2 comments about Martin Van Buren: Law, Politics, and the Shaping of Republican Ideology.

1. I felt that this book was very well researched, informative and interesting. It, however, left me wanting more. The book stops short of not only Van Buren's presidency, but his vice presidency under Andrew Jackson as well. Furthermore, Van Buren's ex-presidency was long, eventful and unfortunately also neglected by this book.



2. This is history at its most dry. This book does what it says it will do, discuss Van Buren's background as an attorney and its influence on him. Unfortunately, I think only an attorney would find this interesting, as it reads like I would expect a law book would read. Not for the average reader hoping to learn about this president.

1 comments about Furl That Banner: The Life of Abram J Ryan, Poet-priest of the South.

1. Ryan was a significant person in US history though few know of him today. This book provides a good overview of his life and includes Ryan's patriotic poems in an appendix. Ryan's poems continue to show up in many places today. I enjoyed reading this book.

No comments about American Presidential Families.

1 comments about Louis Moreau Gottschalk (Music in American Life).

1. Here, for the first time, is a full biography of America's first great composer who, in the 1850s, anticipated ragtime and jazz by half a century. Meticulously researched and written in a lively and accessible style,the biography details the colorful life of an American original and the trail-blazing father of music in New Orleans. Of interest to anyone interested in Civil War era America or the cultural environment that gave rise to one of America's most original and authentic musics.

2 comments about A Southern Woman's Story.

1. I purchased this book for my granddaughter to write an essay. I have not read the book yet, however I intend to.
   
   I was delighted to find the book as our library didn't have a copy.
   
   Thank you, Carolyn Beck



2. Originally published in 1879, this one qualifies as an original source document, and is, indeed, a gem. Prior to the Civil War, it was considered "improper" for a woman to walk inside a hospital, much less work in one. War creates need, and need creates change....The Confederacy passed the "Matron Law" in 1862 as an attempt to free Doctors to treat patients. It worked. Many of the ladies the Confederacy was able to hire were free blacks, or even slaves. Phoebe Pember was a rich, high society, Jewish lady from Charleston, SC, who wanted to help in the war effort. She took a job as Head Matron of Division #2 at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, the largest Hospital of the war. [The site on East Broad St. now holds the Confederate Medical Museum, though no original buildings still stand] This short account of day to day life in Hell is always inspiring, usually charming, and sometimes even funny. [the infamous whiskey barrell]. Through it all, the patients ate, the Doctors had enough supplies to get by, and the Hospital still had resources at the end. President Davis said that the Medical Department was the only part of the Confederacy that wasn't demoralized by the end; ladies like Phoebe Pember made it happen. She made Dr. McCaw and his staff better doctors. Mrs. Pember was a successful magazine writer for many years after the war; we can all be thankful that she wrote of her wartime experiences. Read this one, and be inspired....
   
   Having reviewed this wonderful book, I shall now digress into one of my pet theories: Why were the best hospitals, both government and private, run by rich society ladies like Mrs. Pember and Capt. Sally Tompkins? [and there were others]. What is it about a high level lady that makes her the best boss? Answer: ladies like them won't tolerate dirt, inefficiency, stupidity, or insolence. From the time they are little girls, they are raised to command. They are accustomed to deference, and we to giving it to them; further, they recognize merit in others, and aren't afraid to reward it. In the specific context of wartime Richmond, Mrs. Pember and Captain Sally had financial resourses of their own AND they could knock on the doors of others like themselves without getting the doors slammed in their faces.
   
   Perhaps elsewhere I can discuss why preference in Surgical residencies should be given to girls. Why should [almost] all Surgeons be female? Maybe later....

5 comments about Love and Valor : Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner.

1. As I read this remarkable volume I felt I was being transported back to those Civil War days, telling me how it was both in the war zone and back home in Iowa. Jacob Ritner is a remarkable figure, inspiring admiration and eminently worthy of emulation. His accounts of the battles he was in are vivid and immediate, and the editor of this volume has performed a most worthwhile service in resurrecting from the buried past this correspondence to inspire all who value patriotism and fidelity to duty and to one's marriage vow. One cannot but be enriched by following Captain Ritner and his wife thru those perilous years from 1861 thru 1865.



2. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!. Some times, historical correspondance can be dry. However, these letter are not! They are very readable, offering a interesting insight into the real lives of people during the turbulent era of the Civil War. Charles Larimer has done excellent research and his annotations add to the context of when the letters were written. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading his Scottish Stories from Loch Ness.



3. I am not a reader of books nor a student of the civil war. However, I found this book to be fascinating. The horrors of war and the loneliness of soldiers are universal, and the insights into this particular war and historical era are compelling. It is very easy to read, and is both educational and entertaining. Please give me more by this writer!



4. As an amateur war historian, I find that all too rarely do we see the war on both sides. The hardships of everyday Americans during the Civil War were not only occurring on the battlefield, but in the homes left behind in the cornfields of Iowa. This unique perspective is presented in the heartfelt correspondence between Jacob and Emeline. A rare opportunity to behold the searching meditations of a man gripped by both love, and patriotism.



5. What a splendid work of Civil War history! Hats off to Charles F.Larimer. I couldn't have imagined there was so much historical data in intimate letters. The details are all here. What trials and tribulations our forefathers and mothers went through to perserve our nation. I now find myself becoming a Civil War buff after reading this book, and it only took me three days! As I read on, I found myself in my great-great grandfather's shoes fighting along the side of Cpt.Jacob Ritner and the boys from the 25th. How involved you become. I enjoyed the little jousting that Jacob and Crane had. Buy it today and enjoy a sentimental piece of Civil War history..........

