Jake Green was a US Navy Seaman. He was caught up in a battle front advance in the Korean War. Even though he had never trained for battlefield duties, the Marines assigned him as a radioman and gunfire spotter with a forward echelon unit led by Captain John "Silvertip" Silvers. The unit became surrounded and held out for five days with heavy battle situations. There were only a few survivors.

When Green returned to his ship he was told that the situation he had been in had never occurred. Green, and a select few others he had never met before, were sent back to the United States for "special training" and Detachment X-Ray was formed. This secret organization had a chain of command that reached back to the White House. The members never knew where they their mission would be until they got there, nor what their mission would entail.

Only mission was important!
Trust no one!

***** W-O-W! I cannot express how wonderful this book is! You have to read it to believe it. The author managed to show how awful war could be, as well as, how far a person would go when pushed beyond their limits. The author injected military humor even during the survival training sections. Highly recommended reading! *****

DETACHMENT X-RAY
By Jess parker

Reviewer: Margaret Chapman

Review
Detachment X-Ray offers a look inside a covert government operation that begins during the Korean War and continues through recent history. The first part of the book is interesting and builds steadily, though it falters slightly in the middle and relies heavily on old clichés of fighting 'communists.'

Those would be the things I didn't care for though. Author Jess Parker draws heavily on his own experiences in the US Navy to give the story an authentic feel. In many cases I was drawn into the story enough to forget everything and become engrossed in the plot. The story will take you through a series of emotions from fear to rejoicing, back to fear and onward to disgust and find yourself pulled deeper into the web Jess Parker so masterfully weaves with his main character Jake Green,

Former military men, conspiracy theorists and lovers of a good thriller will all enjoy this book. Overall it was good read with very few flaws to interrupt a great performance by the author.

With all the current rage over the popular "Survivor" series on tv, Detachment X-Ray delivers over 100% on the lifestyles of "real" survivors of the military kind. This novel is fast paced, readable, humorous, disgusting, and heartwarming. Not a book for just service people, it has much to give to any and all readers who value the freedoms most take for granted. Detachment X-Ray goes behind the scenes of a man's life and all he "survived." Barbecued rats, turnips, and raw rabbit are just a few of the tasty meals included in this amazing tale of true grit, for sure. Two thumbs way up!

In 1988, filmmaker Eames Demetrios made the film, 901: After 45 Years of Working, a family record of the closing of the Eames Office shortly after the death of Ray. It was an objective attempt to capture the essence of the studio and design work created by Charles and Ray Eames and their multi-talented staff. Now more than ten years later, Demetrios has again recorded the studio and work in the book, An Eames Primer. The modest title implies an introduction and starting point to all the work of his grandparents but it is much more informative. What makes this book essential reading is the personal nature of the writing, connections, and the concept of "design addressing itself to the need."

Much of this personal nature is expressed in the chapter on the life of Charles Eames and Ray Kaiser before their meeting at Cranbrook, including extensive writing on each family history. This early period of their lives is illustrated by several drawings and paintings by Charles and Ray with each piece exhibiting a pleasing combination of color and form that would later become the hallmark of their work.

Demetrios devotes two pages on the issue of the Eameses signing with either Knoll or Herman Miller for the plywood group. This analysis, which isn't really dealt with in other books, is a rational and logical explanation of Charles and Ray's principles and their main concern about simply marketing a "good chair". For anyone interested in this crucial choice the author has formulated an essential case for the decision to go with Herman Miller.

One of the many highlights of the book is a wonderful collection of color photographs of different objects hanging from the ceiling of the Eames House that is pure aesthetic delight. Also, the bottom right corner of each page serves as a flipbook tour of the expansive 901 Studio.

What must have been an amazing event in film exhibition is Glimpses of the USA at the American Pavilion in Moscow in 1959. The seven-screen presentation of life in the United States shows a cultural identity of amazing diversity and Demetrios explains the process behind the production of this film. In an unbelievable set of circumstances, the American government had given Charles and Ray complete freedom to produce this film at the height of the Cold War with no "final cut" approval from Washington. Several pages also describe the production of the two versions of Powers of Ten. These films required experiments in film technology and camera work and Demetrios fully describes the process. The many contributions of staff members and outside consultants are thoroughly explained.

Throughout the book, many former Eames Office members and consultants describe their experience of working in the studio on the amazing variety of projects. Issues of design attribution are commented upon and examined for several projects.

