By Region Books

This book is fabulous for before, during, and especially after Christmas. I always use it with my 2nd & 3rd graders in January every year. The children and I love it! Samantha, a young Australian girl writes Santa a Thank You letter for all her Christmas gifts, and Santa writes back. This starts a whole year of correspondence back and forth. Santa writes about the animals and climate in the Arctic Circle. Samantha writes about life in Australia. The lush, detailed art work by Kerry Argent lets you know that this fictional book has a lot of "real" information in it. The children love comparing and contrasting Australia, the Arctic, and their home town. This book is great for teaching letter writing too. This book is a great gift for Winter birthdays.

In searching for an additional reference material for a classroom unit on Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to Antarctica in 1914, and planning on using photography as a middle school classroom project, the book Trail by Fire: A Photobiography of Sir Ernest Shackleton caught my attention. Photobiographies can have deep impacts on students with the plethora of pictures to help them absorb a great amount of information quickly for research purposes. The story itself fascinates, but the addition of Frank Hurley's fabulous black and white pictures astonishes. K.M.Kostyal succeeds by providing excellent text to accompany the photographs: concise, easy to understand, good context definitions of new vocabulary for those unfamiliar with ships and Antarctic travel, and neatly bracketed around Hurley's works. The addition of Shackleton's quotes to introduce sections is very powerful. For many students, just reading the captions to the photographs will open new thinking about the trials Shackleton's crew faced while trying to reach first one goal, then another, which eventually was to just survive in the freezing, punishing elements. If there is one criticism for this book, it is with the map. First it is located at the end of the book, when it would serve the reader better to be either first, or near the beginning. Secondly, it has few of the places mentioned in the text, and I found myself having to refer to a more detailed map from another source to find all the places Kostyal includes. Coming under the umbrella of the National Geographic Society as it does, this is curious. But map critique aside, this book will provide my students with an excellent model for their own personal photobiographies as well as assist them in researching Shackleton's incredible Antarctic sojourn. Well done, K.M. Kostyal!

The editor did a fantastic job of combining these diaries into a chronologically coherent narrative. Additionally he was very wise to preserve the non-standard spellings and minimize annotations. By doing this he preserved the spontaneous quality of the writing.

The writing skills of these diarists is quite surprising. Time and again the reader will come across details and vignettes that are astonishing. In one instance the writer (a private) takes a late night stroll and in the moonlight passes another lone stroller...Robert E. Lee. In another instance a young doctor, fighting as a private, describes his heroic attempts to save his best friend from a protracted illness only to have him die in his arms. It may well be the most poignant thing I have ever read. Other descriptions will create images that will long remain with the reader. From now on when I hear bacon frying I will think of flying miniballs!

This book is unlike anything I have ever read concerning the War Between the States. I highly recommend it.

There have been many books, including children's books,written about Arctic Alaska and the Inupiat who have lived there for thousands of years, and thrived in the harsh environment. But most of the authors have been outsiders.
Now here is a children's book about subsistence whaling written by residents of a primarily Inupiat Eskimo community in Arctic Alaska. It features a young boy Amiqqaq who learns about the "fat snow" or "whale snow" which comes in spring when a whale has given itself to the people, to help nourish and sustain them. He also learns about whaling and the spirit of the whale.

The book is well written by Debby Dahl Edwardson,and beautifully and sensitively illustrated by Annie Patterson. Reflecting the title of "Whale Snow," Patterson has managed to include big fat snow flakes in every illustration, even those showing the interior of a house.
Both Edwardson and Patterson live in Barrow, Alaska, the farthest north community in the United States. And this local perspective helps develop the story and illustrations to a very high level.
It is a great book to read to your children some chilly evening. In addition to the story, Edwardson has included background on subsistence whaling and a list of "Words to Know" in the Inupiaq language. So readers young and old can be informed at the same time they are fascinated with the story and art work.
Enjoy the book!
Earl

The regional approach is novel for these kinds of books. This well done book is more interesting and relevant than most election books. It is the best book on 2004.

A triumph of editing, proving that what might seem to be a dry subject in the hands of the right editor can be as absorbing as a first-class novel!

