Excellent source. If you don't know much about franchises and want to gain a good depth of knowledge, this is the book for you. Written for the prospective or new franchisee and examines the entire range of issues concerning buying and running a franchise. The author covers just the right amount of detail: not enough to bog you down but enough to give you an indepth understanding of the issues confronting franchisees. Covers such topics as the franchise concept, franchise selection, due dilligence, financing, hiring, family-run franchises, budgeting, legal and accounting advice, and much more. The next best thing to having a franchisee in the family!

"The People's Darling Privilege" examines struggles for free speech in American history. Professor Curtis persuasively argues that the struggles were political, not judicial: early American controversies over free speech -- the 1798 Sedition Act, the battle over slavery, and antiwar speech during the Civil War -- were resolved largely outside the judicial sphere, in Congress, in state legislatures, in the public press, and, especially, in the hearts and minds of "the people." The legacy of these struggles - a constitutional commitment to a robust free speech system - only found judicial validation in the wake of the World Wars, in the Warren Court era, and, to a certain extent, in the Rehnquist Court. This history not only informs our twentieth century understanding of free speech, but also, and most importantly, our twenty-first century struggles to protect it. Indeed, the struggle du jour - the freedom of expression versus the war on terror -- underscores the importance and timeliness of Curtis' scholarship. As Curtis' history demonstrates, in times of intense social conflict and civil unrest, courts prove to be weak reeds in protecting civil liberties; thus, in today's political climate, "the people" must remain vigilant in protecting against unwarranted intrusions upon their "darling privilege."

Stories of the darker moments in the Civil Rights Movement always tend to get me inflamed and this juvenile history of "The Freedom Riders" for the Cornerstones of Freedom series is no different. On the last day of school in the First Grade we went to the bus depot to pick up my father, who was returning from a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, and while we were there I went in the wrong restroom and my mother could not come and get me. That was because this was 1963 in Orland, Florida and I walked into the men's room written in black letters and not the one written in white letters. So, as I said, this particular chapter of American History tends to bother me a lot.

In the popular mind the story of the Freedom Riders boils down to what was seen in the movie "Mississippi Burning," which is the story of the murder of Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and James Chaney. Of course, Deborah Kent tells that story, but in the larger context of the Civil Rights movement. Yes, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bull Connor are players in this story, but the pivotal figure turns out to be James Farmer, who organized and led the freedom riders, and was director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Farmer was also a believer in the nonviolent resistance used successfully by Mahatma Gandhi in India. The book also tells of the most dramatic moments in this particular effort, as white mobs burned buses and the National Guard had to be called in because local police stood by and did nothing. Chances are, young readers will be bothered by these stories as well.

"The Freedom Riders" covers the Civil Rights movement from the Montgomery Bus boycott started by Rosa Parks and ending with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act. This volume is illustrated with historic photographs showing what the situation was like before, during, and after the Freedom Riders. Young readers will understand not only why this tactic was necessary, but also why it was successful.

Just to let the world know that this book although illustrated by the ever talented Ms Kent, was in fact written by Caroline Taylor and her mother Marjorie Revill. They did in fact write all of the books in this series. Pretty good I think!

This is a book that if you love westerns you will not be disappointed in. Kent Conwell has done it again. I know when I buy his books that I will cherish them always. Mr. Conwell blends a story that touches the heart and leaves it in your mind upon wakening. He is an excellent writer.
What can I say? If you love westerns by Kent Conwell, you will love his latest, The Gambling Man.
He writes with a man who cares about all the characters in his books. The way Mage meets up with Joe and brings him into his fold touched my heart. You can't go wrong in reading a book by Mr. Conwell. You can't help but fall in love with the characters of Mage, Rachel, William, Robert, Joe, and the whole town people. To find a town that sticks together when a sickness strikes, and children, who want to protect their parent's home when things get rough, Mr. Conwell always delivers a warm story to his many writings. Not only that, he knows when to blend a little humor and bring out laughter as you turn some of the pages. The Gambling Man deserves 2 thumbs up and ten stars. It is truly a wonderful addition of books by Kent Conwell. I always know that when he has a new one on the market and I buy it, it will be great. This one was great! Never a disappointment in any book by Mr. Conwell.

Kalmbach Publishing is the premier publisher of "how to" books for the model railroading enthusiast. Their latest release, Garden Railroading: Getting Started In The Hobby, is a first-rate introductory guide to creating lush garden landscapes that incorporate working model railroads. Gorgeous color photographs fill this impressively detailed compilation that spells out the nuts and bolts mechanics of planning and building railroad tracks as surely as it covers the proper care of flowers and greenery. An excellent reference, and simply beautiful to leaf through, Garden Railroading is strongly recommended reading for model railroading buffs at all levels of expertise and experience.

The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg is a most inspiring and beautiful book covering the four seasons in Colonial Williamsburg. This book covers not only the history of twenty gardens in the historic district, but who these eighteenth century garders were. The archaeological research provides a detailed look at each of the gardens, giving layout plans and detailed list of all the plants used. With the addition of beautiful color photography, this book will provide all gardeners with a source to re-create a eighteenth century garden.

This was an insightful book and philosophically, it was compelling. It uncovers many unanswered questions such as what is the distinguishing characteristic of the human species. It also explores the question: "do we have a special mission in life that nature gave us?" The author shows how realty, which consists of everything that happens - even in our thoughts and our imaginations - continues on forever. This gives us a responsibility we have not yet fully discovered. This is a thought-provoking book that carries many predictions for the future of humankind. This is a great book. It's worth reading. I recommend it.

Excellent book on Germans from Russia census. As a geneologist and family historian I had never heard of the 1939 census but it gave me a different enlightment on the what the census can prove or not prove, the whereabouts of your ancestors when they came to the USA, where they lived as minorities, their homeland etc. The book is rated excellent in my eyes.

I couldn't put this one down. It's taken from a journal kept by a German sergeant before and throughout his years as a prisoner of war in various camps in the United States. He speaks of his hunger, the work they had to do, his impressions of America and Americans, and his horror at the end of the war when he learned of the concentration camps in Germany. It is so well written that you can feel his longing for home and family, and his loyalty to his comrades, and his anger at not having enough to eat a lot of the time. I've read it, but I'm keeping it to re-read some time in the future.