Irons Books

If you have any sense of wonder in you at all, this book should capture it. It is amazing the lengths people will go to to accomplish their goals. The great engineering feats of American history are ample evidence, and many of those feats were accomplished by private capital via the railroads. The illustrations in this book are excellent and really show how much work and ingenuity went into these projects. This book makes a nice complement to the Routledge Historical Atlas of American Railroads, which is also new.

This is a descriptive history of the major civil engineering projects in the development of North American railroads. Bill Middleton is unusually suited to the task at his hand. He is by academic training a civil engineer (R.P.I.), and a journalist (U. Wisc.). With a career that spans both military and academic times, he brings a special appreciation for this subject.

Landmarks of the Iron Road is something to be appreciated by civil engineers, railway historians, and those with an concern for the history of North American economic development. It is a careful collection of photographs and essays, supplemented with "how to find" these special locations. Middleton's book constitutes a "landmark" in the literary sense.

As a former Scoutmaster, My scouts and I have cooked many a meal in Dutch oven and cast iron cookware. After browsing through this cookbook, I plan to dig out my dutch oven and try some of the recipes I had never thought of.

Great cook book like the way it tells you how much charcoal to use easy to follow .

Aptly translated into English by Frank J. Morlock, The Man In The Iron Mask: A Drama In Five Acts by the combined and collaborate efforts of Alexandre Dumas, Narcisse Fournier, and Auguste Arnould is an impressive stage play based upon historical records of a mysterious masked prisoner. Author Alexandre Dumas was so fascinated by speculations of the prisoner's identity that he transformed the enigma first into a stage play, and later into the final novel of his Musketeers series. Exciting and involving, The Man In The Iron Mask is an absolute "must" for fans of Dumas and his work!

Dumas doesn't pull any punches with this (recently discovered) play. This story is bleak, and has many elements of Greek tragedy. This is tragedy in the classic sense -- circumstances occur that do not cause an immediate problem (the birth of twin Princes to the Queen) -- but which clearly will lead to some sort of anguish (potential civil war, one child potentially losing his freedom, etc) -- and the reader/audience is watches this tragedy play itself out. The (first ever) translation is direct, and dramatic. The volume also includes an essay Dumas wrote, exploring the many theories about the real identity of the masked prisoner from the Bastille -- powerfull and fascinating stuff.

While she was still Leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher paid a visit to Yugoslavia, where she had a meeting with President Tito. The conversation turned to China, where Chairman Mao's widow had recently been stirring up trouble for the leadership. Tito remarked that he disapproved of women interfering in politics. "I don't interfere in politics, " declared his guest, eyes ablazing, "I AM politics."

Therein can be found both the secret of Margaret Thatcher's success and the seeds of her downfall. Her supreme confidence helped overcome widespread doubts that a woman could lead her party and her country, but in the end her arrogance alienated the very people she needed to retain power.

Thatcher's story presents a unique challenge to political biographers, largely because her overpowering personality and strident views make a fair assessment difficult to achieve. The writer has to tread a fine line between hagiography and demolition job. Happily, John Campbell's book manages to avoid these pitfalls, and his account of Thatcher's life and times is even-handed, thorough and highly readable. The first volume
of Campbell's biography - The Grocer's Daughter - covered Thatcher's early life and career, concluding with her arrival on the threshold of Number Ten. This second volume concentrates on her entire eleven-and-a-half years as mistress of Downing Street, as well as the aftermath of her removal from power.

The first thing to say is that it's a huge read - over 800 pages. But this is no more than the subject deserves, given Thatcher's dominance, not only in her role as Prime Minister, but also as an inveterate meddler in the work of her ministers. From health and education to local government finance and foreign affairs, there was barely an aspect of policy which Margaret Thatcher did not seek to influence.

All the important events of her premiership are there - the three election victories, the Falkands, Westland, the miners' strike, the Poll Tax, and her dramatic departure at the hands of her own party. But the book goes beyond the big stories to put her premiership in a wider context. Take housing: Campbell shows that Thatcher's policy of encouraging council tenants to buy their own homes, while prohibiting local authorities from building new houses with the proceeds, led to a massive shortage of affordable housing, and by extension to the high
numbers of homeless people still seen on British streets today.

Campbell's thorough research shines brilliantly throughout the book, but U.S. readers may find this depth of detail just too much information to take in. During some passages, even my eyes started to glaze over at so many references to obscure events and personalities from Britain's political past.

Of greater interest may be the sections covering Thatcher's dealings with Ronald Reagan. Thatcher apologists often claim that Britain's standing in the world grew taller as a result of her strong support for the U.S. President. But Campbell makes good use of Reagan's archival papers to reveal the true relationship of these political soulmates.

