Virginia Books

I heard about the book and read it with great interest,and passed it on to my son,who was age 19 at the time. We both enjoyed it,and moved on to other interests. The next year, my son traveled by auto to Alaska(from Virginia) and upon his return,he said to me,"Dad, this is a beautiful country,but you can't see it very well from a car. Why don't we go on a bicycle adventure from Richmond to Toronto like that father and son did in "Pedaling Northward" . At the time I was 48 and son was 20, and we were targeting the following summer. I looked him in the eye,and said, "Sounds like a good idea to me." We did it in 12 days inclusive, and 10 days of cycling. We followed the same course as the author until Elmira,NY at which point we headed northwest toward Buffalo and Niagara. We stopped along the way to talk with people Lind had met ,and learned from his mistakes. We were luckier with the weather...it was cool and dry. I recommend the book as a guide for any father and son who want to enjoy the beauty of this country, the power of bonding, and who want to create a memory that will last a lifetime.

This book made me wish my knees were not so creaky. In this time of point-to-point travel (skipping everything in between) it is wonderful to be on the land with this father and son as they make their way north. Their adventures and misadventures have the immediacy of real-life experience. I recommend it to arm chair travellers and bike-seat travellers alike! It is suitable for young adult readers as well as adults. My children loved the audio version!

I read this book while doing research on my Great-Great Grandfather, who fought in the War and was a member of the 11th Virginia Infantry, Company B. The author of this book being of Company C, 11th Virginia, I was able to trace somewhat the actions of my Great-Great Grandfather during the war. A compelling book from the perspective of the young men of the South who bravely fought to defend their invaded homeland. It only pains me that the truth written in this antiquted volume has been all but forgotten in todays "history" lessons.

In this book, Captain William H. Morgan, (a member of "The Immortal 600"), relates personal experience "in camp, in bivouac, on the march, on picket, on the skirmish line, on the battlefield, and in prison" -- and also gives a history not only of his own company, but of the Eleventh Regiment, Kemper's Brigade, and Pickett's Division. Captain Morgan's writing is delightful and a valuable addition to the story of the war. He tells his story in a direct, pleasant, graphic way which conveys his thoughts, opinions, and the facts very distinctly -- and holds the interest of his readers in a very engaging way. A complete index adds to its value.

Phoebe Clappsaddle for Sheriff is every bit as fun as Chrismer/Roeder's first book, Phoebe Clappsaddle and the Tumble Weed Gang. It is great to see a strong female character with a touch of fimininity. Chrismer's Texas voice puts a spark to the text, and Roeder's delightful illustrations add the fireworks!

Chrismer has done it again! Phoebe Clappsaddle is one heck of a cowgirl, and being sheriff is a real spur in the Tumbleweed's butts. This is a must read for all kids (and their parents). Virginia Roeder brings Phoebe to life with her adorable illustrations, imbedded with clever humor. I said it once, and I'll say it again. I love Phoebe!

This book is great for young deaf and hard of hearing children in schools, especially in mainstream settings. It has a child-friendly drawing for almost any word you can think of (I have always been able to find what I'm looking for). It also shows the ASL sign, as well as some SEE signs, for each word and uses each word in one or two sentences. It will be helpful for children and adults, hearing and deaf, who are learning sign language, learning to read, and/or who need help learning word-concept relations.

I got this book because in the process of teaching our hearing daughter sign language we came upon some words our little starter book didn't cover (starter book was 'Sign With Your Baby' by Joseph Garcia). This book, in conjunction with the American Sign Language Browser Web Site, helped our 14-month-old learn 50+ signs so far. It's a great, comprehensive, and friendly book.

Like the previous reviewer, I too am a descendant (grandchild) of the Spanish immigrants of the Simpson, Harrison, West Virginia area. This book was well-written and very informative.
Any descendants of the Spanish zinc workers want to form an e-mail group, and possibly a reunion? Contact me at ctjedda@yahoo.com

I have to admit, the reason I loved this book is because my grandparents came from Spain and actually lived and worked in this this very same town that Mr. Gonzalez described. In fact, they were probably neighbors. This book allowed me to get a glimpse into what life was like for my grandparents in the early 1900s.

