Burns Books

My Grandparents met @ this Great Camp on Lake Lila in the mid 1930's, both employed by the Webb family. I found it an interesting live history read from the same era my grandparents were there. Beautiful descriptions of the Adirondacks and life in woods in the early 1940's.

There are many autobiographical books concerning the Adirondack wilderness, but few come as close to the heart or reality as Frances Boone Seaman does. Set during World War II, the author describes wilderness life in great detail and realistic dialogue. Having grown up in the hamlet of Long Lake, N.Y., the author has the opportunity to first be a waitress at the famed luxurious mountain retreat of millionaire Dr. Seward Webb, the man who built the first major railroad through the Adirondacks. Working as a waitress at this lodge on the remote Lake Lila, Francis experiences the lives of the rich and famous. The people as well as the incredible beauty mesmerize her. Later, she is asked to be the first woman to occupy an extremely remote fire tower for the duration of the fire season. During this stay she experiences isolation, bear confrontations, severe thunderstorms and the constant fear of another major fire. Meanwhile she longs for her boyfriend who has since gone off to war. Never losing her sensibility or her love for her wilderness job, Frances takes the reader to a period and a place that few have had the opportunity to experience. It was another time long gone, but the sheer romanticism she writes about is immensely rewarding.

Both my husband and I enjoyed this book. How many women would have even considered watching a fire tower middle of the Adirondacks back in 1942? The book is well written, easy to read and contains some interesting history from that time. I highly recommend it.

Author Peter Ackroyd (The Life of Thomas More) says that Hitlton's "Scale of Perfection" and Kempas'"Imitation of Christ" are part of the broad tradition of late medieval Christian piety. Both books played a central part of Thomas More's life. Scale of Perfection is concerend with the active Chrictian life in the world. Hilton also wrote a volume entitled "The Mixed Life."

For those serious about growing in the spiritual life, Walter Hilton is a must. Not everything will speak to every person but there is much to be gained from a slow, careful, and prayerful reading.

Walter Hilton's massive undertaking (the first thorough treatment of ascetic theology in the English language) is as rewarding for those today as in his own era - and a careful reading makes one realise that he was treating many of the same difficulties we would find in our own time. This is by no means light reading, but the lawyer's mind, theologian's precision, and pastoral father's homely charm are a winning combination. (How can anyone resist one who, after giving an explanation of sin so with the lawyer's accuracy that one nearly searches for the section on plea bargaining, then tenderly reassures his reader that God is most generous with forgiveness or "heaven would be much too empty?)I would recommend it (if not require it) of anyone with an interest either in ascetic theology or fourteenth century England.

I picked up this book after hearing a talk on the the recovery of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's ship, now going on near Beaufort, NC. The book has the appealing qualities of great stories, excellent prose, and solid scholarship. Using Butler's references, a reader can explore way beyond what the book offers.

Finding a chapter on James Waddell, born in nearby Pittsboro, NC, was a surprise and a delight. Waddell, in the closing days of the Civil War, circumnavigated the globe, intending to disrupt Union whaling, a task at which he succeeded admirably. Waddell's Shenandoah was the only Confederate ship to cruise in the Pacific.

Butler's book highlights seamen of the southern coast, and brings to life vibrant personalities that most of us have not heard of. Pirates (Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet) get adequate attention, but are not the stars of the show. Otway Burns, a real swashbuckling privateer, is by far a more interesting character. The Confederate privateers are heroes in their cause, leading and surviving adventures worthy of an O'Brian or Forester. Confederate naval commanders (Cooke, Maffitt, Wood, Waddell) give a new face to war-time intrepidity. Most of those were names I did not know, but all were intriguing new personalities.

The book is spare, describing eight individuals in a little more than 200 pages. Butler provides adequate detail, in general, but doesn't often go beyond that. Having read Butler's book, I want to find out more, as you might. Waddell's exploits, for example, get a book length treatment in the recent volume, "Sea of Gray," by Tom Chaffin. Maffitt's novel, "Nautilus," is still in print and could be worth a look. There are others.

