Brown Books

I enjoyed this collection of short mystery stories very much. It is especially satisfying if you are of the same faith as the writer - Roman Catholic.

There is no better way to get that vital first experience of G. K. Chesterton than by reading his famous "Father Brown" mystery series, and short of buying the whole set, there is no better selection of Fr. Brown stories than that provided here by John Peterson and Ignatius Press. Peterson's choices were excellent, and his discreet footnotes and commentary make the subtlety, richness, and humor of GKC shine through undimmmed by the passage of 75 years since they were first penned. Clean, intelligent reading for kids, too! I did as full review of Peterson's excellent collection in the "National Catholic Register", 15 February 1998, p.8.

There is no better way to get that vital first experience of Gilbert Keith Chesterton than by reading his famous "Father Brown" mystery series, and, short of buying the whole collection, there is no better selection of Fr. Brown stories than that provided by John Peterson and Ignatius Press. Peterson's choices were excellent, and his discreet footnotes and commentary make the subltety, richness, and humor of GKC shine through undimmed by the passage of 75 years since they were first penned. Clean, intelligent reading for kids, too! I did a full review of Peterson's excellent collection in the "National Catholic Register", 15 February 1998, p.8.

I happened upon this collection of short mysteries and got hooked! What unconventional and creative mysteries for Christians or non-Christians, Catholics or Protestants. My boyfriend (catholic) and I (protestant) tossed out our television sets in search of more constructive entertainment. We started reading these short stories to each other--fun evenings of mystery!

Read Chesterton because he is a great master of language and will raise your standard of good writing and good mystery! I'm online now looking for more Chesterton....

G.K. Chesterton's writings are often compared to those of John Henry Newman in their beauty and eloquence; Chesterton's "Edwardian" prose is particularly amazing and tends to focus more on Divine mirth than on Divine sorrow (as does J.H. Newman in his wonderfully Victorian way). "Father Brown and the Church of Rome" is a perfect example of Chesterton's love of Divine joy, and is a wonderful playground of the imagination. His various stories of the exploits of Fr. Brown are beautifully written, and his prose is unbeatable. Children should read (or be read) this and other volumes on Fr. Brown, for Chesterton writes as an artist paints, and will greatly influence their use of the imagination. A definite winner!

A perfect vehicle to introduce younger children to good mystery stories and to GK Chesterton, too. Adults will be impressed, too. The illustrations are delightful.

Chesterton was a household name at the turn of the (19th to 20th) century. Many have forgotten about him, but an energetic literary renewal is taking place. Brown has made an important contribution to this renewal by making Chesterton's most famous fiction accessible to anybody. Highly recommended.

I'm sorry to say that I never had a chance to get to know G.K. Chesterton when I was young. My first encounter with him came from a friend who often quoted his works. I've just gotten to know Chesterton as an adult in the past year, and I'm so glad I have. Now, Nancy Carpentier Brown has given my children a chance to get to know this wonderful writer through her excellent adaptation of four Father Brown mysteries in The Father Brown Reader.

I read The Father Brown Reader aloud to our 12 and 8 year olds. We all delighted in these mysteries, as well as the wonderful illustrations, and upon finishing the last page both kids were begging for more, more, more Father Brown!

I would highly recommend The Father Brown Reader to any parent who would like to introduce their children to the writings of G.K. Chesterton.

Delightful reading! Here are four mystery stories written for grade school children to understand and enjoy, yet interesting and thought-provoking enough for the most discerning adults as well.

Mrs. Brown selected stories to fit the emotional maturity of young readers. No murder mysteries are included. Instead the tales include burglary, misunderstanding, cunning, and surprise twists in Chesterton's unique style.

These adaptations provide an entertaining introduction to the writing of G. K. Chesterton, not only for children but for people of all ages.

The Father Brown Reader is a new book that contains four adaptations of the Father Brown stories by G.K. Chesterton. Nancy Carpentier Brown has done the adaptations along with illustrations from Ted Schluenderfritz. The book is primarily designed for ages 9-12 and I think are quite perfect for this age group.

