History Books

As many reviewers have stressed out, there are many good dictionary that one can benefit from. But the OED is the only one that in addition to its definitions exhaustibly explains etymological information of its words as well as it shows quotations. The latter is the zenith of this dictionary. I can spend hours reading those quotations that may date back from the 12 century up to now. One may not find such a rich citation bank in any other source. So it is a real pleasure to browse through these twenty volumes and finding so much information.

I study several languages and I'm unaware of a dictionary in any language that provides such an abundance of information such as the OED. If I had to choose any book from my library to take with me to a desert island I'd certainly not hesitate in taking the OED.

In addition to its phenomenon lexicographical content it is an extremely well-bound dictionary that stands beautifully in my bookshelf. Luckily, I've purchased from Amazon for a real bargain ($398.00). For this reason, I suggest those interested in purchasing this multi-volume set to constantly keep an eye on its price fluctuation from Amazon, as another reviewer has stressed out.

This is THE dictionary, or more appropriately, this is the most complete ENCYCLOPEDIA of the English language ever created. With over 600,000 words in its twenty volumes and addenda, the Oxford provides not just exhaustive definitions, but pronounciations, a glossary of quotations, a complete etymology, cognates in virtually all languages, and variants, of each word.

Since its birth in Victorian England under the stewardship of James Murray, the Oxford has been considered definitive. Working with a small staff (including J.R.R. Tolkien in his younger days), Murray's original plan was for a three volume reference. Today, hundreds of lexicographers, philologists, and technicians contribute to the Oxford.

The sensual joy of browsing the hardcover edition is still unmatched, though with the rise of the Internet OED and its virtually instantaneous updates, the hardback edition is relegated to the same status as legal Case Reporters---attractive on the shelf, but less practical than online researching. (Legal publishers now often include a set of Case Reporters free with online subscriptions, knowing that clients like to see books on the shelves.)

The OED books (with the addenda) work out to about a $1,000.00 investment. Updates are additional. The Online OED is about $300 a year for individuals. Updates are included. So, in terms of price, the difference between the two seems to be a wash.

If you're a bibliophile, buy the hardback, but if the OED is going to be a working tool, go online. In the best of all possible worlds, buy both.

Acquiring this book is like a long-cherished dream come true! You cannot but marvel at this awe-inspiring compendium of English words.

I am still reading the rather elaborate introductory pages so that I can appreciate this awesome book better and also make the fullest possible use of it.

If you are an ambitious writer, a journalist, a voracious reader or simply a lover of English words, you just cannot do without this book!

The only complaint is that the shipping was delayed a little (though I had opted for the expedited option); it took about 15 days to receive the 20-volume set. (I had also asked for the 3-volume Additions Series which I received in exactly 3 days and in excellent condition too.)

But I must say that Amazon compensated me and also promptly responded to all my queries. Also the books were in such excellent condition. Here in India, even if I purchase new books from the biggest bookshops, I rarely receive books that are in such excellent condition. The books were also packed with meticulous care and still retained the fresh crisp smell of new pages and printing ink! What more can a bibliophile ask for?!

I'd wanted to get my hands on the OED for years, and I'm glad I finally did. This dictionary is all about fun while learning. Following the etymologies of words, checking cross references, and looking up words in sample sentences leads not only to a greater understanding of a particular word, but of the English language itself. As far as I know, the OED is the only dictionary that really does that, and the OED can truly be considered "complete" in that aspect. It looks wonderful on a bookshelf, makes me want to look up things that I normally wouldn't take the time to, and makes me feel satisfied as I build my language skills. Yes, it is expensive, but you really get what you pay for, and a whole lot more.

I just got my set today, so I can't really say anything more about it other than what has been said. Of course this is "the" big one. So if you want the best get this. I have seen other reviews compare getting the two volume set that has 1/3 the words for 1 tenth the price. blah, blah, blah. However it does not have 1/3 the content, just words. I got this set for 382 shipped from amazon brand new. That is right 19 bucks per volume right at 2 pennies per page. AS of right now I am writing this review and the price has already increased back up to 756. Nearly double. I should have bought two and sold one.

