Washington Books

Absolutly the best book of one the finest "artists" in recent American history. Ken Cory's work, best described as "Play Disguised" has a wonderful childlike quaility to it. Written by friends and family after his passing it chronicles his life and work with great anecdotes my favorite being the "John Colt" letter to his teacher from abroad as a teen. Excellently published with lots of wonderful drawings and photos of his work, shop and home. This book belongs on every artist's shelf! It needs to be in print for ever! A hardcover would be welcome as well. Get it NOW!

An underappreciated text about an underappreciated artist. For anyone who's convinced inventiveness has packed its bags and left the country, this is the book that will change your mind. This is a comprehensive yet readable book about the Northwest artist Ken Cory's delightfully funky, perverse, and beautifully crafted jewelry - truly little gems that most of the art world knows little about. Mitchell does a fine job of giving Cory his due credit, and putting his life and work in a context that is entirely relavent to what we think we already know about jewelry and art and craft. Extensive photos and a beautiful publication from top to bottom. Check out Mitchell's Summer 03 article in Metalsmith magazine on another diamond in the rough, Don Tompkins.

That's Denzel Washington (not Eric Clapton) teaming his prodigious talents with those of blues legend B.B. King in this powerful retelling of the classic American legend. This is another treasure from Rabbit Ear productions: a beautifully illustrated book that can be read on its own, or with the included cassette. Go for the cassette first: You'll be treated to Denzel Washington's warm, rich, folksy, awe-struck, conversational narration.

"So y'all listen up, `cause I'm gonna tell you the guaranteed, gold plated, ninety-nine-point-nice percent truth about John Henry."

Then, enjoy the inimitable riffs of B.B. King, as he and his guitar (presumably "Lucille") sing out with the pure, clear, authenticity of the blues: "My name is John Henry. I'm a born natural man. I was born one morning with a hammer in my hand . . . " This is collector material.

John Henry's triumph defends the dignity and perseverance of human labor against the encroaching machine. In its own small way, with a low-tech assist from the aural majesty of Washington and King, this volume preserves and extends the pleasures of the written page.

John Henry is one of the best Rabbit Ears titles - which is saying a lot. BB King is wonderful; Denzel Washington is wonderful. I'm not writing this for me - but if my 8 year old goes to sleep to it every (I mean, make sure you rewind that tape) night, then it is a wonderful book

I am so pleased to find that I may be able to obtain copies of this wonderful book at this time! The photographs of scenes in the Northwest are magnificent, sensitive, and intriguing. I have a copy signed by the artist/author that is admired by everyone who sees it. Any artist can benefit from studying the composition and color of these magnificent photos. I'm proud to be acquainted with Joshel Namkung--you too can get to know him through this beautiful collection of photographs. (Why doesn't Amazon give us photo samples for books like this, as they do sound samples for CDs?) Trust me, these are wonderful images! (I am a native of the Northwest.)

I am so pleased to find that I may be able to obtain copies of this wonderful book at this time! The photographs of scenes in the Northwest are magnificent, sensitive, and intriguing. I have a copy signed by the artist/author that is admired by everyone who sees it. Any artist can benefit from studying the composition and color of these magnificent photos. I'm proud to be acquainted with Joshel Namkung--you too can get to know him through this beautiful collection of photographs. (Why doesn't Amazon give us photo samples for books like this, as they do sound samples for CDs?) Trust me, these are wonderful images!

In this gripping and controversial biography, Anne-Maree Whitaker uncovers the role of Joseph Foveaux, a neglected and sometimes unfairly criticised key figure in the colony's development.

The vivid prose plunges the reader into the worlds in which Foveaux moved: the elaborate milieu of parliamentary politics and patronage in London, and the rough and tumble of the colonies of Norfolk Island and New South Wales where he was lieutenant governor.

We meet the irascible William Bligh, the visionary Lachlan Macquarie, leading colonists including John Macarthur and D'Arcy Wentworth and an enormous cast of supporting characters in Britain and the colonies.

