Sarah is a twelve-year-old Puritan girl living in Massachusetts in 1651. She is dreadfully unhappy because she fears her widowed father plans to marry a strict woman who dislikes Sarah and considers her to be poorly behaved. Playing on Sundays is strictly forbidden by the Puritan church. But one Sunday after a snow storm, Sarah and her best friend, Elizabeth (whose parents are considered to be somewhat freethinking for Puritans) can't help themselves, and they start to play in the snow, when they notice someone watching them and flee. Later, Mistress Goddard (Sarah's potential future stepmother) comes forward and announces that she saw Elizabeth and her brother Roger (she thought Sarah was Roger because she had borrowed his coat) broke the rules of the Sabbath. Now Roger will be punished when Sarah is the one who broke the rules. Can Sarah find the courage to come forward with the truth? I highly reccomend this excellant, detailed historical novel.

This book about a girl 12 years old in a puritan community and how she lives with her dad and her best friend Elizabeth. I loved this book.

This is an excellent book! As soon as I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It was very exciting to read. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes exciting books.

I saw the television movie prior to reading the book and was blown away by the superb acting done by Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. Never would I have believed that the Sheriff of Mayberry could be so cruel and brutal. Upon reading the book, I was struck by the closeness with which the movie tracked with the book. My list of heroes was growing rather short but Sheriff Potts became a permanent addition. His dedication, perseverance and honesty represent the best of those qualities we seek in a public servant. It's a pity he can't be cloned. Buy the book, see the movie and be impressed.

This is one of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read and I have read many,many of these. This wonderful story relates actual incidents during a horrendous, brutal murder, undeluted arrogance of power, sheer stupidy on the part of the perpetrator and a brave sheriff whose singular determination to arrest and prosecute the offender will warm the heart of anyone with a sense of justice and equality for those of us with a lesser standing in a community.

This is a great story with great characters and like all good true stories, its better than fiction. For those who would read it, understand it is NOT, as some reviewers suggest, a commentary on Southern oppression. It is instead a great account of good actually winning over evil. The sort of corruption represented by the land baron in this story could be found in every State of Union during the period discussed. This book is not about racism (the victim was white) but was instead about the abuse of power on one hand and the contrast of honor on the other. It is NOT about the South, though the incident occurred in Georgia. It is about right vs. wrong. That even applies in the historically corrupt, post-depression Northern regions of the U.S. It is a great read about a honorable law man standing against criminal behavior and political corruption. Don't miss it if you enjoy true crime and great characters and you like to admire honorable Southern Sheriffs who will stop at nothing to do what is right.

Diana n'Athena is ready to go home. An "Amazon" from the all female planet of "dey Sorormin" (which Wolfe translates as the Sisterhood), Diana is a sociologist employed by the Terran Intergalactic Empire for the last 20 years as a Cultural Liaison and Feild Operative. Approaching forty, Diana has served the last five years on Aggar, a patriarchal, pre-industrial, semi-feudal planet located on the Empire's border. Over six foot tall, lean, strong and brown-eyed, Diana must pass as male to work effective on Aggar. Such a charade is not uncommon for Amazons serving on "primitive" planets, but it does wear on their spirits. Facing her last mission before she can return to her home world, Diana must locate and rescue a Terran pilot. He carries information that may mean the salvation of the Empire which is on the brink of war.

After years of working alone, Diana is not pleased when Aggar's ruling Council of Ten assigns her a native "Shadowmate." Shadows are individuals trained for years to act as guides, protectors, linguists, trackers, companions and whatever else is needed to aide the individual whom the Council has determined is important to the future of Aggar. Such assignments are one of the ways the Council "tips the balance" of fate for pivotal individuals and gently guides the planet's future.

Diana's Shadow, Elana is particularly special. In addition to her training and expertise, she bears the rare "Blue Sight." This extrasensory gift (genetically linked with blue eyes)allows her to read people's intent via their aura and create illusions. For years Elana has been training to become a Shadow. For the last five years she's been experiencing dreamlike visions of the Amazon that she is to Shadow.

