Upon completion of this book and through readings of a partial manuscript, I feel honored to know this literary artisan. It is one thing to write a novel. It is another to create, through fictitious people an insightful window to those personalities that shone over the gray, bleak background of war that enveloped them. This book is picturesque in description, ideas and images, giving one the feeling of relief if they never had any dealings with war and closure if they did. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about first-party experience through the eyes of third-party characters.

Stella Gipson Polk is the sister of Fred Gipson who wrote Old Yeller and her book Glory Girl is every bit as good as Old Yeller. It is set in the Hill Country of Texas and shows the authors deep love and respect for the land, its people and their ways. The book centers around an orphan named Eve and an elderly lady who reluctantly agrees to care for Eve for a while. She teaches Eve about how she lives and in the process teaches Eve about the lore and ways of the Hill Country. In turn Eve teachs her a lesson about love. It's a beautiful story that every child and adult should read. It with stays with you long after you turn the last page.

When I read this book, I laughed so hard; it was so good! Emily and Richard think they're in deep trouble when their neighbor's garden gets ruined. They think they are responsible for it. It was cleverly written and a lot of fun! When Richard doesn't fess up, one thing leads to another...

I recently read and enjoyed the book entitled the history of Polk County Arkansas and it is a very well written example of local history. It includes personal family histories and an extended list of local businesses and industries, churches, schools, and other points of interest. Overall, the book tells of the early days of the county and the start of its county seat of Mena.

The author uses an impressive accumulation of scholarly research--maps, documents, explorers' accounts--to trace the origin and development of the myth that California was an island. Highly readable and very clearly organized and written. Although I found her conclusion that the island myth comes from what people project onto California (from an ecopsychological standpoint, the myth might represent the imaginal presence of the landscape protecting itself) to be reductive, this is an invaluable resource for anyone researching early Californian cartography, especially as a history of errors.

I always tended to think of Abraham Lincoln as the person who overcame a less than distinguished political career to become President of the United States, since he was best known for losing a Senatorial race and prior to that had been only a one term Congressman. But then at least Lincoln bested Douglas in the popular vote in Illinois in 1858. But then there are reasons why James K. Polk was the original "Dark Horse" candidate. Polk wanted to be Vice-President of the United States. Having lost a bid for the nomination in 1840 while Governor of Tennessee he proceeded to lose two bids for re-election, which should have ended his political career as well as his dream of being Martin Van Buren's running mate in 1844. Instead he not only ended up as the Democratic candidate, Polk defeated Henry Clay in the election and became arguably the most successful one-term President in the nation's history. Dee Lillegard begins this juvenile biography of Polk for the Encyclopedia of Presidents series with the surprising story of Polk getting the nomination as a compromise candidate.

By the end of the book Lillegard argues that Polk would prove to be the only strong president between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, and that his reputation was hurt by the fact that Whig attitudes about his administration prevailed and historians did not recognize the importance of his presidency for almost a century. Lillegard quotes a New York newspaper that praised Polk at his death, less than a year after leaving office: "No man and no administration was ever more assailed, and none ever achieved more." The strength of this book is that young readers will get a sense for the accomplishments of his one term in the White House.

After detailing Polk's youth in Tennessee and his rise in politics from a clerk to Congressman, where he was part of the new-style congressman representing the common man, whose ascendancy would come with the election of Andrew Jackson to the White House. As one of the leading Jacksonians in Congress, Polk would be elected Speaker of the House in 1835 and earn the nickname of "Young Hickory." Ten years later he would be inaugurated as President. Polk's major accomplishments would be in terms of the principle of Manifest Destiny, which would mean securing the Oregon Territory, winning the Mexican War, and acquiring the California ports of San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco. Students will also be impressed with his deserved reputation as the hardest working President, although this would explain in part his death the year he left office. But the main strength of this book is explaining Polk's accomplishment regarding the National Bank and tariffs.

