Missouri Books

I bought this book because I did not know much about Belmont, Grant's first action in the Civil War. This book moves in a logical pattern and is easy to follow. There is good development of the major players, both Union and Rebel generals and their backgrounds. There are quite a few maps in the book but they seem to appear several pages after the action is described in the text. There are lots of photos of the principle officers and a few contemporary drawings of the battle. The book answered all the questions I had about Belmont, which is usually described as an attempt by Grant to capture a fort at Belmont across the Mississippi River from the Confederate fortress at Columbus Kentucky. To the author, Belmont was a raid, part of a larger plan to keep Polk, the Confederate commander, off balance. Grant had multiple columns moving across Missouri and Kentucky to confuse the Confederates. This was Grants first offensive action with eager untested volunteer troops coordinated with troop transports and naval gunboats. The Federals easily pushed the rebel troops back to their camp and then out against the riverbank. Flushed with victory the troops celebrated their triumph looting the captured camp in full view of the Confederates across the river. Polk sent reinforcements across the river, which attacked the disorganized Federal troops and chased them back to their transports. Grant took a lot of criticism from his failed attack but gained valuable experience in the capture of Fort Henry and Donelson three months later.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War in the West, especially if they are interested in the early action.

This book is one of those that combines clear fact, with interesting narrative and extremely useful maps. The book quickly sets the stage and highlights some of the more unknown aspects of the early years of the war for control of the north central Mississippi River. The reader quickly learns the importance of Cairo, Illinois to the course of the war as well as the CSA defenses in Columbus, Kentucky (which is one of the few remaining areas of the original battle that one can visit).

And of course, this is U.S. Grant's debut. He conducts a pretty tight little campaign until victory in the CSA camp causes his troops to run amok (Jubal Early would experience a similar problem at Cedar Creek). The quick reinforcement of fresh Confederates from the Kentucky side puts Grant to rout back to his small flotilla and back to Cairo.

The Battle of Belmont is a fascinating study of combined arms, logistics and some pretty good tactical movements. Certainly, there aren't too many battles in the Civil War where both sides win and lose and where both land troops from the river.

Ultimately this is an engaging and interesting read about a little known battle that taught some valuable lessons to U.S. Grant.

For the more serious Civil War buffs, it is also one of the first excursions of the union gun boats, Lexington and Tyler, both of which will see more well remembered service at Shiloh.

Armies have to learn to fight as more than an armed mob. Officers have to learn how to fight their command too. Missing these classes makes all the drill worhless and a defeate possible. US Grant understood this and Belmont is his first training class for himself and his army. This small battle is either overlooked, ignored or used as an example of Grant being beaten on the field. All of those ideas are the wrong approach to understanding this battle. Was it important to the war? Not really. Was it important for giving semi-trained troops a taste of combat and instilling in them the habit of victory? Yesand this was Grant's objective. When he had accomplished his objective, he pulled back. Did everything go well? No, some officers didn't control their men, some men went off on tangents, orders were missed and a series of small problems made for a harder day than planned.

All of the above makes for a good story and Nathaniel Hughes Jr. tells it well. After laying a good foundation, he takes us through each phase of the battle telling us what is going well and what isn't. Move and counter move occupy the book as Polk & Pillow, move to first stop and then try to destroy the Union invader.

A series of good well placed maps allow us to follow the action. A series of illustrations place faces to the names. Coupled with good clear writting make this an enjoyable and informative reading experience. This is a very good book about one of the small battle of the Civil War.

This is an excellent synopsis of the Battle of Belmont. Belmont was a relatively small battle on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. Though small, Belmont was important, partly because it was the first battle fought by General Grant. The writing style of the book is clear and easy to follow. There are 10 high quality maps, 7 that cover the battle itself. It is easy to correlate the maps and the text to keep track of units and their movements.

Hughes writes in an interesting style. Instead of describing the battle from start to finish in a linear fashion, he switches back and forth between the Union and Confederate perspective. That is, he covers one part of the battle from the Federal point of view, then switches to the Confederate point of view and describes the events again. This approach could easily have come across poorly or been confusing. Instead, it leads to a very balanced and in depth account of the battle. I highly recommend this book to Civil War enthusiasts.

