ERA Reviews

I chose this book to read was because I was suppose to read a historical fiction, but the reason that I chose this book out of all the other historical fiction books because it seemed to remind me of Abe Lincoln cabin.
The book is about slavery. The way that the author described time of slavery back and how everything there was so terrible. It makes me so glad that I live in this time now in this country. I wish that there were more that the black people could do instead of being treated like that. It was like time travel, when I
Reason why I liked it because it showed slavery from and black mans perspective and how slavery was for them. I didn't like was all the horrifying details it goes into slavery. Reason why I choose that book was because it's a good book about slavery and it shows you what really goes on in that time. It was like time travel, when I began to read it was boring, then it seemed that I was sent back in time and seeing the way that they were treated.

This is a really good book. I think all children should have this book in their possession. If they don't, parents you need to buy it.

This is a good book for the general reader, but if you are a history buff you may be dissapointed. The book lacks footnotes and is too short, and often times reads like fiction rather than fact. This does not mean that it's not well researched, it just means that sometimes the author concentrates too much on telling an interesting story rather than relaying good information.

But if you are a general reader, and enjoy a quick read, this book may be for you. If you know nothing about the history of Albuquerque, this we enlighten you. However, if you are like me and have done research on Albuquerque history, you may be disappointed.

New Mexico's numero uno historian offers New Mexico history buffs another delicious slice of Hispanic life in Spanish colonial times. The only complaint I have is that I wanted a bigger slice of this pie! Dr. Simmons' readability is appreciated. This is one you will read straight through without coming up for air. This sometimes unflattering history of the Spanish colonists in Alburquerque prompted my desire to dig up Dr. Simmons' earlier book on Albuquerque, published in 1982, which satisfied my need for sources, end notes, and a bibliography, which I heartily recommend for those needed a stronger dose of Albuquerque history.

This book is definitely not an easy read. But those who are seriously interested in philosophical history will find this book educational. Ernst Cassirer (1874-1945) is most noted for his books concerning historical philosophy and his accomplishments as a professor of such Universities as Hamburg, Yale, California, and Göteborg. Next to Burckhardt, Cassirer's work is considered by many to be the landmark in the history of Renaissance thought. The Renaissance, according to Cassirer, is a time of philosophical rebirth. Medieval thinkers evaluated and understood things of this world through a transcendence that always led up to God. Renaissance thought, on the other hand, tried to understand the intelligible through sense and reason, but all the while maintaining the idea of God. Thus, the Renaissance arguably represents the first step in modern scientific thought; moreover, the innovative thinkers of the 14th and 15th centuries paved the way for the Reformation. At the beginning of the 1300's, a new life in the liberal arts begins to occur - a movement or 'spiritual renewal,' as Cassirer calls it. Major scholars such as Petrarch begin to question Medieval thought and scholasticism, a philosophical principle that used the mystical and intuitional methods of Augustine and Aristotle. Cassirer uses the ideas and doctrines of the religious humanist Nicholas Cusanus as the hallmark of Renaissance philosophy. In fact, the majority of the book concentrates on Cusanus, who Cassirer considers the most influential and greatest philosopher of that epoch. The cosmos according to Cusanus places God in the center of the world, therefore allowing each individual being to have an intimate and close relationship with God. Cassirer's parable of the Tegernsee Monks and the self-portrait of Rogier van der Weyden is a perfect allegory of Cusanus' theory. Later, during the Reformation, the Catholic Church had to abandon the thoughts of Cusanus because it placed too much emphasis on the individual. He believed God created man, but also gave us the power of intellect, which has an autonomous sphere of thinking that gives everything value. The greatest accomplishment of Cusanus is his creation of balance between ancient humanism and medieval religiosity. In the "De docta ignorantia," Cusanus explains how the universe is divided between the infinite (eternal) and the finite (worldly). The connecting link or 'bracket of the world' that embraces the finite and infinite is Christ. But only through the individual salvation can the unification of the cosmos occur, so the importance of man and humanity without mediators such as the church and pope is stressed. Therefore, redemption is not seen as leaving an inferior world behind like in medieval thought, but instead the salvation of one's soul is what forms the cosmos. Cassirer's book effectively proves how the Renaissance was a time of revolutionary thought as compared to medieval times. However, it seems the author may have overestimated the power and influence that Cusanus had on Renaissance philosophy. This concentration on Cusanus' religious philosophy serves as a great foreshadowing of the Reformation, but more detail should have been given to the social and intellectual aspects which Cassirer did touch on briefly in chapter four.

