T Books

The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants
There were quite a lot of common herbs that were not represented in this book. Also, the information given per each herb was not very complete. I was rather dissapointed in this book.

This is the one herb book I would take with me to a deserted island :)

I've had it for years and it amazes me how ahead of its time it is. I've even found articles on coleus and guggul. It's hard to find info on these.

He includes both folklore and research information.

I have owned this book for 5 years. I still use it on a regular basis. Its one of the best books on basic herbs you can buy. I can't even begin to count how many times it has saved us from a trip to the doctor. Get this book if you want to keep yourself healthy naturally.

I FEEL I MUST FIRST SAY: TO DO "NO HARM" MUST COME FIRST & DOES IN THIS GUIDEBOOK!

I read a large number of alternative health and medical texts and some are better than others. I borrow as many as possible from the library, but Michael Murray's books, along with James Duke's, are among the few that I purchase and keep handy at all times. The approach of these two men are always safety first, and they follow the first cardinal rule of medicine which is to do "NO HARM". For that reason I feel a level of security that allows me to make the leaps of faith needed in order to try new things that will affect the health of myself and my loved ones.

IN A NUTSHELL: A terrific read, but very useful and efficient too!

The Healing Power of Herbs, contains detailed and coherent discussions about the effects and practical applications of 37 medicinal herbs and 34 common ailments treated by them. A short history of "herbal medicine" precedes these discussions.

WHAT IT IS:

SECTION 1: Pages 1-28

INTRODUCTION: BASIC HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE & PREPARATIONS

SECTION 2: Pages 29-344

MATERIA MEDICA: In alphabetical order from Aloe Vera to Valerian, 37 of the most useful and commonly used herbs are examined. For each Herb examined, the same organization of the discussion is utilized as follows:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, HISTORY & FOLK USE, PHARMACOLOGY - [effects are itemized and examined in detail], CLINICAL APPLICATIONS - [what ailments the herb may be used for -each ailment is examined as it pertains to the particular herb], DOSAGE - [different forms of the herb and uses are detailed in regard to dose], TOXICITY - [usually described as the toxic effects on lab animals or the lethal dose in 50% of the cases {LD50}].

REFERENCES - [There is a long list of references at the end of each herbs discussion, which both validates the information and gives one other places to research the particular herb.]

SECTION 3: Pages 345-390

RECOMMENDED HERBS FOR SOME SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITIONS - Again there is a repeated structure:

AILMENT - alphabetically listed, is described to aid in its identification and to illustrate its seriousness. After the description there is an "Herbal Recommendation" paragraph for each ailment. The use of multiple herbs in combination makes
section 3 important and indispensible when dealing with a specific ailment, as section 2 deals with the herbs and their actions individually rather than their uses in combination with other agents.

At the end of the ailments' discussion, there are references for each specific ailment which can lead one to further study quite easily.

GLOSSARY: Page 393-402

INDEX: Page 403-410

BOTTOM LINE: Works well with the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine", Revised 2nd Ed. by M. Murray and J. Pizzorno

Currently value-priced at $12.95 through Amazon or other discounters, this is an extreme value and a great read filled with useful Herbal information. Bear in mind that this book, originally written in 1992 and later revised and expanded in 1995, is starting to need a major update. There are herbs like Ephedra that are included in this book, but have been taken off the market due to safety concerns. Though I have the revised second edition I would buy a third edition of this book in a heartbeat.

The Healing Power of Herbs is the most credible and useful herb book on the market, helpful for the consumer and the health professional alike. I especially appreciate the discussions of clinical trials, the medical journal references, and the easy-to-reference summaries of uses and dosages of herbs. This is *the* book I turn to when I have a question about herbal medicine. If you're only going to have one book on herbal medicine on your shelf, this is the one!

I absolutely LOVE this book! There is something in it for everyone! The development of the main character throughout her school years touches the heart and inspires the soul. As a parent, it has taught me that even the most challenging experiences can teach our children many life lessons. Thank you, Ms. Shaffer, for writing such a unique book!

