Kennedy Books

Having travelled a couple of times to Prague and wandered its streets I found it lovely to revisit some of those sites in this wonderful quirky book. I can happily recommend it for both adults and children. Peter Sis is an illustrator extraordinaire!

The book is beautiful - both copy and illustration. My son's grandfather is from Prague, so I bought this book for him to read to my son. I was delighted to find it.

Both my 6-year-old daughter and I love this book so much. Beautiful illustration as the other works of Peter sis, with a facinating story.

Peter Sis, who has written and illustrated the Caldecott Honor books "Tibet Through the Red Box" and "Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei," wrote "The Three Golden Keys" for his daughter, Madeline. The book begins with a handwritten letter to Madeline, explaining that while she was born in New York, in the New World, he wants to share with her the mystery of Prague, the city in which he was raised. So he spins the story of how his hot-air balloon was blown off course in a violent storm and landed in the Prague of his childhood. There he finds his wa yto his old home, only to find the house dark and three rusty padlocks on the door. He knows that he must find the keys to unlock the locks to get inside. Fortunately his old black cat shows up and as the man follows her through the winter streets of his childhood, they are filled with memories.

Three times in this story, as the seasons change, the man comes to a special place from his childhood, and in each place an old Czech legend is revealed to the man and his cat. The first is the legend of the night Bruncvik, the second the story of the Golem, and the third the story of Mast Hanus and his astronomical clock. Attached to each legend is a golden key, and once the man has collected them the city comes alive and he goes to open the door to his house and see what magical things await him there. Just be forewarned that when you kids read this book that they might be disappointed that their parents were not born in a distant land (fortunately I am safe on that score, although I have never been back to the city of my birth, but I would like to go, although by something other than a hot-air balloon).

The cover illustration for "The Three Golden Keys" does not give you any real indication of the visual delights inside. My only real issue with this book is that the three legends are each told in a single double-page spread, with twenty-four illustrations (approximately one-inch by one-and-a-half-inches each) surrounding the text section, which has captions for each (unnumbered) drawing after an introduction, surrounding a giant drawing of a key. Given that the rest of the book consists of full-page or double-page illustrations rich in detail and full of color, the little comic strip versions of the legends suffer a bit in comparison, although they are as finely detailed as the rest of the art work. Besides, it would not bother me if this book was two or three times longer to work everything in because you are not going to get tired of Sis's artwork.

I bought this book for my daughter when she was only three. Yes, way too young in some ways, but it immediately became her favorite book because it can be read on so many levels and the pictures carried her imagination to new places. It's the story of a man who somehow magically goes back in time to his home in Prague when he was a child. This introduced a sense of history, of other places defined by their unique history, even a sense of old Europe, to my daughter. You can read the book on many levels because it has small, detailed stored written in boxes and these can be saved for when a child gets older. It's really a magical book for any age. We've gone on to be Peter Sis fans and enjoy all of his stories. Some of them are little masterpieces.

This is a wonderful book. I am reading it again and I just love how comforting it is. Many practicle Godly advice.

This book is EXCELLENT for all women. I use to wish I could find a book that told me why my husband acted or thought the way he did. I finally found it in Nancy's book. I bought this book for a friend whose husband is not a Christian. As I started reading through it I could hardly put it down. I begin to learn where I as a wife with a Christian husband was making my own mistakes. We grow up believing that men and women are basically the same. We hear it on TV and movies and even from "the Experts", but Nancy points out how we think very differently about things. She explains many times "the saved wife" goes about the wrong way trying to convert her husband. Nancy teaches us (ALL OF US), how to allow GOD to do the work that WE are trying to do. It really is a "MUST READ" for all Christian women. Whether you are married to an unbeliever or not, this book will be of GREAT benefit for any wife.

When my husband left the faith, I thought my life and my marriage were over! This book helped me see how to work through this enormous struggle, and covered every topic I had trouble with, from attending church alone to raising spiritual children. Every day that I read from this book, I treated my husband with more kindness. Now that I have finished reading it, I think I will probably have to read it over and over every day so that I don't give up. It is amazing how Nancy practially read my mind and had an answer to all of my questions (and the answers are backed with scripture!) I highly recommend this book to any woman who feels "alone in her faith."

