Virginia Books

A beautiful meditation upon the everyday details and context of first-century Palestine that adds adjectives and adverbs to the Gospels' action and dialogue. A thoughtful and thought-provoking piece that is faithful to what is written in the Scriptures, and celebrates the gift of imagination, as well. Bravo!

This book could easily be read as a daily devotional, each chapter being short in words, but full of thought-provoking material. This book helps one push pass the stereotypical and well-known portrayals of Jesus and takes the reader to a level with Christ that far too few Christian writers have been able to accomplish.

I have read numerous books about Jesus Christ and this book brought to life once again my intrigue and passion for him. More than a historical review, each chapter looks at cultural, social, and spiritual meanings often overlooked in the Gospels. For those really Looking for Jesus, especially those who have already met him, but would like to know him, this book is a must read.

Virginia Owens is not only a knowledgeable Bibical scholar, but an entertaining writer, as well. Not only did she adress my miriad doubts and questions about Jesus and the Bible, but she actually made sense of seemingly nonsensical parables. By explaining the sociology of the era and the reasons for the choices Jesus made, she brought understanding and enlightenment to my weary soul. Her practical and lighthearted style make this an easy and irresistible read. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, especially for those whose concept of Jesus has outgrown a childlish belief.

"Looking for Pa" is a wonderful historical fiction book that brings the Civil War to life for readers young and old. As a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher candidate, I have found multiple uses for Jeri Susi's book. She raises issues of the early Civil War in Virginia in a subtle way that allows excellent thinking and discussion opportunities for 4th grade through high school students. Well worth the price and highly recommended for pure entertainment. Superior maps and illustrations greatly enhance the dialogue rich text.

LOOKING FOR PA is a wonderful story that will capture the attention of young readers from the opening pages. A brother and sister, Jacob, 11 and Jessie, 8, are distraught, as they watch their father depart to fight with the Confederate forces. The unexpected death of their mother becomes a compelling reason for the two children to set off to locate their father. As the two travel by foot, accompanied by their pet goat, pig, and cat, they encounter some frightening obstacles, several fascinating people, and many disappointments. The satisfying conclusion will make all young readers feel proud, as they witness Jacob's and Jessie's tenacity, as they adapt and solve problems through the worst of times. The author, Geraldine Lee Susi, successfully combines the story of a desperate search with historical information and interesting details about the Civil War. The book provides many opportunities for children to gain insight into the issues and emotional turmoil surrounding this very difficult period in our history.

I am a Loudoun County 4th grade teacher. Three years ago I was looking for a novel to read to my class that would characterize the Piedmont Region of Virginia! I was fortunate to find the charming, historical fiction book, "Looking for Pa" by Geraldine Susi. Mrs.Susi's writing is vivid, descriptive, and a wonderful example of great writing for her young readers. Reading this novel is always a highlight in my school year. My students beg me to read this book each day! In 4th grade we have a great deal of Social Studies material to teach in a school year (Jamestown-present day). Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of spending a great deal of time teaching the Civil War. By reading this novel during my Language Arts time, I can spend a more in depth time on this period of history. Through this story she is able to present a vast knowlege of the Civil War Battle at Bull Run and the Piedmont region of Virginia. You feel like you are traveling along with this brother and sister caravan on their journey to find their Pa who is fighting for the Confederate Army. This novel gives my students an opportunity to internalize this period in history. I am so happy that my school ordered this novel as one of our 4th grade novel sets. I also highly recommend the teacher's guide that accompanies this book. Mrs. Susi, who is a retired reading teacher from Fairfax County, Virginia, has done a marvelous job suggesting various activities which stress vocabulary and reading comprehension. I can't wait to read Mrs.Susi's upcoming book. I am sure the sequal will be equally as exciting and educating as the first novel. Susie Geurin, Sterling Elementary School.

Few museum exhibitions have garnered as much conversation and genuine interest in history as the current LACMA sensitively curated exploration LORDS OF CREATION: The Origins of Sacred Mayan Kinship. This book is termed a catalogue, but in fact it not only enhances the magnificence of this exhibition and the importance of this aspect of Mesoamerican history, it also provides wholly readable essays by a gifted staff of writers that assures this volume will become a part of every school library.

