Libraries and Museums Books

In the introduction to A Traveler's Guide to the Civil Rights Movement, Congressman John Lewis reminds us that in order to understand and appreciate our nation's history, we must live it and visit its birthplaces. This new guide to an important part of our collective history takes visitors to Montgomery, Little Rock, Selma, and Memphis and tells the stories of these and many other places where the chronicle of civil rights should be preserved for the next generation.

Beginning with Washington D.C. where the author casts familiar venues in a new light, and continuing state by state through the South and beyond, this beautifully written guide shares stories of well-known memorials and the not-so-famous street corner stops. An award-winning journalist and author of eight books, Jim Carrier does more than point out places of interest. He writes about the Rosenwald Schools built all over the South by a partnership between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, the president of Sears, Roebuck & Co. He takes us to the first state memorial to African American history, the South Carolina Capitol in Columbia. He points out seven spots on a suggested driving tour of Greenwood, Mississippi, ground zero for the civil rights struggle in the Delta. And tucked between place names, maps, and black and white photographs are essays about topics from sports heroes and music to women of the movement and the military. More history than guidebook, this is a fascinating look back as well as forward at the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

With the idea of heritage tours of historical sites becoming more and more important, Carrier's book comes in a timely fashion. Along with Townsend Davis' "Weary Feet, Rested Souls" the two books form an indispensable guide to the places important to the Civil Rights movement in America.

Where Carrier shines is in the unsung areas. He highlights the places were things happened, especially in the country, where there are no markers, but should be. So while you might not find these places normally, you learn about their important role in a century long movement. He pulls no punches, often times pointedly noting the important part played by the unsung heroes whose place in history has been usurped by the big names, including Martin Luther King, Jr. The book is up to date, noting actions by the National Park Service in 2003, and sites in progress expected to be ready in 2004-2008.

One thing that comes from reading this book is the lack of formal recognition of the lives and struggles of African-Americans in the south - from plantation sites that usually don't acknowledge the lives of the slaves, to states such as Mississippi that give very little space to the African American experience in state heritage museums. A lot of this is changing, so hopefully this guide will have to be updated and revised in the near future to hopefully indicate more museums and exhibits are open.

Though most of the events noted in the book happened 30 to 150 years ago, it gives the reader the chance to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us. Most importantly to keep history alive, so that we never forget what has happened.

This book is fascinating even if you never leave home. It's both a travel guide and a reference for anyone wanting to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. But it's not limited to modern times; like many historians, the author takes the view that the struggle for civil rights began the moment the first enslaved African set foot on these shores and tried to break free. And it continued anywhere that people fought for dignity and equality.

Consequently, the sites described here include sites of slave rebellions, legal battles, Underground Railroad safe houses, historically black colleges, churches, museums...even the minor league stadium in Florida where Jackie Robinson broke through the color line.

I particularly enjoyed the author's honest and opinionated style. Black history has been overshadowed by white interpretation for a very long time, even in locations where the majority population was black. Visit a Southern plantation and you will learn about the lifestyle of the owners, but very little about the slaves who made that lifestyle possible. You may ogle the beautiful handcrafted furniture, yet never be told that a black artisan created it. He notes that much depends on which particular docent you end up with. Regarding Monticello, he says "...some guides more comfortable with the old Jefferson story of his inventions and quirks acknowledge the Hemings affair in clipped tones. Others discuss it volubly."

The National Park Service is among those working toward a more inclusive interpretation of their historic sites, and Carrier tells us when changes are planned. He provides web sites for further study. He also writes about planned memorials.

Women are equally represented here. For example, he notes that the Montgomery bus boycott was Jo Ann Robinson's brainchild and that a "reluctant" Martin Luther King Jr. was brought in to head the movement the day after the Women's Political Caucus had distributed leaflets to every business and church in town. He also notes that despite black women's long history of struggle for civil rights, the male leadership refused to allow any to speak at the 1963 March on Washington...in fact, Coretta King and other wives weren't wasn't even allowed to march with their husbands. "...after all their work and sacrifice, deliberate rebuff by male activists was unforgivable" he says.

