Washington Books

This was an amazing book, one of my favorites by a good deal.

It tells the story of the USS Washington, from birth till victory in WWII (which effectively ended its life. In a real tragedy what's left of the Washington is probably razor blades and paper clips right now . . .)

The perspective is from the men who served on board her, but it does not follow any specific group, it weaves together different crewmembers experience into a composite of what the ship went through. You get an appreciation of what daily life must have been from the lowest ranks to the O-10 Admirals on board during the war. The writing enables this because it is so absorbing, detailed, and fluid.

The USS Washington was in a bit of an odd place historically. It was a battleship in what would prove to be a carrier war, so its prestige status in the fleet was cut short of its designers aspirations as soon as its brethren were settling on the silt in Pearl Harbor. Its technical prestige status would later be eclipsed by the Iowa class battleships, the largest U.S. and widely considered to be the most supreme battleships ever built, likely able to best even the Yamato and Musashi thanks to radar fire control and some other innovative design features. Yet despite this position it would be the USS Washington that would be the battleship to do the most to win the war.

The story follows the ship starting with its shakedown cruise, where you can see just how many teething problems a ship as large as 45,000 ton war wagon will inevitably have, especially considering the level of engineering analyses available to her designers at the time. Training then proceeded to the heat of the Caribbean, complete with Monkey stow-aways. After Pearl the USS Washington is surprisingly sent to the Northern Atlantic to help the British escort convoys on the Murmansk run. The comparison between the American and British navies was particularly interesting. The American radar control of the main and secondary batteries was essentially two orders of magnitude better than what any other nation had in WWII. The most amazing moment on the Murmansk run is when a British battleship slices in half a British destroyer, and how the fleet reacts. However the USS Washington is never fully committed to battle in the North Seas, much to the frustration of her crew.

The Washington then gets called to the Pacific for the eventual push all the way to Japan, starting with the Solomons. Here the Washington proves her worth, especially in the early naval battles around Guadalcanal where victory was very much in doubt. The most distinguished part of her career, and some of the most white knuckle, page turning reading in the book, is when the Washington and South Dakota go toe-to-toe with the Kirishima and Hiei, two Japanese ships of the line. Washington emerges victorious after sending Kirishima to the bottom. The Washington continues to make her presence known with multiple shore bombardment raids. Later in the war she primarily provides anti-aircraft cover for the Halsey's carriers. In another moment of sheer frustration Washington is flagship of TF 34 which is denied the opportunity to pursue Kurita's center force in the Battle of Leyte, despite Admiral Lee's request to Halsey. Had TF 34 engage Kurita it would have been the type of open ocean battleship to battleship engagement that the Navy had been built around for decades, but which never really came to pass.

Despite the intensity of the battles the book really is about life on board the ship, which could be downright tedious when not in the combat zone. There are plenty of foul-ups, lighthearted moments, and horseplay to shield the reader from any boredom however.

The Washington's collision with the Indiana is another astounding piece of real life history, and again expertly crafted into words by the author.

If anyone has a family member who served in the Navy during WWII, if anyone has ever wondered what it was like inside a ship at war, if anyone has an interest in battlehips or their history this book will be tremendously enjoyable. I only hope that someday it is re-published so that more people can be introduced to the amazing story of the Washington and the men who fought her in the greatest naval war in history.

An excellant book which gives the average individual an insight to one of the most remarkable ships in the US Navy. Covers the history from the ships design to her scrapping. Tells in great detail, yet in a very readable text, the story of the crew, the officers and the ship in World War II.

Battleship at War catalogs the relatively brief but action packed career of USS Washington, one of the great ships to serve in the Navy during World War Two. Of all the American battleships to serve during the war, Washington had the most distinguished career, serving in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and sinking the Japanese battleship Kirishima during the Second Naval battle of Guadalcanal. This book righfully takes its place alongside Edward Stafford's "The Big E" (which narrates the career of the carrier Enterprise) as a premier work of the genre. It is incredible to me that both of these great titles are out of print, just as it is incredible to me that the richest country in the world could have failed to preserve these proud ships when other ships with much less distinguished careers survive to this day. Battleship at War is a must read for anybody who is serious about naval history.

This book made me feel like I was part of this
amazing, ground breaking, informative conversation. I learned
an immense amount, and it served as a great compliment
to my weekly lessons.

In this book, Murrays shared their unique insights in connecting Raymond Dart's developmental process and movement with F.M. Alexander's technique. From it,I got a much clear understanding of "mechanical advantage" and the technique of F.M. Alexander. I also treasure Murray's emphasis in a dynamic process rather than a fix or static position. The editor did a great job in footnotes and photos that link and clarify various references. This book is a must read for anyone interested in Alexander Technique, poise and movement. An understanding of Alexander technique and reading in Raymond Dart's "skill and Poise" may be required to appreciate the messages conveyed in this book.

