S Books

In this book the author blames the initial assault on David Koresh's Mount Cramel property on the ATF. He neglects to mention that David Koresh had enough guns, hand grenades and illegal automatic weapons to outfit the Kosovo Army for it's next Revolution.The BLAME lies with David Koresh and his followers. When you amass such as stockpile of ILLEGAL weaapons then you should expect a visit from the authorities which is exactly what happend . And due to Koresh's arsenal he managed to "outgun" the ATF and four good Peace Officers were murdered. All of this occurred because that madman and psychopath Koresh thought he had a "Direct Hotline" to God. Those 86 people chose not to surrender. Perhaps they thought the seige would end with flowers and free bottles of French Champagne? It seems like nearly everybody wants to blame somebody else for the Waco Incident instead of laying the blame at Koresh and his followers.I give this book 5 stars because no doubt it will apeal to the Paranoid Conspiracy Theorists out there and the Survivalist who now think their Government is "The Enemy "ever since Russians turned out to be nice people after all.

Kopel and Blackman did more than just their homework on this book. It is perhaps the most factual yet interesting critique on the way in which federal law enforcement operates today. The attack on Mt. Carmel is a very important even in the history of this nation and only from our mistakes can we change the future. This review I believe is especially credible since I read but certainly don't always like David Kopel's writings. Highest recommendation and a great source for research papers.

A very impressive accomplishment. There is a tremendous amount of detail here -- right down to how the ATF's name evolved from BATF -- but presented in a compelling and readable way.

This book is unusual in that it does not slant everything in one direction; it refuses to classify those involved as unambiguous good guys or bad guys.

The scope of the book goes beyond what's implied by the title. There is plenty of fascinating history here, many references to other law enforcement debacles. A compelling case is made that law enforcement has become too militarized and too federalized. The discussion of how "groupthink" on both sides (the government and the Davidians) leads to this kind of tragedy is especially excellent.

I've long wondered why liberals and conservatives seem inverted on Waco. Liberals are thought to be strong on civil rights, including religious freedom, and anti-military. Conservatives are thought to favor strong law-and-order. The authors explain this puzzle: the Congressional hearings quickly degenerated into an attempt to embarrass political opponents rather than a dispassionate search for the truth. The American public and the media took their orientation from Congress to a large extent. If a Republican had been president at the time of Waco, it's very possible the sides would have been reversed.

The authors show very clearly that the real problems with law enforcement have been building regardless of which party controls the White House or the Congress. I hope some legislators read this book and take the excellent reform suggestions to heart.

Once again David Kopel (and Paul Blackman) gets to the bottom of things and shows what the Waco disaster was all about. If you only read one section of this book, read the part detailing the search warrant. It appears that all the death and destruction (on the part of both the Branch Davidians and the BATF agents who were killed) was brought on because of a failure to pay a several hundred dollar tax on a firearm.

This book focuses on Waco but also delves into the expansion of federal law enforcement and the effect it has on civil liberties in this country.

As per the United States Constitution, the federal government should have law enforcement jurisdiction over the following acts: piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, offences against the law of nations, and counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States.

Something has gone terribly wrong.

Read this book. Then read anything else that David Kopel has written. It will be well worth your time, and you will be well educated about the erosion of our rights as citizens.

This work is not only an outstanding explanation of the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents, but a critical review of modern federal law enforcement. The book goes beyond sorting out -- in meticulous detail -- what really happened in these debacles. Even more valuable is the objective analysis of the abuses and excesses of federal law enforcement, along with suggested remedies.

This book is a "must read" for anyone concerned with civil liberties or law enforcement.

These are the people who founded our great country. These are people who we have all heard about, but don't really know who they were. This book is a great introduction to our founders and what made them do what they did.

As always, Bennett tosses us a great story about our founding fathers. His writing is coordinated and he points out the best of the dramatic tales (real) that they endured--as individuals, as well as family heads. If only, when future historians look back on our current days, they would be able to say..."Those were great days." Alas, I doubt it. Although the founders were what might be called "normal mortals", to challenge each other to create our great nation makes one proud to be able to say "we belong!" They were clearly heroes.

I was tasked to find an appropriate book to give to outstanding high schoolers for our local Rotary Club. I felt this book well represented the ideal of the club. This book should serve as a valuable resource in future years as these young men and women matriculate to higher learning, and careers.

