Washington Books

Although this book was copyrighted in 1996, every issue Ms. Washington discusses is relevant today. I want to tell her thank you so much for saying the things I have discussed with my friends. She gives insight to how slavery, media, and politics shape the communication or lack there of between black men and women. We really have to begin to look to one another to heal and support if we want amends for the many years society tried to separate us from one another.

Bravo to Ms. Washington for blowing the lid off a problem that is talked about constantly in private but only rarely in public.

Having this guidebook is like having a best friend at UW to tell you first-hand all the goods and bads of being a Husky. I recommend this book to prospective students as well as current UW students, the list of bars and restaurants is great when you're looking for something to do on a Friday night. If you really want to know how youll do as a Husky, this book is your bible.

Anyone looking for insight into University of Washington should definitely check out this book. It's got everything you want to know and more. Besides that, it's well written from a student's perspective and dare I say it, fun to read. I like the student quotes sections and the bar/restaurant guide. But, no worries, it's got great info on everything academic and etc. Buy the book!

John Perry has delivered the goods as a researcher and biographer. In this book about two luminaries of the 20th Century, who brought the light of their torches from the 19th, we have a book that will inspire everyone. There are places where it will not leave you tearless.

Balance, honesty and contextual historicism are characteristic of Perry's work.

Most reading it will concur with this reviewer that Perry has found a niche in reminding us of those persons of sacrifice who are such a rare type of leader in this 21st century.

Take time to read this book and discover Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver whose lives transcended racial prejudice, reviling, misunderstanding and jealousy.

I am reminded by people like George Carver and Booker Washington that I have done so little, while they accomplished so very much. Besides the awe inspiring historical accounts of these two saints, the book is written with a kind of zeal that is obvious to the reader. It is obvious that the author loved writing it as much as we enjoy reading it (either that or he fakes it really well).

I have only a few books that I will make my children read (when they come of age)....this is one of them.

The authors really tried to be bipartisan and came up with a TON of dirty laundry from pols on both sides of the fence. The book is hilarious but it will make you more than a little mad at the fact that we pay these people to be in power. You need to read it to believe it. Very funny, indeed!

This is thought provoking,evenhanded book that not only is EXTREMELY FUNNY but also tells you what goes with the people that are running this country. Kind of scary! Hope they write a sequel and soon.

For those of you in Washington or Oregon, or even if you plan on traveling to the Northwest, this book is a must-have. It lists farmer's markets, organic stores, and all the restaurants that are vegan/vegetarian or have good vegetarian menus. Not only that, but it has several articles in the back about general vegetarian health and can be used as a quick reference guide for on the road. I highly reccommend it!

Veg-Feasting in the Pacific Northwest does an great job bringing all of Washington's and Oregon's vegetarian/vegan/veg-friendly establishments in one book. It is divided into 3 sections: Dining (restaurant reviews/listings), Shopping (natural food stores and farmers market listings), and Living (articles about nutrition and other topics relating to a vegetarian diet). I'll break down my review to each of these 3 sections...

Dining Section: I have lived in Seattle my entire life and therefore I thought I knew of practically every vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurant in the area -- nonetheless I found plenty of new restaurants I am now looking forward to trying! And when I'm getting hungry during my next road trip, it will be nice to know where the veg-friendly places are when I pass through unfamiliar cities. While they did overlook a few of my favorite veg-friendly restaurants in Seattle, they do ask for feedback to make future editions even more comprehensive -- so I'm not going to penalize the book a star for that.

Shopping Section: While I have long known all of the the natural food stores close to my house, new vegetarians will certainly find the listings useful to find the stores closest to where they live. Like the Dining section, this section will be especially handy when I'm travelling through or visiting unfamiliar cities. Including the region's farmers markets along with the natural food stores is a nice idea as well.

Living Section: While the articles in this section are interesting and well-researched, many long-time vegetarians/vegans (like myself) will already be aware of the nutritional, environmental, ethical, etc., aspects of eating a more plant-based diet. But beginning and aspiring vegetarians should find this section extremely useful, as it covers all of the usual concerns and questions people have about how and why to eat a vegetarian diet.

Summary:
Strongly recommended for anyone interested in fully exploring Washington and Oregon's many vegetarian-friendly, vegetarian, and vegan establishments.
Experienced vegetarians/vegans living in (or visiting) Washington or Oregon should own this book solely for the comprehensive restaurant and store listings.
For new or aspiring vegetarians living in WA/OR, this book is a must-have -- it contains all of the basic information they'll need to start exploring vegetarianism. (I wish this book existed when I first became a vegetarian!)

Coyle does a terrific job of interweaving the stories of two people whose lives have intersected. He has a talent for getting inside the mind of the main character, Sara, and capturing the interplay with her husband. At the same time he keeps the suspense going with the unfolding story of Samuel.

This is an excellent read. I highly recommend it.

I was completely drawn into this book-by the compelling story line and by Coyle's wonderful writing style. I really got into the characters and could not put the book down--the way the whole story of Sara, Tom, and the tall man unfolds. I definitely recommend this one.

