Kansas Books

John Marshall [1755-1835] was Chief Justice of the United States for the last 34 years of his life. During his long tenure, he turned the Supreme Court from an afterthought into a primary tool for the centralization of federal power; he defined America, though we can still debate whether he got the definition right. This book details how Marshall went about his task.....

This is NOT a biography of John Marshall [see my other reviews]; it is a series of case studies which trace the expanding power of the Federal Judiciary...Marbury v. Madison established the principle of Judicial review of legislative decisions...Virginia v. Cohens asserted federal authority in state affairs...the National Bank...land titles...Indian treaties......there is still disagreement over some of Marshall's decisions, and there was hell to pay over some of them at the time. "John Marshall has made his decision; now let's see him enforce it"...the various ramifications of that statement {which Andrew Jackson MAY not have ever made} are mind boggling....

Charles Hobson is editor of The John Marshall Papers, one of the 2 or 3 greatest living Marshall scholars, and a nice guy [as was Marshall]; he has written a five star book. Do I actually recommend it? Maybe. If you are an attorney or historian with an interest in the topic, it is an absolutely essential volume. Well written, well organized; for me, it was a page turner. For the casual reader, don't waste your money, or insult Mr. Hobson. You will need a good background in either Law [not me], or history [me] to understand it.

For those in the midwest, Bill Grigsby is the MAN! This tells the story straight.

Every Christian can learn the importance of being involved in a small group ministry by reading this book. I have used this book for small group leadership training prior to starting small groups. The author gives good Biblical background , sound Theological foundations for small gropus in the Church. It is easy reading and loded with practical illustrations and experiences. A must for any pastor, church, personal library.

The extensive maps and information in this book are very helpful to a Kansas City cyclist. It is worth every penny!

The major purpose of this guide is to assist the reader in the recognition and determination of commonly occurring freshwater inver�tebrates inhabiting streams within the Kansas City District, Office of Surface Mining. This area encompasses the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. In addition, the information will broaden the user`s understanding of the impacts of surface mining on aquatic life. The details of anatomy, physiology, and more specific taxonomic informa�tion have been minimized for ease of use.

This guide was prepared primarily by staff members of the State Biological Survey of Kansas for the Kansas City District Office of Sur�face Mining (OSM). The assistance and expertise of the various con�tributors added greatly to the completeness of this guide. Many of the author`s illustrated their chapters, in those instances where existing illustrations were taken or redrawn from other sources, proper credit is given following the figure legends. The guide was prepared in fulfill�ment of contract number 4127-X705 awarded-to the Office of Research, Graduate Studies, and Public Service of the University of Kansas by OSM.

Taxonomic sections of this guide have been simplified for use by non-taxonomists. However, the completeness and regional nature of these sections makes this guide of value to all people interested in aquatic macroinvertebrates. Because of this, a cooperative agreement has facilitated publication of this guide within the Technical Publications series of the State Biological Survey of Kansas. The Biological Su(vey gratefully acknowledges the cooperation and foresight of the Office of Surface Mining in making the guide available through the Survey`s publication program.

Table of Contents :
Introduction

Chapter 1:::::Introduction to the Non-Arthropod Group

Chapter 2::::: Hirudinea (Leeches)

Chapter 3::::: Oligochaeta (Earthworms)

Chapter 4::::: Pelecypoda (Clams)

Chapter 5::::: Gastropoda (Snails)

Chapter 6::::: Turbellariz (Flatworms)

Chapter 7::::: Introduction to the Crustacea

Chapter 8::::: Amphipoda (Scuds)

Chapter 9::::: Decapoda (Crayfishes and Shrimps)

Chapter 10::::: Aquatic Isopoda (Sowbugs, Pillbugs)

Chapter 11::::: Introduction to the Insecta

Chapter 12::::: Coleoptera (Beetles)

Chapter 13::::: Diptera (True Flies)

Chapter 14::::: Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)

Chapter 15::::: Hemiptera (True Bugs)

Chapter 16::::: Aquatic Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Chapter 17::::: Megaloptera (Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Finshflies)

Chapter 18::::: Neuroptera (Lacewings)

Chapter 19::::: Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Chapter 20::::: Plecoptera (Stoneflies)

Chapter 21::::: Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Chapter 22::::: Stream Study Procedures

