I first encountered Charlotte Forten Grimke as an adult, when I read the hefty (more than 600 pages) edition of her journals published as part of the Schomburg Library of 19th Century Black Women Writers. I was captivated by her inquisitive mind and vivacious spirit, which clearly came through in her prose.

"A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War" is a selection from the journals of the young Charlotte Forten (Grimke was her married name), all written in 1854. These writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of an educated free black girl during the era of slavery. We learn about Charlotte's love for nature, her participation in abolitionist activities, her admiration for the pioneering African American poet Phillis Wheatley, and other topics. Editor Christy Steele and company have provided a rich and colorful assortment of study aids: photographs and illustrations from Charlotte's era, a map of the "Underground Railroad," a timeline, and other resources. At 32 pages, the book is a lot less intimidating than the adult version which I first read!

The book also encourages its young readers to start their own diaries, and offers some tips. A list of relevant Internet sites further adds to the interactive nature of the book. This is an outstanding book for younger readers. Adults who also enjoy it would be wise to seek out the Schomburg Library edition of Charlotte's journals, edited by Brenda Stevenson. Both versions of these historic documents are excellent contributions to the field of African American studies.

Bowen's letters are wonderful to read. In an age when posturing and gallantly posing was openly admired, Bowen shows a remarkably unvarnished and very human side of his life in the 15th MVI. The editor, G. Coco, has added tremendous amounts of research and filled in the background of many of the people, places and incidents with which Bowen was so familiar. An absolute must for anyone with an interest in the history and genealogical aspects of 15th MVI.

Vale's marvelously detailed history of public housing in Boston from the early Puritan settlements to the present day tells the story of our "alternating current of compassion and hostility" toward the poor in the U.S. Through his exploration of public housing in Boston, Vale writes a compelling sociological history of the tensions inherent in the American dream of home ownership, government subsidy vs. free enterprise, and most valuable of all explores the ideology of homeownership and its bearing on citizenship. Dense, meditative, often wryly humorous, this is a deeply researched work which yields uncommon insights about mythic American values of community as expressed through public housing and public spaces.

Particularly well-rendered is the recurring theme of how the government used its powers to dispense and dispose of land to reward certain Americans. The U.S. soldier was the first, and continues to be, a singular actor in this drama of service and reward. In the Jeffersonian post-revolutionary war period, veterans were rewarded with grants of land. In so doing, the government empowered these men to do the work of settling the frontier -- who better to perform such a task than those already trained in war? Civil War veterans were similarly rewarded.

From there, other "deserving" populations were rewarded with housing -- those who demonstrated their commitment to an American standard of behavior: industriousness, cleanliness, responsiblity being some of the key attributes for qualification for early public housing. Vale describes, for instance, how public housing developments in the Depression and postwar era were also used by politicians to reward their supporters, especially deserving working-class poor families who fit a traditional dual parent, father/provider schematic.

The early chapters exploring the city fathers erection and administration of jails, insane asylums, shelters for the poor, and the concomitant rise the settlement movement and the social worker are particularly well-rendered. Great illustrations, too!

Among the MANY B&B guides to the Northeast, I found this one the most helpful for deciding where to go from Boston. Helfpul facts include travel times to the destinations, Nantucket vs. Martha's Vineyard, and other off-the beaten track locales (outside of Massachusetts). The book has helpful editorial, but more meaty that the general "quaint inn, hospitable couple serves muffins".

A reader from Newburyport: This was both a fun and a great learning book.This book presents interesting, sometimes obscure facts about Massachusetts. Subjects covered include historical figures, legends, geography, wildlife, stories,and other little known facts about the state. You can learn a lot by reading it and another interesting feature is that the book is designed so that you can also use the book to play a family or group trivia game! Well worth the price! It is a great book for adults, young readers, or teachers.

Where they get 6000 of the hopeful vying for 150 places. Where none of the courses are taught by physicians. Where you are presumed to have mastered biochemistry, bacteriology, virology and genetics *before* you arrive. Oh, you'll be a great doctor, all right, but this is because you were *always* gonna be a great doctor. Harvard seems incidental. You might as well pick a more meat-and-potatoes kinda med school.

Trouble is, if you go to Harvard you'll end up getting the pick of the residencies. But then, you were gonna be this great doctor anyway, so you'd get the pick of the residencies anyway.

I read this book once in the 9th Grade and again when I was a Junior and It just gets better every time I read. I was almost a little sad that it isn't one of the top sellers under the medical catagory. The reason I liked this book so much is because A. It is a real story, so all these heart breaking and emotional stories are true B. It was told by the doctor himself, because only he can describe the trials and tribulations of aspiring to be a doctor. Anyone that wants to be or who has ever thought being a doctor should read this book.

If you're tired of seeing your children come home from school mid-November wearing those awful construction paper hats and mock indian feather bonnets, do yourself a favor and BUY THIS BOOK! (Do the teacher a favor -- buy one for her, and maybe one for your school library, too.) Waters and Kendall have joined together again to explode the myths that currently abound in the land of kid-lit. The dialogue for Resolved (pilgrim) and Dancing Mocasins (Wampanoag) is formal, yet easy to understand, and the accompanying photographs are wonderfully rich and vivid.

Was amazed to find a book on such an osbcure subject as missionaries from Holden, MA. My interest is personal. My ancestors were missionaries to Hawaii from Holden. I expected some mighty "dry" reading given the topic, however, Ms. Neale's style of writing is anything but dry. She tells the story almost as if she were a participant. I felt as if I were seeing this great adventure thru her eyes. It was quick and easy reading. Even family members not interested in genealogy found the book good reading as a history of the times....a must for anyone concerned with Massachusetts/Hawaii/Missionary history.

George Caner, one of the most forceful and articulate trial lawyers practicing in Boston over the past forty years, has written a wonderful account of some of the most challenging (and notorious) cases he has handled over that time period. I rank this book right up there with Louis Nizer's classic, My Life In Court, and believe that it is essential reading not only for any trial attorney seeking to improve her/his skills, but also for any person who delights in the workings and insights of an extraodinary mind.