France Books

Mr Featherston has done an excellent job recreating the terrific battle of Mortain which ensured the Allied victory in France and the destruction of 19 German division in the Falaise Pocket. The book starts with a short history of the "Old Hickory" 30th US Infantry Division until it reached the Mortain area on August 5, 1944. The battle is analysed in detail and the author overturns many myths surrounding that episode. The Panzer divisions were indeed stopped before the Allied airpower intervened in the noon of August 7 and the Typhoon attacks were not so succesful as the British sources said at that time. Above all, it was the bravery and the stamina of the individual American soldiers that turned the tide of the battle, causing massive damage to the attacking German divisions and holding crucial ground. The same trends would be repeated in the Ardennes in December 1944 on a grander scale. There is also a synopsis of the 30th ID's history after Mortain and the explanation why the Germans regarded it as "Roosevelt's SS troops" and why the US leaders considered it to be the best division in the European Theater of Operations. There are many black & white maps and some good photos, and the only drawback of the book is the persistent misspelling of certain German names, like "Liebstandarte" etc.

My father landed on Utah Beach in the second wave on June 7, 1944 (D-Day +1). His unit was attached temporarily to the 28th Division, as reinforcements. Later they rejoined their real unit, the 1st Platoon, 2d Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division.

After having defended Hill 314 for four days, out of ammunition and food, my father and three comrades were captured by German SS forces at Mortain on August 11, 1944. He spent the next 11 months in a German POW camp.

Yes, I'm proud of his service. However, I recounted all of this to establish his authority to comment on this book.

A man of few words, he shared that accounts of the aspects of the battle of which he had first-hand knowledge were very accurate. This book enabled my father to finally understand the full scope and nature of the battle, and reinforced for him (and his wife and five children) how amazing it is that he survived the experience.

We continue to pass this book from one family member to the next. We have all found the book to be an excellent read.

What a superb book. Featherston, a journalist by trade, made himself into a first rate military historian with this, his first published work. He even outdoes the mighty Stephen Ambrose here. His focus is the 30th Infantry Division's lone stand at Mortain, as it bore the brunt of the German last great Panzer assault in France.
Much has been written about Mortain, how the Germans threw away their last bit of armored strength in this hopeless, Hitler ordered counterattack (Operation 'Luttich', the German word for Liege, a city in Belgium) and its subsequent repulse. Far too much credit has been given the Allied air forces in this battle and not enough to the infantrymen who faced the onslaught on the ground.
That fact was, that despite air support, the Old Hickory Division met the Germans head on, and this was some of the best German military units, the Waffen SS in addition to other Panzer divisions, and it beat them cold.
Featherston, interviews the veterans and they tell their story with pride, as I think they should. They took on the best Hitler had, and stopped the vaunted German Panzer force dead in its tracks.

This is a must have for any ETO fan.

As a current member of the 30th Mechanized Brigade I found this book to be an extremely interesting look into the roots and history of a forgotten Division. The author provided a great deal of insight into this critical battle through the personal experiences and recollections of the actual soldiers who fought against some of the best German troops at that time. This book was very informative and details a battle that very few people had heard of, which is a shame considering what these everyday soldiers accomplished under such exteme conditions. I would highly recommend.

Great book. I personally liked to read divisional histories, and this is in my top five. The writer takes you throught he divisions pre war history, European deployemnt, and combat history. The reader gets two stoies here, one is a history of a Army National Guard unit going to war, and the other is the Battle of Moritain, a pivital conflict in the conquest of France. I read it in a weekend, you will find it hard to put down as well.

This book is everything I look for in a travel book; concise, useful info and it has good color photos and maps. The content is well organized and it also gives useful tips that I wouldnt normally think of, such as catching Mont St. Michel bay in winter during bird migration season.

HIGHLY recommended.

Too bad this is out of print. Great way to find the natural beauty of France. Lots of information that we just didn't find in other guide books. If you are used to mixing culture with nature, then get this book for the nature.

Okay, spend a few days in Paris, and then when the crowds, the traffic and the little dogs overwhelm you, get out your copy of Wild France and seek some serenity. Packed with information, this reliable, portable and well-organized guide to wilderness areas of France is valuable for planning your trip and contains many evocative color photos to help you remember your adventures when you get back home. The book divides France into nine natural regions and suggests the best wild habitats to visit in each one. The sections are written by different experts, with insider views on the local environments. Easy-to-read maps at appropriate scales help you find your destination by car or public transit and then hike, bike, ride or row to viewpoints. In addition to the color photos, there are detailed line drawings of special trees, plants, birds and animals that you may encounter. Included are addresses, phone numbers and websites of tourist offices, park offices, museums and outdoor adventure firms, plus suggested hotels and camp sites. Our favorite walk: through the Massif de Ste. Baume in October, walking out of farmland into open oak woodland, and then into the deep shade and silence of an ancient European forest of oak, beech, holly and yew, meeting an occasional family picking wild mushrooms, climbing higher and higher on a path that pilgrims - including popes, saints and kings - had taken for almost two millennia.

