The outstanding aspect of this book is that it gives a detailed history of the conception, implementation, and fight to save the Lincoln Highway. Upon completion, one has a thorough knowledge of the people and politics of the highway. But there is more. It gives a summary of the different sections of the Lincoln as it exists in the late 1980s. While not a complete travel guide, it makes for an excellent companion for anyone thinking of retracing the old highway. After reading this book, I wanted to resign my job and drive this road. The author has taken no short cuts here.

Long before Route 66, there was the Lincoln Highway -- a transcontinental road connecting Times Square to San Francisco, marked and promoted by private interests.

The Lincoln Highway and its brethren (the Dixie Highway, Victory Highway, National Old Trails Road, and dozens more) were replaced by the U.S. Route system almost 75 years ago, but many stretches of the old Lincoln are still part of major auto routes. The most scenic and historic stretches include US 30 through Pennsylvania and western Nebraska and US 50 across central Nevada (the "Loneliest Road").

Drake Hokanson brings the Lincoln Highway era back to life with a combination of modern observations, quotes from pioneer motorists, and well-chosen illustrations. Anyone who's ever driven, or thought about driving, Route 66 should look also at the Lincoln: it's longer, more historic, more scenic, and less tied to the world of the Interstates. Drake Hokanson's book is the perfect introduction to the world of the Lincoln Highway.

American children grow up learning about the first transcontinental railroad and the Pony Express, and rightly so given their role in binding the adolescent United States together. Few, however, learn about the nation's first transcontinental highway, the Lincoln, or Pacific, Highway. This was the road that launched automotive travel as adventure, in a nation that would link its lifestyle to the automobile. The irony is that while we all learn about the Pony Express and Transcontinental Railroad, neither is much more than legend to us today. But automotive travel, especially as adventure, is very much part of the American way of life. Yet few of us know much about the highway that made early 20th century Americans see the adventure in motor vehicle travel. This book, with its outstanding collection of historical and contemporary photos and well-researched and readable text, recounts the great, though forgotten, place the Lincoln Highway had in America at the time. From Times Square to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, the Lincoln Highway carried the most adventuresome motorists across some of the most settled, and most wild, landscapes in the country. In places, like central Utah's Great Basin, it wasn't much more than a two-track trail. Even today, one can drive a long, remote and spectacular unpaved segment of it across Utah, the same route followed by the Pony Express and Overland Stage. When I drove the route, which includes the ruins of Pony Express and stagecoach stations, this book helped me relive one of the most exciting and memorable, yet least remembered, chapters in American motoring history. No, I didn't write it. I just loved it. If you're a fool for driving and for personally reliving Western history, this is the guide to take you there

This book seems simpler than Alexie's later works, though by no means do I mean that in a literal way. Later works reveal a deep and complex style and voice. This book, an early piece, shows what is to come. Alexie's voice is strong and powerful, with very pointed pieces arranged in creative and innovative ways. This is a stepping-stone book into his heavier works, such as Summer of Black Widows and One Stick Song. You can definitly see where Alexie is going in this book...up.

For a long time I heard little bits and pieces about a poet named Sherman Alexie. I would see his name appear here and there, or a few words speak of him, and then I would lose track. After Smoke Signals came out, I vowed that I would remember Sherman Alexie and read more of what he had to say.

Years passed, to my shame. As a writer I was probably afraid on some level to begin reading his work because I had heard of his amazing success at a young age, but more important, his amazing output.

I finally decided to get a book, and I chose to buy Old Shirts & New Skins. I absolutely love it. The poems and the stories wonderfully compliment each other and tell a story of identity and pride. I really enjoyed the biting humor. it rang so completely true, I sometimes could not contain myself.

Based upon what I have read in this book, I will definately keep reading and buying his books.

This book of poetry has a real quality, a sort of grittiness so you know it's true.

The poems tie together present miseries with the history of Indian wars. But of course it's not the version of Indian wars we got through the movies; rather it is the untold part, of suffering of native people defending their way of life.

I am new to Sherman Alexie and new to American Indian literature; I came upon him through his movie "Smoke Signals." It's very good reading!

