Children adopted overseas adore this story, regardless of their country of origin. It is especially helpful for children adopted at an older age.

Having a home and a permanent family is wonderful, of course. But older children don't know that when they come home. They are often angry at being uprooted and taken to strange new places, where people speak a foreign toungue. They are understandably frightened. So many new things in the early days assault their senses that days can seem like a lifetime.

This soothing story eases the pain of that transition. It helps them to know that they are wanted, waited for, and loved, even before they arrive. It eases the terrible pain of the transition. If you buy no other adoption story for your internationally adopted child, make it this one. Alyssa A. Lappen

I have an adopted daughter from Korea and we have many, many books on adoption. This is the best one I've found - it describes so well the experience my daughter, and we had, and makes me cry every time I read it. I've found it helpful not only for her but for her friends and classmates to understand her experience.

As a parent of two wonderful Korean boys, this book is a fantastic story of a child's travel to be with his forever family. I read this book for the children's story at my church on my son's first Coming to America Day (the anniversary of his arrival) and the response was wonderful. My sons really enjoy listening to this story and it has provided an avenue for us to talk about their adoption adventure and the plane ride from Korea to the United States. I high recommend this book. It is a must own book for parents of international adoptees.

I abhorred History when I was at school. When I've matured and grown more realist I've started to consider the importance of history to try understand what happens around me. I started with The Penguin History of the World" by J.M. Roberts; I don't recommend that book for beginners though it's a good book (I actually hadn't courage enough to finish it, it exists in audiobook too). This book is written by five american scholars which I think gives it a more general scope than others written by a single author. It includes a CD-ROM with the whole book plus a multimedia summary of human history read by a beautiful voice, photographs, Questionnaires, Quizzes, maps and the Complete Webster's New World Dictionary. There's an exclusive webpage for the book with quizzes, add-on reports and links to other history websites, there you can have your questions answered and your exercises corrected (I haven't used it yet though). Sincerely I didn't expect this book to be so good. The CD-ROM is the same for each of the separate books or for the complete version, so, buying the first or second part alone you have the full CD-ROM encompassing all world history.

No book captures the authentity of world civilizations as this one does. A masterpiece

Picks up where "Roman Legions Recreated in Colour Photos" leaves off. An excellent feature are the abundant line drawings of the sculpture and bas relief from which so much of the interpretation of recreated gear is derived. - Hibernicus, Leg IX His.

The book is exactly what I have long sought, a complete discussion of the armor, clothing, weapons, and other equipage of the Roman Army. The only reservation that I might have is that the time period covered is that of the early and middle Empire and does not discuss the army at the time of the Punic Wars, the late Republic, from Gaius Marius to Jullius Caesar, or the late Empire of Diocletian on through the end. I do realize that this would have required a very much larger, and more expensive, book. In any case, I have found the book as it is to be accurate in its very detailed discussions and extensive illustrations. It is certainly one of the very best books on the subject that I have found to date.

Pete Armstrong, a British artist and model-builder, has written an excellent campaign summary of Scotland's greatest military victory, the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Although some of the exact details of this famous battle remain open to debate, Armstrong does a fair job in presenting a balanced campaign narrative that incorporates different viewpoints. Bannockburn is also enhanced by excellent artwork and maps, which help to bring the battle into sharp focus. All in all, this is one of the better Osprey Campaign series titles.

In accordance with standard Osprey Campaign series format, Bannockburn 1314 begins with short sections on the origins of the campaign (8 pages), a campaign chronology, opposing commanders, opposing armies and opposing plans. The section on armies details the infantry and cavalry formations of both sides and the author stresses that while the English had superior cavalry, their failure to employ combined arms tactics utilizing both infantry and cavalry was a fundamental flaw in their numerically superior army. Certainly combined arms tactics are sound advice in any period, but while the author points out the English failure in this regard, he fails to point out how the Scottish were any different. If the English were overly reliant on their cavalry, the Scots were certainly overly reliant on spear-armed infantry. The Scots had no answer to the English superior quality and quantity in archers, and this had led to the defeat at Falkirk 16 years before. The section on plans notes that the English King Edward II was well provided with intelligence about the enemy as well as supplies, but had no real plan of campaign other than to relieve the siege of Stirling Castle. Edward's lack of combat experience and his assumption that the Scots would disperse in the face of a major English invasion are cited as primary causes of his negligent planning. Again, while the author's assessment of deficient English planning appears correct, it is hard to see that the Scottish King Robert the Bruce had any serious plan of campaign either. Until the second day of battle, the Scots kept their options open to fight or flee and their victory was the result of opportunity, rather than planning.

