Mississippi Books

Martin Hegwood is another Mississippi attorney turned author. He has set this novel's plot on the modern Mississippi Gulf Coast where private investigator Jack Delmas, a native of the area, finds himself between a declining shrimping industry and a booming tourist industry with luxury hotels and casinos. there are wheelers and dealers, corrupt politicians, shrimp fishermen, and businessmen ranging from a shade-tree mechanic to a successful restaurateur. The novel presents a good picture of an area in transition where most people want a piece of the pie, but some people would rather be beach bums. The novel contains lots of local color about the area.

When Jack's longtime friend, the Croatian shrimper Casper Perinovich, dies in an explosion and fire at his home, Jack is drawn into the investigation and stirs up things people would prefer to keep buried. The story has considerable action, and Jack sustains some damage to his person and his pickup (messing with a southern boy's pickup can be as bad as messing with his woman). Along the way, Jack rekindles an old flame.

This is a good novel for commuters as the 272 pages are divided into 41 chapters.

The second Jack Delmas story is more assured and engaging, and a winner. Good characters, drawn well and an interesteing plot hold us to the end. Keep 'em coming.

If you are interested in plot, the professional reviews give the essential information, but if you have just discovered Martin Hegwood and enjoy mystery/detective novels consider this book as your key to the character of Jack Delmas. Sometimes, as in this case, the author's first novel (Big Easy Backroad) does not give the full motivation behind a character. To really find out what is going on, one must explore a bit. Frequently I find a series I like, either through a friend or luck, and then start working the back trail. As I do so, I often find a book such as this novel that has it all, plot, motivation, interesting detail. If you are new to Martin Hegwood and Jack Delmas, and you like what you have read, you owe yourself this one.

Martin Hegwod has written a good Mississippi Gulf Coast Mystery...he just may write a great one next. I was very impressed with this second novel. He is getting better each book.

Mr. Hegwood does a fine job of depicting Mississippi Gulf Coast life and culture. Even his physical descriptions of the water routes are accurate. Only a native would be able to describe this in such detail. An earlier review said the book had a Big Easy ambiance, however, this book is Biloxi through and through. Harriet Klausner (#1 reviewer) obviously has never set foot on the Gulf Coast (probably not New Orleans either) or she would have never compared it to Atlantic City. The very idea is inane.

I graduated from high school with Martin, and was surprised to learn that he had authored some mystery novels. The first one I was able to read was The Green-Eyed Hurricane. Only a native (or former native) can tell how beautifully Martin's descriptions of the area and people reflect the reality of the Coast. His descriptions of the sun reflecting on oyster shells in a driveway, or the scent of a freshly mowed lawn where the grass is mixed with wild onions were viscerally evocative to me. How many times did I experience these sensations as I grew up? The small details he included only increased the believability of the picture for me. The characters he has developed are only perfect. I found the plot to be extremely believable, as I know something of the history of Biloxi. It fits.

Several good books about the American bison are available in today's marketplace. Among the best are David Dary's The Buffalo Book, and Tom McHugh's The Time of the Buffalo. Now comes Ted Franklin Belue's The Long Hunt to make a threesome of outstanding volumes on this most recognizable of American wildlife. But Belue's book is different. Now, for the first time (that I know of) the eastern variety of the species is chronicled. Drawing upon archaeological evidence and utilizing first-hand accounts of early explorers, pioneers, and settlers along the Eastern seaboard and in the vast trans-Appalachian country, Belue follows the buffalo's saga from its earliest confrontation with American Indians, through the first European impact, and all the way down to the animal's extinction east of the Mississippi River. A valuable part of this book (aside, of course, from the invaluable information about the buffalo itself) is the huge amount of data that Belue imparts to his reader about the long-hunter, the eastern forerunner of the mountain man. Complete with extensive notes, illustrations, appendices, and bibliography, The Long Hunt is a volume to be read and intensely studied by any student of America's first West. One of the finest tributes to this book that I have read came from Dr. Richard Taylor of Kentucky State University, who wrote, "What David Dary has done in his study of buffalo west of the Mississippi, Belue has done for those east of it."--Jim Crutchfield, Western Writers of America, April 1998, Roundup Magazine

In his book, Belue has carefully researched and written an account of the death of the buffalo east of the Mississippi. In a greater sense, this work examines life on the frontier as well as the history of trade and colonization of the frontier. The author uses personal accounts, journals, and memoirs of the traders, long hunters and trappers who played a role in the settlement of the frontier as a basis for the work. I highly recommend as well as the author's other works on the life of Daniel Boone.