Before I started reading this book, I was able to take part of a 24 hour prayer room. This book was in the prayer room, and I started reading just a little. Greig captured me within the first page. When I bought the book, I expected it to be a how-to kind of book, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Greig recounts how he started his prayer room, and how that kickstarted the prayer movement throughout Europe. He is very careful to give every bit of credit to God and people's capacity for God. It is a compelling story...not a how-to. Again, I was very pleasantly surprised, and I would recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for prayer or a desire to pray fiercefully.

This book is truly a testimony of God and how prayer is a way to meet with Him. It shows how prayer provides a way to get close enough to Him to touch His cloak. This book is not for someone who is wanting to know how to start a 24-7 prayer room, although there are ideas that are talked about throughout the book, and about how some were started. I was greatly encouraged while reading this book and it reminded me that God is big and loving; not always safe... but good.

Red Moon Rising is the story of Peter Greig's work in Christian ministry in England and how that work led to founding and growth of the 24-7 Prayer movement. The book begins with the story of Greig's vision of a rising army while camping on the coast of Portugal and works through the first 24-7 prayer room in England, the strong and deep connection of the movement with the 1727 Moravian prayer community, the expansion of the movement into Germany and throughout Europe, onto the party Island of Iziba and finally to the founding of an intentional prayer community known as a Boiler Room.

This book isn't really a "how-to" book but rather a narrative that describes the work of the Holy Spirit and the journey of a group of friends that follow the Spirit's lead to create opportunities of young Christians throughout Europe (and older Christians as well) to reconnect to Christianity's ancient tradition of prayer expressed in ways that are both true to the tradition and relevant to the culture. Title of the book comes from Greig's continued drawing of inspiration from the prophetic passage of the second chapter of Joel that is repeated by Peter on the morning of Pentecost in the book of Acts. It is clear throughout the book that Greig sees this movement as a continued fulfillment of that prophecy and the stories he shares with his readers bear that out.

For me, the power of this book was found in it's ability to encourage me consider a life of radical prayer both personally and within my community. The stories of God's working through the people of this movement are truly stunning and humility of the leaders of the movement in their willingness to be faithful to the calling of the Spirit and to not usurp It's power for their own benefit is refreshing in a day when it seems that too many church leaders have lost sight that they act in God's providence rather than the other way around. Those looking for a "how-to" guide will need to get ahold of the 24-7 Manual as this text is light on details. However, this book provides the inspiration and the encouragement to do so. As I read each chapter, I found myself called to stop thinking about how to serve God and to start praying and calling others together in prayer.

I highly recommend this book to all Christians wondering if the Spirit still moves in our world and, if It does, how they can connect with It.

THIS book is life-changing and one of the most impacting books I've ever read. After reading that book, I was so fired up about prayer and especially 24/7 prayer that I got a lot of different visions for prayer rooms. We are right now in the process of planning a prayer room and for having an awesome time with the Lord!!!! Everybody should read it who needs to get fired up about prayer!
It shows you how God still changes the World in an freakin awesome way!!!

If you have a heart for the lost, this book is a must read. This book, if implemented could change the heart of any nation. All pastors and certainly interecessors should read it for sure. It gets top rateing from me and was recommended by Bill Johnson's school in Redding.

An outstanding follow up to Pagan Christianity.... A good give away book to start a conversation about what is next for the "church". Viola has connected to a spiritual restlessness within the heart of many who want more as followers of Christ, providing sound counsel.

This book is the flip side of `Pagan Christianity', Frank Viola's previous book that delved into the practices and history of the traditional ways of church and saw them wanting from a biblical perspective. If you viewed that book as negative, then here is the positive written in the same thorough and biblical perspective.

He starts with a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones - "We are living in an age hopelessly below the New Testament pattern - content with a neat little religion."

