I really enjoyed this book! Fascinating book about the Essens! I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.

Ken Hanson's original translations of portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls bring to life the quiet, peaceful, and utterly spiritual life of the ancient Essenes. Those on a modern spiritual journey can find within the pages of this book a sense of the holy, and are reminded that, through the simplification of one's life, inner peace can be found even in today's busy, materialistic society.

Using Ken Hanson's own original translations of passages from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Words Of Light vividly recreates the daily life and spiritual practices of the "Sons of Light", Essenes who lived simple lives deeply dedicated to a spiritual existence in their desert community. Words Of Light reveals how these men were able to incorporate spirituality so completely into the fabric of their daily lives; and how we can learn to achieve spiritual and personal fulfillment in today's world through their example of simplicity, community, and vision. Words Of Light is highly recommended reading for seekers of spirituality, as well as students of Essenic thought and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Thank heavens for people like William Swain who took the time to record their personal stories and let it become, in a sense, a first-person history tale to people in the 21st century. Swain goes into great detail about his trials and tribulations and you begin to care so much about him, it almost becomes a novel. It accidentally sets the reader up for disappointment in the end by Swain reaching home and the story suddenly stopping. You'll find yourself asking, how did Eliza greet her papa? What did Swain do with the meager amount of money he made? What was Sabrina and her husband's first words to each other after an almost two-year absence? Of course, it's not Swain's fault for ending his diary at home. He merely kept the journal to update his family on his journey; not give readers 150 years later an autobiography. Holliday can not answer these final questions either and rightfully so, he does not try. You are left to ponder how it ended and hopefully, after reading so many emotional passages from William and Sabrina, you can use your imagination to answer the homecoming questions.

Holliday blends the information together wonderfully by arranging each chapter into three sections:

1. an overall historical account

2. Swain's diary

3. A Back Home section in which letters written to Swain from wife Sabrina and brother George are included.

The format works splendidly for the reader and keeps everything in a proper time frame. Holliday also includes scaled-down regional maps for every chapter which lets the reader follow along on a microcosm/macrocosm scope of the total journey. Holliday has also laboriously researched hundreds of other personal diaries and includes passages from them when Swain leaves gaps or when a quirky story can be added to intrigue the reader further. The World Rushed In is a fast read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Western US history or is just looking for a great story.

This is a superb, gripping and very personal account of one man's experience travelling to and from the California gold rush. The fact that Holliday had access to virtually all the letters sent from him and to him on the trail makes this book even more enticing. It made me feel that I was taking every step with William Swain on his journey, sharing in his joys and sorrows and those of his brother and wife back home. I thoroughly recommend this book, I couldn't put it down.

This book tells the story of my wife's cousin, William Swain. Swain witnessed over a hundred cholera victims, alive a day earlier, now buried in the sand banks of the Mississippi River. Bodies strewn along the Nevada trail, he viewed the tragedy. Ships, valued in the millions, he viewed abandoned in San Francisco bay.

As family members, we have John Holliday to thank. Moreover, I was thrilled with each page of Holliday's book. The 1849 Gold Rush extracted more from its participants, due to gold fever, than they got in return from the California mines. That's exactly what happened to William, who, in May of 1848, left his lovely wife, Sabrina, a newborn daughter, his brother George, and his farm residence in Youngstown, NY. William, in his heart, knew he would make it big in California country. At least he must try. And, Sabrina, not knowing the hardships and penniless outcome, gave her loving agreement. Along the way William witnessed death and deprivation, loneliness and hunger. He arrived hopeful in gold country, plied his efforts, and came away luckily with the skin on his back. He differed from most in one important way: William kept a journal. And, Sabrina and William wrote and saved their letters, from which Holliday made one of America's finest narratives. William, weighted with introspective highlight, wrote to George, "If you're thinking of coming out here, for [Gosh] sakes, do not!" William pleaded. Prospectors and miners everywhere, food scarce, prices high, California gold fields deluded nearly all. "And no one I know has gotten rich," William offered. William, beaten in his quest, longed to be with Sabrina and brother George. Ready to return, he had saved $400. He longed to bring it all home, to hand to Sabrina. But, think of it, did you ever try to get from Sacramento to Niagara Falls in 1850, while tired and broke? Yikes. No train. William would have to walk the same way home he came, over that horrible trail. He couldn't face that prospect. So, William scraped his pockets clean, and purchased passage on a ship, via Panama. Just one catch: There was no Panama Canal. That happened 60 years later. William made his way to San Francisco bay. He boarded ship. He endured sea sickness. He ate crummy food. He arrived at Panama, shaken. Next, he and all passengers traversed the 50 mile overland eastward trek with a guide. Threatened with abandonment in the jungle, he paid double. Weak, he arrived at the east side of the Isthmus, broke. William struggled on board ship. It traveled north, taking forever, to arrive at New York City. There, George, who knew to meet him from William's earlier letter, stood waiting at the gangplank. William, broke and sick, 25 pounds skinnier, staggered into his brother's arms. George helped William toward home, finally past beloved Niagara Falls, north to Youngstown. There, adoring, relieved, Sabrina faithfully nursed William back to health. Asked late in life if it was worth it, William avoided answering. He merely declared he loved his Youngstown. Can you read between the lines on that one? 'Nuff said.

1001 Old Time Garden Tips
I enjoyed this book very much, and find that it is one of those gardening books that I keep going back to for new advice.
What is interesting about 1001 Old Time Garden Tips is that so much of the advice, the tips, so much is old stuff, good old advice that has often been forgotten. I do landscaping, design work, horticultural consulting, and am a garden writer myself ( Allergy-Free Gardening, and most recently, Safe Sex in the Garden ) and I love to have good, solid, informative, well-written gardening books on hand for quick reference.
The longer I garden ( and I've been at it for close to 5 decades now ) the more I appreciate an organic approach. 1001 Old Time Garden Tips: Timeless Bits of Wisdom on How to Grow Everything Organically, from the Good Old Days When Everyone Did, sure has the longest title I ever saw! But it is also a mighty good, easy to follow, highly useful book and if you garden, I'm almost certain you'd enjoy owning it. I know I sure like my copy. The editor for this great collection of useful tips and advice, Roger Yepsen, has done a terrific job.

This book is a joy to pick up when you're bored or looking for gardening ideas or help. I especially enjoy the "Strange But True" sections. New and Long time gardeners will enjoy this publication.

What a jewel! This book is a well-organized, illustrated collection of OLD gardening tips, including everything from herbs to houseplants to lawns to controlling pests. Paragraph-long entries end with their original publication sources--which are almost as interesting as the advice. The suggestions are timeless. I find I "hear" my grandparents' wisdom about plants on every other page. This book will definitely hit my list of favorite books to give as a gift--but I'll always save a copy for myself.

When studying in school and trying to remember dates,names and events to receive a decent grade on History Tests, this would have been the ideal book for me. It's all here compiled in a readiable story form that brings the characters and dates and ordeals that all went through in a fashion that makes it very interesting and all too true. Your heart can't help but go out to all that were connected in this important part of American History, the good with the bad. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is just interested in wanting to read about the Alamo to those who want to know the actual facts. Kudos to the Author.

This work by Mary Deborah Petite provides very clear answers to one of the most myth filled stories of Western America. It does not cause disappointment for the reader, but by providing a clear look at the facts actually enhances the story and the sacrifice of the willing and determined participants. It is concise, full of information, and a real pleasure to read. This reader is looking forward to future works by Ms Petite.

I had the good fortune to hear Ms. Petite give a lecture on The Alamo recently and purchased a copy of her newly released book immediately afterward. I was impressed by the manner in which the book dispels many of the myths surrounding that battle and the Texas Revolution, replacing them with the facts which are as interesting, if not more so. Most of the facts and some of the myths were entirely new to me.

Many of the subjects dealt with are very moving and lose none of their passion in the telling: Travis letters of determination to stand and die and calls for aid; the story of Juan Seguin, a Mexican, but no less a true fighter for Texas independence fighting along side men like Travis, Bowie and Crockett; the horrible massacres of men on both sides. I also found a lighter side to the book, including references to the famous "Yellow Rose of Texas," and some well known participants' fondness for opium and for women.

