In Ireland, more than most places, history is not a distant story but a living presence in the lives of the people.
That history, from Celtic origins to the mid-1990's, is engagingly explored by the authors, who have not only provided the expected political history but also have included the mythic and literary elements which are central to the understanding of the people. Special attention is given to the American connection, which has loomed large in Irish affairs - (there are now more Irish-Americans than indigenous Irish).
Well written, with illustrations, reading list, and index, this is an excellent introduction to the complexities of the Irish experience.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

John Muir: My Life With Nature is one of the best introductory biographies into the life of this great and influential American naturalist available to young readers today. Told in his own words, the text was compiled and aptly presented by naturalist Joseph Cornell who does full and complete justice in presenting the reader with an accurate and revealing presentation of John Muir's personality, life, thought, and accomplishment. Although designed specifically for young readers, John Muir: My Life With Nature will also be appreciated by adults with an interest in this unique and impressive man and his contributions to public awareness of the need for conservation and wildlife preservation.

Joseph Hamburger, who passed away in 1997, has left us a rich legacy by virtue of his trenchant analysis of the complete Mill. While most scholars have focused on On Liberty and his essay on Utilitarianism, Hamburger has chosen to focus on the entire corpus of Mill's work.

Hamburger is the only scholar who has successfully argued that Mill, long considered amongst the pantheon of great liberal thinkers, offers us a look at the conservative strain of Mill's thought. This is arrived at through a close textual analysis of Mill's less well-known but no less salient work, thereby giving us a more balanced view of this important 19th century thinker. A must read for those who wish to understand Mill as he understood himself.

The book "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" by Kenneth O'Donnell and David Powers offers a wide variety of information about the life of John F. Kennedy. Focusing on his political life, with which they were deeply involved, the authors give a perspective on the life of President Kennedy that can't be matched by many others, for not many others knew him as well as they did. Unlike a normal, relatively boring biography, this collection of memories about their friend and president contains stories, personality, and detailed information as seen through the eyes of white house aides and friends. I highly recommend this book to learn more about Kennedy and to have a great time in the process.

I am fifteen years old. The reason that I read this book is because I hope one day to be involved in public life. I began this book knowing relatively nothing about Kennedy, except his assination and his line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This book gives me information to quench my thirst for knowledge as well as inspire and provide me with information that I will be able to use in the future, which I am only aboe to dream of now.

I love this book and feel that it is a shame that this is out of print. I feel that it is atrocious to think of a person not even attempting to find a copy of this book or not reading it if they have it. To conclude, I feel that this book is well worth the read, and so much more.

Of all the books written on Jospeh Smith, John Widtsoe (who was also an Apostle) takes a new aproach to this amazing story. I found this book to be refreshing and unique and very informative. I enjoyed reading about one of the greatest leaders ever written by one of the greatest leaders in the Church. This adds an angle to Joseph Smith's life that needs to be explored by everyone.

This is a truly lovely book: beautifully produced in paper-back with quality materials (so a joy to handle), interesting and insightful commentaries written in styles that aren't bound up by artistic jargon, and a wonderful, comprehensive collection of images in colour, put in meaningful order. I highly recommend it.

Cary has not only thoroughly researched one of the towering figures of the early Revolution, but he writes in an engaging, readable style similar to that of Richard M. Ketchum's Decisive Day: The Battle for Bunker Hill. This is an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in the fascinating early period of the American Revolutionary war and the pivotal characters who propelled thirteen small colonies toward independence from one of the world's great powers.

In 1947 America, what did "Made in Japan" mean? Today, Americans feel exactly the opposite about this phrase, due in no small part to the lifetime of influence of the work of Joseph Moses Juran, one of the world's seminal leaders in the quality movement. Born in 1904, Juran's extraordinary intensity (he's still at it) and his brilliant prescience about quality have established world renown respect for his quality consulting, teaching, and especially his writing. Author Butman depends heavily on Juran's extensive personal involvement in this first and only authorized biography that understandably shies away from a more critical analysis of Juran's impact in business. Butman describes numerous details of Juran's life, including his early life of dire poverty in Romania, the family's trek across the world to live in a tar-paper shack in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his early odd jobs from age nine to sixteen, his academic proficiency and expertise in chess, his college degree in electrical engineering (the first in his family history), and his career years with Western Electric in the famed Hawthorne plant. Juran was employed there during the time of the now famous Hawthorne studies, as was W.E.Deming, although the two never actually met while with the company. Juran's surprisingly frank acknowledgment of his lack of managerial skills and his comments on the fascinating experience working with immediate post World War II Japan (he first travelled there in 1954) establish a personal connection with this self confessed abrasive quality leader who means so much to countless quality professionals throughout the world. Juran's works abound (to quality professionals, his massive 2,000 page "Quality Control Handbook" is sacrosanct) and are considered fundamental references for anyone interested in better understanding the meaning of quality and how best to integrate these principles in any organization. At age 92, Juran now devotes his time to writing a three volume autobiography that should further fill in the details of this extraordinary life. This is a fascinating story essential for all quality professionals. For more information on Juran, check out this site: http://www.juran.com/juran/bio/bio _jmj.html.

I've been lucky enough to see Michael Caduto perform theseNative stories in person. He brings Native beliefs to life inunexpected and delightful ways. The stories he and Josheph Bruchac have put together here do the same thing. They give young readers a chance to explore Native cultures while they learn and enjoy the stories! In addition to Native tales, this book provides factual information and activities on nature and animals. It's an outstanding resource for teachers, parents, and kids of all ages.

This is a superb study of the social and political world of Hungary in the 18th century. By focussing on the Esterhazy's, one of Hungary's most prominent families, the author is able to touch on almost every aspect of social, economic, religious, and political life in middle Europe during the 18th century. From this masterful study, it is easier to understand the social and political unrest that erupted in the major uprisings of 1848 and later resulted in immigration to North America by Austro-Hungarian subjects. I wish that the book had been longer and that the author had been able to expand on each of the chapters.