Animal Books

Georgia Tann ran an adoption agency from the 1920s until the 1950s. Supported by a corrupt government, she stole children from poor Memphians and sold them across the country to wealthy families. She ignored background checks and rated people by the amount of money they could pay her. As a result, children were torn from their mothers arms, sometimes right after their births, and many were placed in abusive families. Some tricked mothers never saw their children again. Raymond has a personal interest in the story as an adoptive mother herself, and her enthusiasm makes for a quick read. Her interviews with people who knew Tann and the people affected by her shady practices are excellent additions.

Raymond does a good job of getting at as much information as she can, and this book is well researched. However, I would have liked to know a bit more about the celebrity cases involved. Christina Crawford is perhaps the most famous Georgia Tann adoptee; why wasn't she discussed? Was she stolen from her birth parents? Pamela Powell is also mentioned; Dick Powell threatened to fight if her birth parents tried to reclaim her. Whatever happened to that case?

Overall, this is a good read and not just for people with a specific interest in adoption.

This book is a great read. It was very sad and tragic to read how one woman corrupted adoption which is the only means some people have of having a child of their own. It was also refreshing to see that some of the children who were illegally separated from their parents were later reunited with their families. This is a great non-fiction account of one aspect of corruption that sadly occured in our past and unfortunately still occurs.

Excellent recollection of a horrible, horrible time in our so-called Democratic Society. I appreciate the efforts of the author and all who helped her. I wish Steven Speilberg would turn this into one of his epics. His Holocaust movie set in motion positive reactions, respect and awareness. Let's hope he can bring this to fruition. But more importantly-the research presented here and the stories told should affect our Elected Officials and our Supreme Court....they should OPEN ALL THE RECORDS sealed because of the manipulation of a criminal, evil woman and her corrupt support system. As an adoptee I want to know who I am-it is my constitutional right to know. To quote Alex Haley:"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are, and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning; no matter what our attainments in life, there is the most disquieting loneliness." Alex Haley Thank you again Barbara-Bravo

A couple of years ago I watched a docudrama on A & E starring Mary Tyler Moore as the depraved monster Georgia Tann. When I searched for a book written about Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society, I found this one and read it in two days. It was riveting, thought-provoking, and heartbreaking. What a shame that her lies were not exposed years earlier when more of her victims may have had the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones. She and her cronies destroyed countless lives with their deceitful practices, and I hope that this book will create an awareness of people who prey on others so that history can never repeat itself in this way.

In the beginning of her tale of *the Baby Thief: the Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption,* author Barbara Bisantz Raymond concludes that 'Georgia Tann had won. And Tennesseans had helped her. The facts are depressing, and shortly after beginning my research, I became depressed too."
Readers will likewise be very depressed, and then, hopefully, very angry. Angry enough to join BN (no - not that "other" Bookseller, I'm talking about B (rhymes with custard, and I'm pretty sure if I try to type it here, Amazon's censors will "gong" it) Nation (see their website) in the fight for basic civil and human rights of adult citizens who were adopted as children.
Bisantz-Raymond's book details how and why, as a cover for her schemes and scams and crimes during her 26 year (1924- 1950) reign as North American impresario of Black market babies, Georgia Tann and her powerful cohorts and co-conspirators convinced other Powers That Be that these pilfered children, and all other legally or illegally adopted children, should forevermore be barred from accessing the simple facts that most people take for granted: "Who am I?" "Where did I come from?" "What is my family's medical history?" "Am I a walking/talking genetic time bomb?"
The GT hang-over hangs on in the laws of almost every state in the United States.
This reviewer frequently reviews books in the True Crime genre. This book is sickeningly and shockingly true, and recounts horrendous crimes of continuing victimization. Take some chill pills, read it, then write your legislators! /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer.

Once the great champion Barbaro was able to run he would run against his buddies at the ranch. When and once he started to begin his training he wantedto win and when he became old enough to realize how strong his legs were and how deep his well of speed ws. The others bred to be chanps world be at his mercy.
On the day of his first race everybody wanted to see what this colt had in his well of speed. He won by 10 lengths. Time went on and on the day of the race of the Piminto Race, all the horses lilned up in the starting gate and once the bell rang out came Barbaro and then bam! The horrible misstep riuned his moment of glory, he was fighting for his life!
He was sent to the vetrinary clinic he would have to have 36 screws, 3 plates and alot of faith. After many weeks of recovery have pasted but doctors found a deep abcess in his right foot. On January 29th, the owners told the doctors to let him to release him to the green pastures beside the still waters.

