Product Description
Lillian Anderson is a strong-minded, backwoods-Minnesota girl, well-versed in the basics of survival.She can find air to breathe under a capsized boat, drive in a blizzard, or capture a wild duck.As part of a large struggling family, she tiptoes around her explosive father whose best days always come right after he’s poached something and her neurotically optimistic mother whose bursts of vigor bring added chaos.Lillian barrels through adolescence with no illusions about her future, honing her clerical skills while working the nightshift as a salad girl in the airport kitchen.Just as she’s on her feet and moving out, their house is literally sinking into the marsh.Stunningly honest, this story explores the fierce love that binds family together. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Pearl
In this mosaic of stories, Lillian comes of age and matures beyond her years, almost against her will. With an alcoholic father and a fragile, flighty mother, Lillian, with her siblings, struggles with her troubled family, and yet they all fiercely love each other, flaws and all. While this isn't a conscious feeling, it does crackle beneath the surface and colors the actions of everyone. Lillian navigates a lonely path encompassing sexuality and a yearning to be free. With a crisp voice and a vivid portrait of Acorn Lake, Minnesota, "A Brief History of the Flood" waxes almost nostalgic as it nudges the reader through these various tales that deliver a surprising portrait of a family unbalanced.

It's all about the writing, the writing, the writing
This book literally found me (and I must say that I am really glad it did.)I am still unsure how this slim little gift of a novel made it into my hands, but according to the Amazon.com reciept, it is a gift from the author so I figured: What the hell, I'll read this and see what I think. So, I cracked open the cover and was wonderfully entertained right up until the end.

Lillian Anderson is a strong-minded, fiery, wise-beyond-her years-girl who tells the story of her family, her perpetually run-down house and her life in rural Acorn Lake, Minnesota.Lillian begins narrating the story at the age of eight and it continues virtually seamlessly, with Lily's steady hand on the pulse of her family until the age of nineteen.Lily's mother, Marion is a neurotic, manic depressive personality who always has some wierd project in the works.Jack, Lily's Dad, is an alcoholic but no one ever talks in such negative terms.Marion seems to be able to put a positive spin on everything that's wrong, even her husband's years of substance abuse.Oldest child, Randy, (age twelve when the book begins is the dyed-in-the-wool peacekeeper of the family.Mitzy, the middle daughter, seems to see her mother for what she really is and is very bitter about it.Mitzy has no trouble saying what's on her mind and even at ten years of age is tired of ignoring the pink elephant in the living room.I am amazed that Lilian seems to be the only sane one in the family and has learned, (certainly not through example) to take care of herself.She has learned to become a mother figure for the youngest, Davey who is too young to understand the extent of the chaos in the family.

I love coming of age stories and this one was a very good one.It reminded me very much of ELLEN FOSTER by Kaye Gibbons and AMY & ISABELLE by Elizabeth Strout.The writing and the imagery and the lanuage of A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FLOOD were very high caliber.I will be watching for more from this author.

I wasn't bothered at all by the fact that this book was originally chopped up into several short stories.The stories came together so well and the novel made such an impact that I can't imagine it in any other form.Bravo to a wondeful new writer.

Simple, Honest Story Telling
The perfect choice for a book club looking for an undiscovered gem, this is a delightful read that is lean enough to consume in one sitting, or savor over a few days. It's a coming of age story told through the eyes of young Lillian Anderson, a girl growing up in the sixties in a small town in Minnesota. Chapters are short bursts of her life: her Mother's dramatic mood swings, her Father's alcoholism, first sexual experience, first job, first crush.All told with an honest intimacy that at times feels less like a novel, and more like someone's diary entries. Her heroine at times reminded me of Astrid in "White Oleander", and if that was a book you liked you'd probably enjoy this one as well. A well written, comfortable first novel.

Great writing, but why short stories?
I concur with the opinions expressed by the other reviewers. I casually picked this book up at the library as part of a stack of summer reading. It's such a joy to start a book with no expectations whatsoever and be so tremendously satisfied. I am a bit puzzled, however, at the author's choice of the short story format. Why write a series of short stories and then package them together chronologically this way, so that the result is an "almost" novel? Because each story is meant to stand alone, there is some repetitiousness in certain descriptions of people and places--yet we are obviously intended to read them as a whole. I'd be interested to know whether the stories were written and/or published individually, and, if so, in what order they appeared. Are you out they Ms. Harfenist? Please enlighten us!

