Early in the history of this country a few hardy souls set out to establish a town they could call their own. Windsor, CT was first surveyed and then platted to show ownership, and thereby a vested interest in making a "stopping place", their home. The maps included in Volume I give a detailed view of where one family lived in relation to another. Volume II goes into great detail--more than 900 pages, outlining the relationship of one family to another. This volume provides great genealogical information for the more than 200 families who lived, married, and raised families who have since spread throughout the United States. The descendants have since populated many parts of the country and can trace their ancestory back to "The History of Ancient Windsor Connecticut."

This makes a great source of information for those who have an ancestor named in these volumes.

A very good book that best describes the field of EMS. Peter Canning does well to describe what it is like to work in a city where EMS is sadly taken for granted. I volunteer in a small town 20 miles north of Hartford where he works. It gave me a good comparison of the differences between a small town versus a city. After reading this book, as well as his other book, "Rescue 471," I give Mr. Canning a lot of credit for all his hard work and dedication, though the EMS system in Hartford is, in all actuallity, a troubled system in dire need of help.

This book is a fantastic blend of gritty front-line medical care and insightful public policy perspectives. In this autobiographical journey, the author moves back and forth between the ghettos of Hartford, Connecticut, and the halls of the state legislature and healthcare bureaucracy. Mr. Canning's unique perspective (based on his experience as both a senior advisor to the governor of Connecticut and as a paramedic) on emergency medicine results in a book that raises as many questions as it answers. I, for one, intend to find out a lot more about the quality of my community's emergency response facilities, and Mr. Canning has told me exactly what questions to ask. However, it would be a mistake to think that this book is merely another exposition on the status of healthcare in America. As much as anything, this book is an examination of how we go about making life choices. Mr. Canning is refreshingly honest in examining what it is he wants out of life, and how difficult the trade-offs are when we take one particular crossroad rather than another. For anyone (at any age) still wondering "what they want to be when they grow up", or thinking that they can't change a career path in mid stream, READ THIS BOOK. It will inspire you. And even if you're not interested in public policy or self-examination, you'll find the book AT LEAST as entertaining as the best episode of "ER".

This is the most true to life book I've ever read about Emergency Medical Services. Peter Canning writes about every aspect of EMS. From his partners to his best and worst calls, to the stress on and off the job to the low pay, to the dangers faced by paramedics and EMTs everyday. I received this book when I was 15. It inspired and interested me so much, I started volunteering with my county ambulance service, and now, at 18, I'm a certified EMT for the State of Florida. Mr. Canning has written this book so that everything is explained. I would give it a 10 if I could.

The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan is as riveting a narrative as is suggested by the blurbs and the other reviews. In some ways, the story is almost author proof as it comes with a easily recoginizable set of personalities and a moment that changes everyone lives. Fiction writers should have it so easy and that, in a way, is one of Stewart O'Nan's strengths. He turns his fiction writing skills towards writing a piece of history and creates this thrilling narrative. The bulk of the book is centred on that tragic day and we are led through the events with the help of some of the survivors and not a few of the victims. The book also shows the readers the aftereffects of such a tragedy on the lives of the survivors and the circus itself. This part of the story is presented in a manner that is as important and dramatic as the details of the actual fire. An exciting read.

Stewart O'Nan's thoughtful, careful account of the Hartford circus fire is a powerful narrative, leading to a greater understanding of the tragedies that often result from poor judgement and reckless disregard. It is also an inspiring story of heroics in the face of hellish conditions and a testament to the importance of community and family support in times of need. For three main reasons, I recommend this book. 1. Undoubtedly, this book has historical importance. O'Nan offers an account that is rich in detail, a valuable historical record. From direct dialogue to seemingly minute details, O'Nan recreates a time and place that few would otherwise experience. One common theme expressed by the survivors of this tragedy was that it was seldom spoke of--that after the tragedy, addressing the fire was avoided in the community and in individual families. O'Nan reminds us, though, that this is a story that needs to be told. The circus, though less popular today, remains a part of America's pop culture, and it's easy to dismiss pop culture as unimportant. However, what better reason than the fact that everyone has experience with the circus to learn more about it. 2. O'Nan has an attention to detail seldom seen in nonfiction accounts. At times, the detail is painful and disturbing. However, O'Nan carefully avoids sensationalism. The details he offers are necessary for an understanding of this tragedy. He does not exaggerate or dramatize. With this story, the facts alone are enough to move the reader and appeal to pathos. 3. Finally, O'Nan's story is an important reminder of the demands and responsibilities placed on communities and industries to protect public safety. It is a theme that we can trace throughout history up to our present--that the influences of the dollar must never override the importance of our security and safety. Perhaps it takes a setting as innocent as a circus to remind us this powerfully. This is a narrative as gripping and moving as any bestselling fiction. Nearly impossible to put down, and just as difficult to forget, a reader will long remember the stories of these victims and survivors. It is a horror that, fortunately, few of us will have to face. But it is a story from which, fortunately, we can learn.