Okay, spend a few days in Paris, and then when the crowds, the traffic and the little dogs overwhelm you, get out your copy of Wild France and seek some serenity. Packed with information, this reliable, portable and well-organized guide to wilderness areas of France is valuable for planning your trip and contains many evocative color photos to help you remember your adventures when you get back home. The book divides France into nine natural regions and suggests the best wild habitats to visit in each one. The sections are written by different experts, with insider views on the local environments. Easy-to-read maps at appropriate scales help you find your destination by car or public transit and then hike, bike, ride or row to viewpoints. In addition to the color photos, there are detailed line drawings of special trees, plants, birds and animals that you may encounter. Included are addresses, phone numbers and websites of tourist offices, park offices, museums and outdoor adventure firms, plus suggested hotels and camp sites. Our favorite walk: through the Massif de Ste. Baume in October, walking out of farmland into open oak woodland, and then into the deep shade and silence of an ancient European forest of oak, beech, holly and yew, meeting an occasional family picking wild mushrooms, climbing higher and higher on a path that pilgrims - including popes, saints and kings - had taken for almost two millennia.

We used this book to supplement a two month trip to France. It provides information that you will not find in other guide books and if you are used to mixing nature with culture, then it is a must to have along. We saw things we would never have seen, but for having this book. Places that one might think are insignificant take on added importance and meaning. We also used Wild Italy in Italy. Note that these books are not the only travel books you should have in France and Italy. They supplement your other travel books.

I have read three other books by Frances Vaughan, but I might have missed this extremely interesting study if it hadn't been for Ken Wilber's laudatory forward.

For more than three decades Dr. Vaughan has been at the forefront of efforts to integrate psychology and spiritual growth. Not only is she a practicing psychologist, but also she has been trained in several contemplative traditions: Christian, Sufi, Zen and at least one Hindu school.

I would like to quote from Ken Wilber's forward, "In the West, where psychology (and psychiatry) have completely replaced religion as the dominant sciences of the soul, it is the school of transpersonal psychology that carries most clearly the banner of genuine contemplative spirituality."

Frances Vaughan's view - and I am sure that she is correct - is that most of psychology and academia, particularly in the United States, has ignored, or become insensible to most people's need for a rich and healthy spiritual life. Many believe that the ever-increasing rates of substance abuse and extreme behaviors are a reflection of that unquenched spiritual thirst. As she says, "We live in two worlds: the outer world of ego and the inner world of soul. Many people suffer from being out of touch with the inner world of soul. Others suffer because they have tried to explore the world of soul without having come to terms with the world of ego. Freedom depends on acknowledging both worlds, harmonizing them and bringing them into balance."

The book breaks new ground, providing us with accounts of spiritual awakenings that she has seen in her practice, placed in the context of the many spiritual traditions that she has studied. Dr. Vaughan dispels the myth that spirituality is something that can only be experienced by a select few who have the time and the means to withdraw from the world.

Many authors tell us only about the pleasures and promises of the spiritual journey, without also warning us about some of the pitfalls. This book does both, and is an outstanding book for anyone interested in consciousness, spirituality and the future health of humanity.

Highly recommended.

I think that religion is an attempt to explain why the world is the way it is in an oversimplified fashion, inherent with limitations. For a critical thinker, this oversimplified version is simply not satisfactory, so we search for universal truths to satisfy our need for greater understanding, but unfortunately there are many pitfalls possible on that search, and this book does a great job of pointing many of them out............a must read for anyone on such a path.....for me it was a great book to read after book I Conversations with God...by Walsch.......

At least once a month a psychotherapy client or a student in a clinical psychology graduate program asks me what to read for a psychologically sophisticated approach to spirituality. Without hesitation I always tell them about Frances Vaughan's "Shadows of the Sacred," a work of such wisdom, warmth, and practicality that, after they read it, they'll probably want to see her for therapy. Vaughan's knowledge of both depth psychology and spiritual traditions is breathtaking. There's no wholly-headed New Age thinking here. This work belongs right next to Scott Peck's "The Road Less Travelled." It will be meaningful to men and women in all walks of life who are searching for the greater life they sense is possible.

