More interesting for an examination of how the perception of Hamilton has changed over time than as a biography (the book is over 100 years old). The author was the Senator who destroyed President Wilson's dream of a League of Nations, leaving him a broken man

When Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fought their infamous duel in 1804 it is quite possible that there were the two most arrogant politicians in the entire United States. I recently finished David McCullough's biography of John Adams, so I was not inclined to think highly of Hamilton and Veda Boyd Jones faces a problem in trying to tell young readers about her subject's less than stellar character. This juvenile biography provides Alexander Hamilton's resume, but without really getting into why he was so admired by George Washington and so reviled by many others, beyond the idea that he was ambitious and wanted to achieve success as a military leader. The tone is set early in the book when Hamilton's illegitimacy and the intense social stigma of the times is reduced to the declaration "This bothered Alexander because it was very unusual at that time." While later scandals in Hamilton's life are ignored completely, I do recognize that there is little value in getting into the salacious aspects with this particular age group.

Consequently, my stronger criticism is for the general way in which Hamilton's strengths are presented; they are essentially reduced to the fact he supported a strong central government. The political struggle between the Federalists and the Republicans that led to the fatal duel is also reduced to the vague point that Hamilton called Burr dangerous in the newspapers. So, on the one hand I recognize that Hamilton is a problematic figure for a juvenile biography, but on the other hand this volume misses giving young readers a solid understanding of why he was one of the most important political figures of his day despite the fact he was never elected to political office. We are told Hamilton was an excellent writer, but while there are references to the Federalist Papers and other important pamphlets, we never really get a taste of his public rhetoric. The book is illustrated with historic paintings and etchings, some of which show Hamilton. Other titles in the Revolutionary War Leaders series look at not only Jefferson and Washington, but also Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, Thomas Paine, and Betsy Ross.

There are very few books out there like Myrlene Hamilton's "All I Need To Know About Ministry I Learned From Fly Fishing." I thought I'd sit down and read it in a few sittings but I quickly discovered the best way to read it is a couple pages a day. It basically contains about 40 short sections or chapters that make it an excellent devotional for those in ministry. Each section includes a scripture and a story or two from both fly fishing experiences and real life ministry. Whether or not you fly fish, people in ministry will relate to what is there and find food for thought and heart each day. I bought five for Christmas presents for my church staff. Their first reaction will be to just chuckle. If they take time to use it daily they will both be challenged and encouraged. Maybe one or two will be more understanding when I go fly fish or maybe even they will desire to join me!

Arthur Rackham has been one of my biggest influences as an illustrator, and this book has been an excellent tool. Though the biography is somewhat unorderly, the illustrations shine through. Rackham has the been the inspiration of many great illustrators today-Zwerger, Hague, Froud, to name a few. A wonderful resource for aspiring artists.

"The Assassination of a President: Abraham Lincoln," by Sue L. Hamilton, is written for an older elementary school readership. In contrast to other juvenile books focusing on the assassination, Hamilton goes more into the plans of Booth and the other conspirators, including the failed plot to kidnap Lincoln. Actually, the book probably tells students more about John Wilkes Booth than it does about Abraham Lincoln. The assassination is presented in detail, although the actual deathwatch is essentially passed over. Hamilton ends on a strong note, pointing out that by killing the compassionate Lincoln, Booth ironically doomed his beloved South to a devastating period of Reconstruction. Included are a pair of full-page photographs of Lincoln and one of booth, and several contemporary etchings depicting the assassination, along with a dozen reference sources. This volume is part of the "Days of Tragedy" series, which includes the assassination of President Kennedy, as well as the killing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy and John Lennon.

If you're interested in this sort of thing as I am this book could be of great value however the price is unreal. I have a CD that does much the same for the entire country at a third the price of one state however this book is MUCH more accurate and shows county boundaries that only occured for as little as three days. The CD is also easier to use. That said I'll likely ask for the book as one of those Christmas presents I wouldn't buy for myself.

Mrs. Adair has produced a charming and illuminating volume of poems with a spiritual theme. Most are very personal and deeply evocative, and her voice is clearly one of strong and fulfilling belief in Christ. The brevity of the volume makes it a welcome read, again and again.

This anthology covers the American anarcho-individualists gathered around Benjamin Tucker in the latter part of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The essays do a pretty good job covering different aspects of these figures, their acts and disagreements and so forth. Those with a particular interest in these individuals will want this book, but it lacks wider relevance. Anarchists of other stripes may also find it of interest.

We were moving to Westchester and this book became a valuable resource. The author has listed the attractions by town, and includes such offerings as beaches, parks, children's places, fitness centers, public golf courses, historical sites, ice skating places (rinks and ponds/lakes), museums, nature centers, theatres, performing arts centers and art galleries. Once we moved this became our guidebook to the area. Also included is a brief history of each town. In deciding where to move we used this book in conjunction with If You're Thinking of Living In..., by the New York Times, which contains demographic information, anecdotal profiles of the towns, school information and housing costs. When it comes to recreation, culture and entertainment, every county should have a resource book like this!

some of the peotry is ok in this volume but for this most part they are most too conservative and dry. it is the editing here that reflects the personalities it seems of the two editors and simply did not keep my interest.

In each volume of The Best American Poetry, there are usually a handful of really good or great poems, but on a whole, I find them to disappointing. It's generally not the best American poetry in any given year. Nor is 1995's volume the 'best' but it does have a higher number of good or great poems in it. Richard Howard (1995's guest editor) does a better job than most of the other guest editors I've read. You find poems by Margaret Atwood, Rafael Campo, Ginsberg, Marilyn Hacker, Anthony Hecht, Andrw Hudgins, Kizer, Kumin, Mary Jo Salter, and a great series of poems by Molly Peacock. There is also a wonderful poem by Sally Ball. I wish the series would get back up to this level of quality.