Virginia Books

Combines thorough analysis with a stylistic flair and self-deprecating humour

Reshaping the World for the 21st Century evaluates post-World War II economic development efforts in the United States, in Canada, and, in Brazil, and in Mexico. It argues that the proposal that the more fortunate countries should bring prosperity to the less developed ones failed: it did not stop the growth of poverty, did not protect the environment sufficiently, and did not promote human rights energetically.

Smith begins with a presentation of the two chief development theories pursued after World War II, that is, the growth oriented, market driven model, and the communist ideology. She then chronicles the rise of dependency theory, a newer, 1960s based development perspective that was focused on the needs of less developed third world countries. Based on personal accounts of daily life in the megacities Sao Paulo and Mexico City, and on a review of other development analysts' conclusions, Smith evaluates the failures in Brazil and Mexico--the transportation fiascos spawned, the housing situation--and wonders how it could be that the most advanced industrial powers just didn't see that the poverty suffered by most people in Latin American countries was worsening even during the 1960s and 1970s, an era of relative prosperity.

lots of old pictures of Monument Ave. If you have ever visiting this area, you need this book.

An incredible documentation of the only street in America to have its own National Landmark status. The authors did their research on this fascinating piece of Americana, and the street comes alive in beautiful photographs and fascinating description.

A MUST for anyone's coffee table!!

I had the honor of meeting Mrs. Calcutt at the Museum of the Confederacy a couple of years ago. She is a fine author , and a nice lady, as well. Like her, I have a professional background in both Medicine and History. Further, one of my great grandfathers was a Confederate Surgeon, though he served to the west of Richmond.

This is a superbly researched, and presented, volume. The whole country was unprepared for the Civil War, and had to adapt in a BIG HURRY. Richmond was the center of the Confederate government, and was forced to become a center for providing medical care, as well. This is one area where the South actually had advantages; there was greater administrative stability [provided by Surgeon General Samuel Moore], and the Confederacy was willing to make societal innovations, such as placing women and Blacks in positions of high responsibility. The Hospitals were run by both the government and by private individuals, and ranged in size from tiny to gigantic.

Reading this book, you will get to meet two of the South's greatest heroines. Mrs. Phoebe Pember was a Matron at Chimborazo, the largest Civil War hospital, and Captain Sally Tompkins ran Robertson's Hospital as a project of the ladies at St. James Episcopal Church. Capt. Sally refused to play the "state's rights" game, and probably had the best hospital in town. [Her memorial window at St. James is sublimely beautiful].

Mrs. Calcutt takes us on a thoroughly inspiring, and educational, tour. Those familiar with Richmond will appreciate the updates, describing the current uses of the buildings and sites. Some of the buildings are still in use. [at least one restaurant in Shockhoe Bottom is well and truly haunted, with a Confederate Officer making daily inspections] Robertson's, at Third and Main, was torn down in 1875; the site holds an all night diner. Chimborazo, on East Broad Street, is long gone, but the site holds a fine Confederate Medical Museum.

Civil War medicine was a lot better than most people realize; the mortality rate was around 11% on both sides, and the "bite the bullet" story is pure myth. The disease:wound death rate rate ratio was much smaller than in some of our other wars. Jeff Davis once commented that the Medical Department was the only part of the Confederacy not demoralized by the end; this wonderful book goes a long way to explain why.

This book is very well researched and developed. For the reader interested in Civil War Hospitals, particularly in Richmond, VA., the book provides an impressive summary of the details of the hospitals in the 1860's and in many cases there current use. The detail is fascinating and reveals how giant strides were made in medical care in a difficult environment.

