Blake Books

This was my favorite book growing up. I don't even know how many ties I reread that book.

I absolutely adore this book. The storyline is beautiful, but more than anything it leaves you with a an imagination full of possibilities. I loved this book as a child and I still love it now. It's a great magical book for children. Who didn't pretend that they had magical powers? Love it!

Actually, my 5-yr old daughter and my 7-yr old son really enjoy this story. My daughter asked me just this morning if she could get another copy to donate to her school library. I wish it came in hardback cover!

I read this book when i was 5 or 6 and loved it.My love of unicorns started with this book and i think its a good start for young kids.

I first read this book when i was about seven and in the "fantasy" stage of life. LOL. it struck me as cute when i first read it.
Star the baby unicorn presents the perfect character for a child to focus on.
on the first page it tell about Star's birth, and then goes on to tell about why the unicorns and the dragons are enimies. after, star is requiered to learn about courage so she can be the final unicorn in a spell to make the dragons friendly(it requires eight unicorns but there are only seven). i recommend the book "the cabbage moth & the shamrock" by Ethel Marbach, in addition to this book.

A tour de force in Industrial and Engineering History that remains a model for charting the evolution of a complete technology between two book covers. Though 'Copper Wire -' makes no direct appeal to the lay reader, this was never the intention. Nevertheless, it has an informative and fluent style and for those outside this discipline it provides a highly educational text, sufficiently well composed to make it a work of reference as well as a comprehensive and contiguous history. This is a technological history, and the author is at pains to concern himself with the progressive development of wire technology and the changes needed to meet the demands of electrical conductors. This, for me, is the fascinating aspect, though those with a mechanical background and interest will not be disappointed. Similarly, the history is well managed and constitutes a highly credible and admirable excercise in historical research. All told an excellent example of engineering history at its best.
N.R. Ramsden, Lecturer - Economic History, May 25, 2006,

Reviewer, Economic historian, April 29, 2005,

A deeply insightful and well argued monograph in economic history which at once provides a superb perspective on the exigencies in 19th Century industrial development and at the same time structures the research and history so well that there are times when the subsequant analysis - impecable though it is - seems superfluous. As said by other reviewers, Blake-Coleman's Copper Wire stands as a model in this sector of economic and industrial history.

There is little that can be added to the earlier reviews - all the superlatives are in place and as a latecomer to reading this title I can only contribute my agreement. As an engineer working in the wire industry I found the material not only fascinating but a reflection on the authors real command of the technology and the historical exigencies involved. It was a revelation in exposing just how advanced the production methods had become at the end of the 19th century, and just how difficult the path to making high quality electrical conductors was from the advent of submarine telegraphy. I congatulate all involved in the production of this book - wonderful.

Copper Wire and Electrical Conductors : The Shaping of a Technology

Author: B. C. Blake-Coleman
Format: Hardcover Textbook
Published: December 1991
ISBN: 3718652005

This is a definitive work which critically examines the principal events and circumstances which influenced the evolution of copper wire as a crucial component in modern electrical technology.

Now established as a milestone in the publishing of technological histories, Blake-Coleman's 'Copper Wire-' provides the template for all subsequent authors in the field. Highly readable, yet completely authoratative in the depth and breadth of its research, this book went even further in showing how careful editing can enhance the way information is conveyed to the reader. (All footnotes and citations for example are given on the page where they appear. This is of enormous value; given that typically citations are confined to the end of a book, requiring the reader to constantly flick through pages).

The structure and content of 'Copper Wire-' is of itself a lesson. To avoid the problem of intermingling the use and application of Copper wire with the technology of wire making itself, the opening chapters cover the history of wire making technology and then proceed to focus on copper wire per se. This arms the reader at the outset with an understanding of the slow development of wire making technology from ancient times up to the end of the 19th/early 20th century when automated techniques were virtually mature.

The traditional applications, trades and supply chains for copper wire are given a full treatment in the middle sections. Not only in terms of markets and uses but the organizations and companies that developed on the specific businesses of the day. This extends to the single tradesman supplying copper articles for the local market and drawing his own copper wire, to the dockyard industries providing the massive levels of copper and copper wire for both naval and private vessels. We see how slowly (but inevitably) the provision of materials for the traditional markets slowly make available a commodity that could be used in early electrical work.

