Pea Books

Yum, Yum, Extra Yum. My son loves this book! He knows the whole thing by heart and it's such a joy to read. The illustrations are so light and the story is heartwarming. Your little pea will love it.

My 3 & 5 year olds absolutely adore this book. I was a bit surprised, but the author really appeals to the audience here. It seems a bit boring to me, not my favorite read. It was cute the first 50 times. I had hoped it would help my girls open their "palates", so to speak...no such luck. Oh well, at least they like the story! Cute illustrations.

This book is one of our favorites. My daughter loves it because she finds it hilarious that Little Pea eats candy for dinner so that he can have spinach (his favorite) for dessert. It has really helped us with our own mealtimes as we "try new foods." The illustrations are so cute I wish we could have t-shirts with them on it. This is definitely one of those books that parents will love as much as the kids. It's quite clever.

A sweet, simple story. Both my children are getting a kick out of the idea that Little Pea hates candy. Very cute.

If you have a child that loves sweets and hates candy...this is a great book. The pea hates candy and loves to only eat vegies. Very cute.

This book is a model for clarity in histories of the Civil War. The author describes troop movements and strategic decisions in an accessible manner. The meaning of the Pea Ridge campaign is made clear. In this book, you can follow the battlefield and get a sense of where people were at any given moment.

The South lost the West in this battle; the battle pre-saged many of the tactical innovations of the Civil War. This "sideline" battle is revealed as more important than most realize, an early indication that western battles would yield Union victories.

Even among Civil War buffs, Pea Ridge is pretty much a forgotten battle. Shea's book remedies that with clear, readable and moving narrative and keen analysis of the largest Civil War battle fought in Arkansas (and depending on which numbers you believe, the largest fought west of the Mississippi). Even more importantly, the book provides compelling reasons why Pea Ridge should NOT be a forgotten battle. He also spotlights the brilliant performance of Samuel Curtis, perhaps the Union's most underrated general, as well as the less-than-brilliant work of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, who had all of Jeb Stuart's style but not of his skills.

Many Civil War buffs, and most casual readers of Civil War history, have more than a parochial understanding of this pivotal battle. When Curtis's northern troops entered NW Arkanasas, during the winter of 1862, they knew they were facing a strong enemy.

Earl Van Dorn, recently promoted to commander of the Army of The West, had assembled a strong army and was anxious for success against Curtis's troops. He believed that he could defeat him and launch an overland campaign, against Union held St. Louis, ensuring his lasting fame. He was unprepared for what he would find with Curtis.

Curtis had entrenched his army, along Little Sugar Creek, which rests south of Pea Ridge Tavern along the Telegraph Rd. As the Rebels were wintering in the Boston Mountains, south of his position, Curtis had little worry about Rebels hitting him from the North. Fortunately, Brig General, Franz Sigel, detached from Curtis's army, and at Bentonville, was defeated, and pushed back to Curtis's position and alerted him of trouble in his rear.

Van Dorn's ingenious plan revolved around splitting his army, to traverse Elk Horn mountain, with troops under Ben McCullough taking the Ford Rd, to the mountain's south side, and his troops, commanded by Sterling Price around the north side. They would meet on the Telegraph Rd, north of Curtis's army and push them into Little Sugar Creek - blocking their means of retreat to Missouri. While conceptually, this plan was sound, in reality, the timing proved difficult and Union troops under Osterhaus and Jefferson C Davis, caught McCollough's rebels in the open. Battle followed in, and around Leetown. While the rebels were able to open the battle, their organization fell apart after brigadier generals Ben McCullough and McIntosh were killed on the field. Command of this sector fell to the next general in line, Albert Pike. Pike was leading the Civil War's first brigade of Indians, and was not up to the task. The union forces pushed them NE towards Elkhorn tavern.

Meanwhile, east of Leetown, Van Dorn's main body, unleashed a spectacular attack against Curtis's Union forces at Elkhorn Tavern. The rebels pushed Curtis's troops 1/2 mile south, along the Telegraph Rd. Even with the routing of the portion of his army, now being led by Pike, Van Dorn slept that night, confident that his troops would push Curtis's army into the Little Sugar Creek. This was the mistake that lost him the battle.

