This is a well written and engaging look into the importance of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indian villages as a pivotal point in trade systems during the late 1700's through early 1800's. Being located along the Missouri River in present day North Dakota, the Mandan/Hidatsa Indians traded horses, robes and furs to Canadian Fur Companies in return for guns and ammunition. They would then trade these goods for other commodities from various Northern Plains Indian Tribes, who previously may have traded with other tribes or the Spaniards further south. In part one, the authors give a lengthy but excellent and relevant chronological introduction as to the fur trade history of this geographical area. Part two includes five journals (or excerpts) of some of these Northwest Fur Company traders' first hand accounts depicting life as it was: John Macdonell's descriptions of the Indians, geography and trade in the 1790's; David Thompson's narrative describing his harrowing 1797 journey from Fort Assiniboine to the Mandan villages in the dead of winter; Larocque's two narratives, the "Missouri (1804)" and "Yellowstone (1805)" Journals, the latter of which, in the company with Crow Indians, he may possibly have been the first white man to descend the Yellowstone River, pre-dating William Clark by more than a year. The final narrative is of Charles McKenzie's four journeys to the Mandan villages (1804-1806), the first two in company with Larocque's expeditions. This is a fascinating read for fur trade enthusiasts and/or those whose interests are in early western exploration.

When I bought this book, I had no idea it was based on Zizioulas' doctoral thesis. Had I known that I probably would not have bought it. However, far from being a dry academic treatise on the Church, this book is one of the most magisterial and profound works I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The essential argument is that in the first centuries of the history of the Church, there did not exist the concept of the unseen, universal Church of which local Churches were "a part". The local Church WAS the Catholic Church by virtue of its celebration of the Eucharist under one Bishop. Zizioulas argues that it was only in the 4th century that the word "Catholic" when applied to the Church came to mean the Universal Church. Early on, "Catholic" was used in its Aristotelian sense of denoting "the whole" or the "fullness" of something. Hence, where Christ was present, there in the local Church was the Catholic Church. A most profound study that shakes modern conceptions of the Church at almost every turn.

While Newton (arguably) founded the subject, Euler (pronounced 'oiler') developed all the methods used today in Differential Calculus. Not only was Leonhard Euler the greatest Mathematician of his day (he actually wrote over a quarter of the tracts from the 18th century!), but he wrote in a humbling and readable manner such that anyone with a foundation may approach his proofs. And this text is no different; simply a book any mathematician should own. Truly one of the milestones of Calculus.

This is the "must have" edition of George Washington's Rules of Civility. Beautifully bound in leather and richly illustrated by 18th Century period prints, this brief, 128 page, 8.25 by 5.25 inch, handsome work fits easily in your coat pocket or brief case. This attractive book is the perfect gift for every young person and adult alike whether they are a casual leisure reader, a student, or a scholar; no one will be diappointed. This edition will be enjoyed and appreciated at every level of reader interest. Each rule has been written as Washington himself recorded the maxim. The editor's stated intent being to retain the feel of Colonial America. Each rule is numbered consecutively and presented in over-sized type. If the reader chooses to read more deeply he or she will be richly rewarded and discover an excellant example of careful scholarly research. The edtitor has reached back to the very origin of the Rules of Civility in 1595. He makes it possible to trace the development of the Rules of Civility over 300 years thereby placing Washington and Colonial America within its own rich historical context. By presenting each rule with its earlier texts it is possible for the reader to discover the evolution of each rule for him or herself. Under each numbered rule is printed its earlier version as it appeared in previous centuries. Where the rule was printed in French it is recordered here in the original middle French and then carefully translated into English. The work is well documented. I give this edition the highest possible recommendation to all readers.

MacDonald/Pinto assert that Hadrian forged a new and innovative architectural system which integrated buildings with nature and human use. Hadrian's goal was to create an arrangement of buildings which were functional and yet challenged the intellect to contemplate the unseen world. They also make a very strong case for the pervasive influence which this complex villa has had on archtecture from ancient times to the present. This book makes one realize that Roman architecture is indeed relevant to the present.

The late Father John Meyendorff was a deeply knowledgeable historian of Christianity, who, unlike most of his peers was Orthodox, but also of the west. Church history has lost a major scholar and writer.
The material in this volume covers a period during which the Roman government at Constantinople sought to unify the church. Unfortunately, many regions (Egypt and Syria, as well as those areas which had never been part of the empire) were hostile to theological developments championed by by the government and to the position - second in the pentarchy of patriarchs, after the pope - that the councils decreed. This estrangement was a major factor in the spread of Islam.
There is also an excellent summary of Christianity in areas that had never been in the empire. (Persian, Caucassian, Armenian, etc.)
It is very unfortunate that volumes 2 and 4 are the only ones to appear of a projected six volume history. I sincerely hope that someone will be found who is capable of completing this work at the level of the two already published volumes.

