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This collection of black and white photography, much of it previously unpublished, features the work of the master photographer, Ernst Haas. The photographs are from his travels to America, Asia, the South Pacific and Europe. By the author of "The Creation" and "Colour Photography". ... Read more

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In this book, the civilians who lived through the battle of Gettysburg recount this pivotal event in the American Civil War in their own words. The eyewitness accounts, spanning from June 15, 1863, through Lincolns address in November of that year to the ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A Personal Look at the Lives of Civilian Gettysburg 1863
After reading the good and bad reviews of this book I felt I had to add my two cents, for what it's worth.
This is a very personal look at what was certainly a very nerve-wracking time for the poor folks living in the town of Gettysburg during the period of the Rebel invasion of late June / early July 1863. While the soldiers were fighting in the nearby fields, the civilian citizens were in the midst of their own invasion - first the Rebels, then the Yanks, then the leftovers of the dead and wounded.
What makes this book so intriguing is that it is almost exclusively in the words of those who were there, either taken from the diaries and journals of the citizens, or from the newspaper accounts, or from the memories of some of the folks a few years after. This makes for very intimate reading that brings the reader face to face with not only the folks of Gettysburg but up close to the horror and 'excitement' that they felt.
The photographs and lite biographies of many of the residents included help to bring it all home. In fact, this book would make a phenomenal movie (anybody listening out there?).
The reason I did not give this book a score of five was because of the typos and some of the misinformation written by messrs. Slade and Alexander. But, don't let that stop you from purchasing it - there are not that many mistakes (not that I condone these mistakes). Knowing that the majority of the words herein are the first hand accounts of the actual eyewitnesses of the insanity (and it WAS insane!) of the town of Gettysburg while the majority of soldiers fought only a short distance away on the battlefields should make any Civil War history buff crave a book such as this (as well as "Days of Uncertainty and Dread" - another Gettysburg civilian book that goes hand in hand with "Firestorm").
Through "Firestorm at Gettysburg: Civilian Voices," the citizens of Gettysburg deservedly live once again. Well worth the money.

The Story of Civilians at Gettysburg
The subject of "Firestorm at Gettysburg" by Jim Slade and John Alexander (1998) is civilian life in the town of Gettysburg before, during, and after the great battle of July 1-3,1863.The book describes well the impact of the battle on the local population of Gettysburg.This is an important and sometimes overlooked component of the history of the Battle of Gettysburg.

In many respects, this book is good and informative.Slade and Alexander draw broadly on contemporary accounts of the effect of the Battle of Gettysburg on civilians.The book opens with a good summary "Gettysburg and Some of her Citizens" which introduces the reader to many of the residents of the town who left accounts of their experiences during the Battle.The book describes briefly the pre-Civil War history of Gettysburg, its demographics, and its economic base.Again, this is an often neglected subject and I found the treatment of it here brief but informative.The book covers the Gettysburg campaign, including Jubal Early's foray through Gettysburg one week before the Battle of Gettysburg itself commenced.It then covers each of the three days of the battle and follows- up the battle with a treatment of events in the town during the Confederate retreat and its aftermath.Its discussion of the hardships involved in burying the dead and of the efforts of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions to take care of the wounded in the months following the battle was for me the most informative part of the book.

I thought the book helped me to get to know the people of Gettysburg and to see how they interacted with the Union and Confederate military forces during the Battle.The book paints a picture of fear -- understandable given the horrors of the battle - and of the real dangerc faced by the civilian populace during these tumultous days. But there are also many scenes showing how the soldiers and the townspeople learned to cooperate with and at least try to understand one another in the difficult situation that was thrust upon both the soldiers and the civilians.

There are many photographs in the book, of the battle,military leaders, civilians and of places in Gettysburg and its environs that help the reader visualize the town of Gettysburg in the 1860sand that will give the imaginative reader a feel for the town and for the impact of the Battle.

The major problems with the book are the many errors of fact it contains and the many typographical errors which suggest carelessness and unreliability. Most of these factual errors and typos are individually small but, as often happens, the reader with some familiarity with Gettysburg will find them distracting.Some photographs in particular are misidentified.Many pictures of dead soldiers following the battle are identified in the book as deriving from McPherson's Ridge, the site of the fighting on July 1.In fact, recent scholarship places the sites of thesephotographs at Devil's Den or the Rose Farm on the opposite side of the battlefield, several miles away from McPherson's Ridge and the scenes of major fighting on July 2.This again is not a large point in itself, given the theme of the book;but it does tend to suggest a lack of familiarity in the authors with recent Gettysburg studies. It weakens the value of the book as a source rather than as a casual read.

