Bush Books

Anyone who has ever crossed the border north for the land of the mosquitoes, giant pike and elusive trophy walleye will LOVE this book ! All those misadventures you've ever had trying to bust out a beaver dam, shoot the rapids you shouldn't shoot "while going after that perfect walleye spot", are perfectly written to the point you're in tears laughing sooo hard !!
Story after story you'll be rolling on the floor...yeah that was us 6 years ago when we took so&so along.. he never did know how to _____........
GREAT BOOK !!!!!!!!!!

Anyone who has fished the North Country will recognize the characters and events in Mr. Knowles book. I take it with me every year on our trip to northern Ontario. The world really needs the sequel......SOON!!!

I smile just thinking about Doc and crew. You will see yourself and your fishing buddies in this collection of short stories. The wisdom of Doc was a big hit with the "Casual Fishermen". Thanks Doc.

Was like looking at myself, and my own fishing buddies.I hope there are more books to follow. You should meet our group that makes the anual trip north to the fun. (thanks Doc.)

My husband received this book last year for Christmas and loved it. It reminded him of his fly-in trips to Ontario. Over the holidays I read the book and also found great joy in each chapter. The guys are thinking of letting the women try this fly in trip as we do fish every year in Canada and have a great time. Now that would be a good story. In each chapter I could see vivdly one of the pictures that we put into an album unlike Doc and the crew did for many years. If you want an enlightning book this is it. We certainly need a sequel.

PATRON SAINTS tells the story of a people thrown into hell on earth after the worst natural disaster in American history and how a professional sports team, of all things, helped them return to normalcy. Using an oral history approach, author Alan Donnes creates a mosaic of voices that take the reader on an emotional journey from the depths of despair to the triumph of victory, not just on the playing field (which the Saints did), but in the hearts and minds of the people. More powerful than WE ARE MARSHALL or REMEMBER THE TITANS, PATRON SAINTS is the most inspiring story to come out of the Crescent City since Katrina and may well be the most inspiring sports story ever told. In the words of everyone from a 12 year old boy to the President of The United States and from players to fans, PATRON SAINTS gives us all a reason to cheer. We dare you to read about the team's and THE PEOPLE's return to the Superdome and NOT tear up. This book reminds us all why sports is so important in our lives. PATRON SAINTS is for the serious football fan and, maybe even more so for those who wonder why cities fight to get and keep professional sports franchises. Read PATRON SAINTS and see how the SAINTS gave New Orleans a reason to BELIEVE.

PATRON SAINTS is currently being developed as a major motion picture to be filmed on location in New Orleans.

This is more of a compilation than a novel. I bought this for my husband, who is not normally much of a reader, but he couldn't put this down. He read alot of it out loud to me, because he was so interested in the stories. I finally told him that I would read it myself when he was finished, which I did, and really enjoyed although I am not a football fan. Who couldn't be a fan that year? It tells the story from perspectives of all sides, and tells of the inspiration that came from unexpected places and inspired unexpected people.
This is definitely a must read for New Orleanians, who lived this, and understand what that Saints season meant to us. But also for others who weren't there and don't live here to understand why it meant so much.

This book gives an amazing and accurate account of how the New Orleans Saints inspired and motivated the City of New Orleans and its surrounding parishes. As someone who went to that Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons in the newly renovated Superdome, I cannot begin to describe the emotions I and many others experienced that night. Seeing the Saints run onto the field was my "Katrina moment." It was then that I knew things would be alright. The Superdome had always been a place to go to have fun. It was not that horrible place seen by so many people after Hurricane Katrina. To see the Saints return to the Dome turned a negative back into a positive for me. It was just one more step on the path back to normal.

That night my brother and I parked the car and began walking to the Dome. The walk took us through neighborhoods that had not yet been gutted. It took us past buildings that had water lines almost over my head. I thought about the people who walked that same path to the Dome after the hurricane hoping for refuge from the devastation. I got a lump in my throat and began to cry. This walk, however, was different. This walk was positive and determined. It was prideful, and it had purpose. We were walking to the Dome to bring it back and to bring our Saints back. Fans walking to the Dome were not just fans, we were family. We were family members from all over the New Orleans area who were brought together to welcome home a team many of us believed might never return. That night we were going to show the world that New Orleans - our home - would also return. We needed something to believe in. The Saints gave us that inspiration. We believed in them, and they seemed to believe in us. It was a powerful year.