Bennett chose his material well. Historians may argue with some of the details in his commentary (e.g., that Burr shot to kill Hamilton, aiming directly at his chest). Others may take issue with some of the "nuclear family" biases inherent in his commentary. That isn't the meat of the book. The importance of the book rests in the quotes of the founding generation, and Bennett went beyond some of the most famous quotes and speeches, although these are represented as well, to give us a true feeling of a generation that approached life with a genuine goal of self-improvement. Most interesting were some passages from Abigail Adams, from her "tough love" to John Quincy through her disdain for french dancers. Anything regarding Bennett's personal life is irrelevant for assessing the value of this work.

The United States of America was blessed with a generation of founding fathers who were at the same time people of action, and people of thought. They were an incredibly brilliant group of political and moral thinkers. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison had a profound understanding of both human nature and the unique circumstances bound up with the founding of the United States. Their dream was of creating a nation like no other before, one based on principles of freedom, and dignity of the individual The ideal formulation is of course in one of the documents central to this collection, ' The Declaration of Independence' , life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In this anthology of the founding fathers' writings in story, letter song, speech and hymn we feel the spirit of a new and great nation and vision for mankind.
God Bless America.

I just finished reading Pea Ridge (called Elkhorn Tavern by Southerners), and was impressed with the treatment of the common soldiers' struggles both in and out of battle. The authors do a good job there. The maps are ok, but could be better (more).

What I find unfavorable (yet again) is the treatment of the South in general. The book is written from the 'all conquering, righteous Union' point-of-view. Take for instance the fact that Missourians fought on both sides. In the book the ones who fought for the North are labeled as "loyal". Are the ones fighting for the South disloyal? No! they were loyal to their state and the Confederacy...
While this book seems to be the 'best' coverage of this neglected battle, it still radiates with the current political correctness we all have to endure. Just tell things like they are (or were in 1862).
A good book, but could be better.

This book is a model for clarity in histories of the Civil War. The author describes troop movements and strategic decisions in an accessible manner. The meaning of the Pea Ridge campaign is made clear. In this book, you can follow the battlefield and get a sense of where people were at any given moment.

The South lost the West in this battle; the battle pre-saged many of the tactical innovations of the Civil War. This "sideline" battle is revealed as more important than most realize, an early indication that western battles would yield Union victories.

Even among Civil War buffs, Pea Ridge is pretty much a forgotten battle. Shea's book remedies that with clear, readable and moving narrative and keen analysis of the largest Civil War battle fought in Arkansas (and depending on which numbers you believe, the largest fought west of the Mississippi). Even more importantly, the book provides compelling reasons why Pea Ridge should NOT be a forgotten battle. He also spotlights the brilliant performance of Samuel Curtis, perhaps the Union's most underrated general, as well as the less-than-brilliant work of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, who had all of Jeb Stuart's style but not of his skills.

Many Civil War buffs, and most casual readers of Civil War history, have more than a parochial understanding of this pivotal battle. When Curtis's northern troops entered NW Arkanasas, during the winter of 1862, they knew they were facing a strong enemy.

Earl Van Dorn, recently promoted to commander of the Army of The West, had assembled a strong army and was anxious for success against Curtis's troops. He believed that he could defeat him and launch an overland campaign, against Union held St. Louis, ensuring his lasting fame. He was unprepared for what he would find with Curtis.

Curtis had entrenched his army, along Little Sugar Creek, which rests south of Pea Ridge Tavern along the Telegraph Rd. As the Rebels were wintering in the Boston Mountains, south of his position, Curtis had little worry about Rebels hitting him from the North. Fortunately, Brig General, Franz Sigel, detached from Curtis's army, and at Bentonville, was defeated, and pushed back to Curtis's position and alerted him of trouble in his rear.

Van Dorn's ingenious plan revolved around splitting his army, to traverse Elk Horn mountain, with troops under Ben McCullough taking the Ford Rd, to the mountain's south side, and his troops, commanded by Sterling Price around the north side. They would meet on the Telegraph Rd, north of Curtis's army and push them into Little Sugar Creek - blocking their means of retreat to Missouri. While conceptually, this plan was sound, in reality, the timing proved difficult and Union troops under Osterhaus and Jefferson C Davis, caught McCollough's rebels in the open. Battle followed in, and around Leetown. While the rebels were able to open the battle, their organization fell apart after brigadier generals Ben McCullough and McIntosh were killed on the field. Command of this sector fell to the next general in line, Albert Pike. Pike was leading the Civil War's first brigade of Indians, and was not up to the task. The union forces pushed them NE towards Elkhorn tavern.

