Washington Books

Logging in America's Northwest, an industry and occupation which arouses strong passions and polarizing viewpoints.

Jim LeMonds, though not neglecting the emotional and substantive areas of contention, focuses primarily on the human contribution and in some cases sacrifices of the loggers themselves.

This book should be read by anyone with even the vaguest interest in forest management and environmental issues. Although he is from a logging family, I feel that the author has been exceedingly fair in his description of todays industry and what the future holds for this industry and more importantly for logging communities.

To me the efforts and accomplishments of the people featured in this book, and the many thousands like them, are what has made our country great. It is ironic that their contibutions and in some cases sacrifices have not received the recognition that they are rightfully due.

Buy this book, regardless of your political viewpoint on the logging industry, and celebrate the spirit that has enabled all of us to enjoy the many privledges of being Americans.

They say write about what you know...LeMonds knows the soul of the past and modern logger and writes with as unpretentious style as I've seen in a long time. He uses the language (always loggers...never lumberjacks) and shares with the reader the language and techniques of everything from falling, bucking, setting chokers, to trucking the logs. Furthermore, he does it based upon the real-life experiences of his family. You learn how they used to rig a spar tree and what went through the climbers mind as he accomplished this task 150-200 feet in the air. LeMonds also shares the future of forestry (hand-seeding, herbicides, fertilizer & thinning) to move the life span of high-productive crops like Douglas Firs from hundreds of years to perhaps as little as 35 years as well as what the modern equipment does now and probably into the future.. Perhaps you might find the short chronology of the work history of each of his family members in the logging business too detailed but it's more than worth the wonderful stories and perspectives that go with them. LeMonds acknowledges the scars on the landscape of the past but also the enduring scars on these tremendous men who contributed so much to this Country's development of the 20th century. I don't think one could ask for a more balanced view of this industry and have it written with such class. This is the best book I ever expect to read about this subject, which is so dear to my heart having been raised in a nearly identical community in Southern Oregon. Today I ordered a second copy to send to a dear friend still working in the woods.

James Lemonds peels away the Bunyonesque macho image that has been falsely hung on the loggers of the Northwest and shown them as they are; broken down, disabled and discarded by the industry that exacted a terrible toll on both the workers and the forests.
Anyone wanting to research the human cost the industry extracted should start with this book. Death and disabilty rates beyond the range of nightmares were considered standard and acceptable, simply because the carnage took place outside the public view.
The hard work, honest efforts and caring that the workers brought to the job were repaid with lack of respect and now, lowering wages, no job security and disdain from the general public.
As bad as it is in Lemonds description, the list at the end of the book does not include all the co-workers of any current or former loggers that I have talked to who have read this book, nor co-workers of mine, who were killed on the job. The toll suffered by the workforce was at least equal to that suffered by the forests.
Lemonds tells the story in an even-handed, personal way through his extended family and community. This is a must-read book by any student of Northwest culture of the past century.

This book is a delightfully presented script that moves you to re-examine the notions you have about our justice system and about the root causes of the strife that separates us from fellow human beings and from God, the Creator, the One. I was challenged in each chapter to take a look at preconceptions I have had about the way things are. I eventually began to see that the incredible possibilities of changing the way I view the world and the principles that in part were given to us by the Founding Fathers that crafted the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. By the end of the novel I was able to look at our current state of affairs in an entirely different light and I came away with a desire to learn more and to shine this light for others. Bravo on a wonderfully insightful, imaginative and visionary novel.

This book lifted me up with its simplicity, clarity and truth, speaking to
both my deepest longings as a private person and my highest wishes as a
public citizen. A must read for anyone who has said enough with our current state of affairs at home and abroad.
-- Azim Khamisa, author of "From Murder to Forgiveness - A Father's Journey"

Destiny Unveiled is not only entertaining reading; it is enlightening at a deep and practical level with the potential for both individual and global transformation. I highly recommend it.

Once I picked up this book, I could barely put it down. I finished it that night. David Kohrman brings what would normally be a dull subject manner to life with interesting details and a captivating style of writing. I am eagerly awaiting his next work.

The Book-Cadillac Hotel and the Statler Hilton are two of the most magnificant buildings in Detroit, with it's amazing collection of 1910s and 1920s architecture. DK's excellent book describes in great detail the history of these two landmarks, and updates us on their current sad conditions with brilliant photography. I cannot say enough about the B-C, please check out ... after reading this book, and join the Friends of the Book Cadillac, to assure that the proposed Marriott-led rennovations occur so we can enjoy that landmark for years to come.

What a stimluating walk through time. David George Kohramn visits the history, past and present, of the Detroit Statler and Book Cadillac Hotels. The book is jammed with rare photos I have never seen. His deep research is evident in his concise, but detailed writing. This is a must have for any history buff and individual concerned with the preservation of our past. Thank you David, for an exciting adventure!

