Reviews (2)

Excellent small book!
Despite its relative lack of heft, this book makes for rich reading.You will learn a lot and think about what Mr. Covington has to say on the subjects of family, land, and place.

Fascinating, in fits and starts
The core of the book, which is the author's wrongheaded and doomed attempt to reclaim his father's land -- now dominated by local hunters, outlaws and vaguely corrupt law enforcement officials -- is fascinating.Covington's attempt to transfer his dream of recapturing his inheritance to the wilds of Idaho is somewhat less interesting.Most dissapointing, though, is the attempt to string together a narrative over what must be about a decade's chronology.All told, a few key days on his father's land makes up the core of the story, and you don't get a sense of how long or how hard Covington's efforts were.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Florida - Local History    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Regional Subjects - South    8. Social Situations And Conditions    9. Sociology - General    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. United States - State & Local - South   

Editorial Review

Barbara Jordan spoke in the cadences of a black preacher, backed by the moral force of the United States Constitution, and became Texas's first black senator since the Reconstruction era. She served in Congress for two decades before dying of multiple sclerosis at the age of 59 in 1996."Barbara Jordan was the first African American elected official to become an American hero," Mary Beth Rogers writes. "She broke through previously impenetrable barriers to become an 'inside' political player who was taken very seriously by the white politicians in power." The height of Jordan's power (and fame) came from her interpretation of the Constitution during the 1974 Watergate hearings, a speech that set the stage for President Richard Nixon's resignation. Two years later, Jordan riveted America with her televised keynote speech at the Democratic Party National Convention.Read more

Reviews (8)

A REAL HERO
I'm glad that Jordan is not hear to see how the gov't of the people, for the people, by the people has been so completely perverted by special interests and neo patriots, such as George W. Bush and John Ashcroft.I was only a boy, when like many, I was captivated by this incredible person.She gave me hope that govt could actually serve the people.This book does a great job to capture her spirit and remind us that govt was once a tool and not force for opression.

Inspiring and Revelatory (sp)
This was a very inspirational book.Barbara Jordan's life was really incredible and the reason she accomplished as much as she did had to do with her innate abilities as well as her willingness to deal with the enemy. She kept her overriding goal utmost - the welfare of the people of East Texas. An effective treatment of an amazing woman
This is a well written and effective biography of one of America's most amazing personalities.Mary Beth Rodgers tells Jordan's story with the advantage of being an insider; her access to those who knew Jordan well shows in her insightful and complete telling of Jordan's life.Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Afro-American women legislators    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - General    8. Legislators    9. People of Color    10. Political    11. Regional Subjects - South    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (3)

Timeless values in overcoming difficulties.Awounderful family book!
Ralph Moody's books are a national treasure demonstrating life at the end of an era while teaching timeless values in an enjoyable and appealing fashion.Almost all of Ralph Moody's books have that "read aloud" feel so rare in literature disigned for families. Told in the first person he tells his story simply with feeling and often some well placed humor.
Ralph Moody
When I was a child I read Little Britches, Man of The Family, and Horse of a Different Color.These books/stories are timeless.Any parent who wants to give a good example to a child about resposibility should obtain these.

Vivid history in a home-spun style that leaves you smiling.
Ralph Moody again weaves an artful picture of true life in the real world of the early twentieth century. His easy going style and colorful portrayal of each character give a real livng account of day to day life with aconstant optimism that many of us miss in our cynical world. A great readaloud family book aong with the rest in the series. Moody gives characterqualities that are rarely found in the novels of today and are much neededespecially for todays young men.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1898-    2. 20th Century American Literature    3. 20th century    4. American - General    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Fiction    8. History    9. Homes and haunts    10. Kansas    11. Moody, Ralph,    12. Ranch life    13. Ranchers    14. Regional Subjects - Midwest    15. Westerns - General    16. Literary studies: from c 1900 -    17. Moody, Ralph    18. Other prose: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (4)

