American Books

Although I think it may be a bit advanced for my 9 yr. old, I'm still glad I purchased this book for my most recent book club choice. A gentle book that flows easily, and the characters change for the better in wonderful ways. The one thing that bugged me was Mrs. Shaw and her smelling salts. It almost seemed to me that Polly Milton was the better 'mother' to the Shaw family. All in all, this is truly a memorable classic.

This book started off a bit slow, but if you read more than a page or two at a time, I think you will like it. This story is about a girl from the country who goes to visit her cousins in New York. Polly's cousin, Fanny, and her friends find Polly "coutrified" and "old fashioned". Everyone falls in love with her because of her quiet manner along with the fact that she dresses and acts her age. Although their are multiple hardships along the way, you couldn't have wanted the book to end any other way. I recomend that you don't read the book until you are at least 11 or 12 because some of the wording is odd because it was writtedn so long ago. Happy Reading!

Alas. In my opinion, both "An Old-Fashioned Girl" and "Eight Cousins" audio versions would benefit by having a much younger narrator. Despite her long and illustrious career in audio, Flo Gibson is now too old to bring these novels to life. They are books about young girls, and they are obviously being read by a grandmother. Rather than illustrating the timeless quality of these fine books, an elderly reader makes the books simply sound old and out-of-date. What were the publishers thinking?---CaroJ11

An Old Fashioned Girl begins with a teenage girl, Polly who visits her cousins in the city. There, she realises that they are exactly the opposite of the old fashioned girl that she is, and this causes some distress on both sides. Being a modern woman, I expected that this book would be a wonderful read but the initial chapters where Polly was a teenager were hard to take in. Alcott created what she felt to be the "perfect" teenage model in Polly, but I found myself wishing that this "perfect teenage model" would loosen up a bit and do something for herself instead of serving everybody else, which was the "proper thing to do." Ironically, Alcott herself wrote in the book "excessive virtue doesn't last long ...except with little prigs in the goody storybooks." She should have taken herself more seriously because her main character came very close to becoming exactly that! Compared to other classics like Tom Sawyer, The Secret Garden and The Railway Children, the teenagers in the book were very unrealistic, I dare say even for that time. Alcott wrote too much of what she wanted children or teenagers to be, opposed what they actually were, which can get exasperating. However, that is less than half the book, which follows into young adulthood. In here the characters become more realistic, and Polly begins to be truly affected by her poverty and to long to be different. To avoid spoilers, it morphed from an exasperating read into a very good read. Overall, the valuable lessons in the book make it good addition to any collection, especially for children.

Do you ever feel like you are tied up in our times? Worrying too much about cell phones, fashions, and the latest whatevers? This book can set you straight. It gives you a peace of mind and fills you with simple pleasures.

The stories main character, Polly, we meet at the age of 14. She has come to stay with rich friends for a while. THey do everything so differently from she. The family has two daughters. One that is two years older than Polly called Fan, who cares for fashion, balls, and beaus. The author daughter is six and she is fixed onoo having her own way about everything. THe young man in the family Tom is a trouble maker, who no matter how hard he tries can't seem to stay out of trouble very long.

Polly is a gentle, kind, loving, caring, selfless, practical, and sensible girl. SHe becomes a great service to this family, touching each of them in a special way. She moves in the same town six years later and gives piano lessons. The family needs her more than ever and she helps them all in the end. This book has heart, romance, and realness to it that we can all relate to, rich or poor, young or old. It will make you feel warm fuzzies. Read on a rainy day underneath a flanel blanket!

This book is enticing, exciting and sad, all on one page. Usually when a book is a sequel, it is necessary to have read the first book in order to fully enjoy it. That's not the case with this novel. The author has succeeded in giving you just enough insight to the previous book that you don't feel lost if you haven't read it, without reiterating everything in case you have. Bernice McFadden is quickly becoming one of my favorite novelists

Wow, What a book and I was thinking sugar was good, they are both good reads.Sugar comes back to bigelow for a reason, and now we know why.Jude send her back in her dreams to let her know what happen to her, and bring the family together with the true who sugar dad is.I see why mercy was put in her life the way she was to see that lappy have done to alot of people in that town.This was a great book IM sorry it taking so long to read it.

