Fourth of July Books

The Rev. T. Starr King's statue is in the capital of California and in the rotunda of the capital in Washington but most people know nothing about him.

What struck me about this book was the quality and vibrance of the language. We have lost this in our SMS world and with goes our ability to communicate the nuances of the soul's expression. I keep this book laying around my living room because once someone picks it up, it is almost impossible not to spend the 30 minutes it takes to complete it.

I enjoyed SWEET LIBERTY even more than I thought I would. Each story carries its own weight - Freedom from Servitude in Colonial America, Freedom from slavery on a plantation, Freedom to choose a marriage partner, and freedom from life's decisions through prayer - each inspirational story is separate and done well.

A nice read, and very fair minded especially concerning Germany and Austria-Hungary. Thonson details the principle authorities who were responsible for WWI and how their actions resulted in the world getting into this conflagration. The Germans and Austrians are of course detailed. Then there are the French and Russians whose action also caused the war. France did not want to be seen as causing the war, but her President Poincaire almost certainly raised the level and desire for war. As I have stated before, the Russians and French were not babes in the wood, and Thomson shows how their actions resulted in the conflict.
This is a nice read. Unfortunately, this book is very much out of date and hard to find. It gives a balanced view of what happened in July and August of 1914.

Exit Wounds, by J.A. Jance, is my second Joanna Brady mystery. This review is based on the audio version. The reader, Debra Monk, was a little annoying. Everything she said was pretty monotone.

This story started off really well, and caught my interest immediately. Carol Mossman, a loner, is found shot to death in her mobile home. Carol's seventeen dogs, were trapped inside her mobile home, and all except a puppy are found dead from the Arizona heat.

What follows after this was several subplots: Joanna's unexpected pregnancy, every minute detail about her home life and her job, and another subplot about illegal immigrants. None of these subplots were needed, in my opinion, as I felt it just made the plot drag, until we find out what really happened to Carol Mossman.

This was my second Joanna Brady, Jance novel in the past month, and at least for now, I plan to pass on this author.

What a fantastic book! I picked up this gem from the airport in Chicago on the way to a four hour flight to Vancouver. Almost instantly after realizing the preview on the back of the book was not only slightly misleading, but was basically also the entire plot I felt like drowning myself in the bathroom toilet of the airplane. I fear it may have been for the best too, but I couldn't follow through. The psychological boredom from reading this can never be reversed. There are a lot of other painful things, like Russian Roulette, I'd rather do before ever reading this piece of utter trash again.

I really gave it a shot too, I read it cover to cover, I really was waiting for that moment where the book would become intelligent, something other than a completely predictable plot that I couldn't care less about.

Anyone who enjoys bad Lifetime movies about abusive fathers or any other cliche plot you can throw at them you may find this book almost good. I must say I was sickened to see that this has anything above a two star rating on Amazon. My only thought is that these are the same people who like to watch things like Two Girls, One Cup and the BME Pain Olympics.

Amazon, I plead with you. Since you probably can't end world hunger please do the next best thing and discontinue sale of the biggest pile of trash I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If other sellers decide they're going to try and get in on the action of selling this book anyway remove their fingers and feed them to their children. No one should ever have to be put through the mental anguish inflicted by Exit Wounds.

I am so enchanted by Joanna Brady as County Sheriff. The mysteries are very satisfying. I often was surprised by the endings in this series. I can't wait for more of Joanna.

We have throughly enjoyed the entire "Joanna Brady" Series and this was no exception! Can't wait to read #13!!!

EXIT WOUNDS again has Joanna Brady's capable hands full with perhaps a serial killer and an election campaign. Her opponents pull nasty stunts, but Joanna and her friends/family fight back.
Arizona temperatures soar above 100 degrees and caught in the vicious aftermath of a savage killing are the animals that have been befriended by murder victim, Carol Mossman. They are left to die by suffocation in the victim's metal trailer.
Interwoven in this engaging tale is J.A. Jance's love of dogs and it comes as no surprise when Joanna's family add a few more dogs. The sheriff must put all side issues away as she hunts for a murder who has killed three times with an 85 year-old bullet.
A excellent addition to the fine series.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

This was a small, interesting book, but I found it a difficult read, due to the language used back then. Very different from today's speech. I was rather disappointed that it did not include some of his earlier life.

Written in 1821, TJ writes very quickly about his parents, childhood, and the time period before the revolution and spends way more time on the declaration of independence, articles of confederation, his presidency and the early 1800s.

He does include an original draft of the declaration of independence which is neat. And his section on the articles of confederation shows the many problems the states had to deal with upon becoming independent.

While Bill Clinton's autobiography was way too long, this autobio was way too short.

But the perspective is one that the history books do not often show you.

