Warren Books

Utterly absorbing!! Someone actually DISCARDED this book!! I was the lucky person who found it on the discards pile.

Written from the point of view of a "You Were There" journalist, the author keeps the subject matter and the tone of writing IN the 18th century and draws the reader in.

I was utterly amazed at the way the in-fighting, bickering, arguing and rhetoric that tended to demolish all efforts to reach a reasonable meeting of the minds in constructing the Constitution finally came together to (almost) everyone's satisfaction.Jeffrey St John's style of writing is de-personalized in the BEST sense-- the actions come through loud and clear as though the reader was actually watching a live broadcast of events.

The book kept me on the edge of my seat in some places.

WELL DONE!!!!

The 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution resulted in a series of columns by J St. John. These 1787 meetings were secret, no official records were kept. But the notes of James Madison and others survived to reconstruct daily events. The original intent of this meeting was to revise the Articles of Confederation (Appendix 1), but a new Constitution resulted (Appendix 2). There is no index.

Many of the basics were the subject of debate and controversy. Some called the result a "miracle" (p.x), but it shows the power of a committee whose members work to the same ends. This book attempts to portray the meetings as an evolving news story, as it was happening. Most Americans do not understand the Constitution, because it is poorly taught in schools from unclear text books (p.xiv). Deliberate obfuscation? These 230 pages are a remedy. This book will give a short introduction into the daily operations of this historically important event.

The Constitution has endured for over 200 years because it is a framework (p.131), not a detailed plan that can't be adapted to changing situations. The Constitution has endured as long as it is in the interest of "We the People" to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity. The hidden agenda of the convention was to create a strong national government that had veto power over all state laws (5-20-1787). The most important reason was the question of domestic and foreign commerce. Rivalries between the bankers and merchants of the North against the planters of the South prevented Congress from regulating trade (5-23-1787). Both forces would unite against farmers and the common people, and the danger of too much democracy (5-29-1787). The Convention wanted to avoid the failures of the Articles of Confederation. The Confederacy owed [money amount]in debt and needed to find a way to pay off their debts (p.139).

The unlimited powers of the Royal Governors made the delegates fearful of a single executive. The consequences of consolidating power was fatal to ancient republics (6-2-1787). Experience rather than abstract arguments shaped the Convention (6-4-1787). Neither the executive nor the legislature should have absolute power. The big problem was to create a national government that would provide balance between the large and the small states. States would be equally represented in the Senate, the lower House would be directly elected by the people, based on proportion to population. This was the key to creating a new national government (p.110). The Southern states were more numerous and wealthy than the Northern states; their method of computing political representatives won (7-12-1787). The Convention unanimously rejected "wealth" as the basis for representation; they should not fear the growth of population (7-13-1787). The new government would be a compound of national and federal government (7-17-1787). A Supreme Court was established, with lower courts (7-18-1787). A single powerful executive would be elected by the people to control the legislature (7-19-1787). The importance of impeachment was discussed and adopted (7-20-1787). The executive was given a veto (7-21-1787). The Constitution would be ratified by the people, not State Legislatures (7-23-1787). The office of President did not exist under the Confederation (p.133).

Each year in September is a little known holiday known as Constitution Day - timed to be around the close of the Constitutional Convention in September 1787, this day is honoured at the college where I teach by speakers in a special forum, and the gift of pocket versions of the Constitution for all interested students.

However, the Constitution is heavily in the news, more than we often realise. When the election of 2000 was contested, the Constitution became primarily important; it is always in the background of Presidential elections, but this time it came to the forefront. In the current situation between Chief Justices (a relatively rare occurrence in American history), once again the Constitution is big news. We the people are interested, and we the people should be interested. However, we the people often have little concept of how this formative and foundational document came into being. Jeffrey St. John provides an answer to this situation, in very engaging and accessible style.

This is a journal, a day-by-day account, done in a sort of combination of journalistic and court-reporting styles. Of course, we have no direct journal of this sort, as the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention were strictly secret (not the kind of thing that would play out well in our media-saturated world - CSPAN and CNN among others would certainly expect to be there!). Indeed, those who went to the Constitutional Convention in May 1787 were charged with a reformation of the Articles of Confederation, not the drafting of a new Constitution. History had a surprise in store.

