Washington University Books

This is an incredible book that pulls no punches. If you want to keep your cowboy/indian fantasy intact DO NOT buy this book. If your want the truth, this is the best book on this topic available.

Written by American West studies specialist Kristen M. McAndrews (Prof. of English, University of Hawai'i at Manoa), Wrangling Women: Humor and Gender in the American West is a unique look at a mountain community of women in Winthrop, Washington who run a western-theme town and work as ranchers, trail guides, horse trainers and packers. Caught in an unusual crux where they have to keep alive gender stereotypes for the sake of a tourist-based economy yet apply the same levels of authority and expertise as their male counterparts, these resourceful "wrangling women" apply humor and language as useful tools for accomplishing the precarious balancing act. A delightful exploration of gender studies, stereotypes, and human resourcefulness, Wrangling Women frequently quotes the women it studies, allowing the reader to partake in both scholarly observation and the visceral feel of being there. A lively and entertaining treatise.

Jose L. Torres-Padilla and Carmen Haydee Rivera bring together a set of absolutely fascinating essays about Puerto Rican literature in the diaspora. This book fully challenges and expands our notions about Puerto Rican literature written outside of the island. It nicely complements and expands the work of such important scholars as Frances Aparicio, Juan Flores, Lisa Sánchez González, and Frances Negrón-Muntaner. A definite must-read for all scholars of Latina/o Cultural Studies.

ukiyo-e woodblock prints. I have been searching for this book for a couple of months. I orginally saw a copy of it in a japanese tattoo shop and fell in love with it. This book is printed on high quality paper using the best copies of the prints that can be found. The color is reproduced perfectly and it is an excellent example of this art form. If you can find it, buy it.

...for lovers of Ukiyo-e. The whole series "Thirty-Two Aspects of Daily Life" is beautifully presented in full-colour and full-size plates. The book features in-depth information about each print, Yoshitoshi's life and the time he lived in. I strongly recommend this book!

Hi, are you looking for some good practical advice on how to conduct ethnographic research? I've looked at more than a few research texts, and have come away with less than a certain view on how to conduct such research. Most texts just simply proscribe some vague actions with little contextualization. This book provides answers to those difficult questions by providing readers with a very good example of how successful research should look and is achieved. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their skills in conducting ethnographic research.

I must qualify that I am writing this review as an individual, and not as a representative of the State. However, I am blessed to have one of the best jobs in Alaska working in the Visitor Services section of the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka. Having said that, this work is one of the most helpful, readable resources available for those with an interest in Yup'ik ethnology and material culture. Ms. Fienup-Riordan's respect for the Yup'ik people is evident in all of her work, and this book is no exception.

This book chronicles a 14 day research visit to the Ethnologisches Berlin Museum by Ms. Fienup-Riordan and a delegation of Yup'ik Elders. Written in a very readable narrative style, Ms. Fienup-Riordan successfully captures volumes of interpretive knowledge shared by elders in reaction to individual artifacts. The book is presented as a day-by-day, artifact-by-artifact journal of the research team's exploration of a very comprehensive collection of Yup'ik artifacts gathered in the early 1880's by Norwegian Johan Adrian. Readers will also be impressed with the books outstanding collection of artifact photos.

I am asking my wife for this book as a Christmas present. It would make a suitable addition to both an anthropologist's research library and any Alaskan's coffee-table book stack. Great job to all involved!

I would recommend this book to anyone who had interest in the New Jersey Campaign. It gives a good background view on the disaterous New York Campaign and the retreat across New Jersey. Sometimes the book seems to drag a little bit, but that is only becuase of the great detail in the book.

This is a masterful account of one of the most trying times in the nascent American revolution and Washington's miraculous campaigns at Trenton and Princeton (1776-77). It's a book I still appreciate four years after first reading it. The text is lucid and the volume (hardcover) lavishly illustrated.