"I have never yet met with any Officer...that is more eminently qualified for forming and conducting to maturity and perfection any infant colony committed to his charge," wrote Governor Macquarie in 1810, praising Joseph Foveaux, the man who had presided over the colony of New South Wales since the controversial Governor Bligh was relieved of his duties two years before.

If you saw any of the Sydney during the Olympics, you are sure to find this account of its early years a fascinating revelation. Based on the life of Lieutenant Governor Joseph Foveaux, demonised in Robert Hughes' The Fatal Shore, this book reveals the links and patronage networks which held the British empire together. I liked the way the author in each chapter flung the reader into a physical description of the place where the action happens. And I even found myself caring about Foveaux's successes and setbacks. This is a warm, elegantly written and compelling new departure in Australian historical writing.

Journal of Mule Train Packing in Eastern Washington in the 1860's by James W. Watt is a short, easy to read, book with tremendous connection with the past. Rarely does one have the opportunity to read actual accounts of the difficulties individuals went through in an effort to seek out their own personal business and survive during the 1800's. When we study the development of the western portion of the US we picture carts and wagons of pioneers struggling to a new life. Rarely do we realize that a tremendous amount of development occurred before there were wagon roads and much of this activity was accomplished with the use of mules packing supplies to the many places we visit by car. Mules and mule packing was one of the few ways to convey large amounts of necessary items during the western development. The book Journal of Mule Train Packing in Eastern Washington in the 1860's by James W. Watt is an outstanding collections of one man's recollection of how his life was spent packing with mules to the various camps and now cities in Eastern Washington. I highly recommend the book for any equine or mule enthusiasts, or historians who want to learn more about the development of the West.

Journal of Mule Train Packing in Eastern Washington in the 1860's by James W. Watt is a short, easy to read, book with tremendous connection with the past. Rarely does one have the opportunity to read actual accounts of the difficulties individuals went through in an effort to seek out their own personal business and survive during the 1800's. When we study the development of the western portion of the US we picture carts and wagons of pioneers struggling to a new life. Rarely do we realize that a tremendous amount of development occurred before there were wagon roads and much of this activity was accomplished with the use of mules packing supplies to the many places we visit by car. Mules and mule packing was one of the few ways to convey large amounts of necessary items during the western development. The book Journal of Mule Train Packing in Eastern Washington in the 1860's by James W. Watt is an outstanding collections of one man's recollection of how his life was spent packing with mules to the various camps and now cities in Eastern Washington. I highly recommend the book for any equine or mule enthusiasts, or historians who want to learn more about the development of the West.

The fact that Early was able to make this raid is in itself a miracle. This is by far the most entertaining and best researched book on this subject. It offers great fun and deep understanding of this most important Civil War action. Early is a complex figure and Vandiver shows us the person under the facade.

Many works about Jubal Early's 1864 Valley Campaign have been produced, but none come close to this one. Frank Vandiver's JUBAL'S RAID stands out as, by far, the most lively and insightful of all the 1864 Valley histories, keeping the reader riveted throughout. This is a superb book that should be on every Civil War library shelf.

Anybody interested in politics and the Supreme Court is bound to be enthralled by this book. It is I suppose mainly a reference book but I read it cover to cover in less than two days. It includes a number of ratings of Presidents, and also ratings of Supreme Court Justices. Each person nominated for the Supreme Court is described, together with a sketch of his (or her) work on the Court after confirmation. Some may disagree with some of the judgments, but in general they resonate well. This is a great book. I noted a few errors and will list them, tho they are minor. On page 189 it is stated that "the key slogan of Eisenhower's campaign in 1952" was "Had enough?" That was the Republican slogan in 1946. The slogan in 1952 was a much milder one: "I Like Ike." On page 345 footnote 14 lists the Senators who voted against Senator Hugo Black's confirmation as Justice of the Supreme Court, and names one of the six Democrats who voted against him as Burke (N.H.) This is an error; Burke was a Senator from Nebraska, not from New Hampshire. On page 364 footnoe 63 gives the citation for United States v. Eichman as 496 U.S. 310 at 4776. This is an obvious error, since no opinion goes on from page 310 to page 4776. I have not checked the page number of the language quoted, but it is not on page 4776 since no volume of the U.S. Reports has that many pages. But these minor errors do not mean the book is poorly edited. In general the editing is quite good. This is a book that any person interested in the Court should own.

