An outstanding addition to Kalmbach's acclaimed "Classic Trains" series, GM's Geeps: The General Purpose Diesels is a beautiful, highly recommended photographic tribute to the first generation of bidirectional, accessible, all-purpose diesel locomotives as they plied North American rails from the end of World War II down through the early 1960s. An informative text is enhanced with additional technical illustrations and photos that will enable the dedicated railroad buff to spot the subtle differences between various production models of GP (for General Purpose) engines manufactured from 1949 to late 1963.

Nancy must solve the mystery of missing famous woman and a jewel theft. Very good!

In Choosing Schools, Schneider et al. have raised the bar in the highly-politicized academic debate over school choice and its consequences. Using survey data from two school districts in New York City and two in suburban New Jersey, the authors probe many of the familiar questions, including parent information levels, preferences and school performance.

Where the book really shines, however, is in the consideration of atypical questions, including the importance of parental information networks on the success of choice and the impact of school choice on the formation of social capital.

As Stanford professor of political science Terry Moe writes in review, Choosing Schools is a "tour de force." I encourage anyone interested in the theory underlying education policy and privatization of public goods to read this book.

In the 1990s school choice has been a highly contentious and passionately debated topic of discussion in schools, government and the popular press. There are, I am sure, more reams devoted to this subject than to violence in schoolyards. Yet, much of what is claimed to be evidence for or against school choice is colored by ideology and/or politics - not careful analysis of the causes and consequences of choice programs. And therein lies the distinction between Choosing Schools: Consumer Choice and the Quality of American Schools and the myriad other texts on the market today.

Utilizing information culled from hundreds of residents in four school districts (two each in New York and New Jersey) the authors of Choosing Schools furnish empirical answers to long-standing questions in the school choice debate: What do parents value in education and do parents choose schools based upon these valuations?; How much do parents really know about their children's schools?, and; Does choice increase parental involvement in the schools? Devoid of hyperbole (a downfall of many self-styled policy pundits) and underwritten by careful theorizing and analyses, the bottom-line is clear: While school choice is not the sole panacea for all that ails the educational enterprise in this day and age, it is a powerful antidote to the sluggish, generally moribund public education system in America.

Choosing Schools is, in a nutshell, exemplary social science and this well-reasoned book deserves a close read, especially by those who matter most in the school choice debate - parents, educators and politicians looking forward to the November polls.

The title of this book, more than anything else, misses the mark here. "A History of America's First Wilderness" suggests a comprehensive history of key forces that shaped Adirondack geography and culture, and this book doesn't attempt to be that. Paul Schneider is a journalist, not an historian, and this difference in perspective is reflected in his writing. His book consists of a series of anecdotal essays, snapshots in time, with little thematic development, analysis, or reference across chapters. It's enjoyable reading and will give some insight into historical forces that have formed the ongoing battle in the Adirondacks over development, but better regional histories, such as Diana Muir's "Reflections in Bullough's Pond; Economy and Ecosystem in New England" probe deeper than "The Adirondacks" even tries.

Schneider knows his Adirondacks in a superficial way, and after reading his book, so will you. If the topic intrests you, pick up a copy of CONTESTED TERRAIN by Philip Terrie. Contested Terain is as sound as The Adirondacks is shallow. Style, of course is a matter of taste. Many people appear to enjoy Schneider's carefully studied casual prose.

Paul Schneider's The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness is both good history and great story-telling. Taking the region that is now the Adirondack Park from the first arrival of whites through the present, Schneider skillfully weaves together both present and past. For example, his chapter "The Prince of Otter China" tells about fur trapping today, and introduces the reader to several living "characters." Neighboring chapters then recount the history of trapping in the Park. Other groupings of chapters do likewise for lumbering, wilderness guiding, and mining. One "chapter" of the Adirondacks which he unfortunately slights are Dr. Trudeau and the tuberculosis "cure cottages" in and around Saranac Lake. This small quibble aside, I recommend this book to readers -- both New Yorkers /Adirondackers and general readers -- who want to learn more both about a specific, fascinating place and time and the idea of the American "wilderness" in general.

