Virginia Books

Ed Cline's romantic epic of the American Revolution continues its grand style, dramatic plotting, and intellectual suspense in Sparrowhawk Book Four: Empire. The fourth novel in a six-book series devoted to the founding of the United States, Book Four: Empire portrays American planters Jack Frake and Hugh Kenrick as men allied in spirit and philosophy who disagree over the means to their political ends: chiefly freedom from English tyranny. Set in 1760s Virginia, Book Four begins with George the Third's Royal Proclamation of 1763 that established a vast Indian territory between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River and forbade any use of those lands to colonials. The storyline progresses through the debates over the Stamp Act in Parliament and in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the adoption of the Virginia Resolves of 1765 that sparked the fire of revolution.

Sparrowhawk is an expertly researched work of fiction. Cline recreates the period vividly down to the relevant details in pre-revolutionary history and culture. Hugh Kenrick constructs the first system of indoor plumbing in Caxton. Communications via ship are maddeningly slow, with many months required between the passage of an act in England and the arrival of legislative documents in the colonies. The Virginia House of Burgesses in Williamsburg is populated with contemporary figures: John Robinson, George Washington, Richard Bland, Edmund Pendleton, Peyton Randolph, and Patrick Henry. Hugh becomes acquainted with young Thomas Jefferson, a law student at the College of William and Mary.

The storyline in Book Four: Empire follows the deepening conflict between England and the American colonies established in Sparrowhawk Book Three: Caxton. Upon victory in the French and Indian War, King George and Parliament set out to increase Crown control and exploitation of the colonies through settlement restrictions, higher taxation, and the denial of English constitutional rights to Americans. New Crown policies reverse the Act of Settlement that encouraged the patenting of lands upon which taxes and other levies had already been paid by the colonists to England. These new policies confiscate property from its lawful owners. England already benefited greatly in its regulation of colonial trade, exchange of currency, and collection of tariffs. The newly proposed Stamp Act imposes an unjustified additional burden on the colonials by requiring the purchase of special stamps for almost all documents. To tighten the colonials' chains, Parliament rejects any suggestion that Americans be allowed Parliamentary representation as British subjects in adherence to British constitutional law.

At the center of the Sparrowhawk epic is the story of two heroic men, Jack Frake and Hugh Kenrick, who recognize that any compromise with tyranny will destroy American liberty. Self-assured and confident in their moral convictions, Jack and Hugh part ways only over the strategies necessary to rebuff English authority and preserve American freedoms.

The personal and political issues at stake are enormous and the threat of death and other destruction very real. A challenge to Crown power is no less than "an invitation to tragedy," in the words of one burgess. Both opponents and proponents of the Virginia Resolves foresee the inevitable reaction of the king and Parliament: a punitive military response to subdue the disobedient Americans and to permanently destroy any hope of American political independence.

Hugh Kenrick is a man of tremendous intellect and practical achievement who believes in the power of reason. Reason alone, he believes, can persuade the English of the morality and justice of American independence united in alliance with England. Hugh's speeches in the Virginia House of Burgesses speed the Resolves along to passage despite heavy resistance, aiding Hugh's conviction that men who know reason will act in accordance with it.

In contrast, Jack Frake is just as settled in his conviction that many men do not respond to reasoned principles but act inconsistently and often blindly according to whim, fear, or the irrational desire for advantage and power over others. Though on different roads to their destination, Jack and Hugh recognize the same spirit and soul in one another. For Jack, Hugh is "a self that would never submit to malign authority; a self that was sensitive to the machinations of others, a self trained in the brittle, lacerating society of the aristocracy to be on guard against sly encroachments; a self that was proof against corruption, sloth, and violence; a self that recognized and cherished itself, and so was proud; a self that quietly gloried in its own unobstructed and unconquered existence. A self very much like his own."

Throughout his grand epic, Ed Cline helps readers grasp the vital connection between philosophical ideas and the personal choices and events that arise from them, especially in the birth of the independent new nation and moral political system based on individual rights. American novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand stated that art can be uniquely inspirational in showing us life as it might be and ought to be. Sparrowhawk portrays principled, heroic individuals living consistently and courageously by moral absolutes, men as they really were and might be again.

