Ohio Books

From "Late-19th-Century Literature" by John Clendenning

Without doubt, the most important study of late-19th-century American literature is Donna M. Campbell's Resisting Regionalism, a book that studies the rise of naturalism as a gender-based reaction to female-dominated local-color writing. Defined in terms of nostalgic themes--e.g., self-denial, absence, loss, endurance, limitation, loyalty, and compassion--the local-color movement appealed especially to female readers. Against this, the naturalists--mainly Frederic, Norris, Dreiser, Crane, and London--rebelled. Campbell shows, point by point, that the naturalists opposed--and even parodied--the values and narrative strategies of the local colorists. In this literary gender war the men were clearly the victors. Campbell's book is balanced, judicious, and insightful; the scholarship is impeccable. Highlights include analyses of The Damnation of Theron Ware, Vandover and the Brute, "The Monster," and Ethan Frome.

This meticulously researched and annotated book traces numerous themes in the American novel and short story. . . . The author considers the "displacement of the local color movement" and its female writers "part of a broader shift from realism to naturalism," signaling the replacement "of a nineteenth-century sensibility" by "a twentieth-century one." . . . Campbell includes an extended treatment of Wharton, viewed as having blended local color and naturalism. Highly recommended, this is a valuable resource for scholars and students at all levels.

A Simpler Time is one of the best books I have read about a youngster's experiences growing up during the distant past. Author Youngquist does a great job of creating his world for the reader. His writing is clear and concise, and he helps me live his experiences along with him. I'm anxious to read what he has written about his life in the Foreign Service!

I read this book (advertised as excellent for young boys) as a young girl of probably 12 to 13, around 1948 or 1950. This series as well as the Civil War series by the same author were invitingly dusty volumes with old-fashioned type that spoke to me somehow of forgotten knowledge and great adventure. The protagonist, Henry Ware, was a character that could be described as a young Indiana Jones, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone. The books described the great and vanished Indian tribes of the old Northwest Territory, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan. I have held these stories of brave young men, frontier settlers,and indigenous Indian tribes in my mind for nearly 50 years and hold them in great respect and esteem.

Checked this book out from my library just by chance --- so glad I did. She writes so well!!! Can't believe she is not more well known. Do hope she is working on a novel...the emotional depth of characters and the lovely thoughtful intelligent writing...talented author.

I'm generally not an avid reader of short fiction, so I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this collection. Welch has an extraordinary eye for the subtleties of human interaction and motivation. The stories are clearly political in their incisive examination of the destabilization of working class lives with the flight of capital, investment, and stable work from Rust Belt American communities. Yet the stories are often as funny as they are poignant. Throughout Welch shows a keen understanding of the stories that we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives and to make life bearable. Highly recommended.

I just started collecting Royal Ruby glass, and this book has been a tremendous help to me. The pictures are wonderful, as well as the descriptions and information about various pieces. The occasional comparisons of similar pieces were very helpful to me in finding exactly what I was looking for. I am very glad that I bought this book, and I recommend it highly.

Finally, a glass book where you don't have to guess what the picture is!!!! Each illustration has a caption, telling what the item is, along with the vital statistics. No more flipping from page to page to find out what it is, or worse yet, a picture full of glass and no list or caption. The illustrations are incredible. Not only has the author researched his subject thoroughly, the photography will dazzle you. Thank you Philip Hopper for one of the best depression glass books I've seen yet!!!! I sincerely hope you will write more of these high quality glassware books!!

First, read this:

I think the dogwood sprays are antenna dishes,

they are receiving something in the coming dark.

- and this -

blanching like the nausea

when you see the smile

of the wound, your blood spurting

to the rhythm of your hard-working, imbecile heart,

beating itself to death.

- - -

These are two selections from a single poem, chosen more or less at random from this collection. This is the first collection from Michael Chitwood and it shows the power that's exhibited in his second book, The Weave Room.

There is a sense of the Virginias and the Carolinas here that will seem obvious to those who live there, but the settings will not seem strange to others. The book contains some good prose poetry in addition to free verse and both hold the clarity of the author's images, presented in plain language that suddenly seems to have much more power and life than we might normally consider it to have.

First, read this:

I think the dogwood sprays are antenna dishes,

they are receiving something in the coming dark.

- and this -

blanching like the nausea

when you see the smile

of the wound, your blood spurting

to the rhythm of your hard-working, imbecile heart,

beating itself to death.

- - -

These are two selections from a single poem, chosen more or less at random from this collection. This is the first collection from Michael Chitwood and it shows the power that's exhibited in his second book, The Weave Room.

There is a sense of the Virginias and the Carolinas here that will seem obvious to those who live there, but the settings will not seem strange to others. The book contains some good prose poetry in addition to free verse and both hold the clarity of the author's images, presented in plain language that suddenly seems to have much more power and life than we might normally consider it to have.

The Sands of Rhyme is an easy to understand book of inspirational poetry. It offers hope and comfort. There are some poems that apply to the present catastrophic situation since Semptember 11, 2001. Poems of peace and character and morals. It's a great read!

If you love poetry, this book is for you! Floriana is a natural at writing poetry. Her poems are very inspirational, about every topic imaginable. Once you begin reading the poems, you can't put the book down. Enjoy!

Dr Philip Blosser of Lenoir-Rhyne College has truly arranged a definitive study of Max Scheler's critique of Kantian ethics. Not only does this book elucidate Kantian formalism and Schelerian axiology, it also provides a necessary historical context for the Kantian legacy and Scheler's assessment of Kant's formalism. Moreover, Blosser's expertise in phenomenological thought and value theory shines through in this distinctive and peerless work. I have read the book twice and still often consult it in my studies when trying to comprehend Kantian ethics. Pick up this monograph and add it to your library. It is a phenomenological event!

The pure and awe-inspiring brilliance of Dr. Philip Blosser bursts forth from these pages like academic napalm. This book is a true gem penned in excellence by one of the greatest minds to ever grace the realm of philosophy. It should be thankfully discovered by one and all.

Richard Altick's book was required reading for a graduate school course I had in the mid 70's. This was my first introduction to the world of "detective" work within the framework of literature and I found all the stories fascinating. I kept the book for many years, loaning it out to friends for their enjoyment.

Not until a friend recently asked me about the world of the bibliographer (via reading John Dunning's books about the world of book collecting) that I remembered Altick's book and, when I looked for my copy, discovered that I had loaned it once too often and it hadn't been returned. I was delighted to find that the book is still in print and I look forward to re-reading it once again before I loan it out.

Altick's The Scholar Adventurers is a book full of adventure and detective work. When I first read it in the early 80's (the first edition), not only could I not put it down, but I immediately bought two more copies as gifts. Very soon thereafter, the book went out of print. Today I thought of The Scholar Adventurers again as I wondered if I could part with my copy: a scholar friend recently fell off his roof, breaking multiple bones. His hospitalization means a meager Christmas for his family, so I've been deciding what books I could pass along to make the holiday brighter. I decided I could not give up this book, however, even under these circumstances, unless I had some assured way of replacing my copy. Happily I do. So, after you've finished calling me selfish, check the book out for yourself. It's a great read.

If you are going to use this book at home, you will need an overhead projector.

If you have a bunch of boys in your sunday school class, I can't think of a better way to get their attention than using this handy little resource. The devotionals are short, and they have a little "scienc-y" experiment to demonstrate and tie in to the devotional. The lessons do take a little preparation in reviewing and having your stuff ready and so on. But the kids' reactions make them worth it. As a Sunday School teacher, I've relied primarily on the curriculum which is usually tailored to auditory learners with the l-o-n-g Bible story and application. But kids get the wiggles, and some don't get a whole lot out of the way we traditionally teach school. So this is a nice way to reach other kids with more interactive learning styles. I personally wouldn't use it as my sole resource for teaching Sunday School, but it is a wonderful, fun way to give your teaching some variety.

A very readable memoir of challenges faced with courage and willingness to change lifestyle behavior. A gift for anyone coping with middle age and wanting to embrace "second chances" and choices! Upbeat!

Great read and very insightful and believable--would be a joy to know this woman personally as she appears to be most real.