As an avid Chesterton fan myself and one who has read the various Father Brown mysteries a couple of times I believe the four selections of "The Blue Cross," "The Strange Feet," "The Flying Stars," and "The Absence of Mr. Glass." to be a very good representation to introduce children to the writing of Chesterton. I surely wish I had been and sadly never read anything from Chesterton until my forties and then read everything I could get my hands on. Please don't let this omission happen to your children.

The adaptations themselves work quite well for the target audience and highlight both the whimsy of Chesterton, but also the deeper truths contained in the stories. The illustrations go along perfectly with the stories and I think Chesterton himself would have approved of them. I wouldn't have thought the stories collected to be that adaptable for younger readers, but after reading the adaptations I can now see how much of Chesterton and aspects of his stories can carry over very well to this audience and really how much of his fiction has a child-like quality to them.

I had fun re-reading the adaptations even if I was already thoroughly acquainted with the stories and the illustrations went along perfectly.

This book was a great help to me getting through Federal Courts in addition to my textbook. As any law student can tell you, Federal Courts or Federal Jurisdiction probably outranks civil procedure as the most dreaded class at law school. I am a firm believer in the importance of the subject and this book was invaluable to me in class and in work. If you have a legal problem that will involve federal litigation, this book is a must have. It makes a subject that I often believe is as clear as reading tea leaves a little easier.

All of the thousands of law school study guides tout themselves as a means of breaking down the often complex material for students. Unfortunately, however, few are able to accomplish that goal, as the study guides themselves are often almost as large as the casebooks and do little to demystify law school courses. Chemerinsky's text is a refreshing change, as his Federal Jurisdiction hornbook helps you understand what is universally seen as the hardest course in law school, Federal Courts.

Federal Courts is such a difficult class because of the sheer complexity of the material. Sadly, many students, me included, are forced to use Hart and Wechsler's Federal Courts casebook which is itself very difficult to learn from (for reasons I discuss in my review of that book). Many casebooks try to go over too much: they spend time on general principles, certainly, but often get caught up in discussing every single case with some relevance to the course, with less focus on hammering down an understanding of the general principles. Hart and Wechsler is a prime example of this. Their casebook is difficult to digest because there is so much to learn. Their endnotes are filled to the brim with hundreds of cases, many of which are unnecessary to obtain a general understanding of the course. And let's be honest, while these cases might be vital for aspiring future clerks taking Federal Courts, not all of us are clerking for the D.C. Circuit anytime soon.

Chemerinsky's hornbook very adequately solves this problem. Of all of the study guides and hornbooks I have perused in law school, Chemerinsky's book helped guide me the most, in what is the hardest class I have taken. In well-defined sections, Chemerinsky breaks down the daunting Federal Courts in a manner that is easy to read and ultimately understand. Chemerinsky clearly as well as concisely lays out a framework for each of the key bedrock principles of Federal Courts and federal jurisdiction without getting caught up in going over every possible case with implications for federal courts. Chemerinsky does discuss the key exceptions as well as minor cases, but they flow very well with his general discussions of the base material of Federal Courts. His book, therefore, was extremely easy to absorb and helped me immensely in understanding Federal Courts.

I was often bewildered and perplexed by the material discussed in Hart and Wechsler and in class lectures. Chemerinsky's book tore down much of my confusion by helping me focus on the key concepts of Federal Courts, and not getting lost in the forest of cases delineated by the casebook and by my professor. I strongly recommend that any student taking Federal Courts buy this book. It is invaluable to learning the course. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not take a look at Chemerinsky.

If you plan on taking Federal Courts, get this book. Even if you are a genius or a masochist and would prefer to go hard-core and use only Hart and Wechsler, get this book anyway. Seriously, just get it. :-)

I'm a very average law student, and my federal courts class was stacked with the top 2nd and 3rd year students in my school. Despite this, I got the highest grade in the class. The reason...this book.

Chemerinsky is able to take a complicated topic that takes 50 pages of a textbook to explain, and summarize it in a single paragraph.

This single most impressive book I have encountered in 3 years of law school. And if you plan to practice in the federal court system, this book is essential. Buy it.

