I just finished this book. I could not put it down. Peter De Vries is a brillaint comic writer. I put him up there with Woody Allen. His characters were so void of common sense yet "book smart". The situation with Tony getting his teacher pregnant in one passionate moment was the funniest thing I ever read. It never struck me as "dirty" or off color. The way the two of them handled the "delicate situation" was side splittingly funny. I have to say that when Tony starting reciting the "chief products of Venezuela" I almost fell on the floor laughing. I was also very taken by his father and the way the author described how he would read from books to his wife and Tony. The expression he would use in his voice could almost be "heard" by me because the author described it so well. My favorite line from the book was in the beginning. Tony's teacher had assigned "The Scarlet letter". The mayor being a "percursor to todays Moral Majority" said,"We're gonna tighten our Bible Belt! "We're gonna show'em we're the buckle of the belt". I live in a very conservative state and it would be something I just might hear and have to giggle. I highly recommend this book. It is a winner.

This book kept me laughing out loud all the way through. Even on re-reading, it's still funny. Very witting, very erudite. Great fun for anybody who's a bit on the bookish side. Without giving too much of the plot away -- an affair between an English teacher and a student, and they keep correcting each other's grammar & vocabulary & epigrams during intimate moments. Fun book!

Man, why is this guy out of print? This stuff is great! A truly humorous, satirical novel, this surpasses almost anything written in the last twentyt yuears that I have read in its wit and uncanny shenanigans.

Full of playful language, candy-like illustrations, and a zest for life, this fun loving and funny book promotes language skills while encouraging imagination and participation. It is the kind of book that entertains and teaches at the same time (which is, of course, the best kind). It is the kind of book that I, as an adult, enjoy reading to children again and again. It is the kind of book that simply makes me feel wonderful -- a great gift for anyone under 8 years of age, and for the people who love them.

This is the perfect children's book! I can't say enough good things about it. From it's Dr. Suess-like rhymes to it beautifully illustrated pages, it is sure to be a children's classic!

This book makes the history of the products of Kalamazoo seem so real. So much great research and the finding of so many great illustrations, make this book well worth the price. As a former Professional Photographer I wondered if the little knowen company that produced the great Packard Shutter would be mentioned. Sure enough, there is a nice story about the shutter and it's importance in the photograpy industry. When a company folds, little is ever writen as to why. This book explains what happed and why and what took it's place. There are nice little stories and pictures of surrounding villiges like my home town of Comstock. Would higly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Kalamazoo.

The interesting, ignored and often times forgotten aspects of the history of Kalamazoo, Michigan spring to life in this richly illustrated work. Larry B. Massie and Peter J. Schmitt provide a unique perspective in this volume dedicated to the history of Kalamazoo. Known for the Upjohn Company and its miraculous medical creations, celery, the first pedestrian mall in the United States and for its institutions of higer learning, Kalamazoo was home to many other industries and individuals. Kalamazoo produced everything from cars to carriages, cigars to stoves, paper to plastic and corsets to caskets. The use of historical timelines, advertising materials, artwork, photos, letters, journals, government documents and other ephemera allow the reader to travel back in time and experience life in Kalamazoo as it unfolded. The authors bring the earliest pioneer stories and spirit to life as well as the current development and future of Kalamazoo. As an alumnus of Western Michigan University with a degree in Public History and a Kalamazoo area native, I am pleased to recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the historical, social, cultural and political development of midwestern towns. After reading this volume, enjoying its eye pleasing layout and diverse illustrations you will come to believe the popular slogan "Yes! There Really is a Kalamazoo!"

Walter Hilton's massive undertaking (the first thorough treatment of ascetic theology in the English language) is as rewarding for those today as in his own era - and a careful reading makes one realise that he was treating many of the same difficulties we would find in our own time. This is by no means light reading, but the lawyer's mind, theologian's precision, and pastoral father's homely charm are a winning combination. (How can anyone resist one who, after giving an explanation of sin so with the lawyer's accuracy that one nearly searches for the section on plea bargaining, then tenderly reassures his reader that God is most generous with forgiveness or "heaven would be much too empty?)I would recommend it (if not require it) of anyone with an interest either in ascetic theology or fourteenth century England.

