I love plants and gardens! I never knew how to create a garden that would last and look great! This book has wonderful photos and is VERY easy to read and plan with. YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS ONE!

I love my yard and this book is a practical blessing for S. Florida gardeners. Takes the guess work out. Inspirational as well as educational even for an "old hand". Have now bought 3 copies as gifts for family and friends - so they don't have to borrow mine.

Although I love native Florida plants, I want a mixture of natives and non-natives in my front yard to achieve a tropical look. After checking out hundreds of gardening and landscaping books from the public library, I finally found the perfect book to help me achieve the look I want.

This book contains beautiful full color photographs with detailed information on each plant including maximum height, light requirements, pests, etc. However, what has been most helpful to me is knowing which plants will look well together with the least amount of maintenance.

I've been able to compile a small list of plants that will provide me with year round color from foiliage and flowers. The tropical look is finally within my reach, look out South Dade plant nurseries, here I come! :-)

This is a great book it help me gain notion on the history of photography and alo show me ways to do photography the old way

Well, after asking endless questions to some of the "so called" self-acclaimed "experts" in the field of wet plate photography; Crawford's book was a breath of fresh air. I only wish that I could have come across this book early in my search. Instead I had to wade through BBS systems with adults who like to dress up and play "war" (i.e., the Civil War). With this book you will be able to bypass all of the fruitless searches you will have if you ask present day practitioners, who do not want to share the process (or are more likely unknowledgeable themselves). Save yourself the problems, efforts and misinformation. Buy this book!

I lost my first copy and just bought another. Learn the history and the how-to's of several non-silver printmaking methods. If you're interested in these processes, this book will give you an excellent overview and get you started on making your own prints.

A book to read over and over. When I am feeling like my self esteem is gone or I am going through a difficult time, I pick up this book and read a chapter or two and get re-charged again. It makes you re-examine all the dreams you ever had and didn't act upon because you thought you weren't talented enough or someone else had discouraged you. After reading this book you will believe "I can really make this happen".

Roger Crawford is a living example of how an attitude of gratitude can make all the difference in the world. This book highlights the fact that we indeed do become what we focus on. If you are feeling as if you need a boost in your resiliance buy this book and recharge your batteries. It is money well spent!

This is a great book. He has some real good advise that you can start implementing right away.

Richard Crawford's ambitious book seems a culmination of his previous work, attempting to encompass the whole of American musical activity since the birth of the nation. His basic methodology of dividing American music into three spheres, classical, popular and folk, is a successful tool for making a gargantuan subject more manageable. His chronology makes an attempt to at least cast a glance at each of these areas as it progresses through the centuries.

Some of the individual chapters are, in my opinion, among the strongest essays available on their particular topics. Due to my own lack of previous knowledge in these fields I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the beginnings of organized music making in America, through the church. In particular, the split between the Methodist ideal of polished musical performance and literacy, and the more fundamentalist view that music in worship was direct communication with God, communication hindered by too much technical knowledge--this is a schism whose echoes are still apparent today.

Later on, the chapter on Ives takes a very small corner of the composer's output--six songs--to give a lucid and comprehensive survey of his style, a ingenious solution to the problem of how to give an accurate picture of an enormous, heterogenous body of work in a limited space.

Occasionally during the course of such an enormous work Crawford struggles with his task. At times one has the impression that topics and personages are being included and examined out of a sense of duty rather than real conviction about their significance; one can also quarrel with the choice of emphasis as Crawford approaches the present day. Nor do I think his surprising conclusion, which examines an actual, recent concert performance in which he was personally involved, succeeds in his goal of synthesizing his overall points by looking at them in microcosm, as it were. Still, he hits the the mark at enough points in this sweeping chronology to make it one of the finest works yet to appear on this topic.

Crawford's superb book presents the whole sweep of US cultivated and traditional musics--from 16th-century Native American music through late 20th-century hip-hop culture. The author (Univ. of Michigan) approaches America's music from the standpoint of "composer's music," i.e., classical music in which the performer rather strictly follows the composer's intentions; "performer's music," popular music where the "notation is intended as an outline to be shaped by performers as they see fit"; and folk music, music handed down through oral tradition. Crawford has the ability to make broad connecting leaps between and among his subjects, and his felicitous writing style invites the listener deep into his narrative. Abundant illustrative materials and a sweeping, inclusive bibliography add substantially to this excellent history. John Tasker Howard's Our American Music (1931), Gilbert Chase's America's Music: From the Pilgrims to the Present (1955; Crawford wrote the introduction for th e third revised edition, 1987), and Charles Hamm's Music in the New World (CH, Jun'83) stand as early models of studies of music in America. Crawford's book is every bit their equal and, in its own way, it establishes a new model for inclusiveness. An impressive summation of the vast musical "stew" that constitutes American music, this book is indispensable for all music collections.