This is a great book by a person who understands psychology and spiritual paths. It is very readable, and puts interpretation on the reader. If you buy only one spiritual growth book this year, this is the book to buy.

Riding on the coat tails of the Inward Arc, this book takes shadow work to another level. Ms. Vaughan is by far the best in the field of transpersonal psychology. This is a must have book for ALL transpersonal psychologist and transpersonal psychology classes.

A theatrical studio photo by George Hoyningen-Huene graces the cover of Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli. Elsa Schiaparelli, the subject of the black and white photo, wears a white gown, feather boa, and an armload of pearls. Shocking pink type announces to the reader that Shocking! Is not an ordinary book about an ordinary fashion designer.
Shocking! documents the recent exhibition of Schiaparelli's designs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Seen as historical artifacts, her work is as inspirational as it is quirky. Written by Dilys E. Blum Curator of Costume and Textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Shocking! is thoughtful and scholarly. Schiaparelli was an innovative and a visionary fashion designer prolific from the late 1920's to the mid 50's. Known for her associations with artists such as Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, she produced practical clothing as well as surreal masterpieces such as a shoe hat, lobster dress, and gloves with appliquéd fingernails. Some of her innovations which we take for granted include: externally placed zippers, synthetic fabrics, bright colors especially shocking pink, odd mixes of materials together, and architectural silhouettes.
Packed with more than 300 modern and archival of photos of her clothes there is a never-ending source of vibrant visual stimulation within the pages of Shocking! As a side bar for interior design purists, her showrooms were designed by Jean-Michel Frank and there are interesting archival photos of his work. For those interested in fashion history this book is a must have.

This book is filled with beautiful photographs from the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibit. If you can't get to the museum, don't worry. The exhibit can come to you. Well worth the reasonable price for so many photos and sketches. Inspiring for anyone who considers sewing an art form. Schiaperelli was truly an artist and a master of her craft. She created innovative and eccentric designs, while celebrating the female figure and without compromising form and function. I couldn't be happier with this book.

Very pretty and informative book about Schiaparelli's design. Reading this book I felt like during my fashion design practise at PPUPPY couture house - charming, excited and in love with fashion.

This is a fabulous book, beautifully illustrated and written with much care and research. Schiaparelli is a neglected figure compared with her contemporary and great rival, Coco Chanel, but this book should go a long way towards redressing that balSance.

This is one of the best books about a prominent fashion designer.
Elsa Schiaparelli's work is intelligently analyzed and the book is beautifully illustrated with color and black and white photographs of her designs as well as her domestic and retail interiors. Her collaborative work with artists including Dali and Cocteau is also covered, with photographs of the fruits of their work (eg Surrealistic designs for prints and embroidery).
Six of Schiaparelli's most important collections are covered in detail, including the Circus, Lucky Stars and Music in the Air collections.
Schiaparelli's influence on other designers is fascinating to observe. Most notably on the work of Yves Saint-Laurent in the eighties (strong colors, opulent embroidery) and on John Galliano in more recent years (newspaper prints, trompe l'oeil draping)
This book is a must for all students of fashion design and fashion history.

Sticking to your convictions often takes courage and willpower. But sometimes, questioning what you believe and allowing room for doubt can take even more determination and requires a different kind of courage. How far are you willing to go to stand up for what you believe? And how much does it take before you're able to change your stance? This is the dilemma presented in SHOOTING THE MOON, a touching coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, by critically-acclaimed author Frances O'Roark Dowell.

SHOOTING THE MOON is the story of 12-year-old Jamie Dexter, an Army brat who couldn't be prouder when her older brother TJ signs up for the armed forces and gets shipped off to Vietnam. As she waits for news from the front, she volunteers at the base's recreation center and befriends Private Hollister, a young soldier who helps her pass the time with games of gin rummy. Her father, whom she calls the Colonel, has brought the family up to believe that a life in the military is the key to living a life of success. Jamie wholly believes in the Colonel's philosophy until TJ begins sending her rolls of film from Vietnam.

As she develops the photographs, a different picture of military life begins to emerge for her. Faced with the brutality of the war, Jamie comes to the conclusion that she needs to intervene when she learns that Private Hollister is about to be reassigned to Vietnam. Steeling her courage, Jamie prepares to confront her father, the one man she thinks stands between her new friend and the horrors her brother has revealed.

In Jamie, Dowell has created a strong, believable young girl who shows both remarkable insight into the world around her and an almost melancholy naivety. It's almost heartbreaking to watch as Jamie, steadfast in her beliefs at the beginning of the book, slowly begins to see her opinions change and realize there is "more in heaven and earth."

