Directories Books

A fabulous resource for anyone with a libido, this all-new 5th Edition of THE BLACK BOOK includes hundreds of listings -- from sex clubs to stores that sell whips and chains, swingers' gatherings, bed & breakfasts that cater to cross-dressers, makers of 'watersports' videos, on and on. Anything in the world that would embarrass your mother or make your pastor blush, it's in THE BLACK BOOK. Thoroughly indexed, with full contact information for every listing, and a mind-boggling array of lists in the back -- leather bars, lesbian hang-outs, sexy websites. If you believe sex should be a celebration, this book is New Year's Eve. Simply the best resource there is, on the actual practice of unusual sex.

From Benjamin O. Davis SR. the first African American flag officer in the United States Military to General Colin Powell, the first Black American to be appointed to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military post, Henry Dabbs has done a splendid job assembling information on African Americans who have been appointed to the rank of general or admiral in the United States armed forces. In this book you will be introduced to individuals such as General Daniel "Chappie" James, USAF, who bulled his way through prejudice and closed doors and at the end of his carrer,1975 protected all Americans as Commander-In-Chief (CINC) of NORAD. You will also learn about the General Roscoe Robinson, JR, United States Army. In 1982 he became the second African American to hold the rank of four-star general and appointed as the United States Representative to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Military Committee. Then there is Marine Corps General Frank Petersen who started out as an Electronics Technician (ET) in the US Navy. Inspired by the Ensign Jesse L. Brown, Petersen applied for a program leading to a commission as an officer. Petersen flew in Korea and Vietnam, and in 1979 at the age of only 43 became a Brigadier General in the Marine Corps. In 1988 Petersen retired with three-stars and awarded the distinguished title of Silver-Hawk-the senior ranking aviator in the Marine Corps as well as the Navy.
There are other individuals, Admiral J.P. Reason, the first African American to hold the rank of full admiral (four-stars). In 2004, as part of a college assignment, I had the distinct honor of interviewing Admiral Reason. There is Brigadier General Hazel Johnson, first African American female to achieve the rank of general officer.
This book is abundant with African Americans who met challenges head-on. The seized a time to make a difference. They showed that African Americans possessed the ability to serve in the capacity of Commanding General, Fleet Commander, and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff. When viewing this book and reading the information that Henry Dabbs has compiled, don't just see the individuals as someone to become the first to achieve a certain rank or hold a particular office. Rather see them as individuals who seized a time to make a difference and helped bring African Americans in the armed forces to their much better places in history.

This book is an encyclopedia listing some of the earliest African-American graduates from a large public university, namely the University of Michigan. Many readers would be surprised to learn that Black students were on the medical campus
in the 1880's, years before Brown versus the Board of Education.
Dr. Johnson conducted exhaustive research to pull together the details of the physicians included in this volume. Especially moving is the author's own tale of struggle and ultimately success after graduating from South Haven High School, attending Western Michigan University, then attending the University of Michigan Medical School after completing just 3 years of undergraduate study. Dr. Johnson and the other physicians described within the book are role models for current and further medical students of all races and backgrounds.

A MUST-HAVE for anyone interested in Black History or for people studying the history of minorities in the health care field.

I have attempted to embark on a reading program of the great literature starting back with Homer.

The Oxford Classics has over 700 books and one wonders where to start. All the literature seems to be intrconnected from Balzac to Grisham. As soon as one reads Chekhov, for example, one wants to read another earlier book by Flaubert, etc. There are about 5000 well know novels by great writers, such as 20 books by Hemingway alone.

In the past few months I bought about 60 novels, mostly paperback from Penguin and Oxford by a variety of authors from Henry James to Jane Austen.

The present book - the Bloomsbury Guide - attempts to sort out and identify all the great authors, and then pick and rate one book from each. It has short biographies on about 375 authors. In addition to the 375, there are many other authors and books identified for follow up. Also, the book identifies about a dozen key books that have shaped the thinking of writers that followed. The present book covers the main authors, the types of fiction, and the important novels, each with short biographies of the authors and descriptions of the books, but without giving away the plots.

Key Points of the book:

- 375 primary fiction writers, short biographies, list of key books,
- example of, or simply, the "best book" by each author,
- a star rating, for masterpiece and highly recommended,
- secondary authors that follow from the primary 375,
- 90 themes,
- pathway books

This is an excellent reading guide. It is a bargain and full of many reading ideas and explanations, and it is a great investment.

Negatives:

- a bit short, just 300 pages
- misses some key authors such as Cervantes: "Don Quixote."

I bought the book plus a second book, the 800 page book: "The Reader's Companion to World Literature" second edition, Hornstein et al, by Signet Classics.

Organization is the word! Clear, complete, concise, definitely useful. I hope the author will follow up with more, perhaps THE HOUSE BOOK?

You won't believe how much information is packed within 290 pages. I am not an actor, but after reading The Book I certainly have no doubts on how to get started, and I would be able to do so with confidence. The Book details how to relocate to Chicago, find trainers, coaches, photographers, write a resume, get an agent, cut a demo tape, join the union, break into theater or improv, and run a small theater company. Tons and tons and even tons of resources!

The writing is enjoyable to read, enthusiastic...and humorous!...

If I could choose only one writer's resource, this book would be it. I order a current copy every year to keep me updated on publishers' needs and submission guidelines. I like the way the book is organized with respect to book publishers and I also like the additional dividends in terms of sample cover letters, sample query letters, and sample synopses and outlines. There is even a section for manuscript preparation as well as a section for picture book submissions and picture book dummies. This book covers just about everything a writer needs to know about how to submit a manuscript and to whom. Highly Recommended!

I teach U.S. and California politics. This is THE source for comparing the governments of the states.

This is it. No need to look any further for the most definitive and comprehensive source of political state information.

This is a detailed, helpful and informative book on the Scottish Rite's Masonic Symbology. This book would be a great addition to any Masonic library!