In _The Library of John Montgomerie, Colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey_, Kevin J. Hayes reconstructs the contents of the governor's library based on a manuscript inventory that survives at the New York Public Library. The inventory includes a list of the titles in Montgomerie's library, a collection of over 1300 volumes. While Montgomerie's gubernatorial predecessors, Robert Hunter and William Burnet, had better reputations as men of letters and while both of their libraries probably excelled Montgomerie's, little information survives to detail their contents. The inventory of Montgomerie's library, on the other hand, provides enough detail to make it the largest known library in colonial New York before the 1770s when the library of William Smith, Sr., was catalogued. Enhancing the importance of the inventory of Montgomerie's library is the fact that most of the books are listed by purchaser. The list reads like a Who's Who of colonial New York and New Jersey. The group includes several men who would influence the two colonies for the next several decades: James Alexander, John Chambers, James DeLancey, Archibald Kennedy, Frederick Morris, Joseph Murray, Paul Richards, and William Smith, Sr. Though Montgomerie spent only a short time in New York and personally had little impact on either New York or New Jersey history, his books exerted a lasting impact on the thought of colonial New York's political and intellectual elite. While the manuscript inventory of Montgomerie's library has the potential to contribute to the intellectual history of New York and New Jersey, it lists only spine titles. None of the book titles mention dates or places of publication. Many do not list authors. Based on the surviving manuscript inventory, Hayes, the award-winning author of _The Library of William Byrd of Westover_, brilliantly reconstructs the library's contents. In a detailed introduction, Hayes situates the Montgomerie library within its intellectual and cultural milieu. A thorough index allows the titles to be accessed by author, title, subject, and owners. _The Library of John Montgomerie_ not only reconstructs the intellectual life of one colonial governor, it makes an important contribution to the intellectual history of New York and New Jersey. Combined with his earlier works, _The Library of William Byrd_ and _A Colonial Woman's Bookshelf_, _The Library of John Montgomerie_ solidifies Hayes's status as the leading historian of the book culture of colonial America.

William Ames' "Marrow" is one of the two or three books sure to have been found on every pilgrims bookshelf beside the Geneva Bible, a Bay Psalm book and perhaps a few others (Maybe Wigglesworth's "Day of Doom")was Ames works, and to be sure it's special place was deserved. Ames wrote the Marrow in order to take all the confusing arguments of systematic theology and boil them down to the essence, so his readers would have the BARE BONES of the point at issue. This he did magnificently! This edition has a full biography of Ames and a good writeup that gives the feel for the times and debates surround the work. A masterpiece!

Gus George Christo, who has dedicated his life to the Christian stance, has meticulously research the writings on martyrdom from St. John Chrysostom, that noble and insightful Pastor of Constantinople who lived around 400 AD. Gus then organized his findings into different chapters which focus on the different meanings that Chrysostom found in, and attributed to, Christian martyrdom. Examples of these would be the meaning and significance of martyrdom by death ("a baptism in blood") or martyrdom by imitation of the sufferings of Christ, to name a few. There is also some very fascinating chapters on the subject of relics (here- the bones or remains of a died martyr or holy person). Gus writes of how these relics carry great powers that can be translated to one who visits the relics and to ward off the powers of evil. The book is very specific and succinct on what Chrysostom wrote or said, and Gus may have effectively intrepreted the sacred philosophy behind Chrysostom's concepts of Christian martyrdom in such a way that makes it both understandable and fascinating for an interested individual to read. However, there is a sort of paradox in the notion of how pain, suffering, and even death can actually be doorways to God, which requires a shift of perception for most of us. But Gus provides plenty of examples and explanations to help us to grasp this radical concept. Although shrewd scholarly effort clearly went into his book, this book is far from being tedious or boring. In fact it is just the opposite- it is very intense reading, when taking into consideration the subject matter, and goes over the topics creatively and somewhat briskly, but very thoroughly. It is just awesome how Gus has compiled and formatted this work to about 200 pages (approximately). Also, the book is presented in consummate style- it has a high-quality, uniquely textured hardcover with an early artwork representation of Chrysostom on the front, and a very nice color picture of Gus himself on the back.

If I have any one reservation, it is the price of this book, which is daunting. My only consolation is that, where else are you going to find a basically complete body of work on Martyrdom According to St. John Chrysostom? Probably nowhere. Also, the high quality and research that went into this book helps. But again, its quite a cost to pay, so I must include this CAVEAT EMPTOR- this book is for hardcore chrysostom fans, and people really, really interested in Christian Martyrdom. Another warning, which echoes a statement I made above, is that the subject matter may be a leap for most people's minds and faith, too comfortable as we may be in this life. Bravo George Gus Christo, you have done a fantastic job with this. Chrysostom would be "stoked" and you have opened my eyes to an incredible realm. -from a reader who has come to believe in the power of light over darkness, unto death. Merci.

This book is of real interest to someone interested in tube radios and their beginnings. Has great pictures and copies of sales brochures Just wish the authors would have gone clear through the 1930s.