S Books

About 10,000 same-sex couples have wed in Massachusetts since 2003, when that state's Supreme Court handed down a decision that made such unions legal in the state. Since then, the state legislature has rejected several attempts to reinstate a ban. This wonderful book is about the civil-rights struggle waged by LGBT activists in Massachusetts and the celebrations that followed the court decision, beautifully told and illustrated.

This book chronicles the struggle for marriage equality brilliantly! The authors tell the back story of how activists built on other court cases branching back to the seventies to make it possible for marriage equality to happen in Massachusetts. It is filled with touching stories of real families and their reactions to the news that their rights would finally be protected! They put a human face to this issue and prove without a doubt that all families should have the same legal protections. This book is a must-read for GLBT right supporters and historians alike.

Gozemba, Patricia A. and Karen Kahn. "Courting Equality: A Documentary History of America's First Legal Same-Sex Marriages", Beacon Press, 2007.



"Going to the Chapel"



Amos Lassen and Literary Pride



May 17, 2004 is an important date for us. On that day at midnight close to 10.000 people came together in Cambridge, Massachusetts on the lawn of the City Hall. They were waiting for history to be made. When the building opened, the first legal same-sex marriage licenses in the United States were issued and Susan Shepherd and Marcia Hams, who had been together for 27 years, were not officially granted the right to marry. From that day forward, thousands of gay and lesbian couples from across the state followed the lead. Meanwhile, other couples in other places are fighting for the same right.

"Courting Equality" follows the experience with wonderful text by Patricia A. Gozemba and Karen Kahn and extraordinary photographs (more than 100 in all). We are given a front row center seat to see the battle for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. There entire story is here--the early efforts of activists and the celebrations that followed the decision and the protests following the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Court in the case of "Goodridge vs. The Department of Public Health. What a joyous book this is.

The photographs illustrate the text beautifully and further demonstrate the dignity of the issue. The faces in the photographs are elated and proud and exemplify the importance of everything that went on in front of and behind the scenes. Some of the photographs are so touching that it is difficult to look at then with dry eyes. Others make you smile and grin with pride. They represent what the struggle for equality is all about and what it looks like. The text writers have documented an important part of American history and show the efforts to end discrimination and we read and see how our own legislators and fellow citizens got to know us and our families and helped us gain the justice we so deserve.

Here is testimony to the power of commitment. The stories of the people involved are beautifully related and we see humanity at its finest hour. What makes this book important is that it is not only a chronicle the events that led up to Massachusetts allowing same-sex marriage but it shows how political support grew as we witnessed the reality of the demolition of prejudices against us. Most of all, I feel, it reinforces our worth and that we do, indeed, gain equal treatment under the laws of our country. The look at the way social change occurs is beautifully expressed in this beautiful coffee-table sized book. It is an album of our lives and a picture of freedom.

I'm a long-time admirer of the photography of Marilyn Humphries, whose political conscience and capacity to connect deeply and unobtrusively with her subjects place her in a very special class of her art. I'm also a heterosexual male who had quietly been part of the majority of Americans who favor, in principle, the right of every adult couple to marry. But this magnificent book has turned me into an activist who will stand up at every proper opportunity and fight for that right alongside the many courageous individuals who have worked for it by themselves until now. The concrete story of that fight (superbly written by Ms. Gozemba and Ms. Kahn) sweeps away a merely abstract understanding of what has been happening. A detailed history of the legal fight in Massachusetts is riveting. But if that isn't enough for some who still question the right of an adult to marry, then they will have to search their feelings as they look at Marilyn Humphries' photographs of the seven couples who won Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, photographs that often include their children, neighbors and pets. I was profoundly moved and inspired by these individuals (whom I will certainly never meet in person). I was reminded that everything we call a "human right" is the result of great struggle, and I was also encouraged that those who persevere do so for all of us. And yes--this book is magnificently produced! It should be owned and circulated by every American who believes our country needs to continue its self-examination and willingness to advance.