For many Americans the Civil War consisted of battles at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Manassas, Antietam, Shiloh and a few other major battles. What is often overlooked are the smaller engagements than provide the glue that strings together the major battles. It is also in early small battles that generals like Grant, Lee and Jackson learn valuable lessons that pay dividends in subsequent battles.
The Battle of Belmont is one such battle. As the other reviewers have noted this battle is best known as Grant's first battle of the war. It would prove a training ground for Grant and his men. Grant learned much from this battle.
In some ways, Belmont is a smaller version of Shiloh with the sides reversed. Like at Shiloh, an army was surprised and their camps captured while the men fled to cover along the river bank. Like at Shiloh the attackers failed to drive the defenders into the river and win a clear cut victory. Like at Shiloh the defenders then went on the offensive and drove the attackers back.
Given the similarities between these two battles, what did Grant learn at Belmont that would help him at Shiloh? 1) Grant learned that being caught by surprise and being pushed back to a river did not necessarily mean defeat. 2) Grant learned the importance of rallying your troops and counter attacking. 3) Grant learned the importance of following up on an initial success and aggressively pursuing your opponent. These lessons would serve Grant well at Shiloh and future battles as he continued to learn from his mistakes. However, Grant did not learn all the lessons that could have been learned at Belmont - eg. his surprise at Shiloh.
Mr. Hughes has written a fine book that makes sense out of the chaos of combat. The text is easy to read and there are helpful maps.

There is a lot to like about this book, which is the first one I have read by this author. I was drawn to it, 1/ because I love books where there is a decades old mystery to solve, and 2/ I love when that involves genealogy. I almost stopped reading it three times though, because I found the main character extremely annoying. I think the author intended to paint her as a 'zany' character of some sort, (and on that topic, I don't understand WHY it is that most Cozy Mysteries think there "HAS" to be zany comedy mixed in the story) but that part of it REALLY irritated me. Instead of a 30-something educated (historian/genealogist) mother of two (and one on the way), she came across (to me) as an immature, whiney, bitchy, redneck. At first anyway...she did seem to mellow a bit toward the end of the book. I liked all of the other characters though, but it's really sort of important that a reader like the "main" character. Ok, having gotten that out of the way, I'd like to say that I've read a LOT of mysteries in my day and this one had an excellent plot. Everything about this part of it, was top notch. The best parts of the book to me, were the detection scenes where Torie was delving into the past via her intensive research in libaries, old newspapers, etc. I did feel like the ending came together a bit too quickly, and a few things were explained in a rush, or not at all. There were two issues on which I felt I wanted more answers and explanation. But this didn't change my view that it was way, way above average. I'm really glad that I stuck with this one, because I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. I do hope however, that in future books Torie will act more like a classy lady, both in her speech and actions.

In this third outing, Torie finds that there has been a murder in her family tree, but could there also be a murderer? While hosting her annual family Christmas party / reunion, the whole clan turns up in New Kassel just the perfect occasion to find out who the killer could be and why. Both Torie and her mom have big plans coming up next summer so I can't wait to see what book #4 has to offer.

This is definitely a cozy, because the small town on the Mississippi River and the extended family that MacPherson describes make you want to live that kind of a life. Her detective is Torie, who is a wife and mother particularly family-oriented: she has a major interest in history and in particular, her own family's history (genealogy). She is hosting the annual family reunion for her father's family when the book begins, and the mystery centers around copies of newspaper articles that she receives anonymously in the mail -- articles about the murder of her great-grandfather (who she thought died in an accident). Torie decides to try to discover what happened, but she's haunted by the fear that it will turn out to be a member of her family -- who are in town for this reunion.

I was genuinely surprised by the solution to this crime, although it all made sense. This is my second book by this author and I intend to read more.

This is a nice, easy-going read. The author continues the Tori O'Shea series in fine form. Again, we have wonderful character developement, nice twists...all presented with a wonderful wit.
I highly recommend this one and the rest of the series. Well done!

Rett has done it again, given us a great little mystery to enjoy. I felt right at home with Tori and her family. Cousins, aunts and uncles crawling all over Tori's house for a family reunion and her reactions made me smile. Of course, Tori's reunion wouldn't be complete without the family skeltons and a murder. I love this series and can't wait to read Misty Mourning. I am hooked!

The virtual reality is sure to reach out and grab computer geeks, not letting go until the last page is turned. The characters are wonderful, from the computer hacker killer to the team of sleuths: Dr Gray, psychologist, full time police consultant, and virtual reality expert and Leo Schultz, a very believable, tough cop. Dr Gray, using the latest technology, recreates each murder scene, allowing the investigators to be a fly on the wall, the victim, or the killer. It's been a long time since I've read a book as creative as this one. Can't wait for Ms. Kennett's next one.

Grey Matter, Firecracker, & Cameleon are all a must read! Don't miss the 4th in the series written under the name Avery Morgan titled Act of Betrayal -- I'm reading it now! Also, check out Shirley Kennett's Web site!

I just discovered Shirley Kennett's story-telling, and all I can say is, "Can't you write them faster?!"