What an engaging story! Stefania Shaffer wrote a realistic piece of fiction that pulls the reader into the story. I wanted to protect the main character Vandra, befriend her, cheer for her, and cry for her. Vandra's school experiences brought back many memories and reminded me to listen to my own child when he talks about his days at school. I can't wait to see if Ms. Shaffer writes a sequel.

I have never read a book that could teach so many life lessons, yet still be as enjoyable as this one. The author's undying humor and creativity shines through in every chapter, and leaves you begging for more.

One thing that surpasses the life lessons, and humor that is cleverly placed throughout the book, is the inspiration that I received from it. I used to be a big reader, I was one of the few second-graders who could sit and read for hours without complaint, but by the time I was in sixth grade, I no longer read for the joy of reading, but only when I had to do a book report. This book made me re-realize the joys of reading, and watching a marvelous story unfold before your eyes. This book inspired me to read again, and I'll be eternally greatful for that.

Heroes Don't Always Wear Capes is an awesome book. It takes you through the life of young school girl, whos life amazingly relates to many peoples'. Ya gotta read It.

Wow, this was an awesome book! I loved how she just captured how every girl feels at each stage of their life. I could really relate to this book. I also like how the author wrote, it was very descriptive, and it almost felt like you were in the same situation the main character was in. All in all I loved it and I think all kids should read this book. :)

I first read this book as a schoolboy. It filled my mind with dreams and many wonderful hours of adventure. I have looked for over 30 years for this book, uncertain of its exact title or author. What a joy to discover that it has been newly printed!

I wondered how the book would read as an adult. After just a few pages I was caught back once again into the wonderful celtic world and lived again in the monastary at Glaston. The book is a great read for all ages with a story that lets you dream of a time when knights rode the countryside and life was filled with enchantment.

I first read this book in a Scholastic Books edition when I was a kid in grade school in the 1950's. It is the first time I ever remember being totally immersed and captured by a story about a distant time and place. Young readers really care about Hugh, a lame boy who is left in a monastery when his knight father is forced into exile from England. Hugh's search for the relics of King Arthur transforms him and works the same magic on the reader. Very highly recommended!

What can I say about this sublime book that blends an exciting mystery with tantalizing folklore and fascinating historical detail? Only what virtually every other reviewer here has said:
I read this book as a teen and never, ever forgot it.
I became enthralled with the legends surrounding Glastonbury.
I didn't rest until I actually visited the site in my 20's.
I almost never write Amazon reviews, but I am so delighted to see this gem of a book available again, I had to check in.

From the unanimously excited responses of those who rediscovered this book, I am confident that word of mouth and enthusiastic teachers and librarians will do everything they can to see that this amazing work reaches a new generation of future travellers to Glastonbury.

Like I, they will be thrilled to gaze on the actual places described in the book: The beautiful Chalice Well, the ruined Abbey, the marker for "Arthur's grave", the thorn tree; and the profoundly mystical Glastonbury Tor at the nexus of one of the most remarkable places on Earth.

Thank you, Eleanor Jewett, for making that trip a foregone conclusion for me upon the opening of your book.

For any young person interested in medieval history this is a great adventure story. I discovered it in my young teenage years and it continues to be one of my favorite stories to this day - 40 years later! I have now moved onto the Brother Cadfael books by Ellis Peters!

I first read this book as a 4th grader and loved it. Now, two decades later, I have purchased it for my classroom after finding it on Amazon. I have had several sixth graders rave about the plot and ask for similar stories. Rereading it as an adult, I still find the story and characters fun and interesting. This is a great find for the middle grades reader who can't get enough of the middle ages.

I have this book. The Title page shows a date I scribbled in at the top of October 28, 1982. Been working on it ever since. Buying another copy now for a friend.

The comments that appear relative to this title from skeptical reviewers are likely from the establishment types, the very types that Pawlicki embarrasses with each flip of the page. Thus, criticism of this title is to be expected. Whenever the establishment thinking is severely challenged, there is bound to be a wailing not unlike the sound of a band of scorched cats.

