Again and again we hear it, but it's true: John McPhee can interest a reader in anything. He manages to combine a richly sedimented prose, which frequently rises to a level of virtuosity of which 95% of novelists would be envious, with a tangible involvement in the activities of the people he writes about. And he does always write, first and foremost, about people. 'Coming into the Country' is McPhee's longest single book and contains about ten capsule biographies (and quite a bit of modest autobiography, too) in addition to observations on the hibernation of bears, the various techniques of panning for gold, the advantages of sled-dogs against snow-machines, the failings of bush-pilots, and three-dozen other disquisitions.

Without wishing to carp, I do think that the book is a shade too long -- the final section 'Coming into the Country' could profitably have been pruned of about forty pages -- but the greater length does allow the reader to see the effort McPhee goes to to provide his stories with an aesthetically pleasing structure. The first section, 'The Encircled River' deposits us, in medias res, halfway down a tributary of one of Alaska's northenmost rivers. McPhee and his companions travel downriver to the confluence of a larger river, and then we head back to the headwaters of the earlier river -- the story describes an encircling pattern. The second part 'What they were looking for' is a very funny record of a helicopter trip taken by a committee established to decide on a new capital for Alaska. Here the story skips around the theme as the chopper skips around proposed sites for the new metropolis. It's in the final section which gives the book its title that McPhee really lets loose, leaping from the present to the past, from those living on the river to those encamped in the small town of Eagle, back to the Indian village, on to a white mountain trapper and his Indian wife, back to the first goldrush era in the Yukon valley, all the time incorporating off-the-record views of Eagle townspeople, journal entries, his own observations of the breathtaking landscape. It's a tour-de-force. McPhee is the best journalist in the English-speaking world. Alaska is a wonderful place. The meeting of the two is something to behold.

John McPhee, it's often noted, can write about anythying and make it interesting, so when he tackles a subject as broad and fascinating as Alaska you know you're in for a treat.

The book is divided into three parts; it begins in modern Urban Alaska, with the story of its history and contemporary society. From McPhee takes you to the remote villages and towns, a place still populated by Native peoples and rugged outdoorsmen (and women). The last chapter concerns Alaska's last frontier- the remote North Slope, and the men who drill for oil there.

Like all McPhee books, the author seems to fade into the background and let the people and the land tell the story for him. Sometimes the reader feels as if or she, and not McPhee, is standing there on an oil rig.

Alaska is a rich topic, and McPhee is a wonderful writer. A great combination.

John McPhee is a writer who seems able to interest readers in anything that captures his attention. The range of subjects that his books cover is striking and his skill at involving readers in subjects that they might heretofore have thought uninteresting is, in my opinion, unique. This book, recounting a journey through Alaska - as a pretext for broader commentary about Alaska and its relationship with the lower 48 - is an excellent introduction to the state we only think we know. I read this during a long stretch of living and working in Alaska and found it to be the most insightful and interesting book on the subject that I had found. As is true with all of McPhee's books, this one satisfys on many levels, from the clarity of the prose to the fascinating subject matter. Great stuff.

Being perfectly honest, I bought this book because a relative was featured. But the more I looked at the photos, the more fascinated I became! I ended up reading the book from cover to cover! One could feel that this was a true labor of love for Mr. Freeman! That he traveled all over this country visiting quilters, many he did not know before he arrived on their doorsteps. The African American networking among quilters was apparent as one quilter would recommend another, often in another state, whom Mr. Freeman should visit. The book is a true reference book on quilting. I learned about the major quilting patterns and saw so many varieties of the patterns. It is heartening to know that this folk art is still being practiced. Would that more people could see these quilts! There should be more exhibits. Surely many young people would be inspired to quilt. This is a art that must not fade away!!