Electrical science is then shown to be an overwhelming force for change in the copper wire industry - not least because (as we are suprised to find) the traditionally made copper wire does not have the qualities and attributes appropriate for electrical applications. Indeed, iron and brass wire are at first the primary choice as conductors in telegraphy and experimental applications.

How electrical science and the acceleration in telegraphic and telephonic communications came to change the manufacture and properties of conventional copper wire is a fascinating story, and is not only well told in this book but told with an emphasis that conveys vividly the trials and tribulations of those individuals who made our modern electrical systems what they are. Having read the later sections of 'Copper Wire-' one is left in no doubt that dismissing the current monopoly of copper wire in electrical technology as purely an evolutionary step ignores the fact - as this book clearly recounts - that there was nothing natural or evolutionary about it!

Not only is this book a prime example of good scholarship and pragmatism in approaching the problem of presentation, but the wealth and quality of research leaves one admiring the persistance of the author. Few would see the subject as compelling. There is after all no central character or single historical perspective and technological histories are hardly the best platform for getting to grips with the economic and social conditions which prevail. Yet the author does turn a potentially turgid subject into something truly engaging.

There are many criticisms to be made about this book (mainly editorial and typographical) but this remains the definitive technological history. Copper Wire- is recommended to anyone who is embarking on a similar task. Not only as a model for writing this kind of material but as an example of understanding what makes a complex and highly technical subject easy to understand and assimilate.

I believe many will agree that this book deserves its longevity. Having obtained a copy on the strength of the Amazon reviews (below) I have (for the first time) no argument with the reviewers. Those who have praised the scholarship, structure and insight of Blake-Coleman's work were right to do so. Verso, the criticisms where they occur are justified. Particularly in the light of the fact that much of the research dates back some 20 years! Yet there is little extant that supersedes any of the book's contents, and that speaks volumes!

As a study in how economic and industrial history should be written 'Copper Wire - ' has few equals, as a research excercise and a marvellous story of industrial and technological change it is peerless.

I am a research scientist with a background in psychosocial epidemiology who became interested in the impact of electromagnetic waves on physical, mental and emotional health when I was confronted with applications to construct telecommunications towers in our newly adopted home town. My ideas and information from physics courses were both rusty and dated. Moreover, in postgraduate work I had learned enough about environmental impacts on fetal and child development, neurological functioning, and sleep cycle disruption to be concerned. I wanted to efficiently come up to speed on theories about the waves' effects and peer-reviewed data that tested those theories. Ms. Levitt's book provided an extremely comprehensible and yet responsible orientation to the mechanisms by which electromagnetic waves operate, the research on their impact that was available as of its writing, and the political and economic influences of industry and governmental forces. PLEASE have her update it with the inclusion of the research of the last few years. Solid research findings are supporting her arguments at an escalating rate and they deserve to be disseminated. The public health hazards of unmonitored electromagnetic waves (especially in the rapidly proliferating rf frequencies) are real and an educated public is our best protection against their potential damage.

As an author of a book on a related subject (magnetic healing), I know firsthand how challenging it is to write in a user-friendly fashion about the complex subject of electromagnetic fields and their effect on health.

B. Blake Levitt's extraordinary commitment of time and effort has resulted in a work that makes this complex subject easy to understand. Not only has she succeeded in explaining the untoward health effects of EMFs, but she also gives her readers a look into the complex political and commercial forces that have led to our current state of affairs.

Faced with the potential of a cell phone tower being placed directly overhead in my high-rise apartment building, I used Ms. Levitt's book as a study guide and subsequently consulted her for additional background information. I have no doubt that this information was key in holding off the installation of the tower.

This book is a "must read" for anyone concerned about EMFs -- and everyone should be!

