Jackson Books

I just read this book yesterday. I thought it was both cute and interesting. I have always found that books involving people caring for animals in trouble are good and this one is great for younger kids.

Warmly written, based on fact, beautiful art, great for girls

This is the story of Helen Martini, the first woman zookeeper. Helen and her husband (an employee of the Bronx Zoo), took in tiger cubs to care for them. This led to Helen opening the first animal nursery in a zoo. She is credited with raising 27 cubs, when no cubs had successfully been raised in a zoo before. This book is easy for students to connect with, because children of all ages have prior knowledge with animals and zoos. The author's illustrations depict animals bringing joy and color to the character's lives to fill the void of their not being able to have children. This book would be a great addition to a theme unit on women's history.

This remarkable book tells the story of Helen Martini, founder of the Bronx Zoo's animal nursery in 1944 and its first woman zookeeper. Helen and her husband, Fred really wanted children. They lost their first child and Helen couldn't have any more. They began to fill their lives with pets. Fred found a job in the Bronx Zoo. He often took home some baby tigers and Helen cared for them just like she would care for a human baby. This lead to her setting up a nursery at the zoo to care for lots of baby animals. This story will be adored by both children and adults.

Picked this up for an extended Northern California hiking and riding trip. I purchased about four others as well and I used all of them as each has a little something different. Not a single one was useless and none warranted less than 4 stars. I would reccomend doing the same rather than just picking one for your trip.

As a serious S.F. Bay Area cyclist for over 40 years I approach any guidebook to my "back yard" with a certain degree of skepticism, as in "What new can you possibly show me?" I was delighted to find that Ms. Jackson did indeed show me some new mountain biking delights I'd overlooked, but along the way I learned even more new tidbits about what I supposedly already knew. Almost every featured ride has "enrichment" far beyond the necessary trail and topographical stats. No doubt the author learned things from her literary predecessors, which is as it should be, but there is also no doubt she has written the currently definitive off-road guide for mountain bikers of this region. The miracle of the S.F. area is that 5 million people can live so close to so much open space. It is no mean feat to review it all personally, provide directions that are simultaneously explicit and open ended, and simultaneously appeal to the first time rider and a "show me" old time rider such as myself. But Ms. Jackson has done this much, and more. I mean her guide book is not only that, but a fun read as well. Imagine!

If you love moutain biking in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this book is your new best friend!

Detailed maps, great photos and tons of great rides that will challenge and inspire you as well as leave you breathless (both figuratively and literally). This book's detailed descriptions of where to catch the trails and navigate some of the best mountain biking in the world is a must for both locals and visitors to the birthplace of mountain biking. I especially loved the Marin trails section because it opened my eyes to some rides I didn't know about which have now become some of my favorites. And if you love single track riding, then Jackson will take you on some of the most harrowing rides you can imagine -- I've got the scabs and scars on my knees and thighs to prove it!

Buy this book!

Mountain Biking the San Francisco Bay Area is what the title says it is and much more. Lorene Jackson has tackled a huge subject (argueably the area with the largest number of mountain biking options in the country) and covered it well, providing the rider with all he/she needs to know before hitting the trail. But she does more than that. Beyond describing the ride, the terrain, and what's of interest, she makes each ride enticing.

Beyond offering detailed descriptions of 40 rides around the Bay Area, plus 17 more "Honorable Mentions," she provides much background material and information that will equip the novice and intermediate rider to be prepared and assured of a pleasureable experience.

But what I enjoyed most was her breezy enthusiasm that will draw many armchair riders to actually get on a bike and head for the mountains. Lorene Jackson and this book should spread the mountain biking "gospel" beyond it's current circle. I can't wait for her book on Lake Tahoe rides!

