Connecticut Books

_This is a nicely done little pocket guide that covers everything you need to know to get started in muzzleloading. It really will fit in your shirt pocket or shooting bag.

_This guide covers everything from selecting a muzzleloading rifle or pistol, how to build a kit gun, how to load, how to clean, basics of shooting and sighting in, and casting lead balls. There is a good glossary in the back covering most of the specialised technical terms. Both flintlock and percussion are covered. There are really well-done and useful black and white photos and line drawings on practically every other page.

_There are a few things that aren't covered in this guide however- the new in-line modern designs, muzzleloading shotguns, and cap-and-ball revolvers. Still, for the tradition muzzleloading rifle and pistol fan it is an excellent, practical how-to guide.

Tai Soo Kim's work is wonderfully illustrated in this comprhensive overview of his firm's work. I would advise anyone interested in contemporary public Architecture to take a look at this publication - it's well-worth the purchase. Of the work shown, I'd say I most prefer the home of Tai Soo Kim, to me a modest yet sensitve design that clearly illustrates the enfluences of his previous employer Phillip Johnson, as well as Mies. - A good book...

This volume, essentially a listing of several hundred Hlack residents of Connecticut from 1650 to 1900 with, where available, their brief life stories, is indispensable to anyone working on African American history in southern New England. A labor of love, compiled in the index-card days before computers, the information here should be double-checked where possible. A relatively quick scan should be enough to disabuse any reader of the notion that the races were separate in Connecticut at any time.

I use this guide frequently to plan short vacations around the Connecticut River Valley. It provides a good balance of description of the land and river; a well-chosen set of sights to see, including many that are off the beaten path; and reliable reviews of inns. The idea of centering a guidebook on a river valley appeals to me. A trustworthy source of information.

How many of us know the origin of the roads we travel everyday? How many care? Most roads and highways today are boring, sterile paths that take us from point A to point B. There was at least one thruway that was designed for the motorist to enjoy - the Merritt Parkway. As we learn in Travelling the Merritt Parkway by Larry Learned, great thought and effort went into the design of the road and it's many Art Deco theme bridges. I've commuted on the Merritt for over 12 years and always wondered about the story behind the bridges. The book includes many original photographs showing the various stages of construction and how it looked when completed in 1938. There have been many changes over the years such as the landscape and the addition of guardrails, but the bridges remain unchanged. I found it interesting that the road was engineered to be driven at a speed less than 50 miles per hour so that the motorist could take in all the visual beauty. Today motorists are more concerned with arriving at their destination as soon as possible and cars often exceed 70 miles per hour - too fast to appreciate the intricate detail of the bridge fascia or its railings. I recommend this book to anyone interested in road or bridge construction as well as the New England motorists who travel it.

Short and Sweet...an excellent look back at New London Counties Storied Past.... the makings for a movie!

The first in an unfinished series meant to be a trilogy, The Wings of the Morning is an engaging historical novel based on actual events that took place in Wethersfield, CT, the author's place of birth. Tryon took some liberties with history, moving some events from nearby towns into Pequot Landing, but Wings presents a vivid, reasonably accurate picture of 19th century life in this still beautiful CT River location. While the names have been changed, many of the characters are based upon real people and the dramatic incidents in their lives (the massacre of his family by a failing farmer, for example). Several of the businesses, such as the seed company, still exist and continue to do a thriving trade. Alas, the only water craft inhabiting the Cove today are of the small pleasure variety - no more dashing seagoing captains - but it's a pleasure to read Tryon's version of life in a thriving inland port. You'll want to proceed directly to the sequel, In the Fires of Spring. (Unfortunately, Thomas Tryon died before he could complete the third and last installment. He was an actor (The Cardinal, Texas John Slaughter) before he returned to CT and became a successful novelist.)

Dayton's book argues that, in terms of courtroom cases, women in colonial Connecticut fared better under Puritan legal ideas than later when the laws became more like those in England. She takes the reader through five kinds of cases that involved women to show the changes in the law over time. Her style is easy to read, and she uses anecdotes about specific cases to illustrate her points. A very unique study, unlike any that I have encountered in colonial American history.

By Edward G. Schultz, author of "Morgan's Mission", "Christmas Stories For Adults" and "Poems For Those Who Don't Like Poetry". I was an avid listener to Bob Steele's radio show for more than 30 years, so naturally I enjoyed his book. But I really believe that any one who appreciates word usage, pronunciation and origin of words will thoroughly enjoy Bob's book.
Before retiring I had ambitions to become an author. I did finally get out my first novel, "Morgan's Mission", a tale based on actual early California history. Listening to Bob Steele all those years and then reading his book, helped me a great deal in my writing. I really mean that! Bob not only inspired me but he also caused me to have more determination to finish the book that I had started. Since then I have published two more books and hope to have another released by the end of 2008.
Another part of Bob Steele's book is a biography of Bob's very interesting life, incidents that occured during his 65 year radio career, (one of the longest of all radio personalities) an insight into his great sense of humor and a sampling of how radio changed during those 65 years. Bob was elected to the Radio Hall Of Fame about a year before his death at age 90+.
Bob's book is very enjoyable reading, and very educational too!

A good buy for those with affection for Yale, book publishing, and/or libraries.

After a somewhat slow start, this volume picks up when its talented author is able to interview people with direct ties to the Yale University Press. Such interviews save this anniversary effort from being merely a dry listing of past editors and forgotten volumes.

Nicholas A. Basbanes wisely keeps this fond institutional history short while using the opportunity to bring readers up to speed on the current condition of university presses in general. While clearly supportive of their continued need for an educated society, he provokes thought on their future viability, especially given the introduction of e-books and other computer related means to scatter information.