The campaign narrative itself is 38 pages long and is enhanced by five 2-D maps (Scotland in 1314, Edward II's invasion, the flight of the English army, Scottish raids in northern England, Bannockburn then and now) and three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps (the fighting on 23 June 1314, the Scottish attack and the collapse of the English army). There are also three excellent battle scenes: the encounter between Robert the Bruce and Henry de Bohun, the attack of the Earl of Gloucester's cavalry on a Scottish schiltron and Edward II's flight). A somewhat longer than usual 20-page section on the battle's aftermath covers casualties, reasons for the English defeat, results of the battle, the continuation of the English-Scot war and changes in military tactics because of the battle. Indeed, the author should be applauded for finding space for some analysis of the battle. Essentially, the author blames most of the defeat upon Edward II's atrocious lack of leadership and faulty decisions, which was certainly a key ingredient in the disaster. Coupled to Edward's poor leadership, Robert the Bruce's ability to boldly seize opportunity presented by English indecision and confusion resulted in a successful Scottish counterattack on the second day. Rather than merely blaming one individual, I think it might be fairer to say that English arrogance was to blame for the defeat, since this same kind of arrogance figured in other battles where professional English armies opposed irregulars (e.g. the American Revolution, the Zulus, the Boers). Inexperienced as he was, Edward II probably would have entered battle more cautiously if opposing a professional continental foe like the French or Spanish. The author does conclude that the English eventually learned at great cost to deal with Scottish tactics and that they put this to good use against the French in the Hundred Years War.

This is an outstanding book that provides an interdependent perspective of the processes that have shaped our world with a comprehensive coverage of the four great valley civilizations of Africa and Asia plus the two early civilizations of America. Technological advances are considered from a comparative global perspective. It provides an exceptional treatment of the different civilizations that have existed in World History.

Amateur historian Pete Armstrong provides a good summary of William Wallace's famous rebellion against English rule in Scotland during 1297-1298. The two principle battles of this rebellion were Stirling Bridge and Falkirk, the first a Scottish victory and the second an English victory. Overall, Armstrong provides both insight and detail of this epic phase of the Scottish struggle for independence from English domination.

Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 1297-1298 begins with a nine-page introduction that explains how Scotland's dynastic problems led to English intervention. The sections on opposing commanders and opposing armies are decent, but perhaps not as informative as they could have been (a diagram of tactical unit dispositions might have been helpful). The maps are a bit skimpy in this volume, as there are only four 2-D maps instead of the typical 7-8; they are: Edward I's invasion in 1296, the campaign of 1297, the campaign of Falkirk and the campaigns of 1300-1307. There are also three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps - two of Stirling Bridge and one of Falkirk. The three battle scenes by Angus McBride depict William Wallace at Stirling, the Scottish attack at Stirling and the English cavalry at Falkirk.

One aspect of this book that is particularly welcome for military historians is the attention that the author devotes to issues such as the terrain over which the battles were fought. Clearly, the restrictive terrain at Stirling Bridge contributed significantly to the English defeat on that battlefield. Similarly, the lack of suitable defensive terrain at Falkirk led to the Scottish defeat. It is also clear that both sides were plagued by logistic problems and the lack of intelligence about enemy movements.

I know that many people like the Hollywood movie "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson, and have "learnt history" from that inacurrate, fantasy film. But if you want the real story about William Wallace's war against Edward II, take your time and read this superb, new volume from Osprey, written by the respected historian David Nicolle. Here we're introduced to Wallace the armoured knight, leading his disciplined mailclad scottish pikemen, not the longhaired and kilt-dressed savage in head of his pictish hordes as inacurratly portrayed by Hollywood. Perhaps equally important for the victory at Stirling bridge was also Andrew Murray. So enjoy this fascinating peice of history, and laugh next time you watch "Braveheart"!