The next morning, after assembling his new battle line, Curtis's opened the day with the largest artillery barrage of the Civil War (up to that point). This artillery barrage caught Van Dorn's confederates unprepared. In the excitement of the previous day's victory, Van Dorn had not called up his supply train. Essentially, caught up against the east edge of Elkhorn Mountain, and in the open south of Elkhorn Tavern, Van Dorn's troops had almost no artillery ammunition, and very little ammunition for his infantry. Van Dorn was forced to retreat, east along Huntsville Rd.

Over the coming months, Curtis would pursue Van Dorn's army across north, and north central Arkansas. His victory would assure the Union, that Missouri would stay in the Union.

This book was extremely well written and easy to read. Shea did a remarkable job putting his text into easily visualized format. I was even more impressed with this book after visiting the battlefield, and using his maps, and pictures, to explore the battlefield (if you are interested in viewing my pictures of the Pea Ridge battle field, please email me at michael.noirot@gmail.com).

I highly recommend this book to all Civil War buffs. It will put the battles, west of the Mississippi, into proper perspective.

Michael Noirot
Saint Louis, Missouri

Authors William Shea and Earl Hess tell the story of the campaign and battle of Pea Ridge, which is sometimes grandly called the Gettysburg of the West. The Union Army of the Southwest, commanded by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis numbered fewer than 11,000 soldiers, the same size as a single division in the Army of the Potomac at that time. Yet, while the vast legions of Army of the Potomac hovered uncertainly near Washington DC in February 1862, Curtis launched a winter campaign that took his small army clear across the Ozark Plateau and into northwestern Arkansas.

There, Union soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and loyal Missouri met an equally tough set of Confederates from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. It was one of the few times in the Civil War that the Northern soldiers were outnumbered. But in the subsequent battle of Pea Ridge in early March 1862, the 16,000-man Confederate Army of the West went down to defeat.

According to the authors, bad luck, uninspired leadership and Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's many outrageous blunders negated the Southern army's numerical advantage. On the Northern side, Curtis and three of his four division commanders maneuvered their soldiers with skill. Even Curtis' erratic second-in-command, Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel supervised a decisive artillery bombardment on the second day of the battle. Three Yankee brigade commanders showed courage and initiative, but at least one unit commander had a yellow streak.

The book devotes a chapter and a map to the preliminary operation in which the Confederates missed capturing a Union detachment that Sigel had carelessly exposed. The March 7 fights at Leetown and Elkhorn, and the March 8 battle at Elkhorn are explained in detail with maps. The Army of the Southwest's later march to Helena, Arkansas is sketched out more briefly. A concluding chapter ably critiques the strategy and tactics of both sides. There is an Order of Battle and extensive footnotes.

Compare this book with Shelby Foote's short account of Pea Ridge in his splendid "The Civil War -- A Narrative." Foote was a great historian, but it sounds like a different battle. To take only one example, Foote says Van Dorn's two pronged attack was planned. Yet Shea and Hess note that the attack was improvised after the Confederate flank march fell badly behind schedule. This is typical of the kind of detail that the authors add to the history of this battle.

My only criticism is a lack of information on weaponry. Except for one Illinois unit, it is not clear whether Union infantry and cavalry units carried rifled muskets, smoothbores, carbines or Colt revolving rifles. The Order of Battle contains detailed data about the type of cannons in each artillery battery, but in one case the text contradicts the OB. For the Pea Ridge battle and campaign, this book is a keeper, despite my quibbling about weapons.

Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West, authored by William Shea and Earl Hess, is a well done work describing one of the most important battles in the Trans-Mississippi theater. This Union victory ensured that Missouri would be Union territory; it also provided a spearhead for attacks further South (e.g., Arkansas). Compared with the Eastern Theater and the Western Theater, the Trans-Mississippi experienced fewer major battles; after Pea Ridge, the Confederacy lost a lot of "steam" in that district.

The battle itself resulted from a campaign headed by Union General Benjamin Curtis and Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, colorful but not the most competent Army general in the Confederacy. Other generals in the engagement were, on the Confederate side, Sterling Price, Ben McCulloch, and Albert Pike, and, for the Union, Franz Sigel (with one of his very few halfway competent campaigns of the Civil War), Alexander Asboth, and Peter Osterhaus. The Confederate side was burdened with more questionable leadership.

