I agree with the previous reviewer's writeup of this book. It is full of very useful information.

I bought my copy when it came out almost ten years ago, and I am dismayed to find that the authors have not been encouraged to create several more-current editions during all these years.

Bob Hall and Mary Lee Kerr have done an exceptional job compiling useful information in this volume. The book includes the topics of air- and water quality, use and abuse of energy - including automobiles, toxic and hazardous waste, chemicals and other factors that affect us in our homes and workplaces, and governmental policies in place to help clean up our act. It also includes information and statistics on state parks and forest, fishing and hunting, water-front activities, and other leisure-time topics.

The information is laid out in an easy-to-read format with maps, charts, and statistics in each section. Every subject has a separate scale by which the states are ranked as well as an over-all ranking. Another section listing the best and worst environmental aspects of each state is also included. If you are wanting one or two quick facts about the environmental health of a certain state, these maps and ranking charts are a terrific way to find them. Quick and painless.

A list of indicators is given for each topic (i.e. air sickness lists 18 indicators and sources), as well. These "indicators" are the different types of pollution/problems that exist and their sources. In addition to the maps, charts, statistics, and rankings, is a very informative narrative further explaining the research findings. For those of you wanting a little more information, you'll find it here.

This book is a good resource for anyone, whether you're looking for the healthiest place to live or curious about the environmental health of your current home. I'd recommend it to anyone concerned about the air they breath or the water they drink. Be warned, however, the truth can sometimes be painful (and frightening). Perhaps more of us need to be aware of these statistics.

The authors have done a great service by putting this book out. My only wish is that there were a more current index. Well, Bob Hall and Mary Lee Kerr, when can we expect it?

As a reader perusing this book, the words "gritty" and "painfully honest" came to my mind. But as a single mother of three daughters, who is also a recovering alcoholic, the phrase "been there, done that," resounded in my consciousness. There is much in the book for any single mother or recovering female addict to relate to, in kind, if not in the same quality or amount as Ms. Hall experienced in this autobiographical book.

Ms. Hall's writing style is direct and fast-paced. The reader feels an intimacy and immediancy with her and her story. She holds nothing back and lays before us her motherhood, her strong feministic beliefs and her sexuality. "there it is; learn from it, if you can", she seems to be saying. Her story takes place in the 1960's, and 1970's, the time of Vietnam, of the draft, of less sympathetic and enlightened child support laws. She joins the feministic movemont in San Diego because she realizes 'the systems' (i.e. the workplace, the courts, the schools, the military) do not serve women well.

After ending an emotionally abusive relationship with her husband, Ms. Hall struggles to care for her seven children. What she doesn't seem to do is care for herself. During her marriage, she relied on alcohol to balm the psychic wounds she feels. Now she is sober, but single. She believes at first, "All I had to do was take my freedom (from her husband)." but almost immediately, she is right up against the walls created by the systems. "I was wrong. I ran smack up against poverty and lack of a place in the male world. Freedom came to me in little pieces."

Ms. Hall is not unlike many women who find themselves single mothers. She has great difficulty looking within for her own emotional support. In former days 'that support' came from alcohol. Now she is on her own. As she tells her story, the reader can sense her internal fortitude, but she cannot. She looks to the male world for her sense of self, despite the fact that world's structures are abusive to her. She writes, ".....I wasn't at all sure a woman with seven children could survive with dignity without a man." As some women do in this situation, she uses sexual experiences to bolster her feelings of self-worth.

But she does survive and comes full circle into a meaningful and rewarding life. "The True Story of a Single Mother" is an engrossing account of one woman's journey to empowerment.

This book speaks the unvarnished truth about the lives of themillions of Americans who are caught up in the "povertytrap." More than a decade has passed since its first publication, but following President Clinton's recent handywork of dismantaliing the Welfare State (such as it was), the author's observations and experiences are more valuable than ever. Today, a new misery is being visited upon American society, and professional sociologists and historians have not yet developed adequate concepts to explain this phenomenon. They would do well to listen to the words of Ms. Hall, to better understand what it costs to grow up poor in America. This book is not of the "belles lettres" genre, which we so often expect of the "poverty pimps." Instead, it is a gut-wrenching confession of a single mother of seven children living on the West Coast in the fourth quarter of the twentieth century. For these reasons it constitutes a useful educational tool for any serious class in contemporary American Studies.

This is a great book. YOU MUST buy the second one two if you buy the first one because it leaves you hanging. I haven't read the second one but I am dying to know what happens next. If your interested about the civil war you'll like it. Also if you like the Ladd Family adventures also buy Lee Roddy you'll love this new exciting series.

Brilliant book, absolutely essential creed book. One of the best-written WW supplements in years.

