Memorials Books

Winner of the 2001 Bronze Medal for historical fiction from ForeWord Magazine, Forever Green: Ireland Now And Again is an anthology of writings by Cathal Liam ranging from mind-expanding stories to political commentary and fluid poetry (including thematically appropriate poems by others as well as Liam's own verse). Remembering the Ireland of decades gone by, and scrutinizing political happenings in the Ireland of today, Forever Green is a compelling, emotional and heartfelt work embracing the continual flux of Irish culture up to the modern day.

I recently finished this book and found it a joy to read. Not only is it detailed and extensive in its scope, but the author shares with us his passion for the material. The most important aspect of this book compared to others (and there are far too few discussing memorials) is the fact that he has expanded the definition of a memorial to include not just the stone and bronze equine statues we are familiar with but also private collections, public buildings, streets, parks, restaurants with military themes, and in some cases even whole towns. I never realized how pervasive our wars are in our daily lives, no matter how subconscious.
The author also has a balanced and fair assessment of the wars he covers, neither judging too harshly nor pulling punches. Through this balanced approach we actually see how memorials have affected our opinions of war and vice-versa - the very thing I had hoped to find here.
I highly recommend this book, not just for those interested in memorials, but for anyone who wants a more holistic view of how societies choose to remember war.

The many printings of this work, show the importance of the book in the history of the Wilderness Road. Anyone who has an appreciation for Kentucky History and genealogy would enjoy reading the account of how the Wilderness Trail began and of the pioneers who braved the dangerous passage into the new world. Mr. Kincaid describes the influence of Daniel Boone, Dr. Walker and others in the development of the Indian and animal trail that later became the Wilderness Road and the various settlements and outposts that were fed by the road. The hardships of the early pioneers are explored, with accounts of Indian and the highway men attacks on the travelers and the different stations that were founded throughout the new territory along the road and it's tributaries. The reader is given a view of the difficulties of early pioneer life, the hazards that were around them, and comes away with a better appreciation of the efforts of these early settlers. The book also brings the Wilderness Road up into later years, incuding its strategic importance in the Civil War, and giving an account of General Grant personally inspecting the route for a possible supply line to his troops in the severe winter of 1864, which comes directly from his diary.

I have seen many books with excerpts from this book. However, this book puts the entire story together in a work that has not been duplicated since. It is a standard work of any serious student of Kentucky history or genealogy. If you had ancestors who traveled this road when they entered into Kentucky, you will have a better appreciation of their contributions to our history and your family after reading this.

I have been a student and "fan" of Will Rogers for many years and this book of quotes truly captures the essence of the man that he was. Will was, indeed, a man for the times and he helped a struggling country maintain a smile and a bit of humanity during some truly difficult years.

The wit and wisdom of homespun American philosopher, comedian, actor, stage performer, and social critic Will Rogers is legendary. Hundreds of thousands of Americans mourned his untimely death in an Alaskan plane crash. Reba Collins (Director Emeritus at the Will Rogers memorial and Research Center in Claremore, Oklahoma) has a very special expertise to bring to bear in this representative collection she has compiled and edited of commentaries and comments by Will Rogers that will bring him to the approving acquaintance of a whole new generation of readers. This was a man who was as prolific in his pronouncements on everything from the foibles of government to the conundrums of human nature as he was humorously insightful. Highly recommended reading for anyone and everyone, "Will Rogers Says..." could not hope to be comprehensive, only representative. For example in the section featuring his comments on America's political parties what is perhaps his most famous quote (and one particularly applicable to our current political season) is missing: "I don't belong to any organized political party -- I'm a Democrat!" Nonetheless, there are plenty of Will Rogers gems to be found such as "You know it takes nerve to be a Democrat. but it takes money to be a Republican." WAIII: Feb. 10, 1929. Each quote cited is provided with a date. "Will Rogers Says..." is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or community library collection.

These are fun recipes. Unfortunately, for some reason known only to them, Blaylock and Powers left out the fact that you need to be several sheets to the wind to really get them right!
This is undoubtedly a conspiracy of some sort. I am happy to hear that Mr. Ashbless is, after all, still living (must be going on several hundred years, now).

All kidding aside, this is a book that is lots of fun, and has a few good recipes, too! This would make a perfect Christmas present to fans of Powers and Blaylock. Koontz, too, though he apparently was a bit of a curmudgeon re his Ashbless correspondence. If you love inspired silliness, then buy this book.

Imagine, you are a 14 yr old girl growing up in a small, rural Hungarian town... surrounded by your loved ones. Slowly, hatred is surrounding you and all your friends and relatives are taken away to a death camp--Auschwitz. You survive alone among your family and come back to your "home". Your neighbors, who looted your furniture, resent your coming back. Your family is gone. Their business is gone...but your memories keep bringing you back. After you are a grown woman, a grandmother, you get a degree in history and write a book of your little town. You still search for the answer to the question-- WHY? Dr. Stessel wrote a moving history of her little town. Life was idyllic and life was cut short. The groping for the details tells many stories.

As the author of this book I shall not review it -- but I would point out that it is in print. Originally published in hard cover by the University of Georgia Press, it is now (December 2000) available in paper back from Black Belt Press in Montgomery, Alabama

Never before has such a scholarly yet accessible treatment of this complicated and gripping topic been written. Dr. Grayzel shows a mastery of the subject and attention to detail that draws the reader in from the first page. An academic achievement of the highest order.

Won From The Heart is an all-around winning literary addition. The editors contribution is two-fold: to promote AIDS awareness and provide one hell of a celebrity cookbook. Moreover, the celebrities (including Judge Joseph Wapner, Halle Barry & Chevy Chase) themselves have added a literary dimension to the normally strictly functional class of cookbooks. For example, my favorite recipe is from author Stephen King who relates to cookbook readers that he only serves his contributed dish (entitled 'Lunchtime Gloop', intended ~solely~ for his children)) when his wife, Tabby, isn't around. He goes on to say that "...she won't eat it; in fact, she doesn't even like to look at it." Several of the other recipes are intended to be served when the entire family is hungry. (5 stars, hands down)