The concept of kings divinely sanctioned is not unique to the Mayans: such lineage was also found in Egypt, Asia, Europe and Africa. But here the authors (Virginia M. Fields and Dorie Reents-Budet) follow the sacred kings on the Gulf Coast of Mexico from 900 BC through the gradual dispersion of those influences on the flowering of the Mayan civilization in southern Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala - that extraordinary and rich civilization that is even today not fully appreciated.

The extant religious ceremonies of the Mayan descendents are reviewed and their connection to the ancient rites is discussed through examples of archeological findings of art and mysterious fragments and evidences of a 'kingdom' ruled by those able to directly intercede between man and gods. The result is a lavishly beautiful collection of images and an immensely readable text. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

I won't go into a very lengthy description or recommendation. Let me just say that this book contains many quality photos of some of the more spectacular finds from the Mayan culture. If you have a lot of this type subject material lying around, this book has some photos I have not seen anywhere else. The book has excellent paper and binding and should give a long shelf life as a reference piece in your collection. My grand-kids love the large pages.

The Lords of Creation is a marvelous book filled with full color photos of Mayan art objects and sites. It has some objects not seen before in other books. The Metro Art Museum in L. A. has put this book out and is following up with a traveling tour this year. Fist stop is in Dallas (June -Sept) and then goes to New York. I am making plans to go. This is going to be very spectacular, as the book is. I highly recommend this book for all serious Mayan and Mesoamerican buffs whatever your studies or intrest range happens to be.

This is the historical food researcher's answer to Oprah's "AHH HAA" moments in your life! Sit back and let MS. Hess fill you full of delight as you find out exactly where and how gingerbread got its beginnings and why do we call turkey, well, turkey. The amount of historic research and information is a true goldmine for one serious in their food history or for the novice who would just love to know where all our food preferences comes from. I am a teacher of historic foodways and tell each and every one of my students to start here first! You won't be disapointed.

This book is a jewel. Being a 16th-17th century reenactor, I would not have thought that Martha Washington's cookbook would have become such a favorite of mine. The annotations by Karen Hess make it invaluable to anyone interested in historical cookery from the Elizabethan age onwards, and it is a darned good read, informative and fun even if you aren't. This is the book I will give someone who thinks they might possibly be vaguely interested in historical cookery and would like to learn more. It is very well-researched and there is something to learn on every page. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I stumbled upon this book when I was visiting Mt. Vernon for the first time a few years ago. It looked so interesting I had to purchase it. Even though this is a cookbook, it's very unique with a lot of additional material that explains cooking and the recipes from the time period that the book was written. I'm more of a history buff than a cook, but I really, really enjoyed it.

Meade's Army is more that just an edited version of Theodore Lyman's experience with the Army of the Potomac. As one moves through the pages of Lyman's journal and flips back to the accompanying footnotes, one begins to appreciate the relationship between the editor and Lyman. While Lyman provides astute observations on everything from the flora and fauna of the battlefield to the chaos of fighting, the editor's annotations serve to link Lyman back to his social milieu. Classmates, relatives, and the social elite of Harvard University and Boston all meet at various times during the war and on the battlefield and the editor reminds the reader that Lyman is a product of his times and social status which color his observations. Such insights provide a deeper contextual layer to what is already a fascinating real-time account of the war.

Too often when we read a book on the CW it is just a rehash of the same old facts presented as if the author has found "new evidence".
Too often when a diary or notebook is found and brought to light it is so poorly edited that is is almost unreadable. Here IS presented new ecvidence in the form of Lyman's notebooks.
Here is where David Lowe excells. Not only is much of this being brought forth for the first time, it is done in a manner that will satisfy the casual reader as well as the professional historian.
The inclusion of Lyman's period maps in their proper context increases one's understanding of the campaigns and the flow of the notebooks.
Well done and a great addition to anyone's library.

