The volumes in Betterway's "Genealogist's Guide" series have been genrally excellent in leading researchers through the special problems, situations, and resources connected with non-Anglo-European-male ancestors. Anyone, even an otherwise experienced family historian, who has attempted to develop a black lineage more than three or four generations back in the United States knows the historical and social problems involved often are considerable - but they aren't insurmountable, as the authors show. Smith, a Houston librarian with legal training, learned early of the reluctance of his elderly relatives to discuss the "slave days" and of the tendency of black genealogists to end their quest with the 1870 census. He begins with the basics, the stuff we all learned (or should have) in the first year of research, but slants it toward the necessities of African-American history, including the need to deal with frequent name-changes, "consulting the elders," and evaluating family stories (both of which are especially important here). Likewise, in reading the federal census schedules, one must understand what was meant, both officially and locally, by "colored" and "mulatto," the definitions of which changed over time. Military service records, an important resource in most white pedigrees, are more problematic for black lineages before World War II. Church records are proportionately more important. Smith gives considerable space to the use of white (i.e., slaveholding) family records in tracing black families, and to the proper use of the federal census slave schedules -- subjects few of us have much experience with. Finally, he relates all this through three extended cases drawn from his own family research which exemplify the techniques and adjusted mind-sets he explained earlier. They're well written, carefully worked out, and inspirational as well as informative, and are worth the price of admission by themselves.

I think this is awesome! Joe and Frank are dealing with a million dollar scandal coming from a computer genius. Frank and Joe are at a college and boy was it hard for them to get in. Only one of them make it in, but the other finds some ways to get in. The most exciting part is finding out who did it. You never would have thought it was that person. WOW!

Jimmy Joe is thrilled when the fish woman, who some believe is a witch, invites him to go fishing. Jimmy Joe catches a large salmon and puts it on ice where it dies. When whales appear, he offers it to them for food. Although Jimmy Joe wants to see the whales again, they disappear and he and the fish woman continue their trip to catch "stew fish" for Jimmy Joe's mother. This delightful story is enhanced by vibrant watercolor illstrations that capture the beauty of the northwest.

This book is an inexpensive and very useful tool to help you understand the municipal market jargon. It's light and slim, making it extremely portable, and, in this world of speaking in acronymns, a good translator. One improvement I would make is including more acronyms or cross-referencing acronyms.

In a brilliant book unparalleled in quality, Professor Robert F. Durden provides the reader invaluable insight into the Confederate struggle over whether to free, and arm, their slaves.

This reviewer has read many history books and is a researcher by trade. The book is among--if not the--finest history book he has ever come across. Professor Durden acts as a genial host who introduces the individuals and context, and then steps back into the shadows to permit speeches, letters, and newspaper editorials describe, debate, and unfold. Professor Durden's selection of sources, incredibly well organized, clearly shows the debate over the question of the day: should the South arm the slaves, or should the slave states maintain their Southern "institutions" and perish?

This book is a critical resource for individuals interested in "Afro-Confederates" mentioned in other books, and trotted out at the drop of a confederate symbol. The book clearly indicates that the South depended upon its slave system both economically and politically, and many a southerner simply could not imagine Negroes as either Confederate citizens or armed troops. The leadership in much of the Confederacy could never tolerate the concept of Negro soldiers, and would not agree to free even those slaves who might volunteer. Yet by late 1864 many a white soldier in the ranks (including Lee) were apparently willing to accept reinforcements no matter the color. But Negroes in Virginia were not even permitted to carry arms until 1865, at the very sunset of the Rebellion. Those few souls organized at the end of the war never saw combat.

Without doubt the finest Civil War book read by this reviewer, there are no criticisms to levy. The "Gray and the Black" is impressively researched, with an excellent historiography and valuable index. The analysis, organization, thoughtfulness and dedication that went into this book are humbling. Those that purchase this book will be thrilled and enlightened.

A very good and readable book that details the friendship between two of the greatest leaders in the twentieth century. Both the President and the Prime Minister had huge egos, and were known to be difficult, but the friendship that developed between them helped the Allies win the war with Germany, Italy, and Japan. Many interesting stories of the personal lives of both Roosevelt and Churchill. The friendship that developed between these two great men helped in the post war world.

This is a great new series even if it's for little kids. I just wanted to check it out and it's really good. I've read # 1-6. In this one, Frank Hardy is 9, his brother Joe is 8, and they're the new kids on the block in Bayport. They're looking for new friends, and they've found one-Chet Morton. But they're also finding plenty of mystery, fun, and adventure. A bully threw Chet's baseball mitt into a spooky old house, but all Chet sees inside are two glowing red eyes! Is it a ghost? A monster? The Hardys go on a search for clues-in a house with a skeleton, a brain, and blood!

Hardcover -224 pages 25th print edition

If you're interested in the cultural landscapes associated with mining, this book is a must. Great stuff on Bisbee, AZ. Fantastic maps show the development of that mining landscape over time.

This book is about the Hardy Boy and that they go to a football game and suddenly something goes wrong.The Hardy Boys have to investigate how it happen.At the end they found out what happened and the coach was impressed.(I cant tell you what happened you have to find out by reading it.)

The good part was when they invesigated because they do it step by step and it was cool.
The bad part was it took too long to do it and because you wanted to find out what happens.

I like the book because it was kind of like a mystery.There is nothing that i disliked about it.This book can't just get put down you want to figure out what happens latter because it gets better.I rate this book a 5 because it was really good how they wrote it

Imagine being the Hardy Boys and trying to figure out what happens that would be hard.I am 13 and that I live in pacifica.