The story of George Bush's WWII service as a naval pilot. During the war Bush was the youngest Navy pilot to earn his wings. Shot down by the Japanese, he was later rescued by an American submarine and spent several weeks on board as it completed its combat patrol. Also talks about his romance with the future Mrs. Bush.

Several years back, I overheard a Green Bay Packer aficionado's disdain for 49ers fans. His dislike for them spanned mainly from their relative lack of knowledge of Niner history compared to fans of other legendary NFL teams. Being a fairly well-read 'Frisco aficionado, I thought of challenging his assumption, but I came to a realization that, in a general sense, he was correct. Aside from a few old-timer sports nuts, I've never really known a bay-area resident Niner fan who had a good running knowledge of his/her team's past achievements, heartbreaks, and rosters before their breakout 1981 season. Fortunately, this book is just the thing that's needed to get the quasi-clueless red-and-gold die-hard a leg up on his/her Niner know-how!

Each of the teams' first fifty seasons are briefly profiled, along with the win-loss record from each year. From their post-WWII creation as part of a new football league, to their heartbreaking playoff loss to the Lions in '57, to their frustrating early-seventies playoff defeats to the Cowboys, to their amazing Cinderella 1981 season, to the Super Bowl years in the 80s and mid-90s, this book covers a lot of the bases when it comes to the teams' past highs & lows.

And let's not forget some of their greatest moments, like overcoming a 28-point halftime deficit to beat the New Orleans Saints in what was at one time the greatest comeback in pro football history. Or Dwight Clark's "Catch" against Dallas, and the amazing third-quarter goal-line stand against Cincinnati that helped turned the tide in their first Super Bowl victory. There's Joe Montana's famous drive to beat the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. And who could forget Steve Young finally escaping from Montana's shadow with his amazing MVP performance in Super Bowl XXIX? Oops, I almost failed to mention Jerry Rice's career-spanning, single-handed rewriting of almost all of the NFL's significant receiving records!

Also included are profiles of the 49ers' most notable players and coaches. Frankie Albert, Dick Nolan, RC Owens, John Brodie, Y.A. Tittle, Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Bill Walsh, Dwight Clark, Hugh McElhenny, Leo Nomellini, Jerry Rice, and many more are each given a page or two about their amazing achievements and contributions as a Niner player, coach, or exec.

Then of course there's the great Niner stories and legends. You'll find out how linebacker Jack Reynolds earned the moniker "Hacksaw", and read about his penchant for driving himself to the home games already suited-up and ready to go. You'll discover who Len Eshmont was, and learn of the annual team award named in his honor. Then there's coach Bill Walsh dressing up as a bellhop to welcome his players to their hotel in Pontiac, Michigan before their first Super Bowl victory. Oops, let's not forget about Joe Montana's bike-pilfering practical jokes. And did you know that 'Frisco is credited with being the first team to use the shotgun formation in pro football? These little tidbits and more await you in this celebration of one of the NFL's most successful franchises!

So, if you're a less-than-knowledgeable 'Frisco aficionado, this book is just the primer you need to bone up on your 49er knowledge!

'Late

I rate this book 5 stars because it gives you all the information you need on gissing. I had to write a four page paper on him and it gave me everything I needed. I wish that there were more books in the world that gave that much information on one single, simple little subject. I haven't seen a book in years that has actually had all the information you need all in one book. I didn't have to find 6 or 7 books just to write a 3 or 4 page paper. I exceeded my number of pages and my teacher gave me an A on the paper and it brought my grades alot and he told me if I would keep writing papers like that then I would have and A in his class I am glad that I made that grade now I can complete other papers like that and get a higher grade in a class.

I was initially attracted to this book because I had read other books by the author and enjoyed them. This seemed a considerable departure from his usual preoccupations. The clarity of style and simplicity of language which were characteristics of his other books remain, but to that is added a familiarity with the history of modern India, a knowledge of the Syrian Christian community of Kerala and the ability to marshall a story from a number of diverse sources - among family letters, personal reminiscences and items in newspapers. Although his grandfather is the subject of his story, the author retains an objectivity and proportion that is commendable. I would agree with following sentiment expressed in the Foreword to the book. "The author has made the story of George Joseph living and lively as though he is the new incarnation of the man. He has brought George Joseph to life. I add the book, exquisitely word-crafted, is a seamless product, the reading of which is like taking a ride in a beautiful vehicle with the subject on board. Further, there is a manifest literary fusion, whichis to say that while the subject is what the book is about he is also in the book, as though the book wrote itself."

The book has different figurines than book one. This makes it a must have in addition to the first book! As a collector I have looked through this book hundreds of times and am very glad I purchased it.

This book is a wonderful look at Josephs' role in the Nativity Story. The book is complete with a map of Mary and Joseph's travels through the Holy Land along with Cultural Facts about the period in which the story takes place. The illustrations by Hinke are the traditional, rich paintings of the Holy Land, created in the early 1950's. Hinke was a wonderful artist that captured the simplicity and warmth of the setting in the manger. The story and the paintings work well together. I believe the story appeals to a wide range of readers, from ages 9 to 90. I really enjoyed reading this book.

THis is a compelling story written almost in novel form. The history is documented meticulously and represents a herculean effort by the author. This story of rescue on a grand scale is largely unknown and Schindler's efforts pale b comparison. This is a must read for anyone interested in the Holocaust. The author deserves much praise-I would love to hear him speak!

Nobel prize-winning author George Stigler provides insight into the working of a great mind and the notorious "Chicago School" of economics. Worthwhile for its presentation of the human side of the "dismal science" as well as its clear explanation of basic concepts of Stigler's economic theory. Stigler holds nothing back and delivers a frank and modest account of his life and dealings with other prominent economists

Multicultural Mathematics is a fantastic book. Here is a way to expand any classroom's or individual child's learning. I recommend this book to any parent or educator.

If you have seen the silent film, Nanook of the North, you might recall that moment when the protagonist arrives in his splendid kayak (also the name of George Hitchcock's near legendary literary journal from 1964-1984), he gets out of the boat and then, from within the boat emerge his wife, two or three children and possibly a husky or two -- on that my memory is not clear. And Story Line Press' masterful collection (edited by Robert McDowell, Joseph Bednarik, & Mark Jarmon, with introduction by Phil Levine, "One-Man Boat: The George Hitchcock Reader" accomplishes a similar effect -- out of this collection emerges George the poet, the playright, the actor, the editor, the novelist, the short story stylist, the witness before the HUAC, and on the cover, George, the painter. This selection from a significant body of work should serve as ample introduction to the work of a man, extraordinary by anyone's standards. This collection stands as testimony to a life lived in dedication to ideas about art and the full expression of art as a daily enterprise rather than some caged rarefied entity. I would hope this book becomes required reading for any serious student of late 20th century literature from the West Coast. I'll close with a paraphrase of one of my favorite poems, "Lying Now in the New Grass" -- the poem is an invocation of rest -- it is sensual and surreal. In its final image the "plow of night" passes over the world. I can think of no other way to spend a restful afternoon/early evening than to sit quietly with the magic of this book, a cup or glass of a favorite beverage, resting in the kayak of this book, with the capable hands of a master at the oars, be he Nanook, be he George -- don't let anyone fool you, it only looks like a one man boat -- it is filled with multitudes.