This is a well written and engaging look into the importance of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indian villages as a pivotal point in trade systems during the late 1700's through early 1800's. Being located along the Missouri River in present day North Dakota, the Mandan/Hidatsa Indians traded horses, robes and furs to Canadian Fur Companies in return for guns and ammunition. They would then trade these goods for other commodities from various Northern Plains Indian Tribes, who previously may have traded with other tribes or the Spaniards further south. In part one, the authors give a lengthy but excellent and relevant chronological introduction as to the fur trade history of this geographical area. Part two includes five journals (or excerpts) of some of these Northwest Fur Company traders' first hand accounts depicting life as it was: John Macdonell's descriptions of the Indians, geography and trade in the 1790's; David Thompson's narrative describing his harrowing 1797 journey from Fort Assiniboine to the Mandan villages in the dead of winter; Larocque's two narratives, the "Missouri (1804)" and "Yellowstone (1805)" Journals, the latter of which, in the company with Crow Indians, he may possibly have been the first white man to descend the Yellowstone River, pre-dating William Clark by more than a year. The final narrative is of Charles McKenzie's four journeys to the Mandan villages (1804-1806), the first two in company with Larocque's expeditions. This is a fascinating read for fur trade enthusiasts and/or those whose interests are in early western exploration.

For those searching to understand the relationship between the conscious, sub-conscious and super-conscious self, this book is a "must read". Henry Reed takes the reader logically through each state and explains how one works with the other. He does so in a way which any reader can relate in the most personal sense. Then he leads the reader to understand how we can apply our ideals to create the reality and direction we wish for our lives in future. This book made absolute sense to me in my search for spiritual understanding. I have given over 40 copies of this book to friends and acquaintances and it has transformed the thinking of many of them.

Being a beginner myself, I can't say that I enjoyed this book as an introduction to the Egyptians. The lack of a timeline and the assumtpion by writers that the reader is accustomed to the history of Ancient Egypt makes it difficult for someone who doesn't have a proper grasp of the ancient Egyptians' era to enjoy the reading. However, the portrait it gives of the various social groups which made up the Egyptian world is quite remarkable and can be enriching for any reader, even the unexperienced ones.

T. C. Lethbridge is the author of numerous books, ranging from pre-history and archaeology to witchcraft and I suppose what we could call the paranormal. I first came across his work in the writings of Colin Wilson (an English author who introduced me to many obscure writings such as these), in connection with the paranormal, and I managed to find a copy of "The Essential T. C. Lethbridge" over time. I think this book, which was released posthumously as a sort of tribute to the writer, is an interesting indication of the man's depth, which was considerable, yet the original works are far more interesting still.

Two of my favourites are "Herdsmen and Hermits" and "The Painted Men" and for anyone interested in the pre-history of the British Isles, up until the Viking age in about 1000 AD, they are wonderful reading. Lethbridge was recognised as an archaeologist but he always had the most difficult time getting on with the establishment, since he refused to tow the line on accepted history. Therefore he was always working somewhat on his own, without the support of a major institution and its a wonder he managed to make his way as he did, and publish so much.

The other Lethbridge connection which has been of interest to me, is with the Canadian writer Farley Mowat. Although they never met, they were contemporaries and one wonders what the result might have been had they worked on projects jointly. In any case, Mowat eventually discovered Lethbridge's writing and found support for some of his own rather contentious theories about the maritime movements of peoples in northern Britain toward the Americas, before the Viking age. Mowat's book on the subject, "The Farfarers," in which he draws on Lethbridge's "Herdsmen and Hermits," is one of the most interesting books about early North American exploration I've come across. However, there is no doubt that the scientific community views both writers as being outside the pale.

All that is to say that Lethbridge is well worth finding. He reads very well today, although his subject matter is naturally specialised and it is not, I suppose for the general reader. One hopes one day that the important works of writers like T. C. Lethbridge will be brought back into print. In the meantime, good hunting.

Finding Common Ground is a truly ground-breaking book. The content is clear and concise, and provides solid advice for educators who are trying to address issues of religious differences in the public schools. The book covers church-state law, a vision of civility that every educator should be thinking about, and practical chapters on dealing with religious topics in the curriculum and character education. A must-have for every public school teacher and administrator!

Frederick Carder and Steuben Glass by Thomas P. Dimitroff is a monumental book. The photographs are fully documented with dates, shape numbers, descriptions, measurements, etc. The text is complete with footnotes. It is a beautiful coffee table book as well as a scholarly text. Information relating to identification and the relative rarity of the various types of glass Carder designed is examined in detail making it a "must have" for collectors, appraisers, or anyone with an interest in Steuben glass.

This true story of a young Mississippi boy who gets to knowCharles Lindbergh is a fun gentle history. In the increasingly fastworld of the present, Lindbergh's revolutionary flights seem quaint and old-fashioned. This is a wonderful introduction to historical biography.

Anyone who shares my passion for the Gospel and Ignatius of Antioch can't afford not to have this book in their personal collection. His mastery of the inner meanings of the Gospel are unparralleled. For anyone caught in the tumultuous seas of Biblical Literature, this book is the lighthouse that will guide you to truth.

Everyone has heard of this trial. However, until I heard this rendition of the trial and play I wasn't as interested. This play sheds new light on it and makes it so much more interesting and actually brought it to life for me.

Is there anything else to say? Karl the 12th of Sweden is a fascinating man with history to match. Voltaire's prose reads like a great fictional novel and provides philisophical insight into the times and life of Sweden's greatest king.