Meanwhile, east of Leetown, Van Dorn's main body, unleashed a spectacular attack against Curtis's Union forces at Elkhorn Tavern. The rebels pushed Curtis's troops 1/2 mile south, along the Telegraph Rd. Even with the routing of the portion of his army, now being led by Pike, Van Dorn slept that night, confident that his troops would push Curtis's army into the Little Sugar Creek. This was the mistake that lost him the battle.

The next morning, after assembling his new battle line, Curtis's opened the day with the largest artillery barrage of the Civil War (up to that point). This artillery barrage caught Van Dorn's confederates unprepared. In the excitement of the previous day's victory, Van Dorn had not called up his supply train. Essentially, caught up against the east edge of Elkhorn Mountain, and in the open south of Elkhorn Tavern, Van Dorn's troops had almost no artillery ammunition, and very little ammunition for his infantry. Van Dorn was forced to retreat, east along Huntsville Rd.

Over the coming months, Curtis would pursue Van Dorn's army across north, and north central Arkansas. His victory would assure the Union, that Missouri would stay in the Union.

This book was extremely well written and easy to read. Shea did a remarkable job putting his text into easily visualized format. I was even more impressed with this book after visiting the battlefield, and using his maps, and pictures, to explore the battlefield (if you are interested in viewing my pictures of the Pea Ridge battle field, please email me at michael.noirot@gmail.com).

I highly recommend this book to all Civil War buffs. It will put the battles, west of the Mississippi, into proper perspective.

Michael Noirot
Saint Louis, Missouri

Authors William Shea and Earl Hess tell the story of the campaign and battle of Pea Ridge, which is sometimes grandly called the Gettysburg of the West. The Union Army of the Southwest, commanded by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis numbered fewer than 11,000 soldiers, the same size as a single division in the Army of the Potomac at that time. Yet, while the vast legions of Army of the Potomac hovered uncertainly near Washington DC in February 1862, Curtis launched a winter campaign that took his small army clear across the Ozark Plateau and into northwestern Arkansas.

There, Union soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and loyal Missouri met an equally tough set of Confederates from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. It was one of the few times in the Civil War that the Northern soldiers were outnumbered. But in the subsequent battle of Pea Ridge in early March 1862, the 16,000-man Confederate Army of the West went down to defeat.

According to the authors, bad luck, uninspired leadership and Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's many outrageous blunders negated the Southern army's numerical advantage. On the Northern side, Curtis and three of his four division commanders maneuvered their soldiers with skill. Even Curtis' erratic second-in-command, Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel supervised a decisive artillery bombardment on the second day of the battle. Three Yankee brigade commanders showed courage and initiative, but at least one unit commander had a yellow streak.

The book devotes a chapter and a map to the preliminary operation in which the Confederates missed capturing a Union detachment that Sigel had carelessly exposed. The March 7 fights at Leetown and Elkhorn, and the March 8 battle at Elkhorn are explained in detail with maps. The Army of the Southwest's later march to Helena, Arkansas is sketched out more briefly. A concluding chapter ably critiques the strategy and tactics of both sides. There is an Order of Battle and extensive footnotes.

Compare this book with Shelby Foote's short account of Pea Ridge in his splendid "The Civil War -- A Narrative." Foote was a great historian, but it sounds like a different battle. To take only one example, Foote says Van Dorn's two pronged attack was planned. Yet Shea and Hess note that the attack was improvised after the Confederate flank march fell badly behind schedule. This is typical of the kind of detail that the authors add to the history of this battle.

My only criticism is a lack of information on weaponry. Except for one Illinois unit, it is not clear whether Union infantry and cavalry units carried rifled muskets, smoothbores, carbines or Colt revolving rifles. The Order of Battle contains detailed data about the type of cannons in each artillery battery, but in one case the text contradicts the OB. For the Pea Ridge battle and campaign, this book is a keeper, despite my quibbling about weapons.

This books grabs you from the first page and takes the reader on a globe-trotting adventure into the world of counter-terrorism. The exploits of ex-CIA agent Jordan Sandor will leave you breathless as he races against time to prevent a world-wide terrorist plot.

Can't wait for the next one...this would make a terrific movie.

Jeffrey Stephens takes the reader on a ride with adventure and never lets you go. Great character development makes you want to know more about Jordan Sandor. I promise you'll love this one!

I LOVED this book! I bought it for an easy-read, thinking I would take my time going through it - well, guess what? I got so caught up in the plot I couldn't put it down. It had all the suspense and thrills of The Bourne Identity yet with even more twists and turns. Kudos to Mr. Stephens - I cannot believe this is his first book. This man obviously has a long career as an author ahead of him. Keep the intriguing plots coming Mr. Stephens - you've got me hooked!