The story is fairly well written and probably would appeal to people simply interested in the history of various minorities in the US.

For those interested in life in early Virginia, especially those that had ancestors there, this is a "must read" book. It offers a fascinating and highly detailed picture of life in those times, and offers some comparison to how it differed from life in New England at that time.

Genealogists studying ancestors mentioned in the book will be disappointed in the lack of genealogical source notes; it is, after all, a social history and not a work on genealogy. However, most of the genealogical information is sourced in the authors' notes which are archived at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.

Everyone who is interested in what life was like for residents of Colonial Virginia will gain a lot of insight on their homes, economics, social strata, and relationship with their servants. For those of us who actually descended from the people who are cited in the book, this is a revelation of how our ancestors fit into the community.

Pat Montella arrives in Colonial Williamsburg escorting a sullen teenager, her future step-daughter. Beth Ann's father Hugh Lee and Miss Maggie Shelby will arrive later in the day so Pat must face her prospective mother-in-law on her own.
Pat has made a promise to Hugh of no more ghosts, but the spirit world will not allow her to keep her pledge. Elena Santangelo has the skill to move the reader back and forth from current time to the 18th century without a feeling of disruption. Ghosts of Christmas past collide with murder in current time in a house filled with doctors who have constant battle of one upmanship. Pat is drawn against her will back to the past and an ancient murder while the family consumes a feast of colonial abundance.
Miss Maggie devours the food and the clues while enlightening the reader on early Virginia history, which makes for an unexpected, but satisfying conclusion.
This is an excellent series for all the right seasons. It has ghosts, murder, romance and mystery.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarUnder the Liberty OakGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

What could be worse than arriving at your future in-laws at Christmastime without your boyfriend, and with his sullen teenage daughter? How about having your gynecologist show up for the family celebration? How about feeling the presence of ghosts in a colonial house in Williamsburg?

Elena Santangelo brings back Pat Montella in this fascinating mystery. Pat has communicated with ghosts before, linking murders from the past with current events. This time, she promised her boyfriend she will have nothing further to do with ghosts. Then she feels fear when she is in the old parts of Gladys Lee's colonial home, and even feels the affects of poisoning. In a parallel storyline, a music master in Williamsburg in 1783 witnesses the illness and subsequent death of a lodger in the Carson house, the house that Gladys Lee lives in two hundred years later.

Santangelo does a wonderful job in combining romance, history, mystery and the paranormal while writing two storylines, one set in colonial Williamsburg, one two centuries later. Pat Montella and her mentor, Miss Maggie Shelby, are fascinating, well-rounded characters who are intelligent enough to make the link between events that occur so far apart.

Highly recommended for lovers of American history and historical mystery.

We have three rabits and I gain a lot of knowledge regarding rabbits with this book. It is easy to read and has many information.

A lot of good information and some good photos. I have yet to find one definitive house rabbit guide, but this covers a lot of the basics: history, deciding if rabbit is right pet, adopting a rabbit, setting up living space and health. There is also a great section on rabbit behavior and behavior problems.

Worth buying before or after bringing a rabbit into your home!

As a marriage & family therapist and school counselor, I highly recommend this book to clients and parents of students. The book describes a step-by-step process that gives struggling parents the practical skills they need to stop the confusion and chaos and move towards creating a happy, loving family. The techniques, while direct and simple, prove powerful and effective. I believe parents who begin using the principles and strategies described in this book will see immediate results.