Washington, given a questionable legacy in the Colonial War - the peacetime death of Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville and over ten others (28 May 1754), the surrender of Fort Necessity (3 July 1754 to Jumonville's elder brother Louis Coulon de VIlliers), and his role in Braddock's defeat at Monongahela (9 Jul 1755), his elder brother Lawrence and Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie's role in the Ohio Company - wasn't worthy of banking odds (this is not part of the text - read Fred Anderson's `Crucible of War' et al).

Washington proved audacious and unrelenting in his winter campaigns against his mother country. Despite all odds (and not without cost) he defeated them at Trenton (26 Dec 1776 and 2 Jan 1777) and at Princeton (3 Jan 1777). That is the tale of this volume. Without those victories, the United States wouldn't exist.

This work is as enjoyable as the author's `Paul Revere's Ride' (1994).

Well worth reading and highly recommended.

This is a truly great piece of historical writing. Over the past several years, there have been three outstanding books about Washington and 1776: McCullough's "1776", Ellis' biography of Washington, and this book by Fischer. Fischer's is by far the best and deserved the Pulitizer Prize.

Modern Americans have always been able to identify more with Lincoln than with Washington, the latter being more aristocratic and less modern in outlook (not to mention being a slaveowner) and seemingly austere and rigid. What Fischer is able to do is to capture the enormous problem Washington faced in trying to manage a completely unmanageable army and politics, plagued by geographical and cultural differences as well as by the lack of central political authority. Once one fully appreciates the daunting challenge faced by Washington -- as daunting as that which faced Lincoln in 1861 -- one can fully appreciate Washington's success in managing it.

Fischer spares no punches in showing Washington's tactical failure in New York and his frustration with being unable to make a rag-tag army of mostly New Englanders function like a "real" European army. But he gives credit where credit is due in showing how Washington was able to create a different kind of army -- an American army functioning in a uniquely American kind of polity. Washington is not the rigid aristocrat we imagine. He is able to appreciate the democratic nature and impulses of his army, and he leads by consensus. He takes pains to build consensus among his subordinates and to involve and respect ordinary citizens in building better intelligence gathering.

Added to this is Washington's larger-than-life charisma. He is physically imposing, a brilliant horseman, and a man of great physical courage. This earns him the respect necessary to lead the army -- and the ability to build consensus without looking weak.

The completely desperate circumstances of the New Jersey campaign in 1776 are vividly portrayed and add to the drama of the story -- as well as add to Washington's luster in handling it so well. Tactically, Washington is brilliant in how he managed the campaign, and Fischer destroys the myth that all Washington did was to surprise a bunch of drunk Hessians sleeping off a Christmas binge.

Fischer's concluding chapter summarizes his work and does so in a moving way that points Americans, in the present dark times, toward recapturing the better angels of our nature -- the American insistence on placing a high value on life, treating even enemies with humanity, and building national strength through consensus. This is historical writing at its best -- as a form of literature.

This was an absolute joy to read. The book is not only about the crossing, but gives a good background of the events, politics and emotions that surrounded the American Revolution. Then it gives eyewitness accounts, from diaries, about the actual events that happened. It also gives details on aspects of the army, culture, political background and important figures that fill in the gaps and make the whole story read like a motion picture or documentary. The book tells how all the parts fit together. Truly a great book.

This was a very well written book, it was easy to follow and it's maps were of great help in following the battles events. I'm a new reader to the revolutionary war and since I was able to follow this book, I would definately recommend this work to others who are new to this subject. From start to finish this book kept my interest every word of the way!

Fantastic account of an Englishman's desire to be Irish. Hilarious.
The account link's historical fact with whimsy and is soul searching at the same time. It captures the essence of the Irish Pub.

The delivery and price were fine, but the pages in the middle of the book are all scrambled up and I had no patience to deal with it.

It took me a while to finish this book, not because I didn't enjoy, to the contrary, I wanted to make it last as long as possible, so I rationed out 10 or so pages a day and would get my fill of laughs and insight into traveling in modern Ireland.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - Mr. McCarthy's humor and insight into the factors and foibles of humans had me laughing through each chapter. Bravo!