At this point, I don't know anyone that I can talk to about being a believing wife to an unbelieving husband. When I open the book, it's like I'm hearing from a good friend. God has given her the gift of being able to help me get out of self-pity, and turn to the One who can lead me through everyday life with my family. No more 'what-if's', this is my life. What is God's purpose as He takes me through it? I am called to love. Love is the greatest challenge, whether you are married to someone who shares your faith or not. I highly recommend this book for the encouragment and objectivenes she is able to deliver.

I love Nancy's humorous style, combined with her wisdom and wonderful perspective. I just keep reading my copy over and over. Many great Bible verses quoted throughout which help encourage the reader.

Sally tells simple stories but surprises us with profound truths.

Little Parables From Ireland ia a wondeful devotion for yourself or to give as a gift. Each day's reading brings a bit of God's truth from heaven right down into your hands. Sally Kennedy has a gift of seeing the Father and his love for us in ordinary day to day things. Her gift continues with her ability to convey these precious truths through her writing. You will be blessed by this book!

Sally Kennehas managed to express the Father's love, compassion and mercy He has for His children in a lovely devotional... easy to read and easy to comprehend. Thibook is a must for those who wish to visit the Father's throne room, but don't feel like they have a lot of time to spend... I love this book!!!!

This weekly devotional really touched my heart. Because of the examples the author uses to point out God's presence in her everyday life, I became more aware of God's presence in my own life. I have enjoyed giving this book as a gift to the people I really care about. Even my 93 year old mother couldn't put it down!

Sally Kennedy has given an insight into life's daily lessons and how to appreciate the world around us. Her transparency in writing what matters in life truly gives a sense of introspection for one's own life and acknowledges that there is something beyond four leaf clovers! A must read for those desiring five minutes of joy and peace!

This book by James Kaplan provides an in depth look at John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport in NYC. But in doing this it is looking at a small town with it's different people and functions. Everything from the medical staff, to the guy who changes all the lightbulbs in the ground are given a face in this incredible book. It's a fast read, and it will answer all your questions. It's not just for people who like airports or for New Yorkers. It is for everyone who should marvel at how special a place JFK really is. It leaves you hoping that Kaplan will adopt the same methods with other institutions around the country.

I never thought I'd be fascinated by baggage handlers or traffic cops at an airport. But this book changed all that. It is a wonderful adventure from the most exciting moments in the cockpit to the control tower to the ticket counter to the kitchen and beyond. It takes you to 30,000 feet all the way down to the guts of the airport operations. From the beginning account of an actual plane crash to everything else, I could not put this book down. If you're the least bit interested in commercial airliners or airports, this is a must read.

This book is a very interesting, very well-worded, literary look at a non-literary, quantitative fact of late 20th century life.

For those who appreciate a well-written story of late 20th century America, this is a great book. For those who are afraid of flying and all associated with it, this book will entertain you and help you. And if you love to fly and want the answers to some of those nagging "how does this work" questions, this is a great book.

James Kaplan does a superb job of bringing JFK International Airport to life. He allows the reader to sneak a peek behind the scenes at the airport and to learn more about how things work. By describing the history of JFK International, I have an even greater appreciation for the people and institutions that make air travel what it is today

Extremely well written with terrific detail. This book takes you inside the workings of the airport. It gives you a view of JFK and particular events that are relevant to the airport that you would not have without the benefit of this book. The real testament to this book for me is that since I've read it, every time something happens that has to do with JFK (TWA 800 etc.), I wish that Mr. Kaplan would incorporate it in a sequel so that I could understand it through his perspective. Kaplan's chapter on his experience of flying in the cockpit of the Concorde is worth finding this book even though it now appears to be out of print.

I truly love this book. It beautifully captures memories, heart and soul. There are touching photos, and a genuinely great collection of poetry best loved by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, one of the few women I have admired my entire life.
Some of my favorite poems in this book are:
"Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes
"Sonnet XVIII" by William Shakespeare
"Sea Joy" by Jacqueline Bouvier - 1939
"Thoughts" by Jacqueline Bouvier - 1943
"Meanwhile in Massachusetts" by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy - October 1953 (Inspired by "John Brown's Body" by Stephen Vincent Benet.)

