This is a paperback reprint of a book published in 1978. The message today is as timely as it was then -- or, for that matter as it was during Civil War America. Professor Nichols book is a good overview of Indian policy during the Civil War-- an often overlooked part of the Lincoln story.

The book begins with an overview of the system of Indian administration as it had developed by 1860. It was dominated by the political spoils system and by corruption resulting from the power accorded to the Indian agents. As a master of the art of pragmatic politics, Lincoln used the system -- as he needed to do--to hold the Union together-resulting in tragedy for too many of our country's Indian wards.

The book discusses the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma (then Indian territory) and their relationship to both the Union and the Confederacy. The story picks up focus, though, in the discussion of the Minnesota Sioux rebellion, the summary trials and capital sentences of over 300 Sioux Indians, and Lincoln's remission of the death sentence in all but 39 cases. Nichols tells this story well, perhaps giving Lincoln's actions less credit and less courage than they may deserve.

The book discusses Lincoln's attempts in 1862 to reform Indian policy, which were defeated by War exegencies and by Congressional inaction.He discusses a famous meeting held between Lincoln and the Indian chiefs in 1863 in the White House, again perhaps undervaluing Lincoln's intentions and the difficulties he faced.

He discusses the policy resulting from the Sioux war of concentrating the Indians under the control of the military with unsuccessful and inhumane results in Arizona and New Mexico. The book also includes an account of the too little known Sand Hill Massacre in Colorado in 1864.

The treatment of the American Indians does not constitute one of our nation's or of President Lincoln's prouder accomplishments. Professor Nichols is correct that this story deserves to be known as part of our history. The book ties Lincoln's treatment of the Indians to prevailing ideologies at the time involving a disprespect of cultural differences, to westward expansion, industrialization, the political patronage system, and, first and foresmost, the Civil War. Even Nichols appears to acknowledge that given the War, there was little that might have been done differently at the time in the way of systematic reform.

As is unfortunately the case with most histories of Indian affairs, it is easier, as Nichols does, to find a great deal of deserved fault than it is to develop answers, as he does not. This book is still worth reading as a good history of Indian affairs during the Civil War era.

This book is great for any child who is interested in reptiles, or nature in general. It's easy to read and fun.

Without doubt, this book has to be one of the best researched and published volumes on the case of the Loch Ness Monster. Witchell utilises his physical knowledge of the loch, gained through his years with a leading Loch Ness research group of the 1960's. New evidence is covered as is the history of the area, its people and the environment. In recent weeks it has, in some quarters been classed as the 'definitive guide' to all matters Loch Ness. Whilst i do not agree with that opinion, I would categorise it as one of the best books ever published upon the subject, and very much a valuable addition to any Loch Ness Monster library collection.

When we get annoyed at Solzhenitsyn's lack of insight in contemporary politics (for instance, when he applauds the Russian intervention in Chechnya), we can turn back to his depictions of life in the Soviet work camps and delight in the fact that he used to be different (when the ruling was an enemy suiting his conservative and slavophile ideas, as one is tempted to add).

'The Love-Girl and the Innocent' is a brilliant play about the inhuman world of the camps, that have their own rules, and where nothing of the world outside matters. The 'Innocent' is a newly arrived prisoner, who still bears idealism and is reluctant to adopt the camp techniques of survival. His love for Lyuba, one of the many women forced by circumstances to sell themselves for privileges and rations, tempts him to compromise with himself and betray his moral and emotional loyalties.

What's the connection between an elderly businessman who's been stabbed to death on the streets of Amsterdam and three lovely Dutch expatriots living as housewives in Dublin? That's the central question of The Lovely Ladies and it's one that extends into a fascinating mystery in the finest Freeling tradition. For any other writer, this book would get five stars, but it isn't quite at the same level as a book like King of a Rainy Country. Intelligent and realistic mystery with well-written characters.

This is one of the few good book you can find, you can't find one like that easily. It is the best thing you can get that tells you all what you need to know on that topic, if you want a good book, buy this one.

A great book to read. Page turner, provided me with a new world of knowledge. I recommend this to everyone!

The Search After Truth may (I stress may) be a better book, but this is simply the best introduction to Malebranche's system.

And you should read about Malebranche's system, since it was held in very high regard during the Seventeenth Century, although it fell into disregard afterwards. It had a big impact on Leibniz, so for that reason alone it should be studied. But it's also quite entertaining to study since it is, to be blunt, one of the looniest systems ever put forward by a major philosopher. The two main elements are that we see everything in God (leading Malebranche to assert that our eyes have nothing to do with sight), and that God directly causes everything (including everything you ever do - God personally reaches down from heaven and makes it happen). I'll let those speak for themselves.

While the Search After Truth is long and rambling, this is short and concise, and Malebranche is surprisingly good at the dialogue form, so it's really a fairly quick and pleasant read. If you're just looking to know what Malebranche's system was all about, then it's not even neccessary to read the Search if you've read this.

Nicholas Penny has brought together the sculpture of the world and tells us the what's and how's.... What is made of and how and he also tells the reasons why certain materials were used. As a student of sculpture I am in a constant state of investigation whether it be in a museum or searching through books and Nicholas Penny has taken me to places I couldn't have gone to without his very informative book! I love to just look at sculpture and if you never read the text you would find yourself engrossed in the wonderful photographic examples of different forms of sculpture throughout the different periods of history. Then Nicholas Penny takes you through all of these different forms in a way that is equally entertaining as it is informative. I Highly recommend this work to anyone curious in the art of sculpture!

The Mentalism Companion gives a very good listing of extra spells, professions, and training packages for the Rolemaster system. The professions and training packages are pretty cool, such as an Enchanter profession and the Dreamweaver Training Package. There are also some interesting new abilities, adrenal quick draw is a favorite of mine, it allows you to ready your weapon instantly. Overall this is a nice companion to have if you are into mentalism.