His writing contains heavy themes, but is light and graceful and has a healing quality. "Shirts" and "Skins" are the team names in pickup baasketball games; "'skins" is how Indians call themselves. I dont know what a "shirt" is - a white guy, probably -- that would fit. There is humor, word play and joy here holding up a world of sadness.

Comapres to substance of the Rt-66 books. Especiall the legacy of attractions bypassed by time. Some like Ligonier Pool have been salvaged, & will reopen..but most drive-ins are gone

Yes, those Rt. 66 folks have their road, but *the* primier highway of roadside Americana is the Lincoln Highway. Butko's book is an ideal guide to the Pennsylvania portion of the Lincoln Highway, pointing out most every present or defunct business, bypassed or neglected right-of-way, and historical point of interest along the route. The book describes the highway geographically, from east to west, allowing the reader to explore all at once or in various sections the Pennsylvania portion of the road that began America's love affair with the automobile. Filled with old photographs, this book is an excellent guide for any fan of history who might want see what remains of the early automobile era when automobiling was entertainment in itself.

Brian's book, not only gives you a great overview of the historic Lincoln Highway across Pennsylvania, but what it looks like today and the heritage of this great national monument to free enterprise. No student of the Lincoln Highway can call his bookself complete without this book.

definitely a very helpful and easy to read book. this guy has VERY obvious conservative leanings - his criticisms of democrats and drooling over republicans are a bit annoying. but if you can get past all that it's a handy guide to making one of life's chores more fun for you and your audience.

Red Auerbach used to teach his legendary Boston Celtics to stick to the fundamentals. This book is filled with help to make your speeches memorable. This book will add impact to your next talk whether in school, work or a one on one meeting. The author presumes a basic knowledge of speech construction. If you want help with that read Jack Valenti.

I expected a lot from this book and was still pleasantly surprised. James C. Humes is a very experienced speechwriter and speaker that takes the time to tell you some great secrets of public speaking.

The book goes through every aspect of speaking from opening to closing and beyond. Each section has many great ideas to take from it. There was no chapter that I did not walk away from saying, "That was a great idea!" When he makes a recommendation, he backs it up with supporting facts and real stories that illustrate the point.

The book is also easy to read. The writing style is easy to read and is interesting. Humes seamlessly ties in stories from the great speakers of history to demonstrate his ideas. Many of the stories are humorous, but all are good. Humes is also very clear in his recommendations, which leaves little confusion on the reader's part.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in public speaking.

This story of a boy growing up almost on his own, without a mother and with a loving but rather absent father, is relevant for so many children today. His bravery in overcoming his fears is inspirational. And it's a great adventure in the wilds of Greenwich Village, where the boy is surrounded by a host of offbeat characters.

Great message for kids and told from their perspective. I highly recommend this book if you can find it!

I loved this book as a kid, and I love it still. A few years ago I hunted down a copy from the publisher, since I never had the nerve to steal it from my local library!

It's a great story about a boy in the Village in the '60s, and how he learns to be play the guitar and be cool. There are jewel thieves and Ed Sullivan lookalikes and all sorts of zany things, as well as cool illustrations.

I'd love to get my hands on another copy to give to my 10 year old niece.

This is more of a comment than a review, but this book is not for the baby-preschool set as indicated, but rather an excellent story for the late-elementary/junior high age group. It deals with a Greenwich Village boy in the mid 60's who lives with his bohemian-artist father, and who accidentally gets wrapped up in a jewel theft. The underlying theme is his inability to shake his dependence on a childhood teddy bear. Many great 60's references including a Beatles style rock group which he auditions for and the Greenwich Village arts scene. Great illustrations, too.

Great book by the Collier Brother's. Nuff said

The Winter Hero was narrated by Justin Conkey, a 13 year old boy who wants to be a hero. His father was killed in the Revolutionary War, and his sister's husband was a Revolutionary War hero. This story takes place after the Revolutionary War in 1787. Farmers were angry about the taxes the Boston government made them pay, so they started a war against the government. This war was called the Shays' Rebellion. Justin wants to fight in the war, but will he become a hero?

This book was very inspirational to me because a boy my age wanted to fight in a man's war.Most kids his age in the United States today don't have as many rasponsibilities as Justin did then. I admire this character. The story was like a history lasson because I already knew about the Revolutionary War, but I didn't know about Shays' Rebellion. I strongly recommend The Winter Hero to people who like action, suspense, and history.

"This book is a wonderful, educational book that I never set down. It is full of action and thrilling excitment! I truely enjoyed it!"

This is a wonderful biography written by Kay Winters about the United States 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. The vocabulary is kid-friendly, especially for children in grades kindergarten through second. In addition, the oil paintings on pastel can really enhance the reader's interest. Most importantly, the emphasis of how Abe Lincoln enjoyed reading, and used it to his advantage is a great encouragement for young readers!

ABE LINCOLN: THE BOY WHO LOVED BOOKS is a delightful biography and a welcome addition to the body of children's books about our 16th President! With colorful, lyrical language, author Kay Winters tells the story of young Abe's boyhood from an important perspective, emphasizing at every turn his love of books, his passion for reading, and his eagerness to learn. Winters' narrative, beautifully supported by Nancy Carpenter's appealing illustrations, describes Abe as a "bookish boy" who practiced writing his letters in the dust, who loved spelling bees and spinning yarns, who carried a book in his back pocket even as he plowed, stopping at the end of each row to read a page. And at the end of the story, we find President Abraham Lincoln sitting by the fire in the White House...reading a book. As the book jacket says:
He loved books.
They changed his life.
He changed the world.
What I value most about this biography is that it gives young readers the opportunity to identify with a hero who is "bookish" and makes the connection between a love of reading and the empowerment of one person to change the world.

If you want to know more about what Licoln's character was like, this is perfect. It gives a genuine feel for who he really was, it does not gloss him up and make him look like god, nor does it tear him apart. The author simply states the man for who he is, good and bad. It's an easy read and a great read.

Although more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than anyone else in history except Jesus of Nazareth and William Shakespeare, few of them have looked with any intensity or insight at Lincoln's religion. Lots of people mention it, but few have really studied it. Trueblood gives a superb viewing of Lincoln's spirituality, revealing what books Lincoln read while growing up (including Aesop's Fables, Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, and Weems' Life of Washington among others), what his spiritual heritage was, and how his own theology developed over the years, being intensified and refined while in the president's office during the Civil War years. If you can find a copy of this out of print classic (only 150 pages long), by all means read it. It's excellent reading.

I think this book is great for children from the ages 8-11. I found this book very interesting and very idea-giving. This is a great way to build ones imagination!!

We use BTTDLWS in 5th grade during our Civil War era discussions. Works better for 5th grade as a read-aloud rather than as independent reading because of the sometimes more advanced vocabulary for 10/11 year-olds. The characters are 12 years old, so 6th or 7th graders may find it easier reading. Opportunities for discussion on time-travel, the chance to change history, and the Lincoln assassination are endless. Check it out before it goes out of print like Book #2 in the series "Back to Paul Revere".

It took me a long time to finish. This basically the political side leading up to the civil. It is interesting. There was a fews that got too much and I had to skip but it is a very excellent book.

All Northerners,such as myself, should read this book which takes the luster off many of the myths which we were taught in high school and college. Because it was his armies that won that War his subsequent assassination and virtually immediate deification, has led to not taking a critical look at his many flaws, mistakes and faults. Lincoln, a country lawyer, unschooled in Constitutional law repeatedly ignored that document in his stubborn quest to restore the Union. Read how Lincoln never did have a Constitution basis for invading a soverign country. Read about Lincoln's 13,000 political prisoners. A must-read book for all of us schooled in "Lincoln-Lore."

This book lays out in great detail (with plenty of references to the basic documents) the events leading up to the US Civil War.

For all practical purposes the original US Republic ended in the Spring 1861 and was recreated after the War with a new character. States Rights including the right to secede were lost in the process.

This book explains how it all happened and why you may feel you live in a high-tax Empire instead of a Republic.