James Purdy is the best kept secret of American literature. Most people I know have never even heard of him. After reading two of his works I have come to the understanding that he is very special and unique. There is something vaguely Russian about him, I mean in the depth of his work that reminds me of Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. To me, much as the Beatles cranked out classic song after song lasting rougly 2 minutes, so Purdy puts out short books that nevertheless contain all the power of a 600 page epic poem.

IN A SHALLOW GRAVE is the story of Garnet Montrose, a WWII vet who was horribly disfigured in an explosion while serving as a soldier. Most of his friends were killed so he suffers the usual guilt complex over why he survived and others did not. His ugliness alienates him to such an extent that he is hardly able to find a nurse to help him with his medical concerns at his home. It's a pretty horrible comment on society that noone wants to look him in the face. Even those that act like they can handle it seem to lose their nerve and run away. It really reminded me a lot of Frankenstein of all things. Here again is the plot of the deformed man with a heart of gold searching for a friend to open his heart to.

At this point we are introduced to Quintus Pearch, a young black boy whose mother is dying but still feels some bond with Garnet. You almost feel as though it's some weird form of vestigial slavery that calls to him and makes him stay with Garnet.

The primary duty of all his hired boys is to deliver letters from Garnet to Widow Rance, a childhood sweetheart. He writes her letter after letter filled with love but never has the nerve to call on her in person. He feels too ashamed of his looks.

Enter the character of Daventry, a fugitive from the law seeking a place to rest. He is hired and the rest of the book is mostly about the relationship between the three men. We come to find there are all kinds of love, both carnal and godly. That's what I found so amazing about the book. There is a lot of spirituality lurking under the surface of it.

Purdy writes his books in such a way that it seems like a story told you in your dreams. At times this novel seems surreal, at others transcendant, and sometimes realistic. Purdy's grasp of dialogue is one of the best I have ever read. Read a book by Purdy. You won't regret it.

Darkly beautiful, inventive, compelling, deeply moving and mesmerizing on so many levels. James is more than an artist of the word, he is an emancipator of the human heart. I honestly have not been so moved by a book for a very long time. I'm still thinking about "shallow grave" weeks after reading it.

A strange novel with a special atmosphere : a young man comes back from the Pacific War, huggly face-wounded, and tries to survive lonely in his familial farm on the East Cost, nearby the ocean and its murmur, with his ancient love for a young widow. The most interesting is his ambiguous relations to the boys who enter to his service for little farm works.

This book is wonderful and MUST be read by anyone interested in Roman history. It's focused on emperors life, reported annedocts and facts.

Just beware: not all the facts are considered to be true.

I find this book essential not, as most readers see, a simple history of Rome, but rather as a grim example of the excesses possible when democracy fails and absolute power is contained in one human being(Rome beginning its career as a wonderfull Republic). Although most see Suetonius' vivid descriptions of lust and other deviant vices as mere gossip, I propose that is exactly what he is trying to elucidate for the ages to see. These same excesses gave rise to almost the entire fundamental ideas of the religion known as Christianity and their whole hearted opposition to orgies, torture, crucifictions, feeding to the lions and the like, all due to the whims of deranged monkeys who called themselves Caesar. Read for yourself, for example, the history behind St. Valentine's day.

In historical study there are two types of literature. Secondary sources are written based on the original writings which are known as Primary sources. If you want to lern about the earliest Roman Emperors this source is indispensable. True, some of it is not historical and Suetonius is somewhat of a gossip monger at times, seeing as he explains in detail the various sexual appetites of each Caesar as well as other deviant behaviour. Still, this is one of the foremost primary sources about those famous Romans and most of the history books written on the Caesars are standing on Suetonius' shoulders.

Ann Rule is one of the best True Crime writers. I will be looking for more of her work. This book has some interesting stories and are easy reading and written well. I would recommend this book if you like true crime.

A friend turned me on to Ann Rule's books. This was my first book of hers. I could not put it down! I've got friends waiting to borrow the book when I am finished. The stories are easy to read, astonishing and bone-chillingly true! I'm hooked!! The stories describe seemingly normal people that have very dark sides. This collection of stories has definately opened my eyes to the nature of the human beast. My heart goes out to the victim(s) and their families. I hope Ann keeps cranking the books out because I intend to read every one of them!!

Anne Rules.. Fever in the heart

Graves knows his stuff and if you like military history, you will want to read this book. His research is impeccable and his writing style makes it seem as though you were reading a very historically accurate novel. The War of 1812 has been long neglected by historians and this, one of the largest and blodiest battles, is almost unknown despite taking place practically on top of Niagra Falls, Ont. This book corrects the situation and will certainly be the definitive work for years to come.

