Hughes Books

There used to be a time that if you were a newlywed young woman in Britain or the vast reaches of the Commonwealth, one of the presents you were likely to recieve at your wedding was a book. It was usually a rather thick and massive book, full of tidbits of what was expected of the middle class lady of the house, how to prepare meals, instructions for handling servants, or at least the daily help, simple medical and scientific information, and being a general 'help all' book that was aimed at a single niche market. By the turn of the twentieth century, Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management was up to nearly two thousand pages, and was as firmly a part of the British psyche as the Queen.

But who was Mrs. Beeton? Since there had not been any sort of author blurb that has become standard in most books today, imaginations ran riot as to just who she was. Was she an advertising image, such as the modern 'Betty Crocker'? Or perhaps she was like today's Martha Stewart, dominant and stern, ready to reprimand the slightest slip in domestic caretaking. And Mrs. Beeton has survived into the modern day, there are still books being published with her name on them, full of advice on cooking, cleaning and the suchlike.

Kathryn Hughes' book The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs. Beeton takes on both the topic and the book, giving the reader a glimpse into middle class English life in the nineteenth century and a very intriguing woman. Born into a numerous family -- Isabella would have more than twenty full, half and step-siblings -- Bella Mayson grew up as a caretaker of her mother's numerous brood, and still managed to gain an education and found herself with a flair for foreign languages. She was also bright, witty and blessed with a certain charm and prettiness, all desireable qualities in a woman, and soon Isabella had a suitor: Sam Beeton.

If Isabella was sensible and practical, then Sam was the high-flyer of the pair. Full of schemes and ideas, but rarely having the luck of foresight to get the best out of himself or the product, Sam instead worked at a feverish pace, and sometimes wasn't above using shameless self-promotion. He also faced stern opposition from Bella's family, who thought that he did not and would not have the means to support Bella properly. But the young couple were in love, and Hughes uses their letters to one another to show a courtship that was full of passionate feelings, and despite everything, they were wed and soon setting up house together. Sam was starting to show promise as a printer and publisher, and the couple were looking forward to starting their own family.

But tragedy hit in the form of a long series of stillbirths and miscarriages for Bella, and it was no doubt to distract herself that she turned to writing an advice and homemaking column in Sam's magazine, "The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine," which would form the nucleus of the later Book of Household Management. Both Sam and Bella kept up a feverish pace, both home and abroad, and Bella would become influential at writing and marketing the latest fashions from Paris, developing a chic style of her own.

A dark secret was lurking at the center of the marriage, one that would explain the failure of Bella's children to thrive -- Sam had contracted syphilis during his bachelor days and transmitted it to Bella in the early days of their marriage. It is quite likely that the doctors nor Sam ever told her that she was infected, and that combined with the never-ending stress of working and managing a home as well as numerous pregnancies would end with her death at the age of twenty-eight. Sam's career would continue on a downward spiral, with one hideous incident of pornography ruining his business and the tertiary stages of syphilis cutting his own life short.

But Mrs. Beeton's Book would become a bestseller, but neither Bella nor Sam ever saw a profit from it. In more capable hands, it went through revisions, new editions, and changes, and conversely, would recieve a critical battering in the twentieth century and be known as the 'book that ruined British cookery' as tastes changed to a more Mediterranean style of diet. Researchers claimed that Beeton had cribbed most of her recipes that formed the bulk of the book -- more than 900 pages worth in later editions -- and that the book was mere fluff, and badly written fluff at that.

Hughes work in this is fluid and entertaining, detailing the life of Isabella Beeton, her husband, and two surviving sons. Small chapters called "interludes" take the various myths about the Book, and show the truth that lay behind it. But this is more than a biography of a woman and a book. Hughes also looks at the sexual mores of the time, religious attitudes, the rise of consumer culture and the middle class, and the use of cheap magazines in both advertising and education. It's a fascinating read for anyone who thinks that they know what the Victorians were all about and the cult of the homemaker -- I found my assumptions challenged over and over again, and Hughes uses a particularly dry wit in talking about her subjects.

There are several line drawings, several photographs of both Bella and Sam, and an extensive set of footnotes and bibliography that will encourage further research. Hughes draws on surviving journals, letters, newspapers, court documents and contemporary authors to flesh out her story and manages to remain objective throughout it all.

This book was very entertaining to read, and helps to show that sometimes things never change. The sections on the use of magazines I found fascinating. For anyone interested in the art of the domestic goddess this is a welcome addition to their libraries.

Happily recommended.

As someone who is interested in the domestic arts, I had previousely purchased a facsimile of the original Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management. When I purused its pages, I remember asking myself, "I wonder what made her such an authority" because there's nothing in the book that tells the reader where or how Mrs. Beeton obtained her knowledge. I knew nothing of the author, other than that she was married to a publisher -- that is until I read this book....

Kathryn Hughes tells the story of Mrs. Beeton's life from beginning to end. It is well researched, readable, and I couldn't help but think of the comparison between how Mrs. Beeton's book contained plagiarized material and how it was alleged that Martha Stewart did the same with some of the recipes in her earlier cook books. So it struck me as odd that Kathryn Hughes missed the obvious comparison, when she did happen to mention other American domestic goddesses like Cheryl Mendelson who wrote "Home Comforts" and even the fictional character, Betty Crocker. Other than this minor omission or oversight, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am glad it was written.

