Virginia Books

lots of old pictures of Monument Ave. If you have ever visiting this area, you need this book.

An incredible documentation of the only street in America to have its own National Landmark status. The authors did their research on this fascinating piece of Americana, and the street comes alive in beautiful photographs and fascinating description.

A MUST for anyone's coffee table!!

I had the honor of meeting Mrs. Calcutt at the Museum of the Confederacy a couple of years ago. She is a fine author , and a nice lady, as well. Like her, I have a professional background in both Medicine and History. Further, one of my great grandfathers was a Confederate Surgeon, though he served to the west of Richmond.

This is a superbly researched, and presented, volume. The whole country was unprepared for the Civil War, and had to adapt in a BIG HURRY. Richmond was the center of the Confederate government, and was forced to become a center for providing medical care, as well. This is one area where the South actually had advantages; there was greater administrative stability [provided by Surgeon General Samuel Moore], and the Confederacy was willing to make societal innovations, such as placing women and Blacks in positions of high responsibility. The Hospitals were run by both the government and by private individuals, and ranged in size from tiny to gigantic.

Reading this book, you will get to meet two of the South's greatest heroines. Mrs. Phoebe Pember was a Matron at Chimborazo, the largest Civil War hospital, and Captain Sally Tompkins ran Robertson's Hospital as a project of the ladies at St. James Episcopal Church. Capt. Sally refused to play the "state's rights" game, and probably had the best hospital in town. [Her memorial window at St. James is sublimely beautiful].

Mrs. Calcutt takes us on a thoroughly inspiring, and educational, tour. Those familiar with Richmond will appreciate the updates, describing the current uses of the buildings and sites. Some of the buildings are still in use. [at least one restaurant in Shockhoe Bottom is well and truly haunted, with a Confederate Officer making daily inspections] Robertson's, at Third and Main, was torn down in 1875; the site holds an all night diner. Chimborazo, on East Broad Street, is long gone, but the site holds a fine Confederate Medical Museum.

Civil War medicine was a lot better than most people realize; the mortality rate was around 11% on both sides, and the "bite the bullet" story is pure myth. The disease:wound death rate rate ratio was much smaller than in some of our other wars. Jeff Davis once commented that the Medical Department was the only part of the Confederacy not demoralized by the end; this wonderful book goes a long way to explain why.

This book is very well researched and developed. For the reader interested in Civil War Hospitals, particularly in Richmond, VA., the book provides an impressive summary of the details of the hospitals in the 1860's and in many cases there current use. The detail is fascinating and reveals how giant strides were made in medical care in a difficult environment.

First check out the editorial reviews here to understand what this book is about. This is a fascinating and beautiful collection of material reflective of Mexican art through the ages. There are ancient manuscripts, drawings rendered from old books, photgraphs of pre-Columbian pottery and art, ancient petroglyphs from the southwest, maps and recent art pieces by Chicano/a artists all recreated tastefully and rendered in an eye appealing manner. The concept of the exhibition and art book created from the exhibition is spectacular and unique. The idea is to tie the evolutionary art process from pre-Columbian times to the contemporary art produced in the southwest. The concept suggests that art is migratory, influenced by culture both past and present, linked to both but unique in it's modern evolutionary vision by contemporary artists. The lands from which this art has evolved is based in Aztlan, a mythical land dating back to pre-Columbian cultures by remains in the hearts and minds of people on both sides of the border. The link between Mexico and the United States and it's people is explored and highlighted by the art of the southwest. This migration, in search of a new land, that continues today, began with the Mexica(Aztecs)pilgrimage and establshment of Tenochitlan in what is now modern Mexico City; this is where the Mexica were said to seen the eagle on the nopal cactus and then build their city of Tenochitlan. The mythical land of Aztlan lives on and is reflective in the art of the southwest. This book explores the relationship, in both essay and photograph, between the citizens of Mexico and the United States and even those who live in the neither land in the fields and dark shadows of Aztlan. This is an oversized book with a wealth of information to help you develop your own understanding of the relationships between past and present in the art of the southwest. Recommended for high schools , community libraries and the southwest art book lovers homes.