Looking for a Summer Book Club Pick?
  A Brief History of the Flood is that rare book that can't be put down, and one you'll want to read again and again.  Like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, each chapter fits together with a satisfying click to reveal an insightful picture of an unforgettable family of unique characters. Read the excerpt and I guarantee you'll be captivated by Harfenist's voice, wit, and the wisdom that comes with understanding how we all grow up survivors of imperfect families. If you liked Mary Karr's memoir, The Liars Club, you will love this book. It may be billed as fiction, but it has the unmistakable ring of truth. Ironically, A Brief History of the Flood turns out to be a life preserver--reminding each of us how our unique childhood journeys help determine our destination in the world, and how understanding the past can buoy us in the present. ... Read more

Product Description
A whole alternative historical geology is presented in this book. The ruling dogmas of an old earth, slow overall geologic changes, organic evolution, the geologic column, etc., are examined and found wanting. In their place a Biblical geology is developed and defended, providing a scholarly explanation for such things as the biogeographical distribution of life, fossil succession, the origin of coal, etc., all in light of the global Noachian Deluge. Many little-known geologic facts are also brought to light. Before you conclude that whatever historical geology textbooks teach you is gospel truth, please read this book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

I am not a scientist
Although I had high hopes for this book and have read many like it, it was entirely too technical for me.To be honest, only a scientist could fully appreciate it.Other than that, it is a very interesting book.

Scientific Research For The Flood Model
This is one of the first books I read on Flood Geology that contained all the research that I was looking for. As a geologist trained in evolution, I needed the scientific approach to the research studies on Flood geology. I learned things in this book that I had always had questions about, but that my professors never had the answers for. Questions about stratigraphy, fossil distributions, the ice age, radiometric dating problems, were all addressed here. This book helped launch my own desire to continue doing research on the question of origins. As usual, John Woodmorrappe's research is thorough and well documented.

Thoughtful, comprehensive, compelling.
Young earth creationists are often accused of being unscientific or ignorning the facts.Anyone who says that has obviously never read this book.It is thoroughly scientific and carefully researched, drawing mostly from the general (non-creationist) scientific literature.A must-have for the serious student of origins issues (evolution/creation).The book convincingly refutes a large number of commonly-heard objections to the "young earth" creationist position, including:
1. explaining bio-geography by post-flood migrations
2. showing that there is not too much coal, oil, limestone, or too many vertebrate fossils, etc., to be explained by a young earth position
3. an extremely thorough study of the actual distribution of index fossils throughout the world with a creationist explanation for the "fossil succession" on a young earth
4. a well-developed case study on the stratigraphic distribution of cephalopods (molluscs, like the nautilus) showing how what is mis-interpreted as temporal succession (evolutionary replacement through time) is actually environmental sorting (animal buried in different layers because they lived in different places, not different times)
5. an explanation of how cyclotherms could have formed (and, indeed, must have formed) rapidly.
These are technical studies, but accessible to the serious layperson.There are only two things that I wish were better.Some of the articles are themselves compilations and contain a few points not thoroughly supported.More than that, I wish some of the articles were updated, but the author is busy with new research.
I own the book and I highly recommend the it, especially in the newly re-typeset version sold here.

A serious creation anthology for every origins library.
This anthology of articles explores a range of geologic and biological phenomena associated with the Cataclysm of Noah's time. Each of these papers were originally published as peer-reviewed articles in the Creation Research Society Quarterly. Titles include:

Causes for the Biogeographic Distribution of Land Vertebrates After the Flood. (1990)
The Antediluvian Biosphere and its Capability of Supplying the Entire Fossil Record. (1986)
A Diluviological Treatise on the Stratigraphic Separation of Fossils. (1983)
An Anthology of Matters Significant to Creationism and Diluviology: Report 2. (1982)
The Essential Nonexistence of the Evolutionary-Uniformitarian Geologic Column: A Quantitative Assessment. (1981)
An Anthology of Matters Significant to Creationism and Diluviology: Report 1. (1980)
Radiometric Geochronology Reappraised. (1979)
The Cephalopods in the Creation and the Universal Deluge. (1978)
A Diluvian Interpretation of Ancient Cyclic Sedimentation. (1978)

Woodmorappes' noteworthy doggedness in his study of each subject is apparent in each of the papers presented. Unless you have the entire past historyof the CRSQ this is a very worthy addition to the library of every serious student of origins.