The prospective purchaser would do well to disregard such nonsense and give this title a spin around the block. Good grief, if you go for a 2nd hand copy, the book is cheaper than the shipping! The chapters. "Beyond Velikovsky" and "Time Travel" are worth their weight in gold. That is, assuming the reader values truth more than tradition.

This little book goes down as one of the most profound discussions I've ever encountered in my 59 years of life. Is Pawlicki right in his assessments; more right than the establishment scientists? Who am I to judge? I have learned, however, that if you try to use your voltmeter to measure current, and the instrument doesn't have an overload protection module, you soon have a burned out test instrument. That is to say-- proving the reality of anything is as much a matter of using the correct instrument as demonstrating your thesis is correct.

If one proceeds along such lines of thinking with this title, I can't imagine the customer not coming away with some benefit. And you'll find yourself going back to this little book many times, and what with the Internet (which didn't even exist when I bought my first copy), it opens up avenues for a great deal of further research.

Whoever said "Man was born to act and not to speculate" was not a modern engineer (+boring). Whoever wrote this book was (&exciting).

Super fun. A lot of truth. With some wild and wonderful craziness.

http://www.physorg.com/news12054.html , check out this link after reading the book and it makes you think.

I have had two copies of this book, and it seems to turn the most honest engineer into a bookkeeper. I have twice loaned out the copy I had, and both times, I lost what I have learned to consider a priceless document. Another friend has sworn he returned it, so I may be the miscreant in that case. Even so, it seems to be gone so I got on A-dot-C to find another. I think I will get 2 this time. It is a book that triggers thought paths never before uused in your mind. Warning! Get your own copy and NEVER LOAN IT OUT.

I have had two copies of this book, and it seems to turn the most honest engineer into a bookkeeper. I have twice loaned out the copy I had, and both times, I lost what I have learned to consider a priceless document. Another friend has sworn he returned it, so I may be the miscreant in that case. Even so, it seems to be gone so I got on A-dot-C to find another. I think I will get 2 this time. It is a book that triggers thought paths never before uused in your mind. Warning! Get your own copy and NEVER LOAN IT OUT.

I was looking for a book for my teenage niece, one with answers for life's situations. Even though there were only 5 star reviews on this book, I was sorry I bought it for her after I realized just how serious the content was. I hope no one else is mislead by the 5-star reviews as I was, and to realize that this book might not be for your intended audience. Please read the Table of Contents first!

Unfortunately, troubling times come up for people close to us all the time and when you least expect it. This is a great resource book to have for those unexpected occasions when you're caught off-guard and aren't sure how best to help your friend who is going through a difficult ordeal. It's scary to think that you might say or do the wrong thing when someone close to you is suffering, so this book gives that reassurance we're all looking for.

Divorce. Scandal. Suicide. So many awkward times leave you speechless -- or worse fearing you'll say the wrong thing. Fortunately, Kaplan's kind yet no-nonsense book gives you the power to speak -- and help those you love when they're hurting. It's a must-read for tough times.

For someone working in the world of non-profits and charities, I found this book a helpful tool in dealing with many situations where you want to offer comfort to people who are facing difficult or challenging circumstances. The book offers helpful advice, examples and even sample letters for a wide variety of situations. Robbie Miller Kaplan uses her own experiences as well as consultations with many professionals to create a thoughtfull resource for anyone working in the helping professions.

This book is a phenomenal guide to finding the perfect words when you want to provide support in the ideal way. As we all know, some situations require a careful approach, some people have delicate sensitivities, and some of life's trials are beyond our comprehension. Especially with loved ones often living so far away, your words may be all you can give. In professional settings where hugs are not appropriate or natural, it's so important to know what to say and how to say it. Robbie Kaplan's book provides the right words, in the perfect way, so that you can be the kind of friend or relative, supportive colleague or neighbor, that you want to be. Highly recommended for all, since the best thing we can do for the people we love is support them...and words are what stay with us the longest.