When someone else challenges our beliefs, it's hard enough. But when the questions are from within, it can be world-changing. At the same time, though, it's fulfilling to see her make the journey from taking everything as read to raising some serious questions about the war and the military. Her relationship with Hollister is sweet and provides a nice counterpoint to the turmoil she begins to feel at home. Although the very end feels a little too neat, it offers a beautiful coda to Jamie's journey and will leave readers satisfied.

SHOOTING THE MOON will draw you in with its simplicity and astound you with its powerful story. Frances O'Roark Dowell's seemingly quiet book will make a memorable imprint on all who indulge.

--- Reviewed by Brian Farrey

"Shooting the Moon" is middle grade fiction at its best: a setting that draws you in, a story that makes you think, characters that make you care, and a pace that keeps things interesting. One of the best books I've read in aught 8.

The Vietnam war is in full swing and the Dexters are an army family through and through. Instead of "dad", the kids call their father "The Colonial". Like I said, through and through. 12 year old Jamie and her older brother TJ have been preparing for war their whole lives, waging strategic battle with army men for years. TJ, a recent high school graduate, decides to enlist. The strange thing is, The Colonial is not pleased. In fact, he is outright vocal in his opposition. When TJ is shipped overseas, he sends letters home for his parents and rolls of film for Jamie. What's contained in those photographs forces the youngest Dexter to rethink her gung-ho view of war.

This one makes quick work of drawing you in and holding your interest. Dowell ("The Secret Language of Girls", "Chicken Boy", the "Phineas L. MacGuire" books) seamlessly mixes in flashbacks to tell the story from the perspective of Jamie. Her point of view changes over the course of the book, but the transition doesn't feel forced. A gradual and natural changing of opinion is a good thing to see in children's lit.

"Shooting the Moon" is succinct, emotionally rich, and bound to find favor among the upper elementary readers who crack its cover.

On the recommendation of a kid lit blogger, I ordered a copy of this small, unpretentious book and had a read-through. It is wonderful!
Jamie Dexter is a military brat whose father is a colonel and whose brother has enlisted to be sent to Vietnam. As the story progresses Jamie, who has been pro-war and battle-ready her whole life, begins to reconsider things as she sees her brother's photos from Vietnam. Instead of sending her letters to describe the war, he sends her his undeveloped film rolls to show her. No words, just photos. And in each roll, a photo of the moon.
I feel that this book would work better with older elementary students, only because a coinciding study of Vietnam would be much easier to get into more deeply. The reading level is probably a bit lower than 5th grade, making it an ideal book for a book club who can handle more complex subject matter and high level mature discussions, but perhaps requires a shorter, less dense text. Great themes to explore here, and (at least for this reader, who never even had any siblings gone to war) strong emotional connections.

SHOOTING THE MOON is a deeply moving, gorgeously written novel about one military family's gradual disillusionment with the Vietnam War. It's the most realistic, searching kids' book I've read about that neglected period in American history. It's also a delicately nuanced family drama with unforgettable characters: the richly drawn heroine Jamie, who slowly develops an understanding not just about the war but about love and honor; her soldier brother who communicates by sending her undeveloped photos of Vietnam; her father the Colonel, a steadfast but surprisingly touching career Army man. Everything about this book is fresh and believable--and also poetic, resonant, and memorable. I think kids--and smart adults--will be reading this book for years to come. A real standout.

I've written about this before, but there's a flush of appreciation a reviewer experiences when they discover a great author that they've never read before. Even if that person has been around for years. In the case of Frances O'Roark Dowell, I'd read her first Phineas L. MacGuire book and I thought it was great. Still, I'd never gotten around to reading some of her better known works for older readers. I'd never picked up Dovey Coe or Chicken Boy or even The Secret Language of Girls. It just never came up. Still, I figure a person's got to start somewhere and so the book I decided to begin with her newest title, the historically minded "Shooting the Moon". A lot of people love Ms. Dowell and maybe they've become unable to tell one great book of hers from another. To those people I say this: This book is amazing. Top notch, wonderful, humorous, meaningful, with a pull and a hit in the gut that'll knock a readers' socks off. What we've got here is a title that has an excellent chance of engaging every reader that comes across it. And timely doesn't even begin to describe it.

