This is a fascinating work on a fairly esoteric topic. Although I usually don't usually encounter such works unless I am looking up specific information, I came across this book and had a difficult time putting it down. The illustrations are a magical blend of art and fact. When I have visited the courthouses, I felt as if I had been there - from both the prose and the drawings. If this topic (Texas history and culture) sounds interesting, get the book - you'll love it. If you are not sure, get the book - you'll love it. This will make a wonderful gift.

Great book whether you are from Texas or not. The author's artwork is superb and gives you the real feelings of these "old Texas friends". The stories are right out of history and very entertaining. Whether you are young or old, the past is always a great place to visit and Mr. Morgan's book is a wonderful time machine with which to travel there. Highly recommended.

The prose is remarkably uplifting and allows one to look at history in a unique fashion. The stories are interesting and some local people with firsthand knowledge about one particular story told me the article was correct to the letter. The drawings are amazingly accurate to the finest detail. An excellent gift for the upcoming holidays. Your friends or relatives would greatly appreciate this book.

Dealing with virtually every essential aspect of English grammar, this book will probably achieve a special status at universities worldwide. Never have I seen such a splendid achievement in english studies before! Containing a well-researched and thorough account of all grammatical structures, this book can be used both as a complete reference as well as a meticulous elaboration and analysis of english grammar. I own a great number of well-written english grammar books but this book surpasses all of them in every aspect. Not only because it is very comprehensive and meticulous but also because it assumes a different approach to english grammar. Even though the book has 1300 pages, you will discover how easy it is to find whatever you may be looking for. Further, upon locating the target information, you will learn that the structure of the book facilitates reading and comprehension. Also, unnecessary terminology has been removed from the book in order to ascertain understanding. Needless to say, every serious english student should own this book. Using the word masterpiece to describe this book will not suffice. See for yourself!

I have just purchased an exemplar of this book, and although some people might find it rather complicated, I feel certain in saying that it is exactly what english grammar was in need of: a thorough coverage of its features in a modern, descriptive, and factual way; and, where people may call it complicated, i'd rather call it complete and thoroughly detailed. In this wonderful work, obsolete concepts such as Latin principles misleadingly applied to English (which is NOT a romanic language) and traditional spurious justifications are abandoned, and english is faced as the completely unique language it certainly is. Being an inhabitant of a country in which an actually latin language is spoken as its mother one, I know how much such a group of languages diverge from english in so many ways, and thus think this book an extremely appropriate account on english and its unique properties and traits.
Maybe, the trait of the book which pleased me most was its modern way to reorganize determinate parts of English grammar which should have been reviewed right at the dawn of modern english centuries ago. The main problem with previous grammar books was their habit of analysing English as though it were a latin language, attributing to it characteristics it does not intrinsecally contain )which this book promptly denies), such as the existence of an inflectional subjunctive mood.
Therefore, one can really say that what the book does is provide a renewed and much sounder description on the modern language we call english, discarding many old concepts; some that do not really surprise us with their being removed, and others which quite much do! However, I am very sure that this rich descriptive work shall not stand on the book stores' shelves without arousing all kinds of indignant critics from conservative students of the language, specially the older ones, who may have partly helped in the creation of the system disputed by the book.
But I must say that anyone with a reasonable inclination shall understand the authors' propositions and assertions, taking them very seriously, for those are based on extremely well - formulated and sensible arguments; actually, i doubt someone open - minded could read the book from beggining to end without at least having a couple of former opinions and beliefs changed by the practicaly irrefutable evidences displayed by the authors as proofs of the applicability of their propositions.
I hope this book has more purchasers, and, consequently, more reviews so that debates about important grammar issues may start, for I believe that this newer, sounder analysis of English language need be displayed to all advanced English students, in order that important and inevitable reformulations in its unfortunately obsolete grammar concepts happen. Whoever has love for this language, like myself, shall be glad to debate, and this is an appeal i direct even to the highest authorities among teachers and grammarians.

