Virginia Books

What better combo could there be? I'm not a student of law, but I still found this to be a facinating story about its history and importance. The descriptions of Larry Flynt are colorful and often times halarious. Fawell doesn't exactly come out looking like an angel either, but I found Smolla's treatment of both characters to be fair. Ultimately, the conclusion of this book are right on. Flynt and Falwell are both hustlers of the American Dream. They just sell their versions from opposite ends of the spectrum.

Rod Smolla knows how to tell a story. We all know Larry Flynt is colorful, what we didn't know is how brilliant his young attorney was in getting the Falwell trial heard in the "Live Free or Die State" when Hustler's distribution there was about 1% of its national sales. A must read for any staunch defender of the First Amendment.

This lovely collection of 26 stories, first published in 1891 in Mannheim Germany, is finally available in a new English translation. Most are accompanied by illustrations reproduced from the original text. Each tale is from a different country or region and together they provide a wonderful cross-section of Jewish life at the end of the 19th century.

"Bessure Towe" (Good News!) is the story of how a unfortunate man (a Prosteck) wins a dowery for his daughter through his faith in the Talmud.

"Rabbi Abdon" is about a elderly scholar and his son, who is more interested in farming than study.

In "Lewana," Nahum Bukarest wants to get from Belgrade to Constantinople. He meets a beautiful woman who offers him passage on her father's ship but gives him much more than he bargained for.

"The Meal Of The Pious" tells the story of Adolf Tigerson, the official clown of the Jewish community in Lindenberg, and his happy married life with a pretty and clever woman. This story is a fine example of "the wisdom of a fool."

"David And Abigail" tells the story of a Jewish soldier returning to his village from the Danish army after a war is over decorated with a medal in the form of a cross for bravery. This leads to a discussion in the synagog as to whether a Jew can wear a cross and remain devout.

"Shimmel Knofeles" is actually a story about how his beautiful wife outwits a Polish suitor who won't take "no" for an answer.

"The Bookbinder From Hort" is my favorite story. About a bookbinder who reads every book he binds, and to whom WORK WAS HIS PRIDE AND READING HIS HAPPINESS.

"Galeb Jekarim" is a Talmud scholar who decides to walk to Jerusalem.

"How Slobe Gets Her Sister Married" tells the story of a young woman who must find a spouse for her older sister in order to get married.

"Mrs. Leopard" tells the story about how a Jewish widow takes revenge on the town's outspoken anti-Semite.

"Handsome Kaleb" is a spoiled and vain young man who seeks to marry well. This story tells how he finds his rich bride.

"Praise Be God, Who Gave Us Death!" tells of the last days of ancient Father Menachem. A wonderful presentation of Jewish death and burial practices.

"Sholem Aleichem" tells of a young man who goes to the United States to get his family out of debt.

"Machsheve" is about a rich but superstitious merchant who overcomes his fears to save his son.

"The Angel Of Death" has a wonderful dialog between an ascetic man and a moderate Jewish woman.

"Haman and Esther" tells how a play at a festival brings together unlikely lovers.

"Deliverance" is the story of a young woman who is wasting away because of a forbidden love.

"The Tragedy In Rose Lane" is a Jewish version of Romeo and Juliet.

"Kitty Parsley" is the story of a woman who gains inner strength through confronting adversity. Here we see Sacher-Masoch's use of fur garments to show a woman's self esteem.

In "The False Thaler" a counterfeit coin helps a man win his love's hand.

In "The Two Doctors" scientific medicine confronts faith healing.

"The Iliad of Pultoff" relates a struggle between the tzaddik leader of the local Chassidim and a worldly Jewish woman.

"The Story Of the Roman Matron" is a fable about a woman who marries her 1,000 slaves randomly to each other with disastrous consequences. The moral of the tale is that marriage is more than just law.

"Thou Shalt Not Kill" shows how the word "Jew" was used as an insult in society and what it really meant to be a Jew.

"Bear And Wolf" tells how two feuding families reconcile during Yom Kippur.

