This book should be required reading because of Jimmy Carter's screw-up with the North Korean peace treaty and the hollow mockery that was his reception of the Nobel Peace Prize. I did not think that Lasky could do any more damage to the Carter presidency or follow up his brilliant "It Didn't Start with Watergate", but he did. This book plays out like a sit-com. In fact Lasky even gives them catchy nicknames: Lillian Carter, "Miz Lillian", Zebaziegnew Brezinsky, "The Hungry Professor", and James Earl Carter, Jr., "Wee Jimmy" (Once again Lasky presents political intrigue in a palatable manner on the ultimate micromanager in American politics.)
But yet there is a sense of shock which is consistently undercut by Carter's gaffes. For example, it was an open secret that Carter's staff were habitual cocaine and heroin users, and Carter himself had his own "mini-Watergate", where he misappropriated state funds to fund a private political poll. He bungled things so much that he could have taught Clinton how to be even more corrupt. I now feel lucky that presidents can only serve 8 years in office. This man is a case in point about why people shouldn't vote Democratic. The readers shall feel the same way after reading about the man who "grew up in hard times, when things were difficult"--Carter's words, not mine---

I walked through the isles of my public library looking for something to read. There was a large book with the words ' JIMMY CARTER' written on it that was sticking out of a shelf. I picked it up and decided to read it. This has been one of the best choices for reading I have ever made. Jimmy Carter is an extrodinary man, who's life is a lot more detailed and complex than I would have thought. This biography traces his life from birth, through the Navy, State Senatorial duties, Governorship and his Presidency. Jimmy Carter is shown as the admirable and honest man that he is. A real role model for all, Jimmy Carter is amazing, and so is this book.

It is certainly interesting that in the two decades since he left the White House former President Jimmy Carter has continued to be the subject of new and expanded juvenile biographies. Caroline Lazo's book "Jimmy Carter: On the Road to Peace" makes a convincing argument that, with the possible exception of John Quincy Adams, who served 17 years in the U.S. House of Representatives after leaving the White House, Carter is the most effective former president in American history. Lazo tells Carter's story, focusing on how he representing the changing face of Southern politics, both as Georgia governor and as a successful candidate for President. The chapters on the Carter Presidency do a nice job of covering the important decisions of his administration, from pardoning the Vietnam draft resisters to negotiating a treaty to give the Panama Canal to Panama to the Salt II treaty. Of course the high points and low points of Carter's term in office are given their own chapters, namely the Camp David Peace Accord and the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

The final three chapters of the book cover Carter active life since leaving the White House, having traveled from Nicaragua to North Korea to help settle disputes, monitor elections, report human rights crime, and strive for peace. We also read about all Carter has down with Habitat for Humanity to help build housing for needy families, which is perhaps his most indelible accomplishment of the last twenty years. Lazo makes excellent use of quotations from Carter's writing and speeches throughout the book. More than the biographical details, it is Carter's own words that best give young readers a sense for his political philosophy. Where she proves to me that she has a good understanding of her topic is when she includes both a political cartoon emphasizing Carter's smile and talks about a "Saturday Night Live" skit where Dan Ackroyd played Carter; he takes a phone call from a postal worker having trouble with her mail sorter and talks her step by step through repairing the machine. Indeed, this reflects the perception that Carter focused too much on the details of problems rather than leading the nation. "Jimmy Carter: On the Road to Peace" is clearly the most comprehensive of the juvenile biographies available about the former President.

I first learned about the artist Joe Brainard in two articles published in Art In America in July 1997, written by Edmund White and by Carter Ratcliff. I saved those features and came across them recently. Sharing my renewed enthusiasm for this artist with a friend, he informed me that he had seen a wonderful retrospective of Joe Brainard at the Berkeley Art Museum last year and that he had purchased a fine catalogue of the exhibit. I was delighted to find this incredible catalogue at Amazon.com. A tremendous overview of this underappreciated genius with relevant text and fantastic color reproductions of exhibited work. Amazing to see work created 20-30 years ago that has so obviously influenced a generation of contemporary artists. This book is highly recommended to anyone interested in contemporary art. If you don't know the work of Joe Brainard, this retrospective will impress, and if you are already an admirer of this extraordinary talent, this is a must have for your art library.

