A gem -- no other word for it. In more than six decades of Civil War "buffdom," I've never seen a clearer, more complete, more reader-friendly book on any segment of that war. There is not an unnecessary word in it, but it leaves nothing unsaid. Truly a small masterpiece.

Bailey's Chessboard of War is the best accounting I have read of Sherman and Hood. The book is balanced, well written and objective. Its inclusion of the participation of black soldiers and the Sherman's slave camp followers was particularly welcomed. Although Bailey is from Cleburne TX and is an admirer of Patrick Cleburne she also gives George Thomas his due. Rarely is that done. An impressive piece of work.

...but were afraid to ask. Plus: succinctly presented politics of war -- And a cat and mouse Civil War story that draws one in with thrills and chills -- All the more so, because it's true.

Explore these powerful astrological evaluations of the causes and effects of the September 11th attacks. With a selection of readings from popular astrologers such as Robert Hand and Jonathan Keyes, you'll have the opportunity to look at these events from several perspectives. How were the charts of George W. Bush and the United States itself, impacted? What were the economic influences involved?

I particularly enjoyed the fact that every perspective wasn't devoted to the USA, corporate, we are the chosen children of capitalism viewpoint. Instead, we're treated to far more objective looks at the events (and the provocations) which led up to them.

Finally, we're shown a glimpse of what is to come. Offering some astrological probabilities of upcoming aspects, we are invited to see fresh possibilities and insights.

I enjoyed this book far more than I usually do, when several astrologers get together and caucus over the same bit of information. The repetition we may see only serves to reinforce particular ideas and the articles are woven together into a seamless and unified whole.

This work is a terrific resource for anyone interested in understanding not only the astrological correspondences to 9/11/01, but also the implications for the economy and for the collective psyche. Essays are written by top-notch astrologers and are accompanied by maps and charts for illustration. Well worth reading!

The nature of the subject and the writing quality of the seven astrologers involved (the most famous being Robert Hand) make this a very unusual book. A very, very, very broad range of astrological and non-astrological perspectives are very carefully covered in this assessment of the terrorist attacks on America and some of the possible implications for all of us.

Astrologically the main emphasis is on interpretations of the charts of the events in September, together with related charts such as those of the United States, George W. Bush and, to some extent, Osama Bin Laden. Many other charts are also considered such as the World Trade Centre bombing in 1993 and the national chart for Israel. Interpretations of the Saturn-Pluto opposition transit through 2001 and 2002 receive particular attention throughout the book.

The astrology is continually placed in a broad context, with extensive considerations of the historical, political, and economical background to the attacks, together with similar perspectives on the consequences. Many questions are asked. Did the perpetrators use astrology? Did the terrorists intend to crash into the White House? Where do we go from here? Very occasionally some of the views appear rather fanciful, but overall this is superb stuff that does intelligent justice to modern astrology.

I recommend this book for anyone who lives in Georgia.
I live in Bowdon, Georgia where the haunted Inn is in the
book. I know the woman who lives in the Inn. She told
me one time that she had a guest in the house and they
were talking in the hallway , and that a door slamed shut
right in front of the guest. The guest left vowing never
to come back.

As usual Nancy Roberts comes through with a great collection of haunts and spirits. I don't yet own all of Mrs. Roberts ghost books but I intend to before I become a ghost myself. One can always depend on her to deliver the kind of story that not only informs but also causes the hair on the back of the reader's neck to stand on end just a tad. I can think of no better way to spend a cool fall evening than with this or any other Nancy Roberts book.

Nancy Roberts is a brilliant author, a great story teller I enjoyed this book, I gave it to my mother to read. NANCY gives you the history behind the story.

Grant and Olinger write beautifully. They play off of one another in a way that is sparklingly easy and fun to read. It was a great deal like reading the transcript from a good comedy in some sections. I liked the book very much and felt as though I was saying goodbye to two new friends I'd grown very fond of when it ended. WRITE US A SEQUEL GUYS!

At first, I thought that He Mail/She Mail would be about the conflicts between the genders, but I was very wrong. Instead, it is a delightful and insightful book about the benefits of "anonymous" communication on the Internet where feelings and thoughts can be stated and expressed w/o anxiety.

A terrific and entertaining book for when you are in the mood for "light" reading. The ultimate book for reading by the pool.

I received this book as a gift from an employee for Christmas this year. It arrived two days before the holiday and I'd finished it by Christmas night. I had a really hard time putting it down. I find myself wondering if the two writers still converse, if they've ever met in real life, and if they plan to do more together. It was like eavesdropping with permission, or having a terrific dinner conversation with two old friends. I loved the book and love the fact that the money from its purchase went to charity.

