America's first, and perhaps most important, reform movement was the fight to end slavery, commonly called abolitionism. Dozens, if not hundreds, of scholarly and popular books have been written on this subject. Rich Newman's excellent new study synthesizes much of that scholarship by giving us a rare glimpse into abolitionism's earliest phases. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in early American history, slavery, or social reform.

Newman makes two important contributions to the subject he has examined so thoroughly. First, he identifies the ways in which the abolitionist movement changed over time. These changes were a function of broader social and political currents affecting the early American republic. Second, Newman continually pulls back to emphasize how abolitionism was similar to, or differed from, other mass movements in U.S. history (indeed, the "transformation" Newman identifies is abolitionism's evolution into a mass, not elite, political movement). In this respect, the book transcends its immediate chronological limits to address wider questions about the strategy and tactics of American reform and reformers.

Professor Newman's book, while based on meticulous research, is NOT a dry monograph intended for a narrow, academic audience. Newman writes beautifully, eschews jargon, and avoids tedious discussions of historiographic debates. Undergraduates, graduate students, and well-read members of the public will all benefit enormously from Newman's book. It is a VERY significant addition to the literature on reform, and will quickly become the definitive work on early abolitionism. It will certainly provoke many stimulating discussions about a fascinating, if also troubling, chapter in our nation's past.

This book thoroughly covers the economic and legal implications of the return of property stolen by the Communist regimes in post-Soviet Central Europe.

Traveling to Vietnam: American Peace Activists and the War is a well-researched study, detailing trips made by Americans to Viet Nam during the American War. Over two hundred people went to Ha Noi and the north from 1965 to the end of the war. They usually traveled in small groups of three to four people. Some groups were made up of individuals traveling on their own; and other groups traveled as representatives of international peace organizations, civil rights groups, religious organizations, and academic institutions. Most travelers to North Vietnam opposed United States involvement in the war. Initially, the U.S. government tried to restrict travel to North Vietnam by confiscating or refusing to issue passports. Visitors to Ha Noi from 1965 on, who met with North Vietnamese officials, often brought back messages to U.S. government officials, who refused to meet with them. The messages from the North Vietnamese reiterated the North's position for negotiating an end to the conflict--that the U.S. would cease bombing and withdraw their troops. Travelers to Viet Nam also brought back eyewitness accounts of the damages to civilian life and property by American bombing raids. Early travelers would often face negative consequences when they returned to the U.S., legally, personally, and professionally, but they continued to tell their stories. By 1971, travel restrictions were less severe, although public criticism of their travels continued. Many of the visitors requested and were able to talk with American prisoners of war in North Vietnam. They were able to deliver letters and packages between families and prisoners. They urged officials in Ha Noi to release the prisoners, and eventually twelve were released. Other visitors delivered medical supplies, which were desperately needed in the bomb-ravaged north. The American Friends Service Committee was especially involved in developing a relationship with the medical establishment of North Vietnam, arranging donations of medical equipment, penicillin, and other medicines. The humanitarian efforts begun during the war endured after the war, in helping to rebuild structures destroyed by bombs and in helping to normalize relations between Viet Nam and the U.S. Mary Hershberger has relied on primary source information, interviews, and letters written by the travelers to Viet Nam, as well as news articles written by them and about them at the time of their trips. Her book is a fascinating, in-depth view of the war years from another perspective.

This particular biography, written by one of Trevor Huddleston's brethren from the Community of the Resurrection, focuses on Huddleston the Priest as well as Huddleston the anti-apartheid veteran.

For me, as a white South African who grew up in the thick of the apartheid era and its problems, this book was an eye-opening read. Sadly, like many of my fellow White English speaking South Africans, we had been led to believe, that Huddleston, like Mandela, was the devil incarnate.

The biography brings to the fore, a man who not only passionately loved Southern Africa, but Africa in general. A priest who not only believed in the evils of what aparthaid was doing to millions of people, but believed that it could be overthrown.

