I read the original 1919 published copy and found it fascinating. So often we ignore TR's fatherly side in lieu of his political and naturalist aspects. This book does not allow that to happen. While it only covers about 13 years (1898-1911) it genuinely shows the love TR had for his children.
Many of the letters show drawings of animals and incidents that occurred while in the Spanish-American War and the presidency. Many of the drawings are funny little sketches that his children would have truly enjoyed. The letters also show how TR never let his children know the weight of the job of presidency. Very seldom does he even mention the affairs of state.
Probably the most telling of the letters are the ones written to his children as they attended boarding school and college. Many times TR tells his children to be athletic but not at the expense of education. Many parents would benefit from these words today. He tells his children that he would be happy if they were "only" on the second team if they were doing well in their studies. If, however, they were to sacrifice their studies for sports, he stated he would be highly disappointed.
Finally, he addresses his letters as a father calls his children. Many letters start with cute names like Quenty-quee and Little Ethel. It again shows the loving, fatherly side of the former president we so seldom see.
In sum, I would highly recommend this book if, for nothing else, the sheer enjoyment one would get by seeing a loving father write to his children.

Written by one of the Masters of Native stories and story-telling, this book offers a tremendous degree of insight into the importance and relevance of traditional stories and story-telling in today's world. Often dismissed as entertainment for children, Bruchac shows in great depth the many layers of importance and wisdom that these stories have. He also provides an expert analysis of the role of story and story-teller -- their functions and realities. If you are interested in traditional Native literature and stories, or just in story-telling in general, this is a must-read book.

Joseph Kerwin's "the Roots that Clutch" has an opening paragraph which contains one of the best lines I've ever read. I won't repeat it here, because it would cheat the potential reader out of reflecting back on it after finishing the book. I will tell you, however, that you'll want to read the book through a second time, just to make sure you didn't skip a line somewhere during the read. (much the same way a dog might scour the ground looking for tiny, fallen morsels of an especially tasty, too quickly gobbled, treat)
The characters are interesting, interesting to the point of warranting their own stories...You can almost sense that these characters are carrying on somewhere, maybe on the corner - where Past and Present streets intersect, or maybe on a quiet little cul-de-sac just a few blocks from Everywhere, or most likely - in Mr. Kerwin's mind...

The French Indian War series is among Altsheler's finest serial works, and this is one of the best of that series. Lennox, Tayoga, and Willet are a great trio of adventurers and do not ever let the reader down in terms of keeping a good balance between the physical challenges of frontier warfare and reflecting on the economic, social, and political struggles that are going on around them. Its a great read on a number of levels.

This book contains seventy-two black and white images of the former Soviet Union taken by Soviet photo jornalist, Lev Poliakov. Most of the photos were take in the 1960's although there are a few from the early 1970's. Most of them are both landscapes and portraits and generally show ordinary people doing ordinary things. My favorite photo of the book shows more than just ordinary activity. It is a 1970 photograph of a bearded man in swim trunks and a towel standing on the the frozen Neva River. The ice has been cut away, and the man is apparently drying himself off after dip in the frigid river. Watching him are three young children bundled up in scarves, hats, and heavy winter clothes. In the backgound of the image can be seen Leningrad's (now St Petersburg's) Winter Palace, Admiralty, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. Since I have two adopted children from Russia, I appreciate the honesty of Poliakov's images. So many books on Russia over emphasize the beautiful palaces, museums, and churches. Poliakov has found beauty in the ordinary and is able to present a more honest image of what was Russia. This book would be a great addition to the library of anyone with an interest in Russia.

I knew I had to pick buy this after I flipped through it at a book store. I have been half-heartedly searching for a couple years now for a book about Russian history that didn't focus on the 1917 revolution and the Cold War. Also, it's full of illustrations and sidebar articles that bring this subject to life. Just for interest reading, this book has been fascinating. From the Kievan Rus to the St. Petersburg czars, and all the interesting stuff in between like the Mongol invasions and Ivan the Terrible, is in here. It's a good light read, because it's not in lengthy novel form. It's my coffee table book.

Credit and credibility for this review go to my friend, who is himself a direct descendent of White Russian Nobility. Heraldry is an obscure and difficult topic, but this book makes the subject more accessable than many other books of its' type do. "Encyclopedia" perhaps should have been included in its' title. Original b&w block prints of the various coats-of-arms are included, remaining true to the technology of the time period covered. "Comprehensive" is another word missing from the title. The only negative criticism I can make is to suggest a section of color plates; the b&w color codes are clear enough, but they can't really give the look of life these astonishing works of art deserve. This is not an "intro" book; the authors do a good job of making this complex subject readable,but newcomers to Heraldry will find many new words to add to their vocabulary in these pages. All the major,and many minor families are included, along with concise narrative of relevent facts and dates. Very well researched and presented, this book is not at all overpriced. Students, scholars, geneologly buffs, and anyone wanting to know more than they even knew existed about pre-communist Russia, all will enjoy many hours well spent with this book. Don't be scared off by the subject matter- the clear presentation and writing, the well-organized sections and groupings - all combine to form a very accessable book that should appeal to a wider range of readers than books of geneology usually do. Russians and non-Russians alike will find themselves absorbed in this fascinating subject, a subject we here in the U.S. know too little about. This book does a commendable job of filling that deficiency. I recommend it with 5 stars, and without reservation.

Scott Seregny's well-researched monograph is a must for those seeking information on the intricate and important relationship between Russian teachers and zemstvo officials.

If you`ve got to get a present for someone`s birthday, Christmas, whatever, they will really enjoy this book. ...this book delivers on every level. Even someone who has never been interested in the Games will find this book completely awinspiring. Definitely the number one piece of memorabilia for our go at the Winter Olympics.

The works of Edward S. Curtis are monumental and beautiful. This book reproduces them with stunning clarity capturing the luminescence of his orotones remarkably well. The text serves to convey the rich meaning behind the photographs. For anyone interested in photography, art, or the story of the Native Americans, this is a treasure not to be missed.