This is not the only area of interest. St. John's documentation shows the different influences into the formation of the Constitution - while it is common to look to classical times and contemporary European governments for influences and inspiration, in fact the most memorable words of the Constitution come from the constitution of the Iroquois League, drawn up in 1520, which began with the words 'We the people, in order to form a union...'.

The various federal structures, the separation of state and federal powers and responsibilities, the debates over how representation is carried out (and who gets represented; the issue of slavery was contentious from the start, and one can clearly see the seeds of the Civil War being planted even at the Constitutional Convention) - these are all portrayed with clarity and candour.

The Constitution was not a document that was intended to be from the outset, nor was it passed unanimously (indeed, not all states were represented at all times of the Convention, not all delegates appointed attended, and one state never participated at all). Some of the founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, made references to divine intervention being key in the process; Franklin at the end made the warning about the government being a Republic, 'if you can keep it' - no doubt recalling the fall of other great republics in the history of the world.

This is a fun and exciting book to read, a real page turner. It was published in 1987 as part of the bicentennial celebrations of the Constitution; former Chief Justice Warren Burger provides a foreword for this text.

This is a great and inspiring story, one that should be of concern to Americans of all types and walks of life. We are all 'we the people'.

I'm a nerd. 95% of my books are computer-related. This book will gave me an appreciation of what an extraordinary event the convention was. Several times it shows how it could have so easily fallen apart or gone off in a different direction (and Lord knows what kind of land this would be if it had). This book and another great book called 'Voices of 1776' will give you an awesome sense of how lucky we are to be what we are today. I cannot recommend this book more highly. (BTW, did you know that the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who went on to become presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died within two hours of each other on July 4, 1826 - 50 years to the day the Declaration was signed?)

Fantastic series! Read all three.

Diamonds, Pearls & Stones: Jewels Of Wisdom For Young Women From Extraordinary Women Of The World a collection of inspirational viginettes, comforting thoughts, and practical advice from a wide variety of famous, learned, and respected individuals for women in today's increasingly complex and moble society. Sage wisdom concerning everything from finding a career to getting married, having children, ending a relationship, dealing with sexual issues or overpowering emotions, and much more fills this compact, delightful, ideal gift. "Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got." -Janis Joplin, singer

What a fantastic collection of wisdom! This book is a perfect opportunity to reflect on deep truths, simple pragmatic ideas, laugh-out-loud humor and just plain common sense that will lift your spirit in these muddled times. The essence of your heart and soul will most certainly harmonize with these finely tuned women.

John W. Parker

Many times when stressed out I can get so emotional and lose perspective on what tools I can use to get through a tough time. This book offers many tools and perspectives. As my husband and I go through a difficult decision about jobs and moving to a new city I remembered the book, opened it to the section on "Making the Right Choices" and "Stepping Stones for Making Choices" and was reconnected to many of my own resources for moving forward with a decision. Thanks for bringing me home to myself.

My nineteen year old daughter often dismisses advice from me about work and men and life and growing up...actually almost everything! Diamonds, Pearls and Stones offers wonderful wisdom in ways she can hear. Hawthorne and Holden seemed to have gathered these gems for her.

Diamonds, Pearls & Stones is a wonderful compendium of elder women's wisdom. The quotes on a variety of topics of special interest for younger women are short, sweet, pithy, insightful as well as delightful! The intention of this book is to stimulate reflection within the heart of the younger woman about herself. Its design affords both solitary and group contemplation. It's a great vehicle to promote a healthy sense of well-being in the young women who take the time to drink in the wisdom that comes from years of experience of the elder women. In our fractured society, with its emphasis on outward appearances, Diamonds, Pearls & Stones is a refreshing contribution.

Easy reading, good personal story of Operation Babylift. I had previously read "War Cradle", a very wordy, messy retelling of the story. This one is much more elementary and not as detailed, but follows one boy through his life. Fascinating.

I also could not put this book down and had to read it straight through. Andrea Warren does a compelling and balanced job in telling Long's story. Not only do we gain real insight into how the war affected families and children in Vietnam, but we also learn the thoughts and hopes of children living in orphanages. As an adoptive mom, I found this to be a valuable book on many levels.

I read this straight through on an airplane and had to turn away from my seatmates so they wouldn't see me cry. As usual, Warren has written a compelling, evocative story about one child's experience, and in it has distilled an era and a place. The main character, Long, suffers through poverty and loss, then winds up in an orphanage where he vaccilates between grief over the loss of his own family and hope for a new mother. I got tears in my eyes as he said good-bye to his grandmother, who was his last surviving family member, and then again when he learned he had a new home in America. As a reader I felt his excitement and anxiety as the day approached when he would see his new family, and then his fear as the war moved from the countryside to the streets of his city. The drive to the bombed airport and the flight on the transport plane were terrifying, followed immediately by the joy as Long ran into the arms of his new mother. This story will stick with readers, both adults and children, leaving a personalized image of an otherwise hard-to-comprehend world event.

Once you start reading, you probably won't be able to put it down. This is an amazing story, with wonderful photographs. I cried twice and made my husband read it. He loved it too!
Teachers will find this useful in the classroom, for teaching about the war in Vietnam, and Long/Matt is a role model we'd be delighted to see any kid follow.

If you've loved Warren's earlier books about children surviving in difficult new circumstances (the two Orphan trains books, Surviving Hitler, and the one about the girl growing up on the prairie) you'll love this one, too. In this one, Long, the young hero, is half Vietnamese, half American. His survival depends on a pivotal airlift of Vietnamese orphans "tainted by the blood of the enemy" as the North Vietnamese are about to take over Saigon. But even before that the reader is caught up in the story of Long's mother and grandmother struggling to survive in a wartorn country.

The story works on one level for children and on another for adults -conveying how America's withdrawal from Vietnam affects the family of a boy whose young life is shaped by war. It has all the virtues of nonfiction wrapped up in a charming, moving, and compelling story. Adults and children may want to read this one together. It's a tribute to parenting, in whatever form it comes, and to the resilience of children.

This book is an irresistible read for anyone with a love of food an an interest in the history, geography and culture of regional France and its food products and cuisine. Root writes beautifully and it's impossible not to become as enthusiastic as the author as he shares his vast knowledge of each region of France and its culinary traditions. A book to return to again and again.

Mr Root's overarching theory is that French food can be divided into the three culinary domains of fat, butter and oil. The Food of France reflects this belief and is similarly divided into three main sections, each chapter within a section dealing with the geographical/culinary regions within each domain. Within this structure, each chapter explores the food of a specific culinary region, and highlights the dishes distinct to that region.

Underpinning Mr Root's overarching theory is the premise that food and how it is cooked is intimately related to and is influenced by the geography, history, and culture (agri- and otherwise) of its region. As a result, each region develops a food and cooking style unique to itself. He proceeds to illustrate this with erudition, verve, wit and style. Drawing on his knowledge of French geography, history, and culture, as well as what seems to be his vast gastronomic experiences across France, he makes a fine case for how each have been an ingredient in shaping and influencing the development of the food of each region. The Food of France will not only tell you what goes into an omelette provencale, it will tell you why this is different from an omelette a la nomande or an omelette a la nicoise, as well as consider different theories as to how the omelette got its name.

The book comes with a general index, as well as an index of food and dishes. Dishes are described with sufficient particularity that a good cook could reproduce the dish. I should note that as the book was written in 1958, some of his information is a little outdated (his recommendations for good years of wine) or a little late (his urgings to visit Provence before it becomes too touristed). Notwithstanding this, The Food of France is an excellent resource and wonderful read: perhaps there can be no better recommendation than to admit that I enjoyed it so much that I have gone to buy The Food of Italy, also written by Root.

My Personal Rating Scale:
5 stars: Engaging, well-written, highly entertaining or informative, thought provoking, pushes the envelope in one or more ways, a classic.
4 stars: Engaging, well-written, highly entertaining or informative. Book that delivers well in terms of its specific genre or type, but does not do more than that.
3 stars: Competent. Does what it sets out to do competently, either on its own terms on within the genre, but is nothing special. May be clichéd but is still entertaining.

2 stars: Fails to deliver in various respects. Significantly clichéd. Writing is poor or pedestrian. Failed to hold my attention.
1 star: Abysmal. Fails in all respects.

