Ross Books

The book was so extremely infused with all elements of pediatric ethics that any pediatrician who does not have it on his shelf or his holiday wish list will be greatly diasdvantaged. Ross's intellect and genuine caring, as pediatrician, philosopher and parent shine through the words of this text. ***A must have for anyone involved with children and the medical decisions present in their lives!***.

I'd been living in China about a year when I came across this extraordinary book. Actually, I think the word "stunning" better describes it for me, if for no other reason than the sheer elegance of the language.

For clarity of thought and depth of insight I'd rank the author with de Tocqueville, and as an observer of daily life, I'm not sure I've ever come across a better or more interesting one.

The author possesses a scholarly sensibility and a genuinely humane nature that, when combined with his other gifts, allows him to draw conclusions based on his observations that are, for someone reading the book while actually living in the country, remarkably enduring.

What a pleasure!

If that weren't enough, since he wrote in the 19th Century, the author is blessedly free of all the cultural relativism, or political correctness, or whatever you want to call it, that renders so many modern Westerners incapable of saying anything interesting, or accurate, or thoughtful at all about China.

Mr. Smith is honest and even-handed (and, therefore, a true friend of China); his observations are blunt, which, while sometimes uncomfortable to a modern sensibility, is ...well...very Chinese.

craig [at] projectusa.org

The collaborative production of Vibeke Bordahl (Senior Researcher, Danish Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Copenhagen) and photographer and Chinese culture expert Jette Ross (1936-2001), Chinese Storytellers: Life And Art In The Yangzhou Tradition is a remarkable and informative study of the ancient Chinese art form of narrating classic stories. A survey of the history of this practice, as handed down from master to student, precedes several adventurous and vivid tales, each presented both in English and in the original Chinese. Black-and-white photographs offer a visual glimpse of the storyteller's gestures and poses, and an accompanying VCD gives a glimpse of the full experience of a master storyteller's craft. Chinese Storytellers is a unique and highly recommended addition to Chinese Culture Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.

This book is top of the line, for those who either are trying to learn to speak chippewa or those who already know some or alot of chippewa but want to get some of the gramatics down better.

Kathy Ross' Christian Crafts For Christmastime isn't just another collection of pleasant Christmas projects, but a Christian-oriented crafts guide designed to reinforce religious concepts through hands-on projects which tell the story of Jesus and Christmas. All the projects begin with a Biblical message and the usual crafts lists of materials and step-by-step instructions.

I have 2 children, ...and we sit down with Ms. Ross's books andthey pick out a project. The instructions are very easy to follow andmost of the supplies needed can be found around the home. They don'ttake much time to complete which helps to keep the kids attention. Wemade several decorations for gifts for the kids grandparents and theywere thrilled and the kids are so proud of their projects. I alreadyown 7 of her books and plan to get them all eventually. I highlyrecommend this and all her books.

Part of a series developed by World Book Inc. several decades ago for young people, these books have evolved into a rich storehouse of information for anyone of any age who enjoys learning the Christmas history, stories, native Christmas songs, Christmas crafts, and holiday recipes of many nations.

One of the highlights of "Christmas in Britain" is a photo of a unique manger scene in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral. The stable is depicted as a building from the days of Dickens and the innkeeper looks as if he just stepped out of "The Pickwick Papers." There's not another one like it. Unfortunately you won't see this manger scene at the cathedral. It's stashed in the celler and has been replaced by some modern sculpture. Humbug!

The book features piano arrangements of some of England's best-loved carols including "Coventry Carol," "The Boar's Head Carol," and "On Christmas Night" also known as "Sussex Carol."

Recipes in the book include Mince Pies, Apple Yule Logs, Trifle, and Butter Shortbread.

Collect the whole series for your home library, re-read them every December, and share them with friends and family.

"Christmas in Scandinavia" is part of a series developed by World Book Inc. several decades ago for young people. These 80-page books have evolved into a rich storehouse of information for anyone of any age who enjoys learning the Christmas history, stories, regional Christmas songs, Christmas crafts, and holiday recipes of many nations.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland share many Christmas traditions so it's fitting that they are combined in this publication. Splendidly illustrated and vividly written, this book communicates the exuberance of the winter holidays in Scandinavia. Festivities begin on Lucia's Day, December 15th, when they crown the Queen of Light and continue through to 20 days after Christmas - St. Knut's Day when a huge bonfire consumes the Christmas trees that have been shorn of their decorations.

Christmas carols featured in the books with piano score and English translations are "O Christmas, With Gladness" from Norway, "The Happy Christmas" from Denmark, and "Now It Is Christmas Time" from Sweden.

Holiday recipes include Icelandic Christmas cake, Danish peppernuts, Christmas wine punch, Lucia buns, roast goose, and pickled herring.

Collect the whole series for your home library, re-read them every December, and share them with friends and family.

This book was designed for younger readers but educates both the child and the adult about the life cycle of the 17 year cicada (Magicicada). It is nicely illustrated by Arvis L. Stewart for anyone who has an eye for fine details. If you want to learn the basics about the cicada, then this is a must read for you. For the book explains the hardships of the insect's nymphal life, it enemies, and about its brief existence above the ground. The author also explains some of his scientific notes as the book's conclusion as well as explaining the "Brood" which the book's story evolves. I first read this book at the age of 11 which opened my eyes and ears to summer's little tree musicians. Up until then, I never truly knew what they were or what those odd shells were that I found clinging to the side of tree trunks. Had I never found this book in my local library, I would have probably never gave a second thought to nature's best orchestra.

The author, an Austrian Captain of Hussars of Scottish descent, traveled widely throughout the South in 1863 and 1864, observing the Confederate Army at war and viewing the Confederacy and its culture generally. The present work, originally printed in a British periodical, appeared after the war.
The modern reader will likely be jarred by Ross' frank admiration of Southern mores and institutions, but his perceptive observations of wartime conditions remain a valuable document (augmented by interesting parallel annotations by the more famous Colonel Fremantle and others). Harwell's admirable editing of this acclaimed 1958 classic is retained in this highly readable 1997 reprint.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score' biiks.) .