As usual, Chemerinsky provides a clear and concise summary of this area of law. Practitioners and law students alike will find it to be a valuable reference tool. Like his treatise on Constitutional law, Chemerinsky has a unique ability to briefly encapsulate lengthy and sometimes conflicting Supreme Court precedent. I read it as a practitioner, but I'm sure law students will find it to be a helpful, though expensive supplement.

The book does fail in maintaining any semblance of objectivity when it comes to the scope of federal judicial power. Although arguments are mechanically given for both sides of an issue, one gets the impression that Chemerinsky, in his weaker moments, would love to get rid of the 11th Amendment, standing requirements, amount in controversy requirements, and any other obstacle to a federal court's ability to hear a case.

I saw this book at my local craft store, and just had to have it. So I rushed to Amazon to order it.
I am pretty new to crochet, so I was looking for quick easy projects with great instructions, and this is it! Each project has how-to photos with step by step instructions---awesome for the beginner.

The projects are:
Loop flower
tasseled hat
storage bag (very cute!)
clothes hanger
striped cushion
belt
striped scarf
pillow
baby's garland with teddy bears
hippy handbag
slot-thru scarf
hat with brim
pet ball
rose
zigzag hat
baby booties
string bag
ribbed pillow
clothes cover
bath math
baby blanket
ruffled scarf
frilly bag
retro throw

MOst of the projects use Debbie Bliss and Jaegar yarns but can easily be substituted.

I learned the basics of crocheting from this book. The book starts with basic crochet stitches that one can practice before starting projects. The following chapters go in order of the easiest stitch to the hardest stitch. So the first chapter includes several projects that utilize the single crochet stitch, the second chapter has several that use the double crochet stitch, and so on. I was able to make a hat for my 1 year old son in a day from the first chapter.

There are many cute projects in this book. The instructions are clearly written and there are plenty of color pictures to help along the way. In addition, the front and back flaps of the book list out the basics of crocheting, as a quick reference.

I highly recommend this book, for beginners to learn the basic techiniques, and for more experienced people, for the excellent projects.

I have tried out many books on beginning crochet and this is the best, most user friendly book I have ever owned. I absolutely love it, the patterns are modern and easy. If you go pattern to pattern, they slowly rise in difficulty, I love that feature. Also the how-to in the beginning has excellent illustrations for learning new stiches. If you are learning to crochet I recommend this book 100%!

I can't believe no one has reviewed this book yet. It's fantastic. The projects are great, and very cute. There are tons of very nice, professional pictures throughout the book to show you what your project is supposed to look like at various stages. The instructions are clear, and well written. I really can't say enough about this book. I am not a very experienced crocheter, so this book was perfect for me. I also love the other book in this series, "First Knits", and I highly recommend that as well. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the fact that the yarns the book calls for are a little obscure here in the US (the book is British in origin ) however, there's always the internet as a means of getting the yarn, and I've had no problem finding appropriate substitutions. Definitely recomended.

Plumb tells the tale of the four Hanoverian 'Georges' who seem to progress generation to generation in the direction of complete nuttiness. The climax however is in George III , the old villain of American schoolbooks. Plumb says he was extremely slow of mind, and the first twenty years of his reign a complete disaster. Thanks to the foolish advice of Lord North who is portrayed as a somewhat sloth rolypoly George III managed to antagonize and lose his American colonies. The last twenty years of his reign were however much more successful. Plumb artfully describes how the brilliant Lord Pitt at twenty- four became the King's First Minister and brought about peace with both America and France. This despite the fact that George III one day began to speak to a tree , spoke to it twenty- four hours without stop and after this was pretty much not 'in the loop of decision- making'.
The relations between the various Georges and the various Princes of Wales were most often horrible. George III could not stand his father, and his son. What is somehow surprising is that despite the eccentricities of the monarchs Great Britain continued to grow and develop its Empire.
Plumb has a clear vision of the story as a whole, writes with interest about the various figures, Robert Walpole, Lord Chatham, Lord North, Pitt et al. who served the various kings. A highly enjoyable piece of historical writing.

