Ohio Books

Neva's daughter -- I saw a lovely set of Harker dishes at a shop, but I don't know the pattern. Would you help me identify it? Contact me at kdavis@cir2.com

OK, I'm biased. My mother wrote this one. Many of the pieces featured in the book are part of my collection. But it's still the ONLY book on Harker Pottery, America's Oldest Pottery. This book not only includes beautiful pictures of Harkerware, but also includes a price guide and some history of the pottery industry of the Ohio Valley. Harker is a contemporary of many currently collectible potteries such as Hall and Homer Laughlin. While not as valuable currently as Autumn Leaf or Fiestaware, Harker's Cameoware is becoming increasingly popular. Harker is also the only manufacturer of ceramic serving forks and spoons as well as beautiful ceramic rolling pins

This is by far the best book my brother ever wrote! I loved it!

I have just finished reading this book which I received in the mail through Amazon this morning.

If there were a simple summary of the book I would dare to say it was a superbly written history of dandyism from the nineteenth century down to the present. The author modestly claims to cover only the periods of 1860 to 1914 but he is forced to discuss the Beau Brummel period of the early 19th century Regency Period right through to the present. Far from being the frivolously written facile populist writing one usually encounters when discussing the topic of dandyism this book is a seriously researched piece of sociology which deals with the dandy in every manifestation throughout this time period. At times the dandy was the hero while at others villainised for his effeminacy - such as following the scandal surrounding Oscar Wilde. With the rise of the middle class came the masher, the gent, the knut, the swell, the cad - and finally in the epilog the metrosexual and the retrosexual are all seen as variations on the same theme through history amid a changing social background.

The book is immediately captivating from its opening passage:

"In May, 1094, the London Men's Monthly Fashion reprinted in full a letter to the Irish Independent by a frustrated tailor and closet reader of popular fiction. "I wonder what it is that the writers of fiction pay so little attention to costuming of their male characters," the letter began; "Of course nobody expects a man's clothes to be as interesting as a woman's but their certainly deserve more than they get in novels, particularly the novels of women. The tailor cautiously admitted that he had lately begun to read a great deal of fiction, "not because I like it, but because I was anxious to find out how real heroes dressed. I didn't learn much. Judging by the scant courtesy accorded the apparel of mankind in literature, they didn't do much dressing"..."It isn't fair to us tailors," he concluded; "Dressmakers get a good write-up on almost every page of the popular novels but the tailor is cut down to about six lines in the whole book". "

The whole culture of menswear as being something that much be presented as though completely uncalculated yet presented with sprezzatura (the author never uses that word but it came to mind numerous times as I was reading the book) is traced. Part and parcel with this was the Victorian eshewal of anything other than solid black for serious business attired with all other colours being regarded as being ostentatious to the point of being almost morally suspect. The author does an extraordinary job of unearthing the extremes gentlemen went to to produce an air of such sprezzatura - of an extreme calculated uncalculatedness that demanded of itself that it be forgotten while all the while presenting itself as the perfect manifestation of gentlemanly ways.

Later the whole history of the dominance of the black frock coat is followed until its demise with rise of the lounge suit in the latter 19th to early 20th century. It becomes clear that the lounge suit arose in the age of increasing mass production and the rise of ready-to-wear clothing causing a demise in bespoke tailoring. After all the lounge suit was loose fitting and the precisely tailored forms of the frock coat was alien to mass production. In the course of this the question of dandyism and ready-to-wear vs bespoke is inevitably raised.

Right throughout the book there are numerous carefully chose illustrations which enrich the reading experience enormously. The writing style is inviting and fluent throughout in the way the narrative of the history of dandyism is presented to us. I must confess to have been unable to put it down and read it from cover to cover in the course of a single evening.

In conclusion I would say this is the best book on the history of menswear I have yet to read which covers issues that remain true to our hearts and imminently relevant to anyone concerned with elegant dressing for men. Essential reading and heartily recommended to all. Indeed you might even see it as a perfect accompaniment to Antongiovanni's book The Suit which was originally entitle The Dandy.