This book ranks right up there with the works of Walter Carrington as required reading for any serious student and all teachers of the Alexander Technique (second only, of course, to Alexander's own books). I have had the amazing experience of having had a few lessons with the Murrays and can attest to the value of their "Dart procedures" for me personally. This tightly edited, easy-to-read book is the only comprehensive, written account of the Murrays' work with the technique. It details the genesis of the "Dart procedures," their basis in core Alexander technique principles and practical tips for the student and teacher. The numerous photographs are a critical aid to understanding. (Not for beginners. This book will likely be beyond those who have had no lessons in the technique.)

I personally am very selective when it comes to any art survey volume. An art survey I have found can be either very weak, or very important and powerful, yet rarely anything in-between. In terms of the Italian Renaissance they are rarely on the powerful side as they don't function to serve the key purposes for historians, curators, and collectors. Most importantly surveys rarely clarify the impact of significant artists of a period and their relationship to the bigger realm of art history between their collective works. This is not the case with Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting.

For example, the current exhibition, of the same title, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The rich and informative catalogue by David Allan Brown et al., a publication done in association with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., focuses on the most intense period of the Renaissance in Venice. The work examines a time when Giorgione, Titian (young at the time,) Sebastiano del Piombo, and Palma Vecchio worked alongside each other, and their lesser known colleagues, each and all in the light of the great Giovanni Bellini. The period which is examined represents the first three decades of the sixteenth century. It also represents a pivotal and major period of visual, and intellectual, impact for Italian art in Italy, Europe, and the world.

Brown et. al. does not handle this exhibition catalogue like a normal, or typical, survey. With 336 p., 9 1/2 x 11 1/2 , 31 halftones + 162 color illus. it is a masterfully planned art volume. Although written in a serious and scholarly manner, a layman will enjoy it.

The volume does not divide up the artists, but looks at their interrelationships. Secular subjects are explored, as are themes of music, love, and time. The leading scholars efforts, along with their detailed entries, provides a solid source for continuing discussion of pictures that are nothing short of monumental.

Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting is an exhibition book that is, in my view, well worth obtaining now while available at the publisher price. I see this work as a required addition to any great library on Renaissance art today, and will certainly be valued tomorrow.

This remarkable show (and catalogue) is a summary of Venetian painting from 1500 to 1530, allowing a side by side comparison of the work of Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian in what was one of Venice's astonishing high water marks of artistic creativity.

Once you have been bitten by the bug, these paintings are with you for good. Seeing this work firsthand, one can't help be seduced by the ravishing, luminous beauty light and layers of glazing that makes these paintings unique. The stillness in some of these works suggest the real subject here is light and color -- something these Venetians seem to have captured like no other group of artists.

The reproductions in the catalogue are quite good, and there are a very generous amount of close detail shots of the paintings too -- something particularly useful in illustrating the intricacy of detail in Giorgione's work. The essays are interesting, but my favorite is one I almost missed after the technical photographs of xrays in the back: an essay which describes how the Venetian painters were at a remarkable crossroads of shared experimentation in color including glassmakers, creators of fabric dyes, and other tradesmen that contributed to a new world of color effects in paint. For example the painters would use finely ground glass mixed into the oils to give the glazes a more bright, refractory quality.

This is a captivating show and a great catalogue to accompany it.

A must for the student and lover of the Renaissance and Venice in particular.

We bought this book when my son was 3 and my daughter was still catching a ride in the backpack. We needed easy but nice hikes and boy did we find them. It gives good accurate directions and realistic difficulty rating. A big plus if you are hiking with toddlers. My kids are now 6 and 4 and is still our favorite hike book. You won't be disappointed and you will find a ton of hikes that are close to home yet you feel miles away.

This book (and it's companion volume) are highly appropriate for families, children of most ages and for less than highly active adults.

Thoroughly Recommended!

This book will give possibilities for varying degrees of difficulty hikes and day spots to visit. The best resource I have ever found.

No more sifting through field guides containing hundreds of birds you will never see around here. The authors of this book have limited their scope to the birds of this region. Many helpful illustrations and charts help a beginner with identification. I plan to use this book to assist Boy Scouts with their Bird Studies Merit Badge

This in an excellent book for the birds in this area. My 5 year old can identify all the birds in our backyard and can easily look up the new birds that come around. A must for parents who have children and birdfeeders.

Birds of Seattle and Puget Sound is our most used identification source. We are beginners, and get confused with tomes which identify every bird in North America. This little book brings us the instant joy of identifying our flying guests while they are still at the feeder or bath. We appear to be "experts" to our house guests who marvel at the variety of birds visiting our yard.

After I read the first poem, I felt like this book was "talking to me" and continued reading the rest of the book. Having 2 boys, one with autism inspired me to read this book. I also realized that so many of the poems touch our everyday lives in more ways than I can list. Now when I need an uplift, I select a poem from the book and read it several times. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS. You can carry the book with you for those moments outside of the home when you need an immediate uplift.

This book is a beautiful compilation of inspring, uplifting messages for your soul. Whether you are going through challenges now, or your experience of life is its grandeur and splendor, these thoughts WILL brighten your day!
This book touches all regardless of religious, cultural or spiritual base from which the individual views life.
I highly recommend this book for everyone. We ALL need a little light in our days or nights sometimes.
I am confident you will turn to this book again and again.