Two days after finishing the book I retrieved Eames Design and several other excellent books and realized that everything now seemed much clearer after reading Primer. Perhaps Demetrios is correct in giving his work that modest title. The clean and clear connection has been analyzed and described so that it all seems so perfectly obvious. This is an informative educational book written in a casual but serious style and a worthy addition to a personal library.

Charles and Ray Eames' lives are documented by their grandson in this fascinating collection of anecdotes, photographs, and excerpts. If you know only a little about this creative couple - their chairs, perhaps, or the House of Cards - read this book to hear about their work with IBM, the government of India, and the Nobel Prize Committee. They have touched al of our lives in some way, making design accessible to the masses, and this book tells their story very well.

The Eameses stood as firm as rocks off Venice Beach: they despised fashion and created timeless objects that look as fresh today as when they were first made, up to 60 years ago. Here is a glimpse behind the scenes; an exploration of how Charles, Ray, and their dedicated associates worked painstakingly to get every piece as close to their exacting ideals as it could be. As their grandson tells it, often in the words of their associates, everything was based on identifying needs and figuring out solutions. The office enjoyed extraordinary freedomÑfrom deadlines and commercial pressuresÑyet accepted all kinds of constraints and turned them to advantage. The Eames classics have become so familiar and have been analyzed and applauded so often that one might assume there is nothing of significance left to be said. Demetrios engaging account proves otherwise. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

A well-researched and finely written account of the people's revolution in Massachusetts in the years before Lexington and Concord.

Raphael recounts the people's rising anger towards the Crown because of the Massachusetts Goverment Act (1774). This act, which allowed the King to appoint officials instead of allowing the citizens to elect them, turned the people against the Crown. Through acts of civil disobedience, illegal conventions, and threats against appointed officials, the people of Massachusetts effectively took control of their government from the British.

This is a great book that focuses on an aspect of the Revolution that is usually ignored or lightly touched on in any History class or book about the Revolution. It shows that the Revolution was started and won by ALL the people of America, not just Washington, Jefferson, Adams, etc.....

Highly Recommended!

The author made this book easy to read. He broke down all the chaos in a manner that anyone can enjoy and understand. You learn about what was going on prior to General/Governor Gage sending British troops to Concord. After reading this book about the farmers and artisans of Western Massachusetts getting together and overthrowing British authority you realize why the British had to head for Concord rather than Worcester. As someone who lives in the area and is a Revolution buff, this book is a valuable piece of history. I hope that more such books by any historians are forthcoming and that the history books don't forget...

Near the end of this book, the author makes the following statement......

"At Lexington, professional British soldiers fired at a handful of local farmers. This act of violence, allegedly perpetrated by the enemy, gave the Americans the moral high ground and helped mobilize support. The story had been repeated so often that it has effectively muffled the revolution of the preceding year. Leaderless, ubiquitous, and bloodless, the first transfer of political authority from the British to Americans has not been able to compete. It was not lacking as a revolution, it has only lacked an audience to comprehend and appreciate it."

Hopefully this book will help to provide the audience this neglected episode of American History deserves.

Mr. Raphael has done us a wonderful service in putting forth his research into the rebellion that took place in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1774. The "first American Revolution." He builds an impressive case not only for what took place, but also for the possible reasons why this rebellion has not received the recognition it is due. He even refers to what followed at Lexington and Concord as a "counterrevolution" on the part of the British government in an attempt to regain the colony they had already lost.

Examining what lead up to the British establishment of the Massachusetts Government Act, the response of the local farmers to it, how it spread throughout the rural communities of Massachusetts, and the resulting confrontation that came just under a year later at Lexington and Concord, the author gives factual backing to the belief that people can indeed work together without requiring "leaders" or some hierarchical structure to ensure success.

In general, people like to have individuals to hold on to when studying the past. For some this perhaps relieves them from feeling the need to take personal responsibility for their own lives. I have often heard folks say the reason they do not attend local governmental meetings - such as city council, or county commissioner meetings, is that they "elected" these officials to do the work so they wouldn't have to. It is also a bit easier to blame such individuals when things go wrong. Some of us also convince ourselves (or get the message from those who are more comfortable if we remain docile and obedient servants) that we do not have the stuff to make a difference like someone famous could or can.

This is not the story of specific individuals, even though you will learn of people you most likely have never heard of before, neither is it about a faceless mob. These were individuals who saw beyond personal celebrity status and came together with the full intention of their rebellion being based in "the body of the people." Something folks from the whole spectrum of political thought seem to suggest is sorely needed in Washington, DC today. (I happen to agree.)

