Illinois Books

I rate this book 5 stars because it gives you all the information you need on gissing. I had to write a four page paper on him and it gave me everything I needed. I wish that there were more books in the world that gave that much information on one single, simple little subject. I haven't seen a book in years that has actually had all the information you need all in one book. I didn't have to find 6 or 7 books just to write a 3 or 4 page paper. I exceeded my number of pages and my teacher gave me an A on the paper and it brought my grades alot and he told me if I would keep writing papers like that then I would have and A in his class I am glad that I made that grade now I can complete other papers like that and get a higher grade in a class.

I would not have found this book but for the fact that the author (Gary Cook) is my advisor, professor, and friend here at Beloit College. He introduced me to the works of Mead, as well as the other great American pragmatists (C.S. Peirce, William James, etc). A better professor than writer, but for any who interested in the life of Mead, this book is a must.

George Magoon may not be particularly well known outside of specific regions in Maine, but readers will recognize him as an embodiment of distinctive character types: folk hero, trickster, local character, and wisecracker. This highly readable book shows why Magoon and a number of similiar characters from backwoods Maine deserve greater consideration within the wider scope of American history. Ives first documents Magoon's life history through the actual stories told by relatives of Magoon and through conventional historical resources, and he also situates the biography within the context of Maine's social history, particularly as it pertains to the legislation and enforcement of wildlife protection policies over 100 years ago. Ives then presents his readers with vivid and often highly entertaining stories about Magoon, many of which still remain vibrant within the oral traditions of Down Easters. The book then discusses similiar stories about Wilbur Day and Calvin Graves, two other woodsmen who also ran afoul of the law as it was enforced by game wardens one hundred years ago. Ives completes the book with an insightful and well-argued conclusion that brings together the disparate stories and historical figures by showing how the narratives can be read in relation to wider patterns of social tension and cultural change that ensued after the passage of laws that restricted hunting and trapping. The various participants in the "game war" and the specific stories are interesting in and of themselves, but Ives masterfully demonstrates how the particular examples can be read to reveal a wider understanding of the social history of wildlife management in America.

The George Reeves Site (American Bottom Archaeology: Fai-270 Site Reports, Vol 15) by Dale L. McElrath was an excellent resource during the field school I attended at this site (July 2003). It covered every type of feature we found, almost every artifact as well as expansive map coverage including the area of the site we were excavating, though it had not been excavated before. I would buy it again if I didn't already have a copy!

If you're a student of George Rogers Clark, this is MUST reading.In 1976, I along with six other muzzle loading rifle enthusiasts re-inacted George Rogers Clarks capture of Fort Sackville (Vincennes Indiana). This book made the whole experience come alive. "Col" Don C. Wiley esq."DELCO DON" Don C. Wiley

This book was created mostly by the people who survived the Expulsion. Much material gathered in this book has never been made public in America.It is must reading for survivors and their children, at the least.

The title is not half as catching as the book itself. The well known historian Terry G. Jordan (author of German Seed in Texas Soil) wrote about this book: "In this unique biographical case study of 19th-century German migration to the United States, Andreas Reichstein deals with one family's life on both sides of the Atlantic, allowing the reader to understand the 'push' factors that drove the Wagners to emigrate, and the 'pull' factors drawing them to the United States, as well as the cultural changes required for adaptation to America." The book is truly fascinating to read (with exeption of the introduction). Its full of details which bring the past to life -- the situation in Germany in the 19th century as well as the hardships on the frontier. Yet, there's even more to this book. Its not just a vividly told story of immigrant families on the Texas and Illinois frontier but, it also describes what made immigrants become Americans. Its a compelling study about identity, about the past and the - possible -- future of the United States. Rarely have I read a book that intrigued me as much as this one.

In this crisply written, thoroughly accessible book designed for the home chef, author William D. Setzekorn has adapted a full repertoire of recipes handed down through the generations. Representatives of the cuisine brought to the United States by German immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century, this treasure trove of family favorites has been adapted to suit the contemporary American kitchen. All ingredients are readily available in any market and many convenience products have been integrated without compromising the authenticity of the dishes.

A full range of courses is offered here: appetizers like chicken liver pâté and stuffed mushrooms; potato, asparagus and chicken soups; a surprising array of seafood choices. There is an assortment of interesting preparations for game birds - pheasant in orange sauerkraut and duckling braised in red cabbage; roast goose with fruit stuffing.

For the heartiest appetites there are plenty of savory roast, schnitzels and stews, creamed vegetables and many variations on the ubiquitous cabbage. Still hungry for something sweet...try German pancakes or one of the strudel, kuchen or cookie recipes. This is an ethnic cookbook, but one so full of homey comfort foods of any American kitchen that the German-American Cookbook will be a popular addition to any home culinary library.

I live in Southern Illinois and my wife and I often ride our motorcycles throughout Southern Illinois and Northern Missouri. We often pass through areas where you can tell there used to be something buit it has long since been torn down or abandoned. A lot of these towns and ruins are explained in this book and it was pretty cool to know the history of these towns. I would suggest the author do a follow-up to this book with the history of many of the small towns in Illinois. There are many great places to see in Southern Illinois and Northern Missouri. Lots of old history and heritage. If you are a history buff or are just curious about the area around you in Southern Illinois, definitely purcase this book for some insight.

As The Gift Horse's Mouth opens, Jimmy Flannery learns that he can finally move up from precinct captain to Democratic committeeman in Chicago's 27th ward. It's a job he's wanted all his adult life, and been groomed for by his Chinaman, Chips Devlin, who also steered him into a career walking and inspecting the sewers. Chips has had the job for decades and is now ready to pass it along to Jimmy. It's a moment filled with potential, for Jimmy's wife, Mary, is pregnant with their first child.

But to get the job, Jimmy has to ask the favor of the head of the party, Ray Carrigan. Carrigan says he'll think about it, and while leaving Jimmy finds his mongrel dog, Alfie, having his way with Carrigan's purebred, Mistinguette, who is being walked by Carrigan's receptionist.

The next thing Jimmy knows, he gets an early morning telephone call from Carrigan telling him to come to an equestrian trail in Saganashkee Slough out in the suburbs. Goldie Hanrahan, Carrigan's long-time assistant, has just been found dead there. Jimmy is assigned to look out for Carrigan's undefined interests in the case.

Although he's only supposed to observe, Jimmy is soon off detecting. Goldie has been keeping a horse in a nearby stable for three years, but doesn't usually leave this early in the morning. And her famous golden bridge set (which is the source of her name) is missing. Did she swallow it when she died?

In the investigation, Jimmy learns that Goldie has been "friendly" with many of the Democratic movers and shakers . . . and had a child out of wedlock. Jimmy senses that the death is somehow related to the child, and tries to track the boy down.

Soon, he's single-handedly solved the case . . . which would have remained unsolved otherwise. The resolution of the mystery is a little tricky. Pay close attention to the descriptions of all the characters as you go. The first time I read this book years ago, I had to go back and reread quite a section until I understood how the plot worked. Hopefully, you will be more careful!

The most interesting part of this story is examining the consequences of adult choices. You will get a clear sense that Goldie's life could have been and ended much differently, as you discover who her main admirers were.

As you think about that, you should consider also what choices you have made that have improved and possibly worsened your life. What lessons can you draw from those experiences when you face important choices in the future? How can you pass along those lessons to those you love?