"Shadows of Aggar" is a classic heroic quest. As such, the journey itself, what happens to both women during the trek and what they learn from the various encounters, is as important as the result of the quest. -- Although having the end of the empire as it is known hang in the balance does build the suspense! -- There are some similarities between Aggar and some other fantasy realms. Yet these parallels reflect cultural archetypes and Wolfe, who died in 1997, created some interesting, unique details and characteristics for three cultures: Aggar, Amazon and Terran. For example, imagine a race of humans whose skin color changes with excitement or exertion, thus making the racial differences we know, moot. Furthermore, Wolfe created the basics of a language for the "dey Sorormin" and provided a glossary of words from Aggar and the Sisterhood in the back for reference.

"Shadows" was originally released in 1991, and this reader has returned to it at least twice in the last decade. The story and characters hold up to re-reading. The same is true of Wolfe's second Aggar novel, "Fires of Aggar." Happily, the publisher has made a commitment to keep Wolfe's titles in print. The new covers of both titles are disappointing and distracting. Yet, to coin a phrase, don't judge the book by it's current cover. If you like fantasy stories with strong female leads that explore complex issues of gender roles, societal pressures to conform and their impacts on the individual -- not to mention a good old fashioned adventure with a touch of lavender romance -- you'll enjoy "Shadows of Aggar." Pick up a copy of it and its companion book, "Fires of Aggar."

I read any science fiction and fantasy novels that have lesbian characters that I hear of or stumble across. Most of what is out there is written for mainstream audiences and often by straight authors. There's nothing wrong with that, one of the attractions of the SF and Fantasy genres is that authors explore a vast array of character types and cultures. But there is a definite lack of fantasy novels written by lesbians for lesbian audiences. What's worse is, most of what is in print is mediocre at best and not worth the space on the bookshelf at worst. In desperation, lesbian fantasy fans end up buying and reading the dreck anyway.

Shadows of Aggar is a rare exception. To say that it's the best lesbian fantasy novel I've run across is true, but defining it that way is a disservice to the book, since that isn't really saying much. It holds up on its own merits within the fantasy genre as a whole, not just within the sparse lesbian fantasy subset. Shadows of Aggar contains most of the elements that make fantasy what it is; a unique world and culture, swords and magic, and imperfect characters on a heroic quest. The icing on the cake is that the lesbian romance is good too.

I do have to say here, I have NO idea what in heck the current publishers were thinking with the new book covers. I don't get this trend of putting photographs of real people on fiction. Part of the allure of written fiction is that our minds supply the images. To be blunt, the new covers are tacky and ugly. (I also note the editor's review said something about a trilogy, but there are only two books with those characters.)

One final note, as I noticed a previous reviewer mentioned hoping for more from Chris Anne Wolfe. Unfortunately for us, she lost her battle with cancer. So I highly recommend collecting all of her works currently in print if you enjoy her writing, as there won't be any more. Shadows of Aggar is by far her best, but the others are all worth a read.

This is definitely one of those books that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning - you just can't put it down! This so reminded me of the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley (which I LOVED). Like MZB, Wolfe has created an exciting and interesting new world in which two technologically separate cultures meet...with one big plus. The relationship between the two women is protrayed in a more intimate and central way here than in MZB's books. This well written book was a throughly enjoyable read - do yourself a favor and buy it! :)

I have read this book more than a few times, each time being just as enjoyable as the time before. Anne Logston's vision of what an elf really is matches mine almost perfectly. She gives her characters depth, not from over-lengthy descriptions, but from behaviors and actions the characters take.

This is a relatively short book, but it is engaging and full of life: not as depressing or angst-ridden as many novels out on the market.

The only issue I have with her writing is the way she spells 'elven' as elvan'. Aside from this minor detail, however, Shadow is a wonderful book! I would recommend it to anyone wanting a fun, light fantasy story that the imagination can build upon endlessly.