While they undoubtedly got on well, the President rarely let their friendship get in the way of his policy objectives. Thatcher believed they were working as partners to save the world from tyranny, but Reagan failed to consult her even on such important matters as the invasion of Grenada (a British Commonwealth territory) or his suggestion to Mikhail Gorbachev at the Reykjavik summit that the US and USSR should abolish
all nuclear weapons. Even so, Thatcher never lost an opportunity to catch the presidential ear. Campbell recounts Reagan breaking off from one of her many telephone rants to observe: "Isn't she marvellous!"

One of the most enjoyable sections of the book focuses on the burnishing of the Thatcher image, especially in the later years of her premiership. Campbell documents the change from the clothing of a "middle-class mimsy" to the power-shoulders of a leading lady, and her increasingly imperial airs. The regal touch was most memorably on show when she emerged from Number 10 to announce "We have become a grandmother." But
the author also offers a reminder of her qualities as a consummate actress. In 1990 she delivered a conference speech in which she compared the new bird of freedom logo for the Liberal Democratic Party to the dead parrot from the Monty Python sketch. She had never seen the routine, but delivered it with perfect timing to laughter and cheers from her audience. The following month, she was an ex-Prime Minister.

Margaret Thatcher's fall from power was pure political theatre, and those of us who watched it unfold on our television screens will never forget those dramatic days. The big question in my mind was: could Campbell's account rise to the occasion? The answer: a resounding yes. Every twist and turn of the spectacle is followed, without recourse to melodrama or purple prose, and what could easily have been a disappointing damp squib of a section turns out to be a fine account of a political career in meltdown.

For me, the most intriguing part of the book describes Thatcher's life after leaving Number 10. Politically-speaking, she was dead in the water - there is no role in the British constitution for an unemployed prime minister. But Campbell is astute enough to highlight the human aspects of her new situation. Only days earlier, she was being feted by
President Mitterrand at Versailles. Now, shorn of the Downing Street machine, she had difficulty even using the telephone to find a plumber. Thatcher's refusal to adapt to her new situation caused her successor much grief, and the book relates the despair which John Major felt at her off-stage sniping , especially when he was trying to rebuild bridges
to Britain's European partners.

Having already documented the lives of two former Prime Ministers - Lloyd George and Edward Heath - Campbell is able to view the Thatcher years with a historical perspective. The conclusion of this book, however, is disappointing. A work of this magnitude deserves a resounding finale, but instead it runs into the sand, offering little more than a couple of pages to sum up Thatcher's impact. It's not a bad ending, but I feel that the author could have done justice to the rest
of the book by bringing together more effectively the various strands of Thatcher's life.

That said, the book is a masterpiece of political biography,
meticulously researched and written in that enviable style which both informs and entertains. It may be too soon to call it the definitive biography of Britain's first woman prime minister, but the next time an author sets out to write Margaret Thatcher's premiership, this is the first book they should turn to.

The mid-90's pop band Spice Girls called the ultimate Girl Power as Margaret Thatcher. The British singers were on the money because Thatcher was a revolutionary Prime Minister. She kept her own counsel and could not be manipulated by the popularity polls. This account of her political career is the ultimate study in what Henry Kissinger once said "power is the ultimate aphrodisiac". Churchill and Thatcher proved that Britain produced two formidable leaders who survived Machiavellian daggers over and over again and got their way before being ousted.

collecting all the masterworks some are very hard to find, it is nice to know i can come to amazon to find the missing ones, this is a wonderful book and series worth collecting for reading or saving for your kids which is what i intend to do.

I just love these books!!! It is the only affordable way to get copies of the old comics I had as a kid. True, it's not quite like owning the comics but I love the long life hardcover binding and the reprinting is well done. I just love getting to read, again, the comics I loved to read as a kid. I suggest all of these archive type books to any comic lovers or collectors.

Thomas Misa's account of how the Steel industry rose to prominence in the years of 1865-1925 is a masterful telling of the all American story. Steel was crucial for the development of this country from the transcontinental railroad to the automobile. The steel industry was dependant upon these contracts in order to grow. It was a highly centralized system in which the railroad presidents personally dealt with the negotiations. After the railroads newer and stronger steels were produced using the open hearth furnace as opposed to Bessemer so that stronger steel could be used in buildings. The rise of the skyscrapers literally reinvigorated the entire industry. This was followed by an increase in armor through the naval build up in the World War 1 era. The steel industry would reach its height during this time after suffering economic hardship from the panic of 1893. Finally the automobile would be the key to it all and bring about a new era of steel production. This book is well written and executed perfectly. Highly recommend for those who want to learn about the steel industry. This book does not go much past 1925 and only briefly addresses the question as to why the steel industry collapsed.