Caroline Kennedy did an outstanding job in creating this collection. This is really a book to treasure, and would make a beautiful gift for anyone who loved one of our greatest First Ladies, as well as the fantastic contributors to this collection. Highly recommended!

I bought this book @ Amazon as an impulse purchase. So glad I did.
What a lovely, beautiful book! The comments and introductions by Caroline are so informative and personal. Gives glimpses into her mother's true self.......and lives up to the woman I so admire.
Thank you, Caroline, for sharing her love of poetry with us.
Barbara Kerr Thompson
Springfield , MO

After reading the first installment (Best loved poems of JKO), I shared many of my favorites with my niece who's barely 10 yrs old. She fell in love with "Annabel Lee" by the great EAP. I was so intrigued by her interest. I then ordered a copy of "A Family of Poems", 2 copiesfor she and I. The illustrations are magical as well as the words the depict them.

I have found such pleasure in sharing them with my family, I never knew that they would respond with such enthusiasm. I truely believe that these are the things which can bring a family closer. I am so jealous of the fact that my family didn't grow up in this fashion. I will make it a priority to teach my children these works, and let them explore all of the great wonders that are brought to life byh them. I want my family to appreciate what words truely mean.

As spoken by Mrs. Kennedy giving a poem is like giving a gift, always read only the greats, and know that poetry can take you so many wonderful places. This is not verbatim, but it is the sentiment that I have taken and shared with all.

I now cannot go to sleep without going through the adventures of these great works.

Thank you Caroline for all the attention you put into collecting such great master pieces.

I was given this book by a dear friend for my 50th birthday. Imagine my surprise when it turned out Jackie was reading Caroline a lot of the same poems that my Dad used to read to my sister and me at bedtime. I lost this book, along with many others, in the flood following Katrina. There are books that I decided I could live without, but this one I had to replace.

Finding the assortment of poems to be so well chosen was not a surprise. We would expect that in a book about Jacqueline by her daughter.What was a surprise was the particular assortment of poems presented. Her past, her youth, people in her life, scriptures, and then her own poems. I especially loved finding Jacqueline's own poems that she had written.

C.S. Lewis suggested about poetry that it is less like literature today. Not so with Jacqueline's poems. The collection of poems was a story itself.

Caroline said that one of the greatest gifts she and her brother received from her mother was her love of literature and language. This book demonstrates that claim. You can sense the way she felt and who she was.

A special find was finding the page "Books I read when I was young." I loved her poems, "Sea Joy" and "Thoughts". This is a book that is indeed a treasure.

This is the second of the Kennedy books I have read. I liked 'Ironweed' much better. True, this one has a great opening scene in which there is a head- on- head bowling match related with great suspense and pizzazz. Billy takes on a serious cheap character named Streck. Each one has his own backer. Streck's is Charlie McCall a scion of the family that runs Albany political life. Billy Phelan's is Morrie Berman, a small- time Jewish hood who has sympathy for the fatherless Phelan. The bowling match and especially its aftermath takes a surprising and violent turn, in typical Kennedy style.
At the end of the novel Billy Phelan who has stood by his principles and is not a stoolie finds himself ostracized.
All in all this is a tough realistic work, with sharp dialect and real humor.
If I did not go for it as much as I went for the 'Ironweed' book it is I believe because the violence of the whole thing, the world and the people in it, come to finally turn me off. As I see it Kennedy is a kind of more realistic, and serious Damon Runyan. But precisely Runyan's gentleness with his characters, his feeling that the oddballs and screwballs of his gambling, sports , crime world are loveable jerks after all is what greatly appeals to me. This is not to say Kennedy does not do a good job in delineating admirable sides of his characters, but rather only anything which goes so swiftly and casually from violence to violence ( even in language)is not my cup of Schaefer's , Budweiser's , Ballantine's Miller's , Molson's or any other Albany beer.

Billy Phelan, son of long gone Francis (Ironweed) has become a "man about town" on the streets of Albany. A snappy dresser, willing to participate in, or bet on, any game in town, has found himself caught up in a kidnapping. This isn't just another game and Billy must play the game of his life for his life.Again Kennedy has the talent to make his wide variety of characters true. My advice is to read this book before Flaming Corsage. The whole cast is there.

