Historic Books

These photographs will take your breath away. The landscapes are incredibly beautiful, and the quality of the images is of the highest caliber. Ya gotta love this planet...

The photographs are so gorgious and real that they make you feel like you are right there. From the cliffs to the sandy beaches and from the light houses to the huge watery rocks make this book extremely unforgettable.

This book took a time and a man, explained the truth of the time and captured my heart. Knowing there was King and how Mr. Reno went about proving his existance was interesting, intreeging, heart warming and fun. I can not wait for the next book!

"The Historic King Arthur" is perhaps not a book suited for first-time travelers through the murky forests of Arthurian history, searching for the reality behind fifteen centuries of myths and tales. It might be best to first read one or more other works dealing with this great mystery before tackling Frank Reno's highly detailed, deep-delving study of the ancient sources that shed light upon the question. That way, the journey through the writings of Gildas and Nennius and Geoffrey of Monmouth and various scribes and poets will not be quite so daunting. But make no mistake about it, once some fundamental grounding in the basics of the Arthurian quest has been obtained, then "The Historic King Arthur" (and its sequel, "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Age") should be read carefully. Reno minutely examines each source (and most of them are to be found with numerous variations) to lay out his case for his solution to the central questions of the Arthurian mystery: Who was King Arthur? Where did he live? When did he live? Who were his enemies? What was his role in history? And what was really his name?

Reno acts as a guide in this journey in search of historical truth, explaining his methods and logic in evaluating the evidence, but he does not rigidly insist upon the absolute truth of his conclusions. Frequently, he explains that there are other reasonable answers to the questions than the one he favors. Sometimes, such as in his analysis of the locations of many of the battles fought by Arthur (as described in Reno's "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Era"), he concludes that no single "best" answer is really possible. At times, his explanations are complex and subtle to the point where the reader may have difficulty following the path Reno is laying out. That is perhaps a natural consequence of the type of evidence that must be used and of the detail in which it is presented. Usually, however, Reno returns to the same subject of investigation later in the book to again address the questions and to clarify his answers. Thus, attention to detail on the reader's part is required and patience must be exercised as the author slowly builds his case.

And what are Reno's answers to what above I termed the central questions? He believes that Arthur was of a Roman-British background, operating as a high king primarily in Wales and the adjacent midlands, although also in southern England and northern Gaul, from the middle of the Fifth Century AD through the early portion of the Sixth. Reno contends that many of Arthur's campaigns were waged not against Saxon hordes fresh from Germany, but against Saxons who had been settled in Britain for one or more generations, these "English" Saxons being in league with leaders and forces of native British. And Reno believes that "Arthur" was a man known otherwise to history as Ambrosius Aurelianus and as Riothamus and finally as Arthurex, not a name at all but an epithet connoting his status as a great leader.

I will not claim that I am yet wholly convinced of this "triad" equation of Ambrosius Aurelianus, Riothamus, and Arthur but, as the author himself points out, rejection of this total identity does not negate the validity of many parts of Reno's overall work. I found to be especial important Reno's conclusions regarding Cerdic, a "Saxon" king with a wholly Celtic name, and Cerdic's people, the West Saxons. If Reno is correct, our understanding of the Arthurian era must be substantially altered, with a consequence that the course of events becomes much more clear. I expect Reno's conclusions to be challenged - this is inevitable in a field where evidence is scant and subject to multiple interpretations - but at the very least he has provided us with a provocative, comprehensive portrait of man and era.

To my knowledge there is no other Arthurian study available to the general public that explores the ancient sources in such depth to provide answers to the old questions. If I might be critical of some peripheral features, I do wish that the index was somewhat more comprehensive and illuminating (given the complexity of the issues at hand, I found myself turning to the index again and again to go back to earlier points) and the maps, although numerous, sometimes lack the visual clarity that could have been achieved. Nonetheless, "The Historic King Arthur" and "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Era" are books that should be of great interest to anyone seriously interested in attempting to glimpse the real King Arthur.

From the pages of Naval History Magazine comes Norman Polmar's Historic Naval Aircraft: The Best Of "Naval History" Magazine, providing readers with a close look at over thirty key U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft drawn from the 'Historic Aircraft' column in Naval History magazine. Famous crafts appear along with nearly unknown ones to display fighters, bombers, trainers and more, with black and white photos accompany rich history on each aircraft type. A 'must' for the in-depth military, aviation or specialty naval library.

