South Carolina Books

I recently attended a talk by author Mary Alice Monroe at a winery in N.C. She gave such interesting glimpses into the creation of her characters in her book titled "Time is a River", which I read and loved. Now, I'm reading "Beach House" and I just can't put it down. I purchased her sequel, "Swimming Lessons", and another title, "Sweet Grass", which I'm holding on deck to read next. These books were purchased brand new from Amazon and arrived quickly and in perfect, brand new conditon.

This book was so amazing! I loved it... it truly took you away and plopped you right in the middle of the story! I was so sad that it ended and then I found 'Swimming Lessons'... what a gift!

Truly have read a lot of books but Beach House has been to the top of my list. Truly a book you cant put down.

The Beach House, by Mary Alice Monroe, is a beautiful account of the life of Lovey Rutledge, a woman who lives alone in a small house on the eastern shore. Ms Rutledge cares for Loggerhead sea turtles and their hatchlings. Her life and the entertwined lives of these beautiful turtles show us how precious life is to us and to those creatures that live in the ocean. It is well written and worth reading for adults and to read to children. I plan to read everything Mary Alice Monroe has written, after reading this beautiful story.

MONROE IS A WONDERFUL AUTHOR,AND HER NOVELS ABOUT THE LOW COUNTRY IN THE SOUTH ARE SIMPLY CAPTIVATING. SHE AND ANNE SIDDONS MAKES YOU WANT TO GO TO THE SOUTH LOW COUNTRY AND STAY THERE FOREVER. THIS STORY IS WONDERFUL AND IS SO REAL AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS,AND FAMILY MEMBERS SO OFTEN HAPPEN IF PEOPLES LIVES. LOVED THE BOOK !

another book that i read a few months ago. some parts were a little too graphic for me, but i got through it. the strength of gal was unbelievable. i enjoyed this book.

This true life story was sooo hard to read!!! But so well written. She takes you along side her in the journey. It hurt me to know a little girl or any child was sooo abused. However, there is a God, and he made this horrific story into a best selling novel. Yeah, I hope for real-time revenge for the heroine...but we know our God never slumbers nor sleeps.

Gal, was a tear droper, for a grandfather to beat his children and granddaughter like that its a hurting thing.But then to beat his wife to death " WHERE IS THE LOVE? I can believe how a father and grandfather can do these kids like this. Goodreading

I so enjoyed this book and was rooting all the way through for Ruthie aka Gal. Many things about her reminded me of myself (I AM A SURVIVOR of sexual abuse) and, like Gal, I persevered. However, it was only by my Savior's grace that I was able to do so. It was interesting to read Gal's story in her own dialect (like "The Color Purple"). I could "feel" the beatings. I could "see" the house and garden after her return and renovations. I could "smell" the marijuana she smoked as her way of coping with her circumstances as well as the liquor on Daddy's breath. I couldn't put this book down and read it within a few days. I highly recommend it. A++

I read this book a couple of years ago. I cried and laughed a little. I can't believe she went through all that heart ache and pain. I was really disappointed when her aunts(who she was raised with as sisters) didn't give her at least a third of her grandfathers ( who she called papa) insurance policy. She was the one who was there for him when he was sick. HE DIDN'T EVEN PUT HER NAME IN HIS WILL!!! I was sooo happy when she found happiness. This is a must read.

I see some complaints about whether everything Donald Gaskins said was true. That's not the point. The book really let's you get a feel for this person. Much more so in certain repects, than any other criminal I have read about. Colin Wilson suffered a psychotic breakdown as a result of listening to Gaskins and was temporarily hospitalized.

This book is a good read ( i finished it in a day ) but i just have some trouble beliving some of Pee Wee's stories - he even states himself that he has told several versions of the stories -so why should i believe without doubt that this book is "the truth"? ... from reading profiling books on serial killers - you find that these killers may change up the way they kill / despose of their bodies - to make an improvement - but gaskins has 2 ways of killing people and he bounces back and forth between them -- doesn't make much sense ...
at the end of his book he lets the readers know that he wanted to become famous - but, he and his crimes really aren't known outside of the southeast ... i'm not saying he didn't kill a lot of people, i'm not saying he didn't torture them ... i'm just having a little trouble beliving mr gaskins versions, i just get the feeling that he is admiting to more, for one last attempt to in his words "be famous" ... he even mentions that back when hurricane hugo hit the grand strand, that there were reports of bodies (remains) being found, but it was reported that those were from graveyards .... i believe that to be true because, gaskins said that he "sank" his victims, with big chains, etc., and sank their belongings, he also says that when he felt he was about to be caught he took all of the tools he used for his killings and all the chains he had left and sank that to the bottom of the marshlands in horry and georgetown counties ... when hugo came through -- this is a definate time that things would have been brought up from their watery grave ... but no reoprts of the 30 plus chains, and other tools have been documented

As someone who lives in Sumter, SC I've heard a good bit about Pee Wee Gaskins. He actually used to live in a house right down the street from where I sit now. In any case, I have talked with people who are friends and who actually knew Pee Wee back when he hung around places like The Neck, (which by the way was 100% described accurately in the book..... it was a ROUGH place where the cops would NOT venture into) and they described him as a 'nice guy' but one that you would definitely not want to cross. He was known for a hot temper and my friend said that there were bodies that people would never find left from Pee Wee (I trust my friend on this one.... he was involved in a lot of things back then before he got his act together.)

If you are reading this for a glimpse into a serial killer's mind then this is an excellent book. There were parts that made me cringe, especially since my best friends can remember some of the incidents (missing persons) when they took place (I was too young then). It adds a frightening touch to think that I drive by places everyday where it is rumored that he had buried bodies.

For those who have 'researched' and hold the belief that Pee Wee lied about all of this and was only seeking to be more 'famous', I'd like to remind everyone that the deal was made with the author that this book would NOT come out until after his execution and that he received NO funds whatsoever (nor did his family) for releasing this book. I feel that if he only did it for 'attention' that he would have wanted it released before he died. And after talking to people whom I trust who could tell me about his personality and demeanor, I firmly believe that 90% of the book at least is true (everyone embellishes after all... so I'll leave 10% for that).

All in all, a GREAT but sad look into the life and mind of this murderer.

I first heard the name "Pee Wee Gaskins" in 1994. My new boss and I were traveling through the upstate part of SC to pick up a company car. We were discussings things unrelated to work and getting to know each other. When he asked if I enjoyed reading, I told him I enjoyed reading books about true crime, serial killers in particular. At that time, he told me I should get the book "Final Truth". I did.

After reading the book (which I found somewhat disturbing because of the details yet refreshing for the truths told about the corruption in the "justice system") I began traveling extensively through rural SC for work. After visiting that particular part of the state, I found it quite believable that Gaskins could have commited all the murders stated in Final Truth. There are rural parts of the state where there isn't so much as a house or gas staion for literally miles.

Not having actually known anyone who knew Gaskins, I took this book at face value. While it may be true that Gaskins wanted "notoriety" like Bundy or Dahmer, I actually got from the book he was telling the truth.

There are a few questions I have always wanted to ask ANYONE who knew Gaskins. I have actually talked with people from Sumter, Florence and that area in general but only people who "knew of" Gaskins and his crimes.

Did the police ever search the areas where he claimed to have buried his "coastal killing" victims?

Has anyone ever seen any of the "artwork" that he supposedly taced, signed and sold from death row?

Gaskins spoke of a "writer" that wrote a book (I'm assuming) about him which was filled with lies about his wives and children. Does anyone know what he is talikng about? The only other book I can think of that Gaskins was referring to was titled "Slaughter in Carolina". I have not read this book but am looking for it. He calims in Final Truth this libelous book or story was written by a woman and a woman wrote "Slaughter In Carolina" (I finally found this book and have written a review of it as well as scanned an image)

I never got from the book that Gaskins was an abused by his mother. In fact, he claims the only abuse at home was from his step father and that was just an occasional slapping (no type of sexual rape is discussed in the book at the hands of his step father). I believe the gang rapes discussed by Gaskins at reform school and prison are probably accurate.

If anyone would like to discuss this, please email me at pumpkins2002@comcast.net

This autobiography by serial killer Pee Wee Gaskins is brought to you by the apparently easily-duped co-author, journalist Wilton Earle. Gaskins' justifications and distortions are passed along with little examination or challenge, and probably bear small resemblance to the facts.

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending a week with Dr. Timothy Tyson as part of a Civil Rights Tour in Alabama with my public school district. Although I was "required" to read this BEFORE the tour, I did't pick it up until after I had returned home. Reading Tyson's words in print doesn't compare to listening to him in person, but the book is extremely powerful and eye opening to say the least. My parents were of the segregationist baby boom in Alabama and little mention of the civil rights movement was ever made to me during my childhood in the deep south. It is my opinion that most Americans are of the impression that it began with Brown v. Board and ended with the assassination of MLK. The book is only the beginning of an unearthing of long-buried truths about the struggle for racial equality and the unsung heroes who continue the fight.