I am a fan of Isabella Beeton, and I have a facsimile copy (ordered on amazon from a British bookseller) of the first edition, 1861 "Beeton's Book of Household Management." Strange as it may seem, I have made some of the recipes from the book in my 21st century kitchen! I find this classic compendium a delight to browse through, as I enjoy the brisk, authoritative tone of the Victorian author.

Kathryn Hughes's 400 page (plus extensive footnotes and bibliography) biography is a surprisingly quick read for those interested in the domestic icon of the mid-1800s, who is still a "household word" (!) in England. For many years, British women assumed that Mrs. Beeton was "a tub-like lady in black," a middle-aged, extremely competent, experienced woman who ran a wealthy household. Discovering the real details of Bella's life, which are far from that image, is rewarding and a little sad. Bella was only 28 when she died of puerperal fever, and Hughes speculates that she also suffered from syphilis, contracted when she was a bride from her husband Samuel, who "had a roving disposition." She may have been, like some other wives of her era, the victim of massive Victorian hypocrisy. Hughes states that doctors usually opted not to tell the women they were treating what was the real nature of their trouble.

Isabella Beeton was an energetic, bright, inquisitive woman whose skills were put to ideal use in Samuel's publishing business. Her famous work was not original; it was in modern parlance, a "cut and paste" affair, but that was a genre the Victorians favored. The recipes owe much to innovative cooks like Eliza Acton and others, but Beeton's over 1,000 page work stands in an encyclopediac category of its own. Although some of her methods seem alien to us, (boiling carrots for an hour and a half?) Hughes points out the when nutritionists analyze her menus, they conclude that her meals are better balanced and healthier than the usual diet of families today. If you factor out the boiling of meats and long cooking of vegetables, two techniques that are responsible for the notoriously low reputation of Britsh cuisine, Beeton's recipes endure and measure up well.

Kudoes to Hughes for an extensively researched, well written work, a definitive biography of a woman once shrouded in
false impressions.

In spite of the hard work that has evidently gone into the writing of this book, the results are variable. Too much irrelevant material gets a look in, and too much tedious commentary about Mrs Bee's after-life. I feel somehow that Ms Hughes wanted to write something more meaningful, but was stumped by lack of firsthand evidence.

Thumbing through a hefty copy of "Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management" you form a picture of the author as an authoritative, practical, middle-aged Victorian matron, the very image of respectable domesticity.

But except for her practicality, nothing could be further from the truth. Isabella Beeton was dead before she was 30. The book that made her a household name in Britain was published when she was 24. She didn't know much about running a household - with or without servants - and according to her biographer, Kathryn Hughes, she wasn't much interested either. She would no doubt be astonished to hear that her book is still in print almost 150 years later.

A young wife with strong organizational skills, Isabella's goal was simply to help keep her husband's publishing business solvent and growing. Hers was the first of a branded series of useful "Beeton Books" for the middle classes, which came to include "Beeton's Illustrated Bible" and "Beeton's Book of Universal Information." That she took to the work is clear - she was correcting proofs on her deathbed at age 28.

Immediately after her marriage to Sam Beeton, Isabella threw herself into the publishing business, writing domestic advice columns (on any subject required) for his "Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine." But it wasn't until the birth of her first healthy son (after the death of her first child in infancy and a probable string of miscarriages - Hughes makes the case that Sam infected Isabella with syphilis) that she officially began working full time, appearing at the office and recognized as "Editress."

Although Isabella was as methodical and levelheaded as her husband was impulsive and reckless, necessity may not have been her only motive for such unconventional behavior. She may not have known much about running a household, but she knew more than her share about chores and childcare. Growing up, Isabella had been the eldest girl in a blended family of 21 children. A sketch by her mother shows Isabella as a calm presence among the brood, "age 12 going on twenty-five."

Isabella emerges from Hughes' lively, engaging, meticulously researched biography as a conventional Victorian girl who accepts her lot in life with reasonable grace. Until along comes an opportunity for escape from domesticity, by instructing others in how to excel at it.

But how, you might wonder, does a 20-something author sound authoritative on matters ranging from handling dinner parties for 60 and training servants to trussing a turkey and properly ventilating the home? She steals from her elders, that's how. Though Isabella developed a distinctive voice and demonstrated a formidable talent for organization and assembly, much of her famous book is cobbled directly from her predecessors.

But Hughes' book is much more than a biography of an ambitious plagiarist cut off in her budding prime. It's a colorful and energetic exploration of Victorian society in the midst of rapid change. Industrialization had expanded and urbanized the middle class and cheap printing processes revolutionized access to information and entertainment.

Parallels to today's rapid advances in information technology abound, particularly in the areas of copyright and specialization. Isabella was more cautious stealing from living authors than dead ones and Sam made his first fortune from a pirated edition of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Copyright laws existed but were disputed between Britain and the U.S. and the volume of printed material expanded more rapidly than the legal system.

And the appetite for printed material seemed boundless. The Beetons zeroed in on the expanding middle class, people - and their servants - who lived in newly urbanized domiciles and welcomed advice on coping and correct behavior.

