E Books

If are bodies are not fed we will die. In the same manner, if the spirituality of our being is not fed, it too will wither and fade. This book offers food for our spiritual journey in a way that makes one look forward to the meal and after partaking makes one fulfilled by the experience.

A book of daily meditations needs to give you something to think about, chew on, and ponder, throughout the rest of your day. Nouwen does this. His meditations are brief, and to the point. They cover many aspects of our daily journey to become more fully the children of God, emotional and physical, as well as spiritual. He invites you to think about who Jesus really said was your neighbor, for example. I began in June, and have not yet gone through the whole year, but I already know it is a book I will be able to use for years to come.

INTRODUCTION:
From the St. Matthew Gospel (4,4): "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

These were the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus quoting Holy Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:3 showing the importance of spiritual nourishment. "Bread for the Journey" is a great daily devotional/meditational book with contemplative tid-bits for thought on our daily journey as Christians. If you are not on a spiritual journey with God this book will help you form an appetite for God's Word and God's thoughts. If God as Creator is the Chef, then Henri Nouwen thru this daily meditational book is His assistant cook.

AUTHOR:
Wikipedia describes Nouwen as "a Dutch Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life." In recent years, Nouwen's meditative writings are popular with many Protestants (especially those from the emergent/emerging Church movement). Nouwen was also a pastoral psychology, and theology professor at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard universities, and spent the latter part of his life working exclusively with the developmentally disabled.

CONTENT:
The book is organized by months, and the only pattern that I could find is that some number of consecutive days are focused on a larger theme (e.g. about "Being ____", or "Jesus is _____," empowered and Holy Spirit, the church, eternal life, joy, sorrow, and others). Many of the daily meditations seem to fit the Christian calendar and major holidays.

CONCLUSION:
Henri Nouwen's 365 daily thoughts are deep, insighful, and spiritually rich. The short daily half-pager meditations include ample quotes and verses from the Bible and are so effective that it makes one "see" a seemingly simple topic in a deeply spiritual and yet practical way.

Now I feel that, really, no Christian (Protestant, Orthodox, Roman-Catholic) will leave this banquet starving or unmotivated to be more Christ-like.

INTRODUCTION:
From the St. Matthew Gospel (4,4): "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

These were the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus quoting Holy Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:3 showing the importance of spiritual nourishment. "Bread for the Journey" is a great daily devotional/meditational book with contemplative tid-bits for thought on our daily journey as Christians. If you are not on a spiritual journey with God this book will help you form an appetite for God's Word and God's thoughts. If God as Creator is the Chef, then Henri Nouwen thru this daily meditational book is His assistant cook.

AUTHOR:
Wikipedia describes Nouwen as "a Dutch Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life." In recent years, Nouwen's meditative writings are popular with many Protestants (especially those from the emergent/emerging Church movement). Nouwen was also a pastoral psychology, and theology professor at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard universities, and spent the latter part of his life working exclusively with the developmentally disabled.

CONTENT:
The book is organized by months, and the only pattern that I could find is that some number of consecutive days are focused on a larger theme (e.g. about "Being ____", or "Jesus is _____," empowered and Holy Spirit, the church, eternal life, joy, sorrow, and others). Many of the daily meditations seem to fit the Christian calendar and major holidays.

CONCLUSION:
Henri Nouwen's 365 daily thoughts are deep, insighful, and spiritually rich. The short daily half-pager meditations include ample quotes and verses from the Bible and are so effective that it makes one "see" a seemingly simple topic in a deeply spiritual and yet practical way.

Now I feel that, really, no Christian (Protestant, Orthodox, Roman-Catholic) will leave this banquet starving or unmotivated to be more Christ-like.

I was given "Bread For The Journey" at a particularly low point in my life and will personally attest to its restorative power. Henri Nouwen was the rare soul who wrote from a soul molded by the living heart of scripture and informed by compassionate hands-on caregiving.