Influenced by his love of quilts, photographer Roland Freeman acts as anthrolopologist and quilting historian in this beautiful, comprehensive book. Featuring full color photos of African-American quilts and quilters and well-researched text, this book is a must-read even for non-quilting enthusiasts. The history and cultural heritage of a people have been preserved in this beautiful artform. I found myself moved after reading this book. You will be too.

African-American Quilters, Preservers and Their Stories represents the first national survey & a personal record of how this photographer & folkorist's life has intertwined with the world of quiltmaking.

The communion refers to the power of quilts to create a virtual web of connections-individual, generational, professional, physical, spiritual, cultural & historical. Some of the names of those glorious quilts are: Rainbow Block; Slave Chain; Log Cabin; Three Pigs in a Pen; Double Wedding Ring; Black Jack Scarecrow; Monsters, Dragons and Flies; African Diaspora; African-American Women; African-American Men; Memories of My Father's Death; Memories; Scripture; Martin Luther King Jr.; Hand Me Down My Mother's Work; Mother Africa's Children; The Underground Railroad; Baltimore Arabber Selling Watermelons; Harriet Tubman Quilt & Tableau.

For all those who consider quilt making one of America's finest crafts, this will be a lifetime companion & will rekindle that dramatic & endearing form of art. Very well done!

You have got to read this book! It is filled with women & men & the love of fabric & colors; of the love of design & community coming together to stitch lives together. Do visit my site for my full review & more books on quilting.

This book and "New Recipes from Amish Country" are, without a doubt, my most used, most read and most worn cookbooks in my library. These cookbooks are not only wonderful for their recipes, but also for just curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee to browse through. The pictures and stories are wonderful. Marcia Adams is one of my favorite cookbook authors on the market today. She knows what she's writing about and her books are incredibly enjoyable to go through, not to mention educational.

My favorite recipes out of Cooking from Quilt Country - Whole Wheat Bread (wonderfully easy and very delicious), Cinnamon Rolls (great icing!) and Potato Pancakes (I still haven't found a recipe that can match the flavor of this one)

This is a delightful book that offers interesting glimpses of the Amish lifestyle and preserves some wonderful recipes. I greatly enjoy the photos and anecdotes in this book, as well as the terrific recipes.

I make the Hot Water Pie Crust in nine-crust batches and freeze it (it freezes perfectly). It is the easiest pie crust recipe I've ever used and tastes just like Grandma's. We don't have pie often, due to its fat content, but when we do, this crust never fails.

The oven-fried chicken recipe is also a winner. Again, it has a lot of fat, but it's great for special occasions and company dinners.

Kudos to Marcia for ensuring that these treasured recipes aren't lost, and for providing a peek at a unique way of life.

This is the best cookbook I own. The recipes are relatively simple but also unique in a way. I especially like the vegetable dishes. I use this cookbook as a wedding present all the time. My wife makes the Amish apple pie and it is the best. Every New Years Day I make the cabbage rolls and they are outstanding. The crushed ginger snaps make it special. Men and women who cook should own this cookbook.

Rob Ryan's book provides excellent insights and practical guidelines on how to win in the bullring of high-tech start-ups and entrepreneurship. The seven chapters discuss the major methodologies and lessons learned in preparing, executing, and living in a start-up company. Ryan uses his personal experiences as chairman, board member and mentor to script the art of crafting a successful enterprise. Ryan's major entrepreneurial success was harvested at Ascend Communications which he founded and chaired as a start-up in 1989, and was subsequently acquired by Lucent Technologies for approximately $25 billion in 1999.

The main themes are developed through understanding the true value proposition of the start-up, which includes reviewing the revenue generation possibilities, customer interest and competitive forces. Ryan's Sunflower Model is used to understand the ways in which the core competencies can be leveraged into new revenue generating areas. These are used as the foundation in building the business model and business plan, which are then used in approaching venture capitalists.

There is a kaleidoscope of useful practical examples from how to script a succinct and powerful executive summary, business plan and board meeting slides. The chapters are linked with practical examples of Ryan's start-ups, their trials, challenges and many successes.