Sparrowhawk, Book IV: Empire is a joy. This is a thinking person's book. One of the themes of the book is that those who focus on reality, do the hard work to develop a model of that reality, and act on the results of that thinking - even in the face of opposition - will gain glorious rewards.

None of the Sparrowhawk series are easy, mind-disengaged reads. The historical detail is so rich, the philosophy is so deep, and the characterizations are so intricate, that they demand focus. But the effort yields its own glorious reward.

Book IV in the Sparrowhawk series details the politics behind the passage of the Stamp Act in England and the heroic stance of Patrick Henry and his allies in the Virginia House of Burgesses in lighting the flame of resistance to the Stamp Act.

The book makes one realize what a close-run thing it was that the beginnings of the resistance to British rule happened at all. The forces for compromise and acquiescence to encroaching British tyranny against the American colonies were strong, and it took heroic thought melded with action to move Americans to have the courage to resist.

This book makes more clear than any of the series the link between the ideas of the philosophers of the Enlightenment - like Locke and Sydney - and the actions of the American Revolution. The exploration of the intellectual trends in 18th century Britain and Europe is another benefit of reading this book.

Like the first two books in the Sparrowhawk series, this book makes clear the personal emotional benefits of thinking and acting consistently, too. Romantic fiction gives us heroes to emulate, and the Sparrowhawk series is romantic fiction at its best.

I just hope we don't have to wait as long for Book V: Revolution and Book VI: War as we did this one. Edward Cline's web page (www.edwardcline.com) says that Book V is complete and that Book VI will probably be done in early 2005. We just hope that the publisher gets them to market as soon as possible.

This book is another 'chapter' in the Cline series on the ideas and people behind the American Revolution. The series is excellent and the characters are not only truely inspiring, but bring to light the serious lack of principled people that currently lead our nation.

Here's my highest recommendation as a person who loves great literature and as an amateur historian who has been fascinated by the American Revolution and its intellectual antecedents for more than 30 years.

If I have a complaint it's that I would like to have seen the entire series published as a single volume so I could devour it all at once.

Cline has obviously spent an enormous amount of time researching the background for these books. It shows in a thousand little touches and details that give the era life and character for the reader. Some may argue that there is too much background, that it tends to obscure the story. I do not agree. There is neither more nor less background than is necessary to provide the proper context. These are historical novels, after all.

But far more impressive than the detail is Cline's deep understanding of the revolutionary mind. Finally, here is the historical truth of the American Revolution. Religious "freedom" and self-sacrifice are relegated to their proper place as near-nonentities on the list of historical causes and personal motivations. Here is a world peopled by giants of an intellectual and moral stature seldom seen today, who do not sacrifice values but risk everything to keep them. Here men do not oppose England in order to prostrate themselves at the alter of a jealous Christian God. They fight to live as free men, opposing all forms of tyranny.

Cline has a literary style that perfectly frames this story set in the world-shaping era of the Enlightenment. He builds his stage and writes his actors large and heroic as they ought and deserve to be written. The books are full of profoundly perceptive and beautifully poetic writing. The emphasis is on intellectual drama not physical action as befits one of the great intellectual conflicts in world history.

Thank you Edward Cline. Sparrowhawk is a classic in the making.

While the Sparrowhawk series introduces fictional characters, in this book they interact with historical people amid historical events. The result is the best history lesson around - a compelling story that not only makes history come alive but allows the reader to get a unique perspective of the founding fathers. If this were used in schools, many more students would have an interest in history. This particular book is my favorite in the series so far.

Phil Sheridan's battle against the Confederates at Trevillian Station is covered in 391 pages with maps, photos, orders of battle, statistics on loses, an excellent bibliography, and index. Author Eric Wittenberg has done an outstanding job of narration, explanation, and interpretation of the battle. (Wittenberg's knowledge of the Union cavalry adds to the book immensely, as does his keen appreciation of the landscape.) This text is a treat for Civil War buffs and would be a great addition to the library of descendants of those on both sides who were participants.

