The Battle of Lookout Mountain is an excellent book. I have read the entire series and I love every book. I like how Mr. Morris has the two families "against" each other while Leah and Jeff are still friends. I think this is an incredible book. I encourage everyone to read this book and all the books in the series

I love this book!I think that it has a great story line. Theway that the author portrays the heartbreak and sorrow from friendsand family being torn apart by war, and the hardships and horrers of battle and a soldiers life, are enough to make you feel the pain that the characters are feeling,but are not overwhelming. I recommend this book and the rest of the books in it's series to anyone who loves a good book!

Wow! This was a great book! I couldn't put it down! I read it in one day. Whatever you do BUY THIS BOOK IT'S WORTH IT!

Hawk Spencer and Elizabeth MacNeal are now married and enjoying married life again. After only a week of being married Hawk and Sequatchie accompany Paul Anderson and Rhonda Harper to Williamsburg so they can be married.

Meanwhile, in Williamsburg Jacob Spencer, Hawk's son, celebrates his sixteenth birthday. Jacob also falls for Annabelle Denton. A few days after his birthday Hawk arrives and asks Jacob to go back to Watauga with him. Jacob can't believe his father even asked after he had abandoned him and left him with his grandparents for sixteen years and now finally wants to be apart of his life. Hawk tries to explain that he had to leave because he was mad at God for taking Jacob's mother, he also explains that now he is finally right with God. Jacob refuses at first until he is betrayed, then Sequatchie proposes a pact and Jacob agrees. Jacob's part of the pact is to go to Watauga for a reasonable amount of time and Sequatchie's part is to take him home after the time period.

It starts out rocky but things turn for the better when Jacob falls in love with Abigail Stevens, the bad part is Andrew MacNeal, his step brother, is also in love with her. The competition goes on for a while and Abigail enjoys the attention of the two young men but she knows she has to choose. Will Abigail's decision separate the family further?

All the while, Hawk becomes sheriff of Watauga and struggles to keep the frontier from having a full-scale war with the Cherokee.

This is a great sequel to the first book. I loved the continuing story of Elizabeth and Hawk. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. If you've read the first book and liked it I strongly suggest this one.

Beyond the Quiet Hills is an exelent book and I hope Gilbert Morris writes many more. I love his Writing

An excellent continuation of the Spirit of Appalachia series. It continues on with Hawk and Elizabeth's life after Hawk goes back to his family in the East to retrieve his son, whom he hopes will forgive him of his mistake of leaving him with his grandparents after his wife dies. It's a super book and I encourage all to read it!

Does Richard Brookhiser plan to write a biography for every single Founding Father? Based on the three books of his I've read so far (on George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and now Gouverneur Morris), one can only hope so.

Brookhiser's latest biography is of a somewhat neglected Founding Father, whose greatest accomplishment was his authorship/editorial work of much of the U.S. Constitution. Late in his life, Morris also played an invaluable, but often overlooked role in pushing the U.S. to create a system of canals linking New York State's Atlantic coast with the northern interior of North America. (These canals were, once created, as important for the young country's economic growth in the early nineteenth century as railroads would be for it in the late nineteenth century.)

For a major public figure, Morris led a balanced life. His serious pursuits did not keep him from enjoying women, travel and outings, or a well-told joke. He was a good friend, especially towards those who he felt were unfairly treated by others. As Morris would drift in and out of public service throughout his life, much of the biography focuses on this personal side of the man.

Brookhiser's skill as a biographer is to reveal aspects of his subject's character with just a well-written phrase or two. He does this in a straightforward way without the need for any conceptual baggage (such as Freudianism). Few biographers nowadays are willing to be so concise or risk interpreting their subjects in such a direct manner.

But unlike with two of his previous and better-known subjects (Washington and Hamilton), Brookhiser is perhaps too brief in dealing with Morris's life. Whereas the basic outlines of both Washington and Hamilton's lives are fairly well-known to most readers, and therefore more amenable to Brookhiser's kind of abbreviation, Morris's life is not. As a result, the transitions in Morris's life covered in the book seem to rush by and background information is uneven. This is still a fine work, one I can easily recommend, but it is not as impressive as Brookhiser's earlier biographies.

Most accounts of the American Founding are filled with tales of prim and proper Puritans or unremarkable commercial men. Not so with Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816), a New York aristocrat whose ancestral roots in this country went back to Dutch-controlled New Amsterdam. His family owned much of the Bronx in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Morris had an astonishingly varied career. A friend of George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, and Thomas Paine, Morris was the primary architect of the U.S. Constitution. He was a successful ladies' man, enjoying a succession of lovers before finally marrying in his late 50s. An expatriate in France during the French Revolution, he advised Louis XVI and wrote a constitution for that troubled nation. A senator from New York, he opposed the War of 1812 and advocated the secession of Northern states. Back in New York, while practicing law and tending to business interests, he found time to establish Manhattan's street grids and begin work on the Erie Canal. He started a family in his early 60s. Above all, he enjoyed life.