Now finishing my second reading of this tremendous book, all the while suspecting that Waverly Root was really a well-disguised poseur and not really the erudite man-of-the-world he appears to have been, I have to finally admit that, in addition to being one hell of a fine writer, he must also have been one of the most broadly-informed gourmands ever. True, occassional anecdotes and opinions of his betray the fact that the book was originally published 50 years ago, but the scope and intimacy of his knowledge with pretty much every provincial outpost, grand boulevard, and Basque backwater in France is astounding. I suspect he read and took to heart the 1950s edition of the Larousse Gastronomique, since many of the culinary practices he describes hardly deviate from what the Great Book says, but he provides so many examples of eating experiences that could be nothing but first-hand that I have to conclude that he actually DID spend his 30+ years in France doing little but travelling, eating, and drinking. These culinary expeditions are a treasure now: many of the regions he sampled so amply have been globalized to oblivion. His enthusiastic, almost childlike [but, nonetheless, world-wise] forays into the Haut Pyrenees, for example, record a local tradition of farmhouse cooking that is no more. But he was no mere chronicler of foods: his essays are leavened with witty, insightful, broadly-informed and fascinating anecdotes and contextual notes geographical, historical, literary, and agricultural. In this sense, I believe he was one of the pioneers of the broad, anectdotal form of journalism that remains perhaps the most effective means of presenting the world to an armchair audience. I have to forgive his peculiarities. Even his apparent contempt for Champagne seems inconsequential when I read his descriptions of travelling into darkest Corsica, sampling the wild, unrefined local wines, and immediately perceiving their perfect suitability to the food of the region. I am not aware of any other food and wine writer from that era who so heartily insisted on describing food and wine as a marriage. He wrote 20 years before Richard Olney brought his own sophistications to the table, and, understood in this context, his predilections must have been radical at the time.

I urge you to read this book with a willingness to forgive the occassional signs of age. They are few and forgivable. Please savor the writing, with its erudition, lovely sense of timing and flow, gentle humor and enthusiasm. Please also consider it as the eloquent indictment of globalization that it is. To read a book written in the uncritical heyday of postwar American optimism and to find in it laments that the old world was slipping away, a victim of commerce and centralized policymaking, is a poignant experience indeed. This book is an education like few others.

"The Food of France" is a delicious, exhausting account of the cuisine of France - definitely not reading for those watching their cholesterol level. Highly recommended.

The Food of France, written in 1958, is a wonderfully erudite and relaxed look into French cuisine. Root, who has evidently spent many years in France eating his way through its various provinces, has written a travelogue and a paen to French cuisine.

Root divides France into various gastronomic regions, and looks at the foods typical to each of these regions. His theory, that these gastronomic regions can be collated under three different regions - the domains of fat, butter and olive oil - forms the overarching structure of the book. In each region, he describes both its social and cultural history, as well as its geography and agriculture, in order to better explain why the food of that region developed in the way that it has. His riffs move from the origin of the name "Languedoc" (the language where "yes" was "oc" and not "oui") and "Carcassonne" to the reason for large roofs in the Jura region. While some of this information may undoubtedly be out of date (his urgent plea to visit Provence before it becomes too touristetd is definitely 20 years too late by now as are his recommedations of good years for particular wines), most of the information is still pertinent and interesting.

Among all of this, he manages to describe with luscious wit and warmth the food of the region. He will tell you with authority how snails are cooked, which cities have the best type of pastries, and what goes into the preparation of cote de porc a la vosgienne. If you've ever wondered about the difference between an omelette a la savoyarde (and he tells an amusing and fascinating story of how the omelette came to be so named) and an omelette a la lyonnaise, what a pamplemousse is or what goes into a cassoulet (depends on which region the cassoulet is made in), this is the book for you.

It comes with an excellent general index, as well as an index of food and dishes. Cooks out there might be interested to know that he frequently describes dishes with sufficient particularity that a good cook could reproduce some of the dishes so described, even though details as to proportions and cooking techiques are not provided.

I enjoyed this so much that I went off to buy The Food of Italy also by Root and am anticipating reading that with equal relish. There can really be no better recommendation than that.

Tess Elliot and Mike Grundel are movie reviewers for rival newspapers and from opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum. Tess is from a wealthy, socially prominent family but she's trying hard to make it on her own. She's living on her humble journalist's salary and paying her dues in the hopes that one day she'll be covering hard news. Mike comes from the wrong side of the tracks and grew up poor, raised by his alcoholic father. He used to cover hard news, but when a source choked on him on a story involving local corruption, he was bumped down to movie reviews. He's lucky he didn't lose his job altogether since he seriously pissed off a very powerful local businessman. Mike still dreams of nailing Ty Cadman and he continues secretly working the story on his own time. Once he's exposed Cadman and restored his professional reputation, he's out of this small backwater town for good.

In the meantime, he loves to tease Tess, to whom he is extremely attracted but refuses to act on his attraction to her. She's like Grace Kelly to him, cool, beautiful and unattainable, and to her annoyance he's always calling her "Princess". Why won't he take her seriously? They trade barbs back and forth like Tracey and Hepburn and their rivalry is fun to watch. When they both stumble onto some new information about Ty Cadman's latest business venture, they wind up working together to pool sources and connections. He's got the street connections and she's got access to the same social circles Cadman travels in and that Mike could never get. All this time spent together makes it increasingly hard to suppress their strong mutual attraction. They begin an affair and since they already liked one another, feelings are not far behind. But once the story is done, will the relationship remain?

Another terrific read from Ms Warren - she has yet to disappoint me. Mike and Tess are both likeable characters and their romance is steamy and fun to watch. Highly recommended!

This is a great book written in what I have come to appreciate as Nancy Warren's quirky, fun and sexy style. I was laughing by the end of page one. A definite must-read for anyone with a sense of humour.

I'm becoming a huge fan of Nancy Warren. Hot off the Press brims with her usual wit and sizzles with the kind of hot stuff fans like me have come to expect from her. The newspaper setting is really well detailed and the characters are some of her best yet. Well done. Highly recommend this!

Romantic Times BookClub gave this book 4 stars, and it deserves every one of them! "Bad boy" reporter Mike Grundel thinks his fledgling colleague at the competing newspaper is a "princess," coasting on her father's connections. But in fact Tess Elliot is determined to make it on her own, just as Mike is determined to recapture his good name as a serious reporter. Right now, though, both of them are stuck as movie reviewers - and the good/bad news about that is that they have to attend the same movies. At first the bad boy and the princess think they're polar opposites (and this is confirmed by the movie review snippets that begin each chapter) - and they're annoyed that the chemistry between them is so sizzling. When they both uncover leads on the same high-profile story, they decide to work together, and that [fascinating] chemistry is impossible to resist. They become lovers even though Mike's not interested in commitment, and is hung up on his "wrong side of the tracks" background. Mike, with his long hair, earring, and motorcycle (no, he doesn't look anything like the guy on the cover of the book - he's much more attractive!), is the bad boy every good girl goes crazy for, plus he proves himself to be considerate and caring as well as [fascinating]. Tess, with her Grace Kelly looks and style, her intelligence and drive, is the perfect match for him. Their snappy repartee is great fun, and it's a joy to watch their relationship develop into something deeper - and to see Mike finally come to terms with what he really wants out of his life: a future with the woman he loves.

Working for competing papers, movie reviewers Tess Elliot and Mike Grundel have little in common. She enjoys intellectual films while he prefers action adventure with plenty of mayhem. She was born with a silver spoon while he survived poverty. But they have one thing in common; both are driven to prove themselves, if for diverse reasons. She wants to earn her credentials, not rely on her wealth and social position. He wants to move back to hard news after a demotion following a story gone wrong.

Both get their opportunity when Mike bets Tess that he will have a front-page story before she will. Tess intends to see Mike eat crow, but their competition transforms into collaboration when they need to share resources and insight to prove a local developer has other plans for a bald eagle habitat. They both risk their careers, as the developer has already proven he will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Moreover, working together makes it challenging to control the attraction they have both been determined to ignore.

Film, both classic and contemporary, becomes a fascinating theme in HOT OFF THE PRESS. With her characteristic flair, author Nancy Warren creates wonderful characterizations filled with witty banter and heated attraction. An underlying serious plot, vividly realized secondary characters and provocative clashes combine to make HOT OFF THE PRESS heated entertainment. Indeed, readers who come to expect sizzling story lines and amusing clashes won't be disappointed. HOT OFF THE PRESS comes highly recommended.

This book is the winner of the 1998 Spur Award for Best Western Novel (selected by the Western Writers of America).

Cynthia, has captured the events of a very special time in our history and built beautiful characters around the very people who played such an important role in that point in time of the american west.

Cynthia Haseloff has written a great western that very much deserves the 1998 Spur award recieved from the Western Writers of America.
The Kiowa Verdict is based on the trial of two Kiowa Indians, Satanta and Adoltay also called Big Tree, for taking part in the "The Warren Wagon Train Massacre." Satanta led about 100 Kiowas and Comanches and attacked a wagon train with only a dozen white men. This took place west of Fort Richardson, Texas, in the spring of 1871. There was little doubt who was responsible, for Satanta himself bragged to Quaker Indian agent Lawrie Tatum at Fort Sill:

"Remember this. If any other Indian comes in here saying he led the raid he will be lying, because I, Satanta, led it."

Satanta and Big Tree were the first Indians to be tried in a white man's court in Texas for crimes committed against Texans.
Historically both Satanta and Big Tree were convicted of murder and sentenced to hang. Governor Edmund J. Davis commuted their sentences to life imprisonment. Later Satanta committed suicide by leaping headfirst from a second story window at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville and smashing his head on stone paving.

Adoltay, or Big Tree, a young warrior, converted to Methodism while in prison, was eventually released, was ordained as a Methodist minister, returned to the Kiowa-Comanche lands around Fort Sill and was instrumental in converting many Kiowas and Comanches to Methodism.

One of the characters in this novel, Joseph A. Woolfolk, a Confederate and Frontier Regiment veteran, was appointed by the Thirteenth District Court of the State of Texas to defend the Kiowas. The prosecutor was S. W. T. Lanham, who later became governor of Texas.

Transcripts of the trial don't exist, so what courtroom action there is - and of course the thoughts and fears of Joe Woolfolk - are entirely fictional. What is real is the fact that poor Joe Woolfolk instead of putting up a token defense, actually defended his clients in court.

To paraphrase the sometimes Western writer Mark Twain, "the reports of the death of the Western have been greatly exaggerated." The modern Western has been part of the American literary scene ever since - and arguably long before - Owen Wister introduced readers to "The Virginian" in 1902, and it shows no signs of riding into the sunset.

Cynthia Haseloff has captured the spirit of the American frontier in a way that kept me spellbound from beginning to end. Not only did I come away with a true sense of the era, but I also became a new fan of the Western genre, as well (at least the Haseloff Western genre). I can't wait to read her prequel to this book, "Satanta's Woman." I would highly recommend "The Kiowa Verdict" to anyone looking for a great beside-your-bed read.

Cynthia Haseloff has made a grand effort in this fictionalized history account of a raid by Kiowans on a freighter train, a trial and a verdict. Because records of the events have mostly been destroyed, or were deliberately never made, Haseloff has been forced to assume a lot about what happened and why it happened. It's generally a good job.

The legalities of trying Comanches and Kiowans raiding into North Texas while residing 'out of reach' in Oklahoma weren't vague at the time. The raiders understood enough of the law to know they were immune from prosecution by Texans for depredations in Texas if they escaped to Oklahoma. In this instance, the laws were ignored. Two men responsible for a raid that resulted in the deaths of several freighters and torture of one were arrested, taken back to Texas, tried and hanged.

From a strictly practical perspective, it was probably the right method of dealing with the event, though illegal. Even though Comanche raids continued for several years after this trial, the security of refuge provided by the Oklahoma Territory was never again to be trusted. Comanches who remained at war with whites in Texas were forced to remain on the high plains and face white retribution for their acts. This eventually allowed Colonel Ranald McKenzie to destroy the entire horse-herd of the raiding bands, putting them afoot and ending their ability to conduct raids without exterminating the entire tribe.

The fate of Penateka Comanche, the Karankawa, the Lipan Apache, the Fara'on Apache, and many other tribes caught in the vicegrip of Spanish and Anglo migration into the American West and Southwest is a bloody illustration of the other alternative.

The author has done a good job of reconstructing the events, the setting, the characters and the context. I recommend it for anyone interested in that phase of Texas history.

Made You Look is about advertising and how it works. It is very informative. I didn't know advertisers had so many tricks. I like this book because it shows so many different perspectives of advertising and lots of opinions. Kids ten and up would like this book. It has some good quotes and facts. It's a very unique book because you won't find many books about advertising for kids and adults. Some of the lies advertisers have told are outrageous. Did you know that when Coke first came out it was advertised as a medicine? There are different rules about ads in each country. For example, Canada has a law that you can't target infomercials at kids under twelve. For me, this was a page turner because it was different than books I usually read.

"Made You Look" is about the advertising industry and how it became so powerful and influential. It explains the ways ads catch our attention, and how advertisers try to influence us. It also explores how advertisers who pay broadcast, print and other media outlets to feature their commercials can control the sorts of news and entertainment we will or won't see, read and hear.

Before you buy something based on an ad, "Made You Look" recommends that you ask yourself: Who wants me to believe what the ad says? How do the advertisers benefit if I buy this product? Aside from the product itself, what else does this ad sell? What information does this ad leave out?

"Made You Look" draws attention to the important things that money can't buy, and how time away from TV, radio, computers and billboards frees us to reach for the relationships and experiences that enrich us and make the world a happier, healthier place.

"Made You Look" is a wealth of information with outstanding illustrations to help young people understand advertising and how media impacts our lives and decisions. This title from the list, SC Reads 2005-2006: 100 Titles for High School Students, is one that older elementary, middle school and high school students can all enjoy. In a classroom or at home, this book provides great sparks for lively discussions!

This is an excellent tool for teaching media literacy and critical thinking to school-age children, and even to adults! I appreciate the history, the presentation of multiple perspectives, and the education about consumer advocacy.

I thought that this book was very interesting when I picked it up, because I had never seen anything like it! Even the author states:
"Do you remember the day one of your parents sat you down to have a serious talk about advertising? Me neither."

Basically, no one really teaches you about this stuff. I remember that in seventh grade, one of my favorite subjects was called, "Propaganda." It taught you about how advertisers use good looking people to sell products, or how they compare against other products. It was interesting, but didn't last very long! You usually learn about it yourself and by that time, you are up to your eyeballs in debt!

The book looks at both sides of the story. It points out how advertisers try to get your attention and may do things that aren't always ethical, but it also points out the facts.

There are some sections called "Try this at home!" Basically, these are exercises to make people more aware of the advertising around them. One suggests to look around your environment and see if the melting pot of society exists on your TV or in commercials. Chances are, it doesn't. On another section similar to this, the book asks you to look at the ingredients on a "brand name" product and a "no name" product and see if the ingredients are the same. Usually, they have similiar contents but people are more familiar and feel more comfortable with the brand name. So, we are more likely to buy it.

Towards the end of the book, there is a section that gives you information on how to speak out about what you think may not be right. If you are offended by something that is advertised to you, it suggests that you write to the company, because writing is taken more seriously than a phone call. There are also resources in the back on how to get a hold of companies and organizations that can continue to help you in your quest!

Must read for pre teens and teenagers alike!

An outstanding book covering the founding and development of one of the great ski and resort areas in the country. .

The photographs alone are worthy of buying this book. There are plenty of rare b&w shots of mammoth from the turn of the 20th century on up and prime photos of the Mccoy legend. One of my favorite shots is Dave's Harley with skis strapped to it--circa late '30's! In addition, the text is nicely written giving you a sense of the key players in the development of mammoth as a ski town, mammoth in the world of ski racing, and nice vignettes on some unique things to the eastern sierra--from Schat's Bakkery to big horn sheep.

This book is awesome! The pictures are excelent and the information is great. Nice to know what Mammoth used to look like before it became the famous place that it is today.

Anyone who likes skiing will love this book. Forstenzer's familiarity with the Sierra makes it one that won't just sit around on the coffee table. He writes engagingly and tells great stories about the early days of skiing in Mammoth and its culture, how the ski area was built and some of the people involved. The photographs are astonishing and well worth the price alone, but in combination with the writing Forstenzer lets us glimpse what made Mammoth Mountain the great ski resort it has become. This is a terrific book about past and present skiing days at Mammoth. Like most any ski item associated with Warren Miller - breathtaking!

Absolutely the most beautiful collection of photos of Mammoth and the surrounding area can be found in this book! It provides a wonderful history and insight into the creation and life of this skiing Mecca. This is a must have for any Mammoth lover!

This series has always been as much about political commentary as it has Remo and Chuin's extraordinary powers. I am glad this author has decided to bring back the satirical aspect of the series. After 115 books, it's difficult to image these stories remaining so entertaining just by sticking to the superhero storyline. This episode had a particularly funny encounter between Smith (the hero's boss) and the Womanizer In Chief. I recommend this book to anyone who has previously read this series, but has drifted away. It is also good for those of you who say the movie in the 80's and wondered who that guy was supposed to be.

ONCE AGIAN MASTER CHUIN,MASTER REMO YOU HAVE CAPTIVATED AND TRANPORTED ME TO YOUR WORLD OF HUMOR AND HONESTY THAT I FEEL BOTH ENTHRALLED AND DELIGHTED IN TELLING YOU THAT YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THIS WORK JUST "MAKES MY DAY".

I have been reading this selection since early 70's. A change in creators has changed the contents of the books every little, still a excellent adventure in reading.....

I've been reading the Destroyer from the beginning and it has become one of my favorite book series, like a lot of readers I was worried the series was history with some of the poor books that came out in the recent year or so. But after reading the fatherland series and this book I think the author has a good feel for the characters and will return the books to being fun and exciting again. This book was everything I've come to expect from the Destroyer, it was fun and easy reading. Keep up the good work!

Great readin

Full disclosure: I attend Church of the Apostles, in Fairfield, CT, where Thad Barnum is the Bishop.

This important book is a clarion call to Christians everywhere, to speak up and act when their brothers and sisters are oppressed anywhere.

The world averted its gaze, and stood silently by, as more than 800,000 people were methodically slaughtered in 100 days. Bishop John Rucyahana returned from exile in Uganda days after the main killing spree had ended, witnessed the devastation, and ministered to those left, both victims and perpetrators.

When he saw what he considered to be spiritual genocide in America, with purportedly Christian leaders oppressing portions of the laity, he saw the parallels with Rwanda's season of abandonment, and he spoke up, seeking leadership in the US that would succor the oppressed. Finding nobody in authority willing to take a stand, he put in motion events that resulted in Rwanda and Southeast Asia sponsoring missions and missionaries to the US. To bring spiritual relief to their brothers and sisters in America, the churches in Africa and Asia had to accept an increase in their physical hardships, refusing to accept money from the wealthy American church they sought to reform.

Thad Barnum relates the tale in clear, compelling prose. He is crisp and complete on the details, yet manages to universalize the message. The humility with which he tells this story invites the reader to adopt the same spirit of humility, and to ask the questions:

When have I stood silent when I should have spoken up?
What will I do the next time?

This book discusses why third world Christians are re-introducing the Gospel to North America. Also, how revisionist denominations lead by The Episcopal Church are no longer following the Bible as the enlightend word of God.

It is definitly a must read.

I would recommend this book to any one who firmly believes that the Holy Bible is truly the word of God. It also gives a good insight to the problems that the Rwanda people went through. Keep your tissues handy.

I was outraged when I read this book about the heretical actions of the USA Episicopal Church and the Bishop of Canterbury. It is no wonder that people are flocking to the Anglican mission in America. I was horrified that no USA bishop would stand for the truth, but stood for ordinations of homosexual bishops. God help them. It was a pleasure to note that after this book was published the Virginia Churches won their lawsuit to keep their property.

Having been confirmed in the Episcopal Church in the USA in 1960 I believed this was truly the only church for a Christian to claim. Shortly afterward, I began to question some of the leader's decisions and the general direction the church seemed to be heading in. I left for a number of years, only to return in 1995. By this time, the apostasy in the ECUSA was apparent. Fortunately, I happened to come back to a conservative and biblical church. During this time, the African and Southeast Asian Bishops had identified and confronted the American and Canadian apostate leadership. This ultimately led to the forming of the Anglican Mission in America, with African and Asian Bishops now bringing missionaries to the USA. This excellent book tells the entire story, in details not always available at the time the events occurred. While the book deals especially with the Anglican Communion around the world, the problems are universal and must be carefully guarded against by Scripture bound Christians everywhere. I highly recommend this excellent book.