Kudos to Jeffrey Stephens for his first published espionage novel! I was given the impression that this novel would be intriguing and similar to works of Follett and Clancy. After completing this book, I found myself wanting more similar to the way I feel after completing a Follett or Clancy story!
The characters were made real. I'm disappointed that Andrioli will no longer be part of Jordan Sandor's crew but was content when Traiman was finished! I found myself putting a face to each of the carefully crafted characters. Jordan wants what is best for his country and is content to be a quiet hero.
I'm looking forward to future Sandor selections. Please hurry up!

Anyone who enjoyed the fast-paced excitement of "The Da Vinci Code" will certainly love "The Portofino Deception" as well. Stephens does an excellent job of partnering the reader with protagonist Jordan Sandor in an adventure that spans the United States and Europe in a heroic effort to stop a terrorist plot that will wreak havoc on the global community. Jordan Sandor is the Jack Bauer of literature - for all "24" fans, this is a must read.

A great book for those engaged in facilitation. It is well written and easy to understand. It is one of the better books I've found on the topic. The reason for 4 start instead of 5 is the price of the book. Books that would compliment this are "Leading Through Collaboration" and Leading Groups to Solutions: A Practical Guide for Facilitators and Team Members

Well written -- brief and to the point. Valuable even if you only read the first and last chapters. If you think you want to work on Facilitation skills -- get this book!

This book starts with good real time situations to describe the common problems in facilitation and how to overcome them. It helps both beginners and serious facilitators. Through a series of real life examples it teaches the best practices for effective facilitation.

I am the Principal of Cohesion Inc, a marketing & business consulting organization, and also a part-time course director in the marketing faculty of the Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto, Canada.

Facilitation is an important part of my work and teaching, and as such I regularly review literature on this subject to discover new insights and techniques with which to experiment.

Whether you are new to facilitation or already an experienced practitioner, this book will serve as an excellent resource to build your skills in this area.

This is a wonderful, practical, well-written book, with 60 facilitation secrets that are worth far, far more than the price of the pages. In fact, I learned more from this book than I did from a nationally recognized Advanced Facilitation course for $1700.

The chapter on consensus-building, which introduces 4 common techniques for building consensus (Delineation, Strengths and weaknesses, Merge and Weighted Scoring) I found particularly useful. The 6 high-level agendas for common facilitated sessions (among them process improvement and issue resolution) are a must for every facilitator.

I would recommend this book most highly for facilitators who want to build on their existing skills rather than as an introduction to the field, as some of the secrets (those related to dealing with dysfunctional behavior, for example) assume some foundational facilitation skills. However, anyone interested in the field would benefit greatly from the secrets in this book. A truly great addition to the facilitator's library!

This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it as it is easy to read and has numerous transcipts of interviews with patients who are real. The book also containes medical material which will be of interest to surgeons, nephrologist and patients. The books was very well received in a major medical journal. I am pleased that the book is doing well and I strongly recommend it to public and medical libraries.

Book Review
The struggle for life: a psychological perspective of kidney disease and transplantation: Authors: Lyndsay S. Baines and Rahul M. Jindal Publisher: Praeger

Colin Baigent, BM BCh, MA, MSc, Reader in Clinical Epidemiology a [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

In the preface to this book, the authors challenge the reader to approach the subject matter with a fresh perspective. There is, they say, no place for the quantitative tradition when assessing psychological problems among patients with kidney disease. Complex emotional states defy classification by reference to quantitative psychology, and must instead be understood in the context of each particular patient's worldview. That sort of understanding comes only from talking to patients, and not from getting them to fill in questionnaires. It was in order to make this point forcefully that the authors, who run a psychosocial support service for kidney patients in Glasgow, Scotland, decided to write this book describing their own practical experience. They hoped that, by bridging the gap between psychotherapeutic and clinical services, others would try to create similar types of support for their own patients. Will they succeed?

Since the target audience is transplantation team members, the book begins with useful background material, including an outline of psychotherapeutic theory as it relates to chronic illness, and a short section on psychoanalysis. After this, however, the authors hit their stride, and we have chapters on a wide range of "human dilemmas," among them medical noncompliance, grief, abnormal body self-image, substance abuse, debt, depression, anxiety, and sexual problems. In each area, the authors explain why, in relation to these problems, dialysis and transplant patients ought to be considered sui generis and argue that much of the related psychological literature on other chronic illness (eg, cancer) simply misses the point. They explain, for example, that transplant patients frequently see themselves as the recipient of a "gift," and feel pressure from within to do something "special" with their lives. This aspiration is difficult enough if we are healthy, but many such patients have experienced years of poor health, perhaps even reduced cognition, and the inevitable result includes a range of consequences from depression and reduced self esteem, through to relationship difficulties and suicide. Each chapter gives us several vignettes from the authors' own experiences, together with a transcript describing how they tried to help, often with some success. Even as one steeped in the so-called quantitative tradition, I was impressed by the skill involved in trying to realign patients' expectations of their postmorbid lives, or in helping them to come to terms with their limitations, or in helping to ease their feelings of isolation. For me, these accounts were the most worthwhile part of the book: they remind us, above all, that health professionals have first of all to be human beings to connect with patients' experience of illness.

In spite of my enjoyment of much of the book, however, I fear it will be less widely read than it should be. Quite simply, for a book that aims to win over clinicians to the cause of psychotherapy, it seems to be too long. Busy physicians, surgeons, and other health professionals who are chronically short of time may lose patience with much of the supporting quantitative material on psychotherapeutic research and the sections on theory. It is a pity that the authors did not stick to their guns about the value of the oral tradition in this context. For the selective reader, however, reading of the transcripts of the psychotherapist's art will be rewarded by a rare insight into the emotional world of transplant or dialysis patients. In that respect, the authors may prompt others to explore how such a service might be provided in their own practice, and this can only be a good thing for present and future patients.

Publishing and Reprint Information TOP

aUniversity of Oxford, Clinical Trial Service Unit, Harkness Building, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom UK
Copyright © 2004 by National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2004.05.015

As a patient who received a kidney transplant, I found it easy to read and understand. Some of my questions which were not answered by doctors were neatly answered in this book. The transcripts of the patient interviews captured some of my own experiences as a patient. I recommend this book to patients and their carers, in particular, patient support groups and public libraries.

I am pleased that there is a new book dealing with chronic renal failure and transplantation. Psychological issues tend to get ignored; therefore, this book fills a need.

This book may be useful for patients and support groups as well as physicians, surgeons and perhaps nurses.

I found the transcripts interesting as we deal with similar patients in my work as a transplant coordinator. I congratulate the authors for this work.

I found that the book was well researched and it does have some interesting aspects on live kidney transplants and compliance issues in kidney transplant patients. Later editions could have material on liver and heart transplant patients. Patients with chronic diseases tend to be ignored, so this is a good start.

This was a wonderful story, both entertaining and heart-wrenchingly honest. I've always admired Jameson Parker as an actor - I admire him even more as a man! Loved, loved, loved the book!

I am still in the middle of reading this but I have enjoyed so far and the dekivery was amazing it took less then a week to recieve it Lenore

You never would have known an actor from the 80's would turn out to be a modern day cowboy. Well, it seems that Jameson Parker has. You always wonder what happens to a person after a successful tv stint and now we know. The parts in this book that explain the shooting incident were intense. True, the wounds turned out not to be life threatening. Be that as it may, how would any of us react to looking down the face of a gun and watching as the bullet comes straight for us. I can understand where the PTSS would come in later in life. This book is recommended for anyone who wants a good read about cowboy life, life's ups and downs, stress, loss, ect. It is extremely well written and will hold your attention. Bravo, Mr. Parker. I already own Absent Friends and anxiously await further works from Jameson Parker.

I loved this book. I have been a fan of Mr. Parker since he starred in "Simon and Simon" in the 80s, and always wondered what had become of him. In "An Accidental Cowboy" I found out.

I commend him for writing about things that he probably would have rather forgotten -- his depression, his suicidal thoughts, etc. It is very hard to explain things you do not know yourself. And to open yourself up to total strangers, even when you don't have to look those people in the face, is especially difficult. Thank you for being so honest.

The stories about ranch life were very entertaining. Even people who have never been on a ranch before should find them fascinating. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, where we had cattle and horses, and I was caught up in the day-to-day life of the California cowboys. I will never forget this book, and I hope anyone else who reads it enjoys it as much as (most of) the reviewers here did.

I've read a lot of books, and while many of them may be fun to read, they are not always well-written. This book is both. I grew up on a farm and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Parker's account of ranch life. His account is witty and fun to read, as well as being right on target with how cowboy life really is. At the same time, Mr. Parker has a wonderful grasp of the English language. His descriptions are easy to visualize and some of his comparisons are poetic as well as funny/heart-rending depending on what he is depicting. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that is worth reading a second time.