BARBARO is a true GENTLEMAN-CHAMPION. The way he won all of his races,
with all that integrity & class, was a wonder to behold.

Get this book, you will love it. The ONLY complaint I have is: NOT
enough pictures of BARBARO were included. I could easily have wanted
at least dozens more. Maybe my words here, will inspire some one to make
my wishes come true. ***GO***BARBARO !!!***

As a Barbaro lover, I enjoyed this book. It's simple, great for children, and talks about the best of this fabulous horse and his tremenous courage.

I absolutely loved this book....loved seeing a "baby" picture of Barbaro too! I really felt like I was right there with Barbaro as he was growing up! I'm sure I will re-read this book many times.

This book touched me in a special way! I smiled, laughed, and cried as I read it. Ms Mickle's presentation of Barbaro's life, much of it from the horse's-eye-view, endeared me even more to Barbaro. I hope his full brothers are being nurtured and brought along in identical fashion. Great reading! NOTE: The Preakness Stakes is 1 3/16 miles long; it was not the longest race he was being asked to complete at the time. The Kentucky Derby was longer--at 1 1/4 miles (1/16th of a mile further than the Preakness). Long live the memory and legacy of Barbaro! My compliments and respect go out to those who helped make him a champion.

I read this book for the first time when I was a horse-crazy little girl. I absolutely loved it then and I still enjoy re-reading it. It is a wonderful story, especially appealing to horse-crazy children.

Bill Wallace writes this book as though it's real life. Once you start, you an hardly put it down!
Luke, a young city boy, is the son of divorced parents. he lives with his mom on his grandfather's farm. because his mom lost her job. Luke never wants to do anything at the farm because his mom made him leave all of his friends when they moved.
After a long summer, Luke befriends an old horse called Beauty. They share a special bond with late summer walks and secrets. But when a terrible accident happens, Luke does something that may break that bond.
This book is great for children and adults. It has adventure, suspense, and funny, laugh-out-loud moments, too. It shows that when you have a bond with a clase friend, keep it for it will become one of your greatest treasures. I give this book a four out of five star rating.

This book is really sad, when the horse, Beauty died. Luke's horse, Beauty were best friends, and were really close. Until one night when Beauty escape from her pen and went outside into the stormy night. Then Beauty accidently went into a trap, that made her cried out loud. There was no chose for Luke. He had to kill Beauty. So he shoted Beauty in her head where her star was. At the end there was anther horse that looked like Beauty, with a star on her forehead. A memory of Beauty.

Beauty is a great book. Other than Harriet the Spy it's my favorite book. It teaches relationships. When I started this book I was crying and when I ended it I was crying. At first Luke and his Mother move to Oaklahoma to live with Luke's grandpa. Now at first Luke hates him, but grows to love him. Luke's favorite horse Beauty gets caught in a corral and... well you'll have to read it for the ending. But by how I read it I think you'll think the same "It's sad but Good"

This book is one of my favorites. I think that ever kid needs to read this book. It sounds kinda like the way I got my first horse. The book is very sad. I even cried at the end. This book is awesome. So Read It.

Bridge Called hope was a great read, filled with inspiring, uplifting and triumphant stories that really help define the important things in life, that we should all be striving for. The emergance of Hope..

Kim Meeder is a great person. I've met her while attending a women's retreat here in Oregon. I have both books signed and she was giving them away. Both her husband and her have big hearts. They have a great ranch in Bend, OR. I have never been there, but I do plan on visiting with them, they only live 100 miles away. My horse will be 26 this year, and she's doing fine, but I've told Kim that when it's time to retire her, that she gets her. She's not a kids horse yet. But she loves attention.

I believe God has a purpose for us all. And to know that I met Kim, it's the greatest thing of all, and to get two of her books. She is a great down to earth person. Normal like the rest of us, lol.

One of the most touching, and powerful books I have ever read. I tend to be drawn to true life stories, especially with a Christian or inspirational message. This book had both.

Even for someone who doesn't love horses, this book is an amazing read, but if you know or love horses, you will understand the power that these beautiful creatures possess.

Kim Meeder presents the real life stories that will touch your heart and soul in ways you might not have realized. I would read every book that she writes, because of her beautiful writing style and her amazing gift and telling a story with a message.

Anyone who enjoys watching someone who is undergoing trials and tribulations, turn their life around and conquer internal battles of pain and anguish, will absolutely love this book.

