Read all the editorial reviews on this book. They are comprehensive and a fine introduction. The book (paperback) is loaded with black-and-white drawings, maps and photographs.

To begin: 1804 was a very lousy year. It was decided by the politicians to export criminals and miscreants way far away outside (then) city limits. The first thing they did was set up buildings. The idea was to break even financially with inmate labor producing goods for sale. Oh, yeah, reform - that, too.

"Colored" prisoners were sold south if they came back a second time. There was no parole and there was no good time. One thing this book is invaluable for is the development of the classification system. (At the beginning, it was criminal, juvenile and insane.) Another is the never-ending debate as to dormitory and single- and double-cell housing. Another is the frenzy to build additional structures until space and budget ran out or was disapproved.

The author relied most exclusively on the transcripts of investigations so some of the day-to-day torture, forced labor, mutilations, whipping with cat-o-nine tails, and bed bugs so severe as to bloody mattresses sometimes shared by five.

The author reveals that three years after a particularly corrupt and sadistic warden (Weyland), a Bureau of Prisons was formed in 1916. This was the precursor of the Division of Correction which eventually grew to comprehend the cabinet-level Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Thereafter, the book loses strength because what was going on were building programs elsewhere in the state, such as Hagerstown (e.g., the "old jail" - MCIH). At this point, the author is relying on newspaper clippings and interviews with people including "old-guard" people that really didn't know about the really olden days. There are some famous escapes, comments on integration over the years, expansion to the "Supermax" across the street, etc., but the changing role of the warden is not made clear.

For personal reasons, I am not going to say any much more at this time.

Having grown up as the daughter of a warden, I know first-hand how difficult it is to convey to an "outsider" how complex prison life, and Prison management can be. Mr. Shugg goes to great lengths to research and understand his topic. The readability of this book is to testimony to his great success. My father, who was interviewed for this book, has enjoyed reading it immensely. He has highly recommended it to all. It brought back many memories. He started as a guard and ended his long career as warden of the Maryland Pen. He "walked the walk" and Mr. Shugg is allowing his readers to do the same.

This book gives an overview of the Maryland Penitentiary System over the past two hundred or so years. A fascinating look at some of the pivotal characters of Maryland's storied past within the penal system. RIVETING!

A really entertaining book, showing some of the pioneers in the trauma medicine field, written in an unusually entertaining fashion- the book had me checking to make certain it was not a work of fiction! While it focuses on the work of one doctor, the methods that were used previous to his work are more frightening than most other books! (when treating an accident victem, there was not much that could be done except waiting by the roadside for the victim to expire and record the time of death) And, as with many pioneer books, the ideas that were considered and thrown out, such as the idea of putting trauma wards onto tractor trailers and shuttling them about the country going to patients as an oversized ambulance. Scary to see how far we have come in only 20 years!

If you are an innovative manager, or involved in the politics of funding government bureaucracies (EMS, Fire, Police, ER, etc.), or are or have been one of the rank-and-file providers (ER or ICU nurse, law enforcement officer, firefighter, ambulance EMT, etc.) this book should appeal to you.

This book will also appeal to anyone who loves reading and to any non-fiction writer because it is one of the best written non-fiction books of the twentieth century. Author Jon Franklin received the Pulitzer Prize for its original run when it was published as a newspaper series. Revised into a book "Shocktrauma" is remarkable.

I compare this book to Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" insofar as SHOCKTRAUMA tells the history, politics, management, and personal stories of an important, innovative, and ultimately successful but unlikely project. In fact, as readers of "The Right Stuff" and "Shocktrauma" will understand, going to the Moon was easier than getting our nation's Shock-Trauma centers and programs started.

People reading this in 2003 or later who are accustomed to calling a three digit number (911), and then witnessing a coordinated response by a team of well-trained emergency personnel, with first responders and ER personnel all cooperating, may be shocked at learning that only a quarter-century ago this system was fought against, and fought hard and bitterly, by the medical community, fire departments, ambulance services, and hospitals.

