Benjamin Franklin lived such a long and productive life that it is really hard to do justice to him in a short biography, which is saying something because this volume in the Colonial Leaders series is not exactly short. I remember Franklin being described as the greatest President never to be President, and this juvenile biography by Bruce and Becky Durost Fish will certainly give young readers an indication of why this is the case. The book describes Franklin as American Statesman, Scientist, and Writer, which is essentially the reverse order of the major stages of his life.

We learn about how Franklin was a prime example of the self-made American, whose aptitude for printing and witty writing made him rich. This biography makes it clear that Franklin wanted not only a better life for himself, but for other people as well. He invented the Franklin stove and gave away the patent because it was a better way of heating homes, which was a public benefit. Students will learn a little about several of his inventions, as well as some of the things he wrote and the many diplomatic endeavors Franklin undertook for his country. The book is illustrated with historic paintings and etching of Franklin, as well as some of the key events of colonial times, and photographs of some of his inventions. Ultimately, this book can really only sketch out Franklin's life. But it does serve as a more than adequate introduction to his life for young readers.

Chronologically Franklin, along with Benjamin Banneker, is one of the last figure in the Colonial Leaders series, which starts with John Smith and William Bradford. There is a companion series of sorts which focuses on Revolutionary War Leaders from Benedict Arnold to George Washington (but without including John Adams as its most glaring omission).

Great intro for anyone unfamiliar with what the Berlin Airlift was, and what it achieved.

This is a worthwhile volume to have on your shelf. complete with stories, folk tales, and factual information presented in a straight-forward approach and written by Native American authors, it gives a good look into culture not only with the subject matter but the ways in which it is approached.

I have used the 3rd edition of this text since I was an undergraduate in nutrition studies 20 years ago and eagerly await the 6th edition now available. Among all my texts in nutrition, biochemistry, diagnosis of nutrition related problems, and clinical application of biochemistry, I have returned to this text the most often. It has reliably given the most applicable, actionable information for my own work in nutrition care practice today. It has also been a fast reference for brushing up on obscure metabolic mysteries, useful for any practicing clinician.

This book written by some of the best authors known in the field comprises a quite extensive overall view of biogeography, its fundaments, beginnings, divisions, schools and relatively new applications and inner relations with other sciences.It contains also a copy of the original zoogeographic regions map created by Wallace. This book resembles the whole biogeography curse taught in the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, UNAM. which is quite exceptional and has the best scientists-profesors in Latin America. If you are looking for a "has it all" biogeography book this one is a must have for undergraduates and graduates students interested in comparative biology, systematics and distributions of taxa within time and space. The review has only four stars for strictly brand new additions of up to date biogeographical information are not included in this edition, yet, but for a three year old book it is a minor problem.

This short history of American colonialism was published posthumously by the author's sons and wife. It is an entertaining account about the lives of American people. The subjects covered include educational advancements, political and cultural relations with England, social consciousness, and religion. Besides dealing with the life or ordinary people, Schlesinger makes a point of relating interesting details about famous Americans. In particular, the author is attentive to Benjamin Franklin's productive life and John Adams' political ideas. While the length of the book does not allow for an indepth analysis of any of these subjects, Schlesinger paints a vivid portait of American colonial life.

THIS BOOK CERTAINLY HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. HERE WE FIND DIRECTION AND WORKABLE IDEAS TO REACH THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES. REV MCCRAY STATED FACT THAT OUR YOUTH WILL NOT COME TO THE CHURCH COMMUNITY, BUT WE NEED TO MINISTER TO THE YOUTH WHERE THEY ARE! GO INTO THE WORLD AND TEACH. IF EVERYONE WOULD TAKE ON A SERVANT ROLE, WE COULD POSITIVELY EMPOWER THE NATION THROUGH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

Title: Book Review By Cecil Craig

Black, Buckskin, And Blue: African American Scouts & Soldiers on the Western Frontier

By Art T. Burton

Art T. Burton's first book (still available) was Red Black and Deadly: Black and Indian Gunfighters of the Indian Territory. That popular western law enforcement history book came out in 1991. The author's new book, Black Buckskin, and Blue, continues to concentrate on men of color who helped settle America's western frontier. The book's central theme addresses African-American scouts and soldiers on the frontier during the nineteenth century much like he did with outlaws and lawmen of color in his first book.

Although Oklahoma is not the exclusive setting for the book, a great deal of the historical incidents contained in it did occur in Oklahoma. For instance, Black, Buckskin, and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier is thought to be the first book to discuss the role of black soldiers stationed in Indian Territory and their involvement in the Creek Nation tribal rebellion known as the Green Peach War of 1882.

Divided into three sections, Burton's book begins with a number of profiles of little known African-American frontier scouts. Among these is Frank Grouard, a black man who the author credits as being the person most responsible for the death of Indian Chief Crazy Horse.

After profiling these men along with a number of fur trappers and guides, the second section of the book is devoted to the Civil War in the west. Black, Buckskin, and Blue is thought to be the first book to examine the role of black soldiers operating west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. These colored troops, as they were referred to at the time, played an important role in federal victories within the Trans-Mississippi military theater during the War Between the States.

The book's third section deals with the Buffalo Soldiers of our nation's military. Often times being the only representatives of the federal government during the days of America's westward expansion following the Civil War, which was especially true in Indian Territory, many of their actions related to law enforcement. According to the author, "The term 'Buffalo Soldiers' has become a catch phrase; anyone that knows anything about western history should know something about (them)."

Surprisingly,some degree of Old West law enforcement had a direct relationship with the history of the United States black 9th and 10th Calvary regiments along with the African-American 24th and 25th Infantry. Art T. Burton has done a good job relating a number of law enforcement actions under taken by these military units. In it, he relates when and how the Buffalo Soldiers pursued outlaws as well as hostile Indians on the western frontier.

Henry B. Crawford, curator of history at the Museum of Texas Tech University described the book, Black, Buckskin, & Blue by saying; "In the tradition of great storytelling historians of the frontier genre, Art Burton applies his skills once again to destroy the artificial ethnic boundaries which still pollute today's popular image of the historic western frontier..."

For more on an overlooked chapter in western law enforcement and the contributions of African-Americans in settling America's frontier, Art Burton's new book is recommended reading.

This book is as fine as a float down the Boise River on a sunny day. Although the writing isn't as clear as the Wood River's waters(That's what the Boise River was more commonly called pre-1836) it pleasantly meanders about Boise's rich history. Your eyes will strike gold with the many fascinating pictures of old Boise. Mine the words and there too you'll tap a vein of history as keen as any yellow nugget.

This book arrived yesterday and I just could not put it down. I lived in Kerry for 2 years, my husband lived there for the first 25 years of his life. We both found out things about Kerry that we never knew before. The only disappointing aspect of this book was the illustrations. Many of the photographs were in black and white. For a few dollars (pounds) more, the color photographs would have made the book much more attractive. Someone might also like to inform the author and/or publisher that there was at least one mistake made. On page 37, the photograph that is identified as a photograph of the Catholic Church of Sneem is actually a photograph of the Church of the Transfiguration, The Church of Ireland in Sneem. Kate O'Sullivan