PICK OF THE WEEK
“Trail Safe”
(Wilderness Press, $14.95)
Michael Bane had a revolver on him at the time, but he didn’t reach for it when his would-be assailant drew a knife. Instead, Bane kept his wits about him, kept a box of dog biscuits between himself and the thug, and kept talking, spinning a fantastic tale about a drug-addicted dog that distracted his adversary long enough for Bane to unlock and get into his car and close the door. It happened one night in a parking lot at a trail head, a classification of backcountry travel sites that Bane says has begun to attract a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts, who in turn, unfortunately, have begun to attract a growing number of two-legged predators. The book, subtitled “Averting Threatening Human Behavior in the Outdoors,” takes backpackers and campers through the kind of psychological survival skills that may help them avoid dangerous encounters in the first place. Bane encourages his readers to trust intuition, recognize legitimate fear, assess the potential dangers of an environment and form strategies. The author’s personal adventures in cave diving, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking and even police SWAT team training make for exciting reading, yes, but also demonstrate how Bane’s advice applies in real-life situations. He also addresses the thornier moral issues that arise when all attempts to de-escalate a life-threatening encounter fail. (ISBN 0-89997-264-0)
“S******* Pretty”
(Travelers’ Tales, $12.95)
It says here that the ancient Romans held two deities of the toilet in high esteem. In those times, public toilets contained not only the practical facilities for answering nature’s call but also shrines where offerings could be made. Gratitude for clean facilities, indeed for any facilities at all, it seems, has a long history in Western culture. In some parts of the world, however, “going” in style is approached with habits most politely described as unfamiliar to the American public, if the matter is approached with any style at all. Despite its provocative title–which we, as a family newspaper, refrain from printing–this first edition addresses all possible misadventures to which the human alimentary canal may fall prey: bad drinking water, weird food, worms, diarrhea and dysentery. It also introduces a host of characters from the animal kingdom one may encounter while taking care of one’s business abroad. There’s specific advice for seniors and children traveling in remote regions and revelations about the unusual conditions under which some travelers attempt to bathe: hence its subtitle “How to Stay Clean and Healthy While Traveling.” Still, this book bears the main title it does for a reason: the simple human curiosity about the universality of one of life’s most basic needs. The book’s strength lies in the very personal quotations of real people who aren’t afraid to share their experiences, as in this comparatively discreet advice from a 46-year-old public health worker in Nepal: “Beware of what you squat over, especially at night. I have been unpleasantly surprised by fire ants in Bali, by thistles and stinging nettles in Ireland and by sand flies in Peru.” (ISBN 1-885211-47-3)
“World Passport to Safer Travel”
(AAA, $8.95)
You know how children go to kindergarten before they start 1st grade? Well, here’s a guide for travel’s kindergartners. Advice of the hand-holding variety–memorize your cash card’s PIN number, don’t go to a stranger’s house–precedes descriptions of diseases common in foreign lands; an overview of Christianity, Buddhism and Islam; lists of Web sites and tour operators; and European rail maps. The lion’s share of the compact guide’s 352 pages are given over to country-by-country descriptions, from American Samoa to Zimbabwe, that cover essential information on currency, language, transportation, culture, laws and prices, all in a glance. (ISBN 1-56251-351-6)
MIDWEST GUIDES
Wisconsin Curiosities”
(Globe Pequot, $12.95)
Look no farther. Here’s where Carmex was invented, where the world’s largest manufacturer of sauerkraut takes in cabbages by countless tons. Think you know the Badger State? Quick: Where can you find the Harry Houdini walking tour or the guy who changed his name to Elvis Aron Presley? Public Radio’s Michael Feldman (“Whad’Ya Know?”) fills in all the knowledge gaps–even ones you didn’t know you had–including the scoop on Igor the 12-foot fiberglass mouse. There’s even the gripping account of how a foam cheesehead may just possibly have saved the life of a pro-football fan. And you thought Wisconsin was all about beer and butter. (ISBN 0-7627-0622-8)
“Road Trip USA Getaways: Chicago”
(Avalon Travel, $9.95)
Chicago is the center of the universe (as proven by its location in the blessedly easy-to-decipher pull-out map in the back of this book). But there are times when Chicagolanders need to, shall we say, expand their orbit. This first-edition driving guide suggests circle routes–in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana–that cover some of each state’s most cherished landmarks and scenic drives. The writing here doesn’t shine; it doesn’t really need to in a book whose format is only a little longer and wider than an airline ticket folder and not much thicker. History and general information about each region are covered in the main sections. Insets, some scarcely bigger than a postage stamp, focus on individual points of interest. Special places like Mackinac Island, Route 66, Galena and French Lick get star treatment in separate stories. (ISBN 1-56691-157-5)
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud at tstroud@tribune.com.