I think this is one of my favorite books on eating for health. Some read like encyclopedias and some are so self-righteous you feel guilty for shaving your legs or flying in airplanes. This is humorous and informative and full of ideas you can use right away, with lots of the statistics removed to sidebars so it reads smoothly and conversationally. My copy is well-underlined. My husband grabbed it first when it arrived and read it through in just two days. We already had a pretty healthy diet but there's always more to learn, especially the why's behind the decisions you make in the grocery store aisle.

Kelly Hayford's book "If It's Not Food, Don't Eat It" puts the whole scope of good nutrition together in one easy to read package. Everyone thought reducing fat intake was the key, then low carbs; well know I understand the key is eating good fats, nutritious foods and avoiding food additives, sweeteners and toxic ingredients in processed foods. I love here down-to-earth style.

This is the only guide you will ever need for how to eat and live in a healthy way. The information was life changing for me and for my patients. Her easy to understand book takes the mystery out of what is and isn't healthy. I found the recipes at the end of the book especially helpful. Kelly shows you how to implement the suggestions into your daily routine immediately. You will not just lose weight, you will gain energy and stamina to enjoy life's passions.

Dr. Elizabeth Decker
Chiropractor

Kelly Hayford has written a very practical book with an approach that is much different than other nutrition books that I've read. The idea of eating only real food is so simple and so common-sense that I'm surprised I haven't seen this advice much more from other nutrition experts. I've spent so much time reading labels for sugars, saturated fats, fiber, etc., but have never really given much thought to the long lists of chemicals on most labels. I just figured that they must be okay if they are allowed in food. Since Kelly's book opened my eyes, I have made major changes to the quality of food that I bring into my house, and I feel a lot better about what my children and I are eating. I do find, however, that if I take this type of advice too seriously, I get way too obsessed about food. I just try to follow nutrition advice like this as well as I can. (I will never get to the Level 4 described in the book, but Level 1 or 2 is better than I was a couple of months ago!) I stongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve his diet.

Kelly Hayford's book is one of the best I've read on nutrition and truly natural health care. It is not about vitamins (which, by the way, are not foods, but at best only parts of foods) and it does not contain any strange, "new age" advice. Instead, it is filled with practical information that, if you follow carefully, will do wonders for your health, despite any health condition you may have. Or, if you are fortunate enough to have good health, Kelly Hayford's book is more than just an ounce of prevention - it's a whole guide to it. ALL health problems and diseases are tied to our diet, which is what makes this book the foundation of good health and healing.

Engrossing, amazing historical analyses. Well written, more book than I imagined. An outstanding job of picking out inconsistencies and omissions from evolutionary science. Taylor raises many questions on the scientific data for evolution without being arrogant.

Ian discusses the early philosophical influences and later scientists who paved the way and laid the seed for Darwinian evolution. Is "evolution the cause of the ills of the world, and the secular humanism that so dominates our culture? Is the church bringing in this thought into their doctrines?

He claims Christianity and monotheism actually spur scientific thought. During the dark ages there was a loss of science. We had to rediscover the future. "How can astute scientists be so easily deceived", along with deceiving so many? "Scientists too are subject to the normal human failings." "To think rationally and fairly is a simplistic myth." There is a short biography on Darwin. The voyage on the "Beagle" helped transform him from creationist to evolutionist. There are many problems with evolution, which Taylor makes clear. "This will be defined by who sees the pseudo science for what it is." Is this the murder of God?

Evolution is a theory based on time and chance. The evolution proponents are willing to make discoveries fit this premise. Many are proven false as once truths. Some have still persisted for over a hundred years. Catastrophe can be the only explanation for the fossils. The fossil indexing to geological age is based on circular reasoning, not science. We will see variations in kind (species) but there are limits. The author goes in depth on carbon dating. Some still use radio metric dating. He explains dating is problematic and inconsistent. It is based on a rate of decay that has been constant. We will discover that creation makes more sense.

"Evolutionist need to hold to a uniformatism"

The rhetoric of the evolutionists can sometimes cause one to doubt his faith. Anyone who is experiencing this should read this book, and all doubts will be removed. Be sure to give a copy to your atheist and agnostic friends as well.

