Rosemary Gregory, Myra Lee Goff & Roger Nuhn have given the citizens of New Braunfels (& Comal County) a gift that will last through the years. It is a chronicle of a German settlement and the people who have lived here in earlier times. Lushly illustrated with over 275 photographs, illustrations, maps, and artifacts, it is an beautiful tome that invites the reader to connect with and feel part of this community. Everyone in who grew up in or lives in Comal County should have a copy.

This book is great! It gives you lots of tips on how to grow a successful city garden. I give this book 5 stars because it is so exelent.

Only two books have astounded and disturbed me. One was a thin volume by Keynes, written just after WWI, which predicted Germany starting another war -- and giving facts and statistics which irrefutably demonstrated Keynes' argument. I was disturbed because the work had been largely ignored by those in a position to change conditions so that Germany need not start another war.

The second astounding and disturbing book is Brooks Adams' "The New Empire." Adams covers a lot of time (4000 b.c. - 1900 a.d.) and territory (Asia, Europe, America). He shows how shifting trade routes have caused great cities to rise, and to fall. He regards these cities as the seats of 'Empires.'

Adams -- younger brother of Henry Adams -- discusses these trade routes as connections among products, resources, and markets. When water traffic became less expensive than overland traffic, port cities became great centers. When the ocean routes began to be navigated, the center of 'Empire' shifted from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic countries, especially Spain, Holland, France and England. Adams discusses various wars as inevitable forms of economic clashes. In early times, Adams discusses the importance of metals. As he moves into the modern era, he looks at coal as essential. I would love to have his thoughts about oil. But the reader can extrapolate easily enough. It's scary.

Lots and lots of good historical stories, including Gengis Khan, the Russo-Japanese rivalry, and the rise of the USA as the center of the 'New Empire." He points out that if we don't stay flexible and energetic, China could become the new center.

He discusses political administrative efficiency as a factor in determining the cost of transport and production.

Why did I never see this book in eight years of university English lit studies?

You'll love Adams' sweeping conclusions and generalities. Buy this book! Read it. It's a keeper.

I found this book at a book fair at the school I work at. I bought it without looking through it thoroughly, but I really liked the title and the pictures. To my surprise, my husband and I LOVE it. It is a GREAT book for kids to learn the important and TRUE principles, festivals, and traditions in the Bible. Furthermore, we were shocked to find that it stated the TRUE day of the Sabbath rather than the more popularly observed day. God bless Anne Adams for authoring such a great book.

This book is unique in that it takes you step by step through not only finished embroidery designs, but also from the very beginning with instructions on how to dye the ribbon yourself (which saves quite a bit of money in the end).

It is clear, concise and easy to understand. This book is staple in my crafting library and I continue to reference it time and time again.

In telling the individual stories of The Thirteen Colonies this look at New York by Adam Woog falls in the middle between those colonies always covered in some detail by American history textbooks, Virginia and Massachusetts Bay, and those largely ignored, Connecticut and Georgia. This becomes a matter of some importance because the rule of thumb in this series is that it is the lesser known colonies that receive the superior treatment, while those dealing with the first and foremost colonies are at a disadvantage. In this regard, Woog's look at "New York" is like the former: an informative volume for young readers that establishes the uniqueness of New York as a colony.

Woog introduces New York Colony as the only one of the original thirteen to develop and flourish under a nation other than England, having been founded by traders from Holland in the early 1600s. More importantly, the colony from its earliest days was more culturally diverse than its neighbors, a trait that continues to this day. The book follows the standard five chapter format of the series: (1) The Origins of New York Colony traces the first traders and settlers as well as the native tribes living in the area, ending with the surrender of New Amsterdam to the English; (2) Forming the Colony deals with a wide variety of topics, from the decimation of the Indians and the practice of piracy (including Captain Kidd), to the Zenger case and the Leisler Rebellion; (3) Daily Life in the Colony looks at the daily routine in New York in colonial times; (4) New York's Role in the Rebellion begins with how the Stamp Act was resisted in the city of New York and the military campaign in the colony, most notably the disastrous Battle of Long Island; and (5) New York After the Revolution covers creating a state constitution and New York City becoming the nation's capital, as well as the early days of the state through the end of the 18th-century.