Observers make much of the fact that as a teenager Morris sustained severe burns to his right arm and later lost part of a leg in a carriage accident, but these are arguably the least interesting things about the man.

The one black mark on an otherwise admirable record was his anti-Catholicism. Brookhiser says little about it apart from arguing that Morris, a deist, wasn't as anti-Catholic as some of his Protestant colleagues. In other words, "Morris could have been worse," the author seems to say.

This is a quick and easy read. Brookhiser writes well. Still, it's not altogether clear why the author, a senior editor at the neoconservative National Review, would want to write about someone like Morris. It's not even clear that in the end the author finds him particularly appealing. Brookhiser's critical remarks about Edmund Burke and John Randolph of Roanoke, both of whom admittedly are more interesting figures, detract from the story and may turn off more conservative-minded readers.

Why is Morris important to us? America, especially New York, has changed considerably since Morris's time; some might say it has become decidedly less civilized. We live in an age of mass democracy, globalism, and consumerism where monetary values are held to be supreme, the sole measure of one's worth. The state of once-grand places like the Bronx, as Brookhiser shows in the concluding chapter, is a living symbol of this decline. If Morris was a rare enough individual in his own time, he would be inconceivable in ours. Yet, his rich life represents to modern Americans a model for a better way of living. Take heart from his cheerful fortitude, his aristocratic acceptance of life's vicissitudes, the sheer pleasure he got out of living according to God's plan. As Morris said: "To enjoy is to obey". Life is good.

To most people who read of the era of the founding fathers, Gouverneur Morris is at best a peripheral character, mentioned in passing while the spotlight featured the bigger names of Washington, Adams, Hamilton, et al. Brookhiser gives us the opportunity to learn about this man and his role in early U.S. history.

Morris was generally a peripheral character in the Revolutionary Era, but he did play a significant role in the drafting of the Constitution. His writing skills put the Constitution into its essentially final form, and the Preamble is almost entirely his creation. Beyond this, however, he was a more minor political player.

A lot of this was by Morris's own choice, since he wasn't all that interested in higher office. He was an interesting enough person, in many ways more human than the semi-immortals with whom he worked with. Relatively easy-going and with a good sense of humor, Morris was also - despite a maimed hand and a missing leg - quite the ladies' man, even having an affair with one French woman who was not only married, but already the mistress to another. When he finally married late in life, he successfully avoided social pressure by choosing a wife with a bit of a reputation.

Brookhiser - a rather politically conservative writer - has a lot of sympathy for the Federalists such as Hamilton and Morris. He, nonetheless, has written a good, objective book, the best of the three of his I read (the other two were on Hamilton and the Adams family). While Morris is rightly accorded a lesser light in history, he does deserve some illumination and Brookhiser's book does the job well.

First and foremost, Morris is an excellent writer and is particularly adept in my favorite genre: Creative Nonfiction.

The book starts with a short Medgar Evers history lesson culminating with his assignation and two hung juries in the subsequent murder trials of Beckwith. The book picks up in present-day Mississippi and details the reopening of the case, investigation, and eventual prosecution and conviction of Beckwith. That probably comprises the first third of the book. The next two-thirds detail the conception and execution of the Movie: Ghosts of Mississippi. Morris is detailed in his descriptions of movie making, from nuts and bolts film making to Hollywood politics. Of particular interest, is how the locals in Mississippi reacted and how Hollywood got along in the Deep South during the filming. He was able to deftly weave in pearls (as well as substantial blemishes) from Mississippi's past, much as he did in "The Courting of Marcus Dupree". Morris takes us through the filming of the movie to its nation-wide release and eventually to what he calls "troubles". The "troubles" piece is essentially a description and commentary on the reception (and substantial criticism) that "Ghosts" received in Hollywood, Mississippi and around the country.

If you enjoy nonfiction and have interest in the South, Hollywood, and Civil Rights I think you'll enjoy it (regardless of your opinion of the movie it describes).

First and foremost, Morris is an excellent writer and is particularly adept in my favorite genre: Creative Nonfiction.