Slade and Alexander don't seem to have looked at their subject critically.The book basically consists of a patching -together of various eyewitness reports with no effort to synthesize or explain. Because of the episodic nature of the presentation, it is sometimes difficult to follow a character from one scene to the other.The book doesn't offer a good narrative flow or allow the reader to think through to any conclusions from the material presented.

In summary, this book has its merits and will encourage the reader to focus on the human side of the Battle of Gettysburg rather than simply on the events of the combat. The book is good for casual reading and the many photographs will stimulate reflection.The book, unfortunately, is inadequate as a historical account.It will not serve well the reader interested in a detailed, accurate treatment of the Battle of Gettysburg and the local civilian population.

Fascinating account undermined by terrible proofreading
"Firestorm at Gettysburg" provided an often fascinating account of the Battle of Gettysburg from the point of view of some of the town's residents.Usually, most accounts focus on the famous events such as thebattle on Little Round Top or Pickett's Charge, but this book focuses onthe chaos created in the town itself, especially as the Union troopsstampeded through town and up Cemetery Hill at the end of the first day offighting.We read how people cowered in their cellars, watched the battlefrom the fields or rooftops, took in wounded friend or foe, and sometimesfoolishly ventured outside.

"Firestorm" also describes thebattle's aftermath in horrific detail, not allowing the reader to forgetthe carnage that the townspeople had to deal with long after both armieshad marched away.The town was overwhelmed by all of the dead and woundedleft behind, and the suffering that many of the soldiers endured not onlybecause of their wounds but also because of the conditions they werehospitalized under was truly appalling, even sickening.

The book grabbedme for many reasons.Several accounts described soldiers, from both sides,behaving despicably, or nobly, or foolishly, or patiently, or stoically, oroddly, or in a variety of other ways.Accounts of conversations betweentownspeople and the Confederate soldiers occupying the town intrigued me. It was good to be reminded that individuals fought this battle, not justarmies.

Obviously, the residents were in the dark as to the overallprogress of the battle since they were primarily concerned with keepingsafely out of harm's way.The authors wisely inserted summaries of thebattle periodically so the reader could compare the impressions of theresidents to the actual progression of the battle.

Other accounts ofevents that occurred in the town captivated me.A resident's narrow escapefrom the bullets of a sharpshooter, the capture of Union soldiers whorefused to endanger the residents of a house, the selflessness manydisplayed as they took wounded soldiers into their homes...there werenumerous little incidents which, taken together, painted a vivid picture ofthe confusion, fear, tragedy, and the complexity of the Battle ofGettysburg.Overall, I enjoyed the book a great deal.

Unfortunately,this book is full of technical errors.Who proofread this?One of theother reviewers already listed several factual contradictions present inthe book, contradictions that I too noticed and grumbled about.There werealso numerous typographical and even formatting errors that would draw thewrath of any English teacher.These errors really annoyed me and dampenedmy enthusiasm for the book noticeably.How much?I'll put it this way.Iread this book after borrowing it from a friend, trying to decide whetheror not to buy it.I'll buy it in a heartbeat...AFTER the next edition,complete with factual and typographical corrections...comes out.

A very human story, most compelling
This tremendous book provides a compelling account of the events that transpired during the battle and beyond in the most human of terms. Never mind the military maneuvers, the body counts, and other minutia soentrancing to some. Here are real accounts of real people acting heroicallyto protect those they love and the wounded thrust upon them. Never beforehas such a story been told about Gettysburg. The day by day recounting,allowing each person to relate what they saw and felt is amazing. I onlywish more "professional" historians wrote this well. This is amust read for everyone who really wants to know what happened atGettysburg.

