didn't know what all the oohs and ahs were all about. But after taking a gander at the many gorgeous pictures depicting the natural, cultural and historic wonders of this diverse region -- safely under the blanket with a flashlight -- I can see why they liked it so much. Containing almost none of the preciousness one often sees in coffee table books, nor the high flown gas one sometimes finds in other works devoted to American regions, nor the sappiness of the normal trade book intended for use by armchair travelers, Mr. Landphair and Ms. Highsmith's work really makes you want to visit the Northwest and soak up the sights. The captions are eloquent without being overly long, and the photos are artistic without being 'artsy.' The printing itself is a work of art. I would unreservedly recommend this to anyone either of my own age group or older. Awesome! Move over Playstation 2!