Kentucky Books

Though he hasn't made a movie since the 1950s, CB DeMille is still a name that says "Hollywood" to anyone who hears it. But, aside from The Ten Commandments, it's possible that most people today don't know who he was or what he did. Robert Birchard's book, written in a blithe, easy-going style -- as if you're talking to him -- reminds us who CB was and how important he was to the history of film. Using original sources as much as possible (rather than second and third hand accounts) Mr. Birchard has traced DeMille's career through his films, in the process seeing as many as are still available (sadly not all are). In doing so, he manages to trace much of DeMille's life and the life and history of Hollywood as it grows and learns to use new and better technology to tell its stories. This book is both easy to read, fun to read, and even (gasp!) informative! But don't let stop you from buying and enjoying it!

Mention Cecil B. DeMille to many serious film fans, and they might snicker. DeMille has a reputation for corny, big-budget epics like THE TEN COMMANDMENTS or THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. DeMille also has a reputation as a dictatorial director whose politics were extremely conservative.

DeMille was not really that simple of a person. He made some very personal films, some really entertaining films, and even some daring films for the time. Although he was politically conservative, several of his films preached the dangers of religious intolerance. His battle with the Radio performer's union was a matter of principle, and not money. And while the stereotypical Hollywood director was modeled on him, part of it was an act. DeMille had a great respect for his actors, as long as they were professional. DeMille also had a sense of humor, as some of his cameo appearances in films show.

Robert Birchard has assembled an incredible history of DeMille's film and radio work. DeMille was around during the birth of Paramount in 1915, and he was still a successful director all of the way through the 1950s. Using DeMille's original papers, telegrams from studio moguls like Jesse Lasky, and other direct sources of information.

You will read about DeMille's struggles with technical issues like poorly perforated film stock, cameramen, good and difficult actors, and pressure from management to get his films completed on time and under budget. Mr. Birchard has viewed all of DeMille's films that still exist, and he gives a candid review of all of them. The book also contains very detailed cast and crew listings, a list of DeMille's many cameo appearances, and everything is painstakingly documented in the end notes.

I can guarantee you that after reading this book, you will be very tempted to rent or buy a Cecil B. DeMille film and rediscover this master director yourself.

Before David Lean, before Michael Curtiz, and waaay before Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, there was Cecil B. DeMille, the creator of gargantuan epics from Hollywood's Golden Age. C.B. started making movies the year that D.W. Griffith shot "The Birth of a Nation" and died when Steven Spielberg was a kid in Arizona, shooting home movies. In between, he wrote, produced, directed and acted in close to a hundred films

Today, of course, DeMille is remembered for "The Ten Commandments" and "The Greatest Show on Earth," but Demille was far more than that. The Great Man directed westerns and bedroom comedies, time travel adventures (in the silent days, no less), and even a musical.

Remarkably, most of Cecil B. DeMille's five decades of film work survive, and Robert Birchard has seen all fifty years worth, and written about each film in a lucid, graceful prose; Birchard has delivered a feast of information for anyone who's interested in the history of Hollywood. (Did you know that Charlton Heston, the star of "The Ten Commandments," was making less than Yul Brynner? Did you know that during the filming of C.B.'s FIRST "Ten Commandments" (a gargantuan hit in 1923) that the slaves who were supposedly sweltering in the Egyptian desert were actually extras on the central California coast FREEZING in chilly Spring weather, and who bundled themselves into coats as soon as the director yelled "Cut"? Mr. Birchard lets us in on the behind-the-scenes action on each of C.B's films (each movie has its own individual chapter), as well as when the films were shot, when they were released, what they cost and what they made at the box office.

This is a book for anyone who wants to know where American films have been...and how we got to where we are today.

This excellent book rates 5 stars for a very factual, no-nonsense in-depth research job on the work of famous director/producer, Cecil B. DeMille. And the emphasis is on his work in Hollywood (hence the title) not on DeMille himself as a person, although quite a few passages throughout this book do shed light on his character and mentality. Rather than a biography-style work with speculation, rumour and gossip, the author of this book has painstakingly searched for, found and quoted all kinds of correspondence and other written records to tell the story of DeMille's career. At times it was quite fascinating to read telegrams and other notes between DeMille and producers or other co-workers, for instance, and while explaining certain events or procedures in the film industry, these letters also reveal a lot about DeMille's thoughts and ways of doing business.