If you like to travel and love history then you will greatly appreciate this excellent resource. This book provides information on the best Living History destinations in the United States from prehistory to the early 1840s. Instead of organizing the locations by particular area of the United States the authors have chosen to organize them by significant historical groupings. Examples of these groupings include a section on America's native peoples, one on religious and secular groups, one on the road to independence, and one on opening the West.

Most destinations have between a half page and a full-page description of the location, its historical significance, and interesting facts about the location or a related history. The book is filled with excellent color photographs that give the reader a solid feel for what to expect. This is one of the most invaluable resources I have ever found for planning a trip focused on American history and the historical significance of various areas of the United States. Americans Living History is very highly recommended.

Say the words "road trip" and "history" and I get excited. Suzanne & Craig Sheumaker have written a wonderful guide book for people who love living history sites and museums. I've been to most of the places described in Virginia and I can say that they got their descriptions absolutely correct.

I especially liked the photos. Most guide books have no pictures or annoy me with dinky little artsy drawings. When I'm in a car looking for something I don't want a drawing.

The Sheumakers seem to really love what they do and their enthusiasm comes though in each chapter. I've always scorned the Jamestown Settlement and prefered to head to the real Jamestown down the road but after reading the Sheumakers section on it I think I'll give it a try.

I particularly enjoyed the way that they split the book up. If you are interested in sites from the Spanish colonization years or the French or of course the English you can find chapters that deal just with that particular period. If you want to understand more about Indian life they have an exceptionally good section of sites dedicated to America's earliest settlers. Be sure to check out the Cherokee villiage in North Carolina. The book also talks about the Catholics, the Jews, Amish, Moravian, Shakers, Quakers and Mormons who came to America and the living history sites they left behind.

If the Revolutionary period is what interests you most they have a chapter on sites to visit. If the sites of the new nation are your thing then they have a chapter for you. This is really a delightful book and is such a good travel companion I'd say that the best thing to do is to buy two copies. One for the coffee table and one to keep in the car. I hope this is the begining of a new series.

What can you expect from America's Living History-The Early Years? Definitely not just another "coffee table" book! The stunning photographs may catch your eye, but you'll want to pick up this book and use it.

Have you ever wanted to visit the historic Jamestown site in Virginia? You can view hundreds of artifacts discovered from the first permanent settlement there.

Do you remember the story about Washington crossing an icy river to attack British forces? Been to the place it happened? Did you know that every year on Christmas Day, hundreds of re-enactors cross the river to commemorate this Revolutionary War triumph?

Know where you can find incredible Native American petroglyphs? Sites in New Mexico and Nevada are mentioned in this book.

Readers will find the answers to innumerable questions about early American life in this book. Whether readers are interested in a day trip close to home or going cross-country, this is a great resource.

From the plains to the coast, Alaska to Hawaii, nearly every state is represented in this guide. With three hundred destinations featured, a history buff or interested traveler couldn't ask for more.

The authors have done a great job with tasteful and applicable photographs. They accent pages filled not just with contact information (although it's there for your reference) but with interesting facts, too. The book is separated into categories, including: America's Native Peoples, European Colonization, Road to Independence, and more. It also features destinations lists by region, to help you plan adventures if you are on a trip.

The authors have obviously done their homework and it shows in this wonderful resource.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.

We are history buffs at home--both of us grew up in historic areas. Trips to Gettysburg, Independence Hall, The Old North Church and Washington, DC were in our childhood experiences. You could hardly take a daytrip without seeing some of America's oldest treasures. So we as children enjoyed historical sites and we still stop for historical markers as a habit when we are out touring any area.


For people with similar tastes or who have children to educate, this is a wonderful resource. Some of the well-known and lesser known historical sites all over the US that date from the early years are laid out in a travel guide format.


The book is organized by popular sites, subjects like religious movements, colonization, the Western movement, and the Revolutionary War and the times leading up to this watershed event. Each historical site has photographs, address and phone number and a synopsis of what is available for touring. The geographical maps show towns or cities of interest. The only thing missing would be day trip routes in some of the more densely-historical areas (Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, New Jersey.)



But there are also timelines and write-ups of the history of the times (the Shakers, the Mormons, the battles of the Revolution and War of 1812, and the early contact with Native Americans.) So the book is not just a "what to see" but has important background and a good if brief overview of early American history.

