Warren Books

Have now received book "Canoe paddles"Everything seems to be fibre glass or plastic down here, it is a "Breath of fresh air" to see so many paddles in their original form, WOOD.Cannot wait to get started.

This is a very well written book and I made my canoe paddels based on the books instructions and designs. My only "complaint" is the photo's are black and white, and a bit, hazey looking, and can be a bit hard to see fine details. But overall, it is a great book. I still give it 5 stars.

fabulous book, covers in detail what you need to know to make a fine paddle, including relative expansion rates of popular woods for paddle making, highly recommended to save your self from making lots of scrap from perfectly good paddle blanks.

Very informative book that covers everything from the historical background of paddle design to a detailed how to on how best to build a paddle. As an avid paddler and woodworker, I found this book to be perfect.

Great Book with lots of useful information. Would have liked a few more paddle designs, but overall, great book.

This is a good source book on firecrackers from China to the world. It was well organized with large pages of colorful photos in rare package labels. The chapters on the origin, evolution and manufacturing of firecrackers were concise and informative. Of significance was the chapter on Chinese celebrations. For more than a millennium, firecrackers have been there from weddings to dragon dances, from funerals to store openings (p.27). For the Chinese, firecracker is a must for festival tradition celebration especially to welcome the Chinese New Year (same as firing guns at New Year Eve).

However, Chinese Christians celebrate Christmas with firecrackers (p.36) is a doubtful assertion as the authors failed to provide where, China or US. The same page said firecracker is celebration and sadness. To Chinese, firecrackers never are associated with sadness. It can mean scare off the evil spirit, negative chi and bad luck.

It is a great book to read and enjoy the colorful labels and package with different themes, ranging from Chinese mythology and folklores to western tradition. The Chinese knows the American market well. The nude angel with wings (p.76) is a case in point; others included are battleship (p.121), Red Devil, thunder cloud, dinosaur, Robinson Crusoe, King Kong, cowboys, Indians, aquatic animals, astrospace and explosives (atomic bombs), bullfight, woman boxers, baseball, football, circus, auto race, military and Dixie boys. The un-named artists were impressive. Labels from Guatemala, Indonesia and India are included as well. Of special meaning were the two package labels related to WW II - four Chinese soldiers with weapons on hand, a firing tank, a Chinese flag and three double decked fighter planes heading East resisting Japanese aggression (p.100); a young Chinese soldier in green uniform, gun at back and bullet case belt with a raised right hand V finger sign, an obvious V- J Victory celebration (p.101).

This book gave good information. However, the authors failed to mention that firecrackers and fireworks, the Chinese invention are intended celebration for prosperity, happiness, luck and peace as well. But once introduced to Europe, they were turned into weapon to wage war against Chinese as recorded in history 150 years ago under the free trade in China's favor excuse.

Next time, when you light up a package for July 4 celebration, think about the excitement and joy this Chinese gift brings.

This book shows great insite into the history of the firecracker and the intricate artwork involved with the packaging of them. The clarity of the illustrations are wonderful, its hard to believe some of the labels are as old as they are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can remember the excitement of being able to "set off" these firecrackers on the 4th of July, without worrying about breaking the law. Those of you who were not as lucky to experience this thrill, will definitely find this book fun.

My husband was looking for a book on firecrackers and I tried the local book stores, i.e. Barnes and Nobles, Bookmart, Books a Million, but no luck. I browsed the internet and the reviews on firecracker reference materials were few and far between. Finally I came across this book on Amazon and took a chance it would please him.....he's quite picky about his reference library. This soft-cover book is GREAT! It is packed with beautiful, vibrant full color photos of the common labels all the way up to the very rare. The book layout is dotted with photos and the glossary is helpful to even the intermediate collector. The section "Interview with a Collector" gives a nice insightful look into the pursuit of fireworks labels. The history of firecrackers is also discussed, giving the collector a great back-story to the industry. No price guide, but that is fine with my husband, as it tends to date a book after a couple of years. This is an informative addition to the Hubby's library......he's happy and I'm glad.

Excellent beautifully illustrated book well worth the money. The illustrations and layout are extremely well done. This is easy reading that covers some terrtory not well documented anywhere else (Vietnam.) Some historical inaccuracies especially in the history of the manufacture of "Chinese" crackers in the 20th century. Overall an excellent job! Highly reccomended to anyone who has an interest in the subject, or who just likes the imagery of the old labels.

Bright, colorful pages packed with color illustrations and photos chart the art and history of the firecracker, from their construction and advancement to the making of labels and items promoting them. Beautiful drawings pack an illustrated history which invites leisure browsers as much as researchers, and which is very highly recommended for general library collections.