Frank's "I have a Dream"is a good summary of the book. The turning around of the old ways of doing church to becoming the `Dream Church' that is organic and operating under the headship of Jesus Christ. He says that the church must get back to its roots. ".....the only sustaining force of the early church gathering was the life of the Holy Spirit. The early Christians were clergyless, liturgyless, programless, and ritualless. They relied entirely on the spiritual life of the individual members to maintain the church's existence and the quality of their gatherings. Thus if the spiritual life of the church was at a low ebb, everyone would notice it in the gathering." (P.63)

In the `dreaming' he reimagines the Lord's Supper, the gathering without hierarchy - he deals with the issue of true authority very well, the church as unified organism, and perhaps the great dream becoming reality based on the eternal activity in God Himself before the constraints of physical time? If you have read one of Frank's previous books "God's Ultimate Passion', you would know something already of the vision that he has on his heart - that which is on God's heart. He wants us to reach back to God's eternal purpose and passion - the Bride (the church) He is preparing. He describes so much evangelical theology as based on individual salvation and stemming from after the fall, but for a real sense of what we are being prepared for as His Bride we need to take our theology back from before the fall.

The clear structure of the book aids focused reading. The end of each section ends with `Questions that must be faced' and there is a good bibliography at the back for further reading.

I would suggest that groups that have come away from traditional church would be helped by studying together firstly `Pagan Christianity' and then this book - and as a group dealing with the questions raised chapter by chapter in both. Studying these would help groups not to `re-invent' traditional church in their lounge rooms.

You can sample the book at www.reimaginingchurch.org
Available at most Christian bookshops.

I am really happy I bought this book at amazon, it was delivered really fast.

I have just finished reading Reimagining Church and what I found was that my heart was hungry -- hungry for the kind of fellowship that Frank describes, the kind of freedom from the weight of tradition that does not build my faith, the new kind of witness in the world that the organic church would give. I have always loved "church" so I find myself surprised at the journey this book and Pagan Christianity have taken me on -- surprised and now very hungry.

Reimagining Church: Pursuing The Dream Of Organic Christianity is without a doubt Frank Viola's magnum opus of his numerous writings on the ekklesia. In this book, church is realigned with all the "strange" descriptions and practices that we read in the pages of our New Testament. It is church as we dream about it being, a going back to her 1st century roots as intended by her Founder.

Reimagining Church is in my estimation a constructive summation of "The Best of Frank Viola." In these pages we find a more mature, polished, and cleaner compilation of reworked earlier material found in, "Rethinking the Wineskin" and "Who Is Your Covering?" and the original "Pagan Christianity" was intended as the third book in this trilogy of early church practice.

The newly released, revised, and widely read (and debated!) Pagan Christianity co-authored with George Barna, was intended to historically demonstrate how far the contemporary church has strayed from its original roots. Reimagining Church is the natural sequel where Viola paints a compelling picture "where the body of Christ is an organic, living, breathing organism."

Even though I believe I have read most of the published writings of Frank, a lot of his earlier writings often have the feel of a radical zealot--a modern John the Baptist "crying out in the wilderness"--preaching repentance from a church gone far astray from its 1st century roots. Reimagining Church has come a long way to bringing the same challenging ideas expressed in these earlier ground-breaking works, for mainstream evangelical consideration and dialog. If I had a $1000 (and the book was in Spanish--hint, hint, Frank!) I would buy every pastor, servant leader, house church worker/planter, and missionary I know a copy. It is that good.

A good idea of what is between the pages can be seen in The Table of Contents:

Preface
Introduction: Toward a New Kind of Church

Part ONE: Community and Gatherings

1. Reimagining the Church as an Organism
2. Reimagining the Church Meeting
3. Reimagining the Lord's Supper
4. Reimagining the Gathering Place
5. Reimagining the Family of God
6. Reimagining Church Unity
7. Church Practice and God's Eternal Purpose

Part Two: Leadership and Accountability

8. Reimagining Leadership
9. Reimagining Oversight
10. Reimagining Decision-Making
11. Reimagining Spiritual Covering
12. Reimagining Authority and Submission
13. Reimagining Denominational Covering
14. Reimagining the Apostolic Tradition
15. Where Do We Go from Here?

Appendix: Objections & Responses about Leadership
Bibliography
Notes

It is understandable why this book earned a Pulitzer for the author. Written in the early 1950's, it was the first time Civil War events were treated from a human versus fact-after-fact view. However, Shelby Foote later wrote a superior account that not only provides the human side, but also presents all the historical data.

Part 3 of Bruce Catton's fantastic trilogy of the civil war is an interesting look at how the Army of the Potomac ended the war. From a discussion of a daring plan to plant dynamite underneath confederate lines to the chasing down of Lee's Army by Grant a true sense of what happened during the civil war can be gathered form this trilogy. An essential collection to any civil war historical library.

