On one level Flesh and Stone is the story of a nineteenth-century New England coastal town, Stony Creek, Connecticut, and its engagement with the granite industry. From riveting narrative to superb illustrations it brings art and literature to one page in such stunning detail that words on paper cannot possibly capture its great achievement. To be appreciated this book has to be read--and seen.

On a deeper level, Flesh and Stone narrates a history of America. What is "America" but a combination of towns and cities whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts? By looking intensively at one town--its people, its economy, its politics, and its environment--readers of Flesh and Stone receive a graphic sense of history from the bottom up. Ordinary people come to life and assume extraordinary significance as living, breathing, case studies in Americanization.

Readers as far away as Miami, Florida or Seattle Washington, or the mythic Cabot Cove, Maine, will see and appreciate one New England town and, in the process, come to appreciate their own local history. Ideally, superb local history like Flesh and Stone will inspire imitators across the country. They could look at no better model for how to proceed than Flesh and Stone.
Harry S. Stout
Professor of American History
Yale University

The marvelous,plentiful photos plus historical information about quarries and granite make this a book that schools,libraries and collectors should own.Many professionals from geologists, physicians,historians, and others have written revealing essays for the book. There are maps (even of the original earth landmass) and the sites of various quarries. Equally important are the personal pictures and stories of the quarry workers. A book to treasure.

My group of friends, who had all travelled Greece in our backpacking days, benefited greatly from this book. As our trip in July 2002 progressed, we relied more and more heavily on the book. The recommendations from sites to food to hotels proved to be excellent every time. I particularly liked that the lodging and restaurant recommendations had inexpensive through expensive listings, which we used as our budget-mindedness changed during the trip. For anyone beyond backpacking and Lonely Planet, this book is a must.

I found this book very useful. I used it mostly as a guide on a walking tour of Athens. I only had three days in Athens and wanted to see as much as possible. I spent a few hours browsing through the pertinent section and made my plan of action. Everything was as described. I also referred to it when making my hotel reservation and when looking for good restaurants. I stayed at the Hotel Philippos near the Acropolis - a great little place. Eating I went through great troubles one night to find the Taverna Sigalas in the Monasteraki area (because of subway construction,) but it was well worth the effort. I still drool at the thought of the wonderful Greek salad I had and the very best moussaka I've ever eaten. Going to Rome this year and I plan to buy a Frommer's for Rome because I only have three days there and I know I can depend on this book.

This is a lovely book, full of practical advice, good ideas and useful tips. It's well written and easy to follow, perfect for anyone interested in adding stone to the garden or creating a garden in a stony site. But even those who may not have an application for the book will enjoy Dency Kane's gorgeous photographs. It's a great book for perusing and dreaming.

In Garden Stone: Creative Ideas, Practical Projects, And Inspiration For Purely Decorative Uses, gardening expert Barbara Pleasant has produced an impressive compendium of tips, tricks, techniques, suggestion, and original ideas for blending stone, plants, soil, water, and light to create gardens of enduring beauty and inspiration. The informative and practical text is wonderfully illustrated by Dency Kane's 250 full-color photographs of lush gardens and garden stonework taken from gardens throughout North America. More than forty different gardening projects are presented, along with instructional line drawings to complete stone projects in association with highlight plants that are especially effective when used in the company of stone. Garden Stone is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and professional gardening reference collections.

The latest great book from Renee Newman: this is another wonderful book written to help acquire the right knowledge when making the important decision to purchase a special piece of jewelry! Bravo!

Profusely illustrated in full color, Renee Newman's Gem & Jewelry Pocket Guide: A Traveler's Guide To Buying Diamonds, Colored Gems, Pearls, Gold And Platinum Jewelry is the most concise, definitive, informative, authoritative, portable, and "user friendly" guide for travelers seeking to buy gems and jewelry while on their travels. This little pocket-sized compendium offers invaluable tips for the non-specialist general reader on quality evaluation, fake and lab-grown gems, custom-made jewelry, customs regulations, gem treatment, and geographic gem sources. Whether acquiring gems and jewelry for personal use, commercial resale, or as a collectible, first read through Renee Newman's Gem & Jewelry Pocket Guide.

This book is comprehensive, detailed, and it is not Dry Dull Reading as so many similar texts can be. If you are in the Gem and Jewelry business, or just a collector you will get something out of this book. Well worth the money!

If you are a hobbyist, or desire a career in the gemological field, this book is something you should not be without. I would recommend all jewelry stores have their staff read this book BEFORE talking to potential customers. From using instruments to identifying stones, this book has it all! Technical books are usually so dry and boring, but this one is different. It actually covers the material in an easy-to-read, fun format! Have a good time with your gems - and LEARN! Get a copy for yourself.

