It was very very very good. A romance novel. No sex scenes like I had been expecting (darn), but there was very good plot. Good use of characters. Very vivid and personal.

This was the first Victoria Holt I have ever read, and I certainly plan to read more of them! Right from the start I became engrossed in the story, trimmed with interesting characters, a dramatic setting, and a solid, twisting plot. It is one I would highly recommend. Holts style of writing is so seamless and realistic that one gets an illusion that they are there. I liked it so much, I am in the middle of two more of her books ( The King of the Castle and The Black Opal) right now.Intriguing, engrossing novel!

a girl torn btween her best friends father or the master's son?

I have forced myself to finish this book. There is no connection between "the Chinese way" and the heroine. Everything is throughly stereotypical. If you want something exotic, look elsewhere. This book is a bore.

This isn't the best Victoria Holt novel, but her books never fail to engage the reader with exotic locations, suspense and romance. So, I gave it 5 stars anyway...I couldn't put this down and the ending was quite effective...

The House of a Thousand Lanterns has been the most interesting book I've read. The plot can be misleading and results in quite a shock once you reach the end of the book, just like all the other Holt novels. It is a mystery/romance story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys love stories with a little action.

Part of the author's title is indisputable: the Northern-Southern divide over slavery and all of its attendant subtleties and ramifications was a crisis only waiting to happen in the 1850s. But the author places greater importance on what he sees as the political crisis of that era. Regardless, this book is a fine effort in capturing the richness of the party politics in the two decades leading to the Civil War.

It is the author's essential point that a robust democratic polity requires political parties that compete on a somewhat equal basis, inspire widespread party loyalty and, in essence, control the more fractious issues or interpretations of the times. That is exactly the role that the author suggests that the Second Party system consisting of the Whigs and Democrats played from Andrew Jackson's presidency to the early 1850s. The expansion of slavery into new territories and states was the most contentious issue of the day. The Northern and Southern wings of both the Democrats and the Whigs adopted particular positions on such controversies as the Wilmot Proviso and the Compromise of 1850 that kept the public looking to the political realm for solutions. The author notes that themes of republican virtue, that is, defense of freedom and independence and opposition to tyranny in its various guises, were the basis of the parties' positions.

But that political status quo fell apart as both the slavery issue and nativism could not be contained within the Second Party system. While the author views this development as the beginning of the political crisis of the 1850s, others may see the rise of new political parties as the essence of political responsiveness. The Know Nothing party had a meteoric rise in the mid-1850s but just as quickly the Republicans rose in the late 1850s and elected Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860. The author contends that political elites should be able to manage controversial issues of the day. But the fact is that the adherents of anti-slavery, nativism, and free soil of the 1850s overwhelmed the political alignments formed in the 1830s. The author comes close to suggesting that the Republicans were irresponsible opportunists by forming a party on sectional lines with sectional interests.

The essential question that the author asks is why did slavery become an issue in the 1850s. After all, it had existed for the first sixty years of the nation. But his explanation of Second Party system breakdown seems inadequate. In the first place the Whig Party broke up in the South as a result of the Compromise of 1850. Secondly, a series of slavery-related developments in the 1850s exacerbated the situation. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, the entire state constitution fiasco in Kansas, and the Dread Scott decision all convinced Northerners that an oligarchic Slave Power had gained the upper hand in extending slavery. Those reactions drove political realignment along sectional lines.

However, a salient point of the author's, and in accordance with his political crisis thesis, is that the lack of political competition in the lower southern states permitted the extremism that led to an extra-political solution, or secession. He points out that the upper south retained vigorous opposition parties to the Democrats and confidence in the political system as an avenue for redress. In the author's view, it is not surprising that South Carolina was the first state to secede because a vigorous two party system had never existed there.

The author admits that his book is an "extended dialog" with the earlier work of Eric Foner, author of "Free Soil, Free Labor, ...". Foner emphasizes the essential social and philosophical differences between the South and the North that came to the fore and inevitably led to the Civil War. This author is not entirely dismissive of those sentiments, but chooses to emphasize the possibilities of political containment of those differences and the ramifications of political breakdown. In addition, this book does a far better job of describing the various crises of the era in chronological fashion. Both books are well worth reading.

Footnote: this book does not in any way address the constitutional right to secede as one earlier review suggests.

Volumes of information lend credence to a state's right to secede from the Union. Even the US Supreme Court in 1862 (during the war) ruled that states did, indeed, have the right to secede from the Union, but that the question was currently being decided on the battlefield.