The format of the book is well suited for its apparent purposes: to enlighten and entertain. The facts and the legends selected appear to have been choosen with the utmost care, including some of the latest research. The author has managed to pair down what must have been a vast amount of material and include those facts most valuable to telling the story, and those most enjoyable to read.

In the introduction, the author speaks about enjoying your children's early years and childhood and how time seems to fly by so quickly. It also mentions that "play is an intergral part of childhood" This book is recommended for parents who have children between the ages of 3-13 years. Example of activites that are listed in the book are: look at shooting stars, go through your family album or boxes of old photos together, talk about God, share your favorite songs from the past with your kids, make neighborhood maps, set them loose with a camera, paint with pudding and lots more... This book is full of activities you'll enjoy with your family.

This book gives you 365 ideas to build memories with your child(ren) which will last you and your child(ren) a lifetime. Of of the things about building memories is about being playful and creative with your child(ren). If you have a hard time thinking of activities to do with your kid(s) on a rainy day or on the weekend, I think you will like this book. Life is short, spend time with your kids. Time sure does fly fast.

I picked this book up thinking it would be more craft ideas with crazy materials that I couln't find. WOW ! Was I ever wrong... It has wonderful and thoughtful ideas on how to spend time with your kids while doing things everyone will enjoy. Some of the ideas were simple like watch the clouds together while others were things that you think of once in awhile but never get around to - like sharing a famlly history. Best of all, I was able to use about 90% of the ideas as a Reward List for my son to choose from when he has done his chores and had good behavior. I was really looking for some money free ways to spend fun time with him. It was rewarding for both of us !

In one place, a eview of all the latest thinking on aging, thoughtfully presented with lots of original insights. As I hit midlife, this book gave me lots of reason to look forward to greater maturity, with both its trials and its rewards.

Aging Well opened my eyes to the realities of aging, what one can expect, and how to accomplish the inevitable with grace. Hitting mid-life, beginning to see age ahead, and full of society's usual misconceptions, I read this at a very opportune time. I passed it on to people who work with the elderly, who have found Ms. Hills' insights, and her wide reading in the field, invaluable resources to their work. To find, in one place, the whole current field of thought on aging is so very valuable. A must for anyone over 19!

Simply one of the best, down to earth discussions of the emotional difficulties associated with aging, and solid suggestions of how to overcome them, or help someone else do so.

This is a historical novel about life in rural Georgia in during the World War Two era. If you like the works of Ferrol Sams, you will also like this one. As a baby-boomer, this gave me an insite into my parents childhood. The character are charming, and well-drawn.

Having grown up in a small southern town with the curses and blessings of larger than life small town characters and their intense involvment in each other's lives, The War in Sallie's Station rang true on every front. It is a marvelous book which has more than a few turns of phrase which remind me of my literary idol, Harper Lee--I could not reccomend it more highly. The War in Sallie's Station is a story of friendship and love that span not only changing years but cultures, of evil that transends imagination, and of ultimate good that conquors all.

I know Sallies Station, in fact I know Mignon Franklin Ballard.
We grew up in the same small town that Sallies Station is based on.
She has captured my town and all other small towns in America.
I have enjoyed her angel series and eagerly await the new one due in April of next year.
Sallies Station goes between the years of WW II and present day and the characters are wonderful.
I only wish she would write faster and hope she will write a sequel to this book.

While I had to use this book for a class I particularly wasn't interested in - Western and Cowboy Art - with this book, I have actually began to appreciate its contents for what they are. The book has some amazing paintings and sculptures included as well as details about the artists and information about the art included within the book as well as some other art by the artists. It has a good sampling of Western art from George Caleb Bingham to Frederick Remington and has a wide variety each artists work so the reader can get a good idea of how the artist worked and what sorts of pictures they favored. I only gave it 4 stars because of the subject matter, but all in all, a very good book.