It is about time that a true scholarly description of this long neglected but fascinating battle has been written. It destroys quite a number of myths! Sheridan was not invincible. The Confederate Cavalry did not die at Yellow Tavern with J.E.B. Stuart (it died at Appomattox with the rest of the ANVa). That Wade Hampton was a capable and perhaps more suitable cavalry commander for that period of the war. I bet that with even numbers that Hampton would have trounced Sheridan. As it was, outnumbered he stopped Sheridan cold and hurt him bad.

The battle is exciting, complex and had Hampton had just a little more strength Sheridan would have been in bad trouble; as it was he was hard pressed to claim any real results.

It is also hoped that this draws more attention to the preservation of this battlefield, which is in pretty good shape- but the bull dozers will come eventually.

This is a book for learning Civil War personalities, style of command, how cavalry fought in the civil war and documents this battle superbly. Well done and well worth the price od admission. I'll be on the outlook for more by Messr Wittenburg.

Mr. Wittenberg is the author of several books on cavalry operations in the Eastern Theater, all well documented, informative and very readable. This book is my personal favorite. He hits the "sweet spot", balancing a solid battlefield history with personal experiences of the participants. The history set up an experience, which amplifies and explains the history bridging the story to the next incident. The result is an informative history of Sheridan's cavalry raid in June 1864 with an in the saddle feel rarely found in nonfiction books.

The heart of the book is the battles of Trevilian Station on June 11 & 12, 1864 and Samaria Church on June 24, 1862. Trevilian Station is Sheridan's attempt to cut the vital Virginia Central Railroad and Samaria Church is Hampton's attempt to capture Sheridan's wagon train. The two battles do not stand-alone but exist in Sheridan's cavalry raid, with the raid firmly placed in Grant's Overland Campaign. This means that the reader never forgets the total operation and the war. Very often, battle histories do not include or spend very little time on the larger issues causing us to miss this vital information.

This raid contains a who's who of Eastern cavalry personalities: Philip Sheridan, Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee and George Custer are well known, Thomas Rosser, Matthew Butler, Alfred Torbert, Wesley Merritt and David Gregg much less so. Each man has an interesting word portrait with a detailed account of his role. Mr. Wittenberg draws some interesting conclusions about the battle and the men. As always, his conclusions are well supported and thought provoking, making for a book that is both an introduction with something for the more knowledgeable too.

A useful and vivid study of the largest all-cavalry battle in the Civil War. The author's trenchant criticism of Sheridan is especially interesting as he does most of his work on Michigan cavalry--thus can't be accused of Southern partisanship. It's a long and detailed account, including plenty of quotes for human interest as well as an assessment of the battle's tactical and strategic import. In a larger context, it works well to fill a gap--cavalry actions get less scholarship than I think they should--and to offer a perspective on Sheridan that differs slightly from the norm.

Mr. Wittenberg makes a convincing case for the decisiveness of this cavalry battle and campaign, and his evaluations of Sheridan, Hampton, Fitz Lee, and others are fair and incisive. He did not need to prove his stature as an authority on the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, but clearly has done so with this volume and with his subsequent works.

I had the chance to visit the Trevilian battlefield recently, and used this book as a guide. In spite of the paucity of markers (maybe that's a good thing!), it was easy to follow the action using the author's excellent endnotes, maps, and descriptions of terrain.

A local preservation group recently purchased a large portion of the June 11 battlefield, which is a very good sign. Anyone interested in the Civil War's eastern theater should not miss this book.

Duane Schultz is a historian. Why he chose to write a historical novel I don't know. He's done other stuff on the Civil War (on the Dahlgren raid on Richmond, for instance) but as far as I know this is his only, to date, historical novel, in any setting.

