CONVICT WOMEN - KAY DANIELS There have been a number of works written in recent years whose perspectives have examined the historiography of women transported to Australia. Convict Women, by Kay Daniels is one such example. She attempts to present a view of the female convict experience in Australia. Her writing challenges the historical orthodoxy that convict women were useless and morally abandoned, and that in fact, many came to live "ordinary lives."

Prior to the 1970's, historians' general attitude towards convict women was a derogatory one. Women fell into two categories of 'good' and 'bad.' Invariably, they were described as whores; helpless creatures who contributed little if anything to the colony. In 1966, A G L Shaw wrote, "of the females less need be said, for they represented only about one-sixth of the total. The picture they presented is a singularly unattractive one."

As in Deborah Oxley's Convict Maids, (of which Daniels makes much reference to), Daniels text refutes the notion that these women were unskilled prostitutes and criminals. She argues that they were in fact, skilled, literate, young and healthy. The opening chapter introduces the reader to a convict woman, Maria Lord, who after being transported for seven years to New South Wales in 1804, became a successful entrepreneur, wife and mother in Van Diemen's Land. Maria's letters display the traits of an 'astute woman' and that she was not 'merely minding the shop while her husband initiated bolder ventures.' Daniels conjures up a woman who was not a whore or a victim, but one whose choices created her world. Unlike previous writings on this subject - one is exposed to a woman who is real, not a stereotype, but surviving in a harsh new land. It is sad however to note that our knowledge of Maria is defined by the information available regarding her husband. The reader is told that convict women shared this historical invisibility with Maria. (p. 2).

Daniels attempts to make meaning from the historical records. "The book moves between minor narratives of individual women and interpretations of a broader landscape , of convictism and its management." Assignment is discussed and the subsequent development of a welfare system for women and children. The chapter on Transport and its Management signifies clearly that convict women's experiences clearly differed "not only according to time, but according to place." The reformation of individuals in the female factories where women awaited assignment is a riveting chapter. "Potential masters came to them to select servants. Prospective husbands sought wives there." Daniels paints a picture of the two major influences on women - the State and men. The factories were however a place where women could "mix with women of their own class." Lesbianism within these penal establishments and prostitution are elaborated on in Chapters 7 and 8. "For women faced with limited employment opportunity, prostitution was both an important source for earnings and an indicator of their economic vulnerability." Daniels highlights the prominence of this age-old form of employment. "The writing that came out of the 1970's feminism was the emphasis place on the sexual use of convict women." Instead of sexual partners, wives and mothers, Daniels strives to portray them as workers. Mary Wright, 29 years of age- 'plain cook.' Maria Pearman, - dairywoman. Eliza Smith, 21 years - staymaker. Upholsterer, dressmaker, schoolmistress, pastry cook, button-maker. Her central argument or thesis appears to be that these women attempted to reshape the new world that was offered to them. She suggests that there was a complex relationship between the policy and administration on the one hand, and the actions and experiences of female convicts on the other. She states that the opportunities available to male convicts through transportation were not to the same extent available to women. Women had a need for protection, either from the Government or individual. Their best opportunity for this was in family life, and to use the patriarchal public authority to advocate their private lives. One would doubt however that their circumstances, irrelevant of their class or social position be any different in the Colony to that of Britain? (Maria Lord supports those who believe that convict women were in fact better off in Australia.) Eighteenth Century society required individuals to conform to its conventions including the social and gender hierarchy, both of which men dominated. Daniels suggests that there were in fact opportunities for social advancement available 'through work and marriage.' and to "become good and virtuous women, the founding mothers." Interestingly, by the 1840's, the reformists concerned with respectability deemed many of these women as "having become respectable."