Lavish in prose and photography, COURTING EQUALITY presents the struggle to equal rights in marriage by Massachusetts' gay and lesbian community. Beyond the obvious, and above the gloss of Marilyn Humphries' stunning photo journal, Patricia A. Gozemba and Karen Kahn offer the reader a journey through worldwide discrimination which bends a bit as same sex couples arrive on the page grasping that one little piece of paper that unbars so many doors. These couples are sometimes both in wedding gowns or both in tuxedoes or anything else that expresses the joy of the moment, and Humphries, Gozemba, and Kahn order the rise of this movement in a powerful narrative that's hard to put down. I am happy to see Kahn and Humphries working again together for I so fondly remember their collaborations at Sojourner The Women's Forum during that publication's heyday late last century. I assume Gozemba has rallied this writer and this artist and added her own pizzazz to the endeavor. Huzzah!!! Good reading for anyone.

This book has brought even closer than before to the realization that men of the South, especically the 26th North Carolina, sacrificed so much for what they believed in. This book follows this unit from beginning to end, sharing all that they did during the War, but hilighting Gettysburg and the tremendous toll it took on this great unit. I was especially enthralled by the personal side that the author shared, delving into personal history of various members of the unit, especially its Boy Colonel. A great read for those who want to know more about the men and units who made up Lee's great Army.

I'm pretty new to reading about the Civil War, but so far it seems that Regimental History books are my favorite. While other books try to do too much and cover many battles, generals and focus on troop movements, etc., Regimental History books focus on people and individuals.

Covered with Glory was particularly enlightening, as it sheds some light how Confederates felt about the war.

It is a very focused and straight forward read. Don't expect this to be a comprehensive book on the Civil War, but to experience a "little piece" of it, this is a great book.

An outstanding read! The author does not spend a great amount of time dealing with the formation and early days of the regiment. Instead and pleasantly so, he provides the reader with just enough information to get a feel for the regiment and its officers and concentrates on Gettysburg.

Additionally, the book is in simple and plain english allowing the reader to easily navigate troop movements, etc.. I especially enjoyed the "what happened to" part of the book, something which is missing from too many volumes.

Overall an excellent book about one of the ANV's best regiments -BUY IT!!!!!!

goes to Mr Gragg for his excellent book on the 26th NC Regiment. As a long time Union County resident in the "Old North State", I have often times looked at the Confederate Memorial located on the old courthouse lawn in Monroe listing all the various units which volunteered to do battle from this area. Units such as Co B, 15th NC Reg/ Co F, 35th NC Reg/ Co D, 37th NC Reg/ Co B, 43rd NC Reg/ Co A,E,F and I, 48th NC Reg/ Co I, 53rd NC Reg/ Co C, 10th Bat, NC Artillery/ Co F, 2nd Reg, NC Artillery (Jr Reserves) and of course ... Co B, 26th NC Regiment.

Who were these men, what were they like, what battles did they participate in, how many made it home and what were their lives like when they returned. Political Correctness has taken it's toll in the South, demonizing all those who participated in the Confederacy as extremists and traitors to the United States and so ... from the very towns and villages and hamlets where these men came from, little is known or even spoken of concerning these men today. Indeed, more roadside historical markers of the exploits of Gen Sherman exist today in this area than tributes to the men who defended their homeland.

It is true that the cause may have been all wrong ... men fighting for their own liberty and independence while denying the same to an entire race of people is hard to justify. I do suppose that "States Rights" must fit somewhere in the total picture of the war, but I am convinced that slavery was still the main cause of the war ... so in the end, I guess that we are only left with the devotion to duty, the courage and valor with which they performed that duty and the truly horrendous losses they sustained in trying to achieve their ends. But I do not judge men who lived so long ago by the standards of today and slavery was truly a world wide phenomona not so very long ago ... yes, the South held on to it a little longer than other sections of our country ... and it has paid a price for it ever since.

But Mr Gragg has put a face on those men of so long ago for me, one which I can put in my heart ... that of Col Lane ... who spoke at the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. If Mr Gragg would permit me I would love to quote from his book.

