Foote Books

I was initially intimiated about the prospect of launching into just one volume of Foote's narrative and so I made the mistake of buying only the first book -- I should have bought all three volumes at the start! It takes about 50 - 100 pages to get into Foote's style of writing, and at times he turns a quirky phrase from the '60's (1860's), but this is enjoyable reading, bar none. If there was ever a way to learn the history of the American Civil War, this would be the way to do it.

I've spent nearly a year making my way through the three volumes, sometimes on airplanes, some of it as 5 - 6 pages before going to sleep. My biggest regret is there is no Vol. 4. I will miss Mr. Foote. The richness of detail and the descriptive character achieved by Foote makes you feel as though he lived in the period and knew many of the characters personally. You will come away with vivid and lasting impressions of Lincoln, Grant, Davis, Lee, Johnson, Jackson, McClelland, Custer, Semmes, Porter, Sherman, Sheridan, and countless others who defined these years. The series is not a dry recitation of facts and figures, but a storytelling of the war with enough statistics to provide a sense of scale.

Imagine the year is 1899 and you are a young man or lady of 12 or 13, sitting with your aging uncle who had lived and fought through the major battles of a war on the verge of being forgotten. He shares with you his remembrances and vast knowledge of what happened on the major battlefields and political stage (and behind it) during the war. He is a master story teller. You are enthralled and look forward to each evening's session. That's what Foote offers to the reader.

The books have some flaws -- a lack of maps, no program of players, ambiguous chapterization, shifting time lines and locations. While there are large scale maps inside the covers to convey the flow of the entire war, there are not enough maps for the individual battles. You must dog ear those map pages for reference. I'm not a history buff, so I constantly had to keep asking myself "who was that general?" as Foote leaves one theater of the war and then returns to it several chapters later. A suggestion -- get an index card and each time you meet a major player, write the name, side, title and use the card as a book mark. The problem with shifting time lines and locations is unavoidable in such a vast work. Foote generally does a good job to tying overlapping periods to each other, but you need to keep alert on our own.

There are few books I would ever consider reading again, but these will stay on my bookshelf for just that possibility.

There are two types of reviewers for this trilogy. Those who rate it five stars and those who have no soul.

I am about half way through and find these volumes excellent. They not only address the battles fought, but also address the political climate how people from the North and the South felt about the war, their leaders etc. It is interesting to be made aware of the annimosity that existed toward the "press." It is also interesting to hear how the press on either side was willing to print information that may prove detrimental to military activity and probably help to contribute to the many deaths experienced on both sides. And I mean the southern press printing about the movements of southern forces and the northern press printing about troop movements of the northern armies. Also, it comes across to me that Foote presents a relatively fair and unbaised narrative of both the North and the South. Excellent reading especailly for you history buffs. However, be ready to have fun trying to keep track of all the different generals etc. It is a little like alphabet soup.

I found this a very through account of a momentous part of American history full of detail and knowlegeable details.For any student or some like me curious about the history of the American Civil War I recommend these books.

I wanted an objective account of the civil war and an objective description of the battles, but Foote's three volume books is anything but objective. He is an engaging writer and, as another reviewer points out, brings the characters back to life, but Foote makes confederate thugs like Stonewall Jackson look like lovable, eccentric and courageous heroes. He portrays the confederate soldiers as poor, under-equipped soldiers full of valour, but then paints the union soldiers as over-equipped soldiers, lacking in courage and drive, who are there only for the experience and who pillage civilian homes when they go into southern towns (see the battle at Federicksburg for an example).

I note another reviewer commenting that Foote's view is not apparent in the books, but to me it is very clear he is rooting for the confederates. For example, on page 19 of the second volume, he writes "Texas was decontaminated" and the only bluecoats were Magruder's prisoner (this was about Magruder winning the battle at Galveston for the confederates). Only those in support of the confederate would say that Texas was decontaminated when Magruder won. If the writer was objective, that phrase "Texas was decontaminated" would not have been inserted. It's not even necessary!!

There is also a little too much detail. I can do without how many men are in each division and how many men were killed, wounded or captured.

I do not intend to read all three volumes because of his pro-confederate tone. It was a struggle to finish the first volume without wanting to throw the book at something (I am not pro-union, just anti-confederate). I am reading the second volume only so I can read about Stonewall Jackson's death. I am not sure how Foote has portrayed his death, but I'm sure with his pro-confederate feeling, it will be a glorious death!!! To me, Stonewall is a hypocritical thug and murderer and I will delight in reading about his death, however, glorious it might be to Foote.