This is a very insightful and candid personal account by a top-ranking Malaysian diplomat of her experiences in the United States during a five-year tour of duty. Especially informative and interesting are the following chapters: "Black Washington" on Washington D.C.'s very poor Northeast and Southeast sections which are unknown to most tourists; "A District in Search of Statehood" on the citizens of the nation's capital having no voting representation in Congress; "The Rise and Fall of Dot-Coms" about the dismal fate of many Internet companies; "The Battle for a Legal Presidency" about the complicated and controversial 2000 Presidential Election; and "Beyond the Beltway" on the author's fascinating travels throughout the United States. In these and other chapters, the author's writing is interspersed with her keen observations and her frank impressions and comments. The book reads extremely well and is infused with her good sense of humor. The book is very useful to members of the diplomatic community and the general public.

"A Diplomat Arrives in Washington" is a non-fiction book, easy to read and rather compelling and most engrossing at certain stages. It is difficult to put down once you start reading it. Recommended for young diplomats or those interested in writing of their experiences while travelling or working in foreign countries.

A must-read book!

As a fellow diplomat, I found this book interesting and oft-times, funny to read. The language and the presentation style of the writing makes it easy to relate to, and is something that can be read anytime and anywhere.

I especially like the way in which one chapter has practically no connection with the other. There were some chapters I skipped, though, like the dot.com part - but that was just because I had no interest in the subject. It had nothing to do with the way the author presented it.

As far as the chapters concerning the United States is concerned, I found it to be a frank description of the way in which DC works, and of the actors themselves. It helps to understand the American system from an outsider's viewpoint. If this is what the book had originally set out to achieve, then I am glad to report that it has done exactly that.

All in all, I would recommend this book for budding diplomats, diplomats serving in the DC area, as well as for anyone who have entertained the idea of being a diplomat. Happy reading!

This short biography of George Washington's live is great for classroom use. Written on a 3-4th grade reading level does not take away from the informational value of this text. The text does not leave out the important details to be found in most documentaries. Negative = the book refers to Washington as "George" through out. This often is a problem with children attempting to construct non-fiction writing pieces.

I purchased this book for my 8-year-old son. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this wonderful book was full of interesting facts that even I didn't know about George Washington and the history of the United States. This book kept my son's interest throughout its 43 pages of text, which is a rarity. And it also includes interesting illustrations including a photograph of a set of dentures much like George Washington must have worn (fascinatingly disgusting!). "George Washington: Soldier, Hero, President" provided a learning experience for both parent and child, and should be a valuable addition to anyone's home library.

My 4-year-old loves having this read outloud to him. He is fascinated by Washington as a soldier and through this biography has learned a lot about the way in which the revolution led to a new government and country. I would highly recommend this book!

I highly recommend this book. It's easy to read, well researched and balanced. It belongs on the bookshelf of every Civil War Buff.

The author grabs the reader's attention at the very beginning of the book when describing Freeman's daily schedule (typically from 2:30 am - 8:30 pm), a schedule that would tire the typical person after only a few days.

Johnson reveals Freeman's interesting background as the son of a Confederate soldier whose interest in writing about history was conceived at a gathering of Confederate veterans at the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia years after the Civil War ended. The author includes the excellent relationships Freeman enjoyed with his family (with the exception of his son), newspaper associates, academic peers, and other areas of his interesting life. These revelations personify the definition of a true Southern gentleman! I might add too - Freeman was also a vocal and determined opponent of racism.

I was particularly inspired by the author's description of Freeman's extremely disciplined (though not necessarily always rigid) life. While Freeman had a fulfilling and extremely busy life and was often away from his family, he did manage to spend time with them when possible.

An excellent and highly enjoyable read of the eminent biographer of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Highly recommended!

David Johnson has done us all a great favor by finally writing a biography of the most amazing "Doc" Freeman. The son of a Confederate soldier, Douglas Southall Freeman's life is a study in self-discipline and perseverance. Freeman was a man who crammed 4 careers into one life - Pulitzer (One for the biography of General Lee and one post-humously for George Washington) winning author, newspaper editor, teacher and broadcaster. Ever since learning of Freeman many years ago, I'd wondered why no biography had ever been written of him. Freeman was a man that was faithful to his calling, to serving his fellow man and to serving his God. The book should be in every history lover's library. ~ Richard G. Williams, Jr., editor of "The Maxims of Robert E. Lee" to be released in November.

Born and raised in Lubec Maine, I grew to love the coast as if it were my own personal playground. As a young lad I would spend my days swimming in the chilly waters off my families private beach, and my nights roasting marshmellows over and open fire. When I was in my teens I went to work in the local sardine factory and spent many days dragging for scallops in the bay.

I moved away from Downeast Maine twenty years ago and I have missed it ever since. I miss the smell of the salt air and the nice cool breeze that always seems to be there. I miss the endless hay fields and the way the trees produce unheard of colors every fall. Most of all I miss the people. They are kind, honest, and carry an accent that could make anyone feel at home.