Van Dorn was able to maneuver his army behind the Union defensive position at Pea Ridge (or Elkhorn Tavern). In the battle that followed, Curtis was able to turn his army around, with the rear becoming the front. It was a stunning display of generalship under pressure. The Confederate attack was designed to be two pronged. On the right, initial advances were successful. Then, a leadership crisis. The charismatic Confederate general, Ben McCulloch, was cut down early and died, and chaos set in on his side of the battle. On the other front, advancing up the Telegraph Road from the North, Van Dorn attacked Curtis' position and made some headway. However, as the situation on the Confederate right (and Union left) stabilized, Curtis was able to release more troops to defend against Van Dorn's assault.

By the next morning, the Confederates were fought out. And, in a display of stupefying incompetence, the Confederate Army had not brought up the supply trains and, thus, was low on food and ammunition. The Union attack the next morning, featuring competent generalship from Sigel (well worth mentioning, given the paucity of such days in the war for him), led to a general defeat of the southerners.

The resulting retreat back to Arkansas was disheartening to Van Dorn's army. The end result: the Union solidified its hold on Missouri, turned back a major assault by a large force, and reduced the ability of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi forces to mount a major attack for some time. It is too much to say that this was the Gettysburg of the Trans-Mississippi, but it was a major Union victory. This battle is not as well known as others, but it warrants attention by those interested in the Civil War.

How many parents have made such commands as "Eat your peas or you won't get dessert!"

Such is the case of the Boy in this story. He sits at the table staring at the sickening things that makes him weak in the knees. He makes a wish and a monster appears! He offers a deal. He will eat the peas and in return he gets the boys soccer ball. The monster eats the peas and where the soccer ball once laid is now a tiny pea.

The story goes on and there are more peas and eventually the monster demands Ralphie the dog!

The story line has a nice little rhyme flow to eat which makes for easy reading. Especially, at bed time.

The artwork is very good. There are things going one throughout and the monster is great! He is made of all the evil bad food that terrorized us and still terrorizes kids today. Brussels sprouts, squash, spinach, Broccoli, liver, mushrooms, and beets.

A good book overall and it's been requested several nights so far.

This book was great. My son certainly has those vegetables he will not eat he was really able to empathize with the boy in the book. It also was a story about how everything we do really does have a price. Eventually the price for the pea eating became to high and he realized that it was not a big deal anyway. A very enjoyable book and the pictures were great too. I spotted this one on the new book counter and thought it was too good to pass up. I would recommend it for ages 6-10 years.

My husband and I have read this book in our children's classrooms for years, now, and have given it as gifts to every child we know. Most picture books, today, have beautiful illustrations but are light on "text." Schnitzlein uses clever poetry that has a cadence that is fun for both the reader and the listener. We also love the message of "try it, you might like it." Looking for that fun book to read to your kid's class--buy this one.

This is a cute book that my kids have asked me to read to them over and over again.

really cute book! pictures are fun for the kids and the story line is classic. Love it!

This was a wonderful story on life, love, and the mistakes we make along the way. Everyone is in love with the way love feels, but some time you need to take the time to find the real one for you. She describes all of the ups and downs of finding and wanting to keep love.

Each person had a real life going on, and you could not wait for the next page to find out what was happening.

It is a must read. Entertaining, laugh out loud, funny, tear-jerker in someplaces. It takes you through all of the emotions a good book should.

It's difficult to belive that this is this author's first novel as she captivates the reader's attention within the first few pages. This is a great story that keeps you wanting more and more. The analogy of "pound cake" is a great discription of knowning when you've met your soulmate.

4.5 stars..on this one

I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend it to others to read. I laughed, cried, felt anger and love throughout the book. There was never a dull moment and the characters were very believable.

The only thing that I will say is that there did tend to be some grammatical errors more towards the last half of the book but definitely doesn't take away from the book. So the rating for this book is really a 4.5 stars because of that.

I look forward to reading more by Ms. Bridgman in the future! Great job!