BFTJ is a daily meditation guide that delves into the pith of religious experience from the Christian point of view. Nouwen's deep insights into the Eucharist are sometimes startling and far deeper than the warmed-over tripe often doled out by those of lesser spiritual prowess. But his gentle words always point with love toward healing the brokenness that is part and parcel of the human experience.

So fascinating are Nouwen's thoughts that one is tempted to wolf them down. But taken in small mouthfuls, chewed well and digested thoroughly, they can be healing to the mind and soul. They can also prepare the reader for properly receiving the Eucharist, not as a mere matter of habit, but as a healing ritual that connects to (and overcomes) one's own sinfulness, nourishing the spirit.

Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

...It was my FAVOURITE when I was a kid - ...Why is this fantastic book out of print??

When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old. I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages. I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books. I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come. Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

This book captured my imagination as a child and was a pleasure to read again after 17 years. I feared I might ruin a childhood memory by tracking it down and reading it again but it was well worth the effort. I hope it's magic will still reach young readers even though it is now out of print.

My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old. Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked. It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel. Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success. Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom. I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them. Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree! My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays. I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year. I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves. I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future. For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime. Read the books; feel the magic.

This series focusses on three Wiccan girls trying to make it through normal life while all the while using and running into magic. This series was particularly special to me as I am a young Wiccan myself and to see a book like this that shows Wicca in such a lighthearted and acceptable manner is simply wonderful.

I was glad to see an extra-large book to tie up the loose ends in this series in a great finale. It lessened the blow of this possibly being the end of the series.

The whole series is well written, character driven, mostly realistic, and well worth reading.

'"And so it ends."'

Now, I'm not usually one to waste my time soaking up the end of a series, but "Initiation" by Isobel Bird was one exception. I have to admit, this was one dramatic and overall astounding conclusion to "Circle of Three," and I would reccomend it to anyone. Whilst Cooper and Jane are busy with their 'Bitter Pills' plans, Kate and Annie are undergoing thier final initiation as witches. Cooper, who didn't make the initiation class, seems to be wasting away her sorrow in her hard-rock guitar; but Kate and Annie are more interested in which coven they will join and what the right choice is. Little does the circle of three know, their choices will soon merge into one as the conclusion of the fifteen-book series comes to an end. And as it draws near, Annie fears that the circle of three she, Kate and Cooper had formed is really going to break up after all. But the end is full of surprises, like Cooper's decision to become initiated and the forming of a brand new coven. Like I say, this is truly the beginning of the end. I hope to see more books by Ms. Bird, but if not, I'm glad I read the Circle of Three. This is truly excellent for all young Wiccans who need a good read, a good laugh, and time to enjoy themselves.

1st of all i would just like to say i am NOT 1, i am 14, there was just a problem with the regular review form. Lol. But anyway, this last book was a great finale for The Circle Of Three series. I can't believe it's over. It may not be, but there's usually a title for the upcoming book and even a passage, but it was not there. Basically, Kate, Annie, and Cooper have to deal with their Initiation...Kate will have to decide between her life in wicca, or being in Wicca for an old flame...Annie must choose the right coven also, but the upcoming wedding and her new sisters will show her what's the real path, one which will let her find her way....Cooper was not offered initiation in The Challenge Box, but finds renewed faith, but it may be broken once more... Each witch-to-be will together face a shocking revelation, including facing rejection...but the question is for all of you who haven't read the book yet, will they find the light to their destined paths? This may be confusing, but once you read Initiation, you'll understand. This was a great read, which i recommend to all who have read the others in the series. Buy it soon!

I must say, this entire series has been surprisingly informative and interesting (there are even a couple of ideas that I'm interested in adapting for public rituals). I'm a 29 years old practitioner or Wicca (I've been studying for 12 years), and although these books are aimed at teenagers, I've read them all, and so have many of my friends (ages 22 to 35).