Some Serious Creationist Research
This work is an excellent way to show that evolutionists who claim "creationists don't do any research" is an obviously false claim. John Woodmorappe has been a dedicated Creation scientist, with important publications such as "The Myth of Modern Dating Methods" and "Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study". Although I still believe that the flood model has a long way to go, John contributes an impressive effort in order to help our Biblical understanding of the past improve. The study on the geological column is a very important issue, and Woodmorappe offers an excellent chapter dealing with the "Essential Nonexistance" of the geological column.

I have two problems with this work, however. One is that there are too many quotations used, and the other is that the material is a bit outdated in some areas. However, the book is a worthwhile addition to Creationist studies. ... Read more

Product Description
Torrential rains pour into Thalburg Canyon, California. When they overfill the Baptista River, a flood threatens the community and the interconnected stories of the canyon residents are acted out on center stage. A paralyzed woman, exhausted by her life, plans an opportune death in the flood. A young boy is transformed after his mother salvages his amputated finger from the riverbank. Couples drift together and apart over old affairs and insurance coverage mistakes. A man burdened by a toxic secret struggles for atonement as the flood encroaches upon his final opportunity for redemption. These and other stories portray a series of unique personal histories caught up in a universal human drama. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A fine novel that shouldn't be missed
When a flood is approaching, many see it as a warning to move to safety. These people have other plans. "Flood Stage" tells the story of an assortment of individuals who are all struggling with their own lives as a torrential downpour soaks their Thalburg Canyon homes into a flood zone. Some seek their end to end their pain, others look for a chance at redemption, and others still have their own stories of life and death. Touching and poignant, "Flood Stage" is a fine novel that shouldn't be missed.

Flood Stage generates instant empathy
Kate Scannell brings to life the diverse characters in Flood Stage in a way that allowed me to inhabit their hearts and minds.As a white male elder it may seem obvious that I can clearly relate to the tormented Bill Dunleavy for past misdeeds.It is much less apparent that I can understand and feel what it might be like to spend an adult lifetime wheel chair bound, as does Bill's childhood sweetheart Maddy Bertolli.Now I can.The setting is a small and remote northern California town under evacuation from a flood that will destroy its houses, farms and businesses.In twenty interconnected stories Kate takes us in clear and economical prose through the triumphs and disappointments, the loves and the heartbreaks, of the inhabitants' lives. She unpeels the misunderstandings that put relationships and marriages in peril, whether from the viewpoint of an adolescent youth or an Indian dentist.I began to understand what it might be like to be an African American woman in a largely white town enduring well-meaning but obtuse comments and questions.I read the book in two evenings and now come back to it to savor its many insights.Buy it and read it.It has enriched my life and I believe it will enrich yours.

Lance Reynolds ... Read more

Product Description
Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II - Luther on Sin and the Flood is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Martin Luther is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Martin Luther then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Curious to see where the flood is going, an old woman packs her broom and pig into her boat and sets out to follow it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of my favorites as a child!
Euphonia believes that if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well, and so she does well by whatever comes her way. Until a flood comes her way, so she hops in her boat (Mary Anne, who floats very nicely, thank you!) with her pig Fatly and her broom Briskly and rows off to see where the flood is going.

Along the way she rescues various animals who are content to stay on their awkward perches because "We're better off than they were". And it's a good thing, too - the flood was going to a picnic! So that's a happy ending.

The illustrations are very funny, with a lot of little humorous bits in the sides. The text is amusing and lightly repetitive - whenever Euphonia tells the pig to do something ("Row, Fatly!") we're told that he did it fatly ("So the pig rowed fatly, and Mary Anne, she floated very nicely, thank you"), which sooner or later makes everybody giggle.

You really need this one in your library. Obtain a copy.