Shelby Foote's Stars in Their Courses provides the perfect balance to Bruce Catton's Gettysburg: The Final Fury. While Catton's history unfolds largly from the Union perspective, Foote walks the reader through the same battle from the Confederate perspective. I appreciate Foote's professional attitude. He is careful not to assign undue blame or indulge in excessive "what ifs". Instead he describes the strategic and tactical logic behind the battle, what led to its eventual outcome, and how crucial decisions were made during the fighting. This is a well written book, though, as someone has said, it would have been nice to have better and more frequent maps. Foote is the quintessential southern civil war historian, and you will not be disappointed with this relatively quick read.

Actually sought this out to give as a gift to a very big fan of Shelby. This work is tremendous and for the fan or the enthusiast a brilliant read.

Bought this after I went on a self guided tour of Gettysburg one gray winter day, and wanted to learn more than I did or could remember from Elementary/High School.

Wonderfully written. I just wish there were more of the maps in the book to refer to as he talks about the movements.

Highly recommended

I could write a long review about how good this book is but that would be a diservice to the author. We lost a great historian when Shelby Foote passed. He was a historian who prefered to be remembered as a novelist. As a proud Vermont Yankee, professional historian, and living historian of that period, I tend to get cranky about revisionist views or the whole Sourthern "lost cause" foolishness. However, Mr. Foote, a proud southerner, wrote about the most important event in our nation's history without the prejudice or regionalism, so many bring to the topic. He could write excellent history and tell the story with the readability of a novelist.



We are poorer for his passing but the body of work he left behind on the Civil War will remain some of the must have items in any serious collection of books about that second birth of our nation.



We'll miss you Shelby but thank you for what you left behind.

Foote isn't just a historian who writes, he's (IMHO) first and foremost a writer who really knows his history. What that means is that in his books, you get great narratives that draw you in, but the story stays true to the facts and isn't over-dramatized.

This book strikes the perfect balance between giving enough detail that you can follow the key events clearly, but then not getting so bogged down in details that you get bored or lost in them. He is great about sprinkling in stories that bring in the 'human element' and make the story come alive. I especially liked how he handled the contention between Longstreet and Lee over tactics at Gettysburg.

I'd recommend this book to anyone, but especially to someone who knows a bit about the Civil War but wants to flesh out their understanding of this key battle.

One last thing... the book has no index so going back to find information later is difficult. Why no index?

Sad to hear that Foote has passed on and that there will be no more wonderful books from him like this one.

There's a reason why you see Shelby Foote in every Civil War documentary. He's the best and these three books are evidence to back up that assertion. Besides, once you hear his Southern drawl, you won't be able to imagine a better voice for the conflict.

Shelby Foote is THE master of the genre and while it is detailed verbally, I would have appreciated more maps and
illustrations of where the actions occurred in better detail. Still the set rates 5 stars!.

Shelby Foote has managed to do what most fail to do with a History Book. He brings the Civil War to life and gives the characters presence and energy. Superbly written and wonderful to read.

For me as an Englishman living in the Southern States, I am now beginning to have an understanding of the real politics and social background to the Civil War.

And What it felt like to be a Confederate!

I bought these books for my husband and he cannot put them down. He absolutely loves them.

This book is a wake up call to the Creative! It completely opened my eyes to the many things to think about and plan for when leaving your secure job, and going out on your own. Extremely well written, with a plethora of knowledge on the subject. A complete eye opener. A MUST HAVE for the Creative who is planning on going freelance, or starting their own business. Very informative and necessary to read in order to succeed on your own. Very exciting, I could barely put it down!

According to the author's website at http://www.creativebusiness.com/books.lasso The Business Side of Creativity addresses freelancing and the basics of pricing, selling, and running a SMALL design or marketing communications business. The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business focuses on the management of a MULTIPERSON organization. The website gives a summary on the various chapters of each book.

I started out excited about this book, then quickly realized much of what the author had to say was outdated at best, not the best advice on numerous occasions, but yet the book contained some valuable information. A bit stoneage as far as business marketing practices. One hundred pages on setting up your own studio/small business with personnel (No, thank you). If working as a freelancer in the graphics or copy arenas is your thing, its worth paying $20.00 to get something out of it.

This is such a comprehensive book. If you have any question about how to run a business, let alone a creative one, this book is the only one you'll need.