In "Happiness is Not My Companion," David M. Jordan performs his usual solid job in assembling a biography. Jordan is, as always, excellent when it comes to digging in primary sources and he does breathe a good deal of life into the rather obscure G. K. Warren. Best known for his role at Little Round Top, Warren led the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac during most of the Overland campaign before his removal at Five Forks. He also held a number of important staff assignments under Joe Hooker and George Meade. Jordan is able to offer an excellent account of Warren's Civil War career as well as his quest for vindication from being removed from command. Jordan also offers an excellent look at Warren's morose and often overly critical personality. There remain some problems in the book. Warren's role as an explorer is covered too quickly. The same can be said of his role as an engineer in the West after the war. Still, Jordan is excellent on Warren and the war. Anyone interested in the Union effort in the east would profit from this book about a leading and very unique general.

Solid bio on General Warren, like George Picket, known for Gettysburg and Five Forks, the latter in his casea great controversy. Warren was the opposite of the Confederacy's impetuous A. P. Hill, Warren was brave but detailed and thorough in his planning. Often thinking of his men's welfare, he frequently clashed with not only Meade but by war's end Grant and Sheridan. The author provides a healthy history of Warren's family and his time at West Point and his gallant service mapping the Black Hills among the Sioux before the war. The reader may be a little impatient to get to the Civil War and the controversy but you get there relatively quickly. Warren serves on McClellan's staff and stays as a staff officer as a topographic engineer through his famed role at Little Round Top. Warren then becomes a corps commander, although he seems ill suited personality wise for the task. His dispatches to Meade naively offer too much advice and seemimg less action than his superiors expect, which he never seems to fully appreciate. Jordan utilizes many primary resources such as reports and letters by Warren, his bombastic artillery Officer, close military friends, commanders and many other witnesses to give you a first hand perception of the man. Warren's was notable in refusing to attack Lee's fortifications at Mine Run, a little written about campaign that establishes Warren as a man considerate of his men yet suffering in the eyes of his his commander. Here the author could have offered more maps as the Mine Run campaign starts questions about Warrens propensity to inform and perhaps lecture. During the overland campaign, Warren alternately hesitates and attacks and the author describes the reasons for each, particularly the Confederate fortifications. Rhea, in his great series of books on the 1864 campaigns, probably describes best Grant and Meade's frustration with Warren but Jordan does well here in this 320 page book. Although aquiting himself well during the Petersburg siege, with some question at the Crater, Warren's 5th corps continues to actively pivot late in 1864 alternately with Hancock's 2nd to the western outside edges of Petersburg. A question worth asking here is why, if Grant and Meade already question Warren's timely ability to attack, did they not keep his corps east of Petersburg in a static position? This is not answered by Jordan but should have been explored. By late March 1865, he is ordered to maneuver around Lee's far right to support Sheridan that culminates in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House (a setback for Sheridan) and then Five Forks. This unusual collaboration between two Generals that mutually dislike each other is immediately antagonized by too many confusing orders from both Sheridan and Meade to Warren compunded by Grants independent control of Sheridan. Jordan points out well that Warren is succesful in his dificult manuevers in the face of the enemy yet Warren fails to report timely to Sheridan. Jordan covers the battle of Five Forks well, ironically Warren's best and most succesful attack, and the controversy of Sheridan sacking Warren after the battle was won. Jordan's reserach also notes Warren's colorful charge across the final breastworks with his troops happens just before his sack notice reaches him as opposed to what some historians describe as happening only after he learned he was sacked. Ed Bearss book "Five Forks" in the VA. series probably describes the battle best with an excellent map but Jordan does a fine job describing the battle. The latter parts of the book follow Warren's post war career and his unusual dedication as an military engineer refusing to leave the army for much needed income as a private engineer as he waits his day in court. Warren comes across as a festidious egineer more suited for that kind of work but his extended military career and his desire for a trial seem to aggravate his sensitive health. The trial, 16 long years later, is well covered as well as the political difficulties as Sherman, Sheridan and Grant act as roadblocks. Jordan paints Warren appropriately as a man of talent but lacking in perception that the war changed and that Grant and Sheridan were trying to bring the war to an end in a hurry, which contributed to the abrupt and disasterous decision by Sheridan ironically after the day at Five Forks was won. At Five Forks Warren was relieved not for his actions that were unknown to Sheridan at the time but for the reputation that preceded and sterotyped him in Sheridan's eyes. One of the last ranking officers who served with McClellan, it is unfortunate that Warren did not leave when Hancock did or at least recognize that Grant and Meade required less opinions but timely reports of action as did Sheridan. A sad end with a final victory, reversed court finding, coming too late as the book's title aptly professes, happiness was not be his his post war companion.