Charming, humorous book
Charming and humorous, one of my favorite books for children. Euphonia lives by the motto "If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well". When the creek floods in front of her house, Euphonia packs Fatly the pig, who does everything "fatly", and Briskly the broom,who does everything "briskly", into Mary Anne the boat, who does "very nicely thank you". They set off to see where the flood is going, rescuing critters along the way. At the end, they arrive at farm where a great picnic lunch is set up waiting for them. Fun to read aloud. Love it. ... Read more

Product Description
This intriguing book by a master historian explores the ancient story of Noah and the Flood-its origins in pre-Biblical culture, its development in Western thought over 2,000 years, and its fascination for theologians, scientists, and even psychoanalysts. Generously illustrated throughout, the book includes compelling accounts of individuals who endorsed or rejected the story, and of painters, sculptors, poets, dramatists, and composers who found inspiration in it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Dazzling
Norman Cohn never fails to dazzle and his history of the reaction to story of Noah is an interesting and compact dissection of a pivotal myth in Western culture. He traces the myth from before the bible and sets its place in Western Imagination.

Another brilliant piece of historical analysis from Cohn
Norman Cohn has the superb ability to bring together obscure pieces of history and thought in a readable way.This book follows well on from his other books in showing how a particular episode in literature can be vieweddifferently over time.Highly recommended for anyone with an interest inwhere their current thinking might be coming from.

Bridges gap between physical and social/human sciences
As a Geographer and an Anthropologist I am thrilled by that book.Norman Cohn's historical analysis of the Deluge interpretations leads to a better understanding of Science, and how the conditions (i.e. contextualization) of its production shapes knowledge.I will put it in my graduate students'reading list, and in my "best books"bookshelf ... Read more

Product Description
This volume examines the two models of health care reform, managed competition and internal markets, that are increasingly becoming the dominant paradigm in European and North American policy. Considering the experience of reform in the U.S., Canada, the U.K , the Netherlands and NewZealand, the author analyzes which reform model is likely to efficiently ensure access for all citizens to a comprehensive range of services, and draws out the implications for policy.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Players' Supreme Advocate
"The Way It Is" was published in 1971, as a watershed in baseball history was approaching.Author Curt Flood, a baseball star, was challenging baseball's reserve clause in a lower federal court.Under the reserve clause, an owner had perpetual contract rights over a player once he was signed unless the player was released, which would normally constitute a group boycott under the antitrust laws.In 1972, in Flood v. Kuhn, the U.S. Supreme Court by a 5-3 vote upheld baseball's antitrust exemption even though it admitted baseball was in interstate commerce (Supreme Court precedent was that baseball was not in interstate commerce; go figure).It was up to Congress to repeal the exemption, the court stated, in one of its worst rulings ever.It is worth noting that Part I of Justice Harry Blackmun's majority opinion was a corny homage to baseball citing baseball lore and baseball heroes, and it was ridiculed in many legal circles and elsewhere.

"The Way It Is" is a declaration by Flood, now deceased, that baseball IS FOR SURE engaged in interstate commerce.Granted, it is also an attack on racism in baseball.Blacks suffered from segregation in spring training camps, mistreatment by managers and other people, and discrimination in pay, and they were often shut off from lucrative endorsements. Blacks may have been on the bottom more than whites, but Flood wrote:"I told the [MLB Players' Association] meeting that organized baseball's policies and practices affected all players equally." From the labor relations perspective, he embraced all.

Flood wrote in this book that the owners' concern is not the "Good of the Game," but to make a profit.He pointed out that in 1969, the players, pension plan included, got only 20 percent of the industry's total income.This was much lower than in other industries, and in 1929 players got 35%.Flood weaved the long season, new stadiums, synthetic fields, TV and radio, and much else into his profit motive theme.He disputed the contention that major league clubs at that time were in financial straits.For me, the most interesting part is Chapter 10:Flood's history of baseball labor relations starting in 1946.He presented compelling arguments in his narrative about how things were stacked in the owners' favor.Regarding one occasion in which Commissioner Happy Chandler supported the players in a pension fund dispute, Flood wrote, "As far as I know, this was the only occasion on which any Commissioner of Baseball has ever permitted facts to undermine his relationship with owners."He forgot Chandler backed Branch Rickey when all other owners voted against integrating the sport.

This book received a lot of criticism for its cynicism.I once read a baseball piece acknowledging it as being "bitter and uncompromising." Flood made no bones about not having a "golly gee" attitude just because a certain mindset suggested a person like him should.From Justice Blackmun on down, these were the people who were preventing necessary progress in the battle of the players against the owners.Flood looks pretty good in hindsight, for some of the occurrences he recounts ring of silliness 40 years later.Jim Bouton, author of the revealing book "Ball Four," was called into Commissioner Bowie Kuhn's office, Flood wrote, and "[i]t was made clear to Bouton that when truth challenged mythology a wise ballplayer keeps his mouth shut."