I don't care for ships, water, ice bergs or warring natives. The manner inwhich our government operates, how it allocates monies, its lack of loyalty and support to those that dare or might cause criticism, not to mention exploring continents maybe never seen before or enduring ship wrecks on the west coast of the United States where only native Americans and seals have trodded; if all the above does not interest you, then you probably won't enjoy this book. But if you like adventure, maritime history, the clash of the titans (Spain, France, England and the upstart United States, and all of the above I described at the beginning of this review, then you will thoroughly enjoy this book. And if you like the manner inwhich Philbrick writes and documents and spins a fast moving yarn, you won't put this book down until you have finished it the first time and started to read it again. If you enjoyed his Mayflower Adventure and all that followed in that book, then you will thoroughly love this book and then look for everything that Philbrick has written. You might start next with In The Heart Of The Sea. So cut loose, give yourself some slack, and enjoy a book for the sheer pleasure of reading about history you have never heard of and the spinning of a tale by a master story teller. Be good to yourself and read Sea Of Glory. You can thank me later.

Far beyond a mere historical naval documentary in book form.
This book shows how we discovered so much about so many places.
An easy read by one of the best authors of our time.
See also Philbrick's excellent "Mayflower".

A wonderfully written and well-paced account of a nearly unprecedented expedition that, until I read this book, I never knew had occurred. Excellent writing, incredible detail, and a setting nothing short than over a third of the planet.

Just about every angle of the human condition can be found here and, frankly, I can readily see this as an HBO miniseries (think a specific-length run, a la "Band of Brothers").

With the publication of the author's Mayflower I assume this book will enjoy a revival. It's too bd I had to learn of it by its being the only thing of interest on the remainder table. When I bought it I'd no idea I would learn so much about one of the main characters, if not the main character, in this human drama, Charles Wilkes. As a student of the Civil War I have long been intersted in Lt. Wilkes because of his involvement, no his creation, of the Trent Affair.
If you are not interested in Wilkes as a participant in the later war, you will still find this a wonderful adventure tale. This is history come to life. Read this book if you read no other book by the author.

A little crankish determination, a little sordid bickering, a heroic cruise on a sailing ship to the ends of the Earth, betrayal and exoneration - all elements of a great adventure book, written with verve and yet with careful scholarship. I'm amazed that so many other reviewers have given this eminently readable book only four stars. The publisher's marketing director made some terrible mistakes.

The saga of Captain Wilkes - his triumphs, his shortcomings, his political court-martial - form the narrative backbone of this book, but there's more to it. There's a lot of fascinating history of the paradigmatic changes in science and technology that occurred during the first half of the 19th Century, the era that Paul Johnson describes as The Birth of the Modern. There's also an insightful depiction of American politics in that period, focusing for a change not on the issues that led to the Civil War but on the still-urgent question of the role of the federal government in funding infrastructure and development, in this case of scientific knowledge.

The US Exploring Expedition was the federal government's largest investment of public money in scientific research before the space program, in adjusted dollars more expensive than the geological surveys after the Civil War - those of Clarence King and John Wesley Powell, which committed those fellows in Washington to subsidizing the "opening of the West" - and it was, though plagued with problems and disappointing to some of its advocates, a monumental success, an enormous contribution to the world's knowledge of itself. Without federal funding, it would never have occurred. That's the subtext to all the glory of exploration, isn't it? Without Isabela, no Columbus! The closest comparison to the US Exploring Expedition is the US Space Program, so fearfully politicized and handicapped by Republican administrations and congresses. Foresightful and generous support of the sciences is one of the justifying functions of government - democratic, oligarchic, monarchical - and since science, even as early as 1838, has become big and expensive, government can be of greatest value to humanity on a proportionate scale. The difficulty that its promoters had in getting the EE funded tells much about the inadequacy of capitalism, also; the "business" interests who insisted on immediate profitable returns from the scientific expedition came close to destroying the whole project.

Ummmmm.... This book was ok... The text was to simple and almost no pictures were shown. Also, nobody needs activitys in a travel book! But, it fun to read and learn about disney world.
THE VIRDICT: Check before you buy!

This is a really useful book, tons of tips, saved me a lot $$ and time. The most valuable thing I learn is to rent a multi-family vacation house with my friends, 16 people for $199 a day. We all enjoy the stay at a luxury emerald island resort. check this out: http://www.cyberrentals.com/index.cfm/property/126687

I loved this book and think it is great for children! I heard that it had lots of the same info as the other books, but I really liked the fact that I did not have to worry about the children messing up my book or losing it. They had their own book which spared us the frustration of trying to all share one! The pictures and text are very exciting and it has made my children even more anxious to get there! We all wish it was tomorrow!!

I read this for my daughters (2 and 5) and found it helpful in deciding which rides to prioritize and which ones to avoid. It gives a kids perspective of what's dark, scary, rough or wild. It's also fun to look at the pictures with the kids although it would be nicer with more photos from Disney and fewer cartoons.