Paul Kens has written a lively, entertaining, and scholarly intellectual biography of one of the most fascinating justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, Stephen J. Field. Kens traces Field's career from his days as a young attorney just landed in gold-rush-crazed San Francisco in 1849, to his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court less than fourteen years later, and on to the end of the century. Along the way, Kens discusses the political and economic events that shaped the thinking of Field and those with whom he did intellectual battle. Throughout, the book deals with an issue central to law in the economic realm: Does the economic power with which society might legitimately be concerned stem from government alone, or do other, private sources of power warrant a governmental response? Field clearly answered this question in one way, whereas for much of their history Americans have answered it in another. It may be a question that, every generation or so, Americans must answer anew....

Kens provides a balanced view. It would be easy to characterize Field as an apologist for the wealthy establishment--and he was so characterized by contemporary critics. But that characterization was not correct. Field's logic led him to take politically unpopular stands, especially with respect to issues of race, immigration, and corporate power. His concern about the potential abuse of government caused him to defend a strong role for federal judicial oversight of state legislation--recognizing that state legislatures might be even more likely than Congress to adopt special-interest legislation.

I bought this book about the famous inquiry of Major Reno who was accused of cowardice at the battle of Little Bighorn. It was fine. However, anybody who would be interested in this book might as well go all the way and get Ron Nichols' version of the Inquiry. That's why I gave the Graham abstract a 4. Nichols has taken the unpublished manuscript (from the National Archives?) and copied it down word-for-word so you get the whole enchilada, not Graham's edited version. I couldn't find Nichols book on Amazon.com but it's out there somewhere. I got my copy from the Custer Battlefield Historical and Museum Association. Perhaps someone at Amazon.com will read this review and make Mr. Nichols' heftier compilation available.

This book belongs on the shelf of all students of the LBH battle. The trouble is that the testimony is such a tease. The tough questions were not asked, or not allowed to be asked. Larry Sklenar in "To Hell with Honor" in essence called the whole inquiry a sham, that Lieutenant George Wallace committed perjury to cover for Reno, and the other survivors who testified were just interested in putting it all behind them, or protecting the Army from a military-phobic Congress. I agree that it is an interesting read, but reading it is like a hungry man looking at a chocolate cake but not being allowed a bite.

A surprisingly good read. W. A. Graham's well edited book of testimony is fascinating. The inquiry report was supressed for many years until Graham came along. The Reno and Benteen passages are quite revealing of the men themselves. Reno reveals what he really thinks of Custer and Benteen's sarcasm concerning Custer's order for him on that day is so apparent one wishes he was challenged more on the stand. Benteen's reasons for his delay are quite astonishing. Those well familiar with the LBH will appreciate some of the between the lines testimony of the officers. Varnum (chief of scouts) and civilians describe the retreat from the valley as a rout and but the other officers are reluctant to critizise. Graham's editing and Pohanka's introduction enrich the book by providing more background information.

As mentioned in the other reviews, this volume adds a host of new characters. While I would rate the series as excellent, I am suspicious this volume was created just to draw it out longer. The first book about Serra Diora is very good. The second about Valedan is excellent. I feel that the story could have been neatly wrapped up in the third volume with no loose ends. Now the series will encompass at least two more books just to finish wrapping up what happens with each major character (all 18+ of them). I would reccomend the series only after all the books are published so that you can read them in rapid sequence.

In this the third book of her excellent fantasy series, Mrs. West takes us south, south to the Dominion and its denizens both dark and light, and south (as in underground?) with Jewel, Avandar, and a Host! of other characters. While I very much enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, I found the hints and allusions as to the past of the Kialli and the Firstborn both aggravating and pleasing. Pleasing, because I am so caught up in the story and the characters that any new info is wonderful, and aggravating, because it's not enough! Also,if you haven't read the two books of the Hunter's series, I really urge you to hurry up. What are you waiting for? I really consider those two books to be prequils to the Sun Sword series. These are great stories with characters that just grab your heart and don't let go. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

The Shining Court is the third book in the Sun Sword series, and it's great!!! HOWEVER, it is NOT to be read as an introduction to the series. Michelle West's story is very complex, and one needs to read the other books first in order to understand and enjoy the third.

The Shining Court deals mainly with the "southern" characters from the first book - Theresa, Diora, Alesso, etc., but part of the story focuses on Jewel ATerafin as she makes her way south with only Avandar as company after a very disturbing vision. (Avandar, BTW, is one of the great surprises of the book, esp. if you haven't read West's story in the Battle MAgic anthology about how he came to serve Jewel.)

