Washington Books

I wanted this book because I have read about the different rooms in the White House, but I couldn't visualize where they were in relation to each other. I'm very pleased with the book, in that regard.

This book had a cutaway, so you could see the interior rooms from the outside perspective. If I ever get to visit the White House, I want to study it well before I get there. This even shows you where the tour starts and the route it takes through the White House rooms.

This is a great book for children and adults alike. It is filled with fascinating details and beautiful illustrations about our nation's most important residence. The book artfully covers the long history of the White House and offers behind-the-scenes insights into how it lives, breathes, and operates today. I particularly appreciate the Epilogue, which features vignettes about the influence of each President (and First Lady) and gives readers a real sense of the house's evolution. Also enjoyable are the interviews with White House staff, such as the director of student correspondence and the pastry chef. After reading Catherine Grace's delightful volume, I can appreciate John Adams' benediction, now carved in the State Dining Room mantlepiece: "I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

"The White House: An Illustrated History" was published in cooperation with the White House Historical Association and includes an introduction by the current First Lady, Laura Bush. No wonder this is a first rate look at the most famous building in America. Catherine O. Grace not only looks at the history of the building but also behind the scenes at what it takes to run a mansion with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 12 chimneys. Regardless of whether you are old enough to remember Jackie Kennedy taking television viewers on a tour of the White House or learned most of what you know about the Executive Mansion from watching "The West Wing," you will find this a fascinating look at the home that is also an office, a museum, and a ceremonial stage.

Grace interviewed current staff members, such as the chief usher and president's photographer, and throughout the book these people are profiled in Faces & Voices sections. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1, Rooms with a View: Building the President's House, looks at the history of the building century by century, including a cutaway of the White House and a look at the Visitor Center located near the mansion. Chapter 2, "Working at the White House," looks at key parts of the White House such as the West Wing, Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and Residence. Chapter 3, Celebrating at the White House, covers everything from state dinners and rose garden ceremonies to celebrating the arts and various holiday traditions. Chapter 4, A White House Tour, Room by Room, looks at what you actually get to see when you visit the WHite House, starting with the library and ending up in the state dining room, with the China Room, East Room, and others in between. Chapter 5, Living at the White House, looks at the family quarters, famous White House pets like Millie and Socks, and what various first families have done there.

By the end of the first chapter I knew this was a great look at the White House. I like the history aspects more than the decorating, but even the latter gets pretty interesting (the paintings in the Red Room include Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Dolley Madison). The back of the book has an Epilogue: A White House Album, which looks at what each president from George Washington to George W. Bush has done about the White House. There is also a Selected Bibliography, Internet sites where readers can go For More Information, and Other Media about the White House. You also learn where to write (or fax) the president (or first lady). If you are looking for something specific the Index at the end will be of help as well, but the Table of Contents will certainly get you in the ballpark.

There are over 200 photographs and other illustrations showing both the people and the events that mark the history of the White House. You will find a painting of First Lady Abigail Adams watching a servant hang laundry in the East Room, a photograph of the White House when it was gutted during the Truman administration, and a diagram of some of the trees planted by presidents and first ladies. There are several shots of the model White House built by the Zweifels on a scale of one inch to one foot, a photograph of President Eisenhower cooking burgers, and Amy Carter carving a jack-o-lantern with her friends in the China Room (on a white sheet to protect the concert). There are also five special double pages that open up for a close up look at the amazing building through a 19th-century painting of Washington, D.C. or a shot of the Oval Office.

I got this book as a gift; it looked at me from a corner for about six weeks. I finally gave in and picked it up...what a ride!
Read this book and be transported. The writer lures you into a fantastical tale, into a world that is truly beleiavable;Characters so carefully drawn you can smell them. I will be reading more of Maryse Conde.

Outstanding novel. One of the most original, riveting, well written books I have read in a long time. Had a little bit of everything in it.

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I'm on my second reading of this book, and I agree with all the positive statements written in the editorial reviews above.

The book is "Excellent"!!

Many thanks to Nancy Arbuthnot and Cathy Abramson for their marvelous book Wild Washington, a great combination of art and poetry and a creative collaboration of two intellectual minds. Through Nancy¡¦s lovely poems and Cathy¡¦s beautiful illustrations, I journeyed through Washington neighborhoods filled with amazing wildlife sculptures. I was amused when reading the poem entitled Vietnamese Ox as the authors may not realize that one still exists here in California (I was born in the year of the Ox-º). I definitely recommend this collection to all!

