Burning the Sea is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. The novel drifts back and forth between the internal worlds of two intricately interconnected and riveting characters; determined by and reconciling pasts of sexual, racial and cultural repression. In allowing the reader seamlessly into their minds and logic Sarah Strong gives powerful evidence to larger conditions of world trade, colonialism and globalization and the intricate locus' of power that are prescribed, inherited, navigated, and ultimately internalized in a breadth of personal formations.

Sarah Strong knows how to write from voices whose believability is articulated through her ability to reveal their pain, blind spots, vulnerabilities, and hidden strengths by guiding us into their very human thoughts. This is a wise and perceptive novel, a mystery about two awakening minds and one of the most engaging and intimate books I've ever read...Burning the Sea is the kind of book where I realize how generous the author's act of writing truly is.

What a great book! I savored every moment of it. Beautifully written, strong characterization, rich with history and cultural and political ideas and information, and at the bottom of it all, a really good story.

Burning the Sea awakens and enlivens the emotions! It is full of suspense, love and pain. SPS has done a fantastic job in capturing the readers hearts with her complex characters. I have not been able to put this book down since the minute I started it.

"Compelled To Appear In Print, The Vicksburg Manuscript of General John C. Pemberton" was a work-in-progress for the past 137 years. David M. Smith brings it to the light of day with the justice it deserves. His views and those of Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, National Park Service will secure this work among the finest written on the Confederacy for years to come. Let's hear more from him!

This book is built on a newly-discovered, never published manuscript by Confederate General John Pemberton, commander at Vicksburg when it surrendered to Grant. The manuscript itself is substantial...85 pages in this book's format. To position the manuscript, Dave Smith has written an excellent summary of the Vicksburg Campaign. Further, he adds a chapter on the conflicts and issues in the relationships among Pemberton, General Joseph Johnston (Pemberton's superior), and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. After the manuscript, he adds a chapter on his conclusions from his study of the Pemberton manuscript.

Pemberton wrote the document in the late 1870's before his death in 1881, to respond to Johnston's autobiographical NARRATIVE OF MILITARY OPERATIONS. Even after 120 years, the anger and hurt comes through. Johnston had essentially placed the blame for the loss of Vicksburg on Pemberton, citing his incompetence and disobedience of orders. Pemberton takes each of Johnston's eight charges, and argues his side of the case. Smith has made this more understandable for the reader by inserting (in easily distinguishable font and italics) the specific exerpts from the Johnston book to which Pemberton was referring; many of Pemberton's points would have been lost to me without those insertions.

Another specific contribution which Smith made to the manuscript itself was his description of a visit by Davis and Johnston to Pemberton and Vicksburg in December, 1862 (before the Vicksburg Campaign would escalate in the spring and culminate on July 4th). Given the fact that Davis, Johnston, and Pemberton seemed only a few weeks later to have no agreement or common thinking on their strategy, one wonders what they talked about during their several days together. Certainly, they MUST have talked about whether Vicksburg must be held at all costs....but in the spring, Johnston seemed to think not while Davis and Pemberton certainly thought it must. Perhaps they never considered what to do in a siege....but, if not, what were they really expecting Grant to do? He certainly had given no indication of giving up easily! This lost opportunity for strategic alignment echoes through the Pemberton manuscript, as I read it.

For me, Pemberton presents his case in a compelling, convincing, and interesting manner. To my (amateur) reading, he does not often imply that he knew in 1863 everything that he would know when writing in the late 1870's. However, on one occasion, he did allow himself to refer to Johnston as "the great master of retreat", taking advantage of the reputation Johnston would get during his portion of the Atlanta Campaign in 1864.

Johnston does not come out of this book in very good shape. In fact, the picture of Johnston is very reminiscent of that in Jeffrey Lash's DESTROYER OF THE IRON HORSE. In fact, one of Lash's primary examples of Johnston's misuse of the railroads occurred during the Vicksburg Campaign, when he lost of large quantity of Confederate rolling stock and engines by waiting too long to order their movement to safer locations. Smith summarizes Johnston's failure to take any action to relieve Pemberton in Vicksburg by saying that he "either had no intention of acting or was incapable of mustering the courage and energy to face the situation". Personally, it seems to me to have been the latter. The puzzling, frustrating impact of Johnston's inertia comes through clearly in the Pemberton manuscript.

