Cemeteries and Gravemarkers is the leading book on interpreting culture from cemeteries. The edited volume includes research by geographers, art historians, historians, folklorists, and anthropologists on various aspects of cemeteries and their gravestones in the United States. The volume encompasses the diversity of approaches to cemetery research from various disciplines, focusing on the cultural information to be obtained. The book is quite readable for the interested member of the public, but also suitable as a text for a university or college course and is a principal scholarly reference for researchers. The book is divided into four sections, including "Icon and Epitaph," "Origins and Influences," "Ethnicity and Regionalism," and "Business and Pleasure." In the first section we learn of the meaning of the icons or motifs on the gravestones of children, loggers in the Northwest, and other insightful discussions of imagery. For example, while it is common knowledge that lambs are a typical motif used for children's gravestones, an article by Ellen Synder provides an in-depth discussion with excellent illustrations of various images used in childrens' gravestones. In the second section, "Origins and Influences," we learn of the unusual folk traditions of cemeteries in the South by Gregory Jeane, as well as the splendid monuments in New Orleans cemeteries, in an informative article by Peggy McDowell. Perhaps the most important part of the book for anthropologists is section three, "Ethnicity and Regionalism." Here we have four articles that provide information on the diversity of cemeteries used by enslaved Africans, Native Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Anglo-Americans. These articles provide a solid basis for interpretations of culture from cemeteries. In the last part of the book, "Business and Pleasure," we are treated to an excellent summary of the growth of the "rural or garden cemetery movement" in the nineteenth century, with its elaborate gravestones and picturesque cemeteries. The editor, Richard Meyer, is to be commended for compiling such as diverse group of scholars for a conference that resulted in the present book. The book is well referenced, with excellent illustrations, and many insights to be found.

Homer Croy wrote this informal biography of the James boys of Missouri, first published in 1949. The author uses homespun sources for many of the stories and anecdotes of Jesse and Frank, the Younger brothers, and their nefarious associates. Mr. Croy lived near Jesse's base in northwestern Missouri, hence the title. Croy was born the year after Jesse died, and considered himself almost a contemporary. He traveled to various towns and farms interviewing folks who remembered the Widow James and her famous sons. The result is a casual history, and reminds one of sitting on a front porch in small town Missouri while the old people spin tales. Lest one doubt the credibility of the sources, Mr. Croy takes care through newspaper archives and other, more objective sources to verify the facts. He also briefly examines the influence of Frank and Jesse on dime novels, art, and movies. Croy is forthright in his biases, but also keeps his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. Out in Missouri, folks truly admired Jesse and Frank, especially their low opinion of banks and railroads. It's doubtful that Jesse James was really an Old West Robin Hood, but the book never seriously suggests that as a fact. We can believe that Jesse's killer, Bob Ford, was a coward, and that Pinkerton men were considered polecats. Decent folks just didn't stand for that type of behavior. The book won't give the reader any particular insight, beyond the obvious, of the James boys and their motivations. Nevertheless, it's an entertaining blend of fact and folklore. Good light reading for students of Western history. ;-)

I first read this book in grade school, UMPTEEN years ago, when , mostly to annoy my Mom, I set about reading every book I could find on western outlaws. After my "Billy the Kid" era, I moved on to Jesse James. First I read the "scholarly" books with the ooky pictures of dead outlaws and Jesse's scary one-armed mother (her hand was blown off by a bomb lobbed through the family door by the Pinkertons.) Then I found Homer Croy, who tells roughly the same stories, but with a wonderfully humorous and personal writing style. Stylistic, yes, and probably more legend than truth. But of all the books, this is my very favorite. I was so happy to learn it was back in print. I assume that Mr. Croy has passed on, but he hasn't, I'd travel to wherever he is to buy him lunch. Perhaps not a "great" book in the sense of, say, WAR & PEACE, but a great book nonetheless.

A well written book by a fellow NW Missourian, Mr. Croy interviewed many eyewitness's to the actual James gang robberies. It is easy and fun to read. A must have book.

I find this book clear and easy to read on machining topics. The photographs and illustrations fit well with the text. Generally a worthwhile beginners to intermediate book for pre apprentice to 3rd year. However in future editions I would like to see ISO metric information on topics such as threads and tapers along with limits and fits. I would also like to see a change to more up to date toolposts and tool holders for the lathes.

Now I sale a machine tools like Horizontal boring machine, flow forming machine, balancing machine, friction welding machine so and so in korea. I am looking for the book that explain almost all kind of machine tools. Could you recommend like this book?