The reader is also introduced to the Voyani; most of that storyline revolves around Margret, the daughter of the Voyani that Diora killed, and Yollana, the Matriarch who talks to Ashaf at the beginning of the first book. Kallandras is also present, as are the Kialli Lords and a mad human mage who was apparently Kiriel's only friend in the Shining Court.

I'm not going to say any more, for fear of giving away too much of the plot, except that The Shining Court is really a book worth reading.

This marvellous, entertaining new biography of the American naval hero John Paul Jones captures him in all his flawed glory. During the Revolutionary War, the fledgling US Navy was no match for the British Navy, which was accustomed to whipping all comers on the high seas. Against this background of near-universal American failure, Jones upset the complacency and arrogance of the British public with a series of dashing raids and single-ship battles in the home waters of England, culminating with his incredible capture of a brand new British ship-of-the-line, Serapis, which easily outgunned his leaky old Indiaman, the Bonhomme Richard. This victory was due almost exclusively to Jones' famous and near-insane refusal to surrender.

Valiant at sea, Jones was often lost ashore, like many great captains. Jones alienated his few patrons, and was accurately described by John Adams as "leprous with vanity." Jones, in his turn, called Adams "conceited" (certainly true) and "wicked" (not true, but debatable). Like Alexander Hamilton, he was an insecure, intelligent, but impoverished lowland Scot with a yen for intellectual improvement, a penchant for wenching, and a whiff of bastardy. Unlike Alexander Hamilton (to my knowledge, anyway), he wrote fragments of homoerotic verse in Latin, found hidden among his papers after death, and had an unpleasant proclivity for teenage girls.

Thomas' biography is always lively and at times surprising, packing a great deal of punch in its brief 311 pages. The battles at sea are particularly rousing.

For Evan Thomas to remind readers that John Paul Jones was his own worst enemy, that his vanity, ego and ambition rivaled those of the preening Alexander Hamilton is unnecessary and an understatement. John Paul Jones was, as much as the knowledge pained him, a glory hound. He was also one of the bravest, most skilled and dashing officers in the services of the United States during the Revolutionary War, and Thomas brings the cantankerous, manic-depressive little bulldog to vivid life for today's historians, history buffs and armchair adventurers. The highest highs and lowest lows of Jones's life toss, exalt, thrill, and lurch the reader like an unpredictable sea, and what a wonderful voyage it is!

John Paul Jones is the latest "self-made man" to appear in a biography, following on the heels of Willard Sterne Randall's cumbersome yet well-rendered "Alexander Hamilton: A Life." From humble roots, the son of a Scottish gardener, Jones was determined to rise from under the oppression of the European class system. He gazed out across the magnificent gardens created by his father and saw the ocean, with its seemingly endless horizon -and that is how Jones decided to live the rest of his life: He would expand, grow himself and mold his image anew, as wide as the sea, as broad as the sky.

As much taken with sail and sea as they took him, John Paul Jones was a natural, a gifted sailor who always tried to improve himself, whether his nautical skills, or by reading books to absorb philosophy and seeking the company of men from whom he knew he could learn. Unfortunately, Jones was never able to subdue his passions sufficiently, not sufficiently enough for any self-reflection to temper his sensitivities and thin skin, nor for him to ever cultivate the necessary strengths to achieve his highest ambition: Appointment to the rank of Admiral in the United States Navy. He would have to travel to Russia near the end of his life and enter the service of Catherine the Great to achieve that rank, but as fundamentally flawed and blameful as Jones was, he was not a rank human being. He was steadfast, loyal to his adopted country, America, and never gave in to the easy profit of privateering or ever turned his back on the Stars and Stripes.

He was as big-hearted and melodramatic as he was tragic and romantic, a sometimes womanizer who barely had a head for wine and never drank hard liquor. Like Thomas Jefferson, Jones was a paragon of paradox and yet always was, in the best sense, an American patriot.

