* Kraybill, Donald B. and Steven M. Nolt. 1995. _Amish Enterprise; From Plows to Profits_. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. Pp. xiv + 300. Notes, photographs, references. ISBN: 0-8018-5063-0 (pbk).

Kraybill and Nolt present a history and analysis of Amish businesses in the 1980s and early 1990s. These authors tell how hundreds of Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, engaged in an unprecedented economic adaptation after hundreds of years during which their devotion to family farming as the economic center of life did not change. The new adaptation was a remarkable fluorescence of entrepreneurial activity in which Lancaster Amish created enterprises catering to Amish and non-Amish market needs. These enterprises operate within the strictures of Amish thinking about how people should exist in the world, and this is the central question the authors explore. The contents are broad and include a profile of Amish businesses in chapter three, technology in chapter eight, and marketing and networking in chapter nine. Other chapters cover labor issues, business morality, Amish businesses and the law, and relations with the state.

What is surprising about Amish enterprise is that it exists. To explain this, both in its vigor and in the ways business owners refrain from fully adopting present-day business plans and procedures, the authors use a culture-centered model. They describe how the Amish interpret their beliefs in negotiating the new behaviors and statuses businesses require (pp. 16-19). From one perspective, the process described in this book is a prime example of conscious, selective acculturation.

Negotiation and tension between adopted business behaviors and _Gelassenheit_, a core value informing normative behavior, is highlighted throughout. Gelassenheit asks Amish to be patient and yielding, to submit to the community and to avoid individuation and excess. Gelassenheit asks Amish to be plain and not fancy (pp. 13-16). Business success threatens Gelassenheit. Success creates wealth differentials greater than ones in the farm-based economy. Success affects gender roles because women entrepreneurs own and operate their own enterprises. Success can mean that children receive less attention as business demands increase. Success increases the visibility and importance of business people in district churches, and has fundamental implications for the status of less wealthy but culturally more highly valued farmers.

Kraybill and Nolt do not strive for theoretical finesse but let a few well chosen concepts carry much of their argument about cultural negotiation and economic adaptation. Core values presented early surface throughout as they discuss the problems, solutions and limits of the business adaptation. Like another book that Kraybill edited, _Amish Enterprise_ "...shows no awareness of postmodern theory." (Reschly, 1997). But considering what readers the authors are apparently trying to reach, the anthropological analysis is as theoretical as it should be. That is, Kraybill and Nolt do a workmanly job explaining complex information within a framework of 1) economic behavior influenced by religious beliefs; 2) seemingly inflexible cultural norms that are malleable; and 3) ideas about the family, community and church that are specifically Amish.

The authors are academic experts on the Amish and base the book on a survey of Lancaster businesses, on intensive interviews profiling entrepreneurs and on ethnographic observation. Anthropologists, rural sociologists, microeconomists, church historians and economic development specialists will all find something interesting and insightful in it. _Amish Enterprise_ occupies the middle ground between the mass market and a thoroughly academic monograph; the contents are accessible to a wide range of readers who have a sincere interest in the Amish and their culture.

The text is well illustrated with photographs. The bibliography provides sources of further reading but it is somewhat dated. Comparative material on Amish economic adaptations elsewhere is missing and would add to the analysis. _Amish Enterprise_ is a clear, succinct and detailed discussion of a surprising change in Amish life.

Reference:

Reschly, Steven D. 1997. Review of Kraybill, D. and M. Olshan, eds. _The Amish Struggle With Modernity_. _Journal of Church and State_ 39(2):372. Spring 1997.

An intriguing collection of essays by those on the autistic spectrum(AS). The editor has deliberately resisted overediting of the essays so the AS style of thinking and wording comes through. The writers mostly focus on their college and young adult years and the problems with finding friends and employment. Life poses many difficulties, even for higher functioning AS people with college degrees. They have academic and job skills, but the social differences pose a significant barrier.

A relative of mine found this book helpful in giving insight to how some AS people perceive and encounter the world. This book might also be helpful to AS teenagers and young adults to help them realize a commonality of experience.

I am amazed by the explosion of books on Aspergers and autistic spectrum disorders. Until recently, there were only a few books available with the "inside" perspective of autism, such as by Temple Grandin. I welcome the contribution of others' perspectives.

Infrastructure comprises the essential networks that make sure that big cities and larger communities are able to function and are supplied with their essential needs. Telecommunications, the postal service, road, rail and air transport systems are all classed as infrastructure. Water is an essential good and water infrastructure - the above ground and under ground network of water distribution and wastewater collection systems of pipes, pumping stations, hydrants, storage facilities - ensures that consumers are connected to, and receive water from the public system and are able to discharge waste water for centralized treatment and disposal.

Such an important asset needs to be maintained in order to ensure that consumers at the end of the distribution system receive water of the highest quality and without egress of micro-organisms, contaminants and sundry deposits either for drinking , commercial or agricultural end-use. The network needs to be maintained free of breaks, internal corrosion and normal deterioration over time. But how to identify when, where, and the extent of infrastructure which is not performing well, needs replacement or has broken and corroded? How best can infrastructure be managed to guarantee minimum disruption and at minimal cost to all and with ann eye to the future?

Assessing the Future: Water Utility Infrastructure Management by David Hughes seeks to answer these questions and to do so with an eye on best practice future management. There are four main sections. The first deals with strategic approaches for corporate water utilities in US and Europe models and their differences. Life cycle analysis is now recognized as a central tool for proper asset valuation, maintenance and replacement costing. There is recognition of the essential role of computerized internal management systems to managing these large assets efficiently and effectively.

The second section of the book focuses on materials engineering from a practical standpoint. A series of different situations are examined on a case by case basis. Evaluating the infrastructure of a water treatment plant (Philadelphia), undertaking a plant improvement program, dealing with pipe failures are among those cited. Chapter 10 provides a toolkit for water main renewal planning with subsequent chapters dealing with condition assessment, pipeline replacement planning, and new technologies for optimizing management of pipe assets. Section three of the book looks at software for infrastructure management and the range of offerings available to best address particular situations. Section four covers issues such as trenchless technology, public involvement in asset management programs and financial modeling in preparing water infrastructure plans. - Reviewer - Australian Water Association

This book reminded me a great deal of "The Little Prince" by Antoine Saint-Exubery, the main difference being that the underlying philosophy here is Christian, as opposed to the Easternish philosophy of the former book. Like "The Little Prince", it speaks quietly and simply of things that are so true we tend to overlook or forget them. Unlike the mentioned book, this one brings in harsher elements, such as poverty and abuse -- and shows how the simple wisdom of a child can overcome them. MacDonald's imagination is wonderful, and some of the dreams and fairy tales in the book almost outshine the "real" story. I love the children who dig for stars. This is one I enjoyed because it is so different, so simple and beautiful, and one I look forward to sharing with my children, should I ever have any.

PS - My sister read an edited, abridged version of this book, one rewritten to make it easier for children, and it was awful. It skipped whole chapters and left out some of the very best parts. I think kids can handle this book, just the way it was written. Stay away from nasty abridgements that are really censorship in disguise!

Once a summer fishing retreat for the Leni Lenape Indians and often mistaken for its more famous and similiarly-named neighbor on Long Beach Island (Barnegat Light- home of 'Old Barney'), this South Jersey town is paid tribute to in "Barnegat: Life by the Bay".

Composed mainly of black and white photographs from the early 20th century, it includes a brief introduction chronicling some of Barnegat's rich history, from its first charting by Henry Hudson to its early Quaker tradition and the still-familiar names of some of the first settlers - Birdsall, Cranmer, Ridgeway and Collins.

Its interesting to see certain landmarks, from early pictures of the Barnegat Dock, Clayton's Log Cabin from '36 (only recently burnt down), the old firehouse on East Bay Ave, and Barnegat High School (now Elizabeth V. Edwards Elementary School). Neighboring towns are also shown (Manahawkin, Waretown and LBI).

Highly recommended.

This book is a brief over view of barns of rural Britain. It begins with chapters on the history of the barns and the agricultural revoloution. It discusses how they have fallen in and out of use and why they should be preserved as part of British social history. It does not fall into the study of architectual analysis but shows how vernacular architecture is different in different areas of Britain. It also gives many prime examples and where they may be found. The book is filled with many good quality black and white photos of the wide ranging barns from graneries to threshing and tithe barns. In a study area which has been little discussed in literature Hughes book gives a good basis for further study.

