Flag Books

I was excited to hear of this work, even knowing of the omissions mentioned by other reviewers. When I got the book, I found it to be full of errors, most notably in the section on naval officers. These errors range from the typographical (inconsistent use of italics, spelling errors, etc.) to the factual (incorrect promotion dates/assignments). The appendices at the end also have errors. For example, the appendix on "flag officers who died in WWII" omits at least two admirals, including one whose death is mentioned in his entry in the body of the book. I understand that with so many entries mistakes will slip through even the most careful editing, but the number of errors indicates the editing apparently wasn't all that careful, in my opinion. Use caution if this is your only source on a particular officer.

It may come as a surprise, that with the millions of words written about World War Two, there has not heretofore been a biographical dictionary of American generals and flag officers. This work admirably fills that gap, giving for each officer date and place of birth, education, date and type or branch of commission, early assignments, schools attended, career details, commands, decorations, and date of death, all in a highly convenient and compact form. An essential book for World War Two buffs, military history readers and writers, wargamers, students, and researchers.

This is an excellent and invaluable resource for World War II historians. Nevertheless, as another reviewer mentioned, there are some noticable ommissions which make it frustrating to use. I agree that a revised edition, or a supplementary edition should be printed to make up for those mistakes. Nevertheless, this is a volume that every World War II historian should have on his shelf!

Good thumbnail sketches of those included, but many names ommited, enough (over 100) to warrant a supplemtary volume. Just a few of the flag Officers not included are Vice Admirals Charles Seymour Freeman, Marc Andrew Mitscher, William Robert Munroe, and George Dominic Murray. I would value highly a revised edition.

I was introduced to the author by a short story of his that was included in Bronx Noir. This publication puts together a collection of short fast moving stories he has written. Most have to do with kids growing up under difficult conditions in the South Bronx. The exception is the story of a subway motorman who also had to deal with hard choices. The title story is about a bright young boy who was radicalized politically by leftist rhetoric from his father. When he reacted by refusing to stand and pledge allegiance to the flag at school his father was called in for a conference. Instead of standing up for his son the father said he couldn't understand the boys refusal to obey the rules. He went on to say
"My wife and I try to bring him up right....this is a shock." Of course the boy was disillusioned. I am not sympathetic to the story theme. In my view, if people emigrate here they are usually doing so in hope of finding a better life. Thus, they owe at least some loyalty to their new homeland. Otherwise they could return to where they came from. This book is 115 pages. It's definitely a worthwhile quick read.

I read this book when I was in highschool and I can still remember the descriptive, insane, sad and interesting stories. I really loved his writing because I was able to visualize everything he was saying. I even read his other book called "Spider Town" which was just one story and it was awesome, I definitley reccommend it to other readers.

The sordid lives of children growing up too fast in a wasteland
There is no regeneration or hope of escape available to these kids, hardened by the necessity of learning to defend themselves in the ghetto. No parents guide and comfort these children as they introduce each other to sex without love, violence and drugs. In these short stories of growing up in the South Bronx, Rodriguez elucidates the young casualties of most neglected communities. And he does it with a style and voice that transport the reader into these children's lives. After this sojourn, the reader will emerge shocked, angry and with a new sympathy for the so-called "at-risk" youth of urban life.

I was kind of disappointed after reading this book...First of all I dont know why this book was connected with the South Bronx...the stuff in the book could've happened an any urban community/ghetto...and his writing style made it hard for me to get into a reading groove. it was a pretty quick read, 1 or 2 sittings, but I found myself getting bored so many times. Sometimes Rodriguez spent so much time describing the area that you never really get a chance to connect with the character. The best stories, I think, were Shortstop and the Lotto...Overall its a good read if you aren't easily distracted

Eyewitness Handbooks: Flags is an excellent, up-to-date book on the flags of the world. This is actually an updated version of DK Publishers Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World, in a larger page format. The new book matches, page for page, the same text, including the introductory pages and the index. The only changes are the updates: Bosnia & Hercegovina, and the ASEAN flags. There were a few word omissions from the first book that were included in the newer book. The shortcoming of both books are the flags of nations with coats of arms on the state flag. The civilian flags were shown, and several times, the coat of arms only described, never shown. For example, Spain's coat of arms, as intricate as it is, was only described. DK's interest in keeping to one page per flag/country hampered a complete display and description of flags like these. However, the book is worth having for those who appreciate the flags of the world.