First check out the editorial reviews here to understand what this book is about. This is a fascinating and beautiful collection of material reflective of Mexican art through the ages. There are ancient manuscripts, drawings rendered from old books, photgraphs of pre-Columbian pottery and art, ancient petroglyphs from the southwest, maps and recent art pieces by Chicano/a artists all recreated tastefully and rendered in an eye appealing manner. The concept of the exhibition and art book created from the exhibition is spectacular and unique. The idea is to tie the evolutionary art process from pre-Columbian times to the contemporary art produced in the southwest. The concept suggests that art is migratory, influenced by culture both past and present, linked to both but unique in it's modern evolutionary vision by contemporary artists. The lands from which this art has evolved is based in Aztlan, a mythical land dating back to pre-Columbian cultures by remains in the hearts and minds of people on both sides of the border. The link between Mexico and the United States and it's people is explored and highlighted by the art of the southwest. This migration, in search of a new land, that continues today, began with the Mexica(Aztecs)pilgrimage and establshment of Tenochitlan in what is now modern Mexico City; this is where the Mexica were said to seen the eagle on the nopal cactus and then build their city of Tenochitlan. The mythical land of Aztlan lives on and is reflective in the art of the southwest. This book explores the relationship, in both essay and photograph, between the citizens of Mexico and the United States and even those who live in the neither land in the fields and dark shadows of Aztlan. This is an oversized book with a wealth of information to help you develop your own understanding of the relationships between past and present in the art of the southwest. Recommended for high schools , community libraries and the southwest art book lovers homes.

After seeing the exhibit at LACMA, this book was a great compliment to the art that was shown. It ranged from pre columbian to modern and was very intersting and informative. The photgraphs in the book are complimented by the narration and anaylsis by the author.

This is a great book and I relied on it heavily when I lived in Virginia Beach. It is written in a friendly and inviting way, almost as if you are talking over the fence to your neighbor.

Its month by month "to do" lists were especially helpful in keeping me on track and reminding me that the garden works on its time, not mine.

We moved to Northeastern North Carolina four years ago from southern New York where we had successfully grown vegetables, roses and flowering shrubs and perennials for many years. Relocating to a new climate and different growing season was nearly an unsurmountable challenge until we purchased Stiffler's book. His month by month "to do" list plus gardening tips and procedures have helped us establish a most satisfactory year round garden. Stiffler categorizes shrubs and trees by level of maintenance required, soil conditions conducive to growth and also includes interesting historical and background information about individual varieties such as the history of the crape myrtle in the South. We have recommended this book to fellow gardeners as well and we all have found it an indispensable guide to gardening.

Chatty, easy to read book about hiliarous escapades with members of The American Winds Concert Band through the heart of Europe. Recipes, gathered from family kitchens in small pensions, assure inovative ways to provide adequate amounts of lycopines - one of the most important anitcarcinogens. The book is endorsed by one of Florida's leading gastroentrologists, Dr. Joseph S. Spano, of Naples, Florida, where the author also lives. After photographing the author at a book signing, and hearing comments from fans, I felt compelled to revise my review.

Very chatty and easy to read. She is a warm writer/cook. Talks about her family with love and includes easy receipes that do not cost an arm and a leg. It is like having dinner with her and her family The author lives in Naples, Florida.

Safe Streets In The Nationwide Concealed Carry of Handguns by John Longenecker is one of the first publications from his new Libertarian and pro-gun publishing company, Contrast Media Press. His hard hitting articles can be read at his web site called Good for The Country and have been picked up by numerous media outlets and web sites. In fact, they are always insanely popular whenever they are posted on various pro-gun and pro-freedom websites. If you enjoy Longenecker's energetic writing style, then you will definitely love Safe Streets In The Nationwide Concealed Carry of Handguns.

Safe Streets In The Nationwide Concealed Carry of Handguns discusses how government enforced dependency is destroying the American spirit, our independence, and is actually one of the root causes of violent crime. Longenecker successfully shows how private ownership of guns does not only benefit gun owners. He shows how gun ownership combats crime, protects our liberties, and helps preserve the independent spirit that makes America the greatest country on earth.