The story mainly follows the Union side, and focuses for the most part on Henry Pleasants, the young Lt. Col. of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers who led the construction of what was, at the time, the longest military mine (think a tunnel with explosive charges planted at the far end) that had ever been constructed, in history. Pleasants, a mining engineer in civilian life, was insistent that he could construct such a mine, and in spite of protests from experts, went ahead and did it. The ensuing explosion destroyed a portion of the Confederate lines outside the city of Petersburg, but the Union attack mounted thereafter was a poor effort and the result was a disaster for the Yankees. Blame can be spread pretty much everywhere in the Union army, from drunken or cowardly division commanders (two of whom waited out the battle in a bomb shelter, drinking) to Burnside, the Corps commander of doubtful competence, to Meade and Grant, who of course shifted the leadership of the attack at the last minute without consulting anyone, thereby screwing the whole thing up.

The odd thing about this book is that it's already been done, as a novel, and a bit more poetically at that. The other book is Richard Slotkin's "The Crater" which was published maybe 20-25 years ago. Slotkin's book is longer, gives more attention to the Confederates (here they're merely background, for the most part), and spends a lot of time with the Black troops who were supposed to lead the attack. Schultz limits his discussion of everything other than Pleasants.

I enjoyed this book, but frankly remember Slotkin's book as better, and would probably recommend it instead, if there were a choice. Glory Enough for All isn't bad, though.

This an absolutely absorbing story of the Battle fo the Crater near the end of the civil war. But this book is more than just a civil war novel. It is a study of how people with different agendas and motives affected the war, and ultimately the lives of many people. If you work in corporate America, you will see modern simliarities which will makeyou simulatneously laugh and cry: The general from West Point who wrote the book on military mining but never stepped foot in a mine; the poor decisions made because the motive was to personally win, at the expense of winning the war; the yankee ingenuity of the 'workers' to solve problems in spite of no support -- even intereference -- from above. It is a wonderful story that is easy to tell as a teaching aid later. Great book!

A fine blend of historical facts, attitudes and personalities from a mostly Union characters. Good presentation of a Confederate sharpshooter, Union coal mining soldiers, brave front line commanders and stupid generals. Racism is a issue in this novel as it was in the Union and Confederate armies of the time. Close to a "I don't think I can put it down" experience. It left an impression of the courage of the soldiers on both sides and disgust with the generals who never thought the attack through. The setting is Petersburg, VA, 1864.

From a top-notch historian comes top-notch historical fiction bringing light and life to the story of the Crater at Petersburg like "Killer Angels" did for Gettysburg. The story is told from the viewpoint of the Union Army's 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers, raised in the coal-mining country of Pennsylvania, and commanded by a former mining engineer. Individual players are brought to life, from coal miner-soldiers and young officers to well-known generals Burnside, McClellan and Grant. One seems to get a good feel for the soldier's life in the trenches around Petersburg. Despite knowing the eventual outcome from one's history books, author Duane Schultz builds a high degree of suspense for the reader-- it was hard to put this book down between readings! I also enjoyed the almost unnoticed peripheral benefit of learning a lot about the strategies, logistics, tactics, and military thought of the day. Glory Enough for All is a great historical novel that could almost double as a history text, yet at the same time it's as riveting as a fictional story can be. Highly recommended for the general audience. Definitely a "Must Read" for Civil War enthusiasts.

From a top-notch historian comes top-notch historical fiction bringing light and life to the story of the Crater at Petersburg like "Killer Angels" did for Gettysburg. The story is told from the viewpoint of the Union Army's 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers, raised in the coal-mining country of Pennsylvania, and commanded by a former mining engineer. Individual players are brought to life, from coal miner-soldiers and young officers to well-known generals Burnside, McClellan and Grant. One seems to get a good feel for the soldier's life in the trenches around Petersburg. Despite knowing the eventual outcome from one's history books, author Duane Schultz builds a high degree of suspense for the reader-- it was hard to put this book down between readings! I also enjoyed the almost unnoticed peripheral benefit of learning a lot about the strategies, logistics, tactics, and military thought of the day. Glory Enough for All is a great historical novel that could almost double as a history text, yet at the same time it's as riveting as a fictional story can be. Highly recommended for the general audience. Definitely a "Must Read" for Civil War enthusiasts.

I was blown away by the enormous amount of information about the area's character, history, and interesting places. The portraits of the people and places are facinating. This is a unique guide which I'm looking forward to soon explore on the ground.