Butler's book is a tiny bit repetitive in spots, not a big surprise, given the degree of interaction among the protagonists. The repetitive elements are brief and not distracting. The inclusion of multiple maps is very useful for keeping geographical track. The photos emphasize that these were real people, with real lives -- including their loves, losses, heartaches, disappointments, and achievements. The tedium of a naval career is also abundantly represented. Butler does a good job of humanizing men who could otherwise have been caricatured as comic book superheroes. I also liked the descriptions of the innovations in ship-building that occurred, especially in Souther shipyards, during the War.

A good read for the nautical history buff, worth the money to buy, worth the effort to recommend. The prose is accessible, I think, to adults and young readers from about high school age.

While visiting beautiful Ocracoke Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks recently I picked up this book in a local book store. I wanted to get some flavor of the island's history and had skimmed through a dozen or so titles before I settled on this one. I was not disappointed. Lindley S. Butler has captured the marine lore of the Outer Banks in a well written and researched book. "Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders of the Carolina Coast" chronicles, without sensationalism, the often bloody careers of eight of the most important personalities of the days of pirates, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. All, from the pirate Blackbeard to the Confederate raider James I. Waddell, are shone in realistic fashion. I was much impressed by both the wealth of sources listed and with the easy reading style of this work. It made a great read during my flight from Raleigh-Durham to El Paso. This is, in my opinion as a non-historian, the way histories should be written to make them more accessible to the layman. I have to also give my compliments to the University of North Carolina Press for publishing this excellent account, which stands out among any number of books on pirates and privateers.

If you visit the coast of either North or South Carolina and wish to know more about the rich local history, you cannot go wrong in reading Butler's volume on the subject!

With Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders, Dr. Lindley Butler has written an exceptionally readable narrative that attempts to transcend the myths of sea outlaws and tell the stories of 8 important seafarers who operated off the rugged North Carolina coast. The book spans over 150 years from 18th century pirates, to privateers during the War of 1812, and rebel raiders of the Civil War. The stories of the notorious Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet open the book with engrossing tales about these pirates' lives and activities during their relatively short stints as outlaws. Historical consultant to the archaeological team exploring the 18th century wreck off the coast of North Carolina believed to be Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, Butler has researched some of the most up-to-date material on the world famous pirate, though much of Blackbeard's early life remains a mystery. Equally engaging are the stories of the lesser-known privateer, Otway Burns, and naval commerce raider Johnston Blakeley who operated out of North Carolina during the War of 1812. The poignancy of Blakeley's final days is skillfully told through Butler's narrative. The book concludes with the exploits of Confederate naval officers James Cooke of the ironclad Albemarle, blockade runner John Maffitt, naval commando John Taylor Wood, and James Waddell, the commerce raider who sailed around the world in the Shennandoah. The stories of these naval heroes of the rebellion reveal the intensity of the national struggle that shook the country apart and draw the reader into a deeper understanding of the personal struggles that affected so many in the nation. Although the lives of these eight men are not romanticized in Butler's book, romance is not left out of his narrative as family life and personal relationships are woven into each biographical sketch. Nonetheless, the action packed stories of these maritime warriors and thieves are thoroughly captivating, making the book difficult to put down. What Butler has reminded us is that history in its truest form is first and foremost about story-telling. He has succeeded in telling the stories of these men's lives in a way that is both historically informative and skillfully narrated.

This book is a must have for any quilter! I have decided to order one as a gift for a friend who has just started quilting. Eleanor makes her directions easy to follow and understand. THe Pioneer Quilting book has an array of beautiful choices for many fabrics and color schemes. A lovely book!

