Massachusetts Books

This book is an enjoyable and excellent read. It allows greater insight to the victims as well as a view of the mindset of others who suffered and experienced this tragic event than other books I've read on this subject. I purchased this Guide after learning that it was a source and reference for the music and story in the Believers Beware CD. This book, with its pictures and well researched references, convinced me that we have much to learn about ourselves from a study of history and a reflection on those who came before. Thank you David Brown. The Reverend John Hale (1702), may have said it first - but I think you've told it best.

It is not often that you can find a magical piece of literature that allows you to view the story as if you are getting a personal tour of the event. This wonderful creation is one of the best I have read on the historic Salem Witch Trials. As it may not be the most beautiful memory in our nations past, this books allows children, teens, people interested in the Salem Witch Trials an inside look on the experience that grabbed many people by their hearts, and in many cases those few years, by thier freedom and lives. I hope you will take the time, as I have, to read this wonderful piece, and add the new-found knowledge to some use!

If you're intruiged or just interested in the Salem Witch Trials like I am I would defenitly suggest purchasing this book. I purchased this book when I was in Salem, Massachusetts and I haven't been able to put it down. I know alot about the Salem Withcraft Trials but this gave me an even better insite on what happened! Have a great read, and i know anyone who reads this will.

Richard F. Miller's HARVARD'S CIVIL WAR: THE HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY is the best Civil War regimental history ever written. It excels in its structure, its prodigious research, its wealth of personal detail, its grasp of the 20th's internal strength - and rifts - and, not least, in the quality of Miller's lucid, trenchant writing.

Independent scholar Richard F. Miller presents Harvard's Civil War: A History Of The Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an in-depth scholarly study of one of the most influential northern units in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Nicknamed "The Harvard Regiment" due to the quantity of its Crimson-connected officers, this infantry unit was destined to experience the worst of nearly every major battle of the Army of the Potomac from Ball's Bluff (1861) to Grant's Overland Campaign. Because so many of its officer corps were educated men, the Harvard Regiment left behind numerous diaries, memoirs, and letters, which form a solid base of source material for this exhaustive examination of many different personalities that comprised the unit, from abolitionists to radical German emigres that had escaped the failed revolution of 1848 to the sons of prominent Republicans and more. Ethnic tensions further exacerbated the stress of the war itself. Extensively researched and annotated with an index for quick reference, Harvard's Civil War is a superb glimpse into the sufferings, sacrifices, and triumphs of a truly courageous and hardy military unit.

Independent scholar Richard F. Miller presents Harvard's Civil War: A History Of The Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an in-depth scholarly study of one of the most influential northern units in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Nicknamed "The Harvard Regiment" due to the quantity of its Crimson-connected officers, this infantry unit was destined to experience the worst of nearly every major battle of the Army of the Potomac from Ball's Bluff (1861) to Grant's Overland Campaign. Because so many of its officer corps were educated men, the Harvard Regiment left behind numerous diaries, memoirs, and letters, which form a solid base of source material for this exhaustive examination of many different personalities that comprised the unit, from abolitionists to radical German emigres that had escaped the failed revolution of 1848 to the sons of prominent Republicans and more. Ethnic tensions further exacerbated the stress of the war itself. Extensively researched and annotated with an index for quick reference, Harvard's Civil War is a superb glimpse into the sufferings, sacrifices, and triumphs of a truly courageous and hardy military unit.

Imagine the love-child of Dorothy Parker and James Thurber. She's that good, only better. More heart and a wilder imagination, as well as touch of the poet and a love of wordplay. Like Irish music, Connor's writing makes me laugh for joy while weeping for the world's sadness. Among my favorites: the elegaic "Let Us Praise Famous Dead White Men" and "Midlife Barbie". Anyone who has ever dreamed of hanging out with a star will love "Driving with Ray". Anyone who has loved one or more of the following writers: Lorrie Moore, Veronica Geng, T.C. Boyle, Kafka, or KAthy Acker will enoy History Lessons.

Joan Connor channels voices--or so her ventriloquism would make it appear. In her highbrow to lowlife--but always achingly human--stories, her imagination and range of character and setting seemingly know no bounds. Here there be mystery, tenderness, wit, and the Vonneguttish, tragic absurdity of life, brought to us in tales of mythic, strange, and real people who come to seem more familiar and true than our neighbors. Most of all, her surprising and inspired use of language returns to me the joy of reading I too often slog through other books without.

Connor received the AWP Short Fiction Award for this remarkable collection of stories. She opens up a new fictional landscape that I gladly linger in. On the top of my list.

Well written and easy to understand. Great roster in back of book for all known members of unit. Covers the 3rd Battalion that became the Independent Battalion as well.

This book not only chronicles the hardships and private feelings of those who served, but shares some of humor including the relationship with their horses and the exchanges between the north and the south. It shares and documents what they ate, their weapons, is a wonderful way to find information of ancestors who served (which is how I found the book). This book has whetted my appetite for more knowledge of the civil war.