"When Lane spoke, the croud hushed. Looking down into the faces of his audience, he saw many who had witnessed the excitment, tragedy and horror of those unforgetable fields of fire. There too were many who could never imagine what he described; they were a new generation for whom those three days were merely history. "I was once a soldier ...", he began, and then spoke at length ... an old man telling a young man's story of smoke and fire and death. He tried to tell them about the shouts and volleys, about brave enemies in Black hats, about dressed lines and fallen color-bearers. He tried to tell them about the courage and confusion, about McCreery and Wilcox and Honeycutt ... and about Colonel Burgwyn, down and dying. He tried to tell them what it was like to look into the face of a twenty-one-year-old when the boyish light in his eyes was fading. He spoke of exhillerating victory and searing losses. "On the third day," he told them, "the remnant with colors flying stepped out, with hearts of oak, to take part in that memorable third day's charge." He gave them brutal numbers and awful statistics of bloody subtraction: 800 young and healthy men with homes and families and futures reduced to so few and then reduced again to nearly nothing.

Always, he came back to his men."Your valor is coming to be regarded as the common heritage of the American nation," he told them. "It no longer belongs to your State alone; it no longer belongs to the South; it is the high-water mark of what Americans have done and can do." He wept. In front of everyone and without apology, the old warrior looked at the tiny, aged remnant of the 26th North Carolina and he wept. "I give you the highest tribute," he told them, " ... a comrade's tears." A blue uniformed band of Pennsylvania veterans then broke into a spirited rendition of "Dixie," and the audience ... Northerners, Southerners, Americans all ... erupted in cheers.

Thank you Mr Gragg for pouring so much of yourself into this book, for in so doing you have given something priceless back to those of us who claim the Southern heritage. I can now look at that memorial in the courthouse lawn and feel a sense of pride for in the end ... the question is not what a man can scorn or disparage or find fault with, but what he can love and value and appreciate.

The narrow focus of what the 26th is most famous for is wonderful because it allows for many details. For those that don't know, they took atrocious casulaties over a 48 hour period, basically 8 out of 10 men went down. Their action is legendary, lining up against the Union's most famous, Iron Brigade, and also being the unit that could claim the farthest penetration into enemy territory on day 3.

As always, a couple of more maps would have been extremely helpful, but that being said, the ones there are well done.

Day 1 is treated extremely well with intense description of the action, almost minute by minute as far the 26th was concerned. The reading is smooth however, and most won't get lost in the details.

Day 3 has some of the best coverage that I have read because the author expands the focus for the Picket-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge to cover many of the other units involved. Of course, the 26th still gets the lions share of the commentary.

This book isn't for novices, but at the same time, you don't need to be a hardcore student to get it. I think a simple 2 or 3 page synopses of the battle will help so you don't get bogged down with some of the names, but more so you understand the importance of the battle in an overall perspective.

Again, the focus is the 26th at Gettysburg with a very brief prelude and wrap up to their other action. Highly recommended for the ACW afficionada and casual reader.

My only little quibble is with the quality of paper and tiny font for the paperback. Come on publishers, put the better works on better paper so they'll last longer.

Found this book by talking through our favorite childhood reading adventures with my best friend. She recommended "Dandelion Cottage" and remarkably our library had it. I was charmed from the moment I stepped into it. What a wonderful writer, fabulous characters and simple hometown Michigan charm. Makes a homesick grown woman feel more like dusting than any Martha Stewart article ever could! I can't believe that somehow as a child I missed this series. I'm not setting about purchasing it so that along with Anne of Green Gables and Alcott's female heroines, this book can be in our family library and inspire my daughters like it has inspired me.

Reading Dandelion Cottage is like looking at my great-great grandmother and actually knowing her. My grandmother's family was from Marquette and then later relocated to Georgia. As I was growing up I was always told about The Dandelion Cottage and however fictionalized, the characters were modeled after my great-great grandmother and her friends. It's wonderful to know that through the reprint, that the book won't go lost.

This is one of my all time favorite childhood books! I was surprised to learn recently that there is an actual Dandelion Cottage still standing in Marquette, MI. The author of the book lived in Marguette. FYI, you can purchase a copy of the book through the Marquette County History Museum for $13.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. Check out their website at www.marwquettecohistory.org for details and more information about the book.

