Virginia Books

Flip through the pages of CARNY and the excitement of the Midway is palpable. The colors are bright, saturated, intoxicating - a dreamscape of glowing lights and blurring motion. In contrast, the black & white images are gritty, stark, still. They capture the workers behind the scenes - living a life that looks like it takes a toll. Virginia Lee Hunter's unflinching but compassionate eye pierces through the glitzy facade and finds both light and shadow.

While the images stand alone, the lyrics of "Circus" by Tom Waits and an essay by Peter Fenton set the stage and first person narratives from various carnys are sprinkled among the images. Their accounts are surprisingly poetic little gems.

I own this book and never tire of flipping thru it's pages - especially in the long light of a summer night.

Virginia Lee Hunter is an amazing photographer and CARNY is filled with fascinating images (candids, environmental portraits, slice-of-life snapshots) that put an artisically beautiful spin on the American subculture of Carnival workers. If you've every enjoyed cotton candy on the midway, this book is eye candy that makes you think about bringing your camera to the next state fair you attend. CARNY is currently in heavy rotation on my coffee table!

I have just finished the last essay of "Catastrophe & Culture: The Anthropology of Disaster", a collection that offers a deep and stimulating insight into the culture of disaster mechanisms. The collection is built upon a multifaceted and collaborative approach that brilliantly argues that "the conjunction of a human population and a potentially destructive agent does not inevitable produce a disaster" but that "a disaster becomes unavoidable in the context of a historically produced pattern of vulnerability."

Ironically, that last essay I had parked for a while was "Missing Expertise, Categorical Politics, and Chronic Disasters" by S. Ravi Rajan. Here, utilizing the Bhopal disaster as a case study, Rajan argues admirably about the harm that missing different types of expertise can do to prepare and respond to disasters, from contingent expertise that is ready to intervene immediately, to conceptual expertise to cover the broad range of needs of long-term rehabilitation strategies, and ethnographic expertise that refers to the ability to gain contextual and grounded understanding and the capacity to act on that understanding. And in filling modestly some of those gaps is precisely where it resonated with me strongly, as I aim that part my work, and the conversations supported by Disaster Bound can contribute in that direction.

For instance another favorite was "Punctuated Entropy as Culture-Induced Change" by Christopher L. Dyer. The research work done around the Exxon Valdez oil spill serves to develop a critical analysis of the structure of punctuated entropy, being " a permanent decline in the adaptive flexibility of a human cultural system to the environment brought on by the cumulative impact of periodic disaster events," and how it highlights the permanent change, damage and lessened ability to recuperate and sustain community based approaches to disaster resilience. It's an analysis that unfortunately rings all too relevant, and that is immediately applicable to much of the conditions that we are currently living through.

But there is much more besides these two examples, and the range of complex topics covered, from environmental impacts, to the influence of popular media or the perception of risk, make this a rich and fascinating volume. If there were a single shortcoming worth highlighting it might be the implicit premise that anthropology would occupy a higher ground from where to develop this critical analysis of the culture of catastrophe, which is uncomfortable since the book also argues and demonstrates so strongly the need for crossdisciplinary efforts. Since the book is crafted initially from that academic perspective the bias can be understood. Much of the extended discourse of the interoperability of academic disciplines falls short on actual enabling the broad understanding it pretends to offer. In fact, most schools offer varying interpretations of what constitutes social science, and for instance the scope studied for anthropology, sociology, or economy. And it is not uncommon to see representatives of these disciplines arguing the contrary: that a definitive and clear interpretation of how knowledge is organized is set. Luckily here, that bias does not preclude the essays to offer a broad, complex, and diverse scrutiny of many facets present in disaster analysis, which is of the essence for a comprehensive approach to the area.

In the end, considering the broad range of topics unveiled, the volume offers but an introduction into vast, complicated, and essential areas that unfortunately seem to be are barely acknowledged in the mainstream practice of disaster preparedness and response. And it is precisely for revealing so adeptly the solid interwoven mess of sociocultural elements embedded in catastrophe that I felt this collection is so important.

Written by a Jesuit priest and teacher of moral theology in Rinteln, Germany, the year 1631. Witch trials had reached almost epidemic proportions; madness and burnings were going on everywhere. Friedrich Spee dared to speak out against the injustice he had personally witnessed as a confessor ministering to accused witches in prison. He used the ruse of having the publisher take his manuscript and publish it "without the author's knowledge" to get it past the review of his superiors in the Jesuit order. A second edition was published the following year by a printer thought by historians to be fictitious. It was met with disapproval by the authorities and was recommended to be put on the Papal list of banned books, but it never was. All of this is from the translator's informative introduction.
The book itself is a monument of rational thought in a world seemingly gone mad. It is addressed to "the princes of Germany" though Spee pessimistically states that he doubts those who should read it, ever will. His plea for justice, mercy, and basic human rights is nothing short of brilliant and has much to offer to us today. Many of the principles and ideals which are the Constitutional foundation of the American judicial system are expressed here. Hellyer's English translation sparkles, bringing Spee's relentless logic, passion, and occasional biting sarcasm into an immensely readable form for modern audiences.
Spee makes no attempt to refute the existence of witchcraft. He admits that it is a horrible crime which should be punished severely. However, he must bring to the princes' attention that trials are being conducted in such a way that innocent people are being burned. "Out of fifty" he says, "I doubt that five, or even TWO are guilty." Point by point, question by question, he demolishes every argument used to justify the arbitrary and brutal practices of judges and Inquisitors. He demonstrates clearly from a Biblical standpoint, from the authority of learned doctors of theology and law, and from the perspective of natural law and simple common sense, that trials conducted in this manner CANNOT continue, since putting innocents to death is a great sin and places the princes themselves in moral danger.
I can't adequately express how enjoyable, uplifting, and inspiring this book is. Definitely a must-have for anybody interested in history, witchcraft / witch trials, law, religion, and human rights.

