Anyone with an appreciation for American history or an interest in the age of sail will love this book. The author clearly has a great command of the history of early 19th century Baltimore and the book packs the same kind of pop that I enjoyed in classics like Treasure Island. I particularly enjoyed the religious undertones. In a world where books with dark themes and moral gray-areas are a dime-a-dozen, The Powder Monkey is a welcome change of pace. I highly recommend it.

Georg Galloway's The Powder Monkey is an engaging and entertaining seafaring historical novel set during the War of 1812. The story is one of a young man who ventures forth to search for his father -- and for the meaning of the code of Aquinas. The Powder Monkey is filled with romance, mystery, and high seas adventure; it is a quest within the heart as well as among the waves. Georg Galloway is an undeniably talented author who has written an unforgettable tale of adventure.

Accion!: Level 1, is a fabulous spanish textbook. This is the book that I use in my Spanish course, and I'm glad to say because of this book and a good teacher, I'm speaking pretty good spanish. The book is broken down into four chapters, each with 6 lessons. Each lesson contains vocabulary with pictures depicting the words or phrases, three grammar structures, and views on Spanish cultures. The main focus of this book is to conjugate verbs to have the words make sense with their subjects. For example: If you wanted to say that John and Maria eat, you'd use the ellos from, meaning more than one person. The verb, being to eat, in Spanish is comer. You'd make comer make sense with its subjects, John and Maria. You drop the 'er' from comer and add'en,' making comen. So, the sentence would be, John y Maria comen. It's very simple with practice. That's the main focus with the book. I'm glad to say I'm moving to an intermediate course next year, and I hope I'll be speaking Spanish even better. This is a great beginners book, and I hope you decide to buy it. Have fun learning!

Adios, amigos!

In her prologue to the story of "Atalanta: The Fastest Runner in the World," author Priscilla Galloway deals with the problematic start of the tale, in which the law of the civilized Greeks allows a father to have his infant daughter abandoned on the side of a mountain. Her thoughtful explanation of how myths functioned for the ancient Greeks and how we should look on these stories today speaks well to Galloway's credentials for telling the story of the mortal woman who became a hero. Galloway covers Atalanta's entire life, from being raised by a bear after being abandoned on the mountain, her heroism at the Great Calydonian Boar Hunt, the deadly race by which she tried to avoid marriage, and her final fate. This is an ancient tale, but it is told with vitality by Galloway.

Atalanta is a fascinating figure in Greek mythology because she is caught in a conflict of will between goddesses. On the one hand she has pledged Artemis never to marry, a vow that keeps her both pure and strong. But in doing so she refusal to love inspires Aphrodite to help Melanion to win Atalanta as his bride. Galloway gets into what Artemis thought about Atalanta's change of heart. For me this has always been something of a tragic tale because in all of Greek mythology it seems the least objectionable characters are usually the virgin goddesses (Athena, Artemis and Hestia), although certainly they have their moments. Atalanta is their mortal representative and it is perhaps inevitable that she should be brought down by stories that were, after all, written by men. The stylized artwork by Normand Cousineau manages to be quite modern while giving a sense of the ancient art we have seen on urns and temples.

I grew up on these stories (Aunt Mary is my great aunt) and am raising my son on them from this book. Each story takes the reader/listener back into a time when animals spoke, witches lurked, and the earth was truly alive with magic. The art adds food for the imagination as Aunt Mary tells you stories of the witch--Spearfinger, how the Smokies were created and many more.

After reading this book, I was able to do the simple, yet profound exercises that have a direct bearing on how we believe and what we believe about ourselves. This book is all about getting into integrity with yourself and honoring yourself for the god/goddess within, and knowing that we have all the answers and wisdom within us.

This book of short stories has no one theme, but gets it shape and unification from Galloway's strong, highly individual voice and the eerie atmosphere of fear and tenderness it manages to convey. From the very short (The Meat) to the longer pieces (A week with Uncle Felix) this collection rattles with desperate life, vivdness and a visceral edge all its own. I defy anyone to read BLOOD (the title story) without feeling the sensation of a former tooth extraction, though what she does with the story goes much further, turning an everyday, unremarkable mutilation into a parable threaded with loss, yearning and isolation from the the herione's dearest source of comfort, music. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to read more in the contemporary Scots voice or who enjoys virtuoso writing for its own sake. Galloway is a rare, brave writer.

Exaggeration is not a trait unknown to human nature therefore when someone reads Bob Blevins biography, "Bull Dog" it is understandable to dismiss his many accomplishments as the content of a fertile imagination. While I won't go into detail, as a young Marine who was privileged to serve under him, I can truthfully attest that the book's content aptly reflects the honor Marine 1st Sergeant Blevins practiced daily. From Desert Shield to Operation Fiery Vigil, the Mt.Pinatubo volcano humanitarian operation.(Philippines-1991), 1st Sergeant Blevin's moral leadership was a guidepost for Marine Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines." Bull Dog" captures the spirit of 1st Sergeant Blevin's childhood in an orphanage, his service in the Corps, and pursuit of excellence in law enforcement. In reading the book, I came to understand that despite a career that suffered injustice and sacrifice, 1st Sgt. Blevin's integrity rings true and serves as inspiration for a younger generation (including me) that public service can be the highest calling and among the most humane of professions. I recommend the book highly not only for the fascinating light it shines on the development of law enforcement in Michigan, but also how it reminds us that regardless of our origins, there lies a hero in each and every one of us.

As the author of this book I wanted to 'breathe life' into the characters we find in the Bible. To help readers, especially those who do not go to church or who are new to the church,to understand that the people in the Bible are as human as we are. Their stories are as relevant to us in the 21st century as they were when first recorded. I have aimed to let the stories speak for themselves and not to press any particular moral or theological teaching.

This first book is about mothers in particular. It is written simply and is very readable. Those who are familiar with the Bible may find my approach surprising. The reviewer, Kathy Galloway, says 'Anne Jordan-Hoad who,in retelling these stories from a fresh angle, helps us both to get over the barriers of time and space that separate us from them, and gives them the newness, the unfamiliariy that catches us up into the story as if for the first time . . . It is like sitting down with someone eager to tell us about what happened because 'I was there'.

Detailed and accurate maps, sectioned into easy, moderate and difficult walks. Easy to follow directions. Picks out the most scenic walks in the area.

This book is the absolute best I have ever used for hiking in this region of Scotland. Fantastic! Prentice really knows his stuff. Highly recommended to anyone headed to southwestern Scotland.