Buffalo history enthusiasts will find that Ted Belue's book is written just for them. While there are a number of effective historical, nonfiction books on the American buffalo available, this one has the advantage of focusing attention specifically on the death of the buffalo east of the Mississippi. This noteworthy recounting of buffalo and their gruesome end gives a realistic picture of what occurred. Belue provides readers with enough information to gain both insight and comprehension. By the 1820s, the eastern buffalo herds were gone. The author uses many quotes from early chronicles to illustrate a vivid account of the hardships hunters encountered as well as the plight of the buffalo east of the Mississippi. Belue's careful research is evident and reinforced by the excellent selection of black-and-white photographs and old maps. The glossary, index, and selected annotated bibliography are very helpful to the reader. This book is written on a slightly higher reading level and is very comprehensive. This title will fill a gap in most collections and will appeal particularly to readers of American buffalo history. This book would be a welcome addition to any "buffalo/bison" book shelf.

Chronicling the demise of buffalo that ranged between the Blue Ridge and the Mississippi, this book includes previously unpublished material on flora, fauna, and Woodland and Southeastern Indians. Living historians will find useful information on arms, accoutrements, attire, and frontier skills and lifestyles. --Living History, Spring 1997

This excellent piece offers an up close/analytical look at the tale of the buffalo and those men who hunted buffalo in the 18th century "Middle Ground." Names, dates, places, hunts, scouts, etc. unfold in front of your eyes in an understandable and exciting manner via so many new and varied primary documentation sources I don't even want to get into listing them. Long Hunt presents you with a highly accurate perception of the era and its players. Somewhat akin to Arnow's SEEDTIME ON THE CUMBERLAND but much more specifically directed toward the over-mountain eastern frontiersman, I would have to consider this as "required material" for anyone whose persona involves hunting for a living in the 18th century frontier. Do yourself a favor...buy it!

This is not something I learned about in school. The most remarkable thing about this book is author's assertion that American slaveholders fled the south after the Civil War and built successful, happy lives for themselves in culturally diverse Brazil. This is not a superbly constructed book wrapped up in a nice little package, but it is worth the read for the "did you know...?" conversations you can start with people!

Based on actual events, the "Lost Colony of the Confederacy" is an interesting book that chronicles the massive immigration of Southerners who fled the former states of the Confederacy and resettled in Brazil. At the invitation of Brazil's ruler at the time, Emperor Dom Pedro II, many Confederates immigrated to Brazil to take advantage of that nation's rich natural resources and most importantly, African slaves in one of the few countries in the Americas who had not abolished slavery yet.

These settlers, known as the Confederados, resettled in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, and founded a town they named "Americana" where many of their descendants still reside. With Anglo-Saxon last names such as Stonewall, Jackson, and Butler, many of their present-day ancestors still reside in the Southern-inspired town and continue to live the way of life their ancestors once lived. Pecan pies, debutante balls, and Southern hymns are all still alive, although many of them have intermarried with Brazil's population and speak Portuguese as well as English (with a Brazilian-Southerner accent).

The author did great research when writing this book, and the photographs provide the reader with visuals that help us visualize Americana. An updated edition of this book was recently published by Texas A&M University press, provides new updated information on Americana and her inhabitants

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the U.S. Civil War, Brazil, or Latin American culture/history. The story of the Confederados is a forgotten chapter in the history of the Civil War that should be rediscovered by all.

Eugene C. Harter has given us a sparkling "gem" of a book, a fascinating aspect of history that is both well-researched, and well-written.

Based on actual events, the "Lost Colony of the Confederacy" is an interesting book that chronicles the massive immigration of Southerners who fled the former states of the Confederacy and resettled in Brazil. At the invitation of Brazil's ruler at the time, Emperor Dom Pedro II, many Confederates immigrated to Brazil to take advantage of that nation's rich natural resources and most importantly, African slaves in one of the few countries in the Americas who had not abolished slavery yet.

These settlers, known as the Confederados, resettled in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, and founded a town they named "Americana" where many of their descendants still reside. With Anglo-Saxon last names such as Stonewall, Jackson, and Butler, many of their present-day ancestors still reside in the Southern-inspired town and continue to live the way of life their ancestors once lived. Pecan pies, debutante balls, and Southern hymns are all still alive, although many of them have intermarried with Brazil's population and speak Portuguese as well as English (with a Brazilian-Southerner accent).

The author did great research when writing this book, and the photographs provide the reader with visuals that help us visualize Americana. An updated edition of this book was recently published by Texas A&M University press, provides new updated information on Americana and her inhabitants

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the U.S. Civil War, Brazil, or Latin American culture/history. The story of the Confederados is a forgotten chapter in the history of the Civil War that should be rediscovered by all.

