District of Columbia Books

What a terrific book! The pictures and informations are great,
well-organized, and make the monuments easily accessible. Every
student of the Civil War living in the DC/Northern Virginia/Maryland area should have a copy of this book. The photos alone are really worth the cost of the book. Wonderful!

As a resident of Capitol Hill, I found this book useful and informative. I, for one, had no idea that the Congressional Cemetery just a few blocks from my home contained the first Civil War era monument erected. Nor did I know that the first major Lincoln Memorial was right here on the hill.

The book is fascinating and can provide either a brief, or detailed, look at the monuments.

The only thing the book is lacking is a MAP to help the unitiated into the world of DC's complicated streets.

As a citizen working in the District of Columbia, and an avid walker, I have been fascinated with the vast array of statues present virtually everywhere in the city. I have been searching for a source of information that could help me with learning about the history of the pieces. While I was looking for something a little less specific - or I should say, more far reaching (there's a lot, a whole lot of statues in D.C.) than the subject of this book - what is here is fascinating and very informative. I have spoken with some tour guides that visit the statues with tourists, and some of the information that they share about the statues and sites differs slightly than what is written here - but I am so confident in the thoroughness of Ms. Jacobs' research - I am sure these guides are speaking the embellishment of popular myth. I would love to share some of this elaboration with the author to confirm this notion.

Les Standiford is a successful novelist and a great story teller. His story of the selection of Washington DC, the building of the public buildings, their burning during the War of 1812, and the rebuilding afterwards reads like a novel and is well worth reading. There are a few errors but not fatal ones. I'm not a historian, but James Madison was not a senator (page 67); Patrick Henry became his political enemy in Virginia after losing the state ratification vote on the Constitution, and the opposition of Henry's followers resulted in Madison serving in the House rather than the Senate. On page 267 Madison at Bladensburg is described as the only president to be on a battlefield, but Lincoln was shot at in July 1864 at Fort Stevens in DC during Jubal Early's attack. The author says the burning of Washington was a kind of Pearl Harbor or 9/11 of its day, with citizens so outraged that their largely indifferent attitude to the new Potomac location was tranformed into a determination to rebuild on the site. But the vote in Congress to keep the capital in DC and rebuild only passed by nine votes, so this comparison may be a bit overblown. Also, the roles and characters of Andrew Ellicot and Benjamin Banneker could have been developed more. Despite these comments this book is well worth the read, especially for it's portrayal of George Washington, L'Enfant, Adams, and the Madisons, with tribute to the courageous role of Dolley Madison in saving many valuables from the White House. This is a very interesting story most Americans aren't aware of, and they'd profit from the well told tale of the founding of our nation's capital and the personalities of the real characters involved in the story.

I would have enjoyed the book more had the author not try to make the analogy of the "War of 1812" and the British Invasion and the Burning of Washington synonymous with the attack on our homeland that took place by maniacal and fanatical Islamic Fascists during 9/11-but that is the way modern day historians see things.

Having said that, the story is very compelling and L'Enfant an amazing character worth reading. While the writer has taken some liberty in portraying the personal frustrations of Washington in dealing with this artsy fartsy character, he also does an extraordinary job of making what most likely occurred behind the scenes come to life. Jefferson as usual is portrayed as a slick politician whose behind the scene maneuvering would have been very welcome in today's political climate. This seems to be a theme that all authors adhere to.

What is best about this book is to see a prescient dream come to life despite all the hostilities and power struggles.

In the long run who won in the famous trade? Hamilton with Assumption and the establishment of a National Bank or Jefferson/Madison with the Washington being the Capital?

Very worthwhile reading if you like history that is palpable. The only reason I took one star away, and that is a personal preference not a criticism, is because for me too many characters are introduced that had a minimal impact on the historical fact that, in my opinion, would have been better left out to allow for smoother reading of this compelling story.

Les Standiford's Washington Burning focuses on an often ignored, but highly significant event in our nation's history--the British invasion of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. With a historian's meticulous eye and a novelist's flair for drama, Standiford recounts the efforts of the brilliant, eccentric architect, Peter L'Enfant, whose vision for the nation's capitol ultimately prevailed in the face of political resistance, rampant corruption, and the devastation of war. At the same time, Washington Burning describes how a terrorist attack on U.S. soil galvanized a nation. This well-written book is highly recommended.

