In "When Prisoners Come Home," Petersilia not only describes parole and reentry, but also the impact the war on drugs has had on young people. In short: too many people to prison, too many prisoner returns, and in the end--too many lost lives. The author also outlines the impact of a number of unintended consequences for families, communities, and children of the prisoners coming home.

There hasn't been a book written on parole in over 30 years. This is a much needed publication and should be read by anyone interested in corrections and sentencing policy. However, anyone with even a casual interest in current correction's issues will find this book engaging, interesting, and easy to read.

This book deals with the most important topic of the coming decade for the criminal justice system: what to do when all of the massive numbers of criminals we have sent to prison come home. Petersilia not only describes all of the legal and practical hurdles criminals face when they begin reintegration, but she identifies how we can actually help them return to the community. This book is an easy read with an invaluable compilation of the latest statistics and summary of the challenges of life after incarceration.
Petersilia has written an academic piece with both theoretical and policy influence. It is a must read for criminologists, but most importantly for all practitioners in the criminal justice system from police and prosecution to corrections and parole. For students, the book provides a necessary education of the implications of recent law and public policy.
This is an excellent text for all of those interested in the criminal justice system. Petersilia succinctly describes what we have done wrong, then she provides recommendations for the future.

Today, there are more than 600,000 inmates leaving prison and returning to their communities each year. This high number taxes communities, the correctional system, and the resources needed to assist in the prison-community transition. This book deals with the most important correctional topic of the coming decade: what to do when all the prisoners come home. Petersilia not only describes how we help prisoners return, but also identified all of the legal and practical hurdles they face in their reintegration challenges. It is critical that those interested in corrections, community cohesion, and saving tax dollars read and understand the challenges and opportunities that are available in improving the reentry process. There has not been a new book on parole in 30 years. Petersilia's book is the major resource available to begin this study of prisoner reentry.

Petersilia continues to define community corrections in her unique, empirically-oriented, style. Her writing is lucid, non-pretentious, and cutting-edge. Whether you are an academic or not, you will find this book totally readable and useful. This book goes through the entire parole and prisoner reentry continuum. Describing who is coming home, how well they are prepared, and what their contribution to crime in the community is likely to be. Petersilia also describes the impact on victims.
Victim advocates will find the chapter on how victims can play a
stronger role in parole and reentry as excellent.

Petersilia not only describes parole and reentry, but the impact of the war on drugs on young people. Too many people to prison, to many prisoner returns...and too many lost lives. Petersilia outlines a number of unintended consequences for families, communities, and children of all the prisoners coming home.

Petersilia identifies 12 policy recommendations for rethinking prison programs, parole release, and post-prison supervision. This book should be of tremendous use to correctional practitioners, academics, and all those interested in correctional policy. Strongly recommended.

What a wonderful reading discovery!!! This certainly gave me new insights as a male species! Since I'm "bordering" that age group on the "far side" age wise, this book by Drs. Evans & Avis certainly gives me thought provoking insights into the lives of women around me! As for the writing - where have these two credible authors been hiding? I'd love to see more of their work! With their intuitive natures, I can see a similar book for men of the same period by these two brilliant authors. This book should be a "MUST READ" for all men between the ages of 21 & 60! Maybe you'd understand your grandmothers, mothers, sisters, co-workers, friends in a slightly different way! My eyes have been opened wider! Thanks, Dr. Joan Avis and Dr. Susan Evans! Kudo's!!!! :)

I am one of the 100 women who were interviewed 5 years ago for this book. I didn't realize the in depth discovery of our generation. As a woman business owner, I didn't have a role model as women do now in the 90's.

This book gives insight into our every day lives and decisions of women of our generation. What fascinated me was that I could relate to every page. I have given away many of these books to close friends and childhood friends that I grew up with. We are all successful and made way for women in business and technology as well as other fields that were dominated by men.

Terrific!!!!

Bren Norris Bren Norris Associates Inc Bren International

Instead of characterizing women born in the 1940s and 50s as selfish, anti-male, unappealing and unattractive, the authors portray them as questioning and adventurous, with an incredible enÝhusiasm for learning and life. In my own doctoral reseach, when I asked middle-age women if their lives were better than that of their "silent" mothers (the post-Depression, post World War II housewives), they replied, "Different, not better." They admitted that they have many more alternatives than their mothers had, which makes their lives more complicated. To guide women through this multitude of lifestyle choices, the authors offer "New Truths" and advice for young women. Their positive portrayal of midlife women inspires women who read the book to have confidence in the often rocky road of their own career and personal development.