This is a fascinating book because it combines the drama of a murder mystery, sabotage, and baseball against a backdrop of American fear of German culture during World War I. I found the social commentary fascinating, and wondered about the accuracy of the times. Our hero (Mickey Rawlings) is trying to solve the murder of a teammate with the misfortune of having a German name. He gets involved in a anti-German society that sounds like the Ku Klux Klan, rubbing elbows with some scary hatemongers. He also gets involved with some suspicious baseball team owners. When other bodies start to fall, the mystery deepens. Throughout it all, Mickey is struggling with his patriotic duty versus his love for the game of baseball.

I loved this book.

Mr. Soos does a very good job with the plot by not trying to cram too much into the book. Youc an follow the plot lines yet still be surprised at how it turns out. A little light on the baseball part but it doesn't hurt the book at all.

In 1918 Mickey Rawlings, no longer a rookie, plays for the Chicago Cubs in the midst of America's anti-German hysteria during the hot days of World War I. His buddy, rookie Willie Kaiser, tormented by fans and teammates, becomes moody and morose and Mickey worries about him. Meanwhile someone begins a campaign of harassment against the team. He releases smoke bombs, saws bleacher seats so they collapse, and puts pretzels at all concessions stands so the team is vilified in the press for being pro-German. To cap it all off, someone reduces Mickey to cold showers by stealing his hot water heater.

When Charles Weeghmann, builder of the field and President of the Cubs, suspects William Wrigley is the saboteur because he wants to take over the tea, he asks Mickey to investigate. Then, in the midst of the on-field 4th of July celebration, Willie Kaiser dies of a gunshot wound.

If Soos intends to portray the tenor of the times as well as to present a Q story as intriguing as Bobby Thompson's home run, and a character as irresistible as a beer and hot dog (and I'm sure he does),I'd say he's batting at least .450.

The appealing and resourceful Mickey probes at the very source of America's neuroses at a time when the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven is banned, the director of the Boston Symphony jailed for playing German music, German-Americans are being lynched, and even innocent Dachshunds and German shepherds neglected or killed. But the world will right itself again, and even professional baseball survives the turmoil.

Soos's characters are fully developed and intriguing. His portrait of an earlier America in the throes of war hysteria says a lot to us today. We can take the warning to heart. There are no lectures here, though, just a rousing good tale.

This is the third in the Mickey Rawlings series ("Murder at Fenway Park" and "Murder at Ebbetts Field" precede it). Rawlings, a utility infielder who gets traded more often than baseball cards, again finds himself nearby when a murder is committed. This time it is a fellow Cubs teammate, Willy Kaiser. Willy is Rawlings' friend and he vows to track down the killer. Could it be: 1. A player Willy displaced at shortstop, out to get revenge? 2. Another baseball club owner out to destroy the Cubs? 3. Any one of the many citizens whipped into a frenzy by the anti-war propoganda being spread around the US? The plot gets pretty thick as Mickey teams up with his old newspaper buddy, Landfors, to try to sort out fact from fiction. There are many colorful characters we meet on the way including ballplayers, owners, factory workers, German immigrants, businessmen, and members of an anti-war organization. Mickey is in only slightly less danger than in the earlier books. The real danger seems to be that he'll be cut from the team and forced to travel to Europe to fight for his country. Although I'm not a scholar of the period (1918), the descriptions seem to be accurate enough and some of the characters are not fictional (though their actions are) in order to end more realism to the work.

A wonderful book. I tracked down a used one years ago and now I've really worn it out. Princess Grace doesn't just touch on the surface of flower arranging and gardening, but goes into depth about old recipes using flowers, myths, legends, art and even explores some of the most beautiful gardens on the Riviera. I only wish she had included more photos of the flower pictures she created. There is quite a variety of content here and it is a joy to read.

Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco, is recognized as an international judge of flowers. Having initiated the Garden Club of Monaco over ten years ago, Princess Grace also conducted classes in floral arrangement. Her knowledge and skill in this area soon evolved into an interest in pressed flower arrangements.

In this book, richly illustrated with artwork and lavish color photography, Princess Grace now shares her knowledge and sense of floral asthetics with beauty lovers everywhere. She discloses the secrets of flower pressing, discussing both materials needed and her own simple techniques for achieving some unique and enduring arrangements. Princess Grace suggests the place of flowers in art, literature, poetry, mythology, ballet, and opera, offering many practical uses for flowers and herbs, as beauty aids, home remedies, culinary treats, sachets, potpourris, and perfumes.

