I am the author of this book
When I put together the pieces for this book, I wanted to share with readers the sight and sounds of those people I interviewed. Each person, each story is special to me because they seem to capture the person as I felt. Each person I talked to seemed to want to share their secret lives with me. It was fun.

This review is long overdue. I picked up Al's book almost a year ago at a local book sale. I'm not a big reader, but having met Al in person led me to buy the book. I began skimming the book later on that night. Eventually, I stopped skimming and began reading. The profiles in this book are interesting. Yes, these are 'everyday people', but Al's insightful writing sheds electricity onto their lives. It was really like a breath of fresh air to read about the lives ordinary people lead. It's not everyday, in this fast-paced world of ours, when you take the time out to sit down and learn about the strangers who come and go. I highly recommend this pleasurable read.

If you ever met Al Sullivan, the last thing you'd do is picture him as a dashing young soldier long ago at the height of the Vietnam war - much less baby sitting a bunch of freaky rockers outside his helicopter at a place called Woodstock. Yet, that's one of the duties he 'volunteered' for.

In his essay "By The Time I Got To Woodstock" Sullivan briefly notes his 1st visit to the upstate refuge - and his overwhelming fear of helicopters. It is one of the rare times in Everyday People that he uses "I". It's to be forgiven him because he immediately uses his modern day visit to Woodstock as a newspeg to compare that town with Secaucus - his current tour of duty.

Sullivan worked for me for a few months in 96-97, and though the months were few, the impact has been long-lasting. He covered the mundane meetings, sure, but there was always something else lurking behind the touseld hair and the distant stare. He had the ragtag Tandy laptop blinking on one desk, the company terminal blinking there, a notepad in front of him - all while he was on the phone talking to another source. Sullivan was always on the go, always three steps ahead of the sunshine, so to speak. It is a pleasure to read him again.

It was there, in those other stories that Al set himself apart. If he workd for me now, he'd be a 'special writer' - that's someone who does his beat, and also turns in outstanding stories from left field, Clark's Pond, the emergency room and just about anywhere else fate takes him.

"Down and Out in Hoboken" relays the chance meeting with a panhandler at St. Mary's Hospital. The panhandler - whose name Sullivan never learns - says "People give me money to make me go away..." And in just a couple hundred words, you learn an awful lot about the panhandler - and the skill of Sullivan's perception of people. That's what makes Everyday People in its gritty realism a pure reading pleasure.

Perhaps the editors of Everyday People could have selected a few longer profiles, but as Sullivan notes in his Preface, "the word count has always been my curse," and I'll vouch for his observation here, "as it is for all prolific journalists," and again I agree. While we await the next volume, dig in here, and meet some interesting everyday people.

Monique Gilmore you did an outstanding job using this story as an illustration to married couples who fall into the "burnout syndrome". To my reader commarades, if you are married with responsibilities of spouses, children, household chores and anything else that falls into the married life and at this moment, you feel the need to just run away from it all...This is an excellent book to read. Ms Gilmore uses her writing skills to demonstrate it defintely is not always greener on the other side. But it was necessary for both Ramona and Madrid to experience by on the job training and see it for themselves. Often times the words can not replace what you have to see, feel and experience for yourselves. In this story, Ramona finds out while visiting her family and old friends just how blessed she is to have a man like Madrid; also Madrid finds out first hand all the issues Ramona was telling him but just was not able to make him see it without him first experiencing it for himself. In the end it brought back understanding and romance back into this marriage also I feel it illustrated respect for each other. Thank you Monique for providing us with a story about the guts of marriage because mostly we get the stories that bring the couples together and it is refreshing that you gave us a story that gets to the heart of marriage and all the necessary tools to keep it together.

Not only is Monique Gilmore's The Grass Ain't Greener a must read for regular fans of romance novels, but the book will also prove to be valuable for those men and women who 'wouldn't be caught dead' reading 'those kinds of books.'

