Virginia Books

The second contemporary romance novel by Virginia Nosky, Chance Encounters (2005 Honorable Mention for Fiction by the Arizona Author's Association) is set amid the election for an Arizona governor. Charismatic candidate Chance Mallory clashes with the determined mayor of Phoenix Barbara Stafford and her indispensable staff lawyer and niece, Athena Kerr. When Athena and Chance come together, sparks fly - but more than political realities barricade their feelings, as another woman in Chance's past comes to the fore. An engaging romantic adventure between highly competitive and competent individuals.

Chairman Bud Shuster's novels have run the gamut, from the tender growing up story of "Double Buckeyes" to the tragic relationship of "Secret Harvest." In "Chances" Shuster explores the world of the pioneers of the modern computer industry and their often rags-to-riches roots. Shuster, a computer industry pioneer himself, is on sure ground and delivers a novel one can read again and again. His best work yet, only to be surpassed by his memoirs should he choose to publish them. Kudos to Shuster!

Dolly Nasby has done it again! After reading her Harpers Ferry book, I was on the lookout for any other books by her. She combined the visual appeal of archival photos with excellent use of factual material. In addition, she covered many of the important points that pertain to Charles Town -- the connections to the Washington Family, the Race Track, the Treason Trials, Black History, local people and their positions, everything! After reading her book I feel I have a good understanding of Charles Town, both from yesterday and a feel for it today. I can't wait to see if she does any other books!

As Continental forces and Virginia militia units were engaged in winning independence, American quartermasters and provisioners struggled to provide these units with all the necessities of life, from meals and guns to meat, fodder for horses, the horses themselves, firewood, and every other type of material. Much of this was requisitioned from the civilian population and certificates were issued payable in either continental or state funds, depending on the units supplied, upon presentation to court authorities. Thousands of these certificates issued to Virginians were duly entered by the courts, and they provide a fascinating insight into the period of the Revolution. These "Publick" Claims booklets contain interesting and useful information about the contributions of ordinary people to the Revolutionary War. They provide some details of people's service in the militia or as guards for prisoners of war; they indicate where some bodies of troops were at particular times; and they identify providers of horses, wagons, cattle, grain, or other supplies. Much of the information in these booklets cannot be found anywhere else, which makes the surviving records particularly valuable. Also remarkable is the fact that records survived from virtually every county in the state at that time with the exception of the newly formed Kentucky counties. This makes the collection even more valuable in covering areas which heretofore in this time period have suffered from a lack of personal data. The "Virginia Publick Claims" are published by counties. In addition to a faithful transcription by Janice Luck Abercrombie and the late Richard Slatten, a complete index is provided for each county booklet. This series is an extremely important genealogical tool for searchers in Revolutionary-era materials.

Incomes and needs, wages and profits, wealth and poverty are the subject of much current debate. This book is contributon to the debate. It examines the concepts involved and the difficulty of defining them; it discusses the various theories which explain income differentials in terms of human capital, I.Q., education, or institutional power; and it assesses the effectiveness of government policy in limiting these differences. All this is a book about the distribution of income between persons - millionaires, doctors, manual workers, or pensioners - rather than between aggregate factors like land, labour, or capital.

The analysis is economic and the book is written for students of economics, but technical economic discussion is restricted largely to notes, and students of politics, sociology, and social administration will find that the book provides them with a useful basis for further study.
--- from book's back cover

This is a very good resource for anyone learning Cherokee or anyone who wants a bilingual book in Cherokee and English, and for anyone interested in Cherokee culture and history. It is a beautifully illustrated book and would make a wonderful gift or addition to any collection.

Long considered "the classic" volume on the Chesapeake Bay country. Now the famous figures live again: Captain John Smith, known to every school child as the man rescued by Pocahontas, who said of the Eastern Shore of Virginia: "Heaven and earth seemed never to have agreed better to have framed a place for man's habitation," and whose explorations were such an integral part of the history of the region; Francis Scott Key, who was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" aboard a British ship which was bombarding Fort McHenry; signers of the Declaration of Independence.

But if the reader is given new insights into familiar personalities and their exploits, he is also made privy to tales concerning lesser known persons and places which are no less interesting. Many of these, described in brief, could well be the nuclei of whole novels.

There is, for example, the tale of Col. George Talbot of St. Mary's County, a member of the Council, who had an altercation with the King's Collector-General and fatally stabbed him. Fearful that he could not receive a fair trial in Maryland, he had a change of venue made to Virginia, then subsequently received permission to go to England. But by that time he had already fled the environs. Legend has it that he found a haven in a distant manor in Cecil County, took refuge in a cave, and was fed by two trained hawks who brought him wild fowl from the river to serve as sustenance.

Or there is the story of Tulip Hill in Anne Arundel County, an outstanding example of colonial architecture at its best. Sometimes known as the "Old Galloway Place,". When it was being built Mrs. Galloway was an invalid, and the staircase was therefore constructed with exceptionally easy rises. It is reported that one of the Galloway sons returned from the capital one night in such high spirits after an evening of revelry that he rode his horse straight up to his room. Which may explain the print of a rough-shod horse's hooves on the stairs, which one can discern if one looks closely.

What material for a romantic historical novel in the section on the "Taney Place", the birthplace of Chief Justice Roger Taney and the site of a duel between Miles Taney and John Magruder, both of whom were smitten by the same beautiful Baltimore belle. During the course of a festive dinner Taney made a remark about the lady which angered Magruder to such a point that the latter, undoubtedly encouraged by a generous comsumption of wine, slapped his rival's face. Whereupon Taney drew his pocket knife and stabbed Margruder through the heart. Then, aided by his slaves and the darkness of the night, he escaped through a secret passage and made his way out of the state.

How Hope House was sold for a case of spirits, how Bowie Racetrack got its name, why early colonists burned down plantation houses to secure the nails used in building them - these are but a few of the nuggets to be found in this historical treasure chest.

And the copious photographs of boats, landscapes, the exteriors and interiors of houses, persons and college campuses add visual enchantment to the text while reminding Americans of richness of their artistic and historical heritage.

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. A gift that keeps giving. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. A gift that keeps giving. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!