Logston has outdone herself as she sets the scene for the two other Shadow novels. Shadow is witty, mischevious, daring and jovial, and gives this novel a certain spice that made me want to read it nonstop! I certainly recommend this novel to fantasy lovers who enjoy something set to a different tune once in awhile. A fantastic read!!! :)

One of thoese books that you can not put down and yet hate to have it end. You will keep searching for more as it takes you into not only the story but your private feelings. This is a must read more the once book.

The glory of the Imperial Guard resounds above all others in the annals of war. Created, built and nurtured as a bodyguard for Napoleon, it grew from a brigade of fewer than two thousand men into a virtual army, and became 'a human fortress which no one but [Napoleon] could dominate and no enemy could penetrate'. And, on such battlefields as Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Wagram and Waterloo, it won the laurels of undying fame. Written by France's foremost historian of the Napoleonic Wars, Commandant Henry Lachouque, and translated and adapted by Anne S. K. Brown, this sumptuous work is enhanced by over 180 illustrations, including 86 plates in full colour. This new printing from the second, revised edition of Lachouque's masterwork will be especially welcomed by students of Napoleonic history. The plates alone are uniquely valuable as a source of uniform colours and style, and the text provides the definitive history of an elite body of men. With its vivid narrative and lavish illustrations, The Anatomy of Glory can lay justifiable claim to be one of the most magnificent books on military history ever published. The critical acclaim that greeted it upon its first publication provides ample testimony to its reputation. The Anatomy of Glory is both informative and entertaining: a work of unquestionable quality - termed a masterpiece by Elting - and a monumental contribution to Napoleonic literature.

I concur with the supportive opinions expressed here that this book, The Anatomy of Glory by Commandant LaChouque, et al, is the ultimate reference material for serious students of the History of the Imperial Guard.

I first came upon this wonderful book as a Senior at the University of Minnesota in 1984. My senior thesis was a study of Anglo-French Diplomacy during the Napoleonic period, and I find this book to be a wonderful source of information, not only information concerning the History of the Guard, but also more generalized history of the period itself.

This book, as stated, has a fabulous collection of artwork from the Anne Brown Collection at Brown U., and also does a wonderful job getting down to the nitty gritty concerning the Marshals, the Campaigns, the Politics of the Period, etc. Commandant LaChouque leaves no stone unturned in this hugely successful documentary on the Era.

The fact that this book centers the majority of its attention on Napoleon's Guard specifically is especially attractive to me since even now with the advent of the Internet it's still a bit of a tooth pull to get so complete an analysis of the history of one of the most courageous, loyal and dedicated organizations of professional soldiers the world has ever seen...La Garde Imperiale! These hardcore heroes richly deserve to be remembered, and this book does their memory ultimate honor.

The day I lost my original copy of this book was a sad one, and I'm very pleased I have now had, thanks to Amazon.Com, the opportunity to get a replacement. I most highly recommend this book for any gung-ho student of Napoleonic History...Vive L'Empereur!

I first saw this book and read it in high school. Since then, it has been an indispensable part of my Napoleonic library. It is full of information unobtainable eslewhere in English. The superb illustrations, from the Anne S.K. Brown Collection at Brown University, greatly enhance the presentation, Mrs Brown also being the translator. The book traces the Guard from its inception during the Revolution, its emergence as the Guard of the Consuls, and into its final evolution in 1804 as the Imperial Guard. The personalities who populate it are a truly talented and colorful group, from Pere Roguet, to Napoleon himself. The book almost appears as a personal narrative of the author, Commandant Lachouque, and while he has been accused of being somewhat biased, his references used for the book itself are impeccable. That the book has already stood the test of time is a virtue in itself. The new Introduction to the latest edition is by Col John Elting the noted suthority on the Napoleonic period, and new information on the Guard was discovered by him for this introduction. It not only enhances the Guard's formidable combat reputation, but the book itself. This book is a must for every Napoleonic enthusiast.