Entertaining, interesting, and worthwhile. . .?
If I had read first reader's review (above) I'm sure I would have been less likely to begin reading, much less finish, this book. But for all of the inconsistencies, mistakes, and other problems, this is anentertaining, usually interesting, and often moving book presented in acontemporary, TV-like style.I suppose the multitude of (mainly)amateur historians and Civil War buffs will find the scholarship sloppybut, frankly, there are very few Bruce Catton's and James McPherson's outthere who have the rare capability of making sense out of the chaos of warwhile mainiging high literary and academic standards.Oh, well.TheCivil War is a passion that many have staked out as their speciality,resulting in people who guard their area of "expertise" like ajunkyard dog.I'm reminded of the cliche that they can't see the forestfor the trees.And I believe that is the case here.Authors Sladeand Alexander have (like most amateur history students) brought their loveand fasination for Gettysburg and tried to see it from the vantage point ofthose who lived there, the average man, woman, and child.We read ofthe impending battle in the diaries and letters and follow events -- somehumorous, some tragic, some mundane -- but all compelling -- through to theanticlimactic ending and beyond.I especially enjoyed thejuxtapositioning of the photos with the text exerpts, putting faces withthe voices, so to speak.So much history, especially that associatedwith the Civil War, is badly written, narrowly focused, trivial, grosslysentimental, and, well, the criticism could go for as long some of thoseendless tomes that crowd the shelves of your neighborhood bookstore. This book deserves to be on those shelves, but, perhaps not next to BruceCatton! ... Read more

Product Description
The newest screenplay from the Oscar®-nominated writers of Election and About Schmidt, starring Paul Giamatti (American Splendor), a tale of two men's adventure in California wine country.

Based on Rex Pickett's acclaimed first novel, Sideways tells the story of Miles (Paul Giamatti), a failed novelist, and his soon-to-be married friend Jack (Wings' Thomas Haden Church), a washedup actor. To salute the remains of their youth, the two men take one last road trip in the week before Jack's wedding. A serious wine enthusiast, Miles is determined to educate his friend on the region's beloved Pinot Noir wines before the week is out.

Jack indulges his best friend's passion for the grape but is mainly interested in living his last week of bachelorhood to the hilt. Trouble ensues with wine and women (played by Ghosts of Mississippi's Virginia Madsen and Under the Tuscan Sun's Sandra Oh) and the duo comes to some profound realizations as they come to terms with maturity.

The Newmarket Shooting Script® book includes the complete screenplay and three original commentaries written exclusively for the book by writer/director Alexander Payne, novelist Rex Pickett, and Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good.
Good, witty, smart. Might not be as awesome as all the hype; but definitely a good choice to add to your DVD collection.

Fun movie, better script
I got a little bored during this movie, but the script is beautifully written. Definitely "I wish I could do that" writing.

Outstanding
The first time I watched the film, I couldn't get through it.There was very little that was likable about the characters, and I chose not to spend 2 hours with losers.Seeing all of the critical acclaim it received, I decided to watch it again... and loved it the second time around.Reading the screenplay made me love it even more!I could stop and savor the writing, noting how each scene ends provacatively.It's a very adult piece, and one must be very open-minded and not judgmental when reading the screenplay or watching the film.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

A wonderful read
I loved the movie. On impulse, I sought out the screen play because I wanted to see how the story looked on paper. The experience was illuminating for the insight it provided me in how movies are crafted. But more importantly, being able to pause at an interesting passage of dialog, to enjoy it more completely, enabled me to control the pace of the story. Lastly, the screenplay is very good writing, and a joy to read. ... Read more

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Chapters: Ronald Reagan, Francis Gary Powers, Edgar Cayce, George Alexander Parks, Lyndon B. Johnson, Jim Jones, James A. Garfield, Ruby Laffoon, James Clark McReynolds, Augustus O. Stanley, Louie B. Nunn, Henry Cornelius Burnett, David Ray Griffin, Grey DeLisle, J. William Fulbright, Frances McDormand, Arthur Ford, Carrie Nation, Billy James Hargis, Ken Pruitt, Millard Fuller, Gerald L. K. Smith, Ike Skelton, Harold Bell Wright, Raymond P. Shafer, Martin E. Trapp, James Allred, John S. Tanner, Thomas Campbell, Thomas Allin, Lucretia Garfield, Edgar Dewitt Jones, Ken Lucas, Benjamin Franklin, Barton W. Stone, Champ Clark, Levi H. Dowling, Yusuf Estes, John Bryan Bowman, Shawn Thomas, Nelle Wilson Reagan, James H. Davis, Milton C. Garber, Don Basham, Joseph Rucker Lamar, Fred Craddock, Todd Bullard, Harry Hines Woodring, Richard L. Barclay, Harry Stewart New, Hubert Utterback, Cassius C. Dowell, Oren E. Long, Elizabeth P. Farrington, Carl Edward Bailey, Martin L. Davey, Zerelda G. Wallace, Jim Spainhower, Virgil Chapman, James McCleery, John M. Robsion, Alvin Saunders, George H. Hodges, Jesse Bledsoe, Guy Brasfield Park, Thomas M. Browne, King Swope, Sam L. Collins, Robert E. Lee Blackburn, Janet Petersen, C. Jasper Bell, Serene Jones, J. Stanley Webster, Scott Cordelle Bone, Fred S. Purnell, Payne Ratner, Knowles Shaw, Joseph B. Bennett, William Charles Salmon, Abraham J. Hostetler, William Graham, Guy U. Hardy, Francis M. Drake, Charles Clayton Morrison, Thomas M. Allen, Walter A. Huxman, Hale Johnson, Civilla D. Martin, Myers Y. Cooper, Charles Chapman, Charles Lynn Pyatt,. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 498. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989) and the 33rd Governor of Californi...http://booksllc.net/?id=25433 ... Read more