If anything Woog sacrifices depth for breadth in this book, because "New York" covers a lot of ground. The book is illustrated with historic etchings and other artwork. The goal here is to explore the roots of the United States by tracing the history of the New York colony from its earliest European arrivals, its indigenous people, and its growth. Woog succeeds in giving a distinct picture of New York, so young readers will have no problem understanding how it was different from the other colonies. These books make a point of using primary and secondary quotations, which keep the history lesson personal, and the back includes a time line, annotated bibliographies, and an index. The result is an solid book that students can use to research colonial life in general and the history of the New York colony in particular.

"Fifteen Years ago, I killed my sister..."

From the visceral opening statement to the hopeful final moments, Mr. Rapp envelops the reader in a journey of tragedy and triumph. The young protagonist, the "resiliant narrator" of this story has decided that this is the place, and now is the time to recount the past fifteen years of his life. From the horrible accident involving his sister, his mothers emotional disconnect and his father's violent actions, we see a downward spiral of events prompting the young man to relocate to the East Village in New York City. Having found comfort and solace in the used works of literature his job at the bookstore allows him, our hero begins to make a life for himself, writing the events that led him to his current state. The pure hope and will of the story effortlessly comes out of his failed relationship with 'the beautiful red headed girl with the grey-green eyes' and his father reaching out for an intimate connection to his diparate son. I am a director who believes one must love a play for what it is and what it says in order to effectively direct it. I am directing this play right now.

6 frameable posters each about 18" x 12" (with no folds!)--a bargain! One might quibble with the choice of images, but it would be hard to choose 6 images from Curtis' vast catalog that everyone would agree on.

An excellent book. I highly recommend it. It is an expose of exactly what the world bankers and politicians are doing to manipulate the economies and workers of the world. Great information, well written. Don't miss it. It gives one much needed insights we must have in order to under stand today's world.

Many people outside of Ohio see it as a boring, gray state; the place where Alcoholics Anonymous and the Professional Bowlers Association originated... Well, Ian Adams (photographer) and Stephen Ostrander (writer) of "Ohio: A Bicentennial Portrait" prove that the Buckeye State offers so much more! "Ohio: A Bicentennial Portrait" walks you through the state's backyards and byways, highlighting its history and bucolic splendor. Chapters covering flowers, public art, schools, farms, seasons and other such architectural, agricultural, and natural wonders are touched upon by Ostrander's interesting prose and are massaged by Adams' delicious photography.

Stephen Ostrander's writing is straightforward and interesting. He did his homework and has added depth to what could have simply been just another art book. While his stories and facts are intriguing, you won't be able to keep your fingers from turning to the photos.

Adams' work (which graces one of the U.S. post office's newest 37-cent stamps) is a wonder to behold. The variety and texture of his photographs highlight his love for nature via majestic panoramas and tender close-ups. This book is yet another succulent chapter in his photographic career.

"Ohio: A Bicentennial Portrait" is the perfect gift for those friends, family and co-workers who have yet to see Ohio's silver lining. It is the perfect antidote for a gray day anywhere. It is a must, not just for your coffee table, but also for your desk, your nightstand, and your life. I highly recommend that you get two copies of this masterpiece - you WILL want one for yourself.

I have been a fan of Ian Adams' work ever since I picked up "The Ohio Lands" over six years ago. It was one of the first gifts I gave to my then-fiancée (my now-wife). I'm not saying that she married me because of it, but it certainly convinced her that I was sensitive, artistic, and proud of my state. We have since given most of our out-of-state friends his work (and many of them have picked up additional copies to share). Adams' work can also be found in: "The Holden Arboretum," "Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens" and "Midwest Landscape Design." They are all works of art.