Polzin's book, Moses and the Deuteronomist, is an excellent example text for utilizing the literary-structural approach based heavily on the structural-formalists, Mikhail Bakhtin and V. N. Voloshinov, outside biblical scholarship. Polzin's observation on two voices (reporting and reported speeches) in Deuteronomy provides two different perspectives, i.e., "critical traditionalism - reporting speech" and "authoritative dogmatism - reported speech." These voices enable the reader to understand a conflict between two different ideologies and covenants throughout the entire texts. In spite of one of weaknesses, inconsistencies of the relationship among the authoritative figures(God, the omniscient narrator, and the implied author), his approach is good for those who specialize in serious literary-structural study on Deuteronomy.

This book makes the life of low income black mothers come alive. Very interesting and informative yet easy to read. I highly recommend it for leisure or as a resource tool.

On Second Glance seems to be an encore presentation of Kanfer's earlier book of midwestern landscapes, Prairiescapes. Like many native midwesterners, I feel connected to the land in ways I can't explain, but Kanfer's photographs can do the talking for us. Kanfer's photographs are not what you may be expecting--it's hard to imagine, but as you may well find yourself drawn into his landscapes, reminiscing about how grandma used to have a porch like that, and what is that on the horizon? You can hear the crackle of fall leaves underfoot, and the sweet smell of spring in gently swaying greenery. You will find scenes to remind you of every hike or picnic in the country you ever intended to have.

This book belongs on every coffee table and gift list for those with any midwestern roots or daydreamers enjoying a simpler, less complicated life. If you love photography, or landscapes in general, you will also appreciate the composition and technical skills evident, and that Kanfer at least appears to be a purist in these works (no touch-ups or manipulations). I have recommended this book to many people, and all of them have loved both giving and receiving it; I hope you will, too.

I FIRST STARTED USING THIS BOOK FROM A LIBRARY AND AS I READ AND RESEARCHED DIFFERENT AREAS OF IT I SOON REALIZED THAT I WAS READING ABOUT MY MOTHER'S FAMILY. THIS WAS THRILLING TO ME....ONE BECAUSE I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THIS PART OF MY FAMILY TREE AND SECOND IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE THAT MY FAMILY HAD MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION IN ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY LIVED. I THINK THAT THE AUTHOR DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB IN RECORDING A PART OF HISTORY THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME IF NOT TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL WRITE ABOUT OUR LIVES AND OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL HAVE THE SAME THRILL THAT I DID IN DISCOVERING MY LOST FAMILY IN MR HARDEN'S BOOK.

The information in this book is excellent, and Dr. Sternberg has an engaging narrative voice; many people who don't have to buy this book as a textbook would probably find it interesting to read. In small bits, however.

Sometimes the book overwhelms me, and I feel the author tried to tackle too large a subject. Any scholar who writes about the "voice" of the Biblical narrator is being disingenuous to pretend that there is but one voice in the Bible. However, Dr. Sternberg suggests this in his opening sentence: "What goals does the biblical narrator set himself?"

The book considers parts of the Bible discretely many times, and within each discrete frame, the information and analysis is excellent, but I think the Sternberg fails to tie it all up by discussing the possibility that all of Deuteronomy and the book of Jeremiah may be one voice, Leviticus contains one, one of which is present in Exodus, but not the other, Genesis consists of two voices, one of which is present to a very small degree in Leviticus, and more in Numbers, and then goes on the write Joshua. Etc. This is common theory, though Sternberg has a right to reject it. I just wish he'd acknowledged it.

But as I said, his analysis of each topic is excellent; much of his information is startling and refreshing.

Henry Glassie has done it again! Professor Glassie's contributions to the field of material culture studies are well known in the field, and this work is no exception. In this book, Glassie takes a look at pottery manufacturing in 6 regions of the world -- Turkey, Bangladesh, the American Southwest and Georgia (U.S.), Japan and Sweden. However, Glassie does not simply look at ceramic production. Instead, the art and tradition embodied in clay, and the lives of the potters themselves, are at issue for Glassie. In addition to being a great introduction to pottery production in these regions, this book provides marvelous photographs of potters and their craft. This is an excellent book for professionals potters, archaeologists, or anyone interested in pottery, ceramics, or living traditions!

Kimbrough provides an excellent glimpse into 19th century Indiana and the early history of the Tarkington family. In addition, he offers detailed insight into the chronology of the evolution of Methodism. If you're looking for a strict biography of Joseph Tarkington only, this is not the read for you, but if you're looking for a good understanding of the Methodist religion, you'll find it here.

Susan E. Ryan's "Robert Indiana: Figures of Speech", Yale University Press, is a significant contribution to art history. Although there have been several good monographs on Indiana, Ryan's is the very first that details and synthesizes his biography, art, and contemporary place. It reads like a mystery novel as it explains how Indiana's career stalled around 1970 even though in the sixties he was considered as seminal as Warhol and Lichtenstein. Concise, well written and provocative, Ryan's "Indiana" is a must for all those interested in contemporary art. -Herbert Lust

This is not a bad book, especially if you are interested in ethnopolitics of Imperial Russia. The problem is that it's all over the place - the book is a series of chapters written by different people that doesn't come together well as a book. There is also precious little if you are interested in the non-Muslim peoples of the Empire. All the same, it is worth the read if you are at all interested in this topic.