"Two Kinds Of Nobility" is the last story in the book. It shows how the Jewish tradition honors intelligence and talent as much as wealth.

There is an "Afterword" by the translator, Dr. Virginia Lewis, in which she discusses how the author, a non-Jew, came to know the Jewish community and to write these stories. A "Bibliography" at the end of the book lists 14 German-language books of Jewish stories written by Sacher-Masoch. In the last 100 years only one other has been translated into English, A Light For Others And Other Jewish Tales From Galicia. Jewish Life compares well with this other book and both are recommended to readers interested in stories of 19th century Jewish culture. The stories in Jewish Life are shorter than those in A Light For Others and simpler in construction, yet they reveal much insight into life in the Jewish communities of the time.

Originally published in Mannheim in 1891, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's Jewish Life: Tales from Nineteenth-Century Europe is an impressive and compelling anthology of twenty-six stories which present a vivid picture of Jewish life and culture in Europe before the twentieth century. From the Chasidic movement to cabalism, Judaic holiday celebrations, cultural life, and much, much more, Jewish Life encompasses humor, sentiment, abiding faith, and a rich legacy of tradition and is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal and academic Judaic Studies collections and reading lists.

If you are from St. Louis, this is a MUST! I grew up listening to Jack Carney on KMOX as a kid. Loved him! I live in Phoenix now and miss some of these old favorites. I curled up with this book last night and got very sentimental. My husband too! Some of the restaurants are long gone but this brought back some great culinary memories. Can't wait to put this to good use. Thanks for publishing!

From the land of Toasted Ravioli, Pork Steaks, Gooey Butter Cake and the World Champion Cardinals comes "Taste of Restaurant Tuesday" a sensational cookbook and resource.

This long-time hotel bartender has had many, many in-depth conversations about St. Louis restaurants. I've sent national and international travelers to them and they come back to tell me about the good and the bad. For a guy who doesn't eat out much (night shifts you know) I probably know more about the eateries here than anyone other than reviewers. It's a perk of my industry.

One thing about St. Louis diners is that if a place is good and only good it won't be open for very long. Competition is a bear in this old bend in the river. Something people in this town do is go out to eat on a regular basis and they're knowledgeable about it and very demanding. I also stoutly maintain that St. Louis is per capita the best restaurant city in the country.

What John Carney has done is amazing! Not only in getting some of the closely guarded specialty recipes but also the memories of some of the past restaurants. If you are from the Gateway City, planning to visit here or simply like damn good food - YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

A few recipes (many I've been searching for a long time) that will be tried in my kitchen very soon at 3:00 - 4:00 AM (we bartenders keep unusual hours) are:

Cornmeal Fried Tomatoes with fresh Basil Mayonnaise. `Painted Plates'
The Pasta House Co. Special Salad. `Pasta House'
Linguine Al Porcino. `Al Baker's'
Pasta Di Guibileo. `Bartolino's'
Spaghetti Con Broccoli. `Cunetto's'
Veal Fontina. `Dominic's'
Java Tenderloin. `Jimmy's Café on the Park'
Lamb Stew. `John D. McGurk's'
Bisteca Mudega with Limone Sauce. `LoRusso's'
Sauerbraten with Gravy and Potato Pancakes. `Schneihorst's'
Budweiser Cheese Soup. `Anheuser-Busch Co.'
Jack Carney's Million-Dollar Chili. `John's father'

Buy `Taste of Restaurant Tuesday' if not for the recipes and memories, BUT MAINLY BECAUSE 100% OF THE PROFITS GO TO JOHN'S CHARITY `CARNEY'S KID'S FOUNDATION'! Come on help the kids!

Thanks John!

This is a classic piece of history, meticulously researched from available records. It is of particular importance and significance to those, like myself, who are researching family history of those ancestors who lived in this area of the Virginia frontier during the years 1740-1780.

With its vast territorial rights and claims, Virginia at one time had the most extensive frontier of any of the original thirteen states and colonies. Moreover, Virginia served as a gateway for the various migrations to the west, northwest, and southwest by early colonists, including the intrepid Scotch-Irish. By far the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the advance of the Virginia frontier in colonial times is Kegley's Virginia Frontier--a mammoth work detailing the social, religious, and family life in Southwest Virginia from 1730 to 1790.

