Washington Books

My daughter and I listened to the audio book of Lucy Rose Big On Plans and we both loved it. Lucy Rose lives in Washington D. C. with her mother Lily, just around the corner from her Grandparents Madam and Pop. Her parents have recently separated and her father lives in Michigan. Lucy is charming and lovable as is the rest of her family. I'm especially fond of her grandparents Madam and Pop.

Lucy Rose chronicles her summer in her diary offering a word of the day (which I loved). She has to deal with a new girl at Parks and Rec. who is not so nice and she struggles to come to grips with her parents impending divorce.

I loved the smart and sensitive personality that Katy Kelly gives Lucy Rose, she's not a whiner or disrespectful like I sometimes find other characters intended for this audience (Judy Moody for example).

I really loved this story it's funny, sweet and serious as well.
We will be looking for all of Lucy Rose's adventures.

Imagine a summer full of fun filled adventures; well this is exactly what Lucy experiences as she gets ready for the fourth grade. Lucy Rose: Big on Plans is a fantastic book for a young reader. The story is told through Lucy's daily diary entries. Lucy lives in Washington D.C. with her mother. Her mother and father are getting a divorce, but Lucy does not let that fact ruin her fun over the summer. She has many activities planned such as going to Parks & Recs, keeping the squirrels away from her Madam and Pops apricot tree, and spending time with her friends. If taking a spontaneous exploration is something of interest to you then you and Lucy Rose would have a great time discovering the wonders of the Washington, DC area.

It's summertime and Lucy Rose has big plans: to make a lanyard key chain at Parks and Rec, to keep the squirrels from Madam and Pop's apricot crop, to have fun with Jonique and Melonhead, and to find a way to prevent her parents' separation from becoming a divorce. Lucy Rose chronicles her adventures with daily diary entries, including a word of the day vocabulary lesson. Written in the breezy, conversational style reminiscent of Junie B. Jones, Lucy Rose is the next logical step for 2nd or 3rd grade Junie B. fans.

Perhaps a bit tough for the younger reader, but well researched and presented with short chapters. I especially appreciate the author's research (and debunking) of unfavorable characterizations of Washington.

This is a wonderful book for someone wanting a short read on a complex subject. The author has great style and is a superb writer. This is the best biographical book I have read and has spurred me on to read more about Washington.

The writer of this book went to great lengths to make sure that all the information in it was completely accurate, and also made a huge effort to include information that isn't available anywhere else. A wonderful book to read for anyone wanting to understand the man George Washington by understanding the boy.

This is the historical food researcher's answer to Oprah's "AHH HAA" moments in your life! Sit back and let MS. Hess fill you full of delight as you find out exactly where and how gingerbread got its beginnings and why do we call turkey, well, turkey. The amount of historic research and information is a true goldmine for one serious in their food history or for the novice who would just love to know where all our food preferences comes from. I am a teacher of historic foodways and tell each and every one of my students to start here first! You won't be disapointed.

This book is a jewel. Being a 16th-17th century reenactor, I would not have thought that Martha Washington's cookbook would have become such a favorite of mine. The annotations by Karen Hess make it invaluable to anyone interested in historical cookery from the Elizabethan age onwards, and it is a darned good read, informative and fun even if you aren't. This is the book I will give someone who thinks they might possibly be vaguely interested in historical cookery and would like to learn more. It is very well-researched and there is something to learn on every page. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I stumbled upon this book when I was visiting Mt. Vernon for the first time a few years ago. It looked so interesting I had to purchase it. Even though this is a cookbook, it's very unique with a lot of additional material that explains cooking and the recipes from the time period that the book was written. I'm more of a history buff than a cook, but I really, really enjoyed it.

This is my favorite book! We were living in Mexico and had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala and and visit the Museo Ixchel in Guatemala City, where we found Carmen Pettersen's beautiful book. We also had the wonderful opportunity to see some of Carmen Pettersen's original water color paintings of the Mayans in their "traje," or indigenous apparel, in a friend's home in Antigua!

The water color depictions of the "traje" are incredibly detailed, and the text so intimately describes the culture of the Mayans. It is amazing how much the indigenous dress tells about the ancient and "modern" life of the Mayans.

Every traveler to Guatemala would benefit immensely by reading this book--easy to read and with sixty water color pages (some are fold-out pages) and thirteen photographs to guide the reader through the daily life, religion, and cultural practices of the Mayan families in their villages.

