U Books

This handy little book is essential to learning the German Language. I have found it extremely helpful in making it easier to understand a foreign language and all it's rules of grammar.

This is the best resource I've come across for simple to use and understand explanations of most aspects of German grammar for beginning students of German as a foreign language. The comparison with English grammar on all aspects of the language is unique to this book and is a key to being able to comprehend and retain the material presented.

go to the publisher's website and download the .pdf file for your german text. go to [...] and select german. you'll find an adobe acrobat file that provides the mapping between the chapters in this text and several popular college level german text books.

the mapping is very detailed, even down to mapping subsections in each text.

my only regret is not reading the preface sooner to learn about the free file. I'm sure my previous studies could have been much more efficient.

other than that the text is great. chapters are short and should knock the rust off your grammer, if you haven't forgotten too much. if you have, then don't be afraid to pickup another text just on english grammer to supplement your studies. this text will help you refresh your grammer enough to learn german grammer, but it isn't meant to teach you english grammer. for that there are many reasonably priced texts of similar length that you can consult as you progress through your studies.

don't think you have to relearn english grammer before starting to learn german. just relearn it as learn your german.

good luck.

This book is very down to earth in that it makes english language comparisons with very short little mini quiz and examples. Good book to have.

I took German in college in 1979, so when I started a refresher German course earlier this year, I picked this up in a college bookstore. Wow, what a life saver! Since I did not have sentence diagramming in grade school, my language skills have always been intuitive, with this book it's all laid out neatly and easily in front of you. EGFSG cleared up many questions that I had regarding clauses, objects of a preposition, etc.

Sit down for an hour or two and read the short concise chapters, it's an amazing little book. It even helps your English day to day.

Who says Grammar has to be boring?

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.

I bought this book when it first came out in hard cover. I looked forward to reading it, but was stunned by the very first sentence:

"Columbus sailed due east from the Canary Islands in hopes of reaching Japan." Was he headed to Morocco to begin an overland trek? I think the author meant the sentence to read: "Columbus sailed for the East by heading due west from the Canary Islands in hopes of reaching Japan." Or something like that. This kind of problem right at the start lowers one's confidence in the rest of the book. That this error remains in the paperback version is even more troubling. It is such an obvious error that I find myself wondering if I am missing something. However, every time I check the map, there is a great deal of land east of the Canaries and Japan, and Hispaniola is definitely to the west (West Indies and all that.)

However, the rest of the book is pretty decent. There are lots of good source documents that provide very short selections. The author has gone for quantity versus quality. To know any of these topics seriously, you will have to go much beyond the couple of pages provided on it in this book. This would be a good way to find topics that are of interest to you, however.

It covers everything from Columbus, the founding, the expansion west, the Mormon Exodus, the Civil War, the Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, the World Wars, Kennedy's assassination, a very strange way of presenting Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech through by providing an excerpt from James Reston's news article, Vietnam, the moon landing, through AIDS and email. There is a lot more material than I can list here, but you get the drift.

This can be a useful book to read and discuss an excerpt at a time with your children and to help clarify their geographic orientation about East and West.

Reading this book was a treat. Reading first-hand accounts of incidents will give you a picture of how things really were. Notice the chapter on "A Mob Confronts A Stamp Collector". This made me feel like I was seeing exactly what happened. The book can be read from any chapter all of which are independent of one another. One caveat. Make sure you have a weekend to spare because once you get into the text it's goodbye everything else. Excellent history.

I had the unique opportunity to meet Mr. Colbert while working at a TV show. Much like himself, the book is incredibly insiteful into many of the events that shaped this great land. As a New Yorker, I especially enjoyed the description of a late 19th century deli, you could taste the Corned beef!!! When you finish this book you will see a view of American history that the text books you used in school never tried to show. Only Mr. Colbert brings together the first-hand accounts of the Challenger disaster and Curt Flood's personal battles as well as the thoughts of a witness to President Lincoln slipping away after the shooting in Fords theater. I highly recomend this book to all Americans and I (like Charles Kuralt) have kept it and referenced it in many an undertaking. Keep up the good work David, and I made sure that the cameras were kind to you.

What I loved about this particular book is that there isn't a historian in sight - nobody is writing it from the subjective slant of 50 (or 500) years' time - the accounts presented are from the diaries, letters and articles written by the people who actually took part in the events - a person on Columbus' crew, John Adams, the seconds at the Burr/Hamilton duel, etc. Spanning the time from Columbus through Bill Gates and email, this is a sprawling volume, split into short essays that are easy to read and not overwhelming on the eye. What it does best is interest you in a story so that you want to investigate further by reading book-length discussions. Of particular interest were the two wildly diverging viewpoints on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, and how not all who heard it were enthralled at the time. Very clever use of the form.

In addition to being a great collection of primary sources, this book is also incredibly entertaining. Only read this book if you want full absorption. The book would be better if the passages were longer, though!

A fascinating look at the birth and eventual fall of the Group Theatre through the eyes of Harold Clurman, who was the heart and soul of this theatre troupe. The Group Theatre would eventually change the course of American acting through their embrace of the Stanislavsky method of acting. Anyone with a love of theatre and it's rich history would love this book. Any actor should read it. The names that came out of the Group Theatre are like the 'Gods' of American acting and teaching "the Method". Stella Adler, Bobby Lewis, Stanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Clifford Odets.

As an actor this book filled me with a rediscovery of why my work matters and it inspired me to continue in an industry where success is so dificult. Though I am not a method actor i respect the accomplishments of the group theatre immensely and to hear harold clurman tell it is to hear it thorugh the glue of it all. Read this if you love theatre.

What a wonderful book. I've always loved reading history and books of all topics and times of history dominate my shelf. However there is a void that is now apparent of books of the theatre and of the artists working within it. This has been a wonderful introduction to how much can really be said about the formation of a theatre and the ups and downs of its life.

Certainly anyone aspiring to be an actor or anyone in the business looking to see what finding the art in your work is all about, this is a must read. Clurman has an amazing memory, vividly retells all that took place during those turbulent years, and does so with a powerful, strong refreshingly opinionated point of view.

All in all, really a wonderful book in both story telling and lessons that I would love to revisit soon.

The Group Theatre, modeled off of the equally influencial Moscow Art Theatre, was an artistic organization that completely and drastically revolutionized not only American Theatre, but World Theatre as well.

Formed in the 1930's and comprised of what has become a literal who's who of Theatre: Clifford Odets, Elia Kazan, Harold Clurman, Robert Lewis, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, Cheryl Crawford, John Garfield, Sanford Meisner and many others, The Group Theatre sought to create a vibrant and organic native theatre that sought to not only mirror the times but also instigate radical social change.

At no other time in American history has an artistic group been comprised of so many talented individuals focused on one aesthetic and political goal. Despite one's political leanings (make no mistake, The Group Theatre were extreme leftest liberals), The Fervent Years provides and endless and bountiful amount of inspiration and stimulation for any theatre artist.

Clurman writes in a fine dramatic style that boils with passion, wit and insight. The Fervent Years is required reading for all devotees of The Theatre. But don't let that scare you, it is a most entertaining read at the same time.

This book is a beautiful account of the struggles and events surrounding Harold Clurman during his time with the Group Theater. Harold starts off by revealing how his life brought him to establish the Group along with Lee Strasberg and Cheryl Crawford. It then continues and describes the significant struggles and events encountered by the Group and its members along with some beautiful and extremely important observations Harold made, not only regarding the theater community and its participants, but also about our society in general and its effect on art in general.

This book is an absolute must for any serious actor or director. For that matter, anyone serious about life would gain from reading this book. The Group Theater was a wonderful "experiment" fostered by some very passionate people who not only helped to shape theater in America, but they also played a significant role in laying the groundwork from which some of the best acting and directing has emerged as seen in films and theater since that time.

I stand in disbelief when folks in the "business" don't know about Harold Clurman or the Group Theater and it members.

This is one of those must have items when you're facing a trip with your grandkids (that's TWO generations away from your own days on any wild ride) and I must say this guide to the park was enormously helpful even before we got there. Thanks a lot! Our trip was a huge success and Ms. Wiley's book gets a lot of the credit.

I first read an earlier version of this book several years ago, and Kim's sound advice has stayed with me, several trips on.

If you want to learn which rides to stay away from with young children, and what the must sees are, this is the book to read. And don't ignore Kim's most important tip of all. If you're travelling to Disney World with children, make sure you take that afternoon nap.

