Gilts

This book is written in a style that actively involves the reader. It is not a boring scholarly study, it's an original and stimulating book that should appeal to the sort of readers who like Charles Pellegrino. It's the kind of book that you talk about for hours with like-minded people; a book that finds you rediscovering your own world.

I was particularly taken with the chapter on Babylon, as it throws much light on the cultural origins of much of the _resistance_ to diversity that is found in current Western civilization. If you get a kick out of finding out "the other side of the story" - say, history as the Babylonians might have written it if they'd been the ones that won the war - you'll love this chapter.

A real treat for the mind. I'm sorry this book has gone out of print - it's as good today as it was in 1987. In fact, maybe it was just a little ahead of its time and it's time to bring it out again. It should have wide appeal.

First, we'll start inside, with the pages themselves. The text, though smallish, is very readable, and made more so by the extra wide margins. The font is a good size, and the footnotes and cross reference notes do not hinder reading in any way. The cross reference system is good, though not exhaustive. There is also a small and handy concordance. But, like the cross reference system, the concordance is not exhaustive.

Second, the quality of the binding is superb. The pages are just the right opacity so that you do not see the words on the other side. Also, the ribbons are generous, and of a good material - and there are two ribbons - one for the Old Testament, one for the New Testament. The pages are double stitched for longevity.

And, lastly, the leather used in this Bible is without equal. It has a wonderful feel, grain, and smell. It has far better leather than any other leather bound Bible I have ever seen.

The bottom line is: this is the best Bible that money can buy that I know of. If you have the money, I highly reccomend this Cambridge Bible - it will last a couple of lifetimes.

To address those who think this edition overpriced or of less than perfect quality, I would like to offer the following observations:

First, I do not think anyone can fault the cover, binding or paper quality - beautiful, a pleasure to hold and touch. Printed "on 60-gram wood-free Cream Wove paper from Caldwell Mill and bound by Cambridge University Press Leather Bindery in top grain calfskin", as stated in the booklet that accompanies each copy.

Second, I read a review that refered to poor quality of printing, 'spots and streaks' having been mentioned. It is sufficient to state in this regard that this is a facsimile reproduction based on photographs of each page of an original. The 'spots and streaks' attest to the accuracy of the reproduction - printing in 1591 was indeed not as clean as it is today! In fact, I am always amazed at the incredible job done by the photographers and printers - I have yet to find any passage with even a single word that I cannot read with reasonable care. It is also worth noting that there are only three copies of this Bible still in existance, two of which are incomplete. All things considered it was a masterful work of reproduction!

Finally, as to cost, ... "in the eye of the beholder". The quality of craftsmanship of printing, binding and materials cannot be faulted, as I have indicated above. The fact that it is of limited edition is, of course, intended to increase it's value. But is it worth $400.00? Obviously, I think so. And it may be worth mentioning that I saw a copy, held it and looked it over carefully, at a time when I could not afford to purchase one. I set my heart on it and managed to put the money together and bought one within a few months. The point being, I knew exactly what I was getting before I ordered, I considered it worth the cost.

A few additional comments in closing. Each copy is accompanied by a small booklet which tells the history of the Cambridge 1591 Geneva Bible. It makes interesting reading. Each Bible is nicely packaged in a durable cloth lined box which will keep it in pristine condition for years to come (the graphic on this site is the box, not the book).

Finally, I would like to say 'Thank You' to Richard and Mary Pell of Colchester, Essex in 1658, and their two daughters Mary and Francis. Thank you for taking such care of your family copy of this Bible, in which you made several inscriptions and notes, such that it is the sole complete example surviving today and from which this reproduction was largely made. Thanks to you, I now own one too!

The history of the Civil War is more than recounting the movements of armies and the fighting of battles. Someone has to gather the information and send the messages that brought the armies together in the first place. That is the focus of this detailed history of staff work in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

When the war began, the Confederacy found itself having to build everything from scratch, and their army was no different. Although they borrowed heavily from the U.S. Army's way of doing things, it eventually became clear that innovations would have to be made, both to account for the maneuvering of growing armies, but also to deal with the expanded technology -- railroads, telegraphs and the use of longer and more accurate weapons -- rarely seen before by fighting men.

"Buff Facings" is a detailed account of how Lee and his generals coped. While the depth of detail may discourage the general reader, Bartholomees offers a generous selection of ancedotes that allow for bursts of humanity to show. In the middle of an account of the development of the Signal Corps, he relates how Major General Stephen Ramseur received a vitally important message just before the Battle of Cedar Creek: "The crisis is over and all is well." It announced the birth of his daughter.

If I have any criticism, it may be that the text relies a little too much on three individual staff officers- Walter Taylor, Henry Kyd Douglas, and Heros Von Borcke. I wonder if there are other memoirs out there that would expand on their accounts.

Overall an outstanding book. Very logical and readable. Fascinating treatment of a neglected topic.

In Gilt, Myers cuts back on the number of characters and is able to develope them more. We get to know Abigail, her mother and Greg much more in this book. Also, the "Rob-Bobs" are brought to life and add a lot of humor. (Being from Pennsylvania, I can sympathize with Bob). We are introduced to Calamity Jane (CJ) who is the new owner of Abigail's late Aunt Eulonia's shop. CJ is a memorable character and I think we all know someone like her. Even the infamous Tweetie becomes a real person in Gilt By Association! This was such an improvement over the first book.

This series gets better and better. If you have read the first book and are unsure about the second, read it. The few flaws I found with Larceny and Old Lace are improved with Gilt By Association. For future reference, the third book, The Ming and I is even better than the first two!