Maryland Books

I wish I could put Wayne Karlin's "The Wished-for Country" into the hands of every individual who loves reading beautifully crafted, poetic fiction. That said, Karlin's novel about the early days of Colonial Maryland is not entirely fiction. He was inspired by an actual written account of an early white settler, Father Andrew White, S.J., and has placed an excerpt of this account and others among his own chapters, which he calls "Songs". These "Songs" have their own true life in Karlin's poetic crafting-- it is impossible to tell where documented history ends and the fictional story begins.

This is an excellent book for those interested in exploring different perspectives on the English colonization of Maryland, for "The Wished-for Country" is told by many different narrators, including a Piscataway, a Jew, an English settler, an African slave, and even a hawk and a lion. Also of interest is the the motley, multi-racial "Wesort" group at the center of the novel's plot.

For those who like seeing their characters come back in other novels, fans of "A Wished-for Country" will find decendents of the Hallam family in Karlin's novel "Prisoners".

"A Wished-for Country" is now my favorite novel. When I reached the last page I turned back to page one and began again.

Karlin's characters bring to life the messy moral and political landscape of the 'New World.' The murky waters of the Southern Maryland swamps are an all-too-appropriate analogy for the confusion of natives and settlers in negotiating an unstable environment. The dangerous and unpredictable setting underscores the violence humans turn on each other in any/every setting, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Jacob Lombroso's band of misfits, the Wesorts, represents a circle of individuals who wish to live outside the existing social boundaries. This tale of their journey to establish a place for themselves amidst the turmoil and violence around them creates an alternative to traditional narratives of "the first Americans" by introducing previously marginalized voices: a slave, an indentured servant, an English girl stolen from her settler parents and raised by Indians, and so on.

One of the unique accomplishments of this book is to reinforce the violence of the religious paradigm by which our country was established. Readers find religion-both in America and in Lombroso's recollections of Europe-just as terrorizing a force as greed. Some of the most powerful passages-such as the journey of the dying Tyac's soul to the afterlife-emphasize the horrifying rape of souls which accompanied the Christians' rape of the land. Tawzin, a Piscataway Indian captured in his youth by the Catholics and returned to his homeland by Lombroso, best describes Christian conversion methods: "You place me in the dark, you take everything away from me, and in the dark and terrible emptiness in which you leave me, you put in Christ."

To me the book's most shining 'moment' is the presence of Cabbalist Jacob Lombroso and his obstinate resistance to the territorializing force of Christianity. ("God save me from your love," he tells a meddling priest.) His unstinting pursuit of tolerance and freedom for himself and his new community constitutes more of a heroicism to this reader than the greedy zeal of America's traditionally recognized forefathers. [The book mentions historic record of many of the characters, Lombroso included, and I'm not sure exactly where Karlin departs from the record.)

America's praise for the religiously persecuted in Europe who 'found refuge' in the New World always overlooks the persecution that the 'persecuted' inflicted on others when they got here. That Karlin's novel reminds readers of the territorializing instinct of religion is one of its greatest strengths, suggesting a natural place for it within the emerging Post-Colonial 'tradition' in literature. At the same time, this is in many ways a utopian novel, since it focuses on the determination of these early Americans--in the face of unending opposition-- to live in harmony.

The Wished-For Country is an original and inherently interesting novel by Wayne Karlin which is set in Maryland during early Colonial times, and opens in the year 1634. The interwoven tales of a carpenter, an indentured servant, an African slave and a Piscataway Indian who was kidnapped to England as a child blend in this evocative and masterful recreation of what it was like to live in the New World centuries past. The Wished-For Country is a superbly written, thoroughly engaging, and highly recommended historical novel.

`This is a book full of powerful and important ideas. It includes an excellent discussion of the concepts and relationship among tradition, history, and authenticity. Archaeologists would do well to seriously consider Matthew's effort to frame a new approach to historical archaeology and how we might do archaeologies of history.'