In defence of her post-feminism work, Daniels critically comments in Chapter 2, on previous historical studies, and shows both sides of the good/bad argument. The striking contrast between the patriarchal writings of early historians and the feminist writings of the 1970's plays a major role in this book. On p. 41, she writes "the first wave of women historians drew attention to their sexual exploitation in the colonies as an indication of the patriarchal nature of penal society." This in contrast to the views of the male historians, (Shaw, Clark and Robson), who "emphasised the sexual histories of convict women as evidence of their moral failure and their membership of a criminal underclass." The language and style of writing ensures an enjoyable read. However at times the coherence of the structure is difficult to understand.

Her central argument is a complex assertion to prove, given the fact that historical documents have been written from a male perspective and analysis has been based on their visions of feminism. Also, she refers to the difficulty in building a female historiography when few of the textual records which survive have been written by convict women. The work asks a lot of questions that are left unanswered. However, in conclusion, Daniels leaves the reader with hope that as a result of archaeological work at some of the female factory sites, artefacts relating to female convicts may resurface which could give us details of their daily lives.

In the literary world it is perhaps blasphemy to say a bad word against Daniel Defoe's most acclaimed novel. So here goes. The fact that the book was originally titled The Life And Strange Surprising Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe illustrates the major flaw in Defoe's literary form. Put simply, this would be a far more interesting and gripping story were it not so superfluously lengthy. The author makes a habit of repeating himself, especially when it comes to the act of dispatching kittens, which seems to be more of an obsession here than octogenarian ladies are to MatronsApron. It is difficult, you may think, to keep the subject matter fresh when describing the daily tribulations of a fellow stranded on an island for thirty years, without occasionally repeating yourself. True, but perhaps a straightforward solution to this diminutive quandary would be to simply truncate the duration of the story. There are some wonderfully intriguing and suspenseful moments, and some juicy action to boot, but sadly these are gratuitously diluted by lengthy descriptions of the unremarkable everyday goings on in Crusoe's life, and rather than serving to build up the suspense, they merely obstruct the reader's relationship with the more exciting parts of the story.
However, those with more patience than my ignorant self will find in Robinson Crusoe a delightful tale, which as well as being a fictional documentary of the most unusual thirty years of Mr. Crusoe's life, also has time to ponder upon philosophical and theological ideas, in a style that makes the reader feel as if they are involved in the conflicts between the functionalist and cynical thoughts going on in Crusoe's mind. It may not be a gripping white-knuckle adventure, being rather more leisurely and acquiescent, but it is still rather easy to see why Robinson Crusoe is regarded by some as one of the greatest novels of all time.

The Cult of the Atom is a frightening look at the inner workings of the Atomic Energy Commission, and it's successor, the Department of Energy. Very well researched, the author takes us on a journey of special interests, accidents, incidents, and the growing pains of a multi-zillion dollar industry. If evver you wondered about which side of the nuclear reactor debate to be on, this book will absolutely convince you. And if you wondered if Big Bu$ine$$ holds sway over government, this book provides ample insight. An economical addition to your favorite nukeheads' shelf!

Cunning Treatment is a legal thriller set in a richly detailed Southern backdrop, reminiscent of the early efforts of John Grisham. A rigged election and blackmail storyline weave through this story of corrupt, power-hungry movers-and-shakers. I thought there was too much changing of POV, and the reader is left with no real sense of justice or triumph.

if political machinations are interesting to you, then this book will wholly appease. i found it too complex for the most part from an outsider's point of view.