Though I cannot even begin to describe the true emotions felt during that football season, this book does a great job. I loved reading how the players and coaches felt and how the team was just as inspired by us as we were of them. Just like a previous reviewer, I'd recommend this book to anyone who has ever pulled for the underdog. It's a remarkable read.

Told through interviews with everyone from Quarterback Drew Brees to fans of the Saints who lived in New Orleans during the rebuilding of the city, Patron Saints covers one of the greatest, TRUE underdog stories in all of sports. The interviews with Saints players and coaches are fascinating, and provide a unique insight into what actually went on behind the scenes during the unlikely Cinderella season. But what truly makes this book special are the interviews with the fans; real people who convey how important this team was to the residents of post-Katrina New Orleans. Patron Saints gives the reader a "view from the gallery;" a chance to share in how the Saints' winning season was able to uplifit the spirits of an entire city where so much had gone wrong.

There are very few true sports stories this great (that of "Rudy" Reuttiger and the Marshall football program come to mind). But this book isn't just for Saints fans, or even football fans; it's for anyone who has ever rooted for the underdog.

I saw the author interviewed at a Saints pre-season game, and he stated that he is donating 70% of his revenue from the book to help childrens schools and hospitals in New Orleans. I think thats great, he wanted to tell our inspirational story and help the children of the City of New Orleans, too !

As we watch the Democrats and Republicans "square-off" again, Professor Boller has done a Yeoman's job with this classic of American politics, reminding us what this "National crazy season" is all about. Here in one volume, Boller summarizes all but the last four of America's Presidential campaigns: from the first, George Washington's in 1789, to the fortieth, Ronald Reagan's in 1980.

My favorite campaign is the 1876 disputed and brokered election, reminiscent of the "Supreme Court decided" 2000 election. The 1876 election took place in Philadelphia during the Nation's Centennial Year, between two Governors: Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio and Samuel J. Tilden of New York. Arguably this was the most controversial as well as the most defining campaign of all of American History. Hayes a Republican, known for his honesty and integrity and Tilden known as a reformer, squared off over how to deal with the remnants of the Civil War, the primary issue of which was how to end Reconstruction.

Tilden, the Northerner, and a pro-slavery proponent, sympathies lay with the South and with ending Reconstruction and removing Federal troops from occupying the South, thus leaving the South to manage its own affairs -- meaning of course leaving the problem of what to do with the freed slaves up to the white southerners. Under Tilden's formula the slaves were thus to be left to their own devices in a sea of hostile "foaming at the mouth" Southerners still licking their wounds from the lost of the Civil War. Hayes, though a Republican, was not a Radical "pro-freedom" Republican, and thus was only slightly less accommodating to maintaining the Reconstruction status quo than was Tilden.

When the dust settled, both were short of the necessary electoral college votes, with the 20 votes of SC, La., Fa., and Ore. still in doubt -- even though Tilden had garnered a quarter million more votes than Hayes. Tilden needed only one of the outstanding 20 Electoral College votes, while Hayes needed all 20. Yet after the back room haggling ended, a compromise was struck with Hayes declared the winner. Hayes may have won the battle but Tilden won the war: Reconstruction was ended; the ex-slaves were sacrificed in the process; and the "Jim Crow curtain" descended on the U.S. for the next one hundred years.

The book is well-research, written with the flair of a journalist and full of interesting anecdotes and colorful stories.

Five Stars

I own a previous edition of this book. Facinating information about each campaign. You think 2000 was bad? Take a look at 1876 or 1824. I'd offer more in this review, but it's 4 am and I need to get back to sleep.

This book reminds me again just how much fun the study of history can be. The basic facts of Presidential elections from the beginning to today are solid historical accounts. But they also include the tidbits of electoral trivia that go on in each election, but that are often obscure or unnoticed. This book is both informative and entertaining. I plan to give it as a gift to my opthomologist who is also a history buff. As a retired history professor I look forward to chatting with him during my annual examinations.

Presidential Campaigns: From George Washington To George W. Bush by Paul F. Boller, Jr. is a lively, informative, and often surprising history of American presidential election campaigns. This is a complete chronological history of from the unanimously concented ascent of General george Washionhton, to the divisively contested Gore vs. Bush recall scandal. Presidental Campaigns is a superbly written and presented political history that, in these politically divise days of presential electioneering, deserves as wide a readership as possible among the electorate.

