Lincoln Books

Altschuler and Luberoff provide an in-depth analysis of urban mega-projects focusing on three major categories: highways, airports, and rail transit. They preface their treatment a first-rate discussion and analysis of the theoretical framework and evolving political context in which urban mega-projects are undertaken. In this sense, the book is invaluable for those persons in the project management sector who need to be able to deal with the politics of their own projects (despite the ongoing belief among students that politics are irrelevant to project success). The real driver of these projects is the demand for economic growth and prosperity by important political constituencies, particularly the business communities of these various cities, but also other groups (including neighborhoods and other local institutions) that are interested in promoting prosperity as well. The discussion here is balanced, thoughtful, informed and astute.

The authors detail the era of carte-blanche and laissez-faire mega projects which lasted into the late 1960s, only to be confronted with resistance to groups (such as neighborhoods and environmentalists) that had heretofore been shut own, silenced, or overlooked. They treat the seventies, eighties and nineties as a time of retrenchment, and see the present era as one in which mega-projects will continue to drive forward in specific areas, but in which they will also be far more limited in scope than in the preceding years. They note the constraining force of the "do no harm" doctrine, and detail how this doctrine--promulgated as a consequence of the excesses of the mega-projects of the sixties, when neighborhood and environmental impacts were hardly ever considered (e.g., the ill-fated Jones Falls Expressway in Baltimore, which the book does not mention)--is being implemented in projects such as the Federal government's reconstruction and expansion of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on Washington DC's southern edge.

The book ends with an analysis of the long-term impact of the legal retrenchment against mega-projects that occurred during the sixties, and its authors, while sympathetic with the democratic political tendencies generated by the opposition to these projecs, concludes that legitimate objections can still stop projects. Simple use of delaying tactics will not work, and projects will advance against such opposition, though far more slowly and with greatly increased costs.

Their discussion of regime politics is especially important, and provides and essential caveat for any serious professional or activist seeking to halt a politically advanced, though publicly deleterious project.

Migration of Birds by Frederick C. Lincoln and illustrated by Bob Hines is a government circular. The one being reviewed here dates 1950. There are more recent editions of this little book, but I review this one to emphasis the fact that there are many of these old government publications around that are quite useful in several ways. There is of course the historical aspect, but I find it fascinating to compare the data found in this work to that of the data which is being gathered and published today. Migration patterns, just as ranges, vary over time due to a number of different reasons. This particular circular which is 102 pages in length covers the origin of migration, time of migration, how birds migrate, where birds migrate, routes of migration, evolution of migration routes, vertical, vagrant, and perils of migration, influence of the weather on migration, problems of migration and then draws several conclusions.

Like most government publications, this one can be a bit dry but is well worth the effort it takes to stay awake while reading. I am particularly interested in the banding projects which took place in the early and late 1940s. This gave us quite a good data base and methodology at that time had advanced to the point of being quite reliable. Of course the data found here is merely of passing interest unless it is compared to the published work we have access to today; either government, private, book form or on-line.

I also find that so much information, much of it free, can be accessed through the government printing office and has been available for years. This particular publication is of value to me as it contains a wonderful bibliography of source documents dating back to 1888. These early documents can be found with a bit of digging and research of the interested individual's part. I recently read an article where a certain species of duck was killed by a hunter in the S. United States. This duck was six years old and had been banded in Japan! Fascinating!

Anyway, this is not one you probably want to rush out and buy as not ever one has a curiosity for completely obscure facts as I have. I found the little book to be fascinating though. I have to give this one five stars, not because it is the beginning and end of all books covering this aspect of nature, far from it, but for the fact that is simply tickles my fancy. This book, by the way, is long out of print.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Children enjoy books with happy endings and parents enjoy books that teach their children something. That is why I recommend the book "Missing" by Jonathan Langley. "Missing" is about a little girl named Daisy and her cat, Lupin. When Daisy has a day off of school, Lupin doesn't know and goes to meet her at the corner like every day. When Lupin realizeds that Daisy isn't at the corner and Daisy realizes that Lupin isn't at home, they begin a frantic search for one another. Along the way, each thinks about what could have possibly happened to the other.
Langley's book is great for children. First, he shows how to deal with the fear or feeling that you have lost someone you love. He is able to do this by stating the actual thoughts of Daisy and Lupin--for example, he writes about Daisy thinking "He's never coming back...but I must do something special just in case he does come back."
This book is also good for children because it shows them the idea of having different points of view. At the beginning of the book, the two characters have different points of view (when they were off doing other things) but later, their thoughts were almost the same.
"Missing" is also special because of its illustrations. Langley was able to make his illustrations follow the storyline almost exactly. For example, at one point the story is about Lupin thinking if Daisy has gone on a trip or to a party, and the pictures were of Lupin thinking about a school bus and children standing around a cake. The pictures also fit moods well--when the two characters are happy, it's sunny; when they're sad, it's raining; when they're worried, it's grey.
Children and their parents would both enjoy "Missing" because it is a different story. The way Langley shows point of view and feeling is very diverse to most picture books. Langley is a true artist of both writing and painting.