This classic of historical writing and interpretation was first published in 1956, and it's still the best single volume on the Hanoverian dynasty. Taylor trained under G. M. Trevelyan, another noteworthy narrator of history, and became an illustrious Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. While he produced many important works in modern English history, he still is best known for his examination of the dynasty that began with the arrival in London 1714 of George, Duke of Brunswick, successor to Queen Anne, the last Stewart monarch. He didn't speak English and his son and successor, George II, barely could. The family has gotten bad press for generations, their reputation for loutishness and general lack of intellect perhaps being colored by American attitudes, but Plumb portrays them convincingly as ordinary human beings caught up in a series of exceptional circumstances: The rise of parliamentary power, the loss of the American colonies below Canada, the Industrial Revolution, the effects everywhere of the French Revolution, and the struggle against Napoleon. Like many others, I first read this book as an undergraduate, but I now much prefer the 1974 lavishly illustrated Hamlyn edition [which Amazon doesn't list]; the numerous political cartoons are especially useful in providing the flavor of the times.

This is by far the best book that i have read in a long time. Most history books are boring but this one is anything but. Plumb goes to great details explaining the relationship that each King shared with his son. He does a wonderful job of giving his readers a rare insight to the royal family.

Fluent, lucid and written with Plumb's characteristic brevity, this is among the best introductions you will find to the high politics of the Hanoverian period. Sir John Plumb (d.2001) was one of the finest historical writers ever published in English. He is in the tradition of Macaulay and Trevelyan. His prose is polished and perfectly cadenced, and his light style masks a profound analytical grasp of the political forces that shaped this century of Whig ascendancy. Some may accuse him of adhering to the 'Great Men' school of history. If so, he highlights all their vices as well as their virtues.

Plumb was criticised for more often making the grand sweep of historical analysis as opposed to dredging through the minutiae of historical documentation. This analysis, I believe, is flawed and inimical to the notion that for history to be worthy of the name it should be readable for a wider audience, not solely confined to the institutions where it is nurtured.

Plumb's scholarship has inspired generations of laymen; his intellectual generosity and didactic rigour has also reaped its rewards within historical departments on both sides of the Atlantic. Those inspired by the Plumb school of history, who mastered their craft under his watchful eye at Christ's College, Cambridge, include such well known names as Simon Schama, David Cannadine, Niall Ferguson and Neil Mc Kendrick.

Published in 1956, this work by Sir John Plumb has remained a classic. Plumb focuses his attention on personalities and politics of the first four members of the Hanoverian dynasty. He paints a balanced portrait of his subjects, bringing them to life, warts and all. These monarchs are fallible human beings, placed on their thrones by accident of birth. Plumb is especially judicious in his handling of George IV, who as Regent and King was viciously derided in his own time.
Plumb's treatment of the monarchs is supplemented with deft character sketches of many of the significant figures of the Georgian century; Walpole, Pitt, Wilkes, Fox, and North are among the figures included.
In his introduction, Plumb takes the reader on a survey of the world over which these sovereigns presided. This is history practiced in the manner perfected by G.M. Trevelyan; continuity co-exists with change, and the dynasty survives despite mistakes and scandals. Published when the influence of Sir Lewis Namier was at its height, The First Four Georges provided a refreshing antidote to the atomizing analysis of the Namier school. A fascinating and hugely enjoyable read.

Everything as promised; prompt delivery of pristine copy of the book

Julian Barnes in his excellent survey of this book in NY Review of Books states that Brown shows how Flaubert in the few intimate relations of his life preferred the memory of the experience in solitude where he could control it, to the actual experience itself. He cites an instance where Flaubert wrote to the woman closest to him Louise Colet explaining to her that if people truly loved each other they could do so without seeing each other for ten years. Colet appeared to be somewhat skeptical of the matter.
Barnes also says that Brown in telling the story of Flaubert's relation to his long- time friend Maxine du Camp shows how the lifelong friends nonetheless aimed differently in life, and had subtle criticisms of their best - friends' enterprises. So Flaubert upon hearing that du Camp had been accepted as member of the 'French Academy' hinted that it was an honor not at all worth receiving. So du Camp criticized Flaubert for being stuck all the years in the same attitude he had early on.
Barnes says that Brown's book is truly admirable though it contains no significant great revelation about a writer who has fascinated more than one devoted biographer.
Nonetheless he makes it clear that this is by and large a first- rate biography, and one well- worth reading.