I don't know any parent who would not get something of enormous value from this book. The techniques are practical and effective, and ever mindful of building and respecting the child's self-esteem. This book is particularly necessary for new parents who were themselves raised in more dysfunctional families, and who don't want to unconsciously pass on that dysfunction to the next generation. Nordling never frames the discussion in these terms, but she clearly illustrates how to 'take charge' in a way that is not shaming, but builds your child's self-esteem. It is also brilliant on pitfalls to avoid (Nordling calls them self-sabotage) and how to identify and deal with specific types of misbehavior. These are lessons that adults raised in dysfunctional families may not have learned instinctively. The book is great beyond words, because if you practice what is in its pages, it will transform your life and your household. Both parents should really be on board with this program. (I am a dad. My wife and I have both benefitted from reading this book.) I do not think it is exaggeration to say that our world would be completely transformed if Taking Charge were required reading for all parents.

When my husband and I agreed to take on our troubled 14-year-old granddaughter for the three months of her summer vacation, we were worried about our ability to handle her, because she was known for being hyperactive, undisciplined and uncooperative. A friend recommended the book Taking Charge, by JoAnne Nordling. We both read it and agreed that we'd follow the book's advice on handling children. The summer was a greater success than either of us had dared to hope for. After several weeks of enforcing consistent rules, using small rewards and punishments, having family meetings, providing plenty of attention and a balance of work and play, our granddaughter settled into a comfortable routine. She obeyed with few complaints and became a secure, happy, cooperative person. She even gained pride and self-esteem in her accomplishments. I would recommend the book to any parent or guardian.

Now in a throughly updated and expanded third edition, JoAnne Nordling's Taking Charge: Caring Discipline That Works At Home And At School continues to provide a model for classroom educators of a step-by-step process for successfully managing the misbehavior of children and teens, whether in the home setting or at school. Taking Charge is a practical "how to" guide for parents and teachers meeting together in groups to resolve discipline problems and develop child management skills based on JoAnne Nordling's more than forty years experience parenting, teaching, and counseling. Each chapter has a "Review" and a "Discussion" section, plus exercises to reinforce the concepts and raise issues for group discussion. Charts and worksheets are also provided. There is a complete curriculum kit based on Taking Charge available from the Parent Support Center in Portland, Oregon (JoAnne Nordling is its co-founder) which includes six videos, a wall chart, a syllabus, and guidelines.

Perhaps it's just in my nature, or simply just the way I was brought up (I'm always looking for a bargain)... but I didn't learn anything new from reading this book.

Having said that, Cheap Web Tricks! Build and Promote a Successful Web Site Without Spending a Dime is a book that covers a lot of ground making it a good point of reference for anyone wanting a site starting out from scratch. In fact, the first part of the book takes you through the process of getting a site online without dealing with all the unnecessary details that inevitably get in the way.

Needless to say, this was not what I was expecting when I first opened the book. I guess I was just blind to fact that the word "build" was in the title but I was hoping for a lot more pages on the promotion side of things, so that I could pick up a few new ideas on the way.

One nice surprise was the section on making money from your site as it wasn't something I was expecting. Not only does it give you an overview of the various different ways you can make money from a web site, but also realistic with describing the results you can expect.

This has to be the reason why I'd still recommend it for the complete beginner. Of course, the book simply isn't big enough to go into all the details, nor does it claim to, but it goes a long way to giving an overview of what's involved in owning a web site. For many beginners, this is exactly what they need to know before starting out!

An amazingly thorough examination of just about everything you need to know about websites. I feared the book would be boring and a rehash of things I knew; that was not the case. The information builds nicely and there are many great tips. Even if you don't utilize the "cheap" techniques(which are excellent I might add) there is a lot of useful information. Hats off to this author!

I thought I was a web genius until I read this book. It is absolutely amazing. The author Anne, even responded to a question I had within the hour by email. If you want to build a succesfull website you have to get this book.

