Bats Books

The writing is good and the story is gripping. But one should not forget that the author was given the task of writing this war novel by Poincaré, who was French president in the years leading up to the first world war. This novel was designed as a partisan, pro-French, anti-German novel right from the start. And indeed, its analysis of the responsibilities for the first world war are black-and-white: the phillistine and war-mongering Germans on the one hand, the peace-loving French on the other. Such a depiction might have been right for the second world war but it wasn't for the first. In 1914 France was eager to wage war to recover the two provinces it had lost in the 1870 war. For a non-biased impression of the first world war I recommend Verdun, The Prelude, The Battle by the French writer Jules Romains.

This novel with the famous title is a historical adventure fiction from the early 20th century. It is an adventure on a level akin to the Count of Monte Cristo. A good read for the adventure reader looking for new (old) territory to learn about.

This novel concerns the Desnoyers family, who move from Argentina to France just before the start of World War I. Desnoyers is a Frenchman, his wife is Argentinian and his brother-in-law is German. When tensions between Germany and France mount at the beginning of the war, the already difficult family relationships are strained. Sisters cannot understand their differing loyalties. Desnoyers cannot accept the laid-back lifestyle of his son, who prefers to tango and does not jump to enlist in the army. This son, Julio, is later devestated by a broken romance and joins the army in an attempt to heal himself. The war changes everyone. As the conflict goes on, the ideaology of the time is examined in great detail, as is the mind-set of each of the primary characters. While it takes a while to really get involved in the story, the conclusion of the book is ultimately very moving and the novel seems to make an important point about the nature of war and the bonds that tie fathers to sons. "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" is clearly an important piece of historical fiction which is still relevant today.

This book depicts in great detail a way of life that is so changed from the present that it might as well be science fiction. The story begins in South America and moves to France and both places are described in loving detail. The father had first left Europe to avoid serving in the military and he returns, unknowingly, in time for his son to become involved in World War I. The description of the changing opinions and moods in Paris were fascinating. How many times have people thought a war would be over in a matter of weeks? The insight into pre World War I Germany was very educational. Many of the characteristics that I had assumed arose with the Nazis prior to WWII were clearly present much earlier. This book should not be missed by anyone interested in history or human nature.

This book's writing is based on data from the end of the previous century (late 1800's into around 1920). Crummy pictures and drawings..all black n white. Just because they have recently reprinted a book, doesnt mean it is a recently written book by recent researchers or photography. But if you like to read ancient old data, this is the book for you.

This book is an excellent introduction to Bats. Also, as far as books on the biology of Bats go this is a very well priced book a good value.

For anyone interested in Bats or for those requiring further reading regarding Bats I recommend visiting this site www.batconservation.org/ They mention a number of books which can be bought through http://www.amazon.com

There are very few books written about bats, let alone one as informative and easy to read as this one. Neuweiler delivers an exceptional reference book for professionals, students, and anyone who wishes to learn more about these fascinating flying mammals. If you are looking for pretty pictures, this is not the book to buy. If you want a comprehensive presentation about bats, then this is a book that should find its way into your library.

_Mutiny: A History of Naval Insurrection_ by Leonard F. Guttridge is a thorough account of mutinies from the days of Magellan to the present, examining the concept, causes, and solutions to mutiny as well as looking in detail at a number of examples throughout history.

Surprisingly, defining just what a mutiny is has been the subject of some debate, as different people at different times around the world have not agreed on just what constitutes mutiny. Whether they were writers of naval codes and regulations, judges presiding over a mutiny-related court martial, or a captain on a ship confronted with it, people have been in relatively little agreement on what exactly should be considered mutinous behavior, often changing the definition of mutiny from case to case of "collective insubordination" (one of the many euphemisms used instead of mutiny, a word avoided by many as it carries "its own exclamation;" other euphemisms have included "combat refusal," "disciplinary problem," and "demonstration of grievance").