I am sure that any decent writer who was willing to dig through the archives and old newspaper stories could have written a good book about the Hartford circus fire. For Stewart O'Nan however, that was not enough. He not only did the research that any author would do when writing about a historical event; he tracked down the survivors. That is what makes this book so good. The stories told by the survivors make the whole story much more personal and much more tragic. On top of all this, O'Nan's writing style is superb. As a novelist who usually deals in fiction he writes in a very engrossing manner that keeps the reader's interest from cover to cover.

The chapters are divided by dates and O'Nan takes each of the several families he follows in detail from their preparations for the circus to the very end. Whether that end is death or recovery we get the whole story. In this way the reader is able to connect in a personal way with the victims. If they escaped we find out how they got out. If they required hospitalization we get the story of their recovery. If they are killed we are taken through the identification process and some of the funerals. O'Nan even follows two of the survivors into their careers as firemen. The reader is also treated to the inner politics of the Ringling family and the power struggle after the fire. Along the way we meet circus people who were indeed negligent, politicians who struggled to cover their own negligence, nurses, doctors, and lots of policemen. We also meet many heroes; many of them policemen and firemen just like on 9/11. O'Nan spares no detail but he never gets boring. The reader will also get a good feel for 1944. The circus was short on workers because of the war. Hartford's residents were prospering because of the war industries. Gas and food ration stamps were so precious that the police were amazed that so many people turned in stamp books found on the midway or still in the smoldering big top. This book is just simply fascinating all the way around.

Finally, O'Nan takes the reader up to 1999, Fifty-five years after the fire. That fifty-five years brings new investigations, new theories, new suspects, and the end of Ringling Brothers' days as a tent show. In 1994 there is a touching fifty-year reunion of the survivors. To the very end, O'Nan handles the subject with dignity and grace. The subject matter is sorrowful and you will be moved close to tears, but I highly recommend this book.

This is a great historical geopolitical look at the Middle East of the Dark Ages for Vampire. White Wolf does a good job of showing us the Kindred of the Middle East who have been influneced by living in the geographic center of 3 major world religions. The impact of the faiths is obvious in all of the clans. White Wold has taken pains to accurately reflect the culture of the times and superimpose it onto the likely reactions of supernaturals. If you play Vampire: Dark Ages and wish to have a religious themed game or an exotic setting then this is the book for you.

