Sky's Witness: A Year in the Wind River Range

Customer Reviews:

words that flow.......2000-12-01

The books you have read in your life likely fall into one of several classes ranging from extremely poor to unsurpassed worth. On that worthy end of the spectrum, there have probably been those books that caused a pause in you upon reading the final sentence; a pause followed by a nod of thanks to the author for having given you so much pleasure. And then there are those even more rare instances where you reach that final page and feel that sense of want for more. Its a mixed feeling of love for what you have just read combined with the emptiness that follows upon closing the pages for that final time. It is as if you have lost a friend. Rawlins hit that chord in me with Sky's Witness. The Wind River Range is probably my most favorite place to wander, and I was led to this book after searching for all I could find written about it. But one does not have to go to The Winds or appreciate their grandeur in order to be captivated by the author's writing style here. His ability to describe thoughts and places and to reflect on their nature is almost a gift of magic. He covers a lot of territory, both physical and emotional over the course of a year. It has been about five years since I read it, and I still miss the times it gave to me. If I were to have any reservations it its regard, it would only be the put-offish nature that his personality occasionally evokes in his writing and some of the personal encounters that he describes. Put simply, he is certainly not one to be with when he is in a foul mood. But in praise, this again also speaks to his ability to convey all those elemental spokes of our humanity. If you are one who loves the outdoors, this book will go a long way for you. But even if you are not inclined to the rugged nature of the backcountry, this book will still bring rewarding moments to you during that time spent in that soft leather chair.

Premier Book and Author.......2000-11-15

I own six copies of this book (four are loaners). My life revolves around literature, and this is one of the best books I've read. It's definitely my favorite. Rawlins uses relatively simple language with a powerful, poetic effect. If you have any kind of interest in the environment, backcountry travel, or the mountains--and even if you don't--read this book. Rawlins' writing is beautiful and intense; overall, I think the writing carries more impact than even authors such as Ed Abbey or Aldo Leopold.

Phrases such as "The cabin is a frozen skull" jump out, as do passages such as this: "At first you're a stranger to the forest. It's too quiet. You feel as if your every move is seen and judged. Then, without noticing a difference, you feel more at home here than anywhere else. It's as if your heart skips a beat and then begins on an older pulse." If you're not an environmentalist when you start the book, you might begin seeing things in a new light. If you were already concerned about the human impact on the world before you started it, you'll feel it more deeply.

Richard Nelson, author and Burroughs Medal winner, might have said it best in his review of "Sky's Witness:" "A very fine writer...as lavish and varied as a jazz musician--lively, funny, sometimes outrageous; poignant, tender, engaging; richly informative; and deeply poetic. Filled with the joys of working on the land, Rawlins documents the subtle wounding of America's remotest wildlands, where rain and snow are tainted by the breath of distant cities."

C.L. Rawlins is to Sky's Witness as H.D. Th. is to Walden P........1999-02-06

Anyone willing to endure the physical hardship involved in self-supported mountain travel will appreciate Rawlin's extrordinarilly beautiful soliloquies on the mountain wilderness experience. Example: "But it wasn't the smell of the air that played in me so much as the light. The moon and sun lay opposite each other in the sky, exchanging their gleams, and the country was laid out below all rough and golden. The ridge was a strong point, the hardest rock in the range. On it you could meet the wind, face it, draw it in and breathe it out. And I felt a desire with no object or reason, except the land and the wild light."

Clearly Rawlin's regards the essence of the mountain wilderness and the essence of himself as one. He writes of the experience of being alone in a small raft on a clear summer night on a high altitude lake in the Wind River Range. "I've touched this water, tasted it. I've caught and eaten its trout, scooped it into pots for coffee, mixed it with my blood, taught it to walk and tell lies, and pissed it back steaming onto the ground. The lake and I have more than a casual acquaintance, yet in the dark, it seems not to know me. I can't see my reflection. The water that has claimed a part of my life now holds me in a star-flecked indifference."

I believe that all mountain travelers grapple with words to express their most intimate feelings about their mountain experiences. Rawlins gives these experiences expression with the skill of a violin virtuoso who is able to prolong the playing of a single note with haunting clarity and seemingly project it into eternity. So also does Rawlins project his love of the Wind River Range to a spiritual level. The drawings of Hannah Hinchman are exquisite!

