history

When reading Montaigne's essays, I had to continually pinch myself out of the notion that I was reading the innermost secrets of a thoroughly modern human being. Far from the reaches of cell phones, televisions, automobiles, miracle drugs, 7-11 stores and the internet, Michel De Montaigne (1533-1592) via his essays, at once conveys the essence of the universal human condition, and imparts to us a sense of relief and liberation; that our life's journey, beneath all the trappings of the times, share their essential qualities: the challenges, triumphs, tragedies, passions, ironies and humor. With remarkable wit, Montaigne draws characters out of the history books, particularly the classics, and demonstrates to us that our human foibles date not just to HIS own times, but to the dawn of humanity and civilization itself. I read the Penguin Classics edition of the essays, translated by Dr. M. A. Screech, and must say that it is among the best translations of any book I have ever read. Dr. Screech employs an entertaining, colorful and evocative vocabulary which succeeds both in clarity of communication as well as painting vivid and rich pictures for our mind's eye to feast upon. Perhaps Montaigne's most charming quality is his self-effacing and modest demeanor. Never tooting his own horn, except perhaps to lay bare his bad memory or some other perceived fault, the following is one example of thousands which reflects his humor and humility. Wishing to deliver a critique of great intellectual and rhetorical importance, Montaigne instead settles for: "I would say of them the same as Cicero (if I could talk as well as he could.)"

The essays of Michel de Montaigne are obligatory reading for everyone. He has something to say to all of us, no matter what our background might be. His thought ranges over the entire spectrum of human experience with elegance and depth. His thinking is based in a renaissance liberalism founded on the great classical literature of Rome and Greece. He was one of the first humanists, and remains one of the most important. This book is the kind of book that you will read for days, put down, pick up again read for a while, put down, and so on as long as you live. It is the perfect book to have beside your bed or your favorite reading chair. The Screetch translation is exceptionally good, with careful notes, explanatory introduction. It is an excellent edition of this masterwork. It is a book everyone must have in their personal library.

Other reviewers here have commented about the contents of the essays and left me little to say. Instead, I have to pay a large compliment to the translator, M.A. Screech.

Aside from the clarity of his prose and his engaging tone, Screech managed to synthesize the multiple editions of the essays into a single work, giving the readers an insight into Montaigne's development.

The essays were originally published in three editions. With each revision, essays were amended, expanded, and edited as Montaigne's thoughts developed. Screech uses a subtle system to note these later additions and revisions, pointing out where the essays grew over time.

Screech's translations of the hundreds of classical quotations are also well handled, giving both the original language and a clear English rendering of the passage without interrupting the flow of the text.

This is an amazing book. Moving, insightful, humane, and thick enough to kill any bugs you choose to smack with it. I've had to order a second copy of this volume, since I've reduced my first copy to tatters, reading and rereading it. Okay, and smacking bugs.

This is THE book on miniature horses. My library would not be complete without it. If you can buy only one book, get this one. I've just acquired 2 minis and one more is on the way as soon as he is weaned. I've had full sized horses before, but this breed is somewhat different, with unique problems and advantages. Ms. Naviaux covers every related subject very well. History of the breed, coat colors, dwarfism, correct physical characteristics, miniature horse association registration, veterinary concerns, showing, etc. I've since bought additional books specific to coat color and veterinary care but I didn't really need them. I am thrilled to have found this book and it is a treasure.

Having been a breeder of Miniature Horses for over 12 years I have often been frustrated by the lack of accurate printed information to suggest to other Miniature Horse beginners. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone involved with Miniature Horses. It is very helpful to prospective owners in supplying information on just what to expect with the breed regarding care including types of housing and fencing. This book has been a long time coming. I suggest it to everyone who comes to my farm to look at horses.

This is the best book about miniature horses I have read to date. She goes in depth on several important things, two of which are color and breeding. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of buying one. Or if you already have miniatures and you're looking for a really good book on the breed look no more! This one's it!