It is a complicated theme, but it is also so simple that it should be common sense. The fact that it is somewhat complicated shows exactly how far we have fallen. That is where this book comes in. It was not only written for patriots, liberty advocates, and gun owners. It was written for the non-gun owner or anyone who a wakeup needs call. Hopefully, they will realize the enormous benefits that gun ownership has on society and that the fight to control our guns is not only about guns. It is about control.

This is one of those books that you truly have to read, because a few paragraphs in a review could never do it justice. However, I will hit on a few parts that really stood out.

The Gun Control Formula

Longenecker discusses how gun control is actually social engineering and is the blueprint for all of the attacks against individual freedom, sanctity of life, and the interests of the United States of America. In the book, you will learn how gun control is also a threat against marriage, religion, and many other parts of our everyday life.

Armed Citizens - Citizen Authority Or Vigilante

Longenecker discusses how citizens who uses a firearm for self-defense is acting on citizen authority and is not a vigilante. This section of the book is one that you may find yourself highlighting paragraphs so that you can use them later in a debate with an antigun co-worker or friend.

Victim Disarmament Zones

Longenecker discusses how Victim Disarmament Zones (also known as Criminal Protection Zones and Criminal Empowerment Zones) leave law-abiding citizens defenseless against criminals. He also discusses several recent incidents where innocent unarmed people were slaughtered in Victim Disarmament Zones.

The CPR Corollary

This part of the book is by far my favorite, and worth at least twice as much as the price of the book. Longenecker was one of the first paramedics in Los Angeles, and was on one of the first panels discussing bystander CPR. As a paramedic for large city myself, I could really relate to the concept of the CPR Corollary. In this section, Longenecker discusses how citizens carrying handguns is identical to citizen CPR prior to the arrival of first responders. He also discusses how many doctors and medical professionals initially opposed citizens learning CPR and wanted it left to professionals. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and CPR was taught to bystanders. As a result, lives have been saved.
This is similar to concealed carry and how may law enforcement officials and government officials oppose armed citizens and want the responsibility for your own safety be left to professionals. Thankfully, common sense is prevailing again, and more states are either passing or improving their concealed carry laws. As a result, lives are saved.

Safe Streets in The Nationwide Concealed Carry Of Handguns by John Longenecker should hold a prominent place in your home library. It is not just a book; it is a tool that can be used to change minds and to help preserve our liberties.

None of the CDC, the National Academy of Sciences, nor DoJ were able to find that ANY gun control reduces VIOLENT CRIME, MURDER, SUICIDE or ACCIDENTS in any significant manner.

None. There it is -- gun control doesn't work. No emotion, just science.

Obviously the NICS/Brady background check must do SOMETHING, right? No, it isn't even enforced on criminals so there cannot be any compelling reason for it:

Less than 100 criminals are prosecuted each year for Brady/NICS violations -- and the vast majority of these are because the authorities needed to arrest or prosecute a criminal but can't make the real charge stick, or needs a "predicate felony" for a conspiracy or RICO charge.

So gun control doesn't work and it just interferes with the right of every law abiding American to self-defense and to protect his/her family.

This books explains the evidence and makes the case.

This is a delightful story for reading aloud or for a beginning reader. My daughter has read it countless times, and loves the fact that it is such a small book that she can put it in her pocket and take it wherever she goes. She delights in examining the pictures for every little detail. We love Martin Waddell and enjoy all his books.

This book is a true masterpiece,delightful in every respect as are all of Virginia Austins childrens books.Not only are the illustrations exceptional but the story is complete and the lessons are easily understood and digested by young minds.

All Scot-Americans and, in fact, all Americans who are interested in the founding of this great nation will thoroughly enjoy this entertaining and instructive story of the early settlement of the people, who not only gave this nation its basic principles, but who also provided the majority of the patriots who fought and died to establish the first democracy
in world history.
Today when our nation is threated with terrorism and American patriotism is being greatly challenged, it is interesting to review the beginning of our revolutionary concepts of freedom and democracy which are now under attack throughout many parts of the world. What a great and timely review this is of the spirit and the meaning of American patriotism!