Grossberg, Nelson, and Treichler have compiled a compelling collection of cultural studies essays. The selections in the book examine cultural studies from multiple angles, demonstrating the difficulty in identifying one encompassing definition of cultural studies. The differences do not create dissonance, however; rather they create a thought provoking collection that is worth reading.

Dr. David Nicolle, a prolific writer on medieval military history, provides an excellent summary of the campaign of Orléans in 1429 that changed the course of the Hundred Years War. After years of smashing and humiliating defeats, a deeply divided France was able to achieve a military revival that turned the tide against the English invaders. Although the impact of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) is often over-stated in many accounts of this revival, Dr. Nicolle puts the famous French heroine in proper perspective and delivers a well-rounded campaign summary.

Orléans 1429 is written in the standard Osprey campaign series format and begins with short sections on the origins of the campaign as well as opposing commanders, armies and plans. A single 2-D map depicts the confusing French political boundaries in 1429. The section on opposing commanders is quite detailed, and highlights the role of professional soldiers like the Gascon La Hire, who was just as necessary to the campaign as Joan. Interestingly, the composition of the armies of both sides had changed significantly since Agincourt fourteen years before; noblemen had largely been replaced by mercenaries, non-knight professionals, foreigners and assorted roughnecks. Evidently, the war was no longer the game of kings by 1429. It is also interesting that both sides employed artillery to great effect in this campaign - a distinct change from earlier campaigns in the war.

The campaign summary itself consists of 56 pages, divided into sections on the beginning of the English siege, the arrival of Joan, the storming of Les Tourelles, the abandonment of the siege and the Battle of Patay. Three 3-D maps depict various phases of the siege, while there are five 2-D maps that cover initial campaign movements, the layout of the town's defenses, the French relief effort, the French recapture of the Loire castles and the Battle of Patay. There are also three battle scenes that depict Joan's crossing of the Loire, Sir William Glasdale taunting Joan from the battlements and the Battle of Patay. The Battle of Patay is particularly interesting since it was one of the few occasions that the vaunted French cavalry actually showed what it was capable of doing on a battlefield; in about one hour the English army retreating from Orléans was thoroughly smashed by a vigorous French pursuit. Although there are numerous photographs and illustrations, many are only slightly relevant to the campaign; this is partly due to the paucity of medieval supporting material and partly due to the author's preference for including material of dubious relevance. Nevertheless, the campaign summary is lucid and interesting, if a bit devoid of intensity. This is both a strength and a weakness in Dr. Nicolle's work; he has the scholarly ability to thoroughly research medieval military history but as in his previous Constantinople 1453, he lacks the literary ability to bring out the drama and passion in history. The Orléans campaign was a moment of high drama in French history that not only reversed a losing war, but also resuscitated the nearly defunct monarchy.

While there is no doubt that Joan of Arc helped the French army to rekindle its morale, Dr. Nicolle also points out that doctrinal and technological changes also helped to overcome mistakes made in the past. The French embraced artillery wholeheartedly, and even killed the first English commander in the siege with a lucky shot. Doctrinally, the French shifted from a predilection for large, decisive battles to smaller, attritional battles where the English could be worn down over time. Previous defeats had also made the French more cautious and they made efforts to avoid well-defended English positions. Without the overweening arrogance of nobles eager for martial glory that had led to defeats like Crecy and Agincourt, the French army became more adept at exploiting English vulnerabilities. Joan was the vital moral spark that helped the French to achieve a critical mass, but Dr. Nicolle's Orléans 1429 effectively points out that other military factors were at work as well.

In Osprey's Campaign #119 Marston Moor 1644, John Tincey summarizes one of the more decisive battles of the English Civil War that lost northern England for the King Charles I. This summary is more interesting than the previous volume on First Newbury, and while the author tends to digress on issues of historiography, he does provide a relatively clean campaign narrative.

