Washington University Books

They Dream, They Cry, They Sing is an outstanding anthology of Spanish/English bilingual poems that will please students and adults wanting to hone their linguistic skills and enjoy the wonderful word-play in both languages that this superb collection offers. Moonrise: When the moon comes up/bells fade away/and hidden pathways/return./When the moon comes up/the sea covers the earth/and your heart seems/an island in space./No one eats oranges/beneath the full moon./You have to eat green and icy fruit./When the moon comes up/with a hundred identical faces/silver coins/in your pockets sob. (Federico Garcia Lorca)

They Dream, They Cry, They Sing is an outstanding anthology of Spanish/English bilingual poems that will please students and adults wanting to hone their linguistic skills and enjoy the wonderful word-play in both languages that this superb collection offers. Moonrise: When the moon comes up/bells fade away/and hidden pathways/return./When the moon comes up/the sea covers the earth/and your heart seems/an island in space./No one eats oranges/beneath the full moon./You have to eat green and icy fruit./When the moon comes up/with a hundred identical faces/silver coins/in your pockets sob. (Federico Garcia Lorca)

This book shows the history of Mount Rainier National Park, from Sunset to Paradise. The photos are great and the paragraphs are informative and don't run on. The book also goes into the history of the 14,411 foot Stratovolcano, and how 5,600 years ago, the peak was at 16,500 feet, but a major eruption caused a massive collapse and created the peak we know, love and cherish today.

The Sleeping Giant... The Mountain...Mount Rainier...

Years ago I hiked at Mt. Rainier, took pictures in its flower meadows, and slid in its summer snow. I thought someday I'd climb its glaciers to the summit, 14, 410 feet. That never happened. But this book brings back all the old impressions and delights-and adds to them. Lots of photos (280!). Lot of information, most of it new to me. Richard P. Kratz, M.D. Clinical Professor, Ophthalmology Univ. California, Irvine

From time to time, I will provide a little review of books relating to Japan. I got the idea from the Asian Bookshelf in the Japan Times. One of my favorite gaijin authors, Donald Richie, writes a book review each week for J.T. Right now I have over 206 books on Japanese history, language, and culture, and one day I will get around to writing reviews for each one. Enough of my boring introduction, on with the review.
Tokyo Central: A Memoir by Edward Seidensticker
One day, when I was teaching Conversational English to a mixed-bag collection of students at the Nova school in Toyonaka, I happened to pass by the bookstore and went in. I bought a copy of Kansai Time Out and saw that Edward Seidensticker would be at Doshisha University in Kyoto. It would be on a day that I had to work. So, I pretended to be sick that Monday and actually did call in sick that Wednesday just to see him.
I arrived at the college and just walked into an empty auditorium because I had arrived several hours early. No one came until just before the start. Then suddenly I must have fallen asleep because just a moment ago the whole place was empty and now was full. I looked around and it was mostly women. I later learned that Doshisha is a womans' university. Anyway, Edward Seidensticker appeared on stage, with two extremely cute nurses, and talked about the difficulties in translating. He spoke the most about translating The Tale of Genji and spending almost an entire decade on it. I listened and afterwards got his autograph.
Now it has been a few years, since I met him at the autograph session, and I saw his book about his life as a translator and had to get it.
In Tokyo Central, Seidensticker talks about growing up in Colorado, studying at the Navy's Japanese Language School, where Donald Keene once studied, and finally his first year in Tokyo as a "Scholar-Diplomat" like Sir George Sansom.
He didn't really take to diplomat life so he started teaching and translating great works of Japanese literature. The book really shines in his thoughts on such great modern writers such as Tanazaki Junichiro and Kawabata Yasunari. I was amazed and envious to learn that he was taken out to expensives dinners by both men.
Seidensticker is never boring and his writing sucks you into that time in his life that you are reading. The 244 pages seem to go by quickly; yet despite the small pages, it is the weight of ideas and compression of 80-years of his life that causes you to think and reflect on what has happened to Tokyo before and what is going on now.
Here is a remarkable story of someone who didn't set out to be a translator and how ended up sharing the stage with Kawabata Yasunari recieving the Nobel Prize
A good quick read for the summer and highly recommended to anyone interested in Tokyo history and the life of a engaging academic who is never boring.

Somehow I wound up reading the memoirs of Genji's translator before tackling Genji itself. Perhaps that alone is testament to the clear and interestling writing style of Seidensticker himself, one of the great observers of Japanese culture.