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Intended as an invitation to an alternative way of life, this anthology brings together some of the most important literature on the post-consumerist living strategy known as voluntary simplicity. By examining afresh our relationship with money, material possessions, the planet, ourselves and each other, the simple life of voluntary simplicity is about discovering the freedom and contentment that comes with knowing how much consumption is truly enough. And this might be a theme that has something to say to everyone, especially those of us who are everyday bombarded with thousands of cultural messages insisting that more is always better. Voluntary simplicity is an art of living that is aglow with the insight that just enough is plenty. The contributors to this anthology all leading figures in the voluntary simplicity movement are highly distinguished scholars, activists, educators, and artists. Brought together so comprehensively for the first time, the result is a collection of the very best writing on one of today's most important but neglected ideas. ... Read more

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Big Bird's insatiable appetite for activity has Granny Bird busy thinking up things for him to do. ... Read more

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Alexander Barnaby Meadowlark is the story of an impetuous western meadowlark. After flight school, Barnaby sets out to discover the world, only to wrestle with a mystery he’s determined to solve. He had been told about this mysterious thing that is sometimes round and sometimes flat. It is on the ground, but is also found in the air. All agreed that it is hard, and a bird can only see it when it is dirty. While solving this mystery, Barnaby nearly loses his life several times, and learns many of life’s lessons. Still thinking he has all the answers, Barnaby sets out on a second mission. He is determined to save his immature sister from herself. She found herself a boyfriend. On his way to bring his sister home, the unthinkable happens, and his mission of mercy crumbles before his eyes. ... Read more

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Irving Berlin's classic arranged for piano duet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Boswell Sisters sing"Alexander's Ragtime Band"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JNIOTAB3PH95 The Boswell Sisters great performance of "Alexander's Ragtime Band". This vintage 1938 sheet music features the original ornate cover as drawn in 1911, suitable for framing. (This is the Standard sized sheet music, not large format. Based on the motion picture starring Alice faye, this is a complete arrangement for voice (lyrics) with piano accompaniment, symbols for guitar and chords for ukulele and banjo in the key of C-Major.(special thanks to pax41 on youtube)

Irving Berlin sheet music arranged for voice, piano accompaniment, guitar, banjo and ukulele:
Easter Parade
Always
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
Here We Are
Just a Little Longer
Homesick
White Christmas
Marie
I'm On My Way Home
Irving Berlin Waltzes, Book 1) ... Read more

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This volume of the Animas–La Plata series (SWCA Anthropological Research Paper No. 10) presents flaked stone and ground stone assemblage data and analysis methods and results. Patterning in Archaic, Basketmaker II, and Pueblo I assemblages through time and across space are addressed, and regional comparisons are made. ... Read more

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A Rare Group of Visionaries and Achievers Share Their Proven Success Principles. Featuring Pat Bender, Alexander Haig, Jr. and Pat Summitt. It's no secret that success is something everyone wants. The process can be a mystery and Pillars of Success is a book all about revealing success secrets of several of the most prosperous people in business today. Contributing author Pat Bender has an Awareness Is Power process. "The more aware you are," she says, "the more aware you'll become." You will learn what Pat says are three important things leaders and successful people have in common.You'll learn from Pat Bender that world class salespeople have five things in common: 1) Leave no stone unturned, 2) When your customer says no, that's when the selling begins, 3) Always have a reason to come back, 4) Be yourself, and 5) Sell with heart.You'll find out if former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr., thinks people are born hardwired to be good leaders if if it can bea learned skill. ... Read more

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The World Book Encyclopedia Of Science ... Read more

