Ripsnorting Whoppers is a great book to read!It's really funny & enjoyable.I got to eat lunch with Mr.Sowash last year at my school.He has a good way of putting things,and he is really funny.I think everybody should get a chance to meet him.He also has another good book out that you should read called Ohio hero's.They are both Great books & once you read them you will be temted to put in a revew!

Rick Sowash is a very intelligent and unique individual and I am glad that he takes interest in the history and the famous people that have come from Lebanon. He taught my whole school about the book for right to read week and it was very exciting.

Enjoyed this book. The stories are appropriate for people of all ages. Definately recommend this book.

Stein, Gender, Isolation, and Industrialism New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio
by Duane Simolke
Reviewed by Joe Wright
This book is the work of Dr Simolke. It served as his doctoral dissertation. It shows the relationship between Sherwood Anderson, his work and Gertrude Stein. In Dr Simolke's own words, "I consider Gertrude Stein, gender roles, the machine in the garden, feelings of isolation, and attempts at communication, as they all relate to Sherwood Anderson's masterpiece."

Of course the masterpiece he is talking about is the story cycle, Winesburg, Ohio. Published in 1919 about a small town in Ohio becoming industrialized and what that does to the lives of the people of Winesburg.
New Readings would be a great companion to go along with Anderson's Winesburg. It gives you not only the history of Mr. Anderson, but also the history of his stories. In Chapter 4 Men and Women, Dr. Simolke talks about how Mr Anderson's 1923 novel Many Marriages was banned by many libraries and book stores due to the fact that the book mainly focuses on nudity and sex.
If your a tried and true fan of Gertrude Stein or Sherwood Anderson New Readings is a must have!

Pour yourself a little brandy, pull your chair up to the fire, and read Duane Simolke's Stein, Gender, Isolation, and Industrialism: New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio. Better yet, dust off your copy of Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio, and then read Simolke's remarkable explication of Sherwood Anderson, the influence that the great Gertrude Stein had on his writing style, and the equally important effect of turn-of-the-century industrialization on Anderson and the stories he tells. In this straightforward, yet literary accounting of Anderson's Winesburg narratives, you will come to a fuller understanding of what motivated Anderson to write his story cycle, what part homoeroticism and homophobia played in the story "Hands" and "The Untold Lie." This work should be required reading in any college course involving the art and craft of short-story writing as well as in courses on Sherwood Anderson, himself. I found the greatest pleasure in reading a while from Simolke's work, then reading from Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio. Simolke's book is a great reading guide, as well as a thoughtful and measured reading experience all by itself. ---Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Uncle Sean

What a pleasure to read a dissertation embracing the poetry and passion of simple language as well as the art of old-fashioned story-telling exemplified by the often underrated Sherwood Anderson.

In seven chapters Dr. Simolke (whose lyrical collection THE ACORN STORIES was clearly influenced by Stein and Anderson) examines themes of alienation, sexuality and gender in Anderson's masterpiece WINESBURG, OHIO.

Bringing fresh perspective to Anderson's best known work (considered by critics to be a forerunner of modern fiction with its focus on "real folks" and small town America of the early 20th Century), Simolke candidly explores sexual subtext.

In "More Than Man or Woman" he writes, "I call attention to all this terminology because Anderson transcends those societal perceptions of gayness; his use of gay themes has little to do with sex and everything to do with human contact."

Do we need still one more analysis of the work of another dead white guy? Yes, most certainly, when it is as refreshingly and unabashedly enthusiastic as Simolke's. Criticized as being sentimental and outdated, WINESBURG becomes relevant again in this unapologetic and insightful re-reading.

"TRIALS IN YOUNGSTOWN,OHIO" is a wonderful book written by Wolfgang Cooper. Although a short story, "TRIALS" is chock full of more fervor, passion and intensity than a lot of books that run 500 plus pages. For anyone who grew up in the seventies, and remembers big cars, big industry, down and dirty local rock and roll bands and all the effort it took to win over family and friends when you were 18 years old, this is definitely a book that will get your blood pumping. Teenagers of today will also enjoy the story. Cooper has an interesting writing style that is easy to follow. I blew through it in one weekend. Enjoy!