This is the book for anyone curious about intellectual history, the history of ideas, Renaissance studies, etc. Despite its often-discussed excesses and omissions, it remains the most exciting book available on Renaissance philosophy for the way it comes to terms with the eccentric complexity and imaginative power of Cusanus and later Neoplatonists (whether or not Nicholas influenced Ficino, et al.). The book is densely written, but not as difficult as the previous reviewer suggests; Domandi's translation nicely captures Cassirer's sense of the drama of ideas, of the birth of subjectivity as the mind posits "its own fixed points" rather than relying on stable, objective hierarchies. True, there is little on social (or economic) contexts, but those kinds of approaches are readily found among more recent historians, and those hungering for wider contexts can look at Biechler's book on Cusanus, or Braden and Kerrigan's Idea of the Renaissance, or any of William Bouwsma's or Anthony Grafton's wonderful books on Renaissance thought. But to get inside the actual motions and metaphors of Renaissance thought, Cassirer's the place to begin, and to keep enjoying. No one does it better!

The Jacksonian Promise: America 1815-1840 covers everything: optimism with the Erie Canal, the technology improvements, the commerce, the enlightenment, religious developments, and modern politics. It is best defined as in-between textbook that does not follow everything in the Antebellum America, but enough that it's a good book to fall back onto. The book was a required reading for my History 414 (Antebellum United States: 1800-1860). I enjoyed reading the book, but at times I skipped pages to keep up. I suggest reading chapters nine and ten.

What would you read in the Jacksonian Promise? For example in Chapter 10: Descents into Discord, it covers the Democrats and Whigs, party politics, the reassessment of character, the constriction of choices, slavery and sectional cleavage, and toward Civil War.

Keller's writing is smooth and the themes are well organized. If you are looking for a book on the Jacksonian era that is a cheap and well worth the price this is the book for you. I am giving it four stars because it's well organized that you can be half asleep and copy down some good notes, the price, and sometimes it is very interesting to read. A reminder the book is actually only 204 pages because the rest are the bibliography and index.

Argues that the central feature of the Jacksonian period was its forward-looking quality, how hopeful and optimistic people were about the future. Does quite a good job of surveying the literature that's out there on the Jacksonian period. If you need a relatively short introduction to the themes of this period in American history, then this is a good place to begin

This book compiles very short quotes of Madison's on many different issues. This is a very convenient and rather short book. This is no way a comprehensive book, but rather a good reference. If you want a comprehensive book about Madison and his beliefs I would strongly recommend Ralph Ketchan's biography which is one of the best overall bios on Madison. Overall I give "Advice to My Country" 4 stars because it is a good and easy reference but nothing more. Hope this review is helpful.

Madison's thoughts of many subjects from democracy to religion are insightful because it shows what the father of our Constitution believed. I would recommend it for anybody who loves Madison.

A very good book, marred (unfortunately) by a touch of ingratitude. Sullivan's work rests entirely on a foundation built by Leo Strauss forty years before. Yet she only mentions Strauss to upbraid him--for an error which he did not commit!

Still, this book leaves no doubt as to Machiavelli's fundamental judgement of Christianity, and explains the point well and in detail. And, unlike Strauss, it is fairly easy to understand.

