This book has some very nice designs, but I was disappointed that there were no photographs of completed projects. I am not very familiar with the prairie style, so I would have liked getting some suggestion from the designer as to possible colors, textures, and layout. A few of the patterns have shading (10 out of 48) to suggest color layouts, but of course the design I wanted to make was not shaded (Murphy's Law I guess).

Tornados, prairie fires and moonshiners balance civic pride, classrooms and enlistment portraits in this touching photographic account of life in a much slower time. This collection of postcard images records events of 1900-1920 in America; faithfully collected by postcard archivists Hal Morgan and Andreas Brown. These are images from the outposts of rural life, small runs of unique events that offer the past with a remarkable immediacy. The images dominate, a 10-page introduction is supplemented by explanatory captions. This book will "transfix anyone with an interest in American history, postcards or photography."

I liked "Prairie Flower" by Pat Muchmore. It takes place during the Cherokee Outlet Run on September 16, 1893. Amy Elizabeth White and her father Alfred White are among the thousands that are making The Run for the Oklahoma Territory to start fresh and new in a newly born city, New Ponca. Colby Grant is among the many Runners. Colby and Amy meet at the beginning of the race and immediately their personalities clash. But as time wears on, they find that they are a lot alike. Amy has always known she was adopted with a French heritage. But when she finds out that she's of Indian blood, the prim and proper women in town ostricize her. So she goes in search of her heritage, seeking out her Indian grandparents and finds her way to Colby and her adoptive father. The electricity and sparks that fly between them when they are together butting heads is something the reader can feel coming from the pages. Pat Muchmore has delved into a lot of history for this story concerning The Run for the Cherokee Outlet and New Ponca (later renamed Ponca City), her late husband was the co-publisher and editor of The Ponca City News.

Mr. Karolevi traces the life of an amazing American Illustrator and Artist. From his humble beginnings as a sod buster, on the Dakota prairie, to his rise and stardom as an American celebrity. Karolevi's book enthralled me, I felt as though I knew Mr. Dunn, and had the chance to study his philosophies and work ethics. This book will continue to inspire and produce many great artists, and continue the legacy of Harvey Dunn.

This is a nice reference book for an experienced field guide user. It is small enough to carry into the field. Be aware however that it is not a "beginner's book"--it is difficult to use if you don't already have a good idea what your unknown plant is. Also, the drawings are coarser than what one could wish for. On the plus side, the author adds excellent ecological notes on almost every plant. A useful glossary is included, as well.

A naive American college student marries the wrong man---attracted by Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language he studies---and journeys to India, where she finds the right man, another Sanskritologist. Unfortunately, the natives are revolting, bullets are flying, and what is she going to do about George, her despised husband, when it's Alan she really wants? Set in the exotic, fabled vale of Kashmir during the riots that followed the execution by hanging of ex-premier Bhutto in Pakistan in the late 1970s, this first-person narrative may remind you of Daphne DuMaurier's classic love story, Rebecca....and then again, it might not! Nick Manning (drmwk@juno.com

Nessa is a likable young girl who steals away in the night to escape marriage to the local minister. While this book is not long on details, it is a delightful, easy read for young girls. It's title is very fitting, as the main character holds true to her faith in Jesus through all her trials and happiness. A good wholesome book.

First let me say I am not an architect. I am interested enough in this design form to want to learn more about the history and designs of the Prairie School, and its impact on American architecture. I came across this book while looking for just such a review, yet I wanted to avoid wading through textbooks. What I found was a very readable and seemingly comprehensive review of the students of this movement, its background, and its philosophy. The history seems reasonably complete, well presented and ultimately interesting. The book's weakness is its inevitable superficial treatment of each individual's portfolio and their evolution; the student of architecture will want to have more detailed reference materials at hand. For the non-architect, this did create some difficulty in understanding how each of these creators related to each other. This then occassionally creates some dry reading. Overall, however, I have not yet found a better distillation of the Prairie School history. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to a trip to Chicago to investigate some of these architects' works.

For those who cannot view the Smithsonian traveling exhibit of the same title, this is an excellent substitute. The 60 plates depict the schoolhouses, diplomas, playground equipment, teaching aids, and housing quarters. The text also chronicles the rise and ruin of these schoolhouses, most of which are now gone.

John and Beth Ross are naturalists who are moved to poetic writing, in the traditions of Thoreau, Annie Dillard, and of course Aldo Leopold. Their descriptions are both scientifically detailed and poetic. The Wisconsin prairie is their inspiration, which they have studied and explored for many years.

John Ross, the writer, is time conscious: the book is organized around solstices and equinoxes, and early on he admonishes us that to truly experience the prairie one must be up before dawn. As we follow him in this close adherence to time we find that he leads us to a sense of timelessness, even eternity. In the process, we come to see the seasons in our own lives, and feel a sense of place in our own universe.

At times Ross shows us the prairie close in, on hands and knees. Other times the perspective is larger and we see the prairie in the context of the world that encroaches it on all sides. Finally, he brings us to realize that the prairie reflects the cosmos.

Beth Ross' photos illustrate the book perfectly. These photos also bring a sense of timelessness. It seems that because she walks the prairie often, she can afford to wait for the perfect light, the moment of blossoming, and it clearly shows in the luminous photos.

If you love nature and want to know more about the prairie, or know the prairie and want to find a sense of awe and inspiration, this book is for you.