The Maya of Guatemala is THE classic book on the "traje tipico" (native dress) of the Mayan Indians of Guatemala. The exquisitely beautiful paintings produced by Carmen Pettersen over many years constitute the best illustrations ever done of the Mayan "traje". The sixty colorful full page paintings face parallel texts in English and Spanish telling about the particular "traje" and the customs of the Mayan people. Pettersen writes the informative text rather like a diary of her travels to the various towns so while concentrating on the traje and traditions we see something of the individuals and the writer. The paintings, the real point of the book, succeed better than photographs because the detail of the "traje" is not obscured by light and shadow. While accurately detailing the "traje," the paintings at the same time are intensely personal portraits of the individuals. Although there is no book yet which shows the traje of all the different Mayan towns in Guatemala (and Mexico), this book illustrates more than any other. It is my book of first reference to find out about the "traje" of a particular town. If among the many books I have on the Mayan culture I could keep just one book this book would probably be it.

Carmen Pettersen, born in Guatemala of an English father and Mexican mother, learned to paint in England. As a young woman her family moved back to Guatemala where she lived among the Mayan Indians for the rest of her life. The paintings and the text reveal the high regard she had for the Mayans. The original gouache paintings now reside in the Ixchel Museum of Traje in Guatemala City.

Joseph Johnston, Curator, Arte Maya Tz'utuhil

www.artemaya.com

As the curator of artemaya has pointed out this is the book to have. I concurr with everything he has said and find this book indespensible when studying the ancient or modern Maya. Without a doubt this is my favorite book on the subject and even after twenty three years in my possession I still open it up and gaze upon the magnificent pictures. Carmen Pettersen's paintings were done in the early 1970's and are of the highest and utmost quality. Her personal observations on the culture reflect her sensitivity to the subject which in turn is refleted in her art. For example, when describing the toursist hot spot Chichicastenango, with its beautiful marketplace and church where pagan and Christian religion is practised, she comments on the "disintegration of this tribe" and "the complete degeneration of the people who wrote the Popol Vuh" as "the older people and leaders stand fast and steady, suffering silently with sullen hatred in their eyes." The models used in the book are of such exceptional quality and life like that it is as though they will begin moving . She depicts her subject matter as strong and proud, in spite of a humbling history of European influence. Pettersen obviously was in tune with her subjects in art as the expressions on their faces come to life. The details of the clothing are superb and exquisite artistry. The pullouts pages have even more detail as she shows an entire village scene like a marketplace or the people gathered in Chichicastenango. If you are familiar with Maya clothing and the various tribes that continue the ancient traditions, including embroidery sewn with a bone needle, you are probably aware of of colorful and intricate patterns achieved on these textiles. These are not the products sold to tourists but the authentic attire that the people themselves wear. Nothing is lost or compromised in the paintings and are exact reproductions of authentic dress. If you are planing a trip to Guatemala it is highly recommended that you get this book before you go or if nothing else before you leave country to return home. It is preferable to have the book before so you can understand what you will see as you step back in time and enter the remote jungles and ancient customs of the Maya. This is THE BOOK on the contemporary life and dress in Guatemala. If you have anything more than a passing interest in the people of Guatemala than this is the book to have, get it NOW, you will not be dissappointed.

When she finally buried her shovel in Mexican soil she had no idea how rich the ground might be. No longer satisfied with simply being considered a Latina on applications, Griest, who learned Russian to travel in the former Soviet Union and Chinese to live in China, decided it was finally time to learn Spanish by traveling Mexico.

In her best and most heartfelt book yet, Griest documents both her amazing process of embracing the wild, dangerous, loving, and enthralling calliope that is Mexico and its volatile political and social atmosphere. Along her way, Griest meets farmers and activists, gay men and macho wrestlers, revolutionaries and victims of violence. Each encounter changes both writer and reader.

All the while the main question is hovers in the sky: What does it mean to be Mexican? Can a woman from Texas with roots in rural Mexico and the Kansas prairie find her reflection in brown eyes or blue eyes?

Read the book. Griest's journey resonates with all of us who struggle to define ourselves in a complicated world.