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Christian Periodical for Faith-Works Christians with a Political Slant. Single Issue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Teddy rides again!
Historical mystery, when it's done right, is one of the most satisfying of the many mystery subgenres: not only do you get a painless lesson in history (social and otherwise), but you have the fun of wondering how the detective will solve his crimes without the aid of modern high-tech forensic gadgetry.But, especially if that detective is an actual person, the author has to know him well, and Alexander obviously does.In this second installation of the "Theodore Roosevelt Mysteries," New York City Police Commisssioner Roosevelt comes vividly to life along with his era and his place.And, as in the first of the series, there's a personal link between him and the mystery in which he takes an interest.A strangulation "signed" by a black-ink handprint (is that newly-arrived Sicilian organization, the Black Hand, involved?), a stolen submarine, a torpedo attack on a boatload of Italian holiday revellers in New York Harbor, and a threatening note addressed to Teddy's 13-year-old cousin Franklin Delano are only the beginning of this typically convoluted Gay 90's case, enlivened by guest appearances from assorted great and near-great names of the New York of that day.It doesn't take Teddy long to begin to put things together: "a lot of people are being murdered 35 years after they were all together in Canton, China"--and involved at least peripherally in the opium trade.But what's the connection between opium in China and Sicilians in New York?Therein lies Teddy's puzzle.Along the way to solving it he also discovers (by way of a volume borrowed by his children from neighbor Clarence Day of "Life With Father" fame) that he has been made a hero of a dime novel, "Commissioner Roosevelt on the Waterfront," in which "I take on six hoodlums single-handedly...They're no match for my pure heart and swift uppercut.It's not badly written, actually..."The chase leads to the Roosevelts' weekend home on Oyster Bay, and there, of course, all loose threads are united, red herrings are revealed, and Teddy again emerges triumphant.

Alexander's portrait of his hero is just what anyone would expect who has ever read anything factual about TR, and his knowledge of his time and place is impressive.Moreover, with credits as a TV scriptwriter for various crime series (including "Cannon" and "Barnaby Jones"), he's written a book that would translate very easily to the screen (small or large); as another reviewer has observed, "Speak Softly" (and, for that matter, its predecessor) would make a great movie.No fan of our 26th President should miss reading it.

If you like Indiana Jones...
you'll love this book.Teddy Roosevelt as police commissioner of New York rushes from one crisis to another while not forgetting his children or his wife.The author inserts a large number of historical figures and recognizing them is part of the fun.It gives a good picture of TR's family and early New York. This would make a great movie!

TR as crime fighter - Bully!
Alexander has taken a segment of Theodore Roosevelt's life and done wonders with it.As a police commissioner of New York City, Roosevelt was a mover and shaker and not too popular in some quarters of city government.The author takes this period of TR's life and builds a great tale of 19th century crime.

In the first chapter you get a good taste of what it was like to be a child in TR's household as TR is having an interview with his son's teacher.The latter is trying to explain that it might help TR's son if dad was a little less invovled with the details of his homework assignment.TR's "you're taking all the fun out of it" sums up his eternal quest to be a boy again. This seems to sum up TR quite nicely - the adult striving to recapture the best moments of his youth.Maybe this applies to all of us?

You also meet the towering figures in the construction of early US submarines, John Holland and Simon Lake.Lake's submarine is stolen so we see a bit of industrial espionage 19th century style as well as plain old fashion murder.

You will meet various and sundry of the extended Roosevelt family of several generations.Franklin D. makes and appearence.

This is a good detective novel to sit down with.It flows well and informs as well as entertains, but you don't really catch on to the history lessons being delivered.I came to this book more with an interest in TR than in the detective mystery, but I think the author does a fine job of inserting TR into a mystery and doing it well.I highly recommend this book to any mystery buff, without reservation. ... Read more

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Young dÂ'Artagnan, in search of fortune and adventure, joins three of the French kingÂ's musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Soon, this dynamic quartet is defending the king against his most menacing enemies. Using the graphic novel format, Graphic Classics introduce children to many of the worldÂ's greatest literary works. The high-quality illustrations complement narratives that are paced to catch and hold young readersÂ' interest. In addition to its story, each Graphic Classic features a thumbnail biography of its authorÂ's life, a list of his or her important works, a timeline of historic events that helped inspire the storyÂ's conception, general notes, and an index. Both primary and secondary school teachers can use these books to introduce students to a representative selection of our cultureÂ's great literary works. Many young readers who are hesitant to delve into the original books will find the graphic novel format an appealing first step toward developing good reading habits. Graphic Classics are available in both paperback and hardcover editions. ... Read more