Best Addresses surprised me. It's much larger than I expected, and extremely handsome in its own right. James Goode is so passionate about these apartment houses, and writes eloquently about not only the buildings, but the people who lived there. I found myself in tears when I came across an especially beautiful building, with exquisite architectural details, only to read the caption 'STATUS: opened as rental 1903; razed 1958.'

The 1950s were cruel times for ornate architecture, but thankfully buildings such as 2101 Connecticut Avenue, The Wyoming, and The Dresden still live on. My favourite chapter is about 2101 Connecticut Avenue, because there is so much information about its conception, right through to the present day, and there are a lot of clear photographs as well as a floor plan.

This book has been well researched, with many interior photographs, as well as the exquisite exteriors, even of buildings which no longer stand, or which have been hideously converted into condos. Even the gracious public dining rooms of the grander buildings have now disappeared, also converted into apartments. Only a few remain in their original state (such as the Westchester), harking back to a more gracious era, when people dressed for dinner!

There are many reasons why this magnificent book quickly became the favourite of my collection.

As a realtor, this book is immensely useful in garnering the history of some of these cherished buildings. As an adopted Washingtonian and architecture buff, the details included in the book are hard to find elsewhere. The writing style is inviting and accessible. Long out of print, it is great to have ready access to this valuable tomb again. Fifth star withheld solely for the fact that I hoped an expanded update section for up and coming buildings or new neighborhoods would have been included in the reissue.

This covers all the bases (and maybe one too many for a family reference)if you are planning a trip to Washington, D.C. I love the itineraries that they have detailed out in the book.

This is another in a fine series by Fodor's Travel Publications. As always, any publication is going to be out-of-date the instant that it appears, given the coming and going of restaurants, clubs, and so on. Nonetheless, this is a very helpful volume.

The map that comes with the book is fairly helpful, although it only covers a rather limited portion of D. C. There are some restaurants and hotels that I would include were I to try such a compilation. However, such reservations are pretty small potatoes and don't detract from the value of the work.

Want to know where to stay? Nice descriptions of hotels in various parts of the city are useful. Just so, a compilation of restaurants. There are a lot of choices provided, including a variety of cuisines.

Then, the little things. Where to shop? Want pens? Go to Fahrney's on F Street NW. Small space, but a great ambience and some nice pens. Newspaper clippings and autographs add a quirky but pleasant touch. In the DuPont Circle area and would like to go peruse bookstores? Karmerbooks & Afterwards on Connecticut Avenue is fun indeed. Even better, from my experience, is Second Story Books on DuPont Circle.

A nice feature is coverage of Mount Vernon, Annapolis, Alexandria, and neighboring areas.

Thinking of going to Washington, D. C. for a weekend or for a week? Take Fodor's with you to enhance the experience.

Just a great all around book that shows what amount of history can be found in any given neighborhood, even if one thinks none exists on the surface. Their book is full of rarely exposed history and fascinating tidbits.

In tracing the history of a distinctive area in Washington. D. C, the authors have compiled a fascinating document that should interest even readers who don't live in the area. Assiduously reseached and fluently written, the book follows the transformation of a country landscape into a neighborhood and of a neighborhood into a community. Chapters on outstanding residents and significant architecture are intrinsically interesting. Changes through the decades are displayed in a rich trove of photos and documents. Residents of DC will find this book indispensable, as will historians and chroniclers of Americana.

Anything with the name Michelin tells me that it is well thought out and offers practical advice and information. This book is no exception to that rule. The Washington DC Green Guide is up-to-date for life in post-9-11 Washington. Helpful contact information, hours of operation and maps are included among neighborhood histories and in-depth museum information that will make you think you've already visited the places! My favorite feature of the book is the address and contact information. The embassies, museums, theatres, major shopping locales and other businesses are listed in an organized manner making it most helpful to make reservations or equipe you to handle any other inquiry you might have. Though its descriptions are ample and helpful as a native, I must admit, I noticed the absence of some insider tidbits with which I have become familiar in my decades living in the Capital City. There are a few historical establishments & restaurants (Old Ebbitts, for instance) which are not included. Overall though, I must give this book a high ranking because it is hard to wrap up our grand city in one book without having to be choosy about what is to be included and what should be left out. Though I live in DC and have all my life, I enjoy this book because it allows me to become aware of some features of our grand town which I may have previously overlooked. It is a great resource for visiting tourists as well and great for Washingtonians to keep on hand when they forsee out-of-town guests. The only thing that would make this book more useful were if it came with a Metro card!

