Review of John Fielder’s Best of Colorado
As a former bookstore manager and 40-year resident of Colorado, I was curious about this book and spent a good deal of time browsing through it.The premise for the book does seem fairly compelling.John Fielder has traveled extensively throughout the state and is therefore in a good position to give advice to others about where to go, what to do, etc.However, after looking through the book, I discovered many flaws that may make it undesirable to buy.
If you are looking for a book that gives you true “insider” information on places to go, you’ll likely be disappointed.Fielder left out many of the lesser-known scenic locations and generally only included the better-known places.I’m guessing that he did this because he doesn’t want a flood of people rushing to these more pristine, less-crowded areas — perhaps the book should be called “The Best of Colorado (that Fielder wants you to know about).”
If Fielder did intentionally leave out some of the more pristine places for conservation purposes, it makes one wonder why Fielder wrote this book in the first place.Fielder proudly claims to be one of Colorado’s most ardent conservationists, and it is therefore a little perplexing why Fielder would write a guide book.He undoubtedly knows that more traffic to Colorado’s scenic areas will lead to more desecration of the environment, regardless of how environmentally-conscious the visitors are.I would be interested to know how Fielder explains this apparent paradox.
One other problem with this book is its accuracy (or lack thereof).While other authors of guidebooks tend to spend much of their time writing and preparing guidebooks, Fielder spends most of his time taking photos.He did not appear to have time to check the accuracy of all the info he provided.For instance, in one case he stated that there were no roads leading into a canyon in southern Colorado.And while there may not have been any roads the last time Fielder visited it (10…20 years ago?), there is – for better or for worse – a road there now.This is just one of many errors that are rather inexcusable in a guide book.
One final problem I had with this book is the writing style.Before you purchase this book, keep in mind that Fielder is a photographer, NOT a writer.And, to be quite blunt, this is a very poorly written book.The photos in it are nice, as Fielder is one of Colorado’s better nature photographers.But if you’re looking for a well-written, well-organized, easy-to-follow guide book, I’d recommend that you look elsewhere.You might try the tried-and-trusted “Colorado Guide” or “Best of Colorado.”Or, better yet, just buy a good map and discover Colorado on your own.Just about anywhere you go in Colorado is beautiful, and it’s hard to really call one place “better” than another.
Product Description
Imagine what it would be like to take a trip through Colorado with John Fielder as your tour guide, or to be on location at a Fielder photo shoot. Now is your chance to do both! The celebrated photographer who has traveled the state for more than 20 years in search of its most beautiful vistas shares his love for Colorado’s rugged beauty, as well as his knowledge of Colorado’s historical, recreational, and cultural richness, in this extraordinary guidebook. Through lively text and spectacular images, John reveals more than 160 of his most treasured Colorado locations to photograph so you can work magic with your own camera. You can enjoy some of the state’s prime offerings while you travel, as John profiles his favorite restaurants, hotels, hiking and biking trails, and area attractions. Local lore and cameos of influential Coloradans through the ages highlight the state’s fascinating heritage. Whether you’re a longtime local, a new resident, or an out-of-state visitor, John Fielder’s Best of Colorado guarantees the ultimate insider experience!
About the Author
John Fielder is a nationally acclaimed nature photographer, publisher, teacher and preservationist with 31 exhibit-format books and guidebooks to his credit, including Photographing the Landscape: The Art of Seeing and A Colorado Winter. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography. John Fielder’s photography has influenced people and legislation, and he has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of Colorado’s open space and wildlands.
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