North Carolina Books

For the past several years Ihave been a student of late 19th and early 20th century Europe. A starting place had to be found, which is much easier said than done. My readings kept leading me back to Germany, i.e., Prussia. I only wish I had discovered Professor Cecil earlier. His two-part biography of Wilhelm II has proved indispensable. I can't fathom reading one volume without the other, but since this review speaks to Volume II, "Wilhelm II,Emperor and Exile, 1900-1941,we'll have a go. The best way to read Volume II is to read the last sentence of the book first, where Professor Cecil applies a paraphrase from the Duke of Wellington who was describing the late George IV. Cecil thusly applies it to Wilhelm: "a sovereign who lived and died without having been able to assert so much as a single claim on the gratitude of posterity." The joy of the book is getting to that last sentence. It's all in there: feuding with his uncle, King Edward VII of England; the "Mad Hare" Telegraph article; the absolute idiocy of the naval arms race with England;his ill-fated dependence on the rotting Habsburg Empire; his hatred of any form of parlimentary government; and finally his almost tragic descent when he had lost the confidence of German Military Command, members of his own family, and millions of the German people. Good books on Wilhelm are hard to find. This one, especially when taken with Volume I, is outstanding.

Lamar Cecil should be applauded for writing an objective biography of Wilhelm II. Whilst this volume is in keeping with the high standards of the first, I am a little bit disappointed that his life after his 1918 abdication is a bit too sketchy, possibly due to the fact that Wilhelm II managed to outlive most of his contemporaries. This book is not about Wilhelmine dilpomatic history, or the Great War, but a well researched treatise on the malignant effects of autocratic rule by an unstable, pompous incompetent.

Lamar Cecil presents a suspenseful yet satisfying book in Willhelm II. Not only does he express the inner thoughts of Willhelm, yet shows a personal side which expresses the crown prince's poryphia stricken reduced him to a stalk raving mad wildabeast. Not only was he stalk raving mad, the wildabeast confronted his homosexual tendencies with Eulenburg and Walderee.

One of the most critically acclaimed studies of Wilhelm II is Lamar Cecil�s two-volume biography (1989, 1996 ), deemed by one reviewer as �the best-available English treatment of the waning years of the last Kaiser� available. Cecil�s portrait of Wilhelm is largely critical: the emperor ruled �maladroitly,� throughout a �barren career that was without virtue or accomplishment� (ix); �bluster, rhetoric, and natural swagger cloaked a profound emptiness, for ignorance and self-indulgence were his primary characteristics.� (1). Cecil�s assessment of the Kaiser�s war role is no less disapproving. �Domestic issues rarely interested Wilhelm II,� he notes (191), and emphasizes that the Kaiser was far more enamored by foreign policy and military minutiae. Despite this martial enthusiasm, Wilhelm was �by nature peaceful,� (194) and opposed war in 1914, afraid that a European conflict would distract Germany from the internal threat of socialism.
Once the war began, Cecil shows, Wilhelm�s function was symbolic and superficial, at least as far as the imperial army was concerned. He often resided close to the front, was occasionally exposed to hostile fire, and relished hearing the roar of the guns. Cecil makes it clear that the Kaiser�s duties were limited to sending telegrams, war zone tours, medal presentations and other purely ceremonial tasks��it was as empty an existence as he had had in peacetime.� Cecil flatly asserts that Wilhelm�s �part in the war, especially as it concerned the army, took a secondary place behind the role of his officers.� (210). He was for the most part shielded by his ubiquitous military entourage, fearful that his inability to �withstand the strains of warfare� would break him. �The Kaiser�s ignorance of the true nature of the struggle in which Germany was engaged,� Cecil frankly summarizes, �was profound and his utility to his military leaders quite limited.� He was in essence a figurehead, �content merely to hear and endorse� the opinions of his generals. Soon after the war began, Cecil concludes, Wilhelm became �a �shadow Kaiser� (schattenkaiser), out of sight, neglected, and relegated to the sidelines in imperial Germany�s hour of trial.� (212)

This is the gold standard of Kaiser Wilhelm II biographies.