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DOCUMENTED BOOKS OF THE VIETNAM WAR.IT TELLS OF THE COURAGE AND COMMITMENT OF NOT JUST THE MARINE THIRD,BUT ALL THE MARINES WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM.THEY HAVE A VALOR THAT ONLY A MARINE COULD UNDERSTAND.THEY SEARCHED FOR AN ELUSIVE FOE THAT WOULD FIGHT TO THE END IF THEY HAD TO. YET,A NUMERICALLY SUPERIOR FOE THEY FOUGHT, WHEN PUSH CAME TO SHOVE, THESE MARINES ALMOST ALWAYS CAME OUT ON TOP. I ADMIRE THESE MEN FOR GETTING THE JOB DONE THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.FROM THE ROCKPILE TO GETTING PULLED INTO THE WINDOW OF A CH-46 WITH THE NVA SHOOTING AT A BARE BUTT,VETTER TOLD IT LIKE IT WAS. SEMPER FIDELIS

Well done,

As a former U.S.Marine and member of "B" Recon 65/66 I enjoyed reading this book.

We lost members of our company in April through November of 65, as well as a number of us WIA during our tour.

I realize that the author wrote about his experience and had to rely on whatever documentation that he was able to revew concerning our outfit during our deployment from K-Bay Hawaii, to Camp Schwab, Oakinawa and on to Viet Nam.

Aside from a few errors concerning "B" Recon, the book is a must read for any Recon Marine and those who wish they were.

Semper Fi,

Anthony P. De Bellis

(FIRST IN LAST OUT)

This really let's you see what family members were going through. My uncle is mentioned in this book, and he doesn't talk about this at all. This really shows me why he doesn't want to.

The New York Yankees are the most popular and successful franchise in major league baseball history. They have boasted such legendary performers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Reggie Jackson. Those great players and teams can all be found in The New York Yankee Encyclopedia, the most complete record of Yankee baseball ever published.

The New York Yankees are the most popular and successful franchise in major league baseball history. They have boasted such legendary performers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Reggie Jackson. Those great players and teams can all be found in The New York Yankee Encyclopedia, the most complete record of Yankee baseball ever published. From their humble beginnings in 1903 as the Highlanders through nine decades of unforgettable players, teams, and classic games, noted baseball author and historian Harvey Frommer has compiled everything about the history and lore of this fabled club in the one book no true Yankee fan can afford to be without.

An in-depth volume that include statistics on every Yankee player and manager, more than 250 classic photos, chapters on different Yankee eras, rivalries, ball parks, and much more

My mom read this book to me and my brother and sisters. It was a good book. At times it was hard to understand and with so many people in the book, it's not hard to see why. After some time, I got the hang of it. It is an exciting book at the end. Not the best book my mom has read, but still good!

I have read this book aloud to my 3rd grade students each year. The chapters are fairly short, so it's just right for a cool-down time after recess. Bunyan's story is scaled down so that a child can understand it. The moral lessons are great. All the characters are children, so little listeners tend to be more interested. Usually several of my students want to read it for themselves after I have finished reading it to the class. Don't be afraid of Bunyan's lofty story. The author does a wonderful job simplifying the theme of each chapter while staying true to Bunyan.

Little Pilgrim's Progress is an excellent resource for those teaching young children about being a Christian. The book itself is written in plain and easy to understand English. This timeless story is written so that even a child can understand the concepts taught in this book. I have found it very helpful in teaching the Children's Bible Class at my church. The story truly enhances God's Word. It also is a great motivator for children to read.

