This book was originally published by Bicycle Books in San Francisco. I would hope that it would still be available, even though 5 years ago hardback copies were selling at chain bookstores for as little as $4 a copy. The Ritchie book is written not just from the perspective of bicycling history (although it is well-researched from that point of view), but as an important social history. In addition, it reminds us of the history of the development of transportation and how bicycles were eventually pushed out of the public vision of having right-of-way to being relegated to the closed track of the velodrome so they wouldn't get in the way of the growing automobile culture. Major Taylor's career is important in the history of racism and attempted and often effective exclusion of Blacks not just from racing opportunities, but from the subsequent business opportunities that followed on the heels of the age of the turn-of-the-century racers. The largest reason that Major Taylor died a pauper was because he was not allowed to participate on an equal level with White businessmen in the developing automobile industry, according to Ritchie's research. Turn of the century bicycle racers, as Ritchie points out, were instrumental in contributing to the design of the shock system and the use of pneumatic tires, among other features, of the emerging American automobile. They also were some of the large investors in the industry upon their retirement from active racing status. Taylor wanted to participate in the design process and applied to a university for formal education in engineering, but was denied access, despite his hard-won efforts, previous inventions in bicycle design and testing, and celebrity status. The fact that the man died early of a stroke and alienated from his family and community in the end can only speak of a man who, after putting out his entire life, had finally been broken by the pressure of living in a racist society. Yet, writing his autobiography and selling it door to door evokes the phoenix-like quality of many members of the Black community who survive and thrive in spite of great hardship, even in our present times.

This is a very enjoyable book. Very well researched and documented (almost to a fault). Anyone who is serious about the history of bicycle racing in the USA must add this book to their library. After reading this book one must wonder how great Major Taylor would have been if the playing field was equal. Highly Recommended!!

I found this story of a black man in this early 1900 era extremely fascinating. His beliefs in fair play, extrodinary dedication to his faith and his hobby made him a role model for any and all to follow. his persistance in perfecting his beloved sport despite all of the negativity of this era, to me was unbelieveable. I read few books cover to cover but I have had the pleasure of reading this one 4 times. Ritchie has this book so well documented that anyone reading it would have no problem of becoming totally engrossed in it. A well done from me.

My review would be slightly biased. Adm. Mitscher was the uncle of my Grandmother. The Book, "The Magnificent Mitscher" is spellbinding, and extremely well written. I enjoy reading it completely... to the point that I am going to have to buy another copy as mine is going to wear out soon. My copy is copyrighted in 1954, by Theodore Taylor. It cost my Grandfather $4.50 to get, and was given to my father as a gift.

A fantastic book for anyone interested in WWII and the Pacific Task force 58/38.

While wary of Naval biographies, I plucked this biography of Mitcher off the Wardroom library shelf for the sheer appeal of the weathered old admiral on the cover; and in so doing proved once again that although we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, a cover sometimes leads one to a very good book indeed. Taylor is commendable not only for his portrayal of Mitcher as an integral player in Naval aviation, but as an individual in his own right. I was captivated not only by tales of his prowess in the tight spots of Naval aviation in the major conflicts of his era, but by the portrayal of his private misgivings and apprehensions. This, coupled with the inclusion of other key players of the times -- Nimitz, Halsey, McCain, and others -- made for an excellent primer on the beginnings of Naval aviation. I highly recommend this work to anyone looking for a few evenings of good reading or an introduction to the intracacies and excitement of Naval aviation.

It is June 27, 1942, nearly three years after the German army invaded Poland and began a war that is now being fought all over the globe. On board a battered, rusty freighter in the bleak port of Hvalfjordur, Iceland, Ensign Howard E. Carraway surveys the dozens of cargo ships anchored nearby; their decks crammed with tanks, crated aircraft, barrels of gasoline, and other implements of war. Despite the near certainty of enemy attack and the hazards of a voyage through the brutally cold waters above the Arctic Circle, these ships will sail tomorrow in an Allied convoy bound for Russia (Convoy PQ 17). For without the supplies she so desperately needs, the Soviet Union may well collapse; German soldiers are even now camped outside Moscow. Drawing on Ensign Carraway's personal diary and on documents long buried in military files, the author recreates the story of one of the most significant episodes in World War II naval history, an event that was to have far-reaching consequences, not only for the Soviet Union but for every future convoy that would sail near enemy territory. Above all, Theodore Taylor, the author, has written a vivid and compelling account of a military disaster, and of the simple courage, intelligence, and even humor with which ordinary human beings cope with the terrible perils of war. Unique B & W watercolor prints also add another dimension to this book.

I went to England for the first time and loved the countryside! It is so vibrant. My own photographs have never turned out very well so I bought this book while I was there to capture the England that I fell in love with. It has a wide range of beautifully photographed cottages and gardens. I am online buying 2 more copies as gifts for friends.

An excellent source-book for anyone studying Middle English. It compiles an extensive selection of excerpts which demonstrate the ways in which medieval English writers struggled with the concept of writing in English, and defended their use of the vernacular. The accompanying essays range from excellent to mediocre, but the texts themselves make the book worth buying. By compiling texts about medieval literary theory, this book begins to fill a major gap in medieval studies.