"Meade's Headquarters, 1863-1865", a collection of letters written during the Civil War by Lt. Col. Theodore Lyman to his wife while on General George Meade's staff during the last year and a half of the Civil War, has long been a valuable resource for those interested in the Virginia Campaigns of 1864-65. "Meade's Army: The Private Notebooks of Lt. Col. Theodore Lyman" is perhaps even more valuable, as Lyman was more free and expansive in his notebook observations than in his letters home. In the privacy of his own notebooks, Lyman allowed himself to record incisive observations of various commanders, not always to their credit. Something which came as a surprise to me that Lyman indicated that although he felt sorry for Gouverneur K. Warren being relieved of his corps command at Five Forks, Lyman seemingly felt that the action was justified based on Warren's personality and past performance. The book has a real "you are there" immediacy in detailing the last year and a half of the Army of the Potomac's war in the Eastern Theater (after the end of the war Lyman rewrote the notebooks dealing with the 1864 campaigns, but he fully retained the day-to-day flavor of being on the spot during those titanic stuggles). David Lowe has done an excellent job in editing Lyman's notebooks covering his service on Meade's staff (the notes are presented essentially without abridgement, although Lowe faced a Herculean task in tracking down and identifying the numerous persons referred to in passing by Lyman).

Andrew Colvin has put together an amazing, detailed, and compendious book on sightings of the Mothman, or Garuda, whose visage Colvin has apparently captured on film--but which also touches on the Rockefellers, the Manson Family, The Philadelphia Experiment, Union Carbide, and strange 1967 premonitions of the destruction of the World Trade Center.

With transcripts of his interviews by the excellent Keith Hansen ("Vyzygoth") framing the work, Colvin weaves a fascinating tapestry of synchronicity, anomaly, and unexplained occurrence. There are transcripts also of talks by Grey Barker and John Keel, and of Colvin's own television program, The Mothman's Photograper, with annotations and asides by Colvin throughout. There is much, much more, though.

The Garuda has been legendary throughout human history as a harbinger and a protector--an inspirer of prophetic visions. That this legend would manifest itself to Americans in the 21st century is, in Colvin's view, some cause for alarm--and comfort. Alarm, because its appearance usually foretokens disaster; comfort, because those visited are forewarned and forearmed. Colvin's friends and family in and around Mound, West Virginia speak eloquently of their visitations.

My recommendation is that you unplug the phone, toss aside the iPod, shoot the television and spend a weekend delving into this most fascinating book.

This book is not only full of Mothy goodness, but much more.

Andy Colvin shows there is much more going on with Mothman than just the sightings of the creature. There are endless synchronicities and connections with other paranormal subjects, as well as fringe science such as mind control.

Honestly I think you could take the research in this book and make a great conspiracy/paranormal thriller film from it.

You get so much with this book -- interviews with Andy and dozens of other interesting people that have something to add to the Mothman tale. There are witnesses and esoteric legends like John Keel adding their two cents.

I would think this is required reading not only for those interested in Mothman, but anyone interested in the paranormal, ufos and/or conspiracy.

Two thumbs up for Andy!

Last night, I finished reading Andy Colvin's book, The Mothman's Photographer II. This is one of those books that is essential reading for those of you fascinated with Mothman.

Somewhat appropriately, and like the Mothman mystery itself, the book is full of all sorts of twists and turns, dark and disturbing scenarios, contains as many questions as it does answers, and definitely defies convention.

The book basically tells the very personal story of Colvin's interest in, and obsession with, the Mothman; something that began in his childhood in the sixties when he and his friends constructed a "shrine" to the Mothman - and after which strange and bizarre things began happening to Colvin, to his family, and to those around him.

In many ways, Colvin's book is more mind-bending than John Keel's The Mothman Prophecies. But this is a good thing: rather than simply go over old ground, and recount the original story, Colvin describes for us how the Mothman personally affected, manipulated, and possibly guided, his own life experiences, right through to the present day.

And it's written in an appropriately unconventional style too: via interviews, transcripts, personal comments and thoughts, and more.