Ramona Shaw, the main character, is a married woman and former professional. After the birth of her son, Ramona elects to stay at home with her two children but after four years of working in the home, she is fed up with being taken for granted by the other family members. It is also not easy for Ramona to juggle graduate school coursework, household chores, raising two children, in addition to all the other stresses in her life, and Ramona realizes that she is TIRED!

Although she dearly loves her husband, handsome businessman Madrid Shaw, escalating tensions between the two prompt Ramona to take a week-long retreat from her New Jersey home for some "rest and relaxation" at her sister's house in Detroit. And in that week, Ramona goes through a series of profound and surprising experiences which lead to follow her heart back to where she belongs.

So, to sum up, Ms. Gilmore's story is definitely worth reading not once or twice but several times!

This book's strong points include a fast but evenly paced story line which brings up hard hitting issues pertinent to the Black/African-American community, and most importantly The Grass Ain't Greener shows the best of Black love and how important it is to keep working and communicating with one another-even after the honeymoon is over.

After reading it I've put it on a MRL (Must Read List). It was really Great !!!!! As I 've said in some of my other posts the Grass Ain't Greener It just the angle from which you see it !!!!

that a person like Mr. Hiscano is out there documenting the last few wild places in New Jersey. He's a modern day Thoreau using the lens instead of pen and paper to capture something more than just pretty images. Instead of producing just another coffee-table paperweight, Mr. Hiscano's startling photographs display the few remaining natural treasures of this State and seem to ask the viewer what have you or what will you do to help preserve and protect these sites for future generations.

Amazing photographs wrapped with interesting narrative. Dwight Hiscano's passion for the Garden State and the great outdoors is evident in New Jersey, The Natural State. The book, in my opinion, ranks at the top for "coffee table"-types for a few reasons: fellow New Jerseyans will enjoy the memories these photographs renew...Summers down the shore, Autumn hikes through birch forests, backpacking the Highlands; those who appreciate the art of photography will find that the images deliver a powerful emotional punch considering the bad rap that NJ endures; lastly, the reader learns about the geography and natural habitat of the Garden State through Mr. Hiscano's interesting and frank narrative. You will not put it down!

I am lucky to know Dwight Hiscano personaly for more than 10 years. He is the fine man and exceptional photographer. Everybody who comes to my house and sees Dwight's prints on my walls is asking "Where did you get those images?". Being a professional graphic designer myself I know great photography when I see it. Dwight Hiscano is definitely one of the best nature photographers of our days. If you appreciate nature and interested in photography it's the book to have.

I loved this book from beginning to end. Looking at the drawings of children that Karen Carrino did, it was evident that she captured their true spirit and essence. I have no doubt that if she were alive today she would be a well known artist. It is amazing that such a young person could have produced this amazing body of work in such a short time.

Thank you for sharing Karen with us. Her artwork and life touches one deeply. Her connection to children and the beauty within them is apparent in her wonderful drawings and paintings. The book is well written and the story touches the heart.

I find this book to be a truly amazing and tragic short life story of a young artist who brings out the innocence of the children and people she drew. It would have been a true honor to know this young woman and to know how she saw people, especially the values she saw in children and how she captured their true beauty! This is a great book for all ages! One of the best books I've read in a long time!

Quinn, who grew up in one of the small suburban towns that dot the meadowlands, really captures the essense of this wilderness in the middle of the megalopolis. I never knew about how many people used (and still use) the meadowlands for hunting, trapping, fishing, etc.

While other authors deal with the cultural significance of something like the meadowlands, Quinn takes the position of a passionate naturalist and friend of the meadowlands, describing in detail wildlife, regional ecology and geology, history of the area and the many pressures the meadows face today.

A must if you're a fan of urban ecology, New Jersey, or just well-written nonfiction.

To all caring and compassionate environmentalists out there, Fields of Sun and Grass, the latest offering by gifted naturalist, writer, and artist John R. Quinn, is a glorious cry of victory via a remarkable portrayal of some of the most durable and stubbornly determined survivors in the faunal and floral kindgdom.