Well, not quite, perhaps. A couple of generations get skipped (as do several wars) between the first and second books in this series, but "Yankee Stranger" is well worth the wait. The presence of Tibby Day, now approaching 100, gives the meandering trail between books one and two a context and much-needed continuity -- and the overlap of the generations which this scenario demonstrates has always fascinated me in my own life. As in book one, Thane's characters grip you firmly and draw you unresisting into the tangle of their lives, battered by war and division, anchored by family affection and made luminous by love and passion: Eden, the Titian beauty pulled in different directions by love and loyalty; Cabot, product of an embittered father who learns to love and trust despite the cataclysm of war; Susannah and Sedgwick, the star-crossed lovers who must face the future without each other; and most joyously, Tibby Day, a matriarch in wisdom, a "character" in the idiomatic sense, and the glue that binds the family and the book together. As usual, the history in this book is exact and irreproachable, the historical characters become human, and the atmosphere is tangible and touchable. Libby Prison is juxtaposed against fashionable Willard's Hotel; war-ravaged Richmond underlines in blood-red the quaint and restful pastels of ante-bellum Williamsburg; military camps stand vivid against civilized family holidays and the gentle spirit of Tibby Day presides over all. Courage and dedication, sacrifice and humor, the entire spectrum of human emotion emerges in this book. The superficial reader will be offended, as in Thane's other books, at the casually racist undertones, but the historically aware will rightly attribute them not only to the age in which the story takes place, but the era in which the author is writing. With history books firmly in hand and love stories firmly in mind, Thane once more slips us back through time into a memorable past -- and makes us eager to move forward to the next book in the series!

Elswyth Thane wrote a timeless tale of the human experience and how it is affected by war and made bearable by love. With skilled writing and human insight she made those moments come alive and ring true for every generation from the 1700s to the 1940s! I stumbled on "Dawns Early Light" at the local library when I was in my 20s and traveled between three libraries to find the other five books in successive order. I'm rereading them now in my mid-50s and enjoying them more than when I read them at 30 and 40. Im still traveling to three libraries to ferret them out. How delighted I am to finally find a source where I can put together my own set. I purchased "Dawns Early Light" during a visit to Williamsburg in 1978 and it remains one of my most cherished books. I am still enthralled with Thayne's descriptions of Marion's (the Swamp Fox) camp and the battles of Camden and the Pine Barrens. These novels have done more to foster my life-long love of American history than any other books I've ever read.

I first read the Women of Williamsburg series as a young teenager. They were not only great reading and wonderful stories, but lots of history mixed in. All of the books are great of course, but this one is one of my favorite that I sem to go back to & read again every couple of years. I am excited to finally find a matching set of the series.Most of the women in my family have read these books- my grandmother, who in turn got my mother to read, who in turn got me to read. I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to read & enjoy them as well.

I read my girls two books every night. We have a reasonably sized collection but let's face it, some children's books just don't stand up to repitition. When my oldest (5) goes to pick out a book from the shelf I get nervous -- if she picks out the fairy tale book I glaze over. You Can't Take a Baloon into the Metropolitan Museum is one of the books you just look forward to reading with your children. It's engaging, we see new things in it all the time, and it even gets them excited about art!! What's not to love?! We're waiting for more from Ms. Preiss-Weitzman!

This is one of my favorite books of all time. It captures the spirit of New York while showcasing numerous works of art from the Metropolitan Museum in the city. Juxtaposed together, children will love the fun drawings and adults will appreciate the cleverness contained in each page. I have bought this book as gifts for friends, and also bought two copies for myself. One sits proudly on my shelf, and I have matted and framed some of my favorite pages from the other copy to hang on my wall. If you love New York, art, and/or wonderful children's books you must discover this book for yourself.

Once in a long while a book comes along that is so simple yet so complex and innovative that it can be enjoyed time and again by both children and adults and is destined to become a classic. This is one of those books.

