Sherman Books

Augustus F. Sherman worked as a clerk with the Immigration Bureau of Ellis Island, photographing over two hundred families, groups and individuals as they passed through customs. Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-20 represents the first published collection of his work, featuring a hundred of his best photos of peoples from cultures around the world. A historical essay by Peter Mesenholler places the period of time and photos in perspective, providing both a critical analysis of Sherman's work and this collection, and lending important background to the portraits. An outstanding presentation of historical portrait photography.

Augustus F. Sherman was simply doing his job when from 1904 to 1920 he photographed the individual arrivals of multiple nationalities at Ellis Island. It was his duty to document those new immigrants who were detained for further investigation before they were allowed to step onto the Great Hope that was America. But what resulted from this duty is a portfolio of portraits of world peoples that is as tender and as touching as any ever captured by professional famous photographers!

According to essayist Peter Mesenholler, Sherman was interested in anthropological documentation of the different physical characteristics of these Eastern, Western and Southern European proud folk. He captured the inherent pride of origin of these people who often donned their finest native folk costumes as they entered New York harbor. Sherman was sensitive to the psyches of his 'sitters', knowing that in addition to the overwhelming urge to enter America, the Land of Dreams, each of these people brought with them the memories both sad and happy of their native lands, 'heroes' if you will who were brave enough to leave their roots and aspire to higher dreams and goals.

These one hundred portraits are some of the more wrenchingly beautiful from this important time of mass immigration into America, images of the folk who would comprise the melting pot that we so cherish as our national treasure. All of this art is gained by the honest eye of a non-professional photographer who took the interest and care to pass along that rarefied moment of our country's history. And there is much to be learned from slowly perusing the faces and honest captions of these important photographs.

The quality of the reproductions in sepia-toned presentation is superb as is the accompanying wise essay by Peter Mesenholler. There are few books of photography that can be more widely acclaimed than this. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 05

Augustus F. Sherman's book of many portraits is a glimpse into 15 years of daily life at Ellis Island. Due to his office position at Ellis Island, Sherman had both time(remember these shots took a long time to set up and take) and opportunity to capture the many interesting clients Ellis Island served.

If you are looking for a portrait of your grandmother/father who came through Elllis Island, this is probably not the book you will find them in.

Rather, these portraits focus on immigrants wearing unusual native clothing/costumes; religious or military outfits; large family groups; ethnic groups; and even those suffering from congenital birth defects. Included also is a group of deportees whose crimes range from anarchy to being a stowaway.

Sherman sort to take as many photographs as possible in natural light, so the reader sees children playing in the Ellis Island "playground" - located on the roof; or a group of ladies from the Caribbean standing on the front "lawn"; a family from Africa; and much more.

A delightful glimpse at Ellis Island's early history - one wishes there were many more photographs the reader could view.

into what it must have been like to go through the process on Ellis Island. I had visited Ellis Island earlier this year,on a trip to New York and was struck by the atmosphere and history. The photographs in this book catch the essence of this landmark and the diversity of the people. There is also an explanation of the process that the individuals had to go through before being allowed to enter the US.

In this book, Vess has taken a number of classical and modern ballads, and filled in the visual story around them. The drawn narrative is a varied as the stories. Some pictures, like the whole-page birth scene, are entire stories in themselves. Not many people can put as much into black and white a Vess, as this book demonstrates.

I wish I could give this book five stars, but this isn't the greatest presentation of his work. His best work has a very delicate line. Maybe it was just the printing process, but this book came through in a coarser style. His black and white work is outstanding, but I like his color work too - this book was not able to show any of Vess' skill as a colorist.

These short stories fit nicely with Vess' renderings of operas and other long pieces. I recommend this book to anyone who already like his art. If you're a newcomer, though, other books give a better idea of why his work is so special.

I have loved Charles Vess' work since I first saw him do a Spider-Man/Wendigo story for Marvel in the 80's. Elegant linework accentuates the fantastical nature of these "ballads and sagas". This is a labor of love for the artist and it shows in every panel. I own the individual issues and wait with bated breath for further work by this extremely talented individual.

"Ballads" is the trade paperback collection of Vess' four-issue "Book of Ballads and Sagas" comic book. Writers include Neil Gaiman, Charles deLint, Jane Yolen, and Sharyn Crumb. The stories are all based upon songs such as "Twa Corbies," "Barbara Allen," and "Tam Lin." They are all exceptionally well-written, and the illustrations are beautiful, sensitively drawn pen and ink work by one of today's finest proponents of fantasy art. Mr. Vess' work has been compared to Arthur Rackham's, and believe me, he certainly doesn't suffer by the comparison. This book will be loved and treasured not just by afficionados of fantasy, but also by fans of folk music, and by all those who appreciate truly fine artwork.

