Pennsylvania Books

Just the title provides food for thought: Blue Ridge 2020, An Owner's Manual, reminds us that the public has a responsibility for effective stewardship of the public lands in the Blue Ridge. I also like the play on words of 2020--hindsight is 20/20, and if we don't take a hard, clear look at what is happening to the ecology of the Blue Ridge and work hard to improve it, we will have deep regrets by the year 2020. The human scale of twenty years is very effective. I'm 31--what kind of Blue Ridge will I experience at 51? As a local environmental activist in the Page Valley, I find this book is a tremendously useful and motivating resource. In one book, Steve Nash provides an overview of specific problems and practical solutions. His writing style is clear and accessible. If you care about the health about the Blue Ridge or want up to date information about the quality of air and water in the mountains, this is a book you need to read. This is one of the best "state of the ecology" books I've read, and it is particularly useful for its regional approach.

The story starts off with Annie and Michael being infants born on the same day. Their mothers has been best friends since they were kids. The babies seems to sense the other and constantly need touch one another. The friends then makes a pact for them to bethroth to one another. One of the mothers is married to an man in the service so she is going to be moving. Then the story begins 25 years later. For Annie her mother has been drumming into her head that Michael is her future husband so when the two mothers work it out for Michael to come back to the small hometown. Annie has set out to make sure he is not the one. When she lets Michael know in no uncertain terms that he is not her type he sets out to prove her wrong. He has no idea about the pact and does not believe Annie whenever she mentions it. It is humorous the way "words can come back to haunt you". You have to read the book to find out the outcome. Enjoy.

After postponing the wedding due to a high risk pregnancy, art therapist Zoe Hayes is in the final countdown to saying I do. Although she is run off her feet, she remains relatively calm as she deals with an upset hyperactive wedding planner and dodging her boss at the Psychiatric Institute. Her home is taken over by her fiancé's two brothers Tony and Sam, who look almost exactly like her beloved. She does not mind them monopolizing her home and her fiancé Detective Nick Silver, but she wishes they would include her in their discussions.

Zoe's tranquility is shattered when she discovers a gutted woman on her patio. The police think it was a drug deal that turned hideous as the suppliers worked her over to get to illegal contraband inside her stomach. That theory goes down in flames when the victim is identified as a Homeland Security Agent who Tony recognizes as the woman who bumped into him.

The forth Zoe Hayes mystery is hilarious as it is fun to watch the heroine jump from one crisis to another while also dealing with post partum depression, bridal anxiety disorder, caring for a disorderly baby, and trying to fit in with Nick's eccentric family. Readers are interested in the goings on of the cast as it seems everyone seeks something from everyone else even the dead agent. Chaos is the norm for Zoe and the guys while humor and excitement is the norm for readers.

Harriet Klausner

Bounded Missions: Military Regimes And Democratization In The Southern Cone And Brazil by Craig L. Arceneaux (Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo) is an extensive and articulated survey and analysis of civil-military relations and history, especially during the latter half of the twentieth century. Ranging from revolution in Argentina to the controlled transition in Brazil, Bounded Missions offers extensively researched and detailed data, all while drawing erudite and insightful conclusions on the history and future of nations. Bounded Missions is highly recommended for Latin American Studies, Political Science, and Military History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

As a displaced native of the Brandywine Valley and a frequent visitor, I found this book to be a delicious portrayal of a unique area. The photography is generous, rich and superb. The reader feels as if he is truly a part of the spectacular rolling hills and historic homes that make the Brandywine a treasure. The text is informative and accurate. After reading this book, one will indeed have an "insider's" view of the region and its special composition of residents, history and natural beauty. Through many years, I have collected several volumes related to the Brandywine Valley. This one is by far my favorite. I have purchased several copies as gifts for friends who cherish the area as much as I, many of whom are long-time residents of the region. They all have related their pleasure and joy with the content of the book. In summation, an excellent effort which I highly recommend. Well done! William Sydnor

I own hundreds of books on ceramic design, instruction, etc. This book seems to end up in my hands on a regular basis when I want to read something just to enjoy the creativity of other artists. It is well written, the pictures are fantastic, and it is full of inspiration. If you have any interest in clay, brickwork, etc, this book is a must buy!

Jerold C. Frakes is no less than a genius, really, and the only reason I'm bothering to write this review is to encourage anyone who's remotely interested in medieval German sagas to get it, and the sooner the better.
The book focuses on women's roles in three 13th century German sagas - Nibelungenlied (Song of the Nibelungs), Diu Klage (Lament of the Nibelungs), and Kudrun - and not without a good reason; in many German (pagan) myths and oral traditions, women characters are unusually dominant, a phenomenon that's entirely foreign to the more popular eastern traditions - specifically the Greek and the Roman.
Frakes, who's evidently not only fluent in both contemporary German and medieval German in particular (on top of other European languages) but is also highly educated and knowledgeable in general, explores the roles of women in medieval German women's epics within a list of fascinating contexts, in which he courageously presents fresh and revolutionary feminist arguments:

1. Philology and/as Patriarchy: The Conventions of Nibelungenlied Scholarship
2. Women, Property, and Power
3. Pillow Talk: Intimate Conversations - Political Strategies
4. Teuton as Amazon: The Devil's Bride and the She-Devil
5. Inconclusive Intermezzo: The Monsters, the Critics, Diu Klage
6. Women, Sovereignty, and Class in Kudrun
7. Suone as Social (Trans)formation
8. Women's Epic and/as Masculist Backlash

In conclusion, this book is truly an intellectual, well researched masterpiece, that's a priceless item in any serious bibliography in its field.

I bought this book for my aunt who grew up and still lives in Bridesburg (a Philadelphia neighborhood). She loves it, while paging through the book she pointed out pictures of stores that have changed names, for instance a funeral parlor which is there now used to be a grocery store back in the 1950's. She recognized photo's of people she knew. She loves the book and I enjoy reading it along with her. If you know of someone who lives or lived in Bridesburg, I am sure it will be a great gift for them.

I loved this book. This is a book about courage, love, hope, fear, and taking chances. This book takes place in early century Pennsylvania where many Polish immigrants located to, upon arrival into America. Many people don't know what our grandparents, or great grandparents endured inleaving behind their birth countries and on a new world. This book is full of historical information. It crosses over many generations and you fall in love with the characters. you share their joys and their sorrows. I hope Mrs. Wickwire writes many more book in the future.

After living out of state for far too many years.I purchased Walter Choroszewski's pictorial essay of Bucks County Pa. This book recently inspired me to revisit this beautiful county. Mr. Choroszewski's book includes color photographs of the Delaware River and canal, covered bridges,barns,county and state parks,lakes,historic and modern buildings, water falls, festivals and people.This book show's a wonderful cross section of Bucks County from Bristol to north of Lake Nockamixon and from the Montgomery County line to the Delaware River. The cover photo is of the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge before its unfortunate demise. I remember taking bike hikes to this bridge as a kid. This book is a "must have" for any fan of Bucks County. Ahh, I am seriously thinking of moving back!