Book #5 of the series explores the personality of Gloria Gibbs, the star shortstop of the Scrappers. Gloria has a lot of talent however she always seems to be putting her foot in her mouth. Her "in your face" approach is grating on the coach and players. The team chemistry is quickly dissolving as Gloria's comments continue to upset almost all of the players and coaches. It's never good enough for Gloria. She can do no wrong. Read about Gloria's background, growing up with brothers and a father who aren't the sensitive types. Her father, the owner of a junkyard (for whom the team is named) hasn't got patience for anything or anybody and Gloria is much the same. The book gives us a different view on girls in sports. Gloria's baseball skills are excellent. She excels in the field and at bat. One of only three girls on the team -she's not backing down to anyone. As you follow through the story we see how Gloria comes to understand that her way is not the best. She learns how to help her team mates. To think first before talking. To control her temper and understand how to get your point across in a socially acceptable way. The book deals with resolving conflict, but keeps it light, using the sports theme to soften the impact. It's a good way for your child to absord this important information.

"The Battle of Antietam" tells the story of the first attempt by General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to invade the North during the Civil War. Despite the fact that General George B. McClellan, commander of the Union Army of the Potomac, was given a copy of Lee's order to his commanders, the Federal army could only force a stalemate. However, by not being defeated Abraham Lincoln was able to use this Union "victory" as a pretense for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which changed the nature of the Civil War and put it on a higher ground.

However, the context of this concise and informative book by Chris Hughes, is on the slaughter of the battle. The introduction, "The Slain Lay in Rows," sets the tone for the book and the battle. Hughes establishes Lee's goals for moving his army North (persuade Maryland to join the Confederacy, move the fighting away from Virginia, and convince foreign powers to aid the South), and then details the battle by three different phases, which structure the history both chronologically and geographically. Hughes then goes over the military and political aftermaths of the battle.

Hughes does a good job of explaining the battle, which is one of the more complex engagements of the Civil War, despite using only one map, which shows the positions of Union and Confederate troops on the battlefield at nightfall on September 17, 1862. The book is illustrated with engravings and photographs, almost all of which directly relate to the battle itself and the military leaders who were involved. Throughout the volume you will find sidebars going into detail on places like Harpers Ferry as well as people like Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Ambrose Burnside, and the "Angel of the Battlefield," Clara Barton. These add to the main narrative without distracting young readers from the central subject of the book. What I like about the books I have read in this series so far is that they are evaluative as well as descriptive, critiquing the strategy and tactics of the battlefield commanders.

"The Battle of Antietam" is part of the Triangle Histories books on the Civil War. The idea here is that there are books representing three topics: Battles (Gettysburg, Vicksburg), Leaders (John Brown, Ulysses S. Grant), and Presidents (Andrews Johnson, Abraham Lincoln). Each title in the collection interweaves and overlaps with others in various ways: e.g., during the Vicksburg campaign Lincoln was under great pressure to replace the Grant as commander. This makes sense, but there is nothing explicit it these books that makes the links any more explicit than they would be in any other juvenile history or biography. But this ends up not mattering because this book stands well on its own, whether young students move on to the other volumes or not.

This book offers the reader a well researched and presented account of the Battle of Belmont, the first battle in the Western Theatre and one of the first battles fought by Ulysses S. Grant. The book covers Grants attack on the Southern forces under the command of Leonidas Polk and Gideon Pillow at Belmont on the Mississippi River in Missouri on the 7th of November 1861. The maps in the book are easy to understand and guide the reader through the fighting, the narrative runs smoothly and offers a good overview of this battle. There is extensive notes and bibliography to assist the reader with further studies. Overall a decent book covering this battle of the American Civil War. An enjoyable read.

It is a challenge to find educational books for preschoolers. I was glad to find a book that has both entertainment and educational value. "A Book of Sounds: Sl, Ch, Pr" presents the consonant blends used at the beginning of words. It is a good second step in teaching phonics, after the basic letter sounds are learned. Each blend is highlighted on a separate page with colorful pictures to illustrate the text. Readers are asked to identify items in the photos that start with each blend based on the bold-type words in the text. They are also asked to count items or suggest other words that begin with the highlighted blend.

At the front of the book is a guide for parents with suggestions on how to use the book. There are also two games to play that are suggested at the end of the book.

I will definitely be looking for the others in this series.

Blends include: CH, SH, TH (hard and soft), WH, ST, SP, SC, SK, SL, SW, SN, TR, GR, SM, PR, BR, CR, DR, FR, BL, FL, PL, CL, and GL.