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I found this amazing book to be very compelling. This author always gets to the very core of the people, visiting areas where tourists do not tend to tread. In Mexico, she not only does not hide the bad and ugly, but also takes us into the private lives of the good and the beautiful. Reading her book was like being her travel companion on her personal quest for the holy identity Grail. I highly recommend this book for anybody interested in Mexico. We all share in its history, its people and its culture. I also highly recommend this book to anybody wanting to take a journey of discovery into their own ancestral motherland. Stephanie inspires one to do so.

I loved this author's other books, so I was really looking forward to "Mexican Enough." It does not disappoint. She routinely throws herself into the craziest situations (like sneaking into a prison in Oaxaca, or spending the night in a Zapatista camp in Chiapas) and finds the most amazing stories. I learned so much about Mexico, from the impact of NAFTA and immigration, to pop culture like lucha libre (think: Nacho Libre). Some of the stories are pretty heartbreaking, but there is a lot of humor as well. Even though I am not Latina, I can relate to her questioning her cultural identity, and whether or not she is "enough." It also reminds me of this ongoing debate about Obama being "black enough." That makes this an especially timely book.

In preparation for my trip to Italy I wanted a better understanding of this magnificent man and the work that he did. Specifically, I was looking for a relatively easy read that covered the history of Michelangelo from birth to death. This book met all my expectations. The pictures were not very good quality but I didn't mind since I was going to see most of it in person. Great traveler's history of Michelangelo!

The text in Michelangelo is marvelous. It is charmingly and knowledgeably written, so much so that I hope one of the reprints will be made into a coffee-table extravaganza. It is a superb guide which we will take with us on our next visit to Italy. The appendixes are a triumph in themselvers, and a worthwhile trip into the great master's progression through life. It is a wonderful job.

In Michelangelo: In The Footsteps Of The Master, Charles Washington offers an engaging account of Michelangelo's life and art in the form of an Italian travel guide specifically suited to those who would like to visit the cities and towns where this master artists worked including Caprese, Florence, Bologna, Ferrar, Venice, Siena, and Rome. The modern traveler to Italy can see Michelangelo's artworks preserved in museums, churches, public buildings, plazas, and streets. Michelangelo is very highly recommended and informative reading for both armchair travelers and on-site visitors seeking to enhanced their awareness of, and appreciation for, the life and accomplishments of the great man. The informative text is supplemented with black and white photography, maps, chronologies, bibliography, and an index.

The latest addition to the "Moon Handbooks" travel guide series, San Juan Islands: Including Victoria And The Gulf Islands is a travel guide precisely written by Don Pitcher for vacationers looking to make their own travel and entertainment choices by create a unique and personalized travel plan suited entirely and specifically to their own personal tastes. With key information on accommodations, activities, points of interest, transportation, history, climate, and more of each island, San Juan Islands is an excellent travel planning and guidebook resource which is especially recommended as a quick and easy reference.

Book is packed with useful information for traveling in the San Juan Islands. Includes a number of islands and how to get there. Topics cover a variety of topics for people who have different interests: camping, bed and breakfasts, bicycling, restaurants, beaches, museums, resorts. Makes it easier to plan a vacation. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in traveling to the San Juan Islands. It gives helpful advice on everything from hotels to restaurants to activities. It has more indepth information than most other travel books. I found their recommendations on ferry travel very useful. Highly recommend.

What's not to like? The pictures are beautiful and the information is good. Prices are accurate too. One of the few items in my short history of collecting glass that I've found actually can be bought and sold for the prices listed. My only complaint is that a number of times they picture the same item twice. We love pictures, surely there were enough items available that pictures didn't have to be repeated.

Author Kenneth M. Wilson passed away before publication of his opus MT. WASHINGTON & PAIRPOINT GLASS - but he reviewed and approved the page proofs and had written two chapters of the projected second volume (which will be prepared in future using his research materials and illustrations), so nothing lacks in MT. WASHINGTON except the author's ability to enjoy his finished product. The Mt. Washington Glass Works and the companies after it make up America's second-oldest glass manufacturer: the factory opened for business in the mid-1800s and spun off another business in silver plating. Glass collectors will find MT. WASHINGTON & PAIRPORT GLASS the definitive encyclopedia of the manufacturer's works: the volume has been long awaited by collectors and provides an extensive company history to compliment an in-depth coverage of its many products. Chapters come packed with black and white and color illustrations and photos, providing descriptions and color illustrations of all glasses and silver-plated wares and reviewing design, craftsmanship and unique attributes. Add indexes of patents and trademarks, glass decorators who operated in the region from 1867 to 1902, and illustrations of ads, production records and more and you have a truly outstanding reference.