If you love the Western Mountains, this is a must read!.......1996-09-12

If you want to hike, back pack, and live in the Wyoming Wind River Mountains for one year, C. L. Rawlins will take you there in these 300 pages. You will not find a better companion: his writings proceed in a rythmn -- moving from intricate description of rock, snow, and lake, to insightful and stunning explanations of nature itself, followed perhaps by a down-to-earth philosophical reminder. His humor catches one off gaurd and he tests more than a few other emotions. I returned from a four-day back pack trip in the Wyoming Wind River Mountains August 1996. Several days thereafter, by happenstance I noticed this book. In the early pages, Rawlins and his companion, John are skiing with fully loaded packs on the exact trail. up the Big Sandy Opennings, that I traversed. This book was an extra treat for me. Rawlins loves to walk and hike. He writes: "Walking feels good. It helps me think. The Grail, Mecca, Lourdes, the Frontier, Everest -- all are simply good excuses for going." C.L. Rawlins might be considered the "Annie Dillard of the Wind Rivers." When enthralled with a certain spot in his mountains, Rawlins writes, "Words make no sense at all. Being here does." He is humble. His words do make undeniable sense.

Book Description

Sarah Byrnes and Eric have been friends for years. When they were children, his fat and her terrible scars made them both outcasts. Later, although swimming slimmed Eric, she stayed his closest friend.

Now Sarah Byrnes -- the smartest, toughest person Eric has ever known -- sits silent in a hospital. Eric must uncover the terrible secret she's hiding, before its dark currents pull them both under.

Customer Reviews:

dang captivating.......2007-09-23

OK, more than enough has been said about this book already, so I'm just gonna share my feeelings.
At first, you need to get used to the chracters, as someone previously said. After that, you're very close to the characters and it all just swoops you away to a world full of tears. well it was that world for me. i was weeping so blooody bitterly at some moments of this novel. It's got so much depth. I know you don't wanna miss this novel for the death of you. man, if all books could do what this book did to me. i'm so thankful at Mr. Crutcher for his ability and strength. eh, god bless this book.

An outstanding read for any age..........2007-07-07

Just out of curiosity, I picked up this book from my 15 year old's pile of summer reads. I didn't put the book down until I finished. The only time I put it aside was to wipe the tears from my eyes or move to a quieter location. At 43 years old, I have to say that this was one of the most moving books I've read (younger audience genre) - it is a book that will inspire any age. This story is about friendship, loyalty, life, God, free speech, free thinking, and most of all, compassion. The subject matter is sometimes difficult - as a mother of 3, it was hard to read about the abuse. Sarah's father, as someone mentioned in another review, is one of the scariest characters in fiction - there are parts of the book which will keep you at the edge of your seat. This book has a life lesson for any age!

Wow.......2007-04-11

When I reached the end of "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes", I nearly started crying. The ending touched me more than all the friendship moments in the book combined. And that's saying something, considering the fact that I liked this book very much.

"Staying Fat" is very much a friendship story. It's also a story about relationships, high school in general, and problems people have. It has in it many different social problems that people would rather not face head on. I especially liked the class discussions involving religion, abortion, and various other topics. It made the book a lot more interesting and real.

The thing is, the storyline isn't that amazing. It's good, but not great. What makes this story good is that the character's are great. They're very real and wonderfully drawn out. I connected to each character and felt what they felt, making this story more emotional and real. The story alone was sad, but wouldn't have meant much without these characters.

"Staying Fat" is really a very good book, but at times the plot doesn't move anywhere. If the book ran a little smoother and faster, it would be a 5-star book - no questions asked. I recommend this to teenagers interested in social issues. It's a very good book that should be read.

The Things we do for Friendship.......2007-02-10

Eric is a high-school swimmer, nicknamed Moby because of his size. Surprisingly enough, he is a really great swimmer despite being so large. His dad left before he was born, but he has a good relationship with his mom. This is beside the point, though. This story belongs to his friend. Sarah Byrnes makes everyone call her by her full name. The reason is her sense of irony--she was burned badly as a child and her face is disfigured by scars. Her father would not pay for her to have plastic surgery to have them fixed. Sarah Byrnes is strong, though, and has managed to survive all of the teasing and taunting of childhood. She and Eric are bound together by the fact that both were outcasts.