Having myself been taken at a very young age by my father to the Metropolitan Museum, this book has awoken within me wonderful memories that have instilled me with a love of museums (and especially of the Met). Although my children have not had the experience of seeing the Metropolitan as we live outside the U.S., this book has afforded me the opportunity to describe the museum to them and relive my experiences with them and at the same time take a rollicking educational ride through this romp.

I can actually feel the joy these two sisters must have had in working on this project. It is a work that comes from the heart and kudos to their collaboration of story and artwork that raises the story above the mundane.

Do you know what bloomers are? Well, if you don't, read the book YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER! Amelia is a girl who hates dresses! Amelia was not a proper lady! Amelia thought proper ladies were silly. She thought it was silly that ladies could not work! So she started her own newspaper. She thought it was even sillier that ladies had to wear big, heavy dresses. So she did something about it! My favorite part is when she made the bloomers and wore them. She sort of looked silly and sort of looked cool. I really liked this book because I learned a lot about Women's History. I learned what bloomers are too! And if you want to know what bloomers are...then read this book! - By Danielle S. Age 7

Amelia Bloomer was not a proper lady. All the other ladies thought she was ridiculous. she would protest, start her own buisnesses with other women. Amelia Bloomer was always looking for a way to fight for womens rights, and to change the way women had to dress. But the world just wan't ready for Amelia Bloomer yet. Until one day when her friends cousin brought somthing amazing into Amelias life. It was a different type of dress . It had pants. Amelia was amazed by this outfit. right away she made her own. Pretty soon women all over the world wanted to wear (what Amelia called) Bloomers. They made then in plaid, blue, pink, and many other designs and colors. Amelia Bloomer made a big differenc for women. to find out what else dhe did for women read this book. i think you'll love it

Back in the 19th century, "proper ladies" were not allowed to vote, were not supposed to work and worst of all dressed in enormous hooped dresses that were hot, heavy (20 to 40 pounds) and very impractical. They wore corsets that were so tight it was hard to breathe or even digest and their skirts were so wide they were always getting stuck in doorways and chairs. "What in the world was proper about that?" Amelia Bloomer was definitely not a proper lady. She tried to change the law so that women could vote. She started her own women's newspaper named, The Lily, and hired other women to work with her. But best of all, she started a fashion craze that changed women's clothing forever..... Shana Corey and illustrator, Chesley McLaren have authored an amusing and delightful story, based on historical fact, that traces the beginnings of practical, comfortable and easy to wear clothing for women. Ms Corey's easy to read text is humorous and chock full of fun facts and complemented by Ms McLaren's charming, colorful fashion artwork. An author's note at the end fleshes out the story even more with additional fascinating information about the beginnings of the women's rights movement and fashion reform. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! is a treasure and a little piece of history that shouldn't be missed.

"A People's History of the United States" forever changed the way I viewed the world and the system I grew up in. Continuing that tradition, "The Zinn Reader..", wakes up a desire in one's soul to rise up and do something about the injustices and hypocrisies that have dominated our past and continued to swallow our present. Professor Zinn write clearly, honestly, and furiously about topics ranging from the distribution of wealth to the ideal uses of scholarship and intellectualism. He lacks no emotion or fury, unlike many other historians. The main challenge Zinn makes it to exercise free thought, and "to be skeptical of someone else's reality." Very few historians, or writers for that matter, dare to look at the world from the perspective of the poor, the disenfranchised, the bombed, the murdered, the jailed, the conquered, the victim, but Zinn does exactly that, and in doing so puts out a masterful collection that not only instructs us in History, but also challenges our humanity and our place in the world.

Worth the money at any price, this is a rousing compilation of articles from one of America's leading historians of the left, whose earlier and epochal *A People's History of the United States* has served as something of a bible to those revisionist historians and activists more interested in unvarnished fact than patriotic myth. This revealing volume demonstrates that same class conscious perspective, this time ranging over topics both historical and contemporary, including insights into Plato, Machiavelli, the morality of war, the civil rights crusade, and the historically neglected Ludlow massacre. The result is an omnivorous selection to say the least, but one that includes plenty of ideational grist to disagree with even for those on the political left, who may find his pacifist leanings not just impracticable but insensitive to neo-colonial oppression. Be that as it may, few chroniclers of America's past so thoroughly demonstrate the bankruptcy of the official record as does Zinn, who unlike the abjectly house-broken Arthur Schlesinger Jr. has thankfully never found a place in the corridors of Repubocrat power which whatever else can be said has proven so materially rewarding for the opportunistic. There is solace however in the realization that were Zinn's historical honesty to replace the usual highschool pablum, even MTV teenagers might discover an identity that preceded them, and realize that there are no rebels without causes, but only victories as yet unwon. Zinn's work is a signpost along the way.

