FROM THE BOOKSHELF: For The Kayaker, The Hiker, The QRPer

Once in a while it’s not a bad idea to set your radio and outdoor gear aside, curl up in a comfortable chair and get a taste of outdoor adventure through the eyes – and words – of others.

There’s no shortage of books on leisure activity, and when a couple of tomes come along that have direct application to the interests of members in the Adventure Radio Society, it’s a real bonus.

* * * * * * * * * *

With a subtitle of “Expert guidance for enjoying paddling in all types of water from one of America’s top kayakers,” Joe Glickman’s “The Kayak Companion” is a nicely illustrated primer for the QRPer who has never set sail in a kayak, as well as the seasoned veteran who appreciates the value of a quick and enjoyable refresher course.

“Joe Glickman, one of the premier paddlers in North America, has spent countless hours in kayaks of all kinds and learned the finer points of paddling the hard way,” wrote Greg Barton, two-time Olympic kayaking gold medalist. “In ‘The Kayak Companion’ he shares his sense of fun with this knowledge.”

After an introduction by Barton, chapters include: The Essence of Kayak, Power Paddling Explained, Getting into Gear, Getting Under Way, The Matter of Safety, Finding Your Way, Exploring the Water World, and Great Kayak Destinations.

There is also a list of major kayak manufacturers.

“The Kayak Companion” is published by Storey Books and available in paperback.

A prolific writer, Glickman’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Village Voice, Outside, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Inside Sports, US, The Paddler, and Sea Kayaker.

* * * * * * * * * *

In “The Hiking Companion,” Michael W. Robbins takes readers through a hoofing tutorial that Ted Williams, Audubon magazine editor-at-large describes both tantalizingly and succinctly: “Whether you hike for fun or just ‘to get there,’ this smart book will deliver you from pain and disaster and guide you in a sport where the most essential pieces of equipment are not feet but eyes and a sense of wonder.”

Does that address the fundamentals of the Adventure Radio Society, or what?

The “Companion’s” subtitle alerts browsers that Robbins’ work will prepare them for “getting the most from the trail experience throughout the seasons: where to go, what to bring, basic navigation, and backpacking.”

After a forward by Rick Bass, the paperback book’s 128 pages include these chapters: The Rewards of Hiking, Where to Hike, How to Hike, Essentials, Navigating, Cautions, Backpacking, Great American Hikes and a comprehensive list of resources.

Robbins was editor-in-chief of Audubon in the 1990s and formerly editor of Museum News, Oceans Magazine, and Connection. His work has appeared in publications by National Geographic, and magazines including New York, Rolling Stone, Reader’s Digest, Savvy and Popular Science.

Whether your interests are in short, low-impact day hikes, or more ambitions adventures, “The Hiking Companion” is likely to enlighten you to something you’ve never heard before.

* * * * * * * * * *

Part of Storey Books’ Quiet Sports series, more information about “The Kayak Companion” and “The Hiking Companion” can be obtained at the publisher’s web site:

http://www.storeybooks.com/sell_sheet_frames/lifestyles/485-Xprim.html