A Stillness at Appomattox is the last in the trilogy of the Army of the Potomac and covers from the period from late 1863/early 1864 (before the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Campaign) to April 1865 (Appomattox).

While the book is certainly heavily weighted in its coverage of the Union side, Catton is fair in his assessment of the various Union leaders. Of course, there is also the unique writing style that Catton possessed - a free flowing and smooth narrative rich with details.

My only complaint is the lack of maps. However, one must also bear in mind that the first edition was written in 1953, a time when books did not have the number of detailed maps that you would find in more recent titles.

Complaint aside, I highly recommend the book and series as the best coverage of the Union Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.

Read and enjoy!

It would be an almost impossible task for anyone to figure out just how many books have been written dealing with the American Civil War. It would also be difficult to determine which Civil War historians are most often cited by their peers but there is no doubt that Bruce Catton would be near or more likely at the top of any such list. The reason for this is quite simply that Catton was one of the great historical writers of all time. Very few people can take their readers into the heart of an army, both those of it's soldiers and leaders like Catton and even fewer convey their story in the very clear and easy to read style that this author has mastered. To read this book of pure history is in many ways like reading a historical novel and even the reader who already has a firm grasp on the historical facts of this story will sometimes find themselves wondering what happens next.

This is the story of the last campaign of the Army of the Potomac, that Ill-fated army that had so often been humiliated by Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia. This campaign was to be different however because there was a new man calling the shots and having a man like U. S. Grant at the helm made all of the difference in the world. It took Grant a while though to convince this often badly led army that he was any different than his predecessors. Different he was however and once he locked horns with Lee he wasn't going to let up until one army or the other was destroyed. In other words Grant understood what had to be done and he was determined to do it.

Catton's main field of study was this man Grant but one of the author's most endearing qualities is that he makes no effort to whitewash or hide his subject's faults. Catton also does not attempt to build Grant up by tearing away at Lee like many of the more recent Grant biographers have done. He simply makes Grant's greatness apparent by telling the story the way it happened and it doesn't take long for the reader to figure out what an outstanding general Grant was.

The author has done a lot of searching through soldier's letters and memoirs as well as regimental histories and this leads to a very personal perspective of the last year of the war. The stories he has gleaned from these sources are poignant, somber, gleeful and funny. For example, one entire brigade falls out of the final advance upon Lee's army to chase down and cook some chickens that have been scattered by artillery fire. I think it was Napoleon who said something about an army traveling on it's stomach.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Civil War. The hard core Civil War reader will find new information here and the casual reader will find that this book is fun to read and no one should have a problem following the story. If Amazon allowed six stars this is one of the few books that would qualify.

This superb narrative about the Union's Army of the Potomac in the war's final year captured the 1954 Pulitzer Prize. The book is one of several superbly readable volumes on the Civil War by author/historian Bruce Catton (1899-1978).

This narrative covers the Army of the Potomac from the start of the brutal 1864 wilderness campaign through the war's end a year later at Appomattox. The author shows that General Ulysses S. Grant was more capable than brilliant, and fiercely determined to keep the pressure on General Lee's rebel army until the Confederates had no choice but to quit. Given the Union's advantage in men and material, the strategy made sense. What was less sensible were costly errors by Union officers, frightful casualties, and a sickening Union failure to clinch victory on the first day at Petersburg (thus reducing carnage on both sides).

The author perused many soldier diaries and letters to show us the life of the average Union enlisted man. That soldier was well-paid ($16 a month), but forced to endure boredom, rough weather, marching, stress, and dangers from disease and a tough, determined enemy.

This moving look at the last year of conflict is probably the best of Catton's narratives on the Civil War.

I have been known to complain that five star reviews are given out way too freely. In this case, however, five stars may not be enough. In fact, I am surprised that some reviewers ONLY gave this book four stars, but to each his own. Other reviews have already very eloquently praised this book, so I will not repeat them, except to confirm they are on target. The book is 716 pages, and I only wish it were longer. If you enjoy great writing, great storytelling, great (and real!) characters I could not imagine a better choice than Up In The Old Hotel. It also transports us to a different time and place in America, one that existed before I grew up, but one that this book almost makes you long for. If you do not read this book, all I can say is, it is your loss.

