I must say, not hailing from Cedarburg and never having been there, that I looked with trepidation on the reading of this book. But a friend insisted, and I began, and was instantly ensnared by this wonderful writer, historian, and stylist.
Many local histories are written by archivists or presidents of historical associations - but this wonderful stone-faced city by a creek was trebly-blessed to have a professional writer do its history. The book, which at its beginning traces the geologic and environmental factors leading to the Native-American settlements there, also relates how and why German immigrants transplanted their own culture there. Finally, and regretably since the book was such a ripping good read that I didn't want the history to be over, Gierach tells the story of how the town faced down the modernization movement of the 1960s and 70s to propel itself into the 21st Century by preserving the legacy of the German founders of the town.
In the main, the book is a general history done chronologically and with a focus on the cultural history. Gierach avoids the mind-numbing lists of most municipal histories by telling the tales of the town's leading lights in a cultural context - and in the doing helped me better understand how German heritage shaped, in large part, middle-American values.
Cedarburg is a history-oriented town, and it should be very very happy that Gierach did such a bang-up job on their history.
I can't wait until his second title is ready - I'll check Amazon frequently for his name.

Based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, this book plays what if. What if the abducted child, now a woman, tries to settle back into the white world she was taken from 25 years ago? What if she almost succeeded? What if she has a chance to go back to her Comanche family and life that she has come to love over a quarter century if time? This is another of Ms Haseloff's wonderfully researched and fantastically written novels. This is one author who can say more with less effort than almost anyone I know. All of her novels have been a treat to read.

Calling all boys who were obsessed with fire trucks, police and rescues as young kids. This book, and RESCUE by the same author, will satisfy the thirst for excitement and the ability to handle more vocabulary and procedure. Written at a third grade level, it can be read to kids as young a first grade. (It may be hard for kids under 5 to follow the story and understand the police jargon.)

This book seems to have struck the same vein as Xena, warrior princess - albiet years earlier. Cheon is more overtly sapphic than Xena, but her adventures are, if anything, more entertaining than those of the great warrior princess herself. What happened to vols 2 and 3? My Xena-loving friends would kill for this book. Pity it ain't in print.

I am a fan of many of the 'Simple' books. While they inially seem trite, reading not prousing brings new insights. Text is the strong point. Pretty pictures a bonus Also recommend Packing. Womens Wardrobe.

This is an adorable, heartwarming Christmas story that I will treasure always.

The Church of God of Prophecy History &Polity by James Stone next to the Holy Bible (KJV) is the best book on the face of this earth. James Stone was obviously under heavy Holy Ghost anointing and inspiration while he researched and wrote this book. Stone proved himself to be a man who had received from God the revelation of the mystery of the body of Christ. Stone walks us through the History of God's Church this side of the dark ages and brings us through to the present day operation of the body. He defines and illustates the teachings of the Bible which the Church so firmly stands upon. Stone excellently paints a portrait of the church of God that anyone who is seeking God for a true revelation of the Bible Church will be able to see her and find her. If you're looking for what God intended as far as His sheep go, then take heed unto yourself and receive with meekness the engrafted Word of God which has been divinely instilled in the pages of this book. Do you need a vision of the church of God; Then read The Church of God of Prophecy History & Polity by James Stone. God bless you in your search for His Bride.

I was sorry to see this book was out of print. I first read it when I was 13, and have never forgotten it. It's the story of a boy living in modern day Greece, who meets a girl while she is visiting his island. They become friends, and together discover the mysteries of a cave that contains a hidden temple to the ancient goddess, Athena.

Circle of Stones, An Investigation of the Circle of Stones by Richard A. Schwartz is one of those rare finds which leads you into the past with both intelligent thought and historical fact and imagination. This book takes you through many credible theories of how a mysterious circle of stones came to be.These theories are supported by interesting ethnographic facts and historical data. But the main attribute of Circle of Stones is that you can see that the author took the time to carefully and lovingly write this jewel as a tribute to those who have come before us,both Native American and American Pioneers.

In my pre-Amazon years I encountered several mystery stories by George Chesbro. I enjoyed both. They had occult and eerie overtones in addition to the underlying mystery story. The 'detective' in these books is Mongo Frederickson a dwarf ex-circus star who went on to become an academic criminologist and adventurer/detective. For some reason I never ran into another Chesbro mystery. Recently, I discovered that Chesbro had written many Mongo stories. I decided it was time to do a little catching up.

"City of Whispering Stone" is thus my first Chesbro in some 20 years. I say 'new' guardedly, since it was originally written in 1978. It features Professor Robert Fredrickson (more commonly known as Mongo the Magnificent) as detective. Mongo is called in by an old circus friend to investigate the disappearance of Hassan Khordad, an Iranian circus star. The few leads point to a political tie-in with the old Iranian regime (the revolution is still to come). Back at the University where he teaches, Mongo follows this lead to the Confederation of Iranian Students and finds himself embroiled in the political turmoil of pre-revolutionary Iran.

Mongo becomes the target of the Iranian secret police, the CIA, arms smugglers, and even the Iranian liberation front (GEM). Seeking answers, he only manages to dig deeper into a political maze he barely understands. Suddenly, during the investigation, the Iranian girlfriend of Mongo's brother is killed. Garth, the brother, flies into Iran to attend her funeral, and promptly disappears. Mongo suddenly finds himself in Tehran trying to track down Garth. The remainder of the story is both a fascinating tour of pre-revolutionary Iran and an adventure story that would do Indiana Jones credit.

"City of Whispering Stone" is tightly plotted with a lot of surprising turns. The flashes of insight into Iranian politics are eye opening, for we Americans are accustomed to having the Shah portrayed as a hero and the revolutionaries as villains. Dialog is often humorous and tongue-in-cheek. I have to admit that Mongo's athletic prowess with shoe knives as a bit hard to swallow, but it just makes the story more exciting. All in all this is great reading. Keep an eye out for Chesbro's books.