This book covers 30 aircraft that the U.S. Navy and Marines have used nad the 31st if you include the Spruce Goose, which was funded in part by the Navy. Some of the aircraft covered like the carrier version of the P-80 Shooting Star were kind of unexpected. Of course the old standbys of World War II are included: Wildcat, Corsair, Dauntless, Avenger. Strangely missing is the Hellcat, but this is a minor thing.

Some of the unepected aircraft include the PB4Y Privateer, the Navy's version of the B-24. Another is the Martin P6M Seamaster, the jet powered flying boat that worked quite well but got cancelled to provide money for the Polaris sub project. Another is the Pitcairn OP-1, the first rotary-wing aircraft used by the Navy. It wasn't a helecopter but an Autogyro. This is the first time that I've lot of this information.

Along with the descriptions of the planes, there is quite a bit of well researched information about each plane. This might include the various versions that were put into production, comments from a pilot, some of the history of the plane or other tidbits of information.

The book is based on the column - Historic Aircraft - that appeared in the U.S. Naval Institute's magazine "Naval History" from 1997 to 2002.

BOOK REVIEW

Historic New York: Architectural Journeys in the Empire State

Andy Olenick and Richard Reisem have done themselves proud in this spectacular new book detailing some of New York's most prestigious landmarks. Over three hundred color photographs along with informative text provide plenty of inspiration for New York sightseers and history buffs.

There's something here for everyone as the book covers famous structures like the Chysler Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. It also offers detailed spreads of some of the former dwelling places of famous New Yorkers like Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, and Susan B. Anthony. But perhaps most interesting are the more little-known treasures: places like abolitionist John Brown's home in North Elba, or the Glen Iris Inn in Letchworth State Park.

The book is divided into eleven regions throughout the state - Long Island, New York City, Hudson River Valley, Capital District, Adirondacks, Mohawk River Valley, Thousand Islands, Finger Lakes, Western Erie Canal, Southern Tier, and Niagara Frontier. Local readers will be happy to learn that several Utica landmarks are prominently displayed including the Stanley Theatre, Fountain Elms, and Union Station. Shots of nearby Hyde Hall and the Oneida Mansion are also included.

Those who wish to venture out of Central New York will also find much for their imagination. Olenick's superb photography is enough to make anyone pack up for a daytrip and the accompanying text by Richard Reisem is both elegant and educational.

This book features beautiful interior and exterior photographs of notable architecture from throughout the state. It includes a nice mix of architects, periods, styles and public and private buildings. Expected buildings such as Grand Central Station, New York Public Library and the Chrysler building in Manhattan are featured along with historic homes from throughout the state, Adirondack Great Camps and university and government buildings. Regions from Long Island, the Hudson River Valley and the Capital District to the Finger Lakes, the Thousand Islands and the Niagara Frontier are featured. It highlights Utica's Stanley Theater, Rochester's City Hall and Union College's Nott Memorial. It even includes a houseboat and a Seneca Indian longhouse. The newest building featured may be the Bard College Performing Arts Center designed by Frank Gehry. These beautiful photographs are accompanied by informative and interesting text. The book provides a great overview of the architectural richness and diversity of New York State. I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in New York State architecture.

Speaking as a 58-year old native, if I could suggest one book as a fun and informative way to learn about Atlanta, this would be it. "Historic Photos of Atlanta" is a beautiful blend of fascinating photography (and captions) with a terrific narrative, written by the Executive Director of the Atlanta History Center. I thought I knew all there was to know about my home town, but this book proved me wrong. Great job, Michael Rose!

Filled with exquisite photos and riveting captions, Historic Photos of Atlanta offers a terrific glimpse of Atlanta's past. A city rich with culture, this book chronicles events ranging from before the civil war (1837) to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and everything in between. The approximately 200 photos capture all aspects of life in the capital of the South: its streets, people, events, and locations.

For any Atlanta resident, past or present, or anyone interested in the city, Historic Photos of Atlanta makes a great addition to any coffee table or bookshelf collection.

This beautiful book is a product of the Chicago History Museum, showcasing many excellent pictures from throughout Chicago's history. The pictures are arranged chronologically, all of them black-and-white, and all of them sharp and interesting to look at. Every subject is covered here - Chicago statesmen and famous celebrities, great disasters (the Great Fire and the Eastland disaster), famous landmarks, and even common people.