Catherine Noble
Webmaster
www.mywdwtrip.com

This is a really useful book, tons of tips, saved me a lot $$ and time. The most valuable thing I learn is to rent a multi-family vacation house with my friends, 16 people for $199 a day. We all enjoy the stay at a luxury emerald island resort. check this out: http://www.cyberrentals.com/index.cfm/property/126687

I purchased this book as a guide to help plan a 5 day trip to WDW with my family. We just got back and let me tell you this book saved us a lot of waiting time for the rides, helped us know what to see and where and how to focus our energy. Ms. Wiley is right on the mark in her descriptions of the attractions and her tips about getting around the parks. The book was so helpful, I tore out the sections about each park and took it with us into the park. This version is missing info that wasn't available at the time of printing about some of the newer shows Disney has put in for its 50th anniversary celebration. The Cinderellabration show is wonderful especially if you have a princess lover in your family and the Wishes fireworks display over the castle in the Magic Kingdom. I would highly recommend this book even if you've been to WDW before.

This book is a must read before and during your trip. It has great money saving ideas and is easy to understand. The scare factors are extremely useful if you have children under 10.

Aleister Crowley devoted several years to blending the Aim of Religion with the Method of Science, publishing his findings in a ten-volume series Equinox from 1909-13. While his complete production is rarely available, this thick one-volume GEMS FROM THE EQUINOX gathers some of the most important writings from the set, reproducing them for new age collections serious about Crowley's writings. Regardie, Crowley's one-time secretary and biographer, provides an authentic and serious tone to over a thousand pages of writings perfect for beginners as well as advanced Crowley students and any student of Golden Dawn or Occultism.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Hail Brothers and Sisters!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.

There really is no phraseolgy I can use to adequately tell you how highly I think of Aleister Crowley and what he has done for me and all those who I care about. YOU.

My GOD. My GOD. My GOD! Nothing can be said enough for a hard copy confirmation of your deepest intuitions. This book and the book "YOU ARE GOD, Get Over It" by Story Waters are the 2 most important volumes in my extensive spiritual library, which I've been collecting for the past 25 years. Not including The Bible (I was Christened in the Baptist church as a child).

Aleister - If I may take liberties - Hum! This man paved the way for the Messiah! I like to be called Tony. It's more personnable. When Aleister showed me the way it became infintely easier for me because this man knew what he was talking about. And he still does! I thought I was lucky to be a Probationer when I picked up this book. I was really an Adeptus Exemptus.

Thanks to to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Aethers outlined in the Vision and The Voice I quickly rose up the ranks of Ipussymus. Whoops! I think I mispelled that. Aleister had a great sense of humor and if you read the book reveiws at the back of this tome you will see that.

[...]
The deepest peace unto you, and keep up The Great Work!

Yours truly,

Tony.

Let us tersely and conveniently sum up the virtues...

1. For Golden Dawn people, Regardie describes this volume as the companion to his 'Golden Dawn' collection, whether you prefer the Llewellyn, or the more complete New Falcon Press edition. He does so in his newer introduction to his 'The Tree of Life,' and in another book, no doubt soon to be reprinted, called 'The One Year Manual.'

2. Regardie saw 'Gems' as a permanent addition to the Golden Dawn students shelf. Along with Crowley's original 'Magick in Theory and Practise,' he saw these two volumes as containing an immense amount of worthy material that could take the student a lifetime to assimilate and use. He makes this observation at the beginning of a volume entitled 'Ceremonial Magic,' hopefully soon to be reprinted.
The new edition of Crowley's 'Magick' isn't quite what Regardie had in mind for the student. He used to recommend the inexpensive Castle Books edition of 'Magick,' which still occasionally can be found (there is also a smaller paperback Dover books edition floating around, currently out-of-print.) Regardie really wasn't interested in seeing sincere students 'loading themselves down with lots of expensive books.'
(Regardie also write a short introduction for an edition of the first 2 parts of the currently available blue covered edition of 'Magick,' back in 1969. I am unaware if this smaller book is still in print.)
(Part 4 of Book 4 was 'The Equinox of the Gods.' I am unaware of Regardie ever writing any introduction to this book, in any edition. Sangraal Press may have released one in the late 60s/ early 70s. In any event, Regardie does not seem to consider it absolutely essential to understanding the most useful parts of the Crowley corpus. Regardie mentions 'The Equinox of the Gods' but little in his writings.)