Few autobiographies offer such a candid and vivid view of the mind of the author. In this, Thomas Jefferson's autobiography, there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the man, the revolutionary and the statesman: the virtue, wisdom and strength that is visible as Jefferson describes both the minor and major events and moments in his public life of service where his reliance upon the essence of the early Republic's laws and the spirit of the national consciousness were blended with the author's unique insight as to how to maintain the delicate balance of Federal necessity, states rights and the influence of the foreign powers and their affairs upon the young nation.

Unlike the autobiographies of other founding fathers (Adams, Franklin, Hamilton, etc.), whose own accounts are more personal and revealing about themselves as well as judgmental and temperamental about their personal experience with their peers, Jefferson has crafted an autobiography, which is true to form: the form of the man and his beliefs, which influenced national policy without every being advanced to replace it, which served a nation selfishly without requiring anything else in return except for the promise of posterity to "preserve, protect and defend" the liberties achieved and to forever more "admire, relish and respect" the eternal need to defend and uphold, at any cost, both the people and the commonwealth for future generations to behold.

I think it funny that today's democratic-socialists have adopted Thomas Jefferson as their "founding father". If anything, this book redeems the reputation and spirit of Jefferson, not as a democrat or democratic-socialist, but as a Republican, dedicated and sworn to instituting a democratic-republican form of government free from the tyranny of dictators and protected from the ill-conceived attempts of men and women from within to manipulate and pervert a form of government conceived as "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

This brief "autobiography" is not a self-promotion, an expose, or a book designed for the purpose of keeping the reader turning the pages in suspense. In fact, it has very little personal information about Jefferson or his life outside of the political happenings in which he was involved concerning the American and French revolutions. Certainly, there is no mention of his black lover, Sally Hemings, and for that matter little mention of his "real" family. Nonetheless it was to me a gripping tale that kept me reading, as I felt privy to the inner workings of the Continental Congress and the French Revolution from an influential American who was on the spot (and in the midst) of the events as they occurred. Perhaps, as a direct descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, of which Jefferson was the author, I had a natural interest in this book. But I think not, as it had been sitting gathering dust on my shelf as I read lots of classic American fiction that I thought would be more rewarding. Despite (because of?) its dry, blunt, intelligent but factual style, the debates and events are center stage, with Jefferson's occasional but not obtrusive opinions being much appreciated. My great experience reading Jefferson's brief book led me to pick up W.E.B. DuBois' The Suppression of the African Slave-Trade, which covers some of the same ground although from a different perspective, and is equally rewarding.

I was a bit disappointed in this book. Having read and relished The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, I was anxious to read the native narrative of another of the Founding Fathers. Unfortunately, where as Franklin's book combines delightful personal details along with perspectives on the man's government service, Jefferson's autobiography is quite dry and seems to be more an official catalog of committee deliberations than a story about his own life. The rear cover of the books states, in addition to other things, that the book "...presents a detailed account of his young life..." and "...his life in retirement." I think that one would be hard pressed to identify more than a couple paragraphs in this 101 page book in which Jefferson describes his youth or his retirement. The book was interesting, though more from the historical and political perspectives than from any insight it offers into the inner philosophy or personal life of the man.

I purchased this book based on the reviews. I was very disappointed. I expected a funny, cozy mystery. I found it "trying" and annoying. If Ms. Short is attempting to use the last names of the characters in her book as humorous, amusing or entertaining, it's my opinion she's fallen "short" of her goal. They only slowed the overall flow of the story by being cumbersome and uncomforable during the read and wondering if as you read it if you were pronouncing what you were reading correctly. I should have been able to override this frustration and I probably would have if the storyline had been a little more worth the effort. The characters with their bizarre names just weren't captivating and didn't do the job of keeping the reader glued to the pages. This is the first book I've read by this author and it didn't leave me with the desire to run out and buy another one. Maybe her other books are an improvement over this one but because "Death By Deep Dish Pie" left me with no appetite to give this author a second helping I'll just leave my review of this author as "lacking". She wasn't humorous as anticipated or promoted and I found myself speed reading just to reach the end of the book. I'm sure all I missed was "fill in" gibberish. I found her extremely overrated and I'm unsure as to why she achieved the praise she did for this book. Color me simply "not getting it".

Everyone in Paradise, Ohio, is eagerly awaiting the upcoming July 4th Founders Day Celebration. Trudy Breitenstrater is a mixed up youth who gets local laundromat owner and stain removal expert Josie Toadfern to sponsor her to the Paradise Historical Society meeting. At this meeting the Paradise Town Hall Players usually each get their parts for the upcoming July Fourth Breitenstrater Founder's Day play. Seems Trudy has rewritten the town play, unbeknownst to Josie. No one seems too happy about this. Especially her father, Alan.