You wouldn't have recognized the election of 1789. There were no primaries, nominating convention, rival candidates, campaign speeches, or debates on public issues." (All quotes are direct from the book.) Yet the will of the people was perfectly expressed. Everyone simply agreed that Washington had to be the President. Four years later they had political parties, but both of them picked Washington. That was the end of the smooth sailing.

In 1796 Adams and Jefferson remained on friendly terms with each other, but had their supporters do a lot of name calling (sound familiar?). By 1800 Adams was calling Jefferson ... well, read the book. Suffice to say, the American way of politics was in full swing, has continued unabated until now and shows no sign of making significant changes in the future.

I must say that I do miss the rum. When Washington was running for the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758, there were 391 elgible voters. Washington gave them 160 gallons of rum. It's kind of a wonder just how they could vote.

This is a delightful book. I remember taking American History in college, and that was pretty dull. This reads like a novel, full of interesting anecdotes while conveying the facts as well.

This book is a hilarious spoof on our president's first 3 months in office. I can just picture this as a SNL skit. It's great airplane reading - funny and quick.

One hundred days worth of George "W." Bush's secret, innermost thoughts. If anything, I thought it would be scary, not funny, but "W." made me laugh out loud on almost every page. I give "W." an "A."

This book is awesome! I found the book extremely funny and entertaining not because the writers were trying to be funny (they are damn good at it too), but because they were telling as it really is. Buy the book, it's money well spent.

In this book, you will find out why? This is easily one of the funniest books that I have read in a long time.

Yes, it is very easy to poke fun at our president, no matter who that may be, but President Bush sure makes it simple. In this diary-style book, the president's innermost thoughts are scribbled out in 3rd-grade penmanship.

The book is outright hilarious. We get an in-depth look at the president's IRS audit list, his thoughts on making a movie about his "poppy," his feelings about Dick Cheney, and his outright fear of Hillary Clinton. The mental notes are also hilarious, and the added illustrations make for a complete funny experience.

This book was a really fast read, and it was extremely humorous. It is definately for anyone with a mere pulse of a sense of humor.

I spotted this highly satirical masterpiece on accident, and loved every page of it. I tried reading it to curb bordem, and kept laughing out loud so much that everyone one had to know what was so funny. All of my freinds, right and left alike, thought it was utterly hilarious. I have lent it out to everyone; My Goverment teacher read it aloud to the class; it even had a bit of a waiting list from time to time.

The scariest element- it is all too true! The book is filled with mispellings, childish handwriting, and mis-informations that sound as if they came from the mind of a 3 year old. Therefore perfectly accurate for the 42nd, er, 43rd President of the United States. ("I wonder if Trent Lott is related to that guy in the Bible whose wife turned to salt?"). Bravo, and encore!

This book comes highly recommended!!!

If you enjoy hearing true tales of wild heroics this book is for you. I read it page after page and laughed as the author so vividly drew me into each scene with these crazy Iditarod pilots.

Some of the stories are incredible and it really makes you want to go to Alaska to encounter some of this wild west dog sled fanaticism.

Don't miss this one...it is very enjoyable. Worthy of passing on to someone else after it's read.

I purchased this book for my father, for Father's Day, and it turns out he has a personal connection to one of the book's subjects. I could not have been more pleased! He has been reading it voraciously and enjoying every page. Dad's are always hard to buy for and it's great to hit the nail on the head once in awhile.

I like adventure books, especially those that deal with northern flying. This title clearly fell into that catagory. The autor gave us a perspective of the Iditarod race that only a pilot could. As a pilot who has flown in Alaska I found all of his flying information to be accurate. But best of all the book was very well written. The author has polished his work. The chapters are all very readable and fascinating. I would recommend this book to anyone whose interests run along the same lines as mine do; flying, Alaska, adventure and the Iditarod. My only complaint is a complete lack of pictures.

Ted acquaints the reader with stories that could only come from being a pilot himself. Having done some flying in the Alaskan bush, I became acquainted with the author and know of his intense love of the subject. I recommend readers also read "The Eye of the Rainbow", Ted Matson's first writing. You will have a greater respect of the Alaskan adventurer.

U.S. history, the government, and personae of American Presidents is a fascinating subject. While many scholarly work in the market have done in-depth investigation to profile American presidents, this title by David C Whitney and Robin Vaughn Whitney in its 9th edition from Reader's Digest is classically written and readily accessible to the general audience. Its objectivity and candor serves well as a gentle and educational introduction, an abridged version, on the development of American Presidents in relation to the unfolding drama of U.S. history.

