Lincoln Books

This book was set in the early 90's in one of New York City's worst neighborhoods. The story is of the struggle that 3 friends (plus one genuine jerk) under go in their individual pursuits of college scholarships. The things that they see and experience are still the same type of challenges that face today's urban learners. I give Darvy Frey credit for bringing us in to their world in a way that very few authors can pull off. If you are considering buying this book do so you will not be dissapointed.

Coney Island the basketball playground of America is the setting for the Last Shot: City Streets and Basketball Dreams. 4 stories of H.S. basketball players who goto Abraham Lincoln H.S. and play for the might basketball team the Railsplitters (What a cool name). I mainly bought this book because Stephon Marbury is featured as one of the four people in it. I myself grew up in Brighton Beach one town away from Coney Island so I know how life is... This book is true and real and I recommend this book to any sports fan or anyone who is looking for a real treat.

A classic piece of sports writing, but for everyone. The author is a writer for the New York Times Magazine. In this book he writes about the lives of some high school basketball players/high school students (in that order).

Like the other posters have noted, it's not just for basketball freaks. It's a well written story about some kids in the 90's who live in the projects in Brooklyn, Coney Island for the most part, and how much basketball means to them. In the book it seems like basketball is their only path to success. But they are up against the recruiters, hustlers and the SATS (which they need to get a 700 on but that's just out of reach for most).

You get to meet the student athletes, Russell, Corey, Tchak, and Stephon, their parents, coaches, recruiters, local prophets, etc, and the author treats them all with a level of respect the New York Times Magazine accords the suit wearing sharks.

If you get this book, you won't have to read long before you're committed to reading the whole thing. It's a very rare book indeed that leaves me wanting more. I would have loved to read a sequel. Alas, we only get an afterward, but the story had to end somewhere and the afterward was, well, quite the shock.

If you like hoops you would love this story. Darcey frey the author who's also a sports writter follows the life of three young men who's dream is to become professional basketball players.Living in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn these three men are faced with durgs violence, and everything you see on the streets of Brooklyn. A very inspirational story, and a indepth look on the career of Stephon Marbury.This is a book you would want to share with a friend.

This book should be a classic, if it isn't already. As someone who hasn't a great deal of interest in basketball, I can throughly recommend it simply for the author's style. The man's prose reads like a dream as he brings the characters to life in an inimitable way. He enables you, the reader, to go right into the streets of New York and live the lives of each of his main characters, to get to know them, understand them and - in a sense - to *be* them. A definite must for your library.

There's a reason why you see Shelby Foote in every Civil War documentary. He's the best and these three books are evidence to back up that assertion. Besides, once you hear his Southern drawl, you won't be able to imagine a better voice for the conflict.

Shelby Foote is THE master of the genre and while it is detailed verbally, I would have appreciated more maps and
illustrations of where the actions occurred in better detail. Still the set rates 5 stars!.

Shelby Foote has managed to do what most fail to do with a History Book. He brings the Civil War to life and gives the characters presence and energy. Superbly written and wonderful to read.

For me as an Englishman living in the Southern States, I am now beginning to have an understanding of the real politics and social background to the Civil War.

And What it felt like to be a Confederate!

I bought these books for my husband and he cannot put them down. He absolutely loves them.

The time of this story takes place in the mid 1930s and the family of the little girl of the story has had some hard times as so many families did during those horrible years. Briefly, the little girl is sent to live with her uncle Jim in the city until her father can find work and get the family back on thier feet. The author has chosen to tell this story via letter written back home to the little girl's family, by the girl herself. The story is through her eyes. The story is excellent, as it points out just what one person, even a little one, can do to change people lives. The running theme throughout of course is the little girls love for gardening. I certainly will not go into a blow by blow account of the plot, etc. as that has been done here several times, and done quite well. The text though, is quite readable and the illustrations are great. One other theme, other than the gardening, that runs through the story, is the fact that the little girl seems to be quite concerned over the fact that uncle Jim never smiles. In the end....well, you will have to read the story yourself, does he or does he not smile...you figure it out! Love this book and recommend it highly.