The group felt many of the unanswered questions from McFadden's novel "Sugar" were answered in "This Bitter Earth."

Overall the group felt that each character kept too many secrets. Everyone felt that the secrets were the source of the problems. Joe kept secrets about being Sugar's father and learning the details of Jude's murder. The Lacey sisters held secrets about Sugar's family including Shirley being her great-grandmother. Sugar's life would have been drastically different, if most of these secrets had been revealed earlier.

I just love this author work, her books are so heart felt. thank you bernice mcfadden.

Great book. Not your typical story line. This book was a page turner. Bernice McFadden is an amazing writer. I would strongly recommend this book as well as all this authors books.

Fans of Calvin & Hobbes who used to read the newspaper strip in the 80s and 90s will find great pleasure in reading this treasury of C&H comics. These witty comics about the 6-year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, named after the famous philosophers, will amuse people of all ages. The perceptiveness and humor of Watterson deserve the highest of cartoon awards, while his artistic creations exude hilarity. This cartoon is perhaps one of the most piercing yet funny critiques of modern society.

This book covers the first two years of the Calvin & Hobbes strip. One can notice how Calvin used to look different in the beginning. His character though quickly adopted his unmistakable attitude. Here we see his first daydreams about Spaceman Spiff, his relationship with his parents and with Susie, his (mis-?) performance at school, and his first invention: the Transmogrifier. His attitude to life and his quick temper never ceases to entertain. This is the book you can read over and over and never stop from laughing.

Note that there are two series of C&H collections: individual wide-format albums, each covering an entire year of strips (will call it âaeregularâ), and the vertical aspect ratio âaetreasury seriesâ which covers selected comics from two regular C&H books. Note that C&H ran for a year in newspapers, so thereâ(tm)s 10 regular books and 5 treasury books. Though the cartoons are slightly smaller in the treasury collection, each treasury book is far thicker and contains more strips than a regular book, and is furthermore less expensive, so treasury books are a real bargain. âaeThe Essential Calvin & Hobbesâ is the FIRST book from the Treasury collection, first released in 1988.

Calvin is a young boy that is a hero to all people who had wild and vivid imaginations as a child and suffered for it. I possessed a very vivid imagination as a child and that made my years in elementary school difficult. I was constantly daydreaming of doing things like flying, sailing on a boat and inventing wonderful devices. Unfortunately, I regularly did them in class.
My major problem was when we were reading a story in our reading groups. I read the story very fast and then was required to sit there quietly while the others finished. Naturally, that was a problem and I spent some time in punishment. Coincidentally, the principal at my elementary school closely resembles Calvin's teacher.
Calvin is an inspiration to all people who imagine in their youth and then try to maintain that quality into their adulthood. If they can, they become the authors, artists, poets and architects and otherwise free thinkers that our society so badly needs.

And so it began.

This treasury included the strips from the first two collections of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. And if you don't know what you have been missing, you are in for a treat.

The comic strip follows the misadventures of Calvin, a highly imaginative, hyperactive six year old. How imaginative? His only real friend is Hobbes, his stuff tiger. But that isn't a problem because Hobbes is really a real tiger, at least in Calvin's mind.

Since this is the first book, things are still being established. But many of the strips staples are here already. We meet Calvin's parents, teacher Miss Wormwood, neighbor Susie Derkins, and bully Moe. We even get the first couple of run ins with babysitter Rosalyn. While we don't get the hilarious social satire that would show up later, we do get some comments on the environment and Calvin's obsession with polls. (He is constantly trying to get his dad to bend to political pressure by showing his standings with household six year olds and tigers.) And we get plenty of adventures from Spaceman Spiff, Calvin's imagination again as he tries to deal with the various aliens in his life like his parents or teacher.

I tend to read the later books more often, so I had forgotten just how go the early strips are until I picked this up. There are so true classics here, most of the time at Calvin's six year old nature. Not that I'd want my kids getting any ideas from Calvin. He doesn't see anything wrong with pounding nails into coffee tables or popping popcorn without the lid on the pot.

