This book is an ammended and expanded version of Stauffer's Ph.D thesis 'Illuminism in America', completed at Columbia University between 1915-17.

Stylistically, this is a heavy and occassionally ponderous work, much background and elaboration left to the frequent and distracting footnotes. However, the content of Stauffer's investigation cannot be derided. This book is invaluable as it is one of few that traces the particular social circumstances that allowed the myth of Illuminati conspiracy in the United States to flourish, albeit fleetingly, between 1798-1800.

Stauffer beigns with a background investigation of the undermining of Puritan standards and institutions in New England following the Revolution that highlights the spread of religious dissafection, political entanglements and hysteria that rendered the popular mind prone to belief in the idea of Illuminist conspiracy.

The author then provides the reader with a fascinating account of the European origins and ultimate suppression of the Bavarian order of Illuminists, and the transmission of its legend to New England (principally through Robison's _Proofs of a Conspiracy_ 1797, and Barruel's _Memoirs of the history of Jacobinism_ 1798). Unfortunately, this section is heavily based on Renee Le Forestier's monumental study _Les Illumines de Baviere et la Franc-Maconnerie allemande_ (Paris 1915): those familiar with this earlier work may find Stauffer's abridged restatement frustrating.

Finally, the Author engages with the Illuminati agitation in New England itself, beginning with Reverend Jebediah Morse's alarmist sermon of May 9, 1798 that declared the pernicious presence of the Illuminati in New England society. Stauffer traces with great skill the rise and fall of the controversy, and each page is filled with fascinating insights into the political, social and religious climate of the period.

This is an invaluable source based examination of a largely forgotten incident in American history, and this generally rare book (even the reprints are difficult to find!) is must reading for anybody with an interest in the origins of the paranoid style in American social and political thought.

The best sources on the Illuminati reamin the two sourcebooks:

Jan Reichold (ed.)_Die Illuminaten. Quellen und Texte zur Aufklaerungsideologie des Illuminatenordens_ Berlin
((former) DDR) 1984, commentary influenced by Marxism
and GDR-ideology, but a solid text edition.

Richard van Duelmen, _Der Geheimbund der Illuminaten_ Stuttgart: Frommann-Holzboog 1975.

and the work by Le Forestier.

See also:
Richard Hofstadter, 'The Paranoid style in American politics' (essay - available online).

No other book compares to Vernon Stauffer's account of the Bavarian Illuminati. It is purely historical and scientific, with actual research from real texts. A strong background in German, French, and Latin is helpful, but not necessary. There is absolutely no conjecture whatsoever. No conspiracies. No UFOs. And, unfortunately, no Fnords. Gruad would be disappointed.

In 1620 the English Puritans settled in the region they called New England. There they met the natives, the Indians. This book explains how the Puritans and Indians related with each other until 1675. Vaughan demonstrates that the Puritans did not exploit the Indians as often believed but dealt fairly with them. He neither denigrates nor whitewashes either the Puritans or the Indians, but is fair to both sides.

Vaughan describes the Indians, their beliefs and customs, and what they thought of the Puritans. Vaughan also portrays the beliefs and customs of the Puritans and their attitudes towards the Indians. Vaughan recounts how the Puritans and the Indians allied together to destroy the aggressive Pequot tribe in the Pequot war in 1637.
Vaughan sketches the trade between Puritans and Indians, at first trading furs for items and later for wampum. Then he describes how the Puritans tried to fit the Indians fairly into their legal system. Finally he recounts the Puritans attempts to convert the Indians to Christianity.

This is an excellent account, based on extensive primary and secondary sources, of the little known period before King Philips attack on the Puritans changed how the colonists and the Indians saw each other.

This is the most balanced account of the relationship between the Indians and the early settlers I have read. It is an excellent book for someone who is interested in both sides of the story, Indian and Puritan. Vaughan tries to portray the truth of both people's viewpoint and doesn't get bogged down in politically correct rambling so prevalent in modern renditions (i.e. Greg Nobles). A must read for those who desire to be balanced in their view of History.

I was somewhat wary of this book at first, as I had read some of Mike Pride's articles in Brill's Content, which I found rather offensive, as he uses extraordinarily patronizing language when discussing women's issues, and his clumsy style inspires very little confidence (one notrious example, which prompted letters to the magazine, asked why he would publish a "humourous" letter suggesting that Indian women somehow "serviced" Bill Clinton - a low class joke, and one made at the expense of women of color.)
Fortunately for readers of this compilation, there are a great number of colorful and note-worthy folks in the wee-small but beautiful state of New Hampshire. The book is especially nice for coffee-table browsing.

This is a treasure of interesting stories about the colorful people of New Hampshire.

This book is really great!! There are so many details that you don't really think about or are aware of until you pick this book up. This gives you such in depth details on Boston & the surrounding areas that it's uncanny. When you move as much as I do it's good to know all the local tidbits about the area you are in so not to be surprised by things such as town waste taxes or registering your pet. This book is extremely helpful so don't hold back, grab one if your heading to Boston!

this book is fantastic! i had 6 weeks to pack up and move from nyc to boston. this book was extraordinarily helpful. it has useful and accurate information about all of the vital things -- nieghborhood descriptions, utilities (including cable), government offices (e.g., driver's licenses, parking permits, passport office), recreation, restaurants, transportation, etc. it's wonderful. check it out before you move and you'll end up just where you want to be when you get here. or read it after you've already moved to find out more about what resources surround you. it definitely makes your move much easier, and continues to help you negotiate this place once you get here. it's well written and objective - a must-have.