3. 'Gems' distinguishes itself, as is noted above on this web page in the 'Book Description,' as enabling 'the student to find his way through the maze more easily.' It does this by dividing the different materials from the original Equinox into seperate sectioned subject areas within the same volume.

4. It is to be noted that Regardie has pointed out that Crowley's personality (!) made his material difficult to properly assimilate for the beginning student - and perhaps for a few advanced students as well. One will find that, in many cases, this is also true for the way Crowley composed much of the magickal material in 'Gems.' Separating the fiery and uneven Crowley from his material becomes part of the difficulty of the project: 'herein the task, herein the toil.'

5. New Falcon, at one point in the 80s, reprinted 'Gems' minus a certain amount of Regardie's introductory material. I think this is a mistake. I hate to sound purist, but we ultimately have little enough Regardie material as it is. We are all thankful, however, for New Falcon's Regardie efforts. See my recent review for 'The Complete Golden Dawn' volume published by New Falcon.

6. Thelemites will no doubt find 'Gems' useful. The bulk of them, however, will probably opt, at least eventually, for the full set of 'The Equinox' volumes entire.

7. As he reprinted much of Crowley's work, Regardie was often consulted or referred to as a Thelemite. Regardie objected to this, and clarified: 'I'm a Golden Dawn man !'

8. Many will be glad to know ahead of time, that the version of 'The Vision and the Voice' reprinted in 'Gems,' is not the annotated one that was released later, both in a smaller Regardie edition with intro., and in the later, oversized Weiser Publishers edition ( probably with intro. by the OTOs Hymenaeus Beta.)

9. Finally, some of the magick material reprinted in 'Gems' is actually available in the back of the different editions of Crowley's edition of 'Magick.' This makes no difference, as 'Gems' will organize the material more effectively, in the long run, for many students.

The above should serve, along with the rest of the present reviews, in encouraging the Golden Dawn student to procure this book as soon as he can, and gradually study it as he would his 'Golden Dawn' material.

Remember : sorting out the material is the real challenge here, and gradually assimilating it. One shouldn't rush the process.

So, forewarned is forearmed! Get a copy !

The greatest thing happened when Israel Regardie selelcted these papers from the original Equinox- he made available the most important magickal writings of that enormous first volume of ten installments to the student in one comprehensive collection.

This is sort of a textbook of the Magickal Orders AA and O.T.O., as many of these teachings apply to both orders. Although the author assumes the reader to have a good familiarity with some of these topics, ideas, and practices, much is to be gained in these writings for the complete beginner. A few of the many subjects include basic yoga postures and breathing techniques, various ceremonial rituals, meditations, an Enochian Magick Primer and a guided tour of the Thirty Aethyrs, The Book of The Law and various papers surrounding it - the list goes on. There is something here for every student of Occultism, Mysticism, Magick, Comparative Religion, Theosophy, ad infinitum. This book belongs in the library of every student of the Western Tradition.

If you can only own three books associated with Crowley and his teachings, they would have to be "Magick: Liber ABA," "Magick Without Tears," and "Gems from the Equinox." This is a well organized synthesis of the most highly regarded contents of The Equinox. The reviews at the end are also good reading if you're looking for books on the occult or a good laugh.

One of the best things this book does is points out that it is a CHOICE to live an abundant life. The book points out those wrong mental footprints of to handling finances can be corrected. Then it shares easy to understand, sensible steps to follow in making one's financial abundant life a reality. I read the book the first time and made notes. Now I am rereading it the second time and doing the exercises. I see the rewards are right around the corner.

I brought this book last year and I still refer back to it. It is a must have for all women who are trying to get it together.Good luck ladies we can do it.

This is the first popular book on finance I've ever read that didn't make me want to go out and cut my throat because I'd been so stupid and now it was too late! Instead, the authors explain how to think in terms of abundance, not deprivation, and explain how it's NEVER too late.

Another great thing about this book is that it integrates saving and investing into your life, not just your lifestyle, and shows how they can actually enhance your value system.

Buy it. It's the WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE of investing.