I have been working in the emergency services system since 1975. I was a certified Ambulance EMT for 17 years, worked 2 years full-time in an ER, was a firefighter for 9 of those 17 years, have been an attorney for the past 10 years, and was politically involved with these issues much of this time. This is a book that should never go out of print because (1) it is a wonderful read, (2) it is valuable to anyone at any level in the EMS system, and (3) it is a wonderful model for anyone aspiring to learn to write non-fiction well.
(See also Jon Franklin's "Writing for Story")
Highest recommendation.
Robert M. Beattie, JD (former Firefighter-EMT & ER medic)

I would highly reccomend this book to the medical community because it tells of how the first Shocktrauma unit got started. It especially hits close to home because of it being set in Baltimore and I live 3 hours away from Baltimore. It talks about how the MD State Police and this Shocktrauma unit essentially initiated the program that MD stil has in effect to this day. This is a great book and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone with and interest in EMS or medicine. Definitely worth the out of print service!!

Well researched book including numerous B&W (75%) and color (25%) pics of WM diesels throughout the diesel era at WM and afterwards. The back cover is more beautiful than the front cover. I keep a copy as part of my Western Maryland Railway (& Railroad) collection. Includes WM diesel roster with Chessie and CSXT renumbering, ALCOs, Baldwins, EMDs, GEs and homebuilts, route maps and more. ISBN 1-883089-24-7

This book list every type of diesel locomotive that was owned and used by the Western Maryland railway, with photo's and drawings. Just some the the information supplied in the book is date purchased, quantity purchased, road numbers and disposition. The book also covers the prime movers from the various manufacturers and M.U operations. Chapter 12 is very helpful for tracing ex WM power by unit number, and in my opinion chapters 13 goes above and beyond as far as painting and lettering with actual painting diagrams. Chapter 14 has color examples of the different units used by the Western Maryland Railway. All in all this is a very well done book on the Western Maryland Diesel locomotives and A must for all Western Maryland models, and railfans alike.

It is the best book on the Western Maryland's Diesel locos that I have read. I also had the pleasure meeting both authors down at Cumberland, Md. during Railfest' 97.

...this book is a culinary and historic gem. I am fortunate enough to own a first edition of this highly entertaining collection of recipes and folklore, not to mention the copious illustrations, and believe me, I don't keep in the kitchen with the workaday cookbooks! It is my personal favorite among my many books about food (which are different than cookbooks) Yes, it is surely politically incorrect, but that's the way it was, and we can't change history. Those of us who delight in the wonders of Maryland ccoking and the eccentricities of the Maryland (Baltimore) personality will be higly rewarded. And the recipes are good, too! To quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes, to whom Stieff dedicated his book, "Baltimore...the gastronomic metropolitis of the Union... Why don't you put a canvas-back duck on top of the Washington column?...Why ask for other glories when you have soft crabs?..." Any lover of culinary lore will treasure this work.

I can't believe that this book is coming out in reprint. This is a marvelous look at the food of Maryland in the 1930's. From this, however, some of the foods to be found in here - like terrapin (turtle) - are not to be found in the Maryland restaurants today, but some - like the Crab Cakes Baltimore - are made just as they are nowadays. I lived in Maryland for 20 years and reading these recipes gives me fond rememberences. These recipes were gathered by Stieff by talking to people he met in his travels and writing down what they had to say. These were never published before, and hence are an important historical document from the times. The reason I can't believe this book is being reprinted is that it would never pass the politically correct standards of the '90's if being printed as a new book. It (at least the original hardcover edition) is printed with cartoons to make it entertaining to read. Here's 3 of them: (Picture of an old woman talking to a fish merchant at his counter) Woman: "I don't like the looks of this 'ere 'addock." Merchant: "Well, if it's looks ye're after, lydy, ye'd do better by the goldfish !" (Picture of an old black gentleman in glasses and a beard) Man: "Chickens, suh, am de usefulles' animal dey is. Yo' can et dem befo' dey's born and after dey's daid". (Picture of a middle aged black woman with a corn cob pipe talking to a black preacher) "Parshon, Ah'd like to kill dat low-down husban' o' mine." "Why, Car'line, what he done ?" "Done ? Why, dat hunk o' black trash lef' de chicken-house do' open and all de chickens has gone." "Why, Car'line, dat ain't nothing to get worried about. Don't you know dat accordin' to de gospel of Luke and John dat 'Chickens Come Home to Roos'!' " "Come home ! Why, Parson, dose chickens'll go home." I know this is authentic because this is exactly how my grandfather used to talk. In spite of, or maybe because of, this down homeness, I still love this book. The recipes are authentic and good, and reading it will send you back to the time of the 30's. Just remember to take a deep breath before re-entering the '90's