In FIRE CRACKER, PJ Gray (plus son, Thomas, and wonder cat, Megabite) and Leo Schultz appear again to take on Will "Cracker" Carpenter--a computer geek who is bent on revenge on Mom Elly--his evil stepmother (in his mind).

Since PJ is also very knowledgeable with computers, it may seem surprising that Cracker knows even more--and is NOT bashful in letting her know.

I really like the characters PJ, Thomas, Leo, & yes, the wonder cat, Megabite. They are REAL people--almost unheard of in today's fiction. Yeah, they get put in very unreal situations--it wouldn't be fiction & a thriller if it wasn't. I e-mailed Shirley and told her how much I enjoyed her stories; she told me that she has 7 cats; I can see that since Megabite has many qualities that my own share!

The story itself has several interesting points of interest--among them, Cracker's ability to thwart PJ; when PJ steps into the virtual world & confronts Cracker's Grim Reaper (had me squirming!); and hints that maybe Cracker ISN'T the machine he wants to be.

Mostly, though, I really love the characters in Shirley's world. PJ, Thomas, Leo, & Megabite; Dave (who gets queasy at the thought of blood & guts); Anita--the steady, up & coming detective wannabe; PJ's bosses; Millie's diner & Millie (makes me wish we had a Millie's here in Danville). The whole package.

I'm sure this author is headed for the big time in the suspense field. Fascinating story. The villain here is a little like Darth Vader, because there is some good buried beneath the surface. Way beneath the surface. The character PJ Gray is something different in the overabundance of female leads these days. She comes across like a real person, with problems at work and at home that others can relate to. Her partner Schultz is a detective who doesn't have some flaw, the kind I'm tired of, like being drunk all the time or practically suicidal. He's just a guy with a lot of dedication who thinks he's doing some good. This book isn't a piece of fluff like many of the books with female leads, and I rate it one of the best I've read in a loooong time.

This is my first time reading one of Kennett's books. I couldn't help but compare her characters to those of P.Cornwell's. By the time I was halfway through though, the characters had become more endearing to me. I enjoyed the computer imaging involvement. I wasn't happy knowing who the "bad guy" was from the start. As the book progressed, I realized that this knowledge was a building block for understanding the psyche of the killer. In the end, I was glad that I read this book and I will seek out more of Shirley Kennett's work.

What I found to be an excellent read for the comfort of my mind is ýThe lvory Tower - The Many Steps in life.ý The Poetic suggestion covered many avenues to give the opportunity in my restructure a better approach in living despite the alarming events in the world I live in. Yes very thought-provoking of Mr. Jeffery Lynn Ivory as his poetic thoughts intermix with starting my early morning off on a sounder note.

The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon is an exciting publication for people who enjoy literary discourse, but cannot gain access to "Ivory Tower" journal publications since leaving the rarified atmosphere of college academics. This book offers a healthy cross-section of topical essays, giving readers a feel for the current critical dialogue about Harry Potter - something that is sadly lacking amid the media hype. Some of the essays concern the hype itself, and Harry Potter's role as a cultural phenomenon - but many others beg us to approach the texts of J.K. Rowling's books on their own merit - a chance to "deconstruct Harry" as it were. For we who are forced by life (and more mundane jobs that require fewer college degrees) to remain armchair critics instead of college professors, it is both a blessing and a curse...for I guarantee that it will be an ex-English major's urge to respond to many of these essays with a paper of one's own! But who would grade it? Seriously, though, it is a wonderful way to explore the myriad characters, symbols and themes contained in Rowling's incredibly rich text, while feeling vindicated all along that Harry Potter, no matter how enjoyable (or marketable) is a phenomenon worthy of literary merit...and more importantly, O.K. for grown-ups to read.

This book is a compilation of scholarly articles/essays by different authors. As such, it's not very consistent. Some segments were very insightful and interesting to read, while others were confused, off-base, or just plain inaccurate. Several of the chapters I read got basic information from the books wrong, such as one that described Hermione Granger as a "half-blood" (not true!), and one that seemed to completely misunderstand the crucial events at the end of book 3. When an author misunderstands such important basic information, it is hard for me to take their analyses seriously.

I wanted to like this book, but I can't reccommend it.

It is good to see Harry taken seriously. We need more books like this. Another good one is "Hidden Key to Harry Potter" by a
University of Chicago graduate who majored in ancient languages and English (Cum Laude) John Granger. He offers an air tight case that Rowlings is writting from within the same world view as C.S. Lewis and Tolkein with the same purpose and that her books are popular for the same reasons. Absolute must reading for serious Potterites.