After I read this book, I immediately wanted to go see at least a half a dozen sites I had not visited that are not really very far from my, and added a list of places I want to see next time I'm out West.


This is a very pretty book and one that home schoolers would find absolutely a treasure. My parents took us on endless daytrips on weekends and these are some of my fondest memories of childhood. If you have kids and an automobile, I'd put this book on the "must-have" list because you can build some excellent memories and give your kids a fine sense of where we came from as a nation. Big thumbs-up and I eagerly await more in this series.

Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker have created an incredible resource for people looking to vacation in the United States in places where history lives. They profile 300 living history sites in the United States that cover American history from the time when Native Americans had empires and confederations to the 1840's. The Sheumakers provide excellent cross-references to aid people planning a living history vacation. However, this book is more than just a guide for people looking for an excellent place to vacation; this book is also a wonderful history book with factual tidbits sprinkled throughout.

The beginning of this book provides maps of the profiled locations. These maps also divide the sites into categories described later in the book (more on that in a moment). Thus, if your focus is on European colonization and you are interested in traveling to the mid-Atlantic or the South, you will be able to quickly find the sites that are focused on this aspect of history.

The Sheumakers organized this book into six historical categories; America's Native Peoples, European Colonization, Religious & Secular Groups, Road to Independence, Our New Nation, and Opening the West. Each section is color coded to more easily locate them on the previously described maps. Even better, each section has dozens of photographs, typically one per site, along with location information, fee information, and, perhaps best of all, the best available web site for the location. In addition, the Sheumakers sometimes recommend the best time of year to see special events and they typically provide information regarding the historical significance of the site.

I have checked several of the sites recommended by the Sheumakers to see how accurate their information is. Consider Cahokia Mounds, in Illinois, described on page 38 of this book. There are two photographs. One photograph is of the largest mound on the site. The other is a photograph of a walk-through diorama available at the interpretive center. The Sheumakers include several pieces of information about the history of the site and its significance (a small portion of what you can learn at the site). Their information regarding the location of Cahokia Mounds matches the direction provided on the highways east of St. Louis, Missouri. The fee information is also correct (free), though the interpretive center suggests a $1 donation per person. The only flaw I found in the Sheumaker's description of this site is that they neglected to mention the miles of walking trails on the site.

Other sites contain similar accuracy. I looked at Spring Mill Pioneer Village in Indiana, which is a wonderful place to visit (though sometimes it gets very busy). Historic St. Charles, Missouri is yet another wonderful place to visit, if you can avoid the distraction of the gigantic casino that is nearby. Ft. Osage in Sibley, Missouri, has been a popular destination for the nearby residents of Kansas City, Missouri, for decades.

If there is a flaw in this book, it is that space limited the Sheumakers to only 300 destinations. There are many more living history places in the United States. However, the Sheumakers certainly picked many of the very best places from the era before the 1840's. Perhaps if this book is successful, they can write a follow-up book titled "More of America's Living History."

This book is a phenomenal resource for people planning a vacation or seeking a starting point for a history paper. Teachers and other educators may wish to explore one of the living history sites near your school. You may just want to take a day trip to one of these sites. All of them are worth at least a day trip and some of them require days to fully explore.

Traveler's guides seem to be a dime-a-dozen these days. Everyone is competing for shelf space and your attention. The Sheumakers have a unique approach, eschewing typical tourist attractions for those that focus on our (United States) history. It would be a mistake to call these sites tourist attractions, because many of them contain on-going historical research. For example, excavations continue at Cahokia Mounds. Regardless of your need, this beautiful, full-color book is a wonderful as a resource, a coffee-table book, or even just to read - I started it and could not put it down. Whatever your need or goal, if you appreciate the history of the United States and you are seeking an opportunity to immerse yourself further in that history, you need this book.

This review is based on a copy of the book provided to me by the authors.

Enjoy!

Suesan's book had every argument I used to use against working out and her sense of humor drove me straight to her class. When I miss a class I get depressed!! I am almost 40 and am recovering my 20 year old body!! Totally recommend the book -- but, once read, prepare to get in shape!!

Suesan's workout simply works! Her book and tape provide a clear, practical guide to her program, which I have found to be the most effective and beneficial. My improved level of fitness, health and overall well-being are a direct result of using the Tone-Up method developed by Suesan as she describes it in her book.Her exercices help me with my strength, balance, and coordination and shape my body in a most satisfying way. She is one of the best kept secrets of Santa Barbara, but not for long, that's for sure.I highly recommend her book.

