Iowa Books

The book tells us about life in the Midwestern/Iowa area before WWII. The major industry was farming. Leisure time was prized and largely a social affair up until movie houses and radio came along in the 1920's.

I read about early school buses, taking a bath in the den, and families having to move to another farm. Life prior to the New Deal involved fireplaces and kerosene; Hamilton mentions the "electric taste" of cakes made in electric ovens.

Part of you will say thank goodness we have this and that (even in 1974 younger generations surely said that) and part of you will wish you could take a step back into that era.

Read it; I was lucky to find that the book is still available. My uncle (he graduated Iowa State) got this book for my dad and I thought it was as rare as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Thankfully it isn't. I hope more books like this are out there.

Covers Sunday`s life by weaving in pictures of Sunday`s life and pictures of significant items from his life located in the Sunday museum. Includes a list of revivals and appearances, conversions, evangelistic team members, and family genealogy.

This issue is much improved. The sections are more elaborate, more complete. Current knowledge has been included and veterinary students will have a modern textbook to enjoy for a long while.

The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas presents the first detailed state-wide survey results for breeding birds. Detailed species accounts are provided for more than 150 birds known to breed in Iowa. These are accompanied by maps showing the distribution of the birds. Several introductory chapters summarize information about the vegetation, geologic origins, and history of the state. Summary statistics include tables showing the most common species, the most frequently confirmed breeding species, and correlations between species groups and the different landforms. The data in this volume includes key information on both common and rare species. This book is an excellent reference for anyone interested in birds or bird atlases. The species accounts are extremely well-written and informative. I highly recommend this book.

For the Battleship historian, this is a good book for quick reference to the four IOWA class Battleships. Actually, as an engineering type that was very closely involved with the 1980's reactivations of the ships, I found the appendices of more value than the historical text. But that is not meant to be demeaning. Mr. Muir's caption of a picture of the NEW JERSEY firing a broadside of her 16 inch guns is one of the only truthful statements ever made as to whether a full broadside would push a 57,000 ton ship sideways or not. They do NOT. Believe me. I have been aboard them during full broadside firings and those great grey ladies don't move an inch. Appendix B is also one of the few items published that note the fact that 18 inch guns were also considered for the class as well as a longer barreled, but heavier, version of the 16 inchers finally mounted. Appendix C are charts, diagrams and photos taken directly out of OP 769. Where do these civilian authors get their hands on these manuals? I had a hard enough time keeping one hidden under my desk during the reactivation era of the 1980's. I would not class this book as a "coffee table" book, but as one that meets a middle ground between a technical text and an historical log. In any case, it's a handy book for a Naval historian to have in his library. I would like to see a later revision of this book that includes the IOWAs up to their premature (my personal opinion) inactivation. And definetly in hard cover vs. soft cover. Richard Landgraff DREADNAUGHT CONSULTING Long Beach, California

Book purchased for Center Library. It was received in excellent shape in record time.

looks very helpful for clinic staff

I found this book of maps to be great for finding public hunting land. The only set back that I can think of is that it can be sometimes difficult to tell some of the different roads. I wish they made one for Minnesota. I would buy one.

"Iowa Valor" is a good book for anyone interesting in tracing Iowa's military involvement in the Civil War. It is organized chronologically, and is divided by year. Each year starts out with a detailed time line of Iowa unit engagments for that year.

The chapters are made up of anecdotal information gleaned from soldier's letters back home, diaries, contemporary newspaper accounts and, sometimes, texts of official military correspondence. This is not a book of analysis of Iowa's role, but instead is a report of Iowa's role as seen through the eyes of participants and eyewitnesses.

The book includes an index of primary contributors, which is useful as a partial surname index, an index of photos which are used in the book and an index of newspaper articles cited in the book.

I found the book to be interesting reading. It was hard to put down. Can hardly wait for her next one.