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Presents a biography of the commander in chief of the Continental Army and first president of the United States. ... Read more

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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Introduces readers to the scientist, inventor and professor who became a symbol of African American success and interracial harmony. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simple yet educational biography
George Washington Carver: An Innovative Life is a softcover biography of "Peanut Scientist", inventor, researcher, and professor George Washington Carver, the orphaned son of slaves who applied his intelligence and innovation to tremendously improve the lives of African American farmers. He created more than 325 products from peanuts alone, became a successful teacher at the African American school called Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (later known as Tuskegee University), advocated crop rotation and inexpensive fertilizers to help farmers from wearing out their soil, and was even a skilled artist, one of whose paintings was selected to represent Iowa at the 1893 World's Fair. Vintage black-and-white photographs and colorful illustrations on almost every page grace this simple yet educational biography, recommended for young people ages 8 to 12 and children's libraries.
... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the 1942 Pulitzer Prize in History, it is an authentic, scholarly description of life in Washington during the Civil War, written in a highly readable style. In 2001 a Reader's Catalog Selection, "one of the 40,000+ best books in print." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

My kid was a Civil War (war between the States) reenactor ....
so my interest in the Civil War was piqued about six years ago when he started attending Gettysburg, Antietam, and Cedar Creek reenactments.It has taken me a while to start reading about the subject though.Miss Leech's book is a great place to start!It reveals the political climate of the city (Washington, DC) in a very balanced approach. I loved every page.I would like to read it again sometime for sure.In addition to an index the back of the book includes brief bios of the various significant persons in the book.

Siberian Ordeal
Among us, I'll be the one who's going off the reservation, disagreeing with those who think highly of Reveille.

Brilliant phrasing in writing cannot outflank an undisciplined author's verbosity - when, as Wolcott Gibbs put it, he or she "is ornate to no purpose, full of senseless & elegant variations, & can be relied on to use three sentences when a word would do."

Had Reveille run @ 300 pages, it would have been a masterpiece, truly deserving of the Pulitzer Prize that Margaret Leech received in 1942 (more on that, later).

But at 458 pages, it's a whale.

At some point, she had lost her way.Her creativity became habit & habit led to the act of writing by a writer whose goal was merely to continue to write.

And that's when reading Reveille - at the onset, a very enjoyable experience - turned into an unpleasant ordeal.

In 2001, Ian Frazier's overland summertime journey from Leningrad to the Pacific Ocean, through eight time zones, lasted five weeks & three days.

Given Leech's endless accounts of what people wore; where they ate & danced & slept; who had been invited to what balls & pageants; & where they stood in the grandstands reviewing the marching soldiers, I was beginning to wonder if the time it would take to finish Reveille would be longer than the time that it took Frazier to travel the length of Siberia.

Crappy Editing, Dept.:

Believe it or not, what follows is only half of one sentence:

"...And Mrs. William Sprague, with a languid smile on her lips, swept confidently into a life whose misery not the poorest girl on the [U.S. government] Printing Office, not the weariest of the superannuated trollops would have envied her."

A competent editor would have slimmed this down to:

"...And Mrs. William Sprague swept confidently into a life whose [eventual] misery not [even] the poorest girl in the Printing Office would have envied."

This is but one of hundreds of similarly constructed sentences that, if each were a limousine, the front end of which would be visible as it exited the Lincoln Tunnel at the same time that its rear end would still be visible in New Jersey.

(I know of only one contemporary author who truly mastered the art of writing exotic prose: Lucius Beebe.His "The Big Spenders" is recommended - but only for truly patient readers.)

And above, what was commended by another correspondent is, rather, just another mundane example of what survives the absent-minded scrutiny of a mediocre editor:

"No city [Washington D.C.] ever heard the noise of cannon in its suburbs with a greater appearance of sang-froid."

To which Will Strunk would have stated, "Omit needless words":

"No city ever heard the noise of cannon in its suburbs with a greater sang-froid."

Reveille does have two genuine saving graces that should be noted & appreciated:

The inclusion of an indispensable exact date "Chronology of The Main Events" (which to some extent, counterbalanced Leech's having repeatedly omitted the months & years in which crucial events occurred), &;

Lengthy, solid "bibliographical notes" on the post-Civil War activities of the surviving antagonists, whose war-time experiences are recounted in the main text.