I bought the book Downeast Maine: A World Apart a month ago and I read it every day. The stories and black and white photos give the reader a true feeling for what it is like living in Downeast Maine. Reading it, I can almost smell the salt air and feel that unforgettable summer breeze. The book really brings me home again. It's wonderfull book!

A summer resident of Maine's easternmost corner, Frank Van Riper goes beyond clam shacks, country clubs and outlet malls to portray how people 'Down East' eke out a living and build a life.

Van Riper, a former White House correspondent for the New York Daily News ably handles both camera and notepad to record vivid, full-frame images of his neighbors. This is fundamentally a book about people, and he has clearly managed to transcend that putoffishness that Maine residents are known for to get their stories alongside their pictures. The text doesn't merely accompany, nor do the photos merely illustrate; they are inseparable components.

There is a timeless quality to these images of people, most seen at work. Only at times does a modern watch or a radar dome on a boat remind you that clams are still dug through back-breaking labor and lobster hauled up one or two at a time. The book was collected over a number of years, and italics note where the subject portrayed died between the portrait and publication -- and you feel the loss.

This is serious documentary, with more than a hint of Walker Evans and Sebastián Salgado, but with light touches as well. Van Riper devotes a page to the peculiar delight of Maine's own Grape Nuts ice cream, a confection that predates -- and in his view, outrates -- Ben and Jerry's chunky conglomerates.

A visually stunning series of what happens when a dead whale washes ashore in his small town of Kennebec closes out the book. The sharply mottled skin of the whale amid the wash-fade of a foggy illustrate the beauty of his corner of Maine, as Van Riper also tells us of hard choices a financially strapped, self-reliant community must face as it struggles to get rid of what is, after all, tons and tons of rotting flesh.

This sensitive portrayal proves that what it means to be from Maine has nothing to do with what bottled water you drink.

Frank Van Riper captures, in his portraits of Maine, the people that he has come to know slowly (is there any other way in Maine?) through his photo excursions to the northeast.

His "moment" photographs are some of my favorites, including the photo of the boy at the pie-eating contest. It's an ageless photograph captured with precision timing and artful composition. These are traits of photographs throughout the book and share the essence of great documentary photojournalism--the ability to capture a simple (almost unseen) moment with artisitc and historic sensibilities. Van Riper captures this quiet beauty in medium format which lends itself to the superb reproductions.

Van Riper's fine images coupled with his words showcase his great ear for telling dialogue honed during his "other" career as a newspaper writer.

This book The Dream Killers is one of the best books I have ever read. From the minute I picked it up I could not put it down. I read it through without stopping. This book is well written and I highly recommed it.

THE AUTHOR CAROL J BURT HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB ON CAPTURING THE ABUSE IN THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. YOU WILL FEEL THE PAIN AND DISTRESS THIS FAMILY FELT. IT WILL MAKE YOU CRY AS WELL AS LAUGH. A TRUE STORY OF 50 YEARS OF ABUSE........ITS AMAZING. A VERY INTENSE BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! AAA+++

I was deeply touched by 'The Dream killers' by Carol J. Burt. I can not believe that families actually experience what the Lawrence family did. It is really sad and makes me so thankful for the life I lived which is so different from theirs. Talk about endurance, those children went through hell.Truly a book you can't put down, you want to know immediately "what comes next?"

The teacher in me LOVES this book, beautifully done and well written.

I love this book and so do my students. It has wonderful pictures and great information about Washington State. One of the best features of this book is that it can be used for young children or older children. Each page has low level reading text and then on the side of each page there is higher level text with a lot more detail and factual information.

I love these books, and I am 35 years old. These books are so fun for my kids. I have one for almost every place we have lived(we have moved around quite a bit). I love the information in these books, very educational and yet entertaining. Highly recommend them.

Eat a Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu was first published in 1961. It's a satire of New York's Chinatown's bachelor society.Characters include the Ben Loy the son of a "bachelor" father. He has been sent to China after WWII to get married. After getting married to his bride Mei Oi, they return to America where he finds himself impotent to love his traditional good wife. Another character Ah Song is a thug and a gambler who seduces Mei Oi. The story continues and basically depics Chinatown and the Chinese Americans of the time. In the novel there are examples of the language with the heavy Chinese accent. The story expresses the theme of the bachelor's society and and the morals of a traditional wife compared to a prositute. Pages 250

Truly original. There are no "oriental" stereotypes in this important book. It is purely Asian American. I'm sure it will be treasured throughout the years. Eat a Bowl of Tea came out in 1961 and it is the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. That alone should motivate you to buy this book. It's a shame that Louis Chu is no longer with us, he could've authored more books -- "Wow, your mother!"

After reading Louis Chu's book, much of recent work by Asian Americans seemed even more lackluster than before. Chu writes about Asian American culture with the emotional depth and dignity that it deserves. I got this book from my brother who also felt dissatisfied with the representations of Asian life a la Amy Tan, Kingston, etc. They don't seem to write with the same respect for Asian romanticism that Chu recognizes with such literary power.If you want to see an intimate, caring portrait of NYC Chinatown, start here...