The story is much more than just about Tokyo, though. It starts in Colorado, weaves through his introduction to Japanese language through the US military in WW2, and only then hits his life in post-WW2 Japan during the reconstruction. It covers his introduction to Japanese fiction, as well as his translation. Finally, the book wraps up with his return to US, and introduction to academia.

The book reads rather well for the first biographical (autobiographical at that) work of a translator. Although Seidensticker made his name in translations, we also learn of his attempts at fiction and other writing.

Perhaps one complaint is repetitive word usage. For instance, the word "eminent" is very overused for such an "eminent" translator. I'd expect better. But that is not nearly enough to stop anyone from reading these memoirs.

This is the best book available regarding the little-known and mysterious transient orcas. In addition to having a detail catolgue of each transient whale in B.C waters, the book analysis and discuss the distinct behaviour and hunting styles of the transients, which are completely different from the salmon-eating resident killer whales.

Futhermore, there are numerous rare and spectacualr photos showing transients launching into the air and attacking their preys. This shows why Killer Whales are called "killers". For while these whales do not attack or eat man, they are highly efficient predators, no marine mammal is safe from transient whales. Read this book and you will understand why.

This is the definitive source for information on the transient or mammal hunting race of killer whales of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. If you are serious about learning what there is to know about these fascinating superpredators-this is THE book to buy. I am a naturalist on a whale watch boat in the San Juan Islands and we use this book constantly to inform our guests about the "alter egos" of our salmon eating Resident Orcas. Fabulous pictures and incredible stories.

In this much-needed reprinting of Benn Pitman's transcript of the trial of the "conspirators" to assassinate President Lincoln, a new element has been added in the articles in the front. Although the trial itself remains, unfortunately, unannotated, a variety of top scholars in the field contributed articles on the conspirators and the trial itself which are both helpful & interesting. This is certainly one of the best purchases I have ever made. The list of witnesses that make Pitman the preferred version of the trial, and the charming print style left as-is, make for an enjoyable read or for helpful reference material. However, it should be kept in mind that Pitman's version is an edited copy of the original trial, with the dialogue surrounding each witness reduced to monolouge testimony, and some confusing areas eliminated or altered. Nonetheless, this is a valuable resource.

I would recommend accompanying this book with Carmen Cumming's Devil's Game: The Civil War Intrigues of Charles A. Dunham, which helps the reader understand the confusing testimony of Sanford Conover, the alias of Charles Dunham.

In 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, this is commonly known by most people. But what is not known is that there were eight others who had a part in the conspiracy to kill the president.

Unlike the other books I have read on the subject; this one has very little plot, in fact the book spends more time talking about the trial rather than the events leading to the assassination. Rather the author has put together the actual court transcripts of the testimony against each of the conspirators.

After reading the text, which took about 5 hours, I learned more about those involved and even found out a few new things along the way. I found the discussion about Dr. Mudd so intriguing I spent several hours on the internet reading about him.

I found the book well documented and researched. The author has certainly seemed to leave no stone unturned. Overall this book is the best overall presentation into the murder and conspiracy I have read so far.

If you are looking for serious information about the Lincoln Assassination or just wondering what happened than this book is the place to start looking.

Having this guidebook is like having a best friend at UW to tell you first-hand all the goods and bads of being a Husky. I recommend this book to prospective students as well as current UW students, the list of bars and restaurants is great when you're looking for something to do on a Friday night. If you really want to know how youll do as a Husky, this book is your bible.

Anyone looking for insight into University of Washington should definitely check out this book. It's got everything you want to know and more. Besides that, it's well written from a student's perspective and dare I say it, fun to read. I like the student quotes sections and the bar/restaurant guide. But, no worries, it's got great info on everything academic and etc. Buy the book!

I'm a W & L student, and all I can say is that this book is virtually flawless. It tells you what the school is really like, not what the administration tells you it is like. This book can really help you decide whether or not this college is right for you. It would also be helpful for any incoming freshman; the book contains a good bit of W & L slang that could be very useful in a student's first few weeks. If you're thinking of coming to Washington and Lee, BUY this book. For W & L I YELL LIKE HELL!!

This book is the first college guide book I've seen that has kept me interested as I read it. Not only was it a fun read and I found myself laughing at certain things, but the information is really insightful. It was a welcome change to get some perspective on the school from a student who goes there and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. I really believe anyone looking at this school will get something relevant out of the book. How could you not?!

