Yesterday I received Karen's "Down Home on Nelson Island" from Amazon. Last night I sat down and read the whole book (147 pages) in one sitting. She has done an outstanding job in capturing the 'flavor' of life on the Outer Banks. Her fictional characters ring true. I've known real-life counterparts to her "Arthur Austin", "Rachel", and "Sarah". What a wonderful warm-hearted antidote for the stress that surrounds us just about everywhere.

If you have not visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Karen Dodd's book is so descriptive that you will feel you are there. She explores the relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter and how it grows during the granddaughter's summer visit to Nelson Island. This is a "feel good" book that I enjoyed and, I believe, other readers would also.

I consider this the best book I have read on the first six months of the Korean War. It accurately covers the conflict both before and after the entry of the Chinese. More importantly it gives excellent background on the Chinese, Korean, Soviet relations. It fairly identifies the deficiencies of the high command (Washington and Tokyo) and the problems faced by a badly depleted military force. It coordinates the actions of the Eighth Army and X Corps and identifies the lack there of. With only minor errors it accurately portrays the debacles of late November and early December, a feat rarely done. I know, I was at Koto-ri.

Review of Roe, The Dragon StrikesThis is an important book for the serious student of military and political history and for the veterans of the "Forgotten War" - and of other conflicts large and small, before and since. It is a sober, serious carefully organized and closely written work. That should not be read as dull or difficult. It is simply and elegantly composed in terms immediately accessible to any interested reader. I would suggest thatthe reader first scan the final chapter (16), "Looking Back", for a contextual summary of the author1s findings. After that, the Preface tells you who the author is and what motivates him. Itis brief, simple and overly modest. From this point on the chapters develop an account rangingfrom the historical relationships of Asians and Europeans over the last 150 years, to the political aftermath of WW2, the overheated ideological confrontations of "super powers", and the willful - if not entirely intentional, misunderstandings that led up to and resulted in the tragic mishandling of the (multiplex) strategies and tactics of the Korean War. Although it is told in simple language, this is not a simple tale. Roe does not seek or dispense blame. The book is a painstaking and rigorously objective attempt to make sense of the cascade of misconceptions, missteps and faulty decisions that were the pivotal crises of the Korean "Police Action" and the tragedy of that still unresolved war. If the reader discerns incompetence, rampant egotism, chauvinist arrogance or just plain stupidity, these are revealed by the actors themselves, in the context of their actions, and not by the conjecture or "interpretation" of the author.My personal bias should be made clear. Like Pat Roe I am a member of the Chosin Few. As he was a young 2nd Lt. in the 7th Marine Regiment, I was a young Sgt. in the 5th Marines.I came to know him personally a dozen years or so ago. I respect and admire his clear-headed intelligence, his uncompromising - if polite -honesty, his unquestionable personal integrity and his ability to look calmly and objectively at the facts and to organize and present them lucidly, without adjective or adverbial coloring. Roe is known throughout the membership of the Chosin Few for his remark at the first reunion of that fraternity in 1985. On the heels of much in the way of rhetoric and reminiscence and the emotional impact of encountering old comrades and mourning those lost, Roe summarized his viewpoint and his feelings. He wrote simply, "We did a good thing". Pat has done a good and valuable thing in this book. In the Preface he writes that the book is a product of six years of research and writing. This is his only misstatement in 450 pages. The book is the product of fifty years of attention and devotion to duty.

This book is an incredibly charming read, made even better by the beautiful pictures. I enjoyed it so much that I have given several copies of this book to friends and family. When I grow up (?), I want to be an archaeologist!!

Thank you, Naomi Miller, for giving me many evenings of pleasure.

Amazon.com had a mistake in the listing (since corrected) which prompted me to write and take the opportunity to transmit what my friends say about the book (I, of course, would be too prejudiced to write my own review):

One of the people pictured in the book wrote to me: "Thanks a million for your wonderful book. I've just spent a while taking refuge from a grumpy evening by flipping through it, pausing to read about the parts of your life I don't know. How wonderfully generous of you to enshrine us like this, with such precise evocation of time, space, foolishness & purpose."

Another friend wrote:"Your lovely book of drawings and watercolors arrived yeaterday. [We] were immediately entranced by the images and text--such an amusing, informative down-to-earth description life on the dig. The watercolors are really wonderful, but I've always known that.... I had never seen the Shiraz bazaar or Malyan village scenes. Then there are all the pals: ...--they evoke such memories! Is that Dash, the Wonder Dog, on the back cover? Remember, he had a "thing' for you, invading your bedroom with his cargo of fleas! And there he is, wagging his tail at your photograph. Plate 16 is a sweet rendering of my favorite view of Yassihöyük. The Euphrates views are as close as I ever need to get to that old river. Finally, I love all the little sketches scattered throughout--especially the birds and animals. Thanks again for the originals, which I treasure, and thanks for the book. ..."

And another friend wrote: "...Your book is wonderful: your narrative is a delight to read and you know how much I admire your watercolors--each is exquisite w/ great sureness of line, balance of composition pacing & repetition that makes a whole of the multi-paneled ones, and of course great use of colors to die for. I love them! I am lucky to have seen many in incomparable person but there were some that were new to me--the luminosity of the originals and your wonderful backlighting were undiminished in reproduction. Of course we love best of all discovering new things in the plates with each reading.
Congratulations in getting your book out. I am so happy that everyone else will get to share in the pleasure of looking at them.
Thank you again, I am most proud to possess a copy so wonderfully inscribed!"

I won't bore you with the rest of the rave reviews!

The best thing since sliced bread ! The Dubai Explorer has it all, from info on your visa or driving license to where to get the best margaritas in town. A very easy to use guide which comes in handy when you want to try out a new restaurant,the guide is being updated anually which ensures that you never mis out on the latest that is going on in Dubai, even for the long time residents The Dubai Explorer is a must.

Very informative and up-to-date guide - useful for visitors and expats alike. Split into 8 broad sections the guide starts with the usual general help - including cultural and practical information. Particularly liked the summary boxes and top tips - saves a lot of time ! The hotels listing may be disappointing for visitors (just a contact list) but the guide more than makes up for this by the great Eating Out/On the Town sections, with price guide and pretty accurate reviews of restaurants and the varied nightlife. The New Residents section is essential reading for expats or potential expats - great practical information. The 'Exploring', 'Pleasure and Leisure' and 'Sporting activities' sections contain all a reader needs to know about what to do in the Emirates - without this book a visitor could miss out on many of the delights offered in this part of the world. Since shopping is a major pastime in Dubai this section of the guide is an excellent timesaving guide to the malls and the huge range of goods to buy.

Extensive index and the simple, practical layout of the guide make it easy to use. The aerial maps at the back of the book are stunning ! Dubai is a rapidly developing place and a current guide is essential - this guide contains much more up-to-date information than many other guidebooks and is thoroughly recommended for expats and visitors alike !

In this stunning book, the author chronicles the cultural, religious, economic and political developments which led to the construction of the pyramids. Divided in three parts, the author provides convincing evidence in relation to the five topics discussed herein, i.e. administration, contacts with foreign lands, establishment of divine kingship, royal tombs, and early Egyptian religion. A remarkable publication with great photography. Highly recommended for the interested student or scholar.

This book replaces W.B. Emery's Archaic Egypt as the standard English-language introduction to the early dynatic period. It is a fine synthesis of the last century of work in the field and in specialist journals, including many recent discoveries (e.g., cemetary U at Umm-el-Qaab) and the most important discussions (e.g., Seidlmayer,Renee Friedman). Especially strong in dealing with the "new" archeology, the most important original contribution of this work is its analysis of royal administration in the 1st through 3rd dynasties. If the book does have a weakness, it is in its catalog-like treatment of religion: but the major references are given for the reader to follow out even here.

This book has a lot of information. Amazing how many hotel and restaurants are listed, broken down by price. There are even descriptions of what type of food to expect. I love the history inserts throughout the book. I appreciate the author being forthright regarding health, safety and how to respect the local authorities. Well worth the money.

very helpful and easy to use guide. worth every cent.

Dr. Kituku has created a work of deep understanding for adults and children. The lessons he illustrates are enjoyable on their surface and deep in their meaning. Whether it is the wit of the hare, the wisdom within "The old man and the boy," or the lessons on humility, greed and laziness, the learning is both traditional and current. This is a work to be read aloud, to your children and to yourself. As Dr. Kituku learned his lessons from the elders of his family in Africa, our children can learn from us, and us from them. Buy it, read it, read it again and share it with the children.

This entertaining and insightful book brings home truth and experience to all who read it. As children read these stories their imaginations takes off to the untamed land of Africa. Deep in the jungle where they have traveled many jewels are uncovered. The children lock them deep in their hearts and journey back to their homes. They come back with wisdom that can not be bought for any price but can only appear after an experience of one's soul.

The wisdom that comes from this book will help children navigate through this difficult land we call America. The course has been set by many. They need to have all the skills in hand to make it a sucessful journey through drugs, sex, violence, and many more obstacles the culture has put in front of our precious children.

As parents and leaders we must take every opportunity available to help our children through life. I believe that Dr. Kituku's insightful stories can help us achieve this goal.

Remember, that it takes a village to raise a child!