I've had the good fortune of observing the author, Ian T. Taylor, debate the topic of evolution verses creation with a local college professor in my area. I even got to have a discussion with both of the scholars. I share this in the hope that it gives a clue as to the level of consistency with which Taylor wrote this book.

With Ian Taylor's knowledge, he has no lack of logic in his defense of creation I can find. His opponent however had enough of a lack in logic that my "if that's so, then how come...?" questions eventually left him without rational answers and with embarrassment compelling him to excuse his presence. The information in this book provides a more firm stand behind creation and it's harmony helps to reveal how irrational evolution is.

What impresses me the most with this book is how well it demonstrates the impact that influential men in history, with their beliefs, have upon the way society develops. Never underestimate the power of words. "In the Minds of Men: Darwin and the New World Order" assisted to change my husband's erroneous thoughts he once had on creation.

This book is a must for anyone who wants to think seriously about the issue of origins. It comes with numberous illustrations. Taylor covers the historical and scientific issues very well and delves into the social consequences of darwinism. It may seem expensive, but it's well worth it.

Finally a book that approaches science scientifically! I hated biology when I was a kid because it always presupposed evolution into every single facet of biological studies. Then when we learned evolution I learned it was just a theory, and a very sketchy theory at best. As a result, science lost a lot of credibility with me. I hated the subject because it was bias, tainted with sketchy presuppositions, and ruthlessly demanding that we all believe it or else.

Ian has done a very fair and balanced study of evolution in this book and using true scientific approaches.I finally learned some science, 33 years later than I was supposed too, but hey maybe we can get an education in America after all!

Surely, if this man had any other surname, this novel would have received the acclaim it deserves... the cloud!

"Reading some of the reviews I notice a few individuals reading much further than the words on the pages - a word for those Millionaire virgins... try not to do this until say, your 5th or 6th read. It may interfere with your enjoyment "
- ME, just then

To think I stumbled on it by ACCIDENT, attracted to a 1984 re-print with a compass on the cover, having recently read a half entertaining nautical adventure! A read so enjoyable I'm almost relieved it did not receive its due - over-analysed masterpieces and authors often get spoiled through the process, or on occasion battered into a film... the silver lining! Enjoy!

"An Innocent Millionaire" is a bitter book and quite obviously the work of an angry man. Vizinczey gives vent to his hatreds on just about every page of his novel. Some of his targets are well-ventilated already: lawyers, taxes, junk culture, greedy corporations, etc. But it is his two main hatreds -- women and New York City -- that cause him to lose perspective and damage an otherwise rather impressive novel.

First the misogyny. Vizinczey's dislike of women leaps from every page of this book. Most of the women in his story are just the tools of the rich men in their lives. Almost all of them are faithless. The few successful women all slept their way to the top. Take, for example, the female character who publishes and edits a prestigious fashion magazine. Before we have a chance to waste any admiration on her, V assures us that she is no more than an ex-fashion model whose married lover bought the magazine for her just to keep her happy. Another successful woman whom V takes pains to keep us from admiring is the Chief Valuation Officer for the Bahamian Ministry of Finance. Despite the fact that the woman has earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida, a masters from the University of Toronto, and a doctorate from the London School of Economics, V dismisses her as "Nassau's top she-bureaucrat" (note: none of the male bureaucrats in the book is ever referred to as a "he-bureaucrat") and assures us that she is nothing more than an overeducated secretary who acquired her government position by sleeping with her boss. As the main characters are leaving this woman's office, they deride her with an anecdote one of them believes is worthy of "Playboy" and dub her "Miss Passionate" -- a reference to another secretary they all disdain. In fact, V seems to have a special distaste for female secretaries. In a later scene, after the main character concludes his business with a female secretary who has never been anything but pleasant with him, V concludes: "If there is a hell, there must be a special pit reserved for nice, sweet, charming intelligent secretaries who have spent their niceness, sweetness, charm and intelligence on covering up for their bosses."