I saw the television movie prior to reading the book and was blown away by the superb acting done by Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. Never would I have believed that the Sheriff of Mayberry could be so cruel and brutal. Upon reading the book, I was struck by the closeness with which the movie tracked with the book. My list of heroes was growing rather short but Sheriff Potts became a permanent addition. His dedication, perseverance and honesty represent the best of those qualities we seek in a public servant. It's a pity he can't be cloned. Buy the book, see the movie and be impressed.

This is one of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read and I have read many,many of these. This wonderful story relates actual incidents during a horrendous, brutal murder, undeluted arrogance of power, sheer stupidy on the part of the perpetrator and a brave sheriff whose singular determination to arrest and prosecute the offender will warm the heart of anyone with a sense of justice and equality for those of us with a lesser standing in a community.

This is a great story with great characters and like all good true stories, its better than fiction. For those who would read it, understand it is NOT, as some reviewers suggest, a commentary on Southern oppression. It is instead a great account of good actually winning over evil. The sort of corruption represented by the land baron in this story could be found in every State of Union during the period discussed. This book is not about racism (the victim was white) but was instead about the abuse of power on one hand and the contrast of honor on the other. It is NOT about the South, though the incident occurred in Georgia. It is about right vs. wrong. That even applies in the historically corrupt, post-depression Northern regions of the U.S. It is a great read about a honorable law man standing against criminal behavior and political corruption. Don't miss it if you enjoy true crime and great characters and you like to admire honorable Southern Sheriffs who will stop at nothing to do what is right.

I am the kind of cook who routinely misreads tbl. for tsp., wonders how long "browning" should take (and keeps poking to see what the underside looks like), and tries to substitute ingredients--all with disasterous results. The Basic Gourmet has been a lifesaver for me in this regard: it tells me exactly what I need to know when I need to know it, and it doesn't leave me guessing or, god forbid, interpreting.

The book's first section lists and discusses equipment in detail, setting a teacherly--not bossy or condescending--tone that continues throughout its many delicious recipes, each of which is followed by tidbits such as when you might want to substitute one herb for another, what might make a good accompaniment, etc. The book is detailed and packed full of tips and suggestions, but it doesn't bury the information so that a beginning cook can't see the forrest for the trees. From scrambled eggs and omlet flipping techniques to stuffed pork chops, this cookbook covers all the basics while managing to treat its readers like the potential gourmands they are: even the scrambled egg recipe makes me feel like I'm sitting down to really appreciate a meal rather than taking baby steps or just "making do" for dinner that night. The authors anticipate common mistakes and questions, explain their terminology, give a range of preferred options for altering a recipe, and, best of all, have included all the information you need for each recipe with the recipe itself--not in an index or introductory section somewhere else in the book.

I love my Joy of Cooking, and I refer to it and the Silver Palate often, but this is the cookbook that I learned from and to which I regularly return. This is a great cookbook for beginners, well-conceived and well-executed, and very well designed.

This is great cookbook for dedicated beginners who want to learn to really cook not just get by. The recipes are varied and once you master them are easily adapted and changed around to suite your sense of adventure. The zucchini bread and chocolate gingerbread are always a hit and the tabbouleh page is the dirtiest page in the book...always a sign of a good cookbook...pages that stick together!

As a cook who has over 15 cookbooks this is the one I reach for most often. The recipes are simple but exceptionally tasteful. An experienced cook will find a multitude of useful variations and substitutions listed for each recipe, as well as forgotten techniques. For once there is a whole cookbook full of items you can find in a regular supermarket.

The Golden Isles of Georgia are mysterious and fascinating. The Spanish moss, tabby walls, the "shout" of the Sea Island Singers, and cloudy past reach out to visitors today. The author of this book, a salt-water Geechee, grew up on Sapelo. Her story is wonderfully interesting. The beliefs of the slaves' descendants were so little changed for so many years. Traditions born in western Africa are still hanging on to life even today on Sapelo. I hope the government, even in the name of saving the environment, never succeeds in taking the land away from the Geechee families who lived such true lives there. Their life deserves to continue as long as their faith lives.

Part memoir, part cultural history, part plea on behalf of a fragile culture, God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man is as affecting as the best magic realism. You do not simply read it, you savor it and absorb it into your very soul.