"Billy Phelan's Greatest Game" by William Kennedy is a mesmerizing, hysterical, and suspenseful romp through Depression-era Albany. Read the first chapter, where Billy bowls someone "to death", and I seriously doubt that you will put the book down. Billy is one of the most memorable characters in William Kennedy's galaxy, moreso than Francis Phelan in my book. Billy is a risk-taker, a guy whose heart is in the right place, and a rough-and-tumble sort that relies on his confidence in the midst of trouble. And these are the qualities that make him the inevitable, although unwilling, middle-man in a kidnapping negotiation.

Billy's world of gamblers, drinkers, sharks, corrupt Albany lackies, and broken families is dark and smoky but never despairing or hopeless. And Billy's moral calculus is a bright spot in this otherwise bleak setting. For my money, "Billy Phelan's Greatest Game" is the best of three in the Albany cycle. I found "Legs" to be slow-going and lacking focus. "Ironweed" is a sensational book, a close second to this novel, but its plot of two drinkers going from job to job, joint to joint, drink to drink does begin to wear down. "Billy Phelan's Greatest Game" has a good deal of plot tension, moral conflicts, humor, and a wider array of characters. I'm in the minority here, and that's fine, but in my analysis it's
WIN: (by a nose)"Billy Phelan's Greatest Game"
PLACE: "Ironweed"
SHOW: "Legs"

Billy Phelan is my fave of the great Kennedys' books. Billy is a fun guy to roam about with, listen to, learn from and even be inspired by. He is a great pool shooter, decent poker player, half-ass bookie and lovely raconteur.He takes the world as it comes and dives in to any and all of it with gusto and guts.Kennedy tosses in illustrative examples of the magic in daily life and the importance of being able to bounce back from those inevitable moments of (temporary!) defeat. All this told in Kennedys fine voice, a voice like that of a chain-smoking angel who can tell a snappy joke or a dazzling blue stretcher. What fun.

Albany, New York, during the Depression, when mobsters, crooked politicians, and fast-buck artists were in control, is the setting of _Billy Phelan's Greatest Game-, the second in William Kennedy's "Albany cycle." With some of the same characters appearing in the earlier _Legs_, and later appearing in the later Pulitzer Prize-winning novel _Ironweed_, this novel is a huge step forward for Kennedy. His ability to define character, create suspense, and explore major themes affecting fathers and sons and their values is far more sophisticated here than in _Legs_, the story of mobster Jack "Legs" Diamond.

In a sensational opening scene young Billy Phelan, part-time bookie and small-time card-player and gambler, is bowling the string of his life--two strikes away from a perfect score. The unexpected conclusion of the match, and its consequences for his opponent, produce a kind of metaphor for life in this era: Everyone lives on the edge, no one knows when disaster will strike, and there's not much anyone can do about it. Billy, whose father disappeared when he was young, is doing the best he can, "honoring" those he must "honor," helping his mother and sister, and acquiring a local reputation as a "good guy," taking bets and paying off, and not straying far from home.

When one of his acquaintances, Charlie MacCall, the son and nephew of two local pols, is kidnapped, Billy is asked to monitor the activities of one of the men with whom he plays cards, a man suspected of involvement in the kidnapping. Not a "stoolie," Billy faces a crisis of conscience. The reappearance of his father, an alcoholic who "helps" people who can help him, adds to his dilemma, since he counsels cooperation. Martin Daugherty, a newspaper columnist, offers a more mature view while commenting on the political and social aspects of the kidnapping of Charlie MacCall.

Whereas _Legs_ is a fairly straightforward biographical novel, this novel is far more complex. Numerous sets of fathers and sons, all of whom have intergenerational problems, reveal the changing morality of Depression-era Albany. Billy's moral code is more stringent than his father's, Martin Daugherty's son is studying for the priesthood (to his dismay), and the kidnapped Charlie MacCall is isolated from the political machine of his father and uncle. An outstanding novel which has not received its due recognition, this is a carefully crafted novel with well developed themes, dramatic dialogue, and grounding in setting that is rare in modern fiction. n Mary Whipple

We find ourselves reaching for this book on a regular basis so we keep it on the coffee table where its easy to find. When you spot an interesting bird out your window you can quickly find it and read all about it. This would be really great to take with you on outdoor adventures too.