For those who view Mothman as purely a crypto-zoological puzzle, you'll find yourselves at odds with Colvin, who places the creature in a very different category.

Essentially, Colvin views the Mothman as being akin to the Garuda - the majestic bird-like entity of Buddhist and Hindu mythology. Colvin's view is that the presence of the Mothman at the Point Pleasant, West Virginia bridge-collapse of 1967 (as described in Keel's book) was not in any way sinister.

Rather, Colvin sees the Mothman/Garuda as being basically a benign entity, and one that surfaces from its strange realm of existence at times of peril and strife, and when things are distinctly ill with the world. Part-helper, part-guide, it's inextricably linked with us - but generally for the better, Colvin believes.

But it's also a creature whose presence should not be taken lightly - nor should the fact that the creature's presence at Point Pleasant may have been tied in with a whole host of other activity, including classified government projects in the fields of mind-manipulations and psychotronics, synchronicities, the Men in Black, dark and tragic prophecies, the world of big-business, the military-industrial complex, and much more.

The Mothman's Photographer II is a fantastically strange trip into a world without rules, where just about anything goes, and where convention is thrown out of the window. But it works - and it works very well.

If you read the book, you are likely going to come away with a new view (or, at the very least, a modified view) of Mothman, thanks to a man who had the vision and guts to follow his instinct and present his data, ideas, theories and thoughts to those willing to listen.

And, given the fact that it seems the nature of Colvin's life was almost pre-destined from the day he first immersed himself in the world of the Mothman, perhaps he was meant to write the book. And perhaps we're all meant to read it. If so, Colvin has done us a great service in providing a book that is unique, unusual, riveting reading, and beyond thought-provoking.

Read and prepare to have your mind blown, bent, reorganized and, if you get the message, elevated, too.

" Mountain Memories" gave me a deeper appreciation of the Appalachian Mountains. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful journey through West Virginia's mountains with Jim Clark. It was inspiring to see a person so in harmony and appreciative of nature. We would all be better off to emulate that state of being. It was also fascinating to learn about the habits of some of natural inhabitants of the mountains. Jim's vivid and moving images made me want to head to West Virginia and experience the beauty for myself.

If you are a nature lover, photographer or just enjoy natural history, this is one for the permanent collection on our book shelves and in our hearts. It is a fantastic combination of excellent writing and inspirational photography.

For those of us fortunate enough to have grown up in the "country" this book will bring back those childhood memories of the lessons we learned by just going out into nature and really looking, listening but most importantly, feeling the spirit. The author has captured in words and images those inspirational moments with nature that become a part of who we are.

He has captured the essence of his personal love affair with West Virginia looking beyond the highways, the telephone lines, and all the marks of modern living to the true spirit of what it means to really connect with the personality of each changing season and the feast of visual experiences. The author then takes us beyond the beauty of the images and into his heart when he writes about what has inspired him. He shares with us his intimate knowledge of where to look and when for those special treats nature offers up each season in the West Virginia mountains.

It should appeal to anyone who has an interest in seeing the beauty in nature whether a photographer looking for great locations to photograph or someone who would like to spend a few hours with an author who has the power to capture our imaginations in a Huck Finn style of story telling about his beloved West Virginia. The book is rich with facts about the natural history of the area with extensive detail.

This is his second book and both should come with a warning. Once you read either book you will be making a trip, as I have, to the places the author presents so beautifully in words and pictures.

If you are looking for another f/stop, shutter speed, aperture setting book on photography, then Jim Clark's second book, "Mountain Memories, An Appalachian Sense of Place" probably isn't the book for you. Actually, "Mountain Memories" isn't even a book about photography. It's really a sharing of the Appalachian area and memories of renowned nature photographer, Jim Clark. As a photographer myself, though, I can't help but write this review slanted towards the wealth of knowledge the book makes available to my fellow photographers.

If you are looking for a book that teaches you that a successful image goes much deeper than the photograph, then click on the "add to cart" button and you will soon be transformed into the heart of Appalachia as well as the mind of one of its native sons. You will also begin a journey that will transform you from a technically correct photographer to a creator of images and memories.