Having had little information on the life of my great, great, great grandfather this book was facinating. I had no idea he had participated critically in so much of the civil war. Not only Warren's genius of analysis of conditions in battle, but his engineering skills were also very notable, indeed his accomplishment in cartography and engineering of the Rock Island bridge some could say eclipsed anything he did during the war between the states. The book is a facinating inside look at relationships between men of high rank and served to show that patriotism was not the sole factor in their decisions and exploits. Great leaders, sadly, usually have great egos and Warren was no exception. I also thought the final analysis of why Warren, though brillant, failed to achieve the greatness he was surely capable of achieving, to be profoundly accurate, in light of previous chapters of each battle. His broad understanding of the big picture came into direct conflict with men of lesser intellect, but higher rank, who had the "tunnel" vision to stay the course and simply overwhelm the enemy with shear numbers. I applaud this work of David Jordan and for taking so much time to research and write about a man the world did it's best to defame and hide in obscurity.

For Civil War readers, Gouverneur Kemble Warren is not an unfamiliar name. He is most associated for his slow response in the Wilderness campaign where he was dismissed without, as we read, justifiable cause. This action was driven more by spite and the ego issues of Phil Sheridan, who failed to understand the issues causing Warren's delay at Five Forks. And then there was U.S. Grant's rigid blind faith in Sheridan that led him to summarily dismiss Warren, also without knowing all the facts. Jordan does a good job of showing the many facets of a general who was not only competent but ethical in his conduct of the war. While admittedly cautious and slow at times, he was still able to win battles and not needlessly compromise his men's lives. As a psychotherapist, it was personally interesting to see the psychology of this complex man, from his highs to his rages and deep depression. He was without question, intelligent and with great courage. He did have issues that could compromise his "generalship" at times but then shine at others. Yet, his leadership of men was done with character and ethical responsibility and discipline. I highly recommend this book as not only a means to understanding an excellent civil war general but also as a way to see how circumstances create decisions, both good and bad. To see how incompetent leaders can manage to survive and highly competent ones fall, all in a flash. The book, from the early days of Warren, through his Civil War battles, court of inquiry trial and, ultimately, his lonely and sad death, is well written, easy to read and, like a complex movie, shows us pieces of the war and its many unseen still frames that are so easily missed. The reader will come away with a greater understanding of G.K. Warren as well as the civil war. David L Mazzola

Before I review this one, let me admit that I've never been into book length biographies, even when they concern Civil War era figures, so this is a bit of a new experience. Keep this is mind when reading these early attempts at reviewing biographies. I picked up this bio of Gouverneur Kemble Warren for two reasons. First, Indiana University Press was having an unbelievable sale, and I managed to find this one as a brand new hardback for only $6. Second, I'd been looking to get into the biography arena by looking at men who commanded at division level or higher during the siege of Petersburg.

"Happiness Is Not My Companion" takes a look at the checkered career of Gouverneur Kemble Warren, a man who was stripped of his command at the moment of his greatest triumph at Five Forks. Author David Jordan covers Warren's life in some detail, though I thought that a closer and more definitive work can probably be penned at some point in the future. With that said, I enjoyed this biography, especially the section dealing with the Petersburg Campaign. Jordan keeps the reader interested while moving the story along. The author argues that Warren was wronged by Sheridan at Five Forks, but he does candidly admit many of Warren's flaws, though I suspect he may not have gone far enough in revealing these.