This is an excellent resource tool for anyone with a serious interest in African insectivores and or bats. The author provides detailed information, not found in most texts. The drawings are wonderful.

As a professional Wildlife Artist, my field includes painting, sculpture, and taxidermy.

This makes all of the "East African Mammals" series of books by Jonathan Kingdon an absolute necessity. The text gives a wonderful insight into the natural history as well as the historical ancestry of the majority of East Africa's wild children.

But even more, it is Mr. Kingdon's exquisite pencil renderings of the individual species as well as the structure of their musculature, that make these books so special.

These, in turn, are further enhanced by deeper dissection-like illustrations revealing deeper muscle structures responsible for much of the movement and support for the mammal in question. These types of drawings are especially fascinating in the Large Mammals volume, wherein the trunk of the elephant and the mouth structure of the hippopotamus are visually dissected to provide a greater insight into these structures, and their performance in the animal.

The books in this series are therefore especially indispensable to the Wildlife Restorer (taxidermist) as a guide to anatomy that we rarely get to see "in-the-flesh" as it were.

I can, therefore, wholeheartedly recommend this series of books to anyone who cares enough about their chosen field of art, to pursue all ends to collect as much reference material as possible.

These books are an excellent addition to the wildlife artists' library.

I bought this for my daughter who is a graduating biologist with a strong interest in mammals. She loves it and has requested several other volumes in the set for birthday or christmas. I've spent some time with it and it almost exceeds description. The pencil drawings (by the author, also an artist) are definitive, the coverage is exhaustive, and there is but one problem. The whole set, of which this is just one volume, is slowly going out of print. Grab them while you can; used they sell for MORE than new, if you can find them at all.

As a professional Wildlife Artist, my field includes painting, sculpture, and taxidermy.

This makes all of the "East African Mammals" series of books by Jonathan Kingdon an absolute necessity. The text gives a wonderful insight into the natural history as well as the historical ancestry of the majority of East Africa's wild children.

But even more, it is Mr. Kingdon's exquisite pencil renderings of the individual species as well as the structure of their musculature, that make these books so special.

It will be funny to those who have never seen an animal without its' hide on, to see how some predators - including the hyena, and leopard - look without their coat of fur. For instance, the anatomical study of the Sidestriped Jackal will remind the reader of a popular Chihuahua pitch-man ... er, dog!

These musulature drawings, in turn, are further enhanced by deeper dissection-like illustrations revealing the deeper muscle structures responsible for much of the movement and support for the mammal in question. These types of drawings are especially fascinating in the Large Mammals volume, wherein the trunk of the elephant and the mouth structure of the hippopotamus are visually dissected to provide a greater insight into these structures, and their performance in the animal.

The books in this series are therefore especially indispensable to the Wildlife Restorer (taxidermist) as a guide to anatomy that we rarely get to see "in-the-flesh" as it were.

I can, therefore, wholeheartedly recommend this series of books to anyone who cares enough about their chosen field of art, to pursue all ends to collect as much reference material as possible.

These books are an excellent addition to the wildlife artists' library.

I love my Jon Kingdon..the guy just draws so well and reading his accounts and observation you can tell he has a love for the animals he draws.Just amazing.Luckily I bought my copy when it was "only" 50 bucks, not sure why its so expensive now but I must say it's almost worth the new price.

As a professional Wildlife Artist, my field includes painting, sculpture, and taxidermy.

This makes all of the "East African Mammals" series of books by Jonathan Kingdon an absolute necessity. The text gives a wonderful insight into the natural history as well as the historical ancestry of the majority of East Africa's wild children.

But even more, it is Mr. Kingdon's exquisite pencil renderings of the individual species as well as the structure of their musculature, that make these books so special.

These musculature drawings, in turn, are further enhanced by deeper dissection-like illustrations revealing the deeper muscle structures responsible for much of the movement and support for the mammal in question. These types of drawings are especially fascinating in this, the Large Mammals volume, wherein the trunk of the elephant and the mouth structure of the hippopotamus are visually dissected to provide a greater insight into these structures, and their performance in the animal.

Also covered in this Large Mammals volume, is the Zebra and the Giraffe. Among the extensive coverage, the zebras' anatomy is not only printed, but it is also illustrated in all its' stripe variations, as well as its' ancestral evolutionary development. Included with the giraffe, we get a look at the muscles, as well as its' coat and how the predator sees - or more correctly - doesn't see its' quarry!

The books in this series are therefore especially indispensable to the Wildlife Restorer (taxidermist) as a guide to anatomy that we rarely get to see "in-the-flesh" as it were.

I can, therefore, wholeheartedly recommend this series of books to anyone who cares enough about their chosen field of art, to pursue all ends to collect as much reference material as possible.

These books are an excellent addition to the wildlife artists' library.