We have waited a very long time for a comprehensive book on this beautiful American art glass and Betty Sisk has provided us with a treat for the eyes! The photos are beautiful in full color and plentiful. I did not know that such examples of this artform existed until feasting on this book. All collectors of art glass must add this to their libraries. The information with each type of glass is insightful and just enough to ready the reader for the pictures to follow. The insight provided is both scholarly and from a collector's perspective. Prices are given in a fair range to give a fair market value. And what pictures there are to enjoy! Many glass types are well covered for the first time. This book will set a very high standard by which all other references on this glass will be judged in the years to come. We indeed owe the author a debt due to this subject's neglect until now. This is a must buy! We have waited a long time to get this book-thanks Betty!!

The author has done so much more that just write a book. This could be used as text book for history classes as well as an interesting and thought provoking story that everyone should read. Ms. Vest has obviously invested a considerable amount of time and energy in it's writing and publication and the story line makes you want to continue reading and makes it almost impossible to put down. The interweaving of Martha's life into the hardships, interpersonal relationships and history of our country during those times makes it a "must read" book.

My Dearest Patcy: The Early Years Of Martha Washington is a unique and superbly written historical novel about Martha (Patcy) Dandridge, the woman who would met and marry George Washington as her second husband and become the First Lady of the newly formed United States of America. Author Barbara Vest has created a remarkable and erudite novel of history and romance with meticulous attention to historical background and detail including the story of her first marriage, a match made of love between herself and the aristocratic-blood Daniel Parke Custis, against the will of Custis' father - only her first husband's untimely death could cut short their bond. Yet as a twenty-eight year old wealthy widow with two surviving children, she would persevere past grief, and one day make her contribution to history. A rapturously told portrait of a strong and truly remarkable woman.

My Dearest Patcy tells a long-awaited story of a figure of history we never knew before. This well-told story gives a charming picture of Martha Washington before she became Mrs. George W. This is a novelist with a talent for uncovering the person behind the legend. An enjoyable book!

The history of the United States comes alive in the words of its presidents.

There comes a dramatic time in the life of a person, party, organization or nation that cries for the uplift and release of a speech. Someone is called upon to articulate the pride, hope or grief of it all. The speaker becomes the center of attention and the world stops to listen.

That responsibility is often shouldered by our President. Great Presidents not only act as the country's head of state, but also the voice of its people. They help define who we are and what we experience. In my opinion, their speeches constitute one of the best expressions of the nation's mood.

This book presents 40 of the nation's greatest Presidential speeches. Former Clinton Speechwriter Michael Waldman, introduces them, anchors them in history and explains their impact.

Acknowledging that speeches are written for the ear, not the eye, this book contains two CD that allow you to hear many of these actual speeches. Some of the recordings are more than 100 years old. The voice of every President since Benjamin Harrison is included.

This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the nation's history guided by the words of our Presidents.

I actually heard Michael Waldman (the author) give a lecture regarding the genesis of this book. Mr. Waldman was President Clinton's chief speech writer for 5 years. When Mr. Waldman once asked an aide for a reference text on the most important presidential speeches in history, he was told that no such text exists. It is my understanding that this was the primary motivation for Mr. Waldman to write this book.

I thoroughly delight in reading the speeches that Mr. Waldman has selected. In particular, I am in agreement with Mr. Waldman regarding the centrality of Abraham Lincoln's speeches in American History. I have come to agree that the Gettysburg Address is "the most important speech" ever given by a president.

This is a book that I have read over and over again. It continually inspires and challenges my views of myself as an American. I highly recommend it to everyone.

This book has a concept or format that is guaranteed to make American history come alive as never before. It's a reprint of the most significant speeches by all of America's presidents. In addition it is supplied with two CD's. These contain the actual voices of every president since Benjamin Harrison in 1889. It also includes comments by ex-presidents Ford, Carter and Clinton on the speeches that influenced them the most.

This book is a capsule of American history done in a way that brings it home faster and easier than any standard history textbook. It's a large format book and at 480 pages it can contain a lot of material and it does. It is a splendid book.