For most of us, the dream of going to Africa and hunting with the classics of the past will always remain that. However, if one has hankering for the great guns of the past and a by gone era, this book will fill that niche. If you are lucky enough to ever be able to travel to Africa, this book would be essentual reading as knowledge- practocal knowledge - of the big guns is very hard to find and full of misconceptions.

If you fall into the latter catagory, Taylor had several lifetimes of practical hunting experince, and his knowledge shines.

For most of us, there are very few hunters and shooters who have not dreamed of owning a Purdy, Holland and Holland and others of the past, in such lovely calibers as 375 H&H, and .600 Nitro. This is a book to own and dream with.

Incidentaly, despite its comparative age, much in here is still current, although much more recent calibers are not really discussed.

Grade: A+

Timeless writing! A treasure trove of literary delights for anyone interested in the ambience of a bygone era of action and adventure ala Hemingway, Selous and Bell. Something for everyone, whether an enthusiast of shooting, safari, classic cartridges and rifles of legend (doubles and single action sporters) or a mere naturalist. John Pondoro Taylor was clearly a genius in his given profession, albeit politically incorrect for his time.

Taylor is one of the most competent gun writers I have ever read. He has tremendous practical experience with almost every large calibre rifle of his time, including the spell bounding numbers like 600, 577s, 500s, 450s, 450/400, 375 etc., with a nostalgic term of Nitro Express..! When discussing a calibre, he talks of taking literally hundreds of elephant, buffalo & other big game with it. So who can question his authority on African rifles. He has also covered every possible aspect of sporting rifle, which can be questioned, with respect of African hunting, e.g., doubles versus magazines, barrel length, weight, sights, triggers, ejectors/non-ejectors, etc. A must read book for the person who wants to know about large calibres, double rifles and nitro / black powder express. Excellent drawing of each cartridge is also given with details i.e., bullet weight, powder charge and pressure.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. In this story, Addy makes a new friend in the form of M'dear, a kindly old African-American woman whose blind eyes see more than most. Sadly, as Addy learns more about her new life of freedom, she learns more about the racial discrimination that pervades the world around her. It's up to Addy, with M'dear's insights, to see the way forward in such a dark world.

The final chapter is a look at what it growing up was like for African-American children in the America of 1864. Once again, I must praise American Girls for producing such a wonderful book. This story sets out race relations in a no-nonsense way, but without recrimination-it is a true lesson in healing. My eleven-year-old daughter loved this book, with its realistic history and gentle lessons, and I loved it too!

This book continues Addy Walker's adventures after successfully escaping her plantation for freedom up North.

Addy continues to be amazed by the opportunities that are so much more broader than those on the old plantation, but also realizes that even "free" states have racial segregation and discrimination. She is no longer the property of slaveowners, but still cannot travel certain places or excercise privlleges that whites in Philadephia are able to use.

With her friend Sarah's encouragement, Addy picks out a birthday. While such an action might seem mundane by today's standards, Addy (like others during slavery) never had a day that was uniquely hers. Taking her time with the big decision, Addy ultimately picks a day that has meaning for her and indeed, the entire nation.

Addy, an escaped slave, makes a friend, and worries about segregation. When is Addy's birthday? What can she do about prejudice between blacks and whites? How can she make this birthday a happy one? And can her new friend help her? Find out in this lovely tale.

I gave this book to my brother when he moved to London, and he later said it was addictive to have around and use to visit where the Beatles did what they did. I visited him since then, and used the book myself to visit scenes from the movie HELP and A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, go to Chiswick House to see where The Beatles filmed the "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" videos, and go to many other Beatles London sites. This is a must-have book for anyone who is a Beatles fan and is going to visit London. Or for anyone who wants to be an armchair explorer of their old haunts. It's entertaining reading even if you'll never go to London.

