Washington Books

I certainly qualify as a layperson when it comes to this subject, but Yates has created a book which is wonderfully informative and easy to use. The descriptions and drawings of each of the species included in this book help in identification, but what I found most interesting was all the wonderful information about the animals themselves. I liked it so well I bought one for my mom, too!

After taking a community college course on Life in the Intertidal Zone, and acquiring in the process a copy of Kozloff's book on the subject, I felt marginally equipped to take my elementary students to local beaches to identify invertebrates. A partner acquainted me with this book by Yates, and I've found it to be an excellent source of line drawings for students to use as they classify or sort invertebrates either on site, or in the classroom. It is especially valuable for its notes on each animal, since they are succinct, clear, and comprehensive for their brevity. I heartily recommnend this book for anyone who loves to prowl the tidelands of the sound to observe the variety of wildlife found here. Teachers, take note, this one is worth purchasing and sharing with your students!

I am a second grade teacher. I use this book every year. I use it around his birthday, during Black History Month, and during our Language Arts unit on Courage. I love the part, and photograph, about the man that rollerskated from Chicago to see Dr. King. I think it protrays how important Dr. King was to people around the nation. This year I did somthing special. I work in Juvenile Hall with 15-16 year old males. Before I showed them the video of the speech, I had reveiwed some books about him, but I read this one aloud to them. It is a simple book that has a powerful message. The combination of drawings and photographs bring together this message.

I recently stumbled onto this book at a public library and I have to say I'm very impressed. Martin Luther King and the March on Washington is an excellent work that moves at a good pace for readers of any age. Going to the March on Washington to see King speak must have been a life-changing event that would positively impact anyone who attended. However, for those of us who were not there, or are too young to have been able to go, we are fortunate enough to feel like we are able to experience the magnitude of the event through the books pacing and sense of history. The author places us right in the moment and you can't help but feel like you are on the steps of the mall in Washington, surrounded by scores of people watching a critical moment in American history.

This book is the premiere comprehensive analysis of how the battlefield death of the Shiite's third Imam Hoseyn/Hussain at Karbala, Iraq, led to the development of Shiite religious rituals that were used by the Shiite imams in influencing their successful dethronment of Iran's Mohammed Reza Shah in late 1978. This book is really about the historical development of Shiite symbols and rituals commemorating the martyrdom of Hoseyn, rather than an expansive history of the 1970s-era of student demonstrations against the shah of Iran. The battle resulting in Hoseyn's martyrdom occurred on 10 October 680 C.E. (Ahsura Moharram 352 A.H.). The author presented two reasons as to why Hoseyn started his ride towards his martyrdom. The author clearly opined that Hoseyn rode towards Damascus to at least upbraid the new Muslim caliph Yazid for being cruel and despotic to his Muslim minions. [Yazid's father, Muawiyah had moved the Muslim government from Mecca to Damascus in 661-662.] This makes Hoseyn's adventure look really unselfish, and even highly moralistic. However, what is obliquely mentioned in the book (on pages 7 and 93), but not as clearly portrayed, is the contention that Hoseyn really rode forth in an armed coup attempt to unseat Yazid. Briefly, when the Muslim prophet Mohammad died, his successors were: (#1) caliph Bakr (Sunni), (#2) caliph Umar/Omar (Sunni), (#3) caliph Uthman/Othman (Sunni), and (#4) caliph Ali (while all Sunni respect Ali has the fourth caliph, as the Shiites regard Ali as the first proper successor to his uncle Mohammad, Ali is the first Shiite imam). As Ali attempted to consolidate his rule, he was opposed by the military-governor of Damascus: General Muawiyah/Moaviyeh (who had been appointed governor of Syria by #2 Sunni caliph Umar in 640). Following the Battle of Saffin, Ali defaulted rule to Moaviyeh, but with the alleged understanding/treaty/deal/agreement that upon Moaviyeh's death, the Islamic caliphcy would return to Ali's clan. Ali's oldest son Hassan/Hasan (the second Shiite imam) was championed by Ali's clan in becoming his successor. However, after realizing that the three previous caliphs had been assassinated while serving as caliph, Hassan apparently wasn't as divinely inspired as his predecessors had been, and decided that he really didn't want to be caliph. Thus, Hassan figuratively resigned and passed the Shiite-caliph baton to his younger brother: Hoseyn/Hussain/Husayn. Recognizing the weakness in Ali, power-hungry Muawiyah of Damascus agreed to become the ruling caliph. Muawiyah, most likely, had the hidden design of eventually turning the caliphcy over to his son Yazid, instead of returning it to the Ali lineage to Ali's grandson Hoseyn. Anyway, upon Muawiyah's death, his son Yazid seized the title of the caliphcy over all Muslims -- and ignored the 'agreement' to return power to Hoseyn. For power is what we are really talking about here; power to control the tax-treasury of the Muslim community. Muslims are required to pay 10% of their annual wealth by an annual tax to the Muslim treasury. Literally watching the coinage of the Muslim treasury slip through their fingers to Yazid, Hoseyn's clan took umbrage with Yazid's seizure of power and urged Hoseyn to travel to Damascus and remind Yazid of his father's 'deal' that Hoseyn was to be recognized as the next rightful caliph. However, as Yazid had no desire of turning the tax-treasury over to Hoseyn, Yazid sent a large army under the command of general Omar ibn Saad to repulse Hoseyn's upcoming 'invasion' of Damascus. When Hoseyn tried to parley with Omar at Karbala, he and most of his small retinue of 80 soldiers were surrounded and killed. While Hoseyn's youngest son Ali Asghar was killed, his older son Zayn al-Abedin (who was ill and incapacitated during the battle), Hoseyn's wife, and a number of other newly minted widows and orphaned children where captured and taken to Yazid. As radio personality Paul Harvey would say: "Now you know the rest of the story" -- and a very important part of it. Part of Hoseyn's motive in talking to Yazid to resign as caliph was most likely due his being repulsed by Yazid's highhandedness, but the clear motive was to restore and secure power for Hoseyn-Ali's lineage in controlling the caliphcy to control the Muslim treasury. This is my one little snit here that I believe the author "short changed" the coup explanation for Hoseyn's journey. Otherwise, Prof. Aghaie superlatively analyzed how the Karbala battle was ritualized into annual public performances (rowzeh khanis) and parades (dasteh) that were later used as rallying demonstrations for the Shiite imams to reassert their political power that the Pahlvai shahs had tried to curtail through their liberal Westoxification of Iran. Also, see the author's related book: "The Women of Karbala: Ritual Performance and Symbolic Discourses in Modern Shi'i Islam."

