It is very unusual for antebellum New York to get any sort of treatment in popular culture, which is a shame, because the whole space between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War features dramatic changes in the city's popular landscape. Institutions for maintaining public order and safety that we take for granted today were less organized and often appropriated by the underworld for its own purposes.

Scorsese's upcoming movie, GANGS OF NEW YORK, looks like it will offer an interesting look into this time. Readers looking for a little less bombast can take in Rick Geary's tight little graphic exploration of THE MYSTERY OF MARY ROGERS. Geary tells the true tale of a corpse that captured the public imagination in a manner similar to any of today's celebrity victims. He renders useful maps and recreates the known facts of the case with haunting sillhouettes and faces that are remarkably expressive in their cartoonishness. Geary also tosses in a tidy little chunk of social history -- so that we understand the context -- and chronicles the sensationalism that followed this case. As a final service, he puts forth the prominent theories about the case, noting its inspiration of Poe's mystery.

Graphic (as in illustrated) non-fiction is somewhat of an oddity, often represented by simpering auto-bio. True crime stories tend to show up in the BIG BOOK OF ... series. This, however, is a neat and stylistic volume that would put Anne Rule to shame.

With The Mystery of Mary Rogers, Writer/Illustrator Rick Geary continues his "Treasury of Victorian Murder" Graphic Novel series, this time exploring the facts in the death of Mary Rogers, a well-known "Segar (Cigar) Girl" (She worked in a large Manhattan Tobacco Shop).

Geary's books are laid out incredibly well; most "Mainstream" non-fiction writers could learn a thing or two from him. He presents THE FACTS in the case, and since the murder was nevr really solved (At least officially...), he avoids any supposition; At the end of the book, he gives the reader a few scenarios that MAY have happened, never presenting any one of them as the actual solution. Geary's writing style is very informative, and his illustrations have a depth and resonance that belie their "Cartoony" look.

Overall, this book is a pleasure to read! The hardcover is a very attractive package at a low price, the text is informative and illuminating, and the artwork is superb. In a perfect world, Geary would be a fixture on the best-seller lists.

In 1841, Mary Rogers, a well-known resident of the city of New York, was found floating in the Hudson River, dead. The investigation was hampered by jurisdictional disputes and the primitive forensic science of the time, and is officially still unsolved. It was a great stir in its day, and everybody had opinions about it; Edgar Allen Poe based his "Mystery of Marie Roget" on it. Geary gives us the known facts, and proposes a solution in line with the modern thinking on the subject. His evocative artwork makes this book a visual treat. I'd love to see him tackle the alleged murder of Sarah M. Cornell by the Reverend Ephraim K. Avery; it occured at nearly the same time this case did, and is still officially unsolved.

The girl was quite a firecracker. Again, just as charming as Little House, but the storytelling is rich and more reflective of who Rose was. This series truly equals the charm and storytelling of Laura's story. Kudos to those who thought to bring this series to print.

It's time for new beginng! The wilders' have their first real Buchering Time, and Rose goes to her first party. But then their life is full of disasters: a cyclone, a long drought and a trerrble fire hits Rocky Ridge Farm. What can they do?

Hard times have come to Rocky Ridge Farm. There is a terrible cyclone and tornado family. Can Rose and her family save Rocky Ridge Farm? A must read for Little House fans.

But this has been the most useful of all of them. Simple. A good introduction. I recommend it highly.

Practical advice. Good illustrations. I would recommend the book, especially for a beginner.

Creating Japanese Gardens has been a helpful tool in the process of killing my lawn. If you've read my other reviews, you may wonder why a person with a cactus garden would need a book on Japanese gardens? Think hybrid between a Zen garden and a cactus garden. The basic plan for the garden was constructed with the help of this book. Everything I know about Japanese gardens comes from this wonderful little text. Most of the elements of a Japanese garden appear in my front yard, but with heavy substitution of Southwestern icons for Japanese icons. Trade Mexican-style chimneys for Japanese lanterns; trade coyote for Buddha; trade the traditional plants of a cactus garden for the traditional plants of a Japanese garden. The paths use redrock flagstone and the stones in the dry stream and other places in the garden all come from western deserts and mountains. It's been hours and hours of dirty fun. I do have a request-if you buy this wonderful book and intend to put a traditional Japanese garden in your yard with the traditional Japanese elements, please make sure your climate is wet enough to support the garden without excess added water.

This book came highly recommended, and is well worth the read! It it a real page-turner, and kept me up until 3am the night I started to read it at 10pm. I thought I would read for an hour or so, but couldn't put it down! A suspenseful thriller that will keep the pages turning effortlessly!