The setting is the New Jersey Meadowlands, a wild and reedy tract located a mere six miles west of New York's Times Square. It is considered by many as nothing more than a "toxic wasteland," but is in fact home to a dazzling array of often overlooked plants and animals. While there is little doubt that many of the life forms that once thrived here are long gone, many others remain, and these are the primary focus of this book. Many, many species are discussed; far too many to list here. Suffice it to say Quinn leaves no stones unturned.

The book has three central parts, respectively called "Yesterday," "Today," and "Tomorrow." Each covers a different time period in the ecological life of the Meadowlands. There also is an "Introduction," a "Starting Point," an "Epilogue," a bibliography, an index, and an interesting sort of "hands-on" chapter called "Exploring the Meadowlands." This will be of particular interest to anyone who lives within traveling distance of the region. It gives helpful and experienced advice on enjoyed the Meadowlands firsthand through boating, fishing, hiking, and the visiting of local parks.

Quinn's text is thorough, complete, and offered in a beautifully poetic yet pragmatic prose, making the read that much more pleasant and inviting. A memorable example can be found right at the beginning of the introduction-"Six miles-and ten thousand years-to the west of Manhattan's Times Square lies one of the grandest environmental paradoxes on Earth. Here, beneath a sun often obscured by smoky industrial exhalations, a river of many bends makes its way to the sea." It is peppered throughout with the occasional personal anecdote, like the touching retelling of an experience an eight-year-old Quinn had with his beloved grandfather in the summer of 1946 called "Grandpa and the Red Herring" (page 36). The paperback version is 348 pages in length, and much to Quinn's credit, a great deal of it is made up of his thoughtful and well-researched text.

The author's artwork is perhaps the aspect of the book that most effectively haunts you. It is simple black-and-white ink sketches, but there is an emotional complexity to each that is hard to describe, yet easy to appreciate. Quinn's clever focus on the wildlife while making sure to almost always include some image from man's industrial intervention does a marvelous job of hammering the book's point home. A glaring example of this can be found on pages 124 and 125, where we see a lone kestrel perched on the peak of a weed, while in the background looms the vague but unmistakable figure of a pair of tractors and a group of hard-hatted workers. Somehow the lack of colorization adds to the feeling of both positive and negative, of humankind's destructiveness (both intentional and inadvertent), and of the wildlife's determination to go on.

John Quinn is no stranger to the region, having been born and raised in the Village of Ridgefield Park, which rests on the Meadowland's northern edge. According to the author bio, he has published ten other books on nature and science. A potential reader can be comforted and assured by the fact that Quinn's experience and sincerity are deeply invested into every word and every drawing. In this age of the slipshod, assembly-line product, here we find an honest and lovingly crafted work by a man who genuinely cares about what he's doing.

As a proud and concerned naturalist myself, I strongly urge you to pick up a copy of Fields of Sun and Grass.

The first time I met John R. Quinn was a few years ago he was deeply involved in the gathering of stories that make up the Soul of the New Jersey meadows. His journalistic background was in control and he wanted to present as complete a picture as possible regarding the current controversey surrounding the future of the Meadowlands. At the time I was assisting the New Jersey Audubon Society by providing boat rides to conduct a migratory bird habitat inventory of the Meadowlands( published by NJAS and available to the public). We invited John to join us for a day on the River and he honored all of us by chronicling the trip in Fields of Sun and Grass. Now I can relive the personal experiences of that glorius day any time I want thanks to Johns eye for detail and his skill at turning a day of field research into a story about our adventure in the Urban Wilderness. Putting controveresy and advocacy aside I recommend this book to teachers througout the Hackensack River Watershed Everytime I take their students out on the Boat or go in to their classrooms to "talk to the children". As Riverkeeper I am contacted frequently by people who are requesting information about the Meadowlands thanks to John I have a ready reference and I have learned a lot about the estuary of the Hackensack that allows me to be a more effective advocate and a better Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc.