4 1/2 stars...This is the only book that I could find that described in detail the period from the end of the Peninsula campaign to Antietam. Stackpole describes this period in clear, concise terms (if not a little slanted to the Confederate point of view) while at the same time making it very readable. We learn all about the troop movements that the Federals made to vacate Harrison's Landing on the Peninsula, while seeing the formation of Pope's Army of Northern Virginia. The plan to consolidate these forces and re-attack Richmond is very clearly covered, but ultimately under-mined by McClellan and to a degree, Halleck as the Federal forces couldn't quite coordinate this seemingly simple troop movement. We get Lee's perspective on this and learn that he had an amazing ability to "read" his enemies' leadership and he ultimately based his troop plans, correctly, on these assumptions. The battle of Cedar Mountain starts the battle sequences for this campaign and shows this ability as Stonewall Jackson advances North to Gordonsville with the idea of crossing the Rappohannock River. The standoff at Cedar Mountain should have given the Federals the momentum that they needed to continue pursuit of the Confederates back to Gordonsville, but we learn quickly that John Pope, although much more agressive than McClellan, is far too inept to lead this large a force. What we see is Pope ordering again and again, a confusing series of movements to try to 1) outflank Lee and then (when it's discovered that Lee has information concerning this troop movement plan and plans to counter-attack) 2) to retreat back across the Rappohannock and establish an entrenchment north of the river. Stackpole, again writng squarely in the Confederate mindset, describes Lee's decision to divide his army and send Jackson on a flanking movement that ultimately ended up in the battle of second Manassas. Pope is severly criticized by Stackpole for lack of leadership and egotistical behaviour and shows how this combination hurt the Union chances at 2nd Manassas. Incredibly, McClellan re-obtains leadership of the combined Army of the Potomac (shown through lack of clear direction from Lincoln and Halleck) and even though learns of the precise invasion plans Lee had of Maryland, he moves at the deliberate pace that epitomized his tenure and misses many major opportunities to destroy the Confederates at South Mountain and finally, Antietam. Stackpole manages to interpret all this complex history into an enjoyable reading experience while still telling history as it should be told. The criticism of this book, to me, is the maps. These are topography maps that really confuse more than help the reader...although, towards the end of the book, they seemed to get better. Regardless, they are plentiful and give the reader the minimum idea of what's going on. Another critique is the brief and vague discussion of the Antietam action at the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane). Stackpole gives 2 pages to this complex action while spending much more time and length to the other sections of the battle and to me, it seemed to detract from the narrative. Finally, the Commentary section that D. Scott Hartwig provides (a re-evaluation of some of the conclusions that Stackpole had that have since come more to light with increased avaialble scholorship) is a surprisingly apt ending to the book. I really must characterize this as an important study of that period of the Civil War between the Peninsula Campaign and Antietam and recommend it highly.

Originally published in 1959, Stackpole's book was revised and republished in 1993 as the 2nd (and current) edition..... Having read MANY books and articles on the Maryland Campaign (including the latest from Sears and Priest) and having visited each of the battlefields several times, Stackpole's book was a wonderful addition to my collection. His compact writing style, the inclusion of some rather obscure facts, and the numerous maps make reading the book a pleasure.....For the Civil War neophyte, this book is a good means of learning about the "rebellion" without being overwhelmed with minutia. For the more "advanced" reader, the book is a delightful refresher course, with bits of new information thrown in from time to time.......In covering the Maryland Campaign (Cedar Mouintain, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam), Stackpole - out of necessity - could not go into the detail found in some more recent texts. And he does miss the mark on some facts, as known today. But on the whole, this work is extremely well-researched and well written.....I recommend it highly.

When one thinks of ghosts, an association with Maryland is slow to come to mind. There's no reason to think the U.S.'s seventh state would be void of them; it's been heavily populated for at least 300 years and it has had its share of trauma. GHOSTS & HAUNTED HOUSES OF MARYLAND collects 25 of its best known tales of the netherworld to entertain and inform its readers. It is ghost folklore narrated in a classic style. While the journalistic (or, alternately, historical) effort is satisfactory, there is room for improvement.

This slim volume includes stories of two people who were--many believe falsely--implicated in the Lincoln assassination and remain restless after their deaths. Another legend is that of the evil Patty Cannon, who kidnaped those of African descent in the early 19th century (regardless of whether they were slaves or free) and sold them. Some of her victims (possibly including her husband) instead met torture and death in the attic of Cannon's tavern, which still stands today. Yet another story chronicles the ghost who follows an antique dining table that was sold in Maryland to a customer who moved out of state.