Rating: 4.5 stars
TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President

As POUND CAKE FOR SWEET PEA opens, Troi's life changes dramatically. Her husband decides to move out of the house, so he can focus on his career and finding himself, but he takes a piece of Troi with him. By fate, Troi meets Kenny in a music store and the two become fast friends. As a result of the friendship, Troi and Kenny get to know one another's friends and siblings and the result is a social circle that is more like one big family. Troi's life is focused on work, waiting for her husband to come to his senses, and being a supportive friend. Her friends worry that Troi can't see how special she really is and will continue to settle when she only deserves the best. As the story unfolds, it is told from the alternating points of view of Troi and her friends, and highlights her journey to self-love and the unexpected relationship that was meant to be.

TT Bridgeman's first novel is quite impressive and I loved the pound cake analogy. Her ability to create characters with distinct voices and effectively tell a story through alternating points of view demonstrate her consummate story-telling skills. From the first page, I was immediately drawn into the story and captivated by the characters. As the story develops, the author weaves in enough back story to allow me to understand how the past helped shape the characters without causing the story to stall. In addition to the well-developed characters, Bridgeman incorporates numerous unexpected plot twists, moments of humor, and some spicy erotic scenes, all of which make for a well-paced story in which I found myself deeply invested. POUND CAKE FOR SWEET PEA carries powerful messages about living life and loving to the fullest, after all, why settle for a crumb when you can have the whole cake?

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This book held my attention from beginning to end. One of the best books I have read in a very long time. The author is an excellent story teller! This book will make you laugh and cry. I am anxious to see what's next from TT Bridgeman.

There is a drive within the genetic code of human beings that can be as urgent as the need for food, water, or sleep. It is the urge to procreate. When Kelly Damron and her husband tried to have children in 2001 she had to deal with the problem of infertility. She was finally able to conceive only to have her twin daughters born prematurely in 2004. Then after their troubled birth, Kelly found herself experiencing postpartum depression. She went on to join the march of Dimes as an active volunteer in 2006 and became the co-chair of the Family Teams Committee for the March for Babies (formerly known as WalkAmerica). She was the Mission Family presenter for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event on May 17, 2007, and has become involved with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, assisting in their Marketing and Events Committees. In "Tiny Toes: A Couple's Journey Through Infertility, Prematurity, And Depression" Kelly candidly records her personal story, drawing upon both her experience and subsequent hard-won expertise. Now the mother of two happy and healthy little girls, Kelly has written "Tiny Toes" for the benefit of the thousands of others who every year must deal with what she's had to cope with -- infertility and premature births, and sometimes a combination of both. Strongly recommended reading, especially for the one in eight couples encountering infertility and the 12.5% of women whose babies are born prematurely, "Tiny Toes" is as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring.

As an individual who dealt with infertility in the past and currently works with couples struuggling with these issues in outpatient treatment, I found Tiny Toes by Kelly Damron to be an excellent resource to anyone facing infertilitry and/or prematurity. Not only does it provide informative technical information, but also honestly and directly addresses the emotional stuggles faced by couples going through this process. This book is an invaluable resource to those early in the process in identifying, preparing for and dealing with the many emotional issues. Those who have already gone through the process of infertility and/or prematurity will find this book to be normalizing and validating. Furthermore, this book is a wonderful resource for extended family and friends who want to learn about the physical and emotional struuggles in order to be understanding and supportive to their loved ones. I will continue to recommend this courageous and helpful book to anyone I encounter struggling with similar issues!

I have several friends in various stages of IVF and that have delivered premature children. Until this book, I didn't know the internal struggles, day to day struggles, and strength needed within a family. I now have a much better understanding. Read this book so you can be a better person to your child, your friend or co-worker going through this challenge.

Kelly Damron's book Tiny Toes is a must read for everyone. We all know couples who struggle with infertility and the challenges surrounding this issue. Tiny Toes is very educational, entertaining and enlightening. The specific infertility terms, methods and process were amazing to learn about. Kelly shared in such a realistic way her personal journey through this difficult and learning process. Once you begin reading you won't want to put it down! Like me you'll think of dozens of others who can benefit by this excellent book!

Kelly's story provides an inner glimpse of the struggles of a family during infertility, premature birth, and depression that will touch anyone. Although it may be especially poignant for families that share this struggle, I was moved by Kelly's honesty and passion even though I have not had the same experiences. As a similar personality type, it was especially meaningful for me to understand the process Kelly went through to overcome her depression and how she found joy and hope through these adversities.