In the 1980s I was a graduate student in musicology at the University of Toronto, specializing in Canadian music. A visit by Richard Crawford was one of the galvanizing moments in my education. He spoke on the theme of "Studying American Music" (the talk was later published in the Newsletter of the Institute for Studies in American Music, vol. XIV, no. 2, May 1985), but his ideas proved to be applicable to any field of music study. I know I have certainly made generous use of them in my own work. So it was with particular interest that I turned to this book, his magesterial (nearly 1,000 pages long!) summing up of a career devoted to the subject.

In the epilogue to the book, Crawford states that the historian is motivated by a disagreement with received ideas - "the gut-level feeling that says, 'It wasn't like that.'" In 40 chapters covering the entire history of music in America chronologically, from pre-historical to modern times, Crawford tells us how it really was. One tribute to the quality of this book is that the chapters on music in which I thought I had no interest (e.g., 18th century psalmody or 19th century minstrel shows) I found to be every bit as engaging as those on music that I love and cherish.

Crawford establishes his theoretical basis in a section titled "Notation, the Great Divide, and American Musical Categories" (p. 227). Previous historians (notably Charles Hamm and H. Wiley Hitchcock) have proposed a binary opposition in American music between Classical and Popular, or Cultivated and Vernacular. In place of this dualism, Crawford proposes a richer three-tiered categorization: Composers' music, which aims for TRANSCENDENCE (i.e. lasting value); Performers' music, which values ACCESSIBILITY; and Traditional music, ruled by CONTINUITY. The first two are notated traditions, the last is transmitted orally. These categories arise initially from considering the classical, popular, and folk traditions respectively.

Crawford later develops his thesis to show that considerable overlap and bleeding between categories has been characteristic of American music, especially in the 20th century. A chapter on the Beatles (No. 38, which otherwise seems glaringly out of place here - why an entire chapter on a British group?) makes the point that popular music since the 1960s has achieved transcendence. At about the same time, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and other composers in the Classical sphere were aiming for accessibility in preference to transcendence. Similarly, jazz arose from popular roots but achieved transcendence, primarily through recordings rather than notation, however.

Crawford's democratic approach gives equal time to the most widely varied styles and genres of music. He treats everything, from hymns to hip-hop and beyond, with scholarly attention that is balanced, scrupulous, and passionate. In the Epilogue, he admits to a grounding in the Classical sphere (and relays a charming story about travelling to a small town to hear his wife Penelope Crawford perform as piano soloist with a community orchestra), but he obviously has a passionate interest in jazz and a respectful attitude towards all types of music. You might want to turn to Hitchcock's *Music in the United States: A Historical Introduction* for a shorter treatment of the subject, or Hamm's *Music in the New World* for a more argumentative approach, but I feel that Crawford's book in time will take its place as the most thoughtful and the most comprehensive of all surveys of American music.

Great foundational book for someone looking for useful information on living with a Bernese Mountain Dog. Well written, easy to understand and can be a quick reference.

Our kennel gives one of these books to every puppy buyer.

Anyone needing more info than this book offers.

This is an easy read with loads of information. It is a must for anyone considering a BMD as it really focuses on life with a berner. This book should be read before and after getting a Bernese. The training section is very helpful as well.

I am getting a Bernese and am constantly searching for more information on the breed. This book has lots of great pictures and is easy to read. It is good for anyone who wants to learn more about the breed. There is a section on training in addition to the sections about the breed and living with the dog. A must if you are thinking about getting a Bernese.

[....] Crawford makes a strong argument about why the automobile is probably the worst invention to man. The statistics in the book are excellent. Although a few parts of the book did seem to drag (like the intensive analysis of the tram system), the vast majority of the book is very interesting. I especially enjoyed the comparison of Venice to Los Angeles and the part the explained alternatives to fossil fuels. This is definitely a book to have if you're interested in cities, city planning, environmental preservation, and/or economics.

What can we do about smog, traffic congestion, traffic fatalities, excessive energy consumption, unhealthy lifestyles, and sprawl, among others? The author identifies a solution to this problem, and surprisingly, one that has been proven in a number of countries. We have been sleepwalking into undesirable land use patterns (sprawl) for so long that we take it for granted that it is normal. Yet we complain about all the serious problems sprawl creates as though we can do nothing about it. For the first time, the solution by J.H. Crawford addresses these concerns with a carefully thought-out, well-supported framework: the carfree planning approach. Outrageous as this may first sound, it is already being practiced in many cities around the globe, notably in Europe. Cars are not totally removed from the equation, but serve less frequent, more focused roles. With oil resources steadily dwindling, such a proposal merits top-shelf prominence among visionary planners and developers alike. This book has changed my land use planning outlook completely.

