I found this book to be very helpful in my scriptural studies. I like the way it is set up and the reflections. Most of all, I like the way each Sunday has the readings, with Scripture references, a reflection, questions to meditate on, ideas on how to share your faith throughout the week and the references for the rest of the upcoming week readings.

I am the author of Becoming Cape Cod: The Creation of a Seaside Resort, which is the first book to tell the history of Cape Cod's development as a vacation mecca. This book traces Cape Cod's resort history from its discovery by Henry David Thoreau before the Civil War to the present day. It is lavishly illustrated with rare historical postcards.

Becoming Cape Cod has three main sections: 1870-1920, on the early years of the resort; 1920-1950, on the impact of the automobile on creating a tourist region with common marketing, a plethora of attractions, and a strong heritage appeal; 1950-2000, on measures taken to preserve the Cape in the face of overdevelopment.

The decisive moment for the Cape's development was the coming of the automobile during the 1920s. For the first time, tourists were able to explore the entire region. As a result a plethora of cottage colonies, restaurants, antique shops, and historical landmarks appeared. After World War II, a boom ensued that continues to the present day. Cape Cod's greatest challenge has been preserving the natural environment, historic buildings, and cultural traditions that have shaped the Cape's sense of place. Becoming Cape Cod drew upon my experiences working at the Cape Cod Commission, a regional planning agency, in writing this book. Part social history, part cautionary tale, Becoming Cape Cod meditates upon how to preserve authentic places against continuing growth pressures.

The Cape Cod Voice has called Becoming Cape Cod "an intriguing combination of historical research, overview and statistics, with a fun visual hook." The Cape Codder said the book is "a welcome and important addition to the Cape Cod history library."

My other publications include three books and numerous articles on Boston, Western Massachusetts, and urban history.

Jane Varkaris undoutedky is THE worlds leading expert on the rather specialised subject of CLOCKS made in Canada. Her book fills a huge void in most horological libraries, there simply was nothing published on the subject.

The book offers the only comprehensive history existing of the Pequegnat clock manufacturing company.

A MUST for the collector of CANADIAN CLOCKS.

Reviewed by Fortunat Mueller-MAerki, Publisher of HOROLOGY-THE INDEX

Great book for children aged approx. 10-15. I have already purchased and given a few to friends' sons (and daughters). They were purchased as Easter gifts rather than another chocolate bunny. I have received very positive feedback from them and delights me that these children are reading and enjoying it. I plan to purchase a few more for others so they keep reading during the school summer vacation. Since I have purchased and given quite a few, I thought I should read it also. Although I am quite older than the designated market for this book, I did enjoy reading it and it reinforced my purchasing decision.

The author of "Looking for Wes Carroll", Jim Connell lives in the same town as I do. A local bookstore held a book signing/discussion and as a voracious reader and a fledgling writer I felt I had to be there.
After only reading an article about the writer and the story, I decided to buy his book. My title up there is similar to what Jim wrote when he signed my book. The author himself seems very nice, down to earth, and a writer who just loves to write. I learned a lot sitting there listening to Jim talk about his experiences in his effort to have the book published.
I loved this book because it drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know the main character more and more, and I related to him so well. He overdoses on nostalgia, and he could have easily been a real person.
Another reason I liked this so much is all the references to Boston, and other Massachusetts pop culture references. It is nice to read about things that are so close to home for me. That is a rare thing.
"Looking for Wes Carroll" is an easy to read and follow novel about the very down to earth and likable Max Clark. Max lives in Quincy, Massachusetts. His best friend since the beginning of college, Peter Sullivan, has his own life falling down a sprial staircase, and Max, being the good buddy that he always was to all his college friends, tries to aid Peter back to health.
I don't want to say too much about what goes on. Max is a wonderfully written character that you will hate saying good bye to. I am glad I bought this so I can go back and visit.
This is a very well written story, sad at times,(I cried several times), and has it's happier moments as well. A lot like life itself, "Looking for Wes Carroll" is a novel about living, enjoying life, remembering our good times in life, road trips, and moving on and looking ahead to a bright future.
I highly recommend reading this, especially to readers from the same area as me.

As the author, I wanted to take the opportunity to describe the contents of The Pioneer Valley Reader. The Pioneer Valley is the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Its rich history and distinct culture is told through 100 prose and poetry selections. Read such Pioneer Valley writers as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath, Henry James, Leo Durocher, Timothy Leary, Pulitzer Prize winners Tracy Kidder and Madeleine Blais, John McPhee, Larry O'Brien, Joseph Brodsky, Calvin Coolidge, and Frederick Douglass. This book is a key to understanding the "Heartland" of New England.