A vast collection of essays on different criminological subjects that covers most things on a course of study. Will also act as a good book for reference and background reading. Although it appears pricey it does cover a lot of ground and is indeed very cost effective when compared to similar books that offer not much for a similar price. The only criticism is this - if you are wanting a feminist perspective this often comes off as lacking, although in saying this it does (by this ommission) reveal the holes in criminological research that feminists are seeking to correct. Well worth adding to your collection.

E. M. Forster's homosexuality made him 'different' when it came to the public morals of English contemporary society. The essays in this book explore the intricate link between that fact and his fiction. It is not an easy read for a Sunday afternoon, but certainly it opens a new world for anyone genuinely interested in E. M. Forster, colonialism in literature, queer theory and twentieth-century literature. Indispensable from the scholarly point of view. A beautiful journey through the Forster-landscape, with many great vistas and precious finds.

These poems by Robert Morgan, North Carolina's poet laureate and author of several novels, including the bestseller "Gap Creek," and numerous volumes of poetry, are like picking through a woodpile, looking for dry kindling. Most burn brilliantly with the earthy essence of the Southern Appalachians, and most are like kindling: they burn quickly. His poems are conversational and simple, and they deal with such subjects as farming, lumbering, and ramblings through the forest. They have intellectual weight but are not self-referential, since Morgan writes about real life in the mountains. A lovely book, and an absolute bargain for only two bucks--while other poets are asking fifteen dollars for volumes of poetry of a similar length. I woulnd't normally describe a book in monetary terms, but this one is a great value.

...Many of the forty-nine poems collected here document the history of Morgan's native southern Appalachians. The book's initial sequence traces the region's history from contact between the Cherokees and the British to the mid-twentieth century. In poems such as "Wild Peavines" and "Girdling," Morgan writes of the landscape changes that came with white settlement; in such poems as "Thrush Doctor" and "Fever Wit," he writes of old-time customs virtually eliminated by twentieth-century homogenization. Also, toward the end of the book is a very fine short sequence about traditional Appalachian music.

Morgan has always been intrigued by science and math, and a few poems here testify to that interest. "Music of the Spheres" calls attention to the "music" of subatomic activity, and "Pi" contemplates the important irrational number denoted by that Greek letter.

Technically there is much variety here. Some of these poems are in free verse, some are loosely metrical, and some are rigidly iambic. There are poems in rhymed quatrains, poems in rhymed couplets, two pantoums, and a sonnet. Many poets attempting such formal variety produce terribly mediocre work, but that's not the case with Morgan. In many cases you read these poems and admire them before noticing their structure.

Readers who love Morgan's novels and short stories, as well as those who admire his earlier poetry, will find cause for great celebration in TOPSOIL ROAD.

Very simple book to read ,down to earth,very informative in biblical times,on dinners and what and how they where use by jesus into becoming the our savior the christ. also Robert C Morgan encludes the important people at these dinners who makes his story a real love history that is revived again.

This is the first poetry collection by Robert Morgan (author of GAP CREEK) since his excellent 1991 book GREEN RIVER: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS. Printed in a limited edition of only 500 copies, WILD PEAVINES contains nineteen previously uncollected poems published in magazines from the early '80s through the early '90s. Like most of Morgan's work, these poems are set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They deal with subjects such as Cherokee history ("Signal Fires"), the southern Appalachian landscape ("Wild Peavines"), the traditional culture developed by the white settlers ("Thrush Doctor"), and the poet's father's love of work ("Mowing"). Some (such as the already anthologized "Honey") also deal indirectly with the nature of language and poetry. It's a very fine little book, and beautifully designed as well.

Those who are not operators live off the reputation of those who are. Bob Gormly was an operator and performed in the highest tradition of Naval Special Warfare. Not only was Captain Gormly a damned fine operator and Teammate to his troops, but as an officer he looked to the future of the Teams, unlike some of his predecessors who seem to be very adept at bending the truth to their advantage. This book meant even more to me as I am personally acquainted with several persons mentioned in the book. Bob told the story like it was, with no embellishments. Sometimes the truth is very interesting. Good job, Bob, write another one. I am sure you have more in you.

What a great book, the author did a superb job describing almost all aspects of SEAL life. From the history, to the politics, to the training, to the fighting, to the losses, and to the wins. I don't know how anyone could read this and not wish to be right there, fighting alongside the men in the book.

BZ Captain Gormly!

I couldn't put the book down. Capt. Robert A. Gormly tells it like it is. Because of this book I have decided to join the Navy SEALs. For a book to influence me like that it has to be a excellent book.

(+) Most of the photography is very nice and the exercise intructions are very detailed and easy to understand. There are some funny/strange pictures-text layouts such as one where the left page contains information about acne and the right page has a picture of a guy's back and rear.

(-) However, I found the coverage of diet and nutrition to be almost non-existant. The pages containing information about spas and body piercing could be better utilized with more practical information.

(-) At times the personal approach of the book produces text that are just way too verbose such as this excerpt about rowing: "When I think of rowing I think of a crew paddling on the Potomac River, or kayak on the Colorado River, or a rowboat in Central Park . During the spring and fall I venture up to Central Park and get into a rowboat and paddle around the lake for an hour or so. It looks good, but I tell you it is a workout." Doy! Not only verbose but obvious.