Now, during their senior year in high school, something is very wrong with Sarah Byrnes. She is in the psychiatric unit of a local hospital and she seems completely unresponsive, not speaking or even making eye contact with anyone. Eric visits her and begins to suspect that she is only pretending to be sick and she is really spending this time deciding what to do with a new and dangerous situation. He wants to help her, but in order to do so he may have to put himself into danger, too.

I liked not only the main characters, but also the great secondary characters Crutcher developed. Eric's mom, his English teacher/swim coach, and his friend Ellerby were all excellent additions to this story. Of course, I also liked Eric himself and the way he cherished his friendship with Sarah Byrnes.

amazing.......2006-12-12

I stayed up until 7am reading this book. It is the best book I have ever read, literally. It made me laugh and cry and is the only book I've ever recommended to other people. It should be a movie.

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Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Chris Crutcher
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Staying Fat is better than a diet

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Manufacturer: Novel Units
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1581305710

Book Description

Teachers, these time-saving student packets feature multiple-level reproducibles for direct student use. Included are activity sheets, quizzes, vocabulary activities, unit tests and much more for an indepth study of the story. (This is NOT the paperback novel.)

Customer Reviews:

Staying Fat is better than a diet.......2005-03-08

Sarah Byrnes is the ugliest girl in the world. When she was three, she pulled a pot of boiling spaghetti on herself and got burns to match her name. Growing up, she never hesitated to deliver acerbic lashings to taunters who spout the same lame insults as always, which makes it all the more eerie when one ordinary day, Sarah Byrnes stops. She won't speak, move, respond... Nothing. As she's whisked away to Sacred Heart's Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, her only friend, Eric Calhoune, who was as fat as she was ugly, is left wondering how to coax her out of her virtual coma and how she fell into it in the first place.

Eric, who narrates the story, is smart and equipped with an "I was a fat kid" mentality that adds humor and heart to the story. He also harbors an overwhelming need to protect Sarah Byrnes. Sarah Byrnes (as she demands to be called at all times) is tough as nails, but we get to see her vulnerable side through letters and when she finally reopens her mouth. Her former friend Dale couldn't even pass the eighth grade, but when it comes to the real world, he's an Einstein. The shady, scary Virgil Byrnes gives even Bob Ewell of To Kill a Mockingbird a run for his money. Chris Crutcher introduces an impressive array of characters through Eric's school. Eric's friend Steve Ellerby is a preacher's kid, regularly begs Jesus to come swim laps for him at practice, and can carry on deep, philosophical conversations while behind the wheel of the "Christian Cruiser", a customized station wagon that bares blasphemous sayings and blares sick-sounding hymns. His polar opposite, Mark Brittain, routinely preaches to Eric and his classmates that they are going to hell for ignoring the word of God. Mrs. Lemry, Eric's teacher and swimming coach, delivers a dose of blunt honesty, which the book so desperately needs. At the beginning of the book, Eric asks Lemry what will happen if Sarah Byrnes doesn't get better. Her response is not the optimistic "Sarah Byrnes will get better" or even the general "everything will be alright", but the frank "I don't know. I'm not a shrink."

Crutcher does a marvelous job of letting the characters' chemistry buzz around uninhibited, especially in Critical American Thought class. Eric's class at school is basically a forum for discussion on topics like the quality of life, abortion, and religion. Here, all the high school characters get their say, providing us with a myriad of views on hot topics. Crutcher blends and balances each opinion so expertly that I haven't a clue of where he stands. Every page CAT class occupies is one of my favorites. The arguments themselves are strong and mind boggling, among the best I've ever heard. The class debate on abortion alone is reason enough to read Staying Fat.