Mitchell, a well-known reporter, has filled a role in history that will always be remembered and loved by those who lived the life he wrote about.

The people in his stories are unique and have qualities some would find interesting. His writing is very descriptive and he captures countless details not understood or seen by the casual passerby. You can easily place yourself as a fly on the wall soaking in your surroundings.

If you read Up in the Old Hotel with literary merit in mind, then you will be in for a good dose of excellent writing by a standard of yesteryear. If you are looking for people who fit outside the box, you will surely find them. If you are looking for a glimpse of the past, then be prepared to journey back with a fine guide who didn't miss a thing.

There will be many of the older generation that will remember, with clarity, when Mitchell's writings first appeared and the impact they made. It is to this group that I recommend Up in the Old Hotel.

Though a brilliant writer, I was not drawn to his stories. For me they lacked the "snap, crackle, and pop" of today's aggressive writing style. If New York had been my home over the years, then I would have found a deeper appreciation and understanding for those who made up Mitchell's fine work.

Armchair Interviews says: From a man who knew how to observe and then put it down on paper.

Joseph Mitchell, a fine writer for The New Yorker magazine, put together a wonderful grouping of short stories during his many years of searching out the people and interesting places in New York City which was his beat for many years. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good story about ordinary people, or one of an interesting landmark s such as McSorley's Bar and the people who frquented it during the 1920's and 1930's. It has been at the same location since 1854 and is still there today. My favorites are the first story, The Old House At Home (about Mcsorley's) and Mr. Hunter's Grave, towards the end of the book. Many others are excellent and bring out the heart of the city and its people. To me it brought back New York as it was then with kids "roasting mickies" as I did as a child in New York. G. H. Owens

A book that covers the nooks and crannies of lower Manhattan. Oddball characters are brought to full
bloom under the author's pen. He knew how to listen! Towards the back some great essays on
growing up along the Carolina coast.

Are you going to visit "the City"? Have you been to NYC (and loved it)? Up in the Old Hotel was written before most of us were born but still delivers the savory secrets of this great metropolis. Characters abound who could only exist in NY. Meet them before you go. And be sure to eat a slice of Ray's pizza on Sixth Ave. and 11th Street!

I truly enjoyed this book. It is somewhat parochial regarding the air force, but not awful about it. Some of the personal anecdotes were quite interesting, especially the description of the Saudi officers. I laughed out loud at the anecdote of "you are now leaving Saudi Arabia, please set your watches ahead 600 years".

This book assumes the reader has something of a military background, which isn't an issue to me but I can imagine some people struggling w/the story. If your interested in military history in the mideast, you can easily afford the day or two it will take to read this.

Boy, I certainly enjoyed this book. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat as you relive his experiences in Iraq and with GEN Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War.

With his unique first-hand experiences in Iraq and the Middle East and being fluent in Arabic, Col. Francona has certainly had a most exciting career. I'm sure he must still be an extremely valuable consultant to the Bush administration in Washington.

This is the best book I've read in quite some time!

He was right in the middle of the Iraq war with eyeball accounts of things that were happening. Great if you like behind the scenes info. Well written.

If you were an intelligence officer fluent in speaking Arabic and served in Iraq during its war with Iran and later as General Schwarzkopf's interpreter during Desert Shield and Desert Storm you would have a lot to tell that could not be found in American news reports--and Rick Francona does just that in Ally To Adversary.

This book takes you into Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, where you will come away with a better understanding of the political, military, and cultural mishmash of the region.

The book is full of revealing tidbits, such as:
--Government Control - In order to mail a letter outside of the country of Iraq, one must get government permission to buy postage stamps. A woman "sobbing quietly" told the author that she had a sister in the United States but could not correspond with her.
--Bunker Opulence - The Saudi king's bunker deep below the palace is itself an underground palace with kitchen, living areas and medical clinic, "opulent beyond description."
--Allies? - When the first Iraqi missiles hit Israeli soil, inside the coalition operations center every Saudi officer was on his feet applauding and cheering the attack.
--Monster Marines - The fighting ferocity of a small group of U.S. Marines surrounded and greatly outnumbered by Iraqi soldiers spread through the Iraqi army spawning wild perceptions about American marines. Among them: each marine had to have killed a member of his own family as a condition of entering the corps; and that marines practiced cannibalism on the bodies of their foes.

