Reviews (2)

One of the best genealogical books I've read!
I heartily recommend this book to any budding genealogists, and encourage them to read it sooner rather than later.
My favorite resource for assessing genealogical info
This book has become one of my most-used genealogical helpers. It discusses the broad categories of genealogical source info (census, will, land record, newspaper articles, etc.) and comments on the qualities tolook for to judge just how reliable the document is. I notched my reviewfrom five stars down to four only because the terminology used venturesinto tricky-to-follow "legalese" in a few places. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Reference   

Reviews (4)

Late Comer in the Cultural Disputes over the "True"
William's book is a psychological, epistemological, and ethical inquiry into the meaning of "the true" and what it means, derivatively, to be "truthful." Center stage to the intellectual dispute belongs those that deny that anything is true: Literary deconstruction, social constructionists, scientific paradigms, etc. The thrust of his argument is based on a fictive genealogy of the State of Nature designed to bring out, in abstract form, the functional elements of truthfulness. The operative word here is "functional" and how we ordinarily apply truth-telling to the world we find ourselves in. Truth-telling is both normative and operative. Instead of philosophically dry truth values, Williams raises the question of "values of truth," like sincerity and accuracy. Most of the book resides in describing ancillary aspects of this fictive state, as a running commentary on relativism in general, the importance of true-statements, and Rorty's pragmatic relativism in particular. Except for myopic humanities programs, the prevailing academic winds are no longer blasting behind William's opponents, so many of his arguments are dated and under-inflated. It's a very poignant exercise, but one that seems more tangential to the central theme than head-on polemics like Ellis' "Against Deconstruction," Kripke's "Naming and Necessity," Searle's "Social Construction," and Hirsch's "Validity of Interpretation." Primarily for philosophy students and libraries.

An important work
I found Williams' treatment of truth to be an important contribution. I thought well enough of it that I'm coming our of retirement to do a graduate course on the book in the Fall. Non-philosophers will find it tough going, but well worth the effort. I think this is an important book and everyone I've recommended it to has agreed with that judgment.

A Wonderful Intelligent Study, Although Slightly Wayward
Williams is one of the wisest and more learned of philosophers working in English, a man of capacious intelligence and brilliant insight, and a man gracious enough to have learned how to write lucid, enjoyable prose.I share Michael Colson's enthusiasm, although I share none of his worries or dislikes.His "Enemies List" is not mine.And I think it should not be Williams's.I remain unpersuaded that the account of what we mean by true discourse given by the bogeymen of postmodernity amounts to a denial that anything's true or that in matters of the mind "anything goes."Williams is on the right track but turns off a little too soon--in what amounts to a failure of attentiveness.But the second part of the book easily compensates for the occasional disappointments of the first part.One can feel he is not entirely fair to some of his philosophical contemporaries, and still feel a great deal of gratitude for the pleasure of his company. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Philosophy    3. Genealogy    4. Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. Political Science and International Relations    6. Religion   

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Reference   

Reviews (11)

A Pretty Good Name Book!
This name book by Barbara Kay Turner is good, sure there are name books out there that have more names listed but some of those books have names that are actually just madeup kreativ (creative) spellings and some names that are just too weird and aren't all that realistic. Don't get me wrong, I actually like some names that are different and unique but there are some name books that list things that are just too off the wall that a kid with the name would be made fun of in school for it. This name book has good names from the classics to some more modern names and I recommend this book.

A little dissapointing...
I was very excited to get this book, but I ended up being disappointed in the number of names included.Several of the names we were considering are not even in the book.It is a fun book to look through and the layout is great, but I think that there have to be better books out there.

Really, really good
This is, by far, my favorite name book.Each entry is clear and well organized with a little summary behind each name, including origin and meaning.Unlike many other name books, nicknames and spelling variations are, for the most part, reasonable and don't venture too far out into the land of absurdity and uselessness.It's not about quantity, but quality of names.Read more

Subjects:  1. Baby Names    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Dictionaries    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Names, Personal    6. Family & Relationships / Baby Names    7. Personal names    8. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (1)

A Must Have For Genealogists
This is a wonderful reference book for any genealogist to have in their home library.Most researchers working on American families depend on the federal census as a basic tool in constructing their family groups.Knowing where to find the records, what information they can give you, and how to use them to your best advantage are all covered in this wonderful book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bureau of the Census    2. Census    3. Genealogy    4. Methodology    5. Reference    6. Statistics    7. United States    8. United States.    9. Census data    10. Family history    11. USA   

Editorial Review

If you want to learn more about your family, now's the time to start.With the advent of the Internet, there's more information available than ever before, and it's easier to access now than in the good old days of musty libraries and records halls.Read more

Reviews (3)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, Second Edition
Very informative for the novice Genealogist.Helpful hints of where to look for information both online and in the library.
Great for the classroom
I have been using this book in a class I teach at the local Adult Education center.The class is 10 sessions of 3 hours each and the book provides a comprehensive overview on Genealogy on the internet.The author's information is well written and todate 75 students have enjoyed this book with me...

