Mary Jane Alexander, I am a New York film critic and enthusiast.

Film historian and authority James Robert Parish has done it again! "The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood," like all of Mr. Parish's well-regarded books, is comprehensive, thoroughly accurate and immensely readable. The sheer research is astounding and Mr. Parish uncovers the many fascinating tidbits that enliven film history. This is a book that is a must not only for every film and media library, but also for the general reader and film fan who wants is interested in the careers, lives and place in film history of the many ethnic stars who have thrilled us on screen. Bravo.

Also recommended: The Hollywood Songsters; Hollywood Divaas; and Hollywood Bad Boys

This is a wonderfully concise, detailed, and helpful general reference source for anyone researching ethnicity in the major films, television shows and performers of the past century. The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood is easy to read, gives only the important highlights of each title and personality, and is well-indexed. The photographs in the book are nostalgic and illustrative. It's all in here -- the breakthroughs, the award winners, the important firsts, as well as other contributions that make Hollywood history and today's Hollywood unique.

The movies have always help guide and shape moviegoers into an an understanding of who they are, where they're from, and where they're going. But much of the vast American public has been virtually invisible on the screen -- which is why this book is so valuable. Our overlooked ethnic groups -- African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Jewish Americans, and Native Americans -- now have a wonderful reference source to help them understand who they are, where they're from, where they're going. This encyclopedia may be a bit pricey for average bookbuyers (where's the cheaper paperback edition?), but it will be criminal if every library in the country doesn't make it readily available.

To read Home in the Village is to be transported to a slower, simpler way of life seldom found anymore. The people of McClellanville are basically good, solid, hard working, God fearing, salt of the earth folks, who struggle through hard times, supporting and accepting each other as best they can. Dr. Bonner has effectively taken us into homes where everyone is considered family, either by blood or long term proximity and has given us a close look at what community really means.

author of George A. Trenholm, Financial Genius of the Confederacy

Dr. Bonner has described the people of McClellanville, a fishing village on the coast of South Carolina. His story goes back to the early history of many of the groups of people including the native inhabitants and the first European settlers including Huguenots and Anglicans.
The book describes the participation of the residents in wars and shows the way that economic factors affected the lives of the people and influenced where they made their homes. Young people often moved to other areas for financial survival after the Civil War and the great Depression in the 1920's. Both hit McClellanville hard.
Churches and education played a large part in the history of "The Village". Educated women worked at teaching jobs and in local businesses to help support their families. The seventy pictures in the book bring the village people to life. They help the reader to understand why young people in the families have continued to return "home" to visit, raise their children, and often to retire after having careers elsewhere.
Dr. Bonner has written a readable, practical account of one family that is related to most of the McClellanville people, past and present.

I passed by McClellanville every day on the way to Georgetown, SC on business and always admired the natural, untouched beauty of this community and the tenacity of the residents in this tiny southern town to keep the gentile, uncomplicated lifestyle that made the South THE place to live. This book is a well written, accurate and touching compilation of the history of this remarkable village and its people. Definitely a great read.

Film historians James Robert Parish and Michael Pitts's "Hollywood Songsters" have outdone themselves with this handsomely designed three-volume set that is worth every penny. Filled with rare photos, "Hollywood Songsters" has comprehensive, accurate and fascinating entries on over 100 "singers who act and actors who sing." The lives and careers of everyone from A to Z or June Allyson to Mae West are covered in intriguing and fact-filled detail. Who would have thought that such an indespensible reference book could also be a page-turner. Once you start reading this treasure trove of information it is hard to put down because of the insider tidbits and behind-the-scenes facts that fill the well-written pages. As theater and film critic and lover of musicals, I find this a most wonderful addition to my library as well as a great read. The filmography and lp and CD bibliography on each singer is unparalled. Bravo to Mr. Parish and Mr. Pitts!!!