D. H. Lawrence: Self And Sexuality by James C. Cowan (Founder and Editor of "The D. H. Lawrence Review" and recipient of The D. H. Lawrence Society of North America Award for Distinguished Scholarship) is a thoughtful and thought-provoking psychologically oriented examination of assorted issues arising from the sexual topics found throughout the writings of D. H. Lawrence. Professor Cowan ranges from employing object relation theories of D. W. Winnicott, to traditional Freudian interpretations, to self-psycho-logical terms, and much, much more. An erudite and meticulously reasoned account, D. H. Lawrence: Self And Sexuality is an original and seminal contribution which is especially commended to students of the life and work of D. H. Lawrence.

This short book explains D. H. Lawrence's sexuality in concise, illuminating terms. The author spent many years studying Lawrence and psychoanalysis; now he uses the insights of therapists such as Heinz Kohut to penetrate the creative work of a gifted novelist. The book's ten chapters, all impressively organized, reflect Cowan's wisdom and humanity; in the chapter on Lawrence's search for masculine identity, for instance, he shows how vigorously Lawrence searched, consciously and unconsciously, for a way to unify his divided male consciousness. Highly recommended for readers curious about the way sex - in all its forms - permeates the affective life of a genius.

An excellent book which threatens to lapse into obscurity. Everyone should read "Williard and Progressive Management" for its pertenance to today's business as well as its insight into twentieth century history.

A word of warning as stated by the author in his preface: This is NOT a "choo-choo" book!

David Vrooman fills a BIG VOID to document what was a harbinger of the so-called Japanese style of corporate management, the principles of which were developed by W. Edwards Deming after World War II under the name of Total Quality Management, or "TQM". Rather than trying to upstage Deming, Vrooman presents Daniel Willard's common-sense approach in recognizing the dignity and worth of every employee in the corporate structure which he based on good individual upbringing and having been on virtually every rung of the railroad career ladder himself, culminating in the presidency of the B&O Railroad from 1910 to 1941. Throughout his 31 years as B&O president, Willard raised the status of his company from a large, second-class railroad to one that became a model for others to emulate. He did this through two major programs: 1) the Cooperative Plan, during the teens and twenties, receiving exemplary results based on employee unit meetings where suggestions for improvement of their individual work processes were solicited, and 2) the Corporate Traffic Plan, where employees were rewarded if they were able to get new freight accounts and passenger traffic during the years of the Great Depression. Vrooman also examines Willard's contributions to the country's logistics efforts on the railroads during World War I and his successes in averting major labor shutdowns of the nation's railroads. Also, Vrooman admiringly documents Willard's success in his effort to bring together the nation's railroad presidents and rail labor to save them from bankruptcy during the Great Depression by getting them to agree to an across-the-board 10% wage cut! If you were to ask if this could be done today, I would be forced to give a resounding NO! Willard did this through the TRUST that he was able to garner throughout all levels of the railroad industry, to become one of the most beloved individuals in his field as one of the greatest unsung Captains of Industry that American history SORROWFULLY OVERLOOKS!

This is a MUST READ for all those in corporate venues who want to get ahead, and at the same time, exercise the individual scruples they personally have developed in how they deal with their clients, superiors, and employees.

This is an excellent book illuminating many beautiful sites, occasions and the 1913 flood very relevant to Dayton, Ohio history. I am so glad I was able to get a copy. It was well presented according to subject matter; the postcards pictured were of excellent quality. Thank you so much.

Dalton's latest book continues to show just how great Dayton was in the early 20th century. The postcards are clear and the subject matter: Soldiers Home. 1913 flood, Robert Blvd., and various buildings that once graced the city makes interesting and informative reading. That's why I give it my highest rating.

When so much poetry is sloppy and meandering, meant more for the poet's analyst than for an intelligent reader, Cassity's work is sharp and focussed. It's also tightly compressed, so that reading even a short poem is a deeply engaging intellectual activity. This work demands the reader's concentration, but it is not work to read it. The poems are not deliberately difficult, obscure, or capriciously playful--they are simply good. If you're looking for something to read that will get your synapses firing, and will reward you in the end, give Cassity a try.

Turner Cassity has taken on a startling range of subjects in his highly-crafted poetry. A few of his titles, advertising poems, serve well to advertise this collection: "Knowledge Is Power, But Only If You Misuse It," "Meaner than a Junkyard Dog, or, Turner's Evil Twin," "Do Not Judge By Appearances. Or Do.", "Some People Have No Small Talk," and "Vegetarian Mary and the Venus Flytrap." Admirers of Richard Wilbur and Howard Nemerov will enjoy Cassity's work as well.

This book is about the penal farm system in Mississippi commonly known as Parchman. This book is an excellent book from a writer and his outlook, or perspective, on the history of Parhman Farm. This book is written by a college professor from a Mississippi university, University of Sourthern Mississippi. Therefore the book is said by scholars and critics to be pro Mississippi or somewhat defend Mississippi penal policies of the early and mid 20th century. This book is extremely informative and easy to read. It details life on the Mississippi penal farm and how it was a self sfficient, thriving "mini-civilization". It also details how prisoners played large parts in the everyday running of the farm. The best thing I can tell you to do is to read this book along with David Oshinsky's "Worse Than Slavery", develop your own conclusions from booth books and decide for yourself whether Parchman Farm was a horrible place or a practical way of rehabilitation. Oshinsky's book has an opposite view of this book and the contrast will leave you with the ability to make your own conclusions. I would reccomend this book for anyone interested in Mississippi history, as well as any college student pursuing a degree in criminal justice, corrections, criminal psychology, or any related field.

This book is a wonderful experience from the reader's point of view. It goes in depth about life at Parchman Penitentiary from the guards and inmates viewpoint. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in criminology, prisons, and law.

This is the first of two books about Wisconsin ghost legends written by this outstanding folklorist and author. I have to say that this and his "Northern Frights" are two of my favorite non-fiction books out there. It's not just a dusty collection of old spook-tales attached to lonely places, this is a volume of living legends. Mr. Boyer writes from a personal perspective, he amusingly recounts how he collected each tale and his own impressions of the place, the tale and the teller. You follow along with him as he travels through the driftless area of Wisconsin finding unique characters and listening to the stories they have to tell. Whether it be fearsome ghosts on horseback frightening motorists off the road or the eerie sound of a disembodied polka band, the spirits he encounters are the living spirits of this state, colorful and rich in culture and history. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Wisconsin folklore, ghost stories and culture.

This author always has a lot to say in a very creative way. The book is no exception. A fun read and another great book from this seasoned folklorist.

When I first started reading DRIVING WHILE BLACK: COVERUP,
I expected the book to be about the experience of one person.
I was surprised to find information about racial profilling
in great detail that covered the entire United States. I had no idea racial profilling existed in the U.S. Customs Service. People in hotels and airports are paid as informants to point
out minorities for searches by law enforcement.
Greedy police departments have tried to seize the assets of
dead people. Congress has made laws allowing law enforcement to
take money from citizens without proof that a criminal offense
has occurred. This book is a wake up call that our rights as Americans are under attack. Well researched with citations.
Well worth reading!

Cincinnati is now and has been in a state of racial hatred from the police department for many years (since the 1800's). Mr. Kelvin Davis has exposed just a few of the many overlapping protective systems utilized by the Hamilton County and the Greater Cincinnati Law enforcement agencies. While covering up the terroristic methods used to protect officers who don their badges as weapons of personal racial hate on people of color a search for a inkling of justice remains elusive. Truth be known, there is no justice in Cincinnati for people who challenge the County's practices of racial profiling and the cover up that soon follows! Many people from Cincinnati hate what black citizens are forced to endure in the year 2002! Great job Mr. Davis.

A fine examination of the development of Heidegger's thinking on authenticity.

A very good introductory work to Heidegger.

The book is Zimmerman's essay on Martin Heidegger's concept of authenticity. It deals with Heidegger's thought from _Being and Time_ to his later "overcoming" of philosophy in his thinking. The book explains how Heidegger achieved his concept of authenticity (especially that expressed in B&T) from the works of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Further, Heidegger's relationships to National Socialism and the application of his ideas to theology are explored. The author begins with the early Heidegger, who began as a Catholic theologian, as he explains the relationship of Heidegger's authenticity in B&T to religion. The author then explores Heidegger's notion of "everydayness" and how this relates to inauthentic existence. In addition, Heidegger's notion of an authentic "being-towards-death" is looked at. "World historical heroism" is examined as revealed through Nietzsche's character of the Overman, and Heidegger's political activities in the Nazi party are explained in terms of "voluntarism". The role of technology and its relationship to inauthentic ways of being is dealt with. Finally, Heidegger's late thought is examined through the concept of "Ereignis" and "releasement". This is related to the Zen mysticism and the Christian mysticism of Meister Eckhart.