This book, along with the other books in this series, is a wonderful picture into the history of our country. The stories are very well written. Mrs. Rue, (who I understand wanted to be Nancy Drew when she was young;) has created a wonderful character in Josiah Hutchinson, given him wonderful adventures, and given her readers an opportunity to see the struggles Josiah goes through to become a young man as well as a man of faith. The Puritans become more genuine and down-to-earth as seen through his eyes. This is historical fiction for both boys and girls, but I've enjoyed them as an adult. Thank you, Nancy!

A quarter-century after Albert Hourani's much-acclaimed Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age, Salem has published a successor volume, both sadder and wiser. As his title suggests, Salem finds that the Arabs suffered acutely from the impact of ideology (which he defines as "a system of highly integrated ideas, principles, and aims that are related to sociopolitical action").

Salem divides his subject matter into four main trends: Arab nationalism, Islamic fundamentalism, Marxism, and regional nationalism (under which rubric he includes Egyptian, Lebanese, and Syrian variants). In every instance, he begins with the ideology's historical career, then goes on to describe its ideas, its social dynamics, appeal, and legacy. The author manages to make this structure work; more, the rigor of his approach makes it possible to compare the movements and ideas in a surprisingly direct fashion.

Salem's grounding in European intellectual history brings an additional bonus, enabling him to show the derivation of Middle Eastern ideas from their Western sources. And herein lies perhaps the most depressing aspect of the book: Westerners must acknowledge that the great majority of terrible ideas (such as the various strains of totalitarianism) that so harmed the Arabic-speaking countries in recent times come from their own civilization. At the same time, Arabs must acknowledge that their own thinkers had precious few original thoughts, but derived almost everything from the West.

Middle East Quarterly, March 1995

It's unfortunate that many of Kirban's books are either out-of-print or hard to get. Many Christians familiar with Grant Jeffrey's or Hal Lindsey's works would find much familiar ground in Kirban's books. A born-again Arab, Kirban uses many examples from the Bible and then explains what they mean to us today.

This small, pamphlet sized, book contains over 50 charts that help explain the prophecies of Revelation to the layman - and they're still interesting to the student of Biblical Prophecy as well. There's also some info from the book of Daniel as well that really helps explain the prophecies of Revelation. The charts really help bring out the important details of the prophecies concerning the End Times.

One of my favorite charts shows the exact boundaries of the land that was "deeded" to Abraham and his descendants by God. This really helped me understand why Israel considers the land of Palestine to be their property. It includes the vast majority of modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, and stretches over all the way to Kuwait! Later charts explain the twelve tribes of Israel including who they were and who they became, and many others.

If you don't have "Revelation Visualized" by Kirban, then this book is worth finding.

First of all, I don't know of a better book to use to try and identify that Knowles, Salem or Taylor, Smith & Taylor plate or bowl you've picked up at an estate or garage sale (and if you know of a better book, please email me as I'm always looking for one). Each manufacturer's designs are shown IN FULL COLOR (a definite plus) and you can even find examples of the same design on a different plate shape. Having said that, it isn't as complete as I'd hoped, although it IS the most complete book I've come across. There are some pieces I have which I still haven't been able to ID and many of the designs simply have numbers, rather than names, to ID them. Even with these flaws, this is a detailed, nicely done book. As most collectors of vintage dinnerware know, some information is simply hard to come by and it takes a great deal of research (and some luck) to get the information one would like. This book is a great aid along the way.

An interesting history of one of the oldest families in Nova Scotia and the United States. During the Revolutionary War brothers fight for opposite sides and when the war is over the Bristish sympathizers are deported to Nova Scotia where they contribute much to their new country. They also change their name to Durham. The American family remains Singletary, and is an important family throughout the south today as well as Mass. In the American Civil War, Singletarys again fought on both sides.