As Hughes goes through Beeton's book - prefacing chapters with often hilarious quotes - she shows how Isabella cleverly aimed her advice at those doing the work, be it the servant or the housewife, recognizing the fuzziness of changing boundaries without dwelling on them. She embodies the ideal household while providing solid, practical information, allowing her reader her fantasies.

It's a big, complex book, but, like her subject, Hughes is a formidable organizer. Her authorial voice is strong, with a wide streak of humor, and an illustrative style. Her affection for Isabella shines clear, but without a drop of idealization, while her vibrant portrait of Victorian daily life and social changes and trends emerges from a broad and natural context.

A gem of a book on many levels, Hughes de-mythologizes an icon and gives us a woman, a family, a society, and the creation of a legend.

--Portsmouth Herald

I think this book is well written but there really is not anything new here. The conclusion of the book is pretty simple. There are fish in thise hills and the are not that selective but you have to approach carefully. So if you are expecting to get a lot of new information abot trout fishing it is not in this book. Most likely will confirm what you already know.

I really enjoyed this book and found it be informative, but written in a non technical and casual style that makes for easy reading. I do recommend the book to others because it is so well written, however where it fails is in the lack of photographs. Dave Hughes is also a very successful photographer so why not include some photos of the beautiful places he has fished and of the large trout he has taken from some of these streams? Adding some nice colour photos would have made this book a ten out ten for me.

This is a awesome book for anyone who loves to fish small waters or is thinking they might want to start. It is written in a very personal style and you can learn through the authors lessons as you will your own.
Great information about types of flies to use and how to use them, recommendations on how to carry your gear, what type of flies to carry, rod types and actions msot suitable and so on and so forth. One of the best books I have read, and is in my top two on the subject of flyfishing small streams.

Great combination of narrative and specific how-to. Felt like I was right there. Can't wait to try some of his methods this spring.

Dave Hughes is one of the most versatile, and best, writers in the fly fishing field. When he writes for beginners he explains the basics clearly without insulting the reader's intelligence. When writing about more advanced techniques he does so as someone who's been where you are. This book is one of the latter. If you are an absolute neophyte or if you are the type of person who learns best from photos, charts and diagrams, this book is probably not for you. Inside the jacket there is not a single photo or illustration to be found. But, if you already know the basic casts and knots and you appreciate clear, cogent prose and you wish to fish streams that hardly ever see another angler, there are precious gems to be mined here. The author doesn't make specific recommendations about equipment or techniques for you. Instead, he gives you a glimpse into what has and hasn't worked for him in the hope that you can learn from his experiences. Small streams usually don't yield record size trout, but the challenges of fishing flies on tight, brush lined flows make every fish you capture (and hopefully release) a trophy. When you've determined that you must get "up close and personal" with the trout in all those those no-name streams that most fisherman barely take notice of in their daily travels this book will give you a realistic assessment of the obstacles and rewards you should expect. More important, it introduces you to some methods that should help you to overcome those obstacles, thereby increasing your chances of success.

Review
By Michal
There was this girl who always got in trouble she has no friends she would get teased a lot by other people. Thy would talk about her and she would always get upset about it.

Ruth was the main Character in this story. She is a little girl and the magic thing is that she would have a Dream about the outside world if she were bigger then she is. She would have red hair and someone who loves her, but he moves away. she wakes up screaming and the next day it really happens to her.

I liked this story because she is a nice person to every body and her dreams come true.

Review
By Michal
There was this girl who always got in trouble she has no friends she would get teased a lot by other people. Thy would talk about her and she would always get upset about it.

Ruth was the main Character in this story. She is a little girl and the magic thing is that she would have a Dream about the outside world if she were bigger then she is. She would have red hair and someone who loves her, but he moves away. she wakes up screaming and the next day it really happens to her.

I liked this story because she is a nice person to every body and her dreams come true.

It is often the case that a sequel can't be read without reading the book that precedes it. I had bought The Dream Catcher ...... at a book sale, not realising it followed Devil On My Back, (also a fantastic book) and loved it. It easily stands alone, and is even better after reading the first book about the Arcs. As soon as I finished it I rushed out to get Devil. . . and it enhanced Ruth's experiences even more greatly, clarifying her dreams, etc. Both books are incredible, bringing forth an amazing world, that, no matter how far-out, is totally believable, with charcaters I could happily relate to. Not only was the series enjoyable, I was touched by many parts, especially Tomi's change, and the freedom song.

So the freedom man danced out of the Arc

Over the hills so shady

Into the night and out of the dark

To be with his long-haired lady

(I apaologise if that's not correct, I'm going from memory.) I was especially touched by the fact that this world does not exist, yet Monica Hughes has created such a moving song of hope and pride, that I could picture the people sitting around a roaring fire, singing of their happiness and the dreams of a "world made free" as another verse says. This is a beautiful book.

It is a well known fact that sequels rarely reach the standards of their prequels. So, as Devil On My Back is my favourite book of all time you can imagine that whilst being very exicited I was also a little dubious when I found this book.

I shouldn't have been. It is truly fantastic. Once again the characters come to life the minute you pick up the book, you can empathise with all of them and when Tomi first sees Ruth the pain he feels at her not being Rowan is intense.

It is a completely original story in itself whilst tying up Devil On My Back splendidly. The small amount of hope that that book left me with in the midst of its despair is reasuringly fulfilled here. Thank-You Monica Hughes for allowing Tomi to be free.