The result is a book that captures a sense of the timelessness of flowers - a book to enchant the eye and ravish the spirit. From Monaco's multihued roses to the delicate edelweiss growing on the crags of the nearby Alps, Princess Graces has looked into the very heart of these flowers, where she found in the intricate loveliness of nature a symbol of creation and the beauty of life.

A wonderful book. I tracked down a used one years ago and now I've really worn it out. Princess Grace doesn't just touch on the surface of flower arranging and gardening, but goes into depth about old recipes using flowers, myths, legends, art and even explores some of the most beautiful gardens on the Riviera. I only wish she had included more photos of the flower pictures she created. There is quite a variety of content here and it is a joy to read.

I loved Grace Kelly as an actress--and no doubt she would have won many more accolades had she not married Prince Rainier. However, this book, a final overture of her talents, beauty, and, yes, grace, are all here in this book, which she wrote just a few short years before she died. I know this book is out of print, but for Gracephiles out there--IT IS WORTH TRACKING IT DOWN. This book is an excellent coffee table book. And it is pure enjoyment from start to end. This book is a treasure in any collection!!!

Medgar Evers was an American Hero. A young, articulate African American man, he had the courage to be head of the NAACP in Mississippi during the darkest days of the Civil Rights Movement. He was shot in the back in his driveway by an avowed "rabid racist" named Byron de la Beckwith.

Beckwith was tried twice for the crime; each time the jury was hung.

A quarter of a century later, an intrepid reporter named Jerry Mitchell of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger shook Mississippi to the core when he uncovered new evidence that pointed to Beckwith's guilt. Myrlie Evers, an amazing woman who was widowed by Beckwith's bullet, took that evidence to the Hinds County District Attorney's Office and asked that the case be reopened.

At first, the DA was sympathetic but skeptical. Then a brilliant Assistant District Attorney, Bobby DeLaughter, began investigating the possibility of indicting Beckwith.

This is the true story of DeLaughter's dogged, relentless search for justice. The story was partly told in the film "Ghosts of Mississippi" in which DeLaughter was played by Alec Baldwin. However, DeLaughter's real life account of the trial is far more captivating, amazing and, ultimately satisfying than the movie's version.

This book has the passion and riveting surprises of the best of Grisham or Turow, combined with the emotional impact of "Eyes On The Prize" and "The Long Walk Home." DeLaughter, a fluid and powerful writer, takes us deep into the heart of evil as he investigates a powerful Klansman.

In the end, this book is a triumphant and uplifting reminder of how the legal system can still bring justice.

Highest Recommendation.

As a new lawyer, this book really helped me realize so many things as to what a lawyer should do before, during, and after the trial.

I am a Filipino, there is no racial discrimination in our country... yet I cried many times while reading this book.

If you read this book you will really learn to appreciate the value of human dignity.

Bobby Delaughter was a prosecutor of the right timbre, morals, and courage at the right time to help bring justice in a 30-year old murder case. This riveting book tells how, in the face of extreme odds, his faith was brought to the forefront, to show that God really does care and uses people such as Delaughter to produce what He desires most - justice. In this book, we see not only a story of Mississippi's catharsis in turning from a place of race-baiting politicians and of organized Ku Klux Klanism to a place where justice can truly be done, but also a story of the touching emotional struggle of the victims and prosecutors alike. As prosecutors face great opposition from not only racists and self-seeking politicians, but also from well-meaning but skeptical black and white citizens and even an arrogant FBI, they rise above the ordinary at great personal and political cost. As an attorney, I coined the phrase, "sometimes truth is very hard to come by." This story embodies that principle. The efforts of Mr. Delaughter and his D.A. boss should be applauded and lauded as a great triumph, not just for the machinery and tools of this great country's ever-grinding legal system, for they are but lifeless concepts apart from the souls that man their stations, but also for those with virtue and conscience, who are the fuel and oil without which there would be no production of justice.

