This novel is about Beulah, a woman who despite her chances to have a "perfect" life refuses to submit to convention. Much of the book focuses on philosophy as a justification for her position and at other times a condemnation of her actions. A wonderful read for the deep thinker. Definitely not beach reading....

As a Fulbrighter and educator teaching management practices in evolving markets, I am constantly on the look out for books I can donate to my colleagues' foreign libraries. This book meets all my criteria for useful and user-friendly. It is an excellent example of American ideals and aspirations. I'm buying my third copy; my own young daughter, a junior in high school, is ready to start the big search for a school. Thank you for this fine work.

This is the best regional bird guide I have ever read. Not only is it indispensable for birders, but its a great guide for anyone who wants to find new places to explore. It is everything you would want in a birding guide.

Englishwoman Raven Whitney had found sactuary from a waking nightmare when Captain Forrester granted her passage on his ship. Indenturing herself to the brooding captain's fiancee in Virginia seemed a small price to pay for a new life. But Raven's darkest hour had not yet begun...

Love was a thing James Forrester had never truely known-or believed in. Not until he met Raven. He had planned his life, down to choosing the proper wife to help him make a place in Colonial politics. But could he now face a future that Raven was forbidden to share?

Dr. Norman Jones a leading intellectual in the history of early modern Britain and the author of such titles as Faith by Statute: Parliament and the Settlement of Religion, God and the
Moneylenders. Usury and Law in Early Modern England, most recently The English Reformation: Religion and Cultural Adaptation includes The Birth of the Elizabethan Age.
England in the 1560s to his growing corpus of work. In this comprehensive account of one of England's most historically fascinating decades, Jones attempts to present the reader with a vivid, down to earth account of the 1560s from the point of view of the people who lived during the time. Jones proves his scholarly versatility in this account by not limiting it to just the religious, political, cultural, or social aspects of the time but by necessity crosses each one and ties them together in order to depict this tumultuous time in England.

Jones begins in 1558 with the death of Queen Mary I and the tense but joyful celebration of a new monarch. This is the perfect place to begin not just because it gives the historical
background necessary for understanding the 1560s but Jones also importantly sets the mood and emotional tone that comprised the entire decade. The ambiguity, procrastination and the down
right refusal of Elizabeth to clearly determine religion, marry, and name a heir gave her the opportunity to "gain firm control over her realm, prevented a Catholic revolt or even her
excommunication until the end of the decade, and created the Puritan movement (19)." This political genius on the part of Elizabeth prevented war and preserved her power but left great
confusion particularly regarding religion and the social expectations of women, specifically the duties of a queen.

In his chapter on Protestant discontents with the Elizabethan settlement and its sister chapter on Catholicism, Jones paints the picture of the religious tensions and confusion of both groups with fine brush strokes. The main players in the continuing English Reformation process are introduced and given proper attention for the parts they played in either resisting or pushing for reform. Pithily he mentions and discusses the Protestant concerns with discipline and ecclesiastical government (53) and the hopes and schemes of the Catholics, essential for understanding the period.

In an inductive manner he recreates from original documents the colorful past, plentiful in intrigue in both senses of the word. In his chapter on royal marriage, the scandalous stories of Elizabeth's courtships and her love for the Earl of Leicester are featured along with Mary Queen of Scots' tragic love life and political manipulations.

By writing from the point of view of the prominent and not so prominent figures of the time, Jones clearly shows the reader all of the political, cultural, and intellectual aspects of what the poor wretches endured in Merry O' England. This book is not only a historical text about the 1560s, it reads like a soap opera giving the reader windows into the public and private lives of the people. The style of the author is similar to a novel in the sense that a particular person and string of thought is followed throughout the book. For instance, John Whythorne is mentioned early as predicting the trouble of a changed monarch, later about his religious convictions, he is a main character in Jones' chapter on marriage, and he appears in the chapters on family values, carpe diem, making a living, and the epilogue. This format is superior to a biography but with the
same emotional connection. Jones allows you to feel for the people mentioned in the stories; you can sympathize with their suffering, their confusion, and occasional rejoicing.

This book is not just for intellectuals and scholars interested in this period, but it can be of use for anyone interested in the complexities that are involved in cultural and religious adaptation. Beyond that, the way it tells the story of the English people is entertaining and as good for curling up with on a rainy day as it is an important historical interpretation by a leader in the field.

Kyle VanArsdol

I absolutley love this book. It is not often that a book of this quality geared toward African American children is available. The illustrations using an African American Humpdy Dumpy are the most impressive. I read this book to my neice until she got old enough to read it herself. I feel that she had an interest in this book because the characters resembled her.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED ABOUT GOD'S PLAN ! ( I KNOW I HAVE )
WELL YOU CAN FIND SOME OF THE BEST POEMS, PSALMS , AND REFLECTIONS IN THIS BOOK. DARLENE FLORA THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK HAS WRITTEN MIRACULOUS TESTIMONIES , SONGS OF PRAISE AND MESSAGES FROM THE LORD THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO SEEK A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD.

This book is an excellent resource for any early childhood teacher. It is also excellent for parents of children in the early childhood years. After reading The Block Book, I was able to be a more effective classroom teacher. Children began using blocks in the most amazing ways! Blocks became tools for communication and exploration. The text provides you with concrete information and suggestions making this all possible!

I first read this book when I was in grade school, and I still love it, 20 years later. Cass Phillips, suffering from low self-esteem, is forced to spend the summer babysitting her eight-year-old brother on the family farm in Maine. She is overweight and surly, but manages to capture the attention of a boy who is attracted to her mind. Of course she loses weight by the end of the book but it's not about her trying to keep some guy. It's that she found out what was bothering her and stopped eating to solve her problems. She grew up, gained some self-confidence from handling a large crisis and found out that she had something to offer the world. This is an excellent book for young women with self-esteem issues. There is a sequel called "The Fabulous Year" which I have read that is great also, but I am not sure if there are others. Amazon lists the books by this author but unfortunately, there are no synopsis with the titles. Anyway, check this one out, you won't be disappointed!

I didn't know much about the naval history of Hampton Roads until I picked up a copy of Alan Flanders's Bluejackets on the Elizabeth! He writes with the right amount of historiography-
the facts are there-but he also writes it in a very entertaining style. You literally fly along once you start and go back to the colonial era and the first development of Norfolk and Portsmouth as colonial ports. But Flanders takes you through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War of 1845, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Cold War and even gets you to the latest war on Terrorism all within the scope of maritime lore within Hampton Roads. I really recommend this book for both the serious student and someone who wants something entertaining and fun. I learned a lot about Norfolk and Portsmouth. Bluejackets made me want to learn more and more. Charles Recter, Ph.D.