The tape media adds the dimension of keeping you going and at the same time lets you think. You may still need a printed copy to see how certain words and names are spelled. On the surface this looks like just such a novel. It even has the standard formula of princes and castles and what not. Why would I have even attempted this novel? My wife insisted that Caroline Harvey; Joanna Trollope was not mindless. O.K. so I was challenged to red this one.
Ha! I spotted the formula and as soon as Lila Cunningham hit Malta I figured out pretty much how it was going to end. A curious thing happened. By then I was hooked and had to go on. There were many details that I did not guess. Unlike most formula books that try to hook you on romance or those ones that have endless nonsensical descriptions, this book had the feel that it was going somewhere and only described what was necessary to tell the story.
After I finished the book I said "See it was a formula book." Why would someone want to read about some girl in Malta? It was pointed out that the setting is to depict a different lifestyle. This is not so much of an escape from reality, but a diversion of a different reality. Later you see that the castle and prince and even the Perrimans are the backdrop of real people that we run across everyday. Lila's situations and decisions are ones we may have to make. The real story is about Lila, her choices and consequences. The story implies that she grows up. Personally I think she changed but that does not constitute growing up.
Ayn Rand says that love is a reflection of your values as seen in the other person. You can see this as Lila's values changed, so has the target of her love. Ayn Rand also says that you should not just live for love. You should have a career and or a purpose beyond love. Lila and others discover this throughout the novel. So this novel leaves you with many after thoughts.
Well done Caroline Harvey.

For the past three years, Lila Cunningham has dreamed of leaving her small village to live in London. However, almost twenty-one, Lila realizes her hopes seem out of reach due to her Pa's bungling that has left the family near financial ruin. A desperate Lila turns to her employer, the Perriams for guidance. The elderly couple offers Lila a deal. Lila and Pa can serve as caretakers of their home on the island of Malta.

Lila and Pa find the Perriman mansion in terrible shape with a peasant family squatting inside the home. As Hitler turns his attention on the island, so do some of the residents turn their eyes towards Lila. Schoolteacher Angelo Saliba wants the Englishwoman as his own. However, Lila ignores the native islander in favor of the exciting Anton, nephew to Count Tabia. Anton goes off to war with Lila vowing to wait for his return. As the war hits home, Lila begins to realize that substance is more important than a few luxuries, but is it too late for the transplanted Englishwoman?

The first Caroline Harvey novel published in America is a joy for fans of World War II romances. THE BRASS DOLPHIN is an exciting tale whose non-stop story line centers on what truly matters in life. The characters are intelligent and make the early stages of WW II seem as if it's on the TV. Internationally renowned for her works under the name of Joanna Trollope, Ms. Harvey will leave her admiring readers demanding the release of her other Harvey novels previously published in England.

Harriet Klausner

Comprehensive review of the wineries in Virginia and Maryland. Describes how each of the wineries got started and a bit about the owners, growers, and/or winemakers. Also offers a brief summary of the wines produced. Includes sidebar-type sections on such topics as individual varietals, wine festivals, and competitions.

A wonderful resource if you like weekend getaways, beautiful farms, and, of course, sipping wine! Indispensable for budding regional wine connoisseurs and casual travelers alike.

Elisabeth Frater's lovely travel guide is great for both residents and visitors. I have lived in Northern Virginia for 13 years and don't even drink alcohol, but I found this book to be useful. Frater gives clear, concise information, but also offers opinions. You hear the facts about each winery, but you also here the stories behind each one.

I have enjoyed living in this area much more after using Frater's book to plan weekend trips. Her book was invaluable when family came to visit recently.

Virginia Dove does a good job of portraying people and places and weaving them together into a satisfying story. The book is intelligent and sensual. The reader is easily caught up in the story of the main characters and is able to empathize with them and their motivations. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.

A love story in which two lives are deeply affected by the family hatreds and misunderstandings in a small Oklahoma town. The author does a masterful job of character portrayals, descriptive language, and in bringing this novel to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.

I use this as a companion to my Butterflies through Binoculars book. The great thing about this book is the caterpillars that it shows. I'm consantly finding caterpillars in our garden and wonder what they'll turn into. This book helps sort all that out. The pictures are really good as well

I had purchased three other butterfly field guides prior to this one and this is the best in terms of help in identifying species seen in the field. Based on my experience, the butterfly photographs displayed in this book do the best job I have seen of accurately portraying species as they appear in the field. Photographs of like species are lumped together on the color plates and both upperwing and undersides are displayed. Both common and latin names are given in the species descriptions, which I personally find to be very beneficial. I found the overall format of the book to be very well done. I feel that any one living in nearby areas can be benefited by this book but, for someone living in West Virginia, this book is the definitive work on butterflies. True, there are other books that contain more, in-depth reference information, but none that exceeds it as a useful field guide. This is the book I have been waiting years to see!

Gary Felton

A cow under a beach umbrella? Perhaps with a glass of tea? These are just a few of the absurd images shared in this charming book. In A Buzzard Is My best Friend, Margaret Anne Barnes describes her family's experience on a 112 acre farm. Searching for solace beyond the suburbs, they sought the peace of a country home. Little did they know what lay ahead. As they moved from crisis to crisis, family members learned as much about themselves as they did about farming. They also learned about the animals and birds around them. An ice-water rescue by ducks, and peacocks in a paddock are just a few of the situations they encountered. Written in an engaging companionable style, this memoir explores the triumphs and tragedies of rural living. A celebration of bonding and values, it is peopled with an assortment of personalities, including four-legged creatures. Its insights are lessons for all generations. Originally published in 1981, the work has been reprinted by the Mercer University Press, a testimonial to its timeless appeal. (This book was a joy to read, not only because of its interesting story, but because of the fantastically good writing. Margaret Anne Barnes has a true gift, a natural talent for putting words to paper.)