Each non-fiction account gives the living's reports of their encounters with Maryland's restless spirits and a bit of the backgrounds that possibly brought about their situations. Although author Trish Gallagher goes into sufficient detail, even more depth could've made it absolutely riveting. For instance, it would add even more intrigue to have the impressions of a medium on some of these haunted places or some paranormal investigation followed by the backup of primary documentation. These stories might be worth repeating around the campfire, but this reviewer has yet to find a paranormal investigator who is completely thorough.

Howard Burns's illustrations build up the atmosphere of the stories with their ghostly emphasis. Unfortunately, the art makes an unsatisfactory replacement for the real spirit photograph Gallagher describes in "The Ghost in the Picture." Spirit photographs occur more frequently than most people realize; however, ones that actually show faces are a rare phenomenon. It would've been exceptional if this collection included the real thing.

The slant of this book is definitely on true ghost stories of the locale and it delivers what it promises. It's mostly the inevitable footsteps and knockings when no one else is in the house; odors permeating from undetermined sources. This anthology is for people who enjoy a literary shiver. Those who have a genealogical interest going through the state might also run across information on a pertinent family or homestead.

This volume does fill a void in Maryland. With all of the Civil War battles that prevailed in neighboring Virginia, it predominates the local bookstore shelves in this category of regional interest. (It is a rare to find regional ghost folklore books outside of the area they're focused on.) GHOSTS & HAUNTED HOUSES OF MARYLAND satisfies an eclectic need for its section of the country.

I love this book, I first read it about 13 years ago when my Aunt Belle told me that her house was going to be in it... But have enjoyed the whole thing thuroughly... Well worth the 8 bucks

The Gleam of Bayonets by James V. Murfin is a worthwhile read concerning the bloodiest day that the American military has ever experienced. It is not the best book I have read concerning Antietam. For that I would recommend Landscape Turned Red : The Battle of Antietam by Stephen W. Sears.

Murfin's basic premise is that Antietam was the turning point in not only the Civil War, but in American history. The Union "victory" allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and turn the war from one concerning economics and unionism to that of one to end slavery. By changing the nature of the conflict, intervention by the French and British was averted. Murfin's conclusion seems to based more on his assumptions than analysis.

Where the book shines is in the comparison of the generalship of McClellan and Lee. Murfin goes a fine job discussing the strengths and weaknesses of both. For McClellan, who history has justifiedly ridiculed his handling of the entire Maryland Campaign, Murfin rightfully gives him credit for reorganizing the Army after the debacle of the Second Battle of Bull Run. Murfin is also correct is in his conclusion that Antietam was the best chance, prior to Appomattox, that the Union had to end the War and that McClellan needlessly lost that opportunity. On the day after the battle McClellan had up to 25,000 fresh troops, combined with at least the same number of other troops which could have been used to crush half as many battle fatigued Confederates. The cautious McClellan chose not to fight, and Murfin may be correct, that the Union was then condemned to two more years of bloody conflict.

Murfin is deservedly more complimentary to Lee. Antietam may have been Lee's greatest tactical achievement. Outnumbered two to one, he was able to properly predict McClellan's moves and fight a battle that he should not have fought to a tactical stalemate. Any historical reviewer should have marveled at the ability of the Confederate Army to have survived the battle, without being routed, much less avert a Union victory. However, Murfin properly criticizes Lee's initial decision to invade Maryland and Lee's expectation that any tangible results could be achieved. The one point that Murfin misses is that the decision to stand and fight at Antietam needlessly sacrificed thousands of Confederate troops that Lee despritedly needed at future battles.

All in all, this is a good read. The book is well written and Murfin does a fine job of interspersing quotes from the participants with his narrative. As a result, one gets a good feel of the soldiers thoughts and feelings on that bloody field.