My child went from exhibiting the most atrocious of table manners to conducting herself at table with perfect grace! After reading this book, she was eager for opportunities to practice her new manners on the telephone and at the table. Knowing "the rules" made her feel confident. Framing the need to be respectful of grown-ups as an issue of manners rather than power has made her rethink her behavior at school as well. Granted, this book takes an old-fashioned approach to proper behaviors (it is, for example, gender-specific, as the title clearly shows), but it has affected the way my behavior-challenged 6-year-old (though it's geared toward a slightly older audience) thinks about her actions. The illustrations are beautiful, and the prose -- from the perspective of a fictive childhood Emilie Barnes -- engages the socially-conscious child's mind. I only wish there were more, and that boys could be privy to this way of thinking about social interactions as well.

Dear Ms. Barnes,

Thank you so very much for A LITTLE BOOK OF MANNERS: COURTESY AND KINDNESS FOR YOUNG LADIES. It has made all the difference in our lives.

One evening my husband and I experienced one of the most embarrassing moments of our entire lives when we took our granddaughters out to dinner. I suddenly realized that they simply had not been taught some pretty basic manners. Modern parents are so busy with two careers and hectic schedules, I suppose.

Imagine how thrilled I was to find this book and how even more delighted to discover that when they read it, both girls took the lessons to heart and began to practice them. It saved me the further embarrassment of telling their parents about the painful incident. You back me up on that one: "Don't point out other people's bad manners," -- remember? Of course, grandmothers have special advantages in that area, but tact and sometimes even reticence is often the better part of valor.

"Five good reasons to write thank you notes!" and
"The heart of all good manners is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." What brave and wonderful things to write to youngsters in a society that sneers at manners and religion as "sentimental" and "old-fashioned."

Because of the lessons here -- from thank you notes to how to entertain friends to telephone manners to introductions and party manners and more -- we are now proud to take the girls anywhere. Their introductions (which we had fun practicing) are truly graceful.

Another very important point you make is to treat brothers and sisters like friends. That is, with respect. Practicing that one little idea can change the entire atmosphere in a home.

Thank you, Emilie Barnes, for a very important book. This one was so successful for us that I bought the companion volume, A LITTLE BOOK OF MANNERS FOR BOYS and look forward to seeing equally triumphant results among our grandsons.

Michel Sparks's illustrations are colorful and delightfully whimsical. The visual appeal and emphasis they add to the text makes this a very special book indeed.

Thank you again for the lovely and sensitive addition to our children's library and to our lives.

Excuse me, could I please tell you about a book I just read? Well, this is what Emilie Marie would say if she could walk off the pages and into your life. She also believes that the heart of all good manners is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is a little girl you would happily invite over for a tea party!

This is just an enchanting book for helping young ladies learn courtesy and kindness. Emilie Marie introduces herself in a most polite way, then explains how her Aunt Evelyn has been helping her practice her manners.

This book helps girls to learn how to meet people, shake hands, answer the phone, be a good friend and so much more. I loved the section on the heart of Good Manners. I must say we adults could learn a few things from this book. Emilie Marie learns how to write thank you notes and how to answer invitations to a party.

To give this book to a little girl is also a way to give the gift of happiness to all those who know her. Michal Sparks has illustrated the pink and yellow pages in the most charming way possible. The blue bow on the cover is just adorable.

Thank you for reading my review and I really hope you will buy this book for someone you know. I bought it for my nieces and they love it. I must say they are turning out to be polite little ladies themselves.

It was so nice to meet you.

This was interesting coming from Ann Martin, Queen of All Happiness. I used to read the BSC religiously, but now looking back on the books, I think this one was one of the better. I mean, most have absolutely no plot, and are totally unrealistic, but this one is a pretty good example of a breakup. I don't think it's quite completely what a breakup is, but coming from Ann, this is a better one.

Looking back on my youth and teenage years, I used to read BSC religiously. I have all the books that were made from the time I was in 5th grade, up until I graduated high school a few years ago. When I first read Mary-ann vs. Logan, I was shocked because I really didn't think that they'd really do it. I was heartbroken, and happy at the same time. I found this book the other day in a box while I was moving, and in the front flap of the book I marked off each time I read it, and I had marked it a total of 15 times, so that's how good the book was! I recommend it to any BSC fan.