Given that even Southerners were starting to 'see' the end of slavery in the South, and not even considering that after Northerners made their fortunes capturing, transporting, and selling Negroes into slavery, then the question comes down to this - did one part of the country have the right to declare war and invade another section of the country (in violation of the Constitution) when that section being invaded (the South) was acting within its Constitutional rights? Does might make right? Do two wrongs make a right? If slavery was bound to die out anyway, was the loss of life worth it ending 10 or 20 years sooner - given that it had existed for 100 of years - and not even mentioning that the north wanted to free the slaves, but offered no constuctive alternative except "you're free, there's the highway'. (which, in my opinion, is why the black community and youth are still suffering to this day).

Serious students of the Civil War have to address three important questions regarding its origins. First, one must account for the timing of the conflict. Slavery was a national political issue since at least the Missouri Compromise of 1820. What made 1861 different from other flashpoints in the slavery debate such as the annexation of Texas, the 1850 Compromise, the Dred Scott decision, and the recognition of Lecompton? Second, one must account for rise of the Republicans over the Free Soilers and Know Nothings after the demise of the Whig party in the early 1850s. All three were against the expansion of slavery so what made the Republicans unique? Finally, one must explain why the lower South seceded first, the middle South seceded second, and the upper South remained with the Union.

This book attempts to provide answers to these questions by examining the American political system at the time. It does NOT 'dismiss' slavery as a cause of the war but rather adds a much needed layer of analysis to address these sophisticated questions. If war is truly an extension of politics, then this book is well justified in its focus.

The first time I read this book was years ago. I recently re-read it and this time around I was not as impressed with it as the first time. It seems to me that there was very little or no love between the hero and heroine. Even when they revealed their love for each other it did not seem to be "real." The hero had a "huge ego." He was actually quite cruel to his wife. By gifting his ex-lover? with a beautiful opal he really hurt his wife. His explanation that it was because of his pride, did not seem to me to be a valid reason. That part was skimmed over and the heroine just accepted what he did. She needed to have more of a backbone to deal with an egotistical male.

I am a great fan of VH and love the way she writes, but this one wasn't quite up to snuff. The plot was a little thin as well as the romance and suspense. I never really felt any love between the two characters. The opal line is getting a little old for me, but as it's still VH, it's still above average.

This is a great book. It's fascinating, and I couldn't put it down. The story takes place in late 19th century England and Australia. The twist at the end is surprising and reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style. This is a book meant to be read on one of those nasty gray wet days with a cup of hot tea. It keeps you guessing right up to the end, and is definitely a classic.

After we've already had an earlier volume in this trilogy (plus an entire earlier trilogy) to know and respect Clay Holt's Sioux brother-in-law, he appears to crash and burn here. A Native American reader would have to have a lot of tolerance to be able to stomach the way the previous volume had a well-meaning anthropology professor who just plain doesn't get it sending Proud Wolf back east to school. Here, the school headmaster's teenage daughter becomes infatuated with the guy. One can only speculate where her head is at. Does Proud Wolf represent sort of a rebellion against Daddy? Or does she find him more manly in comparison to the effete "I say, fella" types she's used to? I can't see much respect involved in either scenario. I'm going to grab the next one because the other story lines in this trilogy make it worth it. But I definitely want to see if Ross gives Proud Wolf's dignity back to him.

As usual Dana Fuller Ross, gives us an exciting bit of fiction and history mix as he always does. I have seen many reviews that say her. Check it out. Dana Fuller Ross, is a wonderful man living in Stockton, CA. (He also writes a wonderful series called the White Indian Series under the name of Donald Clayton Porter). I will let you find his real name. He also writes non-fiction under the name of Samuel Edwards. Interesting, yes.

More on this review. He is a good author no matter what he write, fiction or non-fiction. Checking his facts of history, very carefully. Yet making an interesting fictional story. Making you think these people really lived. They may have even been my ancestors. That's the mark of a good author.

Im an admirer of Dana Fuller Ross and her ability to tell a story that will keep you interested and sad when the book is done. Ive read all her other books and am anxiously awaiting the next one. Im an avid reader and I especially like historical and family series books. Fern Michaels Texas series is another of my favorites. Keep up the good work and get the next one out soon.

There are much better books to start with. Don't waste your money on this one, it should have been titled "Polymer Clay for the Last Time".

Got teens? Problems with Boredom? Solve it by buying this book. Your teenager will thank you. This book is expertly written for the teenager. The easy to follow steps are perfect for your teenager. The projects are very simple and easy for twelve year olds and up to follow. My teenager and her friends enjoyed the book and projects. This book will help keep the winter boredom blues away. A must have book for any teen library.

As a polymer clay artist, I found this a fun and innovative book. Lots of neat ideas, fun for both the beginner and advanced polymer artist. It has a great variation of projects. Would recommend it to any polymer artist.

The book makes clever analogies to the life of the author's cat, Katie, and his relationship with God. You may find yourself seeing your relationship with God in a new, more intimate way. You may find comfort and enjoy the litte parables. I found some aspects of Katie's life upsetting and couldn't get pass those to embrace the book.