Jamie Dexter is a card shark, an army brat, and her father's daughter. She and her older brother TJ were raised to love the United States Army by their father, the Colonel, and as far as they're concerned the greatest thing in the entire world is getting a chance to fight and die for your country. Seems like the Colonel would be pleased as punch to have TJ enlist and go to Vietnam to fight instead of going to college, but oddly enough that doesn't seem to be the case. Still, off TJ goes and before he leaves Jamie asks him to write her letters about everything he sees and feels over there. Except that TJ doesn't do that. Instead he sends her rolls of black and white film he's taken over there with very precise instructions: "Jamie: No facilities here ... Please develop and send contact sheets." Of course, that means that Jamie has to learn how to develop film, and she does when she gets a chance. And through TJ's lens, Jamie sees more than just what it's like in Vietnam. She now hears the experiences of the soldiers that walk through the rec center where she works. She sees her father as a man and not a larger than life figure. And she begins to understand that sometimes things aren't as simple as you would like them to be.

Reading my description of the book I know that you might be a little worried. It sounds like a book inclined to get preachy, doesn't it? I'm as anti-war as the best of them, but there's nothing worse than a work of fiction for kids that gets all holier-than-thou, proselytizing its views on war and how it's naughty. But Frances O'Roark Dowell isn't going to play that game. For one thing, she really is an army brat. For another, she's a good writer. This isn't a book that tells you what to believe. It's a book that starts with someone who thinks that they know what to think only to find that the world is a complicated place. It was a complicated place in the late 60s and it's a complicated place today. Which is not to say that you can't take a moral or a lesson out of this book if you want to. It's only giving you an option.

There is a school of thought that says that if you place a story in history, you better have a darn good reason for doing so. So the question becomes, could Dowell have set this story in the here and now rather than the past? Would it have served the moral better? The answer is no, there is no other time period that would have better served this story. For one thing, you could have a character taking pictures with black and white film, but digital cameras are undoubtedly more probable today. And you could have sent TJ to Iraq instead of Vietnam, but part of the reason the end of this book works as well as it does is because we can look at the past and learn from it.

The thing is, this is a book that's easy to love. You love the people in it. I, for one, loved the character of Jamie. She felt true and real and interesting. She also carries her certainties with her on her sleeve. "I was six months away from turning thirteen and I thought I knew everything." Can't say it any plainer than that (not to mention that it carries a whiff of To Kill a Mockingbird). Really, every character in this book (and there aren't that many) appears with all three dimensions firmly intact. For example, Jamie describes Cindy Lorenzo, a girl who is somewhat learning disabled, as being "nervous and excitable and shaky around the edges. She hit and bit." Pitch perfect, that.

As for the writing itself, Dowell's book is only 176 pages and she packs each one with interesting text. Chapter Two, for example, begins, "We were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, a flat piece of real estate that threatened to burst into flames every afternoon from June through September." Or the first sentences of Chapter Four, "TJ's first letter to me wasn't a letter at all. It was a roll of film." You can see that Dowell includes equal parts interest and good writing, and the effect is tight. This is a book that doesn't mince words. It gets right to the point every time and doesn't sacrifice anything in the process. Rare? You don't know the half of it. The writing and the editing on this puppy must have been intense.

It's hard to find fault here. I do know at least one person who thought it a little odd that the book didn't concentrate more on the moon landing and how that would have affected the characters. The book is called "Shooting the Moon" after all. But Dowell covers her bases, having TJ speculate at times about "the idea that there are human footprints on the moon's surface." Classrooms of children will someday be asked what the moon signifies to TJ and to Jamie. I can already see it. My questions and concerns about the book were a little more basic. I would have liked a little more background on the Colonel's past. Did he serve in WWII or Korea? Does he know what real combat is like? Does this inform what he feels about his own son enlisting? And maybe an explanation of where Jamie is getting all this photographic paper and chemicals for developing her brother's pictures would have been nice. I assume that the army provided all this free of charge in their rec center but we don't know it for a fact.

Otherwise it's as fine a book as you could hope for. With its magnificent backing and forthing within the story's timeline, its spot on characterization, its plot, writing, and general kid-friendly text (always important and seldom recognized) Frances O'Roark Dowell has more than just a winner here. She has a classic. 2008 required reading for any and for all.

From start to finish, Pierette Lili Camps tells of her experiences in France at her parents hotel. Her mom and dad was able to get to know their grandchildren when Pierette visited them in 1964. The courage it takes to jump in and do something new is inspiring. I loved how this author tells of these life experiences with love and pride. I found myself taking a journey through time with good food and drink. I was able to find humor,and found that other emotions surface as I read through this telling story. The fond memories of her parents hotel and the many journey's she had after that time is meant for everyone to read.

I know that this author has many more tales to tell and I hope she does. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

Tory Lynn, author of "My Charming Protector".

Once again Ms. Camps gives us a view into the lives of her family. To taste the wonderful food prepared by her and her brother Guy and enjoy the lively conversation with an after dinner Café' or glass of wine. While reading this short story I could almost feel the French sunshine as she guided me through the Lyon area of France. Good Food, Good Wine, Good Company what more could a man ask for? A throughly enjoyable journey.