Professor Henry J. Abraham has long been recognized as an expert on the Supreme Court's history and federal judicial appointments process. His book, "Justices, Presidents, and Senators," is newly revised to include information on President Clinton's nominations to the Court (Ginsburg and Breyer). Professor Abraham provides insight on some of the top contenders for the High Court, the politics and process of evaluating potential Supreme Court Justices, and enlightens the reader on the contentious battles before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Professor Abraham examines the Supreme Court appointments process and why certain individuals were selected over others. For example, Justice John Paul Stevens, who was nominated by President Ford (Republican), was chosen in part because he was "confirmable" by a heavily-Democratic Senate, especially in the Watergate aftermath. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was originally considered by President Ford for the seat currently held by Justice Stevens, but President Reagan nominated her instead several years later. Another example of political strategy and perfect timing is the elevation of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and the nomination of Justice Antonin Scalia. Both of their contributions to the decisions of the Court has impacted, to some degree, the workings of the lower courts and the federal judiciary's original understanding of the Constitution and how that should play when decisions are made.

This book's latter sections are divided by the tenure of several Chief Justices, starting with Earl Warren. I find these sections thoroughly fascinating. The last fifty years for the Surpeme Court has arguably been the most interesting period of time since the founding of the Constitution. Beginning with Brown v. Board of Education, the Court has exerted more power and significantly more influence that is more widely recognized in today's society. Professor Abraham details the individual Justices and their famous (and infamous) contributions to jurisprudence and understanding of the Constitution. This book also contains some statistical information on the ratings of Supreme Court Justices and ratings of Presidents in its appendix.

I highly recommend this book not only for academic reasons but for personal reasons, as well. Many Americans have misunderstood the role of the courts and their jurisdiction. I think this book is a fair attempt to dispel some of those misunderstandings. The book is not written from a perspective of a bitter partisan or a politician attempting to deceive Americans (unlike Alan Dershowitz).

Overall, this book provides a fair and balanced approach to the Supreme Court, its appointments process, and significance it plays in American society. This is one of the best books on the Supreme Court I have ever read.

This book is meticulously researched and indulges the maritime history buff with accurate detail. Steve Russell also presents the history of the times surrounding Kalakala's reign as Seattle's icon. Interesting anecdotes and crisp archival photos bring the past alive for all of us. The striking black and white cover with the stylized artistic rendition of the Kalakala on the front invites everyone to open the book and enjoy the spirit of the classic streamlined ferry. You can't go wrong with this purchase.

The KALAKALA's story is an incredible journey - and this book captures it all! It sweeps you from the turn of the last century, into the depths of the Great Depression where a Puget Sound entrepreneur sought to create the world's first streamlined ferry as a way to lift the spirits of the community - and to make a bold statement for capitalism at a time when many questioned its longevity. The KALAKALA was THE icon of Seattle and Puget Sound for much of the 20th century - only to be abandoned and forgotten on a beach in Alaska in the 1970s. That is, until a sculptor, Peter Bevis laid eyes on her and spent the next 14 years of his life struggling to refloat her and return her home. This book is a Puget Sound classic - filled with beautiful photos of yesteryear. It tells an inspiring tale of one man risking all to create this ship in the 1930s, and another man, sixty years later, risking all to save her. No Seattle home library is complete without this magnificent volume.

I am not completely finished with this book, but wanted to post a review urging all who are interested in the history of our country to read this.

Mrs. Graham has gathered articles from many people associated with the govenment and also some who were natives of Washington and in the social scene. Some were White House employees. She has written an introduction to each article which is helpful.

There are many interesting stories never seen before. I especially liked the articles of behind the scenes preparations for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939 by White House employees. Eleanor Roosevelt's article is different than the one she has in her book as it does not include the stop at Hyde Park.