A truly wonderful book. However there is a crucial element that must be addressed in light of what is coming down the pike at us "Girls". If you read Arnold's The Great Bust Ahead (or visit the book's website at thegreatbustahead.com) you will gain insights into what may be the greatest depression in history beginning just a few years from now. This will probably affect women the most, and women (and men) of color more than others. So, whatever us Girls can make by following Glinda's advice needs to be protected (i.e. not lost in the coming depression) by reading Arnold's advice.

I love this book so much. Glinda breaks down investing step by step. I love her encouragement and belief in the success of the reader to learn more about investing. I'm starting to follow her advice and reap the great rewards. I bought her first book after reading this treasure. Buy Now. Stop living Check to Check.

I purchased this book for my 4 yr old nephew to go along with a Gold Panning Kit. He completely understood about gold panning and enjoyed being read to about it.

A real pleasure to read, with vivid, bouncy rhyme and great illustrations. Jasper's encounter with the bear was a particular hit . A short, fun book -- parents take note!

Very good book for young children to introduce them to the idea the California Gold Rush was not all glitter! It was cold, wet and most people didn't get rich. The writer tells the story in descriptive words that convey the essence of the period. Jasper is cute!

I give Ms. Kay's GOLD FEVER six stars. The sing-song rhyme is nothing short of wonderful. It is a FAVORITE night read. Even though we have read it again and again, the journey is always new and exciting!

Written in short, cryptic and perfectly rhymed and metered verse, Verla Kay's Gold Fever presents an amusing and authentic picture of the excitement and hardships of California's Gold Rush. The illustrations match the humorous text.

Authored by the popular team of Myrna and Harvey Frommer, this a wonderful collection of anecdotal history. It covers momentous events and intimate moments spanning decades of Jewish-American thinking from every sector of the country. Its richness is doled out in small, poignant bites of personal history frequently focusing on a fading European past and compromises and dilemmas with a gentile world. There is heartbreak but also a grand humor.

"Childhood memories of Jewish men and women of all ages from across the country. They describe their urban and suburban experiences and discuss long-held traditions and religious rituals. Presents a kaleidoscopic view of twentieth-century life from immigrant and minority perspectives."

"IF YOU SOMEHOW MISSED THIS BOOK WHEN HARCOURT BRACE FIRST PUBLISHED IT IN 1995, HERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE. IF YOU GREW UP JEWISH IN AMERICA, IT WILL ENLIGHTEN YOU AND MAKE YOU REMEMBER. IT'S A WARM, WONDERFUL MEMORY BOOK OF LIFE AS IT USED TO BE -- ALL OVER AMERICA -- IN A MUCH LESS COMPLICATED TIME. . . BITTERSWEET IN PLACES, IT IS A DELIGHT."

The book provides a fascinating look at Jewish life. We learn about families, school activities, religious life, and anything else the people felt like discussing. All areas of the country are represented as well as all aspects of Judaism. Hundreds of personal photos add much to to the histories. A good glossary explains the various Yiddish terms used throughout."

===Growing up Jewish IN AMERICA

THIS IS a fine book for goyim. Being gentile, as far as I know, I can say that.

One never knows exactly what one's roots might include. As Leon Toubin comments on a Texas community in this entertaining oral history, "We were probably all Jewish once, but we're Lutheran now." The complexities of American life make this book fun and often pure poetry. Some vital turning points come to life in a just few sentences. Zipporah Marans, whose father was an Orthodox rabbi in Raleigh, N.C., during World War II, recalls G.I.s "would have three days' leave before being shipped overseas. Their girlfriends would come down, and my father would marry them in our living room. My mother, sister, a soldier friend and I would each hold a corner of the chuppa, the wedding canopy."

St. Louis Jews - really, all Jews west of the Appalachians - might feel a bit slighted in this study. David Bisno talks about the divide between Jews of German and Russian descent in St. Louis, but he doesn't offer many details. Ansaie Sokoloff recalls his family leaving St. Louis for Cheyenne, Wyo. Other communities in the chapter about the Midwest and West include Detroit, Duluth, Omaha, Pittsburgh and San Fernando. It reminded me of a gas station attendant in New Jersey who noticed my Missouri plates and said, "I have a cousin who went to school in South Dakota." New York and environs get the bulk of attention here. That's fine, but what I find particularly fascinating are more detailed accounts of unique or remote communities and families struggling to maintain traditions.