Certainly Flood said many good as well as bad things about people, white and black, in this book, and he backed his labor points with reasoned arguments.It matters little that many bad things can be said about baseball players of the 21st century and that an argument can be made that free agency hurts team identity.It was still wrong for baseball teams to have exclusive contractual rights to players. Three years after Flood v. Kuhn, the reserve clause began to be shredded outside the court system (but baseball's antitrust exemption exists to this day).I would only say to Flood that he should remember the positives too.The profit motive existed with many abuses and still does, but it has not been the ONLY thing that made baseball, including owners, tick.Baseball's positive contribution to American society is not a myth, but a reality.Competition, drama, role models, charity, and actions on behalf of fans and, yes, players, have marked the game too.Perhaps Flood would respond that he loved baseball too, and that is why he wanted to see wrongs righted.

A Powerful Message
Curt Flood articulates his powerful opinions on Major League Baseball and a myriad of issues in this not-so-typical autobiography.

Penned in the early 1970s when Flood was perceived by baseball management, many fans, too many players and most media members as a hideous trouble maker due to his challenging the reserve clause that bound players for life with one team.

Critics savaged the book when it was published, stating Flood could not get over his anger concerning how the game is (should) be played. But I contend much of the criticism circled around the black consciousness of Flood's; simply, he should know his place as a star athlete and be grateful for the doors that have been opened to him due to his celebrity.

The Way It Is contains a message that strongly states why change was necessary, on the field & off. It is unfortunate that nearly 40 years later many of the issues that Flood brought up still needs to be addressed by society as a whole.

Thoughtful book of protest
Curt Flood (1938-1997) wrote this passionate autobiography in the early 1970's as he challenged baseball's labor policies in federal court.The result is a nice mix of athletic memoirs and political protest.Flood describes his California upbringing, and then bitterly recalls playing minor league ball in the segregated South.There he usually had to stay in "colored" rooming houses and eat on the team bus (most restaurants were off limits).Readers learn of his lengthy career as a star centerfielder, first with Cincinnati (1956-1957), and then with the St. Louis Cardinals (1958-1969) of Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Tim McCarver, Lou Brock and Orlando Cepeda.Flood also describes the life of major leaguers and such once-hushed subjects as baseball groupies, the sport's hierarchy, salary negotiations and race relations.

Flood argues powerfully against baseball's reserve clause, which bound players to their team until the team sold, traded or released them - unfairly limiting each player's bargaining power.The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled 5-3 against Flood in 1972, but his challenge helped bring future players free agency, salary arbitration, and large pay checks.Sadly, only a tiny number of future millionaire ballplayers ever thanked Flood before he passed away in 1997.

This is not your typical athletic biography.This is an intelligent book by an intelligent (if slightly flawed) man, its pages aimed at urbane and thinking readers.

Good Baseball History
The late Curt Flood was not some dumb jock.This book is part autobiography and part polemic.A great deal of what he writes about is now historical, yet it's interesting to see how things looked first hand then.Whenever today's highly paid athletes look in their wallet they should thank Curt Flood, all the more ironic as he died nearly penniless.A very interesting and entertaining read. ... Read more

Product Description
The ultimate series of books for reluctant readers, High Interest Books are geared toward an interest level of grades 7-12 and a reading level of grades 4-7.Each book is clearly written using simple sentences and familiar vocabulary.Brilliant colour photos; fascinating sidebars; and user-friendly fact boxes, charts, and tables highlight key information in the text. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

Buy the BOOK-- not the Kindle version.
While I absolutely LOVE the contents of this book, the Kindle version translates very poorly.
Photos are black and white, and after casting on Ysolda Teague's Orchid Thief Shawl, I realized the chart was so small I could barely make out any of the symbols. After wincing through Charts 1&2, I was relieved to find some errata with Charts 3 & 4 reprinted on Ysoda's blog. However, because everything is in B&W, I didn't realize there were color-coded pattern repeats and had to rip back several rows. :(
Other than that, I was an excellent read. Though I highly recommend purchasing the actual physical book if you plan on knitting any of the patterns.

