The authors and contributors to this book worked deep in the fine details of Houston's past. So much of it has been lost to the ages, but with Houston's Forgotten Heritage, it almost comes back to life through the fine photographs of the opulent homes and even the log cabins. It is a joy to show this book to many of my "old-timer" neighbors, who remember a building here and there, and even the old fixtures, appliances, and ways of life. We should all be grateful to the authors of this book for reminding us of our glorious past.

One of the greatest difficulties for home schooling is the search for spirtual training guidence authors outside of religous dogma.

Ms. Knox presents a series of practical spiritual lessons that all home school parents (Christian and non-Christian) can utilize in their teaching enviornment.

The lessons are also easily utilized in a 'Sunday' schoolroom.

I always tended to think of Abraham Lincoln as the person who overcame a less than distinguished political career to become President of the United States, since he was best known for losing a Senatorial race and prior to that had been only a one term Congressman. But then at least Lincoln bested Douglas in the popular vote in Illinois in 1858. But then there are reasons why James K. Polk was the original "Dark Horse" candidate. Polk wanted to be Vice-President of the United States. Having lost a bid for the nomination in 1840 while Governor of Tennessee he proceeded to lose two bids for re-election, which should have ended his political career as well as his dream of being Martin Van Buren's running mate in 1844. Instead he not only ended up as the Democratic candidate, Polk defeated Henry Clay in the election and became arguably the most successful one-term President in the nation's history. Dee Lillegard begins this juvenile biography of Polk for the Encyclopedia of Presidents series with the surprising story of Polk getting the nomination as a compromise candidate.

By the end of the book Lillegard argues that Polk would prove to be the only strong president between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, and that his reputation was hurt by the fact that Whig attitudes about his administration prevailed and historians did not recognize the importance of his presidency for almost a century. Lillegard quotes a New York newspaper that praised Polk at his death, less than a year after leaving office: "No man and no administration was ever more assailed, and none ever achieved more." The strength of this book is that young readers will get a sense for the accomplishments of his one term in the White House.

After detailing Polk's youth in Tennessee and his rise in politics from a clerk to Congressman, where he was part of the new-style congressman representing the common man, whose ascendancy would come with the election of Andrew Jackson to the White House. As one of the leading Jacksonians in Congress, Polk would be elected Speaker of the House in 1835 and earn the nickname of "Young Hickory." Ten years later he would be inaugurated as President. Polk's major accomplishments would be in terms of the principle of Manifest Destiny, which would mean securing the Oregon Territory, winning the Mexican War, and acquiring the California ports of San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco. Students will also be impressed with his deserved reputation as the hardest working President, although this would explain in part his death the year he left office. But the main strength of this book is explaining Polk's accomplishment regarding the National Bank and tariffs.

The book is illustrated with black & white engravings and drawings, as well as some of the earliest photographs in American history. As is usually the case, I am most impressed by the half-dozen political cartoons that capture the passions over the disputes about the National Bank and the Oregon Territory. The back of the book includes a Chronology of American History, which highlights the period from Polk's birth in 1795 to his death in 1849. The end result is that it seems rather suspect that earlier generations were not impressed with a President who ran on a specific agenda, accomplished all of his objectives in one administration, and declined to seek re-election, because readers of this book will certainly be impressed by James K. Polk's political legacy.

For years I've been convinced that James K. Polk was one of our country's most effective presidents and most successful. After reading the two volumes by Eugene I. McCormac, I'm more convinced than ever. I rank Polk as one of the top six (6) presidents this country has ever had. He stated what he wanted emphatically, he fought hard to get them accomplished and in the long run, they were good for the country. It's so sad that his accomplishments were overshadowed by the pending slavery question and his own lack of charisma. Yet, he was great and I rank him along with Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln & Truman. Others would disagree I'm sure, but I believe I'm right. Thanks, McCormac, for such two fine volumes on such a great statesman. Peahillfm@aol.com

A long time ago I was convinced that James K. Polk was the most successful one term President in American history, not that this is something to which anyone elected to the office would actually aspire. The rationale for this appellation was that Polk in 1844 on four specific points, accomplished all of them within the four years of his terms, and declined to run for re-election. However, I learned from this juvenile biography by Ann Graham Gaines for the Our Presidents series that while Polk did indeed have a successful tenure in office, he had promised to only serve one term. He also was becoming so ill that he would die a few months after leaving office. Another cherished belief bites the dust.

From the start Gaines makes it clear that Polk worked hard and accomplished a great deal, long before he was elected President. One of the interesting things about the treatment of Polk's early years is how little is known; e.g., he had surgery when he was 17, but no one knows for what. His political career in Tennessee is easier to document as he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and then became Governor of the state. Young readers will be surprised to learn that not only did Polk lose his bid for reelection in 1841, he was defeated again in 1843. Despite these defeats, and the fact that Polk was hoping to run for Vice-President, he was nominated by the Democrats and elected President in 1844 as the first "dark horse" candidate.

Polk was the youngest president ever elected up to that point in American history. His key policy goals were (1) admitting Texas to the Union; (2) acquiring the disputed area of the Oregon Territory, which spawned the famous "Fifty-four forty or fight" slogan of Polk's campaign, along with the area west to California; (3) establishing a treasury that would handle the nation's money matters; and (4) lowering tariffs to make it chapter for Americans to buy foreign goods. Clearly the idea of "manifest destiny" was the primary goal of the Polk presidency and the amount of territory added to the United States during his term is second only to the Louisiana Purchase. Gaines makes a point of showing how each of these goals was accomplished.

Like all volumes in the Our Presidents series this one is illustrated with historic paintings and etchings, as well as some very early photographs, including the first one ever taken inside the White House of Polk with his Cabinet and one outside with guests including future president, James Buchanan and Dolley Madison. There are sidebars that provide an in-depth look at topics such as Texas, California, and the Mexican War. The margins of the book often include Interesting Facts, such as Polk's political nickname of "Young Hickory." The back of the book contains a Time Line from Polk's birth in 1795 to his death in 1849, a glossary of terms from "allies" to "values," and basic information about the Presidents. This look at James Polk is one of the best in the Our Presidents series, providing a concise case for why his one-term presidency accomplished so much.

The most charming and informative book on the Scottish Presbyterian reformer John Knox ever written.

This book has won a Talby Award from the Society of Academic Authors. Please see release below.

Meteorologists' book wins visuals award
WINONA, Minn., March 24, 2003 -- A college meteorology textbook by Steve Ackerman and John Knox won a William Henry Fox Talbot Prize for excellence in visuals from the Sociey of Academic Authors. The book, Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere, published by Brooks/Cole under the editorshop of Keith Dodson, was praised by one member of the SA2 panel of judges as an "exceptional job pulling together relevant data to be presented in original graphic formats." Said other judges: "The text is visually sophisticated, truly interesting, and up-to-date, with always apt and sometimes ravishing images, figurative models, and tables used to support its thoughtful pedagogy." "This book has some of the most pretty and apt graphics that I have ever seen in a textbook.""Quite simply, the production quality is superb." "Visuals are integral and are used generously." Learning of the award, Knox said: "I'm excited to see that the judges appreciated our efforts so thoroughly -- especially since Steve and I are both first-time authors. Knox is a research scientist and lecturer at the University of Georgia. Ackerman is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The announcement in the fourth in a series on the 2003 Talbies.

Kyle provides the reader with a detailed and insightful history and analysis of John Knox's personal biblical and political thought. A major focus is Knox's belief of himself as an Old Testament prophet and the role he plays in the conversation among his contemporaries regarding the issue of violent resistance. Also provided by the author is a discussion of the ongoing historiographical debate surrounding the issue of Knox's doctrine of resistance -- what exactly it was, when it began and who influenced him. I found this text to be essential in my own research on John Knox's life and would highly recommend it to anyone that is interest in his life and also anyone that is at all interested in the lives of the Protestant Reformers.

...in one of its earlier printings, a Sheed & Ward paperback of 1954. Here is how Msgr Knox has rendered the "Nunc Dimittis," sung at Compline by monks (Luke 2.29-32):

"Ruler of all, now dost thou let thy servant go in peace, according to thy word;

"for my own eyes have seen that saving power of thine

"which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations.

"This is the light which shall give revelation to the Gentiles, this is the glory of thy people Israel."

Knox's rendering of Matthew 6.28 ("See how the wild lilies grow; they do not toil or spin") is considerably more appealing to this reader than the New American Bible's "Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow."

John 1:1, on the other hand, lacks the concision to which we are accustomed. "At the beginning of time the Word already was; and God had the word abiding with him, and the Word was God." The Revised English Bible of 1989 is similarly circumlocutory in its rendering of this verse.

But on the whole, the Ronald Knox New Testament is a dignified, stately, elegant and (as far as our unscholarly mind can discern) accurate translation; and we should like to see a single-volume reissuance of Msgr Knox's rendering of the Old Testament! Well, perhaps someday soon.