"Many volunteer cavalry regiments which distinguished themselves on the battle fields of the Civil War, have had their histories written and published in a style well calculated to perpetuate, for the use of their descendants and future historians of the war, the memory of the unparalleled services rendered by them for the preservation of the Union; many of these have been issued in an attractive and useful form, but none have, up to present time, approached in completeness and luxury that which has lately appeared to commemorate the services and chronicle the history of the officers and enlisted men of the First Massachusetts Cavalry." Book review from Journal of the U.S. Cavalry Association.

This is a book out of the ordinary for Cormier, but up to par to say the least. He takes a break from writing wonderful young-adult fiction and compiles his writing from his columns in newspapers around the country. These short stories range from his memories as a child to his memories of becoming a parent and grandparent. He relates the feelings that all of us feel in the words that most of us wish we could say. This book will touch your heart and soul.

Opening this book is like opening a window into the life of author Robert Cormier. We find out about his childhood memories, favorite movies, family interactions, and travels. We see Cormier the journalist, who wrote every one of the columns in this book on deadline while juggling the responsibilities of also being a newspaper editor. The columns made me laugh at one turn and cry at the next. He has a way of finding something extraordinary in the everyday details of life. This is a perfect book to keep by your bed to savor over time. I find myself returning to it over and over again. The introductory comments by Cormier's wife are refreshing and give a glimpse of the wonderful relationship they seem to share. Fans of Cormier's work ought to enjoy this book as much as those who are not familiar with his other work. I'd highly recommend that everyone treat themselves to "I Have Words to Spend".

I really enjoyed the book 'I Have Words to Spend'. I am very interested in Robert Cormier and have read most of his books, but Words to Spend showed a side of him that I never knew. Did you know that he once went through the car wash at 50 miles an hour, that his favorite word is cellophane (pronounced slowly: cel-lo-phane), or that he worries because his handwriting looks like that of a schizophrenic's? Reading this book was like looking through a window into the life of Robert Cormier, my mentor, author extraordinaire. I can just hear the words being spoken in his old, leathery voice, enthralling me with every page. One of these days I ought to go down to the Fitchburg Library and read the rest of those columns...

In the contemporary professional world of academic writing current history professors have unfortunately succumbed to falling back on the traditional stereotypical role of pretentious writing, utilization of uncommon vocabulary, complicated imagery relating to their historical subject, and hard to understand primary evidence that the general public can not relate to in their own lives and era.
However, Jonathan Earle effectively demonstrates in his book with superlative ease how past U.S. politics, its parties, and the era in which they were at it's apex, can indeed be interesting to the general public again. Jonathan Earle counter poses the traditional stereotypical role by using interesting primary evidence through out his book, in which he makes you feel like you were actually participating in the events and conversations that took place almost 182 years ago.
Earle uses fascinating historical imagery that not only correlates to what he writes about, but makes you want to explore the images away from the fascinating and important emergence of the Free Soil Party, which defied the traditional system of U.S. politics up to that point in our brief history as a nation. With just a brief emergence of a new century this book shows that our young nation was already facing dire dilemmas that would eventually divide a nation into half for four bloody years. With more men, women, and children who were murdered on both the Union and Confederate sides, then both World Wars and contemporary wars that the U.S. has been involved in to this day.
This is an outstanding read that will take your imagination on a wild adventure back to a time period and political party that is too often negated in U.S. history. In my view Jonathan Earle's book and his writing has triumphantly pounced the traditional stereotypical role. That historical subjects and academic writing can not only appeal to the general public again, but more importantly Earle's book shows just how significant past key historical events and U.S. politics have shaped our lives to this very day.
Erica Hare

Jonathan Earle's deftly written, lively account of the Free Soil Democrats' role in the antislavery effort challenges traditional interpretations of the movement, showing these politicians played a critical role in this country's push toward equality. But more than that, Earle makes you feel like you were at the dinner table with these folks as they debated the central issue of the day, and that's worth the price of the book alone.

I picked up this pounder in hopes of gardening on the cheap, but little did I know what pleasure I would find delving into this well-written account of a fertile time in our nation's history that doesn't get much play in the schools. And, so informative for any one interested in history, and history of the US. Even the garderner in me was gratified: I never knew that hickory needed a split to thrive. What's the sequel?

This is a great collection of short stories. I was knocked out, been telling all my friends, all that stuff. Anyone sick of Dan Brown and his ilk of clumsy sensationalists should pick this up, spend time with a writer who knows how to find insight into the small moments life offers.

Highly recommended.

This book is really something. I generally am hesitant to spend so much dough on a writer that isn't a sure bet, but after reading her prize-winning title story in a lit mag I had to grab it. God, she's refreshing. Comparable (sort of) to Denis Johnson without the reliance on dope as a plot element. Funny, wry, dark, intelligent. If you want to see what's going on in contemporary fiction check this out (She's got a novel too if you're not much into short stories that comes out in a month or two).

The sheer verbal energy and inventiveness of this collection pulled me straight through to the last page in less than two days, a personal recond for reading a story collection. The stories are edgy, unpredictable, funny peculiar, funny haha, and most of all wisely discerning about lives quietly lived on the margins of our society. I was reminded somewhat of Confederacy of Dunces. Christie Hodgen is so talened: Ephram lives! The book was really a delight to read.