As the series evolves, we see the personal growth and studies of three teenage friends as they struggle with adolescence and with their increasing interest in the pagan religion which is Wicca. This series presents their experiences as members of a study group organised by an eclectic coven (a year and a day of studies, possibly leading to initiation) and as members of their own "circle of 3", how their friendships and personal goals develop with time, how they become stronger, more mature individuals, how their families and friends react to their interest in this path, etc. The books are informative in the ways of eclectic Wicca, if I had children I'd feel completely comfortable in letting them read them, there is no gratuitous sex or violence or any such thing. Very well done, highly recommended!

Bought to give to a friend. I lost a child and was looking for a book to help her. It was full of helfpul ways to deal with grief.

The author has the ability to perfectly verbalize the feelings which, up to now, were just that, feelings. Its been 30 years since our son's death and we still cried from time to time but didn't know why. Now we rejoice in our tears.

Elaine Stillwell, mother of two young adults killed in a car accident 15 years, ago has spent many years since as the Bereavement Coordinator of the Diocese of Rockville Center, N.Y. In Death of a Child she offers support and advice to parents dealing with the whole spectrum of loss: children who die suddenly, after extended illness, before or soon after birth, and even death that involves war on terrorism. Topics include anger with God, communicating with a spouse, voicing emotions, and coping with holidays and anniversaries. Stillwell does a good job addressing specific issues for each of these losses.

This book is filled with insight,practical advice, and inspiration. I think it will help me be a better friend to my friends who have just suffered this terrible loss.

This is an amazing book that says everything I am currently feeling after the death of my 16 month old son in April 2004. She has a wonderful ability to cut to the heart of the matter- the insensitive comments from others, the unbearable-ness of your loss. Yet she offers hope for the future. She knows the second most horrible thing would be to have others forget your child, and offers ways to lovingly keep their song alive. My favorite part was the simple prayer she offers, those who have read the book know which one. The one that starts, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do, etc. Thank you Elaine for those five minutes of healing laughter. If you have to read this book, I am sorry for you, and I hope it helps you as much as it did me.

I absolutly adored this book, and I can't come up with enough good things to say about it. It's great for absolutly any age (I'm 26) and I read the first three books in two days.

Wholeheartedly reccomended for girls, who will find a near perfect heroine and role model in Emma.

I loved this book,it was a great story.i cant wait till i get my hands on the third book.

I loved this story because there were more adventures and surprises, but the end made me sad until I read the next book, Once upon A Curse, and everything was better. I was hooked, I read one and I had to read them all!!!!!!!!!!

Wow!! I LOVED this book! After reading Frog Princess, I thought there couldn't be a better book in the world! But I was wrong! I loved this book even more than Frog Pricess! I love it so much, I finished it in a day. If you liked Frog Princess, READ THIS!!! If you didn't, you should still read this because it was GREAT!!! I read the third one too, and it was also great, I would recemend the series to anyone! Read them. You will LOVE them I promise!!!!!!:)

If you want to read "Dragon's Breath" I suggest you read "The Frog Princess" first so you can understand it better. In "Dragon's Breath" Emma and Eadric help Emma's Aunt Grassina, the current 'Green Wtich', turn her true love, Haywood, back into a person from a otter. After overhearing a wizard talking to the soul of her grandmother, who turned Haywood into an otter in the first place, Emma learns the things needed to turn him back. Hearing this she sets off to find the ingreddients with Eadric by her side. They find many weird 'things' along the way including dragons witch makes Emma's magic stronger. The neighboring kingdom chose this miment to attack. With Grassina distracted and Emma's magic out of controll it looks like Emma's father's army is going to lose untill something very strange happenes......

E.T. 101 is the funniest, most entertaining book I have ever read, bar none! What a comfort and joy to receive this delightful letter of explanation and instruction from Home!E.T. 101: The Cosmic Instruction Manual: An Emergency Remedial Edition

This is a good book for people from realities and understandings uncommon to Earth. Humourous, not to be taken seriously.

