Charles Calhoun's MAINE is a departure from most travel guides. Rather than just pages and pages of lists of motels, restaurants, and things to see, Calhoun focuses on the state's people (past and present), natural history, and state-of-mind. Instead of simply an address and phone number for the famous L. L. Bean's (outdoor outfitters, for example, Calhoun gives us several pages, including the story of the founder of the company.

The book opens with a chapter entitled "Learning Maine" and is organized geographically into nine main sections which cover the entire state. The final chapter, "Practical Information" gives all the usual, plus "A Dozen Fun Places to Eat" and antiquarian booksellers. Scattered throughout the book are literary excerpts and topical essays by authors such as May Sarton, John McPhee, and Longfellow. There are maps, reproductions of period art, and plenty of gorgeous color photos. Whether the reader is planning a trip to Maine or merely wishes an intriguing armchair journey, this guide is a must.

Kimberly Borrowdale, Under the Covers Book Reviews

An excellent book to take along with you during your travels to Maine. The photos in this book are simply beautiful! The photographer, Thomas Mark Szelog actually lives in the lighthouse on the cover!! I was lucky enough to meet him and he was kind enough to show me some of his photgraphs. Absolutely beautiful work. This is a great book and I highly recommend it when you travel down east!

There has never existed a more witty writer than Samuel Clemens, our beloved Mark Twain. Everything the man has ever written, particularly as age sharpened his sense of irony, carries a most suave and acute style of point-of-view. Every observation, every poignancy, every comment he makes is exquisitely nailed down with a genius's flair for words. While some readers of today may find some of his essays antiquated and over-worded, all I can say is that this man possessed the finest intellect ever granted to a human being and was able to produce it on paper with a resounding flourish. Not to mention the finest humor also.

I have read most books by and about Mark Twain and was thrilled to recently come across this collection of his works. Out of the essays he has written in this volume, "In Defense of Harriet Shelley" is my favorite. This essay is Mark's review of Professor Dowden's book titled "Life of Shelley". Ordinarily, I would never have heard of the poet Shelley's adultery while married to his first wife, Harriet, nor even cared if I had, but Mark, who reviewed many books of his era (including his hilarious upbraiding on the grammatically incorrect Fenimore Cooper's novels!) put it all in perspective for me - brought it right up to present time and concern, so to speak. Every sentence in that particular essay is loaded with vintage Twain-ism and he does so rightly defend Harriet that when you finish reading, you want to print a copy of it and post it everywhere in your own defense of Harriet as well! At least I felt that way.

Other essays of note in this book are "Saint Joan of Arc", "Mental Telepathy" and "The Death of Jean", the latter particularly profound since Mark writes about the death of his daughter, Jean, who while visiting him, dies as a result of an epileptic stroke. The bereaved father began this essay on the eve of her death and finished it within scant days; thus this writing displays a desperate immediacy to it - outpourings of a heart lamenting it's disbelief and shock. We see and feel with the man here in his most vulnerable state, hoping perhaps to find in his own writing, some link to his now-dead child.

This volume of essays was published in 1963 and I would love to see it reprinted again, updated with a catchy illustrated front cover, etc, (costs be damned) just to lure in a generation of readers who otherwise might never come across it.

Anyone who has read Twain will know that he has an unusually sharp wit and is one of the funniest men of ANY century; however, I wager that most do not perceive his grasp of issues important regardless of time, particularly the relationship of man to his (hypothetical) superiors, and human nature in general. With this book the best of both his worlds may be enjoyed: his humorous stance is in full effect in many of his hilarious essays; but the introspective character of his inner debates about man and God are also here preserved. It is recommended for anyone who wishes to see both sides of Twain's literature, and get a few belly laughs and deep thoughts while at it.

The previous review of THE DARWIN LEGEND written by Brad Krone of Reno praises Mark Noll for doing an excellent job writing this book. The problem is that Noll is not the author. James Moore is the author of this book and deserves the credit.

As a life-long Christian who has heard over and over the famous story of Darwin's deathbed confession of Christianity and denial of evolution, I was overjoyed to find a book on this very topic. Noll is unbelievably objective -- a true reporter doing his job. He never lets his own biases and opinions cloud his presentation of the facts. The insights contained in this book priceless. I have a better understanding of who Darwin was, why so many Christians love to tell the story of his deathbed conversion, and whether or not it is probable that such an event took place. Get this book and read for yourself. The amount of research which Noll has conducted is almost unfathomable. You will not be disappointed!

Dorella is a great read... couldn't put it down until I finished it!

This is the first of several great books written by Mark Garland. All the ingredients for a good story are in here: action, adventure, strong plot, strong characters. I would love to see more books in this series.

I think this was a great book! This is one of the best books I'v ever read. I think everyone who plays should read it.

This is a great book! This is one of the best books I'v read on guitars. Everyone who plays should read it.

Learning from Professor Mark Perlman was one of the best things happened to me when I was still a student. Since Professor Perlman had stopped lecturing on this topic ( in fact I was among those who attended his last series of lectures ), this book, along with an earlier publication in 1998, serves as an alternative to his interesting and thought provoking lectures filled with first-hand information about economics and economists. The course was an eye-opener for me and I highly recommend this book which covers the materials Professor Perlman put together for us.

Anyone who took Dr. Mark Perlman's courses on the history of economic thoughts will admires why he knows so much about the development of economics. His lecture notes are just like pieces of maps that lead his students into the Treasure Island of Knowledge. I am very happy to know that Mark and Dr. McCann have published their books. I would like to share my experiences with everyone who read the books.

Funny, funny, funny. What surprised me most was finding out it was based on actual events (meaning that they did go on a camping trip). I enjoy everytime I listen to it.

This collection features stories so humourous that there should be a warning for heart patients. Ranging from advice for "Curing a Cold" to an angry article "Concerning Chaimbermaids", this set of articles will provide so much laughter aerobics will be unneccessary during the duration of the reading.

Of all the books on inner healing and deliverance that I have read, this one has been one of the two most helpful. Dr. Kraft not only explains what happens in a ministry session, he also explains how to do it. A must for those wanting to see God move in this type of ministry!

Jackson's book is the unrivaled, definitive publication on English gold and silver hallmarks. It is a must, from the beginner to the expert conoisseur, in collecting antique English, Scottish and Irish silver. It defines and explains each mark and gives a brief history (as applicable) of the silver industry for each province or country. The information is easy to use and the extensive illsustrations of the marks are clear and concise.