If anybody would like to write to me about this or any of her other books, please do.

"The Freedom Man danced out of the Ark/ Over the hills so shady/ Into the light and out of the dark/ To be with his red-haired lady."

It is a year in a far-flung future, when the survivors of mankind have retreated into small, isolated communities called Arks. Fifteen-year-old Ruth is a member of Ark Three, and can't seem to fit in or do anything right. Can this misfit find her place in the community? Monica Hughes is an accomplished author of Science Fiction for young readers, and knows her craft. This book is the sequel to DEVIL ON MY BACK, although the stories can be read independently of one another. Ms. Hughes sparks the imagination, creates compelling characters and leads readers on an adventure, not only in science fiction, but also of the heart.

The basic situation that underlies this story will be familiar enough. Ruth is the only one of her fifteen-year-old group that is strikingly different. She can't seem to do anything right, can't seem to fit in, can't seem to be happy. She keeps wondering what's wrong with her. Pretty much, this theme is a tenet of teen fiction, and Ms. Hughes knows this. But here's where the story changes: Ruth is part of a self-sufficient community that has developed psychic powers and links as part of their survival. At age fifteen, each child becomes an adult, joining the Web-the perfect pattern formed by the joining of minds of everyone in Ark Three. And every fifteen-year-old is given a vocation based on his or her talent. But Ruth has no talent; it seems, except for causing trouble, disrupting the web and generally being unhappy. But the fact is, Ruth does have a talent-a rare one. And it is her abilities that allow her to receive dreams that are being sent from another Ark. She will help spur her community into an exciting and dangerous journey through the outside to try and find this other Ark. But what they find may be the most dangerous thing of all . . . and it will take all of Ruth's abilities, along with those of her friends and new allies, to survive it and create a new future for all.

As with all of Ms. Hughes books, the author not only deftly threads the themes that are universal to youngsters and teens everywhere, but also maintains a social conscience about the kind of societies that are possible in this future. She looks at them critically, demonstrating their flaws, and their strengths, and proving that sometimes the most unlikely people can be the catalyst that changes society for the better. Ms. Hughes doesn't pull her punches when it comes to her characters; they wind up in real danger, and have to survive some true ordeals. But everything is coached in young reader terms, so older readers may find some of the events less sophisticated than they would like-this is not an adult reader's story and doesn't try to be. If your young teen reader is hungry for science fiction stories, and not quite ready to tackle the likes of 1984 or BRAVE NEW WORLD, then this kind of book is the perfect stepping-stone.

If you like this book, please be sure to check out DEVIL ON MY BACK, which this is a stand-alone sequel to. Also check out other books by Hughes like INVITATION TO THE GAME and KEEPER OF THE ISIS LIGHT. If you enjoy these sort of stories set in a post apocalyptic future, also check out THE CITY OF EMBER by Jeanette Duprau, OBERNEWTYN by Isobelle Carmody and THE GIVER by Lois Lowery.

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad

I was very skeptical when I read the authors brief summary in the beginning of this book. He states the views are from people from every walk, ethnic and "sexual orientation." That automatically threw a red flag for me. The view on homosexuals is jaded and far from Divine viewpoint. One reviewer was absolutely correct when he stated "it is a place for liberals and Christians to meet." Saints don't compromise leave this book on the discounted shelf.

If you are beginning a journey in Christian theology, this book is for you. Dr. Placher has put together a collection of essays by 18 distinguished scholars. Nine important issues are discussed. Each section begins with a helpful introduction by Dr. Placher which serves to frame the discussion. Then two authors with different perspectives present their thoughts on the topic. At the end of each chapter are questions for discussion and a list of additional resources.

This book could serve as an excellent launching pad for further research in any of these areas. The great thing about the book is that it is not set up in an "us" versus "them" way. The authors don't set themselves up on the opposite sides of issues. Rather, each presents his or her own views in a non-confrontational way. By reading two perspectives on an issue, more of the nuance of the topic shows through. This is a wonderful resource.

I teach at a conservative evangelical seminary and used this as a supplementary text to the mainstay (Millard Erickson). I must say that Placher has done a fantastic job of choosing a stellar lineup of essayists from a broad spectrum of opinion. Moreover, unlike some counterpoint books that leave the reader bewildered, each section here is unified by Placher's excellent introductions. The opinions expressed range from progressive evangelical to mainline liberal, and while there are definitely some places where my students were irritated (e.g. a defense of homosexual practice) or simply mystified (Cobb's process theology), their overall impression was positive. They recognized how much their horizons had been broadened, and that is the mark of an excellent introduction.

As a seminary student who read this book over the summer, not for a class, but just to keep up my theological "chops," I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wanting to explore different facets of theology from a multitude of viewpoints. The best use of this book is to read the introductions and the essays, and note the authors and issues of interest for future exploration. Because of the diversity of viewpoints, nobody will be in agreement with every theologian in this book. But all of them will make you think. Most of the authors (not all) operate from the traditional trinitarian framework at least as a launching pad, so much of this material at least speaks the same language as the knowledgable reader.