I thought, "how interesting, a little book on science fiction". How very wrong I was. This book was written in 1990 according to the first several pages and I must say its prophetic, filled with wry humor and great insights to todays earthly condition.

It was well written, well organized and to the point with very little excess. I see this book similar to eating peanuts: "don't need to eat very many and your full". Its chock full of great stuff and worth more than what it is selling for I must say.

Something I've never seen before... a book about walk-ins and extraterrestrials which is intentionally humorous, witty, and does a good job at it! I wasn't expecting anything other than something solemn and serious about love and light. It's quite good. Although it defines all the terms it uses at the beginning, it still assumes you have a pretty good idea what those things are. The humor isn't as confusing as it could be... it's still way more comprehensible than a lot of New Age books I've read. The book's stance and behavior seems to be entirely different from most New Age books I've read, despite how its goal is evidently the same. (Preparing the world for its upcoming changes, which include heightened vibration, commonness of androgyny, etc.) There are title headings such as "Look Jane, see Spot transmute" and "When in Rome, do as Acturians."

I laughed out loud when I first discovered this little gem in a Northampton, MA bookstore, in the early 1990s. Since then, I've read and re-read it several times. It's language and insights could almost have come from some young tatooed and pierced skate-boarders I have known. Yet the wisdom and humor are on a par with that found in Neale Walsch's "Conversations With God."
Put this on your bookshelf along side Ken Carey's lyrically profound "Starseed Transmissions," and the refreshingly matter-of-fact transcriptions of Lisette Larkin's "Talking With Extraterrestrials" and "Listening to Extraterrestrials." Reading and pondering "101" and these other books have helped me to appreciate why we humans have chosen to incarnate on this planet at this time.

Whether you are starting your own internet business or just in the midst of cleaning out your basement, you have probably asked yourself how much you could make if you sold your inventory on eBay. The online auction site has largely become a household name and given thousands of entrepreneurs a platform for starting an online business. Regardless of the size of your business, eBay's Secrets Revealed provides numerous tools and insights that will undoubtedly help you find success.

Blacharski provides detailed step by step instructions to guide you in the most important aspects of making your business succeed. Aimed at the new or existing entrepreneur who wants to add eBay to his or her web-based marketing arsenal, eBay's Secrets Revealed provides specific insight to most concerns that can emerge when using eBay, such as various costs and expectations of customers. The detailed descriptions are especially useful for the newly initiated making the process of getting started less intimidating. Although the book may seem like more information than you need if you just plan to sell a few items, it is still a valuable resource for helping to make sure you do not encounter any of the most common pitfalls.

Full of advise from those who have made their eBay business soar, eBay's Secrets Revealed covers all of the business owning fundamentals as well as special sections on specifically eBay related topics such as protecting yourself from fraud and web-based marketing strategies. In addition to useful eBay information, Blacharski provides an overview of other similar websites as well as their comparative strengths and weaknesses. With concise and well written explanations of all tools and services eBay offers to facilitate smooth management of your auctions and easy transactions, eBay Secrets Revealed is highly recommended to anyone starting an eBay business.

Dan W. Blacharski's EBAY'S SECRETS REVEALED is for any who would expand their eBay business by tapping into expert advice. From watching out for spyware and understanding search engine optimization to cross-selling techniques, this is designed to help eBay sellers expand upon basics.

These days, it seems that everyone's had an experience with buying or selling on eBay. In the book eBay's Secrets Revealed, Dan Blacharski gives the reader everything he or she needs to know the set up and run a successful eBay business. Competition is fierce in the eBay business, states Blacharski, and any edge can translate into bigger profits for a business. This book gives you the edge that other successful eBayers may not want you to know - the secrets of the trade.

Blacharski starts at the beginning by describing the origins of eBay, and gives a comprehensive look at all aspects of running the business, from finding products through business accounting. Blarcharski also describes the technology that will make your business a success, such as anti-spam software, auction tools, photography editing software, and working with search engines.