I am an MIT engineer (BSME MIT, 1978) and Author of When Technology Fails, and I highly recommend this book. Just like the title says, this is really the no-nonsense guide to evaluating the true hazards of EMF, and what you can do to control your local environment and personal habits to reduce your exposure to potentially dangerous levels of EMF. Written by an award winning nationally acclaimed science journalist, you can trust that the information in this book has been well researched and documented. If you are one of those unfortunate people who have developed Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS), meaning that you feel ill around computers, wireless routers, and other high EMF electronics, then the actions that you will need to take, in order to feel healthy again, will be miles beyond those of the average person, and this book will help you to start on your road to recovery. Highly recommended!

This book is not written for the lay person. It should be listed as more of a reference manual.

B. Blake Levitt makes the scientific and medical aspects of electromagnetic fields easily accessible to those of us who are not scientists or physicians. Most fascinating was her insightful chapter "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know and Why." She also traces persuasive evidence of links between EMFs and 20th century ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and cancer. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS distills a vast amount of research alerting us to health dangers. It also offers specific suggestions to reduce the impact of EMFs in our homes, workplaces and communities. Our family has become better-informed consumers by relying on this book. Thank you Ms. Levitt for empowering your readers to gain control over an issue with increasing repercussions in all our lives.

This book is a MUST read, but be warned: Once you start reading this, you might not be able to put the book down until the very last page is read! I read different genres, and my favorite authors are very different in writing styles and subjects. I enjoy "discovering" new authors, and "Letters to a Secret Lover" is my first Toni Blake novel. I will be reading more of Ms. Blake's novels.

The novel starts with a short Prologue with our heroine, Lindsey, and gives the readers an idea of what Lindsey is all about. The following chapter has Lindsey running away from what she thought was her "ideal" and "perfect" life in Chicago. She decides to visit Moose Falls, Montana, where she visited her Aunt Millie once as a child. Aunt Millie passed away within the last year, and Lindsey thinks Moose Falls will be the perfect place to escape.

Even though in the beginning Lindsey is portrayed as being a bit selfish and self-centered, she has endearing qualities. Once she arrives to Moose Falls, even her suitcase is jammed with high heeled shoes and matching purses, without even one pair of sneakers for the mountains!

Her first night in Moose Falls, Lindsey gets drunk, and meets the hero of the story, Rob Colter. Rob is hot, and Linsdey thinks he is the perfect guy to get her back into the sex game. Even better, Rob is the new owner of Aunt Millie's canoe livery, which Lindsey now wants to buy.

The story progesses as Lindsey tries to convince Rob to sell her the business, and she believes her "charms" will have Rob handing the business over to her. Rob does not fall for Lindsey's "charm", and actually finds her a bit annoying and tries to avoid her.

Rob has a big secret, and yes (not a spoiler), it is a legimate secret, and is very real-to-life. I did not expect Rob's past to be what it was revealed to be, and it changes the dynamics of this love story.

Although the possibility exists for this novel to be only about steamy sex and the couple "falling madly in love" in one day without any "real" obstacles, the author avoids this path by showing that Lindsey and Rob are "real people" with "real" problems and fears. Both characters are far from perfect, and still have a lot of growing to do. Rob is not your typical "hero", but it is difficult not to root for him.

I think the author makes the reader stop and think about some things: Are people limited on what they can forgive others for? Is there certain situations where a person does not deserve a second chance? My own: What would I do if I was in Lindsey's place when Rob revealed his secret to me? How would I have reacted to this type of information? Could I live with someone with this type of past? Lindsey and Rob are both seeking forgiveness, even though both cannot receive forgiveness from the two people they really want it from.

Near the end, Rob's world as he has known it for the last year may come to a crashing end, and the reader is kept on the edge of their seat wondering if Rob and Lindsey can really live "happily ever after", and if people really are forgiving of others.

I picked up this book because I just love the cover. Contemporary is not my normal read as I usually prefer Historical Romance, but this book did not dissapoint. Complex, likable characters and a believable plot kept me reading long into the night. I love a wounded hero and I think this is easier to pull off in a historical, but in Rob Coulter Ms. Blake gave us a convincing wounded hero who captured me from the first moment she introduced him. Lindsey is a likable heroine with her own problems; her bubbly personality the perfect foil for Rob's dark silent hero. And I must mention the wonderful setting and great cast of secondary characters.

