Sherman Books

This text gives adults a trip down memory lane to their Little League days. It proves that many lessons were learned there, even though we just thought we were playing a game. Lowe's insight into his parents, coaches and teammates perceptions of the Little League experience provides a unique appreciation for the game of baseball and childhood experiences. Many of the tidbits mentioned here will ring true for baseball fans as well as for lovers of life, kids and memories of smelly socks and dirty uniforms

This text gives adults a trip down memory lane to their Little League days. It proves that many lessons were learned there, even though we just thought we were playing a game. Lowe's insight into his parents, coaches and teammates perceptions of the Little League experience provides a unique appreciation for the game of baseball and childhood experiences. Many of the tidbits mentioned here will ring true for baseball fans as well as for lovers of life, kids and memories of smelly socks and dirty uniforms

This is a "must have" for anyone who has followed the story of Grace Brown and Chester Gillette......murder in the Adirondacks. These are Chester's final words as he awaited his exacution for the death of Grace in 1906. The movie, A Place in the Sun, and Theodore Dreiser's novel, An American Tragedy, are loosely based on the story. If you want the real deal, purchase Craig Brandon's...... Murder in the Adirondacks...it's the best account of the actual story....He also wrote Grace Brown's Love Letters.......compelling!! They should make a movie from these books.

In 1905, a young philanderer named Chester Gillette met Grace Brown, a farmer's daughter, at his uncle's skirt factory in Cortland, New York. The two began a clandestine relationship that they kept secret because she was socially beneath him. She became pregnant, and after heated and tearful discussions about their dilemma, they left for the Adirondacks together on July 9, 1906. Chester returned from the vacation in handcuffs after Grace's bruised body was fished from the bottom of Big Moose Lake. At the end of a widely covered trial, a jury concluded that he had done away with her rather than hamper his social ambitions by marrying her. Gillette was convicted of murder, and after unsuccessful clemency movements spearheaded by his devoted mother, died in Auburn's electric chair on March 30, 1908.

Theodore Dreiser used the Gillette case as a basis for his bestselling novel "American Tragedy", which in turn fuelled films, plays, and even an opera. Two excellent nonfiction books have also been written: Craig Brandon's "Murder in the Adirondacks" and "Adirondack Tragedy" by Joseph Brownell and Patricia Enos.

The case continues to haunt the public for two primary reasons. First, a distressed young woman and her unborn child met a terrible end. Second, a faint question mark remains over the issue of Chester Gillette's guilt. He claimed at his trial that she committed suicide by jumping out of their rowboat, and Cortland people who knew Grace said that she had suffered from epileptic seizures, raising the possiblity that she'd fallen in the water during a fit. After his death, Chester's spiritual advisors stated that "no legal mistake" had been made where his execution was concerned, which suggested that he had confessed, but no more details were divulged.

In March 2007 Chester Gillette's grandniece made public a 'prison diary' that he kept from September 18, 1907 until the morning of his execution. The journal, now published (and the subject of this review!) is an intriguing historical document. Be warned: if you're expecting to read a confession or even ruminations on the subject of Grace Brown, you'll be disappointed. Knowing that prison authorities could have access to the diary at any time, he steers away from incriminating musings and focuses instead on book reviews and fond commentary on his friends and family. It's interesting to note that Gillette does not directly assert his innocence: he complains instead that he was convicted on the basis of improper evidence. There's a subliminal message of "They got me, but they didn't play fair" as opposed to "They've condemned an innocent man."

The earliest entries are a bit shallow and self-absorbed, but as the time of execution draws near, Gillette's entries take on a more spiritual, reflective, and regretful tone. The same progression is observed in the letters to his sister Hazel and friend Bernice Ferrin that were donated along with the journal and published as an appendix.

"The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette: September 18, 1907 through March 30, 1908" contains no revelations about how Grace Brown really died, but by providing a small degree of insight into Gillette's final months, it adds a haunting new dimension to the case and its aftermath.

Whether you have never read James Douglass or are already a fan, this is the book for you. Not only is it a beautifully written and profound study of this unduly neglected theologian, but it is also an eloquent and insightful exploration of the deep theological, metaphysical, and social practices that sustain nonviolent resistance in our frequently bloody world. Holsinger Sherman is especially good at showing the way theology, spiritual practice, and social resistance are properly an integral whole, each piece supporting and empowering the other. As an added bonus, the first chapter, which sets the context for Douglas's theology, is a very helpful account of the religious peace movement in the 1960s and I imagine it would be of interest not only to theologians, but also to activists, and those with an interest in peace-studies and American cultural history.

A fabulous book I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the topic of non-violence, James Douglass or just good reading. Amazing!

Dean Sherman's Relationship-book (formerly titled "Love, sex and relationship") is an excellent book.

Without any doubt this is the book that helped me the most in my early twenties when I was wrestling to find out what godly and good relationships look like. Reading this book helped me see that the main thing for ALL of us is to have our relationship with God in order! When I'm whole and fulfilled in God, then, and only then(!), am I ready to enter into a relationship with another person.

Far too many relationships and marriages for Christians (and non-Christians!) consist of two lonely people trying to suck out a sense of purpose and love from the other person. Shermans points out that we were always meant to get our true sense of purpose and love from God, not our spouse or any other human being.

There is no way that any spouse (how wonderful he or she may be) can fulfill your deepest desires. There is a God-shaped hole in all of us, and only God can fill that. A beautiful relationship comes when two whole persons (in God!) come together and form a strong union with God as a natural center.

The book is brilliant, and it's obvious that it helps a lot that Sherman didn't meet his wife when he was 16 or so. He met her when he was 28, and it adds a lot of strength to the book that Sherman knows firsthand how it is to be single and to feel desperate for a spouse.

Five thumbs up for this beautiful book that I keep buying and giving away to people!

Torben

Dean has tackled one of the most difficult, and often times most misunderstood, areas Christians face- How to handle relationships and sex as a Christian. His biblical insight and application on this subject helps shed much needed light on these topics. The book is for every Christian, and for many non-Christians as well. It is very down to Earth in its approach, and very solid in its message. It isn't the "typical" message your parents or pastors may have taught you. A MUST READ for any single- young or old- considering dating and relationships.

Wide selection of recipes. Easy to read and follow. Beautiful photos of the Brandywine Valley. Savor has become my primary cookbook, esp. for entertaining. I give it frequently as gifts since I live in the Brandywine Valley area. Everyone loves it.

Enjoyed all the nice new recipes and the wine selections. Pictures of the Brandywine Valley attractions were well done; any reader would probably want to make the sightseeing trip immediately.

Very well-written book re:Sherman's treck through Columbia, SC during the Civil War.
Highly recommend it!!

Professor Lucas has written a well researched analysis of the burning of Columbia, South
Carolina by the Federal army. There were strategic military reasons for Sherman's march
through central South Carolina. Columbia "was an important war manufacturing
center--one of the few still in Confederate hands--providing munitions, equipment, and
uniforms....central South Carolina contained the last Confederate sources of food
untouched by war." Governor Magrath pointed out to Jefferson Davis that the borders of
South Carolina were Richmond's second line of defense which was confirmed when
Richmond fell less than two months after Columbia surrendered.

The author outlines the wartime conditions in Columbia noting that both the civilian and
military authorities were tardy in realizing the obvious danger to the city and even slower
to act. Finally the author writes "The missing ingredient with the Confederate camp....was
a belief in the possibility of success. The defeatism of Beauregard's leadership was
abundantly clear...."

Chapter 2 gives a succinct account of the evacuation of Columbia noting that inspite of
the desperate condition of the Confederate armies, the large arsenals and war supplies in
Columbia were not evacuated. The cotton in storage was moved into the streets with
orders for it to be burned which contributed to the later fires. Columbia Mayor Goodwyn
surrendered the city while scores of bewildered Columbians, in an ill-conceived attempt to
placate a dreaded conqueror, began distributing alcoholic beverages to the soldiers. This
precipitated an insurmountable problem.

A balanced account of the burning of Columbia is given. The most damaging fire began
about eight p.m.on February 17th, was of inexplicable origin and was not extinguished for
six or seven hours when the wind abated. With drunken men roaming the streets, rioting
and acts of personal violence were bound to occur. Confusion reigned and most control
over the city was lost . The extent of the damage following the fire is reviewed. About
one-third of Columbia was destroyed with the business community virtually wiped out and
265 residences burned.

Regarding who burned Columbia, the conclusions were (and still are) along partisan lines.
South Carolinians charged Sherman as "morally responsible for the burning of Columbia".
Union officers and troops felt that while the events in Columbia were regrettable they
were the results of acts of war. Sherman entered South Carolina to disrupt the state's
transportation system and bring an end to the war by destroying Southern morale.
However, Professor Lucas notes "The failure of Sherman's psychological warfare, a new
kind of war which Southern civilians did not understand, was that the hatred generated
during the invasion did not terminate with the war's end."

The post war criticisms of and charges against Sherman and the Union army are reviewed.
The author notes that the Confederates as they evacuated the city began the looting and
plundering then the entering Federal troops seized what was left. The unanswered
question of incendiarism, the most disputed issue, is complicated by a lack of reliable
eyewitness accounts.
In summary, Sherman failed to take timely and sufficient action to control both the fires
and the riots. However, the author notes that the failure of Confederate leadership in the
defense of South Carolina and the evacuation of the city played a major role in creating a
situation which resulted in the destruction of the city. In addition no preparations were
made by Beauregard, Hampton or the city fathers for the official surrender of the city
when a formal declaration of Columbia as an open city may have produced positive
results.

