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Book reviews for "Owen,_Richard" sorted by average review score:

Generals at Rest: The Grave Sites of the 425 Official Confederate Generals
Published in Hardcover by White Mane Publishing Co. (1998)
Authors: Richard Owen and James Owen
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fantastic
This book is a must for anyone who reads and studies Confederate Civil War History. I have been looking for a book such as this for a long time. It's a great reference.

Great Book
This is simply a phenomenal piece of work! If you love Confederate history or genealogy, this book is a must for your bookshelf!

Excellent reference.
The authors have researched and visited the grave sites of all 425 Confederate generals, even those overseas.
Each is listed complete with a picture of the man, details of his life and military career (with some corrections of errors on gravestones), name and location of the cemetery, (with detailed directions to the obscure ones), and a photo of the grave marker.
The basic layout is by State, but the Table of Contents, Alphabetical Listing, and Index make it easy to find any information. The usefulness is further augmented by tables showing where the generals were born, died, and are buried, the region and branch where they served, when and where mortal injury took place, (where applicable), and the numbers laid to rest in various types of cemeteries.
In sum, an admirable production, highly recommended for libraries and military history collections, and a valuable addition to anyone's Civil War bookshelf.

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


Campus Aflame: A History of Evangelical Awakenings in Collegiate Communities
Published in Paperback by Intl Awakening Pr (1994)
Authors: J. Edwin Orr and Richard Owen Roberts
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A history of evangelical awakenings on college campuses
If there was ever a time when the academic communities of the world needed the experience of heavens opened and the rain of God's blessedness poured down, it is now. Beginning with a history of higher education's strong evangelical heritage, Orr covers the many campus awakening movements both in the United States and abroad, weaving throughout an historical narrative of period conditions. Closing chapters are devoted to discussion of the pattern and theology of college revivals. In addition to a complete bibliography, this new work includes a thorough index, making it invaluable to students of revival.


Deepest Valley: A Guide to Owens Valley, Its Roadsides and Mountain Trails
Published in Paperback by Live Oak Pr (1995)
Authors: Paul Charles Bateman, Mary Dedecker, Gret James, Jo Heindel, Tom Heindel, Harold Klieforth, Phil Pister, Richard E. MacMillen, Jeff Putman, and Genny Smith
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Great Choice
As a long time visiter to the Owens Valley I found this book to be excellent. Its great for the first time traveler or the person who has been to the valley many times. Its section on side roads is good for those passing through the area and wanting to explore a bit. The history and geology areas are current and answer those questions that arise when encountering the vast numbers of different geological features. While no one guide does it all this book comes close. A great book for those who want a general guide to the valley, its history,geology,flora and fauna.


Gangsters and Outlaws of the 1930's: Landmarks of the Public Enemy Era
Published in Hardcover by White Mane Publishing Co. (2003)
Authors: Richard Owen, James Owen, and Richard
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Cool Fun Book You Can Plan A Vacation By
First rate tour guide of Midwestern and Southwestern crime scene sites of all our favorite 1930's bank robbing outlaws: Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde, the Barker-Karpis gang, Machine Gun Kelly, plus other now forgotten but major figures such as Harvey Bailey and Wilber Underhill. Lots of great historical photos plus the sites as they appear today. Want the lowdown on your hometown's most famous bank robbery or shootout? It's probably here. Also includes neat chronologies and a tribute to the lawmen killed. For the novice it's a great introduction to the Gangster Era and for the serious researcher it's both a worthwhile tool and a nice addition to the true crime library.


Les Onze Milles Verges: Or the Amorous Adventures of Prince Mony Vibescu (Peter Owen Modern Classics)
Published in Paperback by Peter Owen Ltd (2001)
Authors: Guillaume Apollinaire, Nina Rootes, and Richard N. Coe
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Surealistic Irony clashes with pornography
Apollinair creates a novel about a noble that lives a very vivid sex life, almost all sexual standards are shot down in this excellent parade of perverted minds that fill the characters...Excellent fot the reader who does not fear to read something that might be socially unacceptable, though really entertaining. Concerning literature, the book has all that could characterise any other book as a great creation.


The Longrifles of Western Pennsylvania: Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties
Published in Hardcover by Univ of Pittsburgh Pr (Trd) (1993)
Authors: Richard F. Rosenberger, Charles Kaufman, and Bill Owen
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GREAT plates! For a builder, or reinactor, a must!
Some of the best photos ever reproduced of existing originals. For an historian, reinactor, or gun builder, this is a "must have" book


The Spirit of Anglicanism: Hooker, Maurice, Temple
Published in Paperback by Morehouse Publishing (1986)
Authors: William J. Wolf, Owen C. Thomas, and John E. Booty
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A developing spirit...
William Wolf's book explores the diversity of theological development in the Anglican Communion by bringing together descriptions and analyses of three major Anglican thinkers'Hooker, Maurice, and Temple'to illustrate both historical development and breadth of range of what can be classified as 'Anglican' theology. Wolf concedes that there are many other theologians who might have been included; the Anglican Communion doesn't have a definitive person (apart from Jesus Christ)''the Anglican Communion sets aside no special authoritative place for a great reforming figure such as Luther or Calvin'' (p. 137) Wolf also states that 'the Communion has unfortunately produced no systematic theologians of the first rank.' (p. 137). That being said, the theological thoughts and development presented for Hooker, Maurice, and Temple illustrate the branching streams that feed Anglicanism today, a stream that continues to branch forward.