Based on actual events, the "Lost Colony of the Confederacy" is an interesting book that chronicles the massive immigration of Southerners who fled the former states of the Confederacy and resettled in Brazil. At the invitation of Brazil's ruler at the time, Emperor Dom Pedro II, many Confederates immigrated to Brazil to take advantage of that nation's rich natural resources and most importantly, African slaves in one of the few countries in the Americas who had not abolished slavery yet.

These settlers, known as the Confederados, resettled in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, and founded a town they named "Americana" where many of their descendants still reside. With Anglo-Saxon last names such as Stonewall, Jackson, and Butler, many of their present-day ancestors still reside in the Southern-inspired town and continue to live the way of life their ancestors once lived. Pecan pies, debutante balls, and Southern hymns are all still alive, although many of them have intermarried with Brazil's population and speak Portuguese as well as English (with a Brazilian-Southerner accent).

The author did great research when writing this book, and the photographs provide the reader with visuals that help us visualize Americana. An updated edition of this book was recently published by Texas A&M University press, provides new updated information on Americana and her inhabitants

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the U.S. Civil War, Brazil, or Latin American culture/history. The story of the Confederados is a forgotten chapter in the history of the Civil War that should be rediscovered by all.

This is a splendid work about a man who was not only a magnificent voice but one who was able to "crossover" from the classical to the popular and be the best of his generation and all generations. Mr. Mannering has made a definitive contribution to the Mario Lanza legend and reputation by searching for the truth and explaining the truth about this wonderful artist who contributed so much to his profession. Greater awareness about Lanza's legacy is needed so that future lovers of grand voices can appreciate what Mario's fans have known for decades. The next step is to make a movie about him so that the world can understand and know his glorious gifts.

When I read Derek Mannering's first book, MARIO LANZA - A BIOGRAPHY, in 1993, I knew then that this was the best work written to date on the great tenor who was my boyhood idol and musical inspiration. Yet that was only the beginning: since then, Mannering has produced two other first-rate books, SINGING TO THE GODS and MARIO LANZA - A LIFE IN PICTURES (both published in the UK), that have been even better than his first effort. He has also in those years become BMG's primary consultant on the release of new Mario Lanza CDs, resulting in Lanza's return to the best-seller lists in the UK, even hitting #1 with THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION -- a remarkable feat for a singer who died five decades ago.

Now, happily, the first-ever American edition of MARIO LANZA - SINGING TO THE GODS has been published by University Press of Mississippi. Not merely a copy of Mannering's book produced for the UK, this new, updated edition includes never-before-released material in the way of photos and interviews, including several poignant reminisces of Lanza's niece, actress Dolores Hart, who retired from the screen more than 40 years ago to become a nun, Mother Dolores. As in his previous works, Mannering has had the blessings and cooperation of two very important people in Mario Lanza's life - his best friend and trainer, Terry Robinson, and Lanza's only surviving daughter, Elissa Lanza Bregman, who wrote the book's heartfelt Foreword.

Always written in a lively and entertaining style, the strength of Derek Mannering's books lies in the fact that he focuses on Mario Lanza's incredible talent, and how he used that talent -- thru films, radio, television, concerts and recordings -- to bring the world of opera and great music to the average person. And, at the same time, influencing more of today's opera singers than almost any other artist in memory.

Mannering points out Lanza's flaws and mistakes, which caused the singer much difficulty and heartache in his lifetime, and more than a little controversy that lingers to this day. Yet at the same time, Mannering does not dwell on these failings. And while, like all others who have written Lanza bios, Mannering ponders the "what ifs," he does not invent a career which Lanza never had, and celebrates instead the remarkable career for what it was and what it achieved, which was considerable.

For those who might wonder how Derek Mannering's SINGING TO THE GODS stacks up to the other books out there (and Lanza has more bios than almost any other singer I can think of), I would let Mario's daughter, Elissa, speak in the closing words of her Foreword:

"Anyone who wants to know about the life and times of Mario Lanza need go no further than this book."


DAVID WEAVER is the author of BLACK DIVA OF THE THIRTIES - THE LIFE OF RUBY ELZY, published in 2004 by University Press of Mississippi.

Another in a series of Lanza biographies from various sources, Mr Mannering's Singing to the Gods is a searching book detailing Mario Lanza's life and career, and allowing the fascinating personality of the great tenor to emerge.

This excellent book is a useful one to anyone who wishes to learn about Mario Lanza - singer, voice and man - without becoming sidetracked by prying or speculation. Mr Mannering's work steers a course to show the facts about Lanza, avoiding undue, sensational speculation. Views expressed are clear, invariably positive and (the greatest virtue of all in a biography), suitably informative.