In the 1970 London suburb of Roth, David Byfield, a widowed minister with a daughter (Rosemary), has just married Vanessa. The occupants (including his godson) of the Byfield home, which happens to be the village vicarage, struggle to adjust to the idiosyncrasies of one another. However, the townsfolk are frightened over a series of mutilation murders, including the killing of a cat, Lord Peter.

The Byfields try to pretend that life goes on in spite of the recent events. David works on an upcoming church event. Vanessa researches the dead poet Father Francis Youlgreave, who once stirred up local society. Rosemary seems attracted to a newcomer. However, another resident Audrey Oliphant begins to investigate who had killed her feline.

The second novel in the Roth trilogy is a clever tale that actually is the prequel to events of the first book (see THE FOUR LAST THINGS) as it provides background information to the previous novel. In the hands of a lesser writer, this approach would be a disastrous failure. However, the dexterous Andrew Taylor not only makes it work, he effortlessly provides his readers with loads of suspense and fabulous characters that leave the audience shocked by the sheer brilliance. One does not need to have read the first story to fully gain pleasure from THE JUDGEMENT OF STRANGERS, but this reviewer recommends fans of English cozies to peruse both novels for double the enjoyment.

Harriet Klausner

I found this book absoloutly wounderful. It countians amazing facts and wounderful pictures. The book has facts about how people lived with the sea and the animals in it. This book is excellent.

The marriage between Sally and Michael Appleyard is going through difficult times. Sally, a reverend, in the Church of England and Michael, a police officer, seem to be drifting apart with their only connection being their beloved four year old daughter Lucy. However, their world spins further out of control when a pair of kidnappers (Eddie Grace and Angel Wharton -- ironic names for kidnappers of a child of a deacon) abduct Lucy.

Sally turns to her Church for salvation, but her godfather, a priest, loathes women in the clergy. Michael turns inward in a hope of finding answers through the police. Both fail to gain salvation as their institutions fail them. Meanwhile, the police are finding body parts at voarious hurches. They feel that these occurencesare somehow linked to the Lucy kidnapping, but this deduction leaves them no closer to finding the child. If Lucy is not freed soon, Eddie a pediophile and Angel a violent person will probably rape and kill the child.

THE FOUR LAST THINGS, the first novel in Andrew Taylor's serial killer trilogy, is an interesting thriller that successfully shifts perspective from one person to another so that the kidnapping shares the central theme with religious beliefs. The four major characters are all interesting players with the two relationships on the surface seemingly different, but inside very similar. However, with all this going for it and it being a thriller worth reading, the book seems a bit flat when compared to Mr. Taylor's classy AN AIR THAT KILLS.

Harriet Klausner

Almost a horror story, this novel is highlighted by interesting characters and a plot that gradually tightens the pressure on the characters and the reader. Along with Breakheart Hill and Void Moon this is the finest mystery/suspense novel of the last decade. A must read.

This book is not for the faint of heart, especially if you read the text closely. The villain in this work could easily be the Marques de Sade's sister. The characterizations in this work are unusually rich and complex for a suspense novel. Also, the writing easily surpasses almost everything I've read in the mystery/suspense genre. This book takes risks and succeeds magnificently. Highly recommended.

Very well organized, clear and concise.The information you need for daily practice. I reccommend this book for radiology residents or radiologists in practice.

interception of Ercp:with associated digital imaging correlation by andrew J Taylor and Anthony G bohorfoush(what a hunk!!) is a phenonemaal resource. You could easily tell this book took much reasearch. Iwould definetly reccomend this book to any gastroenterologist around!!!

Andrew Mollo is a British military historian and televisionproducer. He has produced a number of valuable reference works on military uniforms, but although he goes into great detail here to show the development of details of the uniforms and regalia of Hitler's notorious bodyguard organization he is hampered by a strictly black and white format. A largely unnecessary color plate shows red and black regalia; other colors referred to in the text are un-illustrated. Most useful for showing details of tiny changes in uniforms and patches.

The multi-volume work of Andrew Mollo on the uniforms of the SS remains the single best treatment of the subject in the English language, not the least because of the extensive use of footnotes to acquaint the reader with his sources. While the books are as much as thirty years old, no more recent work can match the breadth and depth of this series. Subsequent works may boast more photographs in color and more detailed illustrations of certain pieces of militaria, but they have not reached or surpassed the level of historical scrutiny achieved by Mollo and his artist collaborators. These later works are more attractive to the eye, but they fail to inform the reader about the nature of the material in the manner necessary for the task. The sole exception to this generalization is the work of the mid-1980s of John Angolia on cloth SS insignia and the recent work on camouflaged uniforms of the W-SS. However, neither of these includes all facets of the subject, as do these seven volumes.

Andrew Mollo gives the student of uniforms a most valuable reference tool in examing the Allgemeine (General) SS. Included in the book are several plates depicting cuff titles, collar tabs, shoulder boards, equipment, etc. that decorated and were used by SS men. The information presented in this single volume is the best I have seen. It is invaluable for those collecting Third Reich Memrobila or those fascinated by the fanfare and pagentry that was characteristic of Third Reich uniforms.