Songs, obviously, have a musical component. Ballads, specifically, have more than just words; they have stories to tell as well. Now, thanks to Charles Vess, they have their visual side, too.

In his book Ballads, collected from earlier issues of his Book of Ballads and Sagas, Vess gives a new aspect to folk songs passed down through the ages. Visually stunning, his black and white illustrations expose the true faces of the heroes and villains of song.

Vess drew on the writing talents of writers Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Charles de Lint, Midori Snyder, Sharyn McCrumb, Delia Sherman and Jeff Smith to give focus to the words, tightening the ballads into short story-length vignettes. Combined, their work is a wonderful way to re-expose yourself to the ballads. Anyone new to the folk song milieu will likely be inspired to track down some of the recordings listed in Ken Roseman's accompanying discography.

Ballads is a delightful collection, both for the text and the art which helps tell the story.

We met Sherman & Friends in the SFO Chronicle, but they aren't in our local newspaper, so we acquire each collection as it is published. Jim Toomey's undersea cartoons are laugh-out-loud for our family. Then they go into the sailboat's library.

If you've ever wondered what the fish in the documentaries do when the cameras are off, then this is the book series for you. From the first page of the book, you are trasported to Kapupu Island Lagoon and the world of Sherman, a not so Great White shark, his femenist wife, a sea turtle who tries and fails in the mating game, a money hungry, federally watched hermit crab, and an uber-hacker fish who is a member of anarchy anonymous. Their world parallels humanity. Its a riot!!!!

I personally think Jim Toomey is the consistently funniest cartoonist working today.

When I open my morning paper, I go right to Sherman's Lagoon first thing, because I know it is going to make me laugh.

This collection illustrates just how funny man-eating sharks can be, especially when supported by crabby con-artist crabs, bookish sea turtles and polar Bear party animals.

I put Sherman's Lagoon on the same plane as Calvin and Hobbes, Bloom County and the Far Side: classics all.

This eighth collection of Sherman's Lagoon proves that the waters of creativity have not dried up. Although the back cover may be a little disturbing to some, most of the contents are just plain fun. Some of this volume's story arcs include:

Sherman starts a band

Fear Factor Comes to the Lagoon

Hawthorne starts a fitness center

Antiques Roadshow comes to the lagoon

Fillmore succeeds at Ascension Island

The Hawaiian vacation

And lots more including appearances by many old favorite characters. If you are looking for a fun read and some chuckles, you won't go wrong with this one.

Anandam Kavoori's book, The Children of Shahida is an odd mix, at times compelling at times frustratingly amateurish with typos that an editor should have caught. Nonetheless, the author has created a book with sensitivity, humor and vivid imagery. Kavoori presents unique pockets of old world India, and modern America. He explores this juxtaposition with fresh characters that you want to follow. The book looks at loneliness and isolation from multiple perspectives and, along the way, delivers insights about the Indian soul, innocence and the universal need for belonging. There are moments of raw intimacy and little tender gems that stay with you. Despite its flaws it is well worth the read!

Kavoori's writing is tight, dense with structural and emotional pleasures. You savor his slices of old India, like lamb curries cooking all day long over a low kerosene flame. How effortlessly he shifts time, place and person from a childhood train voyage through post-colonial India to a twenties-something, BMW haul from Silicon Valley to Atlanta. Characters lovingly flawed, remain robust in heart despite major cultural transplants. So worth the read.

This beautifully written, evocative tale of 4 generations of an Indian family is a perfect book club selection. With memorable characters, detailed descriptions of India in the mid-to-late twentieth century, plainly-spoken realities of three major religious traditions struggling to co-exist, and life-changing events for all the characters, it lends itself well to discussion and reflection. While the three sections of the novel are written in the voice of each succeding generation's male character, the primary and most present "voice" thoughout, is Shahida's. She is the force whose life and example flow through the generations of this Christian-Muslim, Indian-American family. A unique perspective and an exquisitely told story.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (6/07)

Anandam Kavoori has written a fictional account of a unique family, living in India and immigrating to the United States. The story covers the lives of three generations of the Solomons, a Christian family with a Muslim name. Rashid, Bashir, and Tyab narrate the story from their point of view. Rashid begins by telling of the formative events of childhood in India. He talks about the games, his friends, and cousins. The stories are filled with the awe and innocence of childhood and are interwoven with the fun-filled pranks and the insensitivity of taunting remarks and bigotry. Rashid tells of the family becoming Christians in Muslim India two generations ago and how, as a result, the family moved into a second-class minority.

Although the book is considered historical fiction, I sensed a parallel of Kavoor's own experiences. He, too, was raised in a small village in India. His father was a rural development officer. He attended high school and college in Delhi before coming to the United States to study. Whether autobiographical or not, it certainly gives him insights into the progression of change and cultural background and the resultant issues faced in intercultural relationships, especially after moving America.

Of the three men, I especially enjoyed Bashir. His experiences in childhood portrayed a love for life and for his family. In college he developed a questioning attitude, preparing him for new experiences while trying to hold on to the traditions and culture of his beloved India. His arranged marriage was a disappointment.

Tyab's world is one filled with trials and loneliness. Born in the United States, his life was impacted by isolation. His early life revolved around the trials of his lesbian mother. Restless, he became a transient moving from his birthplace in New York to Georgia, and later to California where he found work in the computer industry.

Kavoori's characters are so genuinely real and the details of their lives and the transformative events are so simply told it is hard to remember that this is a work of fiction. "The Children of Shahida" is an incredible chronicle of the pleasures and pain of separation and the breakthrough of moving to a different culture and country.

Kavoori explores questions of identity, religion, politics and sex with humor and interesting imagery. In "The Children of Shahida" he shares insights into the parallels and differences of Americans and Indians. Kavoori is a sleeping giant among promising new authors. I am eagerly looking forward to more of his captivating stories.

This was a very interesting book for me. I'd often wondered about the military capabilities of the Mormon Battalion; this is the first book to address the question directly. I can't give the book 5 stars due to some awkward sentences and typos. Nevertheless, military-minded Latter-Day Saints and serious enthusiasts for the history of the American West will enjoy this one.

History May Be Searched in Vain: A Military History of the Mormon Battalion is an in-depth historical study of the only religious unit in American military history - the Mormon battalion, which was recruited entirely from one religious body and had a religious title as the unit designation. Though the battalion served in the Mexican War and marched across the Southwest to California, it never engaged in battle, and has consequently been ignored by military historians. History May Be Searched in Vain seeks to rectify this oversight by delving into more than eighty diaries, journals, memoirs, and typed manuscript copies prepared by battalion members, including the journal of Dr. George B. Sanderson, widely feared and hated in Mormon legend as "Dr. Death". Illustrated with a handful of maps and black-and-white photographs, History May Be Searched in Vain spares no effort in its minute and accurate depiction of the battalion's unique formation and composition, daily life, strategic role, and legacy.

Norma Ricketts in her book on the Mormon Battalion focused on the human and religious aspects and the individual participants. David Bigler and Will Bagley in their book on the Mormon Battalion provided much technical detail and excellent source material. But Fleek has addressed the Mormon Battalion from the military perspective which is a new look at the subject. In so doing, he has clearly placed the Mormon Battalion in its proper role in the Mexican War and in the history of California. And, he has incorporated new information which was unavailable to the previous authors. His book is an excellent addition to the the subject and should be read by anyone with an interest in the Mormon Battalion. Best of all, it is a very readable book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the history of the West.

It is about time a qualified military historian tackled the Mormon Battalion. I am a Civil and Mexican War nut, and I have known a little about the battalion for a long time. Finally, we have an outstanding study of this truly American unit, a unsung and fascinating story. Lt. Col (ret) Fleek has made the claim it was a religous unit, he convinced me. He has truly placed the Battalion in context with the rest of the war and the events by using these "interjections" concerning the unfolding drama in Texas or Mexico. His descriptions of John Fremont, Robert Stockton are right on, as adventurous idiots. Fleek has a high regard for General Kearny, Col. Cooke, the Mormon soldiers and also for Mormon leader Brigahm Young, though he takes issue with the Mormons and some of Young's involvment. For a Mormon himself, Fleek's fairness and objectivity are quite refreshing.

Outstanding history! Excellent writing! A marvelous product by Arthur Clark and Company, as always!

A lovely book; it somehow transcends the childhood experience at the same time that it does evoke the joys and pains of first love. It can be read as an experience in the present, or how such an adult experience should be. A fresh, charming book.

Forget perfume! Read me words of love.

A History of Light is straight from a bottomless well of the real stuff. This is the intensity, recklessness and sweetness I want from a lover. The innocence and abandon of a twelve year-old boy's first headlong plunge into his own heart, told over fifty years later with the seasoning and wisdom of a poet.

Light the candles. Pour the wine. Turn the page. Read me words of love.

Forget perfume! Read me words of love.

"A History of Light" is straight from a bottomless well of the real stuff. This is the intensity, recklessness and sweetness I want from a lover. The innocence and abandon of a twelve year-old boy's first headlong plunge into his own heart, told over fifty years later with the seasoning and wisdom of a poet.

Light the candles. Pour the wine. Turn the page. Read me words of love.

I met Alvaro Cardona-Hine the summer after my Sophomore year in college, at his home in Truchas, NM. He was a charming man, who invited me in to his studio, and his home. He offered water or wine to drink, and then signed a gallery book of his paintings for me.

Two years later, I discover The History of Light.

I loved reading this book, I savored every minute of time that it took to read, and I walked away thinking love should be just like this

It is an adult version of childhood romance; it's also a remembering of loss. Sometimes on the border of being sentimental, it's very sweet. The prose is elegant,the words and ideas simple, without being simplistic. My favorite passage reads "Whatever seemed unfinished once now is undefinable. I had thought God interested in creating puzzles out of life when He had meant for me to stand in awe of beauty. What an easy thing to feel that is when it's messenger stands before me."

Another passage, worth noting, reads "Your fingernails, little as they are, have small white moons sailing over their crests. And your face has freckles, as though it had lain a whole night exposed to the elements and your skin had photographed the stars."

The simplest of things can keep bonds strong for decades. "Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Hearts Tournament" is a collection of stories following a group of friends, who at first met up more than thirty years ago simply to competitively decide who was the best hearts player on their street. As they age, they still relive their boyhood activities of Hearts playing, which brings them back to times that have passed. Tales of remembering what makes one happy and how life can change that, "Miles of Heart" is warm and touching, highly recommended.

Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Hearts Tournament

This book is a pleasure to read; besides being lots of fun and a real page turner, it is a terrific study of a dozen or so guys over a period of 37 years, there ups and their downs, their good times and bad -- mainly good. (It reminded me of the superb BBC series: "Seven-up.")

The author has done an outstanding job of letting the reader know the participants, their schadenfreude moments and other foibles as well as their generosity and loyalty.

This book is a gem and a delight, and I heartily recommend it.

This story provides a candid and humorous look at the American male set against the backdrop of growing up in 1960s suburbia. New author Sherman does an excellent job at painting a detailed and interesting picture, as he follows a group of young men on their annual weekend vacation that is organized around the card game hearts. While many stories are whimsical and outright hilarious, the author doesn't shy away from talking about the real issues these men have to deal with from divorce to addiction to cancer. This book is a very easy read that anyone would thoroughly enjoy.

It's incredible that such longevity can still exist today with such continued excitment and devotion to a cause.
This Masterpiece proves that friendship can withstand the test of time and the effects of aging.
Truly a testament to being young at Heart.

Prompt service--Very satisfied.

This is the cookbook you can count on for authentic, trustworthy recipes. Such a good variety of every ethnic favorite-this is the one cookbook I own that is worn to a frazzle!

I was very pleased to see recipes from all sides of my heritage (English, Norwegian, Croatian, and German). This book possesses recipes that my family has used for years along with new variations. I was thrilled to receive this gift from my mother. It's nice to see that as my generation grows older we can still utilize the cooking ideas of years past.

I had to laugh when one reviewer mentioned that her copy of this cookbook was "worn to a frazzle"! That describes mine to a "T"! I have a paperback version and each page is now loose and just tucked in there...sometimes out of order, but in there nonetheless. It's the cookbook I reach for when I want an authentic and excellent recipe for all those wonderful ethnic dishes. Almost every recipe you can think of is in there whether you're Scandinavian, German, Cuban, Jewish or many, many others. Potato Dumplings to Psari Plake (Greek fish dish), Tourtiere (French Canadian meat pie) to Plum Pudding. Someday I'll have to buy the hardcover edition...and start messing up all those favorite pages with flour, etc. all over again!