* Overall, it's a very good book on barbell/dumbbell/equipment-free exercises. But this book shouldn't be a guy's only guide on fitness.

OK I'll admit it. I bought this book primarily because of the photography. I only gave this book a 4 as opposed to a 5 because It would have been nice to see the faces on some of these specimens Being a woman I have more than a soft spot for well built men. And there are plenty is this book! I can sympathize with the distaste of some of the reviewers on this board. The book does seem to be aimed primarily at gays. But once you get over any aversion of looking at fully naked men. You can appreciate David Morgan's terrific photography simply for its aethetic component without seeing it as intrusive. Further the workouts are very useful and practical and with the rare exception the author didn't steer the reader to thousands of dollars worth of gym equipment. These excecises could be done at home. That being said the book is really written for the "everyman" (or woman) who just wants to get in shape not necessarily look like a model. The writing is simple (but not purile) it lacks the patronizing tone of many fitness magazines and books. I would recomend the book to everyone out there!

As a college student who had never really taken a whole lot of interest in his body, I decided that I needed to start working out so that I could improve my health. My health course got me started, so I began to look for a "guidebook" that would be of assistance as I'm not really familiar with all of the aspects of weight training.

Although I was a little skeptical when I first got this book, I began to read it and realized that there is a LOT of helpful information packed into it. The illustrations are all very tasteful and well done, if not a little overabundant.

If you're looking for a place to start for your overall health, this is where to turn. If you want something more advanced, I'd recommend a book tailored more to exercise alone, as this book attempts and succeeds at being "a guy's manual to his own body."

I loved reading Gap Creek so when I saw The Truest Pleasure on the shelf I decided to pick it up. Robert Morgan is an amazing writer and I truly enjoy reading his books.

Ginny and Tom were well written and very real characters. They fought a lot about Ginny's religious beliefs and Tom being a true workaholic but I never doubted for one minute that they were devoted to their marriage and that they loved each other. This marriage teaches us a great lesson, you never appreciate what you have until you lose it.

Through the vivid descriptions of Ginny and Tom's workload, this book has made me appreciate all of the modern conviences that we have today even more.

This book was well written and enjoyable. I would recommend this book as well as Gap Creek to anyone and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Robert Morgan.

I loved reading The Truest Pleasure!! It takes pride on my shelf along with my other loved books. It was wonderful how Robert Morgan potrayed the lives of Ginny and Tom. The way Ginny and Tom communicated had too many similarities to my own life. I am now reading Gap Creek and I will be looking for my next book my Robert Morgan.

The Truest Pleasure is a wonderful story. Robert Morgan does not disappoint! The strength of the main character, her dedication to her husband, her family and her faith is wonderful. Her ability to try and make all of these commitments come together, and the inner struggle she goes through to attain this is both heartwrenching and inspiring. The common occurence in the lives of these people, particularly illness and death and the manner in which they handle these as a basic element of life are very poignant. It is a story that can make you stop and think about what the truest pleasures in your life are, the things that satisfy both your heart and soul.

If you have a huge Disney book library, this should be in it, but it will leave you wanting more. There are tons of great photos in heare, but it is not a coffee table book by any means. Nice stories from their meories of how it was back in the day... They worked on nearly everything that had ride vehicles. Disney designed and built alot of stuff right at the studiomachine shop, but these guys built a lot of ride vehicles and tracks as well. Pirates of the Caribbean boat vehicle, flying saucers, small world boats, mine train cars, Autopia cars. They built stuff for other parks you rarely hear about anymore, like Freedomland.

(Be forewarned that these guys do not give enough credit to the great Bob Gurr, a Disney Imagineer at WED who did tons of engineering, design, and drafting for most of the great ride vehicles that Arrow built for Disney. They do have some nice stuff about him on page 81, but just not enough. They tend to omit other people as well.)

No index to look things up as a reference. The writing style kind of ambles around with no clear direction. BUT having said all this, it is still an interesting book if you are consumed with the subject of amusment ride construction, especially Disney's. I would not give my copy away, I just wish it were a little better.

This book was a very good one. It focuses on a small company called Arrow. They designed rides for amusement parks. Walt hired them to build some wonderful rides for Disneyland though. This is all about the cars you ride in at the park, and how they move, on what type of track ETC. All the special effects were done by the Disney Company. It's very interesting that a park like Disneyland had this company push the limits with ride design. But unfortunately, as all you Disney Park enthusiasts know, that with Eisner's penny-pinching methods, and the new California Adventure next to Disneyland, most all the rides are 100% off the shelf carnival style rides. A good book! Especially if you want a look in the old days when the Disney Company actually spent money and cared!

The book chronicles the professional lives of the masterminds behind Arrow Development. They worked closely with Walt Disney while Disneyland was being built, and designed many of the ride-systems. The book tells many tales of those days. From semi-technical discussions of the operations of the Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more (all made easily understandable) to backstage tales of Disneyland and Walt Disney, this book is fantastic. Other topics in the theme/amusement park industry are covered as well, and are just as fascinating. This book truly does deliver a credible behind the scenes look at Disneyland and the industry. Well done!