How many times can you call a collection of political essays a page turner? Well, how many Howard Zinn books are there?

This is a really comprehensive collection of Zinn's work, and makes a nice compliment to his quintessential "People's History of the US." It picks up on the same subject matter, but in Zinn's voice as an observer to the great political struggles of this century. It is, of course, typical, liberal, activist-minded Zinn, but I view this as a good thing -- he has a great deal of perspective as both an academic and an activist.

As for my favorite parts...I was interested and impressed to read of Zinn's activism during the Civil Rights Movement. This is a great first-hand account from someone who was along for the ride. I also enjoy his discussion of pacifism in the context of WWII, which is a difficult and delicate subject to tackle. I respect that he attempts to explain his anti-war beliefs with respect to this "good war."

I have found this book useful in very practical ways as well. I used some essays as texts in the activist internship class I taught, and I also referenced the list of important and influential books Zinn includes in an appendix.

There are dozens of books with advice on how to write a screenplay ranging from great advice to blueprints for the humdrum. There aren't enough good books to keep you doing what you need to do to succeed. Yglesias method makes this a good book to dip into. And he doesn't hide contradictory opinions.

Better than coffee whether you need a lift on a day when your working or a kick in the keister on a day when you aren't

I have a ton of Screeenwriting books at home and this is one of the most helpful and inspirational. I've read certain sections of the book many times over.

Some of the top Hollywood screeenwriters give insightful, practical help on a number of topics relating to the field. The book is laid out in specific, narrow topics and each writer/mentor gives his/her view on the topic (work habits, writer's block, creating characters, surviving in Hollywood, pitching, etc). Reading it gives you the feeling of having your own panel of true experts there giving advice and encouragement.

The only criticism I have is that the writers featured in the book have not written many films that I would call "great", daring, or innovative. The exception being Nicholas Kazan who wrote REVERSAL OF FORTUNE...and I also like Roth's FORREST GUMP. The credits of the other writers tend toward the 'conventional Hollywood movie'. But this is a minor personal quibble, the advice given is still solid and helpful.

I highly recommend this to any aspiring screenwriter. Well worth the money.

A collection of ideas, practices and, like the title says, habits about writing from people who get well-paid to do it. The book is a confidence builder. It illustrates that when it comes to writing, there is no single way. Screenwriter A, for example, says that she always works from an outline. Screenwriter B says he never does. And they both tell you why their way works--for them. A broad range of topics is covered, everything from "Passion" to "Getting An Agent." This book is excellent for writers of every genre, from screenwriters to technical writers. Writing is writing, and for most of us, it's difficult. Owning this book is like being able to hang with a group of friends, all of whom are successful writers, and get advice on the literary questions or problems that ail you. A good subtitle for the book could be, "Relax. You Are Not Alone."

Who's buried in Grant's tomb is an interesting guide filled with small histories on each American president. The book contains accurate directions to help you find presidential gravesites, museums and libraries. Furthermore, the book contains addresses where you can write for additional information on each site and even includes website addresses when applicable. I have toured a few of these historical locations myself and have found the information in this book to be especially helpful in providing hours of operation as well as admission prices to some of these places. The book might appear a little morbid when you consider that it focuses on presidential burial sites but once you read it, you quickly find out that it provides a doorway for you to study the human side of these men. By visiting their homes graves and museums, you realize that they are not merely cold icons that you read about in history. They were very real with interesting lives and this book invites you to study their legacies.

This book is the only book I have ever read in less than 24 hours. It is, by far, the most interesting and best Non-Fiction book I have ever read. It is a must for Presidential Buffs like me!