I had been interested by the story of Medgar Evers and the difficulty the state had in prosecuting his alleged killer for some time. When the State of Mississippi reopened the case for a potential third attempt at prosecution I was hopeful that some sense of justice might be achieved but not at all convinced that the then alleged killer would be found guilty of Medgar Evers' murder. Bobby De Laughter has written an insightful, thoughtful and intriguing book. As I read his account of the various threads of the story, the leads the DA's office had to develop to prosecute this case after so many years and the elements of good fortune that allowed this case to be pursued successfully I could not help but feel the presence of Medgar Evers. The goodness of the man and his persistent quest for justice is echoed in the actions of Mr. De Laughter, Ms. Myrlie Evers, the many dogged investigators and committed professionals who played their part in making the third trial come together.

This is a great read, so compelling I could not put it down. In many ways this book reads like a mystery. So much of what was needed to prepare the case against Byron De La Beckwith was lost during the long period between the killing and the final trial. Twice shut out, the stakes couldn't have been higher for the prosecution in this third outing. The book is no less suspenseful because the verdict is known. Although an intensely personal account, Mr. DeLaughter clearly and consicely explains the legal hurdles the prosecution faced and incisively analyzes the behavior and motivations of the defendant. Mr. De Laughter is widely descibed as very private, but in his writing he and his experience are so accessible the reader feels as if s/he is there every step of the way. This is an intelligent and inspiring work that should not be missed.

Well packaged, high quality greeting cards that are unlike anything you can pick up at your local grocery or drug store. ADORABLY cheesy "needlepointed" envelopes serve as the icing for the cake inside. Brilliantly funny, especially for those, like me, with a slanted sense of humor. Don't have enough time to stitch up all the little messages yourself? (See the book by the same author). Until you are ready to undertake that (which I will be), I cannot imagine a better way to express and share your sweet sentiments with others. A great deal and a great find! Looking forward to many gleeful moments of mailing fun! Hip-hip-hooray!

... send something Subversive instead!

If you're all serious and sentimental and not the least bit cynical, move on. In fact, move on IMMEDIATELY! This stuff is not for you!

But if you're cynical and sarcastic and, well, just a smart-ass, you need this box of cards. Seriously! Know someone who's not too keen on getting older? Perfect opportunity to send a "Happy F@#%&ing Birthday" card. Or if a friend is going through a tough romance, commiserate with a "Love Stinks" card.

See? So useful for modern living! You really ought to have a box handy - I do!

...These are the cards that you're looking for. Who needs fluffy bunny cards to beat around the bush when Julie Jackson's Subversive Cross Stitch notecards tell it like it is.

Great for so many occasions. I hope this is the start of a revolution. Surely the next set will have my favorite design from the Subversive Cross Stitch book, which is "Have a Nice Life." There are so many people i'd like to send THAT to.

This book touched me like no book ever has before. I have never had a book bring me to sobs like this one did. Oh, I've cried at books before, but this one had me sobbing. I love the way she wrote this book without trying to make it all seem easy when your children are hurting and dying. I felt her pain and saw her realness. At times, I could find myself judging her because she showed her faults so honestly. But then, I would see that she did the best she could and that gave me permission to say that to myself. My children do not have Batten's Disease. Yet, I struggle everyday with the hardships of autism and the pain that brings. The author's struggles in her pain, gave me strength. Her faith in God was overwhelming to me and I want to have that faith myself.

Thank you for writing this book. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it by accident. Or was that God' direction??? Either way, I'm thankful I had the chance to read it.

