Delaware Books

The value of this book comes from being written by an insider. It is a contemporary writing and will serve readers a close look at how a premier chemical company is managed or mismanaged as the case might be. The book provides an excellent reader for students involved in the study of labor and industrial relations.

Property rights sounds like a boring subject, but if you're interested in imperial Russia, this is a must read. The exploration of this seemingly narrow issue by Farrow opens up to a host of important and often surprising and novel observations and insights.

First published by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club in 1937, "Bird Studies at Old Cape May" is ornithologist Witmer Stone's exhaustive study of the bird life in Cape May County and along the New Jersey coast between 1920 and 1930. 374 species of bird are described: 318 from Cape May County, primarily from the area stretching from the town of Cape May along the shore to Cape May Point, and 56 species from further north along the New Jersey coast. The book opens with several introductions from previous publications, including one written by Roger Tory Peterson for the 1964 edition. The introductions are followed by short chapters describing the bird life in different geographic areas of Cape May County -sea, meadows, islands,woodland, farmland- as well as history of previous bird life at the Cape, descriptions of bird migrations, and summaries of bird occurrences by month. The bulk of the book consists of descriptions of each of the 374 species observed. For each species, there is a physical description, information on the occurrence and history of the bird in this region, and stories of Stone's personal experiences with the species as well as those of other birders of his acquaintance. Some entries are less than a page in length, while others are up to 12 pages, but the average length for each species is a few pages. There are short introductory essays before the sections on ducks, hawks, and shore birds.

This is an absolutely fascinating study of the birds of the New Jersey shore. Bird enthusiasts who have been to Cape May will find engaging and still relevant descriptions of birds which continue to be found there. And it is most interesting to learn the history of these species before much of Cape May's wetlands were filled in, along with the histories of some species which are no longer found in the area. Reading "Bird Studies at Old Cape May" 65 years after its original publication, it is in some ways more informative than it was in 1937. It allows us to observe, for even longer than Witmer Stone did, how and why Cape May changed and its bird population along with it. 941 pages is a lot of information to absorb, but I've found it a very pleasant book to pick up now and then and read the entries for a few species at a time. The order of the book is a mystery to me, but there is an index.

Chan Robbins (an eminent U.S. government ornithologist) says, "this handsome volume is required reading for all Delaware birders...and will be of great interest to ornithologists in other states and countries." Dr. Frank Gill (senior VP of Audubon) says with confidence that this book sets new standards for state bird books and its delicious, scholarly species accounts are rich in detailed analyses of status and trends. The Midwest Book Review say, "this seminal, ground-breaking, comprehensive reference featuring 418 species of birds is the result of over 30 years of dedicated, observational research that will prove invaluable to ornithologists, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts." They have it all right! I've read my copy all the way through. It's attractive, readable, accurate, complete, informative, interesting and fun. It would be valuable for anyone interested in birds who lives from Connecticut south to the Carolinas and west to the Mississippi River, because those states share the same species of birds found in Delaware. As an outstanding reference book, it belongs in every birder's collection where ever you live--here in the states or in other countries. Buy it for yourself and give copies to your friends.

These CDs are surprisingly fun. I've learned a lot about bird songs and bird calls and have come to recognize many of the birds that live on my farm by their sounds. The recordings are very well done. They include the various calls of lots of local birds as well as some interesting facts and mnemonics (phrases to help us humans remember particular calls).

This book is an indepth, and intriguing analysis of the role played by African-American Communists, particularly Benjamin J. Davis, in the struggle for Black Liberation. The book is very-well researched and consistently objective, avoiding the standard anti-Communist, anti-Soviet biases we normally encounter.

Dr. Horne presents a liitle known history, the positive role played by the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA), in the struggle for African-American civil rights. He details and corroborates numerous examples of positive Communist involvement and activity in the Black community in the 1930s and 1940s without using the worn out "red scare" or "Communist menace" shibboleths.

He describes a very clear picture of the role played by Benjamin J. Davis, an open Communist from Harlem and twice elected to the New York City Council. It is amazing to read Horne's description of the tremendous support Davis received from both Harlemites and famous Black celebrities.

Dr. Horne's theory that the Black American civil rights establishment was given the narrow choice of renouncing Communist support and Communists in order to win government support for civil rights, appears right on target and certainly supported by history.

A very interesting and informative book.

Covers the history of all non-interstate bridges across the Delaware with photos of nearly every edition of every bridge. The background information and stories of how each bridge came to be are engrossing and full of interesting detail. I expected to skim this book for information on bridges I was familiar with and ended up reading it cover-to-cover.

This long suffering patriot hasn't received the notice he should have been due. Despite a disfiguring and painful malady he forged on in his duty with untiring spirit. I'd have loved to have written beside him in his long ride that equals the more recalled ride of Paul Revere, who deserves the fame he has enjoyed too. Thanks to the author for researching his life, and putting it in captivating words. How wise that someone in Delaware promoted his place on an item of everyday use and circulation!

There are surely many heroes in our America's history. Caesar Rodney, though perhaps little known, is remarkable for his tenacity and courage.

It was 1776. A vote was taking place in Philadelphia that would determine America's future: delegates to the Second Continental congress were soon to cast votes for or against independence. Against meant safety but continued unfair taxation imposed by King George; for meant war, long, bloody war.

One delegate, Rodney, was not there. He received a letter from a friend, a fellow Delaware delegate, asking him to come to Philadelphia. That was 80 miles away. Rodney was already handicapped, battling asthma and cancer. Nonetheless he climbed into his carriage and started for Philadelphia. It was July and the heat was oppressive, especially so for Rodney who kept half of his face covered by a green scarf to mask the open surgical wound left by the removal of a cancerous portion of his face.

Later in his journey, switching to horseback Rodney rode through violent weather, reaching Philadelphia on July 2. He was there to cast his vote, saying, "As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, my own judgment concurs with them. I vote for independence."

Author Cheripko has penned a moving true story of one man's valor complete with suggested readings and sources. While this is listed as a children's book, I'd certainly recommend it for older readers. In addition, it will mean more to those who have a background in American history. A lively family dinner table topic!

- Gail Cooke

"A bunch of the boys were whooping it up at the Malamute Saloon." A mere verse by Robert Service you say? Aha. It actually was the beginning of an adventure along the Delaware River. A trip unimaginable without Mr. Letcher's book. What started out as a challenge to see who could start a raucously good time one evening turned into a better challenge; who could find a complete guide to an entire weekend? I won the challenge with Mr. Letcher's exciting guide to canoeing the Delaware. This book has it all: helpful hints, maps, select side trips and historical perspective. I was and will continue to be impressed by the completeness of Gary's book. I would recommend it to both novice canoeists and the most experienced. I have read several books about canoeing in different locations but this is the best!