Thomas J Misa, A Nation of Steel, the Making of Modern America, 1865-1925 (1995)

Thesis: "The relationships between producers and consumers are the single most important determinant of the dynamics of technology and social change." (xix) "The view of technology as applied science has served as a powerful myth for legitimating science policy..., but this view is worse than useless for comprehending the dynamics of technical and social change." (xv)

Chapter 1. "The Dominance of rails 1865-1885"
Three RR building campaigns, 1872, 1882, 1887
Henry Bessemer process: air could decarburize pig iron, blew it in from the bottom of a tilting converter.
Alexander L. Holley: designed Bessemer steel rail mills
From 1877-1915 (except depression decade of 1890s) price of steel rails determined by Bessemer Association & successors
Users and producers of rails could be owned by same corporation, ie Pennsylvania RR p 21
Continuous Bessemer process p26
How to determine quality? Chemistry. Distinguish iron from steel? p30
Carbon content: Steel .2-1% p33 Fusion p32, p38
Steel making in US created for a single product: making steel rails. p 42-43.
RR officials promoted funded and founded early Bessemer steel works
Train steel executives in modern management
Influenced scientific knowledge
Shaped pattern and pace of national development p43.

Chapter 2. "The Structure of Cities, 1880-1900"
New steel for urban structures broke the tyranny of the Bessemer steel rail and was a mammoth technical and scientific effort involving new linkages between producers and consumers of steel. p 50
Bessemer mills could not make structural steel for four reasons; p 76.
After rail market stagnated in late 1880s, the mass production of steel in the US depended on steel for urban structures. p 83
fireproof p86, rapid construction p87

Chapter 3. "The Politics of Armor, 1885-1915"
Harvey-Krupp cartel P129
Hayward Augustus Harvey, hardened armor p 120
London financing p122
Krupp patent p123
Never before had so many government officials interacted so intimately with so many managers and executives in private industry. p 129
Huge profits from armor permitted Carnegie to purchase iron ore lands and transportation that made it self sufficient in this vital raw material p 130

Chapter 4. "The merger of Steel, 1990-1910"
Changes in steel industry destabilized the rail and steel system that J. P. Morgan had just salvaged from competitive disarray and economic depression, triggering the events behind the formation in 1901 of the US Steel Corporation p 130
Morgan= worked to forestall destructive competition among the RRs and steel companies
Carnegie= the master of destructive competition p167
US steel was designed not to foster technological change, but to promote stability in the industrial system. p 170.
Innovation, as in high-speed steel for factories and alloy, sheet, and electric steel for automobiles came from beyond U.S. Steel. p171

Chapter 5. "The reform of Factories, 1895-1915"
Frederick W. Taylor: metal cutting research p174
High speed steel and the interplay between its science-inspired invention and its craft-oriented production. p175
One perfected the new steels cut at impressive and unprecedented rates p193
By 1902 a revolution in machine design was under way p200
Not only individual machines, but also the design of the factory itself p201
High-speed steel affected the traditional balance of power and authority in the shop p202
These developments in machine tools, factory design and metallurgy culminated in the rational factory movement in the automobile industry 209
in responding to a new and insistent user (the automobile makers) the U.S. steel was prodded into its fully mature form p209.

Chapter 6. "The Imperative of Automobiles, 1905-1925"
Five key interactions between the producers of steel and the automobile industry p213.
The establishment of standards for steel p213, 215
the use of alloy steel p213, 223, 229, 232
Proper heat treatment p213, 234
Continuous production of steel sheets p214, 241
electric steel making p214. 247

Chapter 7. "The Dynamics of Change"
After 1925 what is remarkable is how little the patterns of producing and using steel changed. p253
The real price of stability as outlined in previous chapters was the stifling of innovation p255
Tech innovation in the steel industry comes from companies other of the U.S. Steel p255
R&D and Tech change
electrical properties of steel containing silicon minimizes heat p255
stainless steel p257
Author's investigation into the decline of US Steel p261
Economics and technical change p 262 Technological development over time tend to be closely related to existing activities, irreversible and path dependent p265
Labor and technical change p266 Ultimately the industry's dismal labor policies represented a social choice to retain profits rather than distribute them as wages p270.
A focus on user-producer interactions complements and extends the sector-based analysis fo this study p274
Centralized interactions p 276 RRs before 1900, armor before 1895
Multi-centered interactions p277 RRS after 1900, armor after 1895
decentralized interactions p277 structures after1880, factories after 1890
direct consumer interactions p 277automobiles after 1910, alloys after 1920