The book, "Dandelion Cottage", was read to each of our family members by our fifth grade teacher (she taught all 5 of us kids at a wonderful grade school in the 1940's, 50's and early 60's). She set aside time during the week to read aloud some portion of this exciting, strong character book to us. I can remember so well the time spent sitting in that classroom and listening to her read to us. This is a book that all young people should have the opporunity to read and enjoy.

I read Dandelion Cottage when I was about 10 yrs old and absolutely loved it. I'm delighted to see that it is still in print and now will give my granddaughter a copy for her birthday.
Dandelion Cottage still stands today and was based on a story of some little girls who actually used the house as their play house. It's a delightful story that takes one back in time. These charming little girls will touch your heart.

My professor used the 5th edition in the Digital Elec class many years ago. I write software but have been trying to make the transition to logic design ... picked up the latest edition for refresher

Great book

You can gain the basic digital logic design knowledge using this book in no time! that is not always sufficient for people who wants to get A grade rather you can just make it your introduction and so soon move to part two (that is up to your current course).
My advice is : get this book unless you have passed this level!

This is the best book to understand Digital Electronics with clear and simple explanations. The salient feature of this book is that it has lot of applications sprayed throughout which keeps the reader attentive and interested. A "Must Read" for graduate/undergraduate students in any university in the world.

I used this book for a course on Digital Electronics. Its great. The book has a great typeset, clear and crisp fonts that go easy on the eyes, well structured (such that you read what you need in order to understand the next chapter). The book is illustrated with apt diagrams. I would consider this book to be beginner-intermediate. This book is a good starting point for learn digital stuff, and a good reference after you learn digital stuff. Its hard to find a book as good as this one.

This is the best book to understand Digital Electronics with clear and simple explanations. The salient feature of this book is that it has lot of applications sprayed throughout which keeps the reader attentive and interested. A "Must Read" for graduate/undergraduate students in any university in the world.

Only a libertarian, or the authors' mothers, will truly agree with all 12 of the Supreme court cases featured in "Dirty Dozen." So what. It is thoroughly fun to read. As stated early on in the book, the authors picked the 12 worst cases decided since the New Deal, the period they define as the modern era of eroding freedoms and of government expansions. Most cases also have a "dirty dozen honorable mention" case to hold hands with it's main "dirty" case. They explain how the cases were selected, and the substantial legal assists they asked for and received in making the selections. Commendably, the authors prefaced their book with a legal expert who did not fully agree with their picks - how often does that happen!

"Dirty Dozen" reads smoothly for the non-lawyer, this reviewer included. The reasoning for all the cases was especially easy to follow, and the analyses were uniformly organized. Warning to future readers: three cases over the last 70 years pop out as naturals for a book like this: Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Bush v. Gore. All are mentioned, but none show up in the dirty dozen! Roe and Bush, though, appear as postscripts, with explanations why they may have been bad law, but not included. Buy the book just to see these!

The gem which charms this entire book is its reference to, and love of, our US Constitution. This document with all amendments - plus dates ratified - show up at the back of the book. Get "Dirty Dozen" along with three bookmarks: one for the page where you stop for the day, one for the endnotes, and one for the Constitution.

The Supreme Court is governed by humans, and humans do make errors."The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom" is an examination of these mistakes that have cost America dearly. Pointing out cases in which the Supreme Court has bumbled and allowed the federal government to interfere with private contracts or political support, detain prisoners charge, wrongfully seize property, and other misdeeds of the court, "The Dirty Dozen" is an expertly crafted and harsh criticism of the courts. Highly recommended for community library law collections.

This book is a good complement to Randy Barnett's _Restoring the Lost Constitution_. _The Dirty Dozen_ looks at twelve bad Supreme Court decisions that have effectively erased some of the explicit constitutional limits on the federal government and reduced individual freedom. The preface by Richard Epstein expresses a few minor disagreements about some of the cases chosen, and the end of the book explains why Roe v. Wade and Bush v. Gore didn't make the cut. Those that did include Korematsu v. United States (1944), which said that the U.S. program of internment for Japanese Americans was constitutional, Kelo v. City of New London (2005), which said that governments can seize private property in order to give it to other private hands, Home Building & Loan Association v. Blaisdell (1934), which said that the government can unilaterally void parts of private contracts despite Article I Section 10's explicit language to the contrary, and Bennis v. Michigan (1996), which said that government can use civil forfeiture to take property without compensation that is involved in a crime even if the owner of the property has no involvement in that crime.

I have read the Constitution several times and it has always been a mystery to me how many (if not most) laws are permissible by our courts and deemed congruent with our founding fathers vision. This book no only addresses my confusion but does it in a clear entertaining style free of Latin and other confusing "legalese". I highly recommend this well written engaging book.

I listened to Robert Levy on Harvard Book Club. The man is brilliant. To the extent that the book claims that the Supreme Court failed to interpret the constitution in a reasonable manner, the book is one-man's opinion of what the constitutional law should be. Levy criticizes the notion of a "living, breathing" constitution because it encourages "judicial policy-making." Yet, this is what the law interpreters have done since Roman and Norman times. Law has never been a fixed rule, in our common-law system. The law is a reasonable interpretation within the established structural and doctrinal framework to fit the evolving standards of decency. This book is just one political opinion of what the constitutional provisions are. My fear is that a non-lawyer, reading this book, will inevitably get an idea that the Supreme Court is not upholding the constitutional principles. Nothing could be farther from the truth. For those non-lawyers, that are intrigued by the book, I can not stress enough the following: You must read many more judicial opinions to get a glimpse on how the Supreme Court operates and how laws evolve and devolve. For example, legal students have a benefit and duty of reading casenotes and comparing many opinions on a narrow topic; which the non-lawyer readers of this book do not.

A wonderful gallery of accurately painted forces of the Revolutionary War era including Loyalists & German hired troops as well as weapons & artifacts. All that seemed to be "missing" might be the 1st Continental Light Dragoons or the Continental Marines. It was also great to see that for the first time since John Mollo's 1976 Uniforms of the American Revolution the uniform of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons correctly depicted with white facings as opposed to the inaccurate buff color.

Although the world is filled with books on the various sorts of things which armed and equipped the Revolutionary War soldier, this book moves into uncharted territory. While Troiani's paintings brings these diverse sorts of soldiers to life, the full color photographs of many of the most important surviving artifacts from the war adds a dimension found nowhere else.

Yet another excellent book by Don Troiani. A must for any AWI fan. I found the mixture of paintings and original weapons, uniforms and accoutrements a refreshing touch. However, those who have copies of 'Battles of America' and 'Soldiers of America'will find many paintings repeated in this new book.

Not since George Neumann's landmark "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" has there been such a remarkable assemblage of artifacts and images. The former, drawn from public and private collections from across the nation include many items that have never been published, let alone in color. Don Troiani's exquisitely detailed images, some new, some drawn from previous works, provide invaluable context for the objects, as well as documenting the bewildering variety of uniforms worn during the war. Both artifacts and images are described within the impeccably thorough research of noted historian James Kochan. This volume is destined to be the standard reference for the student of the American Revolution that "Echoes of Glory" is to devotees of the Civil War, and is a must for anyone from historian to general reader who is fascinated by the drama of the war that gave birth to America.

With nearly two and one-half centuries having passed and literally thousands of books on the topic having appeared since the events of the American Revolutionary War, calling a new volume "pioneering" seems a bit bold. Relative to this important and exciting new gift to students by master artist and collector Don Troiani, though, that term is fully appropriate. In literally no other book to date have such historically valid visual perspectives of our War for Independence been gathered, through both a remarkable array of original artifacts and Troiani's impeccably researched and executed artwork. For this pre-photography American military epoch, no other source yields such a "you are there" perspective



While the bookshelf of "material culture" albums relating to Civil War memorabilia is both broad and expanding nearly every year, the number of significant books on Revolutionary War artifacts and relics ever published can literally be counted on one's fingers, with most of the still best-selling volumes having appeared during the bicentennial years of the 1970s. That sharp contrast, of course, is a direct reflection of the exceptionally greater rarity of the arms, equipment, apparel, and everyday-life items that can be proven to have been used by the armies of the 1770s than is the case with the militaria of the 1860s. Troiani has done all Revolutionary War students a great service by expanding the presentation of such earlier artifacts beyond those from his own fine collection with a startlingly superb array of items from other private and institutional collections, most never before published and many rarely ever seen by the public. These historic jewels are brought to the reader through close-up, full-color photos of such striking detail and beauty as to almost produce the experience of having these fascinating artifacts in one's hands.



The element that weaves together and breathes life throughout this gallery of fine militaria, of course, is Troiani's peerless artwork. With more than 50 of his paintings beautifully reproduced in this volume, the artist has brought true vibrancy to an era and its people almost habitually misperceived as lifelessly archaic or, worse yet, patriotically "quaint." In particular, the single-figure and small-group studies clearly reflect the precise documentation yielded by author James L. Kochan's exacting material culture scholarship. Such world-class historical accuracy, together with artist Troiani's insistence upon "period-correct" faces and physiques, has produced for us a strikingly innovative window upon the Revolution.

This book is excellent for those wanting to learn these techniques....book was in wonderful shape

This technique is amazing, it can make a painter out of a no talent like
me. The instructions and illustrations are great.

Excellent book. Would recommend to anyone interested in acrylics.

I always wanted to be an artist, and with Donna's easy-to-follow techniques, I can now paint! Before, I drew rotten stick figures, but Donna had me painting like a pro in nothing flat! I have given items away as gifts, and have had requests for items! I've been concentrating on clay flower pots, but I now feel ready to branch out to bigger and better things! Thanks Donna!

I have no natural artistic talent and no art experience, so I thought this book which promises "quick and easy techniques" would be perfect for me. However, I've been practicing Donna Dewberry's techniques for two months and still can't perfect the brush strokes. My opinion is that the words "quick and easy" are false advertising and should be removed by the publisher.

Ever since my bf introduced me to Dragonlance I have been reading them non stop. These 3 books are awesome! They really are very action packed and make you sit back and go WOW. I didnt get sad with these 3 books at all I was more sucked in and sometimes got so outraged by the actions of some of the evil people (you know who Im talking about) These are a must read.

By far, these are the best set of books that I have read in a VERY long time. I agree with some of the other people that the contents, especially the ending should NOT be reveiled in an email. I think that such a wonderful book should be read by the reader & not told to you by some goof. Experience the wonderful world of Krynn for yourself & you'll find you'll be back again & again & again.... :) Enjoy them all but start with Chronicles first! :)

If you are reading this and thinking about buying, STOP READING THIS AND DO IT. I really can't think of any better book to read (other than the Chronicles) to get you started on fantasy. These books are easier to read and understand than most Tolkien novels. Caramon and Raistlin show the true struggle between Good, Evil, Love and Hate. Tasslehoff Burrfoot, our friendly Kender, also plays a MAJOR role, which I am glad to say. Just one more word......AWESOME!

It is almost impossible to describe how wonderful this book is. There is nothing about it that is not absolutly perfect. It is absolutly incredible what Margaret Weis and Tracy HIckman have written. I wish I could sit here and type out the whole plot, but unfortunatly, I can't. But I will say this. The characters are beyond belife. Anybody who didn't worship Raistlin before will now. He is most definatly the greatest fantasy character ever written. Crysania is good too, especially in Test of the Twins. Dalamar Nightson, Raistlin's apprentice, is one of the better characters, and is part of why this trilogy is so incredible. No one has ever written anythig close to this. Everyone should read this book, it is so wonderful. Personnaly, I've read it so many time I can almost recite it, and it never gets worse. Please, for the love of Raistlin, BUY THIS BOOK.

Off limits! Never buy these wonderful adventures. If you do, you will ever after be disappointed in everything else you read. It's truly sad to stumble through the rest of your life searching for a comparable read as lively and passionate as this series by the masters of adventure, Weis and Hickman. OK, you've been warned.