Another highlight for me personally is how the book goes through DeMille's films chronologically, with a chapter on almost every film he directed (and he produced many more) often giving a summary of the plot, which is especially interesting in the case of his early silent films which are not readily available at present. Besides details of cast, crew and plot, many business aspects of the film industry are related, giving an overall comprehensive story of the course of DeMille's career such as how he moved from one type of film to another, or from one studio to another when circumstances changed. Even though this book deals with hard facts only, it is easy and enjoyable to read, and does not get bogged down with too much detail. As a bonus, there are sections of many good photos, further notes and information in the appendixes for anyone who is looking for more in-depth material. For anyone interested in DeMille's work and getting a realistic look into the film industry from the early 1910s onwards, this book will definitely fit the bill.

This poem is simple enough for young readers, but does so much to bring into suburbia the very spirit of the forest via the good counting skills and the gorgeous photographs. Everything is arranged beautifully and it is a book at which one care for hours.

This is a very special book. Our 15 month old has enjoyed it practically since birth. He sees something new in this book every time we read it together. The photography is stunning - like you are there in person. The prose are beautifully simple, but grab all ages by making you think on the last page. Not only does this book help teach counting, but appreciation of the natural beauty around us and the importance of preserving it.

We now give as a gift to every newborn we know, and hope you will enjoy as much as we do.

This is a unique counting book (numbers 1-10) written by Kentucky author George Ella Lyon with beautiful close-up photographs taken in a forest in Kentucky by Ann W. Olson. At first glance this may appear to be just an interesting counting book. Upon further investigation it becomes clear that this book is that and much more. It is also a wonderful book to use with students of all ages when studying science. Children are naturally curious and the crisp colorful photos of bugs, nests, and wildflowers will surely spark many scientific questions. The photos complement the brief poetic text. I think that the text describing the number 10 ("Ten trees whose innumerable leaves / clean the air/ for everything / that breathes") will heighten even the youngest readers' interest in trees and their role in preserving our environment. This book will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

This book offers a marvelous and unique way to teach young children how to count. The photographs of Cave Run Lake and the Clark State Fish Hatchery offer children opportunities to feel as though they are actually there where the poem takes place. It is a great book to use in introducing forest animals and habitats of various forest animals. I was very impressed with this book. The rhyming nature of the text and the breathtaking photographs make it very easy for young readers to get "lost" in the woods while learning to count to 10. Excellent resource for teachers! (Especially KY teachers)

This one-volume encyclopedia not only covers Jefferson County, but also Bullitt County, Oldham County, Clark County, Floyd County, Harrison County, and Scott County, making it in actuality an Encyclopedia of Kentuckiana. Subjects range from big topics, to the history of various subjects in Louisville (railroads, blacks), to even the mundane (hot browns) and the trivial (when certain famous people visited Louisville). If you want a single resource for object related to the Louisville area, this is the book to obtain.

While growing up in Louisville, I did not have any interest in my "little hick town". I dreamt of leaving for the big city. At 22 I left, for the west coast, eventually hitting the big cities of Dallas and Detroit, on my way back home. Now here, I find this the perfect place for raising my children. This book completes my journey, and brings me home. This is the most interesting book I have ready in years!

The Encyclopedia of Louisville is an incredible reference guide and history of the city from its beginnings to the year 2000.The information on African-American life in Louisville is vast and interesting.I encourage anyone who loves or lives in the city to purchase this book. You will not be disspointed.

This wonderful volume covers people, places, events and things in the Louisville metropolitan area from a historical and cultural perspective in encyclopedia style entries written by Louivillians. As a native Louivillian I am finding it a delight to browse thru the entries learning delightful details about my birthplace and its history. It takes many more universal topics and relates how they have impacted the city and its people. A must for Louisvillians that want to learn more about our rich history and cultural legacy.

An exhilarating book of courage, passion, and determination, Fighter Pilot; The First American Ace of World War Two by William R. Dunn, is the biography of a Midwestern boy and his journey to become the first American Ace of World War Two. Starting as a young child listening to his relatives tall tales of aerial combat during World War One, the young William Dunn yearns for the rush and excitement of combat over the front lines. This young man showed an uncanny devotion to aviation, and even when he was forcefully retired from his rank of Lt. Colonel at the end of World War Two, he re-enlisted in the USAF as a Tech Sgt. This is the type of book that you are unable to set down. Once the reader has started to read into the life of this amazing man, you feel like you were right there flying top cover for this Hurricane, Spitfire, Thunderbolt, and Mustang pilot. His highly detailed accounts of his aerial victory's and of the aircraft he flew and flew against is truly a work of pure genius. Setting the rumors to fact based on personal experiences, he eliminates many discrepancies about World War Two aerial combat. His accounts of daily life in Eagle Squadron No. 71, comprised of all American volunteers flying for the Royal Air Force, tell of the struggles these men faced. The stories also tell of the happy times, of nights at the USO, having a lively night at the local bar, or just sharing letters from home, makes you feel for those men. The different tales from three different armed forces, gives the reader a sense of how well coordinated, from a tactical aspect, the allied war effort really was. A good show to Mr. William R. Dunn for his great book. It is truly and aviation classic.

