This book is a wonderful tapestry of history and memory that makes for a warm, enjoyable read, despite its message: what is lost. From Native American Matapeake Indians to Baltimore's great fire, and the "second" Bay Bridge construction, the history reveals the natural resources, economy, and community values of early Kent Island, and its present reality of tract housing, expressways, and strip malls. Freedman's microcosm of Kent Island is a macro for what's happening all over the U.S. Character and charm are no more. We live in vinyl boxes and shop the same chains. As you drive around your town, have you ever really looked to see how ugly most of the landscape is? Try it. The book's images are quite extraordinary though. The author's memories and cherished photos of family and place possess an honesty that reached out for my own distinct early memories, and begged me to appreciate them. She also reinforced my appetite for finding value and beauty in simple things and ways that deserve human note and care. A few of my favorite parts of the book: Recipes Served on the Porch, My Mother's Coat, and the twelve days of Christmas. This book was personally enriching for me, and it's a wake-up call for those of us who've known a finer quality of life. We do know better. Janet Freedman came right out and said it.

Janet Freedman seamlessly blends history and personal remembrances in this charming account of family and place. Her grandmother's farm and the surrounding area are brought to life through the memories of a child, the commentary of family and friends, and detailed research. One need not be familiar with Kent Island to feel a stir of nostalgia for the simpler times she describes.
No romanticized sentiment is found here. Hardships are made clear ("the shocking cold of January linoleum" in an unheated bedroom, for example, or a coat handed down through six children), but they are tempered with descriptions of the bounty provided by land and water and the reassurance of routine. The security offered by close family ties is evident throughout.
Emphasis is placed on accurate and fond description of the region, though recent comers might be hard pressed to reconcile the dirt roads and general stores of Freedman's childhood with the asphalt and strip malls of today's Kent Island. A selection of period photographs augments the author's colorful prose, giving a visual record of structures that have fallen vicitim to "progress" and the people who helped shape this story.
Sadly, the book's poignancy is derived from what we've lost; the concept of controlled development has come too late to save much of Kent Island's appeal. Freedman's work will stand as a testament to what was and a warning of how quickly such things can be lost.

I read with interest Janet Freedman's book, KENT ISLAND and was saddened by the great loss of American landscape, folkways and individual freedom that goes along with the vast real estate grab that has been occurring everywhere on the East Coast of the United States during the last 50 years. Except for a few state and federal parks, the coastline is completely owned by the wealthy. Where there were once families and communities engaged in agriculture or seafood harvesting we now have a blight of ticky-tacky housing and high rise hotels. Where there were once farmers and watermen working the land and the water there are now yachtsmen and other pleasure boat owners filling our bays and inlets to such an extent that nobody can derive any pleasure from fishing or sailing.Wherein lies the "pleasure"? And its not just the coastline. Here in Pennsylvania, truck farmers and orchard owners daily give way to the lucrative offers of land speculators. Soon we will be getting all our fruit from Chile or Peru because all the excellent arable land in the northeastern U.S. will have been turned into suburbia. GARY WHITTLE

This book beautifully captures the magic of the Galapagos. Since visiting these islands last summer, this is the only book that captured what I saw. The quality of the photographs are wonderful and a real effort was made to travel the entire Galapagos and put it on film. Thanks for making it available. I'm sure everyone will enjoy this book like I have.

It's great to see a photography book that stresses the true beauty of animal life. I've travelled to the Galapago Islands three different times, and this book provides for me wonderful memories. This book also provided me with photos of the different island landscapes and beaches, that I could only wish I had taken.

My husband and I have had the opportunity to travel to many places in the world and now that we've looked at this amazing photography book of the Galapagos Islands, my husband and I plan to visit there in the very near future. The patience of the photographer are apparent when looking at the photos of the marine iguanas, penguins, and many other unique species of the Galapagos Islands. The photos make us want to see for ourselves the beauty of islands!

Helen Glidden wrote this gem for the amusement of her children. Lucky for us, she was persuaded to have it published. Now, happily, 50 years hence it's back in print. It's an enchanting story (mostly true) about a large family (13 children) of light house keepers posted to tiny Patos Island in the San Juan Islands of NW Washington State at the turn of the century. It is told through the eyes of the five-year-old, middle daughter and comes complete with smugglers, heroes, a murder or two, colorful characters, whimsy and plenty of humor. Glidden masters the tricky business of writing from the point of view of a youngster growing from five to 13 who, for example, thinks the bushy bearded man living on the lam in their forest and know only to her is God. The author was this girl.