A book that belongs in every high school library!

Following a family on their first trip to the art museum (Son: "I can't go. "Dinosaurs and Dragons" is on! Dad: "You're going." Sound familiar?) this book takes the reader on a relatable, humorous field trip. The art is introduced by degrees, and in the end, everyone is nearly ecstatic that they went. Beginning with primitive art, the reader follow the family through Egyptian artifacts, Greek statues ("Wow! A nude Frisbee player.), European Arms and Armor, the Renaissance, Impressionism, up through Andy Warhol. Of particular interest to parents and educators, the "More About the Art" section in the back gives descriptions and brief explanations of each of the specific pieces of art depicted in the book, and offers tips for enjoying an art museum.

Marc Brown's soft, colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations are carefully, thoughtfully drawn. Each page features at least one real, specific piece of art which has either been rendered in illustration with careful attention to detail, or, if the publisher was able to acquire printing rights (a sticky wicket in the case of famous art), they have been printed as photographs within the illustration. For example, in the Renaissance Gallery, a photograph of the actual painting "The Battle of San Romano" by Paolo di Dono is shown, but a rendering based on the painting "Saint George and the Dragon" by Raphael is used.

This book is in no way a comprehensive art study, nor was it intended to be: thirty-two pages is not a lot of space to cover an entire art museum, but if the goal is to educate children and (hopefully) inspire them to go to a real art museum, then Visiting the Museum succeeds admirably on both counts.

The idea for this book is cute. In the story a family decides to visit the art museum (presumably for the first time) and the book follows their visit through the museum with complaints and good times. Even though there are complaints in the beginning, everyone is glad they visited the museum in the end. The book is very low on actual content. The writing is done through the bubbles of each person speaking. There is no real information about the art or a museum and how to visit one. Since I have worked for art museums most of my life, I would have like to see something with more helpful information or some educational content along with the fun conversation between the family members otherwise when you have read it once, there is no reason to ever pick it up again.

This is an EXCELLENT book for children as well as parents. It covers artwork from New Guinea to Mexico, artists such as Renoir, Cassatt, Rousseau, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Pollack, Picasso and Warhol, silver items by Paul Revere and various sculptures. Works from Primitive to Twentieth Century. A must-have book for parents who wish to share their enthusiasm, and prepare their children for a visit to the art museum.

From Oliver Twist to Anne Shirley (of Green Gables fame), Harry Potter to the Baudelaires, orphans and their stories have fascinated young readers; the idea of trying to survive without parents both compels and repels. "A Home for Foundlings" tells the real story of how children who had no parents and -- possibly more tragically, children whose parents could not support them -- lived in London's Foundling Hospital. Starting with the author's search for his family roots, this book traces the history of the Foundling Hospital from its foundation by the kind Thomas Coram to its ultimate closing in 1953. Readers learn about the children's daily life, including work, education and diet, as well as some of the adult foibles that may have resulted in their placement in the founding hospital (the book gently but frankly addresses the struggles of unwed and/or abandoned mothers). With lots of illustrations and photgraphs, this is an interesting and uplifting look at the tough lives of more than 25,000 orphans and foundlings.

A Home For Foundlings is a beautifully written and incredibly informative book. Marthe Jocelyn manages to use the history of the Foundling Home to give a sense of the greater social history of England from the 18th century through the early twentieth century, particularly as regards the situations of women and children. At the same time the book is fun to read! The many photographs and illustrations are beautiful and fascinating, and the historical detail is carefully sifted through so that it is interesting, memorable and accessible. The stories of individual foundlings are very poignant. Even kids who aren't history buffs will enjoy this book very much; those who like history will be enthralled.