Fabulous color photographs, readable, enjoyable, interactive and fun. Many times I drive through a beautiful backroads town and wonder about it's history, it's people, and it's sights. Now I have a guide that will answer my questions and more.

What a great travel guide! Thoroughly enjoyed reading and absorbing it. We've lived in Gloucester for almost 30 years and surprisingly learned so much in the Gloucester Back Roads Passports Travel Guide that we're inspired to be tourists and are in the process of leisurely visiting all the historical passport locations mentioned in the book. Because of the beautiful pictures and down-to-earth writing style, this travel guide brings history to life! A great gift idea, too. Highly recommended!

This book is packed with great information, beautiful pictures and fun little "games". WONDERFUL JOB Ms. Forbes!!!!!!!!!!!

This book inspired me to go 'on the road' even before I finished reading it. Wonderful tips and advice allowed me to maximize my visit to this charming part of the country.

The time is 1865, near the end of the Civil War. In a devastating letter from General Johnston, 12 year old Cassie learns that her 14 year old brother Jacob was killed while fighting in the Civil War. Devastated Cassie tells herself that the letter is lying. That Jacob is not dead. Is it true that Jacob is dead or has there been some mistake? So she decides to return to the secret thicket she and Jacob loved and shared.
While she is there she stumbles upon a soldier's button, which leads to an encounter with a deserter. The deserter threatens her and tries to kill her but she escapes. At the same time, someone has been stealing from her family's farm. She has to find out who the robber is.
My opinion on this book is that it is very well written mystery. If you stop at almost any chapter you will get suspense. My favorite part is when Cassie finds our what happende to her brother Jacob. This is one of the best books I've ever read.

Set in Virginia in early 1865, "Watcher In The Piney Woods" is the story of twelve-year-old Cassie Willis and her family. With Cassie's father and oldest brother away fighting for the South, keeping the family farm going has been a struggle. Then, the family is devastated when a letter arrives informing them that Jacob, Cassie's brother, has been killed. Cassie goes into the woods to be alone, but is grabbed by a deserter who is using her secret thicket for his hideout. Cassie escapes, but not before the man threatens Cassie and her family. After that, things begin to disappear from the farm, and Cassie gets the ominous feeling that somebody is watching her.

This is one of the better books in the "history mystery" series. Out of the eight we've read, my daughter says she rates this one second only to "The Smuggler's Treasure". I'm not surprised. A threat of real danger is established early in this story, and the tension is maintained throughout most of the book. The reader is kept wondering what is going to happen next, and that makes for a fun and entertainig read. As with the other stories in the series, this one also has something to teach about the history of the time and provides good role models for young readers. It's a good book for kids, and I recommend it highly to both kids and their parents.

Keeping their small Virginia farm running throughout the four long years of the Civil War has been difficult for twelve-year-old Cassie Willis and her family, especially after her father and her oldest brother Jacob leave to fight the Yankees. In the final days of the war, the family is devestated to learn that Jacob has been killed in battle. Overcome with grief at the death of her favorite brother, Cassie runs off into the woods to be alone. There, she encounters a deserter from the Confederate army who threatens her and her family. Then things start vanishing from the farm. At first, Cassie is sure the deserter is responsible. Then she and her other older brother, fourteen-year-old Philip, discover a young Yankee soldier who has escaped from a Confederate prison, and they decide he's to blame. Only the evidence begins to point to someone completely different than either of them could imagine. I highly reccomend this to those who read and enjoyed the other books in this series. It was exciting and suspensful, and the main character, Cassie, was very brave and resourceful.

This is-by far- my favorite History Mystery!
Cassie Willis is learning to "do without" materal things. However, when she and her family gets a disterbing letter saying that Jacob, her favorite brother, has died, Cassie runs away to Jacob's "secret fort"; there she meets a crazy deserter who threatens her family.
After a while, Cassie begins to forget about it. Until somethings start to go missing. Is it the desserter? Or somone eles?