Eyewitness Handbooks: Flags is an excellent, up-to-date book on the flags of the world. This is actually an updated version of DK Publishers Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World, in a larger page format. The new book matches, page for page, the same text, including the introductory pages and the index. The only changes are the updates: Bosnia & Hercegovina, and the ASEAN flags. There were a few word omissions from the first book that were included in the newer book. The shortcoming of both books are the flags of nations with coats of arms on the state flag. The civilian flags were shown, and several times, the coat of arms only described, never shown. For example, Spain's coat of arms, as intricate as it is, was only described. DK's interest in keeping to one page per flag/country hampered a complete display and description of flags like these. However, the book is worth having for those who appreciate the flags of the world.

While the detailed and thorough content of this book certainly serves as an educational tool for older children and adults, it should not be overlooked for younger children as well. My two-year-old daughter (who is fascinated by flags) was mesmerized by the bright colors and intricate details. We sat for some time flipping through the pages, naming each country and discussing the shapes and colors of the flags. I can see it becoming a wonderful reference book for her as she ages. Not only does it provide country flags, but it also includes state/province flags as well. Like other DK books we've purchased, I found this one to be well worth the money and would recommend it for any age.

Eyewitness Handbooks: Flags is an excellent, up-to-date book on the flags of the world. This is actually an updated version of DK Publishers Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World, in a larger page format. The new book matches, page for page, the same text, including the introductory pages and the index. The only changes are the updates: Bosnia & Hercegovina, and the ASEAN flags. There were a few word omissions from the first book that were included in the newer book. The shortcoming of both books are the flags of nations with coats of arms on the state flag. The civilian flags were shown, and several times, the coat of arms only described, never shown. For example, Spain's coat of arms, as intricate as it is, was only described. DK's interest in keeping to one page per flag/country hampered a complete display and description of flags like these. However, the book is worth having for those who appreciate the flags of the world.

Threads of Honor by Gordon Ryan is a truly inspiring story. I was touched by Bill Tolbert's persistence and commitment to getting his troop's flag on the Challenger Shuttle. He never gave up - nor did our flag. Miraculously, it was preserved. What a wonderful reminder of those brave astronauts who gave their lives for that mission. This true story gave me a greater appreciation for my rights, my freedom and our flag!
It inspired me to be a better neighbor, a better friend and a better contributor to my community. This book would be great for Scout Leaders, Scout Troops, Space lovers, and anyone who is proud of our stars and stripes.

An interesting story between the Boy Scouts, NASA, and the government. The book follows the story of a Scout Troop and their quest to reclaim an US Flag which traveled on a Space Shuttle mission. An inspiring story of persiverance for the "little guy" to reclaim a special prize. Easy reading and compelling story

I enjoyed reading Threads of Honor. The plot was good and when the flag got chosen to be on a space flight, I was very suprised at the outcome. ( I won't ruin it for those of you who haven't yet read the book.) Well worth the read and good for any age!

The best way to describe this book, I believe, is in the words of Senator Orrin Hatch, who wrote the foreword. He says:

"The American flag is more than just a piece of cloth-it symbolizes the courage of many, and the hope of our nation. From the frontiers of America's earliest days to today's battlefields-the American flag has always represented courage, hope and perseverance. Threads of Honor is about one particular American flag whose threads touched the lives of many and whose journey inspired our nation. In today's troubled times when America is being bombarded by those who try to threaten our democracy and the freedoms we hold dear, this book will give readers a stirring reminder of the many men and women who have sacrificed, and in some instances given everything, for what the flag represents-our freedom.

"Threads of Honor is a wonderful portrait of a Boy Scout troop that wouldn't give up, their leader who instills loyalty and steadfastness, and an American flag that changed their lives forever. It is about America's space program and the frontiers it conquers. And it is a story of a journey that a small group of young men and one American flag took to help comfort a grieving nation. In short, Threads of Honor is an inspiring portrayal of the triumph of the human spirit."

- Senator Orrin Hatch

Threads of Honor is a great read for any patriotic American, but especially for any of the Boy Scouts in your life.

The item was sent in great shape. Great care with shipping. THANKS!