But even more than women, V hates, despises, LOATHES New York City. The last third of the book is nothing more than an extended diatribe against New York lawyers, New York art dealers, New York politicians, ad nauseum. It's a shame, too, because this bile poisons the book just as the shipwreck story is beginning to get interesting. But the shipwreck and its history pretty much vanish once V sets his sites on his real target: NYC. In fact, in many ways, the Note From The Publisher appended to this edition of the novel by the University of Chicago Press (and which, by the way, reads as if it were written by the author himself) is a small analog of the novel itself. The Note starts out interestingly enough by telling us that Vizinczey is a difficult name to pronounce, leading us to expect that somewhere before the Note's end we will learn that pronunciation, just as in the book we hope that somewhere near the story's end we will learn the final fate of the shipwrecked Flora. But, alas, the promise is never kept and the Note, like the novel, devolves into another cliched rant against NYC, which is taken to task for failing to fully appreciate Vizinczey's genius. Although we are assured that the book was reviewed favorably by the NYTimes Book Review when originally released, we are expected to share the author's outrage that it was reviewed in brief and apparently not given the kind of consideration that a major literary work deserves. We are told that when the author's first novel was published in 1966, it received so little notice in New York that it had to be remaindered after three months. As if New York City itself is responsible for the fate of every author who doesn't become as well-praised as, say, Graham Greene. Tens of thousands of novels get published in this country every year. Just to get mentioned in the NYTBR is a rarity for most writers.

At any rate, I for one had no difficulty understanding why the culturati of NYC (or anywhere else, for that matter) might have been underwhelmed by An Innocent Millionaire. For one thing, it is burdened by the author's blatant efforts to evoke the reader's memory of Heinrich von Kleist's tale "Michael Kohlhaas," a much better story of justice denied. Kleist's name is evoked about twenty times during the course of the novel, just in case we don't get the connection. It is almost as if V had been trying to write his own reviews of the book and became bitter when the NYC reviewers wanted disagreed with his self-assessment. This heavy-handedness combined with the author's troubling misogyny and blind hatred for NYC torpedo what could have been a really great novel. At one point in the book a character derides such schlocky plotboilers as Colleen McCullough's "The Thorn Birds" and Sydney Sheldon's "A Rage of Angels." V is a better writer than either of those two populists, but his novel is only slightly more worthwhile than Sheldon's and not nearly as well-realized as McCullough's. Ironically, it is V's hatred of NYC that does him in. He seems to be insisting over and over again that NYC isn't worth the consideration of any decent person, much less a true artist (one of his Ten Commandments for writers is "Thou Shalt Not Worship London/New York/Paris"). But if NYC is so beneath his consideration why does he fume so over the fact that his work hasn't been better received there? He should have stuck with his shipwreck story and left his hatred of NYC for some other venue.

Stephen Vizinczey (sp?) is, in my estimation, the greatest living author I've read. Or at least my favorite. He is also a great hero of mine, and I do not have many heros.
Why is this? The man tells the truth. He isn't concerned with the consequences of revealing his thoughts to all comers. A previous reviewer accused him of misogyny, but I don't believe she's read "In Praise." I think what she was pointing to is a quality I regard as a virtue in Mr. Vizinczey. He is brutally honest in all things, and for a man playing at being omniscient, he does a pretty good job. One of these things he is honest in is the role that appearance plays in our thoughts and interactions. Some people use sex appeal outside of the bedroom. Sometimes the social progress people make in life is tied to their attractiveness, and sometimes this is not the case. Mr. Vizinczey is not the only one who finds this remarkable.
Mr. Vizinczey has also taught me a great deal about life. To get any lasting knowledge from a book is noteworthy, but the roles that two of his have played in my life seem more like the work of the Hand of God. I read this book at the age of 24, working my way up the economic and social ladder in NYC, and at the same time, hating the goals of success. The first 200 pages confirmed my beliefs about the cannibalistic nature of success, and then, as I contemplated giving up on my idea of success, my fictional alter-ego's luck got better. He met a lawyer who took on the case he had previously lost all hope in winning, and still was not quite convinced that it was worth trying. Mark Niven said something like, "The world is evil!" To which his attorney replied, raising his arms and looking at the sky, "But there is also chance."
Damn, that was a valuable lesson.