Carfree Cities is a pathbreaking work that outlines how human beings can live in an urban environment entirely free from cars. As someone working to uncover mathematical forces that shape urban form, I appreciate Crawford's efforts and applaud his conclusions. I personally believe that the city of the future will have to combine many different means of transportation, including the hated/loved car, but it is not clear to most planners how to achieve this. Crawford's book provides a well thought-out plan for pedestrian life, which, in the hands of an enlightened urbanist, can be used to drastically improve the quality of existing cities.

Therefore, while I don't necessarily accept Crawford's total exclusion of cars, I find his solutions vitally important to the future of cities. Furthermore, I don't think that anyone would have taken him seriously unless he did what he has done: to show that a totally carfree solution is possible. Not only is it possible, but Crawford has shown that it is both feasible and practical. Congratulations to him for this outstanding work.

"Two Summers Too Hot" brings back memories of growing up in my hometown. It is a short book by most standards, but a fun read. The author takes the characters in a small southern town and spins an entertaining yarn around them. The editor missed some things but it did not interfere with the story. I enjoyed reading this little piece of Southern literature.

"Two Summers Too Hot" is great summertime reading fun. It gives an accurate portayal of summer in the south, and throws in a clever plot and enjoyable characters. I'm not sure I'll ever trust my pharmacist again! Carter Benfield is a most enjoyable young boy who has to grow up fast in the heat and humidity of a Linton, North Carolina night. You will be surprised at the scheming and plotting of Allison Blackburn, bold and brazen at the age of sweet sixteen. I felt sympathy for the men entrapped in her web of deceit and for her hard-working parents. Buy and enjoy reading this diamond-in-the-rough, pleasant summertime surprise. I look forward to his second book and more enjoyable characters

I loved this book. It is not a long book which makes it nice to read over a weekend, which is what I did. The main characters, Carter Benfield and Allison Blackburn, are both very interesting. Carter has the innocence of a twelve year old boy who is beginning to discover some of life's exciting secrets. Allison is a hot, willful, young woman who wants more that the small town of Linton, North Carolina can offer. I like the way the lives of these two characters are detailed, then gradually come together in an exciting, suspenseful climax. I look forward to more books by this author!

Natural Childbirth After Cesarean begins (as most books on the VBAC subject do) by refuting the old wive's tales...ruptured uterus, vaginal breech deliveries dangerous, etc. I am pleased with the fact that both writers are speaking from experience and not just medical or personal opinion (not all authors on this subject can say the same). On a more personal level, this book made me search out my own reasons for wanting a VBAC and emphasized that knowing this reason is crucial to the success of the birth. However, as someone considering home birth I thought that the book was a little too "pro-hospital" and mentioned a home birth only for those "extremists". This view was not backed up with any research but stemmed from personal opinion,which was a little disappointing. This aside, this book should be included in your "top ten" list as you do your VBAC research.

I loved this book. The authors' stories of their own VBACs are inspiring, and while they really promote natural childbirth, there is good information here that will help you even if you are not sure that is what you want. If you have a breech baby, be SURE to read this. One of the authors had 4 breech babies and she gives lots of suggestions for turning them!

This is a wonderful book for anyone planning a natural birth after having a previous cesarean. It's very informative with a wonderful labor checklist at the back for helping with many situations that may arise during labor and delivery. Take it with you to the hospital

Our family has loved this songbook very much. There are ninety songs in the book. Written by Pete Seeger's sister, American Folk Songs for children has songs each of them suggests an activity. There are songs for going places, songs for knocking on doors and windows, songs for eating, songs for dancing, and many others. I would like to buy a copy as a gift, and I hope there is a reprint date soon.

I have used Seeger's American Folk Songs for Children since my first child was born in 1966. Later it was an invaluable resource in my classrooms of autistic children. The adaptability of the songs to making up your own verses, allowing children to interject their creative ideas, makes them work in many settings. My copy is tattered and torn, and I'm ordering a new one for a just-born great-nephew!

I have used this book not only in the pre-schools and elementary schools, but in middle school and high school as well. Many of the songs worked beautifully when I taught harmonica to 17 and 18-year-olds, and recorder to younger students. I very much like the way the author encourages improvisation and acknowledges that music changes over time. It is important to remind people that everyone can make their own music, and Ms. Seeger encourages creativity and imagination. I consider the introductory portion of this book to be one of the better parenting texts I have ever seen.

interesting reading about something most of us eat. It is interesting to see how the companies started, the marketing and remember brands we used to eat that are now part of history.

The history of the American breakfast cereal and how it evolved from a health food to junk food. Originally promoted by religious organizations it is now huckstered by the ad industry. This is also a history of popular culture and the role cereal played in promoting give away gimmics, comic characters, radio programs, and TV cartoons. It has all the elements of both tragedy and comedy. Highly recommended. Educational and entertaining. A great read.

A cereal history with information on the characters (both real and animated) that have popularized cereal in the United States. Also has lots of insight on character marketing and advertising. Very interesting reading for cereal enthusiasts!