This book will be re-released by the publisher in February. It is the hilariously funny recounting of a city-gentlewoman's family's attempt to manage a Virginia farm and get "back to the simple things" in life. Their trials, tribulations and mistakes will keep you rolling with laughter. If you have read any of Mrs. Barnes' other books you will recognize her fine writing style. She wrote this from her own family's experience. If you live on a farm or have ever thought this would be just the thing for you, you'll enjoy this book.

I was thrilled to find and read this book, the most complete one about the Canal I've found. As a frequent runner on and veteran of several cycling trips along the entire length of the Canal--as well as a resident of Georgetown--I have long had an interest in and love for the Canal.

The author, Mike High, uses many interesting and entertaining vignettes to tell the story of the Canal. He divides the book into four parts: "Historical Sketch", "Structures along the Canal", "Visiting the Canal", and "Canal Guide".

The first two sections put the Canal into a fascinating historical and engineering context, including George Washington's role in the development of the Canal, and the Canal's involvement in the Civil War. The last section is a concise, mile-by-mile guidebook.

In addition to history, High also presents useful information, including accommodations located nearby the Canal and suggested activities on/near the Canal.

For $... a "best buy".

My family lived in Washington for ten years. We often hiked on the C & O Canal. I studied for a masters in American history while we were there. The C & O Canal Companion would have added enormously to all of those experiences.

Reading this book's vignettes provides intimate connections to our nation's past. For example, The Companion reports that after the Revolutionary War, George Washington founded the Patowmack Company, an early attempt at making the Potomac River navigable because of his interest in his "western properties" across the Appalachian mountains. This guide gives a glimpse of the first President that we do not always see while pointing out visible remnants of those efforts.

In a notation about Chain Bridge, a beloved route to many of today's Washington suburbs, the guide shows the Civil War up close and personal. A Confederate sentinel was posted on the south side of the bridge, a Union soldier, mere yards away, on the north side. Furthermore, that same entry gives a brief sketch of Private William Scott who fell asleep there on his post. Court-marshaled by McClellan, pardoned by President Lincoln, William Scott went on to fight and die in battle for the Union cause. The Companion furnishes helpful information about parking, hiking, bed and board opportunities which are difficult to find elsewhere. It gives addresses and telephone numbers for reservations or further information.

Having looked at the Companion for specific data on one short stretch of the Canal, I have been lured into reading further, more like following a story than studying a guide. It made me want to return to Washington with children, hiking boots and The Companion in hand.

This book is superior in every way. Intended to explore the university grounds from a primarily architectural perspective, the author's writing is both impassioned and objective in its analysis of the unique architectural qualities of this wonderful university. Yet despite a clear cut architectural purpose, this book also manages to provide the best single, practical guide to the university grounds available. The author organizes his well written descriptions around a series of walks, and provides in-depth information, photographs, and history for each building or site encountered. The result is the ultimate guide for newcomers exploring the university grounds for the first time, as well as for those who already know them intimately.

Students, parents, historians, architects, professors...this book is for you! This comprehensive tour guide is just what you need to stroll the grounds and surrounding area of UVA. The writing is superior; the beautiful photographs distinguish this from any other tour book of the university! Buy this for the new student OR the graduate!

As a resident of Washington state who enjoys the natural beauty of the area, I found this book to be a most helpful and inspiring guide. The authors are knowledgable about the natural history of the region, and the text is accompanied by many beautiful photographs. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone planning to visit the area for the first time, or to residents of the Northwest who want to learn more about the natural bounty that their region has to offer.

As a resident of Washington state who loves the natural beauty of the region, I've found this to be the most helpful, informative and nicely illustrated guide to the natural areas of Washington and Oregon. The book is well written, with beautiful photographs, and has not only inspired me to visit a lot of new places but has enriched my experience of those places I was already familiar with. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone planning on visiting the Northwest --- and especially to those already living here!

I agree with the previous reader, this is it ... the definitive book on Charleston Farmhouse. Although I think this book is more than a glimpse of the house and garden for those unable to visit, it is a surperb reference for those of us that have visited and wish to recall the house, etc. The photography is stunning, the text is informative. A worthwhile addition to any Bloomsbury book collection.

i stumbled across this book on a beautiful indian summer sunday afternoon....it is a treasure for those unable to physically saunter through the rooms and out to the walled garden that is charleston. all photos in colour, all rooms as they were when vanessa bell, duncan grant, family and friends lived and worked there. inspirational.

Dr. Turner writes with dry wit and intimate understanding of the beauty, complexity, and mystery of the Eastern Shore of VA.

With the recent purchase of a 1926 farmhouse on Hoopers Island on Maryland's Eastern Shore, I wanted to learn more about life on the Bay. My family and I hoped this book would shed light on perhaps a gentler time, with a return to "the basics." William Turner has written a wonderful account of his life growing up on the Chesapeake Bay in the 40's and '50s. The stories are entertaining, with laughs, as well as gasps, as well as tears. My sons, ages 10 and 6, beg me to retell his stories on our drives to our new Eastern Shore retreat home. From bear sightings to pig butchering to duck hunting adventures to sinking boats in the dead of winter, William Turner paints vivid images in our minds of life on the Chesapeake Bay during a time of neighborly help and family closeness. He is an artist, and shares his sketches in this book as well, which further brings home the true meaning of his stories. This is a treasure!