This book should be read not only by students but also by anyone who is still unsure about what they are doing and where they are going. It covers a wide range of topics and addresses serious issues that face especially the teens and young adults as they make a transition from school to society. These range from help with learning and time management to issues on sexual decisions and substance abuse. The layout and graphics make it appealing and easy to read. "Keys to Success" systematically takes student readers through their final years in schools and helps them to think seriously about their goals in school, their careers and ultimately their future lives. Coupled with questionnaires and written exercises, it really leads to greater self-awareness and confidence. I would recommend that parents of teenage children get this book for them and better still go through it with them, if their schools do not use it in their curriculum. Not only students, but anyone who still feels unsure of himself or herself could benefit from this book. We all have goals and dreams for our future. This book shows us how we can take charge and emerge winners in the game of life.

I didn't know anything from first-hand experience about the segregated South in the 1950's. This book brings the reality of that apartheid vividly to life. It is clearly written by someone who knows what he's writing about. It is also an exciting, well-written book that was impossible to put down. I read it all the way through in one sitting. Highly recommended.

"A Killing in Carter County" focuses on the unlikely working relationship of a white former prosecutor and a black defense attorney as they try to work together to save a young black woman from Florida's electric chair. The story takes place in rural Carter County during the 1950's and vividly portrays the segregated society and the Jim Crow system of justice. The writer does a very good job developing the characters of Jack Hunter and Randall McNeil. Both the Southern setting and the regional dialogue have a very authentic feel. The story is compelling; the book is well-written. Actually, though it's very different in content and tone, "A Killing in Carter County" is an effective follow-up to Lawrence's other novel, "Annie's Angel."

This is a fabulous book for anyone fascinated with Asian culture. Written by a Dr. Jon Carter Covell, a Japanese and Korean art history scholar, the book can be enjoyed by someone unfamiliar with the Korean culture and also by students of Asian culture. The book is divided into three parts: Shaman Roots, Buddhist Roots, and Neo-Confucian Roots. While the headings may sound academic, the subjects are very interesting and written for the layman.

Shaman Roots was the most intriguing. It explained the history and significance of the Korean reindeer with the golden antlers, also known as the famous Silla golden crown. I was very interested by the chapter on long life goals - the Koreans have ten symbols of longevity! Korea's set of longevity symbols are more numerous and somewhat different from China's and Japan's and elicit much attention in Korean art. Included are separate chapters on evil-repelling symbols, good luck symbols, and special spirits.

Because of Dr. Covell's extensive background, there are several comparisons made with the Chinese and Japanese cultures, and how they influenced each other. Because of the easy style of writing, the reader almost feels like Dr. Covell is sharing her advertures with a friend. I was fascinated with her comments and comparison of a Japanese geisha and Korean kisaeng party! Historical facts are intertwined with art and cultural tidbits. This was the most comprehensive work I have found explaining Korea's unique culture. I even learned some new things about the Japanese and Chinese culture, an unexpected bonus.

This is by far the best book I have ever read on the Korean war. It is just the right length to give an easy to follow strategic overview, that is complete in essentials for that level. And for those readers desiring a look at the "little people" involved, there are two sections, one about a soldier's experiences, and another about a Korean family's experiences. There are more than an adequate number of maps, making it easy to follow the ebb and flow of battle. The writing flows along in a nice, easy to read manner. The author is a student of wars of attrition, and his interest and expertise show on every page.

This lab manual addresses a variety of geology topics presented in a simple, easy to undertand style. Each chapter has the main concepts italicized with definitons following. It also has a glossary at the end for explaining some of the common geologic terms. Exercises are put to assist students better understand major geologic concepts. The book contains tables, diagrams, and colored pictures presented in an interesting pattern and serve as tools for visual aids. It is difinetly the lab manual you need as a non-geology major student. It also helps refreshing your baby geology information if you are a geology student. However, to get the most out of this book, you need to have some lab materials, such as, rocks, maps, etc..., available particulary for the rocks and minerals part.