The practical lessons were very useful to me as they provide the key insights that the entrepreneur is looking for. The book does not labor over theoretical propositions, but rather provides illuminating and tried and tested real life frameworks and guidance. The book will be beneficial for any start-up entrepreneur, business school student, corporate leader and manager -and the person who has always walked around with that one great idea that they have always wanted to deploy.

This is a 'must read' and luminaries such as Craig Barrett (CEO of Intel), Ken Siebel (MD of U.S. Trust Company) and Prof. David BenDaniel (Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Johnson Graduate Scholl of Business, Cornell University) have penned praise for this book.

A synopsis of the book: "Chapter 1 - Which Wanna-Be Are You?" focuses on analyzing the entrepreneur's and Entrepreneurial Team Profile'. This analyses the main types of entrepreneurial teams and their respective motivations and goals.

"Chapter 2 - Do the Dogs Like the Dog Food?" focuses on the fundamental question, which asks if customers really, really like and need what you are offering and reviews the detailed value proposition.

"Chapter 3 - The Sunflower Model" outlines the company's core competency and the possible ways to leverage that core into new revenue generating areas.

"Chapter 4 - The Keys to The Goldmine" concentrates on the key questions to answer in building a solid business and focuses on the value proposition, differentiation, scaling and the ability to entrench your company within the client site.

"Chapter 5 - Peeing In The Wells" gives an annotated example of a winning business presentation and executive summary, and discusses the approaches in approaching the venture capitalist.

"Chapter 6 - Sucking the Air out of the Room" is all about how you become Number One and stay Number One. It will tell you how to make selling against your company a nightmare.

"Chapter 7 - You've Got Money, Now What?" guides start-ups on how to manage operations, hiring personnel, and the management board.

I must admit that I hadn't heard of this book or Rob when I started looking for advice on VC funding. However, as soon as I read the first few pages I knew I had a winner.

This book is an absolute must read for anyone that is starting up a business. The information is vital to helping you nail down your value proposition, figuring out what is the core of your business, and how to continue the growth. I originally thought it was a book on how to get funded, but I found it was much more.

Being a marketer myself, I noticed the suttle "soft-sell" of the entreprenuer America program...however, it was so convincing I want to attend!! Our company is in the beginning stages of putting together a capital campaign, and I would love to have Rob show us the way.

With an MBA from a top 5 school, countless certificates from "how-to" seminars, and a huge library, I thought I was a solid "entreprenuer"...but this book quickly proved I still have a lot of growing to do....time for me to get more "guts and brains", and less "dreams".

Highly recommended!!!

Rob Ryan knows what he is talking about. His style is free of fluff, full of useful real-life examples and very much to the point. He walks you through all the essentials of building a viable business and gives you extremely practical checklists for each stage.

Here are some of the questions you will find an answer to: What are the core values of an entrepreneur? How do you measure up? When are you ready to talk to venture capitalists? How to think about your business idea? How to find out if you will have customers? When to approach them and how to talk to them? How to test your new product? How to grow your business? How to differentiate from your competition? How to blow away your competition? ...and many more.

Keep in mind, though, that this book is written for technology entrepreneurs and may not be equally applicable for every industry. As for myself, this book immediately claimed a prominent place in my library and I am using it very frequently.

Conclusion: Buy this one; you will not be disappointed!