Very good resource book
Online Genealogy is a fun hobby that is increasing in popularity.It use to be a hassle trying to contact libraries and record halls by mail or telephone.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer network resources    2. Genealogy    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Internet - Web Site Directories    5. Online Services - Resource Directories    6. Reference    7. United States    8. Crafts & Hobbies / General    9. Internet   

Reviews (2)

"A Great Study Companion"
The Oxford's "Who's Who in the Classical World" is a quick and concise, authoritative and direct, way to understand the principle people of the age.From Lucius Accius to Zosimus the historian, this reference work covers the general milieu of Greco-Roman civilization.The detailed maps and timelines are an excellent study-aid, and also make up for the lack of illustrations throughout its duration.This is an easily accessible and convenient reference tool, and for this reason it stands out above its counter-part, "The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization," which is more bulky, expensive, and less appealing to anyone simply ready to deal with real people and real events.However, this edition does to a certain extent deal with the many Mythological gods and heroes, with its in-depth analysis of Greek and Roman authors and their literature; for this, everyone will be satisfied.Despite the absence of a few influential people, the five hundred people excellently portrayed here will suffice.This reference work is thoroughly recommended.

Useful reference to the Classical World
Oxford provides with us concise biographies of almost 500 real (as opposed to mythical) people from the Classical Period. The biographies were written by 190 experts and range from a paragraph to several pages, covering rulers, politicians, artists, authors, philosophers and scientists. Seperate chronologies are provided for the Greece and the East and Rome and the West.Five maps are also included.An excellent reference for the student and general public. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Ancient - Rome    3. Ancient Greece - History    4. Ancient Rome - History    5. Classical biography    6. Dictionaries    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. History - General History    11. History: World    12. Reference    13. Ancient Greece    14. Ancient Rome    15. Classical Studies | Ancient History    16. Designed / suitable for A & AS Level    17. Dictionaries of biography (Who's Who)    18. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    19. History / Ancient / Greece    20. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (2)

It's an good introduction to revolutionary history
The book tells the history of a wide range of women characters that played important roles during the revolutionary period. The style is very readable and holds your attention.The author does a good job of blending the important moments of history with enough of a personal portrait of the women, to make you want to keep turning the pages and learn more. The layout is very nice too with lots of great pictures and diagrams.It gives a good presentation of the multicultural America that was emerging at this time and shows this diversity without making us feel like it's forced.It's obvious that the author knows her subject. I bought it to help my thirteen year old in history and it was a hit with her.

Fun, tough, inspirational women
Lively writing enhances the wonderful stories of the women that Mary Furbee features in her book.The women, from all types of backgrounds, inspire young girls to face adversity head on.As we all search for role models in the face of media onslaughts, these women are strong, smart and unique individuals.The writing and the strong descriptive components, combined with interesting historical details, provide a sense of the world and the times in which these women lived.Wonderful stuff! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775    5. Girls & Women    6. History    7. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Study Aids - General    11. United States    12. Women    13. American history: c 1500 to c 1900    14. Historical figures    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods    16. USA    17. Women & girls    18. c 1600 to c 1700    19. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (4)

A simply outstanding and highly recommended translation resource
Expertly compiled by Ernest Thode and originally published in 1992, this new edition of German-English Genealogical Dictionary is comprised of thousands of German terms defined as single words, symbols, and succinct phrases specifically selected on their relevance to genealogical research. These are words and terms found in German church records, civil registration records, family correspondence, genealogical journals, ships' passenger lists, as well as emigration records. Utilizing German-English Genealogical Dictionary, a simply outstanding and highly recommended translation resource, aspiring American genealogists will be able to decipher and interpret any German document in the course of the genealogical inquiries.
Too many mistakes
I am doing translation work for a family website.Although I am a native German, I bought this book in the hope that it would provideoldfashioned, genealogical and historical terms and titles with which I am not familiar and which are not contained in modern dictionaries.From the description on your website I even mentioned it to some of my fellow translators, offering to test it before recommending it.
Excellent Resource
I do a lot of research in German records and I have found this book to be an invaluable aid. I refer to it again and again. German, Latin and other terms found in German records (especially church books) are translated intoEnglish. The book even has bit of information about the hard to read Germanscript. It also covers numbers, months, common names and those weirdsymbols you sometimes find in German records. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. English    3. Genealogy    4. German    5. German language    6. Reference    7. Family history   