What a beautiful, colorful and descriptive study book for the birds of Washington state! Using it I identified three birds I was having trouble finding using a North American Bird Field Guide. The Oregon Junco for one! Seems they come this far to the eastern borders of Washington. This book is a treasure and a learning tool for any new birder in the Pacific Northwest.

We have bird feeders in our garden. They attract a large variety of birds and this terrific book identifies them for us. It also contains interesting information on the varying habits etc. as well as beautiful pictures of the different varietys.

It is very user friendly.

I moved to Washington a few months ago. Locating target birds has become a challenge in this new environment. The comprehensive continent-wide guides (sibley, peterson, golden, NG, etc...) are all wonderful, but are too vague when it comes to locating birds in a state with extremely diverse habitats (such as Washington!) This book has state range maps that are excellent, and I've found very accurate. Whereas the comprehensive guides give you mostly vital statistics about each bird, this guide has a different approach: There is usually a few interesting (and some obscure)facts about each bird. The artwork is nice, but if you're a visual learner, won't suffice for learning field marks so you'll have to supplement this book with another guide that has more artwork/photos. I've been birding for seven years now, and I find these new Lone Pine guides a breath of fresh air. They are easy to page through quickly, locally-oriented, and oddly enough have a really pleasant smell! They've also helped me become a better birder. I've used the Lone Pine Birds of Northern California guide as well while living in the SF Bay Area a couple years ago. I'd recommend this book for beginners and advanced birders. They really cover the bases that the other guides don't.

We purchased this book as a supplement to our homeschool library prior to relocating from Georgia to Washington. We have not been disappointed.

My seven-year-old daughter has become a budding naturalist, thanks in part to these books. I can typically find this book on her nightstand - accompanied by a flashlight for late night reading!

The book is slim but hefty, with lovely sketches of both male and female examples of each bird. Color-coded maps show where the bird species can be found (and when) and a very thourough introduction gives information on the best birding sites, materials to gather prior to "birding" and excellent resources for further study.

My daughter would prefer photographs of the birds, but these are exceptionally beautiful drawings. This is in contrast to the smaller, less expensive "Golden Guides."

HIGHLY recommended.

The book was republished by another press after an unsatisfactory situation with this publisher and is available under the ISBN 09749466-4-8. It is selling well and a second printing is about half sold out.

A Brief History Of Disease, Science & Medicine by Dr. Michael T. Kennedy (retired vascular surgeon and a former Clinical Faculty Member, University of Southern California) informatively surveys the development of modern medical practice from prehistoric times to the modern day. An extensive index allows for easy cross reference of the fascinating facts, pioneer discoveries, traditions of ancient and current civilizations, and much more. A broad-ranging survey packed cover to cover with insights and changes in scientific thinking, A Brief History Of Disease, Science & Medicine is recommended for medical students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the history and development of modern medicine.