I couldn't resist a book with my name in it, and I was pleased to find that this book was very good. It follows Mindy, a teenage Native American girl of the Hopi and Tewa tribes in Arizona, through the Corn Grinding Ceremony and the Yah-ne-wah Dance. The majority of the book is told in the first person in simple, readable language easily understood by 4th to 6th graders. A few pages at the beginning give a brief overview of Hopi history and culture, and a few pages at the end take readers through a description of a Hopi year through the seasons. The "About the Author" section starts the book, which makes for a weak beginning. Nonetheless this book is a browser's delight. Every page has brightly colored photographs illustrating the story. Not to mention, it is full of information about Hopi culture. This book will find a home on school and public library shelves.

The second book in the impressive "My World: Young Native Americans Today" series from Beyond Words Publishing, Meet Mindy: A Native Girl From The Southwest by Susan Secakuku (and profusely illustrated with the color photography of John Harrington) introduces young readers to Mindy, a girl who tells of the Hopi and Tewa peoples of Arizona. Following Mindy through her coming-of-age ceremony, as well as offering an amazing look at Hopi culture including agriculture, weaving baskets, making clay pots, traditional dances, and much more, Meet Mindy is a captivating look into a rich and enduring Native American culture.

This is very interesting book that shows that you can do anything that you want to do. Also Norman tries to teach his pet plant to do the Hokey Pokey and also say excused me after the plant burps. But before he does teach him the telephone rings and on the phone was a Natural Museum calling him. They let him know that their plants were related to the plants that when the dinosaurs roam the earth.

Michael and Norman are off on their fifth funny and exciting adventure with their amazing six-foot-tall pet plants, Stanley and Fluffy. Norman is trying to teach Fluffy to dance the Hokey Pokey and say excuse me after it burps!!!!

The book is idealy just a horror flick brought to words. Though, it gives King a chance to use his horror skills from other books and roll it into one. The actual plot of a powerful horse is a little absurd but it is all explained. Overall, the book is nothing less than the supreme.

This book has nothing to do with horror, unless you consider "fights" (for lack of a better way to describe it without going dirty) between a brother and sister. The actual tale revolves around a grandfather explaining how precious and fast time can be, and how it can get away if you are not careful. This is not Mr. King's strongest work, but it is a nice story. Save your money if you just want to read the tale, and get King's "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" short story collection with this story included.

The edition mentioned here is an oversized, slipcased, and decently designed book from Knopf books. This book was originally commissioned for the Whitney Museum in New York as a very overpriced coffee table book.

This is a delightful book about books.It was prepared as a catalogue for a touring exhibition of the libraries of the Smithsonian Institution.It limits itself to covering the formation and development of the libraries,the personalities involved and a taste of some of the prized books that have been obtained since its founding over 150 years ago.
The book about the exhibition also gives a good insight into the "lore of the book" and the benefits to be derived by anyone who develops a love of reading and a love of books.
In dealing with the books;there are three parts.Part 1-Journeys over Land and sea (exploration).Part 2-Journeys of the Mind--Natural History).Part 3--Journeys of the Imagination.
Overall, a very brief but good look at some of the great books of the past.

"An Odyssey in Print" is primarily the catalogue of an on-going (through May 2003) exhibition at the Smithsonian Libraries. The exhibition highlights some of the rarest, most beautiful and most interesting works in the Libraries' collections, loosely organized around the theme of "journeys" -- real, imagined and metaphorical. Saying the organization is "loose" is being generous -- in fact, the organization is almost haphazard (books that reflect real journeys show up in the section on journeys over land, but also in the section on journeys of the mind) and seems to have been imposed after-the-fact on books that were selected primarily for their historical or aesthetic importance (for example, the trade literature in the final pages probably has historical importance, but it's a tight squeeze to force it into the "journeys" theme). Nevertheless, the books selected are invariably interesting and many are beautiful -- if you are a lover of books or of natural history, you will enjoy browsing through the catalogue, without regard to the somewhat sloppy curating. A brief paragraph summarizing the background and significance of each book in the catalogue is included along with very nice reproductions of one or more of the book's illustrations.