I've not read Ms. Blake's work before, but I'm now off to buy another of her books. If you like contemporary romance, I definitely recommend this story.

If you enjoy great, romantic stories that are also sexy & hot, this is your book. The story is engaging and moving -- the characters very likeable and interesting. The romance wonderful and the sex hot. I read this in 2 days which is a record for me. I've read many Toni Blake books and she never disappoints. Enjoy!

Letters to a Secret Lover is a great summer read. It is full of "I wonder what is going to happen next?" thoughts as you turn the pages. It starts out with a bang and ends with a very satisfying conclusion. The book is filled with great descriptions of location and secondary characters who surround the main couple with support in times of conflict. You will be surprised to find out the name of "the secret lover".

After suffering a humiliating break up that garnered tabloid attention, advice columnist Lindsey Brooks travels to the wilds of Montana to visit the ranch that was almost her inheritance from a distant aunt. After sunning Aunt Millie's offer when she was alive, Lindsey attempts to purchase the land, home, and canoe livery from the new owner, but he has no interest. As Lindsey decides to remain in Moose Falls and get to know that interesting woman she barely knew, she realizes that she had quite a bit in common with her aunt. And soon finds that she is falling for a man with another woman's name tattooed on his heart - the surly owner of Millie's property, carpenter Rob Colter. Rob is hoping that it is just a convenience thing, but has gotten used to having Lindsey (or as he likes to affectionately call her, "Abby") around. But Rob is a quiet man with a past that he doesn't share too easily, and Lindsey tends to reveal a bit too much in her blog, bringing danger and his past to his door.

Blake is the rare author that can combine a plotline with ultra spicy romance. She takes both her lead characters on personal journeys that force them to confront their greatest fears and become better people because of it. Despite their obvious differences, the two are soul mates in more ways than one. Her secondary characters were also well developed and vivid, making readers want to visit the little town in the mountains again.

Togo is a puppy that wants to be a sled dog. He chases after his owner Seppala until he finally puts the puppy on the sled. Togo proves himself to be a very good sled dog, and he and Seppala win races together.

Cute as anything, let me tell you, and I appreciate a little taste of that northern culture. This was quite an informative as well as entertaining book! Togo and Seppala have clear personalities for being just a dog and a sled driver. There's a lot of emotion, and the illustrations do a great job of intensifying that emotion. It's very exciting, if a bit long, so hopefully kids would stand to listen.

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow nor gloom of night will keep this pack of hardy Arctic dogs from reaching their goal!

Togo was a beautiful male Siberian husky who was part of the team who got the serum through to Nome during the Diptheria Epidemic of 1925. His part and those of the other dogs were eclipsed by one famous husky named Balto who led the team during the last 53 miles. Togo had quite a track record. He won many dog sled races and from the time he was 8 months old, showed his independent streak by hopping fences and holding his own as a musher with larger huskies and malamutes.

A strong, hardy dog with a curly tail, Togo plays an important role in history. During the outbreak of diptheria in January of 1925, a desperate plea was sent to the Governor in Juneau, declaring an emergency. A train was loaded with the necessary serum, but snow precluded it from getting through. In those days airplanes had open cockpits. Planes did not fly to Alaska then because inclement weather precluded air lift as pilots could not survive exposure to the extreme cold. The only way for the medicine to get through to Nome was via dog sled.

Enter Togo. The hardy husky, together with his canine team mates and musher Leonhard Seppala brave atrocious weather conditions for some 350 miles to get the medicine to Nome. Togo led his team for several days with no rest until a second musher picked up where this team left off.

The illustrations are masterpieces as well as this wonderful book. It is an important part of early U.S./Alaskan history and will be treasured by all ages. Readers will feel the freezing Arctic air as those huskies and malamutes brave long distances to get the serum to Nome. The dog sled teams got the medicine there several days before the deadline date. If not for these dogs, the epidemic would have claimed many casualties. Togo has rightfully earned his honored place in history and will be treasured for time immemorial.

This book makes me think of the 1979 classic, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now." Be sure to read this with other books about Balto and the incredible race against time during the Diptheria Epidemic of 1925.