In my opinion, the most interesting theologians represented were John Cobb, the process theologian, whose writings I might investigate further, and Serene Jones, who does theology that makes sense to the averate person in the pew (actually, there are several who do that). My least favorites were Clark Williamson, a stereotypical liberal on a soapbox, and Sallie McFague, who gets too close to pantheism for my comfort (actually, she would be known as a "panentheist"). It was encouraging to me to read some very thoughtful evangelicals as well, including Stanley Grenz and Richard Mouw.

Bottom line: if you want to get past Calvin, Luther, and that ilk and see where the action is in theology TODAY, this is a great place to start.

Placher's volume is helpful to the first-time reader of Christian theology, but it is also engaging to a more seasoned audience. His introduction ("Why Bother with Theology?") not only stands as a useful argument on its own--it also sets an appropriate tone for the rest of the book.

Each chapter focuses on a specific issue of Christian doctrine (e.g. trinity, atonement, church). Placher begins every chapter with a brief but cogent summary of the history of the topic, including some of the historical theological perspectives that have shaped how we think about the topic today.

The chapters continue with brief essays from prominent contemporary theologians--two per chapter--presenting their perspectives. They represent the diversity in contemporary theological scholarship, ranging from the liberal to the conservative, the systematic to the scriptural, and including liberation and feminist theologies.

It is a great first-time read, and it is also something that should then be kept on the shelf for future reference. It may be rather expensive, but it is worth every penny.

CAPT Hughes work was a seminal realization for the waning Cold War Navy. The application of small, fast, networked craft in a mass assault against surface fleet elements was riveting and a telling indicator of our present (2007) military situation. What CAPT Hughes failed to adequately factor into his work was the impact of economics, improved missile capability and survivability.

Hughes makes the error of fighting the last war (in his mind WWII) in the present day. The USA has abandoned ships of the line (CGs and the like) in favor of ESG (expeditionary strike groups). He works valiantly to update this in his 1999 version with an added section on Coastal Combat. However, aside from its historical perspective, this work fails to instruct or enlighten.

I read this work will reading Mahan (whom Huges is very critical of) and found them to both contain the part the other lacks. Mahan, focusing on national policy, neglects the importance of tactics and their evolution. Hughes, however, states that tactics have universal pillers that remain despite the evloution in technology.

Hughes shows that the most curcial part of tactics is the situtation; his analsis that Nelson's strength was knowning his foe and his own abilities led to victory more than mere luck smacks of Sun Tzu's know thy enemy. He shows that what worked in one place does not always work everywhere.

Also, he shows how tactics changed with tech (from the sailing age to mondern times) and still kept their truths. his five pillers of sea power are just as vital today as they were for Cromwell.

As an aspiring Naval officer, I found his work both intellectally intreasting and at the same time well writen with theroy backed by pratice; Hughes shows how these princples played out on the battlefield.

The book is a very good summary about five principles of naval tactics (Scouting, Command, Doctrine, Information, Training ) that could apply almost wherever there are forces in conflict or complex actions integrated by several people. These principles are clarified with historical battles and their results. It also include the evolution of naval tactis with techology.

Although written as a text book. A person can read this book and get an appreciation of the problems of naval warfare particularly involving fleet. Many historical problems that I have heard. Such as why the German's in WW1 did not use their fleet much more and why the Japanese kept splitting their fleet in WW2 are explained here very well.

I have learnt a lot from this book.

Captain Hughes is the first person to formulate a method of tactical thought geared for naval officers (vice policy-wonks in the world's defense establishments). While on initial perusal, the book appears to be a historical survey, Hughes actual aim is to inspire naval officers to develop a methodology for tactical analysis which can be applied to real-world tactical problems. He provides simple examples of operations research models of naval combat. These models do not provide the "answer" to tactical problems but rather provide the means to formulate tactical principles in a systematic fashion. One doesn't have to be a mathematician to understand this book, just someone open to new ways of looking at an old problem.

A comedian that makes you cry is a rare thing, but Sean makes you cry, laugh and think about the ordinary. An average mans life is extrodinary through Seans eyes.

A comedian that makes you cry is a rare thing, but Sean makes you cry, laugh and think about the ordinary. An average mans life is extrodinary through Seans eyes.

Both Humerous and touching. Sean makes you think

Read this. Hughes is a geniu

Read this. Hughes is a geniu

I read "Hoofbeats Of Danger" with my nine-year-old daughter. It was the first book in this series we read together. Since then, we have read a couple of others in the series and I imagine we will get to all of them. I know my daughter is enjoying these books because she always wants to keep going when it's time to stop. These books have three very positive aspects to them. First, they are good stories. They hold kids' interest and make reading fun. Second, the young heroines in these stories make good role models for the real girls reading or hearing the stories. Third, they provide a small history lesson, imparting some insight into a particular period and place in American history.

"Hoofbeats Of Danger" takes place on the frontier at the time of the Pony Express. It involves a realistic look at frontier life and provides some factual information along the way. I highly recommend this book and, in general, the entire series, to parents looking for reading material for kids (especially girls) in the nine to twelve age group.

Annie's father Mr. Dawson owns a mail delivery company called the Pony Express and it's in the 1800's when one of the horses gets hurt her father blames it all on one person but he is Annie's friend and Annie knows her would never hurt a horse. How will she prove her friends innocents?