It's during the Civil War and Cassie's father and brother have gone to war to fight. Later Cassie and her father get a disturbing letter. Cassie is so angry and upset that she runs into the woods where she and Jacob used to go. She sees a figure in the woods and decides to ignore it but when things mysteriously vanish from her house she wonders if the person in the woods might be causing all of this. Will the person in the forest cause more harm? Will he try to steal agian?

When one Edwin Henderson, a Harvard-educated African American physical education teacher - was introduced to basketball in Washington DC in 1907, he envisioned it as a method of organizing black athletes to allow them to excel at northern while colleges. In sports, he reasoned, blacks would get a fair chance to succeed. Hot Potato details the birth and rise of black amateur basketball in America, examines college basketball and the origins of the CIAA, and surveys the rise of black professional athletes. A truly outstanding sports history evolves.

Kuska has given us some details to back up the legends of black basketball stars from the first half of the 20th century. Many of the individual names are known and the New York Renaissance team has been heard of by real basketball fans. This book gives us some details and further understanding of what the individuals went through and what modern basketball owes to them. A GREAT READ!! Hope to hear more from this fine writer and sports historian.

I am the granddaughter of Samuel Buck Covington. I'd just like to point out in the editorial by John Grasso, from Guilford, NY, that my grandfather, Samuel Buck Covington was mistakenly referenced as "Cunningham". Samuel Buck Covington was an outstanding athlelete and pillar of the Washington Metropolitan community. He was honored to be part of the writing of this wonderful book and the naming of the title "Hot Potato". Growing up he told countless stories of what it was like breaking barriers and playing semi-professional basketball for the Washington Bruins against teams such as the Harlem Globtrotters. This is a wonderful tribute to those who came through during this time who had gone unnoticed. I am proud to say he was my grandfather. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the final product of this book. Samuel Buck Covington died in September,1998 . . . Cheryl Moore

There aren't enough adjectives to describe this important work on an oftentimes overlooked part of U.S. history/sports.

Bob Kuska takes the reader on an exploration of the development of black athletics at the turn of the last century, with his focus surrounding basketball teams and leagues in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The chapters are in chronological order by year and highlights the important personalities, teams and events in the two cities and throughout the country - from youth leagues to the colleges and beyond.

I am particularly impressed with Kuska's acknowledgement of many individuals that time had seemingly forgotten. The ten years of research he did certainly accomplished his goal of giving the reader a complete understanding of the era.

To set a clear path to the future, our society must have an appreciation of the rough paths taken by those who confronted the hideous Jim Crow laws and other forms of racisim & truly learn from the past.

America's game was changed forever, but not just on the hardwood floors. These heroes knocked down barriers and opened the door for others to pursue their dreams, no matter what the odds.

Seldom does a basketball historian find a book on basketball in which more than 75% of the material is new to him. Bob Kuska's new book - Hot Potato: How Washington and New York
Gave Birth to Black Basketball and Changed America's Game Forever is such a book.

It is a chronicle of the earliest days of Black basketball in the two cities where its impact was greatest and covers the period 1905 through the 1930s. There have only been a handful of
books written on basketball history of this period and none of them devote more than a few pages to Black teams.

More than a decade of research went into this work which includes a detailed reference section and twelve pages of photos.

The story begins with Edwin Henderson, the first major contributor to Black basketball and concludes with the New York Renaissance - the Hall of Fame team of the 1930s. Both amateur and pro basketball are covered.

Along the way the basketball exploits of such legendary figures as Paul Robeson and Cumberland Posey are detailed along with Fat (not Fats) Jenkins, Pop Gates, George Fiall, Bob Douglas and many others.

The intriguing title came about as a result of an discussion with Sam "Buck" Cunningham, one of the players interviewed during the research for the book. "The players today are much better than we were - ... but there is one thing that we could do better. We could pass the ball better than they can now.
Man, we used to pass that basketball around like it was a hot potato."

This is definitely a must addition to the library of a basketball historian. Thank you very much, Bob."

I was very pleased with the service and promptness of Amazon. My Grandaughter really enjoyed the book.