As a parent of three children (5 -7 -9)and a former teacher, I found this book to be very helpful and comprehensive. One basic premise of the book is that the marriage relationship is critical to a happy family. The authors also realize that most people have some of their own problems or isues to deal with and/or do not have extensive parenting education. Many chapters come with easy-to-do exercises that allow parents to do their homework, so to speak, on some of their own values and how they want to handle things in their own home. You will get more out of the book if you read it simultaneously with your partner, do the exercises, and discuss each chapter. The layout of each chapter has a nice consistent format: Summary of the key points, the actual information, with expansion through anecdoes, tips, and traps. I especially liked the traps: all of the things that could cause you to fail. Attention is also given to single parenting, divorce, special problems, and relationships with adult children. My favorite chapter: 'Parents are in charge' *Stick togethr *Make rules *Define consequences *Stay in charge If you like the no-nonsense format of the above ideas, you will love this book!

Eleven-year-old Andrew Saintleger lives with his family on a farm in Devon, England. Since Andrew's older brother will inherit the farm, other prospects must be arranged for Andrew's future. So, in the spring of 1584, when Andrew finishes school, his father surprises him with the opportunity of a lifetime. Andrew travels to London to join the staff of Sir Walter Raleigh, a famous entrepreneur, a favorite acquaintance of the Queen's and a man with a dream to explore America.

Andrew settles into his new life in the loud, bustling city, despite missing home and being bullied by one of the other pages. Since he hails from a farm and is talented in such tasks, he is assigned to spend most of his hours assisting Pena, the gardener, and learning about the experiments Pena conducts on foreign plants in English soil. In addition, Sir Raleigh sets dangerous tasks before him to test his intelligence, his trustworthiness and his bravery. In one such test, Andrew must go undercover as a wine clerk to sneak into a mapmaker's home and obtain a new and supposedly very accurate map. After proving himself worthy, Andrew earns the grandest adventure ever --- to join the expedition to explore America.

Andrew now also assists with the preparation for the voyage, including visiting the Queen for her support, calculating for supplies needed and recording all transactions. He even befriends the two Native Americans brought back from a previous voyage, seeing to their needs and learning their language. They will return to America with Sir Raleigh's expedition and aid them in exploring the new lands.

They set sail the following spring. Even with all of their preparations and research, no one could have prepared Andrew and the crew for the most extreme of all tests --- mere survival. When they lose their supplies in a shipwreck, they must rely on the native Indians for food through the long, cold winter. Yet, despite every hardship and challenge, Andrew grows to love this new land and sees so much promise in the fertile soil, the thick forests and the freedom existing for everyone. He knows America is his future.

Alan Armstrong received the Newberry Honor Award for his first novel, WHITTINGTON. He has thoroughly researched RALEIGH'S PAGE, creating an adventure for everyone to enjoy. Filled with fascinating historical facts and richly detailed descriptions, readers will learn a bit of history while experiencing the adventures and dangers of early explorers.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

As the youngest son, Andrew Saintleger is destined for whatever life his father decides he should have. When his father chooses, just before Andrew's twelfth birthday, to take him to London and arrange for him to train and work under Sir Walter Raleigh, Andrew knows he is the luckiest boy around.

Rumor has it that Sir Walter has turned his sights on America. Andrew knows all about America. His teacher, Master Tremayne, is nearly obsessed with the New World and has been drilling all of the students on it all year. So much so that half of the students have become enthralled with it. And now, Andrew may actually get to go!

Adventures on the road to London are nothing compared to the life that Andrew is about to jump in to. Nothing can prepare him for the strange life that Sir Walter leads, and the amazing things he will learn, or the crazy things he will be asked to do. And that's just in London! Just when Andrew begins to feel somewhat comfortable at Durham House, Sir Walter is ready to leave for America. What Andrew finds during the journey and in America will change everything for him, forever.

This book is fantastic on so many levels. It's adventurous and exciting. It's well written. The characters are interesting and believable. It's historically accurate whenever possible. Whether you are a reluctant reader, you have a thirst for adventure, you enjoy the stories in history, or you just want to read a good book, this book can deliver. Simply put, this one is definitely worth the time!

On a personal note, I wish history was taught more like this. Or that someone had gotten me into historical fiction when I was much younger. I knew the name of Sir Walter Raleigh, and I had a general idea of his time period in history, but after reading RALEIGH'S PAGE I will never forget the story.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman