Dorothy's Stormy Lake describes the life of an Englishwoman and her husband and their young daughter in the remote Kootenay Bay of British Columbia. Dorothy's story goes well beyond mere descriptions of surviving in the wilderness to a picture of a young woman of wit and wisdom.

Dorothy's experiences illicit a wisdom which is timeless and universal. While an inquiring mind can discern many lessons from her writing, one of the most interesting to me was the notion of community-building. Toward the middle of the book we realize that Dorothy has successfully laid the foundation for her marriage and is preparing to lay the foundation for her young child. Through her activities, which she shares in her journal, we see how she is also building a strong foundation for the community of neighbors. Her attitude and activities in building relationships are as important and relevant today as they were in the remote wilderness in the 1930s. She lives and describes a universal truth about successful living. She writes, "We must live with the spirit of neighborliness uppermost...And it all begins at home."

Dorothy's words caused me to think and to reflect and to examine my own life. A good read, indeed.

The author, Joan Wooliver, is my aunt, by marriage. I had heard about the book, and, based on what I had heard, I wanted to read it, to perhaps learn more about my aunt and the environment in which she was raised. I was not disappointed. "Dorothy's Stormy Lake" is the story of a near modern-day pio-neering family, set in Canada's British Columbia province in the early 1930s. Dorothy, a world traveler and teacher, living comfortably in San Francisco, gives it all up to live in a beautiful, but demanding, environment. Without electricity, candles supply light. Without natural gas or oil, wood supplies heat. Water comes from carrying buckets filled at the lake (Lake Kootenay). Roads do not exist; travel to buy supplies or visit friends is by boat to another part of the lake. This is life lived close to the earth. Yet, throughout the book, the hardship of living "off the grid" is downplayed, and the joy of life is celebrated. Dorothy learns to preserve meats, fruits, and vegetables. As time progresses, power is derived from flowing water in a creek, and water from the creek is pumped to the house. The time frame is during the Depression, yet, there is little reference to this economic debacle, other than an occasional mention of the public works for married men (10 days a month) to build a road into the region. For the most part, people get by; they raise fruits and vegetables, some raise chickens (for eggs to eat, and sell), some raise cattle (for milk to drink, and to slaughter). Through it all, Dorothy is mostly optimistic, describing everyday life in her letters. While one might think that a description of "everyday life" would be mundane, this is far from the reality of this book. I found it difficult to lay the book down; reading Dorothy's narration of her experiences was compelling. And, yes, I gained a better sense of my aunt and the environment in which she was raised. I highly recommend this book for its description of present age pioneering and for its facile and powerful read.

Dorothy's Stormy Lake is a great read on several levels. First, it is a great read because it paints such a vivid picture of rural life in the 1930s. From its account of the endless work associated with obtaining, preparing, and preserving food, to its warm depiction of the simple joy of listening to a radio, this book puts the reader right in the heart of a pioneer family's life.

Second, it is a great read because of the author's delightful writing style. Did ordinary people really used to write that well?!

Finally, Dorothy's Stormy Lake is a great read because of Dorothy's unwaveringly positive outlook. What a joy it is to read an author who loves life so completely. Despite having started out in a life of privilege and refinement, Dorothy embraces the hardships of her new life with enthusiasm and a sense of both wonder and adventure. This book is a great reminder of the wisdom of the old saying "life is what you make of it." Most of us would be well served by following Dorothy's example of paying attention to life's small pleasures and looking for (and finding) the best in everyone and everything.

On the book jacket it states that Dorothy wrote in her journal for many more years and that Joan Wooliver will be publishing those papers at a later date. I certainly hope that she is busy with that project because I can't wait to rejoin Dorothy in her life on her stormy lake.

A great read!

This guide is a perfect directive to historical combat. I use this book to instruct members of the Edmonton chapter of Knights of the Wild Rose. The day the book arrived from Amazon we started working on the quarter staff routines. Unlike the historical fecthbuchs (fight books) of the middle ages English Martial Arts provides clear photos to show stances, blocks and strikes. A hearty mix of weapons are covered within these pages allowing anyone to perform medieval combat. Since we focus on authentic combat in historical armour this resource is a vital component in our repetoire.

This is a delightful book. The photos are excellent and very informative. The writing is solid and clear, giving both history and technique to the reader. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Terry Brown is able to convey a true appreiciation of the depth of Western martial arts with both his words and his images. Anyone who seriously wishes to learn about these skills should seek out this book and add it to their collection.

Terry Brown has created a masterpiece and the book is of a god like nature compared to others on the subject, he should be awarded for his work. I cant wait for a second publish when he tackles another part of western herritage which is that of English martial arts.

Ms. Donna Brown created a masterpiece on her very first try. Once you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down. Ms. Brown is an excellent writer and I can't wait for her next book...

Ms. Donna Brown has created a wonderful and exciting book on her very first try. You won't be able to put the book down. Ms. Brown is an excellent writer and I can't wait until her next book.

Chantal Lewis was forced in a world of molestation and sex at an early age. Through it all, she grew up and became a strong woman. The author, Donna M. Brown, is a very gifted writer. I have also read many of her poems. She has definitely been blessed with this magnificant talent for writing. I have recommended this novel to many friends and family members and I highly recommend it to you as well. Congratulations Donna on your very first novel and I'll be waiting for the next one.

This book might be the most widely read among Bloch¡¯s works who is the pioneer of Annal school. This book typifies the methodology of Annal school. History as a science took off in the 19th century. But Bloch argued that it was not history but just chronicles of events and political episodes. Bloch posed the fundamental questions: ¡®What is the history?¡¯ and ¡®What does history serve for?¡¯ To be a science, the object of history should be not the particular but the universal. Bloch did not think the universal law is possible in history. Then, the object of historical research should be the relation which may refer not to the law but to structure. This structure sets the boundary (or in Braudel¡¯s word, the possible and the impossible) on the everyday life, and has the not-so-easily changeable long-term duration (or in Braudel¡¯s term, longue duree). Whereas Braudel¡¯s trilogy, ¡®Civilization and Capitalism¡¯ is about the capitalism as longue duree (for more detail, see my reviews on those volumes), Bloch¡¯s ¡®Feudal Society¡¯ is about the feudalism as longue duree.
Marxists and others maintained the feudalism originated from the sudden and violent collision between Roman society and German society. It¡¯s the child born from the violent and coercive marriage. But Bloch argues that resulting form of feudalism had its origin not directly in German invasion but in subsequent invasions of the Moslem, the Norman, and the Hungarian. These added up to the uncontrollable chaos all over Western Europe, and ended in the collapse of effective ruling of the state. Feudal system as we know emerged in this stalemate which Frank empire and other states of the time faced. State apparatus could not be maintained for state could not pay bureaucrats salary. Frank empire pioneered the alternative system which was later known as feudalism. What characterizes feudalism is the unique social type based on the principle of subordination and custody. The principle is similar to the patron/client relationship of Roman age. But feudal one is based on the principle of contract which is premised on reciprocity. Put another way, feudalism is the network of reciprocal relationship of rights and responsibility from king to serf. Ruling class could not wield power over serf in unilateral way. In this vein, feudal system is both social (between classes) and political (among ruling class) relationships. Bloch maintained this relationship should be called as feudalism. It¡¯s a social type which is not limited to the economic terrain as Marxists argued.

Bloch's work is one of the ten most important and influential books on medieval Europe. Bloch displays true excellence in sholarship and narration. Nothing is stated without factual documentation to support it, and no information is carried beyond its logical conclusions. It is essential to read this two volume work before moving too deeply into medieval studies. Combine this work with Strayer's Feudalism (out of print, unfortunately) and you will have a good understanding of what society was like in a good portion of the Middle Ages.

Marc Bloch's Feudal Society is the most informative and by far the best documented treatise one is likely to encounter among all the books and articles ever written on this subject. Bloch cogently remarked, in effect, that a land without a Lord is a land without a history, and that of course is a land without records - records which document and address not only the daily issues and encounters of classes in feudal society, but which also inform readers of the critical changes over time, in the passing of the first and second feudal age and its dissolution in the rise of capitalist social formations. Hardly a line was written without ample documentation. It is a wonderful companion to Carl Stephenson's slender volume, Mediaeval Feudalism, on feudal social and political institutions.

What an awesome book! Straight from Browns own experiences and stories while digging deep into the Truth. I have not read a book so convicting and genuine. This is a must read for all Gods people in todays world, where compromise is the norm. It has help unveil the eyes of my heart to Gods Word, and straightens out all the decieving lies we believe as we try to be set apart in a culture that has given itself up to lust, greed, abuse, drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc. Jesus is coming soon and this book will help prepare you until He comes again.(but His Word should always be the First book we read)God Bless!