William R. Dunn, with a slightly cliched but quite capable and at times understated style, tells his own story. It is about a person who engaged in more adventures than most of us could conceive. He rounded up and broke wild horses in the 1930's in the American West, fought with a Canadian highland regiment in France, became the first American ace with the RAF Eagle Squadron, helped force the German's back to Germany with the USAAF 9th Air Force, continued with Chenault and Chiang in China and, to cap his long career, contributed with the US Air Force in Viet Nam.

In his childhood, the author set a goal to be a flyer. He never wavered in its pursuit until he achieved the goal and then never stopped flying until first the Air Force asked him to retire and then death finally revoked his pilot's license.

His perseverance was evident by the fact that after marrying a Canadian girl in 1943 he only visited her and his son on two brief occaisions until he finished in China in 1947. Of course, she did the right thing. He also didn't quit when the Air Force retired his lt. colonel rank after the war and he re-enlisted as a technical seargeant. The bureaucrats involved with his loss of rank should have been court marshalled by the way.

An interesting footnote is that he was proud of his marksmanship with weapons. He shot down two German bombers with a puny Lewis Gun as an infantryman. He was a relatively prolific scorer compared with his peers as a fighter pilot in Hurricanes and Spitfires. Then, after an accident when attempting to take off with a Thunderbolt he mentioned that he wasn't seriously hurt and in passing that it only cost him the sight in one eye. While it wasn't clear when his vision became monocular, he did fly the next day. My point is that he never shot down another airplane in his long subsequent career after this incident despite some opportunities. Though Bill never commented on it in the book, I wonder if his sight was a factor.

I first became interested in Bill's story while I was doing research for a painting I was preparing for an American Society of Aviation Artists annual seminar. We talked many times on the phone when I needed some detail or other for the painting, and he offered to send me a copy of his book. When I started to read it, I couln't put it down. He even autographed it for me and is now one of my treasured possesions. Since the seminar was in the same town he lived, I invited him to the show to see the painting I had done of the Hurricane he flew in No.71 Sguadron of the Eagle Squadron RAF. It was a very emotional for both of us, especially when he turned to me and said,"that's just the way it was".He really was America's First Ace of WW2.

An exhilarating book of courage, passion, and determination, Fighter Pilot; The First American Ace of World War Two by William R. Dunn, is the biography of a Midwestern boy and his journey to become the first American Ace of World War Two. Starting as a young child listening to his relatives tall tales of aerial combat during World War One, the young William Dunn yearns for the rush and excitement of combat over the front lines. This young man showed an uncanny devotion to aviation, and even when he was forcefully retired from his rank of Lt. Colonel at the end of World War Two, he re-enlisted in the USAF as a Tech Sgt. This is the type of book that you are unable to set down. Once the reader has started to read into the life of this amazing man, you feel like you were right there flying top cover for this Hurricane, Spitfire, Thunderbolt, and Mustang pilot. His highly detailed accounts of his aerial victory's and of the aircraft he flew and flew against is truly a work of pure genius. Setting the rumors to fact based on personal experiences, he eliminates many discrepancies about World War Two aerial combat. His accounts of daily life in Eagle Squadron No. 71, comprised of all American volunteers flying for the Royal Air Force, tell of the struggles these men faced. The stories also tell of the happy times, of nights at the USO, having a lively night at the local bar, or just sharing letters from home, makes you feel for those men. The different tales from three different armed forces, gives the reader a sense of how well coordinated, from a tactical aspect, the allied war effort really was. A good show to Mr. William R. Dunn for his great book. It is truly and aviation classic.

Lynn Carrier was amazed how he accomplished explaining the "Bill of Rights" and other parts of the U.S. Constitution in a concise and dramatic way.

I think his approach appeals to young readers and he kept the examples politically neutral.