Or as Mr. Raphael puts it....

" The telling of history cries out for individual protagonists. If an isolated hero or leader doesn't emerge naturally, we try to invent one. In this case, however, none could even be conjured. There was no one person, not even a small group, who could have made the Revolution of 1774 any more or less than it was. This revolution was conducted by and for the participants, giving it both power and legitimacy."

and..........

" Without entrenched leaders, there could be no chain of command. The people of each locality, although communicating with each other through their committees of correspondence, received no orders from a central authority. They did develop some shared motifs - - most notably, forcing officials to recant while passing through the ranks, hats in hand - - but the local groups operated without any coordinating body to plot a strategy or plan the various confrontations."

and finally........

" The Massachusetts Revolution of 1774 was not only decentralized but thoroughly ubiquitous. Both temporally and geographically, it lacked concrete definition. It simply erupted, everywhere and whenever. It has been as confusing, perhaps, to students of history as it was to Governor Gage, who had no idea how to respond. "

It was indeed quite confounding to folks such as Lord Dartmouth who.......

"...........found it difficult to believe that Governor Gage had lost out to ' a tumultuous Rabble, without any Appearance of general Concert, or without any Head to advise, or Leader to conduct.' Dartmouth failed to comprehend the power of the people to act in their behalf, and even today, the revelation that ordinary people, ' without any Head to advise,' toppled the British-controlled government in Massachusetts engenders blank, incredulous states."

Anyone who believes you MUST have clearly identified leaders and a hierarchical structure in order to accomplish something will be challenged by the history told in this book. Those who sometimes feel there is little chance of changing those things which they believe to be wrong with their government will perhaps find hope within these pages. At the very least, the reader will be made much more aware of a chapter of American History that up until now has received far less recognition then it deserves.

One final note.......

For anyone that might be wondering about the author's understanding of how women, Africans (slave or free), and indigenous peoples were involved and effected by the American Revolution, I highly recommend Mr. Raphael's previous book : A People's History of The American Revolution - 2001 - also by The New Press. The two, read together, serve as an excellent introduction or review of the War of Independence.

This is a book you will pick up for years to come. It is the first book I have read which shows the story of American football and how it touches each portion of our culture and lifestyle. Starting from the earliest days of "mud ball" to the collegiate and professional ranks, this journal tells the complete story though words and pictures. The photography will take anyone who has ever played even sandlot football, back to the action! Once you pick it up, be ready to sit for hours of enjoyment!

Any sports fan must remember "75 Seasons" or Ken Burns' "Baseball," books that came out two years ago. Those were great, and this is just as good, if not better! I got three copies. One for my son, my dad and me

Football America has a lot of terrific football photography featuring college, pro, pee-wee, high school and even prison football shots. Also, the stories are interesting and fun. Overall, it's a nice presentation that would appeal to all different kinds of sports fans

The authors have done a superb job in presenting a classic piece of collectible reference. The book is filled to the bubble with all the greats and done with taste and care. One of the nice sections is a complete listing of toy manufacturers trademarks. No effort was made to price the robots and space toys, which I'm gratefully thankful for, since any attempt would certainly have dated the work. As a collector this will be one of my future guides as I pursue what has become a rewarding if albeit expensive pastime! Bravo...and my compliments. To all others the least bit interested...get this book!

I have to agree with the comments made by the author himself, both " ...informative & visually stimulating ...". If that was what he set out to achieve by writing this excellent book, then he has surpassed it. Superb colour pictures of the type of tin robots & space toys we all played with in our younger days brought the memories flooding back. For collectors of this type of toy, this has to be a classic. Clear photography, excellent description of each toy, rare items and original boxes and a desirability guide. A must for both new & experienced collectors alike !

Altho I'm not a Space Toy collector, this will be on my shelf just for the quality and quantity of the fantastic vintage graphic images of the toys and their boxes.

For the Space Toy afficianado, this has the best, large scale, clearest photos I've seen. Thee is brief, but concise information on each toy that includes the size, maker, year, country, desirability, & description. There are several pages of trademark logos. It's a real trip down memory lane and should serve as one of the top ranked refrence books out there.

Just got the book the other day. It has plenty of information of all the golf courses around the NYC area. I also discovered plenty of courses around my area that I didn't know about before! If your an avid golfer around these neck of the woods, this book is a MUST HAVE.