Go and Sin no more is without a doubt a awesome, dynamic book! Perfect for anyone who satan has been messing around with you and you'd like to see freedom. Freedom that can only be gained in Christ. This book gives a call of holiness to the church, and is very well one of the best books I've read this year.

This book should be read and re-read by every professing Christian. Every serious student of the Bible should be required to read this book. It is truly a life changing and challenging piece of work.

I am six years old and I love Goodnight Moon - it's my favoritebook! My cousin's birthday is soon and he's turning one - I'm gettinghim this! I think this book is good for anybody who loves MargaretWise Brown's books. The bunny is cute and I have the doll that goes with the book. So enjoy Goodnight Moon if you ever buy this book. Your kids will enjoy it!

We don't have fights over bedtime in our house. I credit our routine, of which "Good Night Moon" is a big part. This has been the last book my two-year-old daughter and I have read every night for the last 18 months. The end of this book, "Good night noises everywhere", means it's time to go to bed and it works every time.

The wonderful illustrations allow us plenty of time to point out and name things in the room. And, as the room gets progressively darker, don't be too surprised if your eyelids get heavy along with your child's!

Our highest recommendation!

My daughter, Jessica, is now almost 12 years old. But, when she was just the first sparkle in my eye we were given this book. Her very first. Even then, she would have me read it to her over and over again, all the while she was finding the hidden mouse. I believe for sentimental reasons, it is still her most favorite book. Only now, she enjoys reading to me (and I find the mouse).

This is a great book for math haters or math lovers. There are lots of interesting facts, games, and riddles, whether you think you are great or think you are terrible at math. If you hate math, this book can change your life. We have a copy of this book at home, and I've purchased this book to give to some of my children's friends and some home-schooling parents I know. I think giving this book to anyone who is afraid of math, whatever their age, is a great idea. I also highly recommend "Math for Smarty Pants", also by Marilyn Burns.

This book make you to love math, to know how to see the nice things in it. If you want your kid to love math, (or at least not to hate it...) you owe him this book.

Lots of fun things any kid (or grownups) who might or might not hate math, but has a openable mind. All three of our kids have enjoyed things from this book, and I've used some of the activities with 9th graders. Highly recommended.

I bought this book for my son and he absolutely loves it. I bought the paperback version, which he is a little young for. But he carries it with him and loves it when we read it to him. It is a big hit.

The best series I have found for very early readers. The pictures match the text, the sentences are very short, and the words are words children use everyday. I highly recommend this book and others in this series for any early readers out there.

As with every Margaret Wise Brown book I have ever seen; (I own 13 titles now); VERY Kid-friendly. My daughter likes bugs too and is just learning to read. Most pages in this story have 2 - 3 words. Perfect for the early reader!

At last a golf instruction book that's entertaining and speaks plainly. The contributing words of wisdom from loads of high and low handicappers are straight to the point and easy to understand with lots of humor mixed in. I thoroughly enjoyed it and passed it on to my brothers and golfing buddies.

The two authors would apparently rather be on the course than back home reading -- this book is succinct and filled with practical, go-do-it advice. So you can pick it up, read a chapter at random, and try it out. Throw this one in your car, then stuff it in your bag and give their ideas a shot. I know Brown's work from his earlier books on tennis -- more my game -- and Sarbin has apparently seen every green there is. Not a bad buy from two veterans. It seems to have been priced as a gift book, but I'd get two and keep one for yourself.

I have read a lot of golf books and magazines over the years and A Different Game brought it all together for me in one short read. As a senior golfer whose old bones aren't what they used to be, I feel like I got a leg up on the mental side of the game. Great plane read for your next golf trip...

Well written, containing all the neccessary information and forms, this book is an invaluable resource for those individuals who are interested in legally changing their name in California.

Pro's and con's are examined about Court Ordered Name Changes and Common Usage methodologies. Well thought out and written in a very readable and comprehensive style...this book answers almost any question you may have regarding the implications of changing you name.

Highly recommended....by far, the best book I have seen on the market around this issue.

This book packs a wallup!
It was complete, concise, and easy to follow.
I definately could not of made the change without the help of this book.
I do not recommend trying to change your name without this - it walks you through from A to Z, not missing a beat.

Excellent book.

clear, concise...a pleasure. made my name change easy. thanks nolo!