Boston

At last a map where the next page is the area east of the previous one. Each page is part of the grid inside the front cover and they are laid out sequentially. The map is clear and easy to read. Very satisfied. My only problem is that I can't find more of these in stores - now I want ones for Western and Southern MA. Shame they couldn't publish one book for the whole state.

Now if only Amazon could categorize their maps better, or Rand McNally would list all of their publications on their web site.

As an urban planning student (B.A. 2003), who is especially interested in public housing, I have read dozens of books and articles on the subject.

Reclaiming Public Housing is the best I have read yet. The stories of the three redeveloped public housing projects (one was a failure, one a widely-recognized success, and one a mixed-success) are beautifully written - rich with detail and imagery. This book is a far cry from the usual dull statistical tomes that tend to plaque the urban planning/sociology fields. Instead, it represents the perfect balance of statistics and anecdotal evidence, topped off with a wide selection of photos.

Anyone wishing to better understand the past, present, and future of public housing should definitely buy this book.

There is an in-print verison of this book though Amazon lists it as not-yet published.

This is the journal of Alexander Stephens, the Vice President of the Confederate States of America written immediately after the war. It is wonderful. Stephens is a very peculiar little fellow not at all in the mold of any other Civil War character. He's a very good writer and, in this book, holds back nothing, not even strange little details of his daily hygiene (and I do mean _strange_).

Stephens was lonely, kept totally isolated from all human contact, and so turned to this journal to both entertain himself and to try to explain to himself and others what he thought of the war, the nation, the other participants of the rebellion, and any other thing that came to mind. There's a tension to the writing, too, as he did not at that time know what his fate would be. He fully expected to be executed for his part in the Confederacy, a thought he didn't find as disturbing as being kept in isolated imprisonment the rest of his life. Stephens is in no way a strong, stoic character. He reveals all his fears without sort of self-agrandizement.

Civil war historian or casual history reader will enjoy this look at a somewhat unknown, but important, participant in the American Civil War.

Red Sox Reader is a wonderful collaboration of the best articles written on the Sox. It includes stories from the most significant events in Sox history, ranging the Babe's move to the Yanks to the 1986 Series. It also includes an interview with Bill Lee, a couple of articles by the editor (who was an English teacher in my hometown for years), and perhaps the greatest article on a Boston event - "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu" by John Updike. I would recommend this book to any Boston fan who appreciates good writing.

Neprology is probably one of the most complex and "weakest" subject for residents and medical students. The authors and editor of this book have not only made the subject palatable, but enjoyable. Beginning with a historical approach, was a fantastic idea; it set the perfect stage to illustrate and explain the anatomy, the physiology, the pathophysiology and finally the treatments of renal function and dysfunction.

Moreover, the book does a fine job of explaining acid base disorders, electrolyte disorders, and other renal diseases as they relate to nephrology; as well as their relationship to other subspecialties, such as pulmonology, cardiology and endocrinology for example.

Simply said, the book is a wonderful example of applying creative writing skills to describe a technical subject. The result is an enjoyable, easily readable, thorough explanation of renal function and disease that is written at a perfect level for medical residents, (or anyone else for that matter).

Thanks so much for creating this book!
(a second year med-peds resident)

The Boston-by-itinerary approach of this book makes it easy for a visitor to become acquainted with this diverse city in small, logical doses. Harris and Lyon write with the conviction, and attention to detail, of those who know their territory well. Not just for romantic travelers but for anyone seeking entree to one of the country's most fascinating cities.

So what's guy living in Brooklyn have to say about the guidebook for Boston? Well, I have homes in both, and have lived in Boston on and off for decades, so I do have some familiarity with that city, thank you very much. Now, where in Hahvahd Yahd did I pahk my cah?

Seriously, even though I've lived in Boston for a long time it's still a city I don't feel very familiar with. Its complex street system is one thing I'll never master. It's the same feeling I have about Queens, NY, where I also lived for a while but never felt comfortable with. I guess it's because I prefer organized cities. (The small city I grew up in had just one main street, how nice and easy!)

Thankfully The Rough Guide to Boston is well organized and well written. I've read through two dozen guide books on the city and this is by far the best. The Fodor guide is too wordy and confusing, the Dummies guide too shallow and pretentious, the guide put out by the Hahvahd students totally indecipherable and inaccurate. This volume has the right balance between information and entertainment. It's concise yet complete, small yet immensely useful, and it's printed on nice paper so it'll last a good long time. The "24 things not to miss" are the best "best-of-Boston" list I've seen because it goes beyond the obvious popular tourist spots.

If you plan to visit Boston or go to school there, get this high-quality book.

They are all hear. Paul Revere, Sam Adams, John Handcock....The Seventeen Eighty-Nine Boston Directory allows the reader to imagine what life was like in colonial Boston. Listings of all of the city's residents including their occupation and street address. A handy guide for genealogists.

Siddur Haveirim Kol Yisrael reflects havurah Judaism and its values - accessibility, attention to tradition, inclusiveness, and depth and breadth of interpretive commentary. Its editors have created a trans-denominational work for those who wish to learn to recite and to understand the traditional prayers in Hebrew, and also for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subtleties of the Friday evening and festival evening liturgy.

The book's layout is integral to its function. Facing pages are organized in four columns, from left to right: transliteration, Hebrew text, English translation, and commentary. The transliteration and translation correspond line-by-line to the Hebrew text. The editors use the traditional Hebrew text, but translation is gender-neutral. Great care was taken to ensure accurate but fluid translation. In selected locations, they offer liturgical options (for example, the Imahot (mothers) in the Amidah prayer). Commentary and additional readings were chosen from traditional and modern sources, many composed especially for the siddur itself. Fonts are clear and esthetically pleasing, and serve as an aid to place-finding within the text.

The book has a wealth of material not often found in a siddur. The introduction provides an overview of the structure of prayer and blessings, as well as instructions for leading creative services. The siddur includes Birkat Hamazon (blessing after the meal), sections from Psalms for singing and study, verses and songs for the study and celebration of Torah, and a well-annotated section of shabbat zemirot (songs), all in linear transliteration and translation. It also includes some new rituals including a Healing service, blessings for those leaving the community and for those about to be married, and a marvelous story-midrash on prayer in the Hassidic style.

This siddur is perfect for chavurah synagogue services, learners' services, and for Friday night communities that enjoy singing. I recommend it to all who wish to improve their ability to pray in Hebrew, and to those already proficient in Hebrew who wish to deepen their understanding and appreciation of prayer.

Jeremy Golding, Assistant Editor

I just reread Sideshow and it affected me more than ever. The way that Anne LeClaire intertwines the past and the present is haunting, a little bit disturbing and ultimately very very satisfying. Not only do I recommend that you read it--I recommend that you hang on to this book and read it again and pass it on. I hope this author writes another book soon!