Randall H. McGuire, Binghamton University in Journal of Anthropological Research, 59 (2003)

`Matthews interprets the archaeological record and formation of the record itself as a component through which past traditions were created, altered, and replaced. This provocative, specialized treatise ... contrasts and documents the shared interests of poststructural anthropology and field archaeology, joining other critical histories of archaeological practices.'

One Saturday afternoon about five years ago in Washington, DC, I wandered into the gallery of Kathleen Ewing and spent hours looking at the pictures of the photographers she represents. Prominent among them was A. Aubrey Bodine and his magnificent images of the people of the Chesapeake Bay. I'd never heard of Bodine but was completely captured by his pictures of the water and the people who live and work on it. Many of his pictures intrigued me because they look so much like stage settings with actors posed for the pleasure of the camera. But Bodine was also a portrait photographer, and one of great skill. This book, with beautifully reproduced photographs, an appreciation & biography by Ewing and a remembrance by Harold A. Williams who worked with Bodine on the "Baltimore Sun," will surely bring a new and appreciative audience for Bodine. One cannot help but be impressed with the fog rolling in on a Baltimore dock over two sleeping dogs in 1947, naked boys diving into the Patapsco River in a 1933 photograph which pays obvious homage to Thomas Eakins, or with the 1955 portrait of H.L. Mencken, among many, many others. Highly Recommended.

I first saw the A. Aubrey Bodine book at the headquarters of the National Press Photographers Association in Durham, NC. Ken Cooke, director of photography for the Fayetteville Observer, and I were visiting with Charlie Cooper, the NPPA director. We decided to visit Charlie on our way back from Washington where we were coordinating a photo exhibit on Desert Storm at the Smithsonian. During our talk, Charlie picked up on a comment I made about timing, feeling, and heart coinciding with release of the shutter--classic Cartier Bresson "decisive moment" I guess. Anyway, Charlie then took me into the NPPA library where he showed me a book of someone's work he knew defined our discussion. It was the book "A. Aubrey Bodine : Baltimore Pictorialist, 1906-1970."

As NPPA director, Charlie has known and worked with many great photographers and Bodine was one of them. Ken also became very excited having known Bodine from years of working in photojourn! alism and having a sincere appreciation for Bodine's work. I, as the younger man, had never heard of Bodine until that day, but I will always be grateful to Charlie Cooper for introducing me to this book. To me, Bodine defines seeing the day-to-day world with heart and moment as I believe very few photographers today achieve. He is not well known, but his work is something to cherish. I feel very fortunate to have a copy (Charlie was kind enough to send me one). It is a book that every student of photography and community photojournalism should see, feel, and own.

If you are any type of O's fan you will love this book. First and maybe best about it, it is very well-written. Jeff Seidel is a former sports reporter with the Baltimore Sun and it shows in his style of writing. I, like all other O's fans wonder what has happened to our team. Well, if not able to answer that question, Seidel tells where the talent has gone. A very enjoyable read for any O's fan.

I purchased this book as a gift for my mom who is a life long O's fan and she LOVES it- She said it is well written and that it is great to "catch up" with some players who she misses now that they are no longer playing. She has already promised it to many of our family and friends who are fans once she is done reading !!!

Amos Bandertscher's new book, Baltimore Portraits, is a visual documentary of a city's forgotten faces. The photographer uses images as a visual diary of his impressions of the streets, bars, and back alleys of 'Charm City', where the beautiful, the marginalized, outsiders, freaks and clowns converge into a colorful and yet often melancholy documentation of lives lived on the edge and lives lost. The book is an impressive body of work which ranks among the likes of Nan Goldin and Diane Arbus.

Just a quick note....This wonderful visual tool captures many of Baltimore's notorious charachters (including commentary) in a way NO other Baltimore home grown artist could ever come close to. He see's beauty in the obscure and respects those models who respect him. Many photographers take advantage of those who choose to follow the beat of their own drum but not Amos. In my opinion no one in this book is classified as "forgotten." Some models are dead and gone but other models, such as performance artist JeffRey Clagett, persevere and are very grateful to this excellant photographer for including them in his TRIBUTE to the differences that make the locals here "heros" ,in a twisted way, instead of clowns and freaks. To try to lable any of his diverse models is simply missing the whole point. This book is a masterpiece! Buy the book and judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed. For me it is a trip down memory lane and I have yet to see another local photographer pull off such a TRIBUTE!