Gouverneur Warren was an extremely intelligent man, but his main faults, according to author David Jordan, were his difficulty in following orders given to him while at the same time giving frequent unwanted "suggestions" to his superior officers. Jordan downplays somewhat Warren's nature to frequently act with great condescension, which is to me his greatest flaw. Warren was born on January 8, 1830 in upstate New York in the little town of Cold Spring, just a short distance from West Point. That Warren ended up at the Military Academy is hardly surprising given his birthplace and his prominent family. He graduated second in his class, and was awarded a spot in the coveted Corps of Engineers. In this role, Warren spent the better part of the 1850's on expeditions to the west, where he encountered friendly and hostile Native Americans, including the Sioux, and participated in his first military actions. Warren had accepted a position to teach mathematics at West Point by the time war broke out, but he soon became Lt. Colonel and then Colonel of the famous 5th New York, Duryea's Zouaves. He led the men of this regiment as a brigade commander in the Seven Days and at Second Bull Run, and was afterward promoted to Chief Topographical Engineer and then Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac. It was in this position at Gettysburg that Warren perhaps gave his greatest contribution to his country. Warren, while out scouting on the Union far left, noticed the importance of the Round Tops and the fact that Confederate infantry were approaching. He immediately found the nearest Union troops, the brigade of Colonel Strong Vincent, and sent them scurrying for the crest of Little Round Top. They barely beat the Confederates to the crest and managed to secure this vital area for the Union. Warren was promoted to Major General after the battle, and he was temporarily placed in command of the II Corps while Winfield Hancock recovered from his severe Gettysburg wound. In the Mine Run Campaign of November 1863, Warren called off an attack that he deemed suicidal on his own responsibility. Meade was at first furious that Warren had disobeyed, but he agreed with Warren's decision after taking a look at the Confederate entrenchments. This first instance of Warren questioning his orders as a corps commander was only the beginning. Meade and Grant would grow exasperated with Warren on more than one occasion during the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns. It was during this time frame, while commander of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac, that Warren had his greatest problems as a commander. Meade and Grant were on the verge of relieving him several times for his continued questioning of orders, or in some cases, his outright disobedience of these orders. Jordan quotes the diary of Charles Wainwright, the V Corps Artillery Chief, quite often during this time period. Apparently Wainwright did not much like Warren and was constantly critical of his commander. All of this was leading up to Warren's greatest triumph...and his greatest disappointment. Warren was placed under Phil Sheridan during the attack on Five Forks. Grant, apparently having grown tired of Warren's tendency to question his orders, gave Sheridan the right to sack the v Corps commander at any point and replace him with any of the V Corps division commanders. Although Warren moved his men up in a satisfactory manner, and although the V Corps was able to flank and drive off the Confederates guarding Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren and sent him back to Grant. Jordan discusses Warren's unceasing efforts after the war in his quest to see a court of inquiry convened. It wasn't until the early 1880's that Warren was able to make this possible. He had known that while Grant or member of his circle were in power that his request would never be granted, so he had waited until Rutherford B. Hayes was President to press home his request. In my mind, Jordan demonstrates pretty conclusively that Warren was not at fault in any way at Five Forks, though Warren's peers who oversaw the court were rather ambivalent in their findings, perhaps to appease Sheridan, who now commanded the entire United States Army. Warren died before the findings of the court were made public. He deserved better, from Sheridan on April 1, 1865, to Grant in the intervening years concerning the granting of a court of inquiry, to the men who finally made judgments on his behavior.

As I stated in the introduction, this is a good but not great book. Jordan goes into considerable detail, but I couldn't help feeling that even more could have been done. He also seems to go a little easy on Warren in some cases, especially when it concerns Warren's difficulty in dealing with subordinates and superiors who he felt were not as intelligent as he was. One trait I dislike more than most in my fellow human beings is condescension. Warren was filled to overflowing with condescension for quite a few people, and I would have liked to see the author get into this in more detail. Other than that, I thought he tried to be impartial, as a good biographer always should. The maps that accompanied the text were solid, and really a bit of an unexpected bonus as far as a biography goes. Anyone interested in biographies of Civil War generals will not be disappointed in this one. Those interested in G. K. Warren or in the later campaigns of the Army of the Potomac will also want to give this one a look.

This is a thick heavy book, good enough to knock some sense into a Right Winger, Jesus Freak Ignoramus. If you ever get tired hearing some blubber mouth go on about how this country was founded on religious freedom and how our founding fathers were God Fearing Christians, just flip the pages on this book and you will find a roster of names like Lincoln, Madison, Washington and Jefferson. It pays to do a little research. I highly recommend this book as a valuable reference. It is full of names from recorded history and from every corner of the globe. It is impressive and fascinating to thumb through it. And you can not help but be awed by how some of these people can be honest and truthful about their own mortality but also can not deny their own keen intelligence.

This is a really unusual book which is entertaining enough to pick up and read from cover to cover. However I think its real value is that it is an interesting and detailed reference book.

Have you ever read a horror novel that makes reference to some obscure demon up from the pits of Hell? This book will tell you all about it. Or some historical romance which makes reference to someone who spoke out against the church? Again, you'll find them here. As well as all manner of people who have spoken out against all manner of things throughout history and from all faiths and view points.

It was the title that made me pick it up in the first place, and I think the suggestion is that these are people/things who would populate the under-world. Rather tongue in cheek I think, but eye catching just the same.