This is an excellent study on the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812. For many years little was known about the series of battles fought along the Niagara Frontier in 1814. This book helps to correct that gap. A companion volume to the author's earlier title on the Battle of Chippewa, here again many myths are corrected.

Winfield Scott recklessly lead his well trained brigade against General Drummonds British posted on the bluff above Lundy's Lane. Unlike many accounts of this battle told in most histories, here Mr. Graves shows us that Scott marched his brigade up to the British position, deployed it, and allowed it to be shot to pieces! The British artillery tore Scott's brigade apart while it stood dutifully at attention awaiting Scott's word to advance. But Scott held back, fearful of being outnumbered, and affraid to retreat before a superior enemy. Most histories tell us that Scott recklessy attacked, but the in-depth study of the battle provided here shows us this was not the case. Scott advanced his brigade to contact, but did not commit it completely to attack. Only when Ripley's and Porter's brigades reinforced subsequently did the American's finally attack and carry the British guns. But Scott's brigade will play no part in this process until later.

One of the interesting things about this battle is how poorly both sides fought it. Scott was reckless to the point of mania, while Drummond was weary after the recent defeat at Chippewa. The British general had only to advance his line at any point during the battle and the American position would have been untenible. Why Drummond did not make use of his six light companies to screen his force and harrass the American advance remains one of the mysteries of the battle. The series of British counter-attacks which took place to regain their guns has also been wrongly described by many historians of the action. As the battle continued from late afternoon into night the fighting became more and more confused. If Drummond had properly deployed his skirmishers Brown never could have captured the British artillery. Instead, the Americans were allowed to gain a lodgement in the center of the British line and a bloody series of close range fire-fights took place, all to no avail in driving
back the determined Americans. Both sides would lose in excess of 800 men and the battle would become one of the greatest debacles of the War. Both sides would claim victory, even though neither really could justify it.

For sure the 1814 Niagara Campaign and its battles deserves more attention. It was this campaign and its battles at Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, and later the siege at Fort Erie which made the ameteur American army into a respected fighting force. If not for these two battles the New Republic would have been disgraced.
We can certainly learn a lot from studying this campaign. Andrew Jackson and New Orleans has been done over and over again. There is little to learn from this one-sided battle which saw Americans safely defeating British regulars from behind entrenchments. What makes Lundy's Lane important is that Brown's brigades went toe-to-toe against British professionals. They gave as good as they got, and could have done a lot worse. Winfield Scott emerges as a somewhat vainglory maniac, who nonetheless drilled his brigade to the point where it could fight like a European army. His colume attack later in the battle, while another dismal failure, illustrates that the American army, when well trained and officered, could perform European tactics. Scott, for all his faults and recklessness, deserves a lot of credit for this.

In sum, Graves has done a great job rescueing an important battle from the dust-bins of history. The narrative is vivid, smooth, and un-biased. Many prints and pictures enhance the text. This is the deffinitive work on this battle for many years to come. All War of 1812 buffs should have it in their collection.

Donald Graves is the authority on the campaigns on the Niagara frontier during the War of 1812. Of his three five books on the period and campaigns, this is the best one. It tells the story of a fight that was one of the fiercest fought on the North American continent, even though the numbers on both sides were very small. One British officer who participated, and who had experienced wwarfare in Europe during the period, said it was the hardest, most savage fight he had ever been in. Both sides literally shot each other to pieces, ending in darkness, confusion, and a very unsatisfying draw.

This book is highly recommended. It, along with Graves other books, and those by John Elting and Henry Adams, give the complete story of the War of 1812, the huge amount of territory over which it was fought by small 'armies', the drama, inexperience of the Americans that finally grew into budding professionalism, and the bright moments at sea when the yearling US Navy humbled the proud, seeminly invincible Royal Navy.

Well-written authoritative text that is easy to read, exciting narrative, well-researched and very reliable, this book is one of the best of its type, and the author is one of the best living militiary historians.

There are quite a few books on drawing the figure, but unless you find an OOP Walter Foster guide to painting the nude, or want to fork over $ 100 for the Richard Schmid classic, there are very few on painting the figure. This book fills that gap nicely. Covers drawing, skin tones, the difference between color tones for a blonde and a redhead, selecting a model. Everything you need to accomplish the hardest task facing an artist - painting the female nude. The Gnat says buy it!

I first read this book and tried out some projects from it (out of a total of 24) in 1993 and only purchased a copy for myself as a reference recently.

What a treat! Please do not touch (what you see)!

With only 155+ pages, the author thoroughly covered materials (paints, brushes, knives, canvases, mediums), techniques (stretching canvases, brushworks), basic figure proportions (from head to toe), and full figure painting; working in black and white paints; then moved on to colors.

