Born in Washington, D.C., to one of the First Families of Virginia, Littleton Q. Washington attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, before securing a clerkship at the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1855, he joined the U.S. Customs House in San Francisco and became embroiled in that city's Vigilante Uprising. Dismissed from office during James Buchanan's administration, Washington made a wild and dangerous journey home across Mexico, which was then entering a bloody reform war.
An ardent secessionist, Washington secured a lieutenant's commission in the Confederate Army and served at First Bull Run. He briefly edited the Richmond Examiner before joining the Confederate State Department where he worked with Judah Benjamin for the balance of the war. He knew most of the C.S. government's top people and was a close friend of Mary Chesnut.
This journal is a fascinating character study of one man caught up in the most turbulent period of American history.

Littleton Washington's Journal is the assembled character study of Littleton Q. Washington, an ardent secessionist who served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army at First Bull Run, and later worked with Judah Benjamin for the balance of the war. Though aptly edited by Douglas Gibboney for reader accessibility, and with informative historical notes, Littleton Washington's Journal is almost entirely Littleton's story in his own words. Highly recommended for Civil War buffs interested in seeing the Civil War from the perspective of one of its many soldiers.

The Scarlet Letter puts even the most morally secure people's beliefs to the test. The line between what is really sin and what is "different" in this novel is one that most cannot define at the end of finishing this book. It makes the reader think about the choices in their own life, and the choices they would make in situations such as those of Hester Prynne, Dimmsdale, and little Pearl. The Scarlet Letter has a wonderful way of depicting the exclusiveness of the early Puritans that is not outwardly horrible, but chips away at the patience of the reader until their feelings towards the Puritans are nothing but distain. The novel uses light and dark in ways that subconsciously show what is Godly and reverent and what is evil and sin. So many elements in The Scarlet Letter just capture the reader into wanting more, and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their beliefs.

I first read this book in high school, and i didn't like it much, which was surprising because i really enjoy Hawthorne's short fiction. i again picked it up recently, and found that loved it. There no doubt that it is a difficult book to read, Hawthorne requires the reader to think as he reads. everything is symbolic of something in this book. Hawthorne has a mastery of the language that you just don't see anymore. think this is one we should re-read every few years, as we mature. I got the Norton edition, which helps a little with understanding the story, but most of the articles were not that helpful.

This was an interesting book. I liked the plot, but the author really needed to wrap up those words that I didn't understand. I mean, I can define any one of the words in the book, save few, but using about 5 of them in one sentence just makes me too confused to try to get into the story like I normally do.

This book is great. Couldn't put it down. Start to finish this book guides you through the tumlutous path to self-realization. An in depth study that doesn't get bogged down in jargon, this book is suitable for the average reader.

This is a wonderfully creative and informative work. The three authors sprinkle personal vignettes with other women's stories to build a primer on how to build a strong spiritual life. Although the book was written with women in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed it and prefer to understand the topics as presenting the feminine side of both men and women. The work combines the spiritual realities of developing a rich inner life while maintaining close connections with others.

I also appreciated the difficulties that women can encounter in their spiritual lives. For example, the authors report that while eight out of nine high-achieving women thought of themselves as spiritual, only two of the nine believed that they were religious. These women were uncomfortable with the patriarchal nature of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Rather than thinking in terms of a gendered deity, many women prefer to identify God as Creator, Spirit, or Redeemer.

I found that the quotes included in each chapter from both women and men richly illuminated particular themes. Quotes are included from luminaries such as Mother Teresa, Virginia Satir, Clement of Alexandria, and Martin Luther King. Another useful feature is that each chapter ends with chapter highlights and a list of short reflections from women identifying "what brings them to life." Finally, chapters have a personal reflections section that helps readers apply different spiritual themes to their own lives.

This book speaks to both those just beginning their spiritual journey and those who have built a strong foundation of love and truth to live their lives well. I highly recommended it.

This is a very powerful book, and one that really takes time to read slowly and really absorb what the author is trying to say. There are great summaries at the end of every chapter, as well as excercises to do that pertain to that chapter.

This is a great self help book, that you can really benefit by doing the excercises. I am looking forward to doing the excercises myself to gain clearer vision of what I should be concentrating my energies on.

I lived in Staten Island, I have never heard of any of the stories in this book, although the author claims they are true. I doubt it. I think the book could have had some more pictures at least. Color Ones! Better as a fiction novel than true life stories. Cant take is serious.

Although this book holds a lot of information, the stories are week and lack substance. I read the entire book in 3 hours (stopping for lunch). The source of the stories was limited, It lacked many popular stories I (being a native Staten Islander) heard as a child (The Dissoway ghosts, Lady by the well, Ghost dogs), and went with the stories made popular by the media. This book would be better as a childrens book.

I have lived on Staten Island nearly my entire life and never knew it's history. Not only does Ms. Macken share ghost stories, humorous ones too, she presents alot of history which makes her book very interesting. Hope she writes another one about the Island soon.