This children's book is a great gift for anyone with a heart who loves to garden. The little girl in the story must go to live with her uncle during hard times. He is a gruff baker but his little niece brightens his world with her loving charm and amazing gardening skills.

This is a book is written as a series in letters and has a lot of great pictures. It is about a little girl whose mother and father don't have jobs. She also has a grandmother who gave her, her love for gardening. Lynda-Grace (the girl) has to go live with her uncle who never smiles. When she gets there she finds out that her uncle own a bakery and has helpers. One of the helpers name's is Emma. Emma and Lynda-Grace and Emma have a scheme to make Uncle Jim smile! Read the book to find out what happens!

This is a really good picture book. As I said before, it is in teh form of letters from Lynda-Grace to her parent's and grandmother. It is a fantastic book for all ages!


Give "The Gardener" a try!

My mom bought this book last year for my daughter, now 6. My daughter loves gardening and "old-fashioned" books, and really enjoys the story and the pictures. She focuses mostly on Lydia's garden and cat. I cry every time I read it, because I focus on the little girl leaving her parents. My mom used to read this at a parenting group she ran at a women's prison. She said all the women were touched by it, as they had the experience of sending their kids away to live with other people. My mom pointed out that while Lydia's letters are very brave and positive, the pictures often show the sadness and loneliness of Lydia's situation in the first half of the book. So this is a very complex and thoughtful book, but still simple enough to be enjoyed by young children.

This is one of those books that I call a real book--not for kids, not for adults, not for girls...just a good, well-written and illustrated book that is brilliantly designed to reach you where you are at. It did have the added bonus of making me cry on the last page, in a bittersweet sort of way.

This is a beautiful book that can easily grow up with a child, and also something a whole family can read together and connect to.

Silent Suspicion is an awesome action packed mistery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, non-stop. Dr. Lee Meadows is a gifted writer with the ability to bring characters to life. Once you start reading, you can't stop! I found this mistery to be exciting, entertaining and relexing. I feel lost and empty without Linc and his brothers after completing the book. I can't wait for "Silent Rage" to hit the bookstores, the preview of chapter one is greatly appreciated and gives me something to anticipate in the near future. Dr. Meadows, I'm proud of you and your on going excellence!

Silent Suspicion is an awesome action packed mistery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, non-stop. Dr. Lee Meadows is a gifted writer with the ability to bring characters to life. Once you start reading, you can't stop! I found this mistery to be exciting, entertaining and relexing. I feel lost and empty without Linc and his brothers after completing the book. I can't wait for "Silent Rage" to hit the bookstores, the preview of chapter one is greatly appreciated and gives me something to anticipate in the near future. Dr. Meadows, I'm proud of you and your on going excellence!

Silent Suspicion was one the best murder mystery books that I have ever read. The mystery of the story had me so involved and anxious that I really wanted to cheat and go to the back of the book. However, I refrained and weathered the storm of intrigue and let "MR. LINC" do his thang and investigate and eventually solve the eight year old murder of Deborah Norris. I found all the characters entertaining in their role as the plot thickened. With the finger of suspicion pointing at so many I couldn't figure out whodunit...I LOVED THE INTRIGUE. Mr. Meadows, the "EPILOGUE" was da BOMB. Totally unexpected, very real, touching and a GREAT ending....LOVED IT. MAY YOU BE BLESSED CONTINUALLY IN YOUR WRITING CAREER! I look forward to reading "Silent Rage"

Silent Suspicion was one the best murder mystery books that I have ever read. The mystery of the story had me so involved and anxious that I really wanted to cheat and go to the back of the book. However, I refrained and weathered the storm of intrigue and let "MR. LINC" do his thang and investigate and eventually solve the eight year old murder of Deborah Norris. I found all the characters entertaining in their role as the plot thickened. With the finger of suspicion pointing at so many I couldn't figure out whodunit...I LOVED THE INTRIGUE. Mr. Meadows, the "EPILOGUE" was da BOMB. Totally unexpected, very real, touching and a GREAT ending....LOVED IT. MAY YOU BE BLESSED CONTINUALLY IN YOUR WRITING CAREER! I look forward to reading "Silent Rage"