So if you are a serious reader and you like interesting reference books, pick up a copy of this. You may surprise yourself at how often you look at it - it is full of fascinating things!

This is an enormously important reference work for anyone who would like to check if a historical or contemporary figure was or is a religious believer. Most standard encyclopedias will provide whole biographies of important persons, but obscure the fact they had grave doubts about God. Many of the fathers of the American Revolution were not Christians, but deists who accepted only the existence of a prime mover not Jesus. This does not prevent foolish, uninformed believers from claiming this country was founded as a "Christian" nation.

Smith will be criticized for many of his difficult choices and assertions. The book distinguishes between major entries, real unbelievers; minor entries of persons who only wrote something related to unbelief, and peripheral entries. To assess a person's belief is always difficult. Our concepts of religion and faith are arbitrary. Different convictions may be expressed in various writings, and belief may change over time. In addition, many persons had reason to obscure their doubts or pretend to a faith they did not share. For this reason, very few modern American politicians will be found in Hell.

Readers will find some good humor, many Nobel laureates in science, literature, and peace, as well as most important philosophers and a few statesmen in Hell. Mark Twain had it truly right when he suggested we go to "Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company." No religious or secular library should be without this book.

FREE INQUIRY reviewed the book negatively in an unsigned critique that purposely contained falsities. The Council for Secular Humanism's officials need to out the culprit or culprits, for the magazine now strikes me as a commercial adjunct of Prometheus Books. Otherwise, it will lose to THE HUMANIST, which for some reason has not reviewed the book. International humanist groups have far more maturity about such matters.

WHO'S WHO IN HELL uses an umbrella approach, listing from A to Z subjects of particular interest to freethinkers and including an incredible list of over 10,000 actual people from Ancient Greece to Erasmus to Voltaire to Tom Paine to the present--Christopher Reeve, Kate Hepburn, Bjork, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., etc. Freethinkers, in short, come off as being far more important than publish-or-perish professors of philosophy when it comes to influencing the media and people around the world. I put this 6-pound, 1,200+page book next to my COLUMBIA ENCYCLOPEDIA.

FREE INQUIRY reviewed the book negatively in an unsigned critique that purposely contained falsities. The Council for Secular Humanism's officials need to out the culprit or culprits, for the magazine now strikes me as a commercial adjunct of Prometheus Books. Otherwise, it will lose to THE HUMANIST, which for some reason has not reviewed the book. International humanist groups have far more maturity about such matters.

WHO'S WHO IN HELL uses an umbrella approach, listing from A to Z subjects of particular interest to freethinkers and including an incredible list of over 10,000 actual people from Ancient Greece to Erasmus to Voltaire to Tom Paine to the present--Christopher Reeve, Kate Hepburn, Bjork, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., etc. Freethinkers, in short, come off as being far more important than publish-or-perish professors of philosophy when it comes to influencing the media and people around the world. I put this 6-pound, 1,200+page book next to my COLUMBIA ENCYCLOPEDIA.

I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I cheered (well, not really-I was on a plane and didn't want to create a ruckus, but in my mind I was standing up and cheering!). This book offered a lot of interesting information-who knew pumpkins could grow up to 40 lbs. A DAY??-while following the attempts of various growers to reach the ultimate goal in giant pumpkin growing, a 1500 lb. pumpkin. Easy reading, informative, and a good conversation starter when you need to make small talk.

Bill Clinton was quoted in the "Washington Post" a few weeks ago: "That's the biggest pumpkin I've ever seen. It looks like we need a steroid inspection here." I googled " Big Pumpkins " and found lots of information, including this charming and fascinating book.

Susan Warren is a gardener. She Googled a personal gardening question one day, and incidentally found guys that were obsessed with creating monster pumpkins. She wrote a front page story about them for the "Wall Street Journal", and this book grew out of that article.

Warren describes the pumpkins, of course, but her book is much more about those obsessed guys. She grew a giant pumpkin (240 pounds) as a research project, but both she and her architect husband "got sucked in ... this is a very dangerous book. It sucks in people who like a challenge."

She is amazed at the diversity of growers: airline pilots, engineers, Wall Street analysts, bankers, truck drivers, country club managers and "your mom could be a giant pumpkin grower." They live in a number of countries: the US, England, Germany, Australia, and elsewhere. She believes they are all overachievers, the kind of people who work all day and then come home and put in a few more hours in the garden.