So what is mutiny? Is it merely refusal to obey a superior officer? Does mutiny require a large number of men, merely two or more, or can one individual be guilty of mutinous behavior? Should mutiny be more narrowly defined as a "conspiratorial determination to overthrow authority and seize control" of a ship? Must there violence to warrant the use of the term mutiny; can there be a passive mutiny, such as a sit-down strike? Should mere talk of mutiny be treated the same as actual mutinous physical activity? Can mere disrespect (rather than outright disobedience) be considered mutinous, such as perhaps unflattering gossip, satirical cartoons circulated below decks, or even ugly glances at officers?

There has also been debate over who gets to declare a mutiny is occurring over the centuries. Most might think that it would be the ship's captain or an admiral with the fleet, but many have felt it necessary that either other impartial witnesses must testify to the fact or instead believed it better that any alleged mutineers merely be detained and whether they were guilty of mutiny or not (and their punishment, if any) to be decided upon by a court martial back in port.

Of course, particularly in the age of sail, when a vessel might be gone for months or even years and there were no rapid means of communication, locking up mutineers and especially waiting to decide whether or not a mutiny occurred and what punishment to inflict was highly impractical. During the days when many sailors were forced to work thanks to the efforts of press gangs, the gulf of class differences between officers and the lower decks was huge, and living conditions onboard could be quite bad, swift action in the face of mutiny was vital.

What action might that be though? Throughout much of history death was the automatic punishment, but this was not always deemed practical, such as on small ships far from home, where every member of a crew was needed and replacements were not to be had, when hundreds or even thousands of sailors were disobedient, or when political opinion at home tended to be sympathetic. If punishment was not to be the death sentence, then what should it be? Also, must every act of disobedience be dealt with harshly or even punished at all? Authorities were often sharply divided over whether light sentences were a good thing or not and even more over the notion that on some occasions the sailors might have legitimate grievances and that the authorities might bargain with them or even grant their demands. Some naval authorities were adamantly opposed to this, not even wanting to acknowledge the fact that any sailor could be spoken to as a representative and that any type of bargaining would erode naval authority and provoke calls for yet more demands, while other authorities were equally convinced that it was only wise and prudent to allow for some outlet for grievances and that it vital to maintain ship and fleet morale. In many cases a lack of agreement on how to handle mutinies (as well as a complete lack of awareness of the feelings of the lower decks) either provoked mutinies or allowed them to become much worse.

The reasons for mutiny over the centuries have varied a great deal. Some mutinies were the reaction of war-weary and homesick sailors, reacting to overextended deployments or being sent to theaters of war they felt they had no business going to, such as with two British mutinies, one against intervention in Russia in 1919 and another in 1944 on the over-crowed cargo ship _HMS Lothian_, its crew reacting to a deployment from the British Isles to the South Pacific. Other mutinies were done for patriotic reasons, such as the mutiny of the Greek destroyer _Velos_ in 1973, its officers working against the military junta that had overthrown King Constantine XIII in 1967 and that of the Soviet missile frigate _Storozhevoy_ in 1975, whose ringleader, a zampolit or political officer no less, wanted to protest Soviet hypocrisies and demand reform. Similarly, still other mutineers hoped to inspire revolutions; Brazil's sole two battleships, _Minas Geraes_ and Sao Paulo_, were led by rebellious officers who hoped to lead a revolution in 1924, while the crew of the famed Russian battleship _Potemkin_ hoped to spark a revolution in 1905. Racial tensions lead to mutiny of one sort or another in 1972 on the American carriers _Kitty Hawk_ and _Constellation_.

Most mutinies, mainly those in the age of sail at least, were due to poor working conditions, pay cuts (or lack of pay), and/or "tyrannical or neurotic officers." Well detailed in the book are the famous mutiny on the _HMS Bounty_, the mass Spithead and Nore mutinies of 1797, the bloody and violent 1797 mutiny on the frigate _HMS Hermione_ in the Caribbean, the mutiny on the American training brig-of-war _Somers_ in 1842, and the series of mutinies in the early 1930s in the Chilean, British, and Dutch navies.

Leonard Guttridge's "Mutiny: A History of Naval Insurrection" is a very good overview of naval mutinies over the last 300 years. Between the varied stories of naval mutiny, Guttridge weaves in suitable discussions of the true nature of mutiny, both in fact and in law.

Guttridge starts by giving a fairly in-depth account of the controversial mutiny on the Bounty. He then discusses the Spithead and Nore mutinies in Britain, the famous Somers mutiny in the U.S. Navy, while also mentioning less famous (but still noteworthy) mutinies. While Guttridge focuses primarily on the Anglophone world, he writes about a handful of mutinies in South American navies, the famous Potemkin mutiny in Imperial Russia, and the German naval mutinies at the end of the First World War. Guttridge concludes with the race riots (mutinies) aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and Constellation in 1972 and the mutiny of the Soviet frigate Storozhevoy in 1975.

Woven into these stories, Guttridge discusses the causes of mutinies and their legal treatment. Often mutinies are caused by internal dissension or discomfort; other times they are caused by an inside agitator (or agitators) inspired either by their own desire for power or by outside political movements. Guttridge also discusses the legal definition of mutiny and how it has evolved and been treated by the British and American military justice systems.

This is an excellent book for anyone with any interest in naval or military history. The reader will enjoy the well-written stories and gain a deeper appreciation of the uniqueness of naval mutinies.

"Mutiny...Heard of it, but never run across it." Ahh, but you will run across it here. Mr. Guttridge takes us from the "Bounty" in 1787 to the "Storozhevoy" in 1975 with stops in between to observe those disturbances afloat and ashore which have plagued naval establishments of several nations over the years, the United States Navy included.

This book deserves wider appeal than it will probably enjoy, most likely because the subject of mutiny seems to be only popular in fictional literature where authors employ their literary license to create events to enhance dramatic effect. Mr. Guttridge, on the other hand, provides several factual accounts of mutinies in a historical perspective. Letting the facts of the events speak for themslves he allows us to form our own opinions as to who are the villains and who are the heroes, if any. Mr. Guttridge has clearly disabused those notions of mutinies as being exemplified by the violent, bloody overthrowing of authority figures which have as their cause truamatic acts of punishment and physical abuse. While those kind of conditions did occur, they are by no means the norm in terms of conditions which provoke or result from a mutiny. Mr. Guttridge presents such causes and effects in individual instances in the context of the times and the personalities of the protaganists. He discusses aspects of the greater and lesser known mutinies with which most have little or no knowledge, often including the legal difficulties in wrestling with a universally accepted definition of what constitutes a mutiny.

I selected this book because it contained information about a particular event I was curious about. Certainly the subject matter has a limited audience but if if you have at least a passing interest in the subject, or are considering organizing or joining a mutiny, you might also consider adding this book to your collection.

Having been part of Operation Raleigh up to May 1985, it was very interesting to see how the overall scheme was growing and evolving into the most magnificent project or, to be more precise, series of projects.

As each phase moved from one country to another, this, the second volume of a trilogy about Operation Raleigh, takes the reader from Southern Chile, across the Pacific islands to Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and even as far afield as Pakistan.

As we pause to learn about each of the adventures and projects undertaken in each location visited, we are enthralled by the anecdotes in what can only be described as a very well written account. It is easy to see why this four year round-the-world series of expeditions, medical, scientific and local-help projects aimed at bringing the youth of different nations together in an exciting working environment, went on to last for some 8 years or so.

Altogether, Operation Raleigh was an astonishing undertaking which sought to combine danger with discovery plus learning with assisting others by allowing the youth of different nations to spend their time in the fruitful pursuit of worthwhile goals while working together beyond the reach of politics.

Once again, everything achieved was under the direct control and supervision of Colonel John Blashford-Snell, one of the UK's most seasoned explorers and someone who is an inspirational leader of men.

NM

Having been part of Operation Raleigh up to May 1985, it was very interesting to see how the overall scheme was growing and evolving into the most magnificent project or, to be more precise, series of projects.