Then Alan announces that at the annual pie eating contest sponsored by the Breitenstrater Pie Company, he will be making a big announcement. His brother Cletus says that he has one too.

Since Josie's uncle Otis has walked off the renovation job at the Paradise Theatre, she steps in to help her cousin Sally complete the job before July 4th.

At the pie eating contest, Cletus is no where to be found, so Alan steps into his place. Unfortunately Alan ends up dead before he can make his announcement. Apparent heart attack, but Josie thinks the timing smells of murder. But, can she figure out what really happened.

She enlists her friend Winnie to do some research. She also gets her boyfriend Owen to help, but only minimally because he has recently lied and she isn't sure what her feelings are for him anymore. This is just one of the many things going on to sidetrack Josie.

Many things begin to happen. Josie is right in the middle of most of them trying to uncover the truth. She ends up putting herself in danger as well.

This is a well-written mystery. It is a good cozy. Josie and her friends are likeable characters. Paradise is a typical small town with many secrets.

I recommend this book.

In Paradise, Ohio, the annual July 4th Founders Day Celebration is the highlight of the year. The biggest event is the pie eating competition sponsored by the Breitenstrater Pie Company. Only this year's contest will be one that no one will ever forget!

When an executive dies during the contest, rumors of murder surface. That is when local laundromat owner, Josie Toadfern, and her circle of friends jump into the mix. But what Josie does not know is that there is a deep, dark family secret lingering in the air that may very well shock all those around.

**** This is a story that just begs readers to come get lost in Paradise and all the people that life there. The characters are full of flavor and wit. I found it to be amusing and charming, all at once. A "must read" for mystery fans. ****

K. Blair for Huntress Reviews.

The small Ohio town of Paradise is home to Josie Toadfern, owner of Toadfern?s Laundromat and an expert in removing stains. Paradise is a small town where the leading family, the Breitenstraters own the town?s main business the Breitenstrater Pie Factory. Josie is looking forward to the annual pie-eating contest but the day is marred when Alan Breitenstrates dies after eating a pie that was originally meant for his brother Cletus. Cletus never showed up for the event even though he attended it every year for decades.

Josie, who was watching the scenario, casually, asks her boyfriend and her best friend to take the pies and bring them back to the Laundromat while she distracts the police and a security guard. Though the authorities think the victim died of a heart attack, Josie wants to get the pies tested to see if they contained poison. When a ferret eats a piece of one of the pies and falls into a coma, Josie is sure that at least one of the pies is poisoned. She intends to find out who poisoned the pie thinking that information will lead her to a killer.

Shannon Short?s second Toadfern mystery is very delightful and a real puzzler because no one is above suspicion in this charming cozy. The cast of characters are totally charming and quirky, the type of people one would want for a next-door neighbor. DEATH OF A DEER DISH PIE is an upbeat who-done-it that will have readers laughing at some of the actors of the main characters, including the protagonist.

Harriet Klausner

The town's derisive nickname "Open Sores" could certainly serve as the subtitle for the book.

Out of reams of available subject matter on "hate crimes", but Neiwert chose one episode that was atypical -- the victim survived, the perpetrator didn't -- for a gripping and essay on the meaning of bias crime, and the right and wrong way the law chooses to interpret it.




I was hooked right away by an opening narrative that leads you into the lives of the Hong brothers, tourists from Seattle, who wandered into a convenience store, and then found their lives were turning into a Hitchcockian nightmare.

He borrows the basic structure of a true-crime genre -- accounts of a trial, brief bios of the lead players -- but his focus ranges widely over the way that the community, and law enforecment, simply failed to notice the trouble that was escalating.

Matters that go below the radar for those who are not targets, but which suffice to ruin lives, and turn whole communities, or even states into pariahs.





Readers of his blog ("Orcinus") know that Neiwert is paintaking with words, and is careful to parse the distinctions: since many such crimes are NOT the direct result of organized hate groups, the stereotypes ("skinheads" "rednecks") are likely as not to protect the actual perpetrators. His argument suggest better laws are only a step, but what we actually need is better training for law enforcement, and a population less disposed to give a inch to bigotry, before it erupts into violence..

As a former editor of a newspaper in Idaho when it was the home for Neo-Nazis, author David Neiwert brings his tremendous insight and his journalistic skill into his book.

His prose is well-written and engaging. His facts are thoroughly researched, and his positions are thoughtful and supported by his research. He is honest with his readers, shy about making generalizations and careful to avoid proselytizing. He lets his research speak for itself.

The book succeeds surprisingly well both as a primer for those new to the topic - carefully laying out the basic ideas and rationale behind hate crimes and laws that seek to deal with them - and for those who have experience in the topic.