A pity that the opportunity to include a CD as a sweetener was not taken, but nonetheless this book no doubt will encourage many readers to seek to hear more of Mario Lanza - and also to generate consumer requests for the re-release of his films in high quality DVD, or other improving, formats.

Mario Lanza's rise to stardom could not have happened ten years earlier, or ten years later, than it did. The repressive atmosphere of the post-WWII period saw a shift from the soothing crooning of Sinatra and Crosby to the era of the "big belters" of pop, such as Frankie Laine and, a bit later, Johnnie Ray. Mario Lanza was unique in that he straddled the pop and classical markets with his powerful and emotive voice, and connected with the inner desire for passion that the era attempted to suppress. Gifted singer, movie star and, yes, sex symbol: even Caruso never made as much of an impact on American popular culture as did Lanza. The author of this book provides none of this context in his drab retelling of Lanza's career path.

At the very least, the meteoric career of the troubled tenor was colorful, but the colorless, pedestrian prose of Mannering reads like an album's liner notes. At no point did I get a real feeling for Lanza, the man. An endorsement from Lanza'a daughter is actually a red flag; the seamier side of Lanza's well-documented personality gets short shrift here. We see Lanza destroying himself; the author gives us precious little by way of explanation as to what inner demons drove him to self-destruct.

Put simply, the material cries out for a writer whose prose style (and research skills) could capture the nuances of the era and the soaring highs and crushing lows of Lanza's short but blazing career. The author fails on both fronts.

Additionally, the book seems to have scarcely been proofed; one can not read more than two or three pages without encountering an egregious typo (i.e. "the Metropolital Opera") or an incomplete sentence. After a few chapters, one becomes very annoyed that the editors could not perform this most basic function.

The reproduction size of the photos is so small that one literally needs a magnifying glass to identify Lanza in some group shots!

As for the discography, it nicely sets down all of Lanza's sessions in chronological order - but fails to list the singles and albums as they were released! This will not be helpful for those who might want to actually begin to collect Lanza's vinyl output.

A Lanza completist might want to buy this as a cut-out, or obtain a clean used copy at a nominal price. I don't feel like I got my $20 worth from this book.

Derek Mannering's new biography of the American tenor Mario Lanza seeks an admirable middle ground between idolatry and spite. For in the past we have had biographies dictated by either camp. Some people castigate Lanza for his failure to pursue a career in the great opera houses (as far as we know, he played twice in Madame Butterfly and that's it). Whereas others, the idolators, say that he never made a mistake. (You should hear Derek Mannering on the subject of Lanza'a "disgraceful" 1959 STUDENT PRINCE!) And while we're on the subject, Derek Mannering really, really, seriously hates the "pseudo-rock") "Pineapple Pickers," which I consider one of Lanza's best upbeat tunes and far better than much of what Elvis wound up singing in his movies. Let's have more tracks like "Pineapple Pickers" and less painful numbers such as "Drink, Drink, Drink" if you ask me.

Mannering carefully shows us how Lanza became a movie star--almost through a series of divinely inspired accidents it seems, while skimping a little bit on the childhood in Philadelphia which other writers have written tomes about. All the while we imagine that Lanza's childhood did hold something traumatic in it, otherwise he would have been beter equipped to withstand the disaster of success! As Joe Pasternak, the MGM producer, says (page 71), "Success is harder to take then failure." Well, that may not be true for all men and women, but it seems to have been true for Mario Lanza.

Derek Mannering is forthright about Lanza's various addictions--for example, he describes a late life discovery of Campari that persisted despite taking a regular course of Antabuse (pills that supposedly make you ghastly sick if you take a drink). The man had an iron constitution, and yet of course it failed him in the end, as he died of an embolism in his swollen leg which travelled to his heart. And Mannering travels lightly over Betty Lanza's fondness for tranquillizers, a very 50s addiction. Again and again we hear testimony, from Richard Bonynge, Licia Albanese, Jussi Bjoerling, that yes, Mario's voice was big enough to fill an opera house; I would believe it more if Mannering has included one opera singer with a negative opinion of Lanza, for we know there were many. In this one instance I don't believe Mannering is telling both sides of the story.

And, because he is from Britain, some of his phrasing has an unusual, piquant air, as though Julie Andrews were telling the story. For example, in Rome members of the Mafia may have crashed Lanza's big party at his rented villa, for "keeping them our of his home, when a come-all party was in swing, was not always possible." COME-ALL PARTY? Que come-all party? I like the phrase, and I really like this book.