I was a semi-cripple when I started reading her book and listening to (and working with) the tape that accompanies the book. I am not 100%, but I know I'm getting there!

Suesan Pawlitski's book, "Be your best body",is simply the best routine anybody can follow any where you are. I am an avid work out addict and found Suesan's work out to be effective and "core " strengthening as well as allowing me to be more flexible, even without the benefits of Yoga. I'm fortunate to live in Santa Barbara and am able to take her classes three times a week along with my other work outs, and even though I have considered myself to be in great shape, her classes are still a tough work out. You too can follow her classes by simply following along with her book, the routines are all in there and are the absolute best. They are clear and concise and so easy to follow. The benefits are unbeleivable!

The author has an incredible ability to teach and motivate. I highly recommend this book for anyone that thinks it's too difficult to achieve a great looking body... it's awesome!

I know longer have to feel ashamed because I don't know how to utilize ABA vocabulary. This book gave examples on how to use terminology appropriately. On the job training is no longer stressful, because I can communicate better with supervisors and school staff effectively.
Although a few of the definitions were rephrased or shortened (by my managers), they were in the ballpark
Thanks for your help

As a parent with a child with autism in a behavioral program, one of the many areas where I have had to hit the ground running is learning the many specific terms and definitions related to this instructional model in a way that is quickly accessible. Behaviorspeak fulfills that need splendidly as a thorough glossary of behaviorism and ABA. I found the definitions to be accurate and precise without being overwhelming, and I appreciate the authors' kindness in putting cross-referenced definitions in CAPS so that was able to quickly find other terms to flesh out my understanding.
I appreciate that the authors respect the audience enough to not only include common terms, but to include more advanced terms and concepts such as identity matching vs. arbitrary matching, Sdelta (in addition to the usual Sd), etc. and to explain social validity, statistical significance and other terms which are useful to parent and professional in contemplating programming and effectiveness of intervention questions.
There are touches of humor, but none distracts from the serious nature and content of this book. A nice thorough job. Thank you Newman, Reeve(s) and Ryan.

Behavior Speak is a pithy yet elegant introduction to the terminology of Applied Behavior Analysis. Written by four behavior analysts, all of whom have impeccable credentials, as well as long standing personal commitments to children with autism, this book fills several needs. It is a pragmatic attempt to make the specialized vocabulary of the field more accessible to a general audience. The practical yet droll writing style makes it a perfect resource for new teachers or students beginning the study of behavioral interventions. Parents too can benefit. Parents often say that when their child is first diagnosed with autism it feels a lot like stepping on to a moving train. This is the book to help you get up to speed quickly. The slightly offbeat humor never overshadows or waters down the material. I've given this book to teachers new to the field, behavioral therapists new to home ABA programs, other parents of children with autism and, increasingly, to older siblings of kids on the spectrum. It's helped my older son, who doesn't have autism, know what we're talking about around the home and has empowered him to use behavioral concepts to make sense of his (middle school) world as well. While a lone, humorless reviewer uses the pretext that "autism in not funny" to slam the book (and in a petty manner, the authors) most seasoned autism parents know that there are plenty of reasons to smile at our kids and our lives. The authors' use of humor signals their collective appreciation of the challenges and successes, the struggles and the joys of life with a child with autism. Life with autism may not always be easy, but it has many rewards for those who know where to find them. This book, by demystifying the language of behavior analysis, empowers readers to work effectively with children with autism and their teachers, and thus to all move forward together happily.

DR. NEWMAN'S ABILITY TO RELATE TO PARENTS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL I HAVE MET IN THIS FIELD. HIS IN DEPTH KNOWLEDGE RELAYED TO US IN HIS MANY BOOKS BREAK DOWN THE COMPLEX WORLD OF TEACHING AND UNDERSTANDING AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND ADULTS, TO THE LEVEL IN WHICH MOST CAN RELATE. AS THE PARENT OF AN AUTISTIC CHILD I FIND ALL OF HIS WORKS EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE. THERE IS CERTAINLY NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT AUTISM BUT WHAT DR. NEWMAN PRESENTS TO US IS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAT HAS BROUGHT SMILES TO MY FACE TIME AND TIME AGAIN DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN MY LIFE.

Behaviorspeak is an excellent book for everyone involved in the lives of children with autism. The authors take the technical terminology of Applied Behavior Analysis and make it accessible and understandable to the layperson. The authors also provide professionals in the field of ABA with a deeper understanding of common terms and procedures. As both a parent of a child with autism and a professional in the field, I find the book indispensible.