Jim takes you on a beautiful journey of discovery, sharing his thoughts and memories as he travels and captures the beauty that is Appalachia. I felt like I was at his side as he goes through the beauty of the seasons, painting the scenes of the birds, trees, waters and plant life of regions of the region in eloquent prose and breathtaking images. His love for Appalachia is very evident.

Although Jim doesn't mention f/stops, composition, etc. each page of "Mountain Memories" holds a wealth of information that will make you a better photographer. I've had the honor of traveling some of these trails with Jim and I've learned from him, from his workshops, and from his book, that technical knowledge isn't the only element of a successful nature image. If you don't have a passion for your subject, a desire to learn about your subject, a desire to convey a feeling, elicit a thought, reignite a memory or tell a story, you've created nothing more than a technically perfect "snap-shot". Add all these elements and you've created another memory to put into your "Mason Jar" (don't miss Jim's explanation of the magic of memories and mason jars.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to be a better photographer, or wants to learn more about the region, or just wants to learn about and enjoy the beauty that is Appalachia. I think that the sub-title could have easily been "An Appalachian Sense of Peace". It will be a treasured edition to my collection that will become dog-eared over the years as I revisit again and again.

The author has done so much more that just write a book. This could be used as text book for history classes as well as an interesting and thought provoking story that everyone should read. Ms. Vest has obviously invested a considerable amount of time and energy in it's writing and publication and the story line makes you want to continue reading and makes it almost impossible to put down. The interweaving of Martha's life into the hardships, interpersonal relationships and history of our country during those times makes it a "must read" book.

My Dearest Patcy: The Early Years Of Martha Washington is a unique and superbly written historical novel about Martha (Patcy) Dandridge, the woman who would met and marry George Washington as her second husband and become the First Lady of the newly formed United States of America. Author Barbara Vest has created a remarkable and erudite novel of history and romance with meticulous attention to historical background and detail including the story of her first marriage, a match made of love between herself and the aristocratic-blood Daniel Parke Custis, against the will of Custis' father - only her first husband's untimely death could cut short their bond. Yet as a twenty-eight year old wealthy widow with two surviving children, she would persevere past grief, and one day make her contribution to history. A rapturously told portrait of a strong and truly remarkable woman.

My Dearest Patcy tells a long-awaited story of a figure of history we never knew before. This well-told story gives a charming picture of Martha Washington before she became Mrs. George W. This is a novelist with a talent for uncovering the person behind the legend. An enjoyable book!

It is not easy to challenge scores of other estemmed authors having pinned-the-tale-on-the-donkey, so to speak, in labelling Virgina Woolf as a most seriously, mentally disturbed artistic genius. But with this brilliant work by Thomas Szasz [(Professor of Psychiatry Ermitus at the State Univ. of NY, and adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute (along with his many stellar books including: "Lexicon of Lunacy," "Liberation by Oppression," & "Faith in Freedom")] - he most convincingly in this book shatters everthing you have ever read about Virgina Woolf to free her at along last from all the "madness" labels about which she did not deserve; and most tragically contributed, if not was the cause of her suicide. A brave book that takes on the very essence of psychiatry as a "science" even in these so-called modern times. My profound regret is that the brilliant VW did not have this champion when she most certainly needed him most.

In his brilliant new book Thomas Szasz scientifically debunks the mental illness label long attached to Virginia Woolf and other celebrated geniuses. He shows how this great writer, with her eyes wide open, chose a marriage that she knew would box her in emotionally. She mistakenly thought this box would keep her safe.

She married this particular man for the same reason there became no way out of it for her. She wanted the lifestyle of a married women without any emotional commitment to the marriage itself. No normal man would put up with such a charade.

Virginia Woolf did not anticipate the difficulty of day-to-day living with such a warped man. But she was not his victim. Nor was she the victim of manic-depression. She made a Devil's bargain which she could not live up to and she felt powerless to get out of it.