In the heart of Mississippi are five siblings partaking in sibling rivalry at its best. Cassandra Darden Bell's Mississippi Blues is the story of five sisters and brothers who are as different as night is to day and showcases how each forged their way into adulthood, some with success and others, if you are judging, not so successful. All of them stayed in Mississippi with the exception of Beverly Lemark, a best selling writer penning under an assumed name.

Looking from the outside in, one would assume that Beverly has it all, her writing career, a husband, two children and a beautiful home. But as Beverly is left alone to write, her drinking increases and the writing decreases. When Beverly receives word that she must return to Mississippi to attend to family business, her lonely yet seemingly idyllic life comes crashing down. Mississippi Blues pits sibling against sibling through lack of communication and lack of understanding. Beverly comes to realize through a tragic event that she must stop running away from her problems and we cannot choose our family but in the end it is family first and forever.

Cassandra Darden Bell showcases a story with a clear imagery of the Vicksburg, Mississippi area, developed characters who are likeable and not so likeable and dialogue that is heartfelt and realistic. A truly touching story.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

This was a really good book it was hard for me to put it down.
the storyline stayed in a nice even flow, loved the southern drawl the author used with the voice of her charactors.
I look forward to reading more of her work.

At first, I really thought that this book was really going to boring, but as I got into the book and read the story, I just couldn't put it down. I got the book Saturday afternoon, and I finished it last night and was sorry to see it end. It is good that one can hold their own in this world, and Beverly did it. But, as time moved on, she distanced herself from her siblings due a simple disagreement. When she goes back down there to take care of the family land, she finds out that no matter what, family is going to be there for you, and when she suffered her loss, they really were. I was glad to see that they did something constructive as well for the land, although, I probably would have given some to the oldest brother to get himself together. You know, you look at a character and you feel taht they can be one way, but as time goes on, you find out, that they are a whole other person, and I found that with Bobby. He had such a good heart, and though he made wrong choices, he wanted the best for his family. Great story. Highly recommended.

Cassandra Darden Bell's Mississippi Blues is carefully crafted with the best of the author's considerable gifts. It is immediate, involving and relies on Bell's deep insight into the many layers of American family life. Events are stagnant or stormy, humorous or pathetic, but always imbued with recognizable charm and feeling. Unlike lesser novels that rely on situations, stereotypes and plot-driven dialogue to advance the story, Bell lightly dances over events while maintaining that very human sense of existing within oneself and feeling, at times, like an observer watching aghast at how one's own life has developed--or failed to do so. Bell displays a deft talent for characterization, quietly subverting our assumptions as we share in the complex but satisfying process of rediscovering the strength of blood ties, and embracing the best within ourselves. Recommended for fans of compelling family drama. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."

MISSISSIPPI BLUES is a story about avoidance. Beverly Lamark has run away from her issues with her siblings in Mississippi by cutting off communication with them, her marital problems by drowning them in alcohol, and her true dreams as a writer by masking her identity and writing novels that will make her a lot of money but never make her happy. On what seems like a typical day she gets a call from one of her sisters telling her that she and her siblings must make a decision about some land their father left them upon his death several years ago. Suddenly Beverly is forced to travel home to Mississippi, a trip she has long been avoiding. As she and her children take the road trip together, Beverly realizes how little her children know about her family and her hometown and pledges to share more about her past. The last time she was home she didn't leave on the best of terms and is dreading the confrontation that is sure to come. Later, a tragic event that forces Beverly to stop running. She realizes that she and her siblings have to deal with their issues and she must face the fact that her marriage has been unhappy for a long time.

Cassandra Darden Bell has penned a novel that truly captures the essence of family drama. The story takes place over the course of a relatively short period of time, yet the plot was satisfying and the characters were well developed. The fact that so many of the issues between the characters were due to misconceptions, miscommunication and the masking of hurt feelings gave the plot a sense of realism that made the story an unforgettable one. There is no drama like family drama, but the love between siblings is a force to be reckoned with. The ultimate lesson in this book is that in spite of it all, families stick together.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

A very important book dealing with race and history. A must read for people interested in the subject.

WONDERFUL! I read this book twice in two weeks and could read it again. This should be required reading at every high school in the country. Being new to Mississippi, I was looking to find out more about my home state and picked this book up at the library. Thinking it was a travel guide, it sat on my bedside table for a week until one night I picked it up and found everything I was looking for. Thank you Mr. Walton

Anthony Walton lets us ride along on his journey back to his Mississippi roots. A story of pain and survival, relayed through the voices of his parents (among others), is skillfully woven with history lessons and Walton's own moving poetry. A very readable and important contribution.