There is a bit of pathos in this book: Ron Wallace, the featured grower, loses one of his pumpkins: "Ron's disappointment was sharp and deep and all too familiar. He cracked the rotting skin open in hopes of recovering some seeds. But the seeds swimming in a fetid pool of neon-orange slime were limp and lifeless. Disgusted, he left the broken shards of giant pumpkin lying in the grass next to the garden, an organic monument to disappointment."

As the extract shows, Warren is particularly good at describing the depth and complexity of the obsession these competitors. If that human element appeals to you, you'll enjoy this book.

Robert C. Ross 2008

I had a great time reading this book. I too grow pumpkins and had a hard time setting this book down. Easy to read and gives a real behind the scenes on this sport, showing that growers have lives outside of pumpkin growing as well. If you want to grow a giant pumpkin yourself this book won't give you much for information on that topic. It is meant for more the humanity side of things.

Backyard Giants is a fascinating and informative book on the art, science, competition and reward of growing giant pumpkins. The author depicts the trials and tribulations of growers in Rhode Island, Ohio, the West Coast and Canada. A close-knit group of growers in Rhode Island are followed for an entire year as they prepare, plant, harvest and competitively show their giant fruits. The growers are depicted as compassionate, committed, scientific in their own right, and competitive. Through the author's creative writing style the reader is compelled through each stage of the giant pumpkin process. The pictures are an added bonus - driving home the amazing undertaking of growing something over 1,000 pounds in just four months. The joys and heartbreaks of this sport are well described, and leave the reader with respect and in awe of the growers.

The author did an excellent job researching all aspects of growing giant pumpkins. I found myself with numerous questions as I read the book and inevitably the author answered every question I had. The author writes for those having no prior knowledge of pumpkin growing - but would also likely interest those who were knowledgeable in the field. She has a creative use of vocabulary and story telling. I was sorry to see the book come to an end, but also very content with the ending. This book is well worth the reader's investment.

Who says gardening is a gentle hobby? In "Backyard Giants," Ms. Warren takes us on a journey through the passionate and far-from-gentle world of competitive pumpkin growing. With a masterful eye for the telling detail and a narrative voice that sweeps the reader into this unusual world from the very first page, this is delightful and eye-opening read -- especially for those who've never wielded pruning shears or pored through garden catalogues at night.

Pride and understanding of the past wars is something I never had before I read this book. It gave me the same feeling I felt the day I walked through Arlington National Cemetery. It warmed my heart and made me want to cry in rememberance. This book is wonderful and should be read my the rest of my young generation to acquire knowledge, pride and understanding of our nations past.

Pride and understanding of the past wars is something I never had before I read this book. It gave me the same feeling I felt the day I walked through Arlington National Cemetery. It warmed my heart and made me want to cry in rememberance. This book is wonderful and should be read my the rest of my young generation to acquire knowledge, pride and understanding of our nations past.

Mr. Coffman was a friend of my mother's growing up in the hills of West Virginia. This book for me was so informational about her childhood area. Unlike the other reviews, my interest was not the military aspect of Mr. Coffman's life, but his early years. So many memories of childhood are lost over span of time, thank you for bringing them back to my mother. I most enjoyed reliving those times with her.

The fortunes of war brought Warren Coffman and me together in the Channel village of Swanage, England over fifty-seven years ago. I found the story of his life to be most interesting, especially the periods before and after WWII. As a veteran, I was amazed at his excellent memory of so many past events. His coverage of the action at Diepenlinchen, Germany in September, l944 is most outstanding. One should also be impressed with his comparison of soldiers' outlook and morale in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Our presidents, present and future, should read this and, hopefully, come to understand why police actions and limited wars do not work.

It was one book that I just could not put down. I just wanted to read and read to see what would happen next.

In Sheep's Clothing is Warren's first book in the Mission: Russia series. It introduces most of the major characters in the series: Gracie Benson, an American missionary, Viktor Shubnikov, an FSB (KGB) agent, Roman, a COBRA agent, and Yanna Andrekev, computer genius FSB agent. Gracie is at the end of two years working as a missionary in Russia and is going home in disappointment over her lack of converts. She hasn't brought anyone to God in her time in Russia, and she's still running from the pain and shame she tried to leave behind in the States. When a missionary couple is murdered, and Gracie discovers their bodies, Viktor is assigned to interrogate her and then later to protect her as Gracie quickly becomes the target of the assassins. Gracie and Viktor are a match made in Heaven (or Russia); they can't fight the chemistry between them even as they struggle to trust each other and ultimately God. The book is a terrific mix of suspense, romance, and faith. Make sure to read the author's notes at the end of the novel; they make the story even more astounding.