The Cautio Criminalis is a classic in the literature on witchcraft. It is both intensely logical and passionately involved with correcting the injustices of the witch trials. Marcus Hellyer has produced a highly readable translation which transmits both the clarity and the passion of the original. He has also included an introduction on the work which reflects the current state of historical knowledge. This book belongs to the classics of the struggle for human rights; it ranks with Johann Weyer and Beccaria. Hellyer also indicates, at the end of the introduction, that this is not only a historical question; where crimes that we consider heinous are concerned, we are only too ready to abridge the rights of the accused. The appearance of this book is more than welcome.

As Continental forces and Virginia militia units were engaged in winning independence, American quartermasters and provisioners struggled to provide these units with all the necessities of life, from meals and guns to meat, fodder for horses, the horses themselves, firewood, and every other type of material. Much of this was requisitioned from the civilian population and certificates were issued payable in either continental or state funds, depending on the units supplied, upon presentation to court authorities. Thousands of these certificates issued to Virginians were duly entered by the courts, and they provide a fascinating insight into the period of the Revolution. These "Publick" Claims booklets contain interesting and useful information about the contributions of ordinary people to the Revolutionary War. They provide some details of people's service in the militia or as guards for prisoners of war; they indicate where some bodies of troops were at particular times; and they identify providers of horses, wagons, cattle, grain, or other supplies. Much of the information in these booklets cannot be found anywhere else, which makes the surviving records particularly valuable. Also remarkable is the fact that records survived from virtually every county in the state at that time with the exception of the newly formed Kentucky counties. This makes the collection even more valuable in covering areas which heretofore in this time period have suffered from a lack of personal data. The "Virginia Publick Claims" are published by counties. In addition to a faithful transcription by Janice Luck Abercrombie and the late Richard Slatten, a complete index is provided for each county booklet. This series is an extremely important genealogical tool for searchers in Revolutionary-era materials.

Washington Post reporter T.R. Reid takes a candid look at Washington personalities and politics, revealing the motives and strategies, the cooperation and rivalry, the honesty and the deceit behind a seemingly minor piece of legislation. He traces the course of S.790-the Inland Waterways Bill-from its inception to its eventual passage, a process with as many twists and subplots as a novel, and with characters just as vivid.

In congressional Odyssey: the Saga of a Senate bill you will discover:

-a cast of main characters including Jimmy Carer, Edward Kennedy, Walter Mondale, Hamilton Jordan, Howard Baker, Tip O'Neill, Russell Long, and other key political figures

-a covert alliance between the railroad lobby and environmentalists, marked by a money-laundering scheme

-the White House in-fighting triggered by the bill, leading to the ouster of Brock Adams during President Cater's cabinet shakeup

-Carter's problems with the congressional leadership, exacerbated by his suppport of the Inland Waterways Bill authored by Republican Senator Pete Domenici

-"know-who" lawyers, who get things done through their connections rather than their legal abilities

-the Alton, Illinois, Lock and Dam 26 project that earned Senator Proxmire's first "Golden Fleece Award" for wasting tax dollars

-the thoughts and feelings of the dozens of central personalities who talked with suprising frankness to T.R. Reid..."

I am a new fifth grade teacher responsible for teaching the 2nd half of VA Studies to all the 5th graders at my school. I am excited to use the Vital Virginians as a resource to meet the Standards of Learning. I am happy to have a fun, engaging resource combing all the required famous Virginians in one place! I just wish I could convince my principal to order a class set of all the appropriate Chester Comix books!

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. A gift that keeps giving. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!

This is quite a different take on what we might usually think of as typical Victorian sentimentality about children. The new readings of such classical works as Dickens's Dombey and Son and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights show that Lit Crit hasn't completely abandoned such all time favourites!

I bought this book to help me with my son Frank, who interest in Victorian novels has grown of late to unhealthy proportions. The other night I had to ask him seven times to come to the dinner table; while spooning down equal doses of butter rice in squash and pumpkin ice cream (the recipes for which are included in the index of this book!) he looked up only once from Wuthering Heights to announce that he wished he had tuberculosis.