Richard Hooker
Hooker was alive and active as a theologian during a tumultuous period in the development of the Church of England as a distinct body. Politics entered into church affairs on a grand scale; the idea that church and state issues were one in the same was as strong in England in the sixteenth century as it ever was in any continental kingdom or empire. Religious tolerance was a new concept, imperfectly conceived; the idea that each kingdom must be united in religious practice was strong. Hooker was an active apologist for the Church of England, his main opponent being the Puritan factions. 'Hooker's magnum opus was addressed to Puritans who attacked the church of England in the name of a purer, more scriptural ecclesiastical settlement.' (p. 9)

F.D. Maurice
Maurice would agree with Hooker that prayer is social action. Working in the nineteenth century, Maurice was exposed to the social ills that befell England as an imperial power in simultaneous growth and decay. The situation in society was deteriorating. 'Maurice saw that this social breakdown was rooted in a theological breakdown.' (p. 50) Maurice was unique in that he lived a prophetic life (and, like many prophetic persons, was often disliked for his prophecy). He made 'Christology the starting point of all Christian theology and ethics' and made Christ the central focus of all he said and did. (p. 49) Maurice made the Gospel the centrepoint of his educational philosophy, as well as the call not for revolution, but for regeneration of English society upon a truly Christian foundation. (pp. 64-67)

Maurice's view of theology is, like Hooker and Temple, rooted firmly in the communal action of the Book of Common Prayer. 'The Prayer Book becomes the key for understanding the views of the Church of England on the six signs of the Catholic Church,' these six signs being baptism, creeds, forms of worship, eucharist, ordained ministry, and the Bible. (p. 61) This practical and tradition approach was in keeping with the general spirit of the English society. 'Maurice expressed both English empiricism against the conceptualism of continental thinkers and the Anglican's respect for historical institutions as points of departure for theological analysis.' (p. 72)

William Temple
Temple was, in the words of G.B. Shaw, 'a realised impossibility.' A man born and raised in the church, he rose to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury and made the broad church appeal for Anglicanism that renewed its spirit for the mid-twentieth century. 'The general tendency of his faith and theology was toward a more catholic or orthodox position. But this was always balanced by his concern for freedom in doctrine and by his generally liberal attitude of mind.' (p. 104) Temple saw an intimate connection with God through Jesus Christ, perhaps thinking in proto-process theological terms by believing that 'because of Jesus' perfect union and communion with God, it can be asserted that in him God has a real experience of human life, suffering and death.' (p. 112) For Temple, this communion and experience is worked out both individually and communally''the inner unity of complete personality and the outer unity of a perfected fellowship as wide as humanity.' (p. 117)

Temple felt it important to be open to new ideas and developments modernity (perhaps a reaction to having been raised in an era with the expectation of long-term stability and subsequently living in a world turned upside-down by warfare and other social change). Temple felt that freedom of churches and freedom of individuals for inquiry and development, with the guidance of the Spirit, was more important than a rigid adherence to tradition. 'Temple was quite open to the new truth and insights of the modern world and to the critical and constructive use of reason in Christian faith and life. this can be seen clearly in his commitment to philosophic truth.' (p. 133) This, coupled with his call to social action by the church and the working out of Christian faith in everyday life and action, made Temple a major ecumenical figure.

The Current Spirit of Anglicanism
A key word for the current spirit of Anglicanism is comprehensiveness. Anglicanism incorporates catholics and protestants, literalists and agnostics, high church, low church, broad church, in all ways these terms can be defined. 'The Anglican synthesis is the affirmation of a paradoxical unity, a prophetic intuition that Catholicism and Protestantism'are not ultimately irreconcilable.' (p. 143)

The current spirit of Anglicanism is largely based upon Scripture, tradition and reason, with definitions of these three varying a great deal. The authority of Scripture is important, but this does not mean a literalist view. The authority of tradition, best summed up by adherence to the Book of Common Prayer's liturgical forms, is locally adaptable. Reason is used to interpret both the authority of Scripture and of tradition, but must be held in restraint by these as well. 'The spirit of Anglicanism ought in its rich resources to find the wisdom to retain its identity and yet to develop through constructive change to meet the demands of the fast-approaching world of the twenty-first century.' (p. 187)


Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Around
Published in Hardcover by Summit Books (1990)
Author: M. Owen Lee
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Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round
A very interesting book by M. Owen Lee. Gives a good background on how Wagner developed the Ring. Interesting details of Wagner's life, his life style during this difficult life time, how the Ring evolved and became the superb masterpiece of Wagner's new style of Opera. The ring is difficult to understand however Mr. Lee gives a good explanation of the ring, which makes it much more enjoyable.


Passion & Line: Photographs of Dancers
Published in Hardcover by Graphis Pr (01 November, 1997)
Authors: Howard Schatz, Richard Philp, Beverly J. Ornstein, and Owen Edwards
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Beautiful dancers - but not as good as Waterdance
Had I not seen Waterdance first, this book would have been a number 1 for photography of dancers. I'm a fan of the human body, and this book shows it beautifully. While excellent, it leaves me wishing for that something more, that something that exists in Waterdance. I'm thrilled to see that Schatz has continued the water photography in Pool of Light - can't wait for it to be delivered. - Sam Hunter

Photographs of dancers is one of year's best photo books.
Howard Schatz book of dancers photographed in the studio is a high energy look at their subtle grace. Schatz clearly was influenced by the wonderful work of Lois Greenfeild. In fact, many other photographers work comes to mind when viewing this book! But that does not diminish the overall appeal of his work. As enjoyable as his last book "Waterdance" but displayed in a larger format with top quality reproduction. My favorite photography book of 1997.

A beautiful celebration of humyn potential!
This book is a wonderful rareity; a collection of breathtaking photographs that doens't sink to the level of objectification or predictability. The work is a celebration! The pictures are full of life and vitality, and it's obvious that Mr. Schatz has a profound respect for the dancers. He brings out the beauty of each of his models in a unique and interesting way. I will definately look for more his work!


Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir (Naval Institute Audiobook Series)
Published in Audio Cassette by United States Naval Inst. (1998)
Authors: Joseph R. Owen and Richard Rohan
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The Harsh Realities of the Korean War
Although I am an avid reader of American military history, I read few first-person accounts of war because I tend to prefer books about geopolitics, grand strategy, and decisive weapons systems. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book about a marine officer's experience during the Korean War. It was easy reading, its narrative was straightforward, informative, and, I believe, honest, and it provided some valuable insights into the harsh realities of the first of the Cold War's regional conflicts.

The United States' "forgotten war" began on June 25, 1950, when the People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) invaded the Republic of Korea (South Korea). At the time, Author Joseph Owen was a Marine Corps lieutenant stationed in North Carolina, living with his wife and their two young children. According to Owen: "Nobody at Camp Lejeune had expected a shooting war. Nor were we ready for one." A captain who had been an adviser to the South Korean Marine Corps predicted Korea would be "[o]ne lousy place to fight a war. Too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and straight up and down mountain terrains all year round. Except for those stinking rice paddies down in the valleys. Human manure they use. Worst stink in the world." Nevertheless, according to Owen: "The possibility of American Marines in a combat role excited us." Owen writes: "The North Koreans continued to overpower the meager resistance offered by the South Korean soldiers....Seoul, the South Korean capital, fell with hardly a fight, and the Red blitzkrieg rolled southward. In response, President Truman escalated American involvement in the war. He ordered General MacArthur, America's supreme commander in the Far East, to use U.S. Army troops stationed in Japan to stem the invaders." And: "General MacArthur called for a full division of Marines to help him turn back the North Koreans. According to Owen: "The Marine Corps welcomed the call, but we did not have a full division to put in the field;" and "More than seven thousand of us at Camp Lejeune received orders to proceed by rail to Camp Pendleton. There they would form into companies and embark for Korea." Owen's unit, "Baker-One-Seven became one of three rifle companies if the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment....Our ranks were filled by 215 men and 7 officers who had never before served together....Many of [the privates] were beardless teenagers with little training beyond the basics of shouldering a rifle and marching in step." While training, there was much concern about the readiness of the Marines for combat. At one point, after a sergeant remarks that the troops need more training in boot camp, Owen succinctly invokes reality: "They are not going to boot camp. They are going aboard ship. And they are going to fight." On September 1, the company boarded a Navy transport for the three-week voyage to east Asia. According to Owen: "Ready or not, we were on the way to war." And, according to Owen, the 1st Marine Division's orders were "to go for the Yalu River," North Korea's border with China. At one point, a veteran officer provides this paraphrase of William Tecumseh Sherman's famous dictum: "War is hell, but you never know what particular kind of hell it's going to be." The Korean War hell was cold and barren. Owen writes: "We were chilled through and bone tired as we slogged our way back to battalion....The bivouac was lumpy with rocks and boulders;" "The cold weather was as formidable an enemy as the Chinese;" and "Rarely did the [daily action] reports exceed zero degrees, and there were lows of twenty below."

