I found this book to be a very indepth resource about a virtually unknown American explorer/adventurer. The author's inexhaustive research into the subject is astounding and enlightening. William Darby made considerable contributions to the early mapping of the state of Louisiana as well as many other regions including Pennsylvania. His work was used by other unscrupulous editors and mapmakers, who gave themselves credit for Darbys work. Anyone interested in early geography and mapping of the Uinted States will find this book a goldmine.

This is not the Captain Bligh of the Nordhoff and Hall novels. Nor does it tell of the Captain Bligh of Charles Laughton's characterization in film. This is a look at the real Captain Bligh of history and Gavin Kennedy gives us a man who was significantly flawed but fundamentally a decent, even caring, commander who lost his ship to the villainous madness of Fletcher Christian. This may be one of the better "pro-Bligh" histories and definitely worth the read. Its style is not dense and its breadth is considerable.

William Bligh, most readers know, suffered a mutiny aboard H.M.S. Bounty in the late 1780s while returning from a botanical expedition to Tahiti. Until the 1984 Hollywood version, which Kennedy broadly endorses, the popular imagination had a very one-sided idea of Bligh and his career. Only now do we know that the mutiny was as much due to Fletcher Christian's on-board nervous breakdown as to Bligh's admittedly hot temper. And as Kennedy shows, the tales of harsh discipline are pure fiction: Bligh gave many more tongue lashings than the real thing. Upon his return to England and his acquittal, he had a brilliant career, successfully re-navigating the breadfruit expedition to Tahiti, then fighting alongside Nelson in the Napoleonic wars. His career ended on a sad note in New South Wales, Australia where as Governor he stood up to corrupt black marketeers and again suffered mutiny. Yet he is a nautical hero through and through, his open-boat journey ranks with Shackleton's as an all time great feat of navigation, and he stands as the direct link between the genius of his mentor, James Cook and that of Bligh's protege, Matthew Flinders. Any dispassionate and thorough biography, such as this, will leave you with respect for this great man.

Do you like fun books that really make you think? If so, then this is the book for you. A great summer read that will take you out on a beautiful yaught into the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean. Two couples who have not seen each other in years plan a seven day get-a-way on the luxury yaught, CANE MAIDEN. Sun, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and reminiscing...all things that two couples would enjoy immensely. But then, everything goes wrong. After returning from a relaxing island dinner, the two couples find that their boat has been hijacked and they are being held captive on the beautiful boat that has now become thier prison. Working together the couples gain control of the vessel and then the lure of instant wealth changes each one of them--wife against husband, friend against friend. They each see each other, as well as him/herself, at their worst. What would you do to keep millions of dollars, if you had the chance. This book will make you wonder which character you would identify with. There are twists and turns all the way to the last page. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time...it really made me ask myself what I would do in such a situation. A great book to take with you on your next summer get-a-way.

Written at the family's request between 1964-68, this is one of the most detailed accounts of the JFK case, Although embracing the official perspective - L.H. Oswald the lone killer / no conspiracy - the book is a detailed story of the last days of President Kennedy's life and the next days until the funeral, the deeds of lots of White House staff, the president's family, Dallas people and the touching reaction of American people - the ones which shoudn't have asked what America can do for them, but what THEY can do for America. William Manchester is one of the great non-fiction writers which makes written history as vivid as real life. "The death of a president" is one of his masterpieces - famous enough to be translated into romanian, the language in which I first read it, since it is my mother tongue.

This book is a most up to date review of Sinusitis by the pioneers in the field. Chapters on Gross & radiographic Anatomy are innovative, elaborate and very well illustrated. Genetics, physiology and pathophysiology, particularly of sinus polyposis, were well covered. A good foundation and methodology was laid for the controversial subject on staging of sinusitis. The chapter on the concepts and surgical indications of FESS has added valuable depth and focus to the surgical management by a master in the field. Complications of FESS were accompanied by usefull guidlines on their prevention and managemnet, including additional highlights on surgical technique, legal and ethical considerations. The chapter on revision ESS for recurrent sinusitis is a new and usefull addition. More over the latest in technology e.g Image guided FESS and instrumentation were comfortably laid out. On the other hand, alternative and more extensive external approaches to sinus diseases were well exhibited by their pioneers. A most interesting feature is the included CD-ROM which in additon to providing capabilities like search and note taking, is a second bonus copy of the book to keep in my office.

This is Kennedy's first novel, differing from his sequels in skirting around Albany's past and lacking the dark depths he revels in when describing the seamy underbelly of his native tone. However, in his surreal description of a heroically futile and increasingly surreal newspaper strike, he more than compensates for his reduced complexity by an emphasis instead on zany humor, absurd plot twists and a wide range of outlandish characters. Highly recommended to Kennedy aficionados who are interested in savoring a lighter touch.

Jack Williams is at his best. A must read for anyone interested in bankruptcy.

This book is a masterpiece! As a practicing attorney and former English major, I have never seen such meticulous and detailed study of how lawyers and witnesses talk. I found it useful for my legal practice and just plain fascinating intellectually. I strongly recommend it for attorneys, legal scholars, and anyone interested in this case.

I stayed up all night reading Kennedy's smooth prose, which echoes like a clean white room. I was recommended this book by a professor who thought it would complement my graduate seminar on performance. That it does, indeed--and what's more, I strongly believe this work should be madatory for every undergrad Shakespeare course. It is breaks through the notions of Shakespeare on the stage as a merely western, standardized phenomenon, shaking up the image of the auld bard in a delightful manner. The images are especially astounding; I only wish I could have seen some of the wild international productions that Kennedy discusses here!