Wild Washington is a wonderful guidebook and keepsake. Cathy Abramson has rendered some excellent illustrations of animal sculptures that are found in Washington, DC, and Nancy Arbuthnot's poems will delight every reader. The book provides photographs of DC's animal sculptures, the artists and their locations, along with some insightful information that makes a tour of Washington one to remember. Great for everyone who lives near or plans to visit our Nation's Capitol, this book would be of special interest to families with children. Wild Washington is a must have!

This book is a wonderful treat for both kids and their parents. The kids will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and text. Any who live or visit Washington can use the map for a treasure-hunt adventure, where they search for the animal monuments. Parents will be thrilled to read and explaln the poems to their children. Buy it!!!!

This book is undoubtedly the best recent publication on De Kooning. Very complete, it encompasses the entire career of the artist with beautiful reproductions and a text partly written by one of the most sensible art critics of our time, the late David Sylvester (whose other writings on American Art I strongly recommend too). It was a catalogue for an exhibition held at the National Gallery in Washington in 1994, which, to this date remains a reference.

This is probably the best book about Willem De Kooning on the market. Along with a multitude of color plates David Sylvester offers historical, technical, and philisophical insights about Willem De Kooning and his life works. The large format makes viewing the artists works very enjoyable. The reading is not overly complicated as it paints a full portrait of the artist, his accomlishments, his techniques, and also offers an approach to understanding the significance of his work. A must have for any De Kooning, or Abstract Expressionist enthusiast.

One of the New York action painters, abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning was born in Holland almost a century ago. He began as a portrait and figure painter, later becoming "an artist who makes ambiguity an hypothesis on which to build."

This gloriously beautiful retrospective of his work was published in conjunction with the first major exhibition devoted exclusively to his paintings at the National Gallery of Art. With 80 color and 50 black and white plates, exhibit curator Prather, art historian Sylvester, and art history professor Shiff offer commentary on 84 of de Koonings's paintings which span five decades of his career.

Beginning in the 1930s with the earliest series of paintings of men and women to the 1980s when the artist's style became more abstract, this superb volume is testimony to de Koonings' life and oeuvre.

A contemporary of Rothko, Kline, and Pollock, Willem de Kooning's works are sometimes taken as metaphors, dynamic with shapes and colors splayed across the canvas. He is one of the most influential artists of our generation. This splendid catalogue is apt tribute.

The Suquamish Native American leader Chief Seattle gave his immortal speech in 1854 during treaty negotiations with the American government which was intent on forcing the Native people of Washington's Puget Sound onto reservations. Highly recommended for Native American studies reference and reading list collections, The World Of Chief Seattle: How Can One Sell The Air? puts Chief Seattle's life into the context of his time and provides the reader with a brief history of the region and its many tribes, with particular emphasis on the Suquamish. Included under Warren Jefferson's ably editorship is the complete text of Chief Seattle's speech, enhanced with rare, vintage photographs of village life.

This book is very informative and research that went into the book shows that the author truly cared to show in the best possible light the lifestyle of Suquamish's most famous Chief. Chief Seattle has been quoted and misquoted so much over the years, that this book is a breath of fresh air. A great way to learn about Suquamish and a glimpse into history. I feel that this book is something that all ages will enjoy reading.

THE WORLD OF CHIEF SEATTLE is an awesome effort, quietly informative, eloquent as the wind. We read about The Land around the Puget Sound & its climate. How The Suquamish People, isolated by mountains & vast stretches of ocean, developed lifestyles unlike any encountered by explorers.

About Potlatch, Canoes, Food, Houses & Clothing. About Intertribal Warfare & Indian Boarding Schools, & about the The Point Elliott Treaty & Reservation Life.

A just homage to the ways of our ancestors & a profound little book, one that will touch the heart & soul of any who read it - about a fine way of life inexorably altered by strangers from afar.

A must for anyone interested in living with the land, & learning how to treat all our relations with respect.