This is an excellent book about the Cape and its history.
There are lots of nuggets of interesting and original information. The book, however, suffers from its rambling and discursive format. It really is a ramble.

I thought that Schneider attacks this book with the best of intentions and scores on many points, specifically the history of the Naussets, Champlain's adventure on the Cape and early whaling ships (including the Essex). Where he failed was in the telling: too often he jumped from event to event in a disjointed history or re-related events in a clumsy narrative. Too skimpy to be history, too spotty to cover the entire Cape, I liked this book despite its problems because it gave me some great historical perspectives of the beaches and sea where I live.

The amazing deluge of tourism each summer truly ignores the elaborate history of some of New England's most beautiful coastline. For many of us who live or travel there when time and traffic allow there is this fine book to fill in the grey areas.

Unfortunately, regional history is not as popular to most readers as a spy novel or biography. This book bounces between the author's journeys in Kayak along the islands and coastline and the chronological history of travellers and settlers to the coast. There are humorous accounts of indian encounters, misguided settlers and an all too unpleasant tale of life aboard the Mayflower. Not all as we had once been told in grammar school.

The endnotes are substantial and the book can at times seem more academic than entertaining. However, I passed this on to two friends and we have laughed and shared our favorite stories over beverages. A good book and a nice read.

The book focuses on a man whos life plays as much a part of the world in which we live as does the ant I stepped on while walking to class. The book is 900+ pages that could have been condensed into 250. The author is very long winded and at many times extremely boring. The story is about as clear as a VCR user's manual. I would only recomend this book to the insonmiac and to those who hold an incrediblely overwhelming knowledge of Germany during WWII, and would like to know about each and every prisoner in German concentration camps.

I am dumbfounded at the negative review--"The book focuses on a man whos (sic) life plays as much a part of the world in which we live as does the ant I stepped on while walking to class." Paul Schneider as Bonhoeffer said must never be forgotten. This book is an admirable attempt to rescue him from his undeserved obscurity--he should be on the calander of all Christian Confessions. It is true the book is ungainly and should be reprinted in a smaller size perhaps like Bethke's biography of Bonhoeffer. What was it the negative review said--"I would only recomend (sic) this book to the insonmiac and to those who hold an incrediblely overwhelming knowledge of Germany during WWII, and would like to know about each and every prisoner in German concentration camps." Well exactly! we need to thoroughly understand Germany in the 1930's and the saints God raised up to combat its murderous idolatry ("incredibly overwhelmingly"--is that how you say "thorough" these days? We also seem to require the school at which the unfortunate ant was crushed to make this reviewer take an intensive course in expository writing) Paul Schneider died in obedience to his risen Lord--he died in and with Christ. He was not an ant--though I agree that seen through the lenses of the culture of death he may seem one. More glory to him. Remember Paul Schneider.

The Buchenwald Apostle is a highly-readable, well-researched, important work. Pastor Paul Schneider, a husband and ultimately a father of 6 children, put his life on the line to oppose Hitler's Third Reich. Schneider was a true hero supported by a faithful wife. Both were faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Foster wrote this book in chronological fashion and included not only the story of Schneider's life, but the history of the period. It is a relatively long book due to the presentation of many letters and Schneider's sermons. However, I found that these gave a greater insight into the man and the time. This is a 5-star book!

This sensational book of the sexy secrets of Pompeii was a wonderful turn on for my wife and I. Erotic tales of young and old baggy lovers create an essence that you will never forget. The secrets of ancient and burried passonate love making is finally uncovered and available for all.

This book is with out a doubt an wonderful souce for students and Pompeii fanatics. As a classist myself, I was enraptured by this book. Zanker is able to intergrate the archaeological evidence with a comperhensive look at the pompeian socity. This is not to be missed!!