Jean Craighead George has always been a favorite author of mine, and coincidentally enough, I have always been fond of wolves, so imagine my surprise when I, the dainty little girl of the 90s received "Look to the North" from my Aunt. Immediately I fell into the outstanding illustrations, and the unique way to follow the lives in my favorite animal.
Several years later, and with a sense of higher literacy later, I am found sitting in my high school English class pulling out one of my favorite possessions from my dusty children stories-bookcase and regained my sense of wonder again for the first time since my innocent age of nine. It's a wonder that the edges wave not been torn as much as my other treasures, and looked upon it as some sort of holy artifact saved in my holy sanctuary now adorned by hundreds of photographs, oil paintings, and sketches of wolves I can know honestly blame the inspiration on this very story. Sometimes you have to wonder how something as insignificant as a children's story can effect your life.
"A Look to the North" is about, you could say, the story of a wolf pack introducing the pups from birth to adulthood. If your son or daughter takes interest in any animal, buy him or her this book. Neither of you will regret it.

In short, this is a wonderful book. Jean Craighead George, author of over eighty books for children, excellently combines her knowledge and love of wolves with her love of words. Written like a mix between the JULIE OF THE WOLVES books and DEAR REBECCA, WINTER IS HERE, this elegant story will find its way into the heart of anyone who adores and respects these magnificent animals, or anyone who admires nature. The illustrations are also spectacular and heartfelt. You can see more of my reviews at other Jean Craighead George titles.

"I love wolf pups" begins the introduction (written by the author) to LOOK TO THE NORTH. George's readers could easily have figured that after at least a page of this educational picture book.

Telling the story of Boulder, Scree, and Talus, three fictional wolf pups, it truly is a wolf pup diary, as there is a new page for every critical stage in wolfpuphood. You can learn something new about early months of wolf pups on every page, while the style and storyline of the book are brilliantly masked as fiction (for the porpose of the book appealing to young ones.)

The full-color pictures only add to the fun of this book, and the detials in them are breathtaking! The pictures alone are enough to tell the story to the very youngest readers, but the words give something the pictures cannot, as do almost all books that I have seen.

Note that older readers will also enjoy JULIE OF THE WOLVES and it's two sequels, JULIE and then JULIE'S WOLF PACK, by Jean Craighead George, the author of LOOK TO THE NORTH: A WOLF PUP DIARY.

And now I have no more to say, so, as ends the introduction....

Why do I love them so? They are wonderful. Look to the north and you will love them, too.

This book deserves more than five stars.

Before going further, let me mention that Brassai's images contain many sinners and show the seamier side of Paris. For example, there are many photographs of prostitutes here. If such subjects upset you, do avoid this volume.

The collection of Brassai's work at the Musee National d'Art Moderne at the Pompidou Centre in Paris was recently expanded from 300 to 500 items due to a large deposit by Mme. Gilberte Brassai, his widow. This monograph greatly benefits from these additions. The monograph also commemorates the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1899.

Best known for his photography, Brassai had many other dimensions: collector, scholar, sketcher, sculptor, and writer. His self description was as "a creator of images." This book does an excellent job of capturing all of these elements so we can better understand the entire man and his work.

As Brassai said, "The meaning of art is not authenticity . . . but the expression of authenticity." Why does he say that? Well, his method of photography required careful staging because of the bulkiness of his equipment and its slow speed. So, although an image may seem like something taken by a news photographer from the Daily Blurb, Brassai's techniques required that subjects hold their poses for long periods of time. Much like Cindy Sherman does today using herself as the model, those in the photographs were often friends of Brassai's who were posing as someone else. So what is remarkable about these "candid" photos is his "use of re-creation and reconstruction" to produce them.

Taking the photograph was really just the beginning. Using darkness as his ally, it is the print that makes the difference to his representations. "A negative means nothing for my kind of photographer." "It's the artist's proof that counts."

Here are my favorite photographic images in the book:

Notre-Dame, c. 1930-32

The Pont Neuf, c. 1932

The Viaduc d'Auteiul, 1932

The Baker, c. 1930-32

Public Urinals, c. 1932

For a Detective Story, 1931-32

The Big Night at Longchamp, July 1937

False Sky, 1934-35

Nudes of 1934

Matches, c. 1930

Picasso, His Studio and Works, 1932-46

Montmartre, c. 1935-37

Metro Pillar, 1934 (you will see a man's face in the shadow of the pillar)

Odalisque Transmutation, 1934/1967 (this is clearly influenced by Picasso)

The essays in the book are excellent. I especially liked Alain Sayag's comparison of his work to Chinese painting.