A Small Hotel in France

Once agian Pierrette LiliCamps Komarek has led this reader entranced through her newest book of memories. This book is a delightful revisit to the life of Perriette as she takes four of her children back to France to visit her parents and their grandparents whom they had never seen and what would turn out to be their only visit with them. Their visit was to the hotel that Pierrette's parents Rose and Salvador now owned after having to leave their beloved home in Algiers. They stayed several months and learned of the place called France with all the good and all the bad. Pierrette once again donned an apron to help attend the frequent customers there.

She tells many delightful tales of the trip on the ship "United States" as well as the many invitations offered her and the children to go "sight seeing" for the lack of a better phrase of their surroundings, and of which they gladly accepted.

Pierrette speaks lovingly of all her family which included her father, mother, brothers Guy and Denis and dedicates the book to Paule her sister-in-law who on behalf of her brother Denis who was mentally and physically handicapped she owes much gratitude. Paule who is married to Guy instinctively upon the passing of Salvador and Rose took care of Denis until he passed away.

This is just another lovely story that anyone would be proud to read from Pierrette Komarek.

Reviewed by: Mary E. Preece

As I began to read the hotel by Pierette I found myself wanting to be
a part of this wonderful place. It was a place that was not only
quaint, but one filled with people who were familiar with one another.

Those who choose to come along on this journey are in for a
wonderful surpise. The author describes with feeling what her family
went through to survive the circumstances they faced. She brings the
reader to the memories that she herself holds deep within her heart.

It also shows the strength and endurance one can have if they want it
bad enough. A family so strong and so loving says so much.

If you have made the wise choice of buying and reading this author, you will know exactly what I mean when I say "Charming." This author writes with a personal touch and tells a story so well. This is almost a sequel to her wonderful book "Le Café de Cadix." The adventures and events that happen to the author when she takes her children to France is a tale worth reading. Food, people, cooking and happenings all hold your interest in this all too short story.
Hard to believe that it only cost me 49 cents.

This book showed a differnt side of the war that very few people know about. In school we are only taught about the destruction and greif of the war, not about a country man's dedication to his country. This book has opened my eyes to a new side of the war that I didn't know about. It has sparked my intrest to read more books that have a similar depiction of WW II.

As a veteran, I am heartened that so many excellent World War Two histories and novels are now available to interested readers. "Sobs of the Violins" certainly ranks as one of the best novels that I have read in many years. From the first pages, one roots for the gallant resistance fighters. German antagonists are carefully and realistically brought to life. Readers come to understand that Germans, too, faced many pressures and were not of one mind regarding war aims. Ms. Dayton forcefully shows how high the stakes were during the 1939-45 conflict. Buy this novel....then, buy copies for your family and friends!

Grab this book! It will make a great film to place along with Saving Sargent Ryan and the rest of the current blockbuster hits about World War II. It has everything - an intense story, terrific characters, beautiful scenery. Well scripted and well cast, filmed on site in the French Vercors mountains it could be the next box office record-breaker.

With all of the interest in the history of WWII being shown in current books and films Irene Dayton's compelling story of the French Resistance in the Vercors Mountains fills a gap in history which has remained largely untold. Little is known of the courageous resistance fighters in France, who, from secret caves and camps using out of date guns and homemade grenades sabotaged the occupying Germans. Indeed, for two months, they held back 20,000 highly trained and well equipped German soldiers from the Normandy beaches. From that point of view, it becomes a "must read" for today. It is a story which this reader could not put down. I read it straight through over a period of two days. Ms. Dayton has interwoven history with very human plot lines. and she has given each of her well rounded characters stories of their own. There is the lovely Pauline (a currier for the resistance) and her surprising love affair with a German officer. There is the evil Klaus Barbie. There is the interesting link between stolen paintings found again by their owner after the war. What happens to French children shipped off by train to Germany? Her many trips to the area allows her to set her stage well...the French towns, the mountains. There she has created stories of love and loss, good and evil, betrayal and trust. Story tellers give us our history - our world. Dayton's strengths are her scholarship and research, her rich characterizations, and her remarkable ability to be a talented "teller of stories."

This book makes history come alive. A well-researched, poignantly written chronicle of a tragic era. The love story helps the narrative move crisply along. The characterisation of Klaus Barbie is both chilling and informative. For war veterans and history buffs, Sobs of the Violins is a must read. The descriptions of the locale show Irene Dayton's keen eye for detail in poetic, lyrical fashion. Buy this one!