The Frommers' book has many moments, too, where one senses the effort necessary to maintain tradition and faith in our time. Though no characters develop in this text, one hears many fragments of fascinating memories, which together present an insightful portrait of vibrant communities and individuals.

Having had little information on the life of my great, great, great grandfather this book was facinating. I had no idea he had participated critically in so much of the civil war. Not only Warren's genius of analysis of conditions in battle, but his engineering skills were also very notable, indeed his accomplishment in cartography and engineering of the Rock Island bridge some could say eclipsed anything he did during the war between the states. The book is a facinating inside look at relationships between men of high rank and served to show that patriotism was not the sole factor in their decisions and exploits. Great leaders, sadly, usually have great egos and Warren was no exception. I also thought the final analysis of why Warren, though brillant, failed to achieve the greatness he was surely capable of achieving, to be profoundly accurate, in light of previous chapters of each battle. His broad understanding of the big picture came into direct conflict with men of lesser intellect, but higher rank, who had the "tunnel" vision to stay the course and simply overwhelm the enemy with shear numbers. I applaud this work of David Jordan and for taking so much time to research and write about a man the world did it's best to defame and hide in obscurity.

In "Happiness is Not My Companion," David M. Jordan performs his usual solid job in assembling a biography. Jordan is, as always, excellent when it comes to digging in primary sources and he does breathe a good deal of life into the rather obscure G. K. Warren. Best known for his role at Little Round Top, Warren led the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac during most of the Overland campaign before his removal at Five Forks. He also held a number of important staff assignments under Joe Hooker and George Meade. Jordan is able to offer an excellent account of Warren's Civil War career as well as his quest for vindication from being removed from command. Jordan also offers an excellent look at Warren's morose and often overly critical personality. There remain some problems in the book. Warren's role as an explorer is covered too quickly. The same can be said of his role as an engineer in the West after the war. Still, Jordan is excellent on Warren and the war. Anyone interested in the Union effort in the east would profit from this book about a leading and very unique general.

Solid bio on General Warren, like George Picket, known for Gettysburg and Five Forks, the latter in his casea great controversy. Warren was the opposite of the Confederacy's impetuous A. P. Hill, Warren was brave but detailed and thorough in his planning. Often thinking of his men's welfare, he frequently clashed with not only Meade but by war's end Grant and Sheridan. The author provides a healthy history of Warren's family and his time at West Point and his gallant service mapping the Black Hills among the Sioux before the war. The reader may be a little impatient to get to the Civil War and the controversy but you get there relatively quickly. Warren serves on McClellan's staff and stays as a staff officer as a topographic engineer through his famed role at Little Round Top. Warren then becomes a corps commander, although he seems ill suited personality wise for the task. His dispatches to Meade naively offer too much advice and seemimg less action than his superiors expect, which he never seems to fully appreciate. Jordan utilizes many primary resources such as reports and letters by Warren, his bombastic artillery Officer, close military friends, commanders and many other witnesses to give you a first hand perception of the man. Warren's was notable in refusing to attack Lee's fortifications at Mine Run, a little written about campaign that establishes Warren as a man considerate of his men yet suffering in the eyes of his his commander. Here the author could have offered more maps as the Mine Run campaign starts questions about Warrens propensity to inform and perhaps lecture. During the overland campaign, Warren alternately hesitates and attacks and the author describes the reasons for each, particularly the Confederate fortifications. Rhea, in his great series of books on the 1864 campaigns, probably describes best Grant and Meade's frustration with Warren but Jordan does well here in this 320 page book. Although aquiting himself well during the Petersburg siege, with some question at the Crater, Warren's 5th corps continues to actively pivot late in 1864 alternately with Hancock's 2nd to the western outside edges of Petersburg. A question worth asking here is why, if Grant and Meade already question Warren's timely ability to attack, did they not keep his corps east of Petersburg in a static position? This is not answered by Jordan but should have been explored. By late March 1865, he is ordered to maneuver around Lee's far right to support Sheridan that culminates in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House (a setback for Sheridan) and then Five Forks. This unusual collaboration between two Generals that mutually dislike each other is immediately antagonized by too many confusing orders from both Sheridan and Meade to Warren compunded by Grants independent control of Sheridan. Jordan points out well that Warren is succesful in his dificult manuevers in the face of the enemy yet Warren fails to report timely to Sheridan. Jordan covers the battle of Five Forks well, ironically Warren's best and most succesful attack, and the controversy of Sheridan sacking Warren after the battle was won. Jordan's reserach also notes Warren's colorful charge across the final breastworks with his troops happens just before his sack notice reaches him as opposed to what some historians describe as happening only after he learned he was sacked. Ed Bearss book "Five Forks" in the VA. series probably describes the battle best with an excellent map but Jordan does a fine job describing the battle. The latter parts of the book follow Warren's post war career and his unusual dedication as an military engineer refusing to leave the army for much needed income as a private engineer as he waits his day in court. Warren comes across as a festidious egineer more suited for that kind of work but his extended military career and his desire for a trial seem to aggravate his sensitive health. The trial, 16 long years later, is well covered as well as the political difficulties as Sherman, Sheridan and Grant act as roadblocks. Jordan paints Warren appropriately as a man of talent but lacking in perception that the war changed and that Grant and Sheridan were trying to bring the war to an end in a hurry, which contributed to the abrupt and disasterous decision by Sheridan ironically after the day at Five Forks was won. At Five Forks Warren was relieved not for his actions that were unknown to Sheridan at the time but for the reputation that preceded and sterotyped him in Sheridan's eyes. One of the last ranking officers who served with McClellan, it is unfortunate that Warren did not leave when Hancock did or at least recognize that Grant and Meade required less opinions but timely reports of action as did Sheridan. A sad end with a final victory, reversed court finding, coming too late as the book's title aptly professes, happiness was not be his his post war companion.