The Shi'i branch of Islam makes up only about 15 percent of the religion. But counting for nearly the entire population of Iran and 60 percent of Iraq's, the Shi'i have a crucial influence on Middle East and world affairs from their numbers in these strategically important countries. A professor of Islamic and Iranian history at the U. of Texas-Austin, Aghaie gives a view of Shi'i culture in Iran that is eye-opening and germane for Western readers. Basically, one sees that for the Shi'i there is no clear, or even worthwhile, distinction between religion and other aspects of society, including most significantly government. Whereas such a distinction is a part of the foundation of the U. S. and other democracies, Shi'i culture was founded with the defeat of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hoseyn and the massacre of his family by the caliph Yazidin in the 680AD battle of Karbala. Shi'i religious ceremonies, motives for behavior, social purposes, and community goals grew out of this defeat. A special intensity and commitment, as well as sacrifice, was called for so Islam as expressed by Mohammad and his descendants would not be lost. This branch of Islam faith is distinguished from that reflected in the institutional rule of the caliphs came about throughout most of the Middle East. Aghaie's subject is the relationship between Iranian leaders from the Qajars of the 19th and early 20th century through the Shah of Iran to today's Islamic Republic and the symbols and rituals of Shiism. The Shah of Iran was overturned in a revolution because in an effort to modernize Iran, he sought to minimize the symbols and rituals. The work brings an insight into the Shi'i culture that is timely and germane considering current events in Iran and Iraq and U. S. ambitions to institute democracy in this area.

Like only the finest of art photography -- photography which truly transcends its function as document or record -- Randlett's images make you want to look, and look, and keep looking, in the same way as a fine drawing or painting. There are some pictures here which are all but abstracts, and bear comparison with the finest abstract work in other mediums. However, usually you know what the object is at which she pointed her camera, but you are never its prisoner, never find yourself asking "just where is that island?" Instead you find yourself dwelling on the new thing, the new world, she has made of that object -- whether a tree, or a bird, or light on the sea, or a cloud-blurred mountain -- the world to be explored right there on the paper, within the spaces and shapes there delineated or suggested. You don't say "what a beautiful place, let's go there"; instead you say, "what a beautiful world I am in, just sitting here poring over these shapes and shadows".

At times Randlett's work reminds me of certain Japanese or especially Chinese ink drawings of landscapes, of the kind that employs blurring and suggestion more than precise outlines; it has some of that same mysterious suggestiveness. But not all her images are of that kind; she can capture sharp lines and silhouettes as well. But even then she is creating a new place, not pointing to one somewhere else, on your travel map; and she's inviting you in -- here, right here, on this paper: come in and dwell.

Some of these images were included in her recent show at the Tacoma Art Museum. If that show is still open, I strongly recommend a visit. In any case, I recommend this book and the worlds in it. It opens the way to endless exploration and pleasure.

My husband and I stumbled upon Mary Randlett's photography exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum. We were immediately awed by the beauty and power of her photography. Then I was stunned to see poems by Denise Levertov scattered among the photographs. I'd discovered and loved Denise's poetry a few years earlier. The powerful combination of these two women's visions brought me to tears in the middle of the exhibition. Mary's unique way of seeing and capturing light as it plays across the landscape is moving, beautiful, haunting. You will never regret purchasing this book.

