F Books

This book is wonderful.
I did not know that the Germans were the first to use helicopters in combat in WW2 and not the Americans!
Now I know this as a fact!
And it is amazing that they flew public demonstrations of helicopters even before 1938, setting speed and altitude records! What amazing craft such as the FW-61, Fa-223, FL-265, FL-282 all flying before sikorsky!
And we here in America always assume when someone says "the first american to do something" it means the first person in the world to do something.


How amazing to find out that the Germans had operational combat choppers performing air-sea-rescues and submarine spotting in the Baltic before Sikorsky's craft had ever left the ground .
We in America are always so eager to claim we were the first at everything when after a little investigation it is so easy to find out that our common perceptions of History are mostly wrong.


How wonderful that this book clears up those kinds of misconceptions and sets the record straight, showing that the Burma rescue of 1944 came years after German helicopter rescues at sea. Wonderful to discover that air mobile operations and combat troop transport and transport of artillery and ammunition was carried out from huge twin rotor Focke Achgellis 223 choppers. They even airlifted whole airframes of downed fighter craft, something we couldn't do post war.
We always assume we were the first but we should know better.

Although this book reflects considerable research there are glaring flaws in that research. It is confusing at times and poorly written, because it is full of typographical errors and conflicting and confusing data. I am intimately familiar with two of the stories related in this book and one of them is fairly accurate while the other one has many inaccuracies. I served two tours in SEA in Rescue helicopters and I know a thing or two about the subject matter. It could have been an excellent book if the author had hired a proof reader and considered finding more corroboration for some of the material. Otherwise, it is a great summary of the important role of helicopters in military aviation.

I've known Bob Dorr as a friend for about a decade or more. He and I both share a passion for aviation and aviation photography. Bob, however, goes beyond passion when he writes books. His unique ability is to write books that puts readers into the cockpit of helicopters or other aircraft. You feel exactly what other crews have felt while flying missions. Bob's amazing knowledge of aircraft and history and his dogged research makes for truely unique books.

I enjoy Bob's books and encourage others to try them out.

Dorr's "Chopper" belongs on the shelf of everyone interested in military aviation history and the men who were part of it. Dorr interviewed more than 75 pilots and crewmen and these individuals come to life as their remarkable stories are told in this very readable book.

"Chopper" is laid out chronologically. It starts behind enemy lines in Burma in 1944, when a young American pilot named Harman and a mechanic named Phelan flew a Sikorsky "R-4" helicopter on what was apparently the first ever U.S. military helicopter rescue. From here on out, the role played by "whirlybirds" in almost every major U.S. military operation is examined, including: air rescue missions during the Korean War, troop airlift operations in Vietnam, heliborne assaults in Afghanistan and helicopter attacks in Iraq.

I liked "Chopper" because it lets each pilot, mechanic, and crewman tell his story in his own words, and this makes for a readable, entertaining, and often exciting journey through history. All the services get their due as well---Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine helicopter pilots and aircrew are all part of Dorr's narrative.

From what I can tell, "Chopper" also is a true "first" in the history of book publishing: the first book to compile first-person accounts of helicopter pilots and crews who flew military rescue and combat missions; the first book to tell the comprehensive story of military helicopter operations from World War II to the current war on terror; and the first book to combine these personal histories with technical data on each helicopter flown or crewed.

General readers, amateur historians, and professional researches will find this book well worth the money.

I own and have read a number of books by military author and historian, Robert F. Dorr. Chopper is, by far, the best.

Starting with "eggbeaters" in Burma and continuing through the "snake" in Iraq, Dorr lets the pilots and crews tell their own stories. The stories include a father-and-son combination as well as the memories of fixed-wing aircraft pilots suddenly assigned to fly helicopters. As the pilots and crews recount their experiences, the humor of military personnel in tough situations spreads through the pages.

Dorr has amassed an amazing collection of photographs that accompany the narrative, making it easy and fascinating to follow the development of helicopters from 1945 to the present day. Chapter sidebars telling the reader who's who add to the readability.

