Todd McGowan has made a monumental contribution to our understanding of the canon controversies, and done it with an admirable and astonishing brevity and focus. The readings of particular authors, contextualized with respect to their moment of entry into the canon of literary studies (and with respect to a number of other interesting and provocative issues), are a model of what cultural studies can be, when undertaken by someone with an authentic concern for how literature functions vis-a-vis the social (symbolic) order . What should especially not be overlooked,in my opinion, is McGowan's immeasurable --and, again, marvellously condensed-- contribution to our understanding of the dilemma between essentialistic, rational, enlightenment-based notions of the self versus postmodern dissolution of the self into what are often celebrated by theorists (of all stripes) today under the banner of "multiple subject positions," or some related notion of "discursively-determined subjectivity" (see the last chapter for a terse tour-de-force critique of this dilemma). It must be stressed that McGowan's deployment of Lacanian concepts is not obscured by excessive jargon or mathematical abstractions. He not only wields such terminology with expertise, but makes psychoanalytic concepts intelligible and politically relevant. I highly recommend this excellent book.

Thank you, Ms. Grand! As a grandmother, in today's world of "mega media" bombarding our children with so much violence, visual "noise", etc., I found your book the perfect oasis! Perfect for making "talking to God", so natural for young children.
Perfect for making it so much easier for adults, to help our children , through the simple language, and questions that lead to great discussions!
I think this book will reach beyond preschool, on to self readers!
I suggest that parents and grandparents, the world over, should
have this book for their young ones, because we all need to feel at ease, safe, and happy while "talking with God." To know He is with us always.
Thank you again, Ms. Grand... and May God Bless You and Yours!

The priests who wrote their stories for this book are so real and inspiring that I wanted to be able to meet them all in person. I loved reading about how they overcame struggles in their vocations in order to find the true and deep Joy and Love that initially attracted them in their inmost hearts. This would be a great gift for any priest to have on his book shelf, or for anybody interested in understanding the personal side of the vocation to the priesthood.

Six weeks of hell...six weeks of my life I will never get back..six weeks of taking a beating.My daughter Kayla is so undeciplined,she can rip apart a household in 10 seconds.This book helped me control her for the first time in her life.Some of the tips I used was putting jalepheno juice on all of our stuff so she would not get at them without paying.I also used the diagram in the back of the book to construct a cage to keep her in when visiting family or friends.I have aged 10 years since she was born.I wear my pants to my ribcage.

I began writing this review with great confidence, only to discover that the reasons that this book is a delight and that my hard-cover edition is coming to pieces from endless readings are reasons that are difficult to convey. *First Things First* is a picture book of categorized *stuff*. It is an antidote for parent and child alike to those big books that have lots and lots (and lots) of words in them under pictures of firehouses, policemen, parking meters, stores, barns....but you know exactly what I mean. *First Things First* orders items the way a child might. On one fully opened page, we have "SOME ANIMALS" (all labelled, all with interesting expressions and stances); on another page are "TWO COWS", one red and white, and one purple, and both accompanied by poems ("the friendly cow all red and white..." Robert Louis Stevenson); on the next page, children cavort around a maypole with "COLORED RIBBONS" (each color is named). The purple cow holds the purple ribbon. If your child wants to browse, there are pages of "LOTS OF INSECTS" or "THREE SHAPES" or "FLOWERS". My favorite page is that of "A GREAT BIG CAULIFLOWER" (with a child in it), but I'm pretty attached to the "PEASE Porridge hot" page, too. Not only are all the bits and poems and pictures of children and porridge and vegetables and animals fun to look at, but the book is small and manageable in scope and besides, on p. 36 all the little peas wear tiny hats. Someone should bring this back into print. And, sorry, I'm not lending out my copy.

This is a hardcopy of The Florida Quilt Heritage Project. It IS NOT a how to quilt manual, rather a volume that traces Florida quilts and their makers through the history of the state. It begins with the quilts of early America and ends in 1988. The color plates are lovely and particularly clear for photographs taken before the advent of the digital age. There are black and white vintage photos of early quiltmakers scattered throughout the book. I bought this book for my personal library because I wanted to see how quiltmaking in Florida changed over this period of time.

Like any great novel the characters become more compelling than the otherwise fascinating backdrop of Paris during the early stages of WW I. The story centers around a family who returns to France after one generation's absence and must come to terms with themselves and each other. This book was written during the last part of the war and the sadness of the reality of the war is evident in the book. Don't let the slow beginning fool you, the rest of the book is worth your effort.

I first encountered Charlotte Forten Grimke as an adult, when I read the hefty (more than 600 pages) edition of her journals published as part of the Schomburg Library of 19th Century Black Women Writers. I was captivated by her inquisitive mind and vivacious spirit, which clearly came through in her prose.

"A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War" is a selection from the journals of the young Charlotte Forten (Grimke was her married name), all written in 1854. These writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of an educated free black girl during the era of slavery. We learn about Charlotte's love for nature, her participation in abolitionist activities, her admiration for the pioneering African American poet Phillis Wheatley, and other topics. Editor Christy Steele and company have provided a rich and colorful assortment of study aids: photographs and illustrations from Charlotte's era, a map of the "Underground Railroad," a timeline, and other resources. At 32 pages, the book is a lot less intimidating than the adult version which I first read!

The book also encourages its young readers to start their own diaries, and offers some tips. A list of relevant Internet sites further adds to the interactive nature of the book. This is an outstanding book for younger readers. Adults who also enjoy it would be wise to seek out the Schomburg Library edition of Charlotte's journals, edited by Brenda Stevenson. Both versions of these historic documents are excellent contributions to the field of African American studies.

I've made several recipes from this book, mostly desserts.Everything was wonderful. It really sets you up for a party when you can start to cook weeks or months before. Her instructions are so clear and complete you just can't go wrong. Once you try her recipes for brownies and for blueberry muffins you'll never make any others. The tone is friendly and chatty, like a favorite aunt at your shoulder.