Conclusion: p278 the resulting technology torpidity that doomed the industry was not primarily a matter of industrial concentration, outrageous behavior on the part of white and blue collar employees, or even dysfunctional relations among management, labor and government. What went wrong was the industry's relations with its consumers. p 278
need for public policy mechanisms to deal w/ perils and promise of technology. p 282

Being the Rolemaster fan that I am I purchased this book just on the notion that it would be a quaint little collectors piece. I was far from being correct. Horror fantasy is one of my best run games thanks to this book. This book covers every kind of horror from the typical creepy kind to the gory blood splattering grotesque kind. It will help you define what kind of horror to place in your game. This book is a must for horror gamers for any RPG on the market!

Bruce

I came across a recommendation for this book while I was preparing to run a few horror scenarios in my AD&D campaign. While it is a Rolemaster supplement, I have to say that it's absolutely the best piece of writing I've ever encountered on running a game of any sort!

The author cleverly and masterfully breaks the horror genre down into its more basic elements and gives the GM clear and easily-grasped ideas on combining them into effective horror adventures. I recommend this book for GMs using any gaming system.

One thing to keep in mind is that this book contains no game stats. It is compatable with pretty much everything.

This book is truly an incredibly powerful book that truly encompasses all the emotions of change and immigration. It allows the reader to feel the emotion of the storyteller all the way through the end of the book. It is also packed very nicely with side stories of Russia and its culture, past, and politics. It's an amazing read and all should read it. It will make you want to read it over and over again.

On Both Sides of the Iron Curtain: The Story of a Russian Refugee in America
Exelent! Specially timely in the view of new tensions between USA and Russia concerning human rightes and freedom of speech.

This is perfect for any Peter Rabbit lover. Exactly what I was looking for as a keepsake quality embroidery project for my grandkids and kids alike. I highly recommend it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to decorate a nursery. These patterns are loving renditions of the illustrations found in the classic Peter Rabbit tales. Patterns also include Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, and several other of Beatrix Potter's lovable characters. High detail makes it easy to woodburn and paint these patterns, and some of the patterns include full scenes from the books.

A Ripping yarn from Jack McClure! Science fiction in a military vein. A great page turner to keep you entertained by the fire , pool or hotel room. I enjoyed this book: it is an engrossing read. Lots of fascinating details about stuff you probably never thought about; like how to kill a giant Bear, quickly, with only a spear. Hunting, trapping, Killing and sex. This book has it all.

Four stars: Thomas Furgason lll M.D. Blue Grass Kentucky. 5/4/08

Puss & Boots in the 23rd Century, is the first of a series of post-apocoylptic, WWIII scenarios, and tells the story of two very _strong_ heroines and one _very _unlikely ally.

Boots, who is Bold, Big, and Brave, is an extremely competent warrior. Her strengths include the ability to see events strategically...though, never let it be said that her tactics lag behind.

Puss, (who is Boot's friend, compatriate, and lover), is equally important, both in her Amer-Indian trained ability to hunt, and in her ability to think tactically.

And, unexpectectedly, and perfectly, Bila, the hunk from the Cro-Magnum age, is both their equal, and in some cases, their mentor.

America has fallen under military rule. The NET rules the world, and placates the mindless. This trio, despite multi-millenia social logstones, manages to itinerate the defeat of Evil and the restoration of the Constitution. America, as originally conceptualized by their founders, founds a strong base of support within the story-line, and within its development. No longer can the "Net" obliviate the masses with increasingly pornographic and violent presentations. _Some_ people _think_. And as they think, they _see_. And with their sight, the restoration of the Constitution of the United States is required, no less demanded than the initiation of the Declaration of Indepencence.

Remember "Boots as Boss" and Puss as "Pussy Footing". The intitial chapters of this book require strict attention, as the author's viewpoint switches frequently from one character to another. As you advance in the story, however, both characters become unique, and special, and with the inclusion of a time-traveler, vastly more interesting.

(Confession)

I could not read Huck Finn by Mark Twain, because the dialect threw me off. In Puss and Boots, I had to perservere through the first two chapters, because the military lingo and the advance in time threw the dialect off enough that I had to slow down and think.

Let me tell you now.

This is a wonderful story. Once you get the hang of the dialect, it becomes one that you can't put down. I read Puss & Boots in the 23rd Century in one day. And I wanted the next snippets, immediately.

Enough, said.

Buy this book.