I bought this book for my daughter (age 9) before our upcoming trip. She loved it and has read it over and over and is planning things she wants to do. It is a very good value and contains information the kids want to know such as if an attraction is loud, dark, wet, etc...

I purchased this book for my 9year old son before our 1st trip to Disney. He could easily read this book and it helped to build his confidence to see that other kids his age were doing the rides that seemed too scary to him. We brought it along for our vacation, and it helped prepare us for our next planned day. The book has many tips that you would never know without purchasing this book. This is definately a book I would recommend for kids. For adults... try the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and plan on several months and a highlighter pen, to read it!

As a travel agency I have recommended Birnbaum's Walt Disney guide for years. As I was preparing to take my young daughter to Walt Disney World, I decided to purchase this guide. My daughter and I have read through it several times, anticipating our trip. There are some great suggestions for little ones in it. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

When planning our annual trip to Disney I alway order one of these as there are great kids tips and fun things for the kids to look at and anticipation of the big trip. We are huge fans and go every year our daughter is already planning the next trip out she is only 3. This guide book is her favorite thing to look and and remember wonderful times.

My three grandchildren are going to Disney World in October this fall. I wanted to get something that was easy for them to read and understand. I can't wait until I can give them their own book. Their mom and I decided that we will take the suggestion in the book and wait until 10 days before we actually go. Their ages are 15, 10, and 7 and its the first time for them at Disney. This book has a lot of helpful hints and the more organized we are when we go the less time we will be wasting. 7 people altogether and thats a lot of people making decisions. I am writing an agenda so we don't miss a thing. Don't take everything the reviewers say as gospel. It's all a decision for each kid to make but this will help a lot. The cost is so much, we all want to make the most of a 7 day trip.

If you are planning a trip to Disney World and have kids...this is the book to buy! We have had so much fun reading, planning and preparing for our trip to Disney World. My little girl has memorized every page of this book and can't wait to take it to Disney with us for Character Autographs, Hidden Mickey Hints and so much more! This book is great for kids and adults, too. Lots of pictures, tips on Disney, entertainment for all, very helpful for your little one to feel involved in the trip planning. Also see the other Birnbaum Books...they are all terrific and fun for everyone...don't forget to take the book with you when you go!

My emotions ran the gamut from rage, indignation, incredulity, to fear.
ANYONE considering moving to Mexico or doing business in Mexico, or for that matter any more including the U.S., should read this book!

An all to honest look at the war on drugs. This book takes you down some very dark passages. Things will not look the same again.

When I read this book, back in Dec. 2002, I didn't realize just how it would change my life. It altered my perception of reality forever and I am 60 years old. Mr. Bowden has made a compelling case for the failure of the War on Drugs. In heartbreaking detail he summarizes the story of a family in El Paso who suffered greatly as a result of their child being murdered by another child. But the background to the War on Drugs is as byzantine, complicated and murderous as it gets. Its as if the average U. S. citizen lives in a completely alternate universe where this issue is concerned. It also explains why millions of illegal immigrants cross our borders every decade. Five years after reading this book, I am still affected by it every day. May I suggest Sibel Edmond's gag order case and the MadCowMorningNews as another place to go to understand the nexus between terrorism and drug trafficking, greed and money laundering. Great book--though a complicated read at times---images of the desert are beautifully described.

Charles Bowden has written a well documented story of a span of time in the drug history of the U.S./Mexico border. Certain drug cartels intertwine and are involved with the same several families for years. Thousands of people are put into bondage, murdered or disappeared with little or no trace of them ever again. Many Mexican politicians, even a president or two, are involved with the drug scene and with stealing and removing to other countries, the wealth of Mexico. One murder, which is never solved conclusively, has enormous impact on the life of one DEA officer and on the survival of his extended family. It's a raw picture of one of the reasons to not allow wholesale amnesty of illegal aliens.

This book is brilliant! Only gifted readers will be comfortable reading it though because it is an incredible read! THE TRUTH WILL AMAZE YOU if you are clever enough to hang onto the pages as you turn them!

I admire Mr. Bowden so much because this book is based on 7 1/2 years of research and detective work. The detective work starts with one individual and spirals into a nonfictional mystery of global proportions leading the reader to a place where their reality of what being a U.S. citizen means is forever changed.

THIS BOOK SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR EVERY CITIZEN IN THE UNITED STATES!! EVERY PARENT SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!


"Saying NO to Drugs"... isn't working folks!! THE WAR ON DRUGS is a BLOG to keep the average American from reading books such as this!

Our leaders are making sure the drug problem won't go away . THIS IS A PROFOUND BOOK ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THE ERASING OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

Thank you Mr. Bowden for having the courage to write it!