Before I review this one, let me admit that I've never been into book length biographies, even when they concern Civil War era figures, so this is a bit of a new experience. Keep this is mind when reading these early attempts at reviewing biographies. I picked up this bio of Gouverneur Kemble Warren for two reasons. First, Indiana University Press was having an unbelievable sale, and I managed to find this one as a brand new hardback for only $6. Second, I'd been looking to get into the biography arena by looking at men who commanded at division level or higher during the siege of Petersburg.

"Happiness Is Not My Companion" takes a look at the checkered career of Gouverneur Kemble Warren, a man who was stripped of his command at the moment of his greatest triumph at Five Forks. Author David Jordan covers Warren's life in some detail, though I thought that a closer and more definitive work can probably be penned at some point in the future. With that said, I enjoyed this biography, especially the section dealing with the Petersburg Campaign. Jordan keeps the reader interested while moving the story along. The author argues that Warren was wronged by Sheridan at Five Forks, but he does candidly admit many of Warren's flaws, though I suspect he may not have gone far enough in revealing these.


Gouverneur Warren was an extremely intelligent man, but his main faults, according to author David Jordan, were his difficulty in following orders given to him while at the same time giving frequent unwanted "suggestions" to his superior officers. Jordan downplays somewhat Warren's nature to frequently act with great condescension, which is to me his greatest flaw. Warren was born on January 8, 1830 in upstate New York in the little town of Cold Spring, just a short distance from West Point. That Warren ended up at the Military Academy is hardly surprising given his birthplace and his prominent family. He graduated second in his class, and was awarded a spot in the coveted Corps of Engineers. In this role, Warren spent the better part of the 1850's on expeditions to the west, where he encountered friendly and hostile Native Americans, including the Sioux, and participated in his first military actions. Warren had accepted a position to teach mathematics at West Point by the time war broke out, but he soon became Lt. Colonel and then Colonel of the famous 5th New York, Duryea's Zouaves. He led the men of this regiment as a brigade commander in the Seven Days and at Second Bull Run, and was afterward promoted to Chief Topographical Engineer and then Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac. It was in this position at Gettysburg that Warren perhaps gave his greatest contribution to his country. Warren, while out scouting on the Union far left, noticed the importance of the Round Tops and the fact that Confederate infantry were approaching. He immediately found the nearest Union troops, the brigade of Colonel Strong Vincent, and sent them scurrying for the crest of Little Round Top. They barely beat the Confederates to the crest and managed to secure this vital area for the Union. Warren was promoted to Major General after the battle, and he was temporarily placed in command of the II Corps while Winfield Hancock recovered from his severe Gettysburg wound. In the Mine Run Campaign of November 1863, Warren called off an attack that he deemed suicidal on his own responsibility. Meade was at first furious that Warren had disobeyed, but he agreed with Warren's decision after taking a look at the Confederate entrenchments. This first instance of Warren questioning his orders as a corps commander was only the beginning. Meade and Grant would grow exasperated with Warren on more than one occasion during the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns. It was during this time frame, while commander of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac, that Warren had his greatest problems as a commander. Meade and Grant were on the verge of relieving him several times for his continued questioning of orders, or in some cases, his outright disobedience of these orders. Jordan quotes the diary of Charles Wainwright, the V Corps Artillery Chief, quite often during this time period. Apparently Wainwright did not much like Warren and was constantly critical of