Ex-Raider, Ex-Cop turned Private Investigator, Lincoln Keller is back in Silent Suspicion overturning plots and notorious deeds of deceit. This time around Linc is hired by high profile Judge Warren "War Zone" Henderson and his wife, Sylvia to investigate the eight year old unsolved murder of Deborah Norris (Sylvia's sister). Deborah was a freelance journalist who was murdered during what appeared to be a robbery, but the Hendersons do not accept that explanation. Since the case is unsolved, it is still considered an open case by the Detroit Police Department and this causes Linc some apprehension because the presiding detective is Lieutenant Nick Knackton. Knackton and Linc have a long standing beef which is fueled by his jealously over Linc's involvement with Detective Candy Malone. All of these factors combine to make an engrossing mystery.

When Linc first took the case, he thought that it was pretty clear that Deborah's death was a robbery turned bad and expected that he'd do a little investigation and bring it to a close in two days with the same conclusion that the police had made. However, after spending little more than 24 hours on the case, Linc felt there was more to the story then just a robbery gone bad. As Linc gets deeper into the investigation, he encounters past friends and acquaintances of Deborah Norris who seem to have something to hide. A myriad of characters enter the story who are far from girl and boy scouts.

Political cover-ups, adultery, blackmail, and crime rings are just a few of the obstacles that Linc encounters as he digs into the past. Along the way, readers are reintroduced to some of the characters from Meadows' previous book, Silent Conspiracy, namely, The Keller Brothers, Julie, Night Life, and Tank among others. Silent Suspicion is as compelling as Meadows' earlier book and it will leave readers thirsty for another Lincoln Keller mystery. Silent Suspicion is a 4 on the RAW Scale.

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Matt has put together the perfect guide for someone who is starting out learning the sales process effectively. Most providing technical services didn't set out to become sales people, but need to become ones in order for their businesses to grow. Matt lays out an entire sales process, designed exactly to teach a solution based sales process, including learning to overcome objections and how to manage the basics of sales.

Matt lays out how to be a good sales person, doing something "for" your customer rather than "to" your customer, helping non-sales people become effective sellers in a way that fits perfectly with their needs and personalities. Selling is something you need to know how to do, and Matt can teach you how to do it. Worth every penny.

This book is an exciting read for any IT professional providing break fix or already doing some type of managed services. It's always comforting knowing the issues that we face are the same as others in the industry and this book does highlight the advantages of an alternateive managed services model - it provides ideas and solutions. It will definitely be a future point of reference in our business. The book was also well summarised and easy to read. Highly recommended.

A Guide to SELLING Managed Services - faster, easier & for greater profit
After reading this book, you will get an idea of the successful way to capitalize on the idea of Managed Services. More importantly, you will have a concept of presenting the professional manner needed to position your business for success. Matt has a great way of communicating very basic business concepts that everyone should know to be successful. The book is written very well for a fast read which equates to quicker implementation. Don't delay, buy this book.

This is an excellent resource and tool to make the switch to MSP a reality. After reading this book it is clear that it is the result of many years of experience. This book provides concise information that will be proven valuable to anybody trying to get into the MSP game. The author has excellent communication skills and the book is written in a very easy to follow and understand way, while unveiling invaluable information. Highly recommended.

If you are new to the industry or have been in it for over 20 years like me, you know that you need to do all that you can to understand what does and doesn't work for others. To those new to the business he offers a real road map for success. To those who have been doing this for years, he presents some very compelling reasons to re-think the way you do business. I can't say I agree with everything Matt has put forth here, but I will say he has produced a very well written and organized guide to all the critical components of a well run managed services business. It helped me to clarify my position on all the issues he presented.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in staying in the IT services business over the next five years.

The copy of the book which I got was really tattered and scribbled all over.
I am not really with it.