I cannot count how many times I've read this book. A very well written account of the making of a forward air controller (FAC) and his tour of duty in Vietnam. This book is filled with non-stop aerial combat interspersed with wit and humor. I swear you can hear the engines, the explosions, the radio chatter and the myriad sounds of aerial combat. This is the definitive book on the FAC. Harrison's vividly writes about the inter-service rivalries, fighter pilot and elite unit culture. Vietnam had them all, from the ticket punchers to the true professionals, the "conscientious objectors" to the patriots, balls-out young men and know it alls, politicians and name dropers, clowns and cowboys, the scared and all too brave. Harrison's seen and flown with all of them. You will not put this book down once you start reading it. Harrison will hold you in suspense screaming, laughing and dying over and over. You will read it again and again in between browsing the web about the FAC and that "war" fought on the other side of the fence in Laos. How good is this book? I have seen precious copies churned out of copier machines circulating with pilots of the Philippine Air Force, 15th Strike Wing, one of the few users of the OV-10 Bronco in combat in the 21st century. This book should be made into a movie.

This has to be one of the best books on combat aviation in Viet Nam. I've read a lot of book about this subject, but Harrison's ability to describe the life of a Forward Air Controller left me wishing that he had put more in print. There is almost a kinship that develops during the book - you share the sweat and I have seen no one else write about aerial manuevers as vividly. His style sems to assume that the reader has a basic understanding of aviation; he gives vivid descriptions of flight without excessive digression to explain the manuevers.

I won't loan this book to anyone.

Buy it.

This has to be the best written book on the subject matter. Throughout the book I felt as though I was living his experience and now when I remember the book sometimes I can't remember if it was part of a movie or the book, that's how good the visuals were while reading it. I highly recommend it and hope that the author brings more out into print

Surfing has deserved this book for a long time, and it took the sport's prime archivist, Matt Warshaw, to deliver the goods. Warshaw does a masterful job of melding big-wave surfing's glory days on Oahu's North Shore with the present-day scene that has Half Moon Bay, California, as its ground-zero. The photo mix, primarily color, is inspired with fresh,unexpected camera angles augmenting the standard thirty-foot wave face 'frontal' approach. The grainy black and white shots, in particular,lend a misty, moody quality that reflects Maverick's cold and outright spooky atmosphere. Seasoned surfers will be reminded of why they first picked-up a board, and general readers will get a front-row look at one of sports' greatest spectacles courtesy of one its finest writers.

Matt gets the essence of Mavericks right in this one. He paints an accurate picture in words and photos of the Californian big wave spot and and the watermen who have come since the beginning to test their courage in its extreme conditions. His book vividly describes the personalities and the necessary 'go for it' attitude needed to survive in these dangerous situations. The book also contains many facets about big-wave surfing from other areas and this adds another excellent dimension to the tale. I enjoyed the book immensely and once started I read it from cover to cover.

The book "Maverick's The Big Story of Big-Wave Surfing" by Matt Warskaw is one of my favorite books. This book is about surfing and its mishaps and adventures. The title of the book is Maverick's, this relates to the book countless times because it is a gigantic storm of waves in California that come every year. There are many different stories, some that are good and some that are sad or not that interesting. This book talks about how surfing has changed over the years. Also how far it has come since 1914. It has some very fascinating stories from surfing a 25-foot wave to drowning and having your last ride. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because of how interesting it was. I would also recomend this book to all ages because it is such a good book.

I just finished reading Jeff Shaara's "Rise to Rebellion," a novel about the start of the American Revolution, which includes a chapter on Paul Revere and William Dawes riding to Concord to warn Sam Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming to arrest them and then go on to Lexington to capture the gunpowder and munitions stored there by the colonial militia. So when I saw "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" I happened to pick it up. I have never been a fan of the famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, especially since I remember someone arguing that the only reason he picked Revere to immortalize was because it is hard to rhyme anything with "Dawes." But once I opened up this book and saw what Christopher Bing had done in the way of graving and painting, I was captivated. On the frontpiece there is a letter you can open up that turns out to be a reproduction of a letter from Thomas Gage, the commanding general of the British troops in Boston, giving the 10th Regiment, Foot their fatal mission.