The step-by-step guide is so encouraging that it seems easy to get started selling. There can be many pitfalls to running a business where the customer and seller never meet, and the product isn't seen until after it is purchased. Blacharski reassuringly addresses common problems and helps the business owner avoid trouble through proper planning.

The book has a colorful, attractive layout. Sidebars offer interviews and tips from the pros, checklists, and warnings. A logically-arranged table of contents steps the reader through the process. The chapters are clear and free of jargon, and the reader can easily jump to the topic he or she needs the most. Cute graphics are sprinkled throughout the book, and crisp photos end each chapter.

A new eBay business owner, or someone considering the business, will need this book. All you need to learn to start selling is addressed within the pages, and at less than 300 pages, it is an easy read.

Ebay's Secrets Revealed
By Dan W. Blacharski
5 out of 5 stars


In the 21st century, almost every American with internet access has either searched Ebay or at least heard of Ebay. There are multiple books out that have a reoccurring theme, which is "make money, make money," but that is about all that is to them. This book not only is a guide to making profit, but it takes you through the in depth steps to get there. It even goes into all of the different branches of information that will answer any almost any question imaginable that has to do with Ebay.

I have found that this book contains an abundance of valuable information to both current and future Ebay sellers. Meta tags are a key tool that are commonly over looked by Ebay sellers, but in this book Dan Blacharski not only covers the topic, but gives examples and even basic tutorial information on the subject. This book truly is revealing the secrets of Ebay.

Reading all of the advice and informative stories from actual accounts is another benefit of this book that gives the reader a personal connection. I also like how the author even gives resources as to sites that are similar to Ebay. I think that any person that needs guidance about Ebay should most definitely read this book. You are enlightened on every subject such as the history of Ebay, how to promote, shipping and handling, and even the legalities.

This book is magnificent, because once you finish reading it, you are truly educated on all of the possible in's and out's Ebay. I have stayed on the side of being a buyer on Ebay, and have never bothered with the selling aspect of Ebay, because I have always thought that the entirety of being a successful Ebay seller was too complicated. After reading this book I feel like I have gained not only a complete understanding of how to be a successful Ebay seller, but I have also gained the confidence to pursue being a seller, because I was finally able to comprehend how easy it can actually be.

eBay's Secrets Revealed
by Dan W. Blacharski

I laughed the first time a buyer sent me postage stamps for a payment. I returned the stamps and told them I accepted money orders or payment through pay pal. She did not laugh. She wrote a negative comment about the transaction and then filed a complaint against me. The litigation lasted for months and I was frustrated and confused. For several years I struggled with my site on eBay. I learned a few tricks on my own through trial and error.

Many powerful eBay sellers were reluctant to pass along any of their secrets. My site was floundering. I decided this enterprise was not for me. If only Dan W. Blacharski's book, `eBay's Secrets Revealed' was available to me way back then, my business would have been a success.

In the very first chapter Dan discusses name recognition. This is an extremely important concept in eBay auctions. Studies show that consumers feel comfortable with items and locations that are familiar.

Dan's information contains simple information regarding keywords that a first time seller may not even consider. The in depth chapter on accounting and taxes can literally save your business. Dan takes a step by step approach on how to succeed in your eBay business.

Make no mistakes eBay is a business and a livelihood for many individuals. Dan lets you know about security, customer service, fraud, payment methods and everything one needs to know to be a success in this burgeoning enterprise. Even the images you post reflects whether this item will be looked at and possible purchased.

Chapter 10 states the importance of positive feedback. This is not something you can shrug off. It can mean quitting your day job or failure. If terms like, second chance, reserve price, buy it now, absentee bid and insertion fee are foreign words to you, purchase this book.

This book can direct a novice, inform a buyer and lead an entrepreneur to success. The money invested in this book will ensure an easy and attainable transition in the art of selling on eBay. This information can also be applied to any other business project. After reading Dan's book, `eBay's Secrets Revealed' I feel confident to once again try my hand at selling and buying on eBay.