I really enjoy all of Ms. Warren's books I have read. In Sheep's Clothing is very, very, very, very good as are Sands of Time, and Wiser than Serpents, the other two books in that series. I hope Ms. Warren tells the story of Mae. I am anxious to know more about her. Does she get a happy ending? I hope Ms. Warren writes her story, but until then, I'm going to explore the amazing world of the Heirs of Anton.

This book was absolutely awesome! Nothing does a better job of depicting Russia through the eyes of an American missionary (or through the eyes of a Russian.) The characters take on a life of their own, making this book unforgetable. Even better is the edge-of-your-seat mystery that is suspenseful, beliveable, and captivating. If that weren't enough, there's just a touch of romance. Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite books of all time.

Gracie is an American missionary serving in Russia who doesn't think she's very good at her job because she hasn't led anyone to Christ. Only days before her visa expires and she must leave the country, she discovers two friends and fellow missionaries have been murdered. Now she must rely on FSB (formerly known as the KGB) Captain Vicktor to protect her from becoming the next victim of his arch nemesis, The Wolf.

This is a wonderful tale of suspense that is filled with beautiful moments of Christian discovery and growth. Susan May Warren is a wonderful writer who transports her audience into the heart of Russia so skillfully that your senses are nearly overcome.

This book kept me up all night (when I should have been studying for mid terms)!!! Gracie is a missionary who felt as though she had done a horrible job. FSB agent Vicktor Shubnikov is like another young Russian man. There is a killer on the loose with motives that date back to the cold war. Gracie is caught in the middle of it all, along with a very handsome Russian agent. As the book goes along secrets from both their past and Gracie's friend's past are uncovered to relieve a sinister plot. But at the same time the Russian agent and Gracie find strength and comfort in each other as they cope with their past. This story also teaches the important lesson of forgivness. When you start this book there is no putting it down. It may sound all mushy- gushy, but heck no! This is definitely a romance/ suspense book.If you pass this book up you're missing out on alot!!!!!

Sargent excelled in all media and this book, the third in a series, clearly shows why he was the best of late 19th century American artists. Many of his paintings have become icons of American art, and here they are shown in the context of his life and artistic development. The color reproductions are superb and the book offers many hours of repeat perusal.

These books are the epitome of scholarly research into Sargent's work, made even better by the researchers inclusion of intimate personal and professional details. This presents a great background to viewing the well printed illustrations. One should not just purchase one of these volumes, indeed the experience palls UNLESS all three are not bought . One cannot praise this sort of in depth research and the resulting publications highly enough. The only quibble is one of size, given that Sargent revelled in life-size compositions, it is a a pity that pure economics forbid the printing of larger volumes- I mourn the death of the "elephant folios" so derided by librarians.

A wonderful collection of amazing images. This book will be looked at for many, many years.

The best book on a painter I have been able to buy for quite a while. As with the other three volumes so far published of Sargent's catalogue raisonne, this is absolutley stunning. Paintings are all in colour unless they have been lost, and the figures and landscapes are breathtaking. The text is anecdotal and interesting, with contemporary correspondence and criticism. This is what a catalogue raisonne should be, and never is - something exhaustively illustrated and investigated, rather than an artist's lifetime crammed into one volume with highlights followed by black and white "postage stamps" at the back (as long as the artist is worth it - and Sargent is worth it). A great tome on a great artist, and unbelievably good value. Go out and treat yourself.

The color reproductions are awesome. This books is a collection of Sargent's less known work which is refreshing. Some oils are not as polished as the more well known work which helps to show his technique in early stages---a plus to serious professionals and students. To me, this book provided a wealth of visual clues to understanding his thought process and technical principles. The writing, however, is the typical stuff used to fill most coffee table books. No insight whatsoever into Sargent's painting principles, tonal procedures or color palette. The author obviously knows little in that regard but there is so much information out there the text could have been more illuminating. Buy it for the reproduction quality and awesome collection of works. Worth every penny in that regard.

When you are young everyone tells you that you can become whoever you want, but after a few short years that ideology seems to become nothing but a myth. This book not only proves that your dreams to change the world are possible; it illustrates that they can be a reality.

Are you ready to make your life extraordinary? As someone who is looking for a change in my life, Life Entrepreneurs is helping me strive above the status quo by inspiring me to look deeper for my true passions. I know that my dreams will not sit in a box waiting for a better time to be realized. Gregen and Vanourek's work proves that you wont find happiness by settling for something that is not your true passion. It is high time to realize that being successful does not provide you fulfillment in the same way or to the same level as doing something you love.