At some point in the nineteenth century, the practice of medicine was transformed into medical science. Before that time, while there were some people who critically examined techniques of treatment, most medical practitioners did more harm than good. At best, the treatment did no harm and there was tremendous resistance by the medical profession to change, even when the benefit was clearly demonstrated. Many women died in childbirth due to infections caused by doctors going directly from dissecting cadavers to delivering babies without washing their hands. It was not until sometime in the twentieth century before it could be said that the medical profession had alleviated more suffering than it caused.
This book chronicles all of this and is one of best written histories that I have encountered, independent of subject. It all starts in the first few pages, where you learn that early humans who were hunter-gatherers did not suffer from many acute diseases. After populations spent generations in the same general area, most diseases had adapted to being chronic in nature. Few people died from those diseases and new ones were rarely introduced into the population.
Three things, leading to the rise of civilization, changed that. The first was the domestication of animals, which allowed for the trans-species migration of diseases. This was a bit of a surprise to me, although it should not have been. The modern and deadly diseases of AIDS and Ebola are both caused by viruses that have migrated from other primates. As I write this, countries in Asia are killing enormous numbers of chickens in an attempt to prevent a disease virus from moving from chickens to humans.
The second event was the development of agriculture, which required stationary populations, and allowed the numbers to grow dramatically. This led to the profession of civil engineering and how to provide potable water and dispose of waste. Until recently, this has been a chronic problem and many epidemics have been due to contaminated water.
The third event is the increased mobility of populations, which is a more recent event. Strains of diseases that are chronic and mild in one population due to generations of acquired immunity become plagues when introduced to new populations. So much of the history of the world has been shaped by disease, which is one of the primary themes explained in detail. The Europeans gave the Americas smallpox and the Americans gave the Europeans syphilis. Asia gave Europe the bubonic plague, and Africa gave the world AIDS. I was very impressed with how Kennedy describes these events and explains how they changed the world.
Some of the most fascinating historical accounts dealt with individuals. The Russian Czar known as Ivan the Terrible was not always so terrible. In the early years of his reign, he was very enlightened, establishing schools and a legal code. However, in his later years, he earned his historical moniker, even killing his own son. His body was exhumed in the years of Soviet rule and it showed clear evidence of tertiary syphilis. Therefore, the insanity of his last years and the devastating consequences for Russian history were most likely due to his suffering from advanced syphilis. Although not proven, there are strong indications that Henry VIII of England also suffered from tertiary syphilis, which can explain some of the erratic behavior in his later years. One cannot help but be astonished at the rates of syphilitic infection in Europe a short time after it was brought back by the early explorers of the Americas. In 1599, one-third of the inhabitants of Paris were infected with syphilis. Given that it is transmitted primarily by sexual contact, this figure is incredible. It also indicates how sexually promiscuous the Parisians had to be and points out that there were times in history where people were more sexually promiscuous than they are now.
One cannot help but be astonished by the resistance to change that has pervaded the medical profession throughout its existence. It would be hard to find any other group of people who have exhibited such a conservative mindset for so long. In some ways, the only place where similar mindsets can be found is in religion. On the personal side, Kennedy occasionally refers to events in his life. There are not many, but they are expressed in a very matter of fact manner. It is unusual to read something like, "I was there when we tried . . . ., the patient died."
This book is a real riveting page-turner. Once I started reading it, it was the only book that I read until I finished it and now I have to catch up on all my other projects.

In this litigious time when physicians and all medical care workers tend to live under an umbrella of suspect brought on by the intervention of the media, vast lawsuits, big business (pharmaceutical companies) intervention, and computer access to data, there has occurred a response in the medical facilities to promote 'defensive medicine' to instruct the nascent students how to cope with the antagonistic world outside the halls of the teaching hospitals. This has resulted in less emphasis on the learning of the skills of the time honored Doctor-Patient relationship and in creating the aura that physicians dwell in glass dome sanctuaries of science: the quiet moments of sharing personal fears and concerns and relieving the pain in the souls of the patient and patients' families seem relics of the past house-call/caring-physician image.

Michael Kennedy in his book A BRIEF HISTORY OF DISEASE, SCIENCE & MEDICINE has done more to rectify this widening gap between physician and patient than any volume I have read. This meticulously written, dignified yet very warm and honest look at medicine from the Ice Age to the era of molecular and genetic concepts for the present and the future reads more like a fascinating novel than an academic treatise. There are facts and histories discussed here which will enlighten not only the general public but also the men and women of medicine - from premed student to retired doctor. It is simply an amazing source of knowledge while simultaneously being an honest, no-holds-barred review of how we came to this point in healthcare. And if ever there were a time when this book was needed, it is certainly now. Read this fascinating tome and learn not only the extraordinary progress made in the mystery of disease and physical meanderings away from the 'normal', but at the same time see just how vulnerable is the scientist and physician in dealing with new aspects of the art of practicing medicine through time. Kennedy and his colleagues have added an important adjunct to the re-entry of humanism in the teaching of medicine at his alma mater: this book demonstrates that journey of commitment to resurrect the precious healing relationship between the doctor and those who approach him for succor. Read this book for a highly dignified history of medicine, for some amazing insights into disease process, and for reassurance the perhaps the return of the sanctity of healthcare delivery is a possibility. A fine and very important achievement, Dr. Kennedy!

This is both an extremely ambitious and enormously entertaining history of the development of the medical treatment of human beings throughout the ages. It is ambitious in that the author attempts to survey the field from prehistory until the present day, and to do so in less than five hundred pages. The scope means that at times things of necessity have to be left out. For instance, the great story in science as a whole (and in medicine in particular) between classical antiquity and the early 17th century is the growth and eventual downfall of Aristotelianism, which provided the scientific background for nearly every branch of scientific endeavor during that time. Many of the key events of that story are briefly recounted, but many are not (e.g., allied discoveries by Galileo in astronomy that refuted Aristotelian assumptions). Still, given the limitations of space, this is an admirable treatment of the subject. To deal with every issue comprehensibly would have expanded dramatically the size of the book, which would have given the lie to the title. My one serious objection to the book is that the book does not have an overarching narrative structure. I'm not always sure what particular story is being told. Nonetheless, it is impossible to come away from the book without a far deeper appreciation for the remarkable journey medicine has undertaken over the centuries. It also makes me enormously grateful that I am alive today, and not in some previous century.

Above all, this is a fun, engaging, thoroughly entertaining book. Although the book sometimes veers towards the encyclopedic, the style at all times is anecdotal. The author loves his subject, and especially delights in the quirkier side of things. There are mountains of fascinating trivia, and as a lover of great trivia I was constantly saying to myself, "Wow, I didn't know that!" Some of the more fascinating bits of the book are when Kennedy discusses famous individuals and the way in which disease may have affected them, such as Ivan the Terrible or Henry VIII. Even in modern medical discoveries, he has an eye for the unusual.

This is also, however, a very educational book. The amount of information contained in its pages is fairly staggering. One great use for the book is to read through the sections on a particular epoch if one is engaged in historical reading. But the book is more than a collection of interesting facts. The reader gains an appreciation for the way that medical practice has developed over the centuries. For instance, Kennedy discusses how before the invention of anesthesia speed was a highly esteemed virtue in a surgeon. Surgery was performed quickly, and as a result there was less of an emphasis on working carefully and carefully suturing. But with the development of anesthesia, surgery slowed down, and surgeons took more care to operate with great care and to minimize injury to tissue. This is merely one random example out of thousands.

One of the most appealing aspects of the book is the deeply personal style of the author. Closely aligned with his love of the anecdotes and trivia is his eye for the humorous side of things. He also writes with a personal touch. In discussing some medical condition, he will mention that he had had such a case himself at such and such a point, or that someone had devised a form of pediatric surgery, and he later had as a patient the second recipient ever of that treatment. Or he will mention that his mother's uncle had a certain medical condition, or aunt was a nurse for a famous doctor.

This truly is a book suited for a variety of audiences. I have a strong interest in history, and as a result I enjoyed most the first half, in part because I had the background to understand everything there pretty easily. I struggled a bit more in the second half as medicine became more specialized, but I imagine that this half would be of greater interest to medical students or physicians. The main thing that I want to emphasize is that both the medical student and the educated nonspecialist will equally find much to enjoy in the book. Similarly, one could also employ the book merely as a reference work, or read it several chapters at a time. It is rare, however, that a book can be so educational over such a wide-ranging subject, and entertain so thoroughly at the same time.

It is hard to believe that there was a time when you could have passed Jack or Jackie on the street and not known them. This book has made them into "real people". I really enjoyed reading it.

To borrow from the movie HELP!, "Here's how they was before they was." Unguarded and completely charming photos of newlyweds, before international fame overtook them and they perfected their public faces. As one who has read extensively about the Kennedys, I am always happy to find books that can still show me something I haven't seen before. This book does that, and I enjoyed it and recommend it.

Camelot At Dawn: Jacqueline & John Kennedy In Georgetown, May 1954 is the collaborative work of photographer Orlando Suero and author Anne Garside. As his first major photography assignment, Suero spent five days with the Kennedys in May of 1954. He enjoyed their full cooperation and the intimate access that produced more than twenty photo sessions as Suero documented a typical week in the young couple's life including Jack at his Senate office, Jackie attending classes at Georgetown, and the couple playing touch football in the park. Camelot At Dawn is a "must" for all of those whose lives and imaginations where touched by one of America's most idealized couples before tragedy would shattered both their personal lives and those all too brief days of an American "Camelot" for the rest of us.

