I have read a number of books by this author and have enjoyed them all. The quality of his writing has steadily improved as has his choice of subject matter. With worries mounting as to what to expect in the year 2000 and the political climate in Washington after all Clinton's woes it is an interesting story. If you enjoyed the Left Behind series I hink you will like this book.

Thought-provoking,enjoyable fiction that keeps your interest at a high level. This book was a gift, and I plan to buy more of this author's books. Great blend of action, romance, and human interest.

This is a follow up to T. Davis Bunn's "The Warning" and is timely in light of recent (4/99) events happing in our society. Bunn is an incredible author, directing his story lines to the heart of the issues and directly to your spirit. He is challenging and informative. He does his research well, and always provides accurate details of his topic. This book relates to a humble messenger of God (unlike some of our current "messengers" who feel the need to focus attention on themselves in a not-so-humble manner) who takes on the economy and the government. I highly recommend this - and any of Mr. Bunn's books - and encourage the reader to accept the challenges he evokes with his writing. Regretfully, some of his earlier books are out of print or hard to find (The Presence, Promises to Keep, The Maestro) - if you can find them - get them! This - and all his books - are a good read!! Keep 'em coming!!

We keep (or try to) this book in the car as we roam about Washington. We've found out some nifty facts about otherwise seemingly remote places and often are able to answer questions "we're curious" about. It's not a complete travel guide, but it does contain a lot of information I've not seen anywhere else and it is extremely easy to use.

If you're at all interested in the state of Washington, and its history, people and roads, buy this book. i've learned so much about how towns were named and formed and interesting geography about our beautiful Evergreen State. this is a fun, down-to-earth book!!

My husband & I travelled around Washington in our car, following this interesting road guide and we were pleased to be able to hear the stories behind the places we saw. A very well-written book!!

Some people can travel through or even live in a place without wondering about its history or the origin of its name. I'm not like that, which is what makes this book such an interesting and useful tool -- whether traveling here in Washington, or just browsing at home.

I mean, you gotta wonder: Is Humptulips as vaguely rude as it sounds? Who or what was Sedro Wooley? Who fought whom at Battle Ground? Did Startup get its name because that's where you 'start up' into the mountains (and what if you're coming the other direction)? And what about the whole Snohomish-Skykomish-Swinomish-Suquamish-Skokomish-Sammamish mess? This book is an excellent reference for getting to the bottom of it all. Not only cities and towns, but mountains, counties, rivers -- nearly everything with a name (except roads, bridges, and buildings) is listed here.

I do have to note, though, that although this book has been updated at least through the 1990s, it neglects to mention that King County, Washington, was 'renamed' in 1986. It no longer honors former US vice president William Rufus de Vane King, but is in fact now named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (this is true; you can look it up). Apart from that oversight, though, I recommend this title highly for people like me who can't help wondering why where they are, is what it is.

You can't drive through Washington, watch tv news or read a newspaper without this book. Along w/ a map, you can become a true Washingtonian. This book is fascinating.

This book is not only educational, it's also entertaining. Learn why Auburn isn't called Slaughter anymore, and what the original names of that town we call Bellingham really were. Anyone with a historical bent will love this book.

This is a beautiful book with exquisite layout and photographs. However, the title gives the impression that we will find information on the First Families, which certainly is not so. It is a very good coffee table book on interior design, design, furnishings, architecture, etc. but since I expected photos and information on people, I was somewhat dissappointed with its contents. But it is a work of art.

Betty Monkman, the White House Curator and photographer Bruce White (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art) have collaborated to create an invaluable text on the history of the furnishings of The White House. Wonderful stories lie within...most famously, the story behind the Resolute Desk, the desk used by Presidents Kennedy, Carter, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, and now President George W. Bush in their respective Oval Offices.

On June 1st at 6PM, Ms. Monkman will deliver a lecture on The White House as part of exhibition presented by the John F. Kennedy Library and The Metropolitan Museum "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years-Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum". The exhibit will begin May 1, 2001 until July 29, 2001. This will be a great opportunity for one to hear Ms. Monkman's expertise in person. Go to the lecture and buy the book!