It's painful to look on, page after page, reading about Jones's exploits and ideas, tactics and tales, only to see him constantly self-destruct, eventually alienating every single person around him. Nonetheless, Jones knew how to fight in an age where most men achieved rank through connections and lineage, and even though he didn't always win, he won enough: Jones was a tonic for fledgling America, and any other person or power savvy enough to employ his courage.

Sadly, Jones was far from the best judge of character, and often found himself in an impossibly frustrating, nightmarish circumstance because of his own inability to discern veneer from character, though Jones seems to have had plenty of character, and yet constantly coveted superficial laurels of those less worthy. But no matter how badly he may have comported himself, and in spite of how myopic most of his handlers were, blinded to Jones's full potential, "Little Jones" was indeed a mouse that roared.

Whether Jones ever knew it during his life, he certainly reflected the rigid principles of honor to which he held himself and others, and Evan Thomas has written a flowing, absorbing book about John Paul Jones, a man who cherished freedom above all else, and helped bring it to so many others.

John Paul was the son of a Scottish gardener, born in 1747. With little fortune, no prospects of getting an education, and facing a rigid hierarchy he could not break, his prospects of doing anything else than his father's career were unlikely. The one limited prospect of advancement was going to sea, which he did at age 13. It was his place to excel; he was careful, deliberate, and punctiliously neat. His flight to success worked; even though he had to change his name while he was on the run for a murder charge, John Paul Jones can be counted as one of the Founding Fathers. In the biography _John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy_ (Simon and Schuster), Evan Thomas has insightfully examined Jones's ambitious climb, and the other side of ambition's coin, his vanity, which halted the climb from going as far as Jones had aimed. In balancing both sides, Thomas has produced a model biography of America's most famous sailor.

John Paul had to work the lowest levels in the Royal Navy, sailing slave ships. In 1774, he killed a mutinous sailor off Tobago, and his career was over. He fled to Virginia as John Paul Jones. His timing was fortunate; by 1775 the Continental Congress had a starting fleet and needed officers; he was commissioned as a first lieutenant. Jones proved to be one of the few in the navy who had a strategic vision, one which was recommended by a novelty transcending the orderly set-piece battles between ships: terrorism. It is perhaps discomforting to think of Jones as a terrorist, but he realized that war could be waged against cities and peoples, not just against professional fighters. The British had counted on the Royal Navy to keep them safe in their homes, and Jones breeched the shield. His daring touched on English anxiety about piracy, and he was often depicted as a pirate. More importantly, the English started wondering if warring to keep their colonies was really worth it. He won special fame for action against the new, copper-clad frigate _Serapis_. He was not, however, justly rewarded by his country. He was denied the rank of admiral because of the machinations of his fellow captains. His suspiciousness and irascibility did not recommend him, even though his courage and seamanship did. He took the only job he could get when the Revolution was over, in the Russian navy, but in 1792, possibly weakened by care and by years of exposure to the elements, he died lonely and forgotten in Paris. He had a small funeral, and then oblivion. Eventually a laundry was built over the graveyard.

Jones was resurrected in 1905; the young President Teddy Roosevelt needed a naval hero, and being a naval historian himself, he knew how the country had slighted its first great sailor. "Every officer in our navy should know by heart the deeds of John Paul Jones," the President orated at the time. Jones was put at final rest in a magnificent marble sarcophagus beneath the transept of the Naval Academy Chapel. It would have been just what he wanted: "My desire for fame is infinite," he admitted. Jones would not be so proud of Evan's fine biography, for it makes plain the egotism; John Adams called him "leprous with vanity." For a Founding Father, he had little to say about the importance of democracy and equality, although he wrote plenty against tyranny. But Evans's biography also makes plain Jones's courage, and explains well the successes that Jones the striver was able to gain. It is a thorough and thoroughly entertaining picture of a fascinating figure.

The new edition is easier to read than the 1998 edition. Only the essential income tax provisions are included, so it isn't an absolutely complete source, but I can't imagine that there is anything you really need to know that isn't in this book. The regulations and code provisions are tabbed with a margin index on the back cover, so the individual sections are really easy to locate--saves the time of tabbing before the exam.

Written in the 1950's, this book displays a remarkable lack of research and fact. Read S.W. Harman's 'Hell on the Border' instead. The book reflects more about the time it was written than the the person it is describing.