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Book reviews for "Lewis,_William" sorted by average review score:

Christian Mythmakers: C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J. R. R. Tolkien, George Macdonald, G. K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, a
Published in Paperback by Cornerstone Press Chicago (1998)
Authors: Rolland Hein and Clyde S. Kilby
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Good overview of ideas of the writers
Christian Mythmakers is a good overview of some of the thoughts and ideas of various Christian fantasy writers. While the chapter on John Bunyan is basically little more than a summary of Pilgrim's Progress, the rest of the book is interesting and thought provoking. The chapter on Charles Williams is a "must read" for anyone interested in or confused by Williams' work.

Fascinating
This book is a fascinating look at ten Christian mythmakers, that is authors who have used the power of myth to convey Christian truths in a new way. The narrative begins with John Bunyan and his seminal Pilgrim's Progress, continues through George Macdonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and finishes up with Madeleine L'Engle, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard.

Professor Hein begins with a short biography of the author, and then proceeds to explain the author's work, examining its theology and significance. I found this book to be quite fascinating, with the author giving me a look at these masterpieces of Christian literature in a way that I had never thought of before. If you are a fan of any of the authors above, then I highly recommend that you get this book!

If you enjoy these authors, this book is a must read!
I had the privilege of taking courses under Dr Hein in the early 90's at Wheaton. He is a very knowledgeable teacher and has great affection for the people he is writing about in this book. If you have any interest in these authors, this book is a must read. I wasn't aware that he had written this book when I came across it looking for books on George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis. As an Economics major, I somehow ended up taking four Lit. classes from Dr Hein because he is such a good instructor and passionate about his subject matter.


Latin Dictionary Founded on Andrew's Edition of Freund's Latin Dictionary
Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press (1979)
Authors: Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, and William Freund
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very good... not for the absolute scholar or the beginner
While an excellent dictionary for undergraduate college use, beginners might find the Chambers-Murray dictionary more affordable and not noticeably diminished. For the serious translator and scholar, the Oxford Dictionary might be a better choice, particularly for obscure and/or late words. That said, Lewis and Short is my dictionary of choice.

Is there a better Latin-English Dictionary?
This is the classic Lewis and Short Latin-English Dictionary. Its only real contender is the newer Oxford Latin Dictionary (OLD). However, the OLD is handicapped by its limited scope: anyone interested in Late, Ecclesiastical, Medieval, or Neo-Latin need not apply. Lewis and Short is more comprehensive. It's sole drawback is its great bulk and weight. If you are interested in a much smaller, but still quite complete, dictionary, consider the Chambers-Murray Latin-English dictionary.

Comprehensive yet handy volume--
I find this Latin dictionary very friendly and convenient to use, compared to the O.L.D., yet still offering most lexicological resources needed for the advanced Latin student or the scholar. Its content is indeed broader (a plus!) than the O.L.D., but does not skimp on presenting the particulars of the entries. I do not recommend this dictionary for absolute beginners (although they could do much worse), but I do indeed suggest it to anyone in _advanced_ high school Latin classes, as well as to all college students (including those enrolled in graduate studies). Accordingly, I strongly recommend this publication to any "former" high school or college Latin student (such as myself) who wishes to refresh his/her knowledge of Latin and/or who just wants to have a great Latin dictionary in their home. A wonderful reference!


Basic Bookbinding
Published in Paperback by Dover Pubns (1985)
Author: Arthur William Lewis
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A simple but reliable and comprehensive reference
Basic Bookbinding may seem underwhelmingly dull in comparison to all the other books on bookbinding available today-no gorgeous vividly-colored photographs, no sophisticated page layouts, no selection of cute or thematic projects to work on once you've learned the techniques, no unconventional material, no gallery of artists' works...NO FUN, right? But I've been both an experimental and traditional bookbinder for 12 years, and I have yet to come across a book that covers the BASICS of the craft the way A.W.Lewis's does.