What I found most intriguing were the introductory essays. Michael Dirda provides an eloquent paean to the joys of reading and the mystique of libraries, where everything is possible. Mary Augusta Thomas, the exhibition curator, covers the history of the Smithsonian Libraries and their collections. Most interesting to me was the essay by Storrs Olson, Senior Curator of the Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, who discusses the importance of the Libraries and their historical collections to the on-going work of science. It's easy to look at the books exhibited in this volume and see them only as objects, as magnificent illustrations of the book arts or historical curiosities, but Olson makes it clear that these books have continuing life and utility for those who care for them. Recommended for anyone interested in the the book arts, the history of the book or the history of science.

My only real complaint with this story was that only a few characters had normal names. An officer with the first name Peaceful, his wife the doctor named meditation, and other bizarre names that are even strange for a soap opera. Even in the art world these names are out there and they came from the townspeople not the artists. It made for annoying reading whenever those names were mentioned, as if the author was poking fun at them or the reader.
Other than that, the story line was simple and easy to follow. I felt the author changing her style of writing during it and experimenting a little with her abilities to try and make the read more suspenseful. It worked out fine, but JAK should have either used it throughout the book, or not at all. It was near the end and frankly, most of the suspense was already over. It seemed like a weak attempt to make something out of nothing.
The characters were likable, but I never really felt the pull or attraction between Eugenia and Cyrus. Clearly they had the sex, but why the relationship grows into more is a little on the weak side. This author definitely has the ability to keep the story moving, and with a little more fine tuning and emotion, she could turn out some good works. Sadly, this book is only a mediocre read and nothing to rant and rave about to your friends.

Another random library pick up.

Sharp Edges is about a museum director named Eugenia who is about to travel to a small island off the coast of Washington to inventory a collection of glass art of a man who recently died. She also wants to do some digging into the supposed accidental death of her friend, and the collector's lover, who died in a boating accident the day after the collector died. The lawyer's for the collector's estate want to make sure their client's death was really an accident so they enlist a PI, Cyrus, to check into it. In order to discretely investigate, Cyrus asks the museum to let him use them as a cover, and requests to travel with Eugenia. What Cyrus doesn't tell them is that he has an ulterior motive in that he wants to find an ancient glass artifact that changed his life three years earlier. Once on the island, things get a lot more complicated than they expected, not just with the case, but also with the sexual chemistry that arises between them.

One of the things I generally haven't liked about Krentz's books is that the suspense is a much bigger factor than the romance. Not that there isn't romance, but it tends to be more of a background issue. I like the romance to be more in the forefront. So though I've liked the books of hers I've read, I've always wished the romance got more attention. The same is true for Sharp Edges. I just did not feel a connection between Eugenia and Cyrus. They made an interesting couple, but I didn't have an emotional bond with them. They were just kind of there.

I think part of the problem with this book was that I didn't exactly like Eugenia. She was your very typical snob who sees anything below her standards as crass. I have a hard time associating with that mind set. There was one line in the book where she refuses to go to a cafe because it probably served greasy hamburgers. It just made me shake my head. I tend to like characters who are more average.

As for the story itself, I did enjoy that. The plot was interesting, with enough twists and suspense to keep you in the story. I didn't have any trouble finishing the book, but as has happened with other Krentz books for me, it just did not tweak any of my emotional strings. It was pretty much only the plot that kept my head in the book.