This is by far the best Abe book out there...actually makes "learning" fun!...be careful about loaning this one out!

This is the best book on Lincoln I have ever read. A true joy to read.

Knowing little other than the obvious facts about Lincoln, I was amazed, entertained, and simply captivated by this Carnegie masterpiece. Lincoln's poverty-stricken childhood, his lackluster days as a lawyer, his love of poetry, his political career - it's all covered in great detail and conveyed in a very appealing and straightforward style. Carnegie's research and dedication towards this book are deservedly well-applauded. The story of how this very mortal man became so admired, so loved, and such an American icon is simply priceless. This monumental work is a must-have for anyone's collection.

THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME . THE COPY I HAVE IS THE 1932 PRINTING . I KNOW NOW HOW LUCKY I AM TO OWN IT AFTER FINISHING . IT WAS VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN . OTHER BOOKS I HAVE READ ABOUT HIM DIDN'T TOUCH ON HIS GENTLENESS AND HOW IT AFFECTED NOT ONLY HIS MARRIAGE BUT, THE WAR. SOMETIMES I THINK NOW, HE WORRIED TOO MUCH ABOUT OTHERS FEELINGS . SUCH AS INEPT GENERALS AND THAT LUNATIC WIFE , MARY TODD WHO'S TEMPER TANTRUMS WERE INFAMOUS. LIKE HE HAD ENOUGH " ROCKS IN HIS SACK " WITHOUT STRIFE AT HOME. I SO PITY HIM , EVEN NOW THAT HE IS BEYOND ALL CARES AND WOE . GOD BLESS YOU SIR AND GIVE YOU THE PEACE THAT SO ELUDED YOU HERE ON EARTH .

Written in the 1970's, and finished by a colleague, David Potter's depiction of the 1848-1861 timeframe is a finely researched book on the subject. Most importantly though, unlike other writers and historians (in particular James McPherson) who look back on this time with modern day hindsight, Potter writes a book which follows this time as it was, with all the issues and ebbs and flows of that era. Potter gives us refreshing perspectives such as:

- The Republican Party, upon rising to prominence in the mid-1850's, were fellow travellers in many ways with the nativist "Know-Nothing" Party.

- Not only was 1860 a sectionally divided presidential election, but so was the 1856 contest. The Republican John Fremont was a non-factor in the southern states, while Millard Fillmore (with the Know-Nothings) ran strongly in that region. The opposite was true in the northern states (which allowed James Buchanan to win the election).

- The reputations of Buchanan and Stephen Douglas fare much better in this book. Douglas in particular is portrayed as one of the few people who could see how the electoral divisions were going to lead to secession, unlike the Lincoln/Seward Republicans.

- The South's tactical victories in the Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act and Dred Scott decisions were actually strategic defeats. The South became more isolated as a result of these events, and less powerful.

Many books on this subject present the Civil War as an inevitable result of the 1850's, yet Potter illustrates many examples where the middle ground may have prevailed and possibly prevented the conflict. Other issues were important in this day, particularly the tariff issue which created the same sectional rivalries that slavery did.

Overall it's a refreshing, well-researched book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in this era.

This is the best account I have ever read about the events leading up to the Civil War. Mr. Potter does an excellent job presenting the information and carefully analyzing it without taking sides. Whether you sympathize with the Union or the Confederacy, if you have an interest in the Civil War, you will enjoy this book.

This is without a doubt, one of the greatest books on the Ante-bellum period. I read this book when I was in college in 1991 and was impressed with it. It remains one of my favorite books to this day on the Ante-bellum period. Your library is truly not complete without this work.

Potter's insightful history leading up to the Civil War is a must. He explains the culture, the split, the issue of slavery in easy to understand language to edify the reader's understanding of the things leading up to the secession as soon as Lincoln was nominated yet before he took office. Anyone interested in the history of this time period, it is the best book I have read on the subject. Potter not only discusses the politics, but also gives us a look into Lincoln and his actions to prevent the war.