I also learned a lot about his life. Like many famous photographers he had to earn a living by doing more commercial work. These images often were done on his own time, late at night. Interestingly, many great photographic images were created in only 1-3 takes. In part, this reflected his poverty.

Actually, he had earlier earned a living from writing about France for German newspapers. The Depression began to cut off that source of funds, and photography was taken up in part to supplement his income. By selling the story and the images, he could get paid a little more. He also worked for Harper's Bazaar taking photographs by day for many years.

The text also contains many selections from what Henry Miller and he had to say about each other and their long-term friendship. This emphasizes "seeing only what is."

My appreciation of the photography was improved by seeing his drawings and sculptures. Clearly influenced by prehistoric and primitive art, many of these images look like fertility gods. His women are all bottom. From these, I could understand his graffiti photographs of images that could literally have come from the caves at Lescaux. So in looking for the "reality" Brassai was reaching deeper into our ancient psyches than other photographers before and since.

I came away very much more interested in Brassai, as I am sure you will be.

After you finish consider Brassai, I suggest you ask yourself how you could add more dimensions of expression to your personal life. What can you share that is both "real" and important for others? How can you best accomplish that?

Au revoir.

It was only several years ago that I had noticed the brilliant work of Brassai. The Chicago Institute of Art was having a special exhibit featuring his work. I stood before each photograph for what seemed like an eternity. The way that he captures the essence of the human life, the laughter along with the tears, brings a flood of emotions to any observer. My interest in Brassai only grew from this exhibit. I then started to hunt out books on him, his life, his work but I wound up a little disappointed due to most of his work is out-of-print. When I had been scanning Amazon.com and found a new book, Brassai, I was highly interested. I awaited the day that it would finally be published. That day came. As I turned the pages of the book, I felt as if I am back in the Art Institute. The quality of the photographs, the meaning of the words, by close friends, and from Brassai himself add to the pleasure and overall joy of the book. He depicts a time in history that is meant and needed to be cherished. Brassai reaches into the human heart and soul and brings out strength, determiniation, and a smile. These feelings are only emphasized on the pages of this magnificant book. I only hope that more will follow so that Brassai can touch more lives, touch more hearts, and bring emotions to the forefront of everyone's lives.

When Abrams released their long-delayed book on Brassai last December, THE EYE OF PARIS, I was very critical of the entire piece. The images weren't well-printed, the selection was mundane, and the whole thing had an oddly slapped together quality, especially for such a major publisher. Now we have Bullfinch's answer to the recent Brassai gap, and it is a clear success, head and shoulders above this earlier release. After only a relatively cursory look at the book, it is clear that this is what we've been waiting for. The selction of images is deep and varied, mixing both the iconic with the lesser known, the printing is lustrous and dimensional, and the layout is both attractive and compelling. The production may not match the incredible PARIS BY NIGHT reissue of the late 80's, but nothing probably ever will. That said, this book looks very good indeed. I haven't read the impressively credited text yet, but the visuals are certainly terrific, the most important thing, obviously, in a photography book. It is hard to imagine a superior monograph on this seminal figure forthcoming anytime soon. Grab it and feast.

King George III of England was a tyrant. Thomas Jefferson said so when he wrote the Declaration of Independence and that was why we had the American Revolution and the rest was history. Except that most elementary school American History textbooks have very little to saw about King George III, a defect that Jean Fritz seeks to correct in this comic but historical view of the famous tyrant. Young readers will learn that King George III collected clocks and ate sauerkraut (the house of Hanover hailed from Germany after all), became a king when he was only twenty-two, married Princess Charlotte and had sixteen children, and tried to be a frugal monarch when it came to managing the money of his country (they are some very interesting examples of how he did this). Consequently, Fritz gives his readers an entirely different view of the taxation (without representation) that was a key catalyst for American independence.

"Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?" is one of a series of books by Fritz that teach young students about the major figures and events of the American Revolution (e.g., "Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?", "Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?). There are historical facts and easy humor in equal measure in this volume, but I think that the most important aspect of the book remains that it gives us the British perspective on the American war for independence. There is also a footnote about the King's problems with porphyria, which will be important if young readers are interested enough in the life of this kill to check out the film version of "The Madness of King George," the only film to feature George III in a prominent role. This book has pictures by Tomie De Paola in keeping with the tone of the book, which shows that even if George III was a tyrant, that did not mean he was a bad person. After all, this was a king who made buttons.

I learned all kinds of things about King George, Queen Charlotte and others. It really helped me with my research on the Revolutionary war. In this book you get to learn the funny things about King George and things that happened during his time.

Jean Fritz has created many fabulous books for children. "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?" is one of my favorites. It shows the beginning of the American Revolution from the eyes of King George. The book is humerous and historically correct. Kids and adults will enjoy reading it together!