The plot itself-though I really enjoyed it-is a tad farfetched. You'd hope that when Sarah Byrnes starts talking again, someone, anyone in Sacred Heart would notice. When she hides out at school after busting out of Sacred Heart, you'd think her frantic father would know about it, especially with the totalitarian vice-principle who's been on her case since middle school lurking around. Going off to find her long-lost mother is presented in a believable manner, but in the real world, I highly doubt that it would ever happen.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a worthwhile read, if only for the chemistry between its characters and side plots. Swallowing the somewhat implausible main storyline is less of a challenge than you'd imagine and the rest of the book more than makes up for it. This compelling novel will make you want to stay fat for Sarah Byrnes too.

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STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES
CRUTCHER CHRIS
Manufacturer: GREENWILLOW BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Chris Crutcher
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

In response to enormous recent advances, particularly in molecular biology, the authors have revised their warmly received work. This new edition includes updates on seed development, gene expression, dormancy, and other subjects. It will serve as the field's standard textbook and reference source for many years to come.

Seed Development and Germination (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)

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Seed Development and Germination (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0824792297

Book Description

This text is intended for plant physiologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, biotechnologists, geneticists, horticulturalists, agromnomists and botanists, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines. It integrates advances in the diverse and rapidly-expanding field of seed science, from ecological and demographic aspects of seed production, dispersal and germination, to the molecular biology of seed development. The book offers a broad, multidisciplinary approach that covers both theoretical and applied knowledge.

Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds in Relation to Germination: Development, Germination, and Growth

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Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds in Relation to Germination: Development, Germination, and Growth
D. Bewley , and M. Black
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds. In Relation to Germination: Volume 1: Development, Germination, and Growth

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Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds. In Relation to Germination: Volume 1: Development, Germination, and Growth
J. D. Bewley , and M. Black
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Seed Physiology: Development

Manufacturer: Academic Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Physiology and Biochemistry of Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination

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Physiology and Biochemistry of Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination

Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is based on the fact that certain nuclei exhibit a magnetic moment, oriented by a magnetic field, and absorb characteristic frequencies in the radiofrequency part of the spectrum. The spectral lines of the nuclei are highly influenced by the chemical environment i.e. the structure and interaction of the molecules. NMR is now the leading technique and a powerful tool for the investigation of the structure and interaction of molecules. The present Landolt-Börnstein volume III/35 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Data is therefore of major interest to all scientists and engineers who intend to use NMR to study the structure and the binding of molecules. Volume III/35 "NMR-Data" is divided into several subvolumes and parts. Subvolume III/35A contains the nuclei 11B and 31P, subvolume III/35B contains the nuclei 19F and 15N, subvolume III/35C contains the nucleus 1H, subvolume III/35D contains the nucleus 13C, subvolume III/35E contains the nucleus 17O, and subvolume III/35G contains the nucleus 77Se. More nuclei will be presented later.

A computationally feasible quantum chemical model for ^1^3C NMR chemical shifts of PCB-derived carboxylic acids [An article from: Chemosphere]

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A computationally feasible quantum chemical model for ^1^3C NMR chemical shifts of PCB-derived carboxylic acids [An article from: Chemosphere]
E. Kolehmainen , K. Tuppurainen , S.A. Lanina , and Sieva
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RR5JQG

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Chemosphere, published by Elsevier in . The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Two quantum chemical models have been derived for the prediction of ^1^3C NMR chemical shifts of novel PCB acids obtained from PCBs by catalytic carbonylation. ^1^3C isotropic shielding constants were calculated employing the GIAO (gauge-independent atomic orbital) method with density functional theory (DFT). The best results were obtained by cluster calculations, which took the solvent effects into account properly. In this approach, a solvent molecule (acetone) was attached by a hydrogen bond to every hydrogen atom present in a PCB acid, and the geometry of the molecular cluster was optimized employing the AM1 method. For 158 chemical shifts, the cross-validated standard error was 2.8ppm and the cross-validated correlation coefficient was 0.94.

NMR spectral atlas of aromatic nitro compounds (Technical report)

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NMR spectral atlas of aromatic nitro compounds (Technical report)
T. A. E Richter
Manufacturer: Picatinny Arsenel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007GWV68

Book Description

This monograph presents the latest advances of fuzzy logic and soft computing in reservoir characterization and modeling. It proposes for the first time that future develoments require perception-based information processing. The book presents important steps in this direction by introducing fuzzy partial differential equations and relational equations. It provides a unique opportunity for soft computing researchers and oil industry practitioners to understand the significance of the changes in the fields by presenting recent accomplishments and new directions.

