This book on sharks is very cool. It almost has all you wanted to know on sharks. Norman Barrett did not make a mistake on writeing this book.

During the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee bemoaned the loss of his "right arm," the famous General Thomas Jackson of Virginia/West Virginia. "Stonewall" Jackson had come upon the scene following a meteoric rise in leadership in the Confederate Army. While many books of Stonewall's generalship exist, little has been written about his youth. Now, a native West Virginian from the Jackson's Mill locale explains how young Tom survived despite being orphaned and shy. Drawing upon Jackson's official biography, his early letters, the archives of the West Virginia Cultural Center, and Jackson's Mill sources, Dennis Norman has reconstructed Jackson's juvenile days. Stonewall and his boyhood friends played under the shady sugar maple trees. The book title, however, is in reference to the general's last words to "...cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees." Jackson's Mill was also like that. Young Stonewall fished, raced horses, performed mill site chores, and planned for his future. His unique life style was already showing and his opportunities only around the corner. Norman details Jackson's first political involvement, his trip to the Ohio River,and how a possible second place score in a West Point exam did not count him out for the appointment. Author Norman treats his own admiration for Jackson with the respect of a researcher, and yet presents an easy reading, interesting true story.

Under The Shade of the Trees is a refreshing look at the background and ultimate creation of one of America's Heros! Not often does history reveal the circumstances behind the man, however in this case you not only get to know Thomas Jackson but even get a chance to relate to his upbringing. Easy to read and and an obvious understanding for historical facts Norman puts a fine touch to a complicated man! Even if you are not a history buff you'll enjoy this one! Well done!

THIS BOOK CONTAINS SO MUCH NEW INFORMATION THAT I HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT JACKSON AS AN HISTORICAL FIGURE. IT IS VERY WELL WRITTEN AND OFFERS A SMOOTHNESS THAT IS VERY COMFORTING, ESPECIALLY FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION...WHICH IS NORMALLY DRY AND ROUGH . THIS BOOK ISNT....YOU'LL BE SUPRISED. I CANT WAIT FOR MR NORMAN'S NEXT EFFORT.