Rev. Hol's religious training, experience, and dedication aside, I was very upset when I finished reading the book and discarded it. It has a sweet sentiment and makes some clever analogies, but I have no patience with people who insist cats live good lives out of doors. They fight, get diseases, and often die tragic, unnecessary deaths.

When this book was given to me my initial reaction was that I wasn't impressed. That was before I started reading beyond the introduction. By assessing his relationship with a kitten, the author looks at his relationship with his God in a new light.

It would seem presumptuous to compare oneself to God, but sometimes I think it is our nature to try to see things from God's perspective.

This book gave me a lot to think about in terms of my relatonship with my creator - quite a feat in such a small and unscholarly work.

All those fun stories that you grew up with as a kid are here in this book. The next time you complain about all these new legends on the Internet, remember we all told the one about the bloody hook attached to the car door. And you know that story about the roach eggs in the taco meat made your skin crawl, no pun intended. This book is too much fun and a good source for nostalgic reflection or for retelling to all those people who you just want to scare a little! ...

This book does not explore anything new in terms of presenting new Urban Legends. But, it does dramatize well known legends giving them a new flare. Very good book.

I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. My teenagers love this book, too (I think that's a first--Mom and the kids liking the same book!). Yeah, I've heard some of the stories before, but that doesn't make them any less funny. And the illustrations are a hoot, too. Good fun all around!

I agree completely with the reviewer from Providence, RI. However, I place the day-glo inks as the SECOND most noticeable flaw. The first is the misspelling of SMITHSONIAN on the spine.

Almost annoying.

I agree about the fluorescent pages. I was really, really surprised that anyone would actually box large clumps of body copy (which by the way were written by someone who exists on a much higher plane of existence that the rest of us!) in to heavy fluorescent frames, which basically served to give me the worst headache I've had in weeks.

I was relieved though, that there was some redeeming content in the book. I appreciated the attention to various art disciplines, however, I would (as a graphic designer), have appreciated a LITTLE more attention to print projects.

I agree that it is perhaps, mis-titled, as I wonder if it truly represents "design culture," but there is much to inspire, and I found it worth having.

i like the book because of its overview and mixed / cross polinated approach. I don't think that vernacular design that informs our culture is any more inspiring necessarily to students than a more avant garde approach. Either way, I did find some mainstream design included and yet a lot was on the edge too. I think students, especially will gain from the survey approach here. They do not have enormous opportunities to see whats out there while they are in school and this resources makes a good effort at bringing it to them and the public. The layout is also fine. I do not fault the organization of the pages or thematic titles used throughout. It is a demonstration of cross fertilization in design that is pushing the envelope and thats the message of the book to me. Design is not complacent and not sitting still - it is pushing frontiers and making new relationships between information and communication, materials and process, environmental impact and human life/style, and so much more is happening all around us. I think its a good project.

Through much of the book, Holt drives around the northern plains and for the most part gripes a lot about the places he visits and the people he finds there. Some of his fishing vignettes are nice, but others are little more than listings of the colors found on the fish.

Holt's perspectives and attitudes are unusual. For example, he literally sees blue light streaming from areas of the land. This is intriguing but was not explained. In addition, he seems to like and respect long-term residents of the northern plains and he has unkind things to say about more recent arrivals such as "yuppies". Yet at the start of his journey he reports that he traded in his fancy import car for a suburban so he can blend in better. So who is he and how does he fit in this land? He sounds more like the persons he apparently despises. I didn't learn much about this region from reading this book.

The quality of his writing is variable throughout the book. Some very excellent sections, others that feel unedited, without direction and void of interesting content. For better books about the west try Rick Bass, Jack Turner, J Raban, Tim Egan, Ivan Doig.

If your idea of a great family vacation is to travel to the great outdoors and spend your whole time in overcrowded campsights, ski resorts or tourist towns, then you may want to take a pass on "Coyote Nowhere." Author John Holt won't mind since he doesn't like your kind anyway. Holt spends most of the book extolling the virtures of the pristine and empty West while lamenting that so much of it is being ruined by housing developments, strip mines and golf courses. Of course, economic development is always a double edged sword, but Holt confines his comments to merely ranting impotently against it.

That said, Holt captures some great images and moments in his book. Most of these are his descriptions of the land and the joys of getting back to nature. As a storyteller, he doesn't have the touch of a Bill Bryson, and his narrative wanders unfocussed at times and not in chronological order. Nevertheless, he creates a strong sense of place that is worthwhile for anyone interested in his subject matter.

I have been waiting thirty years to see the west. Mr holt paints a vivid picture of the area that he most loves . I am sorry that he feels invaded but he should see what the same people have done to the eastern end of long island.I am coming to see his west even though i'll be driving with the wrong licence plates. If I run in to him we can have a drink, and share our frustrations