The Encyclopedia of Louisville is an incredible reference guide and history of the city from its beginnings to the year 2000.The information on African-American life in Louisville is vast and interesting.I encourage anyone who loves or lives in the city to purchase this book. You will not be disspointed.

While growing up in Louisville, I did not have any interest in my "little hick town". I dreamt of leaving for the big city. At 22 I left, for the west coast, eventually hitting the big cities of Dallas and Detroit, on my way back home. Now here, I find this the perfect place for raising my children. This book completes my journey, and brings me home. This is the most interesting book I have ready in years!

This wonderful volume covers people, places, events and things in the Louisville metropolitan area from a historical and cultural perspective in encyclopedia style entries written by Louivillians. As a native Louivillian I am finding it a delight to browse thru the entries learning delightful details about my birthplace and its history. It takes many more universal topics and relates how they have impacted the city and its people. A must for Louisvillians that want to learn more about our rich history and cultural legacy.

We just finished reading EVERGLADES by Jean Craighead George. The storyteller was a great idea. His words really caught our attention. This book, even though it was about real life, read like a fictional story. We especially liked the way Ms. Craighead George used various synonyms to express just how many creatures were in the Everglades in the beginning. In addition to the colorful language, the incredible illustrations by Wendell Miner made the book come to life. Above all, we learned we should respect nature. A great reading experience!

Another spectacular picture book from one of today's greatest writing/illustrating teams, EVERGLADES isn't just a story--it's an epic, one begun thousands of years ago, when water carved this spectacular ecosystem in Florida. Jean Craighead George, author of over eighty remarkable nature books for young readers, lends awe-inspiring power to the pages of the book, while Wendell Minor's lush, colorful illustrations beautifully depict this environment, full of wildlife and vitality. The book, like Ms. George's many others, also has an important lesson to tell. In JULIE OF THE WOLVES, we see the importance of Alaska's North Slope to the animals that inhabit this seemingly bleak, barren landscape (this area is now in danger of more oil line construction). In FRIGHTFUL'S MOUNTAIN (third in the MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN trilogy), we come to know the threatened peregrine falcon, and the many threats humans have posed to it. In EVERGLADES, one feels a strong admiration toward this magnificent, but, sadly, endangered environment, and those who, like me, have never visited it, will surely long to see it for themselves. The narration is moving and fascinating, as a Seminole Indian describes to a group of children the evolution of the Florida Everglades, and inspires them to fight to help it survive. When one visits the Everglades, they will want to see the alligators, wetlands, and panthers of Mr. Minor's paintings. If you enjoy EVERGLADES, you'll fall in love with other spectacular George/ Minor collaborations, such as ARCTIC SON, the story of Ms. George's grandson who lives at the northernmost point in Alaska. As he grows up, he learns about the Inupiat Eskimos who make their home there and the tundra land around him. Mr. Minor's illustrations are quite lovely, and there's as much snow and ice in ARCTIC SON as there was grass and water in EVERGLADES. There's also MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT, which focuses on the day-to-day lives of different animals throughout the U.S. The text it written very poetically, and Mr. Minor's illustrations of raccoons, seals, antelope, and birds are full of warmth and inspiration. And next year, a new book entitled LONESOME GEORGE will be published. This is about the famous, oldest Galapagos tortoise. Ms. George has also written a new young adult book about the Okefenokee Swamp, which is sure to be as full of environmental splendor as EVERGLADES. I can't wait to see them.

Jean Craighead George has done it again! What a wonderful perspective and simple telling of the history of the Everglades. As told by a Seminole Indian to the children, this story (and wonderful illustrations) produces a profound respect for the "River of Grass" and its future. As a teacher in Florida, this book was a fantastic read-aloud to my students during our unit on the Everglades. I also used George's other ecological mystery, Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo, to study Florida's ecology.

1...for this uneducated old fool who has been pursuing a strange intuitiive feeling that postmodern philosophy had hidden somewhere within it a core that would clarify my self educated understanding of existence but had almost given up on all the danmd word players, loyatard's 18 pages offering his overall view of existence and cosmic evolution has renewed my hopes of discovering even more treasures amongst the trash of this world. 2...i am also profiting from (learning and enjoying) the other offerings. 3...if there are other treasures up to this level available, this blind old hawg hopes to find them. 4...for "late-in-life" autodidact lovers of heuristic learning such as i aspire to be i say "don't give in to supposed expert word game players"

1...for this uneducated old fool who has been pursuing a strange intuitiive feeling that postmodern philosophy had hidden somewhere within it a core that would clarify my self educated understanding of existence but had almost given up on all the danmd word players, loyatard's 18 pages offering his overall view of existence and cosmic evolution has renewed my hopes of discovering even more treasures amongst the trash of this world.2...i am also profiting from (learning and enjoying) the other offerings.3...if there are other treasures up to this level available, this blind old hawg hopes to find them. 4...for "late-in-life" autodidact lovers of heuristic learning such as i aspire to be i say "don't give in to supposed expert word game players'

No wonder Lyotard (and many of the other European philosophers) have truly irritated most of the North American preachers of the TRUTH. To begin with, his style is not the old Aristotelian-based method argument but more in line with the brother's Grimm. In particular, his reply to Rorty just about made me cough up my cup of tea into the book it was that funny.

The argument of objectivity is getting very tired and, after all the work done by Godel, Chaitin, Perlovsky, Einstein and Prigogine, really seems to have been undermined by it's supposed saviour, science. Time for new ideas and Lyotard's style should be one of the first. After years and piles of books by de Bono one wonders why ideas are still being presented in the dry vacuum of middle-excluded logic.

Definitely worth reading and pondering.

Simply fascinating book on ordinary plants in your own yard. Great recipes and very entertaining. I did not know you could eat half of this stuff! Wowie!

This is the first wild-foods book I have found that is ideal for children. Preteens and young teenagers can be intimidated or overwhelmed by Billy Joe Tatum, or tuned out to the personal story flavor of Euell Gibbons. This book is so clear and so beautifully illustrated-- it is perfect to get young people involved in the foraging lifestyle. It's botanically precise, as well, to assuage the fears of worried mothers! The book is not just for young people, of course; it is a joy for foragers of all ages.

Thanksgiving is given a new point of view and retelling in this very special picture book. Jean Craighead George, the Newbery Medal-winning author of JULIE OF THE WOLVES, as well as nearly 100 distinguished nature books for young readers, presents the story of the first Thanksgiving with warmth, fascinating detail, and lyrical as well as informative storytelling. Thomas Locker's colorful, classical paintings beautifully complement the author's words. The story begins with the formation of Plymouth Rock, a huge, two-million year old glacial mass that comes to rest in Cape Cod. Then the Pawtuxet tribe arrives, earning their living from the land, including Squanto, who is later captured by Englishmen and sold into slavery. Across the ocean, Pilgrims seeking religious freedom set out on a perilous voyage to America. Upon reaching the New World, they must deal with many hardships including disease, starvation, and death. Still the Pilgrims endure. In the springtime, Squanto, freed from slavery and now a member of another Indian tribe, arrives, bringing peace to the people of Plymouth. He teaches them how to grow crops, catch fish, hunt deer and turkey, showing the Pilgrims the importance of respecting the land and using it wisely. In 1621, after a bountiful harvest, a great celebratory feast takes place for three days, in which the people gather and eat and play games--the first Thanksgiving. This story is a unique portrayal of historical events, always keeping the reader intrigued and awed, with its terrific writing and inspirational illustrations. As she does in every one of her books, Jean Craighead George reminds us of the need to honor our natural resources and every living thing on the planet. In this story, too, she sends a message of peace that will inspire every person and reach beyond one day in November, to give thanks every day for what we have.

Want to know where Plymouth Rock came from and what it has to do with the pilgrims? What happened when the Mayflower finally sighted land? This is the book for you. The First Thanksgiving is history, community, geology, and science in a very beautifully illustrated and believable story of the colonization of Massachusetts. The pilgrims came to the New World looking for religious freedom only to be met by fear, death, hunger, and an insightful and helpful Pawtuxet, Squanto. It was from his willingness to share his knowledge that we have the celebration of Thanksgiving.

My 4-year-old son Sam has had this book for more than a year, and still enjoys reading it. There are lots of pictures that parents and children can explore together and talk about, and the text is straightforward and clear. I'd like to find more like this!

This book is very entertaining for children ages 7 to 10. It is detailed, informative, and clever. It uses words that children understand, and the pictures are terrific. If you have a child who wants to know the details of how things are made, this is a great resource. I only wish that George Jones would write more books similar to this one.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten revolutionized the way we cook with this approach to cuisine. The beauty of it is that all these recipes really are easy to use and can awaken your senses to cooking creatively in your own home kitchen. Tons of excellent and easily transferrable preparation skills, too (e.g., a fool-proof way to cook a fish filet). Vongerichten's two cookbooks are the ones I turn to over and over again whether making dinner in the middle of the week for two, or entertaining a large group. The flavors will knock you out!

I loved it. I am a French-born average home cook and it opened up a lot of horizons. It gave me confidence about putting dishes together. Normally, when I read a cookbook it seems that the thing to do is follow the recipe. With this one you get the basic for creativity, not that there are not full-fledged recipes to be reproduced, but the bulk of my interest was on new approach to basics. And it is simple.