The perennial best-seller, an enjoyable reading, excels in its elegance and clarity in comparison to many (auto)biographies of modern day C(orporate)EO/leadership titles.

We have been truly blessed with good men in the White House. Through the brilliant Constitution our founding fathers set up for our republic we emerged a country for all nations to envy. Through checks and balances we have created a system that works; it is at times not perfect, but there is none better.

Like any history book, "American Presidents" should not be used alone. It can not fulfill the task of evaluating the office of each of these men on its own. The author covers in detail each President's life growing up, offices held, as the executive and his achievements after the Oval Office. The vice president's, the cabinet, and historical sites are found at the end of the book. Photos are displaced throughout. One of the better books covering the Presidents.

I became increasingly interested in our Presidents, so I decide to research each one further, going as far as rating them. This is nothing new; there have been many such ratings done by scholars and intellectuals over the years. Of course I am neither. But I do find the ratings systems tend to focus on single merits and not the whole presidency. I have decided to do my own rating through these recourses:

"The American Presidents"-----Whitney
"A Patriot's History of the U.S."-----Schweikart and Allen
"The Oxford Companion to U.S. History"-----Boyer
"The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History"-----Woods
"Character"-----Wallace
"A Republic Not An Empire"-----Buchanan
and other misc. books

There is no way to fully list all of the positives and negatives of each Presidency. I have compiled a list of just a few of the important issues, then rated each according to the overall effect on the nation and the world. I admit bias cannot be removed totally. There will be some who will completely disagree with my system. You will find that I have lowered some who have been praised as great leaders and raised others that have been overlooked.

It can be hard to compare a Washington to a Bush, because these men lived at different times. The state of affairs and who they followed will have a major impact. I added W. Bush with reservation. His rating, along with the others are subject to change over time. In some cases I have added the same issue or attribute in both the pro and con column. Enjoy, take your time and feel free to comment:

After I copied and pasted I realized I could not fit the pros and cons on Amazon, so I deleted them. If any of you wish to have them you can write to me.