I'm starting a sole-proprietor (one-person) freelance design business and I have found this book to be extremely helpful. It manages to be realistic about what to expect while also providing encouragement that if you prepare well and work smart, you have the opportunity to reach your financial goals. The book has made me consider contracts carefully and has given me valuable suggestions (for example, setting up standards such as "I can't accept jobs for which I can bill less than 8 hours' work"), thinking about what kinds of clients I want to attract in my business, and so on. It has important points to consider if you are locating your business outside a large metropolitan area. I recommend it for anyone who is starting out - or considering starting out - on a solo creative business.

The sub-title of this book is 'On Horseback Out of Patagonia, A Life Journey.' The book chronicles the deeply personal and very unique life journey of Elly & Nathan Foote with four horses and a dog from the end of South America to Texas in the early nineteen seventies. Descriptions of people and places abound, but this is more than a travelogue; it is a story of overcoming obstacles and having the courage to open oneself to a world of new experiences, both very good and unthinkably bad. Take the opportunity to live this journey vicariously with Elly & Nathan, and share the thoughts and emotions that they had along the way. In the end, you may be glad that you played it safe and never undertook such a life changing journey of your own, or it may just make you wish that you had. Either way, your mind will be broadened by sharing their experiences, and you will be glad that you took the trip, if only by reading this book.

I found this book by chance one day when casually meandering through reviews and links at Amazon. How strange to discover such a profoundly moving book in such a manner! It is easily one of the best books I've read in the past 10 years, yet I almost missed it entirely. My copy is now littered with "footprints" as I marked passage after passage of wisdom that the Foote's acquired and shared, such as this: "Years of travelling, always wary, taught us that all you control is your own reaction. And that is how you can control a situation." But the book shares much more than wisdom acquired on the trail. It also shares the pain and joy and intensity of an incredible journey.

At first glance, RITW might be considered a book about the incredible endurance of horses in extreme environments. Perhaps the casual reader will believe this book to be about 2 people out to "find" themselves. Recent dovotees of "Ecoquests" and endurance sports would no doubt find some connection to this tale. In my opinion the authors reach much deeper and explore fundamental life questions as much as provide rich description of some of the most challenging terrain on the planet. This book is no rehash of a diary. Nor is it a "travelouge" describing the really cool things to do during the day and the jacuzzi stops at night. Observe: Nathan and Elly's journey took place over 30 years ago - RITW was published in 2003! Life has continued for Nathan and Elly. This book was written certainly to entertain and astound but with wisdom that comes from much reflection and organization of thoughts. All of this, but I am fairly certain that any reader will cheer, imagine the bugs, smell the vegetation, cry at losses, "squoosh" in the mud, learn from the anguish and subsequent (though not necessarily inevitable) perserverence to recovery, dabble into the politics of the time, and complete the book fully satiated. Oh, and yes, this book most exquisitely and beautifully describes horses, horsemanship and the bond human beings can share with these marvelous creatures as well as our canine friends. Elly and Nathan didn't set out to set records or change the world (perhaps in retrospect!); but they did write a book of lessons all the more relevant in today's "snippet", get-it-done-fast society.

One moral - live in the moment (I think Yoda said something like that to Luke...)

The short version: great read with stuff that you'll think about a long time following!

As the author of the movies "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,"
and "Hidalgo," I have a passion for stories about unbroken
spirit and the courage to follow one's dreams into uncharted terrain (not to mention stories about remarkable horses).

"Riding into the Wind," is such a book and more. Elly and Nathan Foote write with the same vision and conviction that they live their lives by, and they have that rare gift of transporting the reader onto the unbeaten path with them. It will inspire you to reexamine your life and reconnect with your dreams no matter how impossible the conformist world tells you they are.

This is by far the best equestrian travel book I've read and a
ride you'll remember forever.

Nathan and Elly Foote are true adventerers who conquered distance, foul luck, hard times and thousands of miles, proving that with real mettle, you can follow your dreams. The book is a must-read for horsepersons, and a treat for horse trekkers the world over. The fact that they did it with America's First Horse--Criollos and Spanish Mustangs--just makes it that much better. If you saw Hidalgo and want to know more about the Gilbert Jones Mustangs mentioned at the end of the movie, here's a great place to read about their toughness in actual distance work in modern times. Hats off to Nathan and Elly!

Don't be misled by "sour grapes" contributors here. They have their own agendas, and it isn't the buyer's edification, you can be sure.