I give this book a rating of 5.

I have read the review comments & was surprised that everyone seems to think this Eggbert & Eggberta was published in 1975...I was pregnant in 1969 & a friend of mine gave me the paperback book of this to read..I remember laughing with tears in my eyes, as this book was soooo funny..

I remember reading this book in the early '70's. One day while shopping with my daughter in a used book store, I spotted it in a stack of books. I did not remember the name just that it was really funny. While checking it out I notice original price was 75 Cents. I paid $1.25, after looking on the net, I see I got a real bargain. A Great Book.

I have a copy of both 'Eggbert' and 'Eggbert & Eggberta', and we read them everytime my wife is expecting. They never stop bringing the laughs. I remember reading them at my grandmom's when I was little (before I was supposed to be reading them, I'm sure)!!

Wonderful reading, everytime.

I remember reading this back in the late 70's and I was only a child at the time. The pictures and captions were great. It is still fresh in my mind. Wish they would reprint it.

Witty and monologues and dialogues from a pre-birth perspective. The charming banter between fetuses will get you through those last few weeks of pregnancy. To be read and shared with family and friends, this book is FUNNY and WONDERFUL! Mom had a copy back in 1975, and I'd give a pretty penny to own it now!

I don't know much about Cuba, but this book has set me straight. Make no mistake. This is not just an academic book, or not just one more journalistic account of today's Cuba. It is not about a specific issue or a specific time for Cuba. This book is indeed ABOUT CUBA. While it narrates the story of a particular group of intellectuals living in Castro's Cuba, it exposes a lot about the system: contradictions, paradoxes... It says so much about Cuban life in general, rich with anecdotes, reflections and so much more. And above all, the prose is great and it makes excellent reading. By all means, this is THE book about Cuba !

I personally know very little about Cuba, other than it is the last communist stronghold in the Western Hemisphere. I read bits and pieces from academic books, but did not get much insight from them, let alone any enjoyment. When someone suggested this book I was skeptical. Instead, this book, while telling one specific story (of a sttrongly political nature) that happened in Cuba, offers so much information and insights into Cuba's life - political, cultural, economic and social. I read it all in one go, found it extremely interesting and stimulating, and really really enjoyable. I would recommend it without reservations to anyone with an interest in Cuba, who would like to read a "real" Cuba story, filled with lots of academic analysis, but also being a piece of outstanding journalism and thus very very easy and pleasant to read.

Aún sin conocer mucho o casi nada sobre el tema de Cuba, encontré absolutamente fascinante este libro. Creo que es la primera vez que yo haya leído un libro de unas 250 páginas en dos días ! Es una historia fascinante, densa y llena de eventos y emociones. Aún dejando de un lado lo académico que tiene este libro, es un libro que nos mete en La Habana de 1996, haciendo sentir el lector como si éste estuviese presente. La historia expuesta en este libro es una excelente novela, pero - lamentablemente - no podemos olvidar que se trató de una triste realidad.

This is a truly great book. By providing a detailed account of the major 'purge' of Cuba's intellectuals in the 1990s, the author examines and analyses the delicate and intricate relations between the apparatus and the island's renowned intelligentsia. Some issues (often taboo even for Western academics) are approached very directly and very balancedly, such as the blurred border-lines between research and espionage, and the relations between genuine intellectuals and Cuba's repressive apparatus - indeed, the same apparatus that occasionally purges them. The arguments contained in this book derive from genuine evidence of crucial importance, namely those would-be classified documents, which somehow leaked out of Cuba in 1998 and were published by the author, causing great embarrassment by the Cuban Government, and an uproar among intellectuals, artists and others. Over 100 pages of those documents are contained in the book itself. Altogether, this is excellent reading. It is extremely central to the study and knowledge of today's Cuba.