Reviews (9)

A Timeless Classic By One Of The Best Biographers In History
Plutarch in his "Lives Of The Noble Grecians And Romans" written around 100 C.E., sheds new light on Greek and Roman history from their Bronze Age beginnings, shrouded in myth, down through Alexander and late Republican Rome.Plutarch is the lens that we use today to view the Greco-Roman past; his work has shaped our perceptions of that world for 2,000 years.Plutarch writes of the rise of Roman Empire while Gibbon uses his scholarship to advance the story to write about its decline.He was a proud Greek that was equally effected by Roman culture, a Delphic priest, a leading Platonist, a moralist, educator and philosopher with a deep commitment as a first rate writer.Being a Roman citizen, Plutarch was afforded the opportunity to become an intimate friend to prominent Roman citizens and a member of the literary elite in the court of Emperor Trajan.
Excellent for the closet Romaphile
Plutarch is not a historian often seen in the diluted cirriculum of the modern American High School, but I would argue that his love of the dramatic, moving battle scenes,and relatively easy-to-comprehend style would do much do endear the modern student to ancient Rome. WHY THE REPUBLIC FELL?
I feel a bit strange writting a review about any classic. Its a bit like writing a review of the Koran or the Bible. There is a reason why all these books are classics, and the reason is that they give some glimpse at the immutable nature of mankind. Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. History - General History    3. Ancient Rome    4. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    5. History / Ancient / Rome   

Reviews (4)

Family Photos
Glad to find this book, Maureen Taylor does an excellent job of identifying old photos and this book helps you do it yourself.

Great Book
This book helped immensely in trying to identify individuals.I was able to date the photograph and put a name to a face.

A real help to genealogists!
This book has great value to the genealogist.When confronted with unidentified photographs, we often despair of ever identifying the subjects.This book offers real assistance with this. Author Maureen Taylor offers detailed information on using clues inphotographs themselves to identify their subjects.One example on pages 42-43 shows a street scene in Providence, Rhode Island.Since the photo contains telephone lines, research can place the image after 1881, the year telephone service was introduced there.The date can be even more precisely determined by other internal details of the photo. The book's appendices include a "Timeline of Photographic History" and an excellent bibliography of sources. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. General    3. History    4. Portrait photography    5. Reference   

Reviews (3)

A great book for new genealogists
This is a great "how to" book for beginning genealogists and a good reference book for anyone searching for their ancestors.

Comprehensive
I'm new at genealogy, but I'm having a lot of fun learning about my ancestors. This book explains absolutely everything about locating your family in history, particularly how to use the internet to find out about your ancestors. Read a chapter, then follow its summary to locate a great, great, great grandparent.

A First Class Reference For All Genealogists
When I first began researching my genealogy in the 1980's, I made sure that I read all the "how-to-do-it" books in print.I had quickly learned that I was becoming involved in something more than looking at a census or filling out a chart.Learning from others with more experience helped me develop my research skills and saved me from a lot of trial and error learning.As genealogy has become one of the most popular pursuits, the need for guidance has grown, too.The number of those "how-to" books has increased, but some offer more than others, especially since technology has come to play such a large role in our research.This book fills a real need.Read more

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Reference    4. United States    5. Computers / General   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. England    4. Genealogy    5. Reference    6. Social conditions    7. Social life and customs    8. British & Irish history: from c 1900 -    9. British Isles    10. Reference / Genealogy    11. Social history    12. c 1900 - c 1914   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (7)

there are no answers here
While the book is well-written, there are no answers here.There are women who need to stick to their priorities and accept the tradeoffs that come with them (Meredith Viera) and who need to take a realistic look at the choices they've made (Rachael Worby).These are women having trouble making a career and family function despite having no real financial constraints, yet they still can't do it.I suppose this should make the rest of us feel better, but I found it quite depressing.

Excellent Portrayal
I'm writing this review primarily to refute Milly's poor rating of this book. While I completely agree with her comments about Meredith and Rachel, I feel the author did an excellent jobportraying all the women for who they truly are. It is a relief to see that people who seem to have it all really are like the rest of us and struggle with the same issues we do. It is also wonderful to see the different ways these women deal with their issues, whether they do so in a healthy manner or not. More stories like this are needed
I've read alot of magazines on women in the working world;but, none of them ever step thru the decision making process this well. These are people facing extremely tough challenges, usuallyalone (or with friends who are not actually in the same "trenches", but are looking at the challenge from afar.)Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Political    4. Sociology    5. United States    6. Vieira, Meredith    7. Women    8. Women's Studies - General    9. Worby, Rachael    10. Biography & Autobiography / Political    11. Estabrook, Alison   

Reviews (10)

Debunking the Myth of the 'Murdered Magicians'
Peter Partner's 'The Murdered Magicians: The Knights Templar and Their Myth' is a book no serious student of the Medieval crusading order of the Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon should be without. For anyone whose knowledge of the Templars comes from the nonsense written by Baigent and Leigh in 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail' Partner's book is a must-read-but only if they are interested in historical fact and not the fantasies of the type offered under the guise of scholarship by popular authors like Baigent and Leigh. A brilliant historical look at the Templar Knights
This book is not for anyone hoping to keep delusions about the Templar Knights.It does in places draw conclusions that are non-sequitur, but the history presented is factual according to reliable sources.As the author points out, it is possible that some of the crimes and 'heresies' attributed to the Templars could have been performed by some Templars, but it is unlikely that all of them performed the described rituals.The purported worship of 'Baphomet', for example, was probably created under the duress of torture.'Baphomet' is the French word for Mohamad at the time, and the various descriptions given seem to be people searching for a way to stop being tortured.Did the Templars hold onto holy objects like the Ark of the Covenant, the Shroud of Turin, or the Holy Grail?These are questions that are not addressed in this book, except with an enduring scepticism.However, the author does leave room for possibilities.As a historically accurate depiction, it should preclude any such searches as a basis for knowledge.It is an interesting and factual look, with a fascinating plot.

Factual yet full of opinion
First and foremost, Partner has done an excellent job of combining facts about the ancient order and the "mythology" that surrounds them.The only backdrop to all of his hard work and effort is the fact that he randonly throughout the book refers to facts without supporting them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. History    3. Institutions & Organizations    4. Magick Studies    5. Medieval World History (Circa 450 - Circa 1450)    6. Mysticism    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. Occultism    10. Templars    11. Europe    12. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    13. Social Science / Freemasonry   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Charleston    5. Charleston (S.C.)    6. Ethnic Studies - General    7. History    8. Jews    9. Jews In The U.S.    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Religious    12. Rubens family    13. South Carolina    14. South Carolina - Local History    15. United States - State & Local - General    16. Biography: general    17. Central Southern states    18. Family history    19. Jewish studies    20. USA   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)    3. History / United States / State & Local    4. History: American    5. Modern - 18th Century    6. Campaigns    7. Civil War, 1861-1865    8. Diaries    9. Genealogy    10. Missouri    11. United States    12. United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)    13. United States - State & Local   

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Great Britain    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Reference    5. United States    6. Reference / Genealogy   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Galveston    5. Galveston (Tex.)    6. Genealogy    7. General    8. Jews    9. Jews In The U.S.    10. Kempner family    11. Texas    12. Jewish studies    13. Population & demography    14. Social history    15. USA   

Reviews (4)

practical guide for newbies and technophobes
i generally have found the for dummies series to be helpful, and this book is no exception -- you can sit down, thumb through it, and create a photo album online quickly without having to wade through any technical jargon or fluff. i'm no slouch in the web development department and even i found lots to like about this book -- it has helped me explain certain concepts and steps to my less technical family members. i'm including it with my standard baby shower package from now on (which also includes an aromatherapy relaxation candle, lip moisturizer, charmin-to-go, dove facial cleansing wipes, hand sanitizer, and other small items that new moms appreciate).

Good Way to get Started on Web Work.
As with the other For Dummies books, this book is intended for beginners and absolutely minimizes the jargon. At the most basic level the book provides a series of templates that can be used with a fill in the blank approach to get a site up and running quickly. Then it branches out to increasing the creativity by designing your own pages. At this level there is almost no mention of dynamic database driven sites. This is building a static web site with pictures and text. This is a book to get you started.
Keeps granny happy
If you've ever been bugged for photos from the family reunion, or wanted to show off your new kid/cat/car, this book actually makes it seem easy.I know, I know, putting up your own website has a reputation like dragging all your neighbors in and making them sit through your vacation slides used to.But this book shows you how you can still show off a little, without boring everyone to tears.Actually, you can do some pretty neat stuff, which can be really fun when your family is scattered all over, and you don't feel like running up the long-distance bills just so you can keep up on current events.
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Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Books: Web Programming    3. Computer network resources    4. Computers    5. Design    6. Family    7. Genealogy    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Web publishing    10. Web sites    11. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    12. Multimedia