The sticker concept is a great idea. Although the stickers aren't brightly colored and glossy my two year old still jumps up and down with glee when I give him one.
Hey, kids love the simplest things and this is a great aid for a child going through the potty training process. Definitly recommended.

I bought this book for my boyfriend who had an "incident" recently. It was perhaps one of the funniest things I have ever seen, watching him open up the box. Oh man I would not trade it for anything!

This book was a big hit for my 2 year old. Stickers make it so much fun. He looked forward to going. We were going in all day trying to get the next sticker. We completed potty training in less than 4 days and I truly can thank the author of this book! You will not be disapointed. I even use it for my two year old neice and nephew when they are over, they look forward to using my potty! ;-)

This is wonderful! At first I thought, the stickers were kind of dull,but my son loves them. We are on our way to diaper free days & nights! (with the help of a few other books) This just helps out alot!!!!!!! It hangs in the bathroom for everyone to see!My son shows it to everyone!

I agree with others - the stickers could be of better quality but nevertheless they are cute. I believe using this book was key in our potty-training success story. My 4 year old had NO interest in training. We got this book and hung it on the wall by the potty so every time he successfully used the potty or even tried, he would pick out his own sticker and put it on the circle of his choice. It was part of the routine - go to the potty, put a sticker in the book and what child doesn't love stickers. Before the book was filled with stickers, we have dry days AND nights, no more training pants and no accidents in months. SUCCESS! And now I'm buying a SECOND book for my 2 year old son who is now showing signs of interest in training too! Here we go again!

What a charming, great read, especially for boys. Good descriptive setting, in the woods, every boys dream to have a fort in the woods. Enjoyable humor with the revenge on the bullies in the book. Simple yet charming text.

I read this book to my 8-year-old son and my 6-year-old daughter. both of them stared in rapture from the time i opened the book to when i said the last word. I personally also was awed at the fluency and the description with which Stephanie Greene wrote this book. I could see how my children could relate to the problems that Owen and his best friend faced. We have read the previous books, and all of us hope that another one is going to come out soon. When I finished reading my daughter frowned and said, "Awww I wish it weren't over already!" Thank you Ms. Greene, and Ms. Weston- for creating such a terrific chapter book for children of all ages.

This book is Great!! Because it`s about two kids that have a tree house in the forest. They take a nature book, a compass, a canteen, pepper flakes, and a hat.But two other kids are in their tree house and wreck it. So the two kids set traps to scare the other boys. I like it because I like Owen Foote books.

This book, Owen Foote, Frontiersman, was an enjoyable book because of the different events that Owen faced. These events allowed me to connect with some of the things that he encountered. Most young readers would be able to connect to having a friend like Joseph and the what Owen and Joseph encounters as frontiersman. The organization of the book was easy to follow and the sentences were easy to read and understand. There are a few pictures in black and white throughout the book, but these are not necessary but are handy for readers to connect with the event taking place. Young readers, boy or girls, that were interested in the outdoors would take a great liking to this book.

This book was FANTASTIC! I have three children aged 4-10. They all read it and loved it, including me. My nine year old son liked it the most. Stephanie Greene is and exeptional author and she writes so fluidly and perfectly for kids. I encourage her to write even more books because we have enjoyed this one and the others so much. Thanks!

My wife's dear, saintly Mother Gladys Wolf, first inscribed her signature in our well-worn hard-back copy, barely held together from early 1950's. Everyday sometimes, I look into this older copy because both daughters also have copies from 20+ printings!

Ruth Graham has introduced the later editions for new printings!

If we could find devotional books with writings by Jeanne Guyon, St Augustine, Charles Wesley & George MacDonald & Anna Laetitia Waring, Hannah Whitehall Smith, Longfellow, Whittier and unknown writers for today's readers, we may have more deeply commited christians who find daily strength! From one who is an indebted admirer of this collection by Mary Tileston! Retired Chaplain, Fred W Hood, "Barbara377" (Fayetteville GA United States)

Thank you for the fast shipping of The Daily Strength books,they will make great gifts- Thanks, Robert

This is a book that has come in and out of my life over and over again because of its ability to quiet my anxious mind and strengthen my weak faith. It is a selection of thoughts from 17th and 18th century spiritual writers from the pietist and quietist traditions. One would never know that, however, since each page still burns with relevancy for any troubled soul. Devotionals come and go but this one has stood the test of time. For 8$, this cannot be beat. You may wonder how you ever got along without it!