11 year old, Annie Dawson lives in a mining cabin in California. Her father works for Oakland Pony Express. Lately, her favorite horse Magpie has been acting strange. Her father says that he has no choice, but to shoot her. Annie begins to protest and is sure that someone is poisoning Magpie. It is up to her to help save Magpie before it's too late. This book was a little bit boring and it strongly resembled other History Mysteries. The plot is always the same. Young girl who has a passion for something. Soon that passion is taken or trying to be taken away. The young girl tries to find out who is trying to take this away. In the end everything is perfect. After reading a few history mysteries, I am beginning to tire. The history mysteries that I suggest you read however are, Secrets on 26th street and The Smuggler's Treasure. All in all, however this book was good enough to rank 4 stars.

Would you like to live in the west and work at red Buttes Pony Express Station? Well that's what happens to Annie as she goes through action, adventure and danger in HOOF BEATS OF DANGER by Holly Hugh's. This book is good for ages 9 and up. This book may not have pictures but the author describes the scenes so well you don't need them. So find out what happens to Magpie Annie's horse. I like this book a lot because it has a lot of action. The lesson or moral is love others.

It was a very good book. The pace never slows. If you love horses and mysteries you will love this book!!

Dorothy B. Hughes is certainly a powerful (and sadly over-looked) writer. In "In a Lonely Place" she depicts a vivid, hypnotic vision of post-WW2 LA, and she draws a scarily realistic and sometimes sympathetic portrait of "protagonist" Dix Steele. The novel is notable for its narrative twists & turns, its suspense (that most of the 'action' is not explicity show is both terrifying and brilliant, from a technical standpoint), and its tendency to turn both traditional noir structure and stock characters on their heads, so to speak. If you like noir or Cold War-era-informed fiction, give the unusual, the compelling, and the bone-chilling "In a Lonely Place" a chance.

"In a Lonely Place" is a neglected classic of American crime fiction. Harder than hard-boiled, it follows the actions of a vicious serial killer in post-war Los Angeles. The antihero, Dixon Steele, maintains the appearance of an average guy while periodically venting his anger and hatred of women by raping and strangling random girls that he picks up. Through the course of the book, he plays a cat-and-mouse game with his old army buddy, now a detective, who has been assigned to solve the case.

Published in 1947, "In a Lonely Place" is different from much of today's standard serial killer fare. Unlike books such as "Hannibal" or "Red Dragon," all the violence occurs offstage, during gaps in the narration. But that doesn't make it any less scary--in fact, it ups the creepiness quotient considerably. Hughes tells her story from the point of view of the "perp" himself, with all the events filtered through Steele's eyes and thoughts. Normal in the book is what's normal to the killer whose solitary, predatory nature places him "in a lonely place" outside of the rest of humanity. His anger, his misogyny, his hatred of those richer than he, and his sense of entitlement justify his actions in his own mind. By keeping the gore offstage, the author maintains the focus on the killer's twisted mind, which is where the true horror lies.

"In a Lonely Place" was made into a movie in 1950 starring Humphrey Bogart (who else?) and Gloria Grahame. The film kept some of the elements of the book, but switched the focus to domestic violence. Dark as the film is (and it's a masterpiece of film noir), the book is even darker. If you're looking for a play-by-play novelization of the movie, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a character study of a killer's mind, then turn on the night light and dig in.

An effectively creepy and believable portrait of a rage-driven serial killer.

Quite unlike the famous (and excellent) movie based on the book, both in plot and in mood.

Great mystery tale told from the point of view of a bad guy. Although somewhat forgotten today, Hughes was a superstar writer in her time. Her novels had been adapted into movies for Robert Montgomery and Humphery Bogart. Compelling fiction with strongly drawn characters. Highly recommended.

I wish to associate myself with the excellent review and comments of the esteemed reviewer from New York. A very fine book, timeless in its readability and thematic approach and yet fascinating in its description of a post-WWII City of Angels. A great enough read for me to want to track down more of Ms. Hughes' works and learn more about her life. If you are into noir, at some point you need to read this book to complete your perspective.

In our current day of Activist Judges brazzenly legislating their own political agendas from the bench against the will of the people and corrupt politicians telling us they are only obeying orders allowing them to get away with it despite their rulings having No consititutional basis Can we really judge the German people giving up the corrupt Weimar Republic for Hitler's regime? Can we really blame them?

In this highly insightful book the reader really gets to look at what dayly life for average Germans was during the days of Hitler's dictatorship. Unless you were of Jewish ancestry or devout or left of centery or part of some group on the nazi hit list and unwilling to compromise your morals to the new regime, dayly life for the average German portrayed here was really not that bad as compared to what life was like for the average serf of the Soviet state.

The chapters are well illustrated by pictures and provide an infomative peak for what every aspect of dayly life was like for the average German of this period.

However, for me, like Spock says in Star Trek, Understanding does not mean approval.

This is a very well-written book that is easy to follow and understand. Each chapter contains several nuggets or tidbits of interesting facts or statistics about the Nazi regime. Each chapter is also pretty much self-contained and can be read independently to learn about that particular topic. The breadth of the book is also a little more wide ranging than the title suggests: The chapters in the book include matters ocurring both before the establishment of the Third Reich (e.g., chapters on Hitler and life in Germany in the 1920s) and after the defeat of Nazi Germany (e.g., information on the struggles of the suffering of German civilians after the war), as well as a variety of topics on life during the Third Reich (e.g., the treatment of women, youth organizations, and resistance to the regime).