Two female editors of Essence magazine, a publication for black women, produce this anthology of writings from black men. Because of this, I get the sense that the book is intended for readers of various genders. (And let's face it, women are more interested in studying how men think and what makes men tick than men are.) The book is a photographic spread, an inspirational text, and a veritable "Who's Who?" of famous African-American men. The book is similar in art to the Latino book "Suave" and its text is very similar to Tavis Smiley's "How to Make Black America Better" (Smiley having an entry here as well). Approximately 100 famous black men relate biographical vignettes about their struggles and triumphs. Each entry includes a small bio of the author, so the book feels like an encyclopedia in ways. The chapters are divided into such topic areas as family, success, art, etc. Unlike most texts on black men which bemoan high rates of incarceration, systemic racism, police brutality, etc. (recent books by Kunjufu and Cose are examples), most of the entries in this text discuss the men's relations with their wives, children (especially sons), fathers, and mentors. Thus, black manhood is displayed as relational to how one supports black individuals and the black community. The authors are diverse; they include older brothers, mixed-race brothers, gay brothers, brothers from the Continent, etc. This is a feel-good text; controversial topics are avoided. The dark sides of some of the entrants' histories are not mentioned. (For example, there is no mention of Jim Brown's history of misogynist attacks, or Damon Wayans' and Amiri Baraka's continual homophobic performance pieces.) Still, this book was a great concept and sincerely motivating. Plus, I like having photos of hotties like Sinbad, Forrest Whitaker, and Omar Wasow. I would recommend this book for black men, women, and families.

This book is an excellent resource for any teacher who is doing a unit on the American Revolution. The book includes activities that are suitable for ages 8-13 and factual narrative stories that are directed at this audience. It even includes a skit about the Boston Massacre that students love to do! Whether you are writing lesson plans or looking for a resource for you classroom library or media center, this book is a must-have!

Common Passions had me hooked from the first page and kept me there to the end. I loved every page! The characters were well developed and the story was interesting and quick moving.

At first glance this book seems to be one of those boring books about someone's life and how they managed to climb over many mountains. But this book is more than that. This book was able to show me what it is like to have a hard and somewhat impossible life. How Shelley Taylor-Smith in her child hood lost her father and suddenly the whole world came crashing down. In this story Shelley shares memories of her childhood growing up in Perth to her drama filled reclamation of the 'round Manhatten island record.

The cover is not an appealing cover but who needs a good looking cover if you've got an inspiring story to tell.

The actual story tells of the hardships faced by a female marathon swimmer. With such as sexism and world water quality being bought throughout the book. She brings up stories of when she raced in the polluted waters of Argentina and Brazil. Also she has raced in the freezing waters of Canada and Sweden. She talks of her magnificent feats of swimming the English Channel, winning the 1991 World Championships in Perth, the swimming from Sydney to Wollongong, being ranked no. 1 in the world for marathon swimming in the men's and women's combined ranking's in 1991, setting 14 world records, winning the round Manhatten island and only 2 DNF's (did not finish) in her entire career.

Shelley also speaks of thing that if she'd had her time again what would she have done different. Like what would she have done if she took the easier option after getting her swimming scholarship in Arkansas and come home to Perth instead of taking up marathon swimming to fund her way through college. Or how she would of tried harder at her marriage. And what she would of done if she never got the chance to go over and study at the University of Arkansas.

The story also portrays the mental toughness of Shelley how she was able to swim in sub-zero temperatures or when she was kicked in the shoulder at the beginning of a race and had to endure the torture of swimming 80 km with a sore shoulder. Or she gave the Women's Weekly the story of her marriage break up and the editors made it like she was the most jealous person alive.

In conclusion this book was well worth a read for any budding sportsman swimmer or not. This is not only inspirational but this also makes you think that there's always someone worse of than you.

An Exciting Wonderful has great emotional impact. We meet the friend. We come to know the friend. We, too, lose the friend. The author uses common, everyday material as he weaves his poetry around this fine tribute to someone he knew, and loved. At first glance it appears to center on the macabre. Futher purusal however, takes the reader into everyday life, and things that are familiar, and common-place. Life, death, love, and memories of the wonder of it all touch each of us, as we remember old friends, childhood haunts, and losses we have experienced.

I love this book, I wont let my friends touch it. It's totallyworth the dollars, it tells you about the greatest NFL players ever. For example: Steve Young, the best left-handed Quarterback ever,and Jerry Rice, the greatest all-time wide receiver ever.

This book is highly recommended for residents and visitors of St. Simons Island. The text is informative and easy to read. The over 200 pencil drawings by Jennifer Smith beautifully illustrate areas of St. Simons and accurately protray the text. Her art lends a special charm to the book.