Rating: 3 / 5

The story starts with a prologue 3 years earlier as Colfax & March Security need to deliver a 4th century glass art cup to their client. Cyrus Chandler Colfax hooked up with his partner of 6 months, Damien March, as Damien had high-powered corporate and individual contacts but he is not sure he trusts him. Cyrus wants his wife Katy to be happy. As Cyrus and his partner Damien are transporting the "Hades cup", suddenly Cyrus is shot from behind. While in the hospital he finds that his partner has taken all of their company's assets including the Hades cup and that his wife Katy is dead, victim of a carjacking.
In the present day we are at the Leabrook Glass Museum where the elderly owner, Tabitha, is trying to convince the museum director, Eugenia Swift to take along Cyrus Colfax on her trip to Frog Cove Island to inventory and catalogue the art collection of the recently deceased art patron, Adam Daventry. Cyrus, a tall well-built man in a bright aloha shirt, does not impress the very classy and elegant Eugenia. Eugenia finally realizes she is not going to get to go on her working vacation without him and gives in especially as on her agenda is finding out what happened to her friend and former employee Nellie Grant who she had introduced to Adam Daventry.
The Glass House where Adam Daventry lived and housed his collection is a very strange place with almost all glass walls and the very first night Eugenia chases a intruder down to the basement where Cyrus finds her and they both find the caretaker of the place dead in the wine cellar of an apparent heart attack.
From this point on more and more clues and suspects enter the picture and make for an intriguing read right to the final denouement!! The romance is also nicely done and as always JAK has plenty of humor as well. This story is a fun read and very interesting for the information on glass art as well.

This book could have been better, tighter, but it wasn't. The ending was especially disappointing.The main characters, Eugenia and Cyrus were too different and I never believed their relationship was more than sexual companionship and a limited business partnership. For a director, she seemed way too impulsive and irrational. For an owner of a multi-office investigation company Cyrus seemed too much on a one-man unit. I liked the idea of them living together in the end, giving themselves more time, but I did not need a marriage to tie up the story. I wanted the relationship to simmer a bit longer before they made a lifelong commitment.
I love art and antiquities which is one of the reasons I like Krentz as she often uses art and antiquities in her plots. I have seen ancient Roman glass. I was very upset that Krentz did not share Eugenia's reaction when she saw the actual Hades cup. Where was that moment of excitement when she saw the real thing and knew what Cyrus has said about its beauty was true? What about the sparks when Eugenia and Cyrus looked at the cup together? We do not even know how the cup got from the condo to the museum? And what was Tabitha's initial reaction when she learned of the cup? When she learned of their romance? And who was Damien really? Honestly, Krentz could have cut out Rhonda and Joshua (who cares about them anyway?) and spent more time developing Eugenia and Cyrus. This book seemed to be rushed at the end, I agree with another reviewer who suggested Ms. Krentz slow down and give us a complete and satisfying story.

For the first quarter of the book, I thought Eugenia was (to be polite) a witch. She slowly became likeable. All of poor Cyrus's choices in clothing were so tacky. The story had a good blend of romance and mystery. After reading this book and all the talk of glass, I have a serious interest in collecting glass art.

This book is a wonderful and colorful example of what the first Lady chose to wear for her official duties in the US and abroad. Until one sees the pictures you are unable to appreciate the beautiful designs, fabric, and colors that made up Mrs. Kennedy's wardrobe. Just such an enjoyable book.
Lucinda

This book is the bomb for Jackie Lovers- the clothes are fantastic and the stories behind them bring them to life. You realise that they are quite severe and plain ( altho beautiful) and how she really brought them to alive and made them sparkle. My favourite clothing book EVER.

Oh let me count the ways I adore this book! It has large pictures in full color of Jackie's dresses and the details about the occasion she wore them to. I really like how it shows one dress on each page letting you take in the beauty of each dress rather that multiple pics on one page. I think it is a superb buy if you enjoy pretty things like I do. Perfect coffee table book.

Beautiful photographs of the dresses, suits, coats, hats and gowns worn by Jackie before and during the White House years. Descriptions of the fabrics and the construction of each garment reveal the thought and attention to detail that this most stylish of our first ladies gave to her clothing. No fashion victim was she. It is clear from the narrative that Jackie had a perfect sense of who she was and a definite idea of how she wanted to look. Amazing when one considers she was only 31 when she entered the White House. Truly deserving of her iconic status.