A good read.

Neiwert tries to be two things at once -- a storyteller as well as an advocate for hate crimes laws -- and the result is a muddled effort. He interweaves the chapters with social science discussions of hate crimes and ongoing news of the trial. In addition, he repeats himself (especially the trial portion), and the book feels padded. The story itself is no more than a long magazine article, and the characterizations of the main two actors are thin. As a courtroom drama, the story lacks suspense.

I bought the book because I had read a couple of short pieces by the author. He used them to promote the book as one which would fill in the details about our so-called Independence Day. In reality, he spends more time talking about various symbols of patriotism than he does about the Declaration of Independence. He has plenty of new information, but the book left me disappointed. If you're interested in historical trivia, buy the book; if you want to read the story of the birth of the United States, get one of the works which are already in print.

The text presents five topical chapters focusing on 4 July and its meaning within American society. The introductory thesis examines and dispels the notion of a "punctual moment" (p. 18) of historic significance. For example, everyone knows the Declaration of Independence was signed by the founding fathers on 4 July 1776--but that is not actually true. The definitive text was approved on 2 July, funding to publish the text was approved on 4 July, and the much recognized, multiply-signed parchment manuscript was not created until several weeks later. And this after prolonged discussion, as well as similar declarations previously issued by other American political entities. The process of America's declaring independence can hardly be said to have been a spontaneous event or punctual moment. Thus, why 4 July? The text answers on several levels, noting that although nothing singular happened on that day, the fourth was as good as another. Certainly, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams felt 4 July was appropriate, though the author argues that enshrining a punctual moment is problematic, for "in that gesture of origination it was almost as if the prehistory of the nation, the history of colonial dependence, was to be erased" (p. 54).

The fourth is noted as featuring a fairly stable suite of patriotic iconography. The text enumerates the national flag, the pledge of allegiance, the liberty bell, and Uncle Sam, as examples. The historic underpinnings of the popular myth of Betsy Ross are presented, as is the banal life story of Samuel Wilson--the original Uncle Sam. Indeed, the stories behind these popular icons form some of the most interesting segments of the text. The text then presents a historic recounting of the methods of celebrating 4 July, starting as early as 1777. Bonfires, cannon and musket fire, parades, and lengthy religious oration were early traditions. Fireworks and backyard barbecues are rather late additions. Today, 4 July is recognized as the nation's birthday but the cultural aspects of celebration have changed "...since the proximate contexts of celebration provide an ever changing set of parameters for understanding the rituals and rites of the day" (p. 129). The author also notes the strong religious faith of the founding fathers and the effect this had on the celebration of 4 July which has many quasi-religious overtones.

The text concludes with a review of modern-day 4 July celebration events including rock concerts, eating contests, and other events seemingly unrelated to the celebration of independence. A celebration of "...the declaratory act that founds America, created and continues to create an architecture of belief which, for both good and ill, has power to change the world" (p. 172). The scholarly writing is dense and occasionally borders on the opaque. The text features a further reading list, a list of illustrations, and an index.

An excellent book. The author brings out many points about the founding of this country that are just not common knowledge. This book should be required reading in all advanced level high school senior classes.

while at times july loses his preachy "lessons of Africa as lessons of the world" lecture mode, mostly the book is dry preexisting generalizations about the continent. he fails to preempt the possibility that whoever may be reading his book has some basic knowledge of Africa and African History. You may find some of his insights helpful if you are the type person who refers to africa as the 'black continent.' Evem if this is required for a class, don't buy. your prof. couldn't concievably test you over the words of this quack.

This book, in my estimation, is one of the better books on the continent of Africa. A continent that has produced so much, yet it is still underated, being spoiled and plundered by outside intervention for many centuries. How far does one have to go back in order to find it`s beginnings, it`s origin, it`s roots? How long had Africa been a thriving, advanced civilization prior to the intervention of the Europeans? Who were the Olmec people, and how many centuries did the great kings of Mali rule their kingdoms, and should the Egyptians be called african, also. Why is modern day africa still reeling from the influence of colonialism and despotism.

While the author obviously spent (too much?) time in the archives, when it came to sitting down and writing the book he could not resist engaging in what is now literally an all-too-common academic exercise: making what should have been a straightforward cultural tale into a jargon-laden, convoluted tome that lacks clarity. Instead of tortured sentence construction and the employment of a host of academic buzzwords, Waldstreicher should have just said what he had to say! He didn't (not uncommon in his profession) and thus this book, consequently inaccessible, is anything but lucid.

Waldstreicher is a fantastic writer who crafts a masterpiece of American history. It takes more than a revolution to make a nation and Waldstreciher clearly demonstrates how diverse peoples with divergent interests formed a shared sense of nationalism.