After reading the negative reviews of this book (and there aren't many), I wonder two things: did those reviewers read the same thing that I did and, if so, do they have any appreciation for good writing?! McCarthy's book is excellent, and his sharp wit and superb sense of humor come across brilliantly throughout the pages. On my first visit to Ireland in December 2006, I stopped by several of the places that he describes, including Abeystrowry, Dursey Head, and MacCarthy's bar. They were made all the more special by knowing that I was trodding in Pete's footsteps. His book is well worth the time and money you'll spend, and you may find yourself reading it again and again (as I have). Ignore the negative reviews (there will always be boorish morons in the world), and treat yourself to a fantastic read!

i ordered Up from Slavery because I thought I needed to read it. However, I found I wanted to read it. I recommend it for all Americans. It was truely inspirational.

Booker Ts story really inspires. It just shows that with positive thinking and motivation, tremendous difficulties, odds and challenges are beatable. It's a message many of us would gain from if we would just stop complaining and blaming others for our lot in life, and just get moving on up!

I've reviewed the CreateSpace edition, ISBN 1438268165. It's a clear, easy to read version, well designed and the print and binding are excellent. Highly recommended!

Wow! What an amazing story! It is fascinating to read Booker T. Washington's account of a childhood in slavery followed by his rise to national prominence as the founder of the Tuskegee Institute.

While some may argue that Washington was naive and overly accomodating, I was amazed at his ability to forgive and see the best in people. He did not nurse grudges or let others bring him down. Whether or not you feel that he should have spoken up more for judicial equality, you have to admit that he was a strong, dedicated man of character.

Everyone: white, black, brown, or any other shade, can benefit from reading the autobiography of this great American.

Washington's relentlessly positive message is encouraging but at the same time too perfect for believability. The reader desires that Washington would once take off the mask of cheer that he appears to be putting over some parts of his autobiography and tell us what he really thinks.

His optimism extended to the political status of African-Americans and their future integration into American society. As the constant threat of lynching and KKK-ism continued throughout most of the 20th Century, even as positive steps were made in racial integration, it appears his optimism was at best proven wrong, or at least premature. And it is easy to understand the criticism by other contemporary black leaders like W. E. B. DuBois for his easy optimism.

But on the other hand, until and unless I read otherwise in a well-researched biography, perhaps Washington's optimism isn't a front or a mask to cover deep bitterness, but is true and sincere, and indeed, nothing in his story hear reads as if forced or fraudulent.

I purchased this book at the small National Park bookstore at Booker T. Washington's birthplace in rural southwestern Virginia. The setting still matches the quiet and isolation that Washington describes, and lends credence to his tale of self-reliant optimism. I also purchased a National Park Service pamphlet Booker T. Washington: An Appreciation Of The Man And His Times, which makes a nice short companion to Washington's masterpiece.

Up from Slavery, autobiography by Booker T. Washington, is a true classic in African-American literature. Washington opens Chapter 1: "A Slave Among Slaves" with his vivid recollections as a Negro child growing up in the South: a slave on a plantation in Virginia, a white father he never knew, illiterate and living in horrid conditions. After the emancipation of slaves, Washington's family moves to West Virginia where he labors at the salt furnace and in the coal mines. In his precious few moments of spare time, he learns to read and gains enough confidence to leave everything behind to journey to the Hampton Institute. Later, because of his success at Hampton, he is given the opportunity to start Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Tuskegee Institute is successful partly due to Washington's extensive travel to the North to solicit funds for the school. The students at Tuskegee, in addition to the day-to-day traditional class work, are expected to learn an industrious trade and to work at mastering that trade. Based on his own life experience, Washington believes that the most prudent way the Negro race will persevere is through this combination of education, hard work and service to others. He believes that the White race will come to appreciate the Negro race only if the Negro people prove their worth to society. Because of his passive stance, many, such as W.E.B. DuBois, et. al., labeled Washington as "The Great Accomodator." In other words, accommodating those who were the enslavers instead of advocating for the rights of those who were enslaved. You can get a sense of this in Washington's most notable speech, the address to the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895:

"The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than artificial forcing."

This speech brought national acclaim to Booker T. Washington and, at the time, placed him in the forefront as one of the leading authorities of his race.