The Lighting-Rod Man is one of Melville's lesser known stories. Despite the cold, dark setting, it is more comical than most of his works other works. This satire tells about one door-to-door salesman, and how annoying, pushy, and arrogant he was to his perspective customer (Doesn't seem like a lot has change since then), and how he ends up getting thrown out of the house.
The story The Lighting-Rod Man jumps right into the story in the first paragraph and just goes, which makes it much easier to get into and a much easier read for those that have a hard time getting started reading. I feel that it is worthy buying The Piazza Tales even if you just read this one story let alone the five other stories.

Put simply, this is the best collection of short stories by any American author.

The Portugues Spinner, was the best book that I've ever read and it took me, only a few days to read it and I've never read this fast before { I just couldn't put the book down ]! My ancestors came from Sao Miquel and Sao Jorge, Acores and lived in New Bedford, Mass. I was born in New Bedford and this book brought back so many memories of living there and I still remember lots of those places. I went to Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church and School! The pictures were Great and it was wonderful reading about your own town like that. I also worked at the factory that was mentioned in the book when I was only 16 yrs.old. I will pass this book along to my children so, they can enjoy it too! Thank you so much! Sincerely, Mrs. Olivia Rosa Silva Strittmatter Tucson, Arizona

As an immigrant from St. Michael, Azores, who was raised in the south end of New Bedford, Massachusetts, one might think I had little to gain from a book describing my "roots," but quite the opposite was true. Every morning I read a few pages with my coffee and almost every morning I found myself teary-eyed and nostalgic. My emotional reaction to the book came from feelings of compassion, pride and a deep understanding that was stirred by the stories, cases, and historical background so beautifully captured by the writers and editors. The photography is wonderful as well. I've now purchased three copies of this book and expect to still buy more. I want to share it with family and friends and don't want to give up my copy so I'll keep buying them as gifts. My sister, who still lives in Portugal, said that if this book were translated into Portuguese, it would be well-received in Europe and Brazil. I know my parents, who are non-English speakers, would enjoy it thoroughly if it were translated. Meanwhile, I shall treasure it both as a remarkable example of documentation of the immigrant experience and as a personal reminder of my heritage. Non-Portuguese friends of mine have also found it fascinating and a valuable contribution to an often ignored aspect of American history. Many kudos (and much gratitude) to the editors and publishers for a major accomplishment.

This book is about Priscilla Foster, a 12 year old girl living in Salem in 1692. Priscilla's friends have started accusing innocent people of being witches and before she knows it Priscilla has joined them in accusing people. Priscilla wants to stop but she finds herself unable to. This is my favorite Her Story book.

Priscilla Foster is one of the girls who see witches in the Salem Witch Trials. She tells her grand-daughter about her tragic and terrifying tale. Gives a must-read account of the trials.

I read Wishbone Riddle of the Wayward Books. Wishbone and his owner Joe Tableot and his friends end up trying to sold a riddle. They ended up solving that the books weren't stolen so the person who broke in didn't go to jail. So, Joe, Wishbone, and their friends got congratulated. As a 5th grader this book was very good because I like to try and solve mysteries as it goes on. By Gonzalo Agurto at Nazareth School

I think this is the best series for kids and it has a cute dog named WishBone.You have to read it.

I really liked this book. I learned a lot. It was interesting. Sally was a spunky girl. She had the courage during a bad time to help her family.

This book is about Sally Bradford, a young Confederate girl during the Civil War. This gives a Southern perspective of the war. Sally's father and brother are away fighting for the south. Even though the Brafords own no slaves the Yankees still burn her house and the family must flee to Richmond. Then, Sally's brother gets typhus and is sent to a Richmond hospital. He needs quinine but the stores have none because of the war. Sally must travel across enemy lines to get medicine for her brother before it's too late. This book showed that there was more to the Civil War then the slavery issue.

It is a wonderful book full of amazing illustrations!

This heartwarming children's book tells in story form of the life cycle of Hatchling, a baby Loggerhead turtle. Written with scientific accuracy, the book also enraptures young children with the endearing pictures and story. The perserverance of the Hatchling will inspire all who read this book. Would like to see more books by the same author.

Compiled and edited by Thomas T. Noland, September 11, 2001: Stories From 55 Broad Street is an unforgettable collection of anecdotes from eyewitnesses to the horror and aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Profound, meaningful, raw, and real, September 11, 2001: Stories From 55 Broad Street is an utterly unforgettable collection and a highly recommended addition to school and community library systems.

I read this book as slowly as I could. This is an amazing account of 20 some odd people living a 48 hour period of stillness and reflection. I could not put this book down. Each story is the same, yet amazingly different in such a moving way. The reflections keep your heart remembering patriotism and freedom in our great country. It is so wonderful to see how New Yorkers were so helpful on such an earth moving - physically and emotionally - day. The authors are good normal people with many insights to share with those of us who watched that day unfold.

This book and the book Follow the River are both excellent depictions of the life of my ancestor. She was a heroic woman who shall be remembered and honored by me and all my family members. We are proud of her and are happy to have such excellent books to share.

Mary Ingles was courageous! I read it in one night and I'm going to read it again. I'd read about Mary Ingles in the book Follow the River, but I didn't know she lived in Lancaster or that her parents were Scotch Irish. This book tells about her whole life including escape from the Indians. That's the most exciting part though when she hikes 800 miles through rivers and mountains to get home and see her family. I think this is a very good book so I gave it five stars!

Sixteen Miles To Spring is a cheerful and entertaining picturebook story by Andrew Pelletier of Maddy, a young girl and her father who meet two strangers, Wilbur and Wiley, just in time for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring. A thoroughly enjoyable picturebook for young readers, and enhanced with vivid, colorful illustrations by Katya Krenina, Sixteen Miles To Spring is about the renewal of life and the joy of nature's reawakening.

This is a wonderfully original and highly imaginative story about the change of seasons from winter to spring. I highly recommend it!

This is a great book in which the authors very tactfully unfold the story of the Spindletop Oil Field. With modern techniques of oil exploration one may never have the 'Spindletop Experience' ever again. This book would interest anyone who is even remotely related with the petroleum industry. It should make one appreciate the early days of oil industry on whose experiences the modern peroleum industry is based on. The last chapters may not interest some people as the book goes into the legal suits fought over the oilfield. Overall, I strongly recommend the modern 'oilmen' to read this book.

A fascinating account of the events and people who brought in the birth of the modern oil business. The book brings to life the time period, the cast of characters that were involved and the obstacles and naysayers which had to be overcome. See how hard work and dogged persistence by these men was rewarded not just once (as in the initial discovery of the field) but several times. The book is well written and moves along at a good pace. As a person involved in the oil business for 20 years, this book reminded my of why the oil business is so special.