Frank Books

This volume is the first on a new series on Adolescence and Education, edited by two renown professors, Frank Pajares of Emory University and Tim Urdan of Santa Clara University. This first book covers general issues and begins with a first-rate chapter from Barbara Finkelstein that provides an overview of the history of adolesncence from an American perspective. The Woolfolk, Midgley, and Kaufman chapters are superb. The book should be of interest to anyone interested in how modern scholars are conceptualizing adolescence in American society today.

This is the first volume of a a new book series on adolescence and education. Clearly, the series has excellent promise. This volume includes chapters by some of the nation's top scholars. The first chapter by Barbara Finkelstein on the history of adolescence/education is first-rate. Should be of great interest to all readers, particularly undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, education, and social science.

It is rare that a book is both informative and entertaining, but this book fully fits that description. Frank grew up in post WWI europe and tells stories that also instruct. Frank is a master at coloring and finishing wood, whose life spanned 94 years. His advice is timeless, and the book, published in 1981, covers most finishing materials available today, as well as, finishing materials and methods that seem bygone now. Any woodworker will find this an incredible story.

This has been the most enjoyable woodworking book I have ever read. Mr. Frank's story makes fascinating reading, his knowledge of wood finishing is still amazing after eighteen years of "progress" since the publication of this book.

I don't know why Taunton has allowed it to fall out of print, but they need to bring it back.

The story within a story format and the author's biography suggest that Mr. Hahn created these whimsical characters for his grandchildren's amusement.

While on an outing to the dinosaur exhibit at the museum with two grandchildren, a human grandfather describes the "evolution" of the "frogasaurus" - a creature that descended from unknown dinosaurs on his father's side of the family and a long line of frogs on his mother's side. Frank is described as being an especially intelligent member of this species. Since this is the first book in a new series, most of the story is devoted to introducing Frank's rather large and extended family, and describing their hometown of Saurusville, which looks much like Bedrock from the old Flintstones cartoons. The simple storyline, brightly colored illustrations, and lovable characters make this an Ideal book for very young children, ages 3 - 8 years old.

Barbara Cummings Associate Coordinator Children's Literature and the Sewing Arts

Reviewers Consortium Wilsonville, Oregon

Its amazing, my kids just simply love the book. From its wonderful colors to its great characters, they won't let me put it down at nights.

This was one of my favorite childhood books (early 1950's) and I still fondly remember the stories. It's a treat for any young child.

After the Sun Sets: The Wonder-Story Books (School Reader)

Charming vintage elementary reader with color illustrations and color cover. Very nice book. Great for collectors!

Frank Baumgartner and Bryan Jones have written an imaginative and important work on the rhythm of the policy process. Their thesis is straightforward: policy often moves in cycles of stasis (relative stability in the policy arena) over a period of time, followed by a fairly rapid burst of change. Using the language of the evolutionary argument by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould, they refer to their model as "punctuated equilibrium." Eldredge and Gould posted that evolutionary change was often characterized by long periods of stasis (or stability) in a species, followed by a dramatic burst of rapid change (in evolutionary terms).

Baumgartner and Jones do not leave it at that. Merely describing a pattern that they see in different arenas over time is only a first step. How to explain such change? The authors provide a reasonably convincing argument: One, institutions produce a considerable degree of stability; two, particular policy "images" shape debate and constrain change over periods of time. However, institutions cannot forever prevent change. And policy images can change. As new views come into the policy debate, this can lead to a breakdown of the old "order" and punctuational (rapid) change.

The book provide some examples of this, such as budgetary change (and see Baumgartner and Jones' edited volume, "Policy Dynamics," for an even broader range of examples of the theory in operation).

If one is interested in the dynamics of policy change, then "Agendas and Instability in American Politics" is a good book to look at. It is not the only approach to explaining policy change (e.g., see Paul Sabatier's work for another effort to explain stasis and change), but it is a rich perspective and has seen a number of applications.

Baumgartner and Jones argue that in the agenda setting stage of public policymaking, issue changes may occur through two distinctly different, yet not mutually exclusive processes.

First, the authors argue that issue changes may occur incrementally in which changes to policy arise smoothly and appear at the margins of policymaking. Such a process is closely related to Lindblom's "muddling through." Second, the authors move away from the incremental approach and argue that a second process may describe agenda setting. Issue changes may, at times, occur quite dramatically. The second process espoused by Baumgartner and Jones is related, in part, to Kingdon's Multiple Streams approach.