This is a wonderful true story about those who should should not be forgotten. "Togo" is a beautiful example of the blessings of sacrifice, love, devotion, and perseverence. Truely a story to touch your heart.

This is visually beautiful book that tells a beautiful story. This is a story of courage and strength. Togo's story needs to be told. I even purchased a copy for my son's elementary school library.

The book is beautiful. My son and I are following the Iditarod race electronically. In order to understand this race, we were looking into the original Great Serum Race and information about dog sledding. This is an eloquently told story based on facts that is fitting for an elementary student. The artwork is fantastic and helps pull you into the brutal winter conditions that is tied to the story.

As a white middle class generation x'er, I knew nothing of the Black Panthers or Huey Newton that was based on personal knowledge or experience. What I had heard was that they were radical, dangerous, and hated white folks. That seemed overly simplistic, so I decided to look into the black power movement for myself. Of all the books I read on the movement (Malcolm, Eldridge Cleaver, SNCC, Soledad Brother, etc...), Revolutionary Suicide was the best.

First off, Huey is the best writer of all the writers I read on the subject. That includes both the primary books and the secondary interpretive books written by historians. Huey's writing reflects his life philosophy, he lives for the people and therefore writes for the people. He doesn't seek to impress the reader with a fantastic grasp of the english language. He writes simply and matter-of-factly, much as a good journalist does. This to-the-point writing style more engrossing than any of the other books I read on the movement.

Second, Huey, unlike many other movement leaders, doesn't look to hog the glory for himself. He is very upfront about what he was responsible for and what he collaberated on with others. He passes the glory around liberally (some would say too much) to spread the power to the people.

Finally, this book will give you a primary understanding of who Huey P. Newton was and what he was really about. Did he hate white people? Did he advocate armed revolution? Was he a murderer and thug? Read it for yourself.

If you want to attempt to get into the mind of Huey Newton, then read this book. Reading his autobiography gave me a view of the Party I have never felt. This gave me an understanding of how and why the organization was started and also some insight on the life of Huey. You will defintely have a different view of the Party once you have read this. So read, read, read, and keep reading, and educate yourself about this incredible man and organization.

This book is one of the first and only unaltered accounts of the Black Panther Party by somebody who was in it. The book is in Huey's compassionate voice. This book dispells rumors about the BPP Huey set the record straight. This is my favorite book of all time its a book for the ages.

What can I say, that hasn't already been said? Huey P. Newton was a very complex individual, and I find myself reading a section over a second time to digest what was written. It's worth it no doubt. When you start to read this book, you will not be disappointed, Newton sheds light on even personal matters like falling in love, and views on family. This is great if you want specifics on Mr. Newton himself, and not just the BPP as a whole.

If you're going to study the Black Panther Party, you of course must check out a story of its preminent leader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He gave me an understanding what it meant to be a radical Black activist during the 60s and 70s. It meant that you had to be courageous, committed, and five steps ahead of the cops, the FBI, and informants.

Of course, now, this is Huey's account of the Party. While his is seriously important, the works of other Panthers and scholars who are now publishing works about the Panthers must also be studied. For now that I'm reading a biography on another Panther leader, Geronimo Pratt, I'm very interested in understanding more about the political split that took place in the BPP. Why did Huey expell Pratt from the Party? Why did Eldridge Cleaver turn out to be so reactionary? I look forward to reading other books on the Panthers to answer these and other questions.

The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal is a solid, non-nonsense guide. It's gotten me off my rear-end to do my own book proposal, in large part because it makes the steps seem far less daunting.

The author, being a publisher, writes from experience as a person who reads book proposals all the time, and so you can bet that his advice will boost your odds when it comes to pitching your book. While it may be true that publishers will have their own quirky preferences, everything in the book just makes so much sense that it's sure to at least drive your own submission towards the top of the stack -- as long as you have something interesting to write about in the first place!

But we start with that assumption, don't we?

Thanks to Mettee for providing authors with a template for the nerve racking task of how to format a book proposal. Under his guidance I have produced a concise proposal and sent it to publishers with the confidence my book idea will be selected for publishing. A must read for new and seasoned non fiction authors!