This book is about the author, a Mid westerner, travelling to Mississippi to learn more about the state where his people came from. It is extremely well done. The author travels around the state, interviews many prominent and not-as-prominent Mississippians about problems, solutions, and opportunites for the state to move beyond its history of severe racial problems.
In the process he summarizes a lot of history, and introduces many insights about how Mississippi got where it is and what it needs to do to move on. One thing I, as a white Mississippian with a somewhat liberal bent, found refreshing was his not falling into the trap that many of us Mississippians do of saying that all of that stuff is old news and we have moved beyond it. Things are undoubtedly better now than before, but while segregation may not be legal it is still very alive in the hearts and minds of the residents, both black and white If books like Walton's cause us to reexamine some of our "truths" about the state, it will have served an extremely useful purpose.

At any rate, for one wanting to understand more about Mississippi, reading this book is a good way to do it.

It would be impossible to define this book: American history, personal history, travel log, memoir, but only through this eclectic storytelling does such a brilliant and complex vision of Mississippi, and its place in this country, emerge. Anthony Walton dazzles on every page with some of the sweetest prose I have ever read, and an intellect to match, that had me re-reading sentences, and then entire chapters, and sometimes just putting the book down for a moment to think.

Ms. Dixon exhibits her mastery of it all (plot, language, suspense, credibility, characters, and action) in this remarkably well-written first novel. Absent an unavoidable interruption, this would have been a single-seating read for me. Bravo, and bring on the sequel...

Louisa Dixon has written a terrific first novel. The tale is fast-paced and convoluted enough to satisfy the most discriminating reader of the "thriller/suspense" genre. Ms Dixon knows first-hand the inside workings of a state police agency and brings her experience to the pages of "Next To Last Chance."

Louisa knows what she's talking about, as she puts her hero into the job she actually had herself heading the State Police in Mississippi. Horrific or courtly men abound, some out to get her, some willing to help this smart and effective law enforcer get the job done.

Louisa Dixon creates a compelling story through the eyes of a character, in many ways, based on her life. She weaves a web of southern politics, corruption inside government life, and heartbreak. She writes of incidents that very well could have happened, as well as imagining those that did not occur. Her story is fast pace and easy to follow which allows you to read a 300 page book, easily, in two days. It is a captivating novel which I recommend to all.

Deep in the heart of Dixie, Laura Owen is appointed Commissioner of Public Safety and head of the State Patrol in a brazen political move by Governor Gibbs Carver, a two-term lame duck who is readying himself for the national spotlight. Owen was chosen because of her successful investigations of government corruption. This sets the scene of "Next to Last Chance" (Genesis Press $24.95) by Louisa Dixon, who like her protagonist, served as Commissioner of Public Safety for the State of Mississippi from 1988 to 1992 and as Director of Investigative Audits for the State Auditor's Office from 1984 through 1988. She is the only women to ever head a state law enforcement body. During her time in office Dixon saw a lot of corruption and too much good-ole-boy politics. She puts her experiences, both real and imagined, to paper in "Next to Last Chance" and she does it with brilliant style. Laura Owen is much like the author. She's petite, but she packs a wallop. In the story, Governor Carver appoints Laura to office to further his own career in politics, to help build up his record on crime-fighting and to boost his image with women. Waiting in the wings to take his place as governor is Alex Markham, United States Attorney and the chief federal prosecutor. He uses his drug prosecutions to strengthen his public image until Laura puts a stop to his plans by severely disrupting the flow of illegal drugs. Dixon writes with expert authority about what she knows - law enforcement, politics and corruption in the south. "Next to Last Chance" is first in a series that will leave the reader wanting more. It is available through your favorite book store.

The Night Cry is one of the best books I have ever read!! It is about a young girl and her father. The girl's father gets a job and she has to stay alone for a week. Some unexpecting things happen when she is there. She winds up trying to rescue a small boy that was kidnapped out of his own room. I chose this book because I like horses and on the cover there was a horse. My favorite character was the Grandma because she was funny and mysterious. Everyone in town thought she was crazy. The best part was when the girl was in the barn trying to find out a way to rescue the boy. She finally busted out of the barn on the horse. I liked that part because she hadn't ridden the horse since her brother got kicked off and was killed. The only bad thing about this book is that it is very predictable. Otherwise it was very good!!

For all you readers out there,I would like to tell you a short summary of the book Night Cry by Phliss Reynolds Naylor.Night Cry is a book about a very bravy little girl who gets over a big fear of hers,the girl uncovers a mystery while overcoming her fear of a horse who killed her younger brother.She is remarkablely brave.The girl also betrays a kidnapper to whitch she does not know kidnaps Jason Cory a son a of a famous actor.But this also is a tragic heroic story.I inspire all you readers out there that is into tragic mystery storys to read this book it is terrific.(At first I did not think I would like it because Iam not much of a reader but i really enjoyed it.)