Excellent biography!
Hans L. Trefousse wrote a definitive biography on this great Republican that helped initiated the Reconstruction period after the post-Civil War period. The sub-titled: 19th Century Egalitarian proves to be an aptly named since Stevens proves to be one of the foremost egalitarians of his century. The book clears up the myths and misconceptions that Stevens were often regarded in and set the records straight. Well written, nicely researched and with superbly insights, I can only wished that the book went even deeper into Stevens' life.
Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian
Hans Trefousse has done a magnificent job in portraying the "Great Commoner" and his effect on the United States. In fact, the book inspired myself and some other people in Gettysburg to start the ThaddeusStevens Society to promote his memory. For information about the society,write The Thaddeus Stevens Society, 65 W. Middle Street, Gettysburg, PA17325 or email me at rhetrick@gettysburg.edu.

Thaddeus Stevens: Complex Man for Comples Times
I want to thank Hans L Tredousse for a remarkable job on the unfolding of the character of one of the most complex individuals I have ever studied.Trefousse does a great job of showing us as much of whatis humanlypossible to know about Thaddeus Stevens.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1792-1868    2. 1849-1877    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - U.S.    8. History    9. Legislators    10. Military    11. Political    12. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    13. Stevens, Thaddeus,    14. United States    15. United States - 19th Century   

Reviews (1)

Close Call
The mining incident at Quecreek was something that shook the nation, but it shook Somerset, PA more than anything. I know someone that knows each miner, and to hear the story of their faith, courage and disbelief first hand is an eye-opening experience. Therefore, these books let you (someone that doesn't know any of the miners) get to know them better.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Coal miners    4. Mine accidents    5. Mine rescue work    6. Pennsylvania    7. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. Somerset    12. United States    13. 21st century    14. Current Events / General    15. Mining industry    16. True stories of endurance & survival   

Subjects:  1. 1926-    2. Alaska    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Game wardens    6. Hunting - General    7. Hunting Sports    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    11. Regional Subjects - West    12. Specific Groups - General    13. Tremblay, Ray,    14. Wildlife    15. Wildlife Management   

Reviews (4)

Garden of Blossoming Words
The author of this small book, that would so easily fit the hands while walking a garden, ready to open while perhaps sitting on a fallen log or stump or among flowerbeds, is a poet in prose. Kephart has written an ongoing essay, covering the seasons of a garden as she covers the changing seasons of her own life. On her 41st birthday, she has a sobering moment of realization. She is about to enter midlife with all its reassessments and transformation and growth, all the realizations of changing roles as wife, mother, woman, writer. Discovering the garden called Chanticleer near her Philadelphia home gives her contemplations a beautiful backdrop, if not a solid grounding to view herself as she views the natural world around her.
a poetic, enriching, wise and calming little book
I am always worried where I send for little reflective books that the writing will be flat and the thoughts dull. This one shimmers on the page and the simple, wise writing is pure poetry. I also walked in the garden through the pages and found that, as the author learned and grew with the seasons and her brief encounters with others, so did I. I am keeping this one on my night table to dip into often.

Enchanting.
Kephart again uses her beautiful gift of prose to bring us these reflections from Chanticleer.I deliberately took my time with this book, for I wanted to savor each page.The accompanying images add to the peaceful feeling of the book.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Chanticleer Gardens (Wayne, Pa    6. Chanticleer Gardens (Wayne, Pa.)    7. Conduct of life    8. Kephart, Beth    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    11. Women    12. Women's Studies - General    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Reviews (7)

Sticks in your head for years
I'm biased, because I'm from Gays Mills, WI (I used to mow Leita Slayton's lawn!) - but I recently re-read it, and was surprised at how many of the anecdotes and images I remembered were actually from The Land Remembers, and not from Steinbeck or anyone else better-known. Parts of this book will stay with you for years and years. It's like going home again every time I pick it up.