Her fear of powerlessness became a self-prison. Powerlessness itself would have been perfectly okay. But Virginia Woolf was not authentic enough to admit her fear. Admitting her fear of powerlessness, would have left her knowing her marriage was a complete fake, and she could then have made different choices.

The histrionics and ultimate suicide which were subsequently called madness by biographers, were nothing more than ill-advised strategies to avoid facing the truth of her situation. To face the truth she would have had to deal with her fear. For all her genius, this simple fact was beyond her education and her understanding.

Knowing we are powerless is the antidote to fearing we are powerless. For anyone who wants real freedom, this is where it is found. Knowing we are powerless is solid ground, the real human condition that human beings try to avoid seeing by going into all kinds of bizarre histrionics. (You might argue here, but how powerful are we who can neither help being born nor dying?)

When we get to this real human condition, and simply feel our terror and anxiety, we do not offset it onto something or someone else as Virginia Woolf offsetted her existential fear onto her hatred of her husband and those who were her social and intellectual inferiors.

Had she faced her own fear she would have seen that she was all right anyway. And at that point some small, positive action might have presented itself to her rather than the crazy antics and mad language that kept her in the dark and boxed in, forever fighting the box of her own making. Looking always outside of the box for the answer, she thought her madness saved her from her helplessness. In truth, it only saved her from having to see the box and thus be able to take care of herself.


Virginia Woolf made the mistake too many of us are making in this culture. We box ourselves in to feel safe and then claim to be helpless victims of those self-made boxes. Once we are convinced we are helpless we begin to view self-responsibility as dangerous. At this point, those who wish to wield power over us don't have to divest us of our freedom. We willingly give up our freedom in return for assurances of supposed safety. To feel secure in the concern of others, Virginia Woolf preferred to think of herself as helpless or crazy. But, as Thomas Szasz proves, her intellectual failings cannot be accurately or scientifically described as a medical illness. A. B. Curtiss, author of Depression is a Choice.

A knockout! An incredible analysis of how one "becomes" mad.
Tom Szasz superbly documents, through an examination of the life and death of Virginia Woolf, how one learns that role (or perhaps any other role), and uses it, and how the world around one also ascribes such a role and uses it as well. We all, the "mad" and the "normal", gain and loose a great deal through this activity, all at the same time.

Simply stated, life is a tragedy (we all die) with no guarantees, and what we bring to it, including our innate stuff and that which we learn and internalize, determines the games we wind up choosing to play.

I wasn't looking to study a huge encyclopedia type book, but I did want to know more about the plants I encounter on St. Thomas. This book was the perfect introduction providing not only visual references, but also practical information on where certain species are likely to be found, i.e. road sides, beaches, etc. Now that I have read through it, I find the need for a more thorough book, however this was the perfect start - just what I was hoping for.

I've been meaning to review this book for some time now. I've been travelling to the Eastern Caribbean for over twenty years; for the past few, it's been yearly. This book is one of the essentials for my journeys, like sun lotion and a passport. I swore at myself last year when I forgot it.
I travel for the sun and heat, of course, but rather than see the sites and take part in all the activities, I am happy just to be in the place, to see the islands, the people and their environment. Virginia Barlow's sweet book helps me ground myself every time I return. It's small and easy to carry and is one of the first books I turn to when I arrive.

This short (150 page)book gives the reader an excellent introduction to the animal, plant and bird life of eight different types of habitats found on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. The photos and illustrations are very good, but the text is what surprised me the most. Rather than simply providing a dry list of data points usually found in field guide species accounts, just about every species description is remarkably fascinating reading. The book's extensive bibliography shows that the naturalist author drew from a wide range of primary scientific sources to weave together uniquely interesting information regarding the inter-relationships of organisms in these neo-tropical environments. Most readers will welcome these brief but intriguing natural history accounts, and will be pleased that the author selected to describe only the most abundantly observed species. Personally, my only regret was that the book wasn't considerably longer. I have tried hard to find other, more in-depth, guides to the natural history of this region, but there simply don't seem to be any. To learn more about the region, one would have to research primary scientific sources, as this author has (thankfully) done for us, and beautifully synthesized her findings.