For all you readers out there,i would lik eot tell you a short summary of the book Night Cry by Phliss Reynolds Naylor.Night Cry is a book about a very bravy little girl who gets over a big fear of hers,the girl uncovers a mystery whils overcoming her fear of a horse who killed her younger brother.she is remarkablely brave.the girl also betrays a kidnapper to whitch she does not know kidnaps Jason Cory a son a of a famous actor.but this also is a tragic heroic story.I inspire all you readers out there that is into tragic mystery storys to read this book it is terrific.(at first I did not think I would like it because Iam not much of a reader but i really enjoyed it.)

I thought this book was an ok reading book. I am in 8th grade and I thought it was a little young for me. It could have been better.

For all you readers out there,I would like to tell you a short summary of the book Night Cry by Phliss Reynolds Naylor.Night Cry is a book about a very bravy little girl who gets over a big fear of hers,the girl uncovers a mystery while overcoming her fear of a horse who killed her younger brother.She is remarkablely brave.The girl also betrays a kidnapper to whitch she does not know kidnaps Jason Cory a son a of a famous actor.But this also is a tragic heroic story.I inspire all you readers out there that is into tragic mystery storys to read this book it is terrific.(At first I did not think I would like it because Iam not much of a reader but i really enjoyed it.)

Thanks for great service and speedy delivery! The book is in excellent condition.

I've heard a lot about this book, and in fact I will be involved in a faculty summer discussion group about it. Some people I respect think very highly of it. I can't for the life of me understand why. Moses deserves nothing but credit for his history of activism and his obvious talents and commitment as an educator. But he is utterly unconvincing in his argument that math literacy is a central civil rights issue. His whole argument seems to be based on the increasingly discredited "new economy" thesis about jobs and calls for "economic access" as a "radical" change similar to those in the 1960s. I disagree heartily. His attempt to link math education with the civil rights movement is a stretch, and I think he trivializes his own experience. His discussion of cultural experience as the basis for education is nothing new. And I still don't know what the "Algebra Project" is! I found the description in the appendix to be even more alienating and incomprehensible than my high school calculus teacher, who flunked me. If Mr. Moses is getting kids to demand algebra classes, more power to him--he is doing something right. He is probably a far better teacher than I am. But this book leaves me cold and confused. I look forward to my discussion group--perhaps they will show me what I'm missing, but I doubt it.

Robert P. Moses, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, has (correctly) reached the conclusion that Math literacy is, in these times and for the predictable future, a prerequisite for first-class citizenship, and since he still wants everyone to be a first-class citizen (and rightly so) he has embarked on a campaign to enable every child to be mathematically literate, and he has enjoyed a considerable degree of success. There is still a long way to go; his program (or more accurately, the program developed by Moses and his associates and the children, parents, and teachers they have worked with) has so far been adopted only by a small minority of the schools, but in those schools where it is in place, math achievement has increased significantly, and (SURPRISE!) reading scores have also improved significantly.

THIS IS A RESULT THAT EVERY TEACHER AND EVERY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD KNOW ABOUT! THIS BOOK SHOULD BE IN EVERY SCHOOL LIBRARY!

I have only one small carp with this book. On page 7 is the statement: "The result was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the world's first programmable computer. I asked three Afro-American students, ages 15-21, what was the world's first programmable computer, and not one of them mentioned ENIAC. Rather, they all replied that the first programmable computer was the Zuse Z3. They were all correct. The Z3, disigned and built by Konrad Zuse in Germany, and operational in 1939, approximately 2 years before ENIAC, was the world's first programmable computer. Fortunately, the German High Command didn't take Zuse and his computer seriously.

However, the error is understandable. Most textbooks on the subject in America incorrectly credit ENIAC with being first (I would expect that few if any German texts fail to give credit where it belongs.) Moses was probably innocently repeating what he had been taught at Harvard. And in any case, this one minor error is but a very minor blemish on a very relevant and valuable book. If you are a parent of school-age children, you should get this book, and then get together with other parents and with your children to demand that your school adopt the Algebra Project curriculum. Your children deserve the best education possible, and that means using the Algebra Project curriculum. Also, buy and read Victory in Our Schools: We Can Give Our Children Excellent Public Education, by John Stanford. The two books complement each other.

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"That's what we learned in Mississippi, that it is getting people at the bottom to make demands, on themselves first, then on the system, that leads to some of the most important changes. They have to find their voice."

