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Book reviews for "Degenshein,_George_A." sorted by average review score:

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (1999)
Authors: Hildegarde H. Swift, Ward Lynd, and Lynd Ward
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fond memories of the city I grew up in
As a child in The Bronx, we visited the Little Red Lighthouse and this story paints a great picture of progress and the way it affects our lives. We may not think we are in with the times but as the lighthouse finds out, there is a place for all of us and people for us to take care of. I first read this book when my son was in 1st grade and now I'm ordering it for his 34th birthday. We've both visited the lighthouse and of course crossed the Great Gray Bridge on our way from the city to the south where we live now.

The Little Lighthouse That Could...
The publication date says 1988, but I remember this book from my childhood and would recommend it to anyone with children. It is the story of a small red lighthouse that gets overshadowed by the newly built George Washington Bridge and how the lighthouse comes to terms with that. The lighthouse really exists in NYC and I grew up not far from it. If you drive north on the West Side Highway and you look towards the bottom of the GW Bridge as you approach it, there stands this brave little lighthouse. Bright red, beaming out to the whole world.

Classic memories from my childhood...
In my youth, I borrowed this book from the library so many times that my parents finally bought it for me. They also took me to see the legendary lighthouse (which still stands, proudly, under the GW Bridge, not far from where I grew up). Now, as an adult, I have had the great pleasure of enriching my nephews' lives with this simple fable of pride and perserverance. I still treasure this book, and hope to share it with my own children one day.


The Writings on the Wall: Peace at the Berlin Wall
Published in Paperback by Twenty Two Sevenths Pub Co (1990)
Authors: Terry Tillman, George Morgan, and Marilyn Ferguson
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About the human spirit, loving freedom, life and each other.
"The Writings on the Wall" by Terry Tillman is my favorite Cold War book. I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the author shortly after the book was published and learned that his book is more than just historical - it is about the universal human spirit of loving freedon, life and each other. I commend the book to anyone interested in enhancing international understanding and world peace.

Wonderful book of powerful photographs and pearls of wisdom
"The Writings on the Wall" by Terry Tillman is a wonderful book of powerful photographs and pearls of wisdom by various people. The book inspired me to think about many levels of walls that we build, from emotional to the physical, and the power we have to knock them down.

Great gift item!
The book The Writings on the Wall" by Terry Tillman was purchased in multiple quantity, and given to co-workers and friends. All enjoyed the "story" being told, AND shared by the writer. I highly recommend it.


Tintin: The Complete Companion
Published in Hardcover by Last Gasp of San Francisco (2002)
Authors: Michael Farr, Georges Remi, and Herge
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Marvellous
Any successful series tends to spawn a Guide and most of the time they add minimal value to the original series. Not so here. Farr and Remi have collaborated to produce a companion to Tintin that actually enhances the comic strip and makes you re-read them with a new awareness. The layout of the book makes it easy for you to focus on individual adventures, providing a four to six page commentary on the development, accuracy and major plot points. There is an opening section on Herge himself and how Tintin developed over forty-odd years.
It is only after reading this I have realised how accurate Herge was with his subject matter. Again and again you suddenly realise that all the backing images, all the characters are founded on intricate real detail and people to create authenticity.
Quite simply, any fan of Tintin must read this book. It supplies answers to questions you'd never think of and opens you to a whole new side of the hero and his creator.

The best companion book ever!
If you are even mildly interested to know how Herge choose his name or those of his characters, if you are kind of interested in the historical background to your favorite adventure or if you are a crazy Tintin fan and hunger for anything you can get your hands on, this book is for you!

I have enjoyed it a great deal and I know you will too!

Absolutely fabulous !!
Well, now that you have hungrily read and collected all the titles of Herge, the marvelous artist & story teller, this book completes your appetite, as a slurping dessert!.

Contains detailed background on each and every title that Herge published upto the unfinished 'Alph Art'. Contains several sketches and reference photographs the artist used. You live through the mind of Herge, the times and his efforts. How carefully he chooses realism, timely topics and authenticity to spin those wonderful tales of Tintin! It is fascinating to go behind the scenes of the favourite stories. contains tons of information.