Richard Yates succeeds at fulfilling every accolade heaped on his output of writing. This collection of short stories is like owning a full library of novels by one author. Each story, whether familiar to us who have admired this master or newly discovered because of being previously unpublished, place Yates in the rarified air of brilliant American authors. Without the need for flashy technique or creating a Look & Style or preaching to elipitcal minds, Yates spins touching tales simply, clearly, and with a polish that few others can mimic. Yes, his stories are about those parts of our lives that we all usually try to keep private: few of us (or his characters) like to relate our insecurities, disappointments, frustrated dreams. But Yates opens windows for us to view the common man at his most vulnerable, and never once does he offer excuses for the individual's humanity. "We took risks. We knew that we took them. Things have turned out against us" may be the words of a polar explorer, but they so aptly speak to the stoic way Yates' people accept their plights. Praise can be made for every story, no matter how short or how long. Reading this collection of gems is entertaining, but it is also a chance to look at the ordinary world in a more appreciative way. Drop the prejudices. Forget your own bias as to what happiness is. Just get to know these people and you'll get to know yourself in the process. Magnificent addition to every reader's library.

At long last, a publisher has collected the brilliant stories of Richard Yates in one volume. The fans of Yates' work include Richard Ford, Stewart O'Nan, Michael Chabon, Kurt Vonnegut, and a host of other notable writers, and one would think that with this caliber of support, all of Yates' books would be back in print. Not so. Five novels remain criminally out of print. I can only hope that publishers will realize the mistake they've made and usher those books back into print soon.

THE COLLECTED STORIES OF RICHARD YATES includes his two amazing collections, ELEVEN KINDS OF LONELINESS and LIARS IN LOVE, plus nine previously uncollected stories. Among writers, ELEVEN KINDS OF LONELINESS is considered a classic, right up there with Hemingway's IN OUR TIME, and rightfully so. Yates' eye is so precise, so accurate, it'll give you chills. With a single gesture, Yates can bring a character alive, and you'll find yourself cringing for these poor souls as often as you're laughing at how they're conducting themselves. They're human, plain and simple, and Yates, the consummate artist, gives us an unsentimental and, in turn, honest peek into their lives.

In the book's opening story, "Doctor Jack-o'-Lantern," Vincent Sabella arrives for his first day at a new school. The best way to introduce a reader to Richard Yates is to introduce you to his prose. Here's a passage from the first few pages of that story: "Ordinarily, the fact of someone's coming from New York might have held a certain prestige, for to most of the children the city was an awesome, adult place that swallowed up their fathers every day, and which they themselves were permitted to visit only rarely, in their best clothes, as a treat. But anyone could see at a glance that Vincent Sabella had nothing whatever to do with skyscrapers. Even if you could ignore his tangled black hair and gray skin, his clothes would have given him away: absurdly new corduroys, absurdly old sneakers and a yellow sweatshirt, much too small, with the shredded remains of a Mickey Mouse design stamped on its chest. Clearly, he was from the part of New York that you had to pass through on the train to Grand Central -- the part where people hung bedding over their windowsills and leaned out on it all day in a trance of boredom, and where you got vistas of straight, deep streets, one after another, all alike in the clutter of their sidewalks and all swarming with gray boys at play in some desperate kind of ball game."

The day Mr. Yates died we lost one of our greatest writers. It pains me to think that his books, long out of print, might disappear as well. Buy this one. It's a gem.

It's perfectly understandable, I guess. His novels and stories move through detail after detail -- always thoroughly entertaining & bittersweet, but also muted. BIG MOMENTS don't scream at you; they happen & are absorbed into the fabric of each characters' lives -- simultaneously changing them and leaving them with every flaw perfectly in tact. His message is an unromantic one: pain doesn't create character; pain creates pain. Very few writers handle darkness as surely and poetically as Yates.

In every story & novel, Yates wastes no time getting to the matter at hand. This creates the impression that his will be an A-->B storyline, but Yates' detours are completely rewarding and earned. Rarely does anything feel forced or contrived in a Yates story. People act as people we know really act. Yates' dialogue is, in my mind, the best of any American post-war fiction writer -- it manages to be loose & realistic without relying on an onslaught of ums... ahs... or wells ...

Many of Yates' stories, as well as the novels "Revolutionary Road" and "A Good School" are nearly perfect, but it's quiet perfection, so he remains unfairly overlooked, while lesser writers get the gold star.