Compiled and edited by Lana A. Whited (Professor of English, Ferrum College, Virginia), The Ivory Tower And Harry Potter: Perspectives On A Literary Phenomenon is an extensive analysis of J.K. Rowling's immensely popular and widely acclaimed Harry Potter series of fantasy novels. Originally intended for young adults, this fantasy series proved fascinating, exciting, and complex enough to attract readers of all ages and backgrounds. The scholarly essays here assembled are from a wide variety of authors and discuss Harry Potter's roots in folklore, its connection to gender issues, literary comparisons and archetypes, and much, much more. A highly scholarly and insightful text, offering new perceptions on beloved favorites, The Ivory Tower And Harry Potter is a welcome addition to Literary Criticism reference collections and highly recommended for scholars and non-specialist general readers who enjoy J.K. Rowling's original, intricate, (and continuing to expand) cannon of deftly written and increasingly influential fantasy.

Hey! I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Zebra appears to have a great eye for contemporary romance. And Ms. Devoti has a way with words that is funnier than funny. I was with the heroine every moment and I was living it right along with her. If you want a fun time, laughing at just about every page, you've GOT to check out Lori Devoti's debut novel, Love is All Around! I don't think they get much better. If they do, I haven't found it. Bravo! Will I be reading this author again? You bet!

Patsy Lee Clark can't wait to get out of Daisy Creek. Her marriage to the cheating Johnny is over and she's in a dead-end job at the BiggeeMart. Things start looking up when she lands a job designing a web site with the possibility of it leading to something even bigger--and out of town. It's too bad that her plans to break free start to gel at the same time the gorgeous Will Barnes comes back to Daisy Creek intending to settle there for good.

Will is impossibly hunky, nice and--thanks to a fortune made from internet consulting--rich. He loves the small town where he lived briefly in his youth. In addition to restoring an old mansion for his home, he also hopes to restore the economy of the town and give it a future. Will is nothing short of perfect. He may have been James Dean in his youth, but now he's a model citizen, w/out being a drip about it. His commitment to the well-being of Daisy Creek and its citizens is totally admirable, and Ms. Devoti does a terrific job of presenting a realistic development scheme.

Patsy is an engaging character. She's more than a little bit "hick," but she's kind-hearted, loyal, a good friend, and smart. Initially, she's not smart enough to know what she really wants in life, but she comes around. She and Will have some steamy sexual chemistry, but they're also two nice people who feel respect and friendship for one another. They're very believable as a couple and readers will root for them to get together.

There are also some interesting secondary characters, including Patsy's relatives and her best friend, Ruthann. Her aptly named pug, Pugnacious, is a real scene-stealer, too. (The coon hunting scene is a hoot!)

There are some unpleasant characters, of course. Those tend to be presented a little on the broad side, such as the trampy Jessica; Will's snooty father and sister; the rigid, sanctimonious Mrs. Jensen (the mother of Ruthann's love interest); and Patsy's coworkers in St. Louis, among others.

This is a sweet and fun book. What a great job for a first-time author. It's not the deepest or most memorable of reads, but it has some unique characters and it's a nice way to spend a few hours.

Patsy Lee Clark knows that her hometown of Daisy Creek, Missouri is dying. Although a fan of history especially local, Patsy Lee plans to leave town before the wake announces the end of Daisy Creek. St. Louis and employment is her destiny.

Will Barnes made millions from the Internet boom, but having all the money in the world and a beautiful fiancée has not made him happy. In fact he has not enjoyed life except for establishing his Net business which turned into a laborious task before he finally sold it and as a child growing up in Daisy Creek in the Ozarks. He ends his engagement, leaves Chicago, and comes home to recapture the magic of life that he somehow has lost. Will feels renewed with his homecoming as he begins plans for a new internet business and renovating his fixer upper Victorian mansion. He especially enjoys the women led by the Clark females, but the one he wants most Patsy Lee insists she is heading to St. Louis. Will thinks that won't happen if he, assisted by her aunt and granny, has any say. He hopes love will keep her with him in breathing life in this dying town.

This humorous regional romance contains a serious social issue involving dying small towns. The story line takes the future of Daisy Creek quite seriously, but uses zany eccentrics to make the romance into an amusing counterpoint to the grim aspects of can small towns survive in today's megalopolis world without condemning big cities. Patsy Lee and Will make a fine couple, but it is the wild bunch led by the lead female's unconventional relatives that spice up this well written contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner

I'm not a professional reviewer. I'm a writer. And I'm a reader. And I'll add to that: I'm a very opinionated, selective, nit-picky reader. I've tossed more books across the room than I've finished. Those were the ones I wasn't bothering to skip through to the ending. It sometimes gets to the point where I don't much care if the hero and heroine got together at all. That said, I'm still a consumer of the written word. If it's written, and I bought it, I'm making the effort to read it. And if I'm interested enough to skip to get to the ending, then I'm skipping. How much can I miss anyway?

