Although this book's subtitle refers to religion in the heartland, essays in this collection evoke a more personal and, at times, idiosyncratic take on spirituality. David Hoppe, for example, writes about the "solitary communion" he spies through his neighbor's windows as they sit in front of their television sets at night. Jim Poyser recounts a surreal adventure at the Zoo in winter with his sons. In short, these essays, along with the handsome collection of photographs that complement the text, admirably plumb the psychic root cellar that entwines beneath the stereotypical surface of this Midwestern community.

Though strong Hoosier threads tie these stories together, the contributors share spiritual insights and experiences that will be meaningful to those outside the heartland as well. Read the tales for religious reasons or just because they are good stories by and about sensitive, observant people.

The editors chose writers from a variety of faiths and professional fields--included are a woman rabbi, newspaper people and professors. Big-name contributors are author Dan Wakefield and Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

Really superb collection of black and white photos of families. I can't praise the images enough - they are truly a wonderful portrayal of the world's families. This volume is enhanced by Margaret Mead's anthropologically-based text commentary. An exquisite and artistic book.

Family by Margaret Mead & Kent Heyma

I have read every book of the series from the beginning up until this one with the exception of Young Guns the one before this one, and yet I didn't really miss anything. I found this book to be just as easy going as the style it is written in and like the rest just as clean. One thing I did miss was the linking of the modern day legends with the roles of the book. If you have read the others you know what I mean as in Richard Petty talking to the likes of Jodell and Bubba and Joe. Maybe they will get back to that in the new one which I have now. Other then that I have one more thing to say. Buy the book and enjoy it you want be let down

Greetings! Mike Irwin of the StockCarFans Newsletters here...

I just finished book #6 of the Rolling Thunder series, "First to the Flag".

The book tells the tale of "Rocket" Rob Wilder, a young racer discovered at a small out-of-the-way track by the legendary Jodell Lee himself. The discovery gets Rob a job driving in the Grand National series for car owner Billy Winton, formerly "head wrench" for Jodell's Cup team. The Winton Racing Team has a highly visible software firm, Ensoft, as primary sponsor. Ensoft's head of marketing is Michelle Fagan, who just might have a crush on young Wilder. For some reason, though, Michelle introduces Rob to her cute blonde sister, Christy. Rob and Christy hit it off right away, and become "an item".

The book follows the path of "Rocket" Rob and Winton Racing through the Grand National season, including Rob's first trip to Daytona to race in the Daytona 300. Will Rob be able to handle the high speeds and drafting? How long will it be until he visits Victory Lane? Will the ol' green-eyed monster mean Rob has to choose between two attractive sisters? Read the book and find out!

Of all the books in this great "Rolling Thunder" series, I liked this one the most. The story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are well-developed. The book is extremely clean, and I recommend it for all ages. There is no bad language or adult situations, other than some drinking that ol' moonshine, and some kissing at the door at the end of a date. The book is suspenseful, and exciting, with a little romance and intrigue thrown in for those who enjoy those elements.

I made the mistake of cracking this book's spine just before dinner & everyone wandering in, drooling to be fed, found me gone into the wilds of Kent in England where a young woman discovers her heart's desire in the form of falcons. I relished Emma Ford's memoirs of her early days with owls, falcons, eagles & a hilarious assortment of four legged friends & foes.

The only child of divorced parents, Emma Ford labored to fulfill her mother's kind expectations of a proper profession for herself; eagerly taking on her school assignments the quicker to take off to the castle & continue her training in falconry. Sounds like something out of medieval times?

Yes & no, this is one thoroughly modern young person who follows her heart & finds herself a player in medieval recreations, her eagles starring in films & dashing off to Arabia to hob knob with a sheik. All the while her sense of honor & dedication is developing even as a charming, self-possessed Heroine emerges. This is one fresh, focused young women who has garnered for herself & her beloved menagerie a unique & fascinating niche. A fabulous gift idea! Do check out my full review at [my website]

it is an honestly written book that tells of the authors experiences-- her disappointments, her hopes and how she was introduced to falconry. it contains a variation of experiences, and there are more instances not related to falconry than expected.

I am two thirds through this book, but there is so much advice and consciousness-raising information that is thoughtfully presented and very much need that it's not necessary to wait until I finish the book to write a glowing recommendation. There are ideas I will need this year to boost collegiality and morale. Some of the problem-sharing ideas are quick and easy to implement, too. I would like to have read more about interviewing and hiring teachers, but other than that I am quite pleased. I'll pick up this book often as a refresher.

When I was a new assistant principal, I bought this book for a resource for my job. I am glad that I did. Not only did it help me throughout my assistant's career, but it assisted me while I worked on my master's.
It is a hands-on resource book that can help with many situations or prepare you for new situations. In our jobs, every day is a surprise, so the more effective resources that we have on our shelf, the more relaxed we are when it comes our way.
I believe that this is a book that should be in the curriculum of every college campus preparing dynamic, future principals.
Cathy Blair

If you are looking for non-hybrid vegetable seed sources, this is the book for you. It lists vegetables, their characteristics and where their seed may be obtained. I own a copy and have spent hours enjoying it. I don't consider myself a zealot, just an avid gardener who is interested in preserving the vegetable gene pool, and trying some old varieties. I was interested in finding disease and insect resistant varieties. If your library has this book you can take a look at it before buying to be sure it is what you are looking for. I had to have my own copy.