After seeing the exhibit at LACMA, this book was a great compliment to the art that was shown. It ranged from pre columbian to modern and was very intersting and informative. The photgraphs in the book are complimented by the narration and anaylsis by the author.

This is a great book and I relied on it heavily when I lived in Virginia Beach. It is written in a friendly and inviting way, almost as if you are talking over the fence to your neighbor.

Its month by month "to do" lists were especially helpful in keeping me on track and reminding me that the garden works on its time, not mine.

We moved to Northeastern North Carolina four years ago from southern New York where we had successfully grown vegetables, roses and flowering shrubs and perennials for many years. Relocating to a new climate and different growing season was nearly an unsurmountable challenge until we purchased Stiffler's book. His month by month "to do" list plus gardening tips and procedures have helped us establish a most satisfactory year round garden. Stiffler categorizes shrubs and trees by level of maintenance required, soil conditions conducive to growth and also includes interesting historical and background information about individual varieties such as the history of the crape myrtle in the South. We have recommended this book to fellow gardeners as well and we all have found it an indispensable guide to gardening.

Chatty, easy to read book about hiliarous escapades with members of The American Winds Concert Band through the heart of Europe. Recipes, gathered from family kitchens in small pensions, assure inovative ways to provide adequate amounts of lycopines - one of the most important anitcarcinogens. The book is endorsed by one of Florida's leading gastroentrologists, Dr. Joseph S. Spano, of Naples, Florida, where the author also lives. After photographing the author at a book signing, and hearing comments from fans, I felt compelled to revise my review.

Very chatty and easy to read. She is a warm writer/cook. Talks about her family with love and includes easy receipes that do not cost an arm and a leg. It is like having dinner with her and her family The author lives in Naples, Florida.

This is a delightful story for reading aloud or for a beginning reader. My daughter has read it countless times, and loves the fact that it is such a small book that she can put it in her pocket and take it wherever she goes. She delights in examining the pictures for every little detail. We love Martin Waddell and enjoy all his books.

This book is a true masterpiece,delightful in every respect as are all of Virginia Austins childrens books.Not only are the illustrations exceptional but the story is complete and the lessons are easily understood and digested by young minds.

All Scot-Americans and, in fact, all Americans who are interested in the founding of this great nation will thoroughly enjoy this entertaining and instructive story of the early settlement of the people, who not only gave this nation its basic principles, but who also provided the majority of the patriots who fought and died to establish the first democracy
in world history.
Today when our nation is threated with terrorism and American patriotism is being greatly challenged, it is interesting to review the beginning of our revolutionary concepts of freedom and democracy which are now under attack throughout many parts of the world. What a great and timely review this is of the spirit and the meaning of American patriotism!

The author begins with the history of Scotland and the Scottish people, their heavy settlement in Northern Ireland and the Great Migration of about 300,000 Ulster Scots to America. As mainly frontiersmen they helped win the French-Indian war then from their Presbyterian churches they not only were the first to call for freedom from Great Britain but they also constituted the majority of the patriots who fought and won the Revolutionary War.
Truly, the Scots of Virginia were America's greatest patriots!

SEA WITCH hooked me in from the first sentence until the absolute last word. Virginia Kantra did a masterful job at world building the paranormal elements until I totally believed the Children of the Sea could be living here in my own seaside town. Caleb was mega yummy and Maggie completely enchanting - what a hot couple! I love, love, loved this book! Can't wait to get my hands on SEA FEVER. For a sure fire page turning beach read, submerge yourself in this sexy, mystical adventure!

I am not a big fan of the paranormal romance novel. I think there are so many of them that calling them cliche is too mild a term. What is worse is that so many of them seem like it is the same story written over and over again.

But Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) gives the subgenre a nice boost in the right direction.