Find out why Iraq did not use chemical and biological weapons against the coalition forces.

At a time when many Americans want to understand Arab and Islamic influences and their effect on current events, Rick Francona's book is an excellent and enduring source.
As an Air Force intelligence officer, a Middle East veteran, and a fluent Arabic speaker, Rick had seen the Iraqis, first as an ally, and later as an adversary, as the title suggests. Early in the book he tells us about visiting Iraq during its long war with Iran. He visited areas of grinding combat around Al-Basrah and observed, as an ally, the army we would later face in the Persian Gulf War. His unique, first-hand observations would be invaluable later. He also entertains us with stories of life in Baghdad, once even escaping his Iraqi escort and conversing in Arabic with surprised ordinary Iraqis in the marketplace.
Later in the book, he gives us an insider's view as General Schwarzkopf's interpreter at the meeting at Safwan where Iraq was to receive surrender terms. Asked to translate instructions to the senior Iraqi representative, Rick tells us, "I translated the words into Arabic; the Iraqi interpreter, a brigadier who had spent several years living in Michigan, nodded to Sultan Hashim that my translation was correct." He ties many of his experiences together at a meeting later in the book when he finds himself facing an Iraqi major with whom he had worked during the Iran-Iraq war. "I was stunned to be now face-to-face with Majid Al-Hilawi, whom I had not seen since my last night in Baghdad at the end of the US-Iraq military relationship in 1988. I simply walked over to where Majid was sitting and offered my hand which he took warmly."
Rick Francona makes us feel like a personal witness to all these events. This is a great story from an observant eyewitness. It is all the more compelling because we saw the highlights on CNN and many of the observations will probably be relevant far into the future.

Donna did it again with this book and as with her other books, I am learning so much. I suggest this book to anyone who wants to take their polymer clay work to another level. Well written, great photos, easy to follow instructions. Thanks for another great book, Donna.

Madeline Faiella

As a statement jewelry artist [...] I work in polymer, glass and metals.

This book is really informative, great easy techniques that give really nice results. The pictures are great and she always
carefully gives you step by step, I have not done transfer but will try it now. For beginners start with her earlier books, then move on to this book.

This book is outstanding and extremely useful. It has great projects, detailed descriptions, and plenty of info on where to find suppliers for every tool and material used in the book. I found it very helpful.

I was totally new to clay working, heading for a class in the medium, when I purchased this book. I was absolutely delighted, and was able to start my class with some background and understanding of working the materials. I sit in awe of Ms. Kato's talent, and did find the techniques more difficult than they look. This aside, it is an excellent accumulation of many of the techniques that makes polyclay such a joy to work with. Ms. Kato does list several varieties of clay, inks, paints and other products, but I appreciate that she enumated which she found easier to work with, and why. I did expect some bias towards Kato Polyclay, as she helped develop it, but have also found this an excellent product to work with and have not been disappointed with its performance.
The book is a MUST HAVE for the beginner reference library, and is also an inspiration with the images from Ms Kato and other artist's collections. I'm pleased I purchased this book, and plan to keep it as a cornerstone for clay working.

I found the book just did not live up to my expectations. When will crafting books realize that photo transfers done with xerox machines hardly ever work as they are shown in books? The techniques of photo transfer, which is covered in this book as if it works, is really frustrating. Also, the use of translucent clays to good effect is iffy and the high polish acheived by the author on many of the pieces. I just couldn't get it to work.

This review is written eight years after the publishing date because I just discovered Mr.Martin's books. Now that I have read all of them I believe that this is his masterpiece- so far. Mr. Martin's meticulous research and portrayal of Washington gives the reader a very intimate look at his life, loves, politics, military work, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. The author's "bird's eye view" (as if an eagle were narrating) of the countryside and the military clashes provides a scenic description as well as another viewpoint from above the action.
From Washington's youth to his death, this book allows the reader to become an aquaintance and confidante of one of our greatest patriots- his humanity, his frailities, his faults and his immense sense of patriotism and integrity. This book is not only entertaining but highly educational. I learn and appreciate more history from Mr. Martin's books than I ever
did from formal classes. I highly recommend this book as well as all Mr. Martin's other books and I can't wait for the next.