In his book, "Flaubert: A Biography," Frederick Brown portrays his book by giving the readers a closer look at Paris during a period of radical change. He writes his book to illustrate a wonderful biography Madame Bovary as Gustave Flaubert. Interestingly and what makes this book fascinating is how Frederick Brown keeps his distance away from the audience to make us decide what the apparent contradictions in Flaubert's life really is. The 24 chapters not only offer a vivid, detailed, and accurate account of Flaubert's life, they also provide relevant historical background for Europe, France, and Rouen, Flaubert's birthplace. Flaubert (for those who don't know) was romantic and optimist yet his most famous work required a degree of discipline to keep his emotions out of it. He loathed the bourgeois, but perhaps was one of the greatest symbols of the social class in the middle nineteenth century when he hugged fame. Flaubert's loving relationship with his mistress Louise Colet really summed up the complexity of the subject of this fine work Mr. Brown provides in his biographical masterpiece in literature today. I really love this book a lot...since I am a fan of Gustave Flaubert. I highly recommend for those who are intellect and love to learn more about the life of Falubert and his career. Overall, 9/10!

I understand that another author's biography was more psychological and I understand that Frederick Brown wanted to examine Flaubert in a more social, historical context. I just wish Brown had come up with a slightly different title for his biography of my all-time favorite writer. Titling the biography *Flaubert* lent me to think the biography would be more psychological, rather than historical. Perhaps Brown should have considered something like *Flaubert and Normandy* or *Flaubert's Normandy.* The historical passages are well done, but I wonder if they could have been trimmed a bit. Though I have been trained in European history, I gritted my teeth while reading every word. I wonder if Brown thought to himself, "Now let me get through this so that we can get back to Flaubert's literary tribulations and relationships." Flaubert's literary struggles and relationships are the most fascinating part of this biography.

My gripes aside, this biography is densely (in the best sense of the word) and beautifully written. Flaubert's best and not so great moments are limned gorgeously. The most touching aspect of the man is how good he was to his niece Caroline and how she honored his memory. I wished I had been Willa Cather when she encountered Caroline to talk about "les ouevres de mon oncle."

'Madame Bovary,' Flaubert's signature work celebrates 150 years of basically continuous publication. Shocking at the time because of its portrayal of the infidelities of a married woman, its publication caused Flaubert to be tried for lewdness.

Flaubert, like many writers was a tortured soul. One page from his original manuscript of 'Madame Bovary,' shows pained writing, much crossing out and re-writing. For him writing was not something he enjoyed, but more along the lines of something that he had to do. The words did not flow easily and fast, instead he struggled over each sentence, each word. But at the end, a book still in print in perhaps a dozen editions in English alone a century and a half later.

This new biography gives a look at both the life of Flaubert and also of his times. Here is a picture of the literary world that was Paris in the middle 1800's. Flaubert observed first hand the Revolution of 1848 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1871. While not a history of these events, Mr. Brown presents a view of them from their impact on Flaubert.

This is likely to remain the definitive biography of Flaubert for many years.

This review concerns the new (revised) Doubleday edition of the book, published in 1999.

Here is a book that is quite unique in my experience. I don't think I have ever read a book that has offered so much initial frustration, which has ended up turning out quite so well. In the first couple of chapters I was sure I was not going to be able to finish it. I put this down largely to poor editing, but I think there may be the added factor that this edition involved a major revision of an earlier work and that the two were not married very happily together. Yet the book soon strikes out on a new path, and on another level, as we leave the Manx and Cumbrian origins of Fletcher Christian behind, and begin to learn some of the details of that murky event known to history as the "Mutiny on the Bounty." One thing is obvious and it is to the author's credit, as he is a direct descendent of Fletcher Christian (and, something which will appear obvious given the nature of life on Pitcairn at the time of the first settlement, of several of the other mutineers): he makes a very bold attempt not to hoist Bligh on too high a yardarm, in spite of the man's obvious and well-established shortcomings. Indeed, he allows Bligh to hang himself in the book, which is something he seems to have tried very hard to accomplish in real life.