I read this for a book report at school, and I loved it! Silver dreams of getting a dog for her thirteenth birthday, because she has been lonely ever since her parents and baby sister died in a car accident. But her grandfather, who she now lives with, tells her that she'll get a dog over his dead body. I won't tell the end, but it has a good ending-so read this book!

Great somewhat Christian book. Silver is like every 12 year old girl (i know being one myself)except without the makeup and boys outlook (yes finally!). All Silver wants is a dog I remember before I got one wanting one soooo bad!. Won't tell the end but loved it anyway!!!!!!

I think Rose is like a barbie & as for Dud, he is part of the interesting part of the story. Silver is the one who makes the story seem real. Without Silver I don't think I whould have read the whole story.Linda, you are a excelent writer. I love this book. I am buying this book.I love it. Most books don't seem as real as you make them sound. Jennifer -10

My daughter Kristen loved reading this book. We even purchased a copy from the publisher to give to Kristen last Christmas. Kristen would love to write to Linda High about Hound Heaven. Does the author have an e-mail address? Or, if Linda High reads this message could you please contact Kristen at mygirlkns@aol.com. Thank you.

Fron the 1600's to the Present, this is the "go to" book for Hurricane history affecting the eastern coastline. But more than just weather and geographical facts, Rick "The Hurricane Man" Schwartz has conducted many personal interviews to put a human interest face in this well-read timeline of the Hurricanes' impact, and stories of miraculous survival and devastatingly tragic loss. As Mr. Schwartz reminds, "Hurricane history repeats" and "The Year of the Hurricane is coming"! Are we prepared?

Over the years any number of books have been written about the devastating hurricanes that have struck coastal New England. Likewise, there are a whole host of books available about the history of hurricanes in the great state of Florida. Yet, when he sought to do some research on the history of hurricanes in the Middle Atlantic states Rick Schwartz discovered to his great consternation that very little had been written about the subject and that no really comprehensive book on this topic had ever been written. So Rick Schwartz decided to correct this glaring oversight himself. After more than six years of painstaking research "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" was released in 2007. This is a book that proves to be well worth your time and attention.
As the complete title would indicate "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States: A Surprising History...From Jamestown To The Present" traces the history of hurricanes in this region from colonial times until the present day. It is a fascinating study. Rick Schwartz conducted more than 100 interviews in putting together this superb book. He also unearthed old newspaper articles, personal letters and state and local government documents in attempting to cobble together the real story. Consequently, there is an interesting narrative on almost all of the storms Rick decided to cover in his book. Schwartz also made a very wise decision by choosing to include track maps on a good many of these hurricanes. This feature greatly enhances the readers understanding of the storms and underscores just how unpredictable they can be. In addition, the inclusion of more than 200 black and white photographs helps readers to gage the full impact of these powerful cyclones and serves to emphasize the need for coastal communities to carefully reconsider public policies that have allowed for reckless overdevelopment on the waterfront. The question is not "if" these areas will be struck by a major hurricane in the future but only "when". Then there is the enormous toll these storms exact on everyday people. For all too many, life will never be the same again. Schwartz devotes considerable time to those who are victimized by hurricanes as well as those public officials who must find new and creative ways to deal with the devastation. High winds, heavy rain, tornadoes and flooding can all combine to wreak havoc for residents in the affected areas. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to make mention of some of the fascinating local folklore that Rick Schwartz managed to sprinkle in throughout this book. Outstanding stuff!
Every now and then I come across a book like "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" that really seems to be much more appropriate as a reference volume. This is no knock on Rick Schwartz. This book is extremely well written, meticulously researched and thoughtfully laid out. Yet the stories inevitably do tend to become a bit repetitive and I found myself losing just a bit of interest from time to time. This is hardly surprising when one realizes that this book covers more than 300 years of hurricane history! Having said that, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" remains an extremely important addition to the literature on hurricanes in this nation and deserves a spot not only on the shelves of libraries in the Middle Atlantic region but in other parts of the country as well. It is a book that students, researchers and general interest readers will turn to time and again in the decades to come. Highly recommended!