As a publisher and publishing consultant, this is the book I recommend to writers and new publishers. It is direct, concise, and engaging. Writers serious about professional nonfiction book projects would be wise to read and use this book.

This is an excellent and concise guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal. The author covers a lot of ground in less that 115 pages and does it in an entertaining and engaging way. In general, the book is very well-organized, has text boxes with useful tips, good cartoons used sparingly and powerful quotes that are offset in the margins.

The organization of the book is broken down into three chapters: 1) First Things; 2) The Query Letter; and 3) The Proposal. The rest of the book contains a sample book proposal, query letter, agency contract, nonfiction book proposal checklist, information on formatting a proposal, a section on author's rights and various references.

In reality, this is ALL you need to start putting out book proposals. In addition to high quaility information, the tone of this book is positive and encouraging. It also contains ALL meat and no FLUFF. You will learn a lot about the basics of getting published and be entertained at the same time.

Another book worth considering that iks also good, but geared more toward scholars is Getting It Published: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). I have also found Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction. The ideas in this latter book are excellent, but this two-time Pulitzer winner has somewhat of an arrogant tone to his writing. If you can tolerate this, you will save yourself a lot of trouble when you get down to work. (Personally, I have found him to be right with his suggestions, but I would have preferred him to be "right" from a position of more "equinimity."

This short book goes to the heart of creating a book proposal. It includes information not easily available in other books such as a sample agreement from a literary agency, a sample book contract and detailed information about the shape of a query letter. As Mettee says, "The job of a query letter is to get an editor or agent to ask to see your full proposal." As an acquisitions editor, I know firsthand that too few writers invest enough energy into the query letter process.

In many regards, this book is an adequate introduction to the topic of book proposals. For other writers, it will leave you needing more detailed information than contained on these pages. From my perspective, it's important to study every single available resource on this topic. I recommend this book.

I own dozens of Italian cookbooks and decided to buy Harry's Bar Cookbook. I'm very glad I did. This book offers many unique recipes and is well written. Highly recommended!

I think, also, that Amazon may have a mistake with Nigella Lawson doing the foreward? Even the book cover pictured says it's Michael Winner. I don't know if this has been updated once inside, but it appears to be the same book with a different publisher. It's also more expensive than the 1991 version from Bantam Books. Great book, by the way.

This book offers such wonderful recipes and a great story too! I like reading about the history of the restaurant which is absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to go back. The book is great, and the recipes are basic and easy to follow. Wonderful find for anyone who enoys cooking and loves to eat!

I own and love the original Harry's Bar Cookbook. Is this book the same thing but with Lawson included? As I read the reviews I saw the same stories as appear in the original.

I have been a serious student of cooking for the past 25 years. I have focused on Italian cooking for 10 of the last 25 years after my first trip to Italy.

Harry's Bar in Venice is one of those places that everyone wants to visit at least once. The restaurant does not disappoint and neither does the cookbook. If I had to pair down my Italian cookbook collection (which is now well over 50 cookbooks) this book would be in my top 5. Each recipe in the book that I have tried has been perfect. Even if you normally tinker with recipes, as I usually do, try these just as they are written at least once. I don't think that you will be disappointed.

I appreciate the fact that the book is authentic, as opposed to the Italian-American books that are normally available in America. This book is packed full of fabulous recipes, each one better than the last. The pictures of the recipes are beautiful as the photos of Venice.

This book will be a wonderful addition to anyone's cookbook collection. This would also make a fabulous gift for a lover of either Italy or cooking.

Reader Beware! If you open this book to look for a recipe, make sure you have the rest of the day to spend reading. It will draw you in like your favorite Novel and soon you will be cooking in Hell's Backbone Grill. It should be first on your gift list for anyone you know who cooks, reads or eats.

I am so inspired by what Jen, Blake, and the community of Boulder have done together. The spirit of inclusiveness and respect has so many rewards. Their gratitude and love for what they're doing is evident in every story told on these pages. I purchased two extra books to give as gifts to women who long to produce the foods we eat, who love food and cooking and providing great meals for the people we love.

