I love Princess of Orange very much. I once borrowed it in our school library, 2 years ago. I had read it twice because the story is so beautiful. It's like a fairy tale romance. Beautiful Princess Mary didnt want to marry Prince William at first (she was only 15 back then) so made herself ugly but William saw the real her first and fell in love. Anyway, the story is sooo beautiful. I think they're so sweet when they got married. There are lots of beautiful lines in the book hat i had memorized a few of them. (...)

I've recently developed an interest in Civil War history, an era that had not heretofore intrigued me. In doing some reading on the subject, I kept coming across references to "the diaries of Mary Chesnut," and decided to read them. Most historians look upon these diaries as a major source of information on what took place in the South during the Civil War, because the lady was present at some of the important events and was certainly herself effected by them. As the editors write, she was often reduced to moving "eventually from one place of refuge to another as a fugitive from military invaders (p. x)" and "Living out of her trunk in hotels or rented rooms (p. x)." The quotations or information gleaned from this resource do indeed illuminate the narration in the historical works in which one comes across them. They are not, however, easy to read.

I gather from the introduction to this book that the diaries had been edited for publication as a continuous narrative--minus the more embarrassing self-revelations--entitled by a hand other than the lady's a "Diary from Dixie." The author herself had died long before the book was ever printed, leaving the details of publication to a relative. The editors of the current text despair the latter work as "heavily cut and carelessly edited (p. ix)," because it prevents the reader from knowing well the lady as a character herself.

The Private Mary Chesnut is just what the Diary from Dixie is not, a real diary. As such, it contains entries that are for the most part endless mentions of people with whom the reader probably will not be knowledgeable unless he or she is very "into" the South and Civil War history. One is frequently reduced to checking the footnotes for information on the individuals named. Unfortunately the editors of the diary give only the barest of facts about them, usually social or military rank or relationship to Mrs. Chesnut or another individual mentioned in the diary. The writer's comments often leave one trying to read between her lines for some inkling of "what's really going on!" because there is the merest glimpse of some probably very interesting underlying story. The editors of the text, however, either will not or cannot give these details. Because of this dearth of underlying social information, the book comes across as either confusing or a little boring, a simple catalogue of parties and people met at parties, of polite social visits paid back and forth. This is definitely not an Edith Warton!

Spaced throughout the document are nuggets of truly golden information about the Civil War and antebellum period. [THOSE WRITING PAPERS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE OR HISTORY TAKE NOTE] Because the lady was well connected by virtue of her own social status and oft sought company, she is privileged to the opinions of and gossip about significant individuals. She knew people who had met or knew the Lincoln family and was herself intimately acquainted with the Jefferson Davis family. One of the more interesting quotes was gossip associated with Mary Todd Lincoln's notorious household economy in the White House (pp. 30 and 31-32). This gives a much truer picture of what the social elite thought of the Lincolns, particularly in the South, and makes clear, that Washington D. C. was--and probably still is--more part of the southern social milieu than that of northern or national.

Certainly the lady herself comes across quite real in these diaries. In short she is often vain, opinionated, over-indulged, and wasteful by modern standards--at least by middle class standards--but she is also a well educated, astute and outspoken judge of political events and of the social ills of the institution of slavery. [THOSE WRITING PAPERS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE OR HISTORY TAKE NOTE] Her discourse on its ills, particularly of misogynation, are eminently quotabl--and often are. My favorite is that beginning with "I wonder if it be a sin to think slavery a curse on any land (p. 42-43)," etc.

While the book is difficult to get through, for those with a desire to know more than just the bare facts about the Civil War period and its society, this book is probably a good source for that information. [THOSE WRITING PAPERS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE OR HISTORY TAKE NOTE] This would definitely be considered a primary rather than a secondary source for the topic.

This is the one indispensible book for anyone interested in what went on in the South behind the battle lines. As Pepys gives us a living picture of the London and court of Charles II, so does M. Chesnut give us a bird's eye view of the Confederate government and the society she lived in.