Printed on the inside of the cover there are praises for "Garden Seed Inventory," and rightly so, for it is a valuable, "one of a kind" catalogue of all the vegetable seeds offered by garden seed companies in North America.

Dr. Harlan, retired professor of plant genetics (there's a clue for you) states that the book is for "enthusiastic gardeners, plant breeders and those interested in the preservation of seed stocks." Now I think of myself as an enthusiastic amateur gardener, but it will take a whole lot more than my enthusiasm to really make this tome useful. This is a book that a professor of plant genetics should have. This is the book that the owners of one of the 255 seed companies listed in the book should have, and this is the book that a seed zealot would have, but not your normal 'enthusiastic gardener'.

Don't get me wrong, this book is extremely valuable to the right person. As Wendell Berry said, "The saving of seeds has become a matter of the greatest importance, for we are on the verge of losing the genetic diversity of our food crops.". Over the last 20 years, because of mega-transnational corporations buying out the small seed companies, there has been a significant loss of local or regional varieties. Here's why; when a large corporation gets into the seed business they have to cover a large market, so they breed for a variety of vegetables plants that can grow anywhere across North America (hybrid) and dump the regional plants. In 1981, the first edition of "Garden Seed Inventory" there were 493 tomatoes (red) varieties available; by 1998 there were 108 still available (78% drop). Then again, in the same period, there were 546 new varieties brought to market.

What this book is really about is saving our vegetable heritage and assuring genetic preservation. It is the seed squealer of horticulture books. It will tell you which varieties are about to be dropped and it also helps you find regional varieties that you can plant, thus preserve the lineage. It is a great tool for those that are ready to move from enthusiastic gardener to zealous, non-hybrid vegetable seed gardener. However, for the rest of us Americans, we will probably plant our gardens with the seeds that were on the rack at the local stores and when they come up, if they come up, enthusiastically smile. Highly Recommended for the zealot, conditionally recommended for the rest of us.

A stimulating story that will open your heart & mind to new posibilities, fill you with hope, & leave you thinking about it for weeks to come!

An absolute original and heartwarming book you won't soon forget.

Both of these books helped me to date my personal train set as well as a train set that had belonged to my cousin that was given to me quite a while ago.I discontinued playing with my trains and fell out of touch with Lionel products many years ago as one book says the space age took them over. I still get out my trains and enjoy them. These books have opened a door that I thought closed a long time ago. Thank you so much, DMP

They made some good changes with this edition. They added subcategories to some items ie. colors and details. They also arranged the modern era(1970-2001)in one section by number instead of by each of the owners of Lionel. Lastly,the prices in the guide are still realistic instead of overinflated.

Seldom has anything moved me as much Mr.Reno's pictorial depiction of people and situations that occur throughout this sometimes rapid and other times slow and stoic planet of ours. My wife and I have spent quality time together looking at and wishing we were experiencing the spontaneous myriad of eclectic events that Mr. Reno has so professionaly captured. We both say BRAVO and bring on Ground Time 2!

This book is one of the most rich and thought provoking collection of views of the human condition I've ever seen. It prompts my imagination with its range of scenes and moments in the lives of people around the world, and inspires great curiosity about what "must have been going on" at those moments captured on film. At the same time, many of the images remind me of the universals in people's lives, and the culture-bridging quality of some emotions and experiences. Mr. Reno has a perfect sense for what Cartier Bresson called the "decisive moment." Visually, the book is a real tour de force --- the quality of the images is astonishing in their richness and depth, and just plain elegance. Mr. Reno has clearly mastered the darkroom craft, and then some. The book is a treat for the eyes and for the spirit, and is the kind of thing I will return to again and again for pleasure and inspiration.

I bought this book when I found it in a local sheet music store, even though it was quite expensive. The first half of this book is about Sonny's life. He tells the story and it is quite interesting. I would think this is the most valuable thing about the book. After this, Sonny's technique is briefly explained, and then there are some songs tabulated for the reader to play them. I found this tab very hard to understand, IT DOESN'T HAVE STANDARD MUSIC NOTATION, and that makes it very hard. Besides, Sonny's style is complex. It comes with a vinil recording. I FOUND THE BOOK VERY INTERESTING, AS LONG AS YOUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO LEARN ABOUT SONNY. If you want to learn to play harp I wouldn't recomend it. There are better books for beginners (look for peter pickow).

If you want to do it the way Sonny did this is the book for you. Of all the harp books I have this one is the most clearly laid out and easy to follow. Clear annotation shows which holes to blow/suck bends etc. No substitute for practice but it get you well on the way.With the aid of a few cd's or better still vinyls you can follow what Sonny does. An addictive book.