I love this book. I love this restaurant. The book is excellent for cooking containing numerous great dishes but the real charm is the story of the restaurant and colorful staff and locals. Skillfull writing and delicious recipes complete the package. Great gift idea

i first heard about hell's backbone from the mighty foods blog. since i was in the process of planning a trip to the southwest, i knew i had to visit this restaurant. it is in such a beautiful place; boulder utah, in the grand staircase escalante national monument. the restaurant is truly special, with a wonderful ambiance and of course lovingly prepared, delicious, local, seasonal food. of course i took home a copy of the book and have been enjoying it every since. you will not be disappointed! if you ever get the chance, visit hell's backbone and experience the lovely food and environment first hand.

This book does contain recipes, and they are very good. But it is much more than a cookbook. It is a meditation on food as a manifestation of place, of values, of mindful living... I cannot read this book without glimpsing the transformative power of right intention. It is really the story of how two remakable people built a community out of little more than their vision and their commitment to rightness. It documents grace through the story of a rural restaurant, and achieves a sort of modest scriptural value in the process, humble but beautiful, and worth reading.

I recommend this book highly. Read it with a chocolate-chile cream pot in hand.

This is an excellent book for kids and adults. The book is fully illustrated with drawings that detail how things were built and how they worked. They capture kid's attention better than "Where's Waldo?", but unlike that meaningless book, there's a lot to be learned from this little gem! Lance Greenlee

I read this book while visiting my mother in her Connecticut country home. It was the perfect place to read it as I suddenly made sense of the street names like Old Mill Road and Stoneboat Road. Eric Sloane paints an intoxicating portrait of a boy's coming of age and falling in love with the girl next door (even if next door was over the meadow and through the woods) in the earliest years of the 19th century. Life was a focus on survival, when your days were spent working your land for all the fruits that it bears to sustain you and your family. Close bonds form with neighbors and community is not only important, but a way of life. Aside from being a true (if admittedly embellished) story, it is an intense study of life at that time. How we made and used our tools; the many properties and uses of wood; how the farmer's almanac was an indispensible item in every household. You learn great little triva facts in every chapter, such as... Did you know every house was allowed only ten panes of window glass... if they had more, they would have to pay a stiff tax on each pane.

The book opens with our young protagonist lying in bed, staring out through four brand new panes of glass that his parents got him for his birthday, watching the snow fall. He is as happy as can be for having these simple panes of glass. Nintendo pales in comparison.

Read it! It's short and well-paced. The boy's slowly evolving love story with the neighbor's summer guest is an involving, if underplayed, spine.

I love this book! It is so real and life like! The drawings and all the actual entrys from his diary. I sent this book to a friend who lives in africa and HE LOVED IT!

While rumaging through an old house, Eric Sloane came across the diary of 15 year old Noah Blake. Written in 1805, the diary has short entries about Noah's life on a farm. Sloane uses these brief notations as a starting point to recreate a compelling story about farm life on the American frontier. Eric Soane's talent as an illustrator takes this book to the next level. It is one thing to read about early American life and it is another level of pleasure to see beautiful illustrations that explain the material culture in which Noah Blake lived.

The audience for this book is very large. Written at a high school freshman level, this book will be of interest to anyone interested in learning how common people lived during the Federalist Period. This book will also appeal to all those who are interested in the material culture of 19th Century America. Sloane provides beautiful illustrations of how things like a water mill worked or how a simple wooden bridge was built.

Personally, my interest in American vernacular architecture. I loved this book because Eric Sloane has done a masterful job of explaining early American building techniques. I knew that one had to be very knowledgable to survive 200 years ago and this book only reinforces my admiration for our ancestors. For those who like these types of books, check out the illustrated works of Edwin Tunis, another talented artist with an interest in material culture.

I read this book as a young adult. It was like turning back the clock one hundred and fifty years, but unlike a lot of history books, it has no political, social or moral agenda. Indeed, it paints a luminous picture of rural life, while giving more useful information in the text of the diary and in the annotated pen-and-ink illustrations than most "country living" manuals. Check out Eric Sloane's barn books as well - more masterful work!