Now, about that 1942 Pulitzer prize...

Margaret Leech became Mrs. Margaret Leech Pulitzer in 1928, by marrying the son of the man who bequeathed a fortune to Columbia University - in whose name the Pulitzer Prizes are bestowed each year.

How can you be married to a Pulitzer & be eligible to receive a Pulitzer Prize?

extremely fine history
When we look to history books, tend to see the BIG picture.This is the small picture and as such, is much more interesting.What was it like to be a "normal" person in Washington DC during the Civil War? To listen to the rumors?To see the wounded, but not the battle field?This book is a jewel.Very well written.A truly great book. A lot of fun.

Grad. Student Review.
This book provides a good survey history of the US Civil War based in Washington DC.The information in the book is dated.The book was published originally in 1941.The book suffers from the historical writing conventions of the time.That being a lack of footnotes or endnotes and the bibliography is divided how the author deems and not by primary and secondary sources.It is a very well written book and reads quite easily, for a history book.This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1941.

Looking for good historical fiction after John Adams?
If you love reading about the Civil War and the presidency of Lincoln, this book which has fallen out of the mainstream deserves to come back into the public eye. I'll be giving it as a Christmas gift this year to my history loving friends. Remarkable and satisfying. (I know John Adams is not fiction, but I was looking for something amazing after I read JA, and I found this...) ... Read more

Product Description
The New York Public Library Collector's Edition of Booker T. Washington's incendiary classic is accompanied by a selection of authentic slave narratives and is published to coincide with Black History Month. In addition, the volume is enhanced by a rich mix of archival material from the Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.Amazon.com Review
Nineteenth-century African American businessman, activist, andeducator Booker Taliaferro Washington's Up from Slavery is oneof the greatest American autobiographies ever written. Its mantras ofblack economic empowerment, land ownership, and self-help inspiredgenerations of black leaders, including Marcus Garvey, ElijahMuhammad, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan. In rags-to-riches fashion,Washington recounts his ascendance from early life as a mulatto slavein Virginia to a 34-year term as president of the influential,agriculturally based Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. From thatposition, Washington reigned as the most important leader of hispeople, with slogans like "cast down your buckets," which emphasizedvocational merit rather than the academic and political excellencechampioned by his contemporary rival W.E.B. Du Bois. Though manyconsidered him too accommodating to segregationists, Washington, as hesaid in his historic "Atlanta Compromise" speech of 1895, believedthat "political agitation alone would not save [the Negro]," and that"property, industry, skill, intelligence, and character" would provenecessary to black Americans' success. The potency of his philosophiesare alive today in the nationalist and conservative camps that composethe complex quilt of black American society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (75)

Great read
I read this book with my 12 year old as part of a book club.I didn't know much about Booker T. Washington,and this book was very interesting.He was truly a remarkable man living in a time of extreme change for our country.I feel I now have a broader view of the post slavery South then I had,even growing up there.

He Knew His Role and Performed It Well...
A fascinating read about the life and times of Booker T. Washington and his march from slavery to one of the foremost men of his time.

His views may seem quite antiquated in today's world, given what has happened and not happened in the last 100 years in race relations and it is easy to see how Black leaders of today might be critical of Washington's views and perspectives.

But to do so would be to make the all too common mistake of imprinting and transferring today's value system and experiences on a culture and time of long ago. Anyone can look back with 20-20 hindsight and criticize. What matters most is having a plan to move forward from where you are, and Booker T. Washington certainly had that. His is a remarkable story of courage, grace, and iron-willed determination, for himself and forhis race.

While today's leaders and purists might criticize Washington, it should never be forgotten that he took the first steps and led his race and the entire South in the first steps, no matter how imperfect they may be in hindsight, up and away from slavery.

There had to be a Booker T. Washington to bridge the gap between what was and what was to be.He knew his role and peformed it well.

My Hero
Up From Slavery Booker T. Washington has been one of my all-time favorite American heroes -- ever since I first read about him in 4th grade.Washington had a gift for writing, and his autobiography, as well as his essays, are very easy to read, understand, and enjoy.The more I study and learn about him, the more impressed I am with his vision, his integrity, and his drive to improve his people and their lot in life.

up from slavery
a good read with much information from the early america era. Booker T. Washington use the brain over violence and suceeded where others failed. excellent read.!!!!