It is really important to master the nitty-gritty of the CRAFT...precision of measurement, the right stitches and knots, putting the skeleton of a book together so that you understand WHY/HOW it works, and KNOW it'll last a hundred years...and only THEN should one go off and explore the big "candystore" of fancy papers, funky found-object covers, and clever bindings. When I want inspiration, I leaf through yummy picture books like Shereen LaPlantz's COVER TO COVER, or Linda F.Kenzle's PAGES...but when I want to put an archival journal of medieval proportions together so that my great grandchildren can read it someday, I return to Basic Bookbinding. My respect for the great bookbindinders of the past is renewed by this very technical, unpretentious and stern manual.

If it's short on innovation, keep in mind that this Basic Binding book is a reprint of the 1952 edition! Learning from this book feels less like a weekend crafts class, and more like an apprenticeship with some terse old master.

Clear and instructive
Gave nice clear instructions. Good graphics and explenations. I used it with my kids, and even they understood it.


Set a Course for Freedom
Published in Paperback by Xlibris Corporation (10 April, 2000)
Author: William K. Lewis
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Historically accurate and a good storyline too.
It is what a good historical fiction book should be. It has historically accurate settings/situations but they do not overwhelm the storyline. The sailing storyline helps you to to realize how big a deal it was to travel in colonial America.

Where's the Sequel?
This book is captivating from the start. The attention to historical accuracy is impressive.


Death Valley In '49
Published in Library Binding by Reprint Services Corp (1894)
Author: William Lewis Manly
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Appealing to the heroic in every person, a book to remember
As a descendant of William L. Manly, and as an avid reader of history, the book appealed to me. It is a tale of raw survival and heroism, as well as a testament to the pioneering spirit of people from our American past. It is also a book of human triumph over one of Mother nature's most trying environments on Earth. The easy-going narration of the events in William L. Manly's life draw you into the scenery, the essence of the beautiful, yet enigmatic desert which lures yet imposes such harsh demands on the body and soul. It seemed that the nearly intolerable conditions that William and his fellow pioneers endured were a kind of "Offering" to the desert, which is one of Mother nature's testing grounds of the human spirit.

Epic journey by an unsung American hero.
First hand account of pioneers crossing the American west in 1849. Epic and heroic in scope, Manly describes hardships and an America nearly lost to history. Where it survives is in the deserts and wastelands of Utah, Nevada and California. One will never be able to travel these regions without thinking of Manly, Rogers and the Bennet-Arcane party.

Death Valley, that Cursed Hole
Jean and I edited the Heyday Books edition of Manly's monumental work. This edition has foreward by Dr. Limerick and Jean and I added a preface, 400 notes, an epilogue, and an index. We, of course, are biased and think this is the best edition of his book. Needless to say, the original edition is the best. We hope you enjoy Manly's words and our additions.


Out West
Published in Paperback by Bison Bks Corp (2003)
Author: Dayton Duncan
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Charming and Informative
I read this book over a decade ago and it stills makes me chuckle. It taught me a lot about Lewis and Clark's Mississippi voyage and kept me laughing along the way. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's craving a relaxed, intelligent, historical read. Enjoy!

A Modern Re-creation of Lewis and Clark's Adventures
This is fascinating reading for all who dream of following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and "discovering" those parts of the country that we know only in our imaginations. Especially interesting for us "born & bred" Easterners.

The Trip I Want to Take
Ever since I read a few books about Lewis & Clark, I've been planning (in my head) a journey out west. This story captures the essence of how I envision my trip. Road rules, no highways, mom & pop restaurants, making new friends along the way.

I found this book very well written, fun, and engaging. I was able to feel what I think L&C and Mr. Duncan all felt. The excitement of a new journey, the weariness of such a long trip, and the saddness once the trip ended. I hope I can one-day follow in their footsteps.


American Country Houses of the Gilded Age: Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats"
Published in Paperback by Dover Pubns (1983)
Authors: Arnold Lewis and George William Sheldon
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A smorgasbord of architectural opulence
"American Country Houses of the Gilded Age" reprints 100 photographs from "Artistic Country-Seats," a book originally published in 1886-87 with commentary by George William Sheldon. This new version of the collection replaces Sheldon's original comments with those of Arnold Lewis. But the real "stars" of the book are the 93 houses and four casinos portrayed in the excellent black-and white photos.