Researched, compiled and written by hurricane historian Rick Schwartz, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States: A Surprising History, Jamestown To The Present" chronicles four hundred years of the Middle Atlantic region's significant tropical cyclones beginning with the experiences of the Jamestown settlers and continuing down to the present day. A unique and exhaustively researched study, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" features a substantial chronology profiling all of the Mid-Atlantic hurricanes and major storms, examines the patterns and characteristics of the region's tropical cyclones, and provides a sound basis for comparison, planning and preparation with respect to Mid-Atlantic hurricanes. Of special note is a forecasting history chapter offering insights into past progress and current knowledge about predicting hurricanes. Ideal for weather and meteorology students, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in hurricanes and climate-changed influences on storm behavior, frequency, and intensity. Enhanced with an extensive glossary, a bibliography, and a geographically oriented index, as well as track maps and some 200 black-and-white photographs, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" is confidently recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Weather & Meteorology reference collections.

Fascinating Book!!! Very informative, interesting facts and interviews. A must read for anyone with any interest at all on this topic.

BOOK REVIEW - "HURRICANES AND THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES"
Author: Richard Schwartz (Hardcover - 400 pages)

This incredible book is a first of its kind - dedicated to the storms that have affected the Mid-Atlantic States through the past 300+ years, from the "Year of the Hurricane in 1667" up through Hurricane Jeanne in September 2004. A great reference for all hurricane enthusiasts the book includes explanations of all commonly used technical terms, references, and internet sources for everyone to use. But mostly it covers all the storms that through this extensive historical period had an affect on the mid-Atlantic States region. And Rick has done this with a definite personal touch, going to great lengths to get a "people- perspective" on what actually happened, what people went through during these storms. And he does his best to educate all of us that we are never "out of the woods" as to the future. We may be in a lull for action right now, but that is definitely temporary, and more storms that form in the future will definitely have more profound affects on the Mid-Atlantic region. Anyone and everyone in the mid-Atlantic area should reach out and get this book to have as a reference and to learn about the great effects these powerful storms have on their local areas. As Rick put it, "An understanding of storms past is vital to preparing for those ahead..."

This is a really good story about a brave girl. I love this book and I read it more than once and I never get tired of it!

This book is the best book i have ever read.it makes me want to read it over and over again

After reading this book I can honestly say that I learned something about history as well as getting the enjoyment of a good adventure by a Canadian author. Although some parts could be offensive the truth sometimes can be that way. It is shocking that someone could be treated like less than an animal over a piece of fluff. I will read more books by Virginia Schwartz now because she writes in a way that people from 10 to 90 can enjoy her books.

This is an amazing book. I would recommend this book for all ages, it can touch hearts of young and old. Basically, its about 5 friends trying to get to the free country of Canada, away from slavery in Alabama. They go through rough times, happy times and hard times, but I will let you see what happens in the end by yourselves. It has everything - sad moments, intensifying moments, happy moments and heart warming moments.

This well-researched book is the story of Phoebe, a teenaged woman born in slavery on an Alabama plantation. A map in the front allows readers to follow the route taken by Phoebe, her friends, Liney & Jake, and Liney's 2 little girls as they use the clues in lyrics of the old slave spirituals to guide them on their way along the Underground Railroad. These characters are wonderful role models for our kids--strong, empowered young women & a young man who protects and sacrifices himself for the safety of the group.

This book has been such a gift! We travel the intracoastal waterways in Jacksonville/St.Augustine Florida all year long and found this book to be so helpful.

The charts are well organized and very reliable. Only a minimum number of aids were missing or changed in number. Some of the bridge info is a little dated but generally did not cause any navigational problems.

Very usable in it's small page spiral format. Flipping pages as one cruises north or south is easy, and takes very little space at the helm. The annotations indicating marina locations save looking in separate guides when a stopping point is desired. Some obvious side trips (e.g. Banana River) are omitted and would have helped increase usefulness if included.

Great book, you have to have them to run the intracoastal and it's MUCH cheaper at Amazon then in the bookstores - or boat stores!!

A must for traveling the Intercoastal Waterway. A very detailed illustrative set of information to successfully achieve your trip.