IN THE past your reviewer has let slip the odd derogatory remark about a perceived trend on the part of several regional publishing houses towards an increased reliance on reprinted books. in part this criticism stems from the belief that too few publishers are willing to risk capital on new works, preferring instead to ply the safer (and often less expensive) route by simply resurrecting books out of print. While It maintain a feeling of unease with this state of affairs | must in all fairness say that reprints are not to be condemned wholesale. As some of the books in this week's column prove, re-issuing titles long-vanished from bookstore shelves can be a definite blessing for readers. Nature West Coast is a case in point. Originally released in 1973, this 282-page book was compiled and illustrated by the Vancouver Natural History Society as a definitive study of the flora and fauna of the North Shore’s Light- house Park. While the scope of the subject area may strike the reader as too limited to appeal to a broad au- dience, this initia] impression (one your reviewer confesses to having entertained) is an unfortunate one because this book is a useful too! for any naturalist with an interest in the southern coastal areas of the province in general. The information on birds, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians and much more, although the result of research and studies in West Van- couver’s 185-acre Lighthouse Park, MIKE STEELE book reviewer is intended to furnish the reader with the basic knowledge to ap- preciate and understand similar areas that extend from as far north as Powell River to Washington State’s Puget Sound region in the south. Nature West Coast is proiusely illustrated with line-drawings of a quality and exactitude that makes them far superior to photographs as a means of identification. From the humblest insect to large mammals and marine life, all of the inhabitants of this rich ecosystem are to be found in Nature West Coast. No other single book on this fascinating section of the Pacific Coast is as definitive, informative or easy to apply. : Nature West Coast (Sono Nis Press; $12.95 in softcover) is not only a ‘must have’ for anyone with an interest in local flora and fauna, but also an excellent ex- ample of the value of judicious reprinting of works that stand as classics of their kind. Regiona! publishers are not the only ones indulging in the reprint business these days nor the only ones who occasionally do so to the advantage of the reading public. Three ‘new’ books from Australia’s largest publishing house, Angus & Robertson, are as topical and compelling today as they were when first published decades ago. The Australians’ fascination with their historical and cultural roots is not unlike that which has gripped _ Canadians in recent years and, as is the situation here, reprints of books that cast light on their beginnings are much in vogue. The three books that follow will appeal to Canadian readers because the material enjoys some interesting parallels with our own country’s development and folklore yet with an exotic aspect that is uniquely Australia’s own. The Confessions of a Beach Comber (221 pp.; $7.95 in paper- back) was first published in 1908 Intimate eatery worth returning to From page 24 tested the deep and savory waters of the Nutshell’s regular menu. We started with Smoked Loin of Albacore Tuna ($7.25). An ex- cellent change from smoked salmon, the dish included four slices of dark tuna meat covered Sightly in a black currant vinaigrette and garnished with red pepper and a sprig of dill. Also heartily recommended for openers is the Nutshell’s Hot Tomato and Eggplant salad ($4.25), a marvellous marriage of warm eggplant and sweet tomato covered in a wonderfully sharp feta cheese, herb and light olive oil dressing. Piri Piri Prawns ($7.75) have rightly become a Nutshell classic. They are presented in a sauce that is both spicy and sweet, an ex- tremely difficult culinary balancing act to perform for even the most skilled chef. . | chose the Breast of Pheasant Deroche $15.75 for my main dish. It was roasted in a cranberry and rhubarb compote that added a subtly tart edge to the white pheasant meat, which was plen- tiful. The array of accompanying vegetables was visually attractive and extremely appetizing: new boiled potatoes scented with rosemary, bright yellow beans and a half tomato baked with a ginger and black bean sauce. Elsewhere, Veal Marguarita, flamed in Tequila and spiced with green pepper corns, looked simi- larly sumptuous. Dessert was a caloric bonanza. | tried Black Plums served ina chocolate brandy sauce ($4). They arrived covered in whipped cream and decorated with a sprig of mint. Also tested was a Zabaglione topped with Kiwi fruit ($5.50). Both were very good. The Nutshell is small, intimate, elegant and quiet, its food cooked fresh each night and its service consequently slower than regula- tion dining spots. Because the res- taurant books only one seating per evening, there is no pressure to rush through final dining courses or discourses. In other words, it’s a place not especially conducive to kids, but exquisite for those rare intimate evenings. September 16-18th LOOK FOR THESE DISPLAYS & EXHIBITORS | FREE PARKING | 935 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER 980-8561 ake an 25 - Friday, September 16, 1988 - North Shore News found in the annals of the American and Canadian Wests. Both books are collections of short stories that provide absorb- ing insights into a period of Australia’s development that spawned the cult and mythology of the ‘swagman’ of popular song, film and literature. While The Billy Boils (288 pp.; $7.95 in paperback) contains over 50 brief tales while the slimmer size Bill, The Ventriloquial Rooster and quickly earned its author, E.j. Banfield, worldwide acclaim. Banfield, an ailing journalist, took up residence on a small island off the Australian coast and wrote extensively of his tropical home to the fascination of Euro- peans and others who were in- trigued both by the man and the adventurous lifestyle he had chosen. The Confessions of a Beach Comber is a delightful bit of reading for those interested in the exploits, trials and triumphs of a latter-day Robinson Crusoe. The other two works are from one of Australia’s best-known writers, Henry Lawson. While The Bitly Boils and Bill, The Ventriloquial Rooster are classic tales of the country’s out- back, the wild regions far-removed from urban Australia, peopled by characters as colorful as any to be * (121 pp.; $6.95 in paperback) provides us with almost 20 stories. Most of Lawson’s writing was done in the 1890s, but the dialogue and description are some of the best to be found in any short-story anthology and have not suffered from the passage of time in the least. There is a crisp, realistic feel to this Australian wordsmith’s writing that typifies the short-story form at its best. (Note: not all bookstores may carry these titles; for informa- tion, contact the local distributor, Raincoast Books, at 873-6581.) Next week: Among other titles, Books Now will review Fireflies, a non-fiction account of family trag- edy from David Morrell, author of First Blood, and the latest Graham Greene novel, The Captain and The Enemy. tlanbé, wine, gorecous cily view, sunset, cardlchgfu.. wv call that (Romance! BY THIS WINTER. Silver Star, Mount Seymo Grouse Mountain, Crystal Lodge, ipression.... Ur, em 4 Blackcomb DAYCARE AVAILABLE OPEN: Mon-Wed. $:30-5:30pm Thurs-Fri. 9:30-9:00pm Sat. 9:30-5:30 pm Sun. 12 noon-5:00 pm