Jane Stuart is busy planning her sons birthday party, when the body of a young woman is found hanging from a tree. Dead. By a group of kids playing an innocent game of scavenger hunt. Immediatley everyone turns to Jane, Shady Hills, New Jersey's very own private detective. As a recent story in "People" stated. Much to Jane's chagrin. Before she knows it, another murder takes place. This time editor Holly Griffin is murdered. But not before she can sign Jane up to be the pop star Goddess' literary agent. Before Jane knows it, she's in over her head. What with murder, kidnapping, book parties, weddings, funerals, and cheating. Who would have ever thought that a small town like Shady Hills could be so full of mystery?

I found this book enjoyable and fun, yet lacking in the mystery department. "Hanging Hannah" is more of a book that deals with relationships. Whether it's between Jane and her son, Jane and her boyfriend, Jane and her co-worker, etc. Still, it's a nice cozy read when you've got nothing to do.

This second contribution by this wonderful author outshines the first, if that is possible. I read the entire book in one night because it was so wonderfully written and suspenseful that I could not stop. Needless to say, I was very tired the next day but it was completely worth it. Anyone who enjoys mystery books (I like the Kay Scarpetta series and the Stephanie Plum series) should definitely check out this talented writer. I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this excellent series.

HANGING HANNAH is the second mystery in this enjoyable series. Our sleuth is Jane Stuart. She is a sensitive widow and mother of one. She is also a literary agent, which adds some interesting elements to the story for those who love to learn more about the book business. Winky is her cat. She helps Jane to solve mysteries in the most unusual ways.

During a birthday party Jane is throwing for her son, there is a gruesome discovery. When the mystery begins, everyone reminds Jane that she is the new Miss Marple and expects her to get involved. One of the perks for getting involved is meeting a handsome returning detective. Jane juggles her job as parent, friend, agent and sleuth with more grace than she realizes. She is a strong, nonsense character surrounded by other well developed and yet to be developed secondary characters.

I enjoyed this cozy so much I plan to follow the series in the future. Besides some terrific series characters, the mystery itself was fascinating. It blended in with Jane and other characters lives without loosing ground. It took a turn or two that I wasn't expecting and the ending was a remarkable surprise.

Very good reference book. We pick a trail then plan a long morning ride in advance. I was not aware of so many places to ride within a reasonable driving distance.

I ordered this book on a whim (I don't know him but the author is from my hometown). Very nicley done, accurate on trail ratings. Maps give a good direction of where to go on road as well as on trail. You may need a road map for more direction. Trail maps give a pretty good idea of what's available and/or direction to start off. Not as accurate as running into some locals but how can u beat that! I've been to approximately 6 or 7 parks mentioned . Recently I rode six mile run. Great find. Most of my riding buds never heard of it. (A nice thing about this book. There's trails that aren't in some of the other mtn biking books). Many little loops off of the 2 trails mentioned. Moderate terrain true to form w/ lots of technical, if you want it. Several switchback crossings over water. Better to ride on a warm day. You will get wet! Oh well you know what they say "Dirt is good!"

Christopher Mac Kinnon's Mountain Biking In New Jersey is an effectively quick reference guide showcasing thirty-seven off-road mountain bike rides specific to New Jersey, a state of surprising contrasts and excellent outdoor recreational resources. Each ride is accompanied by a clearly written and descriptive text enhanced with a detailed map. These mountain bike rides are uniquely designed for easy use by the off-road cyclist, with each map containing all the pertinent information required to enjoy the excursion. Map pages can also be removed from the book and carried alone for easy and on-to-spot reference. Whether you are a novice mountain biker or an experience off-road cyclist looking for great New Jersey rides, plan for your trip by browsing through Christopher Mac Kinnon's Mountain Biking In New Jersey!

Overall a very good reference.

However, I was amazed that the Butterfly Bush: Buddleia was not included. This does very well in my area. Perhaps the omission was due to space available in book.