This is an excellent book, very readable and quite interesting. Smith's background chapter will assist the reader who is not familiar with the Vicksburg Campaign to understand it well enough to follow Pemberton's discussion. That understanding is aided by several simple, clear, excellent maps. One does not need to be a military history scholar to appreciate this book. However, as Ed Bearss' introduction makes clear, even the elite class of military history scholars will likely also find this book worth their while.

Gayle Pemberton is, simply, BRILLIANT. This collection of essays from an important intellectual spoke to the core of my triumphant being. I love the angst and the jubilation that peppered her road to self-actualization; I love the matter-of-fact way in which she deals with everyday racism and ignorance; her essay on "triple consciousness" is breathtaking. It is a must read; more than that: it is a must read again, and again, and AGAIN AND AGAIN. . .

This book is terrific! A moving, funny, insightful, challenging memoir of growing up black, female,and brainy in the 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond. The title essay, in which Pemberton's father integrates a fleabag hotel, is unforgettable. I also loved "Antidisestablishmentarianism," about watching the Mousketeers on TV as a young girl, under the eye of a truly amazing grandmother. Pemberton was included in Philip Lopate's anthology, "The Art of the Personal Essay"-- with good reason. She's outstanding.

As many mystery writers, S.C. Pemberton gained her writing skills in other areas: as a playwright and copywriter, as well as broadcasting. She has also been an actress, which gives her the background for this unusual mystery. Ms. Pemberton is a University of Florida alumni and a native Floridian who made her way to the Midwest.

Jonathan and Meridith Chamberlain, at first look, have it all. Jonathan is the son of an influential congressman, and Meridith is an heiress. They live in the most affluent section of Chicago's North Shore, Winnetka. But having it all is not enough. Their marriage is failing; Jonathan is in financial trouble; and then the police find the body of Tony Romano in their home. Their children never made it to school that day; every parent's nightmare:

"Chelsea was wary and stood silent. The woman continued in a gentle voice, 'I work with your mother at the North Lake Community House. She's already called the school, and they know you're going with me. My name is Laura.' The woman held out her hand. Chelsea wasn't sure. Something told her to go to the office and see if her mother had really called. She was remembering all the warnings from mom and her teachers. She back off. A hired guard sat, not ten feet away. His presence was the result of the shootings at the school in May of 1987. Another mother was coaxing him to take a forgotten lunch bag to a classroom, and he was busy explaining he could not leave his post."

Pemberton uses her technical expertise in broadcasting and the theater to set the stage for this romantic and captivating mystery. The character of Meri Chamberlain is as likable as her husband Jonathan is despicable. A theme of unbridled power and ambition juxtaposed by the character of an unlikely mob boss makes for powerful reading material. Even as Meri is swept off of her feet by the handsome Tony Romano, evil is lurking in the wings, waiting to take the life of her children in exchange for political favors.

Murder In Winnetka weaves a world of power and greed that thrill and entertains the reader.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

A friend recommended 'Murder in Winnetka' to me and since I usually read non-fiction I was reluctant to pick it up. When I did, I couldn't put it down! The intriguing plot twists and turns through Chicago's North Shore and the fascinating lives of its wealthy residents as it races to a shocking, shattering conclusion. The fictional characters are as real as the actual Chicago locations that serve as their backdrop. There is something for everyone in the steamy romance, mysterious murder, political intrigue and suspensful kidnapping all intertwined in this compelling first novel. I can't wait to read S.C. Pemberton's next book!

I loved reading Regarding Rita. Nate and Rita are memorable characters, and I couldn't wait to see what the town folk of Hooperville would cook up next to get these two star-crossed lovers together. Miss Pemberton is an excellent writer with a very witty style that keeps you in stitches from the first page to the last. She also has a very good feel for what small town life is like. I felt right at home.

Regarding Rita is Ms. Pemberton's second Love and Laughter romance, but it is so smooth and well written and genuinely funny that you might think its her 100th. Have you ever had a parent or friend constantly sticking her nose into your business? Well, in Regarding Rita, the entire town sticks their noses into Nate and Rita's business. They're determined to foist a romance upon Nate and Rita that neither of them want. . .at first. The townfolk create a riotous series of mishaps to bring these two together in a funny, poignant story that kept me reading from beginning to end.

This book was too much fun to read. I read it in one sitting. I laughed so hard I cried. Wanda is a true 90's woman. You cannot miss with this book.