Connie Jackson did an amazing job. She opens herself up to allow others to climb into the world of a Batten Disease touched family. Each page was like reading my own story, heart wrenching and yet, the glimmer of hope in the realm of faith. A real picture of real life in the battle of losing a child. Two thumbs up, Connie! A must read; your faith will soar and your heart weep.

anyone having the opportunity to read connie's book will be truly blessed. i knew connie and her family personally when they moved to my hometown and joined my home church. her faith and courage will strengthen ones heart and their own faith in the Lord. God Bless you Connie, from a fellow christian and friend from the sunday school class you taught. you are a blessing from God and the faith you shared with me 20 years ago still lives in my life. ~karen

Connie Jackson did an amazing job. She opens herself up to allow others to climb into the world of a Batten Disease touched family. Each page was like reading my own story, heart wrenching and yet, the glimmer of hope in the realm of faith. A real picture of real life in the battle of losing a child. Two thumbs up, Connie! A must read; your faith will soar and your heart weep.

I read this book about a month ago. I was interested in the book because I saw the author on a special on TV One about a year ago. The book was just ok. Not bad and...well, like I said, it was ok.

Oaktown Devil was so good, one of those finish it in a day because you can't put it down type books.

When I first started reading it I was like what in the world? I guess I was expecting a modern urban tale. The main character started the book off trying to describe his mack game but he clearly was not in 2004, more like the early 90s. This was back in the day of thick gold link and herringbone chains, airbrushed jeans and tees, and skypagers. But once I got past that and into the book there was no stopping. This book was funny as I don't know what. Something for everybody. Urban drama with a tiny bit of mystery mix. Oaktown Devil is probably even more of a treat for Bay area residents because of the descriptions of streets and hangouts in their hometown. Even some Too Short lyrics thrown in for good measure.

Just buy this book, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I'll be starting the sequel "Shakey's Loose" shortly. Renay Jackson, you got a fan for life.

this book is so full of adventure & true to life in oakland ca.
mr. jackson has some great books. he doesn"t hold back! i would recomend all his books, i only wish he had more out now.
belle
#1 fan from the bay area

This book was not only written ideal for a blockbuster movie, but it had some EXCELLENT food recipes inside the book that made me hungry! As a reader, I can tell this book was written by an older mature author, but the storylines were hot. It's a book about betrayal, drugs, love and urban drama....I don't want to give away the story, buy the book. It's a read you are sure to enjoy. Book clubs, check this one out!!!...I'll be waiting for part 2 "Shakey's Loose" (which is not yet released) :(

An excelent study of Ghazali's Faysal L Tafriqa. The author Dr Sherman Jackson carefully analyzes the context in which the book was written and shows how it is very relevant to our situations in modern times. He elaborates that "al-Ghazali's mission is to define the boundaries within which competing theologies can coexist in mutual recognition of each other, i.e., as 'orthodox,' in the sense of passing theological muster. Al-GhazAli's aim, in other words, is not to establish who among the theological schools is 'right', but rather to demonstrate the folly and unfairness of the practice of condemning a doctrine as heresy simply because it goes against one's own theology. Furthermore, he insists, even where a doctrine can be justifiably deemed 'wrong' or heretical, this does not necessarily constitute Unbelief." Everyone who is interested in reading a sober account of on-going theolgical disputes among contemporary muslims should pick this up.

"Hujjat al-Islam" (Proof of Islam) Shaykh Abu Hamid al-Ghazali covered a very important topic in his famous book "Faysal at-Tafriqa Bayna al-Islam wa al-Zandaqa" - The Decisive Criterion for Distinguishing Islam from Heresy (or Masked Infidelity).

It's actually a really great read, especially the commentary by Dr. Sherman (Abdul-Hakim) Jackson. Very methodological, but also flows very well, giving great background on Ghazali's life, the development of his work, and the importance of his thought even today.

Dr. Jackson explains the importance of the book: "al-Ghazali's mission is to define the boundaries within which competing theologies can coexist in mutual recognition of each other, i.e., as 'orthodox,' in the sense of passing theological muster. Al-Ghazali's aim, in other words, is not to establish who among the theological schools is 'right', but rather to demonstrate the folly and unfairness of the practice of condemning a doctrine as heresy simply because it goes against one's own theology. Furthermore, he insists, even where a doctrine can be justifiably deemed 'wrong' or heretical, this does not necessarily constitute Unbelief."