This fabulous book starts with George Washington's death and a plan "to humanize the demi-god". A rookie reporter is sent to find out why -- after his death -- the first thing Martha Washington did was burn letters. What was in them?

The story is then presented as narratives written by various characters: slaves, Indians, wives, friends, enemies. Although each entry was labeled, each of the writer's voices was distinctive and some included Washington's take on himself. And from the getgo, the reader learns that George Washington was determined to mold himself in an honorable fashion and to rise as best he could. With practical determination, he made his life happen and his wisdom prevailed.

So, in chronological order and with varied dialects and writing styles, one learns quite a bit of history. The years 1730-1800 involved Indian skirmishes, matters of property (human and otherwise), and Revolutionary War's battles, namely: Brooklyn, Jersey, New York, Valley Forge, Monmouth, Philadelphia. The scope of Washington's life included presidential happenings and delicate handling of temperaments.

Among other things, I read about war strategies, politics of the times (Federalists, Republicans), the youthfulness and inexperience of officers, ideologies of those in power, how power was manipulated, and how greater powers overturned those egotists trying to wield power unbecoming our nation. I learned a bit about the British Generals Howe & Cornwallis and the French General the Marquis de Lafayette. And, I now know that not only did Washington have rivals, but John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were far from "shoe in" Presidents, too.

It was ALL exciting! In "Citizen Washington", I loved digesting all the aspects of all the players. I looked forward to each moment as it arrived. And as John Britain, known as Silverheels said, "I knew it was true, even if it never happened."

I highly recommend "Citizen Washington" by William Martin. Have fun!

Remember back to the early '50's (I was 6) and the program This Is Your Life hosted by Ralph Edwards? Now you know the premise of Citizen Washington. Imagine yourself sitting front row of a darkened theater. On stage are, say, 10 chairs in a spotlight. Behind the chairs is a huge painting of.....YOU! You look up and sitting in the chairs are 10 people that have been involved in your life - intimately and peripherally. They begin to spin a tale of your life, your personality, your looks, your mannerisms, demeanor and emotions --- as THEY saw it progress through their individual eyes. You are exposed in all your foibles and abilities and judged, individually, by these people. Frightening but fascinating. Martin plies this technique on George Washington and exposes him as no history book can. This is an eye-opening read. From his military underlings, his slaves, his peers, his wife, and his decendants we see his every movement laid bare to the reader. Where was Martin when the nuns were cramming dusty, throat choking historical facts into my reluctant brain? This work is interesting as history and a novel and will hold your attention to the last period of the last paragraph. Buy, read, learn and enjoy!

I just read Citizen Washington and enjoyed every page. A page turner that gives you a different look at Washington and the revolution.

Wonderful book!

The audiobook runs 6 hours and is surprisingly fun to listen to. Other reviewers have covered most of what you need to know so I will just add a parental advisory: contains rough language of a creative sort that boys of a certain age may like to quote, so if you are looking for something educational for a family car trip, this may not be suitable. Otherwise, I certainly recommend this book as an enjoyable piece of historical fiction.

Alexis de Tocqueville came to America for nine months in 1831-32 to conduct a study of the American penal system. What resulted instead was "Democracy in America", one of the best-ever treatises on a nation's politics, culture, and institutions.

This Bantam edition begins with a great introduction by Joseph Epstein.

Along with his famous words concerning the tyranny of the majority, the rise (and future clash) of America and Russia, and the differences between democratic and aristocratic societies, Tocqueville makes scores of other trenchant observations.

He shows that America was already a powerful, respected nation by the 1830s, and he expected it to become more powerful (and rule the seas) in the future.

He was a staunch advocate of freedom of the press. He examines political parties, and thought that, in the 1830s, the political system was already to the point that the chief desire of American presidents was to be reelected.

Tocqueville examines religion and was "convinced that Christianity must be maintained at any cost in the bosom of modern democracies". He was against slavery and foresaw its demise. He thought that there were mostly equal levels of education in America, and thought that as conditions in the country became more equal, great revolutions would become more rare.