Indie Knit Designers: Talents and Stories
Lovely book, love the stories that accompany each designer, interesting knitwear, several things I'd like to make.Only wish they would increase the size range, XL is not a 37" bust, just saying.

LOVE this book!!!
We hosted a book signing with Julie Turjoman at our LYS!Julie is such a wonderful, sweet lady!She brought all the knits in her new book as a trunk show!!!ABSOLUTLY WONDERFUL!!!I have knitted one or two of the items, and love them!!!I won't buy a knit pattern book unless there are at least 3 patterns in it that I wish to knit....there may only be 3 (if that) that I don't want to knit!

Nice!
This book has a nice mix of interesting projects - both large and small. The photography is lovely and to top it off, I loved reading the stories about the "mingling of knitters and the Internet." I would say that the Internet has had a major influence on my knitting, both in learning how to knit via little video clips and exposure and interaction with other knitters and designers.

Brave New Knits
I ordered this book as soon as I could based on the designs of Ann Weaver and Hilary Smith Callis; however, I quickly fell in love with several other designs.The in-depth interviews with each designer lets the reader/knitter know what to expect from the following pattern.Johnny Rotten jacket is on needles - need I say more.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (18)

Awesome book - a must read!
This book grabs you and never lets you go. I read this book in a few days. Shelby does a great job of showing us how the citizens of Grand Forks, local authorities, FEMA, and our president Clinton handled one of the biggest floods in American history. This book has given an insight on how New Orleans may be able to survive hurricane Katrina.

Over-sensitive Idiots Rising
I enjoyed this book. As a life-long resident of North Dakota, I love getting an impartial analysis from outside the state on such a major event, and heartily enjoy the ball-busting this author gives the area. The simple fact is, people did look desperately for scapegoats in the form of the National Weather Service or the Army Corps of Engineers or what have you, and I think the same story is likely repeated every year in similar disasters in this country. People do and think foolish things in times of calamity, and I wish more people in this area would own up to our own displays of idiocy.

Fabulous journalist, fabulous journalism.
This is a book about Democracy and the roll of government. Increasingly, as taxes, tensions and the everday involvement of government slowly rise, we ask ourselves and our leaders: Where should personal responsibility end and regulation begin?

Do taxpayers owe anything to disaster "victims" who willingly live, year after year, uninsured, at the constant verge of mortal danger?

And the rich social and political subtexts abound. Anyone who wonders why no qualified leader in his or her right mind would enter public service in America needs only read "Red River Rising." Shelby's descriptions of the government, the press and the people and their interactions -- from the origin of questionable information under the strict rigors of flawed government mandates, to its botched transfer through the hands of under-educated reporters, to the public's inability to assimilate and use it, is priceless.

Aside from being an amazing book about strife, courage and recovery, this is a text so socially relevant to our country's current struggles that it can be extrapolated to relate to any issue on any level. From imposing a recycling tax, to going to war, this book describes how every public decision in America transpires -- right down to the last militant holdout spitting in the face of The Man.

Every leader, voter and reporter needs to read this book.

Bryan Harris
Journalist

I couldn't stop reading!
Red River Rising offers great journalism and an enthralling read in the same package.I kept saying to myself, "Just one more page..."Shelby presents a masterful overview of the disaster and brings all of the people to life, too.A terrific book.

superb book!!!
I picked this book up as a gift for a friend who lived through the flood and I became so engrossed in it I never put it in the mail! (I bought another copy for my him. ) As well as being hugely infomative, there was a richness of detail and character that gave it the feel of a gripping novel.

The book brought home for me the true devastion of the flood, which I had of course heard about, but could not truly fathom until Red River Rising.

I was surprised to read another Amazon reviewer (and local) say: "There is a sense throughout the book that North Dakota residents are hicks waiting on federal hand outs, too stupid to purchase flood insurance, and too easily swayed by a newspaper column."

It's a strange comment. You could only conclude the person read a different book. Red River Rising reads as nothing less than a moving tribute to the intelligent, proud, generous and above all courageous people of Grand Forks.

