This two volume text is an essential reference and mandatory reading for any Neurology resident or Staff Physician. I had the opportunity to train under the instruction of many of the contributors to this text. I found it to be rich in detail and clinical expertise. I refer to it often in my practice. It is concise and easily understood.

Some people can travel through or even live in a place without wondering about its history or the origin of its name. I'm not like that, which is what makes this book such an interesting and useful tool -- whether traveling here in Washington, or just browsing at home.

I mean, you gotta wonder: Is Humptulips as vaguely rude as it sounds? Who or what was Sedro Wooley? Who fought whom at Battle Ground? Did Startup get its name because that's where you 'start up' into the mountains (and what if you're coming the other direction)? And what about the whole Snohomish-Skykomish-Swinomish-Suquamish-Skokomish-Sammamish mess? This book is an excellent reference for getting to the bottom of it all. Not only cities and towns, but mountains, counties, rivers -- nearly everything with a name (except roads, bridges, and buildings) is listed here.

I do have to note, though, that although this book has been updated at least through the 1990s, it neglects to mention that King County, Washington, was 'renamed' in 1986. It no longer honors former US vice president William Rufus de Vane King, but is in fact now named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (this is true; you can look it up). Apart from that oversight, though, I recommend this title highly for people like me who can't help wondering why where they are, is what it is.

You can't drive through Washington, watch tv news or read a newspaper without this book. Along w/ a map, you can become a true Washingtonian. This book is fascinating.

This book is not only educational, it's also entertaining. Learn why Auburn isn't called Slaughter anymore, and what the original names of that town we call Bellingham really were. Anyone with a historical bent will love this book.

As a young, college-educated Christian, I saw this book (and the movement of PK for that matter) as a last-ditch attempt to preserve patriarchal ideals popularized in the 40s/50s.

In one chapter, Dr. Tony Evans claims that the "sissification" of men in America is to blame for ALL of our problems. About these "feminized males," he writes, "Somehow, many men got the idea that the definition of manhood has to do with how many women they have conquered and the number of children they have sired." I think Dr. Evans needs to reevaluate his definition of feminine, because those attributes sound distinctly unfemale. Or does he really think that females are overtly licentious?

There are a number of purportedly "true" stories relayed in the book which in no way could possibly be true. These "promise" keepers can't even keep a promise about honesty and tell genuine stories with less zing.

All in all this book seems to be just another painful example of someone trying to make a buck off of Christianity. It happens every day, on TV, at the bookstore, and in church.

** I gave the book 2 stars because it is entertaining.

This is an awesome book. If the men in my country (the United States) would take to heart the principles in this book, a whole lot of unhappiness and misery would be eliminated.

I found this American book being used in an Australian church and brought it back to England. It works here too! Covering key issues that men need to get hold of it formed the basis for the start of men's ministry in our church. Some "Transatlantic adaptation" was necessary particularly in areas dealing with racial disharmony, but apart from this it "made the journey" very well.

The first time laid my eyes on this book; to tell you the truth I was a bit frightened. I was expecting a very complex law book that would take me more than one pass over the material in order for me to get the material. This was not the case, the book really made the subjects easy to understand and the writers made the book very easy to read. The tables and diagrams also make the book even better for those of us that are more of the visual learner types. I would recommend this book.

I am being charitable to have given this book a 1 rating. If you want a reliable book, try to find BACKGROUND OF A BANDIT: THE ANCESTRY OF JESSE JAMES by Joan M. Beamis and William E. Pullen. Otherwise this will have to do. Steele's book has a chapter on the "Tennessee James Family" that should be taken with a barrel of salt. There are plenty of James families scattered across the country, but it's a subject of question as to whether there is any relationship with Jesse James of Missouri. I have heard that the errata in this particular book would be substantial.

This is an execellent resource book for James family researchers. All background information appears in order. Very detailed and full of family knowledge. A book worth investing in for any James Family historian.