On a recent trip to Washington, DC, I brought along a copy of "Michelin The Green Guide Washington, DC." It was the first time I had used a guidebook in this wonderful city, which I have visited often over the years, spending much time in its extraordinary museums and the Smithsonian Institute. This updated, post 9/11, Micheline book really made a difference - opening up a new world, and saving me lots of time and money also.

The White House, the Capitol, the monuments and the federal memorials - from the glorious Lincoln Memorial, (which I always visit when in town), to the always moving Vietnam War and the impressive Korean War Memorials, the brilliant Phillips Collection and other museums, the Washington National Cathedral, etc., all come to life with historical insight, color photographs and Washington, DC maps, detailed and marked with fascinating walking tours. The Michelin Green Guide to Washington, DC is extremely practical and covers all aspects of a trip to this historic city, including the most interesting neighborhoods to wander through, and a variety of some of the best restaurants the town has to offer. Excursions from DC highlight the best of Alexandria and the Mount Vernon area in nearby Virginia.

Highly recommended!
JANA

The previous review is right on; I would add that this book is succinct, and the prose is clear and laypersons should find it understandable. Indeed, laypeople might want to understand the problems that this 60-year-old case poses to our society now. The 9/11 attack and the subsequent Bush Administration order creating special military tribunals -- "military commissions" of the type that tried the 1942 saboteurs -- has inspired several new books on this incident. Mr. Fisher's book distinguishes itself in focusing on the legal importance of this case -- that became the Supreme Court's Ex Parte Quirin ruling. Quirin is still important case law in questions of special tribunals and wartime detention of enemy suspects. Further, and Mr. Fisher brings this out, the Bush Administration's tribunal system seems to be patterned on FDR's.

I recommend this and Louis Fisher's 2005 work, Military Tribunals and Presidential Power to those interested in post-9/11 legal issues.

REVIEWED BY PHILIP GOLD http://www.washtimes.com/books/

The Congressional Research Service, part of the Library of Congress, is filled with people who do fine work. Among the best is Louis Fisher, legal scholar and CRS senior specialist in Separation of Powers. Mr. Fisher combines a plain, effective style with a mature analytic sense. The result has been over three decades of books and studies that - blessings upon the taxpayer - actually inform and affect the real world. "Nazi Saboteurs on Trial," which Mr. Fisher intends as a prelude to his definitive history of American military tribunals, is only the latest example.
This short, meticulously researched monograph assesses one of the stranger legal escapades of World War II. The facts of the case are not in question. What matters is how the military and civilian court systems performed, the interaction of the executive and judicial branches, and whether that episode should or could serve as precedent for the trial of terrorists and other "unlawful combatants" by military means.
Mr. Fisher's answer: While such types do not and should not enjoy automatic access to the U.S. civilian court system and its protections, the use of military tribunals raises questions that cannot and should not be ignored.
The facts of the case are these.
In the 1941 "Sebold Affair," the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the help of William Sebold, a German turned American counterspy, rolled up over 30 Nazi agents. Adolf Hitler, perturbed, demanded that English-speaking saboteurs be dispatched to America, there to smash factories and railroads and Jewish-owned department stores, spread panic, and generally make themselves a nuisance. German intelligence, the Abwehr, didn't think much of the idea, but deemed it prudent to keep the Fuhrer happy.
So they went out and recruited the original Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight: eight Germans who had lived in the United States (two of them naturalized citizens), but had returned to Germany in the '30s for various reasons. None was the brightest tree in the forest; group cohesion and mutual trust might be described as negative, at best. Still, the eight were given a few weeks' training, then toted aboard two submarines.
In June, 1942, one group landed in New Jersey, the other in Florida. They came ashore in German uniforms, which would give them combatant status in case of immediate capture. They then changed into civvies, buried their tradecraft, and walked off with not much more than their ample moneybelts and orders to win one for the Fuhrer.
They were apprehended quickly, mostly because one of their number, George Dasch, called the FBI to let them know they'd arrived. Perhaps none of the men intended actually to commit any sabotage. None did. But that didn't keep six of them from the electric chair that August, and two others from life sentences.
Justice, such as it was, came swiftly and questionably. President Franklin Roosevelt, taking a grim special interest in the case, determined to try them by secret military tribunal. He appointed the members and decreed himself the sole reviewing authority. Further, the tribunal would not be a standard court martial, governed by the Articles of War and other legislation. It would be an ad hoc commission, governed by the "laws of war" (a nebulous category) and empowered to make such procedural changes as it deemed expedient.
Among them: Although civilian and military courts could not impose the death penalty for actual acts of sabotage, this tribunal could, and did, for acts that were never committed, and may never have been intended.
Clearly, this setup raised numerous questions regarding the separation of powers, military jurisdiction in time of war, and of fundamental fairness. One of the defense attorneys petitioned the Supreme Court, which effectually evaded the issue until after the executions, then issued its opinion in Ex Parte Quirin - a document that did nothing for the luster of the Court, then or since.
In essence, concludes Mr. Fisher, the Supreme Court functioned as "an arm of the executive." It reaffirmed that enemy combatants have no constitutional right of access to civilian courts; that the two citizens had forfeited their citizenship by taking up arms; and that when they took off their uniforms, they became "illegal combatants" who could have been shot out of hand, but who were graciously afforded a trial.
Finally, the Court held that it could not assess the trial itself, since that was secret.
In sum, a mixed set of precedents, ranging from common sense to dereliction of duty. And the question arises - will we be able to learn from the affair to make the handling and disposition of terrorists and other "illegal combatants" both more effective and more just?
Or will we be fortunate even to do as well?

