The Opposition Presidency: Leadership & The Constraints Of History by David A. Crockett (Assistant Professor of Political Science, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas) is an insightful 286-page treatise (including Notes, Bibliography, and Index) surveying and examining American Presidents throughout U.S. history as "opposition leaders." Focusing especially on Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, but generalizing to others as well, The Opposition Presidency studies political balances, these presidents' attempts to push their agendas (often past a Congress or Senate of the opposite political party), and a great deal more. An intriguing and scholarly study, The Opposition Presidency is especially recommended for Political Science reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Hughes's close contact with Eisenhower allowed him to produce a terrific book. I think this memoir gives the reader a real feeling for Eisenhower's personality. Hughes does a good job at giving you the nuances of Ike: his facial expressions, his philosophies, his leadership style. I also liked how Hughes told of the development of some of Eisenhower's most important speeches. All said, I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to anyone interested in this great and good man.

Phillip Porter is a recognized expert on the Jaguar XK series. His book, suplemented by excellent photos, details each version of the car with text and photos. For anyone restoring an XK series Jaguar, the photos are a rich source of originality information highlighting differences between the various models. This book is well worth purchasing.

This book was very detailed and very goo

This is a great book for young Hockey fans. It doesn't just focus on winning but on everything, the Ups and downs of playing the position of goalie. The book is filled with great pictures of Patrick in action. It is also easy enough to read for the younger fans.

I teach French to kids age 6 - 14. This is a charming book of letters between a French-speaking student and an English-speaking pen pal. The letters are relatively simple, yet not boring and would be excellent examples of first letters to a French-speaking pen pal for kids or adults with elementary French skills. The letters could be read to younger children but are probably best for kids 8 and up who are learning French.

Pentecostal Preaching is a must read for anyone seeking more fulfilling Christian service. While it is not a "how to" book it is filled with motivational and inspirational thought. As one reads the book he/she may find that things that have happened in his or her ministry of preaching or teaching that did not make perfect sense at the time seems to come alive in these pages as a confirmation of Gods work in their life. If you are allowing God to use you at your fullest potential, you will find the book leading you into deeper areas of service and encouraging you to stay on course. If there is something lacking in your life, Dr. Hughes challenges you to find it and let God lead! Again, anyone, teacher, preacher, layperson that wants to move forward with God should read this book.

This Famous Artist book by Antony Mason serves as an introduction to the life and work of Pablo Picasso. These books are organized in a particular way for each two-page spread: On the left page there is an illustration of the artist's home or environment and the story of the artist's life, along with a painting and a small symbol used to indicate the size of the paintings relative to a person. On the right page there are more paintings (usually with a key section enlarged) with text about the artist's work at the time, along with a feature on the artist's technique (e.g., balancing colors, seeing all angles, reworking great art) with practical projects to try.

This book balances Picasso's life with his art, organized chronologically by the key stages of his career: Paris, The Blue Period, The Rose Period, Cubism, Synthetic Cubism, etc. Some of the key paintings studied are "The Absinthe Drinker," "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," "Minotaur and Dead Mare Outside a Cave," and "Guernica." Mason not only highlights key aspects of these paintings (and other art forms as well), he fills his book with fascinating details, like the German officer who saw "Guernica" in Picasso's studio and asked "Did you do this?" only to be told by the artist, "No, you did this." These are the sorts of things that are well worth being remembered by students. There are certainly more detailed books about Picasso's life and art, but this is an excellent intermediary book. Other titles in the Famous Artists series look at Cezanne, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet and Van Gogh.

Everyman's Library of Pocket Poets presents an accessible collection of Langston Hughes' poems right before our finger tips. Culled from Hughes', "The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes", you are able to read and reflect upon some of the best of Hughes' work during a fifty year period.

Whether he's writing in the jazz or blues idiom, your soul will be touched by the magnificence of one of America's great poets. Some of his memorable poems are at your service. Deal with "The Weary Blues". Laugh at his critique in "To Certain Negro Leaders" and meditate on "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". Hughes will reach you intellectually and emotionally with his work.

I enjoyed this volume because of the poet, the format of the book (it is easy to carry around) and the broad range of poems it contains. It is indeed a pocket full of inspiration that you need to have and share with others.

In an era when curious Catholics must contend with dissident Hans Kung's poor summation of Church history via the Modern Library Chronicles, it's refreshing to know that Philip Hughes' masterful compendium of his three volume work is available on Amazon.com's marketplace.

Though unfortunately out of print, the recent success of H.W. Crocker's similarly respectful Chuch history, "Triumph", gives hope that some publisher will reissue Hughes' essential book.