The one thing that ties all humans together, rich or poor, famous or unknown, powerful or helpless is death. To many Americans our Presidents are either marble figures (Washington, Jefferson...) or are little known familar names (Tyler, Harding...). This book does a great job of making ALL of our Presidents into human beings. The pictures, the writing, even the index pages are outstanding.

What better way to really understand a person than to know their final words. Or better yet to see their final resting places many of which were picked out by the individuals themselves. One can learn a lot about the true character of a person if you see monuments they designed for themselves.

I have visited many Presidential homes and several gravesites but after reading this book I have decided to make visiting all of the gravesites one of my goals in life.

It is strange that a book about death should bring history so alive. BUY THIS BOOK!

This is a wonderful true story of one woman's accomplishments. Wilma Rudolph was a bouncy child who ran everywhere as soon as she could walk. When she contracted polio and scarlet fever at the same time, the doctor said she would never walk again. But Wilma had a mother who rode the bus with her 50 miles each way twice a week, to the nearest hospital that would treat black patients. She had 21 brothers and sisters to help her exercise and practice until she could walk, first with a brace, then (finally) all on her own. Wilma had watched the other children play for years, and she wanted to play basketball as soon as she could. Wilma's long legs, strength, and determination helped her to lead her high school basketball team to the state championships, where she caught the attention of a track and field coach who offered her a college scholarship. In 1960, Wilma made the US Olympic track and field team. She wasn't expected to win any events, but it was an honor for her just to compete. And then Wilma amazed everyone. She won her first gold medal when she flew past everyone in the 100 meter race -- and then won another in the 200 -- and then she won another gold when she anchored the 4 by 100 meter relay. Wilma Rudolph did what no one else had done before, and she earned the richly deserved title of fastest woman in the world. Her story is proof that strength can overcome almost any disadvantages

"Wilma Unlimited" is a stunning blend of art and history. Author Kathleen Krull and illustrator David Diaz have done an outstanding job in bringing to life the story of Olympic heroine Wilma Rudolph, the African-American runner who overcame a disabling childhood illness and ultimately triumphed at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Krull tells Wilma's story in a simple, straightforward way that should appeal to young readers. Her prose is accompanied by Diaz's truly memorable artwork. His full-color illustrations, which strike a perfect balance between realism and stylization, really convey the emotion of each stage in Wilma's incredible journey.

"Wilma Unlimited" is a story of working hard and overcoming adversity. Although much of the story is set in the world of sports, the message of this book is universal. If your child is struggling with some problem or setback and needs a book to renew his/her sense of hope, this might be the ideal choice. Krull and Diaz have created a wonderful tribute to a remarkable woman.

i am a reading specialist in Washington, DC and chose this book b/c i love David Diaz and because, like wilma, my children have many obstacles in their lives. i simply can not finish this book without nearly crying in front of my class. i've read it so many times, but the suspenseful writing and triumphant ending never get tiring. it is a truly wonderful story and wonderfully told and illustrated by this duo.

"Yorkie Doodle Dandy" is a great story, obviously written with a deep love. It offers a different dimension to typical war stories. The story's heroine, a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky, is absolutely incredible, as is her master, Bill Wynne. They are proof positive of the deep and enduring relationship that can exist between a human being and a pet.

When you read this fantastic story, you'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll rejoice in the human/pet connection. This is a first person account of a wonderful relationship. I highly recommend it!

This is a great story, obviously written out of deep love and affection. Anyone who's ever loved a pet will love this book. Anyone interested in World War II will find a whole new facet of that story. Reading this book reaffirms Tom Brokaw's proclamation (and title of his book) This is the greatest generation. Bill Wynne is further proof of that and Smoky, the 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier is just an absolute wonder!

"Yorkie Doodle Dandy," is a heartwarming book that moves the reader from laughter to tears as the author recalls his World War II - and beyond - experiences with Smoky, a remarkable little Yorkshire Terrier. The four pound, four-legged angel was an award-winning mascot, as well as a war dog who strung telephone lines through an eight-inch drainage pipe under an airstrip in a combat area, saving several days' worth of work, and a much-loved companion. Following the War, she and Wynne entertained countless people doing a remarkable array of tricks. Readers will be grateful that Bill Wynne has chosen to share the story of his life with Smoky. Their adventures are to be savored. This highly entertaining book is one you'll want to read again and again.