As someone who grew up in the Kennedy era, these images had a profound effect on me. They are images that shortly after they were made, could never have been made again. Can you imagine seeing Jack and Jackie Kennedy strolling alone down the streets of Georgetown (in DC), her wearing shorts and him wearing sneakers and a plain t-shirt? Or playing football in a public park with absolutely NO gawkers hanging around? The great impact of these pictures comes from their innocence and irony, because of what came after and what we now know. If you remember the Kennedy era, you might stare at some of the images in this book for many minutes in wonder, about the people in the picture, about yourself, and about how we were then and are now. I gave this book to my brother-in-law--a recognized expert on the Kennedy assination--and he said he almost cried. It's that good.

Can the Kennedys ever have a bad photograph taken of them? It is appears not, as this book illustrates. CAMELOT AT DAWN is kind of an artsy photojournalism feast for the eyes, and although at first glance the text will seem to have general information that we all know about, it too is a treat.

Orlando Suero had his first big assignment taking pictures of Jacqueline Kennedy for McCall's magazine for an article. It would turn out that most of his shots would not be used because the press felt that the Kennedys had been overexposed in the media due to their wedding--so it is only now in this book that most of the pictures taken for that assignment have been published.
Suero says that JFK manages to sneek himself into most pictures, and so the final result became as much as about him as Jackie...but we also see the Bobby Kennedys as well as the former President Trumans.

Some of these pictures have been published in other books, so not all of them are seen here for the first time, but seeing them within the context that they were shot makes the photos that have been seen before all the more interesting. However, it is only a few--most of these are just being seen for the first time.

As for the text, some of it is "well duh" text because it is known by everybody:"Jackie was a silver-and-Sevres kind of girl, whereas Jack was a milkshake-and-hamburger kind of guy." (I am not cutting on Anne Garside's writing--because the book is actually quite good, I am just trying to point out that some of the information that she writes everyone knows in their sleep...as that is how famous Jack and Jackie have become.) Now don't take this sentence of Garside's alone--you have to read the whole book before you dare judge her writing, and in my estimation she has succeded in the overall scheme in making two well known sujects seem like new again. How does she do this?
For example, there is information about the renting of Dent Place--where these photographs are taken as well the Kennedys first home--which is interesting because we get to see excerpts from Jackie's letters to the Childs (the people who the Kennedys were renting the house from.)
Also information about Evelyn Lincoln's calender is given as to what the Kennedy's were doing the week the photos were taken, as well as little details spread out throughout the text that make the book an interesting read.

I believe that this is a standout book published on the Kennedys. It is informative and orginal in text, and the pictures easily give Lowe, Avedon, and Shaw a run for their money. You can and will enjoy this book if you give it a chance--don't get stuck on the information about the JFKs that we all know or the pictures that we have all seen--read the entire book and appreciate the entire book!

I very much appreciated reading Dr. Davis' book. I found the personalized writing style to be reassuring and supportive in understanding and addressing the decisions, procedures, and forms that parents and students face in coping with the college tuition crisis. The information has helped me become a better educated consumer in the college financial aid process.

Buy this book! It can save you tons of money for college. Reading this book even helped me decide what type of college was best for me by narrowing down my financial options.

I have been a high school guidance counselor for 20 years. This book really explains the FAFSA process to my students and their parents, I highly reccomend it!!Also love College planning for dummies. It really simplifies the college admissions process and search journey for my kids.

I have been a high school guidance counselor for 20 years. This book really explains the FAFSA process to my students and their parents, I highly reccomend it! Also love College planning for dummies. It really simplifies the college admissions process and search journey for my kids.

I have read six books on college financial aid and this is the hands down winner. It has everything you need to plan and execute a faultless fiancial aid strategy. I checked this out of the library but I am buying my own copy. It is a good read and a good reference. It has all the secrets to getting the most financial aid possilbe with web sites of places to get more info.

If someone finds a better book for parents, please let me know!