I enjoy you sharing your knowledge,wisdom and journeys.You are an inspiration to us all.Thank you.From one artist to another.

Cassandra Dillon(Author of "Reality Poems")

Writer Carolyn Heilbrun recommended Nikki Giovanni to me and others at the Chicago Humanities Festival in 2002. I read Giovanni's poetry yesterday and was carried away. My favorite poem in Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea is the one about Richard Williams, tennis father extraordinaire. Read this poem to your father; you and he will smile together.

Holding a book of poetry or essays by Nikki Giovanni is like holding a gift of joy in one's hand. In this slim volume called Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, we get both genres. Some pieces have both; they start off as a poem and meander into essay form as in the self-titled offering, "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea". What does H. Rap Brown have to do with NASA and Martians? Well, in this poem/essay, she ties it all together and somehow it all makes sense.

In "Twenty Reasons to Love Richards Williams, Giovanni pays tribute to Venus and Serena Williams' father; "He makes white folks crazy (PS and the black bourgeoisie, too)". "Don't Think" is but six powerful lines and "Blackberry Cobbler", now one of my favorite poems, is reminiscent of childhood and grandmothers. Tributes are paid to James Baldwin, Rosa Parks, and there is another Aretha poem. In these tributes, a ground work of black history is laid before she bestows the honoree with ultimate adulation.

As in Love Poems, her previous collection, Giovanni gives you words of wisdom, love, and conscientious discourse. This is a book that you will find yourself picking up again and again and wanting to share with others. This is poetry- Nikki style.

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub

In order to read this book properly, you'll have to heat a cup of tea and curl up under a warm blanket in front of a crackling fireplace. Make sure your feet are covered with thick, wool socks. You'll also have to check your preconceived notions about the world at the door and open your mind to seeing the same old things in a new way. Nikki Giovanni promotes thought.

In "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea," Giovanni tosses gold dust into the air and allows it to cover the world with great insights and wit. Her "Poems and Not Quite Poems" elicit smiles, tears and introspection. One gets the feeling of sitting at a wise grandmother's kitchen table as she cleans collard greens in a sink full of pale green water. Giovanni's words run clear.

She praises Richard Williams (father of Venus and Serena Williams) for committing himself to his daughters' dreams. She honors Aretha Franklin. She shakes a disgusted head at President Bush and former Vice President Al Gore. She even has a few words for Susan Smith, the woman who drowned her children in her abandoned car.

Giovanni speaks of her childhood and of the people who influenced her life. In this book, she sings an old, comfortable melody.

"Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea" is an interesting read. It leaps about from topic to topic like a wild rabbit exploring the countryside. Although some won't agree with all of her views, Giovanni is to be respected as a voice in our history - speaking out where others have gone mute.

I loved this book of poems and not quite poems. I have so many favorites but the one I liked most was "Twenty Reasons to Love Richard Williams". When I read the title I was thinking who is Richard Williams...maybe some one she once dated. As I started reading it I realized who she was talking about. This poem is so funny yet so VERY true. I actually read it twice. There were several others that I enjoyed like "Aunt Daughter and that Glorious Song" and "Bring On The Bombs: A Historical Interview". As I read these I was sort of lost at first and then I realized that they were about James Weldon Johnson and Daisy Bates, I love the way that she tells the stories of those two events in history. I do wonder if "Aunt Daughter and That Glorious Song" is a true story. I also enjoyed "What We Miss", which was some what therapeutic for me becuase I lost my mother last year and many of the things that I miss about my mother were written in this poem. And "He Blew It" just speaks for itself.
I love Ms. Giovanni's writing and this book is one of my favorites. She is so truthful about everything that she has written here. It is like she put on paper what everyone has been thinking.

This is a book about genetics, from the point of view of a cat owner and her rare male calico cat. As the author unravels the mystery of her male calico, the reader learns about the history and science of genetics.

This book is perfect for anyone looking for a beginners approach to genetics and who also likes cats! I'm thrilled to see it back in print.

A male calico so rare that most veterinarians have never seen one - "Cats are Not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics" is an examination of the strange and off biology of the feline species which work apparently quite a bit differently than that of the common pea. In a second edition, the first published sixteen years ago, is newly enhanced with a lengthy addendum covering all the new discoveries and advances in the study of feline genetics and so much more. "Cats are Not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics" is highly recommended to community library pets/wildlife shelves with a focus on animal biology and for anyone who may be interested in breeding cats or just a plain interest in cats period.

If you love cats, you will love this book, and want to share it with others. Laura Gould has written the charming, witty, delightful story of her male calico cat, George, and his feline pal Max in their California home. That alone would have been a wonderful book. But aren't all calico cats female? The vet turned pale upon seeing George, obviously male and obviously calico. Gould intersperses George's' life story with her own investigation into how he could have come to exist. This makes a gentle, funny, and accurate introduction to genetics, including side trips to libraries with insane librarians preventing the books from being used, to theories of sex before the discovery of genes and DNA, and to rare Japanese sources. Cat lore, history and science are beautifully balanced in this book. The second edition brings the genetics up to date, while keeping all the charm of George. A superb read!

I found this book quite by accident but it was exactly what I was looking for. Not only did this book share my love of cats and interest in calicos but gave a clear and easy to understand explanation of calico genetics.

Best explanation of the calico phenomenon I have ever read. SHe explains the basics and the history behind the rare male calico in a clear and enertaining way. The lessons on basic genetics as you go is a unique way of presenting things.

A stylishly effective book of easy to make and decadently simple recipes.Obviously written with a love for the food offered and the origins of the recipes.The photos and writing compliment the finished result of good old fashioned,yet timeless treats.

I am soooo happy I found this book. I am going to give it as a gift to all of my friends. It is the most unique cookbook I have ever seen.... a combination of sensual and soulful .....unbelievably beautiful pictures and stories to go with easy to follow wonderful recipes. Cooking can be fun again!

Simply Yummy could of been the title! The recipes are quick, non complicated, easy to follow, and best of all each is delicious. This is the cookbook that reminds me of ,"Like Water for Chococlate". There is a sensual tone and history to each recipe. The connection to the authors grandmothers use of simple ingrediants easily turned into soul soothing delights is tasted in each bite.Indulge yourself with this guilty comfort cookbook!

I own a small catering company in Canada that handles a lot of small exclusive business office parties. During the summer months we specialize in wholesome foods served in picnic baskets complete with fine wines and even checkered tablecloths. We try to offer our clients menu selections that are not only healthy but supply a bit of flair and tempting eye appealing foods. Discovering Ms. Bicks wonderful Guilty Comfort Foods has made our dessert selections not only easier but the compliments keep coming in. The cookbook has top billing on our kitchen shelf and her whitty tongue in cheek way of writing brings smiles to the faces of my catering staff. Thank you Lisa and when is the next book coming!!

Nothing can be so mood calming, so anxiety relieving, so depression elevating as a favorite culinary treat. What Lisa Bick has done in Guilty Comfort Foods is to assemble twenty-eight outstanding recipes, each illustrated with its own picture, of dishes that are legendary comfort foods suitable for all occasions of self-pampering and commiseration. From Wacky Cake, Sugar Cram Pie, and Blackberry Pudding, to Brittle, Rhubarb Charlotte, and Homemade Doughnuts, Guilty Comfort Foods lays out each and every scrumptious project with clear step-by-step directions culminating in delicious somethings that are guaranteed to lift anyone's spirits on those occasions when we need to curl up with something as mind soothing as it is taste-bud satisfying!

The future of the human race and its probes into genetics is considered in The Impact Of The Gene, a title that deftly blends the history of genetic research with an informative discussion of future trends of geneticbased technologies. From the initial establishment of genetics as a science by a 19th century friar to latest advancements by genetics which have affected everyday life, The Impact Of The Gene makes some pointed observations about genetics and its influence on our world.

In the mid-19th century a friar discovered the basic laws of heredity: Tudge examines the influence of Mendel's ideas from the 1850s to modern times, considering the evolution of genetics as a science, and including questions of ethics and human paths of development. A fascinating blend of biography and science.

I so much enjoyed this book that I thought I'd drop a quick review to inspire other readers...
This is probably not the best way to take one's first step into genetics, as far as the biological and technical nuts and bolts of the subject are concerned. Yet, if I were a professor, I'd make this a required reading to all students of genetics in order for them to be further introduced to the historical and ethical sides of the matter...
Starting with Mendel's biography and scientific breakthroughs, Tudge offers a guided tour through the early, pioneering days of modern biology, explains the very basics of Mendelian and molecular genetics, then swiftly moves on to discuss several important aspects, consequences and moral and practical responsibilities derived from our present advanced and advancing knowledge of biological heredity.
I think readers with no firm foundation of genetics and evolutionary theory wouldn't grasp the basics so easily from the quick overview by the author, agile and clear though it is. Any other biology textbook will obviously fill such a bill much better...
But the book's absolute forte lies both in the introductory historical perspective and in the following essays on wildlife conservation, evolutionary psychology, genetic bio-engineering and philosophy of science (better still, philosophy after the science!).
Tudge has drawn his own conclusions, and one may or may not agree with him in some respects, especially in his last chapter... But he treats many issues in a clear, informed and scientifically sensible way, and those are exactly the issues all too often hyped up or simplistically downplayed by the media and by columnists who babble on and on, all too often unaware of what exactly they're talking about, and thus unable to convey any meaningful insights to their audiences but doubts, diffidence or, even worse, passive indifference before something apparently, but mistakenly, beyond their grasp.
The principles that lie at the basis of some modern or future biotechnologies are very much understandable instead, and should belong to everyone who wants to form an educated opinion about what's going on...
A book for the novice to learn a little bit more, and for everyone to ponder. Even the ones who think they already know better...

The FIRST THIRD is a history of Gregory Mendel.
He was doomed to lead his life as a substitute teacher at half pay
in a high school because he was right and his examiner was wrong.
It often said that Darwin should have read Mendel's paper because it
solves a problem that Darwin identified with his own theory
-- that the blending of parental characteristics destroys
the variation that selection needs to work its magic.
(Nonsense! It should have been the other way around.
Mendel should have read Darwin's work and known about Darwin's problem.
As someone being ignored by the world, Mendel had oceans of time
whereas Darwin found himself at the focus of a revolution.
The essense of the issue is physical and mathematical.
Mendel was trained in physics and math while Darwin
was a naturalist, with the many eclectic, nonanalytic
demands of that profession.)

The MIDDLE THIRD of the book summarizes landmark experiments
in genetics from Mendel's time to the present.
For us nonbiology majors, the pace gets much tougher here
but these are very good explanations, and I plan
to reread this part of the book again (and again). For example,
he explains how everyone thought that genes would have to be proteins.
How could DNA, so boring chemically, provide the code for proteins
that seem so infinitely various?

The the book's title and its chapter headings in
the LAST THIRD raise our expectations. For example,

"Could we breed more intelligent people if we really wanted to?
The answer is surely yes, but (a) ... it's not easy.., and (b)
although we might readily raise the average IQ of the population,
it is not obvious that we could improve the top end.
That is, we might produce more people able to get A's at Princeton,
but [not] produce anyone significantly smarter than, say,
[quantum mechanics discoverer] Niels Bohr."

Wow! Tell us how that might come about!
After an introduction like this, I expected something beyond yet another
rehash of the horror of the eugenic attempts of the last century,
but it simply isn't here. It's a nice book,
but it doesn't reach far towards the promise of its title.

Colin Tudge is anxious to set the record straight. Despite a throng of recent critics attempting to discredit Gregor Mendel's role as the founder of modern genetic sciences, Tudge provides a wealth of supportive data to reinforce Mendel's reputation. Although some critics have disparaged Mendel's lack of scholastic acceditations, Tudge urges a comprehensive view. He stresses we should look at Mendel's environment, personal background and, most importantly his scientific methods. Tudge simply sweeps away the criticisms [with the sole exception of R.A. Fisher] as unthinking iconoclasm.