Blood Done Sign My Name is a non-fiction work that combines the personal memoirs and research of Timothy Tyson, Professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin. The most striking aspect of the novel is the description of Dickie Marrow's murder from the points of view of different citizens of Oxford. This unique feature makes the book appealing to many age groups. Teenage readers can relate to Tyson's personal anecdotes about growing up in rural Oxford, North Carolina. Even if younger audiences do not understand the symbolism behind the text, they can still enjoy the well-developed characters and eventful plot. Adult readers can gain insight into many themes concerning race and white supremacy. Tyson elegantly expresses the naiveté of children on the issue of morality and treatment of other races. This is best conveyed in the passage where young Tyson taunted a black child solely because his friend had started an insulting chime. The author describes that it was fear--not hatred--that bred the twisted idea of white supremacy. Parents can also connect with the decisions and actions of Vernon and Martha Tyson. The Tysons believed that their children should be exposed to many different opinions yet respect all races. The difference in perspectives in the work allows readers of all ages to enjoy and understand the truth behind the Civil Rights Movement.
The book contains a few minor flaws that diminish the lucidity of the text. The plot is rather erratic; from time to time, the events are not connected perfectly. This technique may be Tyson's personal style of writing, but it proves to be rather confusing at major points in the plot. For example, Tyson usually explains a personal memory of the murder and follows it with completely unrelated information about another character. These discontinuities in the plot make the book difficult to comprehend at first. Gradually, however, the reader gets acclimatized to this original form of writing. The gaps between personal stories build suspense and enable the reader to process a feasible prediction for the sequence of events. The novel also includes many extraneous details about minor characters that play an insignificant part in the plot. Tyson extensively describes his mother's childhood, even though his mother does not affect the sequence of events in any fashion. This extra information, however, does not detract from the book's overall theme. Though the story contains a few negligible weaknesses, Tyson maintains his overall claim and presents it in an interesting and distinctive manner.
Blood Done Sign My Name is an enthralling story that expresses the moral wrongs of racism. To call it a mere story does not do Tyson proper justice; it is more fitting to call the book a documentary. By citing several engrossing stories throughout the novel, Tyson maintains the reader's attention and successfully proves his thesis. Other than its occasional lack of continuity, Timothy Tyson has written a classic non-fiction work for readers of all ages.

I read this book for a college course and found it shocking and heartbreaking. I grew up very close to where the event of the story take place. After I had finished the book I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Tyson. This is when I began to become suspicious. I also met the offspring of people involved in the story. They, along with many other residents of Oxford confirmed what I already suspected. Much of this story is COMPLETELY MADE UP! Some of the events did actually happen, but are blown WAAAAAY out of proportion, and the means by which Mr. Tyson acquired some of his information are very shady. So my verdict: as a piece of fiction I think it's a beautifully tragic piece of fictions. As a "true story" this novel loses all credibility and so does Mr. Tyson for any of his other work and he should be prosecuted for his slanderous words.

I recommend this book not only to those of us who lived through the time but also to younger adults who care about racial issues in America. The author's personal account allows readers to experience recent history through his eyes. The book is informative and a very good read!

I finally got around to reading this memoir this summer and was in awe of the author's narrative gifts. This story reads like a novel and is full of plain human wisdom, an emotional openness combining humility and pride, wry humor, sharp political analysis, and a can't-put-it-down story line that comes to terms with America's number one cultural problem: racism. This is a book of local history that gets at the human condition, and a work of history that reads like great literature. I'm telling everyone I can to read it, and that includes whoever reads this. Don't pay attention to any of the so-called "corrections" made by some other reviewers here. This is a must-read historical work that shows an astute and perceptive ability to understand its widely varying participants' points of view and experiences, while not shrinking from the moral and historical obligation to draw judgments. There is only one word to use: *brilliant.* (I'm not one to use that lightly when talking about either autobiography or
history.)

Disclaimer: The writer of this review is a professional historian with a Ph.D., but one who has never met Timothy Tyson.

In reading "The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas", I found it to be a good overview of the revolution in the South where my ancestors fought. I would have found it to be much better for my needs in researching family history if the book had more maps and a much better index. I would have preferred more maps and fewer pictures of the combatants.

This is a well-written, thorough book about the Revolutionary War in the Southern colonies, primarily from 1779 - 1781. John Buchanan, a former archivist and popular historian, is able to write with depth about the conflict in the Carolinas and Georgia, but never loses sight of the changing strategies of the rebellion and the British military. In many ways, this is a story of civil war, as the book is narrowly focused on the conflict in the South.

The war in the southern American colonies is probably the least known or understood part of the American founding. The military action involved naval bombardment, amphibious assaults, and militia insurgency, traditional set piece warfare on battlefields, and strategic offensives and withdrawals. Virtually every type of 18th century warfare and some that became increasingly popular in the years to come is present.

The leaders of the opposing sides, General Greene for the Americans and General Cornwallis for the British, are the two pegs on which either side rises or falls. The American setbacks in Savannah and Charleston, leading to the surrender of the southern army, are told in brutal efficiency. The rise of Greene, and the back country insurgency, led by militia leaders like Marion, Pickens, and Sumter is told by showing how seemingly random encounters affected the grand strategy for both sides.

This is a military history, with good, plentiful maps, excellent uses of letters and primary sources and solid explanations for why armies and military conflicts happened they way they did in the Carolina back country. The highlight of the book is the description of the strategic retreat of Greene from Charlotte to the Virginia border, in the winter of 1781, and the furious chase of Cornwallis's stripped down British army. Though the book perhaps could have been slimmed down some, it is a good, solid comprehensive account of the military operations in the South.

Lexington...Yorktown...Saratoga. These are some of the most popular battles fought during the American Revolution. However, John Buchanan offers an extremely valuable account of the southern theater of operations during the war.

By the fall of 1779, the war in the north had come to a grinding halt, forcing General Sir Henry Clinton to try another approach in his war against the rebels. Based on the notion that the southern portion of America held more Tories than the north, he chose to invade Charleston in late 1779 and move north.

Buchanan documents this tactic and strategy in great detail, mainly focusing on the war in the Carolinas under the leadership of General Charles, Lord Cornwallis. The amount of research the author exhibits is obvious as Buchanan goes into excruciating detail, offering the reader ample background information and individual vignettes on the major characters. Leaders such as Charles Cornwallis, Francis Marion, Banastre Tarleton, Daniel Morgan, and Nathaniel Greene are discussed in great detail. Furthermore, their individual tactics are thoroughly written upon as well as the battles in which they fought in.

Buchanan's focus is NOT a historical survey of the entire southern war, but rather the events which took place from 1780 on. Having said that, he delivers an amazingly-concise account that illustrates the valuable contribution the southern war played in America's eventual victory.

The book has three facets that highly recommend it. First, the author has a mature intelligent voice that comes through in his writing enabling him to depict events with empathy and depth. Secondly, the work is comprehensive, describing small partisan actions that otherwise get short shrift. Third, I enjoyed his choice of assessing the command skills of the various combatants. His reasoning is sounds and buoyed well by the facts as he, admittedly, presents them. I also found his prose style engaging.
My only criticism is that he gives equal time to minor engagements and major battles. He also describes so many skirmishes that without maps or illustration they tend to dissolve into one another. Furthermore, it would have been nice if he had chosen to chronicle the remainder of the campaign. Of course, my desire for the book to be longer only demonstrates my appreciation of it.
I recommend it.

I have mixed feeling towards John Buchanan's book "The Road to Guilford Courthouse--The American Revolution in the Carolinas" because although the author seems to have a good grasp of the subject and has a relatively easy-to-read writing style, he frequently gets caught up in the myriad of less relevant battle and personnel details. This makes getting through the book a grind.

Having said that, it was definitely fun to learn about some of the characters that played significant roles during the stage of the Revolutionary War that took place in the Carolinas. This is a part of the war that doesn't get much attention even though it is where the war was won, where the tides were turned. The British make a decision to get out of Philadelphia and finish up their conquest by invading through the Loyalist populated South, and then all of a sudden wind up surrendering at Yorktown. I was missing something before reading this book.

Coming from Rhode Island and being an early American history buff, I was a little disappointed that Nathanael Greene didn't get more coverage, but it appears that most of the fighting in the Carolinas was done by others, who do get their due in the book. Particularly, with regards to unknowns getting their due, it was especially fun to learn about Daniel Morgan and Banastre Tarleton, but also Thomas Sumpter and the Battle of Kings Mountain. It was interesting to get a taste of how a war was fought in the swamps of Carolina. Buchanan does do a particularly good job of quoting frequently from primary source material--this really helped to bring the 225 year old story alive.

In the end, the book could have summarized more in some areas and delved more deeply into others. Also, note that the book ends with the battles of Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse and doesn't cover the war through Virginia and the eventual surrender at Yorktown.

Finally, one very, very important problem with the book--the maps and illustrations used are totally inadequate. This makes understanding the action very difficult. Very frustrating!!

This book has the best cornbread recipe I've ever used. It's fantastic, and makes a large batch.

I freely recognize that I'm no expert on soul food (California girl, born and raised) but tasty food is tasty food, I don't care where you come from.

I had the pleasure of dining at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem with my Mom about 8 years ago. Not only wee we impressed with the service but the food was incredibly delicious! So good, that I bought her cookbook at the restaurant and was lucky enough to meet her and get it autographed. What a sweet and gracious lady!

This book is filled with all the recipes used at her restaurant. Not only are they simple to follow and yummy but your family will be pleased with the results. There's no other like Sylvia!

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. I probably turn to it more than any others. Having this book is like having one of those family members nearby; you know, and Aunt, or Grandmother, that has been cooking for big families all their lives and really knows how to make some fabulous, old fashioned food. My Mother-in-law is like that - man, that woman can cook and she has a lot of good, simple recipes. This book gives you those types of recipes, and along with them, you get the stories of her family connected with the recipes. Every recipe I have cooked from this book has been good - they are simple recipes and they are some goo-oood eatin! This is true soul food, so it is not low-cal or low-fat, but you can change-up the recipes to make them healthier if need to, or just cook as-is and enjoy.

I have been searching for a tasty Red Velvet Cake recipe for a while now. I got the recipe from the Food Network website, and choose this one because I did not want to replicate Cakeman Raven's cake. I am happy with my choice (i used it to make cupcakes). The cake was soft and moist on the inside with a slighty chewy outside. I followed the advice of one of the other posters and used 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder. When I tasted the raw batter, it had a pleasant chocolate taste, but when I tasted the final cake, it was a little more subtle. Another adjustment that I made was to increase the amount of sugar in the recipe; I added an additional 1/2 c of sugar which bought out the chocolate flavor. I did not make the frosting because I already had a recipe that my friends and family liked.
Once I tasted the cake I came on Amazon and purchased the book.

I've read her cookbook from front to back many, many times. I love the receipes, as well as her family stories that help these receipes come alive and taste great! You can't go wrong with this cookbook. A MUST for your cookbook collection. I loved this cookbook so much, that I'm going to purchase her other cookbook.

Once again I was browsing at this discount store, and they had gotten a shipment of books in that week. I bought 5 books, and The Sisterhood of Blackberry Corner was one of the books I chose. I had never heard of Andrea Smith, but she is an excellent writer.

The characters were so believable. Sometimes in a group of friends, you'll have a character like Tilde, who wants to be center of attention and in charge, and on the other hand you'll have a friend like Thora, who is out spoken and her exterior seems tough, but she definitely has a heart.

It was so hard to put down. There are some twists and turns in the book, and I found myself going back and reading pages I had read before because I had missed one thing that lead up to another. I could relate to the dialect since I was born and raised in the south.

I would definitely recommend this book. Excellent!!!

I thought this book was going to be boring. I attempted to read this book 3 times and now i have finally finished. I take the NY subway and I was crying like a baby towards the end. It's a little slow pace but it has it twist and turns. I pictured the scenery very easy. I felt so sorry for Bonnie when she found out the truth of her husband. I was relating and her friend Thora is a true friend indeed. this book has a lot going on that my own emotions was a roller coaster.This is a book that I will never forget.

I really enjoyed this book, and since my spouse and I are heading down that adoption road ourselves, this was a very, very good read. In short it showed how a couple of people and then an entire community worked to solve a problem and likewise make a difference. During which, adversity and loss of other sorts came and went. Some folks were bitter, but not for too long. It did hit home for me when you come to think about some of the really bad parents that need to find a better place for themselves and an even better place for their children. Folks have been raising other folks children for years, its time that someone acknowledged that it is for the greater good. I would highly recommend this book for a summer reading list.

The book starts off slow but builds to a climax that will shock those not paying close attention to details. An especially satisfying ending that completed all the storylines (not like some books that leave you wondering and empty).

I picked this book up from our local library on a whim. It was set out with a variety of books for Black History Month. I am SO glad I got this book... the writing flows beautifully around a story that will touch anyone with a heart. A woman, Bonnie, who can't have children of her own, stands up one day and makes a statement that will change her life forever. Suddenly she finds her home a sanctuary for unwanted babies. Her husband doesn't want her to keep them, even though they haven't had any of their own children, but doesn't stop her from finding them homes. Bonnie is a wonderful character. Not far from the realm of real possibility, I find her a warm compassionate woman written with real honesty where her true emotions lie... and a role model for us all.

I look forward to reading more books by Andrea Smith. As a white woman, with a wonder bread background, I find the rich characterizations and life details of early black history intriguing and loveable. It was like reading "The Color Purple" again, for the first time.

I bought this book for my 13 year old daughter for Christmas. She loves this author and loves to read. She likes that the books are based on actual historical events. She commented that several she has already read have had women who are demented or crazy in some way- she has grown sort of tired of this. So she wants me to take care in the stories I choose from this author.
I would recommend these historical books. I think it's great that kids can learn about history and not be board by it.

What can I say about this book? It's absolutely my favorite out of all the Great Episodes of Ann Rinaldi's. I love the story of Caroline and her journey with her slave grandmother, she is so strong through the whole story. If you love History you'll love this book!! I know I did.

Cast Two Shadows, by Ann Rinaldi, is a book about a girl named Caroline Whitaker who is growing up in the midst of the Revolutionary War. Her father is a riche plantation owner. But he's "away". He was accused for treason by the king of England when he turns spy for the "Rebels". After he goes to jail, a man named Lord Rawdon who is a general for the British military, raids the Witakers' house, and moves in.
Caroline, her mother (technically it's her step-mother), and her sister, Georgia-Ann have to move into an upstairs room. Only Georgia-Ann can go downstairs freely, because she and General Rawdon are courting. One night, when Georgia- Ann and General Rawdon sit down for dinner, he says that their cook is horrible, and so Caroline speaks up and says that her secret grandmother, a slave can cook very well, so Rawdon sends Caroline off to find her grandmother, Miz Melindy, and help her prepare a presentable meal.
After that happens, nothing extremely relevant happens until a woman who knew her brother, Johnny, comes and tells Caroline and Miz Melindy that Johnny is injured and that they must come quickly. Caroline and Miz Melindy pack up a few provisions and head to the place where Johnny was supposed to be. When they get there, they find Johnny with his manservant, and they both have the "Shivers and Shakes" (Smallpox). Miz Melindy tends to them until they are healthy enough to get back home.
On their way home, they find a woman that is called Just Agnes. She is horribly ill, and was trying to find Cornwallis, because apparently, he promised her marriage, but lied and left her. Miz Melindy tends to Just Agnes. But when their provisions run short, they keep on moving. Just Agnes stays in the back of the wagon with Caroline.
On their way, they unfortunately find British soldiers who have been looking for Johnny, since he was caught as a spy for the "Rebels". The soldiers do not recognize him, but while the people are being searched for weapons, Just Agnes has to be covered up with a blanket to muffle her screams of pain. Caroline pulls the blanket very tight so that Just Agnes can barely be heard, but then she stops altogether.
Once the soldiers leave, everyone checks on Just Agnes. They realize that she is dead, and tells Caroline that it is not her fault. Then Miz Melindy hugs her, and that's when Caroline can tell that Miz Melindy is ill as well. When Caroline asks if she's alright, the old woman says she's fine and that they must keep moving. Once they get home, Johnny tells General Rawdon that they must speak. So instead of Georgia-Ann going down to dine with the Brit, Johnny and his mother come down. Johnny tries to lie, and say that he is not a spy. He tells Rawdon that he will "spy" for the British and find out where the Patriots' next attack is.
Right after dinner, he comes upstairs and says that he must leave immediately if he wants to get to the Patriots' commanding officer and secretly tell him what Rawdon's planning. He says that his mother, Georgia-Ann, and Caroline should do the same. Later that evening, the General sends for Georgia-Ann, and when she comes back from speaking to him, she starts packing for Charleston where she will live until the war ends so that she can have proper clothing, housing, and schooling.
Three days after Georgia-Ann left, Johnny was supposed to come back from the "spy" mission, but he didn't, and so Rawdon said he would set the house on fire at dusk. Caroline and her mother knew they must flee, and so they packed their most beloved things and shimmied down a rope from their window. When they both got to the ground, Caroline took out a bow and arrow that Johnny had given her, lit it on fire, and shot it through the window they had just left. They immediately saw flames, and so they ran.
After the story ends, there is an epilogue saying that after the war ends, Georgia-Ann is never found, Miz Melindy dies, Caroline's father is released from jail, Johnny comes home, and they all (including the slaves) start rebuilding their once beautiful home. I would give this book two thumbs up, because it portrays a female and her courageous role in such a thing as war.

C. Larochelle

I read this book when I was in the 4th grade. It took me almost 1 month to read this. I just resently reread this book and it took me less than a day. This book was the first Ann Rinaldi book I read. I have many different 'styles' of books that I like to read, but one of my favorites is historical fiction. This book just pulled me in. I couldn't put it down I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this book. I can't even begin to explain this book so you will just have to read it yourself.


A devoted reader,

MAR

I read Cast Two Shadows by Ann Rinaldi in my history class. I had much trouble getting through this book because of the unique writing style and Carolines vague descriptions of things. If I could read this book again, I would not because I did not enjoy it much at all.

What can you say about this book.........other than it's a collection of timeless sayings and thoughts from the mind of one of America's original great thinkers. This should be required reading (in all formats)for high school students if for no other reason than to have them explore humor without 4-letter words. Once read, some of these bits of wisdom will stay with you for life. Enjoy and pass along. You will be a part of re-braining this country!

Though Benjamin Franklin never suggests that all the words are his, his assembly of commonly used phrases and sayings provides the reader with material that will make them think. Do remember, that this doesn't read like a novel.

Given as a gift so have no input. Recipient did not care for the format of the book.

Ben Franklin's book is loaded with tips just as relevant today as they were centuries ago. You will truly be surprised at the amount of knowledge, useful knowledge, you get from this book.

So to start, there is a huge problem with this page. If you utilize Amazon's Search Inside feature for this version of the book it is actually showing you the inside of a different copy of Poor Richards Almanack. What you see is definitely not the inside of this book and I'll tell you why later.

Another problem with this page is the fact that people are reviewing the content of Poor Richards Almanack and giving you, the consumer, a history lesson on the book. But come on... the content of the book is pretty much a given. If you're not familiar with the Poor Richards Alamanack, then it's probably a good idea to check it out from a library before you buy it. You would want to own a copy simply for novelty's sake.

So onto the review of the actual product... This is a very poor copy in terms of quality (just like this review). This is just speculation, but it literally appears as if someone from the publisher went to the copy machine with an original copy of the book, pressed the "Enlarge 150%" button, photocopied the entire original book onto larger paper, bound it, put a cover on it, and sold it as the copy you see here. The black space you see on the cover is about the size of the margins within the book. This creates an obnoxious amount of white space around the paragraphs which in turn makes the book difficult to read. On top of this, some of the pages are slightly crooked.

So as I've stated, the content is exactly like the original, but you can easily find a better version than this one. Unless the book was intended for people with impaired vision, there is no reason the original book should have been blown up and placed on 2 inch margins. I would steer clear of this version and find a better one.

As a side note, there are several versions of Poor Richards Almanack. Some have his quotes reorganized into categories and some versions have his quotes re-written into more modern language. And there is, of course, the original. For Christmas, I got my Mom the original as well as the one with the organized quotes. So I guess it's whatever your preference is.

Forever Blue by Suzanne Brockmann
Silhouette Intimate Moments # 742 - October 1996

Carter aka Blue is on leave from Alpha Squad to be his stepbrother's best man. The whole town is talking and speculating whether Blue will show up, because his brother Gerry is marrying Blue's high school sweetheart, Jenny Lee. After changing careers, Lucy finds herself back home, and now on the town police. She's had a crush on Blue since he rescued her from five bully's when she was 15 years old. She's read everything she could get her hands on about Navy SEALs, so she's well aware of the kind of life Blue leads. When Blue's brother Gerry is murdered by the twist of his neck, of course, Blue is the main suspect. Everyone is willing to accept that the motive is jealous rage. Lucy's been assigned to investigate the murder, and she's torn between her attraction to Blue and going by the book. And when the motel refuses to rent Blue a room when he's ordered not to leave town, Lucy has no choice but to take him in ... and things heat up.

I can certainly agree with the rave reviews Ms. Brockmann has received for her Navy SEALs series. She is a magnificent story teller. Her characters come alive and the suspense and action keep you reading on and on. Add in a sizzling romance, and this is one of those books I know I'll be wanting to read again and again.

Another great read in the TALL, DARK AND DANGEROUS series featuring SEAL Team Ten. If you're following this series, you don't want to miss this installment. Plus, I just love Blue McCoy, and he and Lucy make the perfect couple!

Suzanne Brockmann is a fantastic writer, the story is good, the dialogue even better - except one thing - a seemingly continuous need to throw the word 'mercy' in every few pages. It gets very annoying - and sounds so very prissy, coming from a Navy Seal hero - I don't care if they do say it in the south! Otherwise, a great story, and a great ability to make predictable sex scenes very unpredictable. Recommend it!

Check out - Blind Spot - Romantic Suspense with environmental theme

I've never read a Suzanne Brockmann novel before, but I get the impression that she's well-loved by her fans. Perhaps love has blinded them to the flaws of FOREVER BLUE. I give this book 3 & 1/2 stars.

While I must admit, that the book is another, which I read in record time, I felt cheated in the end: Carter 'Blue' McCoy (ironic name given the coy feel of this story) and Lucy Tait are two characters who start off making the reader think they will be very unique romance novel leads--that is, unconventionally and refreshingly direct and honest with their thoughts and feelings. Nonetheless, Suzanne Brockmann very conveniently...and frustratingly decided to throw a roadblock 'mystery' up between them, putting the two would-be lovers on opposite sides for too much of the book.

To be brief, Blue is a Navy Seal who has taken a vacation to visit his hometown and to be the best man in the wedding of his stepbrother...and Blue's highschool sweetheart. Local rookie cop, Lucy Tait, who has had a crush on Blue since highschool starts off as a tool for Blue to use to release some sexual steam and a way for Lucy to make her dreams a reality. Their first date goes awry, but they both find that they have bigger problems on their hands when the next day finds Blue's stepbrother dead...and Blue a prime suspect. When Lucy is assigned the lead on the case, fate takes the choice of 'romance' off the menu for Blue and Lucy until the murder is solved...or does it??

Well, while the first steaming chapters of dialogue and interaction between these two promised a great deal, they delivered very little. The two love scenes between these two were not worth the wait, and left this reviewer feeling surprised and let-down.

FOREVER BLUE had a great romance foundation that was not built upon properly. The purported 'love' between Blue and Lucy felt more like hero-worship together with a healthy dose of low self-esteem on Lucy's part and like a case of the little head ruling the big head and a little gratitude and loneliness on the part of Blue.

The Navy SEAL information was incredibly interesting and added a lot of depth to Blue; it was fascinating and the most tasty ingredient in Brockmann's literary recipe. I just wish that more time had been taken to flesh out Lucy, who I think could have been a really marvelous and special character; the tidbits about her having been on the boys' basketball and baseball teams or her life as an entrepreneur...or anything more about her background would have helped the reader 'see' her more clearly.

And finally, the story centering on a murder and the ensuing charge hanging over Blue's head was poor for a couple of reasons: The circumstances and motive didn't really make sense, and was not clearly explained in the rush of final chapters; the victim's involvement and character should have been more developed, both to make the connection to Blue feel more real and to give the reader more insight as to why he would have been involved in the conspiracy.

Potentially Incredible, Actually Unsatisfying.

SEAL executive officer Carter "Blue" McCoy is on leave to attend the wedding of his step brother Gerry in Hatboro, South Carolina. The town is anticipating his arrival because Gerry is marrying Blue's former girlfriend, Jenny Lee. But no one is as excited about his arrival as Lucy Tait. A rookie officer with the Hatboro PD, Lucy remembers Blue fondly as the guy who rescued her from bullies back when they were teens.

While trying to break up a fight, it is Blue who subdues the baddies, again rescuing Lucy. Suddenly she is on the receiving end of his smoldering eyes, and when he asks her to attend the engagement party as his date, Lucy is pretty excited and has big plans to seduce him. But those plans never materialize - at the engagement party; an apparently drunken Gerry picks a fight with Blue, who leaves the party with intentions of leaving Hatboro first thing in the morning. When Gerry suddenly turns up dead, Blue is the prime suspect. With the police convinced of his guilt, the town against him and nowhere to turn, Lucy takes Blue in and lets him stay in her spare room, which causes plenty of gossip in the small town. Lucy is the only one who believes that Blue was set up - now she just has to prove it without losing her heart.

No one creates sexy alpha heroes like Brockmann. The humor, tenderness, and exciting plot are early indications of her talent which comes out in later novels like "Hot Target" and the excellent "Over the Edge."