Virginia Books

Those who have a passion for understanding the often complex, and sometimes, ambiguous, relationship between slavery and freedom in the colonial world will be pleased to read Anthony Parent's new work - Foul Means. This well written and exhaustively researched work discusses the aforementioned dilemma in Virginia from the mid-seventeenth to the mid-eighteenth century. The central argument is that the planter elite in Virginia, or "great planters," established America's racial dilemma. Modifying traditional colonial arguments, the author advances the thesis that planters were not conscious of their actions. "The analysis," contends Parent, "challenges the generally accepted belief that the shift to racial slavery was an `unthinking decision' on the part of a wide variety of aspiring planters who were responding to market and labor forces." (2) According to Parent, they knew that slavery was a pivotal cog in the colonial power wheel, and they carefully and consciously leveraged all available resources to tilt the balance in their favor. As for motivation, the planters were inspired by the ever shifting economic tides that existed between the New and Old Worlds.

The author emphasizes the importance of labor in the early American south and in England. The crown initially supported servitude in the colonies as means to promote and encourage economic development in the New World, but as Parent carefully articulates, the English economists came to realize the pitfalls of this arrangement. Charles II implemented this philosophy and "promoted the slave trade to preserve English labor for England." (60) The development of the slave trade became, in essence, more economically and lawfully viable for the crown.

Continuing with a tightly weaved chronological narrative, Parent discusses the role of tobacco as an impetus for class divisions in, and outside of, colonial Virginia. The lower prices of tobacco prompted the planters to look elsewhere for economic fervor. In short, they "promoted slavery as a remedy for the troubled tobacco economy." (81) The theme that planters were opportunists who monopolized each, and all, opportunities to suppress threats is well articulated by the author, and it is evident that their calculated manipulations shaped colonial America. Furthermore, their economic well being became a euphemism for freedom and the planters became so enmeshed with "white society in 1705," that they were "prepared to preserve racial slavery to the death." (129)
Highlighting the significance of slave rebellions, Parent is one of the first scholars to illuminate that insurrections "threatened the order of Virginia society." (172) He pays particular attention to the Chesapeake Rebellion and ties it to the dual role Christianity played in the early seventeenth century. Initially viewed as a way of controlling slaves and Indians, it later became a catapult (i.e., rumors of Christianity leading to emancipation) for prompting slaves to rebel against the white Virginia society. This interesting and insightful approach, paints a clear picture of how religion and freedom were interconnected entities in colonial society.

The only somewhat troubling portion of Parent's narrative was his constant referral to the ruling class in Virginia as the "great planters." They were not "great" in the pejorative sense, and perhaps the author struggled to label them. But were they really great at all? These elitist, such as William Byrd, had a large hand in creating an environment which supported and embraced racism. The lasting consequences of their actions have colored and corrupted American society for centuries. Why not assign a more appropriate title to these men, such as "economic tsars," or "colonial corrupters?"

The complexities of Parent's narrative touch on a wide array of facets, and in sum they advance a novel paradigm in colonial history. He convincingly demonstrates how slavery emerged in early Virginia history. Academics and peers should applaud Parent for this highly readable and carefully argued account of colonial history. This work should be required reading for all history students and economic historians.

"Foul Means" is a powerful expose' of the history of slavery in the Virginia Commonwealth. Because of its importance in earlier American history, one can say, "As Virginia goes, so goes America." Thus, in many ways this book traces the course of slavery throughout the thirteen colonies and beyond and provides a moving picture of the ruthlessness involved in the enslavement of an entire race.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction .

This true adventure story will curl your toes and your hair to think that four teenage boys accomplished this feat in 1971 and lived to tell the story. The book contains biographies of all four today and their perspectives of how they look at their adventure today. A great Read...

This true story is about four teenage boys who canoe the length of Texas' Guadalupe River. The foundation for this trip actually occurred as the boys were growing up in a small, central Texas town during the 1950s and 1960s.

The author begins the story by detailing the boys' idyllic childhood - that of building cities in a 20' by 20' sandbox, only to gleefully destroy them at the end of the day; playing baseball in a vacant lot; building forts; playing hide-and-seek; playing outside all day; riding bikes all over town; playing safely in the streets; and being watched by all of the neighborhood moms.

