Customer Reviews

In Search of Western Oregon

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Ralph Friedman hitchhiked his way to Oregon in 1933 as a 16-year-old. He spent the next six decades or so lovingly chronicling the unique people and places of his adopted state.

"In Search of Western Oregon" is really a culmination of his life's work. Yes, it's structured as a travel guide; but it's also much more. Friedman covers the well-known sites and history, but his clear emphasis is on the forgotten faces and places that are such an essential part of the Beaver State. Many of the photographs in this book are by Friedman's wife, Phoebe, his partner in both life and work.

Friedman's earlier "Oregon For The Curious," also still in print, offers a similar, but less comprehensive, treatment of both halves of the state. Separately, or together, they provide a unique overview of this diverse, beautiful, often still wild state, and the people who have attempted to find a life in harmony with it. It's wonderful for the armchair traveler and invaluable for anyone who has the desire and opportunity to travel off the beaten path.

People from other states should settle for something thin, like Scenic Driving Oregon, but for natives who are looking to explore deeper, who have wondered what's up that pigpath, this is the very best. Too bad he didn't do Eastern Oregon in the same manner.

I purchased this book to help me find some 'off the beaten path' locations in and around Washington County. Its not written as a guide book for the casual tourist. Rather, its really meant for people who are already familiar with the general locale. Familiarity with the general streets and locations will aid considerably for successfully locating your 'out of the way' place of choice. Once you get the hang of the book and it's instructions it you'll find yourself in places you didn't know existed. I was particularly excited about the volume of cemeteries mentioned in the book. These hold incredibly rich clues to the life and times of the areas and can be a valuable source of local history. This is well worth the $14.95 I paid for it.

I lived in several places in Oregon when I was a youngster. Exceptional book with over 800 pages. I was thrilled to get it. I also recommend "Above the Falls" about settlement of Golden and Silver Falls State Park area. They bring back a lot of memories to an old man.

Regards, Nickie