Pioneer Sampler is one of my very few Keepers in the quilt reference library, and you should know I'm "picky" in that I don't want same old/same old repackaged. I had that -- and it was a waste. Er, and instead of picky, let's say selective, okay? (grin)

So several years ago Kidlet gifted me with the Pioneer Sampler book and I was tickled. It was her first quilt book to me (she'd given notions before but to save her money/buy this was a real treat)
In any event, I use mine AT LEAST once per week.

You see, it's a perpetual calendar too. So in addition to the quilt blocks we also get a two-page spread for each month of the year. Because it's one of the perpetual's you can mark the first on any day block that pleases you. So, since Son was born on a Sunday, 2 November`is Sunday for that month. Kidlet was a Monday, so in December, the 5th is Monday.

Please note I use and maybe even abuse my favorites. This book has stood the test of time -- folded back, folded over, whatever. All pages are intact and of good quality.
That's another thing -- the paper is of better than average thickness and all are shiny. Ink doesn't smear either when you write on it.

As for blocks, lots of choices, all basic and easy to duplicate. Specifically, there are no applique pieces to fuss with.
The beginning of the book is an overview of our lovely toys, er, tools, and provides basic how to's.

In addition to the blocks shown on the cover, there are others photographed (real blocks/real fabrics) showing color variations. It can be quite a colorful quilt if you prefer.

Back to the book:
Next we have January... it's a covered wagon sort of journey. We read a tiny bit about what is on the trail. Get a block to make, detailed instructions including cutting, measurements, directions to press, order of sewing -- you know: the "basics" but still necessary. Then we have the calendar pages, and they include a recipe plus show a strip with all 12 blocks in chronological order of the book.

Note on details: Our recipes match the seasons. Specifically, you're not gong to get a recipe for something that's out of season at that particular time of the year. It's a detail, but shows care went into the layout of this one.

There are twelve blocks with such names as Chisholm Trail, Golden Gate, Rocky Mountain. At the end of the book are several pages telling us how to border and complete the quilt. The illustrations are clear and directions are easy to understand.

In any event, this is my calendar -- I can tell you when the pups were born, when Grandma was born, when Kidlet had her first date with Blue Eyes -- everything! And whenever I step back in time with this one I swear I'm making the quilt. Still haven't mind you but I don't know many reference books that have been used as much as this one. Goodness -- imagine it as a Perpetual Calendar for Quilters. It doesn't get much better than this!
Aside: for the one time only events (yearly festivals for instance) just use a Post-It note on the appropriate page. You can also tuck in pictures of your completed quilts for a visual reference later generations may appreciate.

I'd pay retail -- my highest compliment.

Eleanor Burns' Quilt in a Day series is a great collection of books to help quilters, and Pioneer Sampler is one of my favorites. It includes 12 different blocks to create a lovely sampler quilt. Each block has a little descriptive paragraph about its name, and there are a few recipes in the book too. But best of all is the clear and detailed pictures and directions of how to make each square and the whole quilt. I

As a parent, I find it hard not to keep up with the Jones'. A typical Saturday for my seven year old girl may start out with a soccer game, followed by a mid-day birthday party and a three-hour afternoon playdate. It's no wonder that my little girl is whiny, clingy and exhausted by nightfall. All she wants to do is veg in front of the TV or play alone with her dolls.

Dr. Marks book made me aware of the consequences of these actions which is the key to good parenting. Dr. Marks is trying to say, "hey, sometimes it's OK not to keep up with the Jones's".

I read the book the first time in two nights and have referred to it a half a dozen times since. It's a real eye opener and definitely recommend it for parents.

What an enlightening book from the enjoyable anecdotes to the informative, positive and eye opening solutions to coping and ridding our children of stress in today's environment. Our parents had Dr. Spock. We are lucky to have Dr. Marks. This book is a must read for all parents.