... Several times I have wondered about a specific plant and found exactly the answer I was looking for in this book.
It has roses, shrubs bulbs trees vines grass and ground covers. It even had Beach Plum.
It doesnt seem to cover any vegetables. For vegetables my favorite book is Rodales Garden Answers. Just vegetables in depth yet easy and enjoyable to read.

I bought a used copy from Amazon.[com.] Several times I have wondered about a specific plant and found exactly the answer I was looking for in this book.
It has roses, shrubs bulbs trees vines grass and ground covers. It even had Beach Plum.
It doesnt seem to cover any vegetables. For vegetables my favorite book is Rodales Garden Answers. Just vegetables in depth yet easy and enjoyable to read.

An excellent rendering in poetic form of a remarkable true story of survival. Penelope arrived on the shores of America in the 1640's to face an immediate, devastating loss of her husband due to a brutual attack by Indians. Left half-scalped and severely injured on the beach of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Penelope somehow survives the attack, and after seven days is rescued by Indians and nursed back to health. I personally owe deep gratitude to Machk, the Lenape Indian who used his Native remedies and skills to heal Penelope, and to Penelope herself, for the inner-strength she obviously displayed to get through such a trying time in her life. If she had not survived, I would not be here. Penelope Stout is my 9th great grandmother. I am proud to have her as my ancestor, a discovery I only recently made. The strong bond that developed between Machk and Penelope reaches down through many generations, and as a result, touches many of us who are descendants of this notable woman and her second husband, Richard Stout. The author, Penelope Scambly Schott has presented a poetic story of historical events, including the moving relationship of this one immigrant woman and one Native American man.

THE STORY WAS GREAT . ITS AMAZING SHE LIVED THRU ALL OF THAT . THE INDIAN THAT SAVED HER I UNDERSTAND USE TO COME VISIT HER . I'VE READ PLENTLY OF STORIES ON THIS WOMAN BUT , THIS ONE I THINK STANDS OUT THE MOST . I AM A DESCENDANT OF HER'S . SO IT HAS COME IN MOST HELPFULL WHILE I'M TRYING TO FIND INFORMATION ON THIS PART OF MY FAMILY. THANK YOU JENA WILSON

"Penelope, The Story of the Half-Scalped Woman" invokes 3 Penelopes. Penelope Schott, its author. Penelope of "The Odyssey", Ulysses' long abandoned and faithful wife, and the Penelope of this true story, an early American settler. Like The Odyssey's Penelope, her tale is told in poetry. Newlywed Penelope arrives from Holland, on the shores of New Jersey in 1640. Her husband is too ill to go further so they are left by their companions. Almost immediately they are set upon by Lenape Indians who kill her husband and leave Penelope half scalped and half dead. She is found by other Indians of the same tribe, where she has found shelter in a hollow tree. Healed and cared for by them, Penelope makes her life among them until she is "rescued" by white settlers with whom she can no longer fit in. Researched carefully from documents and family history, Penelope Stout's tale is one of bravery, both alone and in numbers. Written beautifully, it's a tale thrice told: about Ulysses' Penelope, Penelope Stout, and the story's author Penelope Schott, women whose awareness of life is the same despite the centuries.

Aspects of Phantom of the Pines are slightly cheesy, but ultimately, the Jersey Devil has to be my favorite mythical beast. The accounts of parents not allowing children to school for fear they'd be prey of the monster are as chilling as they are silly.
The JD has a long, rich history. You can say that sasquatch encounters go back to Native Americans, but the "wild man" hairy hominoid stuff is very Jungian. The Devil is its own beast.
This is a fun, worthwhile introduction to the terrifying creature. You don't need to be from Jersey to appreciate the Devil.

fascinating book - definately recommend it - especially to native New Jerseyians...

Where do i start! This book was head to toe in detail! I am a Very big researcher on the jersey devil and i would not read or buy any other book for info. I have read "The Jersey Devil" By James F. McCloy and Ray Miller Jr. That was also a really good Book! So anyways This was a great book and if you are really interested in the jersey devil i really suggest u read this one!