The flags of the various states in the US are comparatively well known and easy to find. Not so the flags of the much larger number of municipalities in the US. I grew up in New York City and have seen its flag a lot (though the current flag is somewhat changed from the flag I grew up with), and in some of the places where I have been (e. g. Chicago), the municipal flag is seen often enough that I knew what it looks like. But many of the cities of the US have much less easily viewed flags (I lived in Philadelphia for several months and never saw what the city flag looked like). This book helps remedy this lack (though, actually, I wish they had included more than the 150 they did, the only reason I gave this only 4 stars and not 5).

When I first opened the book, I was disappointed; each article had only a black and white image of the city flag. But I soon found that (apparently to make the book cheaper to publish) all the main flags are illustrated in color in a separate section in the middle of the book. This changed my opinion. One thing I enjoyed was that for many of the cities, earlier flags that preceded the current one are also shown (but THESE are just in black and white). The flags of the boroughs of New York City and some other areas that are smaller than a city are also given, again only in black and white.

Each of the fifty state capitals is included, as well, when possible, as the largest-population cities in each state (in a couple of cases, the city had no flag, so the largest city with a flag was used instead) and enough other major cities (defined in terms of population) to make a total of 150 cities (actually, 149 cities and one county in Hawaii, since the city of Hilo does not have a flag and there was no other city flag besides Honolulu's to use).

As much as could be found out about the history and symbolism of each flag is included, as well. Altogether a nice book, though I hope that someone will at some point collect some of the smaller cities' flags as well.

This is a great resource for the flags of the cities of the United States. It was published by the North American Vexillological Assaciation which is one of the leading flag research organizations if the world. (Vexillology is the study of flags.)
Many cities have flags and most people are not even aware of the fact that their city has a flag. This book shows meanings and histories of flags of 150 differnt US cities. This is a great book for anyone interested in flags or interested in the history of the United States.
I hope that another book will be released with additional flags in it.

I am now 13 years old, and I still read this book (even though most of the time I read novels). It is an excellent book that any young Trekkie should have in his/her collection. Read it. You'll like it. :-)

It was very exciting. Once I got started I couldn't put it down. I have started reading all of the Star Fleet Academy Star Trek The Next Generation books. This is a must for any Star Trek fan.

This book is very appropriate for the stated reading level. It is very beautifully written and is most probably the best of the series. I enjoyed the intricate use of various phrases and how the plot slowly developed to allow the protagonists to overcome any difficulties that they faced. If you read this book, I would suggest other books by the same author. The style persists.

It is very interesting and realistic historical fiction. If you're a fan of Rafael Sabatini's "The Odyssey of Captain Blood", "Sword of Islam" or any other books of the kind, you will love this one. The story takes place in the 1770's, during the Independence War. A British navy leutenant is accused of treason and is a fugitive. Together with fellow fugitives he takes a hold of a snow and escorts cargo ship to the Colonies. The story is full of adventures and of naval lingo, which is plentiful enough to satisfy the fans, but not overwhelming, so it does not confuse the reader who is unfamiliar with it. The book is the 3rd in a series and has references to the prequels, but they aren't overwhelming so it is very well readable as a stand-alone. The story ends with a court martial, which is not very long, but is very informative... Add some humor to the great storyline and what comes out is an incredible book that is almost impossible to put down!

I thought this an informative book for those interested in the rigging, sailing, and construction of ships during the Revolutionary War. The characters are well founded and the historical feel is good, but there was not much in the way of action. The whole book leads up to a court marshal at the end, but it was very short. Still well worth reading and I will certainly read the rest of the books in the series.

I want more! I predict a long and profitable writing career for Dan Parkinson. He has the gift of the gab, coupled with a keen sense of humor, and a marvelous manner in twisting a plot. Lots of fun. Keep it up!

When I visited Romania for a month in 1979, I saw a beautiful green land of geese and flowering apple trees, ghostly old Transylvanian hill towns where each charmingly-warped house had eyes. Ham, cheese, mamaliga (polenta) and tsuica marked my days and the warm reception by Romanian friends gave me memories forever. But even then, before the Dracula-Leader went totally bonkers, Romania bore Orwellian overtones. Charades ruled the roost. Bookstores sold stuff that nobody wanted to read. Shoe stores sold footwear that nobody wanted to buy. The news wasn't new. "Friendship with all countries" meant that everyone was suspect. The gypsies lived in junkyards on real desolation rows. Pollution covered the territory of a `people's republic'. How glad I was that I had not been born Romanian. When, over ten years later, the "Romanian Revolution" occurred, I was both glad (Dracula had met his silver bullet) and horrified, when I heard that perhaps 60,000 people had been killed.