I thought the book was outstanding.. I keep buying extra copies which I have given to my mom, my sister, my friends, and the principal of our school. The book describes each one of us too well. I have three children and the stress and competition for these kids is 10 times that of when I was a child. If I can follow any advice from Dr. Marks, my children will benefit greatly. I thank him for writing such a down to earth and amazingly true book.

This book surprised me. I am not inclined to read books about humans relating to birds or animals. Once I began to read Raising Susan, however, I became increasingly captived. It told an amazing story in a seamlessly detailed and dramatic way. With a man, a woman, and a golden eagle as its protagonists, the story is really a strange love story, filled with obstacles, breakthroughs, heartbreak, joy, and even violence, as the eagle attacks the man who seeks to be close to her. Read it and believe it.

This is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable nature stories I have ever read; full of drama and even physical conflict as Susan, the abused golden eagle the Hyndmans brought to their avian santcuary, attacked Cecil Hyndman. Not once, but three times, almost blinding him in the most serious attack. Yet Susan showed she had a less fercious side, bonding so closely with Adele she was able to stroke and kiss the large eagle with an almost 8-foot wingspan. Susan responded with physical proof of her deep attachment to Adele by laying 17 eggs in captivity, some directly into Adele's hands -- the only female eagle to do so in captivity. The Hyndmans raised other large birds of prey at Featherland, including a female great horned owl that also laid 14 eggs. The Hyndmans were also famous for teaching many birds considered untrainable to speak. They were referred to as modern-day "Dr. Dolittles" -- an apt description. This book tells the intertwined and convoluted story of what must surely be one of the oddest love stories ever -- between a man, a woman and a golden eagle.

Bill Burns has done an exemplary job of capturing the interaction between Susan, a golden eagle with a five foot wing span, four inch claws and a brutal beak and Cecil and Adele Hyndman. Their challenging and intimate relationship with Susan took place over a twenty-five year period. The meticulous notes that Cecil kept of Susan the eagle and some three hundred other birds he cared for in Feartherland provide us with insight and understanding of birds not recorded elsewhere. It was Cecils dream to be recognized not as an untrained ameteur bird lover but rather as an authority on birds and their capacity to interact in amazing ways with humans.Burns has enabled Cecil to do this in relating what he learned about the golden eagle who shared such a major part of his life. If you love eagles this story will surprize and amaze you. Burns has written a very fine book.

I found this book in a rummage sale of books and recommended that TAN reprint it. It was very good and one of the first conversion stories I'd ever read. Some of it was over my head at the time but he covered many of the concerns of contemporary converts very well. The truth is its own reward. I recommend it to anyone but remember that it was originally written early in this century, so it is from a different time and perspective on religion in America.

The book reads like an Agatha Christie mystery book. It was so engrossing, I could not put it down-- it is interesting because it involves real people --the author's description of his own life-story and struggle from agnosticism to a clearer understanding of the mysteries of faith. What makes the book interesting is that the author weaves a presentation using sometimes seemingly disjointed pieces of knowledge into an integrated view of a point which sheds light on a mystery of the Christian faith. The book was written in the 1920's and re-issued again in 1994. It is most entertaining because it describes the struggle of an individual with the articles of faith. It is a book that will satisfy both the orthodox for the clarity (certainty) of the arguments, and the liberal mind because it is non-judgmental -- an extraordinary feat! In addition, the book is interesting because it provides the reader with a view of some key issues of doctrine and faith Christians were struggling with at the end of last century and the beginning of this one. It certainly helped me gain an appreciation for the struggles mainland Protestant churches, as well as the Catholic Church is currently experiencing with their congregation and clergy. The author organizes the chapters by postulating individual difficulties of faith he faced, and then proceeds to show how he resolved some of the conundrums. He gave excellent references to support his arguments. The English prose is superb; the logic used to tackle the difficulties posed is impeccable; the arguments, tight. After reading the book I could understand why Christianity has survived two thousand years. When all the arguments fall in place like weaving a complex tapestry, one can appreciate that while certain truths are not self evident, those seeking it with persistence and an open mind, will eventually find it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seriously interested in understanding the tenets of the Christian faith, or want to understand why Christians believe what they believe. The book is engrossing.