Twenty four projects, working from separate body parts to full figures, going from black and white to colors, are discussed in-length. Different color schemes (based on complexions, such as blonds, red heads, and based on ethnic groups, including western and oriental).

For readers who consider buying this book: The author's techniques involve painting dark-to-light, covering shadow and background in early stages (block-in), then adjusting local colors to achieve appropriate hues and values, finally, going for little details to finish the painting.

If you have actually done some life figure painting in oil, you will appreciate very much the author's analysis on color temperature, light, and shadow. The author's expertise is surely shown in his paintings; these beautiful models have come to live right in front of your eyes.

HAVE YOU NOT BEEN WARNED NOT TO TOUCH!

My final notes, however, are that to most benefit this book, the readers:

- should have a good drawing skill to achieve likeness from a life model. This book does not help if you don't have it

- should read the book and try out some projects

- should apply the guidelines discussed in the book AND paint from REAL MODELS. Only until then will you have a chance to understand the subtleness and beauty of light, color temperature, shadow, as well as techniques presented in the book.

Subconciously, information presented in the book always comes back to me when I am doing life figure painting, to say the least.

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait for the new school year to begin. We are going to use this version as well as others to teach point of view. I think this book will be a great help and I really believe the kids are going to love this new spin on an old tale.

What a great idea. Dr. Granowsky has done a lot toward teaching kids about empathy withthis lovely little book.

First you can read the traditional story of Jack and the giant, then flip the book and read something completely different (even the illustrators differ)! Here is how the new telling begins:

"I am sure that the rest of you people down below are very nice. But that boy, Jack, is something else. After I was so kind to him, he stole from us, and he hurt my husband. All because we are giants! That's no reason to take our treasures or make my husband fall on his head. See what you think."

I will definitely buy other books by this author, and would encourage you to enjoy this one.

Author Michael Kilian continues his Harrison Raines series, as the Secret Service agent and his partner Joseph Leahy journey to New Mexico to investigate reports of a rebel invasion there. Though the two agents become separated in New Mexico, they are both in close proximity to Glorieta Pass where the Union, under the command of Major Chivington, drives the Confederate forces back and burns their supply wagons.

Noting the rebels' retreat while trying to free Leahy from jail where he is accused of being a horse thief, Harry makes the acquaintance of Isabel Almaden y Cortes, daughter of Don Luis, a Union hero at Glorieta. When Don Luis is murdered at his home, Harry seeks to discover the identity of the murderer. Passions run high, as shades of gray blur lines of loyalty, and someone seems to be searching for the gold that Harry discovered abandoned near the bodies of a man and woman.

Gripping and intense, the pace of this novel increases in speed as Harry and Indian friend Tatou are attacked when they unearth the grave of Don Luis near Glorieta. Inspired by the actual 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass, this novel brings into focus a clear picture of the division of familial loyalties and subterfuge that were so much a vital part of the U.S. Civil War.

He is a son of the South, part of a rich Tidewater, Virginia family who embraces the concept of slavery so wholeheartedly that they fight for the confederacy. Harrison sees slavery as an evil institution and severed his ties to his family. He became an agent for the secret service under Pinkerton's command. Having been involved in two battles in the East, Pinkerton sends Harrison and "Boston" Leahy out west to determine whether these states will join the Confederacy.

Harrison and Leahy are to make contact with Federal supporter Don Luis Almaden y Cortes but instead they journey into Santa Fe during the battle of the Glorieta Pass. The Federal troops, with the help of locals, win, ending the South's hope to make the west part of their new nation. Don Luis is killed after the battle is won and Harrison, who is infatuated with the deceased's daughter, vows to bring the killers to justice if the killer doesn't murder him first.

Each book in the Harrison Raines Civil War mysteries revolves around a key battle that is interwoven into the story line. Michael Kilian does meticulous research so readers are receiving an education while being entertained. A GRAVE AT GLORIETA is an interesting tale focusing on the Western states during the Civil War, but presenting all sides fairly so that readers can understand all the undercurrents pulling people in numerous directions. Critical to this theme is that war is not glorified, but presented closer to the lines of All's Quiet on the Western Front. This book and this series are highly recommended.

Harriet Klausner

Peggy O'Neill, a campus cop, is making her regular nightly rounds at the University when she discovers that the door of the
Studio Arts Building is unlocked. When she investigates, she discovers a dead body and then is knocked over by a man she assumes is the escaping murderer. The victim is professor Russell Bell, of the Art Department. Peggy is able to identify the man who escaped after the police capture him, but a friend of hers tries to convince her that the man is innocent. If this is true, there are many suspects. Bell was a real womanizer and many women and their husbands had reason to kill him. Also there was considerable professional jealousy within the art department. Peggy conducts several interviews, and then it becomes clear to her that she is the next intended victim. "Grave Choices" is a good addition to this well-written series and should be pleasing to mystery fans.