This book if fun to read, Good writing, Makes you laugh and cry. You will have a great time with this book.

In 1953 as a 10 year old living in upstate New York, I read The Light On The Island and was mesmerized by the adventures of Angie and her family on Patos Island. Living on an island with a lighthouse, surrounded by marine animals and birds, rowing about in boats, exploring the beaches, coves and woods of Patos was a dreamworld away from mine. The book remained one of my favorite childhood books,[ I still have the book---its dustcover in tatters] so imagine how I felt when 16 years later I met my husband, who was from the Seattle area and we eventually moved there and Angie's world was in my backyard. Four years ago we took our sailboat up to Patos and we walked the beaches, "the petticoats" of Patos Island. For young and old alike, The Light On The Island explores the world of a child, the dreams, the harsh reality, the innocence, life and death, and growing up. Read it for the first time, read it again, ---it will light up your day!

A great read. Brings out the warmth of the people, the depth of their culture and takes you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Bali. I've only had a short stopover in Bali, where I picked up this wonderful book, but I want to return and spend time just wandering. If you read only one book to prepare you for Bali, read this one.

I picked up this book at Changi airport in Singapore, in transit to Bali. I import from Bali and frequently add books to my load read them once, and leave them in the library in Bali for others to enjoy. This one I have kept. I will not even loan it out unless I know exactly where I can hunt the person down to get it back - it is a great book. Great reading for the seasoned traveller. Great intro for people who are planning to go to Bali. I am currently ordering a few copies here at Amazon (the only place Stateside I was able to find it) to give to a friend (so I don't have to loan my copy out :))))))

Having just returned from my first visit to Bali, I have been anxious to read more about the people, culture, traditions, and religion. This book is an excellent recounting of one couple's experience living with a Balinese family. It was almost like getting to return to Bali for another visit. The writing is clear, concise, and illuminating. I truly enjoyed this book.

This is a common sense book about the truisms of business. As a business consultant, Jaroslav has seen it all, and as a business consultant myself, I share many of his observations. This book is going to be a "must read" for my clients in the future."

This book is the beginning facts and principles of entrepreneurship. Before you read Built to Last, or the E-Myth, you need to start with this book. Jaroslav keeps it straight forward, practical and factual. This is the book I wish I had before I started my company 22 years ago. It would have saved me lots of pain and it would have encourged me to do it years earlier. My plan is to use this book as a primer to teach my children how to start their own business or how they can a better business manager.

As I read this book, I relived many of the "nightmare" issues that we dealt with over the years while building our company. I had trouble putting the book down because every additional page and chapter seemed to address business obstacles that we struggled with to overcome. We could have saved much blood sweat and tears had we been guided by the "bottled up" wisdom and truths found in this book.

This is a great telling of what is often an untold battle. These Marines went through hell and back and this is an excellent telling of their hardships.

James H. Hallas's book 'Killing Ground on Okinawa' is one of those books that should be in any decent military history library. Having previously read his account of the fighting on Peleliu, 'The Devil's Anvil' I couldn't wait to read this account of the battle for Sugar Loaf Hill. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed in this book.

The author allows the Marines who took part in the fighting tell the story and its incredible to read what these blokes went through for what looks like a very small piece of Pacific Island real estate. The accounts of the fighting men are detailed and to the point and you are forced to sit back and think of how these men endured this hell, it is almost beyond the comprehension of today's generation.

The narrative is full of details but the real guts of the book is the first-hand accounts by the men involved in the assaults against the well constructed Japanese defensive positions. Not only were the Japanese well dug in and protected but they used their firepower and weapons to great advantage. They wrought destruction upon the advancing marines. Men and machines were continually being knocked out with no gain being made against the determined Japanese defence.

Finally after a heroic night attack the marines secured a toehold on Sugar Loaf but then had to hold against Japanese counter attacks and massive counter fire from artillery, mortars, machine guns and snipers. The casualty list for the marine units were massively high causing some questioning of the strategy and tactics used by the Army High Command. In over seven days of fighting the 6th Marine Division suffered over 2,000 casualties fighting for this pimple of a hill which secured the Japanese Shuri Line.

The only fault that I could find with this book was the standard of the maps and photographs. I am sure that they could have been of a higher calibre. Overall this is a great story of combat, dedication, bravery and Espirt de Corp. I think it is one of the better combat accounts of the Pacific Theatre that I have read in some years and I am certain that anyone interested in the Pacific War would be fascinated by this account.