As each phase moved from one country to another, this, the second volume of a trilogy about Operation Raleigh, takes the reader from Southern Chile, across the Pacific islands to Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and even as far afield as Pakistan.

As we pause to learn about each of the adventures and projects undertaken in each location visited, we are enthralled by the anecdotes in what can only be described as a very well written account. It is easy to see why this four year round-the-world series of expeditions, medical, scientific and local-help projects aimed at bringing the youth of different nations together in an exciting working environment, went on to last for some 8 years or so.

Altogether, Operation Raleigh was an astonishing undertaking which sought to combine danger with discovery plus learning with assisting others by allowing the youth of different nations to spend their time in the fruitful pursuit of worthwhile goals while working together beyond the reach of politics.

Once again, everything achieved was under the direct control and supervision of Colonel John Blashford-Snell, one of the UK's most seasoned explorers and someone who is an inspirational leader of men.

NM

Having been part of Operation Raleigh up to May 1985, it was very interesting to see how the overall scheme was growing and evolving into the most magnificent project or, to be more precise, series of projects.

As each phase moved from one country to another, this, the second volume of a trilogy about Operation Raleigh, takes the reader from Southern Chile, across the Pacific islands to Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and even as far afield as Pakistan.

As we pause to learn about each of the adventures and projects undertaken in each location visited, we are enthralled by the anecdotes in what can only be described as a very well written account. It is easy to see why this four year round-the-world series of expeditions, medical, scientific and local-help projects aimed at bringing the youth of different nations together in an exciting working environment, went on to last for some 8 years or so.

Altogether, Operation Raleigh was an astonishing undertaking which sought to combine danger with discovery plus learning with assisting others by allowing the youth of different nations to spend their time in the fruitful pursuit of worthwhile goals while working together beyond the reach of politics.

Once again, everything achieved was under the direct control and supervision of Colonel John Blashford-Snell, one of the UK's most seasoned explorers and someone who is an inspirational leader of men.

NM

Fairly good over all view of the war against Japan. To me it seems as the author believes that the British suffered the most, were the only troops who fought in jungles, were subjected to desease, etc and ultimately were the ones who actually defeated the Japs, with a little help from the United States and Australia, etc. Good maps, though. I was disappointed that the account of Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima were so brief. Maybe it was because the Brits didn't participate in those battles. Burma, Hong Kong, Malaya were more important.I was hoping to be enlightened on the campaigns at Bougainville, New Georgia, Cape Gloucester, Kwajalein, Eniwetok etc but I don't know more about those campaigns than I did before reading the book. I recommend the "The Pacific War Atlas" as an introduction to the war against Japan.

In 141 pages Smurthwaite has condensed the major engagements, both land and sea, of the Pacific Theater. The strength of this work is its brevity and the huge number of useful maps. While reading other more detailed accounts of various engagements, I would frequently reach for this book and the pertinent map. Brief it may be but not a word is wasted in providing a brilliant summary.

A great companion for "The Two-Ocean War" by Samuel Eliot Morrison

This is a great book. It has pages and pages of colored maps marked with symbols to tell you who was where, how they were moving and what happened (i.e., the advancement of an Australian Army Regiment or where Allied ships were sunk). Has small pictures relating to the campaign or battle being referenced, but this is a mostly a map book, and a great one at that.