It is a very important book, and i really recommend it to anyone interested in trying to make sense of all this stuff. It really helped me a lot, and made me see that this whole idea of who is right, and who is not, the notions people have of "haqq" (truth) and so on, are actually much more complex and deeper than at least I believed previously. I am sure for many others this will be the case too.

In it Ghazali (and Dr. Jackson) mention a number of interesting points. A few that i remember are:

1) Certain matters are Usul (foundations) and others are Furu (branches).
2) All Muslims must believe in the Usul, as that is what makes them Muslim, but the Furu can have differences and still be within the boundaries of Islam.
3) There are many different methods of dealing with/interpreting Quran and Sunnah that jurists/theologians use - especially ones that us everyday people don't understand. These are matters for specialists.
4) Sometimes scholars are speaking on different wavelengths about the same subject, and this can lead to misunderstanding, when actually they are perhaps using different methods/levels of interpretation (point 3 above).

From within that, al-Ghazali mentions that there are only a handful of things that are actually Foundations (Usul):

1) The Oneness of God
2) The Prophethood of Muhammad (s)
3) The reality of Judgement Day

According to his explanation, other things are secondary and as Dr. Jackson translates "there should be no branding any person an Unbeliever over any secondary issue whatsoever, as a matter of principle."

The exception to this rule is the secondary issues handed down by the Prophet in the state of tawatur (ie. Mutwatir hadith). Rejection of this is basically a rejection of point 2 above.

For me, this is abslutely fascinating, and led to me looking at the various different sects/interpretations of both law and theology within Islam in a different way. This is especially true when there are certain sects within Islam that seem to delight in calling 'Takfir' on others (pronouncing other sects of Muslims as unbelievers, or apostates).

The other most interesting part, is how al-Ghazali deals with non-Muslims and their place in the afterlife. It is a very topical question, and this book shows a master of theology at work. The complex relationship between non-Muslims and their relationship with Islam is explained, and various possibilities are given. It is much more nuanced than the standard "non-Muslims will be in the eternal Hellfire" that certain groups like to say - which is very black & white - something I feel completely disregards our intellectual tradition. Instead the principles of Justice and Mercy shines through (especially from the famous hadith "My Mercy precedes my Wrath.")

A truly remarkable book I highly recommend to anyone wanting to read the work of one of the greats in Islam and understand their importance!

Must read for every Muslim, especially those who are trigger-happy with takfir (declaring a Muslim to be a kafir, or unbeliever). The author gives a great introduction putting many parts of the book in their proper context.

Beginning with an excellent introduction, this translation of Ghazali's work is a valuable resource for intra-Muslim discourse, as it demonstrates that theological tolerance in determining orthodoxy is needed in order to take into account differing viewpoints within Islam, so long as certain precautionary measures are taken.
The introduction is great since it orients the reader and demonstrates the significance of Ghazali's work.
This book is fantastic and I hope to see more works from this author.

Riding the Tiger is a fine conservation book. It gets into the technical part of conservation which few see. If you are interested in becoming a zoologist this book is a must.

This book is excellent for biological conservationists. It is written in the language of science and may be slightly difficult for the non-scientist to comprehend. Otherwise, it was a great book, and I would recommend it for everyone.

If you want to explore the present state of knowledge about tigers in the wild and their real prospects for survival, this is the best publication available. It's attractively illustrated with photos of wild tigers, current range maps, and useful treatments of their history, habitat, populations, prey relations, conflicts with people, and conservation status in various parts of their range. The book's chapters are well organized and written by well informed scientists.

I couldn't put the book down and have only been surprised that it has received so little publicity beyond the professional ranks of conservation biologists. It's useful also for those considering a visit to areas where tigers still occur.

An excellent and thorough composition of research of the tiger and its conservation. A must have for ecologists or wildlife biologists interested in studying or working with the big cats. Very informative, written with a lot of data, statistics, maps and references - most informative for those with a scientific mind. Highly recommended.