Chapter 23::::: Biological Sampling Techniques

Chapter 24::::: Detection and Documentation of Impects

Chapter 25::::: Current listings of threatened and endangered Aquatic Invertebrates
Glossary

The Vicksburg guide moved this series from a single battle to a campaign encompassing several battles and a full siege. This is a larger book and somewhat less detailed than the single battlefield guidebooks. The title of the book reflects this saying it is a guide to the Vicksburg Campaign not the battle of Vicksburg. The tour of the siege lines is within the National Park BUT much of the other battlefields are privately owned and this is reflected in the book. Until more money for battlefield preservation is available, many of these important fields are at risk. The park driving tour will not cover what is in this book and professional guides may not be willing to drive the miles needed to cover the campaign. Once again, this is not a detailed history but an excellent guidebook. The best history is Timothy B. Smith's book on the battle of Champion Hill.
The series format is directions to a point on the field, orientation, a general lesson on what happened in your view, followed by first person accounts of the action. These guides are designed using the general staff training concept of a Staff Ride. This is when a class is taken to a historic location, discuss what happened and see how the terrain influences the event. Staff Rides are designed to be intensive "on the ground" training coupled with physical observation in the hopes students will gain experience for later use.
I am not saying this to frighten you away from this guide but to tell you this is not a walk about and look at the monuments type of guide. This guide will have several pages devoted to the action at this point. It may contain a critique of the local commander's actions with possible alternates.
My experience is that reading the book prior to my visit works best. This allows me more time observing the field and less time reading the book. Of the tour options, a professional guide is usually the best but most expensive choice. The park driving tour is the best choice for a quick trip through the field to get the kids passport stamp. This book is the best choice for a serious student of the battle looking for a detailed explanation.

First of all, Gunsmoke in Kansas was not written by "Hugh" J. Watson as it is stated in the current Amazon page (c. 2007). It was actually written by H. J. Watson (Hazel Jane Watson, known to her friends as Juanita), an excellent and original author of western Americana. Gunsmoke in Kansas is a brilliant and exciting read for those who love the western genre, as H. J. Watson was one of the most well researched authors of that era I ever met. My personal signed copy is well preserved and maintains a prominant place in my private library. If you're looking for western authenticity in a work of fiction that will keep you enthralled, Gunsmoke in Kansas is an entertaining journey. ~J~

Charles Gusewelle taps into our own thoughts, experiences and feelings with a clarity, conciseness and unobstructed literary style that bonds with experiences and feelings common to most of us. I have read many of his books and his weekly Kansas City column, but this audio tape only adds to his literary style, with his friendly, he's my uncle/grandfather/dad voice that makes you wish you knew him personally. Please, try this CD, which covers the relationships with children, wife, beloved pet, and reminds us of another world out there, in his travels in France and Africa. Yes, I am an unabashed fan of Gusewelle, and I would only wish others to take a few moments to listen, or read, and feel that someone has voiced some of their own observations and common experiences.

This is a very good book with personal illustrations of how the authors have overcome their tragedies of life. Debra and Stan have both been through tragedies which alot of us have faced and this shows how there is a light on the other side of these situations. I recommend this book for any church library or for a counseling program. This books also tells of the funny side of life and how you keep laughing when walls are falling in on you. When you cry, "HELP, HELP" the authors show how to always keep pulling yourself up by your shoestrings when your shoestrings are tied inn knots.

Brian Burnes new book on Harry Truman is a pleasure, impeccably researched and extremely well written. Rather than piling detail upon detail, Burnes opts for well-chosen anecdotes that add up to Truman's full story: his Kansas City boyhood, World War I service, political rise, presidency , and later years back in Kansas City. Truman is remembered for his momentous decision to drop the atomic bomb, but this book also delves into less-known aspects of his presidency. For example, Burnes recounts a wonderful episode involving an old poker buddy named Eddie Jacobson who, in 1948, helped convice Truman that the U.S. should recognize the brand new state of Israel.

Throughout, Burnes does a masterful job of interweaving the story of Truman, the politician, with humanizing details about Truman, the man. While attending the Potsdam conference in 1945, for example, Truman purchased a luncheon set of Belgian lace for Bess. The first lady, in turn, thought the gift a bit extravagant. This book also has wonderful photographs and illustrations, including a Thomas Hart Benton portrait of Truman so closely observed and revelatory that it's worth a thousand words, easily.