Probably the best book for the Dark Ages setting thus far, this Year of the Scarab release focuses on the Islamic world in the context of Dark Ages: Vampire. After opening up with a short fiction of a vampire's meeting with Mohammad, and another short fiction focusing on a the lengths that ashipu (Middle Eastern vampire magicians) must go to, we get to an excellent introduction. The introduction explains what the book is an isn't, as well as giving us a lot of useful books, magazines and websites to visit concerning the real history of the Islamic world. Remember that while the west was in the "dark ages", the Islamic world was experiencing a golden age of science and learning. There is also a lexicon of Arabic and Islamic terms that are used in the book, and more specifically the context they hold in the game.
The first chapter covers the history of Islam, giving a biography of the Prophet Mohammad, as well as a historical account of the spread of Islam across the Middle East and North Africa. The second chapter continues by giving a look at Islamic beliefs and practices, both from mortal and vampiric perspectives. The most interesting part here is a description of the Ashirra sect, a brotherhood of Islamic vampires who seek to redeem themselves. Very good for Storytellers and players alike, as this section is almost essential for understanding how and why the Ashirra work.
The next section is a bit of IC stuff, written by an Assamite vizier as he travels from al-Andalus across north Africa to Arabia and the Holy Land, and from there to Baghdad, Persia and finally disappearing in the east, killed by some unknown force. Think something like the vampiric equivalent to ibn Batutta. At the end are a bunch of profiles of NPCs he met along the way. Almost all of the NPCs are interesting and unique, and can easily be placed in a chronicle. The next chapter covers the various clans (all called by their Arabic names) in the Middle East, and things are quite different. As would be expected, the Assamites and Setites are dominant, but the Brujah, Nosferatu, Gangrel, Ravnos and Lasombra are also quite influencial. Indeed, all western clans (save the Tzimisce and Tremere; the Ventrue are also rare being represented only by a small Arabian bloodline) are represented to some degree, along with three bloodlines: the Salubri, Baali and Laibon.
Some of the alternate takes on the various clans are quite interesting. For instance, the conflict between the animalistic hunters and monsters of clan Nosferatu (called Mutasharid) and the peaceful Nosferatu who have adopted Islam (known as the Hajj). Indeed, the Hajj are one of the leading groups in the Ashirra. Or the Lasombra, many of whom are devout Muslims and who are treated with respect and honor. All in all, its a pretty cool section. In the end, it also gives some descriptions of Paths followed by the Ashirr and how they differ from western paths. For instance, Path of the Bedouin becomes Tariq el-Bedouin, and is focused more on living a simple, nomadic lifestyle than becoming an animal. Special attention is paid to the Path of Blood (Tariq el-Haqim) given the prominence of the Assamites in these regions.
Following this is the juicy chapter, chock full of everything you need to know to run a Cainite in the region. Aside from information on the different cultures and groups (such as Berbers, Moors, Kurds and so forth) and Arabic naming conventions, there are also some sample concepts and such. Some new Merits and Flaws, specific to the setting are given, along with new Traits and even a new Animalism power (used many by vampires to create animal ghouls out of animals that drink from isolated desert oasis). There is a great deal of information on Sihr, faith based blood magic used by the Hajj. A couple paths and rituals and not much else. Given that its specific to the Hajj and maybe a few Assamite sorcerers, I guess not too much detail is needed. And theres also some systems for situations Ashirra are likely to get into as well.
And then there is the next chapter, Damascus by Night, which gives an entire ready-to-run plot focusing on the secret corrutpion in the city of Damascus. The chapter gives a pretty nice amount of information about the city of Damascus, as well as the Ashirra in the city and how many of them have been subverted by the Baali. Character profiles of major characters are also given, so everything is already set up for you to run it. This ties in nicely with the closing chapter, which focuses on various supernatural threats that Ashirra are likely to face in the night. Information on mortal dangers (like crusaders and the Knights Templar and Islamic monster hunters) is presented, alongside bits about jackal-blooded Lupines (and other shapeshifters), wizards (primarily Ahl-i-Batin and Taftani, but also Knights Templar, Hebrew qabbalists and tribal shaman), ghosts, mummies, djinn and even mysterious eastern "Kindred" from the White Tiger Court...
Over all, this is an excellent book. I strongly recommend it to anyone intending to run a Dark Ages game, or even a game set in the Mid-East in general. The Ashirra sect supposedly survives to the modern era, though little information is given on it outside brief references in a couple other books. More information on the future of the Ashirra sect would have been appreciated. Nonetheless, this is an excellent book and well worth buying.

From the get go, White Wolf shows why they are on top of this industry with their intial revamp of the Dark Ags line. DA: Vampire hammers a home run with the artistic layouts and eye catching images found within. New and interesting spins are offered that were either barely touched on in the original incarnation or non existant to begin with. Some rules are updated and others expanded upon (like Mortis and the Road paths).

However, what keeps this book from being a 5 star knock out is it's stunning lack of future premonitions that were prevalent in the earlier edition. Leaving some of those key elements up to the previous book to cover was bad form on the writers part and it's exclusion kills much of the depth the original DA book had.

Ending summary:

The good: New information and new spins on the clans, roads, and disciplines. Compelling artwork and layouts.

The bad: The way the previous book was largely written off. Key elements from the old book would have enhanced this DA product immensely. It wouldn't have hurt to have some definative "set in stone" issues resolved like the origins of the Tremere (hinted at being servants to the Tzmisce) and the final fate of the Cappadocians. While White Wolf is known for their contradictory storylines and comments within their own books, at least previous books took a stance. The notable lack thereof in this one is fairly glaring.

All in all though, a top notch book. A definate replacement to it's predessesor. Just don't throw the old book away as the two can work well together in a main book/companion type of role.

A stand alone game, this setting (medieval) offers limitless possibilities of role playing vampires in a setting uniquely suited to the genre of horror and the supernatural. Of all the White Wolf historical settings this is the most researched, the most playable and the best in terms of mood and themes. Imagine playing an immortal vampire who begins his existance into the world of the damned in the age lit by fire to progress to the modern nights of neon and electricity.

Once again, White Wolf has made its previous output on the Vampire franchise obsolete! Dark Ages: Vampire is that good.

It incorporates the best changes from Vampire the Masquerade since that title was re-edited several years ago and expands upon it. The vampires in Dark Ages have much more potential than those in the Gothic Punk setting: you can choose from several viable moral systems rather than be restricted to one. Vampires are more powerful since disciplines can be brought up to six rather than five. The Dark Ages feel is much better represented here than in the previous Vampire: the Dark Ages book, and the artwork is superb.

I was a big fan of the latest edition of Vampire: the Masquerade, but I have to admit that I think that title has been topped by the Dark Ages: Vampire core book. It remains to be seen whether the supporting books to follow will be as good.

The Closing Argument is a compelling controversial meltdown of the government's HIV-AIDS pogrom. Every African-American should keep this book next to their Bible.