I read the whole book in one sitting. Then I started over, slowly, one poem at a time. The blessings are clear. Each poem grants a daily lesson for those who love to reflect. You will see yourself in the poems. Deeply personal and life-revealing, they are well written and easy to read. Highly recommended!

Book arrived much more quickly than I expected...especially it being over the holidays. Great information. A lot of recognizable wineries, close too! Good purchase.

Elisabeth Frater's lovely travel guide is great for both residents and visitors. I have lived in Northern Virginia for 13 years and don't even drink alcohol, but I found this book to be useful. Frater gives clear, concise information, but also offers opinions. You hear the facts about each winery, but you also here the stories behind each one.

I have enjoyed living in this area much more after using Frater's book to plan weekend trips. Her book was invaluable when family came to visit recently.

Comprehensive review of the wineries in Virginia and Maryland. Describes how each of the wineries got started and a bit about the owners, growers, and/or winemakers. Also offers a brief summary of the wines produced. Includes sidebar-type sections on such topics as individual varietals, wine festivals, and competitions.

A wonderful resource if you like weekend getaways, beautiful farms, and, of course, sipping wine! Indispensable for budding regional wine connoisseurs and casual travelers alike.

Butterflies through Binoculars: A Field, Finding, and Gardening Guide to Butterflies in Florida (Butterflies and Others Through Binoculars Field Guide Series,) This is an excellent reference book for butterfly lovers in the State of Florida. I take it with me on my butterfly field trips and when I sit in my yard to observe them. The book has excellent photos, detailed information for each species, and the habitat locations. It's an easy book to carry and pack.

This is one of the best presented field guides I have ever seen. Each and every species of Florida butterfly is pictured and described. Most butterfly guides I've seen use pictures of preserved specimens in a collection. This can be confusing because parts of the wings normally hidden are exposed when the collected specimen is mounted. This book avoids this problem by using only pictures taken in the wild (except for a few rare species). No more unnatural poses!

The text is easily readable without extensive knowledge of obscure scientific words and has enough humor to keep it from getting dry and technical, but not so much that it overpowers the book.

This book deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in Florida butterflies.

If you are looking for a filed guide to the butterflies of the northeastern United States, this is THE book to get. Written for a relatively small geographical area, the book contains only those butterflies likely to be seen in the regioon...unlike other guidebooks which offer many photos of butterflies not native to the regioon you are in. Excellent photos and the reduced subject area result in quick identifications. Although written for the northeast, the book is useful over a wider range...I have even used it in Texas to great effect. Don't put too much stock in the information about flight period and abundance, though. And don't expect much info on larval hostplants, etc

We have read both of Dave's books and he is certainly knowledgable in real estate. Dave also has helped us in the buying process, and all has run smoothly. We consider Dave a professional in all aspects of real estate. The book is filled with data that we did not truly know about concerning the market.

This book is packed with information that will help you if you've never bought a home, or have done so a dozen or more times. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should read Chapter 3 on selecting an Agent... If you are buying, selling, thinking of a career in Real Estate, or are already an Agent!

For many people like me, the home buying process is alien, confusing, and full of pitfalls. What I needed was a guide to help me quickly and effectively understand the entire process, along with the plethora of associated considerations.

David Rathgeber's home buying book gave me almost everything I needed to quickly make sense of the home buying process. He introduced me to all the major issues and considerations that I was about to face. Not only did he clearly address the most pertinent issues, but he also concisely provided abundant advice on each aspect of home buying, to include difficult issues such as understanding the emotional and psychological aspects that both the buyer and seller face. In this book, David even helps the reader understand how to get the appropriate professional help at the right time. This is done in a constructive manner that demonstrates to the reader that he is only one part of a team that is focused on making the home buying process successful.

Along with David's personal help in purchasing a home, this book provides almost everything that a home buyer needs, especially if the buyer is completely new to the home buying process. It is actually quite comforting to read this book in that David teaches the home buyer how to develop a healthy respect for all the participants no matter what their role may be. Toward this end, David articulates the human aspect of a stressful process that often can appear to be impersonal.

a great example of a leader in many respects. mostly self-educated, g.w. was wise in so many ways. i am amazed at his character and have enjoyed sharing these with my family. what i like about this book compared to others with similiar info is that the author puts the manners into modern day use, although they are first presented in the old english style which is good for the kids to see and hear. a definite library must!

By George! is a delightful and insightful compilation of George Washington's rules of civility, written when he was only 14 years old. The author does an outstanding job of adapting these basic rules of good conduct, written in the 1740's, to current society. These rules, illustrated by timely stories of people doing the right thing, not only help us understand the high standards George Washington expected of himself and others, they are a timeless treasure trove. In a world torn apart by violence and hatred, this little book teaches us that a little civility can make a big difference in our lives. I highly recommend By George! by Steven M. Selzer.

I was most impressed by the tone of the book. I expected a "stuffy" list of do's and don'ts only to find each of George Washington's rules of civility applied to today's social and business situations with great insight and a touch of humor. I was amazed to learn that the civil behavior we learned from our parents and teachers is based on the same rules of civility that George Washington lived by 250 years ago. Some things are truly timeless. We could all use a refresher course. I highly recommend By George!