It is with this background, that Peter, Don, James, and Mark begin their journey down a 500 mile Texas river. The author tells the story by successfully intertwining the boys' journal entries, their current recall of the journey, photos and maps, and newspaper clippings.

The boys face several obstacles, including getting their parents to approve the trip. With the eventual approval and encouragement of their parents and a three-week training program by a well-known outdoorsman, the boys begin their 18-day journey on June 7, 1971.

The reader experiences the trip day-by-day through the boys' written journal entries. Their current recollections are added when needed. We learn of the good times, such as the exploration of an old hydroelectric plant and the warm reception by most folks along the trip. We also learn of the not-so-good times, such as the constant barrage of flies, ticks, and mosquitoes; the sunburns; the threatening thunderstorms; the "crotch" problems caused by walking and maneuvering in wet clothes; and the ever-present diamondback rattlesnake and cottonmouth moccasin. Most importantly, we learn the important life lessons that these boys learned during their journey - like the difference between bravery and stupidity when confronting a cottonmouth.

In addition to relying on the boys' actual journal entries and their own words, I like the fact that the author included the boys' current biographies and perspectives on their trip. I think that any young reader would benefit from the "priceless experience in teamwork, camaraderie, and self-reliance" that this book relays - especially when they see how the experience helped to create four exceptional men.

I would recommend this book to any young reader who is looking for real-life adventure and a sense of what the world was like during the late 1950s, the 1960s, and the early 1970s. They will learn much about preparation and execution of a dream; as well as, reflecting on that dream once it has been executed. As one of the boys states in the book, "The challenges may be different but the objective is the same ... set yourself a goal and achieve it...it will be time well spent and [will] give you stories to talk about for the rest of your lives."

This book is a fairly comprehensive look at the many old and historic structures in Fredrick County, Virginia. The main thrust of the book is to examine how the different waves of immigrants, new building technologies, and external events (such as the War between the States) have changed the construction and style of both public and private buildings in this region.

There is also an extensive catalog section (with photographs) giving a short history of specific buildings not otherwise mentioned elsewhere in the book.

"History Through Architecture" is grounded in a scholarly survey of historic buildings conducted in the late 1980s, and is much more than a look at the homes of the locally rich and famous. Ms. Kalbian's writing style is quite readable and although I find it more of a reference book than literature, I read it through cover to cover.

Well written, with extensive illustrations. This work chronicles building types from the oldest structures to the latest "I don't know what I'm building", cul-de-sac clogging, atrium stretching, doctor-lawyer-indian cheif McMansions and archituctural vomitus that Ms. Kalbian kindly refers to as neo-eclectic. Read this book so Joist Hite doesn't have to spin so fast.

This is the most complete authority on the systematics of Va. fishes anywhere. Cudos to Burkehead and Jenkins on such a comprehensive atlas.

Excellent. The most comprehensive regional ichthyofaunal guide to date

I, unfortunately, was only introduced to Michael Jecks' Templar Mystery Series this year. I had missed reading a good historical fiction / mystery. There are few who are good in this genre, who really do have some grasp of the historical period they "work in." It is only a few months ago that I read my first Jeck's mystery and at the end of August, 2006 I find myself having read all of his books to date and can't wait until the November release of his latest work in the U.S. I will have to go back to technical works, etc. until I can read another Jeck's book. My only regret is that this masterful writer can't produce more books, but that would not be humanly possible. It is a marvel that he is as productive as he is.

BTW, one cannot but become "close" to his primary characters.
If anyone is offended by any content, it is, after all, early 16th century England and the religio-political life he describes is well documented. If I were writing the books, I might have toned down some things, etc., but then I am not much of an author either as is the good Mr. Jeck's.

My "hat is off" to Jeck's who persists in writing well and often and not always appreciated for the quality of his work.
One would think BBC or other producer would give a try adapting his work to the screen even the little one (Telly).

For those readers who are familiar with Michael Jecks books, this one is just as good as all the rest. For those who have not read Michael Jecks, but like historical novels, particularly about medieval England, you are in for all real treat.

The two main characters in the books are Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock. Sir Baldwin is an ex Crusader knight, who has managed to escape the wrath of the French King who ordered the destruction of the Order and all of its members.

Sir Baldwin is now the head of the family manor after the death of his brother and is also Keeper of the King's Peace in Devon.

Word reaches Simon that a gang of men have broken into the house of his servant Hugh and attacked the family. When Simon reaches the cottage he find it burnt to the ground and the bodies already buried. It would seem that Hugh must have perished in a dreadful accident, but Simon and Sir Baldwin begin to suspect that there is much more to it than that

This book feels comfortable like an old pair of shoes.It is a short book and writing it was obviously a labor of love for the author.He describes a world we "baby boomers" remember and long for.If you have children or grandchildren, buy the book and read it to them.Take you time.This experience should be savoured as if you are slowly eating a piece of pie at a country restaurant.

If you grew up near Clifton, VA, or Fairfax Station, VA, in the 1950's then this book is written for you - and if you were a little boy growing up in that place and time, then this book is ABOUT you... There are many coming of age books about farm boys, but this memory journey with Mike Foley, across the near Eden of his childhood Clifton and out into the surrounding memoryscapes of Fairfax Station, and Centreville, and Fairfax City, with a detour to the sweetly old fasioned beach community of Bay Ridge, MD, is of historic interest because of the living human connections to an almost vanished Old South which a young boy found and fondly remembers...

Well I must say, the cover is quite nice. Ok, I guess I'm being a bit partial due to the fact that the face on the cover is my daughter, Lili. She is also on Fun with the Family in Southern California, Third Edition.

Hope you enjoy the books.

The book is divided up by regions and reviews attractions, historical sites, parks, museums, places to stay, and places to eat. It includes top picks (must see attractions) for each region so you won't miss anything if you only have a short time to tour. In addition to the in-depth reviews, as well as fun facts on people and places. The reviews include ages that would most enjoy the particular attraction. Essential for families travelling in Va.

If there were a ten star rating, I would give it to this book! If only all of our Presidents were so committed to the values of home and garden.

This is a wonderful book, both for Jefferson fans and gardeners. Since I'm both, it is doubly wonderful. You can read Jefferson's records of what he planted when, his observations about all sorts of garden topics, his letters to friends and family about gardening, and see the voluminous records he kept about all things horticultural.

Forget About Other Organic Gardening Books! This collection of books and writings by Thomas Jefferson includes decades of his farm records and gardening notes from back when they didn't even have chemical fertilizers, herbiscides, and insecticides yet. He experimented with a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, and fiber plants (including hemp) that he imported from all over the world. He also kept complete ledgers of his slaves, chronicling their births and deaths. He kept records of their production and consumption of linen, wool, blankets, clothing, etcetera. This book is a gold mine of history, gardening tips, livestock records, diary tidbits, photos, diagrams and more.

Very helpful book which reproduces a number of the gardens in CW and govrs a schematic as well as the names, both common and scientific/biological?. The pictures are gorgeous. If you want to achieve the look of a colonial style garden, this is for you.

The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg is a most inspiring and beautiful book covering the four seasons in Colonial Williamsburg. This book covers not only the history of twenty gardens in the historic district, but who these eighteenth century garders were. The archaeological research provides a detailed look at each of the gardens, giving layout plans and detailed list of all the plants used. With the addition of beautiful color photography, this book will provide all gardeners with a source to re-create a eighteenth century garden.

We purchased this book in preparation for a vacation in the area of Reno, Tahoe and eastern California, and it was a gem. We visited many sites we would not have known about except for this book, and had a great time. Out thanks to the author for writing this very useful book. We recommend it to anyone.

This book is one of the best travel guides that I have ever used. There are so many historical landmarks and places of interest along Highway 395. This book encourages the reader to stop and visit. If time doesn't permit, it stimulates your curiosity and imagination. Ginny Clark uses her many years of travel on Hwy 395 to pass on her love of this unique area. This book has been loaned out to more people than any other book that we own. In fact, I am thrilled to find it on Amazon so that I can order it as a gift. Highly recommend!