The second most famous book by Immanuel Velikovsky, 'Earth in Upheaval', is much more interesting than 'Worlds in Collision'. One of the main reasons why is because Velikovsky does not focus too much on Biblical stories and ancient stories from ancient cultures. That's what killed 'Worlds'; although the ancient stories were a little interesting, they were boring for the most part. I also doubt if the history was accurate too. I doubt if all the events described all happened at the same time.
Here Velikovsky is a little more scientific, but his science if very flawed. I doubt most scientists would take him seriously. Recommended reading for those who are interested in alternative archeology.

This was not only an exciting read but it was bold courageous and I am sure blaspheme to the died in the wool adherent to evolution. In his book Immanuel Velikovsky deals with something that has always struck me strange, coal, how did it form, sometimes in layers fifty foot think. The lignite that I find around the area of my home in the Pacific Northwest is chalk full of fossil. Some so perfect I can clearly count the striations in the leaf formation. I have never been able to accept the explaination for coal and how it comes about. I believe Velikovsky has explained it perfectly to my satisfaction.
Many call his science flawed, yet today evolution is being disproved by the study of the stars and the youngness of the universe.
Why if evolution is taking place have we seen nothing in times of written history, only extinction.
I am a woodsman and experienced hunter, I know the woods are full of game and yet in my many years of hunting I have only found one skull of a young bear.
This I have never been able to understand, when there is so much condenced discovery of fossils in certain areas. What caused this? In this book Immanuel Velikovsky explains well beyond normal reasoning why.
In reveiws of this book many have said that the book is not science, I believe that the preponderance of evidence is always science and that theory is without merit when science proves it wrong. As I said earlier to the adherent of evolution this book is blaspheme, the reason is because evolution, is a religion, it is and has to be accepted by faith. The evolutionist is the adherent of the religion and is offended when his or her belief system is attacked...

As I reread "Earth In Upheaval" I am struck anew by Velikovsky's disciplined scholasticism and breadth of source material, by his compunction to always include other points of view (and flaws therein), and by his clear writing style.
It is understandable why Einstein had "Worlds In Collision" open on his desk when he died, why Clifton Fadiman, who was for many years editor-in-chief of the Reader's Digest, said that Velikovsky wrote about 50 times better than most of his critics, and why it was predicted that 99% of the books on geology, archeology and ancient history would have to be rewritten.
I suggest serious Philalethists (lovers of truth) read Velikovsky in his entirety. His day is approaching.
Just one question: How can we get some new editions published, maybe on the internet, so students can see for themselves for a change why Velikovsky may well be the (persecuted) Copernicus or Gallileo of the 20th century?
A final point: although I had read "Earth In Upheaval" 30 years ago, and I've glanced at it again several times since before my recent re-read, one particular factoid stikes me hard with it's import...Velikovsky refers to beaches and fossils hundreds of feet up off the coast of South America along with aerial views of settlements, untolled numbers of them, UP TO AND EVEN INTO THE PERENNIAL SNOW LINE!!! Now how can you explain that without a catastrophic theory?
Philip Neri Lyons
goodoldphil@yahoo.com