The poem is told over the course of a dozen spreads; the breakdown is not in terms of stanzas and is cued more to the narrative than the form of the poem. But as much as you might enjoy this book if you like poetry, that is nothing compared to what you will think about it if you are a student of history. There are maps of "The Plan for the Secret Expedition to Concord" and "Paul Revere's Ride and the Middlesex Alarm." On the backpiece you can open up a pamphlet being "The Deposition of Paul Revere prepared for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress." Bing might be out to illustrate Longfellow's poem, but he is also very much aware that the poet made up a lot of the details. In his "Miscellany Concerning the Historical Ride of the Patriot Paul Revere" Bing keys his comments to each of this twelve spreads, explaining the "true" history of the fabled ride. In his note on the preparation of this book, Bing take equal pains to explain the stages used in creating his masterful illustrations, which involved a glazing technique to create the "glow" in the nighttime scenes. This is a superb effort and I will definitely track down Bing's earlier volume on Ernest Lawrence Thayer's "Casey at the Bat" and eagerly await anything else this talent conceptual illustrator sets his mind to do.

As a middle school English/Social Studies teacher, I require my students to memorize The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. I was interested in how Christopher Bing had interpreted this most famous poem by Longfellow. I must say that I was stunned by his artistic rendering of the different parts of the poem. Most unique of all was the three dimensional letter attached to the flyleaf which was written by Thomas Gage, the British commander. This letter, sent to Lt. Col. Smith, described how he (Gage) would march a force of men to Concord to seize any munitions the Americans might have stored there. And equally incredible is the three dimensional fold out deposition by Paul Revere which described the actions he took to warn the Americans the British were coming. This book was alive with surprises and "hands on" interactivity. When I tried this book out on my 110 students, they were amazed. Then something really amazing happened....history and a poem came alive, giving them a much fuller understanding of the events of April 18, 1775. The way the poem was layed out page by page even helped them memorize the poem quicker and more accurately. The maps, illustrations, and the miscellany concerning the historical ride lend so much to this famous poem that even the most jaded American historian/teacher could learn all over again why we Americans are who we are and why we do the patriotic things we do. This is a must have book for every red-blooded American! Thank you Christopher Bing for transforming American history.

This book comes alive when you open it and are allowed to step back in time with the wonderful backbeat of Longfellow's great American poem about the "the British are coming", and awakening of the people from Boston to Concord by one rider - Paul Revere. This is the beginning of America! Right before the "shot heard round the world" folks. A poem that shaped America not only in the eyes of Americans, but the rest of the world. Longfellow's poetry was simple genius. The art of Christopher Bing is outstanding. This exceptional book has the kind of creativity I would like to see more of in Children's Literature. A unique book that can be found on adult bookshelves as well.

This was a great story - especially since it is true. George Rogers Clark was an amazing man. After reading this book you too will have a great respect for him. Mr. Thom writes beautifully and keeps to the facts. I would like to see more books written about George Rogers Clark. Mr. Thom please give us more!

I read this book years ago, but the story of George Rogers Clark has stayed with me. Thom is one of those rare authors that can paint pictures with his masterful weaving of words. A fictional presentation of a real-life hero, a man who accomplished amazing things and lived and outstanding life - and he is one that has long been overshadowed in the history books to a degree by his younger brother's feats (William Clark, famed adventurer of the Lewis & Clark team).

Thom has done a superb job of showcasing George Rogers Clark in this book. It's an outstanding read and could well set the reader on an adventure for more historical fiction from this fine author. Be sure to check out 'From Sea to Shining Sea' as well.

This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I read, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.

I read this novel in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. Both the characters and the plot were compelling, and the finale was better than most novels I've read in a long time. I also learned quite a bit about the Vietnam War experience from a woman's point of view. It's about time a book like this was written. Everyone should read it!

I absolutely loved this book. Reading about Jenny's experiences as a volunteer in Viet Nam was so enlightening, then the way the book follows Kick in New York during the same time was so interesting, I truely cared about these characters and enjoyed reading the way their lives unfolded. The mystery that permeates the whole story definitely kept my attention - I couldn't put it down! I strongly recommend this book.

I picked up this novel just by sheer luck and was so glad that I did. It is excellent! A nice believable story, woven through some of our most conflicting times in recent history. Characters are well portrayed and story moves along very well.