Robert Moses is a brilliant mathematician, and a little bit of a seer, who sets himself the task of defining his life in terms that constitute a radical equation.

Moses relates his personal history in the movement that broke the back of segregation and Jim Crow in the South. He connects the young SNCC field secretaries, who, with guidance from the older local organizers like Amzie Moore and Fannie Lou Hamer helped black communities take charge of their own destinies. And, he demonstrates how economic factors have made math illiteracy the functional equivalent of political disenfranchisement that threatens future generations of black youth with a bondage no less frightening.

Moses' vision is profound rather than simple. Charles Cobb, Jr. does an artful job of helping Moses find a voice capable of uttering the insights of a lifetime of formidable accomplishment. Particularly since, as Moses admits, " reaching out to probe into really personal things isn't a particularly strong point of mine."

Caveat emptor: this is not just a ripping memoir of the Southern civil rights movement. It is that, but Moses is a demanding teacher. He makes his audience come to grips with and think about the dehumanizing legacies of the "isms" he's spent a lifetime combating in Africa as well as America. This may put off some readers, as it clearly did some reviewers. Too bad. Those who do the math with Bob Moses will learn from their struggle -- and be thankful for his.

This is a very good book on how math literacy is the next civil right. The book discusses the Algebra Project, an organization founded by 1960's civil rights leader Bob Moses, to teach algebra to kids in inner-cities and rural communities.

The beginning of the book reads like Moses' autobiography about his years organizing in Mississippi. He then discusses how groups like the Jews, Koreans, and Chinese relied on math as the basis for their upward mobility. Moses' theory is that as the world becomes more and more focused on technology and innovation, math will have an even greater importance.

Summation: Read this book -- it is very eye-opening.

For fans of Kubrick's work, this book is essential. The man only did a few interviews in his existence and semed to despise every minute of them but this book provides some essential information and opinion from one of the greatest filmmakers ever. Hearing his philosophies alone completely blew me away! By the end of the book I was wishing there were more interviews. Get it.

In Stanley Kubrick: Interviews (University Press of Mississippi), we have more of the voice of Kubrick than anywhere else. The interviews go chronologically and run the gamut from short three-page profile throwaways to massive, 30-page question-and-answer marathons. Many are worth noting: Jeremy Bernstein's profile dates from 1966 but is still fresh and amazingly well-written and candid, and Eric Nordern's interview with Kubrick for Playboy is insightful and worth reading for the Master's (mostly incorrect) predictions of immortality and space travel by the year 2001. Another excellent interview comes from Joseph Glemis, who talks to Kubrick about all of his films up to Clockwork Orange, and there are two interviews with Gene Siskel that are worth reading, too.

Simply put, this is a fine volume that should belong to every Kubrick fan. Most of these interviews, if not all of them, are long out of print and the book is 98% worthwhile. Moreover, reading the words of Kubrick is like reading poetry-he did retain the right to extrapolate and modify his answers before any interview was published-with each sentence and word well chosen. Only complaint: there are no interviews with Kubrick regarding The Shining; why this film was left out is curious. Gorgeously printed with a spartan design, sturdily bound, set in Stone serif, rag right, this is a very reader-friendly book.

Considering the fact that Stanley Kubrick rarely gave interviews, this book is a godsend. Compiling articles and interviews over a span of several decades, "Stanley Kubrick: Interviews" offers a fascinating insight into one of the cinema's greatest directors. Many of these have been widely reprinted already, but it's great to see them all in one collection. Once you've bought this book ...get the Stanley Kubrick Collection DVD box set!

There is a huge amount of Kubrick in this one. Parhaps the most complete collection of things he has uttered to the press throughout his career. It covers all his fascinations, all obsessions and great visions for the modern mankind - and it unveils the gradual loss of hope, dienchantement with how the modern world develops.
But, being a collection of interviews, it is also slightly repetitive and many topics are discussed several times, so for non-scholars this can be increasingly boring while they advance.

You've heard many times that "Seinfeld" was "a show about nothing." That's pretty much what you get here...

Kubrick loathed publicity and hated doing interviews even more. Since he himself had been a photojournalist, of sorts, before starting his career making movies, this is a little paradoxical, but understandable.

I don't doubt that just about every documented Kubrick interview ever done is, in some way, represented in this book - but it still ends up a mighty slim volume. Students of Kubrick will not learn much here that has not already been cited, in secondary source, in the great number of other Kubrick "biographies" and critical treatises.

And you cannot help believing that this is exactly what Kubrick wanted. Over and over again, in this book itself, he insists that the movies he made were to stand on their own merits. Talking about movies meant nothing to him - making them was everything.