Having long admired the photography of John Dibbs in the Flying Legends calendars, I was very pleased to find this collection of his work. This book is absolutely stunning. The photography is both beautiful and evocative. In war, the aircraft rarely maintained the pristine look captured in these photos, but that is the way, I'm sure, that the aviators remember them. Most of these photos are of refurbished warbirds being flown by enthusiasts or collectors. I have always liked it that the flyers in the cockpits of the Dibbs photos are always wearing the right gear... no postwar hardhats with visors here, this is leather helmets and goggles! It is a wonderful thing indeed that the beauty of these machines is so lovingly captured. I browse the book frequently and am always a bit sad to close the covers. This book is a wonderful tribute to men (and some women ferry pilots) who flew these aircraft in the defence of freedom. Truly a wonderful buy. I sincerely hope a second volume is in the works.

but I saw it for $2.00 cheaper at Borders and that isn't even considering the shipping!... I'm going back to Borders!

Flying Legends is both a photography book and an aviation book. A photography book because it includes some of the best photographs that I have seen of any subject matter (most in colour). An aviation book because its subjects are the combat aircraft of the second world war, probably the pinnacle of piston-engined aircraft development.

Flying Legends is not a data book. It does not contain three-views, technical information or performance figures for the aircraft it features. The written text is largely anecdotal and serves more to caption the photographs than to provide substantive information about the aircraft. However its photographs capture the power and grace - the aesthetic - which numbers and diagrams cannot.

A necessary correction to the synopsis is that Flying Legends does not cover only Allied aircraft, but also the (equally impressive) aircraft of the Axis powers.

If you love aircraft and beautiful photography or are looking for authentic colour schemes and markings for model (or full scale) warbirds then I strongly recommend Flying Legends.

Andrew Roos (Private pilot, gliding instructor, R/C modeller)

"Thursday was a day much like any other for Jesse. Trains and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and trains. Just before bed, Jesse drew one last picture. Suddenly there was a loud noise and the whole house began to shake..." Hop aboard! From the dining car, to the sky window, to the tunnel up ahead and more, join Jesse and his prehistoric friends for the ride of a lifetime on the dinosaur train..... John Steven Gurney really captures the essence of young dinosaur and train lovers in this endearing little picture book. His simple text is kept to a minimum, as he lets his vibrant and evocative artwork tell the story. Each dazzling two-page spread engages, and is filled with bold color, playful details, and marvelous facial expressions, that will captivate little ones, and send imaginations soaring. Perfect for preschoolers, Dinosaur Train is a read-aloud crowd pleaser, and is sure to become an instant favorite at your house.

Dinosaur Train is absolutely wonderful. What a perfect combination - trains and dinosaurs. The bright, bold illustrations capture your attention and draw you into the story. The illustrations are so creative and fun. Any child will love this book, especially those who love trains and dinosaurs!

Herein lies three absorbing accounts of the first wagon trains to California (1841), Oregon (1842) and Washington (1853). The sixty nine men, women and children of the 1841 Bidwell-Bartleson party were the first to attempt any such overland migration to the west. Bidwell describes many features such as the disputable election of Bartleson as captain; securing Fitzpatrick as guide; praiseworthy comments on traveling companion Father DeSmet; provisions and daily routines; making roads for the wagons; buffalo stampedes; "cyclones"; half the party dividing at Soda Springs to continue traveling north with Fitzpatrick and the missionaries; getting lost a few times in Utah and Nevada due to vague geographical directions; making pack-saddles from the wood of their abandoned wagons; Bartleson and others deserting; etc. The Hubert Bancroft account of the 1842 Elija White party of one hundred twelve descibes daily routines also, along with rules and regulations for the journey; the controversial slaughtering of twenty two of the emigrants' dogs as ordered by White, thereby resulting in Loren Hastings elected as captain and the division of the party; the somewhat dubious tactics at Fort Laramie to obtain the emigrants' oxen and wagons in exchange for worn-out, haggard horses, and supplies at exhorbitant prices; securing Fitzpatrick as guide; etc. The 1853 James Longmire account to Washington has the emigrants traversing the treacherous Cascade Mountains, using ropes and rawhide from freshly butchered cattle to lower their wagons down steep canyon walls. Although only 104 pages, this little book gives armchair "overlanders" an intriguing glimpse into the many hardships, sacrifices and speculations these early day pioneers had to overcome.

This 104 page volume, illustrated with black and white engravings and paintings by Frederic Remington and others, brings together the accounts of the first three wagon trains from "the States" to the West.

John Bidwell's account of the "First Emigrant Train to California: Kansas River to Marsh's Rancho, May 19 to November 5, 1841," is the longest of the three, providing a great deal of insight into the daily life, hardships and encounters of this pioneer journey to the Sacramento area.

Hubert Howe Bancroft and others, write about the "Elijah White Party," which left the Independence, Missouri, area on May 14, 1842 for the Oregon country, where Elijah White was to commence his duties as the first U.S. Government agent in the region. Bancroft's account, with insertions from other diaries, gives us a glimpse not only of the journey, which is fascinating, but of the political squabbles among the leaders. Among other things, we learn about White's infamous order to kill all the dogs in the party. The group reaches the Whitman Mission, near Walla Walla, and most continue on to Fort Vancouver.

The shortest account, but the one that interested me the most, is "Through Naches Pass," by James Longmire. It tells of the 1853 Longmire party, giving a brief account of their travels to Fort Walla Walla, but providing more detail on their struggles to be the first wagon train to arrive in the Puget Sound area, crossing the Cascade Mountains just north of Mount Rainier. This was the first party to arrive in the West with most of their wagons. Here we see a tired, ragged party on the western slopes of the Cascades celebrating by clubbing and eating their fill of humpback salmon, although Mrs. Longmire preferred to buy a pheasant from a nearby Indian hunter.

I'd recommend these first-hand accounts of the overland journey to the West to anyone interested in the westward movement, as well as to teachers and students studying this period of history.

Vividly illustrated from cover to cover with numerous full color photographs, Toy Train Memories by John Grams is a superbly organized and presented celebration of classic model railroad sets, such as many readers might have once received as Christmas gifts or seen in department stores near the holiday season, especially during the 1940's and 1950's. Very highly recommended for enthusiasts and collectors of classic model trains, Toy Train Memories is a veritable treasure trove of nostalgic memories about these fascinating toys enjoyed by generations of youngsters (and their fathers!), the companies that created them, as well as the advertising and marketing efforts that made them household names.

I find it to be a beautiful book, a mixture of newer color photos of Christmas layouts, mixed with older classic black and white photos sent in by toy train lovers. Makes a great coffee table book during the holidays, or any time for that matter!
And I will admit that page 33 is my favorite,...due to the fact that,...it is a photo of me!! This book will make a GREAT Christmas present for all toy train lovers, and just might interest some to re-kindle their childhood memories, and drag out those trains and dust 'em off!!

My 10 yr. old son brought this book home from the library and loved it. The graphics are second to none and the labels and short captioned boxes of text encouraged him to read several excerpts. The broad range of equipment covered is intriguing even to an adult. It is educational for the young reader to identify vehicles they've read about in school but never visualized. This book will be under our Christmas tree AND under the tree of a nephew who loves figuring out how things work!

This book is a 1997 NCSS Notable

This book is a great resource for those individuals who are interested in the repair and restoration of toy trains. I have been able to perform many restorations of pre-war trains and accessories using the advice and diagrams of this book.

The subjects are separated by chapters that deal with the reasons, mechanic's and instructions of equipment operation.
You get a real sense for the hobby as it existed prior to World War II.

The diagrams are remarkably clear with supplimental new text along side of the original operating diagrams. This makes for much easier reading.

Of special interest is the chapter on the assembly of the Lionel 700E kit. This section is a treasure of diagrams, pictures and assembly procedures for this famous Hudson.

This is one of the few books of its type to explain all the important data points of managing trusts and investing. Its straight forward and comprehensive. This is written for lawyers and non-profressionals with an interest in this area.

This book could become the industry standard.

Is there a better "getting started" book on the subject of investing? I don't think so.

Train explores the forces working against the accumulation and preservation of wealth - taxes, inflation, and the 'herd instinct.' He offers practical advise on how to defend against these forces; indeed, he teaches the reader how to use them to his advantage.

That this book was written in the early 1980s only makes it more remarkable. Train predicts the macro-economic factors that built the Japanese bubble economy, and its subsequent downfall. A reader who took Train's lessons to heart could have predicted the go-go tech market of late 1999, and would know how to have played it.

It's important that you read this book. There are no fancy techniques, no magic formulas. The laws that make people (and markets) function are laid out. Understanding how markets work will make you rich. Understanding how people and their governments act will help you keep your wealth. Mr. Train has written a classic.

Master teacher John Kalench will teach you about the how and more importantly the why of Network Marketing with this treasure chest of information. John tells you like it is and more importantly helps you develop the fuel to keep your business on track well into the future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in starting into the industry of network marketing. It provides the answers that you may not learn from your sponsor, but need to if you want to succeed in this industry. If you are looking for a book that can inspire both you and your organization read and practice what is in this book.

After reading this book, I not only learned the nuts and bolts of network marketing, but found a man with a heart for network marketers. The first few chapters dealing with purpose, changed my life. I'm proud to say I have the privilage to work with him in his Nikken downline. With network marketing on the increase, this book is a "must read".

I gave a copy of this to my Arbonne successline and they are all loving it. One of my distributors told me she now thinks this is the BEST book on network marketing she has read! I encourage anyone who is thinking of buying this to do so as fast as they can!

This is the best running book I've ever come across - and I've read a few! It's easy to read & fun, makes we want to run to Africa to run... On a more serious note - it shows that the only way to improve is to train. It's informative and backed-up by some of the world's greatest runners. As Mr. Tanser says: Train Hard, Win Easy. Great reading!

A most entertaining book - fun to read, and so informative - for once I read what the africans really do on a day to day basis.
A ruuner's coffee table MUST HAVE. MAde me wanna run... all the way to Africa!

If you are a "goal oriented" distance runner, you'll love this book. Most of us can forget trying the workouts listed here but hey, we can dream! This is a great thing to reread when one wants to get fired up about one's training. I really turn to this book when I am tempted to waste more money on fads, new gadgets, etc. :-)

The formula for Kenyan success in distance running? It is no secret, really. You will find about what you expect. Still, this book is worth reading.

This book also provides a few brief glimpses of Kenya's culture and of the various sub-cultures within.