This book is a pleasure to read. I recommend it without reservation.

Many texts are oblique and indirect, written so the author can be published. However,Mr. Gronbach's book is a fresh, well written guide to accurate market forecasting that gives the reader immediately useful ideas and methods. Application of his well presented, easily understood method enables products to be brought to the market to catch the crest of the selling wave. Product planning and distribution techniques become clear and sensible. I have not seen anything that is this useful. I recommend anyone in consumer marketing to digest this book..

This book is simply written and simply...very insightful! The basic, simple and very practical formula of supply and demand based on population growth is simply explained. This formula is very practical in almost everything and anything. What ever topic it is this common census rule should be apply with the expectation of great results.
In a nut shell....It makes Common Census!

This book hits the nail on the head. It catches you shaking your head thinking "why don't they teach this in college??" A "must read" for anyone in the business world and anyone who just wants to understand simple economics! Ken is as brilliant a writer as he is a public speaker!

This book contains a point of view that many businessmen dismiss, or don't even consider. It teaches business in a simple way and portrays it in a way that IS common sense. It has helped me to think about the big picture of business and consider why corporations fail and succeed. I would recommend this book to anyone because it is understandable and simple, yet thought provoking and complex.

Common Census is curiously simple, yet profound. If you sell anything, goods or services, this is a must read before ramping up. This study of generational populations reveals why the Ipod is a homerun, and the retirement community, as we know it, will fade away. This quick read has helped me define where the money won't be, and the best generation(s) to market to. You'll want to read it over again!
L.L.Bowden

Sionil Jose is one of many favorite fiction writers. The book on the Rosales' family saga as impacted by the Spanish-American war, politics, military duty, the clash of religion, asian and european culture are masterfully told in this book and series. It is at once a bittersweet yet glorious story of the depravity of humanity and strength-of-will to also rise above sorrow and hardship. Since the Philippines (named after King Felipe--aka anglicized Philip--of Spain)was discovered by Europe by Magellan in 1521, the european influence was rooted in the east Asian country for nearly nearly 380 years then almost 60 years by the U.S. The Rosales series is a fascinating look into the impact of societal/political/military changes upon the common people as seen through these complex fictional characters.

In this work, F. Sionil Jose writes a kind of folk tale, describing the long history of what could be his family. Istak, the main character is clearly styled to be the hero of the story, undergoing a development from self-centered scholar, then father of a family and barrio to becoming a true Filipino patriot who is willing to give his life for the nation. During this development, Jose shows the suffering of the poor people, from various oppressors, but much more intense than Rizal did. Where Rizal mentions an injustice that happens, Jose shows ist in all details. And he also shows the heroism of the poor people, and he makes clear that it is the poor people that matters when it comes to building a nation that deserves this name.
A must for every reader who wantsto know more about history and psychology of the Philippines, or respectively, all ex-colonized people.

I just couldn't get interested in the subject of this book or any of the characters. Reading it was like swimming in molasses. Perhaps it was the foreign setting that turned me off. The language was unremarkable. Obviously, I did not find in this book what the other reviewers did.

Dusk is a book about many things. Mainly, Dusk is about walking fine lines, choices, and a country founded on disunity.

Dusk is foisted as the opening novel of the Rosales Saga. The saga is a celebration of a sense of resilience against all kinds of adversity - mostly external. F. Sionil Jose starts as well as ends the saga with Eustaquio. The story begins with Eustaquio's meeting with Dalin - the enigmatic visitor. From outside research I am led to believe that the Rosales Saga is a story of 4 generations of a Filipino family - an Ilocano family. The lives of these "little people" become intertwined with the pantheon of heroes - in this book Eustaquio meets Apolinario Mabini and Gregorio H. Del Pilar. That may not mean much to non-Filipinos, however, to a farmer from Po-on that would mean a great leap in status. Although Emilio Aguinaldo is often mentioned he is never really seen or heard from.