No Less Than an American Classic!
What an outstanding autobiography regarding a true American heroe! This book details the triumphant acts of Booker T. Washington's efforts to not only develop the famous Tuskegee Institute, but to positively build bridges with America.A former slave who became a self taught, political mastermind came from the worst of what humanity had to offer to meeting and influencing American Presidents. What an honor it would have been to meet a man who provided so much to the African American man and woman. He was also willing and often did help southern whites in his community. It's ashame that in America, where education is offered legally, there is a 50% dropout rate among African American high school students. This man and his "cadres" fought for and provided educational opportunities in a country that treated them worst than second class citizens.This book should be a required reading in ALL schools, especially those predominantly filled with African Americans! ... Read more

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THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Whether she was at a ball or on a battlefield, Martha Washington set the standard for all future First Ladies with her quiet determination and courage. ... Read more

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THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Reconstructs a possible mission of the 14-year-old spy who carried messages to George Washington's camp in the buttons of his coat during the Revolutionary War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fun to read.
This book was about a kid named John, and he was a spy for General Washington.I liked this book because the pictures were cool.They were very colorful.I learned some things about the Revolutionary War from reading this book. I learned that buttons could be used to carry secret messages, and that British soldiers hung American spies.I thought that John was really brave.This book makes me want to learn more about the Revolutionary War.I am 8 years old and in 3rd Grade, and this book was easy for me to read.

Great spy story
This easy to read book is great for the 1-3 grader who is studying the Revolutionary War. A family acts as spies for the patriots by smuggling messages. The mother places the messages inside her sons buttons and sews them onto his coat. The young boy then takes them to his brother who isstationed with General Washington. Plenty of colorful illustrations andenough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. ... Read more

Product Description
Simple yet capable of great complexity, the haiku is a tightly structured verse form that has a remarkable power to distill the essence of a moment keenly perceived. For centuries confined to a small literary elite in Japan, the writing of haiku is now practiced all over the world by those who are fascinated by its combination of technical challenge, expressive means, and extreme concentration.

This anthology brings together hundreds of haiku by the Japanese masters—Basho, Issa, Buson, Shiki—with superb examples from nineteenth- and twentieth-century writers. The pioneering translator R. H. Blyth believed that the spirit of haiku is present in all great poetry; inspired by him, the editor of this volume has included lines from such poets as Wordsworth, Keats, Tennyson, Thoreau, and Hopkins, presented here in haiku form. Following them are haiku and haiku-influenced poems of the twentieth century—from Ezra Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro” to William Carlos Williams’s “Prelude to Winter,” and from the irreverence of Jack Kerouac to the lyricism of Richard Wright. The result is a collection as compact, dynamic, and scintillating as the form itself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Superb!

You might appreciate knowing the contents:

Foreward.......... 7

JAPANESE HAIKU
Buddha Nature.......... 11
Happiness.......... 23
Phases of the Moon.......... 29
Birds.......... 41
Creatures.......... 63
Spring.......... 77
Summer.......... 113
Autumn.......... 159
Winter.......... 181
New Year.......... 207

WESTERN HAIKU
Traditional.......... 217
Modern.......... 231

Acknowledgments.......... 253

***
For most of my life I did not know that the haiku art form existed. When I discovered it I was instantly smitten and developed an intense desire to know everything about it including how to compose it.

This book does not teach you how to compose haiku, and yet indirectly it does because the poems within serve as the best examples of successful haiku. I mean after all, these originally came from the likes of Basho, Buson, Issa, Shiki and Chiyo-ni (as well as some lesser known but no less skilled classical-era haiku poets). If one would want to learn from the best, then study the haiku from this book. Read them very slowly both out loud and to yourself many times; concentrate on one and discover what it has to offer in terms of meaning as well as imagery; search out the subtleties in tone, mood, etc.

***
There's a section containing some very good modern english haiku toward the back of the book.

Admittedly, (for right now anyway) I favor reading and studying the classical Japanese haiku from the masters preceding the twentieth century. That isn't to say that I ignore or don't appreciate modern haiku (or modern Western haiku). Indeed, I certainly 'can' and 'do' appreciate great haiku created by anyone in the world today.

I think it's only that I instinctively understand in my spirit that the "fundamentals" for learning and developing haiku-composition skills are to be found in the classical-era haiku of the recognized masters... and one should always start with the fundamentals.