I have to admit first of all, that I read every word of LOVE IS ALL AROUND. Every one. That's how much fun this book is.

I won't go into the plot. Other reviewers are much better at that than I could possibly be, and I hate synopsis writing anyway. In brief: Patsy Clark thinks she knows what she wants. Just about everyone else in town (and readerdom) know better. That much is crystal clear. Good thing she comes to her senses before I had to step in and kick some butt! That's what happens when you read Lori Devoti's book, LOVE IS ALL AROUND. You get involved. You care. You really like this Patsy, faults and all, and you want the ending to arrive, but you don't want it to come too fast and ruin everything! You want it to be oh so right.

Here's my next confession. I read this book in one (split) sitting. I only put it down because I had to go pick up one of my children at a party, and I was late for that! I was pretty un-neighborly, too, when I arrived, but I was getting back home for a reason. I was hooked on LOVE IS ALL AROUND.

I have to admit next that I am so, so, so, so, NOT into contemporary romances. I'm a historical romance fan. Always was. Always will be - although I will read other genres if the story's right and grabs me. In fact, when I first saw this book, nothing about it intrigued a historical romance fan like me. Nothing. Boy! Am I ever glad I overcame any prejudice and bought it! Debut author, Lori Devoti has a way of linking words together that's indescribable. It's akin to treating yourself to a large helping of decadent chocolate when you're supposed to be on a diet. There were two parts that had me laughing out loud, even, and then I actually stopped reading to look around and make sure I wasn't caught at it. (and I was alone!) That's how delicously funny this book is. Like I said, I am not into contemporary romance. It always seemed to be a bunch of scenes, somewhat related - or not - that got to a very predictable ending. I want larger-than-life heroes, take-your-breath-away heroines, and scenes of destruction and mayhem. Admittedly, not your usual contemporary setting, and not remotely like LOVE IS ALL AROUND. This one is in such an everyday setting, I thought for sure it would bore the pants off me. Was I ever wrong!

*****In closing; as a very opinionated, selective, nit-picky reader that doesn't much care for contemporary romance, surprise! LOVE IS ALL AROUND is such a wonderful, encapsulated trip into Patsy and Will's life, and the way Ms. Devoti writes is so hypnotic, that I have no choice but to Highly Recommend her for contemporary romance fans, and yes, even the historical romance fan will find themselves guilty for thoroughly enjoying themselves, too.

Patsy Lee Clark has a passion for local history, weaves baskets to relax, and wants nothing more than to get out of little Daisy Creek in southern Missouri. Daisy Creek is a dying town and Patsy has no intention of dying with it. There is nothing in Daisy Creek worth staying for. Then Will moves back into town.

Will Barnes sold his internet consulting business for plenty of cash. If he never works again he will never be able to spend it all. Will finally decides that he is going to do whatever it takes to make himself happy. So he breaks his engagement to money-loving Cindy and moves back to Daisy Creek. Will plans to begin a new internet business, but this time it will be fun instead of a chore. Yet as he is settling down in his "fix-er upper" old Victorian mansion, which the green-bean brigade of neighbors are determined to help him remodel, the woman he wants most is about to flee to a St. Louie job.

**** This is Lori Devoti's debut novel. It slows down about mid way in, but not for too long. The secondary characters are spunky, Patsy's granny and aunt are scheming riots, and the author even added a couple of sub-plots to keep things moving forward. Well worth your time and money to pick up! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I could hardly put this book down, partly because the setting is within 30 miles of my home, but mostly because it's just that good! The author did a great job of making historical fact flow with believable, very interesting fiction. It's the kind of story that stays with you long after you read the last sentence.

Based on the true story of the 1915 slaying of Jasper Jacob "Jap" Francis near the Ozark railroad town of Stoutland, Missouri, Murder on Rouse Hill is a dramatic tale of greed, fraud, political clout, and death-dealing of the cruelest kind. Jasper's accused killer was nearly lynched by the townsfolk, yet ultimately lived to the age of ninety-one. Murder on Rouse Hill tells of a young girl who unwittingly visited the murder site in 1928, then returned decades later as a spirited 84-year-old woman in the middle of bizarre events that could almost be described as supernatural. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this engaging historical novel.

It's no wonder that author Alan Wright's new book, "Murder on Rouse Hill" impresses the reader with the writer's ability to capture the culture, speech, and attitudes of the characters of his true story about an unsolved murder in a small Ozark town many years ago because he is one of them. His mother was born and raised in the area and his father not too many miles north in an adjacent county. His grandfather and an aunt were well known artists and his mother was known for her writing skills. But Alan's book is a perfect combination of the capturing of the feelings, thoughts and speech of the local natives accompanied by abundant data and facts based on extensive research of court files and newspapers. The contrasting personalities and characters of antagonists Jap Francis and Charlie Blackburn are developed carefully and artfully presenting a story of good versus evil as interesting and captivating that you will read anywhere.