Mamie is presented as a difficult taskmaster by the White House seamstress. All good reading.

I don't know if young folks will enjoy this book as much as I did, but they should give it a try.

Only objection. There were not enough pictures!

After reading Graham's personal history I was dissapointed that there was nothing else written by her. This book fufills that dissapointment. She provides all sorts of views about Washington even though she doesn't agree with them all. There are articles written by Nancy Reagan, Henry Kissinger, Alice Roosevelt, and many, many more. A great read for anyone interested in Graham or Washington.

This was an interesting book that covered the personal life of Katherine Graham in great detail. However, I really had a hard time finding much about her true leadership style other than perhaps two sentences in the entire book. The totality of her leadership style would have to be deduced through the anecdotal material presented in the book. If you want to really know who she was and what she did, this is the one book to read. Was she a tremendous individual who fought hard to keep and build a great organization? Yes. Is it worth the time to read it? Yes.

Why read this book? A convincing answer is provided by Jim Collins in the Foreword, and I quote: "If I were forced to pick one business leader from whom to draw professional learning and personal aspirations, that one leader would very likely be Katharine Graham." As is the case with other great leaders, Collins explains, she delivered great results during her tenure, achieved a distinctive impact on the world "by creating a a role model that others follow," presided over "a significant crisis or renewal, in part by creating a role model that others follow," and finally, she left a legacy that "transcends her own tenure, and ultimately beyond her life." High praise indeed and wholly justified by Graham's professional achievements and personal integrity.

What we have in this volume is Robin Gerber's probing, illuminating analysis of a woman who once observed that she led "what I thought of as two separate lives. Wife and mother for twenty-three years, and then working person for thirty." It is her career as CEO of the Washington Post Company which has attracted the most attention but only by understanding her as a daughter, wife, mother, and widow, however, can we possibly appreciate both her personal growth and professional achievements. Of course, in her own memoirs (Personal History and Katharine Graham's Washington) she shares much of the same material which Gerber covers also. Here are what I consider to be especially significant facts:

1. Until her husband, Philip, committed suicide, Graham had had almost no direct involvement in the business world.

2. Following his death, she refused to sell the company and became its CEO, relying heavily on the management team to face a series of crises.

3. First, whether or not to publish the Pentagon Papers and thereby risk prosecution under the Espionage Act, jeopardize the company's IPO, and perhaps its lucrative television licenses. She decided to publish.

4. Then, whether or not to support Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's investigation of the Watergate break-in and thereby incur the full wrath of the Nixon administration. She provided that support although, as she later admitted, "I was terrified" and "quaking in my boots."

Gerber skillfully examines each of these and other stressful situations and defining moments. Of greatest interest to me is Graham's gradual, sometimes painful acquisition of business acumen despite the shock and grief caused by her husband's death, especially at a time when the Post Company was going through its own serious difficulties. As countless others have already pointed out, Graham eventually developed outstanding leadership qualities and management skills without at any time compromising her personal decency and integrity. At the time of her death, those who knew her best loved her as much as they respected her.

If you share my high regard for Gerber's book, I urge you to read those which Graham wrote, "in her own words" and apparently without professional assistance. She was genuinely astonished by the fact that Personal History immediately became and then remained a bestseller. Few others were. Certainly no one among more than 4,000 who attended her funeral service on Monday, July 23, 2001, at Washington National Cathedral.

Robert McNamara served as a pallbearer with Vernon Jordan and her brother-in-law, Senator Robert Graham of Florida. Herbert Allen, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Mike Nichols, Jim Lehrer, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, and Bob Woodward were among the ushers. Senators arrived in a bus as did hundreds of her associates at the Washington Post. In his eulogy, Ben Bradlee fondly referred to her as "Brenda Starr, girl reporter, [always] at the scene and ready to go." Probably better than anyone else did, Bradlee understood why having both "the heart of a journalist" and "the head of a businesswomen" made Katharine Graham "one of the greatest publishers of the last two centuries."