Sylvia Townsend Warner counted herself very lucky to have William Maxwell as her New Yorker editor and readers of this volume of their correspondence would agree Warner wrote 153 stories between 1936 and 1977 and found a devoted and discering fan in Maxwell. Many of the letters deal with both Warner's and Maxwell's writing. On occasion Maxwell has to gracefully reject one of Warner's stories (usually with the reassurance that the story is wonderful "but not for The New Yorker"). But what the reader comes to appreciate are the writers' accounts of momentous occasions and everyday life. Maxwell gives us wonderful accounts of an Adlai Stevenson rally and the Vietnam Moratorium. His account of the NYC blackout (in a letter dated November 17, 1965)is one of the best things I've ever read and worth the price of the book. It's such a seamless piece of writing, with each detail depending on what came before, that to quote bits of it would be to trivialize it.
Maxwell, who lived with his wife and two daughters in NYC, is also good with domestic detail and affecting and funny observations. He relates a conversation in which his small daughter laments that he is bald."'Would you trade me in for a daddy with more hair?'" 'Yes," she says, teaching me a lesson."
And on his resuming piano lessons in middle age: ". . .And Mozart is sustaining though I cannot do it. I would rather not be able to do Mozart than any composer I can think of."
Townsend who lived in England with her companion, Valentine Ackland offers a number of home remedies for illness, my favorite being champagne for any ailment above the waist, brandy for anything below. And she writes with droll humor of her life in an English village: "Poor Niou (a Siamese cat) has just had her first affair of the heart, and of course it was a tragedy. As a rule he flies from strange men, cursing under his breath, and keeping very low to the ground. Yesterday an electrician came; a grave mackintoshed man, but to Niou all that was romantic and lovely. He gazed at him, he rubbed against him, he lay in an ecstasy on the tool-bag. The electrician felt much the same, and gave him little washers to play with. He said he would come again today to to finish off properly. Niou understands everything awaited him in dreamy transports and practising his best and most amorous squint. The electrician came, Niou was waiting him on the windowsill. A paroxysm of stage-fright came over him, and he rushed into the garden and disappeared.
He'll get over it in time; but just now he's terribly downcast."
The volume is filled with fine writing and the reader wants very much to know these two people personally.

The author's love of the history of embroidery is very apparent in this book. It is an invaluable resource with date lines for techniques researched throughly. A very enjoyable read the photograhy and detailed line drawings bring the text to life.

The Enchanted Rocking Horse is a book that will be read and reread every Christmas. Several of the stories are excellent for reading to children. The others are suberbly entertaining, thought provoking, and heart-warming for us bigger kids. I loved every story and read it twice this Christmas. I have stored it with my Christmas things to be brought out with anticipation again next year. It sincerely is the best Christmas book I've read in a long time.

If you're Becky Warner from Blacksburg, VA
PLEASE forgive me??
I think about you every day.
Adam

Story of Esther the elephant's visit to the doctor. Told in rhyme, this tale will entertain and amuse early readers. The illustrations are bright, bold and energetic.

Esther felt just like a chump. "My trunk," she sobbed, " has lost its trump!"

Fun, fun book......

This book helped me though the toughest parts of the game. Without it I would be toast!

Whether you live in Oklahoma or plan to visit, Exploring Oklahoma Together is an essential guidebook for getting the most out of this great state. A companion to Exploring Oklahoma With Children, Exploring Oklahoma Together offers adults an easily accessible reference to getaway opportunities in every part of the state. The book is organized by geographical region; within each region cities are listed alphabetically and entries are given for attractions, golf, dining, shopping, accomodations and events. Each entry gives detailed information, including description and historical background, directions, cost, and other tips. In addition, Exploring Oklahoma Together features helpful travel articles, money-saving coupons, attractive black and white photos, and excellent writing. Sarah Taylor, an Oklahoma native, has created a product which is pleasing to the eye and helpful to travelers of all persuasions. I wouldn't plan an Oklahoma excursion without it!

This book covers the major battles in Scotland starting from Wallace and de Moray's victory at Sterling Bridge and Wallace's later defeat at Falkirk, straight through to Culloden. Gives very detailed maps & locations references for those trying to visit these locations, a brief introduction to Scottish History and the in individual battles in a very readable form.
Very great quick reference work.

I am not writing a review. I just want to point out that the reveiw you have printed from The NY Times Booklist 9/1/98, if for "First Contact; the Essential Murray Leinster" and not for the video tape "First Contact"

Gene Krupa's original text guides the beginning drummer through everything from stick selection to being a "quadridexterous" drummer (combining the use of both arms and legs). He focuses on making sure the student learns even the most basic aspects of drumming thoroughly, and each lesson builds upon the last, as any good instruction should. Also, all the well-known drumming rudiments are taught, such as paradiddles, rolls, and flams. From talking to more experienced drummers, most have said that this is the best way to learn to drum; it's only too bad that the rudiments have been ignored in favor of the five-minute "this is a basic rock beat" lesson. I have found this book very easy to teach yourself from.

Experienced drummers will also enjoy this book, with several of Gene's solos in the back. Songs such as "Sing, Sing, Sing," "Caravan," and a neat little cowbell lick, among others, are included. This book is a must for the beginning drummer, the jazz drummer, and Gene Krupa fans!