I recommend it highly! ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in the mid-1940s, Old Mr. Flood is Joseph Mitchell’s story of retired house wrecker Hugh G. Flood, a New Yorker determined to live to the age of 115 on a diet of fresh seafood, harbor air, and good Scotch. Mitchell created an unforgettable character in these stories of fish-eating, whiskey, death, and rebirth by combining aspects of several men who worked at or frequented Manhattan’s famed Fulton Fish Market along the East River. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Trickle of Mitchell
Joseph Mitchell is one of the great journalists and story writers in American history.He was on the staff of The New Yorker for most of his career.His legendary editor, Harold Ross kept him even through prolonged dry spells because he took care of all his talent, but especially for Joe because he just could not bear the thought of not having him around.Mitchell comes from that grand tradition of Southern writers.He came from North Carolina and found his place in the oldest parts of New York City, below the grid, below the Lower East Side, even below the Brooklyn Bridge.These stories take place around the South Street Seaport.

Mitchell was first a newspaper man.Journalism ran deep in his sensibility.He had an aversion to celebrities, politicians and tycoons.He would not be caught dead at the Waverly Inn, though the West Village was one of his beats.He loved and was inspired and fascinated by the people that truly made New York a great city.The kind of people that made their living around the Seaport and the Fulton Fish Market.When I was a boy, I remember, parking was still free here.Open lots; not even a parking meter.The bums, living in shanties kept watch.Mr. Flood and the others are denizens of this district.Mr. Flood and the others are composites of all those he with whom he spent his days.

Mr. Flood retired at eighty.We pick him up a decade later.He calls himself a seafoodetarian -- that and Scotch are the fountains of youth.Meat and vegetables shorten life, what with the scientists have done to them (and this is during the 40s).He names as first class fish places: Sweet's, Gage & Tollner's, and Lundy's, all of which I frequented, and a forth I never saw, Libby's Oyster House.But even they, Flood laments, sometimes are inclined to stray from true simplicity.So he, like me and like the fishmongers, settled on Sloppy Louie's as the last hope of reliable simplicity.Of chefs he says "I've made quite a study of fish cooks, and I've decided that old Italians are best. Then comes old colored men, then mean old Yankees, and then old drunk Irishmen.They have to be old; it takes almost a lifetime to learn how to do a thing simply."

"Mr. Flood is well off and could undoubtedly afford the Waldorf-Astoria, but newness depresses him", just like it does Joseph Mitchell.Similarly, by nine a.m., Flood is ready for his first drink of the day, but never alone as it "leads to the mumbles".Sometimes he takes a little hot coffee with his Scotch, but mostly just excellent NYC tap water, never ice.

If such stuff appeals to you, read Mitchell.But, good as the Flood stories are, I would not buy this book.It is over too quick and could ruin the rest of your day.But the whole collection, "Up in the Old Hotel and Other Stories", that will hold you pretty good.

classic
I have recently become familiar with this classic New Yorker writer. My first was AJ Leibling. Now I have Joseph Mitchell to enjoy as well! The timeless style that these writers weave thier words with is so wonderful. Every time I begin a new work I begin to worry that it will end too soon. It almost always does. I think these writers are the pinnacle of an American style and time period that I love. I relish their works.

100 word review from Guttertype.com
Fiction originally published in the 1940s. New York. Character driven. Writer from the New Yorker best known for Joe Gould's Secret? At least the movie. The writing is as fresh as when first published. Quick read. Striking prose. Example of what American fiction should be. This is the kind of writing one expects in anthologies on how to write. Books like this hold me for the rest of the year as I trudge through faddish fiction and quickly composed books. Elegant in form, common in subject matter, and comfortable in tone. You should already know what to expect from this.

A well-lived life


What kind of an eccentric would feast on an ancient Boston breakfast of fried cod tongues, cheeks and relish the sounds of gelatinous air bladders? Perhaps the inimitable Mr. Flood, an older gentleman determined to stretch his life to one hundred fifteen years on a diet that consists mainly of fish. Mr. Flood has no desire to meet his Maker and enjoy the fruits of his Baptist belief, because enjoys every minute of living. With a firm belief in the quality of a fish diet in prolonging life., Mr. Flood is frequently seen at the Fulton Fish Market picking out that day's fare, by now something of an icon, always precisely dressed and dapper, a man in his 90's who still has his own teeth and doesn't need glasses.