An unusual format for a cookery book, or for a catalog of marine life. In fact, it's both - the first half of the book is a catalog of marine species arranged by family (flatfish, molluscs, etc.), while the second half is a catalog of recipes for them, grouped by country of origin.

Although ostensibly North Atlantic in scope, the tome omits some species which occur also in the Mediterranean (the reader is referred to the author's book covering that sea's life and cuisine). However, Baltic Sea species are included, although most of them are actually freshwater types, due to the low salinity of the Baltic.

Common names for most species are supplied in several languages, according to the distribution of the creatures. Differences in regional naming are also noted. Fine sketches of each subject are accompanied by notes on distribution, habitat, etc., and pointers to appropriate recipes.

In the cookery section, there are no sketches, but many of the recipes are accompanied by anecdotes from the author's many travels. The instructions are brief, but complete enough for successful and tasty dining. In arranging dishes by geography, each nation is represented only by a fraction of its seafood, and some could easily be ascribed to several countries.

In summary, a very good book (if you can find it). It would be enhanced by use of colour instead of of black and white pictures, and addition of some pictures in the recipes section.

All the commonly-eaten fish and shellfish of the North Atlantic are covered in this wonderful reference and cookbook. As in his Mediterranean Seafood, each animal's entry includes an old engraving (better than a photo for identification -- except for color), its scientific and common names in various languages, a description of the animals habit's and culinary qualities, and a reference to recipes.

Recipes are organized by country, and are well chosen and edited. The only criticism I might offer is that it is hard to find recipes by type. That is, it's very easy to find recipes for mackerel or recipes from Portugal, but it's hard to find all the baked-fish recipes suitable for a dark-fleshed fish.

A great book like this should never be out of print!

This book was very entertaining, the author was very well informed on the area. the tale told was amusing.

"Old Sam's Thunder" is a wonderful story which becomes a real page-turner, and it is filled with wonderful New England characters. This book is a wonderful read, and is a worthy sequel to "Big Fish."

This book is a collection of Merullo's essays about his boyhood in his Italian-American hometown, Revere-five miles from Boston, Massachusetts. Merullo was born into a typical Italian family where fathers are the head of the entire family. He grew up in a neighborhood with lots of cousins, uncles and aunts. The value of this book is not just Merrullo's boyhood tales, most important it depicts the struggle of immigrant families in this country, trying very hard to have a better life for themselves and their children.

As a first generation Italian-American, Merullo's father worked full-time and went to law school in the evenings for several years. He failed the BAR examination eight times but eventually received his law degree at the age of 54. Unfortunately he died in his early 60s. As a second generation Italian-American, Merullo was raised with parental expectations, but made his own way. He obtained primary education at Phillips Exeter Academy and then Boston University, then the Peace Corps and finally found his niche as a writer.

I like this book because this book reminds me the year I lived in Greater Boston area.

This book is a "Must Read," one of the very best novels I have read in the last decade. Every page held phrases and paragraphs I wanted to read and re-read, so rich were the images in this coming-of-age novel. Perfect for a book club.

First of all, I love the size of this book, petite. I live in Texas now, but keep this book propped up on my desk to feel more at home. The author has compiled the important historical facts along with the equally important tourist information. Eventually, each of the fifty states will have their own book, and I think this will be a good thing!

If you are visiting Rhode Island and want to get a feeling for the state in just a few minutes read this book. It's filled with great fun facts and wonderful pictures that express the feeling of the state. It would also make a great souvenir.

Did you know that the the state bird is the Rhode Island Red Hen, and it is this hen that lays the distinctive brown eggs you'll find in Rhode Island.

The book contains interesting historical tidbits and beautiful scenic photographs of the miles of shoreline and under-developed beaches.

I really like the "Only in Rhode Island" section where unique features of the state are highlighted such as Mr. Potato Head and the Big Blue Bug.

Finally, the "Rhode Island by the Seasons" section is a helpful guide to the annual festivities that occur throughout the year.

It's my best pick at..., a guide to vacation shopping in Rhode Island.

This book is a collection of trial transcripts, maps, and other documents and information regarding the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The most famous of witch trials, the hysteria is recaptured here for you to sort through yourself. This book is NOT a "story", but a valuable tool for doing your own research on the matter. Fabulous reading, wonderous facts, mysterious information, and education abound. Buy this book today!

the story is marvelous and i really did like i

Thanks so much for publishing this book. I am a decendent of Chase Whitcher and had heard stories about Cousin Sarah. What a joy to pass this on to my children. This book is well written and helps children learn how wild animals can be a friend in time of need. This gutsy little girls meets a bear in the woods. She is lost cold and knows that she needs shelter. The "big dog" comes to her rescue. Great reading for a group of children. Goes well with another book about Sarah Whitcher, "The Bear That Heard Crying" by Natalie Kinsey Warmock and Helen Kinsey.

Sarah's story was the tool we used to show our family how God is real and cares for each of us. Although the recommmended age is 7-9 we read a chapter to the whole family for part of our Bible story. Even my husband was captivated. We had a hard time closing the book after each chapter. Young readers can read with confidence, and little listeners are pulled into the wonderful dialogue and see the care the family characters have for each other. Our family loved this story. We do have a loving Father who cares for us and shows us time and again through many different lives just how much.