ASE Usually I am impartial to short story collections but this one caught my eye. You see, I attended a Vertebrate Paleontology conference in New York City this week and as I can’t seem to get my fill of the creatures (even with the five day scientific conference) I choose to do this book review. About the book; there are fourteen stories by famous and not-so-famous authors, ranging from sci-fi and fantasy to stories with smatterings of the most recent dinosauria knowledge. All of the stories involved humans relating to the dinosaurs whether the 2355 Days, a POW’s Story. Spike Nasmyth Orion Books “After you finish this book... you will have a better understanding of how it feels to be locked up ina filthy, rotten, commie slammer,” says Richmond author Spike Nasmyth regarding his latest book 2355 Days, a POW’s Story, put out by Orion this past summer. Nashit, as Spike was often referred to in ‘Nam, begins his tale in Thailand, the summer of 1966, exactly twenty years ago. He opens his story with a graphic description of a fellow pilot, Wombat, whose Phantom Bomber was shot down by a Soviet-built SA-2 surface-to-air, radar-guided missile (SAM) a few days before Nashit’s own plane got blown out of the skies. Wombat, pinned into his seat with his guts leaking out all over the place, was helpless against the jungle rats that quickly moved in for a feast. Wombat opa&e@siwash.bc.ca Dinosaurs Stories by Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clark, Isaac Asimov and many others Edited by Martin H. Greenberg humans became dinos, fought them or Just observed which I guess illustrates our inherent curiosity and awe of the very extinct creatures. j Humans have been in love with dinosaurs and the idea of dinosaurs since the first fossils were found and possibly even before with the idea of dragons. The stories in this collection are a varied look at our human curiosity and desire to be closer to the mysterious beasts. Dinosaurs let our imaginations run free. We can imagine lumbering, dim- witted beasts or fast, ferocious teeth was rescued within two hours. Nashit wasn’t so lucky. And the real story begins when his copilot, seated five feet behind him, gets blown out of the Phantom by a SAM. Nashit ejected into enemy territory — this ain’t no video game. Spike Nasmyth’s book is not only an exciting read, it is a piece of history we don’t ever want to forget. Com- plete with photos and an introduction by fellow POW, Fred Cherry, Nasmyth (or Nashit), gives us a glimpse of reality from an unusual perspective— the source. Few history books are as readable or accurate as this one. Well done SPIKE! by Barbara Kinley-Hubert Gi) ethyl 3 items Combo Lunch Special 10 dishes to choose from Une NO MSG « GST INCLUDED This special price is only available before 2:30pm EAS Ae ayy) 601 Agnes St. at 6th St., New West MON-FRI 7:45am- 5:00pm 7th Street Agnes Street HOLIDAYS CLOSED Thy Blessed Kitchen 6th Street peasy and claw battles to the death, enor- mous foliage, steamy rainforest heat and erupting volcanoes. We can even imagine stowaways to our geological age, monsterous creatures rising from the deepest oceans or inhabiting the wastelands of the planet, only seen by those who believe. The verdict: a good read for everyone, whether you are a paleo- buff or a sci-fi freak and especially if dinosaurs caught your attention as a child. by Holly Keyes introducing us to Kane and Huaorani (literally, The People) tribesman Moi. Moi has come to America as a plaintiff in a human-rights case. American oil interests in Ecuador threatened to destroy the Huaorani way of life, and Moi is petitioning the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to have the oil company stopped. But how did Moi get to Washington DC? Well, that’s where the rest of the book comes BE Peete R Mo 1 eS eee Le ML dees fect Greystone books recently released this revised version of Jack Christie’s seminal work (one of a trilogy of books that define exploring the Vancouver/Whistler area), and, even though I rarely get up to the Whistler area, I just had to aquire it. Christie’s writing is simple, eloquent, engaging and clear as a bell. There is some overlap between this book, which covers Whistler and Squamish, and Daytrips from Vancou- ver, which covers the Area north of Vancouver to Squamish. As this is the most recently updated book, it offers the most complete guide to the ahead pecans from the autber at ROMNING INE SRAL08 one soil bond of Amenonign wertions delesded then sometimes irreverent, often critical view of any and all who walk the jungle, including (at times) the Huaorani themselves. But even when he looks at the foibles of the Huaorani (like their rather tenuous grasp of the concept of time; when asked what time it is, Moi answers “It is 2:30 in Japan.”), it is coloured by his love and respect for The People. Despite being a strongly pro- environmental, pro-Huaorani book, Century College Coquitlam Education Centre M TOEFL, LPI, GMAT, GRE, Adults ESL M College,High School &Provincial Exam Tutoring International student (ESL) & Homestay Service M CGA/CA/CMA and other career programs B.A., B.Comm, B.Admin., MBA, MEd., MBA and M.S. international Trade, Banking and Logistics) ... ...4nd Much More !!! Come check us out! 3035 Anson Ave., Cog. (next to Coquitlam Centre) Tel:552-2789 Whistler Outdoor Guide Jack Christie Greystone Books Squamish/Brakendale region. Readers of Christie’s Outdoor column for the Georgia Straight will also notice some overlap. But then, Christie never claimed that any of his writing was the definitive guide to a region. Every season, every new day offers a different perspective, a new trail to explore, a new sight to see. If you like getting outdoors and want a well thought-out guide book, this is the perfect book. If you dream about getting out and about but have no time, Christie’s writing is the next best thing to being there. by Trent Kane resists (most) unmitigated bashing of the oil companies, the environmentalists and the missionar- ies, instead letting the characters and events speak for themselves, a welcome relief amidst a sea of self- righteous environmental books. This gives the narrative a breezy readabil- ity, but don’t mistake readability for lack of import. The book turns on the unexpected murder of a Huaorani tribesman. This event, which happens just past the halfway point brings the conflict into immediate focus. The danger, which has always been about, is suddenly more immediate. Concerns over starvation, falling into rivers and unrelenting skin fungus are replaced by the more immediate concern of a bullet to the head. This is an important book. Not only because it captures in sharp relief the conflict between modern and ancient society, but because it tells a good story. Kane’s easy pacing never gets bogged down in too much detail, and he does a bang-up job of capturing the character and emotion of the Ecuado- rian jungle. by Trent 16 October 291996 The Other Press