Once again Betty Monkman has given us WHITE HOUSE FANS a magnificant chronicle! What a glorious, beautiful absolutely stunning work of art! Betty has included everything in this piece! Bruce White's photography cannot be topped! Looking at the old photos of days gone by and then seeing the "latest versions" of those historic rooms is truly a treat! The details on the historic furntiure, art pieces, glassware, china and more within those walls is fascinating! During this - the 200th Anniversary year of the White House getting it's first occupants, this book is really a treasure and a great addition to anyone's library to help mark this historic anniversary! I thought I knew a lot about the White House - once again Betty Monkman has taught me more! Thanks Betty! :-)

Throughout ten years of hiking the ALW, I have relied on this title for information about trails that I would otherwise not have found. (For that matter, tens of thousands of visitors a year could say the same thing.) --Denis Du Bois, webmaster, Base Camp (the Northwest Hiker's Site

i mean why do my friends keep stealing these spring and manning books from me cause their the best thats why these books are the bibles of hiking in washington state

Alien Erotica by Cecil Washington is an eclectic blend of fantastic poetry and short stories that border on the surreal. Washington's work is rooted in 20th century ideologies and social issues such as racism, interracial relationships, and genocide. His lead characters are often of African American descent set in futuristic settings facing extraordinary dilemmas. Also equally entertaining is the infusion of modern day references to present day icons such as Jesse Jackson XII speaking at Colin Powell High School for commencement exercises and characters viewing films by Spike Lee XIV.

Two of the stories that were most interesting to this reviewer were entitled Oreo and Bad Medicine. Oreo dealt with an ancient voodoo curse that bonded a white slave owning mistress to her black slave lover. The antidote to break the curse is a very simple act of forgiveness, but has proven to be impossible to obtain for the past three centuries. Even by modern standards, the cure would be a challenge for any woman; it is indeed a tall order.

The second story, Bad Medicine, involves an African American doctor who is delivering medical supplies to a remote Aryan separatist colony that left Earth to isolate themselves from non-white people. Their racist beliefs have stewed for eons to the point they developed an intergalactic treaty to ensure they have no part of any technology, medicine, vaccines, music, food, supplies developed or originated by non-whites. They also refuse interaction with non-white persons on any level, i.e. delivery of supplies to their home world. When he arrives, he learns that a plague has stricken the Aryan colony and their race is faced with obliteration. The doctor is torn between honoring the Hippocratic Oath and saving the Aryans or letting them perish. The plague's cure requires injecting the Aryans with a vaccine made from live tissue from non-whites which is in direct violation of the treaty. He could also choose to keep galactic peace by letting them die by following their self-imposed belief system.

Other stories involve vampirism, sex robots, telekinesis, mental telepathy, intelligence boosters, and other surreal topics. Overall, Cecil Washington's Alien Erotica is an entertaining read; it is an easy and quick departure from the 'drama-filled' novels of modern day. The title is a little misleading because although there is intimacy among the characters (all are not alien) and adult language is used; it is not an overly sexually explicit novel by today's standards. Obviously this book is not for everyone, but if you are open to some creative writing and exploring the sci-fi/fantasy genre you might want to give this book a try.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, Nubian Circle Book Club

Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003

Alien Erotica is a collection of stories that portray a futuristic view of life. The stories are diverse and intriguing. They present ideas such as, bugs that enhance brainpower, vampirism, and "robo-hos". The stories also carry heavy political, racial, and social ideas that leave the reader with much to ponder.

At first I had some misgivings about the title; I thought the book would be about little men from Mars getting their freak on. But the book is much more than that. In my opinion, alien in this case means foreign as opposed to extra-terrestrial. Washington presents several unique and open-minded ideas about the future and sexuality. This book will arouse you both sexually and mentally. It is a must read for those who enjoy the genre of science fiction, in addition to any one who is looking for an intelligent, yet sexy read.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Too bad this is out-of-print! Mr. Broder is not nearly as dry as he is in his newspaper columns in this book but just as insightful and non-partisan. He offers valuable inside criticism on the news media and also answers some common criticisms that he does not feel valued (like the claims of a "conservative" or "liberal" media). Very informative and well worth reading.

...of unsubstantiated rumor that we've heard in the last 24 hrs~".

I read this when it first came out so I'm forced to paraphrase Mr. Broder, Pulitzer Prize winning political commentator, in that quote.

This is a fantastic book. A fascinating, unbiased, inside look at how the news is made. An extremely even keeled examination that is riveting from beginning to end. Personally I would strongly suggest it to any high-school government class, college level media class, and an absolute must for anybody that watches the news on TV or reads the paper.

Find out how politicians manipulate the news, about sound bites, false stories, newspaper owners, and just about everything and anything that deals with news and Mr. Broder does it in an entertaining way. Forget everything you know or think you know about how the news is made. David S. Broder calls it how he's seen it, from the front lines and "behind the front page".

Adrian Higgins writes a weekly column for the Washington Post, and I have come to appreciate his warm and entertaining essays over the past few years. Higgins follows in Henry Mitchell's footsteps (one of the greatest gardening writers ever!!) and therefore has very large gardening shoes to fill. I don't think Higgins has the gardening acumen of his predecessor, nor does he have the wit, and he does seem to spend a great deal of time hobnobing with rich and famous gardeners whereas Henry was more down to earth--most of his columns were about his weekly efforts in his own patch. Nevertheless, I look forward to reading Higgins pieces.