Tocqueville is a hero for many conservatives, as he mostly agreed with Jefferson in thinking that that government is best which governs least.

Not even Alexis de Tocqueville has a perfect track record--he really got it wrong when he asserted that "the people in democratic states do not mistrust the members of the legal profession" and when he predicted that the nations of South America would one day be prosperous (a prediction that might yet come true, but has not done so 175 years later after the book's publication).

When reading "Democracy in America", what I was repeatedly thunderstruck by was the fact that someone 26 years old was insightful enough to make these observations. Reading this book cannot help but give the reader a much more keen understanding of America. "Democracy in America" will be read and studied for centuries by those who wish to understand our great nation.

Before approaching the text of Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, I had little realization as to the proper content of his prophetic work. To my former understanding, the text was merely a collection of adulation and reflections upon the American way of life by a French observer in the nineteenth century. Upon reading this abridged version of Democracy in America, I found a much more prophetic text which reflected more upon the cultural impact of democratic institutions than upon the praise which should be attributed thereto. While one may fault de Tocqueville for approaching the democratic world with the cutting eye of a small aristocracy, it is quite evident that he accepted the fact that the human spirit was led to greater democratic tendencies and that such was to be taken almost a priori as the state of the world in his era.

The truly important reflection of the work as a whole comes in the considerations which he places upon the consequences of equality which follows from democratic revolutions. The phenomena of hardy individualism and its potential devolvement into individualism were not lost in his reflections. From this hardy individualism, de Tocqueville feared that humanity in democratic times may tend more toward equality and stability than toward liberty. In this, he not only foresaw the simple tendencies of utilitarian artwork and literature but also the potential destruction of civil associations and the devaluation of individual accomplishment and differentiation. It is this latter point, which seems somewhat paradoxical at first glance, which is perhaps the most prophetic of his reflections. In the process of cultural homogenization and individuation, de Tocqueville foresees that centralization of power will become much more likely as the populace views itself to be nothing more than an accumulation of nearly-identical citizens. Beyond this, his fears of the tyranny which could result by the abandonment of liberties by the people are well founded, for a society which wholly forgets the fact that some human beings can stand out is one which can easily allow itself to be subjected to the capricious desires of a powerful state as liberty is wholly forgotten.

These prophetic words should be read by all reflective Americans as we continue to move toward a larger centralized state and clamor with greater intensity for security in all forms (be it physical or social), for such equalizing security can only come at the cost of the liberties which allow the individual to actually have the worth which we intellectually affirm that he or she has.

Praising this book is a bit like saying Huckleberry Finn was one of the great American novels - it's a profound statement of the obvious. Even so, it must be said: Alexis de Tocqueville's magnum opus is a brilliant sociological analysis of America, with his genius made all the more evident by how applicable his observations about 1830s America are to its twenty-first century counterpart. Everything from the solidity of America's political infrastructure to the disquieting trend toward anti-intellectualism are explored in this massive work, and his gift of analysis is matched only by his gift for prophecy (can you believe that he predicted a conflict between America and Russia before the rise of Communism?). An amazing book, and necessary reading for anyone who wishes to understand America, rather than merely talk about it.

I have three complaints about this edition of Tocqueville:
1) Nowhere in the book is the translator credited. This violates basic principles of publication and scholarship.
2) This is in fact an abridged version of the original English-language translation by Henry Reeve, dating from sometime before 1862. Unless you want to re-create the experience of a modern Frenchman confronted with de Tocqueville's somewhat archaic French by reading the text in somewhat archaic English, I would seek out any of the more recent translations: there are at least three.
3) The ellipses, that is, the abridgements, have sometimes been made to conceal some of the author's less flattering views America. In fact I suspect this is a "patriotic" abridgement. For example, in the second chapter of part one, Heffner has omitted references to some of the excesses of Puritan law in New England which the notoriously even-handed Tocqueville had cited.

As a former reviewer has stated this edition takes quite a bit of liberty in excising the less flattering aspects of Tocqueville's views of America. In fact the entire section on race-relations has been excised --perhaps it was deemed too controversial? This kind of editing is even more unacceptable in our age of open communications and hopefully open minds. Find another edition.

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