The book's last section of three concerns the personal odyssey by author Glynn Christian back to Pitcairn in search of traces of Fletcher and a greater understanding of some of the legend which grew up around him and his fellow conspirators of over 200 years ago. It is well done, and if we are a bit frustrated by the results, it's not because the author didn't try hard enough. In fact, this is a very successful project from every point of view, even if I did think at first that it was going to be "another island book," like the one on St-Kilda I read many years ago and still haven't digested to this day. Anyone interested in the Bounty story must read this and all those interested in the history of the Pacific, or even just plain family history, will probably enjoy this very much. After initially wanting to almost burn it, I now find myself giving it my highest recommendation. It's quite unique. By the by, it's interesting to reflect on the book's title. Ordinarily, one would think it referred to Pitcairn, the ancestral home as it were; but I rather fancy it refers to Tahiti instead, that fabled place from which some of Glynn Christian's other ancestors sprang.

I found FRAGILE PARADISE to be one of the best biographies I have ever read. The amount of research GLYNN CHIRSTIAN gathered about his famous descendent was just mind blowing. I often wonderd about FLETCHER CHIRSTIAN'S life before his days on the bounty. Having seen all of the movies based on the mutiny I never really felt that hollywood told his story with any accuracy at all. We never really get to know who CHIRSTIAN was and why he did what he did and the price he had to pay for his actions. Also I discoverd while I was reading this book the information about his family in ENGLAND and thier roots which hollywood often chooses to forget about when telling the story about the bounty muntiny. All in all if you like the story of the mutiny on the bounty you'll love this book.

This is by far one of the best books about the infamous mutiny on the Bounty. Glynn Christian is a descendant of Fletcher Christian, the leader of the mutiny. His researches into the family history is fascinating (if a bit overwhelming at times), but it's the new information about the voyage of the Bounty, the behavior and character of Captain Bligh, the nature of Tahitian society, and the mutineers on Pitcairn Island that makes this book a treasure trove for fans of the Bounty story. While it does not replace any of the previous works on the subject, I can say that if you have read those but not "Fragile Paradise," you are missing out on a very important piece of this amazing story.

As someone who has a great interest in the history of this strange adventure, I ordered the trilogy book on The Bounty and loved it . Afterwards, I ordered this one and I'm really glad I did. As informative and well written as the original book was , this one seemed to fill in some important insights and details about the personalities and the everyday life of the sailers plus a lot of the Tahitian customs . It started out pretty dry and dull to be honest but once it got going, I couldn't put it down. This guy has done his homework and then some ...it truly is an impressive book. Totally recomended !!

A new edition, by the same author, is due out in 2000. New research gives a clearer picture of the tension aboard BOUNTY after sailing from Tahiti, there is more evidence about Bligh's method of captaincy and, for the first time, a full chapter on the Tahitian women, who they were, how they thought and how, even though overlooked for two centuries, they are crucial to the survival of Christian's remote settlement on Pitcairn Island.

From Welfare to Faring well is absolutely a wonderful book to read.This book is very hopeful, very emotional and very uplifting. I just could not imagine going through this situation and still keep my head held high. Mr. Brown showed me through this book that without a doubt whatever you are going through you will and can succeed if you are determined. I definitely do applaud Mr. Ken Brown on being so determined and hardworking at such a very young age. I applaud Mr. Brown for being such an inspiration to all the young people out there that may feel that what they are going through now that is impsossible for them to succeed. Mr. Brown you are an inspiration to all and I thank you for sharing your story with us.

Much Love,

Fernecia Hood
Montgomery, Alabama

This is a great read that will inspire you to move mountains or at the very least get up off your behind and pursue your dreams. I think it should be a must read for students and start at the vey least at the Jr H.S. level to begin showing them that they can shape their destiny starting now.

Author Ken Brown, has brought to life, the daily stories of so many young people that grow up in Urban America. It is understandable why this book means so much to him as it appears to have helped in purging. I applaud him for letting others into his life. It is a book of everyday struggles that teaches us all a meaningful lesson or two when it comes to interacting with people from backgrounds we don't fully understand.

This book is a must read, especially for anyone that is experiencing trials and tribulations. I couldn't imagine being born to parents 13 and 14, who had 5 kids at 17 and 18. This story proves that with faith, hope and a vision, we can get through any situation that comes our way and become all that we dream to be! It is a story of HOPE!

