Andrew Shryock captures the fragmented nature of oral histories among the Bedouin tribes of a Jordanian region known as the Balga. This text, which is actually an ethnography, brings into relief greater concepts of history that are often not obvious. The histories that Andrew collects have never been written, except a few segments in travelogues. This brings to mind questions about the unsubstantiated faith in written historical texts. Andrew illustrates that it is possible to interrogate the oral histories in the same way other historians interrogate archival data. Questions of the source of the document, the identity of the author, the comparison of data with other sources creates a "complete reality" of history. While Andrew flirts with this definition of history in chapter one when he compares the data he retrieves from oral histories to data found in archives, he also opens several other issues entirely. The oral histories of the Balga tribes are by their very nature fragmentary and disjointed. They do not lend themselves to a uniform, linear universal whole history. Instead, they provide only highlights. This brings to mind a question of validity for so-called modern history. How much is filled in like the archeologist filling in the gaps in crumbled structures? Is it possible that the Balga tribes' oral histories, untouched by the pressure of conformity, be closer to historical truth than the modern version whose rough edges have been hewn squarely into a proper line? Andrew also illustrates the uses that are not directly historical. Oral histories contribute a part to building political clout and are propagated because of political clout. Moreover, the oral histories play a part in identity forming for young members of the tribes. They relate to their place in the universe, not only in the tribe, but also in relation to other tribes, Jordanian politics and the world at large, based on how they see themselves in relation to the oral histories. For these two purposes, the non-textual aspect of the oral histories is part of their significance, part of their social power. It brings into question classic historical texts all over the world. Exactly how historically accurate is everything we call history? An excellent piece of work, it's easy to see why it won scholastic awards.

The author does an excellent job of skirting the volatile plausibility of transcribing oral histories to the written word. For anyone wanting to understand both the intricacies and basic histories of the Jordanian Balga Bedouin, it is a fascinating read. Having a Jordanian father and a Palestinian mother, I especially enjoyed Shryock's investigation into their age-old rivalries. Tribalism is alive and well, as Shryock adeptly shows, and he brings it to us in clear and cunning detail.

Andrew Shryock is the oldest of five boys. All the brothers are very close and that is why I, his youngest brother, am very proud of his work. All the brothers will be home for Christmas and will anticipate reading his work of art. Andrew is a great writer as well as a great person. Number Five, Benjamin Shryock.

I LOVE HISTORICAL ROMANCES, ESPECIALLY WESTERN ROMANCES! THIS BOOK WAS EXCELLENT AND MY FAVORITE NICOLE JORDAN BOOK SO FAR! HONEST, YOU HAVE TO READ IT!

Caitlin and Jake were young lovers who were torn apart due to the murder of Caitlin's brother. They kept their love for each other due to the range war between the cattlemen and the sheepherders. Jake had to leave in order to escape death or imprisonment. Caitlin was told that Jake killed her brother in accident. Four years later, both Caitlin and Jake come back to face their past and resolve issues. There's a lot of passion in the story, as Jake was trying to convince Caitlin that they belong together due to their strong passion for each other. Caitlin is strong, yet stubborn and won't settle for less regardless of Jake's love for her.

It's really a great book, great story. It was hard to put down! This is the first book of the rocky mountain trilogy. Heart Breaker is the second. I'm still trying to find the story of Wolf's. Maybe Nicole Jordan is still writing on that. For I haven't seen it on Amazon yet or the bookstores.

Must read. its wonderful love story, i could not put the book down,

This book truly delivers what the title says. The reading is smooth and encouraging. It takes you through in a thoughtful and joyful journey to explore the PMS web of possible causes. Obviously, Ms. Hahn has "been there" as her words really hit home for me. I knew that this wasn't just another research project turned into a book. She truly knows how to explain the issues and uses a wonderful questionaire that allowed me to come to my own conclusions.

This book gave me hope and encouragement AND it WORKED! I recommend it to all my friends. You won't be lost or disappointed with this book! It surely saved me!

I received this book as a present from my mother. She knew I suffered from PMS severly (and I stress severly). I could not move off the couch for 2 days due to mygrain headaches,lower back pain and cramps. I read the book, started following what it prescribed and with in days I started feeling better, within 2 menstraul cycles I was able to function even on the first day! My acne cleared up and I have lost 10 pounds!!! I love this book and so does my family, considering now I can spend quality time with them. Thank you Linaya Hahn, for saving my life and giving me new meaning to move forward.

My mother in law gave me this book as a present. What a good present! I understand more every time I read it. As I gradually apply the book to my life, my health has definately improved. Although the book has a solid scientific basis, it is clearly written and upbeat. It gave me useful tools and information and encouraged me to more fully take charge of my own health. While many women endure PMS, it is not normal and does not have to be part of your life.

I found this little pound cake cookbook by accident here on Amazon.com, and I am so happy I did. The author, Bibb Jordan explains what the meaning of pound cake is, it's origins, and how to make the "perfect" pound cake. I have a website for Home Baker's and I choose to include on my site a wonderful recipe from this book: Chocolate Truffle Pound Cake. This cake is amazing, like so many of the other ones in the book. I also make a recommendation on my site for home baker's to definitely purchase this book. I highly recommend it for the "Pound Cake Lover", and anyone who loves to bake wonderful pound cakes.

I would like to make one suggestion to the author, and that is to include how many servings the cakes make. Otherwise, the book, like the pound cakes are perfect.

This tiny little book is filled with more info on this country's most beloved cake than any other cookbook I've found. It has clear and concise recipes with a cake for every taste. If you love poundcake you have to get this book!

If you love pound cake and are looking for something different to do and eat this book is great! try the awesome marble pound cake recipe.