Baumgartner and Jones attempt to explain both the incremental and dramatic issue changes which occur in the policymaking process through a single paradigm, the Punctuated-Equilibrium Theory (PT). The Punctuated-Equilibrium Theory seeks to explain both the general stability and the occasional upheaval of the agenda setting stage of the policy process. According to the Punctuated-Equilibrium Theory, both stability and radical change which accompany the agenda setting process are the result of the interaction between subsystem politics (i.e. issue networks, iron triangles) and the macropolitical arena - for example, the United States Congress.

Most issues which may potentially appear on the agenda are handled quietly by experts through iron triangles or issue networks. In these areas, issue change is often subtle and incremental. However, issues may enter the macropolitical arena and then the issue may "catch fire, dominate the agenda, and result in changes in one or more subsystems." As such, it can be argued that the subsystems in politics are representative of the generally stable aspects of the agenda setting process, while the macropolitical arena represents the more dramatic changes in agenda setting.

The subsystems of politics illustrate the stable side of agenda setting because most subsystems are composed of policy monopolies. A policy monopoly occurs when the subsystem is dominated by a single interest supported by a powerful policy image. Baumgartner et al. write, "Because a successful policy monopoly systematically dampens pressure for change, we say that it contains a negative feedback process. Still, policy monopolies can change." They way in which these policy monopoly's change is by succumbing to outside pressures. If pressures increase to a sufficient point, previously detached political actors may become drawn in and force changes, or as Baumgartner and Jones may say, punctuate the equilibrium.

In order to illustrate their hypothesis that the agenda setting process is composed of both periods of stability and upheaval, Baumgartner and Jones examine the issue life of a number of pressing policy arenas: civilian nuclear energy, urban planning, smoking regulation, and others. Through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative analysis they studied these policy arenas for an extended period of time which allowed them to truly understand the characteristics and changes of the agenda setting process. It goes with out saying that the results of their work substantiate their hypothesis which in turn has opened a new door into the policy sciences.

There are probably a dozen or so books that I've read and re-read cover to cover in one siting. I am adding Kanze and Sulek's to that pile, making it a super baker's dozen. It's a solid, well written text, highlighted with great pictures and memorabilia about radio's AM history in metro #1. My only regret for the radio historian is that there isn't one for all the other major metro areas like Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas. I look forward to their FM version. Gotta have it. Bob Donnelly

Montclair NJ

Growing up in New York City, I lived the New York AM radio experience. My era was 1010 WINS with "Murray the K" and Jack Lacy. Occasionally I would dial up to Peter Tripp on WMGM-1050 or down to the "sweatshirt station", WMCA (Yeah-yeah). As I moved through adolescence music began to disappear from New York AM. Soon all we had left was WABC-Musicradio 77. That too would eventually go to radio heaven.

Bill Jaker's fantastic compilation takes us behind the New York radio scene. It puts faces to the voices of the disk jockeys who woke us up each day. Those who sat next to us on the beach blanket at Coney Island on a warm summer afternoon, and to the ones who rocked us to sleep each night. They all come back to life once again thanks to Bill Jaker and his friends.

But that's not all. You'll learn all about the storied history of the #1 radio market in the world. All the great radio stations of the 50's and 60's, and about stations you never even heard of. If you ever turned on a radio in New York, waited patiently for the tubes to glow and wondered who are these guys who keep playing the music I love, this book is for you. Despite what others say, you can go back in time, and this book will take you there. Enjoy! I did.

i have been a fan of the battle of the alamo since i saw walt disney's davy crockett. since then i have seen every movie about the seige. this book brought back fond memories. i even fulfilled a dream of 37 years of going to bracketville to see the movie sets of the alamo. unfortunately, i was caught in the flood, and couldn't see them. i would really enjoy writing to frank thompson, we could share very similar memories. again, thanks frank for a very enjoyable book.

Being a Texas History buff, I've seen most of the films made about the Alamo. So, I was pleseantly surprised when I found this book. Thompson covers just about every motion picture made about the 13 day seige. He even covers films that are not about the Alamo directly. In some cases, the crumbling adobe mission makes only a cameo appearance. There is plenty of enjoyable reading here, with facts, trivia and lore. In addition to the lively text are photos and even cartoons that deal with Alamo films. Even if the Alamo is not your cup of tea, students of film will find plenty to hold their interest. From the first movie made in 1911 to the IMAX production; PRICE OF FREEDOM.
What is really telling is how the image of the Texas Revolution, especially the Mexican perspective has changed over the years.
Compare the MARTYRS OF THE ALAMO done in 1915 to John Wayne's 1960 epic. Hopefully this new production by Disney will be a major improvement.

"Alas, Babylon" tells the story of a small town in Florida right after nuclear war accidentally breaks out between America and the Soviet Union. If full-scale nuclear war had occurred, the novel is not realistic, as it minimizes the global damage. "On the Beach" depicts that sceranio better. But, if a limited, quickly aborted war occurred, "Alas, Babylon" becomes all too realistic. Such a "small" nuclear war is now more likely than a global nuclear war, with the changes in the former Soviet Union and the upsurge in state-sponsored terrorism.

In "Alas, Babylon", basic survival becomes the first goal of the now-isolated Florida town, with a rebuilding of an economy and a social structure addressed next. The characters are believable, the story flows well, and the reader is left with the impression that he/she has been to this place and met these people.

Like "On the Beach", "Alas, Babylon" takes humanity's worst-case scenario and moves forward with it. When I was a child, a global nuclear war did not seem implausible. It now seems less likely, but who can say after 9/11/01? Read "Alas, Babylon" and think. Hopefully, this story will forever remain fiction.

My first experience with this book was when we were required to read it in our ninth grade English class. I enjoyed it so much that I have read it twice since then. The premise is that there is a great deal of tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and it erupts into a full-blown nuclear exchange. Randy Bragg lives in Fort Repose, a small town in Central Florida. His brother is an officer in the Strategic Air Command and sends his family to Randy's home where he thinks they will be safer.
While Randy is warned about the possibility of a nuclear war and he tries to prepare, much of what he does is of little value. The bombs explode and the world is suddenly turned upside down. On the bad side of the ledger, society is disrupted and there is a substantial collapse of social order. On the good side, it brings people together and all racial animosity between blacks and whites is gone.
Since he also served in the military, Randy organizes a defense force and strikes back against the criminal element. With the help of the local black people who are more accustomed to doing without and improvising, they start to rebuild their society. They begin producing food, moonshine and learn to eat animals that they previously would have ignored.
This is the best post nuclear holocaust book that I have ever read. It speaks of the incredible destruction, but also demonstrates the resilience of the people. If there is one weakness of the book, it is the lack of hordes of outsiders moving into their area. With the large tourist population of Florida, there would have been a flood of refugees moving into the area. In this book, that does not happen. In real life, there would have been a flood of sick and dying people desperate for any kind of assistance they could have received.

Alaska Rainbows: Fly-Fishing for Trout, Salmon, & Other Alaskan Species by fishing professional Larry Tullis is a gorgeous guide filled with splendid full-color photographs and packed with detailed information on how to catch the best fish and enjoy oneself while doing it in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Chapters cover trout habitats, fly patterns, Alaskan wildlife, planning a trip to Alaska and much more. Alaska Rainbows is very highly recommended for anyone contemplating a fishing trip to Alaska!

Alaska Rainbows: Fly-fishing For Trout, Salmon, & Other Alaskan Species by experienced guide and angler Larry Tullis offers a wealth of "user friendly" information about Alaskan rainbow trout, salmon, and other game fish species common to the Alaskan wilderness. Ranging from their habits and foods to optimal fly patterns and fishing tips, tricks, as well as proven techniques designed specifically to capture them for delicious feasting, the information presented is accurate, authoritative, comprehensive, and practical. Eighteen fly plates and a fly-pattern chart round out this superbly presented, tell-all guide for fly fishers interested in making the most their expeditions to Alaskan waters.

Great book, with large 11 x 11 cover reproductions. Too bad they aren't actual 12 x 12 size, but other than that, this is one's a perfect 10. The best album art collection I've seen, without a doubt.

You can see three hundred LP covers in this fascinating survey of sound track albums. The large size format (almost twelve inches square) means that the many whole page covers are just a bit shorter than life size, others are four to a page. The reproduction is excellent.

Plenty of these covers use the original movie poster illustrations, done by such greats as Bob Peak or Saul Bass. Ace cartoonist Jack Davis has seven covers including his most famous, for the 1963 movie "It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world". Strangely many great illustrations used on the poster or LP cover have no artist credits. Perhaps more than any other type of record cover sound tracks used a wider range of graphics and design and this certainly comes across looking through these colorful pages.

There are probably more than twenty of these large size paperbacks devoted to LP cover art published over the last few years and this sound track edition is worth adding to your collection.