I know that I am grateful to Gregen and Vanourek for their inspiration, influence, and guidance. Thank you for Life Entrepreneurs.

This book will inspire you to make this world a better place by following your heart and living your passions. Buy This Book!

I felt like I was reading my life story when I read Life Entrepreneurs. Sometimes as an entrepreneur you feel a little, well more than a little, crazy. It was great to read all of these stories of other entrepreneurs who are ,well, crazy like me. I couldn't suggest this book more for anyone interested in becoming a Life Entrepreneur or learning about the life of one.
The book is well researched and filled with practical suggestions, buy it!

Really love this book for the fact that it is applicable and useful to everyone - whether you are just graduating from college deciding "what now?" or mid-life like myself deciding "what's next?". Inspirational and practical so not only will you decide to get moving, you will know exactly what you need to do to get started!

This book challenges you to live the life you want to live, even if you don't know it yet. A life without regrets. It instills confidence, inspires and guides you to make a seemingly daunting task very real, within reach. It does not presume to define an extraordinary life, but rather helps us in our efforts to define it for ourselves. The examples within of ordinary people discovering and living their own extraordinary lives are diverse in nature, and bring the book very much down to earth. Gregg and Chris show true understanding of the pressures we all face that influence our life decisions. So most importantly, this book dares and inspires us to reflect on our current life paths, take some chances and live a life that ,above all, is true to ourselves. While never claiming this to be easy, it is certainly possible and so, so very worthwhile. I recommend this book to anyone that needs reminding of that, or simply some motivation and guidance to make it happen.

Everyone I know is looking for more balance in their lives: balance between work and home; between adventure and serenity; between individual growth and community connection.

In this inspiring yet down-to-Earth book, Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek introduce us to dozens of people who have struck the right balance in their own lives. What they offer is not a formula but a foundation for our own quests.

These are people defined not so much by their jobs (though they tend to have pretty cool jobs, for sure), but by their unique approaches to life. Simply put, they make their lives extraordinary. And now, the rest of us can too.

After dinner, I started reading Warren Smith's book, "The Light That Was Dark," and kept reading until 3:00 in the morning -- only needing sleep kept me from reading clear through to the end. It is one of the best written life-changing stories I have read. You forget you are reading a book, and find yourself right there with Warren as he is taking you through his jorney from a very much involved New-Ager, seeking to do only good -- but finding he had gotten himself caught in a dark demonic world. He then takes you through his incredible rescue by the REAL Jesus. All I can say is -- get the book!

Warren Smith gives a fantastic account of how he left the New Age/Occult movements of the world and found the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a sometimes chilling and definately moving book that will really bring to light the battle raging around us that we cannot see in the Spiritual world. I would highly recommend anyone to read this novel as we see these demonic practices becoming more and more prevelent in the days we are living in.

I enjoyed this book by Warren Smith, and found it to be well-written, thoughtful, and honest. Mr. Smith is very open in the book about the events of his life that led up to his involvement with the New Age. I found that he really took risks, as some of the stories that he shared (specifically about the "Mad Magician") could be used against him by people who support the New Age Movement.

My favorite passage in the book is on p. 147: "Finally, after all we had been through, I was starting to see that the heart of the gospel is not so much that God helps those who help themselves, but, rather, that God helps those who can't help themselves. It was not in affirming our strength but in recognizing our weakness that we had finally learned to ask the Lord for help. It was His grace, not our own self-sufficiency that had saved the day."

This would be a good book to give someone who is involved in the New Age Movement or the occult. Read this along with Inside the New Age Nightmare by Randall N. Baer. Both books expose the truth about what the New Age really is.Inside the New Age Nightmare: For the First Time Ever...a Former Top New Age Leader Takes You on a Dramatic Journey

Like a novel in the way it made you turn the pages to find out what happens next. Really interesting and well-written. I felt the author was painfully honest about himself and tried to relate exactly what happened as accurately as possible.

This is a good account of one person's (actually two) experience with chasing spirituality the wrong way and finding out that evil actually exists despite what some New Age teachings say. It's a good lesson, and a quick easy read. I read it in one weekend and I usually take weeks to finish a book. My take is this: if evil exists in the material world around us, then why wouldn't it exist in the "higher" realms above us, but in a more sophisticated form? Asking blindly for any and all spiritual assistance from the "other side" is as foolish as a blind person standing on an inner city street corner and yelling for any available help. They might get helped or they might get mugged. Better to have a seeing eye dog or friend along who knows the territory. Overall, I liked the book.