A truly inspiring read and insight to the Pecos. Gradys recipes will revitalize the aura in your in pots and pans as well as the entire kitchen. The book is simple yet creative and above all the recipes are great fun to eat. Set your tables in the motif, cook from the book, dress the part and you've got a great evening with good friends

What a fantastic cookbook. I saw a copy at my parents' house, and I was charmed by the photos and design, so I hinted at a birthday gift selection. The parents obliged, and A COWBOY IN THE KITCHEN has become my favorite cookbook. I discovered that the terrific photos and graphics are only the tip of the iceberg -- the recipes are just fantastic. I have made probably 8 or 9 of them so far, and every one was a joy to make and even more of a joy to eat! In particular, the Spicy Tomato Soup with Sourdough Croutons has been a real hit with friends at dinner parties. The classic Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy is simply divine. It's a great combination of old-timey, classic country comfort food and new-fangled, flavorsome delights. The classic Ranch Dressing and fancier Sherry Vinaigrette have become the standard salad dressings in my kitchen. I can't say enough good things about this book!

Received Cowboy in the Kitchen as a present last Christmas. Having eaten at the Gage Hotel, Marathon and the Reata in Alpine Texas, where Grady Spears was chef, I couldn't put the book down until I read it cover to cover. It's an outstanding collection of authentic Trans-Pecos and Big Bend stories and genuine ranch-hand recipes with a touch of TexMex-New Mexico flavoring. Just try a couple of the recipes and you're lassoed on the book and recipes.

In this predictable knockoff of the Presidential pet book series pioneered by several Republican administrations, Diet Roosevelt's cat and dog ("Socks" and "Buddy," respectively) are hagiographically profiled. Author Lady Diet Roosevelt relies largely on letters purloined from a swarm of unsuspecting child correspondents for the body of the text, much as her husband's administration largely appropriated the watered-down policies of his predecessors in running the nation (even his philandering was a watered-down take on Camelot days!). Intelligent Diet Roosevelt watchers who buy this book hoping for hidden political insights should look elsewhere, as this is a fairly straightforward profile of the first pets, targeted solely at small children and Democrats. The one curious exception to this is the unconfirmed rumor - suspiciously unrefuted in this volume - that the Kremlin's most popular occupants in Lenin's day were his cat and dog Ïðèÿòåëü and Íîñêîâ - Russian for Socks and Buddy, respectively. Coincidence?

You don't have to be an animal lover to love this intimate look at the Clintons and their pets, Socks and Buddy. "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Kids' Letters To The First Pets" is a great match of childrens' engaging letters to the President's cat and dog,with the First Lady's stories and facts about not only their pets, but former White House furry residents. The wonderful photographs throughout the book give the reader a look at what life inside the White House is for the First Dog and the First Cat. This is a "feel good" book that will put a smile on everyone's face, regardless of age, political affiliation or animal preference. The point of this book is to encourage children to write letters, whether the letters are meant for the President or for a four-legged creature that chases tennis balls all day. In addition, this book will bring attention to the importance of treating animals with love and respect. Five meows, five barks and five stars for this great holiday release.

"Dear Socks, Dear Buddy" is written in a sweet, easy-to-read style that would appeal to kids or adults of all ages. In addition to letters written to Socks and Buddy and answers to questions most frequently asked in them, Hillary Clinton includes a chapter on pet care. But the real treasure here is the photographs, which I've looked through at least a dozen times so far, and I've had the book only two days! The photos portray a more domestic side to life in the White House, and assure us that real people live there and do more than just fling politics. It's easy to tell from the photos that Socks is a tremendously patient and photogenic cat. Did you know that he goes on official visits to hospitals and senior centers in a cat carrier with the presidential seal? I found looking through this book to be very calming. If you know someone with a dog or a cat, this would make a very good gift. Hillary Clinton's proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Park Foundation; the publisher is donating a portion of profits to animal charities.