In the literary world it is perhaps blasphemy to say a bad word against Daniel Defoe's most acclaimed novel. So here goes. The fact that the book was originally titled The Life And Strange Surprising Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe illustrates the major flaw in Defoe's literary form. Put simply, this would be a far more interesting and gripping story were it not so superfluously lengthy. The author makes a habit of repeating himself, especially when it comes to the act of dispatching kittens, which seems to be more of an obsession here than octogenarian ladies are to MatronsApron. It is difficult, you may think, to keep the subject matter fresh when describing the daily tribulations of a fellow stranded on an island for thirty years, without occasionally repeating yourself. True, but perhaps a straightforward solution to this diminutive quandary would be to simply truncate the duration of the story. There are some wonderfully intriguing and suspenseful moments, and some juicy action to boot, but sadly these are gratuitously diluted by lengthy descriptions of the unremarkable everyday goings on in Crusoe's life, and rather than serving to build up the suspense, they merely obstruct the reader's relationship with the more exciting parts of the story.
However, those with more patience than my ignorant self will find in Robinson Crusoe a delightful tale, which as well as being a fictional documentary of the most unusual thirty years of Mr. Crusoe's life, also has time to ponder upon philosophical and theological ideas, in a style that makes the reader feel as if they are involved in the conflicts between the functionalist and cynical thoughts going on in Crusoe's mind. It may not be a gripping white-knuckle adventure, being rather more leisurely and acquiescent, but it is still rather easy to see why Robinson Crusoe is regarded by some as one of the greatest novels of all time.

Before reading this book, I knew Daniel Defore only through his exciting fiction: Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders, etc.

It turns out that Defoe also has an exciting life: struggling merchant in and out of bankruptcy, political pamphleteer, pilloried for slander, government spy, and so on.

Sadly, though you can pick the interesting elements of Defoe's life out of this work, it takes some effort. Novak's book is really a lengthy analysis of Defoe through his writings and spends much more time discussing the polemical meaning of various poems than, say, Defoe's relationship with his wife, or his travel, or his education.

In fact, all aspects of Defoe's life are really only described in this biography insofar as they can be accessed through Defoe's writings. This makes the book -- whose scholarship I do not fault -- tedious and not very easy to read as biography.

Theme
This book has one central theme. That is be good to other people or you will get what you deserve. This is demonstrated several times. ... BR>Plot
The plot of this book is simple and follows a logical pattern of thought. Daniel falls into a stream after having a good time at the party. He gets rescued and then punished for misdeeds until he wakes up. Then he learns from his actions.
Characterization
The characterization is rather lacking in this book because that is secondary to the theme of the book. Daniel seems portrayed in a conflicting manor. He views himself as good and his mother seems to treat him nicely but this stands in marked contrast to the rest of the characters who punish him in some way.
Setting
The setting in the story is not very important. It sets the most of the events in the story. This story could make sense if it was set in another country and Pookas were changes to something else.
Point of View
The point of view this story is told from Daniel O'Rourke's point of view. This adds some confusion to the story as Daniel's view of himself does not match with other people's perception of himself.
Other Assessment
The pictures in this book beautifully done. The artistry is almost worth buying the book alone. The composition is wonderful. The artist knows how to draw the eye fluidly across a page.
This story is labeled as an Irish tale. The names could be changed and this story could be universal to almost any culture. This one of the aspects about this book which is disappointing.
Another aspect which makes this story some what disappointing is the pictures do not always seem to match the text. The book will mention that Daniel fell into the stream but the picture will have what look to be leprechauns laughing at Daniel as he falls in. This happens about three times. Because of the brevity of the book, these three occurrences are very noticeable and annoying.

As an employee and confidant of one of the best corporate executives ever to govern an American corporation, Edward Hungerford penned this hagiography of Dan Willard in 1938, only three years before the retirement of Willard, who had headed the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad since 1910. Hungerford minces no words in his praise of Willard, and rightfully so. A disconcerting tendency of Hungerford in his writing style at times was to divert during his explanation of a particular point onto another related subject for what seemed in some cases, an inordinate length.

In the pursuit of a more balanced assessment of Willard's place as an icon in American corporate history, the reader is directed to obtain, if possible, a copy of David M. Vrooman's "Daniel Willard and Progressive Management on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad." This being said, the only thing left to say might be that a more modern, straightforward biography on Willard, with lots of researched data that Hungerford purposely disregards, is needed.

This book was reasonable for CS2 courses, although the constant errors, whether typographic or semantic, caused many problems. There were too few examples, and not enough basic description. Would be good if you were familiar with other languages. Beginners will struggle.