This book is another amazing account of a ferocious battle engaged by the US Marines at the close of WWII at terrible personal sacrifice. It ranks among the best narratives I have read. If you want to take a trip into the trenches of Okinawa with the men who bled their, this book is a must read. The story is fast paced, action packed, gripping and heart rending. I cannot imagine what the outcome of the Pacific war against the Japanese would have been without the sacrifice these brave young men made on behalf of freedom.

I like Walter Lord's writing--A Night to Remember and Day of Infamy. These were two great books about disasters. Unlike those books, this book is about the experience of the twenty coastwatchers in the Solomons campaign. It is well written but does not have the intensity of those other two books. The book is well written and tells about the alert activities of the coastwatchers, along with their guerrilla and rescue actitivities. The Allied victory at Guadalcanal had much to do with the coachwatchers.
This part of World War II might never have been written about were it not for the rescue of the future President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's part in the rescue shows his leadership abilities. It also dispels the notion of negligence on Kennedy's part in the destruction of the PT-109.

I am partial to this book becuase Walter Lord interviewed my Father during the writing of this book. My Father Benjamin F. Nash was the only full time American Coastwatcher during WWII and was with Reg Evans when they spotted the fire ball that turned out to be the wreck of PT 109 when the Jananese destroyer ran over it. I met Mr. Lord during the days he talked to my Father during the Summer of 1976. I think it was '76. I have read the book several times. It is a fascinating history filled with facts, so you have to take your time in reading it to get the full impact. My Father told me that the facts that he knew of where 100% accurate in the book. Great book.

Walter Lord's book, "Lonely Vigil: Coast Watchers of the Solomons," written in 1977, was written as a tribute to those brave Australians who stayed behind in the Solomon Islands to report on the activities of the Japanese at great personal risk to themselves. They helped the United States during the Battle of Guadalcanal. One of them even saved the life of JFK. During World War II, the Pacific was a Japanese lake. They controlled every country in Asia and Southeast Asia. The Coast Watchers were a vital link in Australia's defensive chain. They even aided VMF-214, the legendary Black Sheep Squadron, commanded by the late Major Gregory R. ("Pappy") Boyington. If it weren't for the Coast Watchers, then we probably would have lost World War II.

If you go Napoli's gulf you should visit Capri. Don't make the mistake i made by following herds of tourists to Capri. All that you'll be able to see is a kind of disney village and a lot of postcard shops and eat unbelievably expensive ice cream.
And you'll probably miss a landmark of architecture which is Malaparte's house.
The book is not only a great bargain, it is an intelligent tribute to Malaparte. You should also read Malaparte's The Skin.

The book is amazing. It captures the dialogue of the house and Mr. Malaparte! The play of form, thought, nature, and politics. The graphic collection is presented is a collage of layers and frames.

more like a scrapbook, this art book was most enjoyable, voyering into a fascinating life

My Little Island is a delightful book which I first read to my daughter when she was 4 years old. The story is wonderful and the illustrations are captivating. We read it again and again many nights as it became one of our favorite books. Soon my daughter began reading it by herself. She is 6 years old now and still remembers the names of all the beautiful trees in the story. I would highly recommmend this book to the parents of any 4 to 6 year old child whom I am sure would enjoy this book as much as we do.

Both my parents worked when I was kid. My younger sister and I used to stay at home and play. Every mid-afternoon we would stop playing and run to turn on MPT (PBS) and watch Reading Rainbow. We were never disappointed-- even the theme song pleased us and we would sing and dance to it. MY LITTLE ISLAND was one of my favorite episodes-- I have not read or seen this book in 12 years yet I remember so much from it: seeing the island overhead, looking exactly like a large swimming turtle, the market scene (the clothes and fruit compete with each other, both are so delicious to look at), and the night fishing. This is a beutiful book-- beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Read it only once and I guarantee neither you or the one whom it is read to will forget it.

I like the pictures in this book. The book made me wonder what goat-water stew and guavas are. I wonder if people still live on Montserrat since the volcano erupted. I wish I could go there to swim, fish, and visit the market. I am 6 1/2 years old.

Its about kids going on mysteries. Their mysteries is about crocodiles. It has a lot of action and its exciting.

I thought that this was an excellent book it was exciting and went at good pace and kept me on the edge of my seat and it was not hard to understand what was happening and it was easy to keep up

I liked this book because this book was realistic. It was so beliveable that when they got kidnapped it made me mad.