Wow! I expected that Alan Wright would be more than able to write a book detailing events of the horrendous deed carried out on poor Jasper "Jap" Francis, but I was pleasantly surprised at the extent of the actual details he uncovered, and how expertly he wove them into a gripping docudrama. His writing style is engaging throughout the book and really quite beautiful in many instances. His beloved mother, who encouraged him to finish the book, is surely pleased and must be smiling down on him today!

Murder on Rouse Hill is an important slice of Americana lovingly and fascinatingly reported by Alan Wright. His exhaustive research and ability to crawl into the skins of numerous characters and create authentic dialogue of the times is awesome. This book is the Seabiscuit of Stoutland, Missouri. There is so much fascinating information that I read it slowly as if I were sampling a dessert here and there.

You won't be disappointed. Really, this is organized and presented the way you'd do it, and the tone is as relaxed as Missouri itself. The arrangment is a point-by-point presentation starting at the Western end and running East to St. Charles. At a glance, you can see the mileage between points, resources available (including bathrooms and parking), and a description of conditions. "Trivia" and some regional histories are also available. This could probably use an update insofar as thie businesses along the trail can come and go, but the mileage, topography, and general geographic information should remain accurate for a few hundred years. Really, this is a must (and a no-brainer) for anyone considering any ride or two on the Katy Trail.

The author knows his subject so thoroughly that his advice and detail help us plan our trip to the Katy Trail. Each portion of the trail is described regarding services but, even more importantly, the sights and scenery to be expected. I can't wait to use the guide and ride the Katy Trail next year. Our plans will be based on this book.

This book is a great resource! It has profile of each town on the trail, including the services available. It also includes lots of interesting history, as well as many off-the-beaten-track points of interest. However, things along the trail change every year, and this book is almost due for another update.

I used this book on two seperate trips on the Katy trail from end to end. I used the 5th addition in 2000 when cycling from St. Charles to Clinton, and the 6th addition in 2003 when cycling from Clinton to St. Charles.

This book is great for planning out your itinerary before your trip. It includes, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, resturaunts, motels, bike shops, contact information, and more. There is also stories, history, tidbits of information, and suggestions for side trips that will add to the experience. There is also a section that lists that answers to frequently asked questions about the trail and planning a trip.

Businesses along the trail come and go, so it is best to have the most up-to-date version of this guidebook with you. Also, be sure to stop at Bret Dufer's bookstore in Rocheport. There, you can meet that author, and find many interesting books.

I liked the Complete Katy Trail Guide Book so much that I recommended Brett Dufurs book in my Biking Missouri's Rail-Trails guidebook!!! Brett's book was an excellent companion for me to carry in my front bike bag as I biked my one week journey across the "Show Me" state from St. Charles to Clinton. This book also really helped me out in my planning for this trip; Especially the restaurants and the overnight stays. The "sag service" information was also very helpful in my plans to return back from point B to point A, not to mention, the information to making my Amtrack reservations. This book is a must for any cyclist who wants to make a multi-day visit to the Katy Trail State Park.

This book is a great coffee table item...I have been a Blues fan since 1986, that's right, the Monday Night Miracle. I loved the building. I played an inline hockey game with friends before a Vipers game as a promotion for the rink we played at locally. Just being behind the scenes in a "locker room" was amazing. I received this book for Christmas and read it before noon Christmas Day. I found the pictures and stories great, but it certainly lacked real information. I was very interested in the design of the building, the architechure, and stories about the tunnels and hidden walkways that this book hints at, but never dives into telling you. How about a volume two???

The Arena was built in 1929 for dairy cows, and it was in that building that the first power play in the history of the NHL happened in 1934.My grandmother could tell you about my cousin,Larry Finch, who played against mighty UCLA in 1973,for Memphis State. It was also where Penny Hardaway hit one of the most dramatic shots in Memphis State history in 1992. I cried when the place was imploded, because my friend , Kevin Holowchik, is a Blues fan and he was born there in St.Louis. You can tear the building down,but you cannot tear down the memories.