The Sophiatown years are beautifully brought to life, and Robin Denniston also cleverly shows the broader context of the Johannesburg Socio-political scene in which Huddleston found himself. The references to Huddleston's time at St. Peter's in Rosettenville are an important component in getting to understand Huddleston as both priest and anti-apartheid campaigner.

As a South African though, I found the section of the book dealing with his time as Bishop of Masasi in Tanzania as one of the most fascinating times in Huddleston's life. Little did anyone realise the acute depression that Huddleston suffered from during those years, as he yearned to be back in South Africa, as well as fighting the poverty that the newly independent state of Tanzania faced.

His episcopates as Bishop of Stepney in East London and then as Archbishop of the Indian Ocean are well structured and show the ongoing desire he always had, to be back in South Africa, fighting first hand to bring about liberation.

His internal conflicts, such as obeying his Bishops and Superiors, which at times were at loggerheads with his personal wishes to see the liberation struggle through, also come across clearly and succinctly.

His personal tragedies are also very evident, and the pain he felt when returning to South Africa after apartheid, only to find that in many respects he was largely a forgotten figure, especially among the youth, and that the country did not seem to have time for him in his old age, especially as he had chosen to retire in Johannesburg.

Robin Denniston is to be comlimented on a fine piece of literary work, which hopefully will educate more South Africans as to who Trevor Huddleston really was, and what he stood for, and that South Africa has much to thank him for.

Under a Cruel Star is Heda Kovaly's inspiring account of her survival of Nazi concentration camps and Czechoslovakia's communist government. She renders her feelings of that time so that the reader can feel it, she renders the world at that time so that we are in it. She understands that life, every life, is filled with longing, mystery and pain. She reminds us that hope and love are stronger that hate and fear

Mr. Bloch has been able to capture in this novel a more personal side to this tragic period in history. It was very easy to become involved in the book. He has been able to portray pivotal incidents throughout his ordeal in a very clear manner which helps give a better perspective, perhaps, than other 'historical' novels on the same subject. Just imagine having to work in the same hospital as Dr. Mengela while he was conducting his medical 'studies'; or watch as trainloads carrying thousands of ordinary people are ushered into the camps, minutes away from separation, torture, and death. Mr. Bloch displays real courage and amazing good fortune throughout this story and is able to relate the real tragedy of this dark period of history in a very personal way.

Wilson's take on the early Irish immigrants to America is both thought provoking and important. Some of his points are a little strong: I'm not certain that the United Irishmen can be seen as a primary reason for the downfall of the Federalist Party. Still, he backs up his assertions with reasonable facts, and in so doing certainly opens debate on the matter. He does a fine job of showing both the radical nature of these immigrants as well as their scattered geographic nature (Denis Driscol, who became editor of the Augusta [Georgia] Chronicle is a perfect example of both). Wilson's book also emphasizes the Irishness of the United Irishmen, a point which should not be overlooked, given how the Dissenters in Ireland were appropriated by the establishment after 1798, and how modern America wants to emphasize the "Scots-Irishness" of the Dissenters. Wilson reveals these men as truly IRISH in thought and action.

Frederic C. Lane's classic work is still the best general history on Venice. The frontpiece chronology alone is an invaluable reference for the scholar or the engaged tourist. The dean of Venice's historians, his work ties the maritime, merchantile, and industrial basis that spured trade and established the wealth of the Venetian republic to the city's cultural manifestations in art and politics.

The magic of this collection stretches far beyond that which is first visible: the simple laguage of poems such as "An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow" and "Spring Hail" work with Murray's typical contrast between short and long sentences to present the essence of the 'vernacular' he is exploring; the constant concern of the Australian spirit in the City and the Bush mingles with the literary form and complements the Poet's rich imagery -- one which really breaks through from the conventional into something entirely Australian and something which moves the spirit profoundly.

This work is a cornerstone of Australian and Human culture, and is a must!

this book really goes into depth the causes of the conflict in chechnya and other mulim republics and why and how russia has failed to quell their aspirations for breaking away from what the inhabitants term as "tsar regime".

a must read for someone who is interested in the history of the conflict in the caucasus especially chechnya.