Reed Books

There's been a lot written about Hildegard of Bingen lately, but this is the only book - and it's a wonderful book - that is suitable for older elementary and middle schoolers. My daughter and her friends have really enjoyed this book - the stories from Hildegard's life are very interesting, beautifully written and inspirational (whether you are religious or not). Hildegard was an amazing woman and this is the only book that will allow young readers to discover that for themselves. Highly recommended!

David Reeds book shows his great knowledge of the mortgage industry and how it relates directly to the internet. A "Must Read" for anyone in the mortgage industry or for anyone looking to advertise on the net.

This book is a daily devotional guide that will give you strength passed from the Lord through an author that humbly gives her faith in daily doses that inspire and encourage its reader. I find strength virtually every time I read even if I am reading for the second time. This book is not overwhelming for a new Christian, but also presents encouragement found in the gospel that can guide even the most "seasoned" Christian. Good stuff.

The authors give a strong explanation of biological evolution, from its earliest unicellular origins to the present. Much fossil and DNA evidence is summarised. Including recent findings in fossil digs from the 90s.

They point out that many so-called missing links are not. For relations between genera, families, orders and classes, the intermediate forms ("links") are often present in the fossil record. Amongst the cases cited are the origins of whales and sea cows.

More generally, the book has numerous instances where transitions found in fossils are explained in terms of limbs or bones developing, or suchlike, so that you can clearly see how one fossil is the evolutionary ancestor of another later fossil. As in the early fishes. Where those who developed jaws with bones were then more able to hunt other fishes; a strong evolutionary advantage. While the move onto land is shown in fossils that had fins with muscles. This allowed for propulsion above water, where the original advantage was to let the fish move around under water, in mud or vegetation.

Geology is also emphasised. Often giving rise to various ore and petroleum bodies found today. Plus plate tectonics is shown to account for the continental drifts and the breakup of Gondwanaland.

This is "it". This is "the" book on the history of truly Old Brooklyn. This set of three books was published by private subscription between 1867 and 1870 in very limited numbers. They are basically impossible to find these days outside of some downloadable copies available on the Web without the remarkable collection of engravings. Ever wanted to see what the first Brooklyn fire engine looked like? When and where did cholera break out in Brooklyn? What happened and what buildings burned down during The Great Fire of Brooklyn of 1848? What is the story of The Tomb of The Martyrs? How many Brooklyn houses no longer had outhouses in 1869? All of these queries and countless more are answered in very readable fashion in this offering.

The first volume covers up to The War of 1812 with chapters on Discovery, The Early Settlers and Patents, Civil History 1646-1664, Ecclesiastical History 1628-1664, Civil History 1664-74, Ecclesiastical History 1664-1803, Civil History 1675-1775, Domestic History of the People to the Revolution, Brooklyn During the Revolution, Revolution to 1812, and Brooklyn's Share in The War of 1812 totalling 464 pages with an index. The second volume covers 1812-1869 broken down into History of the Town until Incorporation of the Village, "Brooklyn Sixty Years Ago", 1817-1834, 1834-1855, Early Settlers and Patents of Bushwick, Bushwick 1660-1708, Ecclesiastical History of Bushwick 1700-1869, Bushwick During the Revolutionary War, Bushwick and Williamsburgh from The Revolution to 1854, Green-Point, and The Consolidated City of Brooklyn 1855-1869 totalling 500 pages. The final volume covers much of the infrastructure of Brooklyn in ferry history, railroads and plankroads, docks and commerce, manufactures, water and drainage (including the history of the Ridgewood Water Works), conversion of plumbing from outhouses to sewers, History of the Brooklyn Fire Department, public parks and cemeteries (with engravings of larger cemeteries), histories of all churches and mission schools in Brooklyn up to 1869, Hospitals, Dispensaries, Asylums, Benevolent/Religious Institutions and Associations, The History of Brooklyn Public Education, Other Educational Establishments, Libraries, Public Amusements, Art Institutions, Brooklyn newspapers, public institutions and buildings, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Brooklyn Post Office, and militia histories totalling 458 pages with an index for Volume 2 and Volume 3.

The books themselves are each about an inch thick and eight by five with glossy heavy paper for covers. They are not made to last 150 years, but they are absolutely perfect for casual, attentive reading and learning! Each of the original illustrations and maps are included in fold-out form. As a personal fanatic for the history of Brooklyn during and before the Civil War, I cannot even begin to recommend these volumes high enough. This offering was truly a labor of love for the citizens of young Brooklyn by Dr. Henry Reed Stiles who diligently spent over ten years compiling it and he succeeded spectacularly! Yes, the price is quite steep even for three paperback volumes, but THIS IS THE ONE TO HAVE if you love the rich and varied history of Old Brooklyn. Remember, it only covers up to 1869, but was written by a person who was surrounded then by much of this history! Go for it!

The author opens his study by examining the primitive transport conditions that existed before the admission of Texas to statehood in 1846, and then proceeds to discuss the construction and rationalization of the railway system. There are chapters devoted to every major aspect of railroads in operation in Texas: urban, interurban and industrial lines, railroad land grants, the bureaucratization of railroads, the formation of pools designed to restrict competition, and the development of government regulatory boards such as the Texas Railroad Commission and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Reed's pioneering work is based on a thorough examination of government and corporate reports, manuscripts, newspapers, and interviews with leading railroad men. It is indispensable for anyone interested in understanding the history of Texas railroading. It includes tables on railway mileage, charters, and commodities shipped by rail.

This is a great book about the area and the people who lived there. If you are into genealogy you will find that this book has a lot of families listed and who they are related to and if and when they left the area..I have enjoyed it very much..

The illustrations are colorful and the information is very useful to someone in the business.

A fascinating book for everyone! I learned so much!

Bob from Baltimore:

I am a native of Baltimore, Maryland; a state that was the most northern of the southern culture and most southern of northern industry, I have a foot (or toe) in both. I first sampled Carolina Barbecue (BBQ) in the mid 1970's after a sister-in-law married into a North Carolina family. Initially a culinary culture shock; that defied my notion of BBQ, but over the years I came to love the unique local food and the small family restaurants that purvey it. I had the opportunity of meeting the authors of Holy Smoke at a book signing near Chapel Hill, NC. Their knowledge of Southern food and cultural history runs deeper than their most recent work. The book is highly read-able and cleverly illustrated with old images of BBQ "joints", advertisement and other themes. John and Dale Reed aided by Bill McKinney have connected the dots of this pit cooked North Carolina Odyssey to reveal a portrait of tradition, community and rivalry. The only this missing was a scratch and sniff of hickory smoke.

This book covers the bases of North Carolina Barbecue. It discusses the history of North Carolina Barbecue, how to cook pork shoulders and whole hogs, gives recipes for famous Eastern and Piedmont barbecue sauces and various side dishes and desserts, and has interviews with the foremost North Carolina barbecue restaurant owners who cook in the traditional style. The book is fun, interesting, and informative. Highly recommended.
Review by Certified Barbecue Judge (Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina)