In this book Admiral Woodward has provided the reader with an informative and candid view of a task force commander at war. His myriad of concerns; logistics, weather, technology, numbers, and the interference of politics and the modern media in the campaign are presented in a very readable format. It was interesting to read his asessments that Argentina could have won the war by concentrating their air attacks on the 2 British carriers (fortunately the Brits hadn't sold them) or the amphibs. As a naval officer, and a student of military history, it was refreshing to see a modern commander admit that such things as acceptable losses and expendable commands really do exist in the conduct of warfare. His humor and leadership style, warts and all, are a primer in command and control under fire. The book presents dramatic descriptions of many tragic episodes, such as the sinkings of the HMS Coventry and the Atlantic Conveyor. Unfortunately, since the book was written from a naval officer's point of view, the land campaign was given rather short notice therefore leaving out an important portion of the fight. I highly recommend the book for professionals and buffs alike.

This fine naval autobiography takes us behind the scenes of the Falklands sea/air (not ground) war and modern battle management in general. Admiral Woodward didn't exactly know what he was sailing into back in 1982, and makes no attempt to hide his personal sense of vulnerability as Britain's first fighting admiral in high-tech warfare. In fact, the entire book is refreshingly down-to-earth. Woodward is quick to note that he was tapped for the job because he happened to be the navy's closest flotilla commander at the time (in Gibraltar)--and confides that his superiors almost replaced him with a higher-ranking officer even as he led the task force into danger. This is no stuffed-shirt memoir.

Woodward and co-author Patrick Robinson weave accounts of grand strategy and military politics through a genuinely absorbing narrative of men and machines in heavy weather, incessant tactical maneuvering, and flashes of terrifying combat. Along the way, there are plenty of 'what-if's to chew on. We learn that Woodward had to manipulate London to get HMS Conqueror to sink the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano (British subs weren't under his tactical command). He explains why the sinking was both necessary and tragic, and how Conqueror watched but spared Argentine ships coming to Belgrano's aid. He also reveals that his ships almost shot down a Brazilian airliner mistaken for a pesky Argentine recon jet; he personally gave the order to withhold fire. And Woodward's character shines through his account of ordering HMS Alacrity on a potential suicide mission to scout mines--in an exceptionally gracious mea culpa of command, he praises the captain's sterling courage while faulting his own mundane direction.

Also fascinating are the individual stories of the high number of British ships damaged or sunk, and Woodward's frustration with underperforming anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems. This was more of a close call than the world knew at the time, as he makes abundantly clear. Ultimately, his modest approach on paper belies the fact that he and his task force pulled off a truly impressive naval feat. And it's a credit to Woodward the author-analyst that 'One Hundred Days' transcends the Falklands War to give an illuminating, first-person view of campaign and tactical battle coordination. It could find a home on bookshelves of Fortune 500 executives as well as students of naval and air operations. The style is also breezy (and occasionally humorous) enough for the casual reader. I've never seen it in a U.S. store, so thanks, Amazon.

A superior autobiography. Although the focus is plainly on the Falklands, the author provides a fascinating account of the RN's submarine training program -- which reminds one of why the British military, though tiny in size, still maintains some of the best trained warriors in the world.

The meat of the book retells the story of PM Thatcher's courageous decision to retake the Falklands. The author provides a fine defense of the UK's controversial decision to sink the Argentine crusier Belgrano and a compelling account of the terror visited upon his task force by (French-made) exocet anti-ship missles. Unlike many commanders' post-mortems, this book contains little of the standard blame shifting usually found in such works. The Admiral takes you through his decision-making process step-by-step never letting the reader forget that the decisions he made often were made on the basis on VERY incomplete information under intense time-pressure (from the US, the UN and the coming South Atlantic winter) and, often, under fire.

Overall, one comes away thinking the author would have done a bang-up job at Trafalger or Jutland . . . or even taking on the Soviet Navy in the North Atlantic. A must have for those interested in finding out what -- to paraphrase the Iron Duke -- a damn near run thing the Falklands campaign really was.

I liked this book, probably because I am in love with Domi! It had a lot of information on Dominique and her gymnastics career, however, I wish that it had more info on her personal life. She talked a lot about competitions and such, but she didn't mention things like boyfriends and what her family does together. Dominique didn't give a whole lot of detail about anything. If you love Gymnastics, then you should read this book. If you love Dominique, you should still get this book, but you may be a little disappointed

Inspirational, Amazing, Moving.. Although we use these words everyday to express our emotions and feelings it is not often that you are asked to define these terms... Dominique Moceanu is the definition and more!! This book will truly Inspire, Amaze, and move you! The shear maturity, wonder, excitment, and passion she displays at such a young age is truly heaven-sent!! All teens, and young adults, and children should read this for the reason of encouraging you to see there is much more out there and you can have it if you want it!!

Yes! This book is written by a little 13 year old girl... AND Yes! This book is by an athlete who performs gymnastics. But more so this book is about how much one person can accomplish when they put their mines to it! Are you making a difference every day? This young 13 year old girl is!!...

Jason jasonworld.com

This book will captivate you. You will be amazed that at the age of 13, a girl just entering women hood could write so maturely and sustained! You will get to know her on a more personal level and see what makes this gymnast who she was yesterday and who she is today. Quite an amazing story at such a young age. All ages can get something out of this book! Whether it is; inspiration, encouragment, or just simple enjoyment you won't be sorry you got it! It should be something every child reads and every parent understands. This is a book that is truly written by a mature, educated, open minded, inspiring, beautiful human being!

Also recommended: Dominique Moceanu: A Gymnastics Sensation

The book provides solid information on various WLS procedures and lists of questions to ask your surgeon as you go through the process. Highly recommended for anyone considering WLS.

This is a very useful and complete guide for anyone interested in finding out more about the surgery itself or for anyone that wants info after surgery as well. I read many books on this subject and this was one of the best. Complete, informative and easy to read. A must for anyone pre-op or even post-op.

I read every book on gastric bypass surgery that I could find, and this one is by far the best. The book includes everything from the technicalities of the surgery to lists of questions to ask to recipes. I initially borrowed it from a friend, but had to buy it myself because I found it so useful. This is one book I have referenced again and again throughout my WLS experience!

Excellent research, good writing and exceptionally important issues. Anyone who would like to learn more about the oceans, how they function and how we are destroying this life source, should read this book. The author also expertly describes the intimate ties between climate change and the oceans.

The publisher's are missing an opportunity by not supporting this work more; they are also not fulfilling their responsibility to the present and future generations of all living (and endangered) beasts.

Each chapter in this book tells a story illustrating a different crisis, and each gives something new to be outraged over. The stories are well-written, and Ocean's End gives the best summary of global warming that I have read. It is easy to understand (making the reader feel almost intelligent). I would recommend this to everyone, and wish there was a way to get this into high school curricula.

My only complaint is the summary. Woodard draws the reader's passions out, but doesn't suggest explicit ways to get involved in the issues. I ended up writing letters to my congressional representatives.

Read this book, and start your own letter campaign.

Ocean's End is one of the most compelling examples of how bad Coastal Zone policy has destroyed vast areas of ocean and shore. It is not too strong a point that human beings in recent history have behaved themselves very, very badly as they looted the seas and dumped their waste and industrial toxins down river or directly into the sea. I am using this book in my International Integrated Coastal Zone Management class as the first assigned textbook. (...)

Why? Because I want my graduate students to first see how wonderful the world's oceans and coastal zones are and secondly, how incredibly stupid and short sighted we can be as we mismanage our responsibilities as stewards of these ecosystems. Colin Woodward has done a wonderful job of narrating a gripping, exciting, and enfuriating story from the killing of the Black Sea to the plundering of the Newfoundland Grand Banks and all of the other case studies in between.

This is a book worth reading and also one that is compellingly interesting and enjoyable. Take it on your next trip or read it and then take my web-based graduate class in International Coastal Management. You'll be ahead of yourself!

The most fascinating thing about this book is not just the particular events in history, or the misconceptions and myths that Woodward discusses, but rather how truly complex the issue of race is in America. Since emancipation, there has always been a struggle between and among whites and blacks to figure out how to understand each other and themselves, and how to occupy the same place. This history is indeed strange, and to have an idea of why race is still such an issue today, it helps to know how racism, segregation, and civil rights changed over time.

Woodward's book cautions us against taking simplified views that the South was always racist, and the North was not, and he begins by describing various accounts of life in the South right after the Civil War. According to Woodward, the venomous prejudice that sustained the Jim Crow laws decades later wasn't foreseeable at that time. Much of his explanation of the racist sentiment that so desired segregation is framed in the context of politics, and he tries to analyze many of the events he discusses in terms of political and economic pressures, as well as in terms of reactions to preceding actions.

If the Civil War is to be seen as a war for racial equality (and there are many other ways of seeing it), then it can easily be argued that it continues to this day. It is often most comforting to think of the wiping out of Native Americans, and then the enslavement of Africans as hideous scars that America carries in the past, while believing that America today is a different, tolerant place. But Jim Crow laws were a product of the twentieth century, and the racial tensions still exist in a very real way. Woodward's book, first published in 1955, and last revised in 1974, is still immensely relevant today, and reading it can only enhance your sense of American history.

In C. Vann Woodward's enormously influential examination of Jim Crow segregation laws in the post-Civil War South he makes two fundamental points: first, that the imposition of strict segregation did not immediately follow the War; second, that the eventual adoption of Jim Crow laws was not simply a function of racism--there were myriad political factors involved.

Woodward first provides a detailed analysis of the state of the races following the War. He demonstrates: that Slavery had required the proximity and interaction of Blacks and Whites, which could not be reversed overnight; that Northern Republicans, Southern Conservatives and Southern Radicals all had reasons to court black citizens; and reminds us that with the North virtually running the South for a period of years, segregation would not have been allowed immediately after the war.

He then makes a compelling case that the true rise of Jim Crow came about, in the 1890's, due to a confluence of factors: 1) Northern withdrawal from Southern affairs; 2) the changes in Northern attitudes towards colored peoples as America became an Imperialist power; 3) the crushing depression of the 80's, which added fuel to racial animus; 4) the concurrent rise of the Populists who were more than willing to play the race card; and 5) the series of Supreme Court rulings which sanctioned separation.

Finally, he turns to the demise of segregation, which was going on even as he wrote the several editions of his book. Here again, he identifies a number of factors, besides the Civil Rights movement, which contributed to Jim Crow's fall: Northern migration; changing, but this time improving, attitudes towards colored peoples, as exemplified at the UN; the reversal of course by the Supreme Court; and the improved economic condition of the Nation generally.

In chronicling this rise and fall of Jim Crow, demonstrating that segregation was a gradual rather than an immediate & natural response to the end of slavery and showing that many factors besides race lead to the adoption of segregation policies, Woodward makes an inestimable contribution to our understanding of the horrific legal repression of Southern Blacks.

GRADE: B

C. Vann Woodward's The Strange Career of Jim Crow is not only a fine introduction to its topic -- the segregationist period in the South -- but one of the most significant and influential books of its time.

Originally published in 1955 (by Oxford University Press), Professor Woodward's tome kicked off the Civil Rights era with a bang, debunking the ludicrous myth (and mantra among segregationists) that separation of the races had always existed in Southern life, and generally dissecting an ugly monstrosity which had come to be accepted simply as "the way things are." Ten years later, in a second revision which came just as the legal battle against segregation was almost won, Woodward added a wealth of information which helped finish the job of winning the people's hearts and minds: in the words of Robert Penn Warren, Woodward's work was "a witty, learned, and unsettling book. The depth of the unsettling becomes more obvious day by day; which is a way of saying that it is a book of permanent significance." And ten years later still, in this -- the third and final revision -- Woodward capped off the era with an examination of the more violent, less integrationist movements which arose after Watts, with leaders like Huey Newton, Eldridge Cleaver and Bobby Seale.

Woodward is an equal-opportunity myth-exploder. On the one hand, he demonstrates at great length that segregation was not a mere expression of racism, but in fact a complex and corrupt outworking of many political and economic interests in the impoverished, post-Reconstruction South. On the other hand, he also shows conclusively that segregation took time to develop: it was not, as its supporters claimed, the way things had always been, or even the way things had come to be immediately following the war, but had actually arisen thirty and even forty years later, with the removal of Northern troops, the disintegration of Republican influence, a national "taking up of the white man's burden" with regard to "colored" peoples abroad, and increasing economic distress which allowed successive Populists and Democrats to consolidate power by limiting white exposure to the threat of competing (and competitive) blacks. These things, combined with a series of Supreme Court rulings sanctioning segregation, produced a wicked stew which more modern readers found extremely unpalatable upon Woodward's closer examination.

Beyond these things, Woodward's treatment of the Jim Crow era itself, as well its demise, were and are excellent, and were especially provocative at the time of their writing. Based on a series of lectures delivered at the University of Virginia in 1954, the book is not annotated, and even in a third edition remains quite brief; yet it is thorough and engaging, and suffers only a bit for these points. In all, it remains not only an excellent history -- produced by one of America's finest scholars -- but also a key source document of its era, and is a very good read as well. It continues to be vital to a proper understanding of the South, as well as the whole misbegotten concept of "separate but equal."

Among all the wine regions of California, Chalone and the Pinnacles are unique, not only in soil composition but also in atmosphere and cultural history. This engaging book shows how Chalone wines, some of the best in the world, came to be. It is essentially a history of the company and of the people who made it happen. What emerges from this fast-moving tale is the constant determination and vision required for any successful enterprise. I do wish the authors had spent a little more time discussing the wines themselves; we are told that a given year is "good" or "bad" without any sense of what that might mean in the glass. But this is a small quibble. All those interested in wine, California history, or the inner workings of a growing company (the discussions of which are unusually frank) should read this book, which was written to support Chalone's very worthwhile foundation.

As a friend of Greg's during his days at SmartWine.com I freely admit my bias. However during those formative days of my wine education I was fortunate enough to engage in wine chats on the 'net when such ideas were still in their infancy.

Greg has the unique gift of being able to talk about a subject such as wine with the knowledge of a master without seeming arrogant or snobbish in the least.

Most people that want to learn about wine are intimidated by the 'snobbery' people associate with it. Greg makes no pretense about his not being a snob. He is engaging, and his 'chatting' and writing styles are absolutely what the burgeoning wine industry needs more of.

Jancis Robinson did more than anyone to make a knowledge of good wine accessible to the British public. Greg Walter's first book will be a keeper as I'm sure someday he will be thought of in the same breath as someone like Jancis.

If you want to learn about a wine company's development from step one, this is absolutely your book. And even if you're not 'into' wine, it's still a great buy if you like an engaging story.

The French never call themselves 'connoiseurs' of wine as the word means they 'know' wine. They call themselves 'amateurs' (lovers / friends) of wine.

Tonight I'll raise a glass to one of the United States' most engaging 'amateurs' in the French sense.

An excellent overview of how a wine business is built. This book traces the history of the land as well as the wine business. As it is with most land, Chalone Vineyard has had a colorful and checkered history eventually emerging as a premier producer of Burgundian style wines. But the book also shows that business is built on the personalities of strong leaders--successful businesses do not just "happen". This book is an easy and fun read that adds even more personality to one of America's greatest wine labels.

Okay yeah yeah yeah i know what your thinkin....I am this girl obsessed with some stupid drugy person who commited suicide.....well think again. My name is Hallie and i dont think of as Kurt Cobain as a stupid man in my opinion he is more like a genius. "Cobain by the Editors of Rolling Stone" is a book that reveals the partially told story of his life and makes it completely understood that he is not what you would assume from what the media say...they are just doing their job and trying to make his life a big lie and also make some money in the process. Rolling Stone knows Nirvana from interviews and other afairs and the book explains about his sad life, Nirvana, his wife, and the light of his life...Frances Bean. "Kurt Cocain" is what people have been known to call him well yes he did have a drug problem but put yourself in his shoes and live his life and i think you would too. He was very confused and turned to drugs and that is what sucks the fact that kids think it is cool because he did them. Kurt Cobain hated himself and the last thing he wanted was to be was an influence on people especailly his own daughter. About his music....raging emotions put into words his lyrics are like a sad movie but the tears are invisible they are so powerful and hold a lot of meaning not really to us and make no sense but to him they are his cry out to the world. Now that you know a bit about Kurt Cobain get to know a little more about his very interesting and depressing life....."It's better to burn out than fade away" - Kurt Cobai

Ironic that the best of many books released in the months after Cobain's death would be a collection from Rolling Stone, alleged promoters of the "corporate rock" he battled against. The editors of this collection of RS articles wisely chose to make it a true memorial, remembering the past, the good and the bad, while not pontificating uselessly on the meaning of Cobain's suicide. Many have tried in vain to be artfully profound in the wake of Kurt's death, magazine writers and newspapermen. This kind of purple prose is luckily absent from COBAIN, and the majority of the articles are very well written. Also included are many wonderful photographs; Kurt with his daughter, the infamous bridge from "Something in the Way", Kurt with a kitten perched on his shoulder, the beautiful cover, Kurt surrounded by Stargazers during Nirvana's Unplugged performance. In the rush to publish something in the summer of 1994, the market was saturated with books on Nirvana and Cobain. This one was the best and still is. It leaves questions unanswered, as well it should.

i bought this book a couple months back thinking, "this is just gonna be another brief book about kurt's life. the same material every other book has." i didn't think that i'd actually get through the whole thing, cos i had heard his story over and over again anyways. i thought it'd be boring. man was i wrong! i couldn't put it down. halfway through the book, i realized this wasn't just any plain biography; this was a big colage of kurt's life: his music, his family, his drug abuse, and his sad death. some people think that kurt was just another junky-musician. but this book proves far beyond a doubt that he was so much more. he was a creative and influential person to all of us (even though some people choose to deny it). after reading this book, i came to the conclusion that i didn't need to buy any other books about kurt cobain, or nirvana, because all the imformation i needed was right in my hands.

Even for those who were not born in Africa could smell the scent of it in the air, feel the deep passion Wilbur has toward his homeland, and the wildlife that he always loved. This book and another masterpiece of Smith's work: Elephant Song, are both among my favorites.

This has been one of the closest accounts as to how life was in Zimbabwe. It says alot more to the reader if you read between the lines, especially if you have lived there. It is such a pity that the book was banned in our country, obviously too close to the truth on certain issues.

Once again, Wilbur Smith shows his amazing gift.

Incredible!!!! I loved the book. It has great suspences and it keeps you reading at all times.

Professor Kennedy has given us a monumental work on a critical period in the history of the United states and the world. Kennedy displays an intuitve understanding of the causes of the great depression. He gives us a new and positive inter- pretation of Herbert Hoover. In Kennedy's view the ''Great Engineer'' is a closet liberal who paved the way for the new deal. Kennedy clearly is an admirer of Franklin Roosevelt,but is not blind to his hero's shortcomings. The author frankly admits that the new deal did not end the depression and that during WWII Roosevelt was decieved by Joseph Stalin. Kennedy gives a superb account of the political radicalism of the thirties complete with unforgetable portraits of Huey Long and Father Coughlin. The account of the second world war also rises to the occassion. I found this book to be a fascinating read and I highly reccomend it. Thank you Professor Kennedy.

As a former student of Professor Kennedy's at Stanford, I confess bias. Nevertheless, David illuminates America's past like no other historian, contemporary or past. He has a unique talent for captivating readers, setting the stage and making the reader feel they are at ringside. We often forget the ordeal and emotion of the Great Depression and World War II, the Fireside Chats, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Roosevelt and Hiroshima. Kennedy has painstakingly researched this book, inserting commentaries from those who made history plus his own penetrating insights. You will find balance and fairness here, not partisan rhetoric or pedantry. Hoover was in many respects ahead of his time (although some accuse Kennedy wrongfully of a Stanford bias), McArthur knew how to stroke the PR machinery, Roosevelt was a shrewd politician, Churchill was a master manipulator, Stalin a man whose patience ran thin waiting for a promised Second Front. Other great portraits include John L. Lewis, Huey Long, Father Coughlin, General Patton ... what a great read! Buy this book!

I loved this book because he writes the way I wish more history books were written--which is a book full of facts based on meticulous research, yet the writer not being afraid to make his own judgement about events(particularly policies of the New Deal by FDR). I figure I am paying for the wealth of knowledge and opinion of Prof. Kennedy. As far as opinion, it seems very objective and impartial. Although I detected sympathies.

I greatly enjoyed the first part on the New Deal and the way the writer incorporates the human equation of individuals with the policies on a larger government scale. This made is very enthralling and easy to read. It was almost like a historical novel. I think it takes a very self confident history professor to write like that.

The second part on WWII was a good general overview. As a student of WWII history, I felt Prof. Kennedy could have incoporated more humaness to it like he did during the first part of the book.

One aspect I enjoyed was his focus on the aerial war(combined bomber offensive) as it was woven in nicely with the grand scheme of US involvement in the European Theater of Operation(ETO). Most books focus on separately on only the land war or air war.

This was good read which will leave most people with a lot to think about.

I agree with Bill Oakes, I too must have received a different copy of Kirk's book than Bob Ward. Kirk's book IS a time saver--if I have time available for research, I have time to be out on Route 66. As a "repeat offender" I have used Kirk's M/C guide several times (I wish it had been been available for the "Inaugural Run!) both Eastbound and Westbound and found it easy to use, as accurate as most sources available, stores in my tank bag (I wish Kirk would reduce the size--tank bags are not created equal!) and was especially helpful in identifying "must see" icons of the Road. No single website (IMHO) has as much comprehensive, organized motorcycle specific touring information as Kirk has in this book. In retrospect, if I had Kirk's book and the map series he provides to all "Mother Road Rally" participants, I would have made fewer u-turns my first trip. Although Kirk's book is motorcycle oriented (it lists dealers, campgrounds and state specific laws) it can be used by all manner of travelers. So if you're considering "doin' Route 66" Kirk's book is a "primer!"

Well, the turn-by-turn directions are certainly useful and this is the first place I've seen turn-by-turn going from Los Angeles to Chicago (most are Chicago to Los Angeles) but my favorite part(s) are the diaries of people who have actually made the trip. Lew Bellinger's detailed expense report from his run was particularly helpful in deciding how much money I need to take. It was GREAT to see this fine old road through the eyes of that couple from Denmark.