There are those who form the catalysts in our lives, who lead in such a way
that they influence history. John Wilson was a keen observer of people who were genuine leaders and fairly portrayed their strengths and weaknesses.
As both an Indiana reporter, and a key player in the Justice Department, he
saw six decades of pivotal history in civil rights, Supreme Court rulings,
and tragic scandals. He reported at a time when reporters and office holders used tact and diplomacy before greedy scoops. His summations give credit to those who aided him through the years, instilling a sense of gentlemanly conduct. He longs for the days to return when both sides of a question are fairly debated. I could not put this book down and read it straight through.

Disclaimer: I was born and reared in Indianapolis and represented it in the U.S. House for 30 years. So naturally I savor this book about the people and places I know well. However, the book goes beyond the borders of my state, both because the author had two careers in Washington,D.C. and because the book is a beautiful ride in a time machine to palpable American history, styles, customs, attitudes, governmental policies and, yes, a fair amount of nievate about such things as tobbaco and slick sales scams.

Wonderfully written book. I couldn't put it down. The author makes you feel as if you are there. I can't wait for a second book to come out either.

He is a great author! It is well written. I can't wait for a second book to come out!

This is a thorough examination of these very-detailed textiles and the people who make them. I'm thrilled with this little 'gem' of a book! Thanks!!

This would be a very beautiful book at any price, but Amazon's price on it is a real bargain. This 85-page folio has over 100 high quality photographs taken of textiles that are currently part of the British Museum's collection. Gina Corrigan, the book's author, has been leading study groups to China since 1973 and has a special interest in collecting and researching traditional Miao textiles, which are rapidly disappearing as China marches toward modern economic development. Corrigan has collected many of these fine craft textiles and transferred them to the British Museum.

The book begins with a brief introduction to the history of the Miao people that describes the weaving, dyeing, batik, embroidery, applique and other processes used to create the stunning traditional costumes they wear. This is followed by detailed photographs of whole garments and closeups of their decorations accompanied by descriptions of the techniques used to produce them. The garments are highly original and come very close to being individual works of arts.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the textile arts.

This was a GREAT book. I really could not stop reading it!

This book catches your attention right from the start.. darkness. You feel for the main character and, you follow him on an adventure no one would want to have brought upon them. It's well written and, it's easy to read. You can relate to the main character in many ways.. because although he has been injected with a serum that is causing the majority of his problems.. you can see that he is also just a teenager with his emotions on overload. This book teaches you that, serum or not, if you let your emotions get the best of you.. you can get lost in an endless, losing battle directing you towards darkness.
I would love to read a sequel to this book.

I discovered this book in architectural school, and was intrigued at the way Zevi clarified everything I was then dealing with in vague ways in architectural school. The invariables, or "anti-rules", as Zevi calls them, are each given seperate chapters in this book. Listing of Functions, Asymmetry and Dissonance, Antiperspective Three Dimensionality, Four-Dimensional Decomposition, Cantilever, Shell and Membrane Structures, Space-in Time and Reintegration of Building, City and Landscape are all ideas present to varying degrees in various buildings at various times in history. Zevi shows how they can be used in a more deliberate and integrated fashion, no matter what the budget or funtion of any given building. He illuminates how these ideas are present in the architecture of times historical and times more recent, and underscores the value of non-conformist buildings for the enrichment of society.
This book gave me a tremendous creative boost at just the right time in my life and it's influence continues in my work. Marvellously illustrated with three-dimensional drawings and with photos, it presents a summation of the thinking of a great and scholarly mind.

This book is by far one of the best books I have read in a while. It is simple and to the point and Zevi does not hold back. It is a little dated, but all of his seven principles are able to be directly applied to the current state of architecture. This should be a mandatory reading for all architecture students. His opinions of the tendencies within society to praise the priciples of Symmetry, proportion, and order, show how architecture has been plagued by standardization and repetitive forms throughout history. A great book for anyone who is troubled by the generality of architecture (with great exception to the current masters, no less)and would like to see the boundries broken.

I ordered this book for my daughter who lives in Oregon and is living in an older house with an existing lawn with trees and shrubs. She tells me now that she knows exactly what do to as the months goes by to care for her plants and the lawn. She is especially happy about the information on lawn care. I am very happy that I ordered this book for her and she is too!

I would strongly suggest Mary Robson's two books on gardening for Oregon and Washington, both Month-By-Month Gardening in Washington & Oregon: What To Do Each Month To Have A Beautiful Garden All Year (Month-By-Month Gardening in Washington & Oregon)Washington & Oregon Gardener's Guide
In her books she considers the inputs that will be required by the gardener, easy of growing, water use, design considerations, they are both good guides for beginning and advanced gardeners.