Bill and Carol have have given us a wonderful history of the first 60 years of the Tour de France. They have brought to life riders who are long forgotten but deserve to be remembered. The descriptions of riders with all of their strengths and flaws make them human. The descriptions of the races themsleves give the reader the impression that Bill was in the follow car behind the race. The Tour de France is a fascinating and complicated topic, and Bill and Carol do it justice and then some.

Beyond the descriptions of the races, the explanation of how the race itself developed and evolved is fascinating. To have a world class treatment of cycling history and sports marketing on the same pages is truly remarkable. I had no idea that a possible explanation for the yellow jersey is that yellow cloth was the cheapest cloth.

Finally, this book is a fun read. Bill and Carol's passion for cycling comes through beautifully. They express opinions and present the colorful history of the Tour in a lively and engaging manner. You will be richly rewarded for picking up this book.

I'll admit this right up front. I'm a big-time fan of the Tour de France, and pre-disposed to liking this book. But this is a GREAT book anyway. Bill knows his subject, and writes as if he's the one newspaper reporter covering the race who really does have the inside scoop on what's going on. He lays out each year's race chronologically, taking no shortcuts, and always leaving you with that desire to know what happens next. You can put it down between years, but I dare you to find a stopping point within the chapter of each race!

This is not a coffee-table book with great photos, nor is it a first-person journey like Paul Kimmage's excellent "Rough Ride." Rather, it's a compelling re-telling of the race itself, seen with the clarity and knowledge that comes from exceptional research, in a style more similar to Sports Illustrated than a history book. Can't wait for Volume II covering 1965-on.

Bill and Carol McGann have created an excellent blend of "who did what and when" along with background information to allow the reader to truly understand the spectacle that is Le Tour de France.
I've personally seen various stages of the race most years dating back to 1988 and reading some of the passages Bill and Carol have written about those and other editions make me think somehow Bill was there too. I eagerly await their upcoming history of my favorite race, Il Giro d'Italia!

The Story of the Tour de France, Volume 1, is not only the finest documentary of the world's greatest sporting event, it genuinely places each moment of the Tour, from inception through 1964, within the political, social, and historical context of the time. This intelligently-written book gives the reader a focused sense of what things were like at the creation of the race, and how it changed through the years, right up to the dawn of modern bicycle racing. Bill and Carol craft narratives of the races that are crystaline, and they capture the pivotal moments of each race, always conveying the urgency and excitement. Nowhere have I seen these great races described in such interesting and captivating detail. The reader is placed back in time, observing these great riders almost as if they are there. More than just a series of race synopses, the book delves into the riding styles, personality traits, weaknesses, and foibles of many of the riders, giving a truly 3-dimensional picture of the races and racers. And when words cannot describe the torture of these early races, there are many photographs showing riders toiling over mountain passes on unpaved roads.

Many road biking enthusiasts may have heard the names Coppi, Anquetil, Leducq, and others, but they have never had them described so vividly. I know of no other book that provides imagery of the Tour de France as this book does. In that respect, it is singular and unique, and if it weren't so well wordsmithed, it would still win by default. If you ride a bicycle; if you have watched the Tour de France on television; or if you have an interest in the most grueling sporting event in the world, you must read this book. I can't wait for Volume 2.

Very highly recommended.

As soon as I began reading this book on the website I was hooked; as hooked as we all were watching Stephen Roche catch up with Pedro Delgado at the top of La Plagne in stage 21 of the 1987 Tour or Greg LeMond's 8 second Tour victory over Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Elyses in 1989. These Tour memories are but two of many contained within this wonderful read. As I skimmed through the book, page by page, I knew I just had to have it and so I bought it. The book is an absolute treasure chest of all you ever needed to know about the most gruelling, and yet with it the most captivating, bike race in the world. It is such a joy to read because Bill and Carol have obviously completed what must have been a labour of love for them. And if the writing, which is superb, is not worth the purchase price alone then the photographs are breathtaking. I only hope my forthcoming "Tour de France Miscellany" (Carlton Publishing) is as good as "The Story of the Tour de France".
John White, Author of the "Tour de France Quiz Book" with a Foreword by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen (Apex Publishing Limited, £8.99).

Textiles & Clothing is an Excellent resource for all who are interested in historic research of Textiles and Clothing. The book shows detailed pictures of artifacts excavated from London as well as reconstructive drawings showing weave and knitting structures. This is book 4 of the series. Others in series - Knives & Scabbards; Dress Accessories; Shoes & Pattens. All are great reference books.