Presented as a fashion journal, this book is surprisingly insightful of Jackie's personality, charisma and intelligence. It is a presentation of her poise and strength as an influence on the nation (and the world,) both politically and artistically. Personally, looking back on those years, I am able to see and understand the changes within our society based on the Kennedys aesthetic. I highly recommend this book as a review of the times when we as a nation were in Camelot.

I purchased this book for my 3rd grade son to read and he loved it. Here's what he thought of the book in his own words: "It is a cool book. It is funny,adventurous and exciting!"

Im obsessed with the future and when i read this book i loved it right away.The ideas on anti gravity discs were cool(letting people fly!)And how Sam,Fred and Joe met their great grand daughters!I love to read books on the future and this book is great!I reccemend this book to anyone who likes reading future books.

I didnt' like this book. It flip flopped around and got confusing and I got frustrated.

The Time Warp Trio (Fred, Sam, and Joe) warp into the future. In the year 2095 they end up in a museum, the same museum that they were in, except in the future. They try to get back to their own time (1995). They run into some weird people, such as director Green and Uncle Joe. The problem in this story is that Fred, Sam, and Joe can't find the book. The book is the thing that allows them to go into the future and past, like a time machine.

This book is awesome because it is the only one I know of that goes into the future. In the past you already know what happened because you can just look it up in some history book. But the future is unexpected. I thought that the idea of the going into the future was great. This book was the first time warp trio book I ever read, and then I read some more because it dragged me into the series. If you like time warping I think you will want to read 2095.

The situation is a familiar one to children's librarians nationwide. A wide-eyed youngster walks in, clutching the latest "Captain Underpants" edition to its chest. The child has read through every Dav Pilkey book out there and the parent is desperate to keep them reading something... anything! So what do you hand a child that has gorged his or herself on a steady diet of fart and poop jokes? Jon Scieszka to the rescue. As an author, Scieszka has attempted to gets boys to read as much as possible. Checked out www.guysread.com if you don't believe me. Now none of this is to say that "Captain Underpants" is strictly a guys book. Of course it isn't. But boys do make up the majority of the readers and finding them additional material is nigh unto impossible sometimes. That's why I love "The Time Warp Trio". No, they're not too smart. No, they won't make your child an instant Honor Student (not on purpose, anyway). These are just books that slip in tiny bits of factual information along with interesting plots and storylines that are fun. And "2095" is just one of the many.

As our story begins, our three heroes Fred, Sam, and Joe are facing a deadly Sellbot, 100 years in the distant future. A quick flashback to the past and we see how they got in that difficult position. As always, the three boys have a magic book that usually drops them in unknown time periods for no apparent reason. Fortunately, Joe seems to have found a solution to the problem. The boys, for the first time, are able to tell the book what year they'd like to go to. And what time period could be more fun than a quick shoot to 100 years in the future? Once there, however, the guys bite off a bit more than they can chew. They have to escape enraged curators, dodge sellbots, learn how to levitate, and order $151 pizza slices. The real question is, will they ever be able to make it to the past again alive?

Admittedly, this is not one of the stronger "Time Warp Trio" titles. Unlike some of the previous books, Scieszka doesn't plumb this rich material for all it's worth. The future looks like every other "Jetson" inspired flying car fantasy. Also, it's clear that the author hasn't much hope for future medical technologies if his heroes are convinced that they'll be dead 100 years in the future. Shouldn't they have done 200, just to be safe? The plots a little jumpier here than in the other books and some lines of though are a little too frantic.

But honestly, we're not debating the merits of a Shakespearean sonnet. We're talking about good crude fun. The kind of book that comes up with an amazing array of ways to describe the act of vomiting in a somewhat classy manner. Now, if you're kid has already fallen for the Time Warp Trio books and you're looking for OTHER boy series reads, I'm rather partial to the "Sidekicks" series by Dan Danko. Otherwise, stick with this trio and you'll be just ducky. Good for those kids that yearn for reading matter that's more silly than cynical.