I read this book once in high school and once in my third year of college. When I first read An Innocent Millionaire I was intrigued by the adventure. As an adult I found that the book was really about life , of tragedy and the state of the world we live in. This book is a must read.

In difficult times we like to turn to books, especially to novels. But it would be a mistake to think that only light and syrupy stories bring us relief. On the contrary, we need the company of authors who, thanks to their perceptiveness and creative vigor, describe the world as it is, without false embellishment. We sense that these writers are able to face the worst of all possible worlds because they keep alive in themselves the promise of peace and goodness. For this reason we are moved by their vision.

Vizinczey's Innocent Millionaire brings us such a subtle solace. The novel is an enthralling roller-coaster of fortunes and passions, full of striking dialogues. It even manages to say something new about the birth of love. Marianne, the heroine of an ultimately tragic love affair, is one of the most lovable woman I have ever encountered in fiction, surpassing even the desirable and generous ladies of the author's previous masterpiece In Praise of Older Women. But this is a very different novel. Here the author weaves a tragic love relationship into the story of a fraud, showing how small and ridiculous are all those stupid and greedy people who make our life miserable or dull. If you are satisfied with the world as it is and approve its values, you will scorn this book. But for the dissatisfied reader, it is a rare treat and a unique source of comfort.

This is the definitive history of what I consider the best brigade-sized unit in either army during the Civil War. Alan Nolan is THE authority on this famous, hard-hitting outfit and this book is a classic. Interesting, vivid, full of valor, heartbreaking losses, and gallant deeds, it chronicles the Army of the Potomac's sole western unit from its meager beginnings, its first engagement at Brawner's Farm the day before Second Bull Run, where it met and defeated the vaunted Stonewall Brigade in a vicious stand-up fight though outnumbered and still an untried unit of well-trained rookies. through the tough tutelage of veteran artilleryman John Gibbon, its first commander of note, to its moment of truth at Gettysburg, where, suffering almost 70% casualties, it goes into the fire unperturbed and outnumbered, both ruining and capturing opposing Confederate units, coming onto the field behind its tattered regimental flags like a wave of blue doom. I first became interested in the Iron Brigade while reading Bruce Catton's excellent trilogy on the Army of the Potomac. Not until this superb volume, however, did the whole story come out in gripping detail and hard-to-put-down narrative. The author paints a vivid picture of the realities of war, what losses can do to even a veteran, well-trained unit, and the value of personal valor and leadership. This book is highly recommended and should be on the book shelf of every Civil War reenactor, historian, and enthusiast.

Author Alan Nolan has brought the story of the Iron Brigade to life in this excellent study of this famous group of hard fighting midwesterners. Nolan's information is valuable and everything is backed by references. Nolan's style is concise. It was nice that he didn't dwell on subjects like battles or politics not involving the Iron Brigade. He kept the book's chapters flowing and informative. He kept biographies short while the movements and changes in command structure through out the book were covered very well. The fighting at Gettysburg was probably the best coverage and most descriptive although it was most fitting considering it was the brigade's crescendo in battle. Overall, Nolan's book is a valuable tool, reference and history of the Iron Brigade that many people could benefit from reading. 5 STARS!

The author successfully weaves together regimental histories with grand strategic movements and anecdotal observations of the common soldier. All this gives a feel for the the tension and struggle faced by the "heroes" of this story-- the officers and common soldiers of the Iron Brigade. Common men of uncommon bravery and valor. The reader is able to follow the progress of each regiment within the Brigade through Nolan's fast paced, dramatic narrative. A fine reference and requisite companion to Herdegen's "Four Years with the Iron Brigade," since it puts the diaries in the larger context of Brigade movements. I appreciated Nolan's work all the more after Herdegen's book, and wished I had read them together.