Rating President Held office Party
1 George Washington 1st 1789-97 Federalist

2 Thomas Jefferson 3rd 1801-09 Democrat-Republican(new)

3 Abraham Lincoln 16th 1861-65 Republican (first)

4 Calvin Coolidge 13th 1923-29 Republican

5 James Monroe 5th 1818-25 Democrat-Republican

6 Ronald Reagan 40th 1981-89 Republican

7 Grover Cleveland 22nd 1885-89 Democrat
24th 1893-97

8 James Madison 4th 1809-17 Democrat-Republican

9 John Adams 2nd 1797-1801 Federalist

10 Warren Harding 29th 1921-23 Republican

11 William McKinley 25th 1897-1901 Republican

12 Rutherford Hays 19th 1877-81 Republican

13 George W. Bush 43rd 2001- Republican

14 Dwight Eisenhower 34th 1953-61 Republican

15 Andrew Jackson 7th 1829-37 Democrat (first)

16 George H.W. Bush 41st 1989-93 Republican

17 Chester Arthur 21st 1881-85 Republican

18 Andrew Johnson 17th 1865-69 Unionist (only)

19 Franklin Pierce 14th 1853-57 Democrat

20 Gerald Ford 38th 1974-77 Republican

21 Richard Nixon 37th 1969-74 Republican

22 James Polk 11th 1845-49 Democrat

23 Martin Van Buren 8th 1837-41 Democrat (father of)

24 Harry Truman 33rd 1945-53 Democrat

25 John Kennedy 35th 1961-63 Democrat

26 Theodore Roosevelt 26th 1901-09 Republican

27 James Garfield 20th 1881 Republican

28 John Tyler 10th 1841-45 Whig

29 Benjamin Harrison 23rd 1889-93 Republican

30 John Quincy Adams 6th 1825-29 Coalition (mix)

31 James Buchanan 15th 1857-61 Democrat

32 Franklin Roosevelt 32nd 1933-45 Democrat

33 Herbert Hoover 31st 1929-33 Republican

34 Jimmy Carter 39th 1977-81 Democrat

35 Woodrow Wilson 28th 1913-21 Democrat

36 Lyndon Johnson 36th 1963-69 Democrat

37 Zachary Taylor 12th 1849-50 Whig

38 William Clinton 42nd 1993-2001 Democrat

39 William Harrison 9th 1841 whig (first)

40 Ulysses Grant 18th 1869-77 Republican

41 William Taft 27th 1909-13 Republican

42 Millard Fillmore 13th 1850-53 Whig (last)

This is an excellent book. It is great for people beginning to learn about American politics. It's a great source for quick handy reminders. It's a great gift. ( I bought seven copies for that reason). This would be a great book for teachers to have their high school students study.
While it is not possible to have one book completely cover all the Presidents, this single volumn outlines many important events.
There is an index in the back for quick searches.
Political views?
I have heard people claim this book is written with a Republican slant, and other claim it's written with a Democratic slant!
Using the above paragraph, one would have to think it was pretty fairly written.
I have went back to this book more often, during the election season, to brief my memory.

As a single volumn book; I repeat, this is an excellent book.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS, AND QUITE ACCURATE. I HAVE READ BIOGRAPHIES OF MOST PRESIDENTS, VISITED MOST PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES, AND THOUGHT DAVID WHITNEY DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS SERIES.

In his year-end column for World War II Magazine, book review editor Robert Citino selected American Warriors as one of the best World War II books of the year. I agree. History books should be informative, accurate and readable; American Warriors is all of these and more. The author brings to light the military careers of five of our recent presidents, highlighting their naval service in the Pacific. Extensively end-noted, American Warriors draws on interviews with more than 100 veterans who served with the presidents as well as on a comprehensive bibliography of primary sources. Folklore has no place in this well-researched book. Presidential scholars will find it a dependable resource; more casual readers will find it swift paced and enjoyable. I highly recommend American Warriors.

As we currently ponder our country's military involvements and the credentials of those who would be President, a.k.a. Commander in Chief, this is a timely book to digest.

American Warriors is a highly readable, yet detailed account of the naval service of five United States presidents. Before picking up this informative book, I knew that presidents Kennedy and Bush Sr. served in World War II. I certainly did not know that five presidents were naval officers in the Pacific.

I am particularly impressed with the author's interviews of well over 100 veterans who served with the presidents. American Warriors is a reflection of his diligent pursuit of the details that are often passed over by political biographers. Time and again he sorts out conflicting testimony with rational explanations of events seen through multiple eyes.

Many Americans are aware that President Kennedy was the skipper of PT 109, which was sunk by a Japanese destroyer. I would venture a guess that very few are aware that Kennedy skippered a second PT boat, or equally surprising, that Presidents Nixon and Ford each served in the Pacific longer than either Kennedy or Bush.

American Warriors sets the standard for reporting these five presidents' military service. Presidential biographers would do well to take note of this insightful book. Military history fans will be delighted.

American Warriors is a detailed, annotated account of five American Presidents who also happened to serve their country as soldiers in the Pacific theater during WWII. The author has thoroughly researched the naval careers of each of these men, and has skillfully annotated their records by interviewing the many veterans who served with them.

The thoroughness of the research in American Warriors does not affect its readability. The accounts range from Lyndon Johnson's reconnaissance mission for General MacArthur, to the rescue of George H. W. Bush after his near fatal glide-bombing attack in his VT-51 Avenger. The details describing John F. Kennedy's heroism and dedication to his crew after the ramming of his PT-109 provide an equally important "rest of the story." The particulars of Richard Nixon as a young ground aviation officer stationed in the Solomon Islands present an interesting contrast to the Machiavellian characteristics that he later exhibited. And the natural leadership qualities of Gerald Ford are clearly displayed during his duty under fire as officer-of-the-deck on the carrier Monterey. In summary, the exploits documented in American Warriors serve as fascinating prologues, that should enhance the reader's knowledge of the more well-known political personas later developed by these Commanders-in-Chief.

American Warriors is highly recommended for those interested in modern presidential history.

American Warriors chronicals the time spent by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Bush in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Most of us knew these five men from their times as President and their poltical careers prior to becoming President. Some of us knew about President Kennedy and the PT-109 story and the dangers he faced while serving his country in WWII; but few of us knew that the other Presidents served in the war and faced life-threatening situations that shaped their future views of the world prior to entering the political area.
All of these Presidents had to make decisions during their Presidency to send others to war. The book shows that these men knew war first-hand and were undoubtedly influenced in their future political careers by their dangerous wartime experiences. American Warriors provides information on these five Presidents that is not typically addressed in other biographies using interviews with veterans who were there to corroborate events during these Presidents' service in the Pacific Theater of WWII.