The author explores his troubled journey from sincere Protestant seminarian to full-fledged agnostic and finally to a devout Catholic. While the book was published in 1922, its themes and ideas are as fresh as if they were written yesterday. It clarifies why Protestants seem to have a deep-seeded dislike for anything Catholic and the Pope, specifically, whom they reject as Vicar of Christ. Stoddard emphasizes that, in the case of Protestants, it's not the person, it's the message which creates havoc in matters of theology. At one point in the book, the author lists all the Protestant sects he could think of (several pages). This is not anti-Protestant, rather, it looks tenderly at the inheritors of Protestant traditions. He is not so kind regarding the instigators of the Protestant Reformation. He also explores Catholic traditions and theology (Pre-Vatican II); particularly things that Catholics accept and simply do as these practices have been handed down over the past 2,000 years. Whether one agrees with his conclusions or not, his perspective is refreshing.

Peter's life has been going pretty well- he's got his family, friends, and school. Then, one day, he gets called into the principal's office where he learns that his dad died earlier that morning after he'd gone off to school. A few days later, while looking through his dad's desk drawers, he comes across an envelope that will change Peter's life forever, sending him on an unforgettable adventure, one that may end up keeping him from home...

I had a similar reaction to this book like I did with X In Flight. I went in thinking it would be about one thing, and being a tad disappointed while still being compelled to read the story. The book summary mentioned Peter discovering a truth that was hidden from him for too long, and that kind of language gave me a completely different idea to what actually happened. Despite this misinterpretation, like X In Flight, I still enjoyed the book a lot. Told very compellingly with vivid details and a stark realism, this is one book I found absolutely hard to put down until the very end. It's very suspenseful throughout and the plot twists come out of nowhere and keep the pages turning.

Statistics on teenage runaways are frightening. Knowing that teens are living homeless in big cities and surviving by their wits is terrifying. John Burns takes readers into the world of the teenage runaway. It is a frightening place, where survival can depend on becoming part of a group and having to trust some very scary individuals with your life.

Peter Weir's life takes a sharp turn downhill when his mother shows up at school to announce that his father just died of a heart attack. His attempts to pull his life back together are feeble. Just moving on doesn't work well for Peter.

After a meeting with his father's attorney to discuss his estate, Peter finds he has a thousand dollars in cash at his immediate disposal. The future seems clear - take it and run. He boards a bus and heads for someplace far from his absent father.

Traveling alone isn't as easy as Peter thought. Roughed up by several bullies, he loses all but two hundred dollars of his money. His remaining funds dwindle quickly. Peter is relieved to meet several other homeless teens who introduce him to Dekman. Survival seems easier as he joins their group and panhandles for Dekman in exchange for a place to sleep and food to eat.

The dark side of Dekman begins to surface, making Peter uncomfortable but still dependent for survival. His artistic talent could possibly offer him a chance to break free of the group, but he fears Dekman's threats too much to take the chance.

Afraid of Dekman, yet also afraid to call home for help, Peter's subconscious takes over. He realizes that he is able to create his own special world inside his mind. This world he calls Runnerland, and it gives him a place to escape the stress and danger of his current situation -- but it also seems to make the unstable Dekman jealous.

Peter's story is a realistic one. The deserted buildings that become his home, the creative methods he devises to beg and earn his living, and the fragile and scary trust he must have in the leader, Dekman, all come together to illustrate the dark and dangerous life of the homeless. This well-written story will make readers consider just how many of these teens are out there today, living on the edge of survival.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I really enjoyed this book. It's a convincing story of a young teenager, Peter, who receives the bombshell news that he's adopted upon the death of his father. Hurt, confused, and despondent, he runs away from home to find his own way and make sense of everything.