An excellent reference for the Big Apple golfer. Info on all courses within a 70 mile radius of NYC. Including their Top 30 Public Courses, as well as listings of ranges, golf stores and all things golf...SCHWING Magazine-Summer 1999 issue.

If golf is your game...as their ads correctly say "you gotta have this book"...it has everything you need to know about golfing in the NY Metropolitan Area...invaluable !

I think everyone does! A partner in crime and a silent buddy to blame all of your life's messes on. The Gorilla Did It, Barbara Shook Hazen's classic tale is fast approaching it's 30th birthday and remains as true and apt today as when it was written in 1974. Preschool children today are drawn to the story just as they were then and their parents will love reading it with them and chuckle at the gorilla's mischief as well!

A gorilla wakes a sleeping child up and encourages him to make a mess of his room. When confronted by his mother about the mess, the boy tells her it wasn't his fault it was the gorilla who did it.

Ray Cruz's illustrations deftly convey the humor and hilarity of the situation. They add nicely to the story and will give parent and child many opportunities to talk. I love the picture of the gorilla on his back rolling in the soap suds on the floor while Mother and child discuss who made the mess.

This is a delightful story for both parent and child.

My mother read this book to me every night for four years, starting when I was about three. Now I'm 26 and still know all the words by heart. My beloved first edition copy has a special spot on the bookshelf.

This book was my daughter's favorite book to be read to her as a child from 3yrs on. She is now 20 years old and this book is one she always refers to as one of her favorite story books. The illistrations were by Ray Cruz, and were delightfully whimizical and always brought a smile to my daughter's face as we read the book together. It's out of print and I really wish Scholastic Inc., would reprint it. It is a wonderful little gem of a book.

This book is a good insight into SRV and his life. It is not full of intimate details, but it does have a lot of information. And, what is really nice about it is that it is information that comes from direct interviews with SRV, himself, and very close friends, band members, musicians and family. There are guitar tips about how SRV played and some guitar "mini" lesson pages. It also contains some great B & W pictures. An over-all great book for the SRV fan! He was the greatest guitarist to ever walk this earth and is sorely missed...the book proves it.

This is a great book. It's not like others where you have to wonder about the accuracy of the information, this one is direct from the man's mouth! Required reading for every fan.

Not only is this book full of interviews with Stevie, it also gives you insight in to his personal battles with alcohol and drugs. Stevie Ray was a true innovator and this book not only helps you understand his thoughts,it also feature's his guitar transcriptions. READ IT!!!!!

This book is terrific, non-intimidating and easy to follow. It sparks creativity by giving further ideas to draw for each illustration. Even the 5th graders at the school I teach art at love this book.

I am currently buying this book for my nephew as a stocking stuffer. I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter 3 years ago, but I have to tell you that my whole family still uses it. Great illustrations, not to mention easy to follow directions! Everytime my daughter has a poster project that entails drawing a animal we pull this book off the shelf. I recommend this book to anyone.

This is a very simple step by step drawing book. It uses shapes and lines to create some impressive looking animals. The book uses colors that are eye catching and appealing to children. Both my 5 year old daughter and I learned to draw some great looking animals. This book and others in the series helped a hopeless artist survive kindergarten homework that required drawing.

Gosh, i just wrote a review bemoaning the dearth of attention to Quino, now i'm doing it for another favorite, Sam Hurt's Eyebeam. Wildly imaginative/inventive while remaining grounded and personal, i love all the eyebeam books and am unmoved, at best, by his switchover to the Peaches character - an apparent attempt at mainstreaming.

Sigh - i'm probably just a eccentric, wailing about others not sharing my taste. But can you afford to miss something that might be very, very good?-)

The 7 Eyebeam books are gut-wrenchingly funny. They directly address key personal and societal issues we struggle with as we mature(?) as adults, with an inspired irreverence. But they are not (very often - except for the lawyer jokes - which is fine by 99% of us) mean-spirited. And Ratliff is the most consistently funny strip character since Opus. And how many strips feature a hallucination named Hank? Any one of these books should be in your "desert island" survival pack alongside your pre-'75 "Dead" ALBUMS.

Eyebeam started as a comic strip in the "Daily Texan", the student newspaper at the University of Texas. "I'm Pretty Sure I'Ve Got My Death Ray in Here Somewhere" is the first of several Eyebeam compilations, and is easily the funniest (although the others are worth a look, if you can find them.)