Nice book of this type depicting Washington DC. This one is better than most because the pictures are large and there's some unique perspectives. The only downside is there are so many books of this type it's hard to tell them apart. I've seen other works by this pair and they always do a nice job displaying their subject.

I have visited Washington, D.C. several times, by myself and with my family. This book has the best photographic coverage of Washington in one cover that I have seen. The captions for the photographs are accurate and helpful. If you go on the Washington by Dark bus tours, this book is better than the photos most of us take for the monuments. You can save your film for pictures of your friends or family at the sites during the day. Additionally, the preface history of Washington is interesting and concise. I heartily recommend this photo essay to any Washington, D.C. visitor.

As a fan of football, Michael Richman's Redskins Encyclopedia is a must on my bookshelf. This comprehensive volume is the result of seven years of Richman's extensive and detailed research into his beloved Redskins. Organized chronologically, the volume begins with the birth of the team in 1932 as the "Boston Braves" and follows the history and lore of one of the most storied franchises in all of the National Football League through the 2006 season.

The level of detail in this book is truly extraordinary. Filled with anectodes, stories, data and quotes, The Redskins Encyclopedia is nirvana for any Hog. Hogs, in particular, will revel in the chapters on the George Allen era and delight in reading about the 80's when their beloved Skins become part of the NFL elite under the helm of Joe Gibbs.

For me, however, what makes this volume so special is the most incredible Appendix I have ever come across. It includes "all team records, rosters, coaches, game results, draft picks and players; year-by-year results, Monday Night Lights and the Ring of Fame." In short, Richman has assembled the most comprehensive set of statistics and historical data on the Redskins out there and it is exceptionally user friendly.

If you love the Redskins, you are going to love this book!

The Redskins Encyclopedia is a great book if you're a football fanatic.
I found it to be very resourceful and full of stats and recaps of past seasons and important playoff games. There are a couple of glitches I found (i.e. referring to the Arizona/Phoenix Cardinals as St. Louis during the mid-ninties). But if you're a dyed in the wool 'skins fan, then this is a must have. I had a lot of fun reading it. If you love football as much as I do, then do yourself a favor and buy a copy of this
book. I have read a quite a few football reference books and this happens to be one of the better ones.

Highly recommended.

This book is a keeper -- a coffee table book that will not just "Sit There", this is a great reference and a historical document as well.