This is one of the finest and most complete Baltimore history books you well ever encounter in your life. However, it does inadvertently omit one significant fact in the creation of Baltimore. My great-grandfather was a German immigrant named Boston Fear. He was the original creator of Walbrook: Baltimore's very first suburb. Walbrook was originally named Fearville in honor of Boston Fear.
I highly recommend that individuals with an interest in the constructive formation of Baltimore purchase a copy of this exquisitely detailed book for your own personal collection.

The best and most comprehensive history of Baltimore ever written. Olson is to be commended for her years of research and dedication, and the result is incredible.

The Biddle Street Bridge was an outstanding read. I couldn't put it down. It was definatley a feel good book, that brought a smile to my face & a warm feeling to my heart. THIS IS A MUST READ!!

The Biddle Street Bridge was an outstanding read. I couldn't put it down. It was definatley a feel good book, that brought a smile to my face & a warm feeling to my heart. THIS IS A MUST READ!!

I grew up in the 600 block of Grantly St. We moved in 1964. Everything Dr. Orser says is true - but I continue to resent the implication that we were racists. After assaults on our persons and property it would have been imprudent NOT to move.

However, the book was great to provoke nostalgia and good memories of Edmondson Village and St. Bernardine's.

Having grown up on Hilton Street -- just East of Edmondson Village -- as a child during the 50s and very early 60s, I actually experienced so much of the story Dr. Orser has brilliantly told in his book. I was there. I saw it happen. I experienced it. I saw racial hatred and/or racial fear -- directed at me, at my family, my neighbors -- all Caucasian - orchestrated by those that Dr. Orser so clearly documents. This book is a "must have" for anyone who grew up in those neighborhoods and experienced what I did during those incredible times.

anyone who likes watching equestrian events, from the 'high life' of polo to the down and dirty racing action of a steeplechase in the country, should own a copy of capitol horse country. it's a guide of events around the capitol area, washington, maryland and virginia. you'll find out what to wear, what to bring, and most importantly, what to expect when you spend an enjoyable afternoon watching a top notch equestrian event. it's a must have book if you live in the capitol area....or if you love horses. the history is also fascinating. if you like this title, the author also wrote 'equal to the challenge' about the pioneering women in horse sports. give it to a young girl or woman and inspire them to reach new heights. great author and fascinating subjects.

anyone who likes watching equestrian events, from the 'high life' of polo to the down and dirty racing action of a steeplechase in the country, should own a copy of capitol horse country. it's a guide of events around the capitol area, washington, maryland and virginia. you'll find out what to wear, what to bring, and most importantly, what to expect when you spend an enjoyable afternoon watching a top notch equestrian event. it's a must have book if you live in the capitol area....or if you love horses. the history is also fascinating. if you like this title, the author also wrote 'equal to the challenge' about the pioneering women in horse sports. give it to a young girl or woman and inspire them to reach new heights. great author and fascinating subjects.

This book is a compilation and expansion of two smaller works - one on log canoes and the other on the history of the bugeye. It is extremely well researched and includes detailed drawings / plans. Since the original pamphlet drafts date to the 1940s, the author had access to the actual builders and designers as well as to those that captained the boats either tonging or dredging for oysters. I read it from the perspective of someone interested in the history and culture of the Bay and thought the bugeye section was great. Since a stated purpose of the book is to capture specifications and how to build type information, the casual reader will probably find some of it somewhat dry.

As a Chesapeake Bay native and avid log canoe sailor I found this book well-researched and amply illustrated. It is a bit dated, but no other work is as comprehensive. Model builders will find some line drawings, but HAMMS and Chapelle's "Small Sailing Craft" are probably better sources for that specific aspect of the working Bay craft. I would recommend this book for canoe/skipjack afficianados, modelers looking for an interesting alternative to square riggers, and marine history buffs who are not familiar with the genre. Brewington's narrative includes information that would be of interest to just about anyone interested in the Bay and its colorful history.