I, too, know Ron Modra, and I always look for his credits in any issue of Sports Illustrated. His photos can be counted on to be the best in that issue. It is wonderful to have a book full of Mr. Modra's baseball pictures. The pictures are extraordinary, i.e. excellent photographs which are not the ordinary, garden-variety sports photos. The photos capture wonderful moments with the subject. The commentary is also extraordinary, describing the sport in ways we, as fans, may not have considered. I'll be buying at least two more copies of this book as Chrismas gifts this year.

I've worked on occasion as Ron Modra's assistant (including on one occasion pictured in the book) so I am a bit predjudiced. However, even I was pleasantly surprised by what an interesting and original book this is, which is not easy to do with a subject covered as often as baseball. The photos, as always with Ron's work, are great but it is the text which makes the book so original. Ron's insights and those of Pat Jordan and the players are what holds one's interest and make this book a great "read" as well as a great "see". I particularly recommend Ron's comments on Barry Bonds, Pete Rose and Wade Boggs. Well done.

I've been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated for years, and often tear out great photos from the magazine to hang on my bulletin board. I first noticed Ronald C. Modra's photos when he was covering track and field at the Olympics. I still have a picture he took of Jackie Joyner-Kersee from the L.A. or Seoul Games (I don't recall which...) After that, I started looking for his credit line, and while he always took amazing portraits of men and women in a variety of sports, I soon realized his true love was baseball. I started watching the game with a fresh eye, through his photographs, and now that they've been collected in a single volume, I'm really thrilled to re-experience the pleasure his photos always gave me! This is a great gift for anyone in your life who loves the game of baseball. The text is straight from the hip, but it's the pictures that take your breath away.

Sepia Dreams is definitely a MUST HAVE for one that has a great appreciation for art/photography. The affirmations are inspiring. The book is a great gift to give to loved ones.

Beautiful. Intelligent. Inspirational. Sepia Dreams is a work of art and aspiration! With so many stories of the people we love the most, you can't put it down. A great gift, and a must-have addition to your home library!
--LLOYD BOSTON, author of MEN OF COLOR

From the moment I first opened this book, I haven't been able to stop talking about it to my co-workers, friends, and family. Never before have I been so proud to own a book . At a time when we could all use something upbeat and positive, this book is inspirational, motivational, and uplifting. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am!

If you are serious about Jesus, this book will force you to take a giant step up the Christian ladder. Habitat for Humanity is with us today because the founder had a chance encounter with Clarence Jordan. Clarence Jordan was a one man ensemble: he walked Jesus, talked Jesus, lived Jesus, and wrote Jesus. Clarence Jordan integrated a farm in Georgia in the 1940's and lived to write about it. This book is not the farm experience, but this book comes out of Jordan's attempt to live the Sermon on the Mount on that farm. Before any other American public figure of the 20th Century, Jordan should be declared a Saint! Read this book and believe!

Don't read this book unless you are ready to make some immediate changes in your life. It took me twice as long to read, because I found myself reading chapters over and over.

Buy it - not only for yourself - but for everyone you care about as well!

Clarence Jordan did an outstanding job of dealing with this timeless message. He emphasizes the graphic teaching style of Jesus in a way that causes the material to snap into clear focus. For example, we learn that the word "hraca" (Mt. 5.14) is not some obscure form of derision (RSV note), but rather the sound of a man preparing to spit! That's graphic, and it makes the teaching understandable. Dr. Jordan's approach to the scripture makes obvious what other commentators have obscured.

In short, this is an outstanding book that is worth exploring.

Yesterday, 26 April, I wrote a review for you of this book under the above title, & I'm wondering if it is possible to add 2 words to the final sentence of that review. The final sentence said, "It breathes with life." What I'd like for it to say is, "It breathes with life and love." I hope it's possible to make this addition. Thanks!

First & most basically, this is a geography & history text, complete with dates, stats, maps, data, 329 footnotes & a 253-item biblio. But it is unlike any such book I've read. As the title says, it describes life on the land of central Siberia by focussing on the tiny village Djarkhan, representative of 250 such hamlets in the huge Republic of Sakha. Djarkhan is in "polar land," less than 300 miles south of the Arctic Circle (1200 miles north of Chicago!), with 8 or 9 months of what I can only call winter. How the people have managed to survive there since 1600, from pre-Czarist to post-Communist eras, is an enthralling, almost unbelievable, story. But the sub-text of the book tells another tale, of 3 Djarkhan natives -- a grandfather who was honored in distant Moscow as the Sakhala record-holder for hay cutting, a mother who was "the most famous plastic oral surgeon in Sakha," & a daughter who is the co-author of this book with her husband, a distinguished American geographer. Thus its 112 pages of text are enriched with 62 personal photographs, reminiscences by villagers & on-the-spot observations. It breathes with life.

I was lucky enough to have a chance to assist the authors in the manuscript typing for this book, getting to read it as I typed. Without any education in geography, this book was easy to understand, but educational at the same time. I have never enjoyed an academic book more than I enjoyed this one. The people and places in the book come to life as stories are told as only a native villager could tell them. A must read for anyone interested in cultural studies.

I loved silver. It is one of the best books written by any author out there. It gives and take and keep your mind working that when you think ok that is it, it gets better. I have read it four times and always find new things in it that I missed. I really enjoyed this book to the ultimate pleasure.

Wow! What a plot. Penny brings together a rich young heiress (ugly duckling), a distant cousin who woos her for her money, a plot for revenge, and a blind bitter man. The heroine, Silver, hires a man to teach her the art of seduction so she can pay her cousin, who jilted her, back. You learn the bitter price that people pay for revenge and how it is not always so sweet. Great story line, great characters. I love her plots. Please buy or order this book. You won't be able to put it down.

Silver is truly one of Penny Jordan's masterpiece! I bougth it over 8 years ago and I still go back to read and re-read it!