his commander. All of this was leading up to Warren's greatest triumph...and his greatest disappointment. Warren was placed under Phil Sheridan during the attack on Five Forks. Grant, apparently having grown tired of Warren's tendency to question his orders, gave Sheridan the right to sack the v Corps commander at any point and replace him with any of the V Corps division commanders. Although Warren moved his men up in a satisfactory manner, and although the V Corps was able to flank and drive off the Confederates guarding Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren and sent him back to Grant. Jordan discusses Warren's unceasing efforts after the war in his quest to see a court of inquiry convened. It wasn't until the early 1880's that Warren was able to make this possible. He had known that while Grant or member of his circle were in power that his request would never be granted, so he had waited until Rutherford B. Hayes was President to press home his request. In my mind, Jordan demonstrates pretty conclusively that Warren was not at fault in any way at Five Forks, though Warren's peers who oversaw the court were rather ambivalent in their findings, perhaps to appease Sheridan, who now commanded the entire United States Army. Warren died before the findings of the court were made public. He deserved better, from Sheridan on April 1, 1865, to Grant in the intervening years concerning the granting of a court of inquiry, to the men who finally made judgments on his behavior.

As I stated in the introduction, this is a good but not great book. Jordan goes into considerable detail, but I couldn't help feeling that even more could have been done. He also seems to go a little easy on Warren in some cases, especially when it concerns Warren's difficulty in dealing with subordinates and superiors who he felt were not as intelligent as he was. One trait I dislike more than most in my fellow human beings is condescension. Warren was filled to overflowing with condescension for quite a few people, and I would have liked to see the author get into this in more detail. Other than that, I thought he tried to be impartial, as a good biographer always should. The maps that accompanied the text were solid, and really a bit of an unexpected bonus as far as a biography goes. Anyone interested in biographies of Civil War generals will not be disappointed in this one. Those interested in G. K. Warren or in the later campaigns of the Army of the Potomac will also want to give this one a look.

For Civil War readers, Gouverneur Kemble Warren is not an unfamiliar name. He is most associated for his slow response in the Wilderness campaign where he was dismissed without, as we read, justifiable cause. This action was driven more by spite and the ego issues of Phil Sheridan, who failed to understand the issues causing Warren's delay at Five Forks. And then there was U.S. Grant's rigid blind faith in Sheridan that led him to summarily dismiss Warren, also without knowing all the facts. Jordan does a good job of showing the many facets of a general who was not only competent but ethical in his conduct of the war. While admittedly cautious and slow at times, he was still able to win battles and not needlessly compromise his men's lives. As a psychotherapist, it was personally interesting to see the psychology of this complex man, from his highs to his rages and deep depression. He was without question, intelligent and with great courage. He did have issues that could compromise his "generalship" at times but then shine at others. Yet, his leadership of men was done with character and ethical responsibility and discipline. I highly recommend this book as not only a means to understanding an excellent civil war general but also as a way to see how circumstances create decisions, both good and bad. To see how incompetent leaders can manage to survive and highly competent ones fall, all in a flash. The book, from the early days of Warren, through his Civil War battles, court of inquiry trial and, ultimately, his lonely and sad death, is well written, easy to read and, like a complex movie, shows us pieces of the war and its many unseen still frames that are so easily missed. The reader will come away with a greater understanding of G.K. Warren as well as the civil war. David L Mazzola