Pink Slippers, Bat Mitzvah Blues

Alyssa, a typical 14 year old girl, loved to dance. All's she wanted to do was dance for the rest of her life. She had one little problem, Confirmation class. She had been going to church everyday for the past five years to learn about her religion and learn how to speak Hebrew. After Alyssa's Bat Mitzvah, Alyssa didn't have to go to church anymore. Alyssa didn't want to go to Confirmation class, but rabbi wanted her to stay so bad, and wouldn't let her go. Alyssa said no that she wouldn't go to Confirmation class, because she would rather dance. Alyssa went to Ballet everyday after that. She had to convince her parents that if she would go to church every other day and only go to Ballet every other days, her body wouldn't be very flexible. Alyssa's dream was to be like Fawn, a girl in her Ballet class that her teacher always showed off, because she was the best. Fawn always got the lead parts in all of the Ballets, but Alyssa just wishes that she would be able to get that lead part for the annual Nutcracker Ballet. The rule was that Alyssa could only miss three days of Ballet, and if she missed more, she would be kicked out of the play. Alyssa's best friend came down with phenomena. Alyssa had a choice. To lose her best friend or get the lead part that she has always dreamed of.
I would recommend this book to any kid or teenager between the ages of 10-15 years. I liked this book, because I am a dancer myself and I know what it is like to get your parents to believe you that you have to go to dance everyday and that you can't miss or skip class. At the beginning of the book when Alyssa is taking her religious class, she really stayed true to her religion and I thought that that was very good. Her brother was Mr. Perfect and she just tried to be like him, and I give her credit for trying really hard to please her parents. Everyday at Ballet she would dance her heart out like she was really performing. She was never lazy or late to her classes and that is what I call a good dancer. I really like to hear that she is so much into dancing that she would do anything to just dance everyday. That's what I call commitment. Alyssa didn't really like to go to church because she just wanted to dance, and she did what she wanted. She just wanted to go to dance. I thought that she did a really good job of still being nice to her family, and she wasn't being rude to her parents when she asked them if she could just go to dance and not to church. She did a really good job of that. Really anyone could read this book and I think that even parents could read this book to their kids, because it would teach the parents that a kid would do anything just to get what they want, but also being very nice and not rude about it.

Alyssa wanted to dance after her Bat mitzvah, and nothing else. Then many pressures occur in Alyssaýs life. Although Alyssa just wants to dance she just canýt leave out her religion and lifeýs challenges. Alyssa has to decide if dancing is more important then her religion and the obstacles that come before her. Alyssaýs dance teacher already thinks sheýs behind. Alyssa tries to focus on dance but life is just to complicated. I think this was an excellent book. It was just the right length and it didnýt bore me. I canýt stand extremely long books that just drag on and on. For me this book was perfect. I loved the plot of the book. Iým a dancer and recently I have had so many obstacles in my life that have interfered with dance. I wanted to join a new sport that I really wanted to do but it was either that or dance and we all know the answer there. I think I liked this book so much because it really appealed to my life. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I am an 11 year old Jewish girl. I think this story is really fun to read. I've read it about 10 times. I love the ending the best! I think any girl who goes to hebrew school would relate to this.

The main reason on why I have reveiwed this book and have given it a 4-stars is because it's a great poem, but there are a few words missing that could and should be in it.

Definitely readable. A must for 'Casey' fans and for school libraries.

You cannot afford not to buy this book; more information per penny than other book on the subject. You will certainly want a more detailed book in addition to this book but if you keep fancy goldgish following only what is recommended here, you will have happy fish. It does not cover diseases in any great detail but does include helpful pictures of the ones that are covered. It does not mention salt, so is a little out of date in that respect. But truly, how can you go wrong for $2.95?!!

This book was great! Very informative and had beautiful pictures. I recomend this book to anyone interested in goldfish or fish keeping in general. No more words can describe how much this book immpressed me. Great job.

When I bought this book I had very high expectations because I read another "batboy book" that was excellent. This book was interesting but it really had great possibilities if it had gone into more depth instead of what kind of tippers the players were(naming the players). Many batboys gave 2 page summaries - I think that it tried to cover too much ground (no pun intended). This book was very shallow.

This is my grandpa's book, whatever the kind, he's the best.

This is an excellent collection of documents from both sides of the conflict in Vietnam. I had the pleasure of taking a course with Prof. Rotter (the author of this book) in college, and currently use it in my own high school history course on Vietnam. Rotter organizes and introduces documents from different periods in the war and includes accounts from both American and Vietnamese perspectives.

This book is a good balanced account of the history of the Vietnamese Conflict. A nice compilation.