And that does bring up the only possible flaw with the book. These strips originally appeared in 1985-1987, so at times they are a little dated. Calvin makes reference to renting a VCR or wanting to get cable. But that doesn't bother me in the slightest.

This "treasury" collects the strips from the first two books. As a bonus, there is a story told in poem form at the beginning and the Sunday strips are in color. If you have the two books, you probably don't need this one. But if you don't have them, this is the way to go.

The day this strip ended was a sad day indeed. But thanks to books like this one, we can relive it over and over again.

No,its not just a bunch of random stuff, its a bunch of random funny stuff!! Its funny for Calvin being a little scared of Hobbes, and all that really funny stuff. Although Calvin's only a 1st grader, he sounds like he's really smart. So, I guess whoever is looking at this I have convinced them to buy it, just because it's so funny!!!!!!!

I am not sure I have ever met anyone who has read some Calvin and Hobbes comic strips and hated them. I suppose there might be a person or two out there allergic to stuffed toy tigers, perhaps, or had a horrible accident involving one. Those would be the only people I could think of that would not find these strips entertaining, no matter what age.

I have had this cookbook since it was first published.... or more acurately I have had several of these cookbooks because I have actually worn 2 out. YES it's that good. When I said this is the best cookbook I don't just mean Cajun food I mean it has recipes that translate to general cuisine. Just curb the cayenne and you are good to go. The Stuffed porkchops I used as payment for having my bathroom retiled. I once had 40 people show up for the Cajun Shepard's Pie. FYI the "Hot sauce for beef" is very very HOT! The Cornbread I could eat everyday all day. I could go on and on but let it suffice. If you like good food you will LOVE LOVE LOVE this book.

This cookbook is a classic of authentic Louisiana recipes. They are all based on the true methods of Louisiana cooking that is so famous. I have lived in Louisiana all my life and I can tell you that you will not find a cookbook that is better if you are interested in "the real deal." I have wanted this cookbook to add to my collection and although I have been cooking Louisiana food for many years, these recipes produce truly astonishing results. You'll think you are in New Orleans!

Good. Authentic. Full fat, full flavor (no 2% milk, "fat-free" sour cream, or "non-fat" chicken broth here)!

Great tasting recipes. 'nough said!

This is Louisiana food at its best. I follow the recipes with conplete condifience to be simply wonderful and they never fail.

This is Cajun/Creole cooking at its best! Paul Prudhomme is the master. I've spent hours reading through this book and I still find myself coming back to it. Recipes are perfect as they are but are also easily modified to suit different tastes. It's hard to find redfish in my area but I blacken other fish to substitute using Paul's method and it is always delicious (I cook professionally so I know what I'm talking about). This book is both practical and entertaining and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of Louisiana cuisine.

My friend had this book and from the moment I laid eyes on it, I thought "I have to have one for myself" I am addicted to it. I read it every night. I can picture the finished recipes in my head, when I read them. The best thing that I love about the book is that it brings you back into history on when, who, and how the recipe was, first, created. If you love Louisiana food and the Louisiana way of life, you will be obsessed with it. Christina Laborde, Marksville, Louisiana.

Like it says its a Encyclopedia, theres a bit of history in the front that makes for great reading. The best part is the recipe's which are varied and very good. My Wife's a great cook and has well over a 100 cookbooks already but she uses this one quite often.

I purchased this book recently. It is very large and will not fit on many book shelves. Includes a great variety of recipes including many that you would probably classify as italian, german, or of other origin. Attractive pictures, and a large number of pages devoted to the history of cooking in Louisiana. I would not call it exhaustive, but it has a nice variety of recipes. I have only tried making the gumbo so far and would say that I prefer the recipe in Paul Prudhome's Louisiana Kitchen. If you could only buy one book, I would recommend the Prudhome cookbook over this one. I found the Prudhome recipies more appealing and the book is much less costly.

This book is unbelievably impressive. After four years, I finally got my copy. This book is roughly 800 pgs. About 100+ are dedicated up front to the story of the seven nations that make up Cajun and Creole cuisine. I love this insightful info. Does it help you cook any better know, but if you like a little background info with your cookbooks, this over-achieves.

