This book allows the reader to see 1957 Little Rock Arkansas from the viewpoint of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine African American teens to integrate Centeral Highschool.

Richard Kelso writes in a manner which allows young readers to grasp the political situation that America was in ,and the racial tension that was blatantly displayed at the time.

Students who have read this book also find the personal viewpoint of teenage Eckford easy to relate to. The characters were very real and understandable.

I have taught this book to both 4th and 6th grades with great success. It is a great discussion starter and tolerance teacher.

This serious book tackles the huge topic of discrimination in a very real and easy to understand manner. Students are able to grasp the frustration of ninth grade Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine African American teens that struggled to integrate Little Rock High. I have successfully used this book to discuss civil rights and freedom with grades 4-6.

A great book to teach in conjunction with The Sneeches by Dr. Suess, and Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals (another of the Little Rock Nine).

We have all seen the pictures of the teenage black students walking through the rows of U.S. Army soldiers as they entered the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In "Cracking the Wall; The Struggles of the Little Rock Nine," Eileen Lucas tells the story behind those famous pictures. Illustrated by Mark Anthony, this book not only tells us the names of these nine students but takes us inside the school so we can find out what happened when the cameras were not around. While these students were allowed to attend Central, despite the wishes of the Governor Fabus and other segregationists, they were not allowed to participate in any activities. Young readers will learn how the governor used National Guardsmen to keep the blacks from attending class until President Eisenhower sent different soldiers to ensure the law was obeyed. In an Afterword, Lucas explains what happened after the soldiers left and how Fabus actually closed all the public high schools in Arkansas rather than let black and white students be together. Today we look back on these events and cannot believe adults could be such idiots, but then prejudice is not exactly textbook rational thinking. Students will find this story fascinating, although I would imagine they would have a hard time imagining what it was really like for these nine brave students. As Lucas reminds her young readers, while "The Little Rock Nine helped to crack the wall" of segregation, "it is up to each of us to continue to tear down the walls that keep people apart."

Creationism on Trial is but one of the many books by the highly acclaimed and superarticulate theologian Langdon Gilkey. In this book, Gilkey recounts his participation in the Arkansas "balanced treatment" case. The first part of the book reads almost like a novel as Gilkey playfully and skillfully tells his story of how the ACLU contacted him, and how he eventually came to be one of the major witnesses for the plaintiff in the 1982 McLean vs. The Arkansas Board of Education trial that struck down the 1981 action of the Arkansas legislature, Act 590. Act 590 required science educators to teach biological and physical origins from two different perspectives: From a purely scientific point of view and from a recent creationist point of view. Gilkey states that upon reading the act, he was immediately sure that this act required the teaching of religion in the science classroom, and he then spent his time preparing to articulate why this was the case. The next portions of the book recount his deposition, testimony and cross-examination during the trial, and impressions of the other witnesses for the plaintiff.

The portions of the book that cover Gilkey's deposition and testimony tend to read like a textbook on philosophical theology. Gilkey almost certainly relied on the court transcripts and one must salute his desire for accuracy. Abbreviation and summaries of some of this admittedly complex material would have made the book more readable, as would have interludes that revealed what was rolling around in his highly productive mind.

Of particular interest were Gilkey's impressions of the other witnesses in the Little Rock trial. His description of Michael Ruse and Francisco Ayala were particularly entertaining and lively. However, a major disappointment of this portion was that Gilkey did not see the creationist witnesses and compare them to the witnesses for the ACLU. Gilkey states that he did not stay for their testimony and therefore he was not able to comment on them, which is certainly fair and just. However, his perspective and comparison of the two groups of witnesses would have been worth their weight in gold.

Gilkey's description of the Little Rock trial also provides an interesting perspective relative to the other participants. For example, Michael Ruse's description of the trial in "But Is It Science?" provides a stark contrast to Gilkey's account, since Ruse sees himself as having narrowly escaped defeat during his testimony, while Gilkey sees Ruse as almost playing with the defense attorneys. Another interesting contrast can be found between Gilkey's work and the account in "The Creator in the Courtroom," written by Gilkey's counterpart, Norman Geisler. Geisler was the religion expert retained by the defense, who argued that Act 590 did not establish religion in the science classroom, but was somewhat embarrassed on the stand by his answer to questions about the nature and existence of UFOs. Geisler views Act 590 as being flawed legislation, but not fatally so. Geisler also saw genuine problems in the plaintiff's case, but he certainly did not convince judge Overton, whom Geisler argues, and not without some cause, was biased for the plaintiff. Nevertheless, amongst these other accounts Gilkey's description of the trial stands as one of the most elegantly written and beautifully crafted books on the McLean trial.