I wasn't sure about Washington University before reading this book but now I think I know it much better. I'm happy to have found such a well written guide on this college. What really impressed me was the detail of information given and the fact that it was written by a student. I think anyone looking at this university should get this book. You won't be disappointed!

In the last ten years Washington University in St. Louis has grown into one of the country's premiere liberal arts colleges, drawing more and more prospective students to the midwest for a look.

This College Prowler guide is the ultimate companion to a visit to St. Louis. The book's 29 chapters give you hundreds of uncensored student opinions on topics including the best and worst campus food, Greek life, campus dating, the best dorms, the intramural sport scene, and which professors to avoid at all costs.

Prospective students can pick up some Wash U slang, read about how to dress for the horrible St. Louis winters, discover the quirky stores on South Grand Blvd., or read up on campus traditions like Thurtene and WILD. Learn what frat parties are like, the prevalance of student drug use, and even track fashion trends on campus. Above all you'll find out the best and worst things about living and studying at Washington University.

You're about to pick a place to spend the next four years of your life. This College Prowler guide helps you make the right decision by giving you the opinions of those who know the school best -- real Washington University undergrads. Written by students for prospective students, it's an honest and essential aid in making your big decision.

You'll also find in the guide a wealth of information about things to do in St. Louis and at Washington University, so if you decide to attend, you'll already have a head start on diving into the clubs, arts, sports, business, and social life of the area.

Please feel free to contact me, the book's author, at dan.carlin@gmail.com

The innovation of railroads in the early nineteenth century transformed America from a nation covering the eastern seaboard to the country it is today spanning from Maine to Southern California. "The West The Railroads Made" is an anthology of stories, illustrations, and photographs (some of which are color) to tell the tale of how the pioneers of this technology were essential in transforming America in the country it is today. "The West The Railroads Made" is highly recommended for locomotion enthusiasts everywhere, and for any community library collection for Railroads or American history.

More than any other single factor, railroads made the West the way it was and is in many respects today. The Federal government undeniably had a major role too. But the Louisiana Purchase, offers of free land, troops for security, and such, were government measures related mostly to setting the stage. It was the railroads which accounted for the details of Western development; details which caused settlers to lead their lives in certain ways and make decisions about which opportunities to pursue. Thus did the railroads play an incomparable role in how the West was developed. "The railroad was foreground, everything else was background," is the way the authors put it.

The co-authors steeped in Western history with academic and professional backgrounds go into all aspects of the railroad's effects. Railroad lines not only determined the location of towns, but also the layout of them. In their earliest stages, roads in Western towns were oriented toward the railroad depot. Furthermore, the railroad depot was the first experience settlers and immigrants had of a town; and as a place for the receiving and shipping of goods, a town's economy and in some cases its existence depended on the depot.

Railroads adapted as they changed the West by their presence. The original few early lines tied all parts of the West together internally and with the cities and states of the eastern parts. The value of land, the farms growing corn and wheat in such quantities that it affected the diet of all Americans, mountains of ore for Midwestern and Northern factories, and transport of large numbers of persons for rapid growth in many inviting areas were all major economic and sociological developments directly related to the railroads. As the West became more developed and their original roles faded, the railroads adapted by promoting tourism based on the natural wonders of the West and travel to major cities and other vacation areas.

The work is based on innumerable facts colorfully related; which facts were taken from the authors' scholarly knowledge and interest in Western history. Another part of the book's popular style are the hundreds of illustrations enhancing the text. A map of one early Western town, for instance, demonstrates the town's streets leading in straight lines from the railroad depot so people and goods can move easily to and from this hub. Color travel posters complement text on the different railroad lines' playing up the West as a tourist destination. Railroad documents, prints, and photographs are other sorts of illustrated materials. The assorted visual matter is so bountiful it spills over into the back matter of notes, bibliography, and index.

This is a fantastic book about Huskies football history. I am a big husky fan and I learned a ton about former players from Greg's book. It gave a lot of really neat insight into their opinions of the program and their personal experiences. This is a MUST READ for any Washington Huskies fan! Thanks for writing a great book, Greg !!!

If you are a bonafide Husky football fan, you must read this book. Tells the players inner thoughts and what motivated them. His players are unanimous in describing Coach Don James as a man of integrity, loyalty and are proud to be part of his legacy.
K. Wong, M.D.