What I thoroughly enjoyed was the brief explanation of the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisines. It was only a couple of paragraphs, but I appreciated the plain English. (It's the little things that make me happy.)

The recipes, as expected, are voluminous and accommodate a range of skill sets. Each recipe has a short comment. I would've liked a little more information about the origin of the particular recipe, but I'm greedy like that. (For instance, are these Folse's recipes or a particular family's recipe, etc.) The recipes are organized into the following chapters:

-Roux, Stocks & Sauces
-Breakfast & Lunch
-Appetizers & Hors d'Oeurves
-Soups
-Salads
-Veggies
-Seafood
-Poultry
-Meat
-Wild Game
-Desserts
-Breads
-Dairy
-Beverages
-Festivals
-Plantations
-Holiday & Special Occasion Menus
-Lagniappe

Now here is why four instead of five stars: this is a definitive text (which should have earned a James Beard award), but the photography leaves a lot to be desired. There is a ton of it, but it is poorly lit. It and the graphic design of the book give the entire thing an `80s feel. This was first published in 2004! Although this is a classic reference on Southeastern Louisiana cuisine, the photography makes it feel slightly less than polished. With that said, it is still more than worth the cost of ownership.

In the past, I spoke about my love for Williams-Sonoma New Orleans: Authentic Recipes Celebrating The Foods Of the World (Williams-Sonoma Foods of the World). It is still a valid text because it is a great quick reference. The photography is drop-dead gorgeous. However, if you want comprehensive and in-depth, this encyclopedia is for you.

Thank you, John Folse, for this epic undertaking. Any other cookbook you purchase for this cuisine will simply be for collector's purposes. Trust me, you don't need anything else!

This is the most impressive book yet on cajun/ creole cooking. Outstanding in every way (except perhaps the cornbread, all of which had sugar in it, and grandma would whop him over the head with her iron skillet for THAT). Can't wait to cook from this.

The recipes, history, festivals, photos, and everything else make this HUGE book indeed an encyclopedia. Impressive that the Italian and German settlers to the state were included in the history and recipe tradition as well, as they generally seem to be left out.

This story picks right up where Lord of the Fading Lands left off, and is just as good. Definitely need to read the first one to understand what's going on in this book. The action keeps moving as we're introduced to new characters and getting to know the main characters (good and evil) more in depth. I can't wait to find out how the story of Ellie's "real" parents plays out! This book also brings into play more of the politics that is going on between the different cultures, specifically the fey and celearians, but we also learn more about the eld and the mages. In the midst of it all, Rain is still romancing Ellie in hopes she'll accept their bond as lifemates. Finished this book in just over a day, I couldn't put it down, as I was swept up in this new world. I love that the main characters are discovering each other and don't always do everything perfectly. Ellie has finally come to terms with the idea that she has magic within her, and while she doesn't understand how she can possibly save the fey and tarian, she's willing to try despite her fears. Rain, who hates the mage, has to come to terms with the fact that Ellie has been mage marked. I am desperately waiting for my copy of King of Sword and Sky to arrive (I have it on hold at the library and also ordered a copy from amazon, I need it now!). I don't know how I'll be able to wait until June for the Queen of Song and Soul, which will be bittersweet as I can't wait to find out what happens, but will be so sad for this story to come to an end! All I can say is read this series, you won't be disappointed!!

The Tairen Soul Series (Paranormal- Fae Fantasy/Medieval Romance):

Lord of the Fading Lands

Lady of Light and Shadows

King of Sword and Sky

Queen of Song and Souls (March 2009)


As with the first book in this series ("Lord of the Fading Lands"), I finished the last pages of "Lady of Light and Shadows" with anxious anticipation of starting the third book. C.L. Wilson had me enthralled from Chapter six to the very end. I'm ranking this book with 4.5 stars, because the first 100 pages or so were slow. I skimmed them a bit. I'm guessing that it is because I read the books back-to-back, rather than waiting a few weeks between them as readers would have when they were first released. Those pages are also necessary for people who hadn't read the first book. For me, it was boring and I really wanted to see the story continue where it had left off at the end of book one. (Time line wise, it actually does pick up right where book one left off. But pace and excitement wise, things are slowed down to remind or inform readers of things that happened in book one.) The story truly begins to move around chapter six, then you will find yourself as ensnared as you were with book one.

Book three, here I come.........

Important Note:
This series is an ongoing story. You will want to read them in order. Here are links so far:

Lord of the Fading Lands

Lady of Light and Shadows

King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul)

Queen of Song and Souls (March 2009){Link not yet available}

I am so pleased with Wilson's second offering. Again, there are so many great reviews there isn't much for me to add. I just wanted to get my 5 star vote in! The pace of this second book is nice and steady. It is also a lot darker than the first book. The supporting characters are so well developed. This whole series is going on my keeper shelf!

As always C L Wilson, once again delivers!!! Can't wait for King of Sword and Sky!!

Lady of Light and Shadows takes off where Lord of the Fading Lands ended. Not only does it continue this great story Wilson begins to add to the story that was hinted at in the first book. Sexy humor and places that your bitting your nails will keep you reading this book to the end!! I'm very happy with this series and cant wait to read the other books!

Irving Stone created a wondeful biography of Van Gogh, who is one of the definative "tortured" artists if for nothing more than his name is synonymous with the phrase to most people who are even casual fans of art.

In this book Stone captures the emotions of Van Gogh and the highs and lows of his life. This sheds even more meaning on his works of art. I was fortunate enough to see a Van Gogh Exhibition and hopefully will be able to do so again now that I read this.

I am sure it will add to viewing his works.

My boyfriend's father convinced me that, as an art history major, I needed to read this book. I was a little hesitant, but after the first chapter I was completely hooked.

This was a truly powerful book. No matter that it is not a true biography, it was beautifully written and moving. I would recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in art.

Amazing book and so very well written as all of Stone's other books are...I have always been mesmerised by Van Gogh's paintings, especially when I saw an exhibit of his in London.The colours were so wonderful that I just stood there infront of those pieces of art like a zombie ! I loved this book !

I loved this book. For someone like me, with just a passing knowledge of art and art history, it was pretty amazing to learn about Van Gogh's development as an artist and the Impressionist art movement. In addition, I think that its two major themes of expression and immortality are going to have a lasting effect on me.

By expression, I mean that Van Gogh put all his time and energy into expressing himself in a way that he felt was making the best use of his skills. For him, his calling was a new form of art, and he stuck with it despite receiving no recognition or profit for his work during his lifetime. By immortality, I mean that although Van Gogh was not successful in his lifetime, his work lives on and is hung in the most important museums in the world.

Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful novel about a beautiful human being. If you love Van Gogh's paintings (he is my personal favorite of all painters) then by all means, you need to read this wonderful book. In his prose, Stone is able to paint a vivid, vibrant, illuminating portrait of an amazing artist. I was truly blown away and completely consumed from the first chapter on. I actually read this fine story after visiting the Musee d'Orsay (Museum Orsay) in Paris and seeing first hand the magnificent works of this illustrious Impressionist. Of all the great many paintings presented at the Louvre and d'Orsay, it was the Van Gogh's that captivated me more than all the others (which is saying a lot, because the whole place is captivating!). I couldn't believe some of his self-portraits. What really fascinated me the most was the despondency in those steel blue eyes of his. This is what led me to read this story. I wanted to know where all that pain and suffering came from. Irving Stone answered all of my questions and then some. He is a brilliant and insightful writer and I will be looking forward to reading his novel "The Agony and the Ecstasy" which is based on the life of another favorite artist of mine - Michelangelo.

Anyone who is struggling to become an artist needs to read this! Talk about sacrifice and desire and heart and passion... this man Van Gogh was a true original. A man like no other before or since.

"...for by sadness the countenance of the heart is made better."

I can't recommend this one enough.

Friends in the Swiss government gave me this important review of American history and the foundational role that prayer has played in shaping and forming us as a people as well as the government of the United States of America.

James P. Moore Jr. has done an incredible job of writing this book and compiling resources from thousands of different sources on the history of prayer in America. Before writing this book, Mr. Moore looked for equivalent writings and the role and significance of prayer on American history and he could find none. So after seven years of writing this manuscript, he unearthed "a marvelous, hidden treasure chest." I agree and I would highly recommend this book as a treasured resource that I will continue to refer to in the coming years.

Mr. Moore puts prayer right at the center as he looks at history, faith, politics, literature, arts, entertainment, culture, music, sports, etc. in America. He says in his prologue on page xi, "Quite frankly, the story of American prayer is so powerful that it does not need to rely on anything but historic fact and reasonable interpretation. "

He recounts 16 periods of time in American history, primary themes and events during those times and within each, the key importance of prayer. He says it best himself in his introduction on page xxiii, " If American history can be likened to a great musical composition, prayer must be seen as an integral and powerful theme throughout the piece. At times it is softer; louder at others. It has its own rhythm, it own pulse. It is always there, fundamentally contributing to whatever melody may be playing." As Mr. Moore recounts in his introduction, G.K Chesterton's words on the vibrant spirituality and prayer life of the country, he wrote, " America is a nation with the soul of a church."

He meanders from before the early inhabitants up through the second term of George W. Bush. If you want to learn more about the past, present and the potential future of America, this book on the life of prayer is a good starting point.

Lovely book, but is the author quite certain of the attribution of the prayer poem that appears on page 312 of the book to one found in the pocket of a dead U.S. soldier in North Africa during WWII? This is actually an English translation of a rather famous Russian poem found in the pocket of a dead Russian infantryman during the Great Patriotic War (as WWII is known in Russia). The original Russian uses very powerful lyrical language that is lost in the English translation, where, for example, for purposes of achieving rhyme a colloquialism such as "calling a spade a spade" is used. Furthermore, one line in the poem is a dead giveaway that it is not American in origin. I doubt very much that an average young man in pre-WWII America had been told that God did not exist or that he had not been exposed in some way to the prayer culture that abounded in America at that time. The Communist Soviet Union, on the other hand, pursued one of the most aggressive religious persecusions known to man in the 1930s at the time when this young soldier author was growing up in an atheistic state. The reason for the poem's power lies in the fact that after years and years of indoctrination and lack of belief, the beauty of the night sky was enough for one individual to realize and recognize the connection with God he had been missing all his life. Framed in this light, the prayer poem achieves extraordinary pogniancy.

I must have been living in a cave all this time. I just stumbled upon this book and found it to be absolutely incredible. I then came to the website to see what others had to say and loved to read how much this single volume has maent to so many. Count me as one of them.



I found the author's writing style to be very inviting. I felt as though he were talking just to me rather than to some big general audience in some impersonal way. The material in this book is stunning. I loved the vignettes that were interspersed with the prayer life of America since the earliest times. Honestly, this book is just stunning.



I am an Asian-American, born and raised in Japan. I came to the United States originally to study and now am a successful businesswoman who finds herself shuttling between both countries. I found in this book the chance to understand Americans in a more intimate way. Thank you to Mr. Moore, the author, for this incredible gift to me and to so many others.


I just wish that my parents, who speak no English, could read this book. Through it they would learn why I have come to have an affection for the American people - a very different impression than the one in the world media these days.

I have been beside myself over the way our government has been behaving in the Middle East. Over dinner last night my friends echoed the same concerns and misgivings.


It was then that I told them about One Nation Under God. This is a book that I finished a few weeks ago and loved from the very start. It gave me a perspective that I really did not have about the incredible spirituality of our country since before its inception. It is masterfully written.

Coincidentally I picked up the July issue of St. Anthony's Messenger and found the same opinion, which I have attached. Thank you to James Moore for this extraordinary contribution to our country for years to come.




IF ASKED to describe the United States, would the first adjective to jump into your head be "prayerful"? After perusal of James P. Moore, Jr.'s book, it would seem that no other description is as accurate.

From the Native American inhabitants to the modern era of immigrants practicing myriad religions, we Americans have been a praying people. Moore is neither a historian nor a clergyman but a professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. He has produced an impressive study of the effects of prayer on virtually all facets of American life.

In 16 chapters, Moore thoroughly documents his text with excerpts from the writings of the individuals chronicled or those of firsthand witnesses, which necessitates 34 pages of Notes and a 15-page Index. Readers will find no legends here.