I enjoy this series of books and have found this book on the Jewish Community to be well done, organized well and filled with interesting pictures bringing back happy memories. If you grew up in the Lynn, Salem, Marblehead,orSwampscott area you will enjoy this book.There are photos of Jewish youth and adult groups, community center photos and area businesses of the 1940's-1960's

This is a wonderful book with many early photos of North Shore Jewish Life focusing mainly on Lynn Salem and Peabody with photos also from Marblehead Swampscott and Beverly. We enjoyed this book and recommend it

Having lived all my life (well not yet) on the North Shore, I found this book to contain photos of many people and places from long ago. I recognized people from my childhood and found the book very well organized and put together.

This is my 4th LG book and I haven't been disappointed yet. What I like most about this series is that the writers are about the same age as I am, so they know which place I would most likely want to visit. In my opinion, it has the most detailed info (compared to other travel guides, I also bought the Lonely Planet New England). I wish LG also had a New England book. I used the interesting tidbits in the book about the places I visited for my picture captions, and people always tell me they never knew that, even Bostonians! Overall, I'm very happy with LG and will continue buying it for my future travels.

I bought this book right before I moved to Boston because I didn't know anyone here to show me around. I've used it religiously. And so has everyone else that has been to my apartment: roommates and visitors alike. The info is useful, accurate, and most importantly, the sites that are most affordable are in here... *perfect* for a recent college grad or budget-minded traveler. Now that I've lived in Boston for 2 years now, I still find it useful whenever someone comes to visit and I need ideas.

It's seriously the best book you can buy for this city.

Here's a tip: The Blue Man Group show is great. Better yet, you can see it FOR FREE!!!! As an usher. Just call the Charles Playhouse (info in book), ask to be an usher, they'll schedule you, give you the full behind-the-scenes experience and it's SOoo much fun cleaning up at the end (believe it or not!). Not many ppl know this, even the locals, so take advantage of this!

This book was unbelievable for this location. Compared to fodor's, frommers and the like it had the most user friendly context. Their was some cool insights into the city, its history, and its culture. Easy to find information on all topics with colored tabs on the edge of the page so you can jump from nitelife, to food, to lodging, to transportation. Very handy when your on the street or on the "T" subway.
What more could I recommend about this book is that their headquarters is right next to Harvard Univ.

Other great things about Boston. A very small city, clean and user friendly. Bostonians are very helpful and aren't as bad since this Nor Cal Guy was expecting East Coast "Jerks".

Must Sees
1. Fenway, $20 standing room only tickets or at least do the tour.
2. Duck Tour, very fun and goes in the charles river.
3. Liberty trail. A great walking/trolley tour of the historic boston. Maybe 5 miles, but i did it at a snails pace in about 6 hours.
4. buy a $37 citypass (citypass.com) that includes;JFK Library, Harvard Mus, Science Mus, MFA(MusFineAart, my fav), Prudential Bldg, Aquarium.
5. Go in the summer!!
6. Get wkly T line pass for $16.50 and it includes buses, downtown trains and water taxi (Jul 2004)

Good Luck and you'll Love it!!

As the titele shows, this book is an intro to English linguistics. It covers almost all the fields of linguistics---morphology, phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics. In this book, there are many examples, tables, and exercises. You can learn synthetic concepts of linguistics by reading the book. English is rather easy so even the foreign people can make good use of the textbook. You can rethink about the language and communication and it will be very interesting.

This is a great book... I had to read it in a period of 9 weeks; and that is a lot for me, I like taking my time, but with this book I only wanted to keep going. The definitions were simple and I did not have to go back and read again because I got lost somewhere in the text.

This is the second edition and fourth printing of this popular text by Akmajian, Demers, and Harnish at the University of Arizona. Although this text is now over 15 years old, it's still a fine introduction to the subject. One nice thing about the book is that the prose is not too technical for the beginning reader while providing excellent coverage of the important concepts and technical points. This is often a problem with linguistics texts since, unlike other technical subjects, most people have little or no background in linguistics before taking their first real course in the subject, and having previously learned a foreign language isn't as helpful as many students might think since much of linguistics, especially in the transformational grammar and generative grammar and analytical syntax areas, is a highly technical, formal, and even mathematical discipline now.

As I am mainly a neuroscientist and secondarily a linguist, I was most interested in Part 3 of this book. The first two parts present the usual linguistics topics such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, language variation, and evolution. Part 3 deals with the area of Psycholinguistics, and there are four chapters discussing language from the standpoint of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology. The four chapters are: Pragmatics: The Study of Language Use and Communication; Speech Production and Comprehension; Language Acquisition in Chimp and Child;, and Language and the Brain. The chapter on the brain might be a little too basic for neuroscience students, but it's an excellent introduction for the linguistics students, and I noticed that a number of the classic experiments such as the famous "Wada test" and dichotic listening experiments were discussed, as well as topics like conduction aphasia, Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, hemispheric localization and dominance, and so on.

Overall still a fine text and worth picking up used if you can find it, when it will be bargain for the price.