This is a great book, one that I am really glad to have found. The pictures are all crystal clear, and have short and well-written captions. I am a fan of history and genealogy, and as such, I love seeing the sites that were looked upon by my parents, and their parents, and their parents before them. I love this book, and give it my highest recommendations!

This is a museum in hardback! This beautifully put together collection of photos and captions span the life of this vital and popular city. This title begins before the Great Fire of Chicago, detailing various elements and people. From there the lucky reader is transported to different time periods through the beautifully taken photos of buildings and places unique and popular for this city. It details the changes Chicago has undergone as well as immortalizing historic buildings that no longer exist.

Mr. Lewis has done an amazing job telling the story of Chicago through these wonderful photos and captions. For the bibliophile this is a must have book you'll want to add to your library. This could also be used as a reference book. This is one title I have no trouble recommending.

For the asking price, Historic Photos of Cincinnati is a steal, since someone could have spent years seeking out the photographs gathered for this treasure of a book and not located half of them. Revealing daily life and special events in Cincinnati from the 1860's to the 1960's, this collection can't have enough good things written about it. I only wish photos from the generation before 1860, when the Queen City of the West was billed as "the fastest-growing metropolis on earth," had been included as well, particularly the famous 1840's panoramic daguerreotype of the riverfront on an early Sunday morning, but, hey, what's already in here makes for hours of interesting study. Some of the pictures, such as the 1892 shot of workers in P&G's central office, are especially fascinating for the details they reveal about everyday goings on. That and so many other photos are worth more than a casual glance, since they justify long examinations of the expressions and clothing and hairstyles of the workers, the contents of the desktops, the gas piping that crisscrossed the ceiling, the wire wastepaper baskets, all that and much else which tells more about the environment of a nineteenth-century office than an entire paragraph of description. I particularly liked page thirteen's picture of the militiamen in the 1880's assembled at Music Hall in the wake of the Courthouse Riots, Gatling guns loaded and at the ready, but my favorite image might be on page 131, wherein a half-completed Carew Tower is shown rising above Fifth and Vine, in 1930. Cincinnati is now into its third century, and it's gratifying to see that even as its people move toward the future, the fullness of the past is appreciated and unforgotten.

I've lived in Cincy on and off my whole life and this is the best pictorial I've ever seen! Thumbs up to Ms. Bailey for her compilation. We all should thank the existence of the Cincy museum that occupies the old Union Station.

This book is beautifully done --a MUST HAVE for those interested in Dallas' history. Included in it are many until-now rarely-seen photos from various collections. Definitely worth its price!

An excellent contribution to Turner Publishing's "Historical Photos"

On the surface this could be any city. On closer look you can see not only historic sites and people in the nearly two hundred photographs, but the city already has taken on the feel that makes Dallas great.

One fun thing about the photos that include historic places as Love Field and Adolphus Hotel, are the pictures of the changing technology. Can you imagine working at the central switchboard (phone system) or protecting your health by drinking Budweiser "Its Thoroughly Aged - Not Green or Unfinished."

This is not just a hodge-podge of un-related photos. The collection was chosen and arranged by Michael V. Hazel, a native of Dallas, who taught Dallas history at SMU.

The photos are chronologically ordered in era's form the 1940's through 1969. Living there since 1957 my history overlaps however I could not find a picture of me. Yet we can all live this time with this book.

I was born in Detroit in the 1950s before my family moved to Wayne, Michigan in 1958. We moved back for a year in 1962 and I attended third grade at Bow Elementary School. It was a thriving city with streets full of cared for homes with neat lawns. After decades of decline, it appears that Detroit is making a comeback and I find that encouraging. Nevertheless, Detroit has hundreds of years of rich history. This book covers a bit more than a century of that history through nearly two hundred beautifully presented photographs.

One of the traps we fall into regarding photographs is that we tend to gravitate towards a small set of vivid photographs that become the standard for presenting the images of this event or that place or these people. This book is fresh and refreshing because it uses terrific images that are much less well known images of Detroit and its people. The author, Mary J. Wallace has made her selections from the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University and from the Burton Collection of the Detroit Public Library. She has worked as an audiovisual archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library for several years and her familiarity with the material shows in the selections she has made.

Wallace has divided the photos into four chronological groups. The first runs from 1860 to 1899 (from the Civil War until the arrival of the automobile), from 1900 to 1919 (the birth of the auto industry through the end of World War I), from 1920 to 1941 (the early boom of the auto industry through the Depression), and from 1942 - 1969 (from World War II through the 1967 riots and the aftermath).