For a German history junkie, these volumes are a good 'fix'. The text is written humorously and yet fairly, without the usual bias one sees when "the victor writes the history". The analysis of the last Kaiser's life is placed in the context of the monarchical attitude of 19th century Europe, as well as the influence that his relatives in the British Empire had on his outlook. I've read the books twice. Without understanding at least some german it would be difficult to get the complete gist of what the author is trying to convey without it.

Jeff Girvan has done what has been overlooked for over 150 years; he reveals the valor and honor of the common soldier over the over-inflated previously recounted feats of Picket's command. Namely, that the common farmers-turned-soldiers from Cleveland County (and environs) of southwestern North Carolina fought as valiantly as any of the units representing the CSA. In a clear, concise and well-documented account he presents factual data as well as the human side of the Southern Cause in this great conflict. You'll enjoy this quick read and keep this as a ready reference for descendants of these gallant men.

I have read several regimental and general Civil War histories, and Jeffrey Girvan's is up there at the top. His narrative is very readable, and the roster and unit listings of those killed in action, missing, and those that died from disease are helpful for any one interested in the 55th NC. The narrative tells the story of a regiment from Gettysburg to Appomattox, but also has information on the little known battle for Washington, NC that occurred in September 1862, and the Sufolk campaign. Girvan's use of primary sources provides the reader with a better understanding of what it was like to fight in the Civil War. The every day camp life, but also the combat. As one man from the unit says about Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg it was like being in "the jaws of death." Also, the description of the 55th and Heth's division on May 5, 1864 in the Wilderness is exceptional. One can feel the desperation these men must have felt after being assaulted numerous times and out numbered 4 to 1. Col. Belo, then commander of the 55th hears of his brothers death during the battle but must keep commanding his troops and is almost forced to order a bayonet charge when the men run out of amunition.A great read!! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the American Civil War.

I have read many Civil War books, including regimental histories like Pullen's 20th Maine and J Girvan's book about the 55th North Carolina ranks as one of the best. The 55th did not join Lee's army until after the great string of victories, but was there for Gettysburg and, although green, was able to prove its worth. So many exciting incidents stand out in this book. On July 1st the 55th was one of the first on the field, and the regiment's youthful leader Colonel John Kerr Connally wanted his men to prove themsevles to their brigade (which except for the 55th NC wer all unit's from Mississippi under the command of President Davis's nephew Joesph R. Davis) As his men moved forward their color bearer was shot and Connally, wanted to motivate his men, picked up the regimental standard and charged only to be shot several times and severally wounded. When asked if he needed help the brave colonel's response was to instruct his men to keep going and not to let "the mississippians get ahead of you."
The 55th would again face death at Gettysburg on the third day when they participated in the famous charge, and several officers from the unit would be credited with going farther than any other. Again during the Overland campaign the 55th would find themselves in desperate figthing throughout the summer and fall of 1864, and finally to surrender, all 83 left of more than 1000 when the regiment was formed in May 1862, with Lee at Appomattox. But this book is more than a chronical of battle it is a story of the men who fought and sometimes died for the Southern cause. After reading Mr. Girvan's book I gained a better understanding of what it was like to serve in the Army of Northern Virginia. Some men fighting with their fathers, sons, brothers, and cousins. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the life of the Confederate soldier during the Civil War.

This is one of the best regimental histories I have ever read. Girvan's use of primary sources provided a better understanding of what is was like to serve in Lee's Army. Also, the battles covered in the book were described very well, especially the battle for Washington, NC, and the Suffolk campaign, which are two engagements I knew little of before. Gettysburg was a watershed for the Confederacy, but also for this regiment. The 55th NC went in with little experience, but proved their worth by participating in some of the battles bloodiest engagements. Again during the Wilderness the 55th found it self in a tight spot, and after numerous assaults by Federal troops was low on amunition. Colonel Belo, whose own brother had just been killed during the day's battle was prepared, as Chamberlain at Gettysburg, to order a bayonet charge, but relief came. For anyone interested in Civil War regiments, soldier life, and seeing a battle from the eyes of the combat troops I highly recommend this book. J Johnson

This book is fun to read. For those who work with animals everyday, it hits home and brings numerous smiles. The kids will hardly believe these stories are true!

In The Animals Of Grandfather Mountain, wildlife biologist and animal habitat manager Laurie Jakobsen showcases a wonderfully illustrated collection of engaging and informative stories about the boisterous bear cubs, inquisitive deer, secretive cougars, playful otters, chattering eagles, and others who live in the Grandfather Mountain wildlife habitats of North Carolina. The Animals Of Grandfather Mountain is wonderful reading for children of all ages and an enthusiastically recommended addition to school and community library wildlife reference collections and reading lists.

This is a wonderful book for the young and the young at heart who are interested in animals and love to laugh and learn.

Reading "The Animals of Grandfather Mountain" was great fun from start to finish. I laughed out loud at some of Jakobsen's stories about day to day life running a wild animal habitat. Everyone, young and old, enjoys watching our furry friends while strolling through zoos. But this book shows you the behind-the-scenes work that makes such experiences possible. But perhaps the biggest treat the books gives readers is insight into the great personalities these animals have. The photographs make the book even more fun. I recommend this book to children and anyone who loves animals, whether they have visited Grandfather Mountain or not.

terrific read - inspirational - one tough and lovable character who will be missed for many years to come

I recently purchased 'Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait,' along with two Foxfire guides, to assist me in establishing an Appalachian setting (and characters)for a story I am working on. I've only skimmed the guides at this point, but I haven't put "Aunt Arie" down! I've still got a couple of chapters left to read, but so far the story of this woman's life, as told by her to the folks at Foxfire, has proven indispensable to my research.

The editors of the book have attempted, most successfully (they offer an explanation of ways and means at the beginning of the book)I think, to reproduce/preserve Aunt Arie's dialect and colloquialisms, as transcribed from the hundreds of hours of taped interviews. In this book, HOW she says things is just as important as WHAT she's saying...and what does she say? Where do I begin? Besides offering a virtual treasure-trove of information on the subjects of gardening, healing, economy, and food storage and preparation, she also delves into stories of her friends and neighbors, living and dead, speaks often of her life with her beloved husband, and before that her childhood, and all her talk of the people she's known, whether she loved them or could have done without them, is tinged with her faith, her basic love of and respect for humanity, and her simply ideology: you get what you give.

If any of the above appeals to you, get this book. You won't regret it. I'm back here b/c I'm about to get one for my grandmother. Just thought I'd leave a more complete review than the ones I'd seen.

From the cover:, " The students, none of whom had ever been to Aunt Arie's before, were awed, drawn inexorably into the little circle of activity that surrounded this 5' 6" dynamo who laughed and pecked on each of them and tapped their shoulders and grasped their knees and tried to remember their names and loved them, instantly, and without reservation-strangers all". This book is wonder full, and heart full, and shines a little light into a way of being that is fast becoming a just catchy phrase on a hall mark card.

WHAT A GREAT "AMERICANA" STYLE BOOK, FANTASTIC ADDITION TO A FOXFIRE COLLECTION OR GREAT ON ITS OWN. AUNT ARIE HERSELF, HER OWN STYLE FROM COOKING TO HARVESTING, THOGUHTS, RELIGION AND HER FEELINGS ABOUT LIVING ALONE! SHE WAS AN HONORABLE WOMAN!

I feel like I'm a fly on the wall in Beethovens apartment...well, one of his many apartments. Can't get any closer than this too someone who lived that many years ago. I also find it hard to believe that a man like Rossini would spend two years in the same city as Beethoven and not meet him. I'm willing to bet that the moment Rossini stepped from his carriage in the city of music he grabbed the first passerby and said "Where do I find Beethoven?"

Schindler met Beethoven in 1814, when Beethoven was 44 and the author was an impressionable 19 year old. Schindler became an almost constant companion of the composer, and was witness to a number of fascinating occurrences that no other biographer, such as Ries, had access to. Schindler gives us examples of Beethoven's strongly emotional nature, in such a way that I felt I could have recognized the composer should I have passed by him on abusy street. Inclusion of this information is what made this biography most appealing to me. One of my favourite sections is an appendix entitled "Beethoven's Daily Routine" which describes, among other things, how Beethoven would count out 60 beans for his cup of coffee.

However, Schindler is not a transparent witness. Rather, he feels compelled to "protect" Beethoven from "his many enemies", for whom there is no historical basis. A sense of Schindler acting as guardian comes through strongly in the writing. The most striking example of this attitude is Schindler's description of the meeting between Beethoven and Rossini, a meeting which historically never took place!

Fortunately, this excellent Dover edition is thoroughly annotated - there are as many editor's notes as there are pages in the text! I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading a contemporary account of the life of the great composer, and who would enjoy witnessing the profound effect that he had on at least one of his associates.

Great book

Strange that the first reviewer says that the meeting between Beethoven and Rossini never took place. Rossini and Beethoven would have disagreed! They met in the spring of 1822 when Rossini was in Vienna for the premiere of his opera Zelmira. Rossini has left an account of the meeting

I have enjoyed this book very much. It written by someone that knew Beethoven ,and it offers you a lot of information about Beethoven's life, it is accurate. When there are two differents versions of the same event, the authors explains and describe them.
A very objective book and enjoyable.

The seller of this product was extremely helpful and understanding! I needed this guide for a climbing trip a week from when it was purchased. She put it directly in the mail AND emailed me her favorite climbing spots in N.C. I would buy from her again.

A very well done guidebook. Location information is especially helpful. Kelley made extraordinary efforts to contact climbers of early routes to obtain accurate historical data. We can only hope Kelley will put together a fourth edition.

This is the third copy of this guide I have owned. I wore out two copies of the 2nd edition. This latest edition is superb in the descriptions, details and advice offered.

This book is must have to anyone climbing in North Carolina. Especially if new to the area. It is a very well thought out and produced book, The Photos and topos are very useful,a nd the line drawings are very clear. It covers all of the good Climbs I know about in the state.

Laura Fleming and her husband Richard are visited by the manager of the sock mill in Laura's home town. Strange things are happening at the mill and Burt's father is looking to sell the place. Since alot of Laura's relatives work there, she agrees to investigate. Sure enough, the town and the Burdettes are split about the sale. To top it off, there is a firebug in town, and one of the prospective buyers is killed in a fire. Laura suspects one of her cousins of the fire, but doesn't believe he'd commit murder.

This is an entertaining mystery. Laura's relatives are really funny and plentiful. The mystery is good also. I definitely will be reading more of this series.

Richard Fleming is a professor who enjoys quoting Shakespeare in his everyday conversations. His wife Laurie is a computer programmer from Byerly, North Carolina, a place where her family still mostly resides. Laurie is renowned as an individual who solves homicide cases. Still, both are shocked when the son of her hometown mill owner Burt Waller appears at their Back Bay apartment.

Burt's father wants to sell the mill to Yankees, but he opposes the deal. He needs the Flemings to return to Byerly to dig up some dirt on the perspective buyers so his father will not sell. Since many of Laurie's relatives work at the mill, the couple agrees to investigate. Upon arrival, the Flemings realize they seek dirt on a seemingly nice man. They additionally become involved in several arson and one murder investigation.

Toni L. P. Kelnor writes some of the most quaint and likable amateur detective novels on the market today. DEATH OF A DAMN YANKEE is one of the better mysteries in a well-written series. The complex story line is multi-faceted and captures the essence of a small Southern town, while seeming to test sub-genre boundaries. The lead protagonists are a charming duo that contributes to the enjoyment of the novels. These entertaining Fleming tales are fun to read.

Harriet Klausner

Laura Fleming and her husband Richard are visited by the manager of the sock mill in Laura's home town. Strange things are happening at the mill and Burt's father is looking to sell the place. Since alot of Laura's relatives work there, she agrees to investigate. Sure enough, the town and the Burdettes are split about the sale. To top it off, there is a firebug in town, and one of the prospective buyers is killed in a fire. Laura suspects one of her cousins of the fire, but doesn't believe he'd commit murder.

This is an entertaining mystery. Laura's relatives are really funny and plentiful. The mystery is good also. I definitely will be reading more of this series.

I live in the area where the ficitonal town of Byerly is located. Trust me. It can get a little strange sometimes reading the Laura Flemings books and see a mention of a location familar to you in a work of fiction. It's almost like you're in Wonderland where everything is familar but yet different in some way. I'll admit that it has been fun trying to figure out where Byerly is located.

Can't wait until the next book.

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This is a magnificent book. Fantastic readings and pictures that hold you to the events and give you a deeper understanding of what is going on during this time. Charts and graphs keep your perspective grounded. I highly recommend this book to anyone who interested in African American studies or to hear the truth about history.

This work does an excellent job of describing how Washington did not really want "vocational" education, but instead "industrial" education, to educate blacks for a "place" and stifle dissent. It also does a good job of describing the "softer" discrimination philosophy of the North, and contextualizing the Northern industrialists, who saw industrial education as a way to pit blacks and immigrants against each other. An excellent discussion of black education, the fights of teacher training, and uplift.

This book represents a well documented work. Using primary sources, Anderson describes the heroic African American efforts to gain, through education, the participatory citizenship status which they deserved. In the process, he exposes the Caucasian American (both northern and southern) efforts to blantantly repress these education efforts and to disenfranchise African Americans of their due. History lessons on this book may be applied to our contemporary educational setting.

Anderson employs a large number of statistics and examples to support his case. The nature of the book's content requires such documentation to dispell historical myths which history textbooks commonly espouse however.

This book is an excellent read for history and education enthusists, as well as anyone else interested in opening their minds.

This unusual and well written book is about real people and their struggles with obesity and the resulting ostracizm and prejudices from a society obsessed with thinness to the point of anorexia. It provides re-telling of interviews with people attending the Rice Diet House in Durham, North Carolina, and it shows how their common bond of being fat has created a subculture that provides support to their kind in an otherwise rather hostile world. For them the Rice House is the place of last reort after failure of all other approaches to diet. The Rice diet is the oldest successfull program still in existance and doing good.This book is very informing and a delight to read because it is real and not the usual hype used by the sellers of diet programs.

This book was a great book. I could completely identify with the author and all the people she interviewed for the book. If there is anyone out there who has gone on diet after diet, and your weight has yo-yoed up and down, you should read this book. It is a great comfort and a great book to read over and over.It was nice to know so many people know how I feel and understand my plight to diet.

I loved this book. I laughed and cried. I found out everything I wanted to know about the Rice Diet at Duke University. It was full of insight and validation for everyone who struggles with their weight. Finally a book that doesn't preach but chronical the problems we face and the culture in Durham where I'd love to be able to go and try the Rice Diet. I like it so much that I sent Jean an e-mail and she said that she is working on a second book. So until then I'll just have to re-read this one.

This book is simply wonderful. For years I felt that no one understood what I have been going through and then I found this book. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and many points made me happy. If you have ever struggled with you weight this book lets you know that you are not alone. Just go out there and DO IT!

If you are interested in the hurricane history of any special state or region, this is probably the finest work of its kind written to date. Following a superb introduction to our subject, the author describes every significant or noteworthy storm to hit Florida since the 1700's. Each entry includes a map showing the storm's track through the state. We learn of the unique impact each had on the sunshine state. Some hurricanes, of course, like Agnes, had major impacts outside of Florida, and Barnes writes of these as well. Looking through these pages also shows us the cyclical nature of storms. In some years disaster hit several times, while other periods (like the 70's), saw little activity of any kind.

I found this edition to be much better than the author's NC one, if for no other reason than Florida's more active history! While some hurricanes listed in the other book may be of interest mostly to locals, the ones here, like the Labor Day and Miami storm, are truly important historically. I would hope Barnes is writing on the hurricane history of other states as well.

My earliest memory was Hurricane Donna, and I have been intrigued by hurricanes ever since. This book offers a considerable amount of historical data along with fascinating accounts. Highly recommended to anybody who would like to learn more about the history of hurricanes in Florida.

Great photos, and all the detail you could ever want on Florida hurricanes. The survival stories are frightening! All the weather data is there. It's a great resource for us hurricane junkies!

What a great book. We've enjoyed the stories of the memorable storms like Donna, Andrew, and Opal and the effect theyve had on generations of Florida residents. The 1926 Miami and 1928 Okeechobee are well covered. Also very interesting reading on those storms we've never heard of. The photographs are stunning-and frightening. Its organized well, and the reading is not too technical. It stays on our coffee table.