We'd like to introduce you to some great books by our writer-in-residence and former director, Ron Watters.  Ron has been with the Idaho State University Outdoor Program for many years.  He puts a lot of tender loving care into his books, long hours of research and works hard to make them visually appealing, useable, accurate--and fun to read.  Have a look . . .

Guide to Idaho Paddling
Flatwater & Easy Whitewater Trips

288 pages Paper ISBN 1-877625-07-8 Details

This is the first comprehensive guide on Idaho rivers which covers the state's flatwater and easy whitewater river runs.  There are no death defying rapids here, just great laid-back trips down easy-going streams, and fun whitewater on exciting but safe and sane rivers.  All the runs can be done in an open canoe, but are also suitable for kayaks, inflatables and drift boats. The text is supplemented with exquisite photography and beautiful, easy-to-use maps.    More Information.

Two books in one! This 355-page book is the bible of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and backcountry skiing in Idaho, the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks.  It includes descriptions of hundreds of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.     Backcountry aficionados will also find it invaluable with beautifully done aerial illustrations detailing snowboard and backcountry ski routes in some best terrain in the west.  And the book is filled with stories, honoring and retracing the rich traditions of western winter travel.     To top it off, it has been carefully and lovingly designed which is obvious by its pleasing graphics, easy-to-use maps, enticing photography, and overall visual appeal.  All in all, this is truly a model guidebook.  More Information.

304 pages Paper ISBN 1-877625-05-1 Details

304 pages Paper: ISBN 1-877625-03-5 Hardbound: ISBN 1-877625-02-7 Library Binding: ISBN 1-877625-04-3 Details

This is what Books In Print (the book world's main reference work) has to say about Never Turn Back:     "This fascinating and masterfully written book is considered one of the outdoor world's finest works.  The Los Angeles Daily News awarded NEVER TURN BACK their highest rating for a book:  `It's the best thing to come across this reviewer's desk in recent memory,' wrote Brett Pauly of the News.      `Bully for Watters!' said the San Francisco Chronicle about author Ron Watters' wonderfully told story.  William Bushnell of the Library Research Associates called it:  `Magnificent...told with sparkling clarity...truly inspirational.'      NEVER TURN BACK is the unforgettable biography of whitewater sport's most famous personality Dr. Walt Blackadar.  Blackadar stunned the outdoor world when he ran the treacherous rapids of Turnback Canyon on the remote and wild Alsek River in Canada and Alaska.  What made his solo journey through Turnback Canyon even more remarkable was the fact that he was 49 years old, an age when most athletes are long retired.      Blackadar's story is powerful and uplifting.  It is the story of the human spirit facing and overcoming great odds.      Joining book reviewers in praise for the book are outdoor authorities such as World Whitewater Champion Barb Wright:  `A work of art!'      Other reviews: `A triumph! I couldn't put it down.' `Uncommonly well-written and well-edited.' `An inspiring book.'" More Information

Ski Camping is a beautifully photographed book covering camping and skiing in the backcountry. Topics covered include planning, equipment, clothing, food, trail techniques, skiing techniques, snow camping, winter shelters, route finding and winter hazards.   It has become a classic outdoor instructional book and is one of the most well received skiing books ever published.  Here's what the reviewers have to say: “This enticing book is for you who crave to ski where you make the first track, and stay out overnight as well.  There are other books on this subject, but none so well done and so easily understood.  Nordic skiing has been one of my favorite enterprises for 25 years, and this is the nicest introduction to that delight I’ve seen.” — J. Baldwin, Next Whole Earth Catalog    “A splendid book with dramatic layout and striking photographs.  A treasury of tips.”  — Lito Tejada Flores, Backcountry Skiing   “A delightful book.  I kept looking for faults but came up empty handed. The array of information is vast.” — Eric Evans, Nordic Skiing “One of the most expansively and graphically exquisite winter travel books ever put together.” — Ski X-C Several chapters are found on our website.  More Information

154 pages 8.5" x 11" Paper 1-877625-00-0 Read the Camping Chapter More information on obtaining a book is found at Ron's site.  Plus, Ron has put several chapters on-line as a service to visitors to our web site.

141 pages Spiral Binding ISBN 0-937834-12-2 Published by Idaho State University Press Unfortunately, this book is now out-of-print.  However, we have several chapters on our website.  Links: History, Approaches, Liability.

Many of the chapters from the Outdoor Programming Handbook can be found on our web site (see below).  Although the field of outdoor education has changed much since the book was written in the mid 1980s, it still contains useful information for those setting up programs. Largely designed for nonprofit outdoor recreation programs, it covers: liability, outdoor programming history, facilities and resources, funding and budgeting, promotion and advertising, disabled programming, goal formulation, personnel, outdoor trips, rental centers, evaluation of programs and military recreation.  (Three chapters of the book are currently on-line: History, Approaches, Liability.) "It does cover the basics, but with depth, conciseness and clarity one rarely sees in books covering such critical topics as outdoor liability and funding." --Rod Neubert, Calpoly, San Luis Obispo, The Bulletin of the Association of College Unions--International. "The Outdoor Program Handbook is a valuable resource for coordinators of outdoor programming centers." --Valerie Wetzel, Campus Activities Programming

Each year, we publish a Dutch Oven Cookbook which is a compilation of the recipes from our dutch oven cooking classes. The book is divided into Soups, Breads, Vegetables, Entrees and Desserts. Introductory material covers dutch oven basics: buying, seasonning, roasting, baking, cleaning, planning and safety. For some of the winning recipes from past cookbooks, see Dutch Oven Recipes.  The cookbook is edited by Peter Joyce. (Pages vary depending upon the edition. Generally around 75 pages.) Spiral bound. The cost is $12.00 (plus $2 postage). To receive a copy send your request to: Peter Joyce (joycpete@isu.edu)

Be sure to check out the National Outdoor Book Awards website.  Each year a panel of judges consisting of authors, book reviewers, media representives and outdoor educators recognize some of the best outdoor books of that year. It's a great place to get some ideas for your "must read" list.

Dancing with the Bear

If you haven't seen it elsewhere on our website, we have a wonderful full-length book on-line.  Called Dancing with the Bear the book is about the travels and explorations of a team of  kayakers in Russia and the central Asian republics.  It's more than just  kayaking.  It's about Russia, its people and life there.     "What we did," wrote Liam, "was travel in Russia and the Central Asian republics at a time when the dust caused by the breakup of the USSR had still not settled and the Central Asian republics were struggling to find their feet. Unlike the journeys described in most travel books about Russia, we did not travel as guests of the state, chaperoned by nervous officials, nor did we travel as individuals only able to make random contact with passing strangers.  We  traveled with a group of Russian rafters whose attitude to the rules is best described as indifferent. In Moscow and St.Petersberg, living as guests of these hospitable people, we were able to see some of the reality of life in modern Russia."     Liam is talented writer, an acute observer, and has produced a wonderful book.  Thanks to Liam's generosity, you can enjoy it free on our web site.

NEW. Another wonderful on-line book. . . Written by Jerry Dixon, South Fork Wild and Free is a personal story of a hidden Idaho treasure. Come along with Jerry on kayaking, skiing and fire fighting adventures.  Learn about the South Fork's history and ecology.  Complete with maps and photographs, it's available free on our website!