"TRAILS IN YOUNGSTOWN,OHIO" is an interesting combination of the J.D. Salinger classic "Catcher In The Rye" and feel-good football film "Rudy," where an upstart from a steel mill town makes good on his promise to attend Notre Dame and make the varsity football team. "TRIALS" will hit home with baby-boomers who grew up in the midwest, giving them a chance to remember the anxiety of being a teenager, as well as the final glory days of the steel mill era and local rock and roll. Just about everyone went through ego-depleting moments when they were young, from constantly being harangued by parents to not being hip enough to get a date, to not being talented enough to make the football or baseball team. It's a wonderful series of events that occur when the main character of the story, Matt Burns, finally gets his moment in the sun after being degraded by both family and friends. This is a short, easy to read book, that I would recommend to teenagers or parents. Wolfgang Cooper has a simple yet interesting writing style that reads almost like a screenplay. I liked it a lot.

Since we've all faced adversity at one time or another, this is a story that everyone can relate to. Cooper effectively captures the confusion and frustration faced by a young man growing up in mainstream America, where winning is often the only thing that counts. The writing is colorful, and baby boomer readers will particularly relate to the sights and sounds of the 70's. Highly recommended!

This is a superb, well-rounded historical picture of our Buckeye State Presidents and their families. This book should be required reading for all elementary students help better understand the shaping of our country. Rate this book an 11 on a scale of 1-10.

This is a very readable, entertaining, and enlightening book about eight men Ohio claims as native son presidents -- William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B.Hayes, James Garfield, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding. The author makes a convincing case that they are not rated as highly as they should be. All, for example, stood more for civil rights for African-Americans they other candidates and presidents of their eras who are commonly rated as better presidents. Another theme is the heroism of several of them in the Civil War. Another is their humble demeanor, in marked contrast to such self-promoters as Theodore Roosevelt. This is a well-written revisionist look at Ohio's presidents, written for lay readers with interest in history. Also, it contains many "human interest" facts and anectodes about these presidents, who should not be forgotten.

Author James Cash takes a fresh look at Ohio's presidents. Much maligned and always rated near the bottom of presidential rankings, these leaders, Cash believes, deserve a second look. His book, Unsung Heros, makes the case that they should be seen in a more favorable light. The stories and insights Cash provides about Ohio's presidents make for an entertaining read that will appeal to both the casual and serious historian.

I was a student of Luke's in a creative writing class at East Carolina many moons ago. Although I got the feeling he didn't like me too much -- I was an a&&hole, I admit -- he was, hands down, the best teacher I ever had, in any subject. Other than maybe the one time he justifiably lost his cool, he was always kind, considerate, and above all professional. Maybe he was such a great teacher because he actually took his teaching seriously. He put in a lot of hard work when it came to critiquing our stories, was always on time returning our work. He went the extra mile, I guess is what I'm saying, when he didn't have to. From what I hear, he's finished or is about to finish his second novel (something to do with growing up and Tina Turner, if I remember correctly). Anyway, just because a man's book went out of print, and just because he spent his time trying to make a living while writing, doesn't mean he's "stopped writing," as one reviewer put it.

I discovered this book serendipitously about five years ago. It's fantastic. Funny, wise and poignant in ways that most modern novels of the past two decades have completely missed. I kept waiting for another book...but I guess this one wasn't such a hit. Too bad. Luke Whisnant seemed to have real insight to the outsiders among us and a compassion that is all too rare in young novelists.

Mr. Whisnant takes us to a level of self awareness that we may not care to see in ourselves. Who are we as Americans? Can any of us pinpoint what makes us an American? Whisnant uses the first person, third party perspective to try and answer such questions. The structure of the story is clever, Mr. Whisnant uses the "filming" of the Chinese men to tie in various segments of his book. A great way to visualize the characters. And I especially enjoyed the eroticism between the main character Dexter and his 'love' Suzanne. Too bad the "bathtub" scene couldn't have been more detailed. But perhaps that can be enhanced in another 'possible world'.

In the new Columbus Junior League cookbook I found easy to follow recipes, ingredients for the most part you will have in your frig or pantry,beautiful artwork from Columbus landmarks and menus for dinners or teas already put together for you ( not literally but put together as a complete menu shall we say) Great going girls- I would suggest cookbook collectors and cooks who like easy menus with great results buy this book.

Just as my original Junior League of Columbus (Ohio) cookbook had started to fall apart, a new and improved version appears!! The new version is sturdy, atractive, and very professional. As with all Junior League cookbooks, the recipes are great tasting and easy to prepare. I have already shipped copies to my family around the country and am hearing rave reviews!! Thanks Junior League-you did it again!!