The book is illustrated with black & white engravings and drawings, as well as some of the earliest photographs in American history. As is usually the case, I am most impressed by the half-dozen political cartoons that capture the passions over the disputes about the National Bank and the Oregon Territory. The back of the book includes a Chronology of American History, which highlights the period from Polk's birth in 1795 to his death in 1849. The end result is that it seems rather suspect that earlier generations were not impressed with a President who ran on a specific agenda, accomplished all of his objectives in one administration, and declined to seek re-election, because readers of this book will certainly be impressed by James K. Polk's political legacy.

For years I've been convinced that James K. Polk was one of our country's most effective presidents and most successful. After reading the two volumes by Eugene I. McCormac, I'm more convinced than ever. I rank Polk as one of the top six (6) presidents this country has ever had. He stated what he wanted emphatically, he fought hard to get them accomplished and in the long run, they were good for the country. It's so sad that his accomplishments were overshadowed by the pending slavery question and his own lack of charisma. Yet, he was great and I rank him along with Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln & Truman. Others would disagree I'm sure, but I believe I'm right. Thanks, McCormac, for such two fine volumes on such a great statesman. Peahillfm@aol.com

A long time ago I was convinced that James K. Polk was the most successful one term President in American history, not that this is something to which anyone elected to the office would actually aspire. The rationale for this appellation was that Polk in 1844 on four specific points, accomplished all of them within the four years of his terms, and declined to run for re-election. However, I learned from this juvenile biography by Ann Graham Gaines for the Our Presidents series that while Polk did indeed have a successful tenure in office, he had promised to only serve one term. He also was becoming so ill that he would die a few months after leaving office. Another cherished belief bites the dust.

From the start Gaines makes it clear that Polk worked hard and accomplished a great deal, long before he was elected President. One of the interesting things about the treatment of Polk's early years is how little is known; e.g., he had surgery when he was 17, but no one knows for what. His political career in Tennessee is easier to document as he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and then became Governor of the state. Young readers will be surprised to learn that not only did Polk lose his bid for reelection in 1841, he was defeated again in 1843. Despite these defeats, and the fact that Polk was hoping to run for Vice-President, he was nominated by the Democrats and elected President in 1844 as the first "dark horse" candidate.

Polk was the youngest president ever elected up to that point in American history. His key policy goals were (1) admitting Texas to the Union; (2) acquiring the disputed area of the Oregon Territory, which spawned the famous "Fifty-four forty or fight" slogan of Polk's campaign, along with the area west to California; (3) establishing a treasury that would handle the nation's money matters; and (4) lowering tariffs to make it chapter for Americans to buy foreign goods. Clearly the idea of "manifest destiny" was the primary goal of the Polk presidency and the amount of territory added to the United States during his term is second only to the Louisiana Purchase. Gaines makes a point of showing how each of these goals was accomplished.

Like all volumes in the Our Presidents series this one is illustrated with historic paintings and etchings, as well as some very early photographs, including the first one ever taken inside the White House of Polk with his Cabinet and one outside with guests including future president, James Buchanan and Dolley Madison. There are sidebars that provide an in-depth look at topics such as Texas, California, and the Mexican War. The margins of the book often include Interesting Facts, such as Polk's political nickname of "Young Hickory." The back of the book contains a Time Line from Polk's birth in 1795 to his death in 1849, a glossary of terms from "allies" to "values," and basic information about the Presidents. This look at James Polk is one of the best in the Our Presidents series, providing a concise case for why his one-term presidency accomplished so much.

This book was very entertaining and very easy reading. Since I am from the Pittsburgh Area, I know a lot of places Mr. Polk writes about. I hope Mr. Polk will put out more just like this one. Great Job!

Lillard's book is great first book for parents to read to learn the basic theories. It is very much a summary of Montessori methods and an answer to many of the criticism's of Montessori up to the 1970's. Lillard quotes Dr. Montessori extensively, so much so that it seems that the reader is getting the best pieces of Montessori's own writings in a nutshell. The writing style of both Lillard and Montessori is complex, but if you stick with it, you will find great wisdom.