What started as an assignment for a newspaper's 100th anniversary edition of the battle of Antietam, The Gleam of Bayonetd is the result of six years of intensive research and consultation with regarded historians. Murfin, an editorialist for the Hagerstown, Maryland "Herald Mail" newspaper and a member of the Hagerstown Civil War Roundtagle, explains in the book's preface his opinionated style of writing. For Murfin, what started as a mere examination of the battle, eventually became an analysis of the controversial Union General George B. McClellan. Throughout the book, Murfin examines and analyzes McClellan's excessive strategic caution, his failure to initiate an offensive, and how his indecisiveness shpaed Lee's decisions. Murfin portrays McClellan as a cautious general, reacting to Lee's movements as if Lee would, in some way, make a tactical error. This tactical error if committed would somehow afford McClellan the opportunity to launch a successful military offensive. On the other hand he describes Lee as the more cunning general, who knew McClellan's weaknesses and exploited them with his reactions. Comparing the generalships of McClellan and Lee to that of a game, Murfin writes, "It was a game of chess with McClellan moving only on piece at a time as if the same rules applied to war. Lee proved to be the master chessman, however." Convinced of the significance of McClellan's and Lincoln's relationship, Murfin dedicates and entire chapter to this relationship entitled "McClellan-Lincoln's Dilemma." In this chapter he examines McClellan's selection as General in Chief, his lack of initiative during the Peninsula Campaign, and his relationship with the political power in Washington. Intriguing as well are the two chapters examining both armies' physical contion to fight, and the Union Army's delay in pursuing the Confederate invaders. Murfin provides a detailed and descriptive analysis of Lee's Maryland Campaign strategy, and his seven reasons for taking the war to the North. Likewise, he looks at McClellan's blundered attempt to pursue the Confederate Army, while having in his possession "The Lost Order," and outline of Lee's entire campaign plans. In the chapter "The Flower of Lee's Army," Murfin writes of Confederate General Hood's arrest for insubordination, the conflict between Generals A P Hill and Stonewall Jackson, and of Hill's eventual relief from command. Murfin describes in detailed written accounts the Confederate's shoeless feet, their ill health, lack of uniforms, lameness, and diarrhea. Murfin writes, "Its seems almost symbolic that the "big three" of the Confederacy -Lee, Longstreet, and Jackson-rode into Maryland in a fashion that would soon be used by hundreds of Confederates when they left; by means of ambulance." The Gleam of Bayonets is a well written and scholarly account of the events leading up to Antietam and the battle itself. The equal treatment of both armies, and the almost blow by blow manner in which Murfin describes the events, absorbs the reader. His accurate portrayal of General George B. McClellan provides a greater understanding of the Union's failure and McClellan's eventual relief from command by President Lincoln on 5 November 1862. Scholars and history buffs alike will enjoy and benefit from the historical facts, documents, and human focus of this book. Winner of the Fletcher Pratt Award, the Gleam of Bayonets 402 pages is worthy of further examination by all persons interested in this significant battle or the generalship of George B. McClellan. JAMES W. GROVE, JR. AMERICAN MILITARY UNIVERSITY

I was hoping to find out about growing cynthiana grapes-this was not the book. This is an interesting book of one man's experience with wine in general and his unending awe of the cynthiana grape.

Tremendous book, phenomenal impact on how we think about grapes, agriculture, and philosophical look at man and his interactions with nature. Mind you, you also get to learn about grapes and winemaking. Recommended by a Louisiana Wine maker and grape grower while on vacation, I was enchanted throughout.

I bought this wanting to learn about grape growing, but ended up learning so much more. Paul Roberts writes fluently about wine growing, but also focuses on the environment and philosophies of farming. It's really a great book to immerse yourself in the traditions of farming and grape growing, while at the same time laughing with Roberts about his experiences and his search for the perfect wine.

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!!!

Rian McGuire owns a New Age book shop. One day a disturbing man leaves an old book in her shop, and when he begins to invade her dreams she starts on a bizarre journey into the arcane. Her friends and family gather psychic forces while Rian finally discovers the Rag Bone Man's identity. But will she able to harness her own magickal power before the final confrontation?

This book has a good plot, full of intelligent and well-researched occult references. The mystery itself keeps you on your toes. However, some choppy sentences, cliches, and weak dialogue here and there detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. Characterization is also weak. Despite all this, the book is still worth a read.

I enjoyed this book throughly. Filled with suspense, and exciting characters. If you like magic, riviting mystery, this book is for you.

The book is a blend of occult mystery and suspense and it incorporates a rich melange of magickal ingredients - from amulets, past lives and elemental beings to shape shifting and modern magickal ritual--to show the subtle ways psychic phenomena can intrude into anyone's life and influence even the most "rational" of people.

I enjoyed this book very much. Couldn't put it down. Loved the different characters, motivation and storyline. If you like magic and suspense, this book is for you.