***
The english translations by R. H. Blyth are excellent; they are very satisfying.

The book itself is a relatively small, sturdy hardcover; it is well-made; it has a permanent bookmark ribbon to keep your place with.

***
I often found myself reading each poem as slowly as possible, not wanting to reach the end ofthe book.
I was enjoying these haiku too much -- savoring each one. That's when it is best; that's when you are more likely to be rewarded with an insight -- when you spend significant time on just one before moving on.

***
I recommend this haiku collection to you if you are at all interested in reading (as well as studying) some of the haiku from the great masters.

aportable collection of Haiku
This is simply a wonderful anthology. It is designed to be read whenever and fits in one's pocket or purse. The first section of the book comprises of R.H. Blyth's translations of the Japanese masters. This section is devided into themes such as; Buddha nature, phases of the moon, birds, creatures, and the five seasons--New Year's--is considered a short season in Japan. The second half of the book moves to the other side of the Pacific and is title "Western Haiku". This half of the book is then broken down into two remaining chapters "Traditional" & "Modern". The one issue that some practicing haiku poets have concerns about is the "Traditional" chapter where haiku-like poems by Wordsworth, Scott, Keats, Shelley, Thoreau, Whitman and many more apprear.However, these critics somehow did not read carefully Peter Washington's introduction. He writes:"In an appendix to his magisterial work, Blyth makes the controversial suggestion that the spirit of haiku is present in all great poetry, claiming that there are many haiku 'buried' in familiar English poems. In part two, bearing a universality in mind. I take up this idea, offering some of his examples and more of my own." Therefore the examples in the section are NOT haiku, but have present some components of the haiku spirit. So this is important to note.The last section titled "Modern" finds haiku on the shore of an English language literary world. We see how haiku develops through time and understanding starting with Pound and ending with several contemporary poets. There is a slight feeling that the last chapter of the book could continue, and that is true. However, this simple could reflect the editor's feeling that haiku continues to thrive that the ending should be left open.

This book does not pretend at be all inclusive, quite the opposite. I feel the intention is to offer the reader a beautifully bound book of classic haiku and small poems that can be taken anywhere to be enjoyed. It does that. I highly recommend this book.

Haiku's are fun. The Handsome Brothers make them great.
Well I was shocked when I heard Tony & Justin had written a book. When I found out it was a book on Haiku I was even more shocked. I haven't read or wrote many haiku but I do care for them. I remind me of early Atari games. At first you don't quite get what is going on. Then after a few times it gets easier and fun. The style is simple yet the games can be challenging. In a day when the world has HDTV, PS2, X-Box and other forms of electronic gaming it is nice to never forget Atari. The roots of video gaming, the forefather of video gaming. I think the Handsome Brothers new book is the best think to come along since the joystick. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are 200 irresistible love letters from over the centuries, love letters both historic and fictional, love letters by poets and by princes, love letters enchanting, tragic, comic, superbly selected, beautifully printed, conveniently portable, to have with you wherever and whenever you're in the mood for love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Interesting
I bought this because it was cheaper than the longer version that I found after watching Sex and the City movie.I am glad I bought the small version because although it is good for one liners, it is kind of boring after a while to read about someone else's private life without inside knowledge.My favorite is the letter to Josephine from Napoleon, which made it worth buying the book alone.

The Nuances of Love
Today we text message.We post messages on our Facebook or MySpace.We email, instant message, or call our beloved.And although it would be a mistake to judge these modes of communication as being better or worse than the love letter, one cannot help but think, and be awed, that for centuries the only means for two to send words of love was through the letter.Though there is poetry, though there are sonnets, plays, and novels without end expressing romantic love, for some reason the love letter holds a dear precious place in our hearts.Perhaps we remember our first love letter and through that remembrance of times past personalize the experience of reading the letters of another.Perhaps it is the concise passionate intensity of it.So much of one's heart in so short a space.Ink with the passion of one intoxicated by love.

