A new book has arrived for sale at the Historical Society bookstore.  Well, not totally new. Barry Evans has just brought out "The New Humbook" to replace "The Humbook" and "Humbook Two".  They are compilations of columns Evans wrote for years in the North Coast Journal.

       This is a combination of both of the previous books with some less Humboldt-centric stories deleted and some new subjects added.  Plus it is much brighter with many of the photographs and maps in color. As for contents, the subtitle says it all: "A sampling of Humboldt History, Geography, Fauna, Flora and Hikes."

       This version is more logically organized than before with the vignettes grouped into general subjects: People and Places, Trees, Walks and Hikes, Fauna, Flora, Water, Transport, Shipwrecks and Lighthouses,

and Old Town sights. Perhaps most important, this book, like its predecessors, is not dry and academic, but interesting and fun.

       For example, you can read about cool stuff like: how places got their names, Bigfoot, Carson and other local celebrities, local plants and animals, the concrete "jacks" that guard our bay entrance, routes in and out and under Humboldt, our own Loch Ness monster, ship and blimp wrecks, the very historic Madaket, local labyrinths, notable landmarks, really really old and unusual redwoods, the troubles face by indigenous and Asian Humbolters, and many more  intriguing, subjects including doable hikes you can take to enjoy our area's spectacular beauty.  

       "The New Humbook" is written with eclectic knowledge and much humor. It is a read you can dip into any time and revel in the beauty, history and idiosyncrasy of our Humboldt. A perfect gift for friends -- and yourself!