I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK YET BUT I AM SURE I WILL SOON. I HAVE ORDERED THIS BOOK AND AS SOON AS THE WHOLE FAMILY FINISHES IT I WILL GET MY CHANCE, TOO! THE AUTHOR, MY UNCLE, IS GOING TO BE ONE OF A FEW SUCCESFUL WRITERS IN OUR FAMILY. OUR FAMILY WAS VERY PLEASED TO SEE THIS BOOK ON LINE AND I WOULD SUGGEST FOR EVERYONE TO READ THIS AND RECCOMEND IT TO OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU ENJOYED IT,WHICH I AM SURE YOU WILL. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT EVEN IF AGE 11 IS TO YOUNG FOR THIS MATERIAL!

This book is a real page turner; I started it one morning and finished it that night! At one point I had to put it down and walk away from it because I couldn't stand the suspense another minute! It grabs your attention from the very first page. The character development is great, the plot is original and the writing is excellent. A great read from beginning to end. If you are a fan of Cornwall, Higgins-Clark, etc. you'll love this one!

"Nathan," the autobiographical story of Nathan Ballard, is the moving narrative of a man who has lived with cerebral palsy much longer than the usual life span allows someone in his condition. The reader is given a world-wind look at the trials and accomplishments of Ballard's life. The book immediately engages the reader and teaches him or her not to feel sorry for the disabled. Ballard has accomplished much more in his life than many people who are in perfect health. He is multi-lingual and has participated in many national activities regarding the well being of disabled persons, including the panel which helped create the Americans with Disabilities Act. Overall, "Nathan" is very easy to read and gives great detail of each period in Ballard's life. However, the book does tend to skip from one point in time to another. This can be discouraging to the reader in several instances, where it jumps quickly from childhood to the present. The character development in "Nathan" is exceptional. Readers quickly feel as though they know Ballard, his family and his friends. "Nathan" will truly open your eyes to the life of a disabled person. It is amazing to hear a first hand account of how people in wheelchairs are actually treated by their peers. Ballard is a fixture on the University of Alabama campus and is very friendly and positive to the students. As a student at Alabama, I know the author and his determination to succeed in his writing career. A screenplay is currently being written on Nathan, and he is now working on a book of poetry.

Many a year ago, when Nathan approached me on the University of Alabama campus to read a book he had spent 20 years writing, I did not think much of it. After spending that weekend reading what then were mere pages in a box, my life has forever been changed. My perspective on life and my attitude toward life has been irrevocably altered. Nathan's brutal honestly and total willingness to sacrifice his all to make a differnce resonates on each page as Nathan's story is brought to life. I wish everyone could read this book. Is it a literary masterpice, probably not. Will it change your life, I bet it will. If you are looking for a book that will inspire you and lift you up, this is the one. And, as one that has been blessed to have gotten to know the man behind the book, yes Nathan is the real deal!

This guy is something else. I heard about him from a friend who read a story of his friendship with Dave Matthews online somewhere. When I bought the book, I thought there would be something about DMB in it. They are mentioned at the end, but this book is what it claims to be. It's about Nathan Ballard. What an interesting life. The book reads well, it is full of surprises and keeps you guessing.

I had no idea what life for a badly disabled person was like. The writers do a fantastic job of spelling out what the experience "feels" like, inside and outside. Nathan is honest about himself. He doesn't spare self-criticism. To me, that makes him more human. He's funny, too. I can see why Dave must like him so much. The dude has been through a lot.

The middle is a little lengthy about some lady who tried to rip him off and steal the book, but it doesn't detract from the story too much. If you are reading this, then by all means buy it. It's a great story. When I finished it I gave it to my mom.

This book was one that I just couldn't resist picking up. Not too often do you come across a unique business book.

The pictures and lessons are excellent. This is a book I find myself turning to when I need some inspiration or just a kick in the pants.

If you're in business and a nature lover, it's a no-brainer.

The title of the book may be problematic without knowing the content. For those who love books of nature are likely to miss this one and for those who are serious readers on leadership may be disappointed. Perhaps a subtitle, something like "thoughts of life through nature" to go along with the main one is needed. Anyway, I love it.

as a ardent covey follower for years I must say this is a must expierence for all! dont just read this book meditate about it, you will find great peace and principles that will be effective in the home or workplace.

Although this book neither as a biography nor as an anthology of the sayings and writings of Will Rogers explores its subject in any depth, this is a very solid introduction to one of the most fascinating individuals in American history. As a biography, Joseph Carter manages to give an excellent, if brief, summation of the major events in Rogers's life. The last part of the book collects a number of Rogers's better-known sayings. This section is a bit more disappointing, since most of the excerpts are presented somewhat out of the larger context. Sometimes, this doesn't matter. But having read some longer pieces by Rogers's, I find that it doesn't enable the reader to get an adequate feel for the kinds of concerns that Rogers had as a political and social thinker.