Whatever it may be, we are drawn to it time and again.And in that fascination, Everyman's Library has taken passion of lovers and loved from the past centuries, for us to voyeuristically behold.Choosing to embrace all the nuances of love, rather than a single dimension, E.L. presents humorous love (G.K. Chesterton to Frances Plogg), intoxicating love (Keats to Fanny Browne), erotic love (Ann Hamilton and Barbara Villiers to Lord Chesterfield), deeply sad love (Nadia Mandelstam to Osip Mandelstam), and of course all consuming love(Bernard Shaw and Stella Campbell; F. Scott and Zelda).Through these letters, one sees love not as the construct of the imagination of an author, or poet, or playwright.Through these letters one sees love in all its living, breathing beauty and reality.This book does not idealize love.It does not have to.Love, as it exists in reality, is more beautiful, more perfect than any fancy any artist could conjure up.It is perfect not in spite of its flaws and pains and disappointments.It is perfect because of its flaws and pains and disappointments.In this book one reads of the joys and pains, the victories and defeats, the winters and springs of true love.In this book, filled with true love from true lovers, one sees that love is not perfected in books or art; it already exists perfect in life.

An old and uneven selection
There are a few quite good letters here, but many of them appear to have been selected either because the writer was famous or the editor was just desperate to fill the book. Nearly all of them are from before WW2 and most are from before the 20th century. As a result, most of the letters have language that would seem very stilted if used today. But even old age doesn't excuse the writing that in some cases made me cringe.

A terrific little Compilation!
Not only has this book been a fantastic source of beautiful quotes to share with my beloved, reading through it and using some of the letters it contains as a model has helped me express my feelings for her moreeloquently.

Well organized and easy to use as a reference book, thishandy little volume has love letters written by a large assortment ofauthors, poets, celebrities, and historical figures from a wide spectrum oftime periods. This brilliant selection of letters runs the gamut of thevarious emotions present in any romantic relationship and is divided intosections which helps in finding letters most applicable to specificsituations.

Most anybody will be able to find something that applies tothem personally - a nice reminder that it's all been said before, andprobably better than you'll ever be able to. I'm sure I'll continue to usethis terrific source of inspiration and reflection for many years to come.

-the binding ribbon is really nice for marking special letters - anadded bonus! ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. An easy-to-read biography of the first president of the United States. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Little ones introduction to George Washington
An excellent introduction to George Washington for young children, both for those who look at the pictures and those being read to. What a good way to introduce the little ones to our history. ... Read more

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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Clifford and his best friend visit Washington, D.C., and explore the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

We love Clifford and were delighted to go to Washington and see the sights in the book
Clifford is a delight for all of us and my grandsons loved going to DC to see the Washington Monument, the White House and the other sights pictured in the book.

We love Clifford!
Great book on Washington - we had a trip there last year and my daughter was able to relive it in this book. ... Read more

Product Description
A new anthology of classic ghost stories—the second volume in the beautiful and collectible Pocket Classics format.

The chilling classic stories gathered here offer a remarkable variety of approaches to the theme of haunting. Revenge comes from beyond the grave in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Body-Snatcher,” while visions of the dead come between the living in Henry James’s “The Friends of the Friends.” P. G. Wodehouse gives us a farcical take on the haunted house in “Honeysuckle Cottage,” and in L. P. Hartley’s “W.S.,” a writer is fatally stalked by his own aggrieved creation.

Here are ghosts of every stripe and intent in stories from writers as varied as Elizabeth Bowen and Jorge Luis Borges, Eudora Welty and Vladimir Nabokov, Ray Bradbury and Edith Wharton, among others. In the hands of these masters, the ghost story ranges far beyond mere horror to encompass comedy and tragedy, pathos and drama, and even a touch of poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Everyman's Pocket Classics: Ghost Stories
Last year I bought the Everyman's Pocket Classics Collection entitled Christmas Stories, and I was so pleased to have found a collection of short stories that evoked a sense of the holidays and the winter without being super-cheesy or commercial.The authors they selected are all heavy-hitters and the writing was a lot of fun to read.When I bought Ghost Stories, I think my expectation was too high, which is why I was a little disappointed.The stories are still great, but they aren't as dark or creepy as I had hoped for.From what I've read so far (about 1/3 through the book) the stories are simply stories that have ghosts in them (in some form or other).And I was surprised that they hadn't included any Edgar Allan Poe.In any case, I've still really enjoyed reading them, introducing myself to authors I've never read before and there is an element of spookiness that they do have.I'd definitely recommend this book, though it was slightly different than what I was expecting. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well Illustrated Overview
Informative blend of history, sociology and art, showing the development of photography and print media in the US and around the world, particularly in reference to historical and cultural changes.