Exalted: the Lunars is the second hardcover sourcebook for White Wolf's exciting Exalted RPG. The book starts with an introduction vignette, featuring several characters from the main rulebook. Next are two chapters of background, one about the Lunar Exalted themselves and their society and the other about the barbarian tribes they usually come from (and, in some cases, lead). I particularly enjoyed the shapeshifting Charms, numerous amounts of which are detailed in the book, along with two-page write-ups for each Caste similar to the Solar Castes in the main rulebook and the Dragon-Blooded Aspects in Exalted: the Dragon-Blooded (which is also a superbly-written book that I highly recommend). The book also contains an entire chapter of storytelling ideas (for those of you who aren't familiar with White Wolf's games...the Storyteller is similar to a Dungeon Master or Game Master) with info on how to possibly integrate the other types of Exalted into a Lunars story.

The one thing I didn't like about this book was the fact that it's a slight bit shorter than Exalted: the Dragon-Blooded, although it does cover the Lunar Exalted in much detail.

It should be noted from the outset that this book is not primarily on the Hartford fire itself, although it is covered in the first chapter. It is on the legal and financial fallout from the disaster. The authors explain that an out of court agreement was reached whereby the circus would be kept running while its owners paid out claims. The receiver for the case refused payment until all claims had been handled. Litigation arose only when it came time to pay the receiver, and he asked for $175,000. Had the circus declared bankruptcy as expected at first, claimants would have gotten next to nothing. The authors see this as a model settlement for mass disaster claims.

When I first picked this book up, I expected it to be a legal bore and almost returned it. But it was actually quite good. It presented a perspective on the Hartford fire and on disasters in general one rarely gets from most books. It is especially recommended for trial lawyers and litigants. Still, those interested in more standard accounts are urged to look at other books on the fire.

The authors are right to applaud the Hartford settlement and encourage alternative dispute resolution, but two questions are raised. First of all, as they admit, the fact that everyone was reasonable and efficient in 1944 during the war does not mean they will act that way today. Secondly, I fear that lawyers may use the threat of expensive litigation to coerce innocent defendants into paying up during mediation, sending us all back to square one.

Consider "Route 15" a follow-on to Larned's 1998 "Traveling the Merritt Parkway." It covers more ground, both geographical and chronological, but offers a similar mix of historical information and vintage photographs for road buffs and car buffs.

Larned starts with the Merritt Parkway: a bit of an overlap with the earlier book, but I didn't notice anything duplicated. Also covered is the Wilbur Cross Parkway (which was lightly treated in "Merritt") and Berlin Turnpike. There are some nice photos of the short-lived Connecticut River Boulevard (which I hadn't heard of until reading "Route 15") and a good treatment of the construction of the Charter Oak Bridge.

East of the bridge, the Wilbur Cross Highway gets a few pages; perhaps this 1950s road will be highlighted in "The Road to Boston" :-)

If you have read "Traveling the Merritt Parkway", here's how "Route 15" compares: Same layout; narrative driven by historical photos; generally ordered from south to north as you read. There's a bit more written information here than in "Merritt". There's a little more roadside culture, especially in the Berlin Turnpike section, and Larned diligently identifies all the classic cars you'll see in the photos. Like "Merritt", "Route 15" is made for skimming or reading straight through. There's no index, but given the geographical organization, its 128 pages are not that much to search through.

For Connecticut roadgeeks, this book's a keeper, and we want to see more from this author. But "Route 15" should also hold interest for car buffs, historians, and even commuters wondering what the roads were like decades ago, and how they ended up where they are now.

If you're looking for a pamphlet's worth of dull, sketchy anecdotes padded with the author's shallow, self-absorbed musings and lots of blank white paper, trying to pass itself off as a "book" at inflated expense, then this is for you. If you're looking for worthwhile information (whichever way you stand on the topic) told with humor, then pass this ripoff item by and try Wirsch & Milot's "Gotcha!" instead.

This book was a truly enjoyable read for me. I especially loved the historical, religious and scientific references which I found to be delighfully humorous. However, I can see where individuals who are insecure in their relationships, are religious, or, who themselves have been a victim of infidelity, would not appreciate the contents of this clever book. So I don't advise the read unless you are open-minded enough to relish its brazen viewpoints. This book is a great read for those who have had an affair, are thinking of having one, or are one of those rare individuals who at least have the capacity to understand why people become unfaithful. I am happily married and loved the read. So did my wife. If nothing else, you do learn the pitfalls of infidelity from other experiences, so this book might just keep you faithful after all.

Very funny look at the moral pitfalls of our human nature, with plenty of reasons not to have an affair from those who have been caught! I liked the historical and scientific perspectives and how the author is compelled to speak out about what most people think, but are afraid to say. A delight to read and educational too!