The book starts with a short Medgar Evers history lesson culminating with his assignation and two hung juries in the subsequent murder trials of Beckwith. The book picks up in present-day Mississippi and details the reopening of the case, investigation, and eventual prosecution and conviction of Beckwith. That probably comprises the first third of the book. The next two-thirds detail the conception and execution of the Movie: Ghosts of Mississippi. Morris is detailed in his descriptions of movie making, from nuts and bolts film making to Hollywood politics. Of particular interest, is how the locals in Mississippi reacted and how Hollywood got along in the Deep South during the filming. He was able to deftly weave in pearls (as well as substantial blemishes) from Mississippi's past, much as he did in "The Courting of Marcus Dupree". Morris takes us through the filming of the movie to its nation-wide release and eventually to what he calls "troubles". The "troubles" piece is essentially a description and commentary on the reception (and substantial criticism) that "Ghosts" received in Hollywood, Mississippi and around the country.

If you enjoy nonfiction and have interest in the South, Hollywood, and Civil Rights I think you'll enjoy it (regardless of your opinion of the movie it describes).

Medgar Evers was a great man! If Martin Luther King hadn't been born, Evers would have been the one to change it all!

It has some info, but I feel it lacks outstanding coordination and structure, besides Leon's own opinion on the scriptures lacks fire. He doesn't link scriptures, showing how another gives light to what you are reading. He quotes many authors but doesn't argue with the authors.

This is a respectable book, but not a classic, if you want another good commentary on John, then get it. For me, it sparked no fire.

I have over 100 commentaries on the Gospel of John and none of them even comes close to this volume. Critical and exegetical issues are treated fully and fairly. Footnotes are jam-packed with excerpts from numerous authors holding differing viewpoints. Evaluations of other positions are peacable yet thorough. Morris brings out the richness of John's message on every page. I recently preached on John 1:1 and this commentary was eminently useful for understanding the background and meaning of the text. Massive conservative scholarship, a lucid and penetrating style, profound insight and, above all, spirtual depth make this volume a masterpiece! Morris is not the only commentator on I consult, but he is always the first and usually the most rewarding.

Having studied with Leon Morris, it is delightful to see his comments plus more new material in print. This is the best new commentary written in the nineties in my opinion.

Jan Morris is a fascinating personality. She originally was a he, and he was a guardsman in the British army, an officer from a good family. He left the service, became a historian, and then went to Denmark or wherever, and came back a she. She now writes unusual, affecting, eccentric, entertaining books that are terribly British and a bit disorganized. The Pax Brittanica trilogy is her life's work, near enough, though she's done other books that are very good. This one, however, is three volumes long, quite involved and very detailed. The series includes Heaven's Command, Pax Britannica, and Farewell the Trumpets. The first generally deals with the Empire in the 1840s on, the second follows things through the thirties, and the third follows the empire through its disbandment.

As I said, Morris is eccentric. This means that though the books are sort of chronological, they aren't exactly sorted the way you would expect, and this isn't really a history of the empire or the era. Instead, it's an anecdotal collection of tales, incidents, and sketches, marvelously told. Sort of like the difference between going through a cafeteria once and a sumptuous buffet where you go back and forth, taking time with what you enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the books, though I would hesitate to recommend them to someone who wasn't clear on either geography, or at least some basic history of the British Empire. Since this isn't either of those, you need them to understand what she's talking about occasionally.

I just finished this magnificient volume. Morris has surely written a masterpiece. Many a time I have felt transfigured to 19th century India or sensed the wind on the African veld. The writing is stupendous. The portraits of characters just stunning. Alas! My only quibble is no pictures. NO PICTURES!!!! I have the Harcourt Brace publication and there are no pictures. Oh how I would like to see what Sleeman looked like! Nonetheless well worth the price.

I have always wondered how the British managed to gain their empire and, more importantly, how they were able to ignore certain facts staring them straight in the eye -- that other peoples and races have achieved great cultural accomplishments and are fully as human as the British. How could the British have come to regard the Zulu and other Africans as being, more or less, animals ?

The blindness of great empires and their makers is always fascinating.

James Morris is a magnificent writer. The portraits he paints of the people involved in this great play of destiny are vivid. From event to event, the book reads like an endlessly absorbing epic.

Truly great writing about a fascinating story.

This book, like all of the Traveler's Tales books, is the product of thoughtful editing. Here are stories of real people in Italy. And each one seeks to show the beauty and complexity of the place. These are not just the stock images here. These are beautiful, sometimes intense stories about a place that, for so many, is out of reach. This book is a journey. Good, Bad, Ugly and perfect, flaws and all. Read it, enjoy and then, go.

50 short essays divided into 4 sections: the first 2 sections, "Essence of Italy" and "Some Things To Do" have the most appealing, simpatico, essays (though be warned that "The Nicholas Effect" in the last chapter is heartrending without trying to be). Several essays prompted me to buy the books they were excerpted from.

This is a delightful volume. Either take it on a trip to Italy to read as you go, or save it up til you come home, read it before planning a trip, or just let yourself go from your armchair or bed (or favourite reading spot).