Highlights a few of the many materials within the LOC collections as a guide to the breadth of resources available there. ... Read more

Product Description
Washington, D.C., is the final installment in Gore Vidal's "Narratives of Empire," his acclaimed six-volume series of historical novels about the American past. It offers an illuminating portrait of our republic from the time of the New Deal to the McCar-thy era.
        Widely regarded as Vidal's ultimate comment on how the American political system degrades those who participate in it, Washington, D.C. is a stunning tale of corruption and diseased ambitions. It traces the fortunes of James Burden Day, a powerful conservative senator who is eyeing the presidency; Clay Overbury, a pragmatic young congressional aide with political aspirations of his own; and Blaise Sanford, a ruthless newspaper tycoon who understands the importance of money and image in modern politics. With characteristic wit and insight, Vidal chronicles life in the nation's capital at a time when these men and others transformed America into "possibly the last empire on earth."
        "Washington, D.C. may well be the finest of contemporary novels about the capital," said The New Yorker, and the Times Literary Supplement deemed it "a prodigiously skilled and clever performance."
        With a new Introduction by the author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

An American tragedy
I've long been a great admirer of Gore Vidal's political and historical essays.But except for his novels Julian (which I read in my youth and greatly liked), Live from Golgotha (which I loathed and could never get through), and Lincoln (which I thought was only so-so), I haven't explored his fiction.Given that this is a presidential election year, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to dip into Washington, DC, the penultimate volume in Vidal's American Chronicle series.

The novel is a very good tale indeed--indeed, a kind of modern American tragedy.The two protagonists, Senator Burden Day (aptly named) and his assistant and eventual nemesis Clay Overbury, represent two styles of politics.Day, a son of the old school, still thinks that honor and integrity should be important in politics (although he's by no means a naive idealist).Overbury belongs to the political generation that came of age during WWII:media-savvy, focused almost exclusively on appearance and relatively unburdened with the sort of conscience that the older generation carries around with it, and which ultimately destroys Day.

It might be argued that Vidal sentimentalizes Burden Day's generation--although he goes out of his way, it seems to me, to create a complex story rather than one which is morally simplistic.Day, for example, certainly has his human weaknesses and ambitions.But there's definitely a line that Day refuses to cross--a line that the novel's rising generation of "new" politicians don't even recognize--and his own guilt when he wavers at that line is the beginning of his decline. It does seem to me that Day's story captures the tragedy of American politics:the gradual fall of a decent man whose ambitions, even if only on one occasion, get the better of him.

A poignant reminder of the razor's edge of political ambition in this election year.

DC Never Changes
This book kept my interest from start to finish.It is written on an adult level, reminiscent of an era when DC was still mysterious.

I'm a resident of DC, and this book reminds me of the Jimmy Stewart movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" not for the story line, but because even though this story was set decades ago, written decades ago, it could have been written today.DC absolutely never changes.

Read this book for a higher-level "West Wing" from the congressional side.Drugs, sex, affairs, power -- its all in there.

I recommend this book on the inside of DC -- and it is enjoyable for all -- Democrats and Republicans aren't mentioned, so it doesn't matter your party!

Enjoy.

My favorite of the American Chronicle
Apparently others disagree, but I thought this was the best novel in Vidal's American Chronicle series.It's also the best one to start with if you haven't read any others in the series, although it's near the end chronologically.I feel that it provides a good background for the other books, making it easier to understand and get into them.
Washington, DC will also stand alone as a great political novel.I'm not generally a fan of historical fiction, but I love Vidal, and this book is one of his best.

History, Politics, and Literature at Their Finest
Gore Vidal is one of America's most erudite and imaginative historical and political thinkers.He also happens to be one the most intelligent, witty, and capable literary craftsmen this country has ever produced.

In Washington, D. C., Vidal has created a novel that is simultaneously informative and entertaining.The story takes place between the 1930s (FDR era) and WWII.For anyone interested in that historical period, this book will be a fascinating read.The amazing thing is, however, that even if you're not interested in that historical period, you'll enjoy the satirical nuances of the book.Also, Vidal draws his characters with such authenticity that you'll get lost in the interpersonal relationships and forget the historical backdrop.