Having read his previous book, I knew this one would be great reading. Boy, was I wrong- it's way better than "great reading". It should be mandatory for every believer to read this book. Every church leader will appreciate the understanding Bishop Stone has concerning the five-fold gifting from Christ.

It has been my pleasure to sit under the Teachings, Preaching, Prophecy and Writings of Bishop Dwayne Stone. His Revealed Word from God in "The Ascended Christ" has surpassed what he has spoken or written thus far. In my search for someone to help me in growing and becoming what God has intended for my life, my purpose, my passion and gifting, God dropped Bishop Dwayne Stone right in the midst. Reading is not just a "Must" but an internalization of this insight into the Five-fold Ministry. If you want to find "your place" please make this a part of your library.

This book belongs to the universe. While it was guided through Ms. Joy's incredible ability to paint fine art and write moving prose, it is not her story alone. It is your story and my story. I've had the immense pleasure of meeting the author/artist when hosting a Goddess: Breathe in Stone workshop. She lives her Goddess nature and with the lessons from the book guided us into ours. Thank you, thank you, Gloria Joy - more, more!

Gloria Joy with talent and sensitivity presents a contemporay view of the goddess for everyone, male or female, that defines and integrates the mystery of feminine godliness.

Of the half-dozen books I bought in preparation for recycling some of the old stonewalls up through the woods on our farm into a new retaining wall, this is my clear favorite. It is more detailed than John Vivian's Building Stone Walls, particularly when it comes to retaining walls. Because it is not as glossy and illustrated as Haywards' Stone in the Garden or David Reed's Stonescaping (which are, by the way, both excellent in their own right), I'm not as wary about taking it out to the project with me.

The text is clear and concise, and includes a healthy dose of stone philosophy and the index is detailed enough to help the do-it-yourselfer find what he needs, but short enough so that he can find what he wants, even if he does not know the proper name for it.

However, the main reason I like this book so much is Gardner's assurance that anyone who puts his mind to it -- which includes me -- can build a stone wall. While his respect for old stone walls and the art of building them is obvious, he also has a healthy dose of practicality. "The notion that all, or even most, of the old stone-work we see around New England is the result of concentrated applicaion of arcane skill," he write, " is demonstrably false." Once that sacred cow was out of the way, my confidence level went up and anything seemed possible.

The black & white drawings that illustrate the text are clear and very helpful.

This is a wonderful book...it's about stone walls, and about building stone walls, and all the things stone walls have meant and done for 350 years, and what it feels like to live and work in a place where just past the urban sprawl every one of those 350 years blends with this one (and if you look out the corner of your eye there're older times than that hiding in the shadows.)

It's not a homeowner howto, though it's got everything you can learn from a book. It's a book for masons who love their craft, New Englanders who love their home place, and anyone who likes good work. Whatever that means to you.

This is a wonderful book! Seiss does a first-rate job of concisely introducing the reader to the fundamentals of the Judeo-Christian spiritual content of the Great Pyramid. He does this in a way that is very engaging, and it makes the book hard to put down. It is also easy to read, despite Seiss' use of Victorian English writing, which is another plus. All in all, this is a book that I would highly recommend for anyone interested in studying the spirtual and scientific truths embodied in the Great Pyramid. It is concise, practical, and informative. In other words, it is excellent.

It is ammazing how Seiss reads the physical structure in light of biblical history. The comparison of the dimentions of the Great Pyramid to Scripture and history of Gods' people both Jew and gentile is very thought provoking. I have found that recent findings do not discredit any of Seiss' observations. This just helps to enforce the divine being active in the building of this Great Pyramid as Seiss explains. The nonbeliver will have difficulty not to investigate further.There is very strong EVIDENCE of the divine intervention in the building of the monument. Divine science is displayed or should I say Science before science was discovered is displayed. For those who need proof of a God this book is a strong evidence that can not be overlooked. A must reading for those who wish to see where the divine is active in the physical aspect of man's workings. Another foot print of the almighty creator left on his creation for man to see and ponder on. Seiss is a man who has been blessed with great insight to the workings of God. His book on the Apocalypse also displays this.

A small, concise book that informs and entertains in addition to becoming a reference book for further reading. It covers the pinnacles of Greek history from prehistoric times to the fulfillment of the dream of hosting the Olympic Games in 2004. Highly recommended! - Gene Chronopoulos, President, Greek-Americans in the Arts and Entertainment

Hands down, the best compact history of Greece out there!