The importance of this extraordinary work to genealogists cannot be overstated. Kegley culled through a multitude of original records to ensure that his work would be the most reliable sourcebook available on this subject. To help the reader understand the migration into this new area, Kegley focuses particularly on the settlers themselves. He identifies each newcomer with his place of settlement, and then examines the pioneer's experiences and subsequent movements, using nearly three dozen maps to show more definitively the location of settlements and important homesteads. More than sixty additional illustrations further enhance and clarify the text.

The narrative is divided into five parts: Part I covers the Virginia frontier from the beginning of the colony to 1740; Part II covers the period from 1740 to 1760; Part III tells the story of the Virginia frontier in the French and Indian War; Part IV covers the closing years of the war and the settlements from 1760 to the organization of Botetourt County in 1770; and Part V details the organization and development of Botetourt County from 1770 to 1783. Throughout each of these parts--in section after section--there are biographical sketches and countless lists of land grants and deeds of conveyance identifying thousands upon thousands of settlers and their family members. This documentary history is without a doubt the premier source of information on the pioneers of the Virginia frontier.

"Henceforth [Kegley's Virginia Frontier] will be regarded and accepted as the one necessary and sufficient corner-stone in any collection of books dealing with the history of the Virginia frontier."--Samuel M. Wilson

The history of Kodak photography and Kodak's advertising, which influenced American culture and the arts, is revealed in Kodak and the Lens of Nostalgia, a survey of the Kodak campaign to make photography a part of daily American life. Included are unused campaigns never published, in this fascinating survey of Kodak's ad history.

As a student of Professor West's at the University of Missouri-Columbia, I was excited to read her work after enjoying her as a teacher. With "Kodak," she has meticulously reconstructed the campaigns used by Kodak throughout the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Initially, snapshots were seen as a means of leisure. Towards the early 1900s, however, Kodak's advertising scheme shifted the emphasis towards nostalgia and preservation of memories (more specifically, familial). Kodak even went so far as to use their advertising for propaganda (see "The Death Campaign"). All of this and more is included with beautiful illustrations. The book is a fascinating read, one that will provide a true sense of Americana through the ever-changing Kodak lense.

This book combines the best informational qualities of a thoroughly-researched scholarly work with the warmth of a journal of a personal pilgrimage. The author's broad experience with labyrinths casts a profound aura of spiritual authenticity over the whole presentation. The array of dramatic photographs alone would be worth the price of admission! I already knew a good deal about labyrinths and I learned even more from this book. I particularly appreciated the range of historical information presented. This is truly a seminal work in the field. Joyce Gibb, M.A. psychotherapist, Oklahoma City, OK.

One would be hard pressed to find a better overview of labyrinths. This book is short, concise, and highly readable, and it contains an extraordinary collection of labyrinth photographs. A color photo, if not two or three, adorns nearly every page. There is also an abundance of illustrations. The book itself is well bound -- actually sewn instead of glued, which is a rarity these days.

Although it is barely over 100 pages, this book is packed with information. There are numerous sidebars with quotes from labyrinth walkers as well as featurettes on subjects mentioned within the text. There is even one demonstrating how to draw a seven-circuit labyrinth. In the introduction, the author quickly distinguishes between a labyrinth and a maze, the two words often being used interchangeably and incorrectly. Sorry to disappoint fans of the movie "Labyrinth" with David Bowie, the structure in which that film takes place is actually a maze and not a true labyrinth.

The history of the labyrinth unfolds in the first six chapters from its vague origins in the Bronze Age through to its reappearance in the 20th Century. The author does not go into great detail during the history portion of the book, but she provides key names, locations, and dates, enabling the reader to explore certain aspects further if so desired. The early uses and symbolisms of labyrinths are theorized, but in instances where little is known, archaeological guesswork is cleared indicated.

