This book was published in 1868, but was actually written around 1860, before the U.S. Civil War, just prior to Abraham Lincoln's first term in the White House. Tension was building up between the North and South - the abolition movement was gaining support in the North, while the Southern economy depended on slave labor. White Supremacy is a response to these abolitionists.

Van Evrie's central theme is that white Caucasians are superior to every other form of life on this planet, and that God created other races of men, particularly black Africans, to serve whites. Because blacks are naturally inferior to whites, Van Evrie says, it is the natural order of things to force them to work, and what is called "slavery" in the United States is not slavery at all. Rather, because blacks are naturally subordinate, they are only free when put to such labor.

In support of this, Van Evrie includes a comparison of the white Caucasian and the black African, detailing the superiority of the white man's hair ("there is certainly no physical or outward quality that so imposingly impresses itself on the senses as a mark of superiority, or evidence of supremacy, as a full and flowing beard"), color ("color is the standard and exact admeasurement of the specific character"), features, language, senses, and the brain. This is all accompanied by hideous caricatures of the races, showing the tall and strong Caucasian, and the slouching, lazy Negro ("the anatomical formation ... forbids an erect position"), and all the races in between the most superior and most inferior.

Blacks all look alike, says Van Evrie - this is because, aside from age and sex, they are alike. They have no likes and dislikes, or at least not on the same level as whites. They cannot express emotions as whites can, and therefore do not have emotions at the same level. They do not learn like whites, and in fact peak mentally at about the age of fifteen.

Because of these things, it is ridiculous to want equality for blacks in the sense of treating them as whites. Rather, it is our God-given right, and even obligation, to use the "mud races" to our advantage.

It is a thoroughly disgusting work, but also an extremely important work, as it illustrates some popular beliefs during one of the darker periods in American history.

John Smith's "The Vanished Wife" is a thrilling detective novel that expertly fuses suspense with academic satire; it features a truly astonishing detective-hero, James Laud, and keeps the reader spellbound throughout. I couldn't put the damned thing down, and I'm a very discriminating reader! I don't like just anything, you know! BUY IT NOW. JOHN SMITH IS AN AUTHOR WHO IS GOING PLACES!

A Vocabulary of Powhatan (American Language Reprints, Vol. 4) is a small but very high quality book. At first, I felt the price was a bit steep for such a small book, however, it is a hardback and Powhatan language resources are very hard to come by. The two points that make this book special are 1) the editors didn't just copy entries from the original word lists, they cleaned them up, making the book easy to read , and 2) the inclusion of Pamunkey and Nansemond word lists. Many thanks to American Language Reprints.

This is a good collection of literature from the Enlightenment to the early 20th century. Some of the choices were wuite interesting such as Wuthering Heights as the example of the Victorian novel, (I, myself, would have chosen Jane Eyre), but all in all this is a well put-together collection. The biographical information before each author is also interesting and puts the works into context. This is amust-have for English majors and literature fanatics alike.

This book provides fascinating insight on all topics from love to war to farming to manufacturing from an economic point of view. You do not need to subscribe to the classical theory to gain wisdom from this book. You don't even need an economics background to appreciate Adam's insight.

This book was one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and and his brother Hyrum. It was historical, it was unedited, and gave me a unique perspective into the events that lead to their death. I had no idea that the entire state of Illinois was virtually at war with the Mormons.

If you love Single Malts, then this book is a value to add to your collection. It gives you a look inside the industry as it has developed over the last 40 years from a personal perspective. That being said, it is not a be all-end all-tell all book of the industry. So do not look at this as a great history of Whisky making these last 40 years. Just as a reflection on one man's journey within the industry.

HMO's, PPO's, doctors who can only spend 10 minutes diagnosing a condition or illness...all of these are reasons for YOU to start a log of all your health-related symptoms and conditions. Gone are the days of the "family doctor" who knew you and your family and remembered your medical history. Now you are shuffled from doctor to doctor as your medical plans are changed, and no one is responsible for maintaining records about your health except YOU. This easy to use spiral-bound diary includes sections for medications, immunizations, weight, blood pressure, doctor's appointments, symptoms, and diagnoses. A very useful record keeping system for anyone over the age of 40 or anyone who experiences chronic recurring medical problems.

Twenty pages in, there were enough strikes against War Dragons that I doubted I would enjoy it. The whole "Captain's Table" concept turns out to be misleading; there's no time warp that allows Kirk/Picard/Sisko/Janeway to tell stories to each other - even though a look at each cover strongly implies it. The frame story involving the Captain's Table bar is weak and unconvincing. Kirk's and Sulu's stories are told in voices that do not sound like Kirk or Sulu; nor are they told in ways we'd expect a story to be told at a bar. Too much introspection, too much detail.