Unfortunately, the book's excellent discussion of the development of the concept of "children" in the Victorian era is woefully short on advice. Last night Frank slipped a note under his door (he has been locked in his room for three days) announcing that he had become a poet, and to challenge me to a duel. This situation is not covered anywhere in Berry's book.

The surprise recipes included at the end of the text are delicious!

I truly enjoyed reading Chincoteague Pony Tales by Bernie Pleasants. It was a quick read - I couldn't put it down. I've been to the Pony Swim before but after reading this book I made it a point to go to my first Chincoteague Pony Auction and it was as good as the book! Don't miss either one!

I have been going to Chincoteague all my life, and this book really captures the memories I have. Mr. Pleasant's does a wonderful job re-telling the tales that he has encountered during all his years auctioneering for the event. After you read this book, you'll want to pack your bags and go to Chincoteague to experience it for yourself!

This is a very readable and extensively researched look at the trees of Washington D.C. It's an excellent field guide for identifying trees, but the thing I like most about it is that it tells the fascinating stories behind so many of the trees planted in D.C. If you live near D.C. and have even a mild interest in its history, I strongly recommend this book!

I originally bought Melanie Choukas-Bradley's CITY OF TREES in its hardcover coffee-table edition and have followed its evolution since. As a Washingtonian of some thirty years' standing, I was originally unaware that this beautiful city was ever known as the City of Trees, but now that I've read Melanie's book, I've looked at the city through different eyes. Though the cherry blossoms are the best-known trees of the city, there's so much more, from the sights in every neighborhood through the rich diversity of our parks. DC is a beautiful city, and there's not nearly enough in print to show and share that beauty. Get this book.

Will Greene, longtime National Parks historian in Virginia and currently the CEO and Chief Historian of the Pamplin Civil War Park at the scene of the Petersburg break through, writes a very well researched history of Petersburg giving the personal view. Through Greene's book you see the residents and the city before the war leading up to the political evolution of session. Petersburg, as noted by Greene, was an international City and as the war unfolds you see the excitement of the town folk even among the different classes with direct quotes from the people themselves as they prepare for war by drilling militias and companies that go forward to war. The book picks up military steam as the war progresses and the vulnerability of this vital link to Richmond and Lee's army slowly become apparent. From a military perspective you see Jefferson Davis' severe and complex nature of his many departments that result in overlapping commands particularly in Petersburg where there are numerous command changes even as Kautz and Butler arrive at City Point and the Bermuda 100. Pickett, Beauregard and then Lee finally take control. The book includes fascinating and little known details such as the economic fall out of the war on the population, the City Council's consideration in providing relief for families and AP Hill's parading of captured soldiers black and white from the crater intermingled to the derision of the populace. The limited troop dispositions by the Confederacy are almost the down fall as they resist enormous odds by the virtually unsuspecting or tentative union commanders. The final days of the war of course end with the draining siege that Greene provides an excellent and fast moving summary style detail and the gloom of the population is evident as the defense finally collapses. Heartening to know that the occupation was civil, respectful and charitable to the population, Of course race relations are traumatized by the sudden freedman and black units that occupy the City. But that is part of the uniqueness of the book, Greene addresses all the residents and soldiers along with race relations of the City such as the pre-war free blacks who work in the City and within the war effort maintaining their freedom but enduring more hardship due to the severity of war economics. This is a unique book that provides the civilian and military experience within the tragedy of war.

When you think of any aspect of the Petersburg campaign, A. Wilson Greene is clearly the expert historian in this venue. The importance of Petersburg during the Civil War was greatly illuminated and better undertood by me from reading this book. In conjunction with his previous book on the Petersburg Breakthrough Battle, this book adds dimension and texture to the battles fought, the people who lived there, and the culture and industry of Petersburg as the war progressed. The author's keen perspective brings those times to life in an entertaining and educational manner. I fully enjoyed the hours spent reading this book. For those of us who carefully read footnotes in history books, there is a wealth of information in this meticulously researched account. I highly recommend it.

A breathtaking and moving account of those who risked their lives for the industrial revolution and were "thanked" with continual exploitation by the industrialists they served. Unforgettable!

This is a superior piece of scholarship that is readable, educational, and troubling. The author grew up in the coalfields of West Virginia, son and grandson of coal miners, he worked in the mines long enough to earn college tuition. Now, he looks back on the impact of coal mining on Appalachia, specifically on West Virginia.

His research is excellent; the book is well-organized; most important, the book is readable.

His thesis is simple: Coal companies moved into Appalachia in the 19th century and established themselves in positions of total control of the economy, which led them to total control of politics and people's lives. The author describes this process and the impact on the people, culture, society, and politics of Appalachia -- now the same fate awaits the rest of us.

It is this last part of his thesis that is frightening? At the beginning of the 21st century, we are moving rapidly into a "globalized economy" in which fewer and fewer corporations are in control of more and more of our daily lives. The author uses the last two chapters of his book to compare the control that the coal companies had over Appalachia to the control that corporations are now gaining over the rest of us. He warns us that the fate of Appalachia -- raped by unbridled corporate greed -- likely awaits the rest of us if we do not restrain global corporate power.