5 comments about Dirty Jokes and Beer : Stories of the Unrefined.

1. Back in 1992, my first big gig as a comedian was emceeing in Chicago for a week. The headliner that week was Drew Carey, one of the best guys to know and meet in the biz. He is very friendly and honestly wants everyone to succeed; a rare attribute in the world of standup. His also one of the funniest.
   
   Drew's book provides a lot of insight into his steps up the comedy ladder. I wish he had cut the dirty joke chapter and instead included more road stories. The story about his wacky friend and Jim Brown makes the book worth reading alone. I don't want to give it away; trust me, it is absolutely hilarious.
   
   Congrats on all the success Drew; you earned it.



2. Drew Carey is a thuddingly dim star in the entertainment firmament, an anomaly for sheer inscrutability of talent even in that recondite sphere. While comic actors have at times been known to build their careers on measurable skills, Mr. Carey has successfully parlayed a "less is more" strategy into a career dragging along for an improbably interminable period. No less insipid a figure today than the fateful moment he began desultorily scuffing the boards, Carey lately brings his singular skills and love of soccer to a new show, "Drew Carey's Sporting Adventures," which promises to showcase all that is wonderful about this beloved figure while offering its Travel Channel audience fresh reasons to eschew a sport loved around the globe.
   
   Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx, S.J. Perlman, Dorothy Parker, P.G. Wodehouse, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, ... none of these shining lights of comedy will be called to mind by Mr. Carey's book, "Dirty Jokes and Beer," whose author bravely goes it alone in the comedic sphere, free from burdensome old bedfellows like perceptiveness, irony, intelligence, or humor.



3. my title here says it all. In this book Carey gives us tons of ammo to fire back at friends. If you're looking for a book to zip though and laugh out loud....get this book. Just don't expect Shakespere!



4. Drew Carey is a funny guy. As his Funny Bone commercials state, "funnier than you". The first half of the book is extremely funny then loses its momentum for the latter half. Drew lets you in to his human side, where a lot of other celebrities would shy away from such thinks making Drew even more likable knowing who he is and where he came from. I think his show was great and I think he knows that the joke and his star are not always going to be popular so enjoy it while you can. Drew, the every man's everyman. This book is not a laugh riot but a nice look a man that found his way to stardom by accident without any aspirations from childhood. It does make you laugh but it is not a jokebook. Remember that. I enjoyed this quite a bit while at home and at the beach, a very good beach companion. Give it a try!



5. Dirty Jokes is his section for ranting about stuff. Each chapter starts with a dirty joke and the follows with something close to his typical stand up routine. This is Drew as stand up comedian section. It's the most crass of all the book and in some regards the funniest.
   
   Beer is Drew's more serious autobiography with information on how his sitcom ran (interesting details), his run ins with the tabloids (funny), his childhood and some thoughts on how he ended up the person he is. Having friends who've been through similar childhoods, his recollections seem very plausible and I'm sorry he went through what he did. I'm glad he's come out of it a stronger person.
   
   Stories of the Unrefined was my least favorite section. The stories werer just too dull after his chattier sections. When writing fiction he tries too hard to sound refined. He should just relax and let the story flow in his natural voice.

5 comments about 24 Years Of House Work And Still A Mess Paperback.

1. This is absolutely one of the dullest books ever written and one of the most boring. It is written by the dull for dullards.



2. As a native of Denver, I was proud that the first vote I ever cast in my life was for Patricia Scott Schroeder. I had the good fortune to meet Mrs. Schroeder several times during her tenure because she took the time and made the effort to connect with her constituency by showing up, unannounced, in locales ranging from student cafeterias on the University of Colorado at Denver campus to Sunday afternoon beer bashes at The Foxhole, a local gay club (both occassions that I was present for). Schroeder cared what people had to say and when she went to Washington she represented them instead of herself which is why the citizens of Denver kept sending her back. Her personal decision to retire is the only reason she isn't still our congresswoman today. This book is full of Shroeder's delightful wit, insightful and rare wisdom and overwhelming humanity. While it is a mostly light-hearted account of her 24 years of service to her country, she also explains her very personal reasons for fighting so hard to defend reproductive choice and to pass the Family Medical Leave Act, her greatest legacy; a bill which she authored but selflessly relinquished credit in order to ensure it's success.
   Read the book.



3. Pat Schroeder is served as a Congresswoman that I think all members of public service should look up to as an example.



4. This book is full of wisdom. Being a teenager to find book that interest me is hard to find. This book is one of the first books I have read that kept me interested and thought me things that are slowly fading away as the new generation makes their mark in the world. I first thought "Man, I have to read this for my summer assignment. I can learn all about politics and government when I'm in class," but its not all about that, its more than what it seems. You don't have to take my word for it until you read it for yourself then you can get back at me with your own opinion!



5. I received this book as a graduation gift and while I was never a big fan of Pat Schroeder, I figured I'd give it a chance and see what she had to say. That was my first mistake, the second being reading the entire thing from cover to cover. The book is neither thought provoking nor intellectually stimulating and contains very little of substance. I got the distinct impression this was something she threw together over the course of a week in hopes of cashing in on her retirement from the U.S. House. Regardless of your political persuasion, you'll be wasting your money, and more importantly your time, if you purchase and read this book. ...

No comments about In and Out of Rebel Prisons (Collector's Library of the Civil War).

No comments about Boundless Faith: Early American Women's Captivity Narratives (Christian Classics).