While the evidence for the general principle of evolution is overwhelming, when applied to a particular species, it can be weak. For example, when looking at the giraffe, one can ask how evolution could create an animal with such a large neck. Furthermore, the length of the neck would evolve gradually, so there should be creatures with necks of intermediate lengths.
Velikovsky argues that evolution often proceeds in dramatic steps as a consequence of a climactic catastrophe. He cites the discoveries of scraps of warm weather creatures in cold climates where it appears that they died suddenly. Large numbers of wooly mammoths were apparently quick-frozen, as some have been found frozen with grass still in their mouths. He also cites evidence that indicates that large areas of land have shifted their height relative to sea level over the last several thousand years. Remains of cities appear high in the Andes, in regions where the harshness of the climate seems to eliminate the possibility that the area could support a large number of people. He uses this to argue that the area has risen higher above sea level in the last few thousand years. He also cites instances where trees and other land debris appear in an undisturbed state under the ocean. It is as if the land level fell dramatically at some point in the past.
There is no question that there have been dramatic changes in the climate over the last few thousand years. Some of the recent work in the mathematical area of chaos points to the possibility of a feedback loop causing sudden changes in climate or even the output of the sun. The fact that there was an ice age a few thousand years ago is well documented. However, what caused it remains unknown. Only a few centuries ago, there was a little ice age, where the winters in Europe were particularly harsh, and a volcanic explosion caused the famous year without a summer, where snow fell nearly year round.
Therefore, while Velikovsky is correct when pointing out the evidence for dramatic changes in climate, there is reason to believe that the causes are simply components in the natural cycle of the world. Only a small variation in the energy output of the sun could cause a dramatic change in the climate of the world. A sudden explosion of a volcano could release a large amount of sunlight blocking dust, or the rapid movement of a continental plate could lead to a dramatic change in climate by blocking the flow of ocean currents.
I enjoyed reading the evidence concerning dramatic changes in the climate thousands of years ago. There is reason to believe that the last several thousand years have been rather peaceful in terms of the magnitude of natural disasters. Where I do not find the book interesting is when Velikovsky tries to explain the catastrophes. There is no reason to believe that they are the consequences of the proximity of other planets, as he so fervently suggests.

Though Velikovsky's theories are varied and somewhat happen-stance, his suggestions make one take notice or our planet's strange past. Like many other researcbers Velikovsky tries too hard to make "everything" fit his ideas when one or two would be satisfactory. By making everything "fit" together he tends to discredit even his most sound concepts. Still, an enlightening read.

I got this book along with "Eat This Not That". From the excellent reviews, I was expecting something that was a little more organized and informative without digging to find information. While there is some good information such as "red flag" and "green flag" words, the layout is boring... it looks more like a manual than a food guide. All of the print is black and white on white paper, so nothing really jumps out at you. You would have to read this cover to cover to get the info you're looking for.

"Eat Out, Eat Right" is a must-have for every person and family on the go. Hope Warshaw, Registered Dietitian, offers sound, practical advice that is easy to understand. This book covers everything you need to know about eating out, from Smoothies to Sushi. As more people dine out more often, it is nice to know that a true nutrition expert has spelled out how to eat out in a healthy way. The "Nutrition Snapshot" meal comparisons and "Special Requests" tips for modifying your food choices are what my clients find most helpful.

"Eat Out, Eat Right" is a great resource to keep using each time you eat on the go. It is small enough to fit most anywhere, yet packed with valuable tips and hints. I recommend it to all of my clients, because we all eat on the go. It is worth every penny of its very reasonable price!

This is a great book to help everyone eat out in a healthy way. The size of the book is easy to carry with you, keep in your car or your breifcase. With this book the challenge of eating out is much easier. Each chapter covers a different cuisine - so makes it useful for a variety of people. I recommend it to my clients as a good reference book.

I thought Hope Warshaw's previous edition was superb, then this one came along to do even better. It is an excellent summary of restaurant info and healthy eating tips for the average person. I especially appreciated her down to earth explanations of lingo for various ethnic cuisines. Because Hope Warshaw is a Registered Dietitian, we can trust that her information is accurate and balanced. On top of all of that, the book is physically perfect...the right size to fit in a purse or book bag, the right feel to make you want to hold it, and the right font to make it appealing to the eye! If you have this healthy dining book, you really need no other!

This is a handy book for anyone who eats out. My favorite part is the suggested meals to order for each type of restaurant (Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Pizza, etc.). The author's tips are practical and straightforward. I like that she makes it possible to eat well when eating out by choosing the right foods, instead of discouraging eating out altogether.

My husband loves Mexican food and so that chapter was especially helpful to me in finding healthier foods to order. It was also a good reminder to avoid the chips!

I like the Healthy Eating Guidelines at the beginning of the book that can be put into use at home as well as eating out. She includes tips for choosing healthy options for kids as well. With the increase of children eating out on a regular basis, this section is especially helpful. It's a great book full of useful information that I highly recommend to anyone!