Rogers was a humorist, but concerns with political and social issues permeate his work. He was also an enormously complex thinker. Although there was a quaint simplicity and humility to the way Rogers expressed himself, he actually worked out a political position that wasn't entirely at home on either the Right or the Left side of the political spectrum. Although he was in most respects of liberal sympathies, he was almost libertarian in the way he yearned for a small central government that didn't intrude into the lives of everyday individuals. He was profoundly suspicious of big government. At the same, time, he was profoundly non-libertarian in being even more suspicious of big business and capitalism. His sympathies, however, were definitely populist.

Rogers was simultaneously one of the most popular stage performers, movie performers, radio personalities, and political writers of his day, and arguably one of the, if not THE, most popular Americans ever to have lived. This excellent volume will provide the neophyte with a good introduction to all these aspects of Rogers's life and career.

I do believe, however, that we desperately need a good, in-depth anthology of the writings of Will Rogers. I would love to see the Library of America bring out a volume dedicated to Will Rogers. Until they or someone else does this, I am afraid that Rogers will be remembered more as the author of pithy one-liners than as what he was: the most influential political commentator of his day.

Excellent reading book combining both a biography and familiar quotations--and writings--from America's best-loved cowboy humorist who lit up the film screen and the radio airwaves during the Roaring 20s and the New Deal 30s. This is a great book for reading--stop by a local bookstore and check it out!

Every school library should have this book! Todays young people need to know about Will Rogers and this book tells it all in great style.

I bought my copy of the original edition in the early 80s. Bought this edition, kept the original...both are great works. The introduction itself is sage advice for the strapped student (concerning kitchen equipment, etc), and practical recipes abound throughout the book (End-of-Month Stroganoff is one of my old standards). Even if you own many, many cookbooks, do add this one to the collection. You'll find quite a few inexpensive hints, tips, and morsels.

I am a cookbook aficionado. I own quite a lot of them, and I admit that many books I buy simply because they are so much fun to read. Readability is definitely why I bought "A Cookbook for Poor Poets and Others," but that's not why I gave it five stars - it also has great recipes and good kitchen advice. The recipes are variously healthy or not so healthy, cheap or slightly more expensive, easy or a little more complex. There is a lot of variety in this book. The author emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, but there is also a nod to real life and its demands in that she also lists plenty of meals you can make out of cans. I definitely recommend it.

I bought my copy of this book while I was a college student in the '60s. I still use it. When I was first married, and penniless, I paid attention to the basic advice: own a good knife, always serve fresh bread, real butter, and wine. Sometimes that was dinner. When we entertained, we added minestrone... Great memories as well as great recipes.

Like his books on classical mechanics, a book that theoretical physicists should read. Unfortunately, the discussion of local integrability is too abstract and there is no distinction made with global integrability. Also irritating: because of a singularity at the origin the damped harmonic oscillator is not recognized as integrable in spite of the existence of a global conservation law, excepting one point in phase space. Integrability is an extremely difficult subject and maybe Arnol'd could have taught us more about it. I've discussed integrability/nonintegrability from a physicist's perspective in my Classical Mechanics (Cambridge, 1997).

Be aware there are 2 versions of this book
available in English; this one from MIT press
is (contrary to one of the reviews above) is
translated from the *first* Russian edition;
there is another version from Springer-Verlag
translated from the *third* Russian edition.
They're translated by different people so
some wording etc is different but otherwise
they're similar, though not identical. The
later edition has some reworked passages
and modest amount of new material, but it's
not a hugely different book.

Both are excellent, are are all the other
books & papers I've seen by V.I. Arnol'd.

It is hardly needed to add words to the existing positive reviews of the book. In the line of previous comments, I just mention that it is an enjoyable book on a basic subject of great interest also for engineers and physicists. The matter is treated with the evident purpose to make the reader fully aware of the interesting geometrical and dynamic implications of the conclusions reached at each step. It is a nice counterexample for those who believe that, to be rigorous, a mathematical book needs to be very hard to read.

Davis's "Organists Manual" is THE method for beginning organists. It contains repertoire at graded levels of difficulty that can be used all throughout the organist's career, and technical exercises that help with problems contained in the book's repertoire. However, organists who want to advance their technique will probably need to buy another method with more technical exercises--especially pedal exercises.

My teacher uses this book faithfully for organ instruction and after using it in lessons I can see why: it contains basic exercises for warming up and achieving finger coordination and dexterity. It also contains some of the best organ pieces that a person of any experience can play to increase his or her technique. A must have for teachers and students.

I study the organ with Dr.Susan Marchant (Pittsburg State University), who suggested me to afford one for my personal collection. This book is a fine treatise for organists, it's "a must" for any organist to have one. The book had been complied so well and contains a lot of techniques to help you improving your skills precisely. Believe me, it's so worth it.