One of my all time favorites
This is one of those books I will always remember. My children were young when I read it and I felt that it contained many lessons on how to be a good parent. And all in the context of very enjoyable reading. The story about learning to use the horse drawn cultivator shows how a parents help their child develop self-confidence, which is something I see so many people lacking. I can't say enough good things about this gem of a book.

One of my favorites!
This book is full of humor and spends wonderful time on how a farm is run, explaining the land, the chores, the wonder of living on a farm. Ben's antics with his brothers are delightful, and his account of his evenings with his family are memorable. I read this anytime I need a lift, and shareits richness with anyone who will listen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Farm life    6. Farmers & Ranchers    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Regional Subjects - Midwest    10. Wildlife    11. Wisconsin   

Reviews (2)

An entertaining and insightful look at true Texas history.
This is a great book for anyone interested in the cattle business, Texas history, or the politics of big business in the middle of this century.One need not be a rancher or cattleman to enjoy this book.I would highlyrecommend this book to anyone from any background.

unique insight to modern-day, multi-national ranch boss
If you have an interest in the King Ranch, you should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Infrastructure    4. Regional Subjects - South    5. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    6. Biography & Autobiography / General    7. USA   

Reviews (1)

Good Weekend Reading
This is a great book to sit down with on a cold weekend.Just grab a quilt and let yourself be taken to the South where the author writes about his life.Not one of them boring autobiographies but a good story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Blacks    6. Blacks In The U.S.    7. General    8. Greenville    9. Historical - General    10. History - General History    11. Mississippi    12. Missouri    13. People of Color    14. Regional Subjects - South    15. Saint Louis    16. Social life and customs    17. Taulbert, Clifton L    18. Biography: general    19. USA    20. Autobiography    21. African American    22. History   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    6. USA   

Reviews (1)

Lighthouse living, examined
"[P]eople on the move are always fleeing a fate that no longer suits them for the unknown territory of change and fresh starts."And so Chicago native Martha Ruth Mulder reinvented herself as North Tavis Cairn, a journalist who had an opportunity to live alone for several months on Monomoy Island.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Cairn, North T    3. Coastal Ecology    4. Monomoy Wilderness (Mass.)    5. Natural Resources    6. Naturalists, Gardeners, Environmentalists    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Regional Subjects - New England    10. Applied ecology    11. Biogeography    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: general    14. Management of land & natural resources    15. Northeastern & North Atlantic states   

Reviews (1)

A Bronx Tale from the 50's
This memoir is beautifully crafted.It took me back to another time and place, andit is still with me.The author presents us with a candid look at her fascinating relatives (She is from a Sephardic family with roots, traditions and superstitions carried forth from centuries in Turkey and Spain.)She sharesthe struggles and triumphs of her own childhood.I am recommending it to those of us who remember the importance of a skate key, and to younger readers, as well.It is a timeless treat that continues to ring true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Cultures - General    7. Jewish Sociology    8. Jewish Studies    9. Jews    10. New York    11. New York (State)    12. Patients    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Poliomyelitis    15. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    16. Sephardim    17. Women's Studies - General    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Biography: general   

Reviews (1)

Humorous adventurous.
I found myself being able to visualize the desert, fell the heat of the region and Florida mountains that Skelton speaks of. His writing is extrememly visual and you can almost feel the breath of the bad guys on the back of your neck. Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists, Architects, Photographers    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Regional Subjects - West    6. Biography: general    7. Individual artists   

Reviews (4)

A walk through history.
Through the letters sent to his brother on the east coast, William Brewer leaves behind a first person account of an emerging state. From traveling through Los Angeles in 1860 describing it as a town of 3500 people in adobe homes, to the high Sierra scrambles through a vast wilderness he gives the reader a glimpse into a California long forgotten. A wonderful book to read and ponder over.

Paper time machine
This book took me back, and walked me through California in the 1860s

A wonderful and moving book.
This book is a lot of things. First, it's a marvelous description of what unmapped California was like--when Los Angeles had 4,000 inhabitants, and shootings every Saturday night. The physical descriptions of the state arevery interesting. But it's also a sort of social record; Brewer stayed withfamilies on his travels, and the description of life on these isolatedhomesteads is absorbing. Up and Down California is also, of course, anadventure story. Brewer and his companions traveled for four years, onfoot, by horse, mule and steamer, throughout a vast and wild territory,sleeping outdoors in fine weather and foul. As I recall, the only timeduring this period when he was ill was when he spent a couple of nights ina hotel room! Last, the book is very moving; Brewer joined the Californiasurvey because of the death of his young wife and child in New England. Thebook is a compilation of his letters home to his family. After the surveywas over he returned to Connecticut and had a very useful career in the newfield of public health, as teacher and administrator. He was an honest man,a good writer, and dedicated public servant. The book is highly enjoyable,and it's not necessary to be a California to appreciate it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Description and travel    3. General    4. Geological surveys    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History, Local    8. History: American    9. Natural history    10. Regional Subjects - West    11. Scientific expeditions    12. Surveys    13. United States - State & Local - General    14. United States - State & Local - West    15. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    16. Brewer, William Henry    17. Correspondence    18. Diaries    19. History / General    20. Journeys    21. Other prose: 19th century    22. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (14)

amazing
This is truly an amazing book. And Mel Cheren has lived an amazing life, from being a record promoter in the 60s who was living a closeted life, to being at the epicenter of gay life in the 70s, to fighting the AIDS crisis in the 80s. I bought this book just hoping to get more info on the Garage but I got so much more. I got a history lesson in gay life over the past 30 years. Truly educational and fascinating. But yes I must agree with the past poster--a little too much backpatting and a little too much taking credit for other people's successes. Other than that, a fine book and one definitely worth owning if you have any interest in disco, gay life or the Paradise Garage.

I really liked this book ...
I thought this book was great.I live in Boston and have spent a considerable time going back and forth to New York over the years.I think I spent most weekends there in the mid-80's.Anyway, I moved in a different crowd form Mel's Boston crew, but I knew some of them casually.His appendix held a few surprises for me as to what happened to some of them. Mixed feelings. (Please read the *whole* review!)
I must admit that I have very mixed feelings about this book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Business Aspects    6. Cheren, Mel    7. Discotheques    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Gay men    10. New York    11. New York (State)    12. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    13. Sound recording executives and    14. Sound recording executives and producers    15. United States    16. Memoir    17. Music History   

Reviews (4)

A beautifully written memoir
I felt compelled to write this after reading the other reviews because I believe that a book should be judged in accordance with it's own intentions and not by what other people think it should have been. This book is not the typical happy-family-eating-meatballs memoir, nor is it a light, breezy, funny foodie memoir. It is an exquisitely-written, ultimately loving remembrance of a family in pain. It contains great insights into the Italian immigrants' experience-- and a sober, unromanticized look at "The "Old Country" conditions from which many fled in the early 20th century. This book is highly recommended for people struggling with their own family's past, anybody who appreciates beautiful prose and memoir/autobiography, or Italian Americans wanting to explore that part of their past. Ms. DeSalvo uses food as metaphor to great effect in conveying the texture of the immigrant family's experience.

Recommended
This is not a book for those wanting a light read or those who haven't honestly looked at their own growing up experiences as second-generation Americans.
disappointing
I found this interesting, but somewhat depressing.With the living conditions in Italy years ago and living in the States with a grandmother, mother, father and daughter was totally different than my family as I was growing up.The cooking in later life with the author and her husband were interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Childhood Memoir    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Elements In The U.S. Population    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Italian Cookery    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    11. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    12. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

A personal favorite
I need to be objective and not give this 5 stars; however, for those interested in Ohio history, "Lion of the Forest" is a great read.James Finley could have been just another circuit rider; that in itself would have made his life story interesting.Above and beyond, he was a man ahead of his time.He railed against alcohol abuse, helped cause a split of the Methodist Church because of his strong anti-slavery stance, fought the federal government on behalf of the Wyandot, and worked for the cause of prision reform.All this from a man who was poor his whole life, and who, we deduce from his personal journals, probably suffered from bouts of severe depression.Reading his story made me proud to be an Ohioan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (James Bradley),    2. 1781-1856    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Finley, James B    7. History    8. Missionaries    9. Missions    10. Ohio River Valley    11. Pioneers    12. Regional Subjects - South    13. Social Reform    14. Social reformers    15. Christian mission & evangelism    16. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    17. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (16)

How new generation can relate also.
I was born in San Francisco. It isn't like that anymore as you can see, I didn't live in Chinatown but regularly go to my Grandma or grandpa after school in chinatown. I lived in Japantown til I was six years old. I moved to Oakland ever since. excellent book
this is a very well-written book for a non-fiction plot. It was recommended to me by a friend and I have to say the plot was not boring, the author was very descriptive in his writing. Don't miss out on this.

Very powerful
Yeah-- so forget about some of the editing problems-- this book is a must read!There are so many similarities between this and cultish groups. It doesn't matter if you're a poor kid in Chinatown or a rich kid in a brainwashing group-the lessons remain the same:One's inner voice--thinking for onesself and then of course--running away when you can --are universal stories.We have seen it in Nazi Germany, with Waco, in Chinatown and in Jonestown. KIDS of all ages should read this truly eye-opening account of how easy it is to get pulled in to an ideology that then kills its own.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asians In The U.S.    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. California    5. Chinese Americans    6. Criminology    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Ethnic Studies - General    9. Gangs    10. Lee, Bill,    11. Organized Crime    12. Parental Memoirs    13. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    14. San Francisco    15. Social Science    16. Social conditions    17. Sociology    18. Biography/Autobiography    19. Chinatown (San Francisco, Cali    20. Chinese American criminals    21. Chinese American families    22. Dysfunctional Families    23. Lee, Bill    24. United States   

Reviews (9)

Superb
This is a beautifully written memoir of childhood hardship, cruelty, and neglect. The author's candor and equanimity in examining a painful history is remarkable, as is the poignant outcome.

Another famous author belabours us with his supposedly-sorry childhood?
Not exactly. If you arrive at this book as I did, mildly inquisitive after enjoying his two masterful, definitive tomes on nuclear weapons, you are in for one HELL of a ride.
Rhodes' tale of survival and a brother's courage...
I came to this book quite late, just finishing it a month ago. I read a few non-fiction books by the author and liked them quite a lot, so I grabbed this recently at my local Friends of the Library used book sale. Actually, since I am a domestic violence social worker, reading autobiographical accounts of various kinds of abuse experiences is part of my continuing education. Sad to say, I have read tales of abuse suffered in childhood which are even more disgusting than what Richard and his brother endured, and which lasted much longer than the two-plus years of horror the Rhodes kids experienced at the hands of a vicious stepmother. This is well-done, and the suffering depicted is probably understated...my sense is that Rhodes did not want to rub the readers' noses in his agony, but rather present a message that acting to protect the multitude of neglected and abused kids all around us sometimes does pay off in big ways. If you have an interest in the survival of a bad childhood, this one should be read, but probably would be even more powerful if paired with Dr. Laura Schlessinger's upcoming book, "Bad Childhood, Good Life" due to be published in January, 2006. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Childhood Memoir    6. Childhood and youth    7. General    8. Kansas City (Mo.)    9. Missouri - Local History    10. Regional Subjects - Midwest    11. Rhodes, Richard    12. Social life and customs    13. United States - State & Local - General    14. Biography: general    15. Child abuse    16. USA