In the 1940s I can recall walking from our house on Cates, down DeBaliviere, through Forest Park and seeing that magnificant structure, The Arena. It featured a sign, "The Arena - Where the Big Events are held" along with the BAA Basketball sign for the Bombers and the AHL sign for the Flyers. Patti Smith Jackson's book, resplendith with photographs, allows those affectionados of this marvelous structure to keep memories such as this by putting her work in your hands whilst the building itself is now gone. Being over 65 I would have enjoyed more information about the earlier tennents of the building such as the Flyers of the American Hockey Association from 1928 to 1942 and then in the American Hockey League from 1944 to 1953. I can remember Neil Norman announcing the last period of the games starting at 9:45 PM on WIL in the 40s and Harry Caray doing same in the 50s. I would have liked more info on Tom Pack's wrestling matches at the Arena. I would have liked more information on the Bombers basketball team that started in the Basketball Association of America in 1946 and were one of the teams in the first season of the National Basketball Association in the 1949-50 season before folding. What I found missing in the Arena book was any mention of the Wirtz's moving some of the Chicago Blackhawks games to the Arena in 1953/54 to test the St. Louis market. It allowed a lot of us to see the greats, Gordie Howe, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, terrible Ted Lindsay. Also they had little coverage about the Bombers BAA/NBA team. Attendance was so bad that last season and I remember going to basketball doubleheaders with my Dad in the 49-50 season where he paid $1.25 for general admission and I got a ticket for a penny (on penny nights). Also after the Bombers folded after their first season, 49-50, the New York Knickerbockers wanted ex-St. Louis University star Easy Ed Macauley so badly that they offered to purchase the entire Bombers team but the NBA put the nix to that and Easy Ed went to the Boston Celtics instead. Harry broadcast the last half of the Bombers games on WIL also. But then it is really interesting how the folks responsible for the Big Events kept it all together with scotch tape and glue. This book is a MUST for anyone who loved the Arena and certainly will help the memories live on!

Well, being a season ticket holder for 28 years for the Blues, all's I have to say is that is the most colorful, bold, outstanding, lifelike, most entertaining structure on the planet!

I loved this book, but I wish it had more details about the Arena itself. For example the book twice mentions the basement in the Arena, but nowhere does it describe this basement. I would have liked to see more details. Overall the best (and only) book dedicated to the great St. Louis Arena that is near to many hearts.

One of the most important trials in history of Mankind.The lies,the pain ,anguish,the pupets in a strange chess game.One of the boos to understand modern history.

A thoroughly detailed portrait of the Third Reich and its internal politics and power struggles between the various players.
The only criticism is that the author tends to lean toward an attitude of "acquital due to technicality". He believes that the system was unfair & that the leaders deserve a pass, of sorts, due to the elementary stage of internat'l law & the impromtu procedures. Opinion is fine, but I was expecting an unbiased read.

This book was released in 1966 seeing its fourth printing as late as 1969. I was still in college in those days and obtained my Macmillian & Company hardcover print through The History Book Club.

I had read William Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" (who hadn't) while yet in the military, and about the time of returning to civilian life, Professor Davidson's book appeared. His book was the only one I can recall of those times, being the forerunner of others to follow. Today I also have Persico's study on my shelf, however, I value Davidson's book equally.

The book is a large volume in excess of 600 pages that will more than acquaint any reader on the Palace of Justice and the ensuing tribunal proceedings. And between pages 304-305, are some of the better photographs of the 22 Nazi criminals appearing before the court.

If one is to read on this trial, Eugene B. Davidson's book of 40 years past should still be considered. No matter the passage of years, his book still matters. And it is good to see it yet extant through this recent publishing event.

Still recommended.

Semper Fi.

Author Eugene Davidson has provided the reader with a 600 page account detailing the responsibilities of the 22 defendants who were tried in Nuremberg, Germany, for war crimes in World War II. The book is not a question and answer session of each one. Rather, it provides us with an account of what each man was responsible for in regard to Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. Most of the defendants were merely anti-semetic flunkies who parroted the beliefs of Hitler. Hjalmar Schacht had the highest I.Q. with 141 and Herman Goering was second with 139. I found the defendants to be a curious lot with each one openly disliking, jealous of, or not trusting the other. Had they pursued other endeavors rather than follow Hitler, some of them may very well have gone on to successful careers. These once powerful men appear to be a rather grandfatherly collection while sitting in the courtroom at Nuremberg. I did find the book to be kind of long, but if you are interested in learning about this cast of characters this would be a good book for you to read.

If you are looking for a day-by-day account of the proceedings of the Nuremberg tribunal, then you will be somewhat disappointed by this book. (If that is what you're after, try Gilbert's "Nuremberg Diary.") An introductory chapter certainly outlines how the tribunal came into being, and Davidson deals with the jurisprudence of Nuremberg (i.e. Was it really a trial? Or was it revenge?) in his concluding chapter, but the bulk of this book is not given over to a daily account of the proceedings at Nuremberg.