After a defence of Mendel and his contribution to biology, Tudge reviews what genes are and how they function. This in-depth overview is one of the best summations of genetic processes in print. This chapter alone is worth purchasing the book. Tudge traces the roles of DNA, RNA, the amino acids and proteins. He shows how even minuscule changes in any step in the sequence can lead to ineffective proteins. Such changes can be implemented in the development of the organism [or merely part of it] rendering it unfit to survive in its existing environment. Such change can also make the individual more fit if that environment is undergoing change. He reviews the history of discoveries concerning chromosomes, DNA [first called nuclein], enzymes and proteins. He reminds us that many of these finds were made while Mendel's work had sunk from sight. Tudge's list of the researchers involved and the dates of their discoveries is revealing for those not well-grounded in the history of biology. He shows how the many threads were brought together many years later.

Tudge addresses how the genetic ratios imply regular laws of inheritance. Tudge stresses the revolutionary aspect of this discovery and how it changed science's view of life. He notes how Mendelian genetics seemed to refute Darwin for some years. When these apparent discrepancies were later reconciled and molecular genetics arose as the science binding the two theories, limitless opportunities arose. Revelation of the DNA structure showed how genes could be identified and later used to understand their relation to the whole organism.

Tudge follows through with what has been achieved in genetic research and speculates on what the future might hold. He pulls no punches in his speculations and readers will be confronted with myriad possibilities. These shouldn't be discounted nor blithely cast aside as distasteful. His proposals are realistic and based on strong science.

This book should stand as Tudge's finest effort. He's written many books on science, with some focus on human evolution. Standing as a pinnacle among his publications, readers are urged to take up this volume intending to give it a careful read. His Epilogue carefully reviews the many ethical questions that arise from the new power that genetics has placed in our hands. He reminds us of the pitfalls that have been encountered in the past and to prepare for these in decision-making. Public policies, which ultimately rest in your hands, he reminds us, must be formulated on a basis of clear understanding of what is involved.
This book provides an excellent starting point for building that knowledge base. He warns us against letting events overtake us. Read him to stay abreast of what is transpiring.

Mabel really doesn't like peas, but she's stuck at the dinner table until "every pea has been chewed." Unwilling to eat even one pea, Mabel has the clever idea of hiding the pile of peas...in her ears! Needless to say, when you have ears full of peas "words become confusing, their meanings amusing, ideas become hard to convey." Mabel's mother tells her to "stop," but Mabel hears "hop." "Mabel, hold still" becomes "Get out my old drill" and "Put those tools down" is received by Mabel as "Paint [your] face like a clown." Hilarity ensues. The illustrations are colorful and as raucous as the text. This is an fun book and an excellent choice for working on rhythm and rhyme as well as vocabulary (text includes words like devised, dismay, convey, mission, urgent, conceal, etc.). A great partner with Ain't Gonna Paint No More for a wacky-behavior-themed storytime!

This book is by far one of the best children's books that I have come across in a long time. There is a lot going on in this book and it will keep your child entertained again and again. With very expressive characters that are drawn well and a rhyme that will put your child in stitches this book will never take a rest at your house.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!!!!!!! My daughter likes it a lot too although I think much of the humor is directed at the parents. I can see myself keeping this one around for a long time. I was actually giggling out loud the first time I read it. I do have to say that I was a bit worried about giving my daughter any ideas since she's such a picky eater but it's too funny not to share. I hope there are more in the Mabel series!

Mabel O'Leary Put Peas in Her Ear-y is a playful and zany rhyming book with whimsical and colorful illustrations that will become every child's favorite.

It also passed the important child test. My four-year-old granddaughter and I share the delightful ritual of reading books over the telephone when we're miles apart. I read Mabel O'Leary Put Peas in Her Ear-y to Caroline and she giggled and clapped her hands joyfully, and when we'd finished reading it, she asked me to read it to her again. Now that's a recommendation!

Mabel doesn't like peas but she can't leave the dinner table unless she eats them all. What to do! But Mabel has a plan. She hides the peas in her ears. The problem is that she is unable to hear anything her mother says and that causes many problems for Mabel and her mother.

Armchair Interviews says: Mabel's adventures will delight children and adults alike. You'll find yourself laughing along with your special child.

When you don't like veggies, you must eat them anyway or devise a plan to make them disappear. Mabel O'Leary chooses to hide her peas in her ear-y, which makes for an interesting day when she can't understand a word her mother says.

Rollicking rhyme coupled with gorgeous illustrations of the young trouble-maker and her exhausted mother make this book laugh-out-loud funny and an entertaining read-aloud.