The photos are numerous and very well selected. For example, included are several rarely seen photos of major figures in the Third Reich (Hitler, Himmler, and Goering) at different stages of their lives.

What prevents a stellar rating, however, is that the book at times contains misinformation and even disinformation, including the text used for the captions of several of the photos.

One example is the book states that Hitler's party had enough seats in the Reichstag to make him Chancellor, which is true enough, but the context leads the reader to believe that Hitler's party had won both a majority of the popular vote and a majority of the seats in the Reichstag, neither of which is true.

Another example is the book states that upon capture German soldiers were just as likely to be treated well as mistreated by the Allies, which is generally true, then goes on for several pages recounting 6-7 stories by German soldiers who were treated well but only a single account where the Allies mistreated German prisoners of war, leaving the false impression that 9 times out of 10 German prisoners were treated with compassion by the Allies. (To its credit the book goes on to describe the inhumane conditions in the prisoner of war camps.)

By and large the book is an excellent and fairly balanced overview of the Third Reich, from the factors that led to its creation to the conditions in Germany after its downfall, and is far superior to a similar book I read some time ago (now out of print). Although several irksome misstatements in this book preclude a true 5-star rating, it is still recommended as a very fine general introduction to life in Germany before, during, and after the Third Reich.

If you are interested in "social history" or what life was like living in Nazi Germany, than this book is a good jumping off point. The book is very well written, covers an array of differing topics, and is extremely well illustrated with numerous photographs, many of which I'd never seen before.

The content of the book itself is very good. I am a slow reader, but found myself reading a chapter a day. It features chapters on the war, economics, genocide, how the Nazis were formed and came to power, resistance movements, youth organizations, women in the Reich, and a brief bio of Hitler. The book does a good job of giving a general history of the war itself, but never straying too far from the point of the book--describing life in Nazi Germany. The book even features a two page glossary at the end with some definitions of terms. Overall, it is a wonderful read and is an excellent introdcution to life in Germany.

However, it does not get 5 stars for two reasons. First, as mentioned by a previous reviewer, I found the last chapter somewhat curious as the authors spent several pages quoting German soldiers who were captured by the Russians, but were treated well, which was not the norm. Then, they spent just a couple paragraphs describing the more common experience of being sent to gulags and not returning to Germany for several years, if at all. Second, although the authors obviously did a thorough amount of research, there are no footnotes, no endnotes, no bibliography page. As someone who received a B.A. in history, I was always taught to cite everything and the authors do not do this, which is frustrating because it does not allow the reader to verify their facts or to read further based upon their research.

This is a pretty decent photo book about life in Hitler's thousand year Reich (although it only lasted 12 years). The authors do a rather solid job of covering the highs and lows of the NAZI regime. Many authors review the military aspect of the struggle, but this book covers the affects on the German society and population. The beginning chapters deal with Hitler and the rise of the NAZI party. Throughout the book are great pictures which summarize the life and death of NAZI Germany.
At only 210 pages, this is a good summary read of Hitler and his Germany. The only thing which I disagreed with was one of the final chapters on the Eastern Front. It had interviews with two German soldiers captured by the Russians. These soldiers stated they were fairly treated by the front line soldiers. I don't doubt that some German soldiers did get fair treatment by the Soviets but the overwhelming percentage were interned and fewer than 10 in 100 returned to Germany after the war. Other than that, a great read on a most dispictable man and his regime.

Books about the rise and fall of the Third Reich usually suffer from two shortcomings. They tend to be extremely long and exquisitely detailed, which makes them hard to fit into a busy schedule. And they sometimes emphasize high level German politics and World War II without explaining what is was like for an ordinary person to live through the twelve brutal years of the "Thousand Year Reich."

"Insider Hitler's Germany", on the other hand, is a very approachable book that chronciles life in Germany after the Great War and during the Third Reich. The authors write in a clear and informative style, letting the facts speak for themselves.

Most of us assume that totalitarian Germany must have been a nightmare for the German citizens who lived through it. It certainly was for Germans who were Jewish or Communist or otherwise gave the slightest hint of being out of step with the Nazi Party. But many Germans experienced the 1930s as a golden age of low unemployment, vacations for the average worker, and resurgent national pride. For them, it was only the catastrophe of World War II that exposed the true horrors of Nazism.

The most striking feature of this book is the photography that it reproduces. All of the photos are in black and white, but many are amazingly crisp and filled with a chilling immediacy. One that really caught my attention was a photo of the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg, which is now a pedestrian mall filled with the usual shops (including, of course, a McDonald's). I have walked down that street many times. The photo shows a procession of scholars from the university, but all of the buildings along the street are festooned with flags displaying the swastika of the Nazi party. The stunning contrast between then and now is sobering, and this photo (like the book as a whole) is a useful reminder that the abyss is often just a very short step away.

This is a beautiful story centering around the return of Manuel, a "prodigal son," to his once-thriving home community--a community that is now in the midst of drought and hard times for all. As a result, the community has lost its sense of togetherness and a long-standing family feud mars any chance for reconciliation and a return of the coumbite.