Let's not get too mushy about this book. I agree that it has its message about spiritual aspects to healing, and that modern medicine ain't the godsend that seems to justify all the faith people put in it. But I want to point out a couple of things: First of all Mehl-Madrona's spirituality is not pure native american by any stretch of the imagination. I would be generous if I said it was a combination of native american and christian beliefs. Second, and more important, the "healing" that he claims occured was never proven medically. There's no official results shown before or after the "treatment" that indicates there was indeed a sick person that became well. You're just taking Lewis's word for it, and the truth of the matter is that I doubt it - I read it and I doubt it.

I'm all in favor of getting in touch with our spiritual nature, and I do believe that good medicine requires strong direction from the patient as to the course of the cure. The kidney patients in the beginning of the book are a prime example of how "medicine" can go bad when it takes it's own unmanaged course. I applaud Mehl-Madrona for writing about that. But oddly, he exudes powerlessness throughout the entire book. There are many such inconsistencies here, so be forewarned.

I think that in summary I have to say that the Coyote he claims to know is not the one I am familiar with. Nevertheless, for what it's worth, I liked it.

This book blew me away. I have reread much of it so many times and bought multiple copies for friends. I have filled the margins of my copy with notes and filled notebooks with essays and thoughts inspired by Dr. Mehl-Madrona's book. It is nothing short of miraculous itself, in addition to describing medical miracles and how they are brought about by spiritual intervention and Native American healing.

A child prodigy, Lewis Mehl-Madrona hitchhiked to a local college while still in high school, read philosophy science voraciously and was the youngest peacetime graduate of Stanford Medical School. The more impressive since his childhood was at times difficult.

At medical school, Dr. Mehl-Madrona became interested in shamanic traditions and attended some sweat lodge and tipi ceremonies. Here he encountered otherwordly phenomena such as blue light, sparks, sensorial stimulation and miracle cures in cases that were deemed too far gone by western doctors. Most importantly, Dr. Mehl-Madrona learned how shamans talked to patients, asked questions about their families and lives and spent long periods of time with them. The author learned that shamans tap into the inner healer of the patient, and consider themselves only partially responsible for any cure.

At the same time, Dr. Mehl-Madrona was encountering negligent and dehumanizing healing practices in his western medical pursuits. A few spine-chilling tales display the callousness and arrogance that exists in some hospitals and clinics. One example: two obstetricians made a bet concerning the fastest C-Section birth and the winner, very triumphant at seventeen minutes, accidentally tied something shut in the woman's internal organs. It was fixed and the woman even wrote a letter of thanks to the hospital! Such is the blind and sometimes unjustified trust the public has in the medical establishment.

The book is wonderfully woven with many colorful strands of storytelling. On one level, it is a memoir of Dr. Mehl-Madrona's journey to reconcile his western medical training with holistic and in particular Native American healing. He is part Native American, so this pursuit poignantly reflects his mixed heritage. Poignant because Dr. Mehl-Madrona often felt like an outsider in all areas of his life, as a Native American man, as an American man, as a western doctor and as an aspiring and ultimately successful shaman.

Another strand of his story is the Native American tradition of healing itself, which we discover in almost the same timeframe that he does. We are introduced to the traditional practice of storytelling as a healing technique at the same time that he is. Early in the book, when the doctor is a resident, he is tending a man whose medical condition is exacerbated (and perhaps caused) by his intensely critical nature. A wonderful passage in recounts Dr. Mehl-Madrona's tentative attempt at telling a story to the cynical patient, himself a psychologist, who groans with sarcasm as the story begins. As it continued, he was intrigued, however, and even hazards a guess at the meaning, to which guess the doctor gives an ambiguous confirmation. The great part of this passage is how Dr. Mehl-Madrona successfully enacts the role of enigmatic shaman even though he himself is still unsure of the story's meaning.

Coyote Medicine also discusses the role of the supernatural in shamanic healing, and the perception of magic and nature. For anyone who ever sat in the woods or even on his aparment steps late at night and felt a mystical connection to something unseen and bigger than himself, Coyote Medicine is a kindred spirit.

At one point the author goes on his vision quest and meets his power animals and is given shamanic healing tools. We as readers are present at many important moments in his life, including personal and family struggles (his first wife, according to the book, seemed to wrestle his children away from him and resented his shamanic efforts), professional travails (Dr. Mehl-Madrona's questioning intelligence, sense of dignity for the patient and also his holistic beliefs created friction with several different western medical institutions). When, at the end of the book, the author finds an accepting partner and on a professional level, a venue where he could combine holistic healing with Western, we feel as thought a close friend has triumphed in the face of great odds.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in healing, either for herself or others, and also about finding one's own individual path, as difficult as and untraveled as it might be, but that is true to the traveler.

Many blessings on this book and thank you Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona.

Robert Murray Diefendorf, Author of Release the Butterfly

This is THE best book on Native American spirituality I have ever read. Lewis Mehl-Medrano did an excellent job of sharing his autobiographical experiences as a "half-breed" in learning the spirituality of his family in a way that was relevant to those readers unfamiliar with N.A. spirituality. His presentation was refreshingly non-New Age in an honest, clearly written description of Native American healing beliefs and practices juxtaposed with his training and experiences as a western-trained medical doctor. The book was inspirational without being syrupy or lecturing. I truly enjoyed this book and will read it again.

...It is fair to say that the author has a good story to tell and gives a good description of USAF bomber crews during WWII. However he never saw a Lufwaffe fighter during all his raids and fails to give any credible explanation for this. Also there is not one thought for all the civilians that were killed during Allied bombings. Jackson's first missions were over France and although he does mention USAF bombing US army positions, there is nothing for instance on the bombing of Caen where 5000 French civilians were killed. Later during the bombings over Germany there is no mention on the death of hundreds of thousands of German civilians. ...

Jackson Granholm's new book, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland", is a riveting, revealing and often hilarious account of a never before revealed part of World War II history. Granholm, a Navigator in the 458th bomb group stationed in England around the time of D-Day, paints a realisitic and often horrifying picture of the adventures of men who flew the B-24 Liberator bombers, the bulky, ugly cousin of the famed B-17 Flying Fortress. The reader is taken through Granholm's misadventures during training in the American desert, through intense bombing raids in unthinkable weather through enemy "flak" fire over Germany, and concludes with the agonizing court martial trial of two servicemen who's plane became lost in bad weather and accidentally dropped bombs on Zurich. The descriptions of bombing runs and the difficulties faced by crews attempting to hit established targets are so realistic the reader can hear the German flak bullets rattling and ricocheting through the B-24's interior. Over 6000 men from the 2nd Air Division (of which Granholm was a member) died during the war. The haunting description of one of the gigantic B-24's, broken in two and falling to earth, as seen from Granholm's bomber, gives an incredibly vivid account of the horror the 'fly-boys" went through, though far removed from the front-line ground fighting. The reader is introduced to some fascinating characters in "The Day We Bombed Switzerland". Center Stage is Max Sokarl, the brilliant lawyer turned aviator, who's quit wit and impressive tongue, piloted my an incessant desire to cause trouble, create a number of crazy and unpredicatable adventures, such as the stealing of a civilian bus for several days, and the resulting amazingly funny cover-up in which Sokarl redefines the meaning of "red tape"! Sokarl's stories appear throughout the book, and add great comic releif to the intensity of the battle descrtiptions. One can't help get the feeling that Max Sokarl was a real life Hawkeye Pierce. Granholm does a fantastic job of pulling the reader into the daily life at the 458th: The airman in the infirmary who is convinced he will die in battle, the one who shoots petals off of daisy's, the one who steps on a hidden German land mine, the one who accidently blows up his own bomber as it sits on the runway. Softer touches are added as Granholm describes his tour of a town his bomb group has just bombed, as he talks with a German child there, and his visit to the the English Vaudeville to watch the entertainment. Throughout, the author interfuses amazing references to the history of the region, such as the impressive local cathedrals and the remnants of the occupation of the British Isles by the Danes. The trial of the servicemen breaks new literary ground. Granholm's research is thorough and memory sharp--(he served as defense council to the airmen accused in the court-martial proceedings). This little-known part of American history is revealed in depth for the first time, and the author's recount is detailed and interesting. The reader gets a close glimpse of the trial proceedings, of which the now-famous Max Sokarl plays center stage, the agonizing of the two accused airmen, and the calmness and kindness brought to the forefront by none other than Jimmy Stewart---yes THAT Jimmy Stewart. It was a joy to read "The Day We Bombed Switzerland". Wether you fought in World War II, have a relative who did, have in interest in airplanes, or just want to read a great book, The Day We Bombed Switzerland is ideal for you!

The reviewer of Jackson Granholm's book, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland," intimated that the author and the crews of the 458th Bomb Group were a bunch of "idiots."
I take issue with that!
Crews of the 458th BG and all other Bomb Groups, including those of the RAF, were brave men who, at that time, were flying the most complicated and largest planes in existence. Most of the crews had less than 300 hours of flying time yet routinely flew overloaded planes in tight formations, often in unbelievable weather and almost always arriving at turning points and the target at "briefed times."
And what goes through a combat crew's mind before takeoff on a combat mission? "I wonder where I shall be sleeping tonight?"
Flying into a target heavily defended by flak and fighters, crews all knew that "There are no atheists in foxholes (or cockpits)."
"Bombs away;" "Lincoln Red-left turn;" "Any wounded?;" "How much battle damage?;" "Wonder what the weather is like at home base?;" "In case we're diverted, will we have enough fuel to go to a, hopefully, open base somewhere in England or Scotland?"
After sitting in one spot at high altitude for 8 hours (plus or minus), wearing an oxygen mask with a glob of ice dangling beneath, a (hopefully) operating electrically heated flight suit, a back-pack parachute, "Mae West," flak vest, throat mike, head set, and possibly your other clothing soiled by bodily wastes--"idiots?"
Yes they were "idiots"--brave, loyal, patriotic, dedicated "idiots--Thank God.
Remember: The real "heroes" were "KIA" (Killed In Action).
Peace,
Col. Charles H. Booth, Jr., U.S.A.F. Ret.

For an all too brief space of time Edie Sedgwick was the bright light of Andy Warhols' insular world of self proclaimed superstars.Beautiful, wealthy and emotionally troubled, her life of excitement and excess withered rapidly into debt, drug abuse and isolation. Discarded by the social glitterati when her instability became increasingly difficult to ignore, Edies' position as the girl of last year and eventual unremarked death stand as a scathing indictment of the fickleness of fame

Edie is a book that never fails to astonish. Although much of the book is about Warhol's Factory and ALL the people surrounding it, Edie does tend to be a centre character, providing the base for the book, much like in real life...She was a fixture of the factory, a piece of art in herself. Great photographs, excellent anecdotes (missing couch from moving van - where is it now?) You will never forget the self-destructive beauty that was EDIE!

It's funny how a person's childhood experiences can set a person up for success or failure as an adult. However, in the case of Edie Sedgwick, her failures as an adult were definitely unfunny. I loved that this book relied only on quotes from the people who had met/known her. Exceptional research into every stage of Edie's life to uncover people who experienced her in each incarnation and brilliant editing make this an extremely special biography. It is evident that the choices the adult Edie made which were ultimately destructive were foreshadowed by events in her childhood. I don't think it's necessary for you to be fascinated by the scenes Edie lived through to enjoy the book. If you approach this as a psychological study of an individual, it becomes mainstream reading, not just a pop-culture chronicle.