A wise and witty woman, Mary Chesnut spent most of the war years close to ground zero in Richmond, VA. She knew Jefferson and Varina Davis intimately. She rubbed elbows with congressmen and cabinet members. Mrs. Chesnut was a sharp tongued woman who pulled no punches and she tells us much that, but for her, would remain unknown about the leaders of the "Lost Cause".

Anyone who enjoyed the Woodward/Muhlenfeld editon of Mary Chesnut's memoirs can't afford to miss this publication of the materials from which she created her masterpiece.

Considering I live about ten miles away from the author and visited her garden with my club last summer, one might not think me a very objective critic. And regarding this book, I'm probably not. I found the book full of good information about the perennials that florish here in unpredictable zone 5, and great suggestions for beautiful color combinations. The book is really for avid gardeners who are interested in further studies of particular plants and their cultivars, and the experiences of a gardener/artist who treats the garden as her canvas. She is a bit of a garden snob, and if you are partial to cutsey planters and other garden fixtures, don't bother with this book.

This complex woman is accurately documented in this wonderful book. The section on her war years are haunting and inspiring. No one will forget Elisabeth if they read this book. When does the movie come out? Linda Schiller-Hanna

As an educator, I think this book is one of the best I have read on this subject. It is factual and covers both social and medical aspects of HIV infection and AIDS. Its focus is scientific but it explains a wide range of technical concepts (eg current drug therapies, methods of detection) in suprisingly easy and straightforward terms. It has a very humane feel to it as its authors are both AIDS physicians and scientists involved in the searching for better therapies. I think this book can truly help people learn about AIDS.

Elisabeth of Austria has held a strange fascination for many people, because of her reknown beauty and her strange relationship with her husand and children. Married at 15 to the emperor of Austria, Elisabeth was under the domination of her mother in law. Her first two children are virtually raised by her mother in law and she has very little impact on their life. Feeling oppressed by the court atmosphere, Elisabeth escapes through numerous diversions, including exercise and horseback riding. Supporting a constitutional monarchy, she alienates herself from her husband, who nevertheless continues to love her desperately. Finally they are reconciled and she gives birth to her last child, a daughter who will be "her" child. Elisabeth becomes increasing erratic until she finally removes herself from court life completely. Her final years are marred by unhappiness with the suicide of her only son and her own death at the hands of an assassin.

Author Hamann does an excellent job of portryaing the life of this woman, who has often been compared to Princess Diana. What really becomes clear is that Elisabeth must have suffered from some sort of mental breakdown and without help, she chose to life a life that brought unhappiness to quite a few people, including her husband and children. The book is well written and captures the time period perfectly.

This brilliant Harvard physician has written a comprehensive, well organized presentation which encompasses the etiology, treatment and classification of the various types of arthritis. This book could only have been written by a doctor with absolute understanding of the subject matter. It is clearly presented in a practical no nonsense format, which allows the reader to find data on any aspect of the disease in a matter of minutes. It is up to date, presenting all of the medication options right up to and including the latest Cox 2 inhibitors and TNF blockers, as well as the various surgical procedures and alternative treatments.

This book is a must have for any patient who is trying to overcome this debilitating and painful disease, and for any doctor who is treating such patients in his or her practice.

It is a source of hope that with proper treatment arthritis can be managed in a way that allows the patient to pursue a normal and active life, without becoming disabled.

Thank you Dr. Weinblatt. Good job.

Madame Sevier was my French teacher in Edmond OK in 1984. Although I was not the best of students, I still remember vividly the stories she told of the war. This is a must read. She is a fantastic and wonderful woman.

James Hunter

Excellent stuff. I really learnt an enormous amount about the feminist movement, but especially about ways to energize our movement today. The introduction of the category 'organization' into the discussion helps me to get out of the swamp of identity politics. Wonderful theory. Congratulations!

Fiornza's book is another great along with the many others she has wrote. She brings the reality of the Book of Revelation to life. I used her book, along with others, in a religion class. Her book by far was fascinating and truthful. I will warn this book is not for people who do not have an open mind. It is hard reading and takes time, but it is a breakthrough for feminist apocraphyl theology. This book is also not for those who think the Book of Revelation is going to happen tomorrow. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the academic feminist study of the Book of Revleation. It will definitely open up yor eyes!