Author Peter Ackroyd (The Life of Thomas More) says that Hitlton's "Scale of Perfection" and Kempas'"Imitation of Christ" are part of the broad tradition of late medieval Christian piety. Both books played a central part of Thomas More's life. Scale of Perfection is concerend with the active Chrictian life in the world. Hilton also wrote a volume entitled "The Mixed Life."

I wish this book had been published by a mainstream, New York publisher. Every professor -- especially every woman who considers an academic career -- should read this book and Gail Griffin's second, Season of the Witch.

Griffin (or Gail, as she'd probably prefer) writes an unsparing, honest account of her life as a college professor at a small "teaching institution." What's rare -- and what probably kept this book out of the mainstream -- is her ability to integrate literature with life. She must be an incredible teacher. Her brief descriptions of classroom discussion motivated me to search out some books I would have missed otherwise, notably The Color Purple.

As a career coach/consultant, I noted that Gail Griffin reveals her own career sensitivity. She instinctively chose a college where her unique talents would flourish. As she writes, she felt at home right away, although she fought the feeling. Like most new assistant professors, fresh from a prestigious graduate school, she had been taught to value scholarship -- articles in high-powered journals -- over teaching. In the language of career counseling, she created a career that expressed her own value system and seems to serve her life purpose.

As an ex-professor, I can appreciate Griffin's challenge at tiny Kalamazoo College. Staying intellectually keen while teaching only undergraduates calls for a unique discipline, motivation and, above all, sense of oneself. I couldn't have done it: I taught the jaded MBAs that some of Griffin's students became.

If I were teaching a course on careers, especially academic careers, this book would be on the list. I can't help comparing it to the gloomier but also brilliantly written Cliff Walk,
which would also be required reading. Griffin herself might pick up a gender subtext, far better than I could.
I wish she'd write another book and get a big-name publisher
to pick it up.

This book is a must for any Kalamazoo historian, or anyone who is passionate about early automobile history. There are over 300 photographs, and a whole section in color. Much of the book is told as a story, which really brings to life the people and times of Kalamazoo. A beautiful book.

Do you know need a reason to buy this book? I can give you an excellent one -- it's called the Table of Contents. It lists 700 pages worth of Robin Hood ballads, plays and more. It has the earliest ballads and plays where Robin is merely a yeoman, the first play that casts him as the Earl of Huntington, and later ballads that give the "origins" of Little John, Maid Marian and Will Scarlet. Also, there's an introductory article on the history of the legend and complete introductions and notes to all the ballads and plays. The notes and introductions are by Stephen Knight and Thomas Ohlgren, two top Robin Hood scholars. If you want to read the original tales of the outlaw, or if you are teach a course in Robin Hood, this book is an excellent buy. Just treat it with care. I notice my cover is fraying somewhat.

This book is very well written and the description of battle and encampment life is very accurate. I loved the beginning of the book, the Battle of Shiloh, and then the flash back to the prior 6 months. I had a hard time putting the book down, and the ending was brilliant. Bring on the sequel!

The Boys from Kalamazoo is a very good book. It provided a vivid description of what happened during the beginning of the Civil War. I am 12 years old and I was never interested in historical fiction until I read this book. I didn't think it was possible to like a type of book so much after reading it only once. My dad got this book for me and he read it too. T.J. Johnston is a very talented writer and I can't wait until he makes another book.

Set in 1862 during the American Civil War, The Boys from Kalamazoo by t. J. Johnston is a fictional account of the famous Kalamazoo Sharpshooters. Lending a vibrant freshness to a yesteryear world of American history peopled with the heroes, villains, ordinary soldiers, and citizenry who fought and died in the toils and turmoils of a bloody civil war, The Boys From Kalamazoo is entertaining, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and quite vivid in its portrayal of a war-torn America.

A great look into one of the nations best Nature Centers!!

I found the book to be an inspiring first-hand account of the day to day trials of helping those who most need our help. The author's journey through this difficult landscape, including juggling her homelife and demanding worklife, can provide guidance to those in similarly demanding situations. I highly recommend this book to those in and out of the counseling profession.