This collection of stories about how horses and humans can interact will touch the most hard-hearted among us. Not only do the stories relate the astounding human/ horse miracles that can take place, they also follow the author's walk of faith, doing the very things God has called her to do, putting everything on the line at times. For anyone who loves horses, or even those who don't, this book will inspire readers to look differently at animals in general and wonder what further things they can tell us. Reverence for all life should follow. Highly recommended.

Both Kim Meeder's books are wonderful...miraclous in fact! I bought them both and it's probably the best books I have ever purchased!Names of the books are: Hope Rising and Bridge Called Hope. Would recommend them to anyone an d everyone!

This is a very important book. I reluctantly purchased it after hearing several people that I admire recommend it very highly. I am not much into gardening but am interested in birds, biodiversity and restoring natural habitats. I have read hundreds of books on biology and the environment over the years and have been to hundreds of meetings and conferences regarding solutions to the many problems that beset our natural environment. It is not often that I hear of a very simple solution to a ubiquitous problem, that of a decline in the overall population of birds and mammals and the increase in the ravages of diseases affecting our forests, grasslands and deserts.

In addition to offering a novel solution to major problems the outlook of the book is optimistic and the reading is interesting and pleasurable. Dr. Tallamy is a fine writer and also furnishes fascinating descriptions of the plants, insects, mammals and birds that he has studied. One that I remember from the chapter on insects was the defensive strategy of some insects called leafhoppers that are preyed upon by wasps. The mother protects her offspring that are feeding on the stem above by intercepting attackers from below. If a wasp starts an attack from above her young drum out a distress message that vibrates through the stem to her so she can rush up and try to kick the wasp away. Another insect, a tree-boring beetle, flies to the top of mountain ridges to scan for forest fires with infrared vision to locate trees weakened by fire that are prime targets for feeding and breeding locations.

In addition to these insights into the world of insects and plants the book gives you an understanding of the significant danger from the spread of alien plant species. I agree with all the high recommendations for this book. Everyone that reads this will have a new outlook on nature and even the gardeners will enjoy it.

This book is a must read for all. It highlights and informs about the small steps we can each take to create a better world in our own back yards.

I thought this book was great, and now I'm "sold" on only using native plants in my garden. And for those who say that not all alien plants are bad, and that this book doesn't tell the whole story or whatever, I would retort "well why NOT use native plants only?" To me there's something more "right" about using plants that are native to the very land you are on.

The back of the book contains a terrific appendix that lists good native plants to grow by U.S. region. I was very disappointed however that there was no index for the Northeast region(which is where I live)...

We've been avid gardeners for decades and have done many things to attract wildlife to our 10 acre woodlot where we reside. This book is a real eye-opener. It's scientific but easy on the mind. It's thorough and informative, yet casual in its prose. Dr. Tallamy has made a terrific contribution to anyone who values their property, enjoys healthy diversity in their landscape, and wants to do right by the planet. Don't go to your local nursery before reading this book. Mention this to all your friends who share your outdoor interests and talk to your local librarian to be certain he/she obtains a copy for your community.

Book is a great asset for anyone wanting to utilize plants which are native to where you live--so naturally they fare better. Most of our Master Gardeners in our area have purchased this reference book
Also--as usual--Amazon is efficient for handling ppurchases with speedy delivery.

Yes, it is hard to say that a book has the answers for everything, so I can only say that it had answers to our problems. I moved my cat into a new house, where I thought the laundry room in the finished basement would be the best place for the litter box. Well, he (the cat) has been trying to tell me for weeks now (by pooping on the carpet, that is) that he doesn't like it there, and thanks to the good help of this book, I can now regain some sanity in our new house! As a fairly new cat owner, the book helped me figure out that I should move the box to a new location and probably add a second box on the upstairs level. Problem fixed! In addition to that, the book was entertaining and I read it from cover to cover, just to make sure I wasn't missing any other signs! Highly recommended.

I had read a good review of this book in Cat Fancy magazine, so I thought I would order it, thinking that it probably wouldn't teach me very much. How wrong I was. I learned so much about my cat from this book, and I recommend it highly to any cat owner that has wondered why his/her cat acts the way it does. The author is knowledgable, and this book will have a permanent spot in my library.

Borrowed this from a friend and I really liked it. Raised some interesting points and is full of new ideas.

Not what I was looking for. I've been a companion to cats for over 30 years and wanted to understand how to really take it to the next level: interpreting my kitty's meows, understanding her moods, learning how to be the best pal I could be to my BFF. This book did not provide much more than overviews. The "overview" on meow-types was very paltry and did not even mention the type of sound my cat makes when she leaves a "gift" by my door. (She's an indoor cat, but I hide a toy with cat treats in it every night and she finds it and brings it to my bedroom door as a gift. Too sweet.) I think this book would be best for brand new cat owners---I mean companions.