This ought to serve as a wonderful reference for artists.

If you are a diehard fan of Tintin & Herge, this book is a must! Great paper quality & print too!


Mr Tompkins in Paperback : Comprising 'Mr Tompkins in Wonderland' and 'Mr Tompkins Explores the Atom'
Published in Paperback by Cambridge Univ Pr (Trd) (1993)
Author: George Gamow
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Fantastic
Without a doubt, this is one of the best books to read to develope a sense of the joy, wonder and weirdness of modern physics. I first read this book in high school and its one of the reasons that I'm doing a PhD now. An excellect introduction.

Superb Intro to Modern Physics
I first read this about 50 years ago in graduate school, and was wonderfully stimulated. Despite many advances since, this book is still thoroughly up-to-date (except for particle physics and quarks). I remember mainly how Mr Tompkins suffers in a room where the speed of light has been reduced to 100 mph. Could never again think of simultaneity again in quite the familiar Newtonian way. That is but one example of the freshness of view that Gamow's fun-loving mind creates. It taught me more than most formal texts; and with so much more ease.I hope that he and Lewis Carroll have found each other in Heaven, and are discussing how to educate and amuse.

A perfect step into modern physics.
I read this book when I was only sixteen (in fact, it was one of my presents on that birthday), and it started me on a great path to understanding modern physics years ahead of my time. This book, wonderful for all ages (even very small children, I'd imagine), serves as the best tool for grasping the groundwork of many principles of modern physics, yielding an easier understand when more complexity arises. Read this book! Even Einstein would enjoy it, I'm sure, and he might even learn something.


Mr. Lincoln's Army (Army of the Potomac Trilogy, Vol 1)
Published in Paperback by Anchor (08 February, 1951)
Author: Bruce Catton
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The story of the Army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan
"Mr. Lincoln's Army" is the first volume in Bruce Catton's celebrated trilogy chronicling the history of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War, one of the most exciting war narratives in literature. Catton had grown up in Michigan around men who had served in that Army and these books were his attempt "to find out about the things which the veterans never discussed." Catton relies on a host of source material to weave his tales, from autobiographies of Generals McClellan and Howard, to the correspondence of Generals Sedgwick and Meade, to dozens of soldiers' reminiscences and regimental histories, to military histories relating to specific battles, campaign, military tactics and weapons. As you read these books you are always feel that you are dealing with living literature rather than dead history. This is because Catton privileges "The Diary of an Enlisted Man" by Lawrence Van Alstyne and the history of "The 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion" more than he does "McClellan's Own Story."

"Mr. Lincoln's Army" covers the Army of the Potomac from its creation to the Battle of Antietam. Despite the title the central figure in the book is General George B. McClellan, the war's most paradoxical figure who gave this Army the training it needed to become a first rate military unit and who then refused to use the great army he had created. There are 6 sections to the book: (1) "Picture-Book War" actually covers the events in 1862 that led to McClellan being placed back in charge of the Army of the Potomac, setting up a rather ironic perspective for what happens both before and after that decision; (2) "The Young General" provides the background on McClellan and details his formation of the Army; (3) "The Era of Suspicion" covers the ill-fated Peninsula Campaign; (4) "An Army on the March" centers on the Second Battle of Manassas/Bull Run when the Army was under John Pope; (5) "Opportunity Knocks Three Times" begins with the great intelligence coup of the Civil War, the discovery of Lee's Special Order No. 191 and establishes how the upcoming battle was handed to McClellan on a silver plate; (6) "Never Call Retreat" tells the story of how McClellan snatched defeat--or at least a bloody tie--from the jaws of victory.

Bruce Catton's books on the Civil War are eminently readable, and with his History of the Army of the Potomac he finds his perfect level, writing about the men who were the common soldiers as much if not more than he does about the generals and politicians. You certainly get the feeling his heart was in these volumes more than it was in his larger histories of the Civil War. For those who are well versed in the grand details of the war, these books provide a more intimate perspective on those great battles.