Instead, this book is literally an "Account of the twenty-two defendants at Nuremberg." Taking each defendant in turn, Davidson gives us a neatly potted account of their history, their involvement in the Nazi regime, their relationships with other high-ranking Nazis and ultimately, decides the extent of their guilt. In short, the reader is provided with 22 "mini-biographies." The conduct of many defendants at the trial is occasionally discussed, but that usually takes second place to the historical data.

This books does contain some fascinating insights on the working relationships between the various Nazi officials. In almost every case, one is struck by the realisation that any given minister was in conflict with almost everyone else. For instance, Speer got along admirably with Hitler (until 1944, at least), but he distrusted almost everyone else in the Nazi hierarchy. Likewise, Kaltenbrunner appeared to regard almost everyone except the Fuehrer as his enemy. It seems that all of these defendants were trying to zealously protect their own sphere of interest and fend off all those who attempted to enroach upon them.

In general then, this book makes for stimulating reading. As for Nuremberg itself, Davidson concludes: "In a world of mixed human affairs where rough justice is done...Nuremberg may be defended as a political event if not as a court." and "In a certain sense, the trial succeeded in doing what judicial proceedings are supposed to do: it convinced even the guilty that the verdict against them was just."

I recently learned that there are some "sanitized" versions of "Tom Sawyer" out there and almost blew a gasket. YOO-HOO, SOMEBODY!! ONE DOES NOT "SANITIZE" MARK TWAIN! Putting out a bowdlerized version of Tom Sawyer is an abomination on the level of "colorizing" vintage films. "Tom Sawyer" is a classic that should be read uncut and uncontaminated. Twain is an American legend, who created in his eponymous hero an American icon, and as if Tom himself were not enough, Twain went even further and introduced us in these pages to the incomparable Huckleberry Finn. Is there anyone who has read "Tom Sawyer" who hasn't on some level identified with its hero? Tom is a lovable rogue, an incurable romantic who has to deal with his loving and nagging Aunt Polly, chafes under the constraints of school and its tyrannical headmaster, cons his friends into whitewashing Aunt Polly's fence (probably the best loved chapter in the book), runs away with Huck and turns up safe and sound at his own funeral, saves a condemned man's life, and like every other red-blooded American boy, searches for buried treasure (and unlike any other red-blooded American boy, actually finds it.) Twain created some unforgettable secondary characters; Tom's Aunt Polly, his smarmy little cousin Sid, Becky Thatcher who loves/loathes Tom by turns, and the wicked Injun Joe all stand out, but in Tom and Huck, Twain created two of the best loved figures in American literature, of their own time, our time and all time. The book deserves to be appreciated in all its unsanitized glory; this is the version to read.

Can your remember when you were younger and your Grandfather would tell you stories of his childhood? Well if he did, it probably wouldn't sound like Tom sawyer's childhood. The story The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is the story of a boy named Tom Sawyer and the adventures and problems he faces with his friends. Whether it was his first love or trespassing and getting caught by adults he faces all kinds of childhood problems. The story also includes his family Aunt Polly and his half brother Sid. The other characters who are in the story are Becky Hatcher and Huck Finn. The author Mark Twain included parts of his own childhood into the story. He also used most of the characters to show personalities of his own family.
I would recommend this book to readers who are in sixth grade or higher. while most of the content in the book is appropriate, some of the slang term they used would not be understandable to younger readers. For example, the word "lick" appears many times in the story. The word has many meanings like to beat up or to call oneself. It shows that in some quotes like " I'll lick you good" or "that's the name they lick me by"
Overall, This was a great book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in adventure or comedy genre of books. i hope this review helped you out and i also hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

This is a great work of literature that we enjoyed a lot. Though it is an especially good book for younger ages, we think it could also be good reading for adults. The southern dialect may be hard to read sometimes but it is still enjoyable. It is a great adventure story that was worderfully written by Mark Twain. There is much suspense that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. We hope you will read this book and enjoy it.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER would receive four stars instead of three--IF Mark Twain didn't put romance in it. Tom skips school and has some incredible times with his friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper.
Some of these adventures are re-enacted fantasy (such as playing pirates) and some are real (such as witnessing a murder). Kids of all ages will therefore like how they head to an island for their piracy. Of course they have so long a fun-time there that they are presumed dead--only to return in time for their own funeral!
The murder is bad news but discovering treasure is good news--beyond their wildest dreams. Twain was quite the dreamer himself so I recommend this book for ages 8 & up. Younger kids can "fast-forward" past Tom's engagement at age 13!

I read an awesome book called The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. If you read this book you will get sucked in like a vacuum. Its about a boy who gets in trouble a lot. His favorite thing to eat is an apple. My favorite part is when Tom gets lost in the cave. When they were lost Tom found the...... You will have to find out so read the book.