Andrei Codrescu, a Romanian exile in the USA, felt a great burst of hope. His country would get out from under at last. He rushed, full of memories and dreams, back to Romania with an National Public Radio team. THE HOLE IN THE FLAG is the poetic, humorous, well-paced memoir of what he found, how he'd left it, with bits on adjusting in America, his old classmates, and his family. At first the reader shares all the stories, the rumors, the excitement, the sounds of battle. Later, in cooler times, Codrescu, like the rest of the world (or those who paid attention), realized that he'd been had. The charades had not stopped. Romania had gone through yet another one. Was it a revolution ? How many had actually died and who had killed them ? Who were the new leaders ? How did the leader die ? What was Russia's role in all this ? When I returned to Romania in 1996, my friends, now deeply disillusioned, raised all these questions and supplied a few depressing answers. With both eyes open and equipped by Romanian life with a large supply of cynicism, Codrescu re-writes the story of the "Revolution" in the latter half of his book. This is top reporting, top writing. Only a poet could write about Ceausescu's Romania and the state of mind it created, because words might fail anyone else. I could easily give the book five stars for writing, but have given it four because, sadly, it is dated now. Perhaps readers will not find the events so relevant, but as a look at human nature, it will never go out of style. I doubt if Bob Dylan had ever seen or thought about Romania, but to quote him is to sum up the feeling you'll get from THE HOLE IN THE FLAG.

"Now at midnight, all the agents and the superhuman crew
Come out and round up everyone that knows more than they do.
They they bring them to the factory where the heart-attack machine
Is strapped across their shoulders and then the kerosene,
Is brought down from the castles by insurance men who go
Check to see that nobody is escaping from Desolation Row."
*with one minor change

A most entertaining, witty, colorful, yet intelligent, articulate, and realistic account of the 1989 Romanian Anti-Communist Revolution. I highly recommend this book to anyone with the sligthest interest in the topic.

It was about 2.25 am in the morning when I finished Codresacu's riveting memoir The Hole in the Flag which I found poignant, fey, hopeful and insightful. Sometimes I read a book which demands that it be devoured voraciously and this book falls into that category.

For me, the Romanian revolution is still a cause of some mystification, but it is clear that it was more orchestration than spontaneous uprising. The current controversy with Mircea Dinescu and the debate over the availability of Securitate files, many of which have been pilfered and doctored no doubt. I found my discussions with locals in 2001interesting but wondered whether the divisiveness was a smoke screen yet again. Codrescu's is a reflective and analytical look at Romania just after the Revolution, and his own struggle to comprehend and make sense of the maelstrom that followed is one of the strengths of the work. At turns, banal, burlesque, and brilliant the book is skilfully written and will appeal as much to the general reader as it does to the Romanianists. I heartily recommend this book.

What an INCREDIBLE analysis of the world! As a student at MIT I was always a Republican with a libertarian-leaning philosophy - until my forray into politics. The is a brilliant and highly academic look at flags of convenience, a technique used to protect the wealthy from having to pay more tax than they rightfully should. I now understand that people only follow free market philosophy because it benefits THEM, NOT BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT THE SUPPOSEDLY 'SOVEREIGN' ROLE OF STATES! Professor Van Vossen has given the clearest understanding of this difficult topic in a clear, academic and UNBIASED WAY!!! This book is so cool, EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT! This guy is brilliant, just brilliant.

This manuscript is a very good political analysis of the pacific islands 'flags of convenience', a term aptly used to describe the change of flags on vessels for the purposes of tax evasion. Although many monetarist economists and critics would state taht tax havens are the perogative of a sovereign nation, Dr. van Fossen clearly shows this is not the case. Only criticism is that methodology has not been completely developed...very strange from a professor trained at Princeton! On well, apart fron that, a good read.

This manuscript is a very good political analysis of the pacific islands 'flags of convenience', a term aptly used to describe the change of flags on vessels for the purposes of tax evasion. Although many monetarist economists and critics would state taht tax havens are the perogative of a sovereign nation, Dr. van Fossen clearly shows this is not the case. Only criticism is that methodology has not been completely developed...very strange from a professor trained at Princeton! On well, apart fron that, a good read.

