I had the priviledge of reviewing this book for a national publication. While I won't duplicate what I wrote before, I do offer the following: Driver's First and Second Maryland Cavalry, C.S.A. offers an indepth look at Maryland and her divided loyalties during the American Civil War. Brother against brother epitomizes the state of affairs in Maryland during the war. Men, loyal to the South, crossed the Potomac river at great personal peril to join Confederate ranks. Many did not make it, subsequently they were imprisoned and often had their property confiscated. Those who did make it acoss that infamous river shared the fortunes of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and the Army of Northern Virginia, disputedly the finest army (Union or Confederate) during the war. Driver spent years researhing sources in pursuit of this fine work and it shows. His grasp of his subject matter as well as his grasp of the complexities of war and of Marylanders is evident. In addition, he offers the muster rolls of the men that served in the First and Second Maryland Cavalry -- this, in itself, is worth the cost of the book. In these muster rolls lies the pathos and drama of every conceivable fortune that awaited the average soldier. Driver's book is recommended reading -- particulary for those who love more indepth studies of Civil War units.

It's always assumed that there were no observant Jews in America prior to the great Eastern European migration that began in the 1880's. Rabbi I. Harold Sharfman, the author of "Jews on the Frontier" and the founder of the "Half-Moon K" Kashrut Organization, has gathered a sampler of sermons, journals and synagogue records to show the rise of Reform and the resistance of Orthodox Judaism from 1840 to 1860. The only flaw I could find in this book is the lack of footnotes, although if citations had been included the book would be much longer than 750 pages! Nevertheless I highly recommend this to anyone who is studying the history of Judaism in America.

Of course, I am local. But, the quality of the work on the fish was wonderful. The book is colorful and it seemed like I was there again looking at the beautiful work of so many talented authors. Way to go, Baltimore!

As a sailor who relishes using a shallow draft boat to explore remote water passages, I thoroughly enjoyed Five Fair Rivers by Robert DeGast. His modest 21' sailboat with 4" draft brought him up the rivers on the lower western shore of the Chesapeake Bay to for a close-up investigation of the both the historical aspects of the Virgina Tidewater and their current state. DeGast's writings reminded of Tom Horton, another good writer who has poked about the Chesapeake Bay and shared observations about this fascinating estuary. Thoroughly recommended for all small boat explorers and those interested in the natural history of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The Flowering Of The Maryland Palatinate describes the lives and times of the two hundred adventurers who participated in the original expedition to Maryland in 1634, describing in detail their part in the founding and settlement of the colony, and the development of colonial Maryland's distinctive manorial system. Consisting principally of biographical and genealogical sketches of these two hundred settlers drawn by genealogist Harry Wright Newman from contemporary court records, letters, and miscellaneous papers, The Flowering Of The Maryland Palatinate is not only a definitive history of thee early Marylanders, but has done for genealogical research the same kind of seminal and groudbreaking work for the passengers of the Ark and the Dove, that took a legion of genealogical researchers to perform regarding the passengers of the Mayflower. The Flowering Of The Maryland Palatinate is highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, genealogical center, and public library genealogical and colonial era reference collections.

As a person who enjoys traveling, I decided to purchase this book on my first trip to Virginia Beach. This guide introduced me to many different sights to see that I never knew existed. They provide phone numbers and addresses of the locations and their descriptions of the places were very accurate. This superb book lists the best attractions, restaurants and many other things for all of the cities in Maryland and Virginia. If you're going to MD or VA for the first time or for the tenth time, this book is a great addition to add to your bag.

When the typo is in the title I feel it should be noted here. The battleshipUSS Maryland BB46, (not Bb96 as stated)

This book is of a timeless treasure and rarity of one's life in another family. Eliza Benson, a woman of trust worthiness; and faithfulness in caring for those she loved and worked for; a lady in hard times bur relentless to show happiness, faith, love, and simplicity in the everyday life. Always giving to others, of her self.

So you're a writer worried about the future of your art? Or you're a reader wondering if you're the last of your breed? Well, here's a book to comfort your soul (and give you a good idea of where to go next). In this, his 1st collection of non-fiction, John Barth, long-considered a master-practitioner of fiction, gives us several dozen essays that should be on the syllabus of any class dealing with the art & craft of writing. As strong a philosopher as he is a storyteller, Barth shows us how his outlook on all things literary has affected his output, especially in the 2 strongest pieces: "The Literature of Exhaustion" & "The Literature of Replenishment." But singling out these 2 essays is like focusing on "Hamlet" and "King Lear" while ignoring the rest of Shakespeare. Like the Bard himself, John Barth is a man whose idea of play is more rigorous & demanding than most people's idea of a career (and what a career he's had!). Here's a book that will make better readers & writers out of all who read it. Oh, and it's funny as hell as well.

If you want to know what attractions, special events, motels, and restaurants are in an area before you plan your trip, this is the guide book for you. It includes maps, short narratives about the area, pricing, and complete information so you can call or e-mail ahead. Also, there are sections for travelers with special interests or needs. It is the best -- comprehensive, well-organized, and helpful!