In the book, Cornelia Bailey, resident griot of Sapelo Island off the Georgia coast, spins the story of her growing up in that place and in a time when lives were governed equally by religion, magic, and chance. She admits us deep into the culture of her proud people and introduces us to folkways strong enough to have survived the Middle Passage and the centuries since. So it is with infinite sadness we learn that the forces of progress are rendering these same folkways as fragile as a paper-thin fig shell that washes onto the beach.

It goes without saying that God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man will appeal to cultural historians, anthropologists, naturalists, and environmentalists. The book's strongest appeal, however, will be to lovers of lyrical prose -- and to anyone who delights in the sheer magic of the way words fall on the ear and follow one another on a page.

This is a special book, one that should find a home on every reader's short shelf of well-thumbed volumes that are read and referenced time and again.

God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man transports the reader to the Georgia sea islands. You swear you can smell the marsh, hear the sea birds cry and taste the sweet potatoes. The writing is so pure and the people so true that you come away afraid of Mama Lizzie, furious at Bukra and proud of Grandma when she faces down the deacons. The issues the book tackles are important - ownership of the land, the insidious effects of slavery, the origins of sea island culture in Africa - but it is also a book that captures your heart. A must for anyone who is interested in people. Highly recommended.

I was very pleased with this book - Amy Blackmarr's style really impressed me. Each chapter is a short story of it's own, yet they are all about her life & experiences with the same place. I enjoyed every chapter, every story - There was even one which I loved so much, found it so profound, that I immediately reread it & then later read it outloud to my husband.
Great work, Amy! Thank you! I can't wait to read your other works.

Young South Georgia woman gets off the fast train, returns to family's shack by the pond, then delivers us a way to enjoy her experiences and reflections. The sparce prose of Amy Blackmarr lets you sit back and relax awhile. You'll also enjoy the sequel, House of Steps, where she moves to a peculiar little house out in Kansas. Her outlook on life is quite refreshing. Both books are short, too, so they're great for summer trips to the beach, or weekends out in the backyard.

Kudos to Amy Blackmarr for a gently ironic, sometimes funny, touching and always honest look at the questions about life, death, and living that we all grapple with every day. She turns the ordinary experiences of her life at her grandfather's Georgia cabin into delightful, searching stories that I find new surprises and new meaning in every time I read them. Full of sensual details and images that take me right to where she is, standing on the back steps of a tarpaper shack, sipping coffee, looking out over a pond, or striking through the swamps watching for snakes and alligators! A great, fast read.

Most people can name at least a couple famous artists and cite some examples of their best-known works. But have you ever wondered what's really behind all that painting, sculpting, and drawing? Kathleen Krull's book Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) gives an in-depth view into the humor, tragedy, and mystery in twenty artists' lives, as well as the gossip inspired by their peculiar lifestyles. Carefully researched, this humorous biography travels throughout the centuries, offering basic facts along with interesting tidbits and anecdotes about artists from Leonardo Da Vinci to Georgia O'Keeffe and beyond. It also includes interesting backround information behind each one's artistic works as well as creative and eye-catching illustrations by Kathryn Hewitt. This entertaining book allows readers to get to know the world's greatest artists and their artworks through each one's unique and engaging story.
The book is well organized into chapters each focusing on the life of one individual artist. The author skillfully and humorously connects information about artists' personalities, preferences, and lifestyles with how they affected their most well known artworks. It recreates each one's position in history, telling how the artists were seen by the general population in their day, or even their reputation among curious or superstitious neighbors. Readers will be able to see for themselves that famous artists were real people who did mess up once in a while. The author explains a time when Leonardo Da Vinci decided to try out a new painting method, saying, "The technique resulted in disaster...(he hadn't read all the way through to the part that said "don't try this on walls")."
The author's voice helps compliment the content in several ways. Kathleen Krull's words strike a tone that is warm, chatty, and friendly, making you feel as if she were talking with you in the same room. Her gossip extends not only to the basic facts but also to many specific details abou the artists' lives. Showing the passion and tragedy in his life, she remarks about the artist Vincent van Gogh,"Van Gogh imposed a condition of near starvation on himself and would go for days without food so he could afford to buy art supplies." In addition, every sarcastic or humorous comment made on the part on the author helps readers to feel they are getting to know an actual person rather than a cold, vague historical figure.
The author also ensured that the book would appeal to an audience of both children and adults. The words and explanations are engaging and humorous and immediately capture your interest, yet the vocabularly is not too difficult for children. The full-page color illustrations are vivid, clever, and bring to life each artist for the young and old alike. Because the book gives more information about each artist than is generally known, it is sure to benefit and interest a wide range of audiences.
Readers of all ages will definitely become hooked on this fact-filled and entertaining biography. Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) retells the one of a kind stories of each of the world's most famous artists, blending historical facts with humor and captivating details. Most importantly it allows readers to recognize each individual artist through an attractive mix of their achievements, lives, and unique personalities.