By the time Owen's outfit arrived in Korea, he writes, "we were making bets that the war would be over before we got into it." Owen's Marines could not have been more wrong. While Owen is inspecting his men's weapons, a private asks: "Think we'll get shot at today, Lieutenant?" Owen replies: "We're taking the point for the regiment. If the gooks are there, they'll be shooting at us." A few pages later, after the outfit's first experience in combat, Owen comments: "We were fortunate that the enemy had not chosen a "fight-to-the-death" defense of this hill, as they would when we advanced farther north." But some fighting was hand-to-hand. At one point, Owen writes: "Judging from the noise they were making, and the direction of their grenades, the North Koreans were preparing to attack, not more than thirty yards away." The Captain tells Owen and the other subordinate officers: "The Chinese have committed themselves to this war....The people we will fight are the 124th Division of the Regular Chinese Army....They're tough, well-trained soldiers, ten thousand of them. And all of their officers are combat experienced, their very best....A few hours from now we'll have the Chinese army in our gunsights. We'll be in their gunsights. You damn well better have our people ready for some serious fighting." The combat was, indeed, brutal. According to Owen: "The Chinese attacked in massive numbers, an overwhelming weight, but they also endured terrible casualties." Owen recalls that, while waiting for one Chinese attack, the "men stacked Chinese bodies in front of the holes for greater protection." And the fighting around the frozen Chosin Reservoir may have been the most brutal of the war. Owen ultimately suffered wounds requiring 17 months of treatment, and he never regained full use of one arm.

A few months ago, I reviewed James Brady's wonderful The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea here. This book has different charms. Whereas Brady is a gifted professional writer, there is no elegant prose here. But Owen provides an equally vivid account of this ugly war. Big, sophisticated studies of military history focusing on geopolitical principles and grand strategy rarely offer narrative moments like the ones in this book. Reader are unlikely to forget the Korean War after reading Joseph Owen's Colder than Hell.

That 47 million could breathe free¿
When preparing to travel to an Asian country on business, I seek context by reading of the wars the U.S. has fought there. When I look in those Japanese, Chinese and Korean eyes, I see the children of old enemies and old friends. While plowing through Fehrenbach's canonical Korean War history, "This Kind of War", I took a break and lost a weekend of yard work to "Colder Than Hell" which I ordered based on the praise given by my fellow Amazon reviewers. My thanks to the other reviewers, for this is a superb first person account of a Marine company fighting it's way up and then back down the Korean peninsula in 1950. Marines of Baker one-seven fought and froze to the death too often, but their sacrifice has let 47 million Koreans in the South build a democracy and learn the meaning of freedom. The price of freedom was huge for Baker one-seven, but the esprit de corps so crisply described by ex-Second Lt. Owen carried his Marines from hill to hill. This is an excellent book and a must read for fans of first person stories of war and sacrifice.

An excellent personal narrative on the Korean War.
Colder than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir. By Joseph R. Owen. Reviewed by Mike Davino

Army Korean War expert Lieutenant Colonel Roy Appleman has called the 1st Marine Division of the Chosin Reservoir campaign "one of the most magnificent fighting organizations that ever served in the United States Armed Forces." The remarkable and inspiring story of the division at the Chosin Reservoir has been the subject of numerous books and several films. During their fighting withdrawal, the Marines decimated several divisions of the Chinese People's Liberation Army while at the same time fighting an exceptionally harsh winter environment.

Joseph Owen's new book on the subject tells the story from the cutting edge perspective of a rifle company. The author served as a mortar section leader and rifle platoon commander in Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines from its activation in August 1950 through the Inchon-Seoul and Chosin fighting where he was severely wounded.

There are many reasons given for the outstanding performance of the Marines in northeast Korea during the winter of 1950. It is clear from this book that a large measure of the credit goes to the Marines and their leaders at the small unit and rifle company level.

Owen's narrative covers the hasty activation and training of the company, its brief participation in the fighting north of Seoul after the amphibious assault at Inchon and the details of its intense fighting at Chosin. He candidly discusses the mistakes made by the leaders and Marines of Baker Company, to include his own. More importantly, Owen covers what they learned from these mistakes and how they used that knowledge to defeat the Chinese in a series of intense actions.

Although focused at the company level, the author frames his story with the overall conduct of the campaign. Refreshingly, unlike many books about the Chosin campaign, it is free of partisan sniping about the contributions made by the various services involved. Owen gives credit to the Army units that fought at Chosin as well as the contributions of naval and air forces and our British allies.

This book is rich in lessons about small unit leadership, training and combat operations. It is an excellent addition to the personal narratives on the Korea War.


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