Illegible maps, prolix, and outdated, outdated, outdated. It must be revised or, better yet, put out to pasture. A waste of $$$$. Go to the state parks and ask the rangers for maps. On the plus side, it recycles nicely.

This book has a lot to offer anyone thinking of backpacking in Ohio. I first got this book from the library, but then found it worthwhile to buy my own copy. Ruchhoft gives a lot of interesting detail about each loop and doesn't hesitate to give you his opinions about all matter of backpacking topics. The maps are somewhat crude at times and it's well worth purchasing topographical maps in addition to the book. Backpackers like to carry as little weight as possible, but I find it worthwhile packing this book along. I hope the author plans on keeping this book updated.

This book did not rise to the level of its perfect-for-a-true-crime title. The three cases, all murders, were interesting, but there are some large problems with this book that made me wonder how true this purported piece of true crime was. There are pages upon pages of dialogue between characters that have no source for either the actual dialogue or the information contained within it; this entire book is unsourced, except for the statement on the flap that the author used old newspaper clippings, court documents, and even interviewed descendents of some of the major characters. What can someone's great-great relative tell an author about a crime that took place 70 years or more before they were born? Most true crime authors rightly list every source they consult in researching and writing a book.

This book is also overwritten; the author tried to write it like a novel, instead of simply stating the facts, and it does not work. The cases involved do not need any embellishment; they need to be simply told with some background information added to place them in context of the time and place they happened in. Two of the cases concerned minority defendents and there was not enough information about the status of minorities in this community or how their trials, trial strategy, etc. would differ from white defendents tried during the same time.

Overall, this book was a massive disappointment.

A fasinating trilogy. Fulker is able to give the reader just enough legal information so that the plot can be followed without an overdose of detail. It will keep you on the edge of your seat through the final hour of decision. The three cases included in this trilogy are true but due to the author's literary skills, they read like engrossing fiction. This book should be on everyone's reading list.

This book contains many photos and names or pieces and lines to help a novice collector recognize McCoy.

I love McCoy collecting - but I suspect the information found in Mr. Snyder's book reflects knowledge of an author and not a seasoned McCoy collector. The book contained little new information and several errors including the unique spelling of Mr. SIDNEY Cope's name which should read SYDNEY.

A good collector's reference needs more than pictures and guesses at pricing and needs to do more than reiterate (whether accurately or inaccurately) the history of the items. It needs a depth of current knowledge found only by being an active collector who networks with others; subscribes to newsletters; attends reunions and auctions and above all, is familiar with the topic of the book!

This book values a stoneware leaves and berries plate at when last summer one sold for. I suspect that had there been input from other geographical locations beyond PA and Ohio, some of the pricing and information might have been more accurate.

Disappointing to say the least - but there are other very informative McCoy books to fill the holes left by this one.

Generally inferior to the real collector books on McCoy--the Nissen Hanson volumes, Sanford volumes, Huxford and the original Coates books. Pictures not as detailed, poor organization, incomplete reference for this prolific pottery.

This is a very useful guide to McCoy pottery. The photos are wonderful, the text provides detailed and accurate information on the design and manufacturing process not to be found elsewhere ... and much else. The book is well organized and easy to use. The pricing is fair. The author interviewed the McCoys themselves and has written about many different pottery lines. This is a good book. But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself!

This book is a complete and total disaster! Poor organization, unclear text, stupid content. Do yourself a favor and do not purchase this book!

This book was an interesting and worthwhile read. It very accurately reflected the multitude of activities and communities at Ohio State. It was also nice to learn about some of the history of my alma mater.

This is a children's book of about 70 pages. It is a fictionalized story of a real person, "Sophia," dealing with the events surrounding the Gnadenhutten massacre of peaceful Christian Indians in Ohio in 1782. Considering the title, "The Bell Keeper: the story of Sophia and the massacre of the Indians at Gnadenhutten, Ohio, in 1782," this was a little disappointing in that there were only about 2 pages dealing with the actual massacre, that told in a narrative by a survivor of the massacre. This leaves many unanswered questions about why the massacre actually happened. However, this is a childrens' book, and as such, it may be better to not go into too much detail.
The book deals mainly with the girl Sophia and how her world is turned upside down in the events surrounding the Revolutionary war. It is a decent children's story about the girl and her life at the time, but not really a very good story about the Gnadenhutten massacre. That said, it is still a worthwhile book for those who want to give their children a taste of history. It may lead them to become interested in finding out more about the massacre.
Another good "historical novel" about this event is "Tuscarawas," by Carter Kissell, although this book is for an older audience-and probably hard to find.
Or for even more history surrounding the Massacre, see "That Dark and Bloody River," by Allan Eckert. This book, however, covers a great deal of history of the Ohio Area, but does give a very good history of the Gnadenhutten massacre. This isn't a children's book, however.
In any case, while the "The Bell Keeper" is not a great work of history, and I think it could have been better; it is a decent fictionalized account of Sophia's life at the time, and reasonably well written. Even with my criticisms, I would recommend this book to those interested in having their children gain some knowledge of history.

It was a very very boring book that put me to sleep every time I picked it up to read. Yes it did have some interesting things in it, it was more boring than it was interesting.

This is a book with " way too much meat" in a sandwich bag.
It is informative but the paragraphs have so many descriptions of so many people it's hard to keep " who's who straight".

And it was all written in the past tense with not much real action or suspense. ( You know what's going to happen..and after you figure out who's going to do the killing...why should one keep reading?)

I would like to tell the author ...You have a very good story to tell... it should be read by more people....I know you are enthusiastic about the subject. Just slow down and go back and rewrite this book. I'm sure then you'll have a BEST SELLER.

Tanya Radic

In the introduction, the authors advise that it is necessary to use a map to find the "natural wonders". The authors even tell the reader how to obtain a map. Question: Why isn't there a map in the book? Just a simple map of Ohio with dots numbered to match the places mentioned.

Great little book for all Ohio State fans. Uniquely written by an Ohio State fan who befriended long time Ohio State assistant football coach Esco Sarkkinen. Full of great little stories and insights into Ohio State football that I have not read in other Ohio State books. Great stories about Ohio State legend Woody Hayes. Short book, well written, makes for a quick read. I would deffinately recommend.

Josef Barton's book Peasants and Strangers: Italians, Rumanians, and Slovaks in an American City, 1890-1950, did not impress this reviewer. Barton compares and contrasts the immigration and livelihood of Italians, Rumanians, and Slovaks in Cleveland. He examines not only the first generation of families, but also the second generations rise or fall in status. His use of Stephen Thernstrom's quantification in reviewing urban history in Cleveland lacks emotion and creativity. Barton states fact upon fact, which the reader finds difficult to follow and sort. One catches themself going back over paragraphs time and again in order to reach some understanding of what Barton is arguing. In conclusion, this book is not an ideal read for someone who seeks to learn more on the social history of immigrants in Cleveland. If one is of the type to enjoy urban histories from a Sam Bass Warner or Stephen Thernstrom ideology this book is a good example, but it must be noted that this type of ideology is taken to the extreme by Barton. It has left much to be desired.