In conclusion, Professor Lucas writes that the burning of Columbia was a great tragedy
for South Carolina and the Union stating "....when the Union Army left Columbia on
February 20, 1865, it left behind bitter hatred. Many citizens had lost everything they
possessed, while others had gone through the catastrophe relatively unscathed. All,
however, suffered psychologically. They had promised to give their "all" in defense of
South Carolina and the Confederacy; it was painfully apparent that few had done so. Long
before Columbia was captured, Columbians had given up."

This hilarious story will delight all ages. Sherman, the brightest sheep in his flock is approached by his cousin Wayne to lead the sheep to greener pastures. Sherman, who is perfectly content to lie under his apple tree, reluctantly goes along with the idea. He leads the flock on a series of misadventures, pretends he can read road signs which lead to even further misadventures before the flock ends up where it belongs. There really is no place like home.

Sherman would endorse that sentiment as he lies under his favorite apple tree.

Sherman, the smartest of sheep, tricks his own flock, who wish to look for greener pastures. Amusing, clever, well-told. Lends itself beautifully to dramatization. The children love it when Sherman, who thinks he can read, misreads various road signs. Or does he misread them? Sherman may just be more clever than we think.

This is the entrancing story of a little African girl, Nono, who becomes a slave by accident. Named Pansy by the starving sailor with whom she shares her meagre rations on the slave ship, her adventures take her from Africa to America, then to England and finally to Canada. A brave and resourceful heroine who triumphs over adversity, and by a twist of fate ends up being the saviour of the family who had previously owned her as a slave. Full of humour and delightfully eccentric and memorable characters, black and white, the adventures of Nono/Pansy/Sophia are a joy to read. A unique book.

I came across this delightful and one-of-a-kind young person's novel on a book stall in England. I have read it over and over!
Sophia is a plucky and determined heroine who will not let anything -- slavery, being sold, separation from loved ones,capture by pirates -- destroy her spirit or her fierce sense of self and her dignity. Though a piece of fiction, this book must reflect the spirit and grit of many, many men and women stolen from Africa and sent into slavery. Sophia has a special talent: she is a gifted singer and she takes that gift and rides it into a successful life. I recommend this book for ALL readers. It is well-written and has that soupcon of eccentricity and wit that so many English writers for young people season their craft with!!!

There are so many different kinds of families and it is refreshing to find such a wonderful book that addresses a blended family situation.
Children and adults of all ages will love this book! It would be an excellent addition to any school library as well!
Sueann Robbins
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA

Back in the 80's familes that were brought together as "Step-families," were noted to be in the "Orange Juice Generation." Books to help the children of "Blended Families," were few and far between. Ms. Sherman has written a book that is easliy understood and will be appreciated for the children in these families.

The history of national intelligence in terms of spies, satellites, and secrets can be concisely separated into three eras: the era of secret wars, the era of strategic analysis, and the era of open source intelligence.

Sherman Kent was without question the dean and the prophet for the second era, and this gem of a book remains a standard in the field and required reading for any intelligence professional (collector, analyst, or other). He did not realize his vision because the clandestine service (of which I was a member) took over the CIA and subordinated the analysts, and because in so doing, the CIA lost touch with most of the open source world.

Today Kent is succeeded by Jack Davis, whose term "analytic tradecraft" can be used to find his collection of memos on the web, and by the CIA University. However, the secret world is now under attack by the emergent World Brain, in which Collective (Public) Intelligence utilizes open sources of information to create Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) that is better than secret information, cheaper than secret information, and more useful than secret information because it can be shared broadly.

Those whose sense of self is defined by the secret world will have difficulty adjusting to this, witness the continued references in the secret world to "Open Sources." Max nix. The war is over, and Kent's vision will ultimately be realized in the third era, the era of open sources.

This book explains why we need to make some strategic changes in order to achieve a higher level of national security. It does not anatomize intelligence or devote many pages to predictions of crises. It does not document at length what has been proven in time-that Americans rely too heavily on quantitative as opposed to qualitative constructs. It takes no position about methods of collection beyond insisting that content must receive as much emphasis as `technical sophistication'. It does not discuss bureaucracy, funding, or government oversight. In fact, one of its major purposes is to separate itself from what the `best and brightest' espoused in their quest for policy based on quantitative and statistical analysis.

It focuses on what I perceive to be the most important, and fundamental forms of intelligence-knowledge, organization, and activity. I believe that it reveals the very essence of intelligence so compellingly that anyone connected with the American intelligence community will be enthralled with the book's message and compelled to act upon it.

This book along with Washington Platt's Strategic Intelligence Production, and National Character in Action act as the cornerstone of American intelligence history and are well worth the cost and effort in locating these rare volumes.