In standard Osprey campaign series format, Marston Moor 1644 begins with short sections on the background to the campaign and opposing commanders. The section on opposing armies is unusually long at 22 pages (plus two more pages for the actual order of battle), and includes subsections on deployment and fighting tactics. Unfortunately, much of this space devoted to opposing armies is spent discussing and comparing various modern theories about unknown or controversial aspects of the campaign. Most readers will probably find this section tedious and distracting from the campaign narrative. The author then spends 14 pages on the early stages of the campaign, particularly the relief of York, and then covers the battle itself in 26 pages. The campaign narrative is supported by five 2-D maps (the opening campaigns of 1644, the siege of York, Rupert's march north, the relief of York, and the aftermath of Marston Moor) as well as three 3-D Birds Eye View maps of the battle itself. The three battle scenes by Graham Turner (probably Osprey's best contract artist) are excellent: the relief of York, Cromwell's Ironsides charging and the last stand of the Whitecoats.

Most of the military actions of the English Civil War appear confusing to modern American readers and herein lies the value of studying such conflicts. Unlike our own Civil War, which was fairly linear in nature, the English Civil War was set in a more fluid and non-linear environment. From the King's perspective, the enemy lay in the southeast, southwest and northeast. This non-linear combat environment and low force density resulted in very mobile operational methods and control of population centers (with attendant tax resources) became the decisive terrain. One such piece of decisive terrain was the city of York in the northeast; the Parliamentarians besieged it and the King sent Prince Rupert's army to lift the siege. Rupert's relief of York is probably the best part of this volume and should be studied carefully by military professionals. The Parliamentarian army occupied a favorable blocking position on key terrain overlooking the most obvious direct route into the city and awaited Rupert's advance. Boldly, Rupert fixed the enemy's attention with a small feint and then marched the bulk of his army across an undefended bridge far to the north and then slipped into York without firing a shot.

As for the Battle of Marston Moor, Tincey does a decent job describing the battle, although it is not always clear from his account why one side or the other prevailed in certain engagements. Clearly, the fact that Rupert's army did not expect battle to begin so late in the day and was surprised by the enemy's sudden attack was a major factor (similar to the Roman disaster at Adrianople in 378). Tincey argues that discipline was also a factor, in that the superior Royalist cavalry was difficult to reign in after one charge, while Cromwell's Ironsides were capable of reforming quickly. However, one could argue that it really was an issue of managing reserves, and both armies suffered from poor command and control after the initial action began at Marston Moor. Although both sides had light cannon at Marston Moor, there is virtually no mention of their participation. Tincey is also vague on casualties, relying instead only on a 17th Century source (no mention of modern diggings on the battlefield).

In Osprey Campaign #120, Towton 1461, English museum curator Christopher Gravett describes the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. While the battle itself is interesting, the campaign is set in the midst of the Wars of the Roses - a period of history that is confusing, complicated and murky. In large part, Gravett succeeds in bringing a tough subject to light and his summary is professional throughout.

Towton 1461 has a rather lengthy 9-page introduction, followed by somewhat brief sections on opposing commanders and forces. The campaign and battle narratives are adequately covered in 34 pages, supported by three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps (all of the Battle of Towton in various phases) and five 2-D maps (England in 1460-1, the march to Towton, skirmish at Ferrybridge, final positions before battle and England after Towton). The volume also has four battle scenes by the talented artist, Graham Turner: the fight at Ferrybridge, the melee at Towton, the rout and the opening barrage. The final section, on the battle's aftermath in overly long at ten pages and includes and unusual discussion of modern examination of a gravesite on the battlefield. The section on the Battlefield Today and bibliography are decent.

Although any work on the Wars of the Roses is hindered by a paucity of detailed information, the author works through this deficiency rather well. He is somewhat less effective in explaining the complicated politics behind the campaign, and this subject virtually demands an appendix with capsule biographies on the major participants. The author's background as an authority on medieval arms and armor enables him to add considerable insight into his discussion of what 15th Century close combat was like at Towton. Furthermore, the Battle of Towton was rather unique in being a large-scale engagement fought amidst snow squalls.

In terms of military history, a study of Towton has relatively little to offer, since it was essentially a straight-up infantry on infantry fight until one side cracked. The leadership example of the young King Edward IV, who raced to join his troops in bucking up a crumbling flank, is interesting. Neither side made any egregious errors or did anything overly innovative, although each side employed a ruse or deceptive effort. Unlike many other battles of this period, cavalry only played a role in the pursuit phase, but the main battle was a pure infantry fight. While exact numbers are contentious, the author argues that about 45,000 troops from both sides fought in the battle and about 13,000 were killed in the space of a 6-hour battle, making Towton a very bloody day indeed.