This book identifies some of the thousands of valiant women who cared for the soldiers during the war. It gives a tiny insight into those women who are known by name. As a nurse, I wish that there was more detail regarding their specific duties and responsibilities. The manner in which the material for this book was collected does not lend itself to a more detailed review of the nurses. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It opened the door into the world of civil war nursing and the brave women who answered the call of the bugle.

This book is actually a republication of the sell-out Autumn 1988 issue of the literary Antaeus review, and collects three dozen journal segments from mostly living people, most of them writers (though Bill Clinton, then governor, is included, by coincidence). The journal segments were contributed by people still alive, which means they are self-edited. And ``journal'' is broadly interpreted to range from writer's notebook of ideas to clips from speeches by Clinton. (Among other contributors are Lawrence Durrell, Mavis Gallant, Robert Frost, Thomas Merton, Czeslaw Milosz, Mordecai Richler, and Stephen Spender.) It's a pleasing glimpse into the many different ways people keep journals, and I've enjoyed it.

This is a very well written study of the intersection of soil and civilization: Mankind's effect on the life-supporting soil around them, and the usually terminal effect of the degraded soil upon mankind. Hillel has a wonderful voice and solid credentials. As Santana said, remember your history or pay the price.

The fascinating true story of the outlaws of the late Old West, (roughly 1887-1909). This book was originally written in the 1930s, based on interviews with witnesses still living. The author skillfully weaves Butch Cassidy throughout the narrative, but the story is not the outlaw leader's alone but of Gunplay Maxwell, Big Nose Jake, Sheriff John T. Pope, Queen Ann Bassett and a host of others, of Hole-in-the-Wall and Robber's Roost, of a time when *everyone* stole cattle, of bank robberies gone awry, local juries that never convict, and posses so fearful of the men they are pursuing that fresh sign on the trail means it's a good time to stop and brew coffee.

"The PCT: A Hiker's Companion" is great for those wanting to find out more of the history, geology, climate, flora and fauna along the PCT. If you're looking for a pure guidebook (trail mileages, stopovers, alternate routes, etc), you're probably better off going with Jeffrey Schaffer (et. al.)'s "The Pacific Crest Trail" industry-standard guidebooks (California and Oregon/Washington).

BUT, for those wanting more in-depth background, this is a great reference. I've hiked several sections of the PCT, and this book gave me great insight into the things I was seeing along the way... from the climate and life in the Mojave Desert to the geology of Devil's Postpile National Monument. It wasn't written in boring textbook fashion... I found it well written and very easy to read.

If you're familiar with other Karen Berger works on the PCT, you'll recognize a few of the stories and photography used in this one, but mind you, I don't mean to say she's only recycling earlier material for this book. There really is a lot of new stuff in here, and it's definitely worth a look.

My son is in the Peace Corps in Panama. This book reflected fairly well what it is like to travel in Panama, especially outside of Panama City. However, the warnings concerning travel in the provience of Darien need to be a stronger. American citizens are forbidden to enter there. The section on Colon should also be stronger. It is a VERY dangerous city. The book stresses but to me not strong enough. It should also tell you that it is common for the public buses to be pack to the boundries of being very dangerous and bald tires are the norm. Pick up trucks with metal bench seating in the bed and a steel cage is consider a bus. Also being a woman who is fair skin please use caution when in Panama. The section on travelers checks was not quite right. No one even in Panama City would cash my travelers checks. The book also glosses over the bug and rodent problems. Panama is not a safe country for a single woman to travel in outside of Panama City. And it should have stressed the need to be fluent in Spanish. If you are not you are in deep trouble. The hotel it recommended in Chitre was a real dump and unsafe. However if you need a book on traveling in Panama this is the best one I have found. My son felt it was very good, except for the warnings of safety. He keep the book there to use while he travels through out the country. Also it did not tell you enough of being over charged by everyone in that country if you are white. From the grocery cashiers, to the bus drivers, to the resturants. Also it mentioned that tipping was 10% of the bill. It should have told you if you tip more it is considered an insult. Overall if you are going to Panama and will be visiting the interior take this book, you will need it.

A rather graphic book on a woman's childhood abuse and it's affect on her and her siblings. She shows how she handled it through therapy and confronting her family abusers. As compared to other books, such as Courage To Heal, it recognizes another route for recovery other than prosecuting and sending the perpetrator to prison. My own impression of this book is that Mormons don't put much effort in seriously persuing child abusers and the author found her own way of stopping the cycle of abuse in her family.

If you love adventure and interesting romance, Paradise in His Arms is for you. It was a real captivating story in the fact that Kate has such an interesting way of getting her man. And it was interesting to read of a woman in that era with such a zest for getting the man she wanted. And to make him realize he loved her all along.

Daniel Greene brings to the lover of classic techniques his how-to, timeless artistry of making the image come alive using pastels. Paintings in black and white and color.