Eustaquio and his progeny are entangled in the tumultuous history of the Philippines. The Philippines is a country that has seen no respite from the horrors of colonial incursion. With the initial salvo by Ba-ac (Eustaquio's father) the brood of tenant farmers is compelled to leave the village of Cabugaw. Seeking refuge from the "guardia civil" a local gendarmerie organized under the auspices of the Spanish colonial with a contingent of local soldiers. Eustaquio and his ilk find solaces in a small town called Rosales - under the protection of a landowner called Jacinto. Jacinto reminds Eustaquio of a kindly priest who served as his Svengali - a Padre Jose. However, Eustaquio never really gets to reconcile the two. The group settles and works hard - somewhat romantizing the legendary Ilocano work ethic. The group has a chance at a new start. Inevitably, they are once again dragged in to the ravages of war.

Contrary to what the publisher and other critics have suggested - Dusk is no place near Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude." It could be argued that the Saga may be more akin to Victor Hugo's Les Miserables - where the main characters perform an criminal act but it is assumed with just intent and a hand forced. Jose is wonderful about the pastoral depictions of an innocent group of people just trying to get away from all the hustle and chaos of the colonial ear. As much as I too was attracted to the pastoral, well wishful thinking does not really breed results. I was drawn in by the personal nature of the descriptions - we even become intimately acquainted with Kimat - Eustaquio's horse (actually Jacinto's horse). Jose treats the subject with as much deft and sensitivity that a person with regional loyalties has.

Despite the call for a unified Philippines, the Tagalog hegemony is questioned (and this is a good thing). However, the constant references to the differences between the regions - about Ilocano discipline juxtaposed against "self-indulgent and lazy" (265) folks from Pangasinan. Well, yes, Jose becomes self reflective that this kind of generalizations are detrimental: "It is not right-attributing inborn faults and virtues to people" (265) - the problem is the stigma sticks. Best not to valorize nor vilify any group in particular, I argue. Although it is a problem with us Filipinos - we do this sort of petty stuff - we will never be able to "trust our own people, their judgment, if we are to build a nation." (289). Even Jose and I are on the same page on this one - by waxing sentimental (sometimes overly) about alleged Ilocano discipline - he effectively "outs" the rest. Mind you, I don't have the final say on this - you the reader will have to make up your own mind. No matter what, I highly recommend this read to anyone who wishes to get a grip on the Filipino angst.

Miguel Llora

What a wonderful book! As soon as I read the opening pages of the novel, I was hooked, couldn't put it down. I sometimes forgot I was turning pages. The vivid characters, the sceneries, the events, the history, Filipiniana..I was awestruck with to learn about my roots. Growing up in the US, I rarely had the chance to read about Philippine history. This book opened up so much for me. All my five senses were in use at almost every page. F. Sionil Jose can really weave a tale, a writer par exellance. I quickly bought the sequels to this opening "Rosales" saga and am looking forward to reading them. I am sure they are just as captivating. Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) to Mr. Jose and to the publishers.

Rover1 asks in his/her review if " God is in control of the abortionists hand as he rips the baby from the womb". The way he/she structured the question reminds me of the old Groucho Marx joke " have you stopped beating your wife?" It is a "no-win" question, and reveals Rover's misunderstanding of Christian theology.. If you say "yes", then God becomes an accomplice to murder(abortion). If you say "no", then God has no control. The question should be: Is it within God's will that the abortionist be given the opportunity to abort the baby?' This places the guilt on the proper shoulders ( the abortionist's) , but still recognizes God's omniscience/omnipotence. God does not want the abortionist to do it, but gives him the free will to make that choice. Of course, the abortionist must answer for his evil actions later, but that's a whole different theological topic.
Hope this clears up Rover's bad theology.

This book arrived in great shape and in a very timely manner. Like all his books, Stanley writes so the average person can understand fully.