The author begins with the history of Scotland and the Scottish people, their heavy settlement in Northern Ireland and the Great Migration of about 300,000 Ulster Scots to America. As mainly frontiersmen they helped win the French-Indian war then from their Presbyterian churches they not only were the first to call for freedom from Great Britain but they also constituted the majority of the patriots who fought and won the Revolutionary War.
Truly, the Scots of Virginia were America's greatest patriots!

Regina Barone is lonely. She is a single mom raising her eight years old son Nick while working as a cook at her mom's lobster shack on the Maine barrier island World's End where she was born. She has no personal life at all and no hope for one in the future as she personally understands the name of her home.

While the town celebrates a wedding, a depressed Regina sneaks away to get drunk at the beach; she miserably thinks she has no one to share her bottle with. However that proves wrong because Dylan, brother to the groom police chief Caleb Hunter, is also on the beach getting away from the festivities. His ruler the Selkie Prince sent him here to investigate a demon existence. The human and the Selkie are attracted to one another, but neither see a long term relationship brewing between them until danger makes both reassess their priorities.

This direct sequel to SEA WITCH is a fantastic romantic fantasy as Virginia Kantra enables the readers to look deep into the souls of a lonely single human mom and a Selkie. The story line enables the reader as we did in previous Children of the Sea tales to believe in the existence of Selkie and half-breed Selkie. Fans will enjoy this fine thriller as Selkie are a commitment phobic species as Dylan keeps on reminding himself even while he suffers from SEA FEVER caused by his attraction to a surface dweller.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed Virginia Kantra's Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) so much that I was counting down the days until Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) was released and I was not disappointed.

If I were to debate the merits of the two, I could argue that Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) had the better mystery, but on the other side, Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) has a better romance (and that's saying something because I really enjoyed Caleb and Margred's romance) and better character development because the motivations of the characters felt very real and understandable.

Regina Barrone grew up on World's End. Due to circumstances, she returned to the island to work at her mother's restaurant and make a life for herself and her young son. But as any single parent can tell you, it gets lonely and Regina is no exception to that rule. So on one night, a slightly drunk Regina and not so drunk Dylan hook up.

It was a one night stand that had consequences that goes long past that night.

Dylan Hunter is the older brother of Caleb (Sea Witch's hero). He's also the sibling who pulled the selkie bloodline when he turned 13. As such, his mother and he disappeared into the sea. He's determined to remain a selkie, but his prince, Conn, has ordered him back to World's End, the island of his childhood, to find out why the demon world is interested in the goings on and if it has anything to do with a prophecy that involves Dylan's mother and their bloodline.

Once Dylan returns to the island, he finds himself drawn back to Regina and her life as he finds that Regina may be as much in danger as Margred before her. In spite of himself, he is drawn into the human world that he wants to run from but cannot.

The strength of Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) isn't in the paranormal plotline. That's the flavoring, but not the meal of the story. The strength is in the characters. Regina is proud and prickly with every reason to be. Dylan has issues about his mother, his father, and his own identity conflict. Regina's mother Antonia is more strongwilled and stubborn than her daughter. Regina's son, Nick, loves his mother, wouldn't mind a father, but has reservation of his own as Dylan and Regina seem to grow closer. Add to that mix is the tenuous brotherly bonds between Dylan and Caleb as well as Dylan's difficulty in coming to terms with his father and you've got a story that doesn't completely rely on the novelty of the paranormal touches.

In fact, the paranormal touches are almost a distraction. Almost but not quite. Because the world of the selkie, the humans and the demon world are colliding and this installment of the series highlights that conflict that is coming.

What Kantra does well is that she balances the two elements: the characters interaction and the action. In Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), the characters drove the action more than the action driving the characters and I really liked that.

Still, there was enough action and intrigue and questions still hanging in the air to set up for the next installment of the series, Sea Lord, which isn't due out until 2009.

As I did with Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), I am looking forward to that book and read Lucy's story.