And yet War Dragons is one of the better Star Trek books out there. The plot structure is intriguing. Kirk's and Sulu's stories occur twenty years apart and are told in alternating chapters until they converge for the last third of the book. Each story has plenty of suspense and action and, once one puts aside the frame story, are well-written. There are excellent Trek moments, including a charming description of the beginning of Kirk & Spock's working relationship, and a tasteful cameo by Tuvok. Also interesting is the idea that Sulu pegged Chekov to be his first officer; Graf successfully explains Chekov's eventual return to the Enterprise.

Not great literature, of course, nor great science fiction (read Harry Harrison's West of Eden for a masterful treatment of reptilian cultures that speak with physical movement as well as verbal cues). It is, however, very good Star Trek - amusing, entertaining, and satisfying.

I really enjoy the founding premise of this series; the stories told in the first person narrative of the captains themselves. However, I found the bar interludes a little cheesy. I find it hard to believe that in this particular time frame a Klingon or a Gorn would find themselves at a Federation outpost, especially Utopia Planetia.

I was a little disappointed by how Sulu was characterized, a little too soft for my taste. Specifically, all that business about the lizard he found in the gardens. I haven't found a story beyond those of canon, yet, that has really captured the Sulu we know and love. The characterization of Kirk was pretty on. What really halted me on the story was in the characterization of Chekov. A lot of his character development is based on a faulty premise. The premise being that the crew of his first command post, The Reliant, had been killed during the Kahn incident. That is completely UNTRUE. It is KNOWN that Khan did not kill the crew of the Reliant, he stranded them down on Ceti Alpha V. After the incident Kirk returned with the Enterprise to pick them up. I might as well have been reading unlicensed fan fiction. The whole mess developed Chekov in to someone he shouldn't have been.

That part aside, the book wasn't bad. One of the cool items was the FL-70. A neat piece of technology, wouldn't mind seeing it again. A decent plot, however, not so much a page turner as others I've read. I hate to come off as a total Trekkie crank, but someone had to do it. The book is worth a read if you are bored or are delving into the whole Captain's Table series as a whole.

The first "Star Trek" novel to be told from the first person perspective through the eyes of captains James T. Kirk and Hikaru Sulu is a treat to read. Each character takes turns telling his story and it works rather well. Graf has captured both captains well and getting to hear their takes on things is a real treat. The best part is the first half of Kirk's story that deals with his first days as captain of the Enterprise and the building of the legendary crew as a unit, working together. After that story ends, it's a rather pedestrian affair to stop insterstellar war in the movie era. However, based on the strength of Kirk's narrative in the first half of the novel, I highly recommend it.

You'd have to be a pretty dedicated JD fan to like this book. It clearly has positive intent and there's no question the "Everyman" approach John Denver took to his own spirituality was appealing to a broad audience. This book just "misses" in so many ways that it's a difficult read.

Christine Smith's book "A Mountain in the Wind - An Exploration of the Spirituality of John Denver" is a sensitive, comprehensive, intuitive and inspiring book delving deep into John's soul and spirituality. Her extensive research and keen insight of John's relationship to the universe and his place in it, how he evolved as a spiritual being, who his mentors were, and how he learned his belief in miracles and of hope are all written with utmost affection and in pure honesty by the author.

Throughout the book, Christine often refers to lyrics in John's songs to further witness his spirituality and to provide more indepth analysis of his message. She has also included 8 pages of color photos of John and ends the book with a series of moving essays comprising a beautiful memorial to John by the author herself.

I truly believe you have to be a spiritual person to fully appreciate John Denver - his music, his message - the man himself. So kudos to Christine for enlightening us about the inner John plus also for portraying a powerful blueprint for us to transform our own lives through spiritual discovery and growth.

Since I do not want to give the whole book away, I'll simply say you have to read it! Thank you, Christine, for your time and effort in writing "A Mountain in the Wind"! I know it was a labor of love for you. And thank you, John, for being her inspiration for the book. It's a treasure! Peace. Carole

Who among us has not been touched in some way by the voice and words of at least one of John Denver's beautiful songs? John 's legacey to the world was his care and concern for the environment and the people who dwell here. His Rocky Mountain High's came from the heart and each recording he made was filled with love and passion for the universe that came from deep within his soul. Each time I hear his voice, I am reminded of his simple, easy-going manner as gentle as the wings of a butterfly, his incredible gift as an artist and his ability to evoke emotion in the listener.

"A Mountain in the Wind" is indeed how John lived his life and this wonderful book is filled with his love for humanity, his respect for nature, his own personal inner strength and his spiritual beliefs. His sudden, tragic death moved people around the world. Wherever John may be today, I hope he truly does have, "Sunshine on his Shoulder" and the peace and contentment he believed in. For fans of Denver, this is a five star book and highly recommended reading.