This catalogue has excellent photographs that gives one a sense of the attitude of the Beat Generation. Everyone is familiar with the writers of the period, but not everyone knows about art generated during those years. This catalogue gives a review of art, film, and writing being created at the time. Not only that but it devotes a chapter to women and a chapter to minorites working during the time period. A good source of information for anyone interested in the 1950's to the early 1960's.

This recent book provides a fascinating account of an important World War II subject about which, until now, there has been a dearth of information among the plethora of writings on that conflict. The military chaplaincy played a significant an influential role during the war and such is reflected in this account of a Jesuit chaplain.

The story of John P. Foley is not another WW II memoir written either too soon after the conflict to provide historical perspective, or long after relying on faded memories. Rather, it is predicated on a detailed war diary of a well-educated priest and Naval officer. The author uses the diary accompanied by interviews with the subject as a basis for the book. He has however, the academic background to relate the story in relevant historical terms and offers analysis in this regard. Dr. O'Brien manages the difficult task of balancing a scholarly endeavor with an enjoyable read.

This work is a history book more so than a religious one. It is about a very important part of naval life in a combat theatre. It is not a sugar-coated version. The author pulls no punches about the realities of life at the time, including serious conflict between the chaplain and senior officers.

It seems today that subjects with any sort of religious connotation are politically incorrect however, during the war religion had a significant influence. Any study of "the greatest generation" would be left wanting without an understanding of the historical and social impact men like Father Foley had on those who fought the war.

I love the book! As an avid book lover, I enjoy reading poems about books.I also enjoyed the other poems. I like the way the book is set up-like a menu. Can't wait to share with my students. jrodenberger@juno.com

Buzzy thinks he can invent everything in life including a maid. He can't quite figure out why things just aren't right in his life. His neighbor keeps giving him clues but he just doesn't get it. Finally she convinces him that it is her that he needs and the book ends happily ever after.

I have a 2 year old who started reading this book with Grandma several months ago. She reads it to him in a sing-song voice that just enthralls him. Some days she'll re-read it 7 or 8 times. If you have irish roots you will enjoy sharing this book with your kids. And I think they'll really enjoy it.

Having read a current bio about Gertrude Bell (Desert Queen), which I found a bear to get through due to the less than amazing quality of writing, I was curious about Bell's own writings and thrilled to find some still in print. Gertrude Bell could write!! What a wonderful book. Having an interest in archaeology and the history of ancient civilizations, I enjoyed the material she offered. But even if those aren't areas of interest to you, the people she met and talked to give one a better understanding of the midEast and of people in general. This was a hard book to put down. My only desires were that a map had been provided and that all of her wonderful pictures would have been printed on glossy paper so they could have been better appreciated. (I would have paid the extra!)

Each one of the seven chapters in this mouth (excuse me, book) full of word play is more scrumptious than the last.

There's a chapter on the people behind famous dishes--like the sandwich and Graham Crackers. Readers can also devour tasty treats from the map--like Bacon, Georgia; Cherry, Nebraska; Rice, Minnesota; Hominy, Oklahoma and Pine Apple, Alabama, for starters.

The third chapter revels through menus full of meat. Or so it seems until we learn that hush-puppies are not really dogs and steaks named Tartare don't come from central Asia. Horseradishes of course don't gallop across your plate, and hot dogs, like hush puppies had an interesting etymology.

The fourth chapter covers some of the sweetest goodies you're ever likely to eat, including Chess pie (made with a filling of sugar, cream and eggs), lollypops (including how they got their name), pie in general (and the derivation of that term), Sundaes and pretzels.

Kids will also find out about bakers' dozens, and various other gastronomical odds and ends.

But my favorite parts are the bite-sized Food For Thought sections in each chapter. One lists various laws on various books about various illegal practices related to food--like throwing banana peels on the sidewalk in Waco, Taxes or putting cake in a cookie jar in Joliet, Illinois. Another lists food festivals. January is Carrot Festival month in Holtville, California, for example, while February hosts California Kiwifruit Day and the annual pancake race between Olney, England and Liberal, Kansas.

Events that made candy history will tickle kids with a sweet tooth. Those who fib now and then may enjoy Phoney Baloney, you know, stuff that's not really what it's called on the menu. (Examples include head cheese, Bombay duck, peanuts and Welsh rabbit).

My kids love this book. It's mouth-watering fun. Alyssa A. Lappen

Cruiskeen Lawn was the title of the long-running column in the Irish Times (1940-1966) written by Myles na gCopaleen. Wildly innovative, funny, biting humor, wit and wordplay characterize the column. There are three collections: The Best of Myles, Further Cuttings from Cruiskeen Lawn, and The Hair of the Dogma that give a taste of Dublin's daily bread. In addition to writing as Myles, the author, whose real name was Brian O'Nolan, wrote five novels, all available under the name Flann O'Brien. If you want a laugh, try any one of them. If you've only dipped into the font with the Best of Myles, you'll be doubly blessed by Further Cuttings.

This book provide a visual approach to me to understand more what is the text talking about. It is very clear to me to learn and see the result of a portfolio. Very useful.

This is a wonderful book/tape to use in teaching EFL to youngsters. My colleagues and I have used it in several courses that we have taught and it was always a success. Highly recommend!