From a european reader's point of view, this is one of the most interesting desciptions about the size of love in this end of century. Both main characters represents the dificulty of being a lover in the middle of this times of cholera. Lilac and flag are simple workers. They don't know much about books, poetry or culture but they know what means fall in love, what represents to love another human being in its city, which represents all the big european cities. As the author does in "To the weding", "Lilac and Flag" represents simply the love amd its power in this sad days of poverty, destruction and explotiation of weak people. Thanks for your work John and your way to understand the existence. We'll continue reading you.

This book is part of trilogy - Pig Earth, In Europa, Lilac and Flag - depicting the erosion of traditional peasant culture and the incorporation of the children of the peasantry into modern urban life. Taken together, these books comprise a kind of fictionalized sociology of modernization. Each of these books describes a different aspect of this process. The first book, Pig Earth, describes the traditional life of poor French peasants from the Savoy region. Pig Earth is a series of stories and poems showing the seasonal routine of labor, the close relationship of other aspects of peasant life to seasonal labors, and relatively closed nature of these communities. The latter is shown to have both positive and negative aspects, a combination of social solidarity and insularity. The second book, In Europa, is a series of stories showing the penetration of modern industrial civilization into the life of the peasantry and recounts some of the costs, and benefits, of this process. The last book, Lilac and Flag, is set in a mythical city, called Troy, which has aspects of many modern cities. Lilac and Flag describes the life of a young couple, the descendents of poor peasants, who now live a marginal existence in the metropolis of Troy. Overall, this is a successful set of books. Berger is a very talented writer and this set of books gives a vivid sense of the important transition from peasant life on the land to modern industrial civilization. Berger's attempt to depict this important social process is really admirable. The books do vary somewhat in quality. In Europa is probably the best, containing a number of powerful stories, with Pig Earth coming a close second. Lilac and Flag is probably the least effective. The style, presumably a correlate of the urban setting, is distinctly different and the plot has surreal elements. I suspect that Lilac and Flag will strike many readers as relatively familiar and conventional where the contents of Pig Earth and In Europa are relatively novel. If I were to read just one of these books, I would pick In Europa.

It is important to realize that Berger is describing the tail of a process with roots in the Renaissance and that accelerated tremendously in the 19th century. The traditional life described in Pig Earth is actually a life that has been greatly affected by industrial civilization. Many men in the community described by Berger participate in seasonal labor in large cities, there is compulsory primary education, and the local church has a strong influence. Other aspects of the modern world intrude themselves. These include military service, railroads and it is likely that farm products are produced for an international market. In the early or even mid-19th century, a community like this would have been completely geographically isolated, illiterate, and probably would speak a language distinct from French. There are some other fine books devoted to this topic. Eugen Weber's excellent Peasants into Frenchman is a very interesting and readable social history of the impact of the modern world on the French peasantry. A detailed view of French peasant life can be found in Pierre Helias The Horse of Pride, a combined ethnography and memoir about a Breton peasant community written by a scholar who was the son of Breton peasants.

The, "Into Their Labours" trilogy is among the most extraordinary work I have ever read. "Pig Earth" and "Once In Europa", which lead to Mr. Berger's finale of, "Lilac And Flag" were both brilliant, however the concluding volume is a work you will never forget. Every aspect of this final work is on a grand scale, the writer will lift your spirits and then pummel you with the physical and mental burden of a Requiem Mass. He celebrates, he condemns and redeems with equal intensity, and when the work finally ends you will have a new reference point for whatever reading will follow.

The first 2 installments take place in an Alpine Village that, per the Author, could be easily found many times in the same Alps that he describes. It is even suggested the locale is not unlike the Village that the writer calls his home. In this, the final work, he creates a fictional city, one that he controls, one that will not allow any familiarity to distract from his final act of recording the death of the way of life that starts as nearly idyllic, and ends with a form of redemptive enigma, but only after he has destroyed all that existed in the first two books. The decay and darkness are suffocating, the tale that he ends is infinitely displaced from its origins and is only brought back into contact with its predecessors by his final words, which explain everything, and confirm nothing.

I have never been one for creating lists in an attempt to enumerate the best of what I have had the privilege to read. This trilogy has changed that, for taken as one work it would likely occupy the premier spot, and if taken separately would all reside in the top 5. These writings are the result of 15 years of work and there is no way to categorize it in anything less than superlatives.