Reading a chapter from this book has become a bedtime ritual for my daughter and me. My daughter happens to be very interested in art and this book gives her an idea of what it's like to actually be an artist. Both the illustrations and text bring these artists to life more than any other childrens or adult book I have ever seen. This is one of the few books that we both enjoy reading over and over again. I wish the authors would do another volume of artists. Meanwhile I'm ordering another book by this author/illustrator combination.

This book would make an outstanding addition to the reading list of any art lover. If you love finding out the gossipy trivia about some well-known and should-be-well-known artists, that this is the book you MUST buy. Really gorgeous illustrations by a fantastically talented artist herself, Kathryn Hewitt

A Soldier's Book was a powerful and exciting story about the Civil War. It really depicted what it was like, following Ira Cahill Stevens, a fictionial character, through real like senarios. I love how it really told the story through the eyes of the Soldier's, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a novel about war.

I've read quite a few Civil War novels, and this is one of the best. It gives us a good look at what it was like to be stuck in what was probably the worst of the Civil War prison camps (and they were all horrible), and to start losing touch with reality.

I found myself wanting to help the main character out of his terrible predicament. This is one of those books you just can't put down, and one that you don't want to end. She's got a great story to tell, and her writing style is outstanding.

This is one of the best novels I've read in years.

Drawing from the daily journal of a Union prisoner of war, Joanna Higgins has crafted a spare, intense, incredibly moving debut novel, a Civil War drama in which historically accurate details bring fictional characters to resonant life.

It is not amiss to equate her offering with the quintessential record of those experiences, Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor for Ms. Higgins exhibits an estimable command of research, as well as a munificent gift for lyrical elegiac prose.

Scenes of prison camp life are heart-bruising as seen through the eyes of men struggling to survive in a morass of death and disease. "...there are eleven thousand of us in this pen of about twenty acres. And four of those swamp." Plagued by vermin, lack of sanitation, self-administered medical care, raiders (comrades who steal their scant possessions for barter) and the cruelty of guards, many captives soon die, even beg to be shot.

Yet, in spite of intolerable conditions there is a thread of hope - not Emily Dickinson's hope, "the thing with feathers," but the hope of those pushed beyond their physical and emotional limits: "The burn and pulsing of it. That is hope doing its work."

A young Union soldier and former apothecary's apprentice, Ira Cahill Stevens, is taken prisoner in 1864, during the time when passionate arguments have brought prisoner exchanges to a standstill. Thus, prison camps have become intolerably overcrowded and tantamount to a death sentence, abysmal sties where soldiers switch allegiance for food and clothing.

Incarcerated with only his "Soldier's Book for Leisure Moments," a small handbook "intended for the young Christian soldier going forth 'in deference of his country,'" his father's pen, a silver spoon, and needle and thread, Ira is aghast and sickened, tenuously clinging to the prospect of a prisoner exchange.

Ira's sustenance is found in his ever present book, "...the only thing that helps me fall asleep," and his comrades. For guidance the young soldier looks to an older man, Gus, a preacher, who kneels to say his daily prayers then pats the ground and falls asleep. When Ira grows ill, Gus reads to him from the Bible. Ira hears "...words that don't mean a thing but the sound of 'em nice."

Gus's counterpoint is Marinus, an incorrigible cynic, who relishes the sound of his own words. There is also Louie with his "ferrety laugh" who tries to tunnel to freedom, and Willy, "...skinny but with a little boy's plumped up face yet. Hair so red it makes his skin pink. Jug ears."

Eventually Ira is moved to a military prison in Florence, South Carolina, where he becomes a paroled prisoner volunteer in the hospital overseen by a compassionate Dr. Strother. Ira comes to hold the medic in such esteem that he vows not to try to escape, "...my word of honor that I will not violate my parole by going beyond one-half mile from the hospital limits."

But when he is sent into surrounding woods to forage for berries, he walks on "pine needles and mossy stone. I kneel down and claim it all for the Union." He is tempted to flee in the dense fog but returns to confinement, realizing, "Loyalty, it seems, is a prison strong as any."

Ultimately, that is the message of A Soldier's Book - choices. No matter how desperate the situation there are choices. As Ira increasingly opts for the humane when surrounded by inhumanity, he evolves into moral manhood. And this affecting volume becomes not only a harrowing reminder of the brutality we visit upon one another, but a memorable paean to the noble bent of the human spirit.