Having said all this and in light of the fact that I genuinely enjoyed the book I must offer one concern. Gilkey is a theologian in the liberal tradition and he tends to present a "two-house" view of the relationship between the sciences and religion. Religion, according to Gilkey, attempts of address ultimate questions, whereas science is interested in proximate origins. Therefore, these two fields of study occupy different domains of human inquiry and thought that should not impose on each other. While this view has much to commend it, and while Gilkey's explanation of it was nothing short of both perspicuous and cogent, I find this view a bit unsatisfactory. If, as a Christian, Gilkey believes that God made Himself known to people in a variety of ways, then this means that God has affected the physical world. If Jesus really turned water into wine, we should be able to verify that the liquid in the jugs is really wine and not just water. If God really became man, then we should be able to scientifically verify that the person lame from birth can now walk without help, or the person who could not see from birth can now see. The two-domain view really fails here, since it does not recognize that Christians believe that God has and in many ways continues to affect the physical world. Therefore, while science and religion do live in different houses, they do tend to visit each other from time to time, and they might even make statements about each other that can be challenged on the other's turf.

Despite this reservation, Gilkey remains a brilliant scholar who has written a wonderful and highly readable book.

This book although not very entertaining, is perfect for someone writing an essay on segregation or more particulary Central High. This book was my main topic of research for my essay. A good Read.

I thought the cook book was very good. The recipes I have tried were very tasty. It was very interesting to put a little history with each set of recipes.

Little Richard is such an important figure in 20th-century music that it is crucial that there be a biography of him out there. However, this biography is more a scrapbook than a polished work. Oftentimes, you can't tell when the author, Richard, or an acquaintance is speaking. There is no analysis of the events in Richard's life. This book pales in comparison to texts on Billy Strayhorn, Josephine Baker, etc. This book drags on about concert after concert after concert. Besides, Richard is in his homophobic phase at the time of the book's writing and there is no attempt to put his self-loathing into context. I needed to learn more about Richard, so I am glad this book exists. However, this was a poor piece of autobiography and I am surprised that the author did not take the time to fine tune his work.

The Homewood, IL reviewer (07-08-01) suggested that the author rushed this work. It's been well-documented in print and on radio interviews that the book took many years to write - in fact the author made several trips from England to California to speak one-on-one with The Quasar himself, his former Managers, sidemen, songwriters, and on and on.
What the reviewer is probably most bothered by is the discography section. Yes, it was poorly edited and lacking in some important details - but it's been suggested that the sessiongraphy was conceived to include a running commentary by Little Richard and to account for, perhaps, one-third of the book. It's understandable that such an approach benefits only deep fans and historians, so the proverbial "bottom line" was apparently applied to the project.
Life & Times...is the author's first book and he displayed a fine writing ability, with a colorful descriptive sense. At times, his hyperbolic approach can make the unitiated uneasy, but considering the bombastic style of the subject, it fits.
Although some parts of his career remain in mystery even after this book release, the better-known periods recieve a thorough review: his childhood years involving sexual confusion and a growing awareness that he had something special to offer the music culture; the swingin' R & B years when R & R was confined to clubs; the R & R Revival period when he made a successful "comeback" and convinced many that he had the greatest voice all along; the struggle with drugs in the early '70s leading to an almost overnight clean-up and a rediscovered spirituality.
Richard was not singing Rock and Roll when the hardcover came out in September, 1984. It is believed that this work created a strong enough interest in his career, that a critically acclaimed "Contemporary Christian" album "Lifetime Friend" and a memorable appearance in Paul Mazursky's movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" (which included a Richard Top 50 hit for '86) led to his return to Rock in '89. (Which made some folks, who thought he was better situated in the non-secular world, uncomfortable). But there is no doubt that this book filled a major void in the rock music press.

i enjoyed this book.it details so much.this man is the true king of rock-n-roll.and he has always been upfront about different subjects.he has had an enormous impact on the music world.this book tells of racisim and the constant battle for respect and truth.this man is a true original.