As of this writing (Aug. 2002) this fine book is out of print, and shouldn't be. It is an informative and well illustrated survey covering almost 200 years of pictorial representations of the American frontier.

Because of my interest in the mythology that developed around the cowboy, I found the chapters on Frederic Remington, Charley Russell, and Buffalo Bill Cody especially absorbing. Magazine illustrators who further developed imagery of the "wild west" are represented here in discussions of N. C. Wyeth and Maynard Dixon.

On a parallel track, the authors give a chapter to the early silent Westerns, highlighting the careers and contributions of Tom Mix and William S. Hart (a precursor of Clint Eastwood). Another chapter is devoted to the Hollywood Western during the sound era noting similarities between Remington's imagery and that of director John Ford. There's also a discussion of the evolution of western movie themes from "The Virginian" (1929) to "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" (1969).

This book is a rewarding study of the American West as its visual artists inspired the imaginations of people around the world. Definitely worth having.

An outstanding work by an outstanding scholar. I too am a former student of Dr. Goetzmann -- twenty years or so ago. His work really changed the way I look at America -- American history and American landscape. Try to rent or buy the PBS television show this book went with....

It seems that the Old Kingdom and it's works of art are many times overshadowed by later periods in Egyptian history. This book will go a long way in changing that. This book is beautifully illustrated and very well written. There are a multitude of sections going into many aspects of Egypt at this point in time. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get a good overview of the Old Kingdom and it's treasures. It will be money well spent.

The aim of the book is to capture the many artifacts of the old kingdom. in this regard, its aim is not to be informative by being detailed on the old kingdom history - there are many books which attempt to do this.

having stated the aim of the book, i should judge it on the quality of the pictures: they are superb!! one of the best pictures i have seen, especially considering that they are indoor pictures! the grain is non-visible, this makes a difference for such a relatively pricy book.

Many of the pictures fill the whole page and this creates a striking image! It is a great buy if you want to collect good pictures on egypt!

One minor disappointment is that they omitted some of the most interesting pictures or artifacts of the old kingdom, which you find in other books. For example and most importantly the bas relief of king djoser at the ny metropolitan museum. yet, i probably know why..

This book is oversized, thick (560 pp), densely illustrated, and has a scholarly text that is fascinating and detailed. It contains photos of plenty of ancient art, mostly sculpture, and the large part of it will never again be available for viewing beyond the walls of the museums which have collected it. I recommend it for reading, from the library if you don't feel the need to purchase it. I also recommend it for purchase, because it is quite up to date from the standpoint of conventional Egyptology. Another great book for the coffeetable. Turn off Total Request Live and just read this.

My mother bought me this book when I bought my first wood boat(30 ft chris craft). It was an excellent resource for getting me started. It gives advice on what to look for in a wood boat and varying degrees of information on everything from sandpaper to cabinet construction. By far it has been the best resource I have had aside from real people.

This is the first wooden boat book I purchased and it is still my favorite. I've even reread it a couple of times, something I've never done before. Trefethen's sense of humor and realism make this book a delight to read. His knowledge of the subject and his ability to put his ideas into laymens terms make this book very educational to read. You are able to soak up every piece of information without rereading a paragraph several times scratching your head. Buy This Book!

When I bought this book, I had some basic wood-working skills (I've built decks and simple things like that), but I knew absolutely nothing about making repairs to wooden boats. This book gave me valuable guidance in selecting a classic old wooden boat to buy, and helped me to transform her into something marvelous over the course of this summer.

The book is well-written. It is not highly technical or difficult to understand and it gave me confidence to take on some repairs that I would never have attempted if I hadn't read it. The author is clearly a character, and his personality shows in the amusing asides and comments sprinkled throughout the book.

A well-made, classic wooden boat is really a piece of art that just happens to float. There are few straight lines, pieces are bent in multiple directions and stressed in unusual ways. The book won't turn you into a Picasso of this amazing art overnight, but it is tremendously helpful to somebody just getting started.

If you are thinking about jumping into wooden boats, consider the following: With a little bit of money and lots of hard work, I now own something which speaks to my soul. How many of your current possessions can you say that about?