You know, people are always saying that Anne's books are too unrealistic. I say that those people are just the "party poopers" as the eight-year olds would say. But look, she's a very positive person, in my opinion. Who wants to be writing about sex and drugs when you could imagine being happy on an almost-daily basis?I mean, come on! Which would be more interesting? I rest my case. I guess I'd better write my summary. This was a good book. It should that Mary Anne stood up for herself, and she knew that was she was doing was right; giving she and Logan some time to cool off. I think that that is what books are about; finding your problem, and your solution, even if your answer isn't the one you want to hear. Two thumbs up, Anne!

Informative! It does get a bit long & wordy at times, but it's a fair representation of Helen & Annie's lives. The more I read about Annie Sullivan, the more I like her. I think it was a real shame that Arthur & Kate Keller felt threatened by the close bond Annie had with Helen. I think Arthur & Kate just wanted Helen to be "trained," but not really the free independent spirit she was meant to be. I'm so glad Annie stood by her & helped her become a free person & became a lifelong friend to Helen as well. Annie was very open about whatever failings she'd had & was a warm, loving supportive guide in Helen's life. I get the feeling Helen & Annie had almost a mother-daugher-like bond, which of course practically killed Arthur & Kate. The stupid thing was, the Keller parents wanted to just shift over the responibility to Annie of educating her & getting her to fit into society, yet wanted total control over Helen's life. If anyone was manipulative & controlling, it was Arthur & Kate. Esp. Arthur, I think was really patronizing & downright domineering toward Annie. Kate didn't help matters either & when I read about her attempts to break Helen & Pete up later on & her consent to try to split Helen & Annie up, I really lost respect for Kate. I know I'm slamming Kate & Arthur here, but I see Annie as more of a loving parent figure in Helen's life. I really commend Annie for standing strong against Helen's domineering, manipulative parents. Oh, boy, was that John Macy a real creep! I was sooo glad Annie got away from him; he accused Annie of being "manipulative & controlling" when he was controlling himself! He KNEW Annie & Helen had a tight bond, yet after he married Annie, he started giving poor Annie a hard time about it! What was really contemptable was that John wrote to Kate & others badmouthing Annie behind her back & it's good that the book exposed that clearly. That made me lose respect for John too; sorry, but I have no sympathy for John Macy. I think Annie tried really hard to be a good wife, yet John just criticized her for being too close to Helen. Poor Annie, it was sad reading about her heartbreak. It was touching & kind of reassuring to read that it was Helen who came to Annie's support when Annie couldn't stop crying for several days over John. It was Helen who fired a letter off to John blasting him for badmouthing Annie. I cheered when Helen was the one who helped Annie get back on her feet, esp. since I hear that John cleaned out the Macys' joint account & closed it without Annie's consent & Annie had to struggle to get her career going again. Boy, was it inspiring to read about Annie's heart healing & her getting her writing going again as well as back on her feet financially! I love how Helen & Annie stood by each other all the way & once Polly joined them, stood by them too. Annie's shaky pride suffered a lot of blows in her life, but always she managed to get back on her feet. I always knew Helen was forever grateful to Annie for freeing her from her early wordless prison & helping her get started to an independent free life & Helen showed this gratitude by being the one to take care of Annie when Annie grew old & frail & went permanently blind. It was a touching mother-daugher bond almost...when Helen was young, Annie looked out for her, then the roles reversed; when Annie got older & weaker, Helen was the one to look out for her & it was great that Helen was able to be by her bedside when her mentor & friend died. What was wonderful also was that Annie was a really sweet, accepting person; she had so many problems in her life, yet never sank into self-pity; she even made wry jokes about her blindness & even wrote a self-effacing column "Foolish Remarks From a Foolish Woman." That part cracked me up! Annie was a quick-tempered little thing, but was quick to forgive & had a big heart & I'm glad this book acknowledged that. Even Helen said that Annie was generous "to a fault." But the last best gift Annie gave Helen was the capacity to be completely independent, even from her, so once Annie died, with only a little help from Polly, Helen was able to live a free life, even long after Annie was gone. I say kudos to both Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan!!!!