This is an informative and delightful set that has information on Hollywood songsters that can be found no where else. Each entry has a wonderful picture accompanying. I have spent many, many happy hours pouring over the entries and learning facts about my favorite stars. This is a must have for all libraries and any scholar of musical theatre or musical film or just popular music of the 20th century. Well worth the money! It is clear that Parrish and Pitts have done their homework, but even clearer that they have a love for the subject matter and it shows on every page. As a songwriter with a love for the field, I use this book constantly.

This project has to be a mad labor of love on the part of the authors -- how else / who else would produce a 3-volume directory of singing in the movies? We must applaud and support the authors for this massive work -- I can't imagine it not being definitive -- by urging local libraries to carry it. A database like this should be available to everyone!

Practical Insights into the Mechanics of Conflict January 6, 2003
I read this book nearly 10 years ago and found it very helpful. As a pastor of over 23 years and a survivor of a few humdinger conflicts, it was comforting to know that conflicts have patterns. It also helped me control my own responses.

I wouldn't wish church conflicts on a dog, but they seem to come (to most of us in the ministry, not dogs!) no matter what precautions we take. But they can often be contained early, and this book can help. It will also help you accept that conflict is common and to be expected, therefore leading us to the conclusion that one should be as prepared as possible. The chapters are all pretty good, but those written by Speed Leas excel.

The time to read this book is before (or early on)conflict begins. Every pastor needs to be prepared for what is inevitable. Lay leaders (board members, etc.) can also benefit from this book. Also helpful would be Terry Muck's book, "When to Take A Risk."

The authors approach Church Management from their various perspectives, but all seem to have a grip on managing a church, everywhere from facilities to staff to offering security to planning.

This is a fine book with some great specific suggestions.

Ray Stedman captures the heart of God with the message of this book. It is a MUST read for every member of the Body of Christ hungry for deepth and meaning in the Church.It is a call to our roots; our foundation; our very reason for being the Body of Christ!!

Having lived in St. James Parish for most of my life, this book gives a great look into the past. While many of the sites stated in the book have been lost in time, this book gives a look back to the eary years when this parish was a little Cajun settlement. Being black, this book has given me a link to my family's past and our cajun roots

excellent book (like all books from James Robert Parish published by McFarland ! ) that covers more than 264 films about angels and ghosts in the movies till about 1993. A reference-work for every serious filmbook-collection. There are not many books covering this filmgenre in such a complete way.

This is one of those books that you have to read over and over and over again! Nicely illustrated, teaches a reverance for nature.

In his history of this westside-Indianapolis parish, James Divita does a surprisingly good job of providing an informative and entertaining text. Within this book can be found not only the story of the parish, but various sections giving information and insights into this church's important and colorful people. Easily read and filled with superb photographs, the book is one which the reader may want to browse repeatedly. This book, another in Divita's excellent series of Indianapolis Catholic histories, is a must-have for any person interested in local church history.

What is good about this book is that it not only covers the familiar bad boys like Bogart and Mitchum but also such lesser known but nonetheless fascinating men like Tom Neal and Lawrence Tierney. And it covers the entire history of Hollywood from Wallace Reid of the silent era to Robert Blake who is in today's headlines. Anyone who knows Parish's books will want this one. And anyone who doesn't better start.

This is a fascinating look at Hollywood history. Bad behavior is as old Hollywood and bad boys go back to the earliest days. But this is not a simple recap of tabloid stories; this is an indepth look the backgrounds and careers of these bad boys. It also traces the consequences of this bad behavior. The book could also serve as a cautionary tale; much of this bad behavior is the result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or completely destroyed promising careers. I recommend this highly interesting book.

Hollywood has a long history of bad boys as this fascinating book shows. Bad behavior is as old as Hollywood,but this book is not a simple recap of tabloid stories. It gives an interesting background to the actors' careers, their missteps, and the consequences of their bad behavior. It can also serve as a cautionary book. So much of the bad behavior is a result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or destroyed very promising careers. I would definitely recommend this book.