Caleb Hunter is a former soldier and big city policeman. Understandably, he has returned home to an island off the coast of Maine called World's End. He's come back because he wants a simpler life.

Margred is a child of the sea. Literally. She's a selkie who is 700 years old and she comes to shore in search of sex and she chooses Caleb as her target.

The story opens as simple as that. She wants him, she lets him know, he backs off but can't quite forget her. He searches her out again and they have their tryst. After that, it is she who can't quite forget him.

And that's where the main narrative begins and Ms Kantra does a wonderful job of keeping the balance between explaining the mythical (and making it seem plausible), a believable romance, and a small town murder mystery with distinctive characters.

The story is well paced and never overdone. Events that unfold are described in such a fashion that it never feels rushed or convoluted. Secondary characters are given enough distinction that they don't feel like props to the main characters.

And the main characters are likable without being too perfect. Caleb is no rich man. He lives in a one bedroom apartment. He has issues with his father. He has a limp he acquired from his stint in the Iraq war. He has a few nightmares too. Margred is a selkie who is forced to be a human for an indeterminate amount of time. She's fairly sure she doesn't want to stay that way. She has moments of cowardice and indecision.

But these quirks of theirs never overpower or overtake Caleb and Margred's innate goodness. The quirks just make them accessible and relatable and easy to spend time with.

So easy that I read this novel in one evening. The story flow was simply that smooth and enjoyable.

And already I'm looking forward to more from Ms Kantra and the good news for me is that her next Children of the Sea novel, Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), is coming out in August 2008. Based on the quality of Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1), I can't wait!

I live in Culpeper County, Virginia and am extremely familiar with local history. I live a half mile from Amissville and 1 mile from Waterloo, two communities that are mentioned in the book.

This book is well documented and right on the money in virtually all aspects; historical content, accuracy and sequencing. This book is highly recommended for those wishing to get an unvarnished perspective of the impact of the Civil War on a typical community caught in the crossfire of the Lost Cause.

Excellent reading.

This book is a great find for anyone desiring to get the southern civilian's perspective on the Civil War. Professor Sutherland deserves praise for his efforts in finding an incredible depth of resources to tell the story of a Confederate community, which, by virtue of its strategic location, found itself in the heart of this enormous conflict. The perspective Professor Sutherland brings to his subject gives this book a "readability" that easily separates it from many other civil war histories. The book really shines in its depiction of the affect the war had on the civilian population. In addition, this book details the beginnings of the concept of "total war" as created and put in force by the Union General, Pope (a new book is due soon from Sutherland on just this subject). This book shares the side of the conflict that is not normally exposed. Tales of unionists, free blacks and slaves in the area during the war are depicted along side the narrative of a proud Southern community as it anticipates victory only to see the inevitable conclusion. Located close to many battlefields, as well as being home to significant battles at Cedar Mountain and Brandy Station, Professor Sutherland points out that Culpeper was, perhaps, the community most affected by the war. A great book - easy to read and informative. When you are finished, you will have learned a bit more about this nation and the forces that have made us what we are today.

A family in South India notices something is wrong with the ocean and runs to higher ground. A young boy becomes frightened and instead runs into his house. His dog perseveres in getting the boy to leave the house and run up to higher ground. A nice introduction to the Tsunami of 2003 which many children were too young to remember or not born yet.

Written by award-winning author Virginia Kroll and illustrated by Xiaojun Ji, Selvakumar Knew Better is the true story of a boy who survived a devastating tsunami with the aid of his faithful dog, Selvakumar. Seven-year-old Dinakaran didn't understand the tsunami alarm, and sought shelter too close to the shoreline - but Selvakumar would not let him hide, barking and insisting that he flee toward the hill where his mother and father fled. Selvakumar's insight saved the family's oldest son, in this miraculous tale brought powerfully to life with earth-toned art. A portion of the proceeds from Selvakumar Knew Better will be donated by the publisher to the Tsunami Recovery Fund.