This is an excellent first hand account of the original discovery of what was to be the Oregon Trail (in reverse). Robert Stuart originally left New York on the ship the Tonquin, funded by John Jacob Astor, and sailed around the tip of South America and then eventually up to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon to establish a trading post. Stuart then proceeded to head back east to report to Astor about the state of affairs of the trading fort. With only a handful of men, they went by canoe, horseback and mostly by foot, from the mouth of the Columbia to St. Louis, then eventually to New York. This historical narrative is beyond words. They faced the hardships of hunger, fatigue, Indians, weather, and about everything else one can think of. It is truly a fascinating portrayal of day to day survival in the 1812 wilderness written from the hand of the man who was there. What I also enjoyed about the book was the Appendix on Wilson Price Hunt who, also working for Astor, took an expedition by land from St. Louis to Oregon at about the same time. His written account is also mind-blowing and puts the whole book into perspective. There is also an excellent forward by Rollins which gives you a background on what you are about to read.

Robert Stuart, a partner of John Jacob Astor, was sent by ship to Oregon on company business, and returned cross country by horseback, canoe and foot. Along the way he kept a journal, written in berry juice, which is reprinted here. Washington Irving also wrote "Astoria" based on this journal.

Our whole country should be grateful to Robert Stuart for his discovery of the Oregon Trail and his courage against unbelievable odds in making such a tortuous journey. This book was first printed in 1935 and the original copies are scarce and valuable. So I was thrilled to discover that Amazon not only sold it but that it was now in paperback! When the word gets around to the rest of his descendants, we will have this book on the best seller list, where it belongs. So take that, Lewis & Clark!

~This book is very well-written, composed of many short (c. 2 pg) articles on various subjects relating to biology/medicine, such as Sickle Cell disorder and Huntington's Disease. Not only are these articles very informative, they are interesting. ~On top of that, there are some really great pictures, including a pull-out poster of deadly microbes. ~The material covered in this book is fascinating, but it's not something that you think about every day (unless you're a biologist or you're really into biomedicine). It stimulates thought, and brings you to the realization that, yes, this is sort of cool. I was somewhat interested in the broad category of biology and medicine, but when I bought this book, I was affirmed in my belief that biomedicine is a remarkably intriguing field of study. ~I would strongly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in biomedicine. It is a truly amazing book! 5 stars!

Exploring the Biomedical Revolution examines the work of frontline scientists and how they are changing the face of modern medicine, with chapters presenting articles on research enhanced by vivid color photos. Many titles on biomedicine are inaccessible to lay audiences; not so this book, which focuses on explanations which are easy to understand, yet with plenty of scientific detail added for those involved in health care. Highly recommended.

Given most art criticism, which focuses on theory with polysyllabic intensity, this book is a perfect, easy to read intro to the artist and one that makes his work more accessible. Don't fear to immerse yourself in this fine, brief bio and its color pics!

Philip Guston's long career had three distinctive phases. As a young man, he took up painting with the WPA artist program and made left-leaning, social-realist murals and canvases in many places around the country. By the late 1940's, he had moved on to abstraction, producing shimmering, painterly works that were somewhere between the dynamism of Jackson Pollock and the stillness of Mark Rothko. In the last ten years of his life, influenced by the restlessness of the 60's, he painted Robert Crumb-like cartoonish images that hinted at even darker comic nightmares than Crumb ever imagined (and, more occasionally, the uplifting power of love and idealism). This last phase may have been the best of all. Storr's great book is an excellent exegesis of all three of these hard-to-follow transitions, by an artist that simply did not make analysis easy. The mostly full-color illustrations complement the text almost perfectly.

"Celebration" is the right word.
Wilkinson and Ingpen portray the world's ceremonies of development (from birth to death), surviving (hunting and harvesting, eating and drinking, healing), socializing (initiation, gift-giving, dispute-settlement), and aspects of spirituality in this clearly written, beautifully illustrated work.
The ceremonial dress from all areas of the world is particularly striking, and the reader begins to see the universality of human experience beneath the colorful variations of cultural expressions; "perfect symbols of the unity of the family of mankind".
With a Calendar of Customs, suggestions for further reading, and an excellent index, this well produced, generously sized work would make an excellent gift for children as well as adults. Highly recommended.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

One of the best books I ever read, helped me a lot with my debates on philsosphical topics, I strongly reccommend this book to all young debaters

this is a good book for someone

As an adult who wanted to learn how to play the recorder, I wasn't sure how (or where) begin. This book is set up from very easy tunes to increasingly difficult (although it never gets too hard.) If a tune involves a new technique (examples: new time signatures, sharps and flats, etc.) the author explains these new things simply and to the point. The best thing about this book is that there are a variety of songs, most of which are recognizable (some Xmas tunes, classical pieces, folk songs, etc.) I wish there were more exercises to increase your technique, but that's being picky. I would recommend this book to both children and adults.

Finally there's a comprehensive book about Glass and his music, with a musicologist's approach.
I think it's exactly the book that was needed, because, even if traces mr.Glass's biography in very broad strokes, the book is more of anan analysis of his music in its different forms.
I think it's a terrific book because:
1- It's by an independent writer, so no hagiography, but a very objective and interesting analysis, all the more valuable for that.
For example, the author is not shy of talkingabout controversial issues, like the critics' attitude towards mr.Glass. (you know, those guys that sneer at his music because it does
not conform to the standards they already have pre-set in their minds)
2- The general tone is that of a vey well-researched and authoritative (if somewhat kinda too concise) book, aimed perhaps more to the informed listener than to the professional musician, which is just fine with me.
It is, actually, a very readable book, especially enlightening when explaining Glass's musical evolution. It really gives you the idea of how and why the music has evolved the way it did.
3- The descriptions of the pieces are great. They're just
like very well written but concise program notes, which is
nothing less than what this marvelous music deserves.
To give you an idea, it's so refreshing to read about the Low Symphony discussed in the same terms of a mainstream full-fledged classical symphony! (which is exactly what it is, in its peculiarly Glassian way)
4- The writer had mr.Glass's endorsement, so there are a few illuminating interviews and, above all,tantalizing descriptions of the pieces that aren't yet recorded , like symphony 6, cello and piano concertos, because the author could listen to the composers' tapes from the performances.
( as you will have gathered, this book is VERY up-to-date)
By the way, are you guys at Nonesuch sleeping? Where the hell are those cd's?? Just reading mr. Maycock's enthusiastic description of the 6th symphony gave me a glance at what we're missing. I know corporate guys don't really care about the music, but hey, Glass SELLS!!
A few minor quibbles: there are no photos and the chronological list of works that closes the book is a bit too concise ( usually in such lists you also get details like first performance, recordings etc.)
Strongly recommended, nonetheless.

This text provides valuble information pertaining to half-lives in different media such as soil, air, and groundwater, aqueous biodegradation, photolysis, photooxidation, reduction and hydrolysis. I have used this information in the past on many occasions when discussing degradation of contaminants. I've foudn this to be a very useful book and am aware of numerous other consultant who have utilized this material.

This is the absolute best reference book on Handel lighting - period. Defalco & Company show that they are the number one authority on the subject of Handel. I have seen many reference publications with examples of Handel lighting but never such a comprehensive work such as this.