Early AAs used several different "devotionals" for their morning meditations. Generally, the materials followed the same path as this fine devotional. That is, they cited a Bible verse, then come commentary, and often a prayer and other verses for study. Those who want to get the same results from "meditation" on the Bible that early AAs received would do well to obtain and use a copy of this book. It was studied and circulated by Dr. Bob among AAs and their families. It was in common usage along with The Upper Room, My Utmost for His Highest, Victorious Living, and The Runner's Bible. A well-stocked 12 Step meditation library should include Daily Strength and the others. It will enrich familiarity with the Bible and enhance the day ahead. I discuss all these in my title Dr. Bob and His Library (www.dickb.com/drbob.shtml).

The difference between this book and the devotionals written today is like the difference between a prime rib steak and a bologny sandwhich. A lousy analogy, but point made. "Daily Strength for Daily Needs" is full of reflections that must be read over and over in order to fully grasp the sentiment. Part of this is due to the excellent writing and terminology used from years ago, however it is not a difficult or frustrating book to read. There is a rich and reflective depth brought forth in a verse,a piece of poetry and then a reflection by a Christian from the 16th century to 18th century.This is the main devotional I have used for about 8 years now and it is full of underlined thoughts that have been compelling.Each year when I cycle back through it, I am always challenged afresh.I hope mine will last for 40 more years--it is rich beyond comparison.

This is an astonishing book, one that defies easy categorization or even any categorization at all. It is by turns
thought-provoking, horrifying, and inspiring, and the buyer will never regret the money spent on it. This book will stay with the reader for a long time to come.

I haven't read the book yet, but the cover image is amazing!

I read this book a couple of years and found it amazing!
It's heartbreaking, bloodchilling, and inspiring, all in one
book. These are stories that often remain untold and hidden in our culture, yet they are a distinct and vital part of
our national experience. I read the first edition, by the way,
and I now plan to buy the second, updated edition, which I
anticipate will deal with the World Trade Center attacks, the
Pentagon attack, and the Shencksville, PA, air crash. If you
buy one book this year, buy this one!

Excellent overview of why we choose to designate tragic events in some cases, and hush-up others shamefully. Poignant, original...no other book so comprehensively covers the geography of painful memorials. An interesting sequel could be written regarding domestic terrorism, not just in America, but regarding other countries' place-memorials of such events.

If you arrange your library by category you may have trouble with this book. History? True Crime? Cultural Geography? Anthropology? Sociology? American Studies?

The book covers the sites of disaster, assassination, murder and accident all across America, including nearly every site and shrine in Texas. We review it not just for it's interesting content, but its coverage of a most unusual type of geography. It's a thought-provoking book at how, why and in what manner we deal with the sites of violence (and tragedy).

The individual stories of the incidents are told completely, but without distracting from the book's theme.

It's a unique book and should remain so for some time. Foote's thoroughness guarantees that.

I just received this book a couple of days ago and it has been the best book I bought rescently. I have only read the first three chapters and I don't seem to be able to drive my eyes off of it. It is clear, organized, straight to the point and well illustrated (good examples). Buy it, together with with "How to be a graphic artist without loosing your soul" by Adrian Shaughnessy and, if you apply the knowledge that these two acquired and dare to share with us, there's no way you should fail in your intent to build your own business in the creative field.

If you are a newby in design bussines or still studying, do yourself a favor, read this book before attemting anything else and you will be better directed in even the task of deciding if you really are going to be a graphic designer for the apropriate reasons or if you should really do something else. If you have been into this for some time already, you will still learn many things that you are still doing wrong and so on...

Listen, go and buy it... Period!

Cameron Foote's books and monthly newsletters are truly must-have resources for graphic designers, from the lone freelance to a busy studio. I teach design, and this book is one of about three that I have recommended to every class.

A fantastic book full of valuable insights. Most of these "how to run your business" books are drab and full of what amounts to blah blah blah. I have found this book to be revolutionary in the way that I organize my business strategies, developing a more proactive mind set, and restructuring the entire operation of running a creative studio. Amongst the hundreds of design books on my shelf, this is the one that is currently helping me the most. The tone is not pretentious, nor laymen. Designers are demanding individuals, and as a professional designer, this is necessary reading.

Very helpful, concise and confidence building resource for information on how to run a small design firm.

Cam Foote's book is a complete resource for new freelancers and a great "reality check" for experienced creatives. I have read his material for many years and always found it practical, clear, realistic, and helpful. Although his focus may seem to be almost entirely on graphic designers, as a copywriter I found most of his information applicable to my own business.