"Ken's story can't really be contained in a book. The inspiration just leaps off the page. You see the threads that held his life together and the favor that keeps promoting him. This is a book you'll want to read over and over - but you'd be in a for real treat when you hear him speak. So much energy and passion! Wow. You can't help but be motivated after one of his speeches."
- Pam Perry, American Christian Writers/Detroit Chapter and freelance journalist
Founder, Chocolate Pages
www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

“Galveston … Lore, Legend, & Downright Lies” is a delightful , entertaining potpourri of life in days gone by on Texas’ famed island city, once known as the Wall Street of the South. The city boasted electric lights and the best of practically everything west of the Mississippi.

The collection of stories was compiled by Gini Fendler-Brown and Max Rizley Jr., Texas writers, and published by Eakin Press, Austin, Texas in a 164 page package sure to please history-lovers near and far.

“Galveston … Lore…” brings to the reader stories ranging from the disastrous 1900 hurricane -- the worst natural disaster to occur in this country, to the fact that the extinct Karankawa Indians cared for Cabeza de Vaca and his shipwrecked party in 1588, and tales of fabled pirate-patriot-lover Jean LaFitte.

Stories abound telling of the history of Galveston’s moniker as “The Oleander City” and the true origin of the Oleanders, to the fact that Galvestonians took on the challenge to rebuild after the 1900 storm and physically raised 2,100 structures above the sand during the city grade raising to avoid any repeat of the disaster. Extreme hardship, loss and Pride.

The book, easy to read and hard to put down, is bound to be a big winner for all who are fortunate enough to get their hands on it.

Galveston Island is home to a unique community. Although it is connected to the Texas Gulf Coast by two bridges and a ferry service, in many ways it is its own society separated by much more than a mere few miles of saltwater.

This book takes us into the distant and more recent history of the island and its colorful inhabitants, telling us stories in a way that leaves one feeling like you're sitting around a fire at a family reunion recalling old friends, neighbors and family members. Some stories one might tell only in hushed whispers. Others provoke knowing interjections from all quarters. These are tales that deserve to be shared far outside the circle of sand.

Whether you were born on the island and want to learn about the gossip you might have missed, or live far away and merely wonder what life is like in a seaside city, this book delivers. From pirates to revered community traditions, it explores a vast scope of history in an easy way that leaves you wanting more.

Caution: You may be tempted to move to Galveston after reading this book, if you don't already live there.

Gini and Max's book captures the essence of Galveston past, with first-hand reminiscences of people who lived that past. Most of us know the main outline of Galveston history, but this book tells the stories of ordinary people, going about their lives on this sliver of sand in the Gulf of Mexico. Gini has been telling her stories to audiences for years in the bandstand behind Ashton Villa during breaks in the band concert. Max helps shape these stories into delightful nuggets you will want to savor while lying on wet sand. Experience Galveston all over again, and next time you're there in person, go to an old-fashioned band concert and listen to the history lady tell a new tale.

“Galveston … Lore, Legend, & Downright Lies” is a delightful , entertaining potpourri of life in days gone by on Texas’ famed island city, once known as the Wall Street of the South. The city boasted electric lights and the best of practically everything west of the Mississippi.

The collection of stories was compiled by Gini Fendler-Brown and Max Rizley Jr., Texas writers, and published by Eakin Press, Austin, Texas in a 164 page package sure to please history-lovers near and far.

“Galveston … Lore…” brings to the reader stories ranging from the disastrous 1900 hurricane -- the worst natural disaster to occur in this country, to the fact that the extinct Karankawa Indians cared for Cabeza de Vaca and his shipwrecked party in 1588, and tales of fabled pirate-patriot-lover Jean LaFitte.

Stories abound telling of the history of Galveston’s moniker as “The Oleander City” and the true origin of the Oleanders, to the fact that Galvestonians took on the challenge to rebuild after the 1900 storm and physically raised 2,100 structures above the sand during the city grade raising to avoid any repeat of the disaster. Extreme hardship, loss and Pride.

The book, easy to read and hard to put down, is bound to be a big winner for all who are fortunate enough to get their hands on it.