Textiles & Clothing is an Excellent resource for all who are interested in historic research of Textiles and Clothing. The book shows detailed pictures of artifacts excavated from London as well as reconstructive drawings showing weave and knitting structures. This is book 4 of the series. Others in series - Knives & Scabbards; Dress Accessories; Shoes & Pattens. All are great reference books.

Focusing on the excavations of clothing and textile reminants of Mediaeval London, this book reveals the vast range of fabrics available in Mediaeval London. The book also looks at the weaves of textiles, the craftmanship and needlework skills. This book is definately an interesting read for historians, re-enactors, and costume enthusiasts.

This is another of the brilliantly conceived and carried out, detailed works of the Medieval Period but out by the Museum of London. Dress Accessories; The Medieval Household : Daily Living c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) and Shoes and Pattens : Finds from Medieval Excavations in London (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) by Francis Grew, go with this book. They are worth every penny. They will bore the average reader, so they are really geared for the serious student, researcher or writers.

They start with excavations, and then go into the technique used to produce textiles - wool, hair, linen, silk, dyes an the looms. They show you actual pieces of material in very close up detail so you actually see the weave, in some cases they should the reconstructed "how it really appeared".

This is simply the best book on the subject and a must for Historical writers of this period.

Yes, this is it. This series of books (4 so far) is the bible as far as historical recreation is concerned. Yes, it is wonderfully detailed. Yes, it has great examples of how to make/cut/do a lot of clothing related details.. but to quote another historical author "Sometimes the Museum of London folks are just flying kites".

Take, for example, the pattern and redrawing of the fitted 14th century dress. The pattern given in MOL:T&C is from one of the Greenland tunics. In fact, according to Robin Netherton, it's a redrawing of tunic that the is attributed as a man's tunic that isn't particularly fitted. There just isn't enough evidence to say that a tunic from Greenland is a good indication of fashion in mainland Europe.

That said, this is a fantastic resource. It should be in every recreationists library. But reader beware not everything in it is exactly 100% accurate.

As a writer and as a an admirer of Therese, I am constantly on the lookout for current literary offerings regarding her and those who surrounded her during her short, but inspiring lifetime. Marie of the Trinity's adept realization and interpertation of Therese's "little way", along with her careful documentation of certain aspects of this relationship will leave those of us who "know" Therese, and those who come to know her, a wonderful legacy that will leave the readers of this book longing for more!

This is one the best books about Saint Therese that I have read, simply because I think it potrays the most authentic picture of who this person really was.This book details the lives of Sister Marie of the Trinity, Saint Therese, and their relationship as novice and Novice Mistress. I really loved this book, because it gives a view of Saint Therese that I had not read about before. Because of the fact that Sr.Marie was a novice of Therese's she had a unique insight into her spirituality, and this book details that. The spiritual life of Sister Marie of the Trinity was transformed by her relationship with Saint Therese, and so was mine. I think any one who is devoted to Saint Therese, or just wants to learn more about the authentic life of the Saint should read this book. The reader will not be put off by a difficult to read tome, but will find a thorough, easy to read, examination of one aspect of the life of Saint Therese that is not much dealt with in literature about her.

This is a lovely book giving us yet more details about the daily life of Therese and those with whom she lived. Her teaching of the novices is an inspiration to all of us, even though, obviously, their situation in life (nuns in 19th century France vs. lay folks in 21st century) is quite different from ours. I loved this little book.

The appearance of this book in English is a gift to all of Therese's English-speaking friends. Marie of the Trinity tells many stories about Therese not recorded elsewhere, and the study of her relationship with Therese is itself endlessly fascinating. Insights into daily life at Lisieux Carmel; interesting account of life at Carmel from 1897-1944. Read about the dream Therese had about 1896 which she confided to Marie of the Trinity; she dreamt of a celebration for her in a field, like a cemetery, yet festive, and told Marie that sooner or later they would find out what the dream meant. In March 1923, the solemn translation of Therese's relics from Lisieux cemetery to the Carmel took place, and Marie realized the dream had foreshadowed that event, in which 50,000 pilgrims followed the body of Sister Therese in its return to Carmel. It is easy to see why the testimony of Marie of the Trinity was important at the Process. Enjoy.

I think that the non-religious who reads the things that Therese said and did with her sisters in community at the Lisieux Carmel may occasionally be intimidated. I know I am from time to time. Sometimes I am even confused, for there are some pieces of advice and counsel that would not do for a secular woman such as myself. But I thoroughly enjoyed this work, and the translation was superb. Through the compilation of the reminiscences, I was able to better see what it might have been like to follow Therese around, listen to her, go to her in tears, question my vocation. I am grateful for this glimpse and I believe I have a better understanding of the way Therese taught. Thanks for reading.