The whole theory of God is in control of every single thing amazes me. Is He is control of the abortionist hand as he rips the baby from the womb? Free will is a part of this world. So I suppose most would say when someone dies at an early age the old adage of "well, it must have been Gods will" tell that to that persons children, that will really help out in their relationship with God. People wake up, quit giving credit to God for things that we as humans have goofed up ourselves. Everything that happens doesn't mean it is Gods will just because it happened and He didn't stop it. Was it His will for the abortion law to pass? No, because that would go against His word, but it did pass didn't it? So what happened? We as children of the most high God have a responsibility to utilize the weapons of warfare He left us such as His and The Holy Spirit. We need to rise up and come against such tragedies in prayer and stop giving God credit for bad things in our lives. Satan is the one who comes to kill steal and destroy....Not God. Read john 10:10 satan and God are not co-conspirators working togethor to refine our character and teach us lessons etc read eph 4:11 If God is in total absolute control of every little thing, then He's not doing such a great job is He? This world is full of a lot of bad things and I refuse to believe God is up and heaven and is controlling the shooter and he kills kids in a school...makes no sense. Anyway I would recommend reading the b ook :God is not your problem" by Billy Joe Daughtery It addresses many things such as the sovereignty of God etc amazing book in my opinion...

This book is helpful and wonderful in reminding us that God is in control of every situation. The photography throughout the book, which was done by the author, is also a beautiful reminder of God's magnificence in the world. The book is easy, quick reading but still has a powerful, profound message to deliver. I recommend this book for everyone.

This is a wonderful book that just opens up some insight into the reality of our relationship with God. He is so great and yes in the end He really does have all control if we just allow it

Leigh Branham has done an admirable job writing a practical manual for keeping good employees. I believe any employer will find scores of proven tactics they can apply at once. As Joe Bosch of Pizza Hut says: "If a company implemented just four or five of these practices, they would be significantly better at retaining talent." Gee. Making more money because your employees are motivated. What a concept.

Doni Tamblyn is author of Laugh and Learn: 95 Ways to Use Humor for More Effective Teaching and Training and The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series)

I read the book as part of an MBA mid-term project and would recommend this to any line manager or human resource practitioner who wants real, proven ideas and thoughts about attracting, retaining and developing quality employees. The book is very well structured and easy to read, yet a no-nonsense approach and in depth look at retaining valuable people.

Finally an employee retention resource from an outstanding consultant that combines practical step by step instructions with theory AND excellent examples from top companies. Keeping outstanding employees should be a top priority for every business, but unfortunately retention often runs a distant second to recruitment. Leigh Branham takes the mystery out of keeping top employees by providing business owners, managers and consultants proven retention tips. After introducing each retention practice, Leigh provides a questionnaire to evaluate your company's effectiveness. Plus the appendix is filled with surveys, checklists and evaluations you can start using today! As a consultant and coach, I am using Leigh's material with companies and individual clients and getting excellent feedback.

Keeping the best employees is a goal that is not often met in today's changing and fluid new economy. Leigh Branham introduces four key strategies designed to help an organization keep the employees it wants. These solid practices are designed to have a positive impact on an organization's best workers by increasing motivation, performance and satisfaction. These four key points are organized in parallel with an employee's life cycle in an organization:

Key #1: Be a company people want to work for.
The leadership of the organization must create an environment where three essential elements are put into place: adopt a "give and get back" philosophy, measure what counts and pay for it, inspire commitment to a clear vision and definite objectives.
Key #2: Select the right person in the first place.
Poor recruiting decisions today result in the poor performers of tomorrow. An organization must claim responsibility for recruiting to ensure it not only chooses the right candidate, but also stays connected to the external business community, and thereby having access to the full diversity of the talent pool.
Key #3: Get them off to a great start.
Knowing that between 50 and 60 percent of employees change jobs within the first seven months, it is seasoned experienced manager and leaders that focus on this critical period to the organization keeps its best employees. The keys elements during this period: communicate how their work is vital to success, get commitment to a performance agreement, and give autonomy and reward initiative.
Key #4: Coach and Reward to maintain commitment.
To sustain an employee's commitment to the organization, his relationship with his manager is a critical element. It is said that 50 percent of satisfaction at work is determined by an employee's relationship with his or her manager. Managers should: proactively manage the performance agreement, recognize results, and give employees tools to take charge of his or her career.