I purchased this book at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn over ten years ago--and am cursing my luck because I can't find it anywhere. The book was written, I believe, shortly after production of the Model A ended. It therefore recommends the use of very simple tools, something that many restorers on a budget would find welcome today. Also, because this book wasn't created by FoMoCo, it offers some homespun knowledge that can't be found in any official Ford factory bulletins. Even better, it covers some aftermarket parts available at the time. The book is charmingly illustrated with period prints, often showing novel approaches to tackling problems, but sometimes lacking in clear detail. Overall, this is a great resource. Where else can you find step-by-step instructions for removing a Model A body from its frame, or performing a simple alignment, or servicing of the suspension. Now where the heck did I put that book?

I first read this to my two year old boy a week ago.

We were both delighted by it; we read it again the following night. He asked for it by name the next night. It was from a library, but I want to get him his own copy.

It has many of the things that are important in a toddler's life - animals, food, exploration, and comfort. All told from the view of an adventurous but home-loving farm cat.

The animals, the farm, the setting sun are all beautifully drawn and make this a wonderfully calming story to read at bedtime.

Monet's evocative landscapes with their lush and subtle colors, thrilling use of light from various times of the day and the seasons, and varied locations of vantage have rarely been so beautifully presented as in this small but elegant book by Vivian Russell.

Russell has visited many of the sites Monet painted and took photographs not only of the particular subject of his paintings, but also of the surrounding countryside, a fact that adds flavor of place to what must have inspired Monet. Not only does she include the coasts of France and Giverny, Monet's home and famous gardens, but she also traveled to Venice (some of Monet's most ethereal works are from this special haven), Norway, the flower fields of Holland, and the majesty of London.

The photographs are superb and offer interesting information on what Monet decided to edit or to enrich with the impressionist's eye. Russell is a fine writer and her comments and sensitivity to include much information from Monet's letters makes this book not only a perfect coffee table tome, but also a fine adjunct to art students and collectors alike. Highly Recommended! Grady Harp, August 05

The story is imaginative and witty, and the illustrations are complex (not busy, just intricate) and colorful. I've already given one copy as a gift and am now buying another.

This book has been in our family for years. It was first introduced to our children and since then has been passed onto our grandchildren. Our copy of "Monster Road Builders" has been used so much that we have more taped pages than not. We now have to order more copies for expanding family and to share with others who have not yet experienced this phenomial children's book.

I would highly recommend this book for any child who enjoys reading about construction equipment. The text is written at a level that children can understand and enjoy. The pictures are so wonderfuly done and they tell a story in themselves. Young children enjoy the pictures and as they grow older, they continue to enjoy the book's text to learn about what each piece of equipment does.

Children love to find the mouse on each page. It is the first thing they look for when a page is turned. Another favorite in our family is the picture where the man's shoe gets stuck in the mud. Our grandchildren laugh and laugh when they come to this page. Each page has so much detail that it can generate wonderful conversation between an adult and a child. Each page describes a different piece of equipment that is needed to build a road.

I would highly recommend this book to any child who is interested in construction, curious about road work they have seen,or who enjoys trucks and machines.

Book was a fascinating combination of real life for a Multiple Sclerosis patient combined with myth and humor. It is encouraging to see a novel about a M.S. patient with a drive to plug along with a attitude of self worth through the daily ups and downs of a cronic illness. I recomend this book for everyone who has ever suffered any kind of illness. It shows coping skills all the way through the book combined with a story line that is so real it makes you wonder if it is really a fiction? Read the book you will enjoy. I hope this becomes a series as I would enjoy following the antics of Miss Deb

Highly recommended for young readers ages 3 to 6, The Moses Basket presents the classic Biblical tale of Moses' early childhood, set adrift in a basket when his life was in danger. Stylized color illustrations by Pauline Baynes combines with the straightforward text by Jenny Koralek and brings to life this powerful tale in a meaningful and respectful manner.