I was born on the island, and heard many stories from my father and mother, and my grandparents, uncles and aunts. However, Max and Gini's book has filled in all the gaps, either out of my own memory bank, or the stuff just left out by a father, protecting his daughter from the "sordid" tales. Galveston: Lore, Legend and Downright Lies has added even more to my "love of the island." I have bought the book twice, once for myself and once for my father. He loves it! I plan on ordering more from Amazon for Xmas gifts. A great "thumber" and definitely should be a part of everyone's home library. Thank you, Max, and Gini, and Robert John, and Amazon.....the world needs more books like this one!

After a brief lull at Mount Vernon, the victorious general of the Revolution found himself harnessed unwillingly into the first presidency of the infant United States. Flexner handily traces Washington's first term, from the foundation of a new government on an untried Constitution to the internecine warfare in his own cabinet that threatened to split that government and sink the republican experiment.

I was somewhat disappointed when I received this book. When I looked for it on your web site, I did a search, and had asked for only hardcovers, so I missed the part on this item that indicated it was a hardcover. I normally collect only hardcovers, and would not have spent $38 on a paperback book. Now, I still have to keep searching for a hardcover version, and I'm stuck with this paperback.

Admittedly, this was my own oversight, so I can only blame myself, but maybe you can fix the problem with your search engine, so when looking for ONLY HARDCOVERS, that is what the result gives.

This book is the third in a series by Flexner on the life of George Washington. I highly recommend this series for anyone seeking to really understand the founding fathers. Flexner draws his material from many different sources to dovetail the life of Washington with those around him. His attention to detail makes the book a facinating read from cover to cover. It is quite a journey you are taking with a great man. I am so glad that Flexner took the time to put together such a magnificent compilation of data. I feel so much more appreciative of George Washington for all that he did to hold our nation together in its formative years after reading this book. A must read for those who love history!

This the third installment of a four volume series by James Thomas Flexner on the life of George Washington taking us through the years 1783 - 1793.

We see Washington returning to his beloved acres... Mount Vernon, after the British are finally leaving the American shores. Washington is exhausted and wants to retire and live out his life in the resplendency of his home and family. We begin to see Washington open up so to speak, relaxing in his quiet country life. But again the matters of the New Nation are begining to pull and strain the rather reluctant Washington to a leadership roll.

Being a very popular figure in early American life... Washington now is growing in popularity and as such is called to lead the Constitutional Convention for ratification of a new and untested government. Washington is elected to become the First United States President. Flexner gives us a lot of detail and put into the writing feelings and emotions felt at the time.

From the writings that were written about Washington from his peers and thoughs of Washington to others, we again see Washington's fallibility, a man wrought with insecurity and heavy responsibilities trying to cope with a newly emerging government. Even present that others from overseas were watching and waiting for the new government to fail, but proving to them a government viable and alive. But, alas, Washington is now aging and retirement is begining to take hold once again in his life.

This volume take us through Washington's thoughts and thoughs of Jefferson and Hamilton and how does Washington really feel. Washington is now working harder than ever trying to forge this fledging government into a working model of that written on paper. We see Washington's self-doubts again arise... troubling him with insecurities. Then again, who can he trust, to give correct counsil and if he left too soon would the government fail. If he stayed too long, would he be no better than the Kings he fought. We feel Washington's dilemma.

I found this book to be very well written with sound documentation.

George Washington and the New Nation is actually the third in a four volume set, and continues to follow the life of George Washington after the Revolutionary War. From the years immediately following the last withdrawal of British Troops, up through the end of his first term as the President of the United States.

Flexner does an excellent job of describing the man behind the legendary hero. Through the actual writings of Washington, and those of his contemporaries, we see not only the "Great General" and the "Father of Our Country," but also see Washington as fellow human being, just as fallible as the rest of us.

This is also a remarkably telling book about the nature of politics and how in over 200 years, very little has changed. As distrustful as we are of todays politicians, Flexner's book puts those of Washington's days in an even less favorable light - and he uses their own words to do it.

Through this book (and the other volumes in the set) I gained an even deeper appreciation for the one who was "First in War...First in Peace...and First in the hearts of his Countrymen." I heartily encourage this book and this entire set to all.