If at all possible, this book should be read in combination with Branham's subsequently published book, The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave: How to Recognize the Subtle Signs and Act Before It's Too Late, and preferably read first. That is desirable but not imperative. Either book can firmly stand on its own merits and both are "must reading" as competition for talent becomes increasingly more aggressive. That said, the subtitle of this earlier book correctly indicates what it provides: "24 ways to hang on to your most valuable talent." Branham carefully organizes his material within eleven chapters and focuses on four "Keys," providing with each several "retention practices." Too many business books are bloated with theory but wholly impoverished in terms of practicality. For that reason, I commend Branham on the fact that he devotes most of his attention to explaining HOW to establish and then increase the appeal of an organization that people want to work for, how to hire the right people in the first place, how to get new hires off to a great start, and how to use effective coaching and appropriate rewards to sustain their commitment. Well done!

Beautiful photographs of family weddings. Nice of the Kennedy family to share the photo's of their private moments.Obviously there are 3 photographers who do their weddings and they had permission to run these photos. One of the photographers was Jay Mulvaney and another man called Mr. Reggie took JFK JR and Carolyn's pictures in addition to Arnold and Maria's pictures and the reason I would imagine he is so discreet as his sister is the second wife of Ted Kennedy, Victoria Reggie.)These photographers would make a small fortune if they ever released pictures not previously seen. It would be nice to see more than one of John and Carolyn's wedding, but I guess that is up to the Kennedy's and the Bessette's and they would have to be in agreement. Knowing how much Caroline Kennedy hates the press I doubt it will ever happen.

I love this book on the Kennedys! Definitely it is my favorite Kennedy biography and one of my favorite books ever! Includes many beautiful pictures and great details.

Although rather voyeuristic in its concept, this book is a lovely scrapbook of the nuptials of America's most famous political family.

The photographs are poignant and artful, and the text, while syncophantic, is illuminating with all sorts of wedding minutiae.

The only error I've found in the book is the omission of Robin Lawford in the family tree at the front of the book; all other Kennedy cousins are present in the tree, but Robin must have flown the coop.

You'll enjoy this book, if such books are your sort of thing.

As a long time admirer of the Kennedy's I really liked this book. The up til now unpublished photographs are wonderful... however I was left wondering why the "first" wives of all the Kennedy men were given no more than a nod.. most notable was Joan Bennett's wedding to Ted. A few pictures and little text were all that were afforded them. Perhaps there was not very much cooperation on the part of the ex Mrs. Kennedy's but for what ever reason is it jarring. Also Robin Lawford is shown and mentioned at her sister's weddings.. however in the family chart at the front of the book she is left out. Perhaps I am being picky about a book that shows us the good times in this family. The radiant brides and the handsome grooms on the happiest days of their lives are touching and memorable.

I loved this wonderful collection of stories and photographs about the weddings in the Kennedy family history. In a way, they are America's family (warts and all!) and to see a hundred years worth of fashion, fashions and celebrating was a joy from cover to cover.

I read Mr. Mulvaney's other book, JACKIE HER CLOTHES OF CAMELOT and bought this one as well...it's a complete delight and will make a lovely gift to my friends as they get married.

Well done Jay Mulvaney!

An almost too simple invitation to an otherwise complex topic so highly advocated by people so influential as Pankaj Ghemawat, Nancy J. Adler and Orly Levy ... the topic of developing of a Global Mindset! Global Mindset is the ability to handling very complex cognitive challenges in a cosmopolitan world - this takes Personal Leadership! In the book `Personal Leadership' you are as reader invited on a voyage that - if you allow it, will change your efficiency as leader in Global context... enjoy!