It's somewhat surprising, given the tremendous number of jazz biographies published in the last thirty years or so, that is it took so long for a definitive tome about the life of one of the most popular jazz musicians of all time. There are, perhaps, many reasons why this is so. Firstly, Bru has always been a bit hard to categorize; "serious" jazz musicians have been known to eschew his music as too "pop," too hook-oriented; others (this book included) point to his background in classical music as evidence of an artist too singular to sit comfortably aside many of his contemporaries (stylistically, he borders more often on Ravel than, say, Miles Davis). Another reason why perhaps it took so long for this book to appear is that, as compared to many of his contemporaries in the West Coast Jazz scene, Bru's life was relatively tame; he didn't suffer from harrowing addictions, or spend time in prison. Brubeck's life was more that of a working musician and a family man. On the other hand, as this book clearly indicates, his life was anything but ordinary. Brubeck's Columbia recordings, featuring his trademark multiple-meter compositions, probably reached the ears of more Americans than any other jazz musician of his time. His frequent international travel brought him into contact with a wide range of musical styles and idioms, which he incorporated brilliantly into his music. Perhaps best of all, and a major focus of the latter part of this book, Bru raised a family of sons who have continued to build on his legacy, while forging jazz voices of their own. "It's About Time" chronicles the height of Bru's popularity in the 50's and 60's, follows through with his experimental forays into classical music in the 70's, and generally presents a well-rounded portrait of an artist who reflected the optimism of his generation. It features a much-appreciated - and comprehensive - discography of Bru's recordings, and a reasonable amount of analysis of Bru's artistry. If there's anything I'd have liked more of, it would be more discussion of Brubeck's artistic process, and a more in-depth analysis of his compositions. Perhaps that's the next book that needs to be written. I would recommend this book very highly to fans of Dave Brubeck. To those less familiar with his work, I'd say, buy a copy of "Time Out," "Time Further Out," and "Time in Outer Space" first - then, read the book.

Dellum is a humanist and intellectual, who has lived through extremely unjust treatment while leading African Americans to political equality. All intellectuals, and every conscientous person in general, have a lot to learn from his dignified and persistent struggle, through his witty and humorous story-telling.

This is a well written reference book that clearly describes the mathematical aspects of multisensor data fusion. It can be used effectively by experts and those who are just beginning to explore this technology. The book includes clear figures, tables, and equations and features an exhaustive list of references for further study. I highly recommend this book as a first step to understanding this technology and its impacts.

Historical mysteries abound--and why not? There’s such a large subject matter--not to mention characters--from which to draw. In Robert Lee Hall’s “Mudrder at Drury Lane,” we find none other than Benjamin Franklin “trodding the boards” and solving a mystery at the venerable Drury Lane Theatre in London. And for none other than David Garrick, London’s highest rated actor! Besides incorporating a special twist to American history, Hall adds another most interesting ingredient--the world of the theatre circa late 18th century!

Told in first person by young (and I mean very young!) Nick Handy, Franklin’s young (and I mean very young) secretary, ward, and constant companion, the story moves along at a rapid pace, as Hall seems to be able to present the period--and characters--in a most interesting manner and fashion.

Ben and Nick are engaged to find the murderer (or murderers) in a series of slayings that threaten to close down the theatre! Franklin uses his

incredible powers of logic and deduction to get at the bottom of this and before a “final curtain” is drawn, naturally, he solves the case. “Murder in Druy Lane” is the third in this series and a good one it is. A good blending of fact and fiction, coupled with a excellent portrayal of his characters, makes Hall’s book one not to be missed.

. Pay attention to detail and in that you might be quite amazed at the depth of Ms. Hall's pain of disclosure. Her gift of outright truthfull admissions is possibly the greatest gift for all who ever lived with anyone, with a skeleton in their closet. This is prevelant in almost all of our lives. This book does not go into a sensationalistic tabloid venue. It does give one a feeling of trueness, honesty and courage. Refreshing in this day and age. Ms. Hall is a woman with great insight, way before her time. I would love a sequel. How is life for her now. What does the "O", on the cover signify? As a Woman and Mother, I have my own ideas.

I picked up this title while reading another review on the book "Gap Creek" By Robert Morgan. Which I also enjoyed. Once I read the reviews on this book I couldn't wait to read it. When I began reading Ivy Rowe's letters I could not stop and when I did stop I was still thinking of the things she had written all through the day. I grew so close to her. I laughed and I cried. Her voice & hands will wrap around your heart and stay with you long after you read the last page. This is truly my best read of the year 2000. I borrowed this particular book to read but I plan to buy a personal copy for many more years of pleasure. Thank you Lee Smith for enlightening my life through Ivy Rowe.

This wonderful novel, and author, was introduced to me when I attended a conference on Appalachia in Berea, KY. I asked the speaker, "What is the definitive book about the Appalachians?" The answer was, "Fair and Tender Ladies," without hesitation. Now I have read all of Lee Smith's books. This remains my favorite. Ivy Rowe is so real and warm, and could be loved in any setting, but she belongs in these pages. Lee Smith's voice is so true. How interesting that she was a good friend of Annie Dillard in college. Two wonderful and different authors.

This book was a dream to read. The main character, Ivy Rowe, seems just like an old Auntie or neighbor or someone everyone who grew up Southern would have known. She is a cut up. Her life was not an easy one, but she remained fairly optimistic throughout. It was a sweet and very touching book and it was extremely well written. The way Ms. Smith wrote the dialect was impecable. It was as if someone were telling you a story in your ear rather than reading pages in a book. I was truly transported to all the mountains and towns she writes about in this book. Now I cannot wait to sink my teeth into some of her other works.