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Another engrossing read

Impressive

Berlin and LA?

A Fancy Pot Boiler

An Interesting Trip

The Weather in Berlin: A Novel
Ward Just
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The American Ambassador: A Novel

ASIN: 0618340793

Book Description

In this astute novel of Americans abroad, Ward Just turns his keen eye toward the dark underpinnings of nationalism, fame, and artistic integrity. When a famous Hollywood director travels to post-Wall Germany to rekindle his genius, he is unexpectedly reunited with an actress who mysteriously disappeared from the set of his movie thirty years before. Masterly and atmospheric, The Weather in Berlin explores the subtleties of artistic inspiration, the nature of memory, and the pull of the past.

Customer Reviews:

Another engrossing read .......2007-06-19

Ward Just's leading men are likely to be middle-aged to elderly gents of some renown who favor Borsalino hats -- hats under which some intriguing ruminations are to be found. "The Weather in Berlin" finds our man to be an accomplished Hollywood movie director in Berlin to spend time at an institute. His renown is based largely on a film he shot in Germany several years earlier, and this gains him acceptance into a group of filmmakers shooting episodes of a highly popular sort of period soap opera in a house near the institute. The book has to do with this relationship, which occasions a discussion of the shooting of his notable film and other things of concern and interest to Germans and filmmakers.

The author writes so well that it's easy to forgive the improbably high quality of dialog some of his characters utter. What is presented as extemporaneous conversation often seems a bit too insightful and well edited. Notable is a scene in which a 15- or possibly 20-year-old village girl who claims little knowledge of films reels off a concise and astute summary and evaluation of Werner Herzog's "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" during a casual chitchat with our director protagonist. Of course, this is his recollection of a conversation from years earlier, which might excuse its literary quality.

Impressive.......2005-12-16

I'd almost given up hope. With so much fluff out there, I finally read a story about a middle-age adult who isn't wading in gore or reliving his adolescent sex fantasies. He actually has complex thoughts, a complex life, and moves in communities of people with opinions. A great book. How did he ever get it published?

Berlin and LA?.......2003-03-14

The Weather in Berlin offers a tight portrait of post-war(s) Germany and strangley, current day Hollywood. How are dreams realized and at what expense? How different is the psyche of a director or a dictator within their self-generated worlds of audiences/volk, leader and led?

Explore the subtle words and beauty of this fine novel. The Prussian past is really not that far from Hollywood and Vine.
Well worth the read and well worth the work.

A Fancy Pot Boiler.......2003-02-19

There's a big hole in the center of this book where the personality of the protagonist ought to be. It seems that the author, after having spent time in a German think-tank and needing to mine some gold out of it, hobbled together a novel from his impressions of Berlin, to which he added an incredibly thin plot revolving around the crisis of his 60ish film-making hero. The writing is very, very pretty, but not always clear. Sentences don't just run on but run amok. Everone talks alike. The action, what there is of it, is poorly motivated. There are numerous digressions, while seeming essentials are absent. The saving grace is what one learns about political and cultural thinking in today's re-unified East Germany.

An Interesting Trip.......2003-01-26

In this 305 page book the author gives an insightful look at the culture of the old East Germany as it has been changed after the reunification of Germany. Characters are presented representing the ones who enjoyed their old isolated lives under communist rule and are contrasted with persons who follow the capitalist ideologies. The time period of the book is the winter of 1999 and the scenes reflect that troubled time in the reunification process. This is a pleasure to read for those who have traveled in Germany in Berlin and the surrounding countryside. A familiarity with the locations and cultural atmosphere certainly enhances the pleasure. However, a map of Berlin and the surrounding area certainly would be a help to persons not very familiar with the locale. Another source of pleasure for me was the view into the mind of an American movie director, specifically how he has to be able to imagine all he ideally wants and then to try to reproduce that ideal with the fallible humans at hand. The narrative of the book wanders in and out of reveries by the principal character Dixon Greenwood as his imagination works with a story that he has to direct as part of a German television series.

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