The final four chapters are devoted to the reemergence of labyrinths in the 20th Century. An overview is given of the modern movement sparking renewed interest in this ancient design and resulting in the creation of the majority of the walking-size models ever to have existed. The current uses of labyrinths as tools for meditation, relaxation, stress relief, emotional healing, and nondenominational spiritual awakening among other applications are given detailed treatment. There is also an entire chapter devoted to nine contemporary labyrinth designers.

The book concludes with a listing of some of the most famous labyrinths (complete with accompanying photographs) in North America, Europe, and Scandinavia. There is an index, a bibliography for further reading, and list of resources whose included web and email addresses may or may not be still available.

First of all--this book was recommended to me--thank you!

I am taking a line from the introduction of this book for the title of this review. In this book, this line refers to the words of Abraham Lincoln, in praise, of the women of the United States during the Civil War.

This booklet is a tribute. Well written and informative, I have learned more in these pages than I ever have in hours in the classroom. I would like to thank the authors of this book. I will look forward to reading any future works by the Libby/Novak team.

To the person who recommended this book to me--thank you!

The title for my review is taken from a line in the introduction of this book. The line in the introduction refers to a statement made by A. Lincoln. He was referring to the nurses of the Civil War. I use this line because the entire booklet is a tribute.

I was able to learn more from these pages than from hours in a classroom. The authors have a definite flair for writing interesting and informative material. I will be excited to read future works by the MacCaskill/Novak writing team.

Parrish impresses her reader with not only the grasp and knowledge of her material, but with also a certain spice that is often missing in non-fiction. Through her vivid descriptions, the reader is immersed in the Hollins culture. This is most definitely a must for the Dillard and Smith fan, but even more so a must for the reader who enjoys exquisite writing.

The author provides an historical overview of the development of private Southern women's schools from finishing schools to respected institutions of higher learning. Primary in this change at Hollins is the influence of Louis Rubin on both the writing program and the writers that program produced, with many quotes from the students about their mentor. Parrish also gives many humorous and interesting anecdotes about Lee Smith, Annie Dillard and the other subjects of the book during their formative years at Hollins. She shows how their college experiences carried over to their writing both then and through the years since graduation. For Lee Smith and Annie Dillard fans, this book is a must-read.

A better bargain than this smashing little paperback will be hard to find. The blended letters of Susan and Charles Blackford, two erudite, observant members of the Virginian gentry, tell the story of one family's Civil War struggle in the frontlines and on the homefront beautifully. Susan describes the loss of children, the battle to feed family, and the "impression" she made in front of her husband's unit plunging headfirst into a mudpile. Charles observes the war from the vantages of both the line and the staff, and supplies some incredible character studies ranging from Jeff Davis to Lee and Jackson, down to the private soldier (with the impudence of a town cow). A collection of letters from someone who wrote on a warmed frying pan to keep his hand from freezing probably deserves reading regardless! My third reading...

My Uncle Minor was the author of this book. It was first published 40 years ago.We would sit on his front porch and he would talk about his work. He told me how proud he was that when it went out of print and became a library issue that he would get a phone call about once a year from a college student challenging him on one General he misquoted the name. My Uncle is deceased now but going through the house after his death I accidently found a stack of unpublished manuscripts that would headed for the dumpster as no one knew about them. I salveged them and working on getting them in print as they are wonderful cival war historical novels. The first one is named Cry Liberty as is centered around Lychburg and Col Lynch and the war. I am sure he would be proud that I saved his work so many can enjoy it in print.

A very fine book which appears to have two layers. Easy to read it would seem like a warm cheering up from an old friend. But as you read it a second layer appears grounding it into a solid and quiet yet bright philosophy. Just like fine sandpaper's effect on a piece of glass it makes things look more luminous while giving you a certain distance on yourself, others and the world. A source of comfort that doesn't smother you in moral principles and leaves space for discord. Highly recomended to untangle our minds.

I liked this book very much. I felt it has much to offer in the way of practical advice for those going thru trying times in their life. I especially liked how Virginia quoted many different sources to illustrate her ideas. It's chapters are short and concise and is very easy to read and understand. I highly recommend this book.