Outstanding overview of McClellan's Army
As other reviewers have mentioned, Bruce Catton is considered to be one of the best authors to read if you are interested in the Civil War. Despite many recommendations from others I had not read any of Catton's books until now. Having just finished Mr. Lincoln's Army, I can finally understand why Mr. Catton has received so many accolades (to include the Pulitzer prize). This book is an outstanding introduction to General McClellan, and the Army he commanded.

I truly enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, the writing style is excellent. This book is not boring history (facts, figures, hyposthesis, conclusion). Instead, Catton tells the interesting story of what happened to the Federal Army from the beginning of the war up until the battle of Antietam. The book reads more like a good novel, than a history text book. Having read many Civil War authors, I would put Catton in the top category.

Secondly, Catton includes many observations and stories from the everyday soldier which add vivid details to events as they unfold. His description of the Battle of Antietam comes alive when he includes descriptions of what the men who fought actually saw and experienced. I learned a lot and gained new insight into many events which speaks volumes to the quality of this book, considering it was written back in the 1950s.

Lastly, Catton stays focused on his topic and does not try to cover too much material. The book is about the Union Army, so he does not waste time getting into too many details about what was happening on the Confederate side. I enjoyed this perspective because Catton succesfully answers the question of why the Union Army could not defeat the Confederates early in the war, despite the great advantage of resources that it possessed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War. Whether you are a "Civil War Buff", or just trying to find out more about this pivotal event in American history, you will enjoy this book.

Catton Candy, volume 1.
Bruce Catton is, in my opinion, the most readable author of American Civil War history. Whenever I've labored through some book I wanted to read but have struggled with, I reward myself with something he has written. This trilogy is, as all his work is, thoroughly researched and very balanced. It would be hard to detect any bias in this native Michiganer of the first half of the 20th century, though I vaguely suspect he had more sympathy for the South, if only for the "pluck" (he likes that word in fact) of their "David vs. Goliath" undertaking. In any case, this first volume delivers a very important message in a very complete way, and it's a message I had never before considered: The Army of the Potomac's loyalty to the government was never compromised, but it was fretted about in some pretty high places, perhaps not the least important of which was in the White House. So completely was this Grand Army made in the image of its creator, McClellan, that his removal gave cause for many to hold their collective breath and pray that it would remain intact and loyal to the Union once stripped of its beloved leader. That it did, and the rest, as they say, is history. McClellan is thoroughly understood by the reader of this work. He is a man of some complexity and some sympathy, diminished by his ego perhaps. Despite many lost opportunities that would have made the war much shorter and correspondingly less bloody, he was a good soldier caught between military logic and political caution. In fact, Catton points out to us that never before had there been a general of a great army of a democracy, and that that arrangement itself is tenuous at best. In the end, we understand that the Army of the Potomac was Lincoln's Army for just as long as he remained the Commander-in-Chief, and despite their love for McClellan, they always stood ready to do what was asked of them.


We Are Not Forgotten: George Anderson's Messages of Love and Hope from the Other Side
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Berkley Pub Group (1994)
Authors: Joel Martin, Patricia Romanowski, and George Anderson
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We Are Not Forgotten
George Anderson's books were a life saver for me and my family. After the unexpected death of my brother last year, these books helped us through the grieving process. The information offered so much hope and ultimately strengthened our spirituality. Joel Martin did such a wonderful job of proving George's credibility in George's first book, "We Don't Die", that we were compelled to read all his others. I highly reccommend these TREASURES to anyone who lost a loved one or who just needs to know more about life after life. I am eternally grateful to people like George Anderson. Not only has his gift helped so many people, but George's pure goodness shows through in his work. Because of George, I now know that my wonderful brother will live on forever, watching over us.