The Redskins' Encyclopediea is divided into sections that give a foretaste of the Redskins' history and legends in rather descriptive terms "Born... Surviving.... Transforming... Ominous.... Sonny Days... Winning Flair... Redskins-Cowboy Rivalry... Elite... Mediocrity...").

It also singles out specific players throughout the Redskins' history in 2 special chapters "Washington Monuments" and "Best of the Rest", AND has a great Appendix of Records, Rosters, Coaches, Draft Picks and other very relevant stats... this book is a Redskins' history "play-by-play: a great reference, and also just FUN TO READ -- just open it to any chapter, and read on.

The dust-jacket is an attention getter. Too bad all the book's photos are black and white -- it could have used some half or full-page on-the-field action shots in color. And because of the exceptional wealth of information -- this book really needs an Index.

Some photos stand out more than others -- specifically: Redskins Spring Training -- 1940 style- on the Washington Monument grounds. Then contrast this with the aerial shot of the "State of the Art-Practice Facility: Redskin Park"

The "Washington Monuments" Section -- an alphabetical compendium of Redskin greats -- covered players as well as coaches, including the chapter on Sammy Baugh -- a great player, a true gentleman, a fan-pleaser -- and who woulda known that in addition to his stellar performance on the field, he also starred off the field as the "King of the Texas Rangers". (I also enjoyed the wry humor of that the photo of his uniform sitting by the fireplace.)

Of special note was "The Snap Seen Round the World" -- Joe Theisman's career-ending injury, and his first-person account of his painful rehabilitation period. I personally hope he makes it into the Hall of Fame.

The Redskins Encyclopedia would make a great gift for any Redskins (and other!) football fan.

Given the wide variety in terms of quality that one finds in sports books and encyclopedias, it was hard for me to have very high expectations for THE REDSKINS ENCYCLOPEDIA. But if I had gone in hoping for something impressive, well-written and absorbing, then my hopes would have been entirely realized. This book is not a hastily constructed collection of cut-n-paste jobs; this is a throughly researched, incredibly detailed tome that should be informative and insightful no matter your level of Redskins fanaticism.

The first half of the book is devoted to a year by year history of the organization. For each year, all important on and off field events are discussed. Important games are described. And if the team made the post-season that year, a section is dedicated to each playoff game. While this portion of the book is factual in nature, there is also analysis and discussion of what went right and wrong. Case in point, the chapter dealing with the years 1981-1992 are labeled, "An Icon Among The NFL Elite", while the years 1993-2006 are titled, "Mediocrity, Redskins Style".

The rest of the book is given over to discussing individuals. Players who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame receive a chapter of their own and a second chapter is given over to those players and coaches who weren't recognized by the League, but made a large local impact to the team and its lore.

Dropped in at almost random intervals are short essays discussing a variety of topics: the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry, the coaching style of Vince Lombardi, the nicknames of player cliques, to name a few. The only minor problem I had with this book was that these essays aren't in the table of contents so locating them again can be difficult.

When I first received this book, my immediate attention was on those teams and players that I watched while growing up in the 1980s. It was a great nostalgic and fun time I had reliving those glory days and seeing all the old names again: Darrell Green, Art Monk, Joe Theismann, Gary Clark. I next moved on to reading about the era between Joe Gibbs' two coaching stints, which was a much less fun experience. But even in the slow times of the post-1992 era there were always great moments to relieve (Mark Brunell to Sanatana Moss -- twice -- on Monday Night in Dallas, to mention one).

However, I had almost as much fun flipping back to the earlier sections of the book. I knew a little bit about Redskins history simply from the natural osmosis that occurs from being a sports fan and reading contemporary articles which contain off-hand mentions of glories from long ago. But the information I learned from this book is an absolute treasure. For example, I knew that Sammy Baugh was one of the early Redskin heroes, but I hadn't fully appreciated what an dominant player he was. As fun as it was to once again read the anecdote about John Riggins telling Sandra Day O'Connor to "loosen up, Sandy Baby", it was great to read about stuff that was completely new to me.

I've spent quite some time browsing through this volume, and I'm sure I'll spend even more time in the future. There's a lot of history in the Redskins organization and a corresponding wealth of information to unpack from this encyclopedia. I'm willing to bet that the next time the Redskins score a glorious win over the Dallas Cowboys, I'll be pulling this book from the shelf to mentally compare and contrast the present with the storied games from the past.