Early explorers were deeply religious and mandated how their crews would pray daily. Christopher Columbus was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, as were his sponsors, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. In Jamestown, Virginia, in 1610 a law was passed that all residents should attend morning and evening prayer services, enumerating the punishments to be leveled for absence.

The Founding Fathers, Moore writes, used prayer as "a coalescing tool to bring together widely disparate colonies, communities, and churches." At the First Continental Convention, after the report of a British incursion in Boston, the delegates prayed "for America, for Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston." John Adams wrote in his diary that the prayer and emotions expressed were "as permanent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I have ever heard offered up to Heaven."

Every president has acknowledged the existence of a higher power in his inaugural address; admittedly with varying degrees of belief and, possibly, for ulterior motives. But all presidents, sooner or later, would call upon and acknowledge this power to aid in carrying the heavy burden of office.

John Carroll, the first Roman Catholic bishop in the United States, inaugurated prayers for the country's leaders to be recited after Mass on Sundays to allay suspicions that Catholics were loyal only to the pope. Carroll composed a special prayer on the occasion of President Washington's birthday in 1794. Carroll was foresighted enough to request permission of the Holy See to use English for all Mass prayers to help integrate Catholic immigrants.

Publishing in the United States began with The Bay Psalm Book; a hymnal was the first songbook. These overtly religious writings were followed by uniquely American poetry, prose, drama, art, dance and architecture executed by talented people using their expertise to praise the Almighty.

The Jazz Singer, the story of a Jewish cantor, was the first talking movie. The first American opera to be written and staged was George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, which has songs like "Oh Doctor Jesus" and "Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way."

The chapter entitled "The Dreamers: The Legacy of Slavery" alone is worth the price of the book. Dealing largely with Frederick Douglass, a slave who was able to buy his freedom and work for the release of other slaves, the narrative is spellbinding in detailing the role that prayer played individually and communally in the life of a slave.

Many unique spirituals were introduced to the country and the world in 1871 by the touring Jubilee Singers of Fisk University, and the response was overwhelming. Andrew Ward, music biographer, has said the spirituals "not only declared faith but carried news, raised protests, expressed grief, asked questions, made jokes, lubricated a slave's never-ending toil."

Many industrialists felt called upon to aid the religious cause: Andrew Carnegie purchasing 7,000 organs for churches and schools, the J.C. Penney Foundation providing funds for care of retired ministers and Church workers. Military leaders encouraged prayer and often led by personal example.

Most of us will have lived through the events recounted in the last five chapters, culminating in the second inauguration of George W. Bush, but there are still personal and often touching new insights here into the personalities behind the media reports. Yes, Moore exhibits some political favoritism, but seven years of research utilizing and reproducing primary resources on prayer from virtually every religious sect is a blockbuster publishing event. This historical compilation is as readable and accessible as a novel.

I just want to put my two cents in and let readers know what a joy this book was for me to read. Honestly, it is one of a handful of the best histories of America I have read, and I have read hundreds over my lifetime. The author interweaves spirituality and history in a very straightforward way. While endearing, it never becomes sappy or over the top in any way. I intend to see that firends and fmaily get copies as gifts. It's that good and relevant for a wide swath of people. Congratulations to the author and publisher.

Beautiful! I must admit that parts of this story, especially the beginning were a bit difficult for me to read. But that just goes to show how true to life this author's writing is.

The story revolves around Marley, her mother, Pam, and her grandmother, Ma Grand. Each woman's faith is challenged through the issues of life; an engagement that ends, breast cancer, and the condition of getting older. Each woman's trial(s) affect the other as it is also so in real life. When Marley's co-worker invites her to visit her church, Marley comes into a new understanding of God and forges a more personal relationship with Christ. In the process she encounters more peace, love, and fulfillment than she ever imagined possible.

This book instructs that despite the storms this life may bring we must stand firm and trust in the Lord. Ellis' writing evokes feelings of hope and happiness, at the same time Ellis also manages a very satisfying end. This work should definitely not be excluded from among good Christian fiction.

this book sums life true net worth for anyone who want to be love in God's purpose... a must read for women who feel they have to hide behind the wrong of man just to say you have a man...

I loved the book. It was such a feel good book. I hope she writes another book soon. Keep up the good work.

It's a first rate engagement celebration honoring the couple of the century, Marley Shepard and Gerrard Shore. With hopes of what tomorrows were to bring, Marley was more than 70% certain that she was making a major mistake.

With wedding plans being made, Gerrard was becoming more physically absent and emotionally delinquent from their relationship. Causing Marley to become fixated in her grooming techniques which usually resulted in indulging her purse, shoe, and lip stick fetishes.

Marley's soul was in a deep disrepair; Her mother's hurting, grandmother is angry, father is absent, and her fiancé didn't care. All out of hope, joy, strength, resolve, and determination, Marley cried out; "God what have I done to deserve this?"

Be still and know that God is God.

It was those words that alleviate and allotted for some immediate comfort. It wasn't until she actually made it to Gilead's Balm, that her eyes, ears, mind, and heart were relieved. `Stop trusting yourself. Trust in the one who made you.'

God Bless you. Jamellah Ellis sharply perceptive walk through Marley Shepard's eyes was so very pleasing. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud, and riddled with heart wrenching grief. A wonderfully detailed work on life, and establishing an independent relationship with God.

I didn't really like the title, but the story was fabulous! Probably the greatest Christian romance ever written. I also don't particularly like Christian fiction romances because they are usually boring and drawn out, but this novel is unlike any other Christian romance book that I have read. True enough it is a story about faith, trust and love, but it should be named something like "Love is in the Airlines," because that is where her heart lead her to find true romance (and let me tell you that he was a GOOD find). But from the beginning, Marley had suspicions about her fiance. The book was predictable but it was a quaint story. MaGrand was a big hit. She was one grandmother who spoke from her fists--and if the punch landed on your face--then so be it. Marley's friends fitted in the story as fill-ins. Christian romance writers need to use this book as a model. Jamellah Ellis kept it real and exciting. I recommend this book to all Christians especially women and non-Christian women.

Great History & Herstory previously unknown to by me. I do enjoy this author. Quick service & book was in excellent condition.

I love this one! Spirited soulmates, linked by the topaz stone!! Must have in your collection.

Again, I enjoyed and was entertained and educated reading the going ons of Dix Wildhorse, Katherine, Bart(her father), and the entire cast of characters.

Katherine is a newspaper woman who is under cover for a story and to bring down her fiance, who is a con man. She will go the extra mile for a good story. She is not the typical woman of her time. She is educated and has her career.

She meet Deputy Dixon Wildhouse unexpectedly. She laters discovered that her conniving daddy, Bart Love, has pledge her hand in marriage to Dixon to satisfy a debt. Bart is a character and an habitual liar. He stole 200 heads of Dixon's cows. In the West and Indian territory that is a capital offense, hanging by the neck until you are dead, dead, dead is the usual punishment. Though Dixon knows that Bart can't be trusted and he isn't sure that he even has a daughter, he decided to at least to meet this daughter of his. He is the market for a wife. He figures what is there to lose by checking old girl out.

Catherine is pushing 30 and is considered an old maid/spinster. But she doesn't mind because she doesn't want to get married anyway. Getting married in all probability means she would be forced to give up her career and put her life in the hands of her husband.

Dixon and Catherine meet and the saga begins. As always, I enjoyed reading a Beverly Jenkins book. History, romance, a little tasteful erotica, and humor are all elements for making a fun story.

I highly recommend.

Beverly Jenkins is awesome. Not only are her love scenes hot but you are given a wealth of historical knowledge regarding the reconstruction and subsequent jim crow period in our history. She is able to make you proud of our contributions and especially proud of our black men and the way they treat their families and women. She is great and the stories have plots that hold your interest and keep you wanting more.

Topaz is a must read. I am a new Beverly Jenkins reader amd since reading Topaz, I have read two more books that have ties to Topaz. I wondered what happened to two of the characters in the book and low and behold.....I found my answer. If you like to read about life in the 1800's with the mail order brides........this book will not disappoint you. I plan to read every available book written by Ms. Jenkins.