We had several family members who were trying to decide whether to undergo genetic testing. We were intimidated by the complexity of the subject. This book was a life-saver! It explained things in clear, simple language and raised questions that we hadn't even thought of. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's not just for people who are religious, but for anyone who is trying to figure out what to do about genetic testing.

This is a really useful book for those who are considering genetic testing or those just interested in it and wanting to learn more about our genes and our choices. It looks at the real choices that people face, using a question-and-answer format. It also provides actual cases to help readers figure out what could be the best thing to do in difficult situations in which decisions about genetics cannot be avoided. I can see why noted reviewers call it the best comprehensive book in print on ethics, genetics, and the Christian faith.

One of the few book on genetic testing presented in every day language for the average non-scientific reader. This book deals with the most asked questions and fears of those trying to cope with new opportunities to know our genetic future The limitations as well as advantages and detrimental efects of testing are clearly presented. A must read for persons considering testing. Presents moral, ethical and scientific viewpoints.The secular problems of insurance discrimation are also raised and counsel offered.

The author really took me there with him in his experiences. This is an older book, and I wish there were something more current like it. I know that things have changed since it was written. Also, being a woman, I would wish for something similar from a woman's cultural perspective and reality.

This book is wonderful -- it paints a vivid picture of modern Sampi, of both the landscape and the people. As well as the bugs and mice and smoke and wind. It is full of rich details and captivating anecdotes. It is never dull, never dry, but always beautiful and human. I loved every page.

This is a well written account of a thoughtful outsider's experiences and observations of the Sami reindeer herders. Dr Beach participates in the culture and gains insights into Sami ways and the problems they encounter. A great story of the realities and hardships of a culture under great pressure to change their way of life. The author did his research in the field and it resulted in excellent data unobtainable through other methods. Very enjoyable reading, I recommend it highly to those interested in culture in the far north.

This book blew me away. It is worth every cent even if all you do is look at the pictures. This book inspired me to become a geologist.

The study of Mount St. Helens is detailed and easy to follow. My friend got this book and now I am going to for a college resarch project. It provides the graphics and information necessary to get a good look at such a fantastic event of nature.

This is not an overall guide comparable to 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest (Rich Landers). This is specifically geared to how to get to the highest mountains in Eastern Washington. And while many are quite popular - others are virtually unknown. If you want a secluded hike with a great view, this book will do that. The descriptions to the trailhead are good and carefully note private land ownership considerations. I wish the book mentioned whether the trails and peaks are protected from further development; many of these areas are wild forests but threatened by logging or road-building. If you already own 100 Hikes, this is a good companion especially if you like solitude and a trail less traveled.

50 Hikes For Eastern Washington's Highest Mountains is a no-nonsense and "user firendly" guide to the highest and wildest hiking spots in Eastern Washington by hiker and photographer James P. Johnson. Enhanced by color photographs and trail maps, as well as descriptions for the top of each summit, instructions for traveling to each hike, and so much more, 50 Hikes For Eastern Washington's Highest Mountains is an excellent motivational guide to bestir backpackers and armchair travelers to go out and experiencing what nature has to offer them by way of scenic recreation.

This is a great guide to trail running in general and to the trails of Washington. It will appeal to the hardened veteran, the novice, or even the armchair runner. Walkers and hikers will also find it a good resource. General trail running information, equipment, cautions and rewards are discussed in the front section of the book. The trails are regionalized for quick access. Through use of maps, elevation charts, photos, and difficulty ratings it is easy to tell at a glance which trail fits your time frame and energy level on any given day. Rather than a bland description, a bit of history, geology and humor is included to make each trail more personal and enticing. The photos give a great preview of the beauty of each trail. If this book doesn't help you get off of the asphalt and enjoy the beauty and spirituality of the wilderness I don't know what will.

As someone who has run a number of the trails described in this book I would say it's a "must have" for anyone who wants to explore some great trail runs in Washington state. The author does a wonderful job of describing the trails, rating their difficulty, highlighting points of interest and even suggesting alternative activities at the same location (e.g. shorter nature trails) for our non-running family and friends!

All the trails I run are covered in this book, and there are dozens described that I can't wait to explore. As an additional bonus there are numerous tips from the author on what type of gear and supplies are useful to a trail runner and tips and tricks to get you "there and back again."