I loved the book. Some of the concepts were familiar. When I read the original authors, I found them too abstract. The way that the authors laid out the principles and practices so clearly and practically with exercises converted all that abstraction into a useful tool. I thought of a least one situation where I could apply it immediately. The authors were very open and generous in sharing personal stories. Congratulations on this significant achievement.

This book is a key to understanding how to build effective multicultural organizations. It is a must read for every leader in all organizations - including corporate, government, education, and non-profits.
This is a book for "our time" and includes an easy process that is important to practice on an on-going basis. This process is the key to making a difference in the world.
Dr. Ann C. Schauber, Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University

There will likely still be a place, and an important place, for cultural dimensions, value descriptions, and generalizations about cultural difference for decades to come. Yet such knowledge-focused tools are only a small part of the cultural competence equation and can be rendered futile when not matched with the right mindset, skills, and behaviors.

Personal Leadership helps address this need. It rests on the powerful premise that intercultural development is a lifestyle and daily practice--not simply a skill you get taught in a cultural training course--and offers a new approach that transcends a focus on specific cultures or limit to training or teaching environments. As such, it is an approach synonymous with and symbolic of the intercultural work of the future.

Is it only me questioning how I could keep my enthusiasm and inspiration in living life with purpose and vision at the same level as I was reading a great book like "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle? I was thrilled to find the answer in this book, Personal Leadership! With a simple but profoundly practical methodology of two principles and six practices, Personal Leadership has given me a tool to improve my competency to take better actions for various challenges at work as well as to expand my personal life aligning with my vision.

Sounds too good to be true? Read it first, and you will find what I am talking about...;-)

Miss Elizabeth Mapp lives in the English village of Tilling and there she attempts to be part of the cream of Tilling's society. With a steady diet of gossip, Miss Mapp and her circle of fellow residents flavor their lives with eyes on the goal of status. Benson's sharply observed and satirical tale is part of the Mapp & Lucia series, which pokes fun at English society of the times. Like an early ancestor of "Dynasty" or anything else produced by Aaron Spelling, the Mapp and Lucia stories are big fun for any Anglophile or fan of camp literature.

Miss Mapp rules the tiny English village of Tilling- that is she rules those who matter. It is a tiny circle of people who have enough class to rate her attention - but she manipulates and lauds over them with machiavellian schemes, and intelligent surmises - and she is intelligent.

Benson has written a village with a range of gorgeous characters - from Diva who is Miss Mapp's great rival, to Irene the local artist who keeps embarrassing Miss Mapp with her prosaic pronouncements. Then there is the local Vicar who talks in a combination of Shakespearian English and Burnsian dialect. There is also Mrs Poppit who is an up and coming social climber (hardly worthy of Miss Mapp's notice) and the novel begins with Miss Mapps machinations to the Poppitt Bridge party.

Village life you see seems to run around Bridge parties. In this petty world of card games there is a great deal of opportunity to expose one another's weaknesses and Miss Mapp, in order to be the center of village life in Tilling finds no object too petty to exploit. This is a novel of small things made into huge issues because of the smallness of the village. There is Miss Mapps constant running battle to dress better than Diva, the competition over Mr Wyse's attentions (with his supposed comtessa sister), and the ever pressing desire to be the First To Know all the gossip in town.

The physical descriptions both through the characters minds and from Benson's pen are wonderful for instance Diva is always depicted as whirling around the place - her legs circling. Mrs Poppit is ever present in a huge and weighty sable coat.

This is a wonderful book, and beautifully written. Benson seems to me to be very influenced by Austen - there is the small and claustrophobic atmosphere of village life - the characters (Miss Mapp seems so like Mrs Norris of Austen's 'Mansfield Park') to me - and then there are the odd Austen Names (in this case the Coles feature strongly as a family that is not quite up to snuff - just as the Coles are in 'Emma'). If nothing else Benson writes of English village life in the 1920's with the same Ironic pen as Austen did of village life in the early nineteenth century.

Highly recommended if you want a couple of days of laughter.