Peggy is the most likable character I've met in a long time.
Enjoyable, totally absorbing. Pure, straightforward mystery sure to appeal to those who prefer a puzzle to mindless violence.

Not out of print. Reprinted in 1991, 1998, and 2000 by Clearfield Company, Inc., by Genealogical Publishing CO., Inc., 1001 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Good resource if your family line is there. Found some information on Ninian Beall, his father and grandfather. They were weavers in Scotland! A confusing marriage date is listed in the book but no information on my line through Ninian's Rachel.

This book contains no fewer than five of my family lines and was so well researched, I found my own name and the names of my seven brothers and sisters, who were listed in the correct chronological order and with correct dates of birth, with only one very minor mispelling and one name reversal. I was already familiar with ancestral lines about five generations back and was able to determine Ms. Doliante was quite accurate and thorough in all details. The entire book is extremely well documented, citing land grant records, wills, Bible records, census records, birth, death, and marriage records, court records, and personal interviews to back up all lineages. I found photographs of my ancestors, both some that I had seen before and some that I had not seen, as well as photocopies of Bible records and wills. The book is an absolute gold mine of information for anyone whose family surnames are found within its pages. I was just thrilled to find it!

This book is not out of print. You people need to get yourselves updated. There is a new, 1998 version, in two volumes for sale and I can't seem to find a price for it. Please Update Yourselves!! You might make a sale!!!

Let me begin by saying Hilda Gurley-Highgate is a phenomenal writer. Her prose in SAPPHIRE'S GRAVE puts one in the mind of Toni Morrison's BELOVED. Like Dr. Morrison, Hilda Gurley-Highgate becomes a lyrical poet when she turns a phrase. In some ways, that strength seems to also be the weekness in the book. I desperately wanted to gain further insight into the many generations of strong black women that were introduced in this novel, but the overuse of lyricism and the abrupt end to the storylines, hendered this process. Again, I believe Hilda Gurley-Highgate is perhaps one of the most prolific writers to come out recently, and I have no doubt that as she continues with her craft she will soon become a writer who will be studied by generations of scholars.

Sapphire's Grave is a moving and poignant debut novel by Hilda Gurley-Highgate. The author transcends two centuries to reveal the foundation of a family: an African captive called Sapphire because of her beautiful blue-black skin tone. Her physical statue and dauntless attitude commands a semblance of respect from everyone, including her enslavers. Sapphire remains strong, defiant, and unbroken despite the horrors of the Middle Passage, systematic rape, physical beatings, and back-breaking slave labor. So daring is she that immediately following a brutal act of sexual abuse at the hands of her owner who promises to do the same to her infant daughter when she is of age, Sapphire kills her daughter rather than allow the child to suffer the same fate she herself has endured.

At death, Sapphire is hastily buried in a shallow grave, but her tormented soul cannot rest. In spirit form, she approaches each of her female descendents and evokes memories and visions for them to discover, awaken, and use their inherent inner strength to love themselves, gain self-respect, and obtain inner peace to survive in a cruel and difficult world. For the next two hundred years, Sapphire touches the bewitched Sister, the prostitute Vyda Rose, the lovelorn Jewel, the artistic Clovey, and truth-telling, outspoken, shameless Rae'ven who embodies Sapphire's spirit completely and thus allows Sapphire to return to the grave satisfied and fulfilled.

The author writes in a thoughtful, lyrical prose which educes a myriad of emotions and reader empathy for the characters. Gurley-Highgate offers the reader an introspective look inside the lives and minds of the lead characters and their lovers. She clearly illustrates how Sapphire's spirit changes, fortifies, and empowers her daughters regardless of their station in life. There is a valuable lesson in this book for all women regardless of race and/or socio-economic class.

So touching and well written that this book has earned a place on my best reads list. Bravo, Ms. Gurley-Highgate! A job well done...I cannot wait until the next release.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, Nubian Circle Book Club

Sapphire's grave was shallow. Years after her demise, she comes back to visit Sister, her posterity, in the form of visions and feverish hallucinations. Reliving the torturous vignettes of Sapphire's life, Sister's own persona changes dramatically - from a passive wife to a strong daughter. The story continues with the daughters of Sapphire, spanning time frame of over 100 years. Never tiring, instead, hypnotizing, this journey through time is finely crafted through Gurley-Highgate's depiction of daughters and lovers. Almost melodious, her prose sings to the reader of the inheritance Sapphire leaves for her progeny.

Sapphire's Grave was a book that buried me deep. I was entranced by the immortal legacy of a slave woman who passed gifts and burdens to her daughters, foreordaining them to her unrest.

Reviewed by CandaceK