Nolan's "biography" of the battle-torn Iron Brigade contains the most stirring description of the 1st day of battle at Gettysburg that I have ever read. His account of the bravery and heroism of these men is exceptional. At times I got a bit confused trying to keep track with whom was in charge of which regiment/brigade/division, etc., but this information is vital to the history of the brigade. This book also made me aware of the under-appreciated accomplishments of Lt. Col. Rufus Dawes who should be accorded the same recognition as other noble Union leaders during this battle, such as Chamberlain, Hancock and Warren.

Nolan's book about the Iron Brigade is a fantastic account of the brigade's history, covering its intriguing stories off the field as much as on it.

The book is very easy to follow as it begins with the creation of every regiment in the brigade and ends months after Appomattox.

By using primary accounts and concise analysis, Nolan covers the relationships between the ordinary men and their officers, the relationships between the regiments, the relationships between the brigades and divisional/corps commanders all the way up to McClellan/Hooker and more. In addition, the politics in the brigade and the Army of the Potomac as a whole are covered, and all of this without even getting into the combat history of the brigade.

Nolan covers in depth every combat the Iron Brigade was engaged in while it consisted of just Westerners, and the Epilogue in the book deals with the addition of non Western units to the Brigade, the dissolution of some of the regiments and the mustering out of notable officers through discharges, wounds and death.

In Nolan's interpretation, although it keeps its name, the Iron Brigade is no longer THE Iron Brigade after all the casualties at Gettysburg and the addition of Eastern troops to the brigade on July 18, 1863. Thus the combat from Brawner's Farm to Gettysburg is covered in depth concerning the brigade's actions. The book has exceptional maps for the actions of the brigade on the battlefields and casualty counts for every regiment. The chapter dealing with Day 1 of Gettysburg is the book's most poignant and gripping battle account.

The notes in the book are nearly 100 pages and are nearly as interesting as the narrative itself. In the notes are extended discussions on casualty %s (the Iron Brigade as a whole suffered the most battle casualties by % than any Federal brigade during the war, the 2nd Wisconsin suffered the most by % of any regiment, the 24th Michigan suffered 80% casualties on July 1 etc.) and Nolan's explanation in how he dealt with discrepancies in battle records and accounts. In the epilogue's notes, Nolan offers up post-war details of the officers in the 5 regiments.

One of the best parts of the book is how Nolan really takes issue with Glenn Turner's book on Gettysburg due to its pro-Confederate slant. Turner claims the Iron Brigade was "swept off" the field and calls Old Man Burns, the old citizen who came onto the field and fought with the Iron Brigade, a "cowardly" "bushwhacker" despite fighting in line and being wounded three times during the battle.

This book is perfect for anyone interested in the Civil War or anyone interested in the military history of Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

I remember reading this book almost 13 or so years ago, and I remember how much it meant to me then. This is a wonderful story of a boy with a hard life who begins to understand the bad path he is heading down, and his life is turned around by caring for a cat who needs his help.

I first experienced this story as a television film around 1969. It stunned me then, as a child, and I kept it in my heart for decades. Recently I came across a dog-eared copy of the novelization in a used bookstore and was stunned by the grip it still had on me. I am now a teacher and have presented the book to my students. They were similarly enthralled. It transcends generations, ethnicities, and economic barriers. It is a sublimely human story. I am so grateful to Jane Wagner for creating such a fine piece. It teaches so many things in so many ways.

"He's just gone bad, that's all...Stealin' and lyin' and I don't know what all." That's how J.T.'s mother felt. Yet this same J.T. secretly cared for a one-eyed, scrawny, junkyard cat full of cuts, scratches, nicks, and bruises from a recent battle. How could he be both good and bad? Why was he these two types of persons? Find out J.T.'s feelings--they're not too unusual. (A film was made of this book.)

A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up

This book is a must read for all NYC students. As an educator I introduce it to grades second and up. I would like to purchase a copy of this on film. Amazon can you help locate a copy.

I loved this book as a child and I even remember having a little crush on the boy in the book and film (Kevin Hooks who went on to become a famous actor and director). My parents somehow got a hold of the film (on a reel!) to show at one of my birthday slumber parties in the late 70s. I'm now expecting my first child and can't wait until she's old enough to enjoy the story as well.