Abraham Lincoln's 1860 election as President of the United States was the catalyst that set off the American Civil War, but this book traces the political processes that led to that result during the just over a decade between the end of the Mexican War in 1848 and the start of the Civil War with the firing on Fort Sumner in 1861.

Today it is easy to look back and regard the entire process as inevitable. What David Potter does in this classic, first published in 1976, is present the politics behind each step that pushed the sections of the country apart over the slavery issue. One apparent mystery has been what drove the astute politician Stephen Douglas to force through legislation tearing up the Compromise of 1820, which had extended a line from Missouri westward, north of which slavery would not be permitted. It was a colossal blunder that opened what had been a more or less settled issue, fanning the flames of sectionalism needlessly.

His Kansas-Nebraska Act opened those territories, north of the line, to a concept of popular sovereignty, in which those supposedly living in the territories would be allowed to vote on the issue. This may have sounded democratic, but it led to a wave of Abolitionist settlers from New England, and pro-slavery visitors from neighboring Missouri, resulting in "Bleeding Kansas", with attacks and massacres from both sides, and very little democracy. Potter shows that Douglas started from a powerful need to organize the territories so a Pacific railroad could be built, preferably from Chicago in his home state of Illinois. That simple point of departure led him into a series of moves that only deepened the sectional divide.

Potter describes how the southern slaveholders won a whole series of meaningless victories that did nothing to extend the slave territories but did intensify feelings against slavery in the North, from the Mexican War and Kansas-Nebraska to the Dred Scott decision and the hanging of John Brown. He traces the rise of the Republican party out of the ruins of the Whigs and the Freesoil Party, and exposes the latter not as advocates of rights for black people, but driven rather by a deep-seated racism aimed at keeping blacks out of the territories. Complicating the 1850's political map of America was the American, or "Know Nothing" party, dedicated to stopping the recent flood of mainly Catholic immigrants from Europe.

He also demonstrates that the Unionist candidates did better than generally believed in the four-sided presidential election of 1860, and that the voting system itself gave the secessionists of late 1860 and early 1861 far greater strength than their actual numbers.

If you want to get deep into the politics that split the powerful Democratic Party and ultimately the nation, this book has what you are looking for.

As someone who works in a library I always check out books with a library theme and have to say Judy Sierra's storyline is one of the best I have ever come across.

Wild About Books is really well written, done in the style of Dr Seuss (which Sierra tributes in the actual story and after at the end as well). With lots of humorous rhyming verses this book is a fun read for all ages. The illustrations although children may well still enjoy trying to figure out and name each animal are a bit average at times, with many not resembling the actual creatures at all. Also a bit of research by the illustrator Marc Brown into what a mobile library looks like rather than just looking out his office window at the mobile lunch van in the car park, as well as visiting an actual zoo or wildlife park to base his drawings of on rather than using a factory would have been a good idea too.

Wild About Books is the tale of a mobile librarian named Molly McGrew who drove the library into a zoo. As she reads out loud a Dr Seuss novel the zoos various residents became enticed to read and write books as well. McGrew also teaches them how to look after library material and inspires them to open a run their very own branch.

A great story who if the publishers had found a better illustrator no doubt would have rivaled Animalia by Graeme Base and other wildlife picture books. Another great library picture book is Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Florrie Binford-Kichler, Founder of Patria Press, Inc.- an award-winning independent publisher and Member of The Children's Book Council; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I just love reading this book! I think it is fun and appreciate all the references in it. We first found it at the library and I had to own it! Also love all the pictures of so many different animals. My daughter really enjoys naming all the animals.

Wild about books is funny, well written and beautifully illustrated. It's clever and has a very smart story. Our son loves this book and can recite it from memory. Get this book -- it's a gem.

"It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo..." This fun book shows how enticing reading can be, for animals and humans alike. The animals of the Springfield zoo all find books containing stuff that is of interest to them, and the animals are all very different. The story shows that even though people are all different too, we can all still find some sort of book that would teach us something.