"I found My Life as a Gay Man in a Straight Woman's Body uplifting and fun-clearly it was written from the heart. Carol Sherman-Jones is a woman I have to meet."
Jill Duval
Publisher, New Mexico WOMAN

Reading Carol's book was just that; pure pleasure. Real friendships, real pain, inspiring hope no matter what your cross to bear or how lost you might feel. This woman dealt with more eccentric folks and dedicated pals than most of us experience in a life time. Carol holds NOTHING back, so this book is NOT for the fainthearted or those bound by too much social appropriateness...teehee...Heaps of fun!!
This piece would make an incredible and heartwarming movie.

An entertaining, honest and balanced account by a woman who not only teaches tolerance via the telling of her life story, but lives it every day.

I felt uplifted as I read about Sherman-Jones' experiences, even by the parts that must have been difficult for her to live through, and surely difficult to write about so bravely. Because of her willingness to share her life so openly in the pages of this book, at times I felt that I was right there, in story with her.

Well, perhaps not while she was wrestling the midget in the pool of Jell-O. :-) But the ability to connect with the reader, and make the story seem, at times, like the reader's own, is the mark of an excellent writer. Sherman-Jones' mastery of this important benchmark makes me eager to see the next book by this first-time author.

My Life as a Gay Man in a Straight Woman's Body is much more than the entertaining slice of life history of Carol Sherman-Jones. Carol, one of Cincinnati's most energetic and in your face personalities is also one of our finest non-gay allies. She takes the reader through her life, thus far, both troubled and triumphant. She offers an honest assessment of both her gifts and difficult life struggles. Carol invites the reader into interesting vignettes of her history, well written and presented in her own colorful descriptions and charming but blunt style. While her writing style is entertaining, the reader will come away feeling priviledged to have been included on the painful road of a woman whose life journey toward recovery has a message of hope and joyful inclusion for all--gay, straight or, well, whatever. Cincinnatians who frequented either or both of Carol's wonderful restaurants will sit back to remember how it felt to be a part of Carol's social family. Romances started and ended there. Friendships were developed and our communtities learned the news of one another while intersecting with fellow travelers and partyers. Carol learned to make a place for herself in the world and then opened the door to the rest of us to join the celebration. Thanks, Carol! Cheryl Eagleson Co-Producer of Alternating Currents, Cincinnati's GLBT Public Affairs Radio Producer

Ms. Sherman-Gold has done an amazingly valuable service to all students of Hebrew language and Bible study. Her book is the only resource I know of that presents the complex and sometimes almost mystifying issues of the Qamatz Qatan in a manner that is both comprehensive and user-friendly. Her book should be thoroughly studied by anyone for whom the correct pronunciation of Biblical Hebrew text is of importance. It is also a streamlined and very well organized guide to the grammatical rules and controversies about this unique "vowel and half-vowel". All Torah readers, Rabbis, Jewish school directors, Hebrew or Religious school teachers, Cantors, and libraries should have at least one copy of this wonderful book within easy reach at all times. Even those who have a fluent command of modern Hebrew should use this book both to understand fully how the Qamatz Qatan works and to check the correct Biblical Hebrew pronunciation of those occurences of the Qamatz Qatan which are not commonplace in modern Hebrew. A most hearty and sincere "yiyyasher qohekh" to Ms. Sherman-Gold.

My Cantor recommended this book to me and I absolutely love it! The layout of the book makes it user-friendly to check a Torah portion. The colored pages are also helpful as they draw immediate attention to the kametz katon in question. This book is well worth the $$!

This Hanukah, two of my best Torah students and dearest friends gave me "Ohs and Ahs of Torah Reading" and it's one of my favorite presents of all time. I have been the Torah Reader at Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, for the past thirteen years, and I've known about the "closed, unaccented syllable" rule for the kamatz-katan vowel from my days in Hebrew class at the University of Judaism, but to have all of them, from the whole Torah, listed in order, page after page, in color! This book is a remarkably user-friendly guide; a true advancement in the art of Torah Reading. No one who teaches or reads Torah should be without it. On behalf of all Torah Readers, Rivka Sherman-Gold should be commended for her work.

As a "BAAL TEFILA" (Prayer leader) and "BAAL KREIA" (Torah reader) in ISRAEL and as an ISRAELI who is familiar with the Hebrew language, I found this book to be very helpful, informative and accurate. The history of "Kamatz Katan" was quite new for me. I use the book on a regular basis, while preparing for Torah reading and for the prayers. The starcture of the book that addresses all the Parashot and Haftarot makes it very easy to be aware of the "Kamatz Katan" and improves the accuracy of Hebrew pronunciation in Torah reading and in praying. Rivka Sherman-Gold deserves a great "ISHAR KOACH" for the exceelent work!