Peter's impulsive and somewhat naïve character comes across as completely authentic. Author John Burns has really captured those early teenage years and all the confusion and desperation (and exploration) they contain. There are also many very nice touches illustrating that no-man's land between childhood and being a grown-up.

Once on the streets, Peter is forced to deal with the hard realities of survival. Not all that successful getting by on his own, he falls in with a group of street kids and their Fagin-like leader. As life becomes more harsh, Peter begins to periodically retreat into a fantasy world which he calls Runnerland. It starts out as an idyllic place, but as Peter's day-to-day life becomes more difficult the landscape becomes more ominous. Fantasy and reality begin to close in on each other until Peter is forced to face down all his demons, both real and imagined.

While aimed at young adults, it's a great read for anyone above the age of twelve. The book reads true without being overly sentimental, and it treats the subject matter with the respect and gravity it deserves. The themes explored cross generational boundaries, and almost everyone will recognize Peter's search for his place in the world.

Burns' forte, as she often says, is writing fiction for women and sensitive men. Her characters have depth and complexity, and even the villains are darned likeable, real folks just like those the reader encounters every day. Life with its complications cause enough heartaches and frustrations, both large and small, to keep her volume engrossing, without giving you someone to hate. The reader may laugh at some of the situations that arise, cry at others, because those who inhabit these pages are convincingly real.

This book is a celebration of friendships among a group of women who help each other through times of trouble with tolerance and humor, proving a friend both gentle and honest is one of life's treasures.

SECOND THURSDAY CIRCLE isn't a candy-cotton story about a group of proper small-town ladies devoted to tea parties, choir practice, and good works. It's about a group of very real women whose efforts to support one of their members as she struggles through a series of crises, involve them all in the repercussions of loss, love, and lust; trust and betrayal; friendship and enmity.

Your understanding of the feminine mystic will be enhanced by the characters in this well-written, fast-paced novel as Ms. Burns skillfully portrays their strengths and weaknesses while they strive to fulfill their obligations to each other and to their own best selves.

Charlotte Burns has written a thoroughly engaging story about ordinary people doing ordinary things with unexpected consequences. Her exposition of the range of the main character's emotions, and small town, Mid-America values, is excellent. A reader will constantly be wondering "what would I do in those circumstances"? and thereby be alternately cheering or moaning with frustation at the events as the story twists and turns to a sucessful conclusion. Easy to read, easy to remember.

8 Yr old really enjoys this book. He said it helps him to figure out the kind of reptiles that he has seen outside. He even has a salamander he found and it has a lot of info and facts on it.

I used Diane Burns' book as an aid for nature programs while I was working as a naturalist. Each animal is depicted in full color with pertinent details and hazards to watch for. Young kids love the colorful pictures of their favorite "slimy" creatures, while older kids can read the information and learn where and when to find the creatures. I found that Burns' book works better than a more sophisticated source when working with children, as it is written at their level -- but adults can also gain much knowledge from the information. My congratulations to Diane Burns for writing such a wonderful book!

I purchased 5 books of this series for my five year old daughter for Christmas, as she is a nature lover and loves anything to do with science. After reviewing these books before giving them, we decided to use them as part of our science program for our home school. These books have bright and colorful pictures, short accurate explanations of the animal, their habitat, eating habits, and even some of the popular anecdotes that go along with the animal. It has the appropriate warning for studying certain animals. What we enjoy most is many of these animals can be found in our back yard to furthur study. Each book deals with three types of animal, such as snakes, salamanders and lizards. They are separated into sections dealing with each type. At the end of the section is a wonderful hands-on project the child can basically do on their own within the recommended age group (9-12) or with some assistance for a younger age group like my daughter. My 5 year old begs us to read these books to her and loves the projects. I highly recommend this bokk and others in the series for those who want their children to learn about nature and how to respect it. I can't wait to obtain the remaining books of this series.