This is not the most amazing cat book ever. It is just another cat book. All these super positive reviews made me hope I would find answers that I haven't been able to find in dozens of other cat books, but within seconds, I knew this wasn't the book either. I looked up "spraying" in the index and all I got was Feliway for an answer, which I don't believe really works. It doesn't work on any of my eight cats. And medication, but doesn't say what medication. Just go to the vet. Gee, thanks. Like I couldn't figure that out.

A friend suggested I get this book and I was sceptical at first as I have read only a very few, true-adventure stories that excited me. Crying with Cockroaches however had me mesmerized from the very start. I purchased the book in January and have read it cover to cover, twice already.

The voice of the author is so clear and her honesty, humour and optimism transparent on every page. All I can say is get this book. It is an easy read, well-written, great photographs and an excellent example of what we all can accomplish with determination and a strong will. The author is truly likeable and also humble, despite having undertaken this magnificent journey on her own but for two equine companions. She did not even know much about riding but her love for horses and really all animals and her perseverance to make this happen, made her triumph at the end. You'll laugh and cry, be exhilarated and moved as you are swept through the Americas on this epic adventure.

It's not a "horsey book" but just really a five-star read to be enjoyed by all ages.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

"Crying with Cockroaches" provides an interesting insight into an extraordinary journey of both personal and geographical achievements. Du Toit documents her trek with two horses in an honestly written account. The beautiful pictures help bring the story and the terrain of the Americas to life. Animal welfare is a predominant point and seems even more relevant as the relationship and co-dependency between Du Toit and her two Criollos develops. The story also uncovers the good and bad of human behaviour in a trip so unpredictable and dependent on the offerings of others. The most appealing aspect of this book however is in my opinion, the determination and perseverance of the writer who was focused in the pursuit of her dream. This is inspirational in view to the challenges she faced in a seemingly impossible journey. These messages will no doubt, be encouraging and motivational to any reader of this book. A highly recommended read to any adventure seeker or those in face of a challenge!

When you meet Marianne Du Toit she doesn't look crazy. She seems like a perfectly normal, charming and inteligent young woman. And then she starts telling you stories about her trip, and you start to wonder...

Then you read her compelling narative and you have to wonder how this woman summoned the courage to take on such an incredible journey. She claims she had no idea how tough it would be and that seems as good an explanation as any. Thankfully, nobody suggested she climb Mt. Everest on roller skates.

Her book is a wonderful tale of what the human spirit can accomplish with a healthy dose of determination and a little grass roots help along the way. Du Toit uses her equine adventure to enthrall and enlighten.

Crying with Cockroaches is a great read, and unbelievable in its scope of what one person (with a little help along the way) can accomplish. My husband and I had the good fortune of meeting Marianne during her trip, which only enriched the reading of her story. It's entertaining and compelling, a must read for those inspired by tales of triumph over adversity.

What struck me most about this book was the sheer fortitude, ingenuity, perserverance and luck that Marianne evoked. Her initial lack of knowledge about horses makes it even more remarkable that she completed the journey at all, much less with such grace and aplomb. The way she tackles her dream trip is an inspiration indeed. A unique read that is sure to keep you turning the pages and leave you wanting to hear more. What will she do next?

Dark Sunshine is my FAVORITE of all the books. It's action packed to say the least. Sam goes riding and see horse rustlers trying to trap wild horses to sell for dog food. They use a judas horse (Dark Sunshine) to lead the horses into a trap. The Phantom manges to save most of his herd but when the rustlers leave to take the three horses they caught to the auction or wherever, they leave Dark Sunshine! Sam takes Dark Sunshine, who's terrfied of humans back to River Bend. You also meet the first HARP girl, Mikki in this book. It's defintely my favorite!