The Redskins Encyclopedia is definitely a must have for Redskins fans. I am not even a Redskins fan and I found it thoroughly engaging and interesting, which is quite a feat for a text heavy encyclopedic history of a professional football team I don't even root for.

The bulk of the book is dedicated to a chronological history of the Washington Redskins franchise from its origin in 1932 as the Boston Braves to the Joe Gibbs II regime through 2006. The book provides a review of each and every season in Redskins history, from the 1940's with Slinging Sammy Baugh and a few World Championships, to the topsy-turvy 1970's under coach George Allen when the team lost Super Bowl VII to the undefeated Miami Dolphins, to its heyday in the 1980's winning three Super Bowls under Joe Gibbs, and through the post-Gibbs and the recent Gibbs returns to save the franchise but fails mediocrity that persists today (and will like to continue to do so under the meddlesome owner Dan Snyder). During the journey you will meet the great players and characters throughout Redskins history and get an excellent feel for the deep history and historical ebbs and flows of this long tenured franchise.

One of the nice touches of this work is that it breaks Redskins history into eras and provides introductory insights into the franchise and where it was at and where it was headed before delving into season by season reviews, which provides context and continuity. It also uses text boxes to provide greater detail about seminal Redskins owners, executives, and players. This provides some excellent information while nicely breaking up the text, making it more reader friendly.

The next section of the book consists of mini-biographies of all the great Washington Redskins players, coaches, owners, and executives in the history of the franchise. I thought I would skim through this section quickly but it captured my attention so much I read through the entire section.

The last part of the book provides what most encyclopedias are supposed to provide, all-time team results, records, and other various statistics about the team.

Overall, I found this to be a very through and engaging treatment of the history of the Washington Redskins.

I have a collection of Congressional Cookbooks and "White House" Cookbooks and such by former White House Chef's. Hillary's is beyond the traditional "family cookbook" but gives a white house glimpse and is much more than the tradition, which of course is Hillary!

Beautiful illustrations of the White House, there's no doubt about that. But if your looking for fancy recipes, this is not the book. Few recipes in it, I was expecting more of that, so I was a little disappointed. I thought I was going to have a book with lots of recipes, for special ocassions; I wanted to invite some friends and tell them, look this dish was served in the White House.
Not a bad book, just not what I was looking for.

I actually purchased this book in Washington, D.C., while there for a conference. One of the great First Ladies of the twentieth century provides fascinating glimpses into the most important Home in history, while entertaining the reader with bold and whimsical insights into its many and varied occupants. Did you know that a 145 year-old, crumbling White House was completely gutted by President Harry Truman, with every scrap of detail preserved to be replaced as it was when John and Abigail Adams first occupied it? Such are the fascinating details of history the reader is provided while experiencing the most intimate, day-to-day functions of a house that is both a living, personal family residence while functioning seamlessly as the epicenter of the free world.

I love the White House. Its history, its beauty, its timeless architecture, and its symbol as the center of democracy to a world hungry for freedom. Long may this home be occupied by men and women of good will who seek to serve the wishes of a free people.

This book has some delightful photographs of various White House rooms, furniture, and memorabilia. The text is fairly limited and the photos of the author are (thankfully) kept to a minimum. Overall this is a very enjoyable book and one I can recommend to anyone interested in the White House. As for the invitation, I wonder if the Girl in the Blue Dress received one of these...

I bought my copy cheap from one of Amazon's excellent network sources. I consider myself pretty neutral on Bill and Hillary, but this truly is a shameless advertisement for the two. I was expecting more on the house itself, but basically this is a photo journey through the happier social moments during the Clinton presidency. For this, I still consider the book documenting the Ford presidency to be far better, certainly more candid, and a better artistic statement. The most interesting part of this book for me was the documentation of the planning for a state visit. The recipes at the end of the book weren't very interesting. Certainly, anyone curious about the internal workings of the House itself will be disappointed; JB West's "Inside the White House" is far better. I'm unsure where this book should rest in anyone's library. It could easily be considered fuel for the Clinton spin on their own celebrity. I'm glad I paid only a few bucks for it as I'll have no problem getting rid of it. Recommend looking elsewhere; the Natl. Geographic video on the White House is done much better.