Mr. Flood hasn't endured the discomforts of a cold since 1912. Not adverse to a few drinks of his favorite Scotch, he has been known to supplement his diet with such select spirits. And aside from the occasional hangover, he believes oysters can cure any ailment. Is Mr. Flood the real deal? Perhaps not in this incarnation, but the author has combined the aspects of several old gentlemen over the years, "truthful rather than factual", Mr. Flood's existence based solidly on fact.

With anecdotal vigor, Mitchell documents a day in the life of the extraordinary Mr. Flood, perusing the New England world of a man who has seen much of history pass by, but isn't finished playing his part in the drama. The epitome of the independent spirit that characterized so many of his generation, Mr. Flood is the essence of Americana, an individual who is proud of his achievement, justifiably so. Old school plain-spoken, Mr. Flood is proud of his penchant for alcoholic comforts of an evening, part of a vanishing breed, a gentleman who serves as a reminder of a generation that asked for nothing, unafraid to toil for a living. His voice echoes through the years, a denizen of the East River Fish Markets and neighborhood pubs, satisfied to end each day well fed, determined to give as good as he gets, leaving his mark on the world he inhabits. This is a man who will not go quietly into that dark good night.

This small, intimate book looks into the lifestyle of an old-style gentleman. Reaching the end of his life, he remains tenacious and determined, as dapper today as when he was a young man with a bright future ahead. Luan Gaines/2005.



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Product Description
Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Flash Flood Warning
The book that I'm going to be telling you about is call "Floods". Paul P. and Diane M. Sipiera wrote this book. My opinion on this book is that it is an average book. This would be a good book for a third grader who wants to learn more about floods and likes easy reading.
I learned a lot from this book. I learned where water comes from. Most of the water we have today comes from the oceans. I learned why it is good and bad to get rain when growing crops. "Did you know the earth is a water planet"? This book contains many reasons why floods are bad and dangerous. Floods can't always be bad things they can also be good.
I would recommend this book for teachers who want to teach their students about floods and why it is important to know more about them. This book is not only good for teachers but anyone who wants or needs to learn not only floods but water too. This book teaches you a lot about floods and where they can happen. "Floods have been know to not only flood in little towns but also in cities".
This book is a great book. It teaches you not only about floods, but also about water, crops, the water planet, and so much more. It tells you what you can do when floods come to your home. I'm not quite interested in this book, but you can find more information in the back of the book. You can also find great flood facts in this book. I hope my review was pleasing and interest you in reading this book. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
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Product Description
Focusing on Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, this book argues that asceticism must be understood within the boundaries of tradition. It exemplifies a completely new paradigm for comparative religion which seeks to avoid a problematic universalism on the one hand and an area-specific relativism on the other. The volume's original contribution to methodology will be influential in the future development of comparative religious studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Recommended review
This book is not recommended for someone beginning to research the subject of asceticism.While the author does a good job exploring themes in ascetical practice, it is clear he assumesthe reader already has an idea of what he is writing about.Terms, including those found in the subtitle, are never presented in a clear and delineating manner, and if the writer's intent is to offer "a new paradigm for comparative religion," the book should have been better organized to make his case, as it reads more like a collection of related essays thanan effort to establish a new framework.The "essays," though, are good reading, and I found the chapter on Simone Weil informative and his concise analysis of Evagrian cosmology in Chapter 6 to behelpful, so the book is not lacking in providing insights into the subject.

If you are debating the purchase, there is a detailed review at www.hermitary.com which I recommend. (9/2008)

The Ascetic Self
Although Flood is obviously a knowledgeable scholar of religion (his primer on Hinduism is excellent), I found that The Ascetic Selfhad limited usefulness due to Flood's forced and largely unsupported definition of asceticism.More specifically, Flood asserts that there is no asceticism outside of traditional religious contexts -- and only cosmological ones at that.This narrow and arguably untenable definition stands in opposition to the recent work of other scholars of asceticism including Geoffrey Galt Harpham and Richard Valantasis who assert (following Freud, Weber, Foucault and others) that asceticism is fundamental to the formation of culture itself and therefore, a very present force in contemporary Western societies.In the face of this compelling scholarship, Flood's definition just doesn't seem to fall within the 'realm of the true' and therefore represents a crucial flaw in his project.If Flood had wanted to limit the scope of his project to traditional religious contexts, he could have done this without excluding the possibility that some forms of secular asceticism do indeed exist and thrive in modern society. ... Read more