A vague outline of the novel is as follows:Senator Day twarts FDR's attempt to pack the Supreme Court; he then gets involved in an attempt to be elected president; while all this is happening his daughter's ex-fiance Clay Overbury (who is also Senator Day's aide) marries another woman whose father is extremely rich; and the political intrigue and madness ensue.

This, and all of Vidal's American Chronicle series, should be required reading for every American citizen.

Disjointed
The books that comprise the "Narratives of Empire" series were not written in order, and if you're reading them in order the cracks show up here in the sixth and final volume. In each volume, Vidal includes a preface telling you the story of the book you're about to read, and proudly reminding you that the entire series is the chronicle of a single family, direct in descent from Aaron Burr to himself. Yet when we get to "Washington DC" we learn that it was Blaise Sanford who purchased the Washington Tribune all those years ago and launched his publishing career, not his half-sister Caroline. In fact, Caroline Sanford has utterly ceased to exist, despite having been our main character during the previous two novels, during which she, yes, purchased the Washington Tribune and launched HER publishing career, only allowing Blaise to buy a 48% share years later when he was desperate. What's more, it was Caroline's mother who was descended from Burr, not Blaise's, as readers of volume three know perfectly well, which means that there are no more descendants of Burr left by volume six. Hmph. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Young readers can meet one of America's most famous scientists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What I Liked About this Book
I like this book because it tells me a lot about George Washington Carver's life.It told me where he was born, when he died, and how he helped poor black farmers.It kept me busy for quite awhile.

This book was very interestingand informational I think that anyone who reads it will want to read it again.
I liked this book a great deal because it gave you alot of information such as George invented peanut recipes.The author made you feel like you were actually in the book.It made me feel like I wasn't even reading the book.I think that this book is a great choice to read.

Why no grownup biographies of George Washington Carver??
I'm sure this book is great, and I just ordered it. But am I the only person who is baffled, disgusted and outraged that there apparently are NO adult biographies available on this great man? I did a search on biographies on Thomas Edison, one of Carver's compatriots, and the list of those stretches from here to Menlo Park. The fact that I could find more biographies on Joey Buttafuoco than on George Washington Carver says it all about the United States of America. I am acrymonious.

K. Sterbenc

Great History Book
My son and I read this book this summer for his summer reading program. Not only did my son, who was 7, enjoy the book but I couldn't wait to learn more from our readings. We read the book in two days. I am suggesting this book to his 2nd Grade teacher this year. This is a must to read book!!! ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of George Washington from his boyhood in Virginia, through his work as a land surveyor, planter, soldier, and as the president who set a high standard for all who would follow. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Washingtons fascinating story comes to life revealing the real man, not just the face on the dollar bill! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good history review for kids
My granddaughter loves this series of history bios.Its a great way to introduce young children to our wonderful American history.

George Washington..3rd grade level
EXCELLENT book..very interesting..9 year old Never got bored with it like he has with some other history books..

Great info
This book is easy to read, easy to understand, filled with great information about who George Washington was and the wonderful impact he had on the formation of the United States. I read it to my boys (7 and 9) but it can be read by them alone. I highly recommend all of these Who Was books, they are well written and give a complete picture of the individual and their outstanding talents. We own over a dozen of them. You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Product Description
Like music and dance, poetry is an art that antedates our secular civilization, and it has always borne the marks of its origin as a means by which to approach and praise the divine. The poems in this volume, drawn from cultures throughout the world, testify to the power of language to embody our profoundest spiritual needs, our most sacred aspirations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Stuff
After consuming several of these pocket collections over the years, I've come to the conclusion that Peter Washington is the best in the business when it comes to compiling poetic anthologies. His selections and the organizations are always superb. I was particularly excited to see what he had come up with in the "Prayers" collection. And it's good. It's perhaps not quite at the level of some of the other collections in this series. There is some inconsistency as to what constitutes prayer, and the result is definitely a bit of unevenness. I'm still not exactly sure what I think about the organization of the book either. Still, there are a number of true gems here that make the volume well worth the read. The selections of Thomas Traherne, George Herbert, and St. Francis were particularly inspired. It's really a fine collection for devotional reading or for reflection.

Poems as Prayers
Organized in the hours of the liturgy, this book presents the prayers ofpoets throughout various traditions and across time.I reveled in thebeauty of the poetry and found inspiration for prayer. ... Read more