If I said there really was a phantom stallion would you believe me? Well I read a book by Terri Farley, Phantom Stallion 3: Dark Sunshine. The phantom stallion has a wonderful wild herd. Sam once owned the phantom however after a fatal accident the beautiful stallion became wild. I say the phantom is not much in the third book because a buckskin is in trouble, because there are humans catching wild horses with the buckskin horse as bait. How can Sam save the buckskin, the phantom and his herd?
Anyone can tell that Sam lived on a ranch because she used to own the phantom, but now she owns a different horse named Ace. The ranch she lives on is called River Bend Ranch. After Sam came back from San Francisco so she could heal from her fatal fall she pronounced, "It is good to be home." In the, Phantom Stallion 3: Dark Sunshine, Sam reminds me of the three girls in, Avalon. Just like Sam helped catch a member of the humans using the buckskin to catch the wild horses. After Sam caught one member of the rustlers things got a little better around the ranch.
This is a great book and I would recommend it to girls ten and up. They also should be horse crazy, because this book is the third in a series of twenty-five books so far. This Series was recommended to me by a friend, because she knew that I am horse crazy. This whole series is fiction. Phantom Stallion 3: Dark Sunshine is 232 pages long. I am sure if you read this book you will love it, along with the phantom.

Dark Sunshine is my favorite horse! Everything about her intriges(sp?) me! This book will leave you wanting for more after every chapter. Never has there been a more exciting series for all ages. I recommend this series for all the horse loving people out there. This has changed me life by revealing the cruelty towards horses and making me want to help the mustanges live in the wild with out the fear of humans.

This book was really amazing in the way that it kept you on the edge of your seat and had several other stories going on besides the one that's written on the back, although the plots come to gether at the end. The main idea in this Phantom Stallion book is that Samantha finds a horse that has been mistreated by horse rustlers and she must rehabilitate it. It was so nice seeing a horse working its way through recovery. It was really nice. Another problem is that Brynna has Started working on the HARP program with a really bratty girl named Mikki. Brynna also acts strange with Sam's dad. This book was great! If you like adventure and a little bit of mystery this book is for you!

As with all the books in the Phantom Stallion series, this one is enjoyable and fun. Farley is very down-to-earth and it shows in her writing style. I, too, found myself annoyed at Bryanna Olson for acting you-know-how with Wyatt Forster :]. All in all, it's a great read for the horse lover's soul!

I love this book, it has helped me post on a trot. (Seemed impossible at first :)

It gives lots of good tips from basics to jumping. Learn how to keep yourself safe. Learn good technique. If you're taking riding lessons, this is a definite must-read.

Riding lessons are expensive, so it's important to get the most bang for the buck. This book will help. Mike Smith explains the basics of riding clearly, and offers some classic "what to do if...?" scenarios one is certain to encounter while interacting with horses. In addition, the photographs are very helpful in illustrating topics like posting the trot and dismounting properly and safely. I have found that this book helps me review specific material covered in an actual lesson, and also gives me ideas for further discussion with my teacher. Mike Smith's writing style is straightforward and enthusiastic. Highly recommended for beginning riders of all ages, and one of the best books I've seen for a riding student. This book covers English riding only.

I love this book, I have been taking lessons for about a year and a half, and I bought this book after about 6months of lessons. It clearly explains so many things, I constantly refer to it. I think that all new riders should read this book before even going to their first lesson, to give a clear explaination of horse lingo, positions and care. I think this has been the most constant resource that I have used to explain things that my instructor and I are having trouble with.

Mike taught me to ride as an adult student at Woodland Horse Center in Maryland back in the 1980's. I'll never forget his patience, humor, and innate "horse sense." I've since moved to Wellington, Florida (a major equestrian and polo center), for reasons I thought were mostly unrelated to horses. I haven't ridden in many years. So there I was in a store looking for a book to help my son Will Tedesco, who at [...] and maybe 40 pounds is just beginning to ride. Imagine my surprise to come across this book, which I hadn't known existed! At 50, I'm once again feeling that old tug to get back on a horse, and I'm sure Mike's sensible advice will again stand me in good stead. Unlike most of his readers, however, I'll be able to hear his voice inside my head reminding me to "steer!"

I realize many techniques of English riding are transferable to Western, but, as a Western rider trying to improve my seat and aids, I found this book frustrating and unhelpful.

With an Arts background, I view Juan Wijngaard as one
of the very best Children's Book Illustrators. He has a
masterful way to use color in order to create the feel
and imagery of light.

I have a 6-yr. old autistic daughter...she absolutely LOVES this book. She requests I read it over and over and over....and she loves to make the sounds of the animals as we read. We are buying a second copy to have in case the first one wears out...

This book is very soothing. The art work is stunning. By far the best illustrations of any children's book I've ever read. Our boys love the book and enjoy finding details in the pictures and saying goodnight to the animals.

This book is wonderful. The pictures are warm and soothing. My daughters love saying goodnight to each animal. A must have for all stubborn sleepers.

We read a lot of bedtime oriented stories. This one is particularly lovely, comforting, and soothing. I highly recommend it.