The critical events and personalities of the civil rights movement weren't confined to the southern United States. As Gretchen Cassel Eick so ably demonstrates, Wichita, KS was itself a center of the struggle in the critical period from 1954 through 1972.
From a 1958 drugstore lunch counter sit-in that predated the more famous one in Greensboro, NC by two years, to agonizing struggles for school and housing desegregation, this mid-sized city far from the national headlines had all of the elements.
As reviewer Randy Bradbury said in the Wichita Eagle, "Gretchen Cassel Eick's book is a well-documented reminder that Kansas has been and is a place divided along racial lines, where opportunities differ depending on skin color."
Professor Eick creates a compelling narrative by weaving Wichita happenings in with those on the national level. So we see Wichita events in a context of changes in social beliefs, political leadership and even how they shaped and were shaped by infighting in the national leadership of the NAACP.
She also introduces us to a fascinating cast of activists at the center of the local struggle, a few of whom also played national roles.
The book works on two levels -- both as a narrative for the lay reader and as a well-documented study for academics.
As Bradbury wrote in his Wichita Eagle review, the book "must be considered an essential read for anyone interested in the history of race relations in Wichita or hoping for a foundation to begin understanding where those relations stand today. Additionally, however, the book is an exceelent primer on the national civil rights movement..."

Probably one of the best books to describe how to attain personal power and gifts. It was written as a prequel to Magnificent Obsession, which refers often to the journal kept by Dr. Hudson, a journal which dramatically changed the life of Bobby Merrill. I've tried the formula and it works! Some rhetoric about the possibility of WWI is amusing considering that the same rhetoric is touted about nuclear war.

This is a beautifully illustrated book that teaches young children about nature through poetry. We had the feeling on every page as if we had entered the world where nature's creatures live. The beautiful and colorful illustrations really enhance the poetry, give the creatures life and spark the reader's imagination. I highly recommend this book for children (and adults) of all ages!

This book is a great way to introduce frogs to young children. The rhyming text keeps children's interest and still manages to give accurate information about the life cycle and behavior of frogs. The illustrations of 33 different kinds of frogs are colorful, appealing, and realistic. As a Hello Reader! book, it is accurately leveled for Kindergarten - Second Grade. A great introduction to a thematic unit.

Prairie Dogs is a wonderful book for children and all others interested in both learning more about these animals, as well as enjoying lively and entertaining illustrations. Close-up drawings are especially outstanding

This book has gorgeous pictures of most of the breeds, good illustrations of gaits, clothing, competitions, horse anatomy,horse care, and more. Definitely worth having this as a reference.

A detailed and thoughtful assessment of how the work of corporations and their lawyers in the developing world can have devastating consequences, and can ultimately work injustice. As an international corporate finance lawyer, I can tell you that this is a cautionary tale that we all should read.

The Whitney Biennial is the kind of exhibition that critics love to hate.My recommendation is to ignore thae critics, see it for yourself and buy the catalog. This is a great book for those who love contemporary art. The essays on the exhibition and on the individual artist are informative and well written. The plates are also great.

Magnificent Obsession encourages one to be a better person for purely selfish reasons. The key is to do for others anonymously for the good it will derive you. This book picks up the story where Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal leaves off. A young man, Bobby, is on a course of mediocrity and indifference. He becomes inspired by Dr. Hudson, a respected surgeon who has an idiosyncratic view of life, through a freak accident. When he lives and Dr. Hudson dies, Bobby becomes obsessed with redeeming himself in the eyes of the community and more importantly redeeming himself in his own eyes. To do so, he must find out Dr. Hudson's secret and implement it. This is an excellent book with a morality lesson that is necessary for today' society. Unfortunately, since it was written many years ago, it's references and dialogue is somewhat stilted and dated. Fortunately, the message of dealing with others in a compassionate way while allowing them to keep their dignity will never be stilted or dated.

Having read and loved THE ROBE, another of Lloyd C. Douglas' books, I began reading THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION with high expectations. The book greatly exceeded my expectations. It presents many important messages about Christianity without sacrificing entertainment.

THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION is a story of the conversion and faith journey of a troubled young man. In order to be at peace with himself about the negative effects his poor decisions and actions have on a beloved surgeon, Robert Merrick begins a series of philanthropic deeds. He follows in the path of Jesus Christ, the perfect model of philanthropy, and in the paths of others before him, including the surgeon whose death may have been prevented if it were not for the reckless actions of Merrick. He becomes consumed with the task of helping others--sacrificing his time, effort, and money in order to do so. Merrick asks that stories of his good deeds are not spread in order that he may be rewarded in a more meaningful way than glory. Christ teaches people to be humble and not seek glory on earth but in heaven. The messages of Christ appear frequently throughout the book.

As a result of Merrick's philanthropic deeds and newly developed spiritual life, he gains a more "powerful personality," the goal of all his efforts. His life is turned around and he greatly affects the lives of many others. His actions are emulated by those around him. One many can truly help to change the world.

This book shows that humanity on the whole is good if humanity is able to overcome worldly temptations. THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION helped me on my faith journey and I believe that it would have the same effect on other readers. I recommend this book to all Christians as it provides the messages of Christ in a clear and modern way.

Some books come and go; some linger a while then fade from memory; some stay on the shelves just for decoration. But "Magnificent Obsession" is a book you keep to read over and over and over again.

Though it's over seventy years old, its story applies just as well today as when it was first written, and Douglas' tight writing style is just right for today's reader. He can be descriptive when he needs to be, but for the most past he keeps things mercifully brief as compared to some of his more florid and verbose contemporaries. An amazing amount of action takes place in an equally amazingly small number of pages.

It's true; the story does show its age at some points. But that only adds to the charm. The characters are finely drawn and believable; the spiritual message is powerful but subtle--Douglas doesn't try to club you about the head with the scriptures--and the O. Henry-esque ending is wonderful, if telegraphed. It's an overused cliche', but this is one book that really does belong on every shelf, and one which should be considered required reading at every school.