This book from the hilarious pen of Benson, is odd in a certain way. After all, Miss Mapp is the queen of Tilling in the book, and undisputed depot who rules with an iron tongue! Where is our dear Lucia, Mapp's sworn enemy, and the pretender to the throne? Well, she is back in her original home of Riseholme, with her dear husband Peppino. Those who know the Mapp and Lucia Saga from the wonderful television series, might find it strange to have Mapp ruling the roost without interference, however it makes for a delightful read (with one oblique allusion to Lucia), and shows that Miss Mapp is a strong enough character to carry her own book. The most significant event (though hardly significant at all really) is the rumored duel between Puffin and Flint over the affections of Miss Mapp. What really occured on that misty morning? Read this brilliant piece of humor to find out. I love it!

Well, after meeting Queen Lucia, I quite enjoyed learning all about Tilling and its dear Miss Mapp. You will wonder who she visited in Riseholm, and you will die from the anticipation of the two ladies meeting up in subsequent books (you won't be disappointed!). The characters are fantastic, the situations are comic, and I absolutely loved this book! I am officially hooked on the entire series! I hope you will try it and love it just as much as I.

Not only will the Reader of today recognize Miss Mapp amongst her acquaintances, dear Reader is only too likely to see *herself* in caricature. (I, for one, am Diva Plaistow; no getting round it.) A delight from the first paragraph, "Miss Mapp" is even more enjoyable if you've read the first two in the Lucia chronicles. Librarina@netscape.net

This book and CD are a wealth of knowledge. As a person of African descent, hearing how these persons were treated in a county supposedly for freedom and equality, not only was a horrified but very angry.
I will NEVER forgive this coutry for the ill treatment and hardship that racism and bigotry ahs and still is causing.

I am currently a high school student that read part of this for a Civil War class and let me say this is one powerful book. With people who were the slaves themselves tell you their stories, you learn alot about the antebellum period. I would recommend this book for any mature person due to the fact that some of these stories show the true horror of slavery.

This is a must have, must read, must hear book. With the sixty-nine minute recording of the actual slave interviews from the 1930s, we have the only known recording of the actual voices of actual slaves telling their story. Hearing their voices is like being tele-ported back in time. The book itself also examines those same interviews, primarily through "Weevils in the Wheat: Interviews with Virginia Ex-Slaves."

Teachers and speakers will want their students and audiences to hear these voices. They give voice to the voiceless and bring alive these heroic survivors.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Spiritual Friends, and Soul Physicians.

For several years I've been reading powerful thought-provoking slave narratives. This is probably the most moving due to accompanying tapes of slaves discussing their thoughts and conditions when they were slaves. This book and tapes should be used in every high school American and World history classes. I recommend this book to everyone above the age of twelve. If you want to begin educating your children earlier about American history, specifically slavery have them read K.J. McWilliams books; The Journal of Darien Duff, an Emancipated Slave, The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo, and The Journal of Leroy Jones, a Fugitive Slave. They are based on slave narratives such as this one and include many interesting photos as well as additional information.

this is a Must for all to have.The Books&tapes show the RawNess and Emotions of Americas Worst NightMare that still Haunts Her.the Voices run Deep down your skin.until SLavery is Properly Discussed and Dealt with America will continue to be a Land of The Unknown.a Must Have Book.

I just received this book today and read it cover to cover. It has everything. It's well organized, lists items you need to create a project, has step-by-step directions and tips. The pictures show you the process and gave me many ideas to copy. This is a beautifully presented book. You can't go wrong with Francoise Read's book.

One of the most wonderful books for Stampers.
Very clear and great to have.

This book is great. Has heaps of ideas. I would recommend to all rubber stampers all over the world to buy a copy of this.

The Rubber Stamper's Bible

Very good book. I wish I knew about it when I started stamping two years ago. If you are just starting to stamp, it explains the differnt inks, cardstocks, tools, techniques, etc. which would have been such an asset instead of my learning bits and pieces at a time. I would have at least knew what people were talking about.

This is an awesome book that gives detailed explanation for rubber stamping. I learned a few techniques I did not know or have.