Higgins shares current knowledge about new plants (plants that once could not be grown successfully in the Washington area that now can be grown here thanks to genetic engineering), as well as creative ideas about older plants--some never used in local gardens. For example, regarding the latter, this past he wrote a piece on the Hyssop, which some of us have in herb beds, and he recommends for the perennial bed because it can stand up to the heat and humidity of DC (greatly exaggerated by old thinking -- DC actually has a relatively nice climate, just loss of oxygen thanks to car/SUV engines). Unfortunately, his gardening ideas mostly extend to those with five acres to spare.

The essays in Higgins book are good but I would hesitate to describe it as the "ultimate" guide. The Mid-Atlantic area is comprised of a diverse range of growing conditions and it is difficult to generalize gardening tactics let alone ultimate techniques. Higgins is aware of the growing conditions, but the novice may find it difficult to keep the "facts" straight.

The altitude in the mid-Atlantic ranges from the mountains to the sea level, and from above and below the Mason-Dixon line. DC itself is located in the upper range of many plants that do well in zone 8 to the south (Crepe Myrtle) and in the lower range of plants that do well in zone 6 to the north (Peonies). However, if you go east you move into Zone 8 again and if you go west you enter Zone 6.

The soil composition of the area ranges from limestone (water in DC is very alkaline thanks to the Shenandoah Valley) to clay (Piedmont) to coastal sand. I've worked gardens in all these areas and found the combination of soil, water PH and weather patterns/temperture does not allow one to grow anything anywhere. In fact, if you live east of the fall line (approximately Route 1) and between Fredericksburg and mid-Jersey you'd be better off to read Allen Lacy's books.

Still, I don't want to discourage readers from using Higgin's book. Many of his ideas will work--the key is to buy the types of plants that like your growing conditions. Blueberries for example come in different varieties--some do well in cooler mountain areas and others along the sandy shore. You won't know if Higgins methods work until you try them. That's the key to gardening anyway--try-al and error.

If you live in the DC area, this is the gardening book to own--it is a practical, no nonsense guide. This book lists which specific varieties of plants thrive or do poorly in the DC Metro area. Most of my other gardening books gather dust while I take this one to the garden center.

The book does not have color illustrations, so if you do not know what a plant looks like, you will need look it up in another book or investigate it at the store.

I bought this book 2 years ago and I have been using it constantly ever since. It contains a wealth of information about all aspects of gardening in the Washington, D.C. area -- everything from lawns to flowers to bulbs to shrubs. It is written very clearly and is a comprehensive discussion, including planting tips, diseases, best plants for different locations, etc. Further, it is entertaining! I am ordering another copy because I gave mine to a friend who is a professional gardener -- he said it was the best book he has ever seen specific to this area.

I thought this book was a beautiful book, but lack some information that is useful for those wanting to tour. The book is in order by geograhic location which is very useful and there is good information about the wineries, such as what they produce and a bit of history about the vineyards. But, I found it is not a great touring book. There is no mention of directions to the wineries, there are maps, but having done much wine touring in the Northwest directions are needed. There was also no hours of operation listed for any wineries, this would also be another useful piece of information for planning your tour. It would have also been nice to have some information about the area regarding hotel accomodations and food. My conclusion is if you are a Northwest wine lover, which we are, it is a great coffee table book.

This book offers all levels of wine lovers great information. While the geographically-organized chapters are heavy on trechnical topics, the author really tries to explain the reasons each area makes wine and what influences its taste, without talking down to the reader. It also makes a super resource for someone who seeks a touring guide. Every producer in each region is profiled, too, with comprehensive contact information, making planning a wine tour easy. The photos of both winemakers and vineyards are also wonderful. For anyone who loves NW wines or wants to understand them better, this book can't be beat.

I love this book. It has inspired to venture out to the Pacific Northwest and go on a tasting tour of my own.

I enjoyed this book but not enough to keep. I got a little bored with the characters separation. I didn't have trouble finishing it, but it certainly did not keep me up late reading.

I just finished this book and wished it was another 300 pages long. The different plots and twist were great. I'm from the area it was set in so I really enjoyed the location! Brigham & Lydia need a sequel showing the changes continuing in their town, their family, their friends. I have just ordered Taming Charlotte to appease my appetite for further reading of this family, and because Linda Lael Miller is also a favorite author of mine.

"Yankee Wife" is the first book in the "Quade" series followed by "Taming Charlotte" and "Princess Annie", I think they are wonderful.