The poem uses many different literary techniques, including rhyme and alliteration. This adds to the funniness of the text and makes it that much more interesting for children. The poem is full of imagination and helps children to see reading in a new way. The purpose of the poem is just that, to give children a different way to look at books and reading. The animals in the story like reading so much, they actually build their very own library in the zoo! The author also describes how books should be treated, and what not to do with them.

The illustrations are very comical and in lush exciting color. They would be found delightful to children and really add to the text. The pictures definitely appeal to the senses, showing texture, color, detail, and sometimes even sounds.

All in all the book is a great one. Not only does it introduce many animals that children may not be familiar with, it also shows how books hold something for everyone. Learning is another thing that is highlighted in the rich text of this amazing book.

...to the high drama that unfolded on the ground I have traversed for the past half-century, all the while only peripherally aware of the desperate struggle that occurred at Monocacy. Marc Leepson has created a vivid expose of a little-known battle that had far-reaching ramifications for this entire country. I am no expert in the Civil War and yet I thoroughly enjoyed the captivating portraits of the main personalities and the solid research and voluminous details that helped me understand how pivotal this battle truly was. Never again will I cross the Monocacy River on that humpback bridge, cross the Potomac on the ferry named the Jubal Early, pass by at 60 mph on I-270, or even walk the streets of DC without being keenly aware of the brave souls who, in the very same spot over a century ago, experienced the most critical moments of their lives and shaped the country I live in today. The wrap-up at the end, describing what happened to the key characters, was an interesting and unusual touch. I highly recommend this well-researched book!

Marc has done a superb job of using very personal first hand accounts and weaving them into a detailed close up picture of a Confederate action aimed at Washington, D.C. The dedication of the soldiers, and their miseries, bring home the realities of War. That they almost succeeded is to their everlasting credit.

Marc Leepson's book, Desperate Engagement compelled me to go deeper than the battles, military careers, and political maneuvering. Having come from the Washington area, I am reminded of the memories of the Civil War I was exposed to growing up and how they affected my family.

Mostly however, I pondered the raging emotion and destruction of the Civil War period, and the staggering death toll. The greatest value to me as a reader however is Marc Leepson's clear writing style and judicious research that allows me to come to my own conclusion.

Rudy Gillespie, Seattle WA

This is a well researched and clearly written book about a battle that seldom is given the due it deserves. Author Leepson not only provides the vivid details about the Battle of Monacacy, but he also gives the reader the essential background on events leading up to the battle that are key to understanding the importance of the engagement and the context in which it was fought. The book also richly describes the motley cast of characters involved in the event: the crusty misogynist and racist, Jubal A. Early; the courtly and cerebral, Robert E. Lee; Lew Wallace, dashing scion of a Midwestern political family and future author of Ben Hur; and the bureaucratic and scheming Washington-based General-in-Chief, Henry Halleck.

The battle descriptions are well paced and have sufficient detail to please the Civil War buff, but not too much detail to overwhelm the general reader. The post-battle description of the Confederate march to Washington and subsequent withdrawal after encountering a strengthened Union defense at Fort Stevens are excellently narrated.

The book could be improved with more and larger maps to help the reader navigate the events, but nevertheless, this is a valuable contribution to Civil War history in an area that warrants additional coverage. Knowing more about the "battle that saved Washington" is an important part of understanding the final year of the war. Leepson's work belongs on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in the Civil War.

I started reading this book with very little knowledge of the battle of Monocacy except for the knowledge that some of my ancestors were involved in the action. I had driven up I-81 and had seen signs directing passersby to the battlefield but I have never stopped and until I read this book I wasn't really inclined to do so. After reading this book however Monocacy is now high on my own private bucket list.