These houses represent some of the most stunning mansions of the late 19th century. Most of these buildings were built in the northeastern United States. Each plate is accompanied by both Lewis' comments and by a first floor plan.

The houses themselves represent many of the popular styles of the era: Tudor, "Shingle," Queen Anne, Chateauesque, Richardsonian Romanesque, Colonial Revival, and Exotic Revival. The crisp photography captures a wealth of beautiful details: covered verandas, stone arches, classical pillars, towers, pinnacles, parapets, half-timbering, castellations, fanciful dormers, and intricate decorative flourishes.

The only disappointing aspect to the book is the fact that only the first floor plans are included. Plans for the other floors would have increased the book's value as a record of social history. Nevertheless, the detailed first floor plans do offer fascinating insights into the lives of the wealthy families of the "Gilded Age." You can imagine yourself wandering through the billiard room or music room of your favorite mansion! If you are fascinated by American home architecture, or if you simply want a taste of this opulent era, you will love this book.

Excellent
This book let's readers see how the wealthiest people in America lived back in the late 1800's. The floor plans are, although small, completely readable. I do wish the author would have included the floor plans for the second, third, etc. floors. Great photographs and good desrciptions of the homes.

Facinating
This book features period pictures and information about some of the most amazing houses to be built it the US. It is wonderful to think houses of such detail and quality were built, and so sad to learn how many of them did not survive. This book is a wonderful tribute to them.


Through the Looking Glass
Published in Hardcover by Dh Audio (1986)
Authors: Lewis Carroll and William Rushton
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Alice, the pacified rebel
Lewis Carroll sends Alice on a second set of adventures in some territory that is beyond our world. This time she crosses a mirror and enters a game of chess. She will eventually become a queen but she will in all possible ways express her deep desire to rebel against a world that is seen as having too many limitations and frustrating rules. She will in a way rebel against the game of chess itself when she comes to the end of it and pulls the tablecloth from under all the pawns and pieces to have peace and quiet, to free herself of absolute slavery. But what is she the slave of ? Of rules, the rules of the game, the rules of society, the rules of education. Of words and their silly ambiguities that enable them to mean both one sense and its reverse, that enable them to lead to absurd statements and declarations that completely block her in blind alleys and impasses. But at the same time, her return to the normal world that transforms those adventures into a dream, is a rejection of such adventures and of such rebellion as being absurd and purely fantasmatic, dreamlike. There is in this book a rather sad lesson that comes out of this ending : children can dream adventures, can dream perfect freedom, but reason brings them back to the comfortable world of everyday life and submission. And there is no other way possible. This book is pessimistic about a possible evolution from one generation to the next thanks to the retension of childish, childlike dreams, forgetting that the world can only change and progress thanks to the fuel those dreams represent in our social engine.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

An excellent book in its own right.
"Through The Looking Glass" is, perhaps, not QUITE as good as "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland", but it's close enough to still rate five stars. Not, properly, a sequel to the first book, there is no indication at any point in it that the Alice (clearly the same individual, slightly older) from this book ever had the adventures in the first one; there is no reference to her previous adventures, even when she once again meets Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Obviously, the two books are intended as parallel adventures, not subsequent ones.

The most memorable bits from this book are doubtlessly the poem, "Jabberwocky", as well as chapter six, "Humpty Dumpty". But all of the book is marvellous, and not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a magical romp through silliness and playful use of the English language.

(This review refers to the unabridged "Dover Thrift Edition".)

a masterpiece
Carrol was a profound and wonderful writer, and Through the Looking Glass... is definate proof of this. Though there isn't much evidence that he was a pedophile, you shouldn't grade his works simply on who he might or might not have been. Through the Looking Glass... is one of the greatest works of literature in the english language, and will continue to be despite the author's supposed problems.