Drs. Bush & Nettles provide an eye-opening historical presentation of the alterations in the Baptist view of the inerrancy of Scripture over roughly 4 centuries. It is an immaculate, surgical dissection of the progressive decline of the most fundamental of positions Baptists can hold: the veracity and accuracy of the one document establishing their faith, and the faith of all true Christians: the Bible.

While examining other issues within the framework of Baptist theology, all issues of difference among Baptists devolve to the fundamental principles of whether the Bible addresses those issues directly or indirectly; and can we trust what it says. If it is truly the word of God and has been passed through history without error, as Baptists have historically believed, then all matters of life and practice must ultimately be ruled by the Biblical view.

Theirs is a powerful call back to the key, first issue - the first presuppositional commitment - Baptists and all true Christians must finally decide; that is, what and who their authority will be. This is also a glimpse into the seminal thought processes of Dr. Thomas J. Nettles as he, with others in the Southern Baptist and Reformed Baptist community, developed a strategy to return modern-day Southern Baptists to their historical theological roots in the doctrines of grace, or Calvinism. That strategy has been to pray, to open the Bible to many, to tell the truth about the historic faith regardless of personal cost, and to teach all who would listen, all who have ears to hear.

(That in itself is an incredible story of a significant level of success, from all outward appearances at least, in returning a denomination to doctrinal soundness. Though none would claim that it has been completely successful in returning the entirety of the denomination to doctrinal purity, the gradually growing return to the faith of their Baptist and Reformed fathers has been a fascinating display of the power of God in working through his people. Many - myself included - chose to leave the Southern Baptist Convention, convinced history has demonstrated clearly that denominations on a downgrade never recover; and yet there are signs that the Southern Baptist return to historic Christianity - historic Baptist beliefs - is taking place.)

Every Baptist should make this part of their library; every pastor should read this with understanding and decide which side they are on. Every church should use this book to check their own position and recall a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation: 'Sola Scriptura' (Scripture alone).

The most interesting and enlighening subject in this book was in the very first part (chapture two, to be exact) when the two separate groups of Baptists are discussed. All my life (life-long baptist) I was told that every person had free-will to chose for himself whether or not to believe in Christ as his savior. I did not know that there was a group of Calvinist Baptistwho held to predestination. It seems that many in the Baptist Church are espousing that doctrine again. The authors have done every Baptist a great service writing this book. It should be read and re-read by every Baptist if not every Protestant. Very disturbing but very informative book.

Again Drs. Nettles and Bush write in an authoritarian manner by going to primary sources for their information. Liberals may not like this book due to the fact that the majority of Baptists have always held a high view of the inspiration of Scripture. Some would naturally discredit this book but Nettles and Bush anticipate that by going to the primary sources (some dating even to the 1600's), as opposed to the secondary sources so often used by people today. For those interested in the documentary hypothesis and its detrimental effect on scripture, chapter eight will be of imdespensable value. Nettles and Bush evaluate the impact of German philosphy on the Higher Critical movement. This book should be on the shelf of all historians of Church and Scripure.

If you missed the original edition of this book in the 1980's then you have a great reading experience ahead of you. Dr. Bush and Dr. Nettles explain in this book why Baptists have changed their view of the Bible over the years.

If you don't understand why there are so many opinions and disagreements among Southern Baptists today then read this book and your eyes will be opened and your mind will be stretched as you follow the history of Baptists and their view of the Bible from the 1600's to the present day.

Lendvai is an expert on Bartok and he has insights that make compositional sense too, so not just any old reviewer.

I have been a lifelong student of composition, and this book opened up a whole new realm of musical thought for me. There are brilliant observations regarding chromatic tonality, atonality, and structure that (although they are presented largely in the context of an analysis of Bartok's music) shed light on the development and future of modern music in general.

The book serves also as a fitting tribute to Bartok, a genius who all too often is written off as merely the modern adaptor of Hungarian folk-song. In this book the author demonstrates how the folk-song interest, and other fundamental Bartok building blocks, have a deep basis in the fundaments of life and the world.

If you've known Bartok's music speaks to you in ways you can't explain or understand, or if you just want to wrap your head around one of the most important contributions to the development of music in the modern era, then this book is for you.