The latest entry in the University Press of Kentucky's "New Books for New Readers" series, Fights For Rights offers a concise (58 pages) and reader friendly survey of the American struggle for individual rights. All to often, Americans take many of their personal and political freedoms for granted, forgetting that they were originally won through hard work and bloodshed. Fights For Rights explains our everyday rights of free speech and religion, the rights of the accused, and how our Constitution guarantees these rights for everyone, black or white, male or female, young or old, rich or poor.

The latest entry in the University Press of Kentucky's "New Books for New Readers" series, Fights For Rights offers a concise (58 pages) and reader friendly survey of the American struggle for individual rights. All to often, Americans take many of their personal and political freedoms for granted, forgetting that they were originally won through hard work and bloodshed. Fights For Rights explains our everyday rights of free speech and religion, the rights of the accused, and how our Constitution guarantees these rights for everyone, black or white, male or female, young or old, rich or poor.

I was thoroughly impressed with how interesting the author portrayed this subject. While one does not typically think of legal battles as good reading, one has to remember the culture in which we live. We watch "The Practice" and "L.A. Law." We see Judge Judy, Judge Mills Lane, and the People's Court. This book is quite similar, and if you enjoy these TV programs, you'll enjoy the book.

Meredith Mason Brown's new biography of Daniel Boone demonstrates worthy research and is written in an engaging, absorbing and even witty style. There are some subjects that deserve repeated attention. Daniel Boone is one. Mr. Brown places Boone in historical context and brings him to us in real flesh and blood.

Meredith Brown demythologizes Daniel Boone without diminishing him. This is a first-rate biography - thoughtful, persuasive, and, above all, a great pleasure to read.

Meredith Brown has written a carefully researched, beautifully written biography of Daniel Boone. Separating fact from myth, he explores in depth the person, his significant role in opening the west, and his extraordinary relationship with the Indians. I loved this book and recommend it highly.

While not quite through with the book, I have read enough to say that it is excellent.

A fantastic read. How one individual, by his sense of urgency changed the training and education of the US Army after Vietnam. Although I never served directly under General Depuy, after reading this book, I feel that I have known him for my entire life. While reading the Chapter on the then existing training programs in the late 50s - early 60s, I began to laugh out loud. I remember vividly at Ft Sill, OK, after our group "qualified" with the compass, we were sent out on a night training mission in November on a very dark, cold and rainy night. My partner and I completed the course in a reasonably length of time; several of our compatriots walked off a cliff and suffered broken legs and miles from where they were supposed to be. Others straggled in over the next day or so. A well researched and very well written book with very appropriate comments added as appropriate by the author. This is a book for anyone advocating a change of direction in any organization - military or civilian. Highly recommended reading.

Henry Gole's biography of General William Depuy follows the career of a professional soldier who played a key role in fixing a broken army after the strains of the Vietnam War. The story of General Depuy's career begins as a second lieutenant fighting seasoned German soldiers from Normandy to Frankfurt and beyond. The young 'Lt' learned valuable lessons of soldiering and leadership as well as gaining a life long admiration of the martial prowess of the Germans (Soldatentum). Years later, General Depuy, as Commander of the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One), would take those lessons in squad and platoon tactics and combat leadership learned under fire in WWII and apply them with striking results against the enemy in the jungles of Vietnam. And he would draw once again upon these lessons in rebuilding the army in the seventies.

His third book, Henry Gole, a retired Colonel (USA) who saw combat in Korea and Vietnam, has once again done his homework, producing a thoroughly researched and extremely well written biography of a commander whose mantra was "decide, order, check." William E. Depuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

William DePuy is not a houshold name: certainly not in the genre of Westmoreland,nor Powell, neither Schwartzkopf,nor the recently annointed Petraeus. But, Henry Gole pumps blood into the veins of this seemingly lustreless Four Star and traces his path relentlessly..the good and the bad..the brilliance and the brooding..selfish desires given over to selflessness. What comes to life under the author's pen is a soldiers' soldier; a commander and patriot whose total focus is on and for the troops..each and every one..to school them and train them - and to inspire their leaders (sometimes ruthlessly) to enable them to engage in the chaos of combat and emerge with a good chance of survival.
A great biography replete with an accurate history of confusing times for our Army and our nation. A truly rewarding read.