Alan Cook's book, Walking the World, is an ode to the joys of walking. A lifelong walker, Alan takes the reader along with him on his travels across the United States as well as to Europe and Asia. You can join in his pleasure, and sometimes pain, as he walks the length of California, or from Land's End in Cornwall to John o'Groats in Scotland. This is a very entertaining read.

Alan Cook has condensed a lifetime of footsteps into his book, and I ache to echo his footsteps with my own. From his own backyard to exotic destinations around the globe, Alan and his family have strolled, ambled, hiked, and climbed to explore nooks and crannies most of us miss as we run, drive, or fly through life. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys travel reading and to walkers in particular.

I'm a W & L student, and all I can say is that this book is virtually flawless. It tells you what the school is really like, not what the administration tells you it is like. This book can really help you decide whether or not this college is right for you. It would also be helpful for any incoming freshman; the book contains a good bit of W & L slang that could be very useful in a student's first few weeks. If you're thinking of coming to Washington and Lee, BUY this book. For W & L I YELL LIKE HELL!!

This book is the first college guide book I've seen that has kept me interested as I read it. Not only was it a fun read and I found myself laughing at certain things, but the information is really insightful. It was a welcome change to get some perspective on the school from a student who goes there and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. I really believe anyone looking at this school will get something relevant out of the book. How could you not?!

Reviewed by Shaley Melchior for Reader Views (11/2006)

How can art be defined? For many, it may include famous paintings, priceless sculptures, or perhaps your child's latest creation, which you taped to your refrigerator last night. In this new book by Vincent Lee-Thorp, engineering is presented as a form of artwork, and rightly so.

Lee-Thorp is highly qualified to lead us on a tour of Washington, D.C.'s unique buildings, as well as the engineering that went into them. Lee-Thorp was an engineer in our nation's capital for forty-five years, and his consulting firms successfully completed, by his count, more than 2000 projects, many of which where directly for the federal government. He designed several new, highly necessary systems in Washington, D.C., including an electric service and building control system for the White House, a system to monitor artwork in the Rotunda, as well as preparing studies on the condensation problems in the Capitol's Dome, and also replaced the air conditioning system in the National Archives.

Lee-Thorp's experience shines through in this narrative of much of the work that has gone on in our nation's capital, as well in the engineering world, during the time period from 1740- 2000. This is not a dry technical book for those of the engineering persuasion, but rather a book that is highly informative, as well as entertaining, for those of us readers that have not the many years of education or experience necessary to become an engineer of Lee-Thorp's caliber.

A serious reality is presented for us immediately... the only thing that separates us from our forefathers in the 15th century is engineering. Everything that represents the American Dream is, at some level, due to the many engineers that have contributed to our quality of life. Whether or not you share Lee-Thorp's opinion, this book does lend itself to some serious thought, as well as appreciation for these men and women who have shaped our future in such a drastic way.

Although the title of this book is "Washington Engineered," the second through the fifth chapters relate the early years of engineering in England and France, as well as early America, all the way through the Revolutionary War. The book describes multiple innovations dating back to the days of the many weaving mills in England. For example, a system of pipes and valves were developed to be an indoor sprinkler system, to quickly combat any fire that may start. Before these sprinklers were developed, often time if a fire started in the mill, it would cause a total loss of the building, machines and all other contents, and the business would be lost, just like that. However, when the sprinklers were implemented into the mill buildings, any fire could quickly be contained, and need be only an inconvenience for the owners, rather than a loss of their entire livelihood.

Beginning in the sixth chapter, a history of Washington, D.C., seen through the eyes of an engineer, is related to the reader. The book clearly describes how bridges, ferries, and other forms of public transportation were formed. Also, the ways modern conveniences, such as electricity, fuel heat and power, air conditioning have been utilized and developed in the capital city are related.

All considered I found "Washington Engineered" to be well rounded, as well as an easy read. No extensive mechanical knowledge is needed to understand this book, and it was clearly written so even those of us without mechanical inclination can read and enjoy this book. It was a very refreshing look back at the history, as well as the engineering power that went into designing our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Between 1740 and modern times much engineering was done in Washington, D.C.: engineering work which was to change the face not only of the nation's capital, but of perspectives on engineering across the U.S. and into Europe, creating the technology that led to the Industrial Revolution. WASHINGTON ENGINEERED draws parallels between engineering and the arts and sciences, surveying projects, providing a healthy dose of Washington DC society history and politics, and surveying other notable engineers who fostered the advancement of engineering as a whole. An excellent blend of biography and history makes for an account recommendable to public as well as college-level libraries.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This might be the best ice climbing guidebook I've ever seen! Let it freeze! Let it freeze! Let it freeze!

This is clearly the definitive guide to steep winter climbing in Washington State. Martin and Krawarik have done a spectacular job researching and reporting on these routes.

This is the first book of it's kind for the area. I absolutely cannot wait for it to get cold!