I love Lowell Georges music. I love the work that Little Feat did with him at the helm of that great band. I bought this book, like others, because it was about Lowell & his music. It is clear that the author wanted a chance to review every song and every little contribution that Lowell made to them. But I'm not sure that he particularly liked many of the songs. There are a lot of quotes from the Lovin Spoonful alums, and very little from Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and other names most Feat fans associate with the original Little Feat, and Lowell George. If you are the type of fan that likes to sing along and tap your feat to the great licks, if you have been listening to Little Feat for as long as you can remember, don't buy this book. You'll probably find you favorite song shredded by this complete review of the music you love, by someone who isn't as interested in the sum as he is in the parts. This isn't a biography, it's more like a revisionist history. Lowell should be listened to not picked apart. Long Live Lowell George!

I have been a Lowell George fan since just after he passed away, and have been waiting for a good biography -- this isn't it. The writer gets far too bogged down in details that just don't matter (for instance, pinpointing EXACTLY when George joined Frank Zappa's band) and just skims over stuff about collaborations that I would have enjoyed reading about, not to mention more information about George himself. This book is more like a timeline with commentary that centers on music criticism than a more traditional biography. I would pass on it unless you are interested in tedious details. I wish I had.

I saw the comments of the_lone_reviewer from Dallas, TX United States. As someone who works for the book's publisher, I felt I had to reply. Yes, this is the ONLY book in print on Lowell George. But you're quite wrong when you say the book is "compiled from pre-existing interviews and text". Author Mark Brend spent a long time interviewing many, many people involved with George, including musical colleagues, friends, and close family. That should be clear to anyone who has read this unique book about the music Lowell made. (And yes, I would say five stars, wouldn't I...)

THE LONG SHADOW OF LITTLE ROCK is an interesting book. The story of Daisy Bates, civil rights activist, newspaper writer, officer in the NAACP, is a story of hate and bitterness and constant battling against the whites in her state of Arkansas. It is supposedly the story of the intergration of Central High School in 1957 by 9 black youths under the sponsorship and "guidance" of Mrs Bates and the NAACP yet it more often reads as a chronicle of Mrs. Bates's successes and failures and her importance in the intergration. It is a one-sided view of an important occurance in the civil rights battle.

The reader must always keep in mind that the book was first published in 1962 (there is a preface by Eleanor Roosevelt) as the civil rights movement began taking on a more violent tinge. If you read it knowing the time period it was written in and the circumstances in the country and in the civil rights movement you can get through the pervasive hate and bitterness. Even Mrs. Roosevelt, herself concerned with the civil rights issue, comments on the bitterness of the volume.

It would be interesting to read Melba Beals WARRIORS DON'T CRY in conjunction with this book - because perhaps then the real truth of the Little Rock experience would be known. Beals did not care for Mrs. Bates and her experiences at Little Rock are covered in a very brief paragraph in Bates' book while other students, such as Minnijean Brown, enjoy pages of coverage. It makes you wonder whether Beals's story is true or a conglomeration of all the acts committed against the other students and if Mrs. Bates truly was concerned for the children at Little Rock or the press coverage.

A good read but one that must be read with the knowledge of the times, the attitude of the times and an open heart. Mrs. Bates recently died - and her book is an important read in the study of civil rights despite the anger, hate and bitterness of the writing.

Daisy Bates work is a very important document from the era of civil rights. Although it is not an actual account of one of the nine students who integrated Central High, it is very close. Bates was right there directing the operation, making sure the students were protected, and made sure that the children were encouraged to go ahead with their duty. I don't think I would have been able to send those kids in to that school, with all those hateful students. I hope Arkansas and the citizens of Little Rock apologize every day for what they did to those nine children.

Daisy Bates was an integral figure in the integration of Little Rock Central High School. As president of the State Conference of NAACP branches, she was very active in the fight for black rights. Hers is an eloquent account of a highly volatile situation. She effectively compares her views with other accounts of people that were there, and the writing is very fluid and moving.

Don't waste your time or money. This poor woman. Failed marriage when her husband Michael DesBarres finally sobered up he is humiliated when she writes about her slutty past in book one. She's like a birthday cake where everyone got a piece, and Michael Des Barres got one that everyone had their hands all over. It all began with her drunkard father who was never home then she began trying to get attention of high powered rock stars who used her up like toilet paper. You'll cry for her son who was plagued with emotional problems. Then you will cry from boredom and her awful writing.

I'm sure lots of people have bought this book, hoping for more name-dropping, drug-taking fun, and like me have been very disappointed. Des Barres is no writer, and this story of her more settled-down wifely days is duller than dirt. If you enjoy reading an ex-druggie's regrets and lamentations about her husband's continued use (until he too goosesteps the AA way),her abject failure as an actress, and her son's (surprise, surprise!) messed up adolescence, go ahead and waste your money. The only amusing episode in the whole book (or at least the parts I didn't skip over through boredom) concerned Des Barres' infatuation with Sandra Bernhard, but that occupied but a few pages as Bernhard had the sense to avoid entanglement with the self-styled "queen of the groupies." Des Barres doesn't seem to understand that what made _I'm With the Band_ entertaining was that the things she was doing were fun and outrageous. Must be hard knowing all the good parts of your life are over. I hear there's a third book -- think I'll pass.

Sure, it wasn't as wild as her first book, "I'm With The Band: Confessions of a Groupie", but she's starting to grow up! I guess it has to happen! I still enjoyed the book. There's a lot of growth here as a person. She's determined not to be a doormat and starts confronting issues head-on. Like her not so perfect marriage, her father's death, and past relationships. I love her description of Jimmy Page, how she started to see him in an entirely different way. IMO, he was a hypocrite to call her a "bimbo" and trash her book. Pamela is an excellent writer, even if the subject matter isn't quite as tittilating as her first book.

Webb Hubbell is a tragedy in life and Public Service. He cheated, lied and stole and then blamed others like Ken Starr, the media and his family. The book is an excuse of misjudgments not an admission of guilt, repentance or atonement. The same justification of deeds he should be ashamed of but instead makes claims of shame as a badge of honor. What is more tragic is that when it is all over. And the Clinton'' have left the scene and pities of power he will be forgotten as much as he forgot about them under cross examination. He will be like his wife, avoiding laundry by sending it out, because she was to lazy to change. In the end, he is will rue the day he undermined the Rule of Law, ran from the truth and remained silent in the face of justice calling out for vindication. No one believed him then, and after this book no one believes in him now. Webb needs to know that penitence and forgiveness does not mean avoidance of punishment. He has done neither, and thus, cannot really go on in this life proud of anything he has accomplished. He will and is a failure just like this book was trying to tell us he is innocent. When one tells half lies they often forget where they placed the truth ever again! This will be Webb Hubbell's legacy. The book will be forgotten sooner than when you close it. if you open it at all? I suggest you won't!

Webb Hubbell's begins his long climb back to manhood. The book outlines the short glory and long tragedy of a fellow colleague Webb Hubbell. Some call him a cover up artist, others brand him a liar, but whatever description one might try to apply to Mr. Hubbell one can never say he is snitch. Webb was given two choices, either inform on your President or we are going to burn you. What the hell does that mean, "Inform On Your Friends To Save Your Hide?" There was a time Webb Hubbell could see the difference between right and wrong. Like all who aspire to learn and practice the Law one cannot wait to be put in positions to help many. Webb got to the mountain of power and after his fall he could have gave up. Webb didn't sale out, he refused to buy his future by selling out his friends. Some would describe this as twisted integrity, others misplaced loyalty and a few such as I as uncommon character accompanied by the courage to accept his fate, punishment and seek out atonement. I won't judge what Webb did as right or wrong. I will leave that to others with far more thoughts of their ability to do so regardless of rank or position. He no longer deserves to be hounded by reporters, destroyed by opponents, laughed at by peers or condemned by the public. If there is one thing this life teaches us it is we all fall sometime, we all get muddy and many have a cold and friendless tide find us leaving us with an amputated spirit. Well, Webb Hubbell did his time, protected his family and has repented and now needs acceptance so he can atone. If another colleague Ken Starr saw no reason to call for his incarceration upon a third conviction plea, then I see no reason to condemn Webb any longer. He now needs to be embraced, protected and given new opportunities to accomplish new endeavors. I am satisfied with less so long as Webb continues on his path towards righteousness and now there is no reason why he will not and deserves another chance.

This is an excellent look into the world that revolved around Webb Hubbell in Little Rock and Washington DC. Mr. Hubbell is an adept storyteller who cuts through all of the partisan politics and simply tells the truth about his relationship with The President and First Lady. Mr. Hubbell also does something few men are willing to do nowadays. He accepts responsibilty for his mistakes without casting blame and doesn't try to glorify his standing with the Clintons or blame Kenn Starr for his failures. A good read that provides one of the only truly first hand accounts of the Clinton's days in Little Rock.