Marc Leepson has done a remarkable job of researching this book and he also has a lot of talent as a writer. The book flows smoothly and never gets so bogged down in details that only the most knowledgeable student of the Civil War could follow the story. The necessary details are there but the minutia is left out and that is a skill that several historians need to learn. The only quarrel that I have with the author's writing style is his use of the term CSA instead of Confederate such as "CSA General Jubal Early" or "CSA troops." The use of this term in this way may well be grammatically correct but it doesn't seem to flow correctly and by the middle of the book it was beginning to grate on my nerves. Some readers have a problem with "what ifs" and may be turned off by the time that the author takes to speculate on what might have happened if Early had taken Washington but as for me I rather enjoyed his small bit of speculation. It is after all, pretty hard to understand the motivations for an action if you don't speculate on what possible consequences the actors were facing.

The Confederate (or CSA) invasion of Maryland in the summer of 1864 is an often-overlooked campaign and I am happy to see that it has finally gotten the notice that it deserves. Had this campaign succeeded in attaining all of its goals the war may well have turned out very differently and even without capturing Washington, Jubal Early and his troops did disrupt General Grant's plans and prolong the war by several months. This author does a superb job of leading his readers through the entire campaign from its inception until Early's return to Virginia and he explains what is going on in a very easy to understand manner. A few more maps would be helpful but even without them the author explains things so well that their absence is not a big problem. I particularly liked how the author ended the book by giving the reader a quick look at the post-Monocacy lives of the battle's major players.

This is a very well researched, well-written, thorough and balanced look at the Monocacy campaign and it deserves a place in any well-stocked Civil War library.

I saw James Swanson giving a speech about his other book "Manhunt" and found him fascinating to listen to. he knew facts that I had never heard before and could describe them with such detail I felt like I was watching it happen. I read "Manhunt" and was thrilled to have the details of those twelve days come to life. When I saw this book I snatched it up as quickly as I could. It is the perfect book for both the avid reader and for those who like to look at artifacts and photographs of the era. This is by far my new favorite Civil War book (and I have many). James and Daniel did an excellent job of laying out the story then showing artifacts and pictures from the event. I've looked at this book for hours and am only through the second chapter! Not that it's hard to get through, just fun to look at and read.

This text dovetails nicely with Swanson's recent effort "Manhunt", but more from an artifact perspective than a written one. Many of the pictures are one-of-a-kind, especially Alexander Gardner's entire collection from the courtyard at the D.C. prison where the conspirators were hung. Again, this is not a complete text (nor does it aspire to be), but a great addition to any historical collection regarding the Lincoln assasination.

James Swanson has done a super job at presenting Lincoln's assassins thru the the use of pictures of the individuals as well as documents of the time. An excellent source for teachers dealing with the capture, trial, and execution of those associated with Lincoln's assassination.

This is more of a picture book than a text-laden history book, but it's the appeal of the many photos, pictures, illustrations, and even cartoons that make this book a fascinating one to read. The book includes photos of all the conspirators, in life as well as death, along with other interesting details such as a letter Booth wrote as a teenager. Today few remember that John Wilkes Booth was the teenage heart-throb of his day, making it all the more shocking when he was involved in the assassination.

The details of the trial sound like something from some fantastic kangaroo court, not the U.S. For example, the defense had no time to marshall their case, interview or call witnesses, or even to meet much with their clients. The jury was composed of generals and military men, not civilians, and their decision would be final, with no right of appeal.There were indeed judges in the courtroom, but they were watching from the audience.

The public and the press constantly talked about their favorite conspirators, of which the young, handsome and dashing looking Lewis Powell was the favorite, who attempted to kill secretary of state William Seward with a Bowie knife on the night of the assassination, rather than the president, but was foiled. Even the decision of who to prosecute left many questions unanswered, as several suspects with far more incriminating evidence weren't even brought to trial, whereas others with less evidence were tried and executed. The authors suggest that this might have had more to do with who actually plotted the murder vs. who was involved with post-assassination attempts to shelter Booth.

However, it's the stunning visual presentation here rather than the now well known history that is the star here. This book will be enjoyed by any history or Americana buffs or anyone interested in a well done presentation of a unique event in our history.

Excellent addition to any Civil War library. Text has nothing really new but reads very easily. The "gold mine" in this book are all the photos, some of which are new to me.
Quick read and terrific service from the vendor.