What If: The World's Foremost Military Historians Imagine What Might Have Been
Published in Audio Cassette by Simon & Schuster Audio (1900)
Authors: Robert Cowley, William H. McNeil, Victor Davis Hanson, Josiah Ober, Lewis H. Lapham, Barry S. Strauss, Cecelia Holland, Theodore K. Rabb, Ross Hassig, and Murphy Guyer
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Not-very Original Historical Fluff
This is a collection of essays by various historians on alternate military outcomes in history, arranged in chronological order from Ancient times to 1983. Although there are some interesting essays on the American Revolution and a few other areas, the book is very disappointing. The "big name" historians provide the worst-written essays, almost afterthoughts. The essay by John Keegan on what if Hitler had pursued a Mediterranean strategy in 1941-2 totally ignores logistics and Nazi political objectives. Stephen Ambrose's essay on what if D-Day had failed rests on non-military reasoning and is ridiculous (as if the Allies would have abandoned D-Day because of bad weather). In light of Peter Tsouras' excellent "Disaster at D-Day", Ambrose's essay appears pathetic. Other essays are rather pedestrian, like several on what if the South had won the Civil War. Yawn. How many times is this going to be passed around? Many interesting and almost situations, like Operation Sealion, or what if Iraq had invaded Saudi Arabia in 1990 are ignored. None of the essays do a very good job on strategic analysis and assume too much about single win/loss results (e.g. a Southern victory at Gettysburg was unlikely to have won the war, since the North had already lost several battles without any real reduction in its will to win). This book is a collection of not-very original quasi-historical fluff.

Uneven, but overall excellent
For anyone who likes history, this book is an uneven, but overall excellent and very enjoyable, series of exercises in "counterfactual" history. Not the silly, frivolous, or nonsensical kind, where Robert E. Lee all of a sudden is given a nuclear bomb, but instead serious, meaty (even highly PROBABLE) ones, like what would have happened if there hadn't been a mysterious plague outside the walls of Jerusalem, or if there had been a Persian victory at Salamis, or if Genghis Khan's drunken third son (Ogadai)had not died just as his hordes were poised to conquer (and probably annhilate) Europe, or if Cortes had been killed or been captured Tenochtitlan, etc.

The major flaw with this book is that the essays are of somewhat uneven interest level, style, and quality. Personally, for instance, I found the essay on the Mongols to be fascinating, sending chills down my spine! "D Day Fails" by Stephen Ambrose, on the other hand, didn't do much for me at all, nor did "Funeral in Berlin." In general, I would say that the essays covering earlier periods in human history tend to be better than ones covering more recent history. Possibly this is in part because the later periods have been covered to death. I mean, how many "counterfactuals" on the US Civil War can there be before we get sick of them? But a well-written, tightly-reasoned counterfactual which, based on events hundreds or even thousands of years ago, quite plausibly leads to a result where there is no Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, or Western culture at all, is absolutely fascinating in my opinion. If nothing else, books like "What If?" show how important CHANCE is in human history, as well as the importance of the INDIVIDUAL, as opposed to some Hegelian/Marxist-Leninist historical "inevitability." The bottom line is that it is rare that anything is truly "inevitable", and the aptly titled "What If?" gives us some excellent case studies.

Makes history both fun and frightening!
Heard the taped version of WHAT IF?: THE WORLD'S FOREMOST
MILITARY HISTORIANS IMAGINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, edited
by Robert Cowley . . . I often speculate about lots of things, and so do the contributors to this book--including Stephen E. Ambrose, John Keegan, David McCollough, and James M. McPherson (to name just a few).

For example, what if:
George Washington had never made his miraculous escape
from the British on Long Island in the early dawn of August 29, 1776?

a Confederate aide hadn't accidentally lost General Robert E. Lee's plans for invading the North?

the Allied invasion on D Day had failed?

These and a whole host of other questions are considered . . . the resultant answers are often fun, but at the same time, sometimes frightening . . . as in, Hitler's case . . . had he not attacked Russia when he did, he might have moved into the Middle East and secured the oil supplies the Third Reich so badly needed, thus helping it retain its power in Europe . . . can you just imagine the present-day implications for that scenario?

If you're a history buff, this is a MUST read . . . but methinks
that others will enjoy it and become much more interested
in the subject as a result . . . I know that I'm now looking
forward to Coweley's follow-up effort, WHAT IF? 2.


Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon
Published in Paperback by Grove Press (2000)
Authors: William Lewis Herndon, Gary Kinder, Lardner Gibbon, and United States Navy Dept
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Quite a Unique Book
I picked up this book after reading Kinder's "Ship of Gold". This book was writen a few years before when captain William Lewis Herndon, who went down with the Central America in Kinder's book, was sent on a journey across the continent of South America via the Amazon river by the US government. He extensively records all his findings and observations, from elevation and river depth numbers, to the exotic wildlife of the river basin. Gary Kinder has done a great job editing down the origional manuscript, and has made a 150 year old book a very readible one today. That's quite an accomplishment, and it helps that Herdon was also a very good writer! What I found most interesting were Herndons personal ideas and oppinions he recorded. 150 years has drastically changed the way we think, and the gap in time is very evident. This book was writen before the abolition of slavery and the events of the 20th century. Herdon states the potential he sees at every turn on his journey to make profitable trades for the natural resources of the the land, and considers it a shame that such resources should go squandered or unnoticed by indians when they could fetch a huge sum in other parts of the world. Of course, we now cherish the rainforests of brazil as a vanishing wilderness on earth. I feel the book is almost more important as a study of 19th century thought than a study of the amazon. I'd like to se a updated edition with footnotes. There were many times when I'd read one of Herndon's observations and wonder how modern science and understanding would explain what he saw and experienced. Read this book expecting to learn more about Herndon than the Amazon.

An Interesting Read
If you read and loved Gary Kinder's "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" then you will find "Amazon" to be quite interesting. The book was actually writen over 150 years ago by Herndon, the famed captain of the Central America, the subject of "Ship of Gold" which sank in a hurricane a few years after Herndon crossed South america along the Amazon from Puru to the Atlantic ocean. He was sent on the journey by the US government to extensively record his findings on the continent. Kinder does a wonderful job in both his introduction and editing of the book. It is quite a feat to make a 150 year old book readible. (Kinder has removed irrelivant information recorded extensively by Herndon on the expedition.) What I found most interesting are his personal ideas and visions for the land, and the gap in time that brings such a unique style to his writing. For Example, being that the book was writen before the civil war and the abolition of slavery, Herndon often is critical of savage indian natives. He also has a vision for colonization and considers it a shame that the vast plant, animal and mineral resourses of the amazon are not taped by the US government or any government in trade routes. Of course now, in a world threatened by polution and over populated cities we see the amazon as one of the last areas of untamed wilderness on the earth. I found his comments fascinating and was intrigued at how different the world is today. The one thing I absent from book are footnotes- There were many times when Herdon would describe something and, knowing the changes in scientific discovery over 150 years, I would wonder what he really observed and why. I finished the book with a lot of questions and few answers, but I did have an inderstanding of American thought and vision from the 1850's, and I can't say I've ever read another book that shows that so well.

Lewis & Clark go down the Amazon...
... but told in a much more stylish and readable manner. I bought this book on the strength of reading about Capt. Herndon's sacrifice in Gary Kinder's "Ship of Gold...". He seemed to epitomise the old-style captain, caring about his passengers, crew and above all his ship, and I was interested to read more about the man.

I was not disappointed; what could have been a dusty tome full of only facts and figures, emerges as a rivetting account of the trials endured during the trip, and vivid descriptions of a land that was as yet virtually unknown to the 'civilised' world, told as a very readable narrative. This easy style is what captured the hearts and minds of the Anmerican (and European) public in a book which went into several reprints of 10,000s (as opposed to the usual Congress print run of 100+!).

It also captured the imagination of a certain Samuel Clemens, who, after reading the book, immediately took steamer from St.Louis to New Orleans to get a boat to the Amazon. Imagine his disappointment when he found no passage ... sitting, bemoaning his ill luck, he hears the cries of the steamers "Mark twain!" - the rest is history.

I have one reservation (hence only ****); during his editing & research for the book, Mr.Kinder deletes a lot of sections that I personally would have found very interesting, such as crops grown, goods & minerals available and costs of trade items. If these had been included as an appendix, I think it would have added to the charm of the book.

Nevertheless, one of the best pieces of historical travel writing I have ever read.


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