There is a very brief attempt at some guidebook-style information at the end. i donlt think it is all that useful, and will be long out of date before the travellers' tales are. Still, it is brief enough not to detract. It includes some web addresses and , most usefully, some further reading and full bibliographic details of the excerpts presented.

There are many renowned writers included in this anthology, and of course some I had never encountered before. Some of the better known include Tim Parks ('An Italian Education'), Jonathan Keates ('Italian Journeys'), H.V. Morton ('A Traveller in Italy'), Frances mayes ('Under The Tuscan Sun').

I found that this book has some positives and negatives: Positives: 1. the authors have compiled a wealth of information about volcanoes all over the world: Mt. St. Helens catastrophe, planes flying over eruption clouds, eruption accounts from Krakatua, etc, etc. 2. For a geologist like me, when we study about volcanoes, we tend to forget the human factor, not only hazards, but also how it affects agriculture, tourism, etc. Which I think this book pinpoints very well. Negatives: 1. The book doesn't flow: lots of information, but in my opinion disorganized. Except for the chapter about Mt. St. Helens, I didn't understand the point that the authors were trying to make (or probably there was no point, and it was just a plain description). 2. Any time you touch a scientific subject, you are immersed in having to use scientific terms. Since this book is trying to reach a general audience (I think), it will benefit a lot by having a glossary. 3. Some chapters are really weak, like the one that talks about plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the driving force of volcanoes (mostly) and should have more emphasis on the book, and be explained in more simple terms. 4. The decimal metric system is used throughout the book. This is good when you are writing a paper to publish on a specialized journal, but not for a book aimed at general audiences. The equivalence in the English system should probably go in parentheses.

Neither too little or too much, Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change is the best volume I have ever read on Volcanology. Written for the intelligent layperson, the book never talks down to its reader or loses them in mult-semicolon sentances of unintelligble jargon as so many other books by scientists do. If you want the latest theories on volcanoes, this is th book for you. I was especially surprised by how many dormant/active volcanoes there are in the lower 48. And as one who has flown from the U.S. to Japan, the chapter on planes and volcanoes was both fascinating and scary.

A brilliant book for any volcanoholic. I am a geology student hoping to proceed to volcanology, and thoroughly enjoyed this book just for the sake of a good read on a great subject.

The fact is that science really can't yet answer any of the "big questions". As a result, those expecting to get some definitive insight from this book may be disappointed. Furthermore-- as you might expect-- trying to cover a dozen or so of the deepest issues facing science and philosophy in one book oriented toward lay readers, means that "skimming the topic" is a huge understatement. Probably my expectations were unrealistic, but nevertheless I was disappointed with how little new information I got from this book. However, it is a useful introduction to many topics of great interest, as long as you don't expect too much.

Really big questions: Morris, a physicist who writes frequently on science, borrows a leaf from the philosopher's book to discourse engagingly on God, time, truth, mind, and such like. There was a time when philosophers provided much of the enlightenment on matters metaphysical, cosmological, and ontological. Morris wants us to know that modern science can illuminate many of these issues, in some cases providing answers based on experimental evidence. Up to a point. For example, if we accept the "many worlds" interpretation of quantum mechanics, then we can resolve the issue of free will versus determinism-because any and all possible futures exist in one or another parallel universe. But what about time? The laws of physics are indifferent to time's arrows-with the exception of a couple of exotic particles. That still leaves us with questions about reconciling subjective time with the "t" in equations. Berkeley's conundrum about whether the world exists if no one is looking? More quantum theory and, alas, no resolution. The question of whether Schrodinger's cat is alive or dead (or capable of existing in both states until we look) remains a puzzle, but comes with an eerie aside about experiments that show that electrons streaming around superconducting loops appear to move clockwise and counterclockwise simultaneously. So it goes with most of the other questions Morris discusses: all wonderful foils for expounding on the five current superstring theories and the mysterious 11-dimensional M theory that relates to them all, or about quantum fluctuations that can produce a universe out of nothing. In the end, contemporary physics has some tantalizing ideas, but most of the issues remain ambiguous. Morris's afterword makes it clear that science doesn't have all the answers-perhaps never will-but it's diverting and instructive at least to see the process.

For most of human history, science and philosophy, if not one and the same, were at least an entwined couple. It is only in the past few centuries that the two have divorced (though not as much as many scientists and philosophers would like to admit).

In THE BIG QUESTIONS, Richard Morris renews the wedding vows of these two disciplines. With a clear and engaging writing style, he tackles many important topics and basic philosophical questions through the lens of the latest scientific ideas. What he produces is a riveting, mind-expanding, thoroughly enjoyable book that will get you to thinking. Absolutely wonderful and highly recommended!