As a kid, Davy wanted to be just like Daniel Boone. He hunted the wilderness, protected people from indians, and even joined the government. Soon, he fought in the Alamo, and became a Texan HERO!

Having been for 40 years, an avid follower of Fess Parker,s Davy this book is a dream come true, packed with photos and stills from the two Crockett movies, this book covers everything, from planning, right througth production, the cast and crew, the ballad,promotion, the first half of this book is about the films, whilst the second half covers the collectibles, of the 50,s icon, what a book, for anybody interested in Davy Crockett, from eight to eighty, a must have, Paul F Anderson has done a slendid job, and in my opinion long overdue eddiefess@btinternet.com

So far the volumes in The Library of American Lives and Times are very nice looking. The covers always feature a portrait of the biographical subject in front of a key scene from their life; in this case, "Davy Crockett: The Legend of the Wild Frontier" is shown over a painting of the Battle of the Alamo. Author Richard Bruce Winders introduces the book by letting Crocket tell about himself, providing a choice excerpt from the 1835 edition of the "Davy Crockett Almanack" where he promises to convince everyone "that I can run faster, jump higher, squat lower, dive deeper, stay under longer, and come up drier, than any man in the whole country."

Obviously Winder's title is a play on the idea of Crockett as the King of the Wild Frontier, which was immortalized in the Fess Parker Disney films. Winders makes it clear from the start that he is trying to separate the truth from the legends, while continuing to enjoy the tall tales. This juvenile biography tells of how Crockett grew up on the frontier, married his first wife Polly, and served as a militia scout in the war against the Red Sticks. After that, Crockett began building the reputation that would make him an American legend as he went from a famous hunter of bears to the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the interesting aspects of this book is that we actually learn some details about Crockett in Congress; for example, he opposed the U.S. Military Academy as West Point since the poor were paying taxes that allowed the sons of the rich and powerful to go to school. Crockett also spoke out against the unfair treatment of Native Americans by President Andrew Jackson's administration.

While Crockett was in Congress he became famous for representing the true American. He served as the model for a frontier politician Colonel Nimrod Wildfire in the popular play, "The Lion of the West." When others made money off of his name writing biographies about him, Crockett authored his own autobiography. Winders also talks about the political friction between Crockett and Jackson. Along with charges that he was too busy being famous to represent his district, Crockett was defeated for re-election. Crockett then left Tennessee to go to Texas for hunt, where, of course, he became involved in the War for Texas and met his death at the Alamo.

"Davy Crockett: The Legend of the Wild Frontier" does deal much more with the real story and is illustrated with historic paintings, etching, and documents. In telling the story of the Alamo, for example, Winders focuses what little is actually known about Crockett's final days. It is only at the end of the book that Winders returns to the legend as part of Crockett's legacy. Young readers, however, should have a much better understanding of the historical Crockett after reading Winders' informative book.

the book is very well written, easy to read and understand. the topics covered are those that any advanced diver may encounter on any dive in saltwater. it goes just deep enough into the subjects to give you a fairly through knowlage of what to expect on a dive into the discribed enviroment without boreing you with lenghty technical terms that only a scientest would understand. it discribes boat diving, deep diving, underwater hunting, cold, kelp, wall, wrecks, night, camera, caves, dangers and hazards with life forms at depths, as well as human physiology and the hazards associated with hyperbaric activity. it also covers the equipment, and educational aspect of learning snorkling and scuba. It IS a very good book, and if you have more than just a passing interest in scuba diving, then this book is a "must read" book. It is the most fulfilling book I have read on diving. it was published in 1980, and some of diving techniques have changed slightly, (at least in my area,-pac.N.W.)the ocean and its critters have remained the same. .....Lou

"Flywater" contains voluptuous shots of sport's top waterbodies in the West and has helped me make it through several dreary winters in the Pacific Northwest. The photography and layout is top-notch and you soon get the feeling that you would've given ANYTHING to have been one of the folks involved with putting this package together. Just be sure to wear a bib when looking inside so you don't make indelible drool marks on the pages!

A great concept, professionally executed, that belongs on every serious flyfisher's bookshelf. I'd LOVE to have the photos available on CD ROM as a screensaver...

Mark

From Chapter Three: "Carcharodon Carcharias. That's what the scientists call the White Shark. In Australia, it's termed a White Pointer; in South Africa it's a Blue Pointer; and in Hawaii, those who can, call it Mano Ni-uhi. There is also White Death and the other equally dramatic names. Generally, "Great White" will get the point across."
The Great White Shark was the first book that I owned and kept. Sharks, especially Great Whites have fascinated me since I was a boy. The shape of the body, the swiftness of the kill, the terrible reputation...
Jim Crockett writes an account about a trip in search of Great Whites. He arrives in Port Lincoln, a small fishing village in the state of South Australia, and then sets off on an eight-day photographic safari with one of the world's leading experts on Great Whites, Rodney Fox.
The book is written from a traveler's point of view. It includes vivid recollection (and images) of the encounters with the world's top predator. The photography is superb; many pictures are full or double page.
It is very unfortunate that this book is out of print. It makes an excellent addition to a library of the shark aficionado.

This book quite cleverly introduces the alphabet A to Z. Each letter is introduced in order and appears as part of the picture associated with it. Descriptive words use the letter, usually starting with it. Text leading to the next page (and next letter) suggests the next letter by using it at the beginning of some words, too. Very cleverly written. I grew up with "Harold and the Purple Crayon", which I like very much. I've enjoyed, as an adult other Harold books by Crockett Johnson. "Harold's ABCs" is an equal with the original.

As a child between the age of 6 and 8, I remember going to the library with my mother and checking out each of the adventure's that Harold had. I must have checked them all out more than ten times each. The concept of a small boy using his purple crayon to imagine many things was so fun. The vocabulary is suitable for the reccommended age group. The pictures are great. The spectacular thing and most valuable lesson is that it not only teaches one how to read, but it also says it's o.k. to have an imagination. Today I still remember how much I loved Harold and his purple crayon. I plan to buy all of the Harold books not only because of my love for them, but to one day share them with my children.

I originally checked this book out from the library, and then decided to buy it after accruing too many late fees. This book has a great color appendix of illustrated plants. It is useful in learning about Japanese gardens and how to construct your own. I wish there were more color photos in the book.

A good general cookbook with some of the best nutrition exchange information. Searching bookshelves, I've been surprised at how few of the books (particularly for diabetics) didn't give nutrition information in any depth. I have a relative new to diabetes and the food exchanges, counting fat grams, etc. are confusing and difficult--this was almost exactly what I wanted.