Sharkey's Book Review of... Mad as the Mist and Snow by Johan Mathiesen Published in 2012 by Ashland Creek Press ISBN: 978-0-979647-5-0

This is the first book review I've done in a while. The book itself doesn't really have a lot to do with the subjects presented on this web site, but the author is an old friend from the commune days, and he's now found himself a niche in the publishing world.

Back in the day, Johan lived in a hand-built cabin back in the woods Even then, he thought himself a writer, starting a neighborhood newsletter, Hexam Creek Notes. A country-fied former radical from Madison, Wisconsin, Johan wrote with a distinctive viewpoint, a masterful grasp of etymology, and a conversational style.

Several incarnations later, after being a baker, a resturaunt and food reviewer, and a buyer and seller of used books (about food, mostly), Johan discoverd blogging. What he blogged about mostly was cemeteries. Yes, cemeteries, graveyards, call it what you will. His interest wasn't really morbid, as such, it's just that cemeteries made great places to stop and eat, stretch your legs, and relax for a few minutes while out travelling backroads peddling books. There were head stone engravings to read, ephemera to examine, names and dates to wonder about, and best of all, nearly no one questioned him while stopped at a cemetery, the welcome mat was always at the gate (well, nearly always).

After a time, the cemetery visits became the purpose for the travelling. The blog entries gave descriptions of the cemetery, it's location, driving instructions, the general layout of the grounds, and the level of upkeep that it received. Slowly, and unintentionally, Johan became an expert on cemeteries, at least those of the Oregon Territories. He was approached to write a couple of newspaper articles, then was interviewed a time or two. Eventually, he was contacted by a publishing company, asking him to do a book. This is mostly unheard of in the book business, for an unknown author to be offered a publishing contract.

Johan is giving a talk in a few days to the annual convention of Oregon funeral directors and cemetery operators at Seaside, Oregon. I asked him what he knew that all those directors didn't know about cemeteries. "Well, for one thing, I've been to more cemeteries then any of them" was his reply. 600 and counting at this point.

Mad as the Mist and Snow profiles about 200 of that total. For the most part, the text and photos are taken directly from Johan's blog. You can buy this book from a variety of sources (and I think you should, if the subject matter interests you), but you can also get a good feel for the book by reading Johan's "Blogging A Dead Horse" Blogspot page. Cemeteries presented in the book and on the blog are a select few that stand out in Johan's mind as having made the greatest impression, but all 600 are represented in photos (over 14,000 of them) on his Flickr site (the blog will direct you there often).

Well, anyhow, that's my piece. Here's some copy-and-paste from the publisher to fill in some of the blanks in my review:

Oregon's cemeteries tell the stories of pioneers, Native Americans, boom towns, and ghost towns. And many of these stories have long gone unheard.

Until now.

Mad as the Mist and Snow is a traveler's guide to Oregon's most celebrated and unique cemeteries. Organized into 18 regions and including detailed driving directions, this book profiles more than 200 cemeteries, including such legendary cemeteries as Lone Fir, Jacksonville, and Willamette National.

Much more than a travel guide, this book illustrates how cemeteries have evolved and how Oregon’s cemeteries are still evolving.

Author Johan Mathiesen has traveled to each and every one of these cemeteries and provides detailed profiles that highlight unique historical events, famous residents, and the evolution of headstone designs. Mathiesen also highlights which cemeteries around the state should be on every traveler's and historian's "must visit" list - and why.

Mad as the Mist and Snow, written for anyone interested in history, cemeteries, and Pacific Northwest culture, is the perfect guide for both day trips as well as extended explorations of Oregon’s eclectic and historic cemeteries.