I expected a conventional treatment of the life and times of General DePuy, but only a few pages into this book, I knew I'd have a hard time putting it down. Absorbing and insightful, it describes the fascinating details where DePuy came from (South Dakota), how he grew up in the Army (90th Infantry Division from D-Day to VE Day), his advocates and adversaries, Vietnam service, and how he died (a variant of mad cow disease), with points in between. Of course the essence is how he re-shaped the Army while commander of the Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, VA. He created order out of chaos. If this seems an over-statement, it crosses the line only slightly. I won't attempt to capture how he transformed TRADOC from a sleepy Tidewater rest camp into the center of the Army universe, because the book does it and does it so well. Gole gives credit where it's due, not just to DePuy but to others who shared and extended his vision and labored to put the pieces in place.

Our times will call soon for a new DePuy able to see the future as well as The Master. Today the Army is overwhelmed fighting insurgencies, stretching the force past its theoretical limits. When the world settles down, will the Army be able to produce another DePuy who can put under one rational roof doctrine, equipment and training?

This is an excellent book that has been well researched. I am a decendant of Henry Rains on my mother's side and have been trying to find out a lot more about my mom's side of the family. This book saved me countless hours of research and I haven't found anything so far in my research that disagrees with what is written in this book.

Thanks David for writing this wonderful book!!!!!

This is an excellent book. I am a decendant of Solomon Carter and Elizabeth Gibson-Fuson-Carter. There daughter, Jane Carter married Milton Lane Rice Rains.

Thanks for the wonderful book.

Wayne Carter

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this well researched book written by David S. Rains. It is easy to follow the journey this family made. I am a Rains descendant who is searching for my roots, but alas I was not connected through Henry Rains lineage. I would recommend this book to anyone searching the Rains line and to those that are collectors of historical families.

I must say this book was very insightful and met all my expectations. Especially knowing my uncle David Rains wrote this
book. Comming from a hard working man who I know put 100% effort into obtaining all the historical facts, Must of dedicated all his time to research the information. I have no doubt in my mind that every thing in this book is accurate. It was so nice to sit back and read a book about my ancestors. I would have never known any these things if my uncle David Rains didn't write this book. I encourage all family members and non-family members as well to purshes this book.
Lisa Kapahua

Another book I found at a used book sale, so that it had no dust cover and was an author I had never heard of before. But the book was old and that is why I bought it. What a discovery! I loved every word, every page of this book. I have read many unusual books but this one rates number 1 on my list. It had its humorous parts but also its deep psychological parts in the way human beings react and think. I know nothing of farming or hunting or even of the southern hill people, but I found it all very interesting. A wonderful book!

If you've never read Harriette Arnow, or only know her through The Dollmaker, you'll be shocked at how stunning this novel is. Beautiful written, with some of the most complex and moving characters in literature.

Set in rural Kentucky around WWII, this book is so good, it should replace Huckelberry Finn as "the great american novel". It is a shame that it isn't better known, but unfortunately Arnow-Simpson is thought of as a regional writer. This is a very deep book, but it also has some very funny parts. Her description of pre-consumerism country life is very detailed and insightful. She saw how the world was changing, and captured a piece of it that is now long gone. I'm not even an hunting type, and I wanted to go out and get a couple of hounds after reading this. Better even than The Dollmaker, and not half as sad. Highly Recommended!

This book captures the spirit, character, and complexities of the mountain people of eastern Kentucky better than any other I have read. The individuals are simple, strong-willed, and proud like many of the people I grew up with. The descriptions of the landscape are detailed, accurate, and compelling as I remember them. For anyone interested in a better understanding of the depth of human character explained in a very readable way, this is a terrific book

This book really helped me explain Jane Austen to my husband. Now he watches the movies with me quite contentedly.

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen in all forms. I've always thought that a mediocre Austen film is better than none at all. This book takes a fascinating scholarly look at Austen's film treatment. The authors say everything all true Austen fans have muttered about the films ("where's THAT in the book?!") and explains why it was done in such a way (for example, modern filmgoers won't appreciate an ugly, boring Edward Ferrers). Contains amusing critique of Thompsons S&S--that Austen's originial may have been more "feminist" than Thompson! If you enjoy the original written Austen and/or the recent film versions, you'll love this book.

Easy and accessible reading on a great writer. One of the best things about this book is the lack of critical consensus on so many important Austen issues (especially concerning her ostensible feminism and her indisputable irony)--it's always amusing (and enlightening) to listen in on a civilised, academic brawl! Do make sure to get the 2nd edition with 14 essays including the new one, "The Mouse that Roared."

The second edition (available only in paperback) contains a new essay, "The Mouse that Roared," about Patricial Rozema's film of Mansfield Park.