Upon Manuel's return to Haiti from Cuba, he begins a quest for water which he hopes will ultimately bring about an end to the hard times and feuding. In doing so, he also intends to reunite the community. Along the way, he falls in love and also makes an enemy. I'd hate to give anything more away so you'll have to read the rest yourself....

This book is so well written, the language so beautiful, that you can see (and smell) the sights, people, animals, and terrain of the village community. It is a literary picture show/journey not to be missed.

The translation is wonderful, maintaining a consistent tone as the book progresses.
This is a truly tragic tail of the difficulty of being poor and living in traditional communities. It could be applied anywhere. The prodigal son returns, having found that the promised land really is the home that we grow up in. Only it is not the same as it was. The people who stayed behind have undermined the world that has provided for them in the search for life, and now there is no water with which to keep up their fields and their souls. Manuel obtains water, but at the cost of his life, and by taking it from yet another forest.
This book was written in the 1940's. I have been to Haiti recently, and it is as if the small community described is every community. The devastation of the hillsides is everywhere. The trees are all gone. If you want to understand the current environmental and social situation in Haiti this book is a big step forward.
Read it. Buy it for your friends.

READ IT WHEN I WAS YOUNG,FROM TIME TO TIME I GO BACK TO MY FRENCH COPY AND ENJOY THE WRITTING OF JACQUES ROUMAIN ONE MORE TIME.THE BOOK IS FULL OF WISDOM AND HOPE.YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH THE CHARACTERS I WANT TO BUY IT IN ENGLISH FOR MY CHILDREN TO ENJOY.

"Masters of the Dew" is a beautifully written, poetic book about a little known country, Haiti. Had author Jacques Roumain lived longer, I'm sure he would have written more books and achieved greater fame.

"Masters"' plot is simple: Manuel, a Haitian peasant, attempts to unite villagers into a "coumbite" that will end a famine.

No, it's not the most riveting plot in the world, but what makes "Masters" worthwhile is its poetic writing, its vivid images, and its insight into the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

Haiti's successful slave uprising is a cause of pride; today, it's impoverishment and environmental degradation are great causes of concern. Roumain, a communist, was proud of his nation, and concerned for her future. In this book, he protests against the imperialism that injured Haiti.

As a communist, Roumain recommended a rejection of all religion, including Catholicism and Voodoo. Because he was oppossed to Voodoo, Roumain made sure to depict it accurately -- by way of saying, "This is what we need to get rid of" -- so "Masters" offers insights into Voodoo.

Like many male would-be liberators who aren't fully aware of their own inner oppressor, Roumain, at least as this book shows, was not fully invested in the liberation of fifty percent of humanity -- humanity's female half. Women exist to serve men. His female lead, Annaise, delivers one of literature's most submissive speeches, culminating with, "I will be the servant of your desire." (116)

Too, his communist, post-Christian world is dependent on Christianity; Manuel is overburdened with symbols communicating that he, the communist leader, is the new Christ, who will replace the old one.

In any case, Roumain's deep love of his homeland, his commitment to Haiti, and his truly beautiful, poetic language are delightful, and make this book well worth reading.

From once a translation almost equals the original.

It helps this translation of Jacques Roumain's historic novel Gouverneurs de la rosée: roman (Collection Les Grands récits antillais) was done by that great and gentle and powerful African American poet Langston Hughes (please see as well his own moving The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes) with the assistance of the great Mercer Cook, famous for among other works The Militant Black Writer in Africa and the United States. Together they bring a dynamic synthesis of literary beauty and socio-historical consciousness which brings alive to us the English reader this very personal tale of growing social action in colonialist Haiti, subsequent to the American occupation of nearly one hundred years ago ending only with our Great Depression. Such historical content would appear very dry, and yet the great novelist Jacques Roumain, himself Haitian, brings it engagingly and urgently and personally to life, all the more so in terms of his own personal history.

This edition of the beautiful and effective English version, published by Heineman as part of its Caribbean Writers Series in 1978, bears what was then twenty years ago a new and comprehensive introduction by J. Michael Dash, of the French Department of the University of the West Indies at Mona. We gratefully read Dr. Dash's extensive recounting of the history as well as his commentary and placing the full import of this personal tale into its world-wide context.

I would very much like to see a post-Duvalier, post-Aristide update of this introduction. I would most gloriously appreciate a reprinting with large type, as this extensive introduction and lengthy novel here is published with a rather reduced type in order to fit into the paperback format, and old folk like myself soon grow weary of the strain, as much as I love this story and its excellent introduction and its uniquely wonderful and accurate and faithful translation.

AS we grow by the millions into deepest poverty within our own land and world, we have much to learn from this novel. As water rights becomes the next petroleum wars, we have our own survival to gain from a careful study of this text, its increase in conscientiazation and social organization and effective action, much as Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI compels us in his recent Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis: el Sacramento de la Caridad: una Exhortacion Apostolica Postsinodal to change those unjust economic structures which leave a few filthy rich and millions within the deepest poverty, a sin against God and humanity which cries out to Heaven.

In this book and its echoes of US military occupation in Haiti, the francophone section of the island of Hispanola shared with the Dominican Republic and site of endless sugar cane plantations, we hear the drum beats of our present and endless imperialist, militarist, and colonialist occupations.