I hope this review is more helpful than the one below, which seems to be more of a jumble of random thoughts, most of which appear to be associated with some other, more biographical work.

This is the most concise musical analysis I have ever read. The examples are clear and without ambiguity. The logical progression of discussing the simple building blocks of Bartok's style leading on to the complex aspects of his writing is perfect. However, the pinnacle achievement of this book is the section that explains the natural progression of harmonic structures from Bach through Bartok that dispells any rumors or theories that 20th century music is merely a mathematical aberration or a gratuitous construct. If you want to discover why modern Jazz owes much of it's theory to Bartok, read this book.

The peaceable existences do not use to be genius ` man patrimony . We have come to life for getting our bliss and the most of times you must to fight for reaching it .

Few times a tragic destiny as Bartok was , a man will have treated with such implacable symmetry . In last instance , Bartok argues talking about The bluebeard castle , we enter to world with tears and with tears we come out from it . The teardrops point our existence ...

Grillparzer ` s epitaph on Schubert `s tombstone could not be more appropriate to resume Bartok `s life : "The art of music here entombed a rich possession , but even fairer hopes".

For curious circumstances I have been involved with Bartok `s music and this fact has enriched my life gaze .

This book is a passionate, intense and vivid B.B. ` s portrait . The author penetrates with frantic commitment to the interfolds of the soul of this unique musician .

More than a simple advise , it `s impossible for you to abandon your life without reading this biography .

I had the enormous privilege of talking briefly with György Sandor - the maxim exponent of his piano music - in that unforgettable December 9 1982 night in Caracas after his performance and he told me among other issues the huge human quality , his shaman wisdom , the domain of fourteen idioms and the profound influence through his entire life .

And these words of Bartok will talk by themselves : "An ideal folklorist of popular songs should be poly historian , polyglot and linguist , phonetic specialist to watch and observe the minor hues of the several dialects and jargon . Something like a phonograph , in his exact description about the interferences between the music and the popular dances"

It can sound speculation but I have always thought the profound esteem felt by the Russian people to Dimitri Shostakovich must be parallel to the Hungarian people to Bela Bartok

Written by Jeffery L Schatzer with the assistance of Mark Bush and Don Rutt, The Bird In Santa's Beard: How A Christmas Legend Was Forever Changed is superbly and imaginatively illustrated by Ty Smith combinations of art and photography. This is the story of how a bird was given Santa's permission to nest in his beard in order to keep warm in the winter. Santa is having trouble making his rounds across the world. But with the help of the bird, he comes upon a solution that worked so well it is still the one used to this very day! Lively, colorful, original, and fun, The Bird In Santa's Beard is a wonderful contribution to the every growing library of Santa Claus lore and legend!

this is a terrific story for mom's and dad's who need to explain why there
are so many "Santas" around at Christmas. My Grandkids love this book.
I read it before I gave it to them and am pleased with the story, the
illustrations, and the theme. Also, it's a nice hard cover book that will
become a treasured keepsake for your child.

I highly recommend this book to all the children who believe in the
wonder of Santa.

Written by Jeffery L Schatzer with the assistance of Mark Bush and Don Rutt, The Bird In Santa's Beard: How A Christmas Legend Was Forever Changed is superbly and imaginatively illustrated by Ty Smith combinations of art and photography. This is the story of how a bird was given Santa's permission to nest in his beard in order to keep warm in the winter. Santa is having trouble making his rounds across the world. But with the help of the bird, he comes upon a solution that worked so well it is still the one used to this very day! Lively, colorful, original, and fun, The Bird In Santa's Beard is a wonderful contribution to the every growing library of Santa Claus lore and legend!

Winter can be a cold, lonely and dangerous time for a bird that didn't fly south. But in The Bird in Santa's Beard, help comes from Santa Claus himself. Santa invites the cold and hungry bird to nest in the warm safety of his beard. During the long winter Santa and the bird develop a deep friendship. They solve problems and share the secret of Santa's helpers. And when Christmas morning arrives, Santa receives a grand gift just for him.

The Bird in Santa's Beard is the story of an unlikely friendship between Santa and a bird and how a simple kindness makes a difference.

I so enjoyed learning how Santa came to have all of his helpers. Children will enjoy this book with a subtle and important message. The photographs are wonderful and a nice change of pace from other illustrated books. The cover is exactly the way I have always pictured jolly old Santa.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a splendid addition to a child's Christmas library.