Excellent Book - Highly Recommend to anyone grieving.
All the books by and about George Anderson are excellent and MUST READS for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. To be read with an open mind, - but in my case,(a former MAJOR skeptic) I literally began calling some of the people in the book and others that had met with him and was assured by ALL of them that the readings in the books were accurately reproduced. One suggestion - read "WE DON'T DIE" first, then "WE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN." "OUR CHILDREN FOREVER" is also excellent, and "LESSONS FROM THE LIGHT" is worth reading as well. Read the books & do your own research about George- he's been put to the test on TV (Donahue;Unsolved Mysteries/48 Hours) and they are worth having on tape.The readings in the books are very impressive, loaded with details he could not possibly have about strangers- it's easy to be skeptical and believe only what you can sense yourself. But George (who was close to death himself as a child)proves there is something MORE. And IF he were a "Con"- he wouldn't still be doing this at such high demand after 19 yrs. Read. Take comfort. Research it yourself. Speak to those who have spoken to him. "We are not Forgotten" includes the story of David Elliott's father's reading (he was also interviewed later on TV).This was a skeptical man who began his journey to George thru the "We Don't Die" book. THEY SAY ONLY DEATH & TAXES ARE CERTAIN. WRONG. Some people may cheat on their taxes, but none of us can cheat death.And until it affects us, we forget how many people are in pain everyday from grief.It doesn't end at the funeral, AND it does NOT end 2 weeks (or months) later either.Grief can last months, years, or a lifetime when you lose a loved one. If you have lost a loved one and are feeling the pain of the loss - read the books about George Anderson.They are worth reading AND re-reading!!! Open your mind and your heart. When you lose someone you love sometimes faith is not enough; proof is needed that your loved one is alright and George Anderson's books and readings help provide that. Excellent.

An insightful and amazing account of George's gift to others
I first read "We Don't Die" several years ago after a close friend had passed away and a co-worker recommended I read George Anderson's story. I thought I knew how to grieve, as I had lost several family members and friends over the previous few years. I was overwhelmed. As soon as I finished the first book, I read "We Are Not Forgotten". His communications are truly healing, even for those who have not had the fortune of meeting with him. Reading his books reassure us that dying is not the end and that loved ones are not forever gone. And for those people who don't particularly enjoy reading, let them know that his books are very simple and extremely fast reading. This should not be missed.


Genius in Disguise: Harold Ross of the New Yorker
Published in Hardcover by Random House (1995)
Author: Thomas Kunkel
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Provocative, compelling chronicle
I thought I knew my American history, but I was astounded by what I learned from this book that teaches, but reads like a novel. Ms Bryant has done some fascinating work researching her family's journey from the Bushfield plantation of 1785 through the Civil War and race riots in Chicago in 1919. You'll find much of this is mysteriously missing from our current high school history curriculum. Woven throughout the book is the thread of this family's strength fueled by their courage and commitment to place "family" above all else. Although sure to stir some controversy, this story needed to be told.

Linda chopped down George Washington's Family Tree
George Washington, may not have chopped down the Cherry Tree but,Linda Allen Bryant, had enough branches to build a tree of his African-American Descendants.

A lot of time had to be spent for Linda to take us back to the 1700's when George fathered a son,West Ford, by a slave named Venus. She weaves the story through each generation to bring us up to the present ending with her own family.

This is a wonderful, informative, educational book and a very interesting read.

History's Hidden Chapter
Though touted as a "novel," the back matter of this book demonstrates that this author did some serious research in putting together "I Cannot Tell a Lie." This extensive saga gives the reader a wrenching, personal tour through the victories and heartaches of one family - who spent 200 years in the shadow of a secret that can - and will - change the way the world views American history. There is much to be learned from this fascinating book, aside from the astonishing revelation that the blood of our first national hero lives on in an African American family. The book gives us a whole new set of heros - in the form of courageous, lively people of color, and of mixed race - who have been omitted from our texts. This is a generous gift to America and the author is to be applauded. Read this book if you're ready to hear the truth about what America is, and should be, all about.


India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (01 April, 2002)
Author: George Perkovich
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Superb
Less to do with the bomb per se, but a scholarly history of the Indian nuclear program. This is a work that will be quoted again and again.

An excellent insightful book
As an Indian immensely proud of his country's accomplishments and having had to enter multiple debates with other non-Indians in May 1998, I gained a great amount from the book. It is immaculately researched and it seems that Perkovich has left no stone unturned. It goes into such depth and understanding of the Indian polity's psyche as previously unseen from a non-Indian author. Perkovich is not merely narrating a set of events which led to the testing but defending a theory that goes against current understandings of international relations and nuclear non-profileration by setting India as an example. I enjoyed every chapter of the book and hope that current policy makers in the field learn from it. A must read for every Indian interested it their country's policies and others making policy for the rest of the world.

Monumental effort by the author
This is easily one of the best books I have read about my own country. Very informative.

Note to editorial Reviewers: India entered the nuclear club in May 1974 and not in May 1998 as suggested by some of your reviews.

Some highlights of the book.

* The term nuclear "haves" and "have-nots" was coined by Homi Bhabha initially and used by others and till date has been central to putting forth our country's opposition to NPT and CTBT.

* University of Chicago's late Prof. Chandrasekhar's refusal to head the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) after the death of patriot Dr. Homi Bhabha.

* One of my disappointment is the author's avoidance in the discussion of the cause of the death of Dr. Homi Bhabha, even though such an incident is beyond the scope of this book. Since Bhabha provided the impetus and leadership during the nuclear program's infancy, I expected the author to throw some light on this issue.

* Vikram Sarabhai's hatred for Nuclear tests is news, especially since he was heading the Atomic Energy commision. As a spaceman it is surprising that he headed the organization in the first place.

* Indira Gandhi's refusal to allow more nuclear tests after 1974 stemmed from her abhorence for anything nuclear after her post-Pokhran I experiences. This is contrary to the popular belief - international pressure.

* Most sections of the book has an objective view of the Indian nuclear scenario except the last few chapters where the author seems to bend towards India signing the CTBT and the NPT. Or atleast implying that India's moral stand on nuclear issue was defeated after the May 98 tests.

* BJP (and its predecessor Jana Sangh) has been the only political party to openly campaign for Nuclear power.


Long Knife
Published in Paperback by Ballantine Books (1994)
Author: James Alexander Thom
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A Great Story about a Great Man
This was a great story - especially since it is true. George Rogers Clark was an amazing man. After reading this book you too will have a great respect for him. Mr. Thom writes beautifully and keeps to the facts. I would like to see more books written about George Rogers Clark. Mr. Thom please give us more!

long knife
this story shows how the efforts of "george rogers clark" contributed to the growth of this country. we are used to hearing about the exploits of the revolutionary war but not often do we get a chance to know what was going on in the northwest territory. this is one of the best books i have ever read that covers how important a part was played by what was happening there. i recommend this book as an excellent read and most informative.

Not a quick read, but well worth it.
This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I ready, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.


The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information
Published in Paperback by Broadway Press (1994)
Authors: Paul Carter and George Chiang
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wonderful reference
This is a great book. I use it almost everyday in the shop and the classroom. It is a wealth of information with clear illustrations and a touch of humor. Enjoy!

A Standard in need of a new Printing
I've used this book as a 'bible' for ten years. There is nothing like it. It is concise, exact and obviously created by actual working live production personnel. Paul Carter fills a much needed lack of reference material in the production field. The illustrations/drawings are more than worth the price of admission. It is most unfortunate that Paul is not here to create new editions. Please keep this in print!

The Tech Library
Of course this book is great, but for the ultimate reference library backstage, please search out a copy of PocketRef or DeskRef. They're the same book, just one is desk size, the other...well, I'll let you figure this one out. Trust me. DeskRef has everything. It isn't geared at theatre directly, so it has lots of formulas that "come up" backstage in those situations where real world advise is needed quickly. Get a copy. Please. You will thank me


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