Even though Building Library Collections by Arthur Curley and Dorothy Broderick was last updated 1985, this book is an indispensable tool in realm of building library collections. The book is well written and the examples are clear and concise. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the field of library science. I especially like the chapters concerning censorship since it has very good remedies on how to deal with this volatile issue.

Although best known as the author of the "Sherlock Holmes" canon, Sir Arthur's best work can be found in his brilliant short stories. The tales in this book represent some his very best writing and feature taught, gripping stories of the mysterious, the bizarre, and the profound. Despite the fact that even the most recent of these stories is nearly 70 years old, they are so cleverly plotted and paced that they retain their ability to thrill even today. Readers who worry that the language will be too old fashioned or will require slow and careful reading should not worry: these tales are easily read, but not so easily forgotten. Try, for example, "Lot 212." This is a story about a mysterious young college student, his ancient mummy, and a series of strange crimes and attacks. Our hero confronts the villian in one of the most gripping confrontations you'll ever read in short fiction. Read these tales late at night, aloud if possible, to a willing second. You won't be disappointed!

'The Valley of Fear'. A real page turner but what makes it most memorable for me is not that Holmes is at his best, but Conan Doyle is. After reading this book I recommend you to read this book because it was a suspense story. The whole story moves around Mcginty who was a big criminal in the valley of vermisa also called the valley of fear. There was only one person who could face to that criminal and his name was Jack McMurdo. He behaved as a gangster and he had taken many risks in his life and he was not afraid to take more risks. Don't miss 'The Valley of Fear'. It's terrifying, exciting, and best of all, real.

I have read all of the Holmes tales many times, and I think this one reigns supreme. I believe that was also Doyle's opinion. It is the finest detective story I have ever read, masterfully composed. The Vermissa Valley section builds to the most shocking moment I've ever experienced in literature.

Not being a Sherlock Holmes fan, I came by the "The Valley of Fear" through a somewhat less traditional route. I was familiar with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, "The White Company", "Sir Nigel" and "The Adventures of Gerard", but for some inexplicable reason his wonderful mysteries escaped my earlier readings. I aim to remedy the deficiency. For now, this is my first Sherlock Holmes book, and I just couldn't put it down.

Who can really add to all that has been written over the years about this classic? The reader cannot help but be struck with Doyle's writing style. Its economy is a marvel. It is crisp and crackling, not to mention spellbinding. Even a straightforward introduction is masterly handled. Here, for example, is Watson telling us about the crime scene we are about to enter: "....I will.... describe events which occurred before we arrived on the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards."

Of course Doyle can establish a new scene with the same economy, but turn up the atmospheric temperature a good deal higher. He begins his retrospective "Scowrers" section in the snowbound Gilmerton Mountains, where a single track railroad leads us through a "long, winding tortuous valley," which is part of the "gloomy land of black crag and tangled forest."

This book is really two books woven together by the mysterious history of the central crime victim. The first is set in England, the second in the United States. Keep a sharp ear out for Doyle's deft handling of the King's English and then its transformation into the 19th Century Americanized version. The King's English is all about civility and civilization. In the American tongue, Doyle takes us to the fringes of civilization, to a Western mining town, where cruelty -- not civility -- is the order of the day.

I suppose one could argue that Holmes' deductive reasoning is the ultimate bulwark against chaos and violence. Perhaps for another Sherlock Holmes book. But I can't help but cite one example of Watson's obvious English sense of what is proper. Holmes' companion/narrator takes a stroll in an old-world garden surrounded by ancient yew trees, where he accidentally overhears the murder victim's wife laughing. Worse, she is laughing with her just murdered husband's faithful male companion. As Watson the narrator puts it, "I bowed with a coldness which showed, I dare say, very plainly the impression which had been produced upon my mind......I greeted the lady with reserve. I had grieved with her grief in the dining room. Now I met her appealing gaze with an unresponsive eye." Good ol' Watson!

May I suggest to the reader that, after this classic, you turn to R.L. Stevenson's, "The Master of Ballantrae"? Stevenson's masterpiece also jumps from the old world to the new, and like "The Valley of Fear" the new world for Stevenson also represents murder and mayhem. Something to ponder from these two great Scottish novelists.

As the new director of a small but growing public library I have found this book very helpful. I go back to it time after time. Chapters cover everything from history of the public library and structures of library boards to director and board responsibilities and the day to day operations of a library.

I particularly appreciate the tone of the book and the short section on the new library director. There is a realistic and reassuring quality about it.

The copyright is 1994. There is a bit of out-of-date information, such as refering to WILSON LIBRARY BULLETIN. I am hoping for a new edition soon.

I teach a course in public librarianship to graduate students in a large library school. I used much of this book as required reading for my students and found it very helpful in organizing the semester long class. It provides valuable information about numerous aspects of public libraries in a clear and concise manner. It is a helpful tool for not only library science students but also new librarians and experienced administrators.

Ex-Texas Ranger (Johnny Canavan) versus the gunthrowers. Well-written fiction that's very easy to read. I grinned a few times with the subplot of the story: Canavan dealing with the demands of the female, Ardis Lundy. The paperback is worth your time, good way to spend a few relaxing hours.