Wooing Wanda is about a couple--Wanda and John--whose marriage is about to fall apart. John has become closer to his work than to Wanda and Wanda is determined to set him straight. Wanda concocts a series of schemes that had me laughing out loud, to show John what they had in the past, in the present, and what would happen if he didn't sit up and take notice. Delightful, funny, and fast-paced, Ms. Pemberton has crafted a very tender love story in Wooing Wanda. Don't miss this one. It's a keeper.

Inspiring true story of the bravest little horse in the history of British steeplechasing. The story is a cross between "Black Beauty" and "Sea Biscuit." Suitable for children 6 - 12 years of age, illustrated with both photos and line drawings.

This book was awesome!! Exspecially if you like Mummies. I thought this book was interesting because I was always fond of Egypt.

The Golem, although creatively written, was a disappointment in one area inparticular. The book kept me reading, enticing me with suspense and interesting characters but the ending was dismal. It destroyed the plot that seemed so neatly put together. I felt completely let down by the main character in the end, as I was expecting something entirely different. The Golem, although built well as a novel needs a better ending, one that would become the icing on the cake, so to speak instead of detracting from an otherwise imaginative creation.

I have recently finished reading The Golem and I must say I am very impressed with it. It took me three starts to finally read the novel, it became difficult because of it's dream like atmosfere, it's symbolism and the amount of 'information' that leaves to the interpretation of the reader. It seames to be a novel with many levels of reading, from the most superficial to more profound, where the symbols seam to point to. I found reading it not easy but very rewarding and the novel in itself unique, with an atmosphere unlike any other I have read. I truly recomend it, although it can be difficult at first.

Taking the legend of the Golem, the artificial man who was created by the use of the Kaballah magic power, a legend from the times of rabbi Low, contemporary of the emperor of Germany Rudolph II, Meyrink goes beyong this legend to envelope the reader in a complex atmosphere, the atmosphere of the Jewish quarter of Prague, sinister, sombre, gloomy, just like Kafka's novels. The novel, like all Meyrink's novels, is expressionist to the bottom, the characters are distorted, weird, sinister, or else with a sense of unreality about them, although some of them, like Charoussek the student, Hillel and his daughter Miriam, deeply moving.
As every novel by Meyrink, "The Golem" is very complex and has difficult concealed meanings, full of symbols which are related to the unconscious. It isn't by chance that Meyrink's novels found the enthusiasm of Jung. The novel, thus, can be seen as a wandering through the mind of the main character, Athanasius Pernath, a particular "saison en enfer" descending to the labyrinth of Pernath's unconscious.
However, the novel can also be interpreted from an esoterical point of view, the ancient Eastern doctrine of the Upanishads, the reincarnation, the nature of soul, life and suffering.
It also presents the theme of the "double", a recurrent theme in Literature like, for instance, in Edgar A. Poe's "William Wilson".
What is crucial is that none of Gustav Meyrink's novels can be interpreted literally, because their meanings are hidden, more concerning myth than plain reality. I don't think that "The Golem" should be seen just as a horror or a mystery novel, because it is profoundly esoterical, mystic and onirical. Its meanings are only to be found in the kind of meanings that dreams provide.

..The line drawings are not the best...but it is a nice way to read and sign with your child, even children under the age of 2. Giving children, even babies, the means to communicate thoughts, ideas, or wants is such a gift, why hold them back because WE think we know what they can and cannot do. The reality is, when it comes to language learning, children have the upper hand on us adults. That said, I do feel the book is small, but the drawings are actually larger than some of the ones in Slier's books, which also have signs. Both author's books require that you do a little "deciphering" of the pictures, but these are still some of the only books that have the sign pictures right in there. Happy reading!

This has lovely pictures and drawings of signs, but they are British Sign Language signs, not American Sign Language Signs! This book and the others by this author, are published in Great Britian. I wondered why so many of the signs were "wrong" until I discovered the books origin!

Contrary to the widespread myth, sign languages are not universal. If you are looking to learn and use the sign language that is used in the United States, these aren't the books for you.....

Each night this book gets read. We were told that our 2 year old is profoundly deaf when he was 4 weeks. Although this was completely WRONG, he isn't even hearing impaired, he does have a speech disability, so we have used sign with him since he was an infant. Our 4 year old loves to sit down with "his baby" and go through the signs and pictures. It is a sturdy book and presents words that kids can relate to. Great pictures and sign illustrations.