What I most appreciate is the balance she shows in showing us images of the development in architecture with the photos of real people at work, in their fashions, and some historical events. Even when she picks the historical events, she selects an image that gives us a different perspective on the event. We all know the images of the fight of the Battle of the Overpass at the Rouge Plant. Not many of us have seen the image she shows us here of the peaceful demonstration before the struggle began.

The author has supplied about a page of text at the beginning of each section as well as captions for each picture, but wisely lets the images do most of the speaking. The credits for the photos are given in a list at the back. These are images that are worth lingering over. They are full of captivating details that will show themselves as you spend time looking into the pictures for things beyond the obvious main object of the photograph.

If you have any interest in Detroit and its history, this is a fabulous book to own and refer to often. It is printed on great paper and bound handsomely.

I've always thought that it is very important to know the history of one's local area and have always loved to read books about regional history. One of the very best one's I've come across in sometime is "Historic Photos of Detroit" from Turner Publishing Co. Detroit was one of the most important early colonies due to its strategic location along Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair and was founded as a fort by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701.

The book covers four periods of Detroit history, 1860 - 1899, 1900 - 1919, 1920 - 1941, and 1942 - 1969. The photos date as far back as the 1860's, less than thirty years after Michigan became the 26th state. What first surprised me is just how busy and bustling Detroit was nearly 150 years ago. We tend to think of the 1860's in terms of the dusty old west but Detroit already had numerous multi-story buildings built including the massive Old Russell House Hotel on Woodward Ave. It's fascinating to just sit back and flip pages to "building watch" all of the types of businesses that were in operation back in the mid to late 1800's...Grocers, dry goods, shoes & boots, carpets, drug stores, furniture...in other words, it really wasn't much different than today. People are out and about on the town, working, shopping, or just enjoying a walk.

These photos also serve as an important archive since most of these buildings are long gone today. For example there is the Old Federal Building, looking like a gothic French cathedral that was torn down in 1932. It's educational as well...even living my entire life in the Detroit area I never knew that Detroit once used street cars. Besides the architecture of the era one should also pay attention to the fashion of the day. Women stroll along the streets in their finest clothes: tailored dresses and their Sunday best hats, highlighting an era that was certainly more refined and cultured.

Even in 1910 the Detroit Auto Show was one of the city's most important events. A beautiful photo shows off the brand new models, accented by bright lights, at the old Wayne Gardens. The photos range from the humorous of three boys holding on to the side of a car for dear life on a flooded West Grand Blvd. in 1925, to the tragic destruction of the riots in 1967. One wonderful photo that will surely warm the hearts of all Detroiters is Santa Claus waving to a crowd of thousands at the end of Detroit's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. For many residents of SE Michigan, a trip downtown to watch the parade and look at the Christmas displays in the old J.L. Hudson's department store windows was an annual rite of winter.

It's a beautiful book from cover-to-cover highlighted by brilliant photography. I would have loved to had seen a photo or two of the old Olympia stadium but no Detroiter will be disappointed with this book. Hats off to author Mary J. Wallace for a wonderful job of research.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

The photographs were thoughtfully chosen, documenting many important periods and events of New Orleans history. This is a must have for anyone who knows New Orleans or wants to learn about the pre-Katrina city.

This collection of historic photographs of New Orleans is particularly meaningful given the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the damage caused when the levees failed. Melissa Lee Smith grew up in a small town North of New Orleans, has a degree in history from the University of New Orleans, and currently works for the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans. She has written excellent chapter introductions and captions for the well chosen black and white photos published here.

The 199 photographs are divided four time periods. The first deals with New Orleans recovering from the Civil War 1870-1899. The second deals with how New Orleans dealt with the transitions of 1900 to 1910. The third period covers the First World War and the Great Depression and is particularly relevant because of the important New Orleans has as a port city at the end of the Mississippi River and on the Gulf of Mexico. The last chapter covers World War Two from 1940 and the post war boom through 1969.

The photos are printed in large format, some of them are displayed on more than one page, and show us not only the architecture, but the manner of life in the city. We see people of all races, and in varying economic circumstances. Noticing their dress, the modes of transportation over the decades, their work, and their play is quite interesting.

While I enjoy all of the Historic Photo books, this one seems to be of particular historic importance because of the losses suffered just a few years ago.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI