This is a branch off of a book Bradley wrote with two other authors, The Black Trillium. Haramis is now faced with the rebellious Mikayla and her unwillingness to separate from a friend. Haramis means for Mikayla to be the next Archimage, but the princess has a mind of her own. Against the wishes of Haramis, she continues to have contact with her childhood friend. With the help of her friend she learns her lessons from the Archimage, but some of the results of that contact are very unexpected and at times amusing. I enjoyed this book very much due to its plot, wording, ending and just about everything else. There are a few slow points, but the twist in the end is worth it. I highly recommend getting this book, it is one of Marion's good pieces of writing.

I purchased this book originally to help me pass the time on a business trip in my hotel room - my mother grew up on a farm in Kansas traversed by trail and I had heard stories all of my life - mostly a lot of legends - I had occasion to visit northeast New Mexico several times over the past twenty years and now having read this book I have a deep respect and reverence for those persons whose dreams and visions made possible the taming of the American frontier - I became personally involved in the life story of Marian Russell and came away at the conclusion of the book feeling as if I had heard the story of a close family member - it was as if I were there with her living the story as well - wished there were more

Praise for Jonetta Rose Barras and The Last of the Black Emperors

The Last of the Black Emperors is wonderful...fascinating, colorful, exciting, honest, and stylishly written...An eye-opener for America that everybody will be talking about this summer... -Ralph Collier, host of the nationally syndicated radio program, "I Hear America Talking"

A deeply rewarding book. Ms. Barras is lucid both in her writing and her reportage. She deftly places Mayor Barry as the last beneficiary of a bygone era in black politics. All said and done, Marion Barry has been read his political obituary. -Max Rodriguez, publisher, The Quarterly Review of Books

This honest and in-depth look at the life and times of our national capital's most tenacious mayor not only helps us to better understand Marion Barry the man, but it also vividly expresses the unique political and social character of one of the last surviving city-states. Jonetta Rose Barras brings us an insightful and provocative perspective to the successes, tribulations, and resurrection of this "Old Guard" political activist-turned "Mayor for Life." Her book will forever stand as a historical analysis of the politics of the post-civil rights era and a prophecy for the future of American blacks in our nation's political framework. -Armstrong Williams, nationally syndicated columnist, author of Beyond Blame

An eloquent and disturbing book. Barras relocates the transfixing story of Mayor Marion Barry's rise and fall and rise and fall from the arena of electoral politics to the realm of cultural myth and religious belief. In a political sense, Barras's book tells us that we will have to leave behind the baggage of racial superstition if we are to confront the real problems of the nation's capital and our other cities in pain. Barras' book leaves you with more questions than answers, but they are questions that we dare not avoid as we move into the next century. -Jamin B. Raskin, Professor, Washington College of Law, American University

Marion Barry has done his stubborn best to clothe himself in a hopefully impenetrable cloak of insufferable hubris and racial pride. With clarity, passion, and often outright dismay, Jonetta Rose Barras unravels Barry's cloak - and shows that this particular emperor is about as naked as naked gets. -Arthur J. Magida, author of Prophet of Rage: A Life of Louis Farrakhan and His Nation

The story of Marion Barry is the story of a life and rare opportunity recklessly misspent, and Jonetta Rose Barras, who knows Washington much better than most, captures this story with sympathy and sensitivity. In an unflinching dissection of man and opportunity, she shows us why and how Marion Barry cheated himself, his city, and all the rest of us. -Wesley Pruden, Editor-in-chief, Washington Times

The most comprehensive and descriptive study to date of the elusive Marion Barry. Because of her thorough background and research, Barras has managed not only to capture the essence of one of America's most complex political personalities, but also to help us understand the sinister dynamics fueling Barry's political juggernaut. -Dwight S. Cropp, Associate Professor of Public Administration, George Washington University

The Last of the Black Emperors is invaluable for all those who've never been able to figure out the enduring love affair between Marion Barry and Washington D.C. Barras uses the prism of African-American folklore to crack the code of Barry's appeal and fatal flaws. The nation's capital is on the cusp of ending its affair with Barry. Barras offers the kind of ferocious insight and outstanding historical reporting that make The Last of the Black Emperors a huge step in understanding one of the most controversial leaders in contemporary American politics. -David Carr, Editor, Washington City Paper

I wasn't that interested in the subject of Marion Barry when I was given this book, but once I started it, I couldn't put it down. The Last of the Black Emperors is a terrific piece of writing and an exciting read. Barras' metaphor of the folkloric spider is very appropriate for Marion Barry. Especially impressive is her ability to place Barry's leadership style not only in a political and historical landscape, but also in the emotional landscape of American racism. Barras teaches us a great deal about the development of black leaders over the last our decades, and delivers a compelling story of Marion Barry, the person, and Marion Barry, the emblem. -Lori Shpunt, Professor of English, Trinity College, Washington, D.C.

A no-holds-barred, but in some ways heavy-hearted look at the last of a kind-and, by extension, the times that made him happen. -Colbert King, columnist and editorial writer, The Washington Post

Information is power and, in this book, Barras serves up a heaping helping. With compelling anecdotes, brilliant insights, and real data, she takes you inside Washington politics and into the psyche of African-American voters across the country. With unwavering conviction, she explores myths and master plans by examining Barry the man, and Barry the legacy. For the casual political observer, Last of the Black Emperors is a magnificent treat. For pollsters, pundits, and campaign operatives, it's a must read.

-Sonsryrea Tate, author, Little X: Growing Up in the Nation of Islam (and third generation Washingtonian)

With keen insight, Barras takes us inside the corridors of DC politics, walking us through the maze of scandals, deal-making, and corrupt government officials. A well-researched analysis; highly recommended for political science collections. --Ann Burns, Library Journal

Can you go to jail and still be re-elected? You can if you're Marion Barry of Washington, D.C....Jonetta Rose Barras...looks at Barry's career and life in one of the most interesting political books written this year. --Alan Caruba, Bookviews

The Last of the Black Emperors explains the many paradoxes of Marion Barry's career, and documents the growth of his racial and political identities parallel with those of his largely black constituency...A fascinating, detailed, well researched political biography. --James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review

As a preschool teacher and public children's librarian for over ten years,I have to say that this is still my favorite fingerplay book. It contains a fingerplay for every occasion and theme.The fingerplays are also indexed by subject which makes using the book so easy. You are guaranteed to find some of your own childhood favorites and some new favorites to use with children of all ages. This book is well worth the money and it will be used for years to come. Fingerplays are a great way to introduce poetry,humor and many other elements of language development. It is also a fantastic way to get individuals in a group setting involved and have a feeling of success when they can remember the short verses and actions of the fingerplays. Not to mention the pride and delight of the parents and teachers. I highly recommend this book for every teacher or librarian who wants an excellent source for ideas to enhance the learning experince in any setting.

This is a remarkable and inspiring book. This book is beautifully written, and would be useful for somebody who, like the author, is on a journey of self-discovery.

The story is based around a teenage girl, Leslie, who absoulutly doesn't want to be like her mother when she grows up. If her mother isn't giving artificial respiration to a stray cat, she is taking in foster kids or exchange students. But as the story unfolds, Leslie realizes how much like her mother she really is.

"Oh Aye, I et a bap! The other OTHER white bread It's hwats fer dinner! Get in mah belly! Ahm higher on the food chain than you!"

Even if you aren't Fat B***std from Austin Powers sequel film, you'll appreciate good Scottish baking. And unlike Fat B***std, this book does not weigh a metric ton or have unusual eating habits (like Haggis.) It's TINY! But it has everything you need to make the most popular Scottish treats. These little cookbooks are amazing in how they pack in the most essential recipes from around the world, yet fit nicely in an overhead shelf in the smallest galley kitchen. I especially like the Oatcakes, which are easy to make and taste marvelous with butter and honey. (Heather honey if you can get it.) But be careful, if you overindulge in these recipes, and boy can the Scots bake or what, you may end up looking like a certain villain from a Mike Meyers film.

Sheldon Vanauken's The Little Lost Marion and Other Mercies is a collection of essays composed during different periods of the author's life. It begins with an epilogue (so to speak) of A Severe Mercy and Under the Mercy with the history and then the discovery of Marion, Davy's daughter who had been put up for adoption. I liken this to a delightfully unexpected dessert after the full-bodied, rich entrees of A Severe Mercy and Under the Mercy: for those longing for more, this is right welcome. In this essay as well as others, Vanauken explores several topics concerning current issues and events. His reasoning and logic disallows complacency; he will not let the reader go "brain-dead" on the issue. Two essays which necessitate reading by a larger audience are "The Iron Law of Home" and "Officers and Gentlemen at the Citadel." He gives a refreshingly different perspective than most of today's thinkers and writers. Vanauken also includes many of his yachting essays from the times he and Davy spent sailing; interesting articles but confusing for me having no experience in that arena. In the foreword Mr. Simmons mentions the necessity of the "conversion of heart and intellect both." Mr. Vanauken displays such conversion and by chance will assist such conversion as well.

This book is a stimulating read. It will challenge you to think about yourself in relation to your workplace and possibly even to re-examine your own definition of success.

This is one of those rare books by a company founder written with honesty, humor, and the deliberate intent to teach a few important lessons learned by the author.

Before ServiceMaster was a debt-laden NYSE traded company managing its dividend to show ever-increasing results, even as its profits were challenged by "weather" (just like the old Soviet planners' perennial excuse), you had Marion Wade, baseball player and owner of a small moth proofing business that started the whole ServiceMaster empire.

Wade reveals the logical thought process that guided his actions as he segmented his business to include carpet cleaning in the home, and he shares the frustrations he had trying to work with other contractors. The same opportuny he saw to get beyond moth proofing and into carpet cleaning also guided the company when Ken Hansen (whose hiring is described by Wade in this book) guided SM into the management of departmental functions for hospitals, and then any kind of physical plant or service activity--now known as "outsourcing."

The title relates to Wade's Christian faith, which he also did his best to personally model and infuse into his company. Can this company, so many years since Wade has passed on, keep growing and still stay true to this simple faith and the logical business principles set down here? For a clue to the answer, check out CEO Bill Pollard's book "The Soul of the Firm," and keep an eye on the company's financials. As Wade says, if they don't live it, they don't believe it. And as Wade's book shows in eloquent simplicity, if they don't believe it, it's no longer the company he started and inspired.