This book is enjoyable on all levels, especially if you are a born and raised Ohioan like myself, and my family. My mother, "Grandma" enjoys reading it to all her granchildren; who live in various cities within Ohio. Each page is an Ohio History lesson and enjoyable prose wrapped into one. It is essential for everyone's personal library. Our family loves it!

Beautiful illustrations with varied reading levels. Each letter depicts a different aspect of Ohio history. For example, "W is for Wright Brothers." With so little written about Ohio history, it is nice to find one not only done but done well.

This book illustrates truly how bad Coach Hayes wanted to win. In-depth coverage of the preparation for the "Big Game" show how hard Coach Hayes wanted to win it. "Buckeye" takes you through all the blowouts of the 1973 season and the heartbreak of the 10-10 tie with "the team up north". I think that Robert Vare did a great job in proving that Columbus is a Buckeye Football city. Every Buckeye fan should read this book to really appreciate who Woody Hayes was and how he took Ohio State Football from the bottom of the Big 10 in 1951 to the top of the nation in the 1970's.

I found myself unable to put this book down the second I started reading it. The detail in which it desrcibes the Ohio State Football program under Coach Woody Hayes is remarkable. This book is a must for any and all Ohio State Buckeye fans.

I was thrilled to find and read this book, the most complete one about the Canal I've found. As a frequent runner on and veteran of several cycling trips along the entire length of the Canal--as well as a resident of Georgetown--I have long had an interest in and love for the Canal.

The author, Mike High, uses many interesting and entertaining vignettes to tell the story of the Canal. He divides the book into four parts: "Historical Sketch", "Structures along the Canal", "Visiting the Canal", and "Canal Guide".

The first two sections put the Canal into a fascinating historical and engineering context, including George Washington's role in the development of the Canal, and the Canal's involvement in the Civil War. The last section is a concise, mile-by-mile guidebook.

In addition to history, High also presents useful information, including accommodations located nearby the Canal and suggested activities on/near the Canal.

For $... a "best buy".

My family lived in Washington for ten years. We often hiked on the C & O Canal. I studied for a masters in American history while we were there. The C & O Canal Companion would have added enormously to all of those experiences.

Reading this book's vignettes provides intimate connections to our nation's past. For example, The Companion reports that after the Revolutionary War, George Washington founded the Patowmack Company, an early attempt at making the Potomac River navigable because of his interest in his "western properties" across the Appalachian mountains. This guide gives a glimpse of the first President that we do not always see while pointing out visible remnants of those efforts.

In a notation about Chain Bridge, a beloved route to many of today's Washington suburbs, the guide shows the Civil War up close and personal. A Confederate sentinel was posted on the south side of the bridge, a Union soldier, mere yards away, on the north side. Furthermore, that same entry gives a brief sketch of Private William Scott who fell asleep there on his post. Court-marshaled by McClellan, pardoned by President Lincoln, William Scott went on to fight and die in battle for the Union cause. The Companion furnishes helpful information about parking, hiking, bed and board opportunities which are difficult to find elsewhere. It gives addresses and telephone numbers for reservations or further information.

Having looked at the Companion for specific data on one short stretch of the Canal, I have been lured into reading further, more like following a story than studying a guide. It made me want to return to Washington with children, hiking boots and The Companion in hand.

Carl B. Stokes And The Rise Of Black Political Power by Leonard N. Moore (Assistant Professor of History and Director of the African and African American Studies Program, Louisiana State University) is a meticulous portrayal of Mayor Carl Stokes of Cleveland and the impact his tenure has had on local and national African-American politics. Individual chapters address a range of issues such as "the making of a mayor"; black capitalism; internal political power struggles; and much, much more. A well-researched and scholarly examination of executive government in microcosm in general, and its reflections in the broader scope of African-American politics in particular, Carl B. Stokes And The Rise Of Black Political Power is a welcome and highly recommended addition to academic Black Studies and Political Science reference collections and reading lists.

Carl B. Stokes And The Rise Of Black Political Power by Leonard N. Moore (Assistant Professor of History and Director of the African and African American Studies Program, Louisiana State University) is a meticulous portrayal of Mayor Carl Stokes of Cleveland and the impact his tenure has had on local and national African-American politics. Individual chapters address a range of issues such as "the making of a mayor"; black capitalism; internal political power struggles; and much, much more. A well-researched and scholarly examination of executive government in microcosm in general, and its reflections in the broader scope of African-American politics in particular, Carl B. Stokes And The Rise Of Black Political Power is a welcome and highly recommended addition to academic Black Studies and Political Science reference collections and reading lists.