On Halloween 2001, acting Governor Jane M. Swift signed a bill exonerating the last five women who died during the Salem Witch Trials and whose innocence was never officially acknowledged by the local government. The fact that 20 people were put to death for crimes based on spectral evidence is--ironically--an ideal setup for harvesting ghosts. HAUNTED SALEM & BEYOND takes advantage of Salem's heritage to introduce another supernatural aspect when most people are more interested in exploiting its association with witchcraft. Whatever points this book scores in taking advantage of this overlooked creative slant, it loses a few for its lack of depth.

This slim 2001 volume contains 26 true ghost stories of Salem's netherworld, black and white photos of the sites, a bibliography, and list of local touring companies.

The apparition of Giles Corey, an octogenarian who was crushed to death when he refused to cooperate with local authorities during the Salem Witch Trials, warns of impending disasters coming to the area. At Witch Hollow Farm in Boxford, one former resident claims she heard her name being called and seeing a green light shining from within her bedroom, but it faded when she opened the door. After the fishing schooner CHARLES HASKELL collides with another during a storm, the HASKELL's crew refuses to work when dead fishermen from the sunk boat climb aboard and goes to work as usual.

I have taken a serious personal interest in the Massachusetts colonies after learning a few generations of my ancestors were among its early settlers. Several of those executed in the witch trials had already prolifically propagated before they died and have a wealth of descendents. Genealogists are frequently formidable historians themselves, but the documents they usually pursue provide facts with few details. Here's a book that focuses on the outcome of conflicts and emotions that may not receive much coverage and yet give new insights as to how our progenitors lived.

Unfortunately, Author Lynda Lee Macken falls short of providing enough detail to make her tales satisfying. Her accounts consist of warmed-over information that this reviewer has already learned from other sources without producing anything fresh. There is no consultation with primary sources and she offers no new personal insights to these paranormal anecdotes.

On the other hand, the list of local touring companies is a welcome ingredient that can be helpful to anyone who intends to sightsee this eclectic aspect of the Salem area. Readers requiring magnifying glasses should appreciate its large type, although the choice of font would be a poor one for reading in long sittings.

Determining Macken's intent in putting HAUNTED SALEM & BEYOND together makes it difficult to judge how many stars it deserves. Noting its graphic design and the brevity of its accounts, one can only assume that it is meant as an introductory document to Salem's ghostlore. For anyone looking for something more comprehensive search for other sources, but this book can be a helpful guide to anyone visiting the area.

This book, the first of many - one would hope, tells the story from the view of a carousel figure. It is dear to our hearts because of the locale. Carousels inspire the dreamer in each of us and it is always fun to read about something that is current and local. This could become one in a collector's series and I would recommend buying the first and waiting for the rest.

I liked the story very much. It was fast paced and interesting. The plot had lots of twists and cliff hangers. I particularly liked the use of Abe Lincoln as a supporting character. This is the Lincoln we don't hear much about, the pre-presidential guy.

The book would be interesting for any lover of the "Indiana Jones" adventure genre but is particularly suited for boys. They will readily identify with the hijinks of the two main characters Jack and Finnigan.

I will be looking for more books from this author. Could this be the beginning of a series?

It's unfortunate that many of Kirban's books are either out-of-print or hard to get. Many Christians familiar with Grant Jeffrey's or Hal Lindsey's works would find much familiar ground in Kirban's books. A born-again Arab, Kirban uses many examples from the Bible and then explains what they mean to us today. "Questions" is a wonderful book - almost like a "frequently asked questions" pamphlet that deals with Biblical prophecy. Topics include: The Second Coming, the Tribulation, the Millennium, the New Heavens and New Earth, and many photos and charts that help explain the prophecies of Revelation to even a total novice. Although small, this pamphlet is packed with good information for anyone wanting to get a handle on Biblical prophecy.

This book is a captivating novel about life during the Salem Witch trials. I will only say one more thing because I do not want to ruin it for you: if you like to learn about the worls history of the witch trials this is the book for you!