Con gran maestría y excelente prosa, el autor de este libro nos coloca en la Cuba de hoy, justo al medio de un drama humano vivido por fieles miembros del aparato castrista. Un drama, justamente, que nace de esa fieldad y que termina por comprometerla. Es una de las tantas historias de contradicciones y tensiones de la Cuba de hoy, que ocurren en los medios más sencillos como en la familia o el lugar de trabajo, así como entre intelectuales o personalidades políticas. Tantas batallas llevadas a cabo por valiosos cubanos, a veces victotiosas y a veces no tan victoriosas, que en cualquier caso nos demuestran la desesperada tentativa de los cubanos de seguir en el camino hacia la democracia.

Here is an account of one of the boldest attempts of slaves to free themselves. In April 1848 dozens simultaneously fled from Washington, DC, in a sailing vessel provided by white sympathizers. All were captured, but the well organized attempt startled the public North and South. The author fills out the story with background about slavery in the nation's capital, and traces some of the era's major political developments relevant to human bondage. The book is informative and an easy read.

This is a gripping tale.

While the book's title highlights the 1848 escape attempt on the Pearl, the contents of the book encompass much, much more. There's the story of a slave family - the Edmonsons - which Ricks follows from before the courageous but unsuccessful flight to freedom all the way into present-day Washington, DC. There's an engrossing overview of abolitionism and its firey, impatient and ultimately triumphant adherents. Ricks presents her readers with a compelling description of the underground railway. Washington is presented as the small southern town that it was then, with illuminating detail. She brings to life the mid-nineteenth century context with its wrangling and maneuvering and unforgettable characters. It was a hell of a time and she gets it.

The small hard kernel of yearning and determination that impelled this particular journey by these particular people inspires us. Here, too, is a great and continuing irony of history: Some human beings are capable of enslaving others; at the same time different human beings strive passionately to free others; still others fight to free themselves.

'Escape on the Pearl' is a terrific read.

This is a great book. But don't take my word for it - Edward Ball, author of the bestseller Slaves in the Family, says "My kind of Southern history looks at slavery through people, and Mary Kay Ricks puts you on a first-name basis with the remarkable Edmonson family, who went through a mass escape, the near prostitution of two daughters, and a great homecoming. And she's found their descendants, who will tell you all about it." (quoted on the back of Escape on the Pearl).

In 1848 some residents of Washington DC owned slaves though many others opposed the "curious institution". In April, conductors on the Underground Railroad try a bold freedom run using the Pearl to take seventy-seven runaway "fugitives" to freedom in the north. However, a terrible storm on the Chesapeake doomed the mission. The sheriff arrested the freedom fighters and took the recaptured slaves back to their owner who sent them to New Orleans for sale. Another twist returns the slaves to DC where Preacher and staunch abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher made efforts to get them freed and his daughter Harriet Beecher Stowe used their plight as part of her reference notes published as the Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin, two years after the classic was released.

This is a complex at times convoluted look back at a major incident of its time that has somewhat lost its significance over the subsequent century and a half. The book gets inside the heads of the slaves, slave sellers, slave owners, the Stowes and the Underground Railroad conductors. However, most fascinating besides the link to Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic is the way the citizens in the metropolitan DC area looked at slavery. Historical readers need to set aside some time because though difficult to follow because of how complex the events leading to, the event itself, and the subsequent aftereffect and outcome are, this is a discerning insightful look at the abomination of slavery.

Harriet Klausner

The author's knowledge of her subject is remarkable, her writing is graceful, and her judgments are consistently sound. This book is a great read, an exciting tale framed by a sharp, balanced and sensible portrayal of an era of shame, ferment and change in our history. Ricks's literal knowledge of the streets of which she writes makes this book vibrate with authenticity. I enjoyed it consistently--and learned enormously from reading Escape On The Pearl. Since I write fictional accounts of the period myself under the pen-name Owen Parry, I realize how complex a subject this author has taken on--and I can only say that it's humbling to see another writer do a far-better job than one can ever hope to do. This book deserves wide attention and, as readers, let us hope that Ricks will return to the period for additional books in the future.