This is the best biography about Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller that I have ever read. Since I was a child I have been fascinated by them and have read everything that I could get my hands on. Lash goes beyond their heroism and describes Annie and Helen as real people with "feet of clay."

He relies heavily on voluminous correspondence to show the many facets of Helen and those in her life. Many of these details are not explained in great deal in other biographies. For example, Helen's father tried to shore up his finances with loans (often defaulted) from Helen's patrons. The "Frost King" incident caused many people to doubt Annie's voracity and credibility as a teacher for the rest of her life. Mr.Sandborn and Mr. Anagnos used the controversy to divert credit from Annie's role as Teacher to Helen and to re-focus attention on the role that the Perkins Institute played in her education. Lash also shows that John Macy had a complex relationship (for the good and the bad) with both Annie and with Helen. Helen was a radical Socialist and often risked her popularity and therefore income. In the end the reader sees that Helen and all those around her did great things, but they were not perfect. Insecurity, jealousy, money and a desire for love and fame caused all of them to act ugly sometimes.

The other point that was never clear to me before, is that Helen and Annie spent their lives marketing themselves in order to generate an income. Helen's father faced a serious financial downturn that prevented him from supporting them from Helen's young womanhood on. Therefore, to continue Helen's formal education and to maintain a home away from Alabama, they had to cultivate sponsors, write publishable material, and earn money speaking at a myriad of functions. In many ways, this was an uncertain life that dictated that they remain in good standing with public opinion at all times.

The other connection that Lash made for me concerns the complexity, the depth and the breadth of Annie and Helen's relationship. Because Annie suffered through a harrowing childhood, she desperately needed to create a loving family. Helen presented the perfect opportunity for Annie to be needed and to love and be loved unconditionally. While some people construed their relationship to be unhealthy or manipulative, it seems that it was a natural outgrowth of their particular situation. Once again, it was not perfect, but it served a huge need for them both.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see a more realistic view of the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.

The lives of Helen Keller and her teacher, Ann Sullivan Macy are eternally intertwined. Helen Keller, blind and deaf since infancy depended on Annie since the age of 6 when the latter was hired to teach her.

This comprehensive, fascinating and completely riviting biography does an excellent job of separating the two women's lives and analyzing each woman in her own right. Helen takes giant steps beyond the water pump where Annie first impressed upon her the concept of language. It is to this author's credit that the reader does not languish at that water pump, but follows these women throughout their lives.

The true symbiosis is fully described when other teachers as well as Helen's own mother Kate, try to separate her from Annie. Feeling that her maternal authority had been usurped, Kate understandably wanted to wean Helen from Annie. Each attempt by any person to effect such a change resulted in disaster. Even Annie's marriage to a gifted editor named John Macy ended in an acrimonious split because he felt Helen took up too large a portion of their lives together. From all accounts, Macy seemed to feel that Annie used the same domineering methods she had used on the child Helen with him. He also described Annie as "manipulative and controlling," which certainly seem like apt descriptions of her approach. Resentful of Helen's constant presence and feeling like an odd member of an equally odd triadic relationship, John retreats further from the marriage.

When Annie dies, Helen is disconsolate; she feels she can't survive without her "Teacher," although she, by that point had been at Annie's side for nearly half a century. A bright, progressive woman named Polly assumes the role of "Teacher," and Helen flourishes under her gentle tutlage and interpretation. Polly is clearly accepting of Helen's challenges and appears to make a sincere effort to see that Helen is fully included in all conversations and activities which she [Polly] is part of. One does not get the sense that Polly is a martyr. One gets the impression that Polly is loyal and determined with no agenda of her own.

Helen's relationship with Polly does appear to be much healthier than her relationship with Annie. This book fully explores Helen's character, her life experiences and the types of relationships she forged in the post-Teacher years with intelligence and sensitivity.