A very good book, scarred (unfortunately) by a touch of ingratitude. Sullivan's work rests entirely on a foundation built by Leo Strauss forty years before. Yet she only mentions Strauss to upbraid him--for an error which he did not commit! Still, this book leaves no doubt as to Machiavelli's fundamental judgement of Christianity, and explains the point well and in detail. And, unlike Strauss, it is fairly easy to understand.

this was one of the first novels i read in the s&m genre and one of the notably good ones. it basically deals with the authors revenge on his fiancee for being jilted and his method for doing so. the reader wil enjoy the mixture of pain with a heavy dose of pleasure used by the author in the subjugation of his fiancee, her maid, her freind and a would be fiancee an mother in law. This is one of the finer examples of victorian erotica and well worth a read

Jack is head over heals in love! But she is pledged to another[Jack thinks he's an idiot of course] and plots to "ahve his way" despite the obstacles. His plot, I won't give it away, is ingenious and gives the author a fine stage to display his art! Excellent sexual adventure, well written, and the result is ... uh uh, you will have to read it for yourself! A fine book!

Brassey's series of books on uniforms and equipment are among the better sources. Covering the U.S. Regulars, Militia, Texas Rangers as well as the Mexican forces, this book is well worth having. True, it focuses on the U.S. troops, but this is because there is quite a bit of information, photographs, and exhisting clothing and equipment. The Mexican troops are a bit harder to research. Most historians have come to rely on Joseph Hefter, who pioneered the effort of documenting Mexico's military history. The color plates by Richard Hook are quite good and give good detail. The photos of reenactors also add to the quality of this book. The only negative comments ? The price is high, but if you want a valuable resource, it comes with a cost.
A section devoted to the weapons of both armies and their effectiveness would have been handy. If you are a student of this conflict, go for it.

This book gives a good one-stop-shop for the uniforms and organisation of the US-Mexican War. It is an easy read, providing what I have found to be the most accurate text on this subject readily available. If the book has any fault it is that it concentrates heavily on the US rather than Mexican forces, but frankly this is because of the huge variety within the US forces due to the system of volunteer units designing and providing their own uniforms, and the simple fact that information on Mexican forces is very hard to find anywhere. Nevertheless, the coverage of the Mexican forces represents a comprehensive overview of what information there is available, and is accurate throughout, avoiding many of the mistakes so often regurgitated by authors on this subject.

Well illustrated, with period "photographs" mixed with modern photographs of re-enactors, and colour and line illustrations especially commissioned for this book. Certainly well worth buying if you have an interest in the period.

This book came out several decades ago and was my introduction to the Osprey "Men-At-Arms" series. The author, Philip Katcher has been a reenactor and student of period uniforms for many years and his text is a good, basic primer. Gerry Embleton is one of the better illustrators for this series. The information on the U.S troops, both militia/volunteer and Regulars came primarily from the works of James Walker and Samuel Chamberlain. These two sources were eyewitnesses to the war, and while Chamberlain is cocky, and self centered, his comments on clothing and equipment are accurate.Its significant in that photography was coming into use at this time and provides a "first hand" look at some of the uniforms. Katcher and Embleton relied on the late Joseph Hefter for sources on the Mexican Army. At the time this book was first published, Hefter was THE source on the Mexican troops but new information has come to light and I'd like to see the text updated and have Embleton do more detailed plates, but as is, this book is useful.Very few photographs exist of "soldados" from this period. The serious student should also refer to BRASSEY'S HISTORY OF UNIFORMS volume on the Mexican War.

I teach middle school history. This is an excellent resource book. The color plate illustrations are exactly what the students need.The text is very informative. There is an equal balance in coverage of the U.S. And Mexican sides. Color illustrations cover U.S., Mexican and Texian forces envolved in the conflict.

I'm thankful to Ms Randall for providing a well written comprehensive guiebook. Regretfully, her photographic attempts do not match the subject - they are amateurish in the worst sense of the definition. Her technique and taste require a lot of development.

Randall's book is a fantastic feast for the eyes with her sepia tone photographs and her well-written, can't-put-it-down narrative. Her clever way of blending the history of the houses with any supernatural happenings kept me turning the pages. In fact, I have read the book once and am re-reading it again with fresh eyes. With each chapter, however, I felt an extreme sadness at the thought of all those magnificent houses gradually disappearing. A must read for a quiet evening.