Reviews (8)

More than you expect!
I bought this book with the intention of naming our firstborn with a Hawaiian middle name to pay homage to his roots.Da book delivered and then some!The book has many, many Hawaiian names to read through, along with short (and generally flattering) definitions.It also talks about the roots to MANY non-Hawaiian names, which was an addition that I didn't expect - very cool!Finally, the book was well thought out - not thrown together by some company to make a buck, but written by a local who obviously cared about the result.

Excellent Writing Reference....
Eileen Root's book on Hawaii'an and English names is an excellent reference for writers and for those who are looking for names for their children. The first half is a list of Hawaii'an names and their definitions. The second half is a list of Anglo names and their Hawaii'an equivalent. I like one book.....
This is a great little book to have if you need to look up Hawaiian names or refresh your memory of the Hawaiian language. I find it very enjoyable to browse and I am very happy to have it in my library. Never a disappointment....... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. Hawaii    3. Hawaiian    4. Names    5. Names, Personal    6. Reference   

Reviews (1)

A New Look At The Family
I found this book to be most interesting because it made me think about my own family stories in an entirely new way. Why do we care about certain traits, how we define ourselves, what measures success - the answers areburied in those family stories - the ones we choose to retell, that is. Ihave used this book in classes, as well as in rethinking my own family.Fun, and thought provoking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family Relationships    5. Folklore    6. Genealogy    7. Interpersonal Relations    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - Marriage & Family    10. Tales    11. United States    12. Social Science / Sociology / General    13. Reference    14. Domestic relations    15. Family life    16. Social Science   

Reviews (26)

Character Naming, A Problem for Every Writer, Solved Right Here
I write short stories and my husband is a novelist, so we are always on the lookout for good names for our characters. If we see a good name in a newspaper or meet someone who has a good name, we write it down. For example, I just met a car salesman named Donovan Smith. What a cool name, so it's in my handy, dandy, little notebook. However, we write a lot and we're not going to find all the names we need that way. Besides, we don't want to get sued, so generally we make them up and for help doing that we turn to three reference books, books that will make the life of any writer of fiction a tiny bit easier.
Every writer needs this book
I have owned this book for several years, and its worn binding and dog-eared pages are proof of how wonderful of a resource it is.As every good writer knows, names have power, and this book gives you that power.The book is divided into sections based on ethnicity and nationality.And has a well done index to look up your favorite name.Including information on how to form surnames and understanding the name construction of more complicated cultures (not everyone puts first name first, you know), this book is a worthwhile investment in your career.Make no mistake, this isn't some cheesy baby name book.You'll find the perfect name to create your character's personality.

Such a Great Resource
This book should sit atop your desk alongside your thesaurus & dictionary. It is wonderfully full of descriptive names! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Characters and characteristics in literature    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Creative Writing    4. Dictionaries    5. Genealogy    6. Literature (Specific Aspects)    7. Names, Personal    8. Personal names    9. Reference    10. Rhetoric    11. Writing & editing guides   

Editorial Review

Just what kind of book is Read more

Reviews (21)

If nothing else, certainly brilliant and thought-provoking
Let us Now Praise Famous Men, in all its poetry and prose, reminds me of an epic, like the Hindu Mahabharata or Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. The lyrical narrative reveals just as much, if not more about Agee, than his subjects. His writing style excludes his subjects as readers.
Topic great, writers not so great.
The eloquence of composition surely necessitated infinite use of superlatives and verbs, resulting in a requisite painstaking remostrance to the reader, thus fettering the effusion and disembogulation of the document.In other words, wouldn't it have been better to just leave all of the fluff out of the book and just write as if the reader is someone other than the Queen of England?If you can weed through all of excessive use poems and verbs, it's a halfway decent book

I thought I hated it at points, but I've never been able to get it out of my head.
This book is an amazing work of art.At times it's baffling, and at times almost impertinent--like when the author decides to describe every object in an entire home, and yet in all these things and in all the conflicting emotions it evokes, it creates a mood and a feeling and a setting that will seep into your skin and fog your brain for months.
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Subjects:  1. Alabama    2. Farm tenancy    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Literature: Classics    6. Poverty    7. United States - 20th Century    8. United States - State & Local - General    9. Family history    10. Genealogy   

Subjects:  1. Death, Grief, Bereavement    2. Epitaphs    3. General    4. Reference    5. Sociology    6. Reference / General   

Reviews (1)

Somerset maughamismness
I felt this book was interesting and useful in my research concerning the life and work of W. Somerset Maugham.Robin, Somerset's nephew, adds interesting insights into the life and heritage of the Maughams.The book is mainly about Somerset Maughams as well as a genelogy of the Maughams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (William Somerset),    2. 1874-1965    3. 1916-    4. 1916-1981    5. 20th century    6. Authors, English    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Family    9. Family relationships    10. General    11. Maugham, Robin,    12. Maugham, W. Somerset    13. Family history    14. Maugham family    15. Maugham, Frederic Herbert Maugham    16. Maugham, Robin   

Editorial Review

Whether you want to whip up a light and fluffy story of your family for the next holiday gathering, or craft the world's greatest novel by drawing upon your personal and family history, this is a very practical writing guide appropriate for experienced writers and complete novices alike. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good approaches to writing interestingly about your family.
I found this book extremely well-written, the American English, fluid and entertainly written, the contents structured for ease of use, the contents clear, succinct and in depth. It is filled with very helpful tips and outstanding quoted examples of family histories, biographical sketches and memoirs, showing how your genealogical research, your family stories and tales, and your raw family statistics can be assembled to showcase your family. Lots of samples, but not much else
The author included lots of excerpts from different family histories - but didn't have much information about how to do the background research, how to organize your records or how to craft stories out of a pile of dates and other records. I didn't find the book particularly useful.

Family History And Memoirs
I am working on my family history and this book will really help me. When you get into something new you need some kind of help and I really think this book is going to help alot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Autobiography    3. Genealogy    4. Reference    5. Report writing    6. Writing Skills    7. Family history    8. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (4)

story was weak
I tend to agree with reviewer, Margaret Ogilvie, about this book.I was interested in learning more about style icon, Babe Paley, and her family and although the author did tell the interesting story of her upbringing (father was famous brain surgeon, Henry Cushing) and subsequent marriages of the 3 sisters, I found the story lacked substance. I didn't really feel I left the book knowing anything more about Babe Paley or her sisters.I learned, for instance, that Betsy married to FDR's son and they had a troubled marriage but it (Grafton's story) seemed like distant heresay. I've read great biographies and this was not one - I felt I was, as Margaret Ogilvie said, reading a compilation of newsclippings. I read through this book, unimpressed and rather disappointed.I'm hoping there are other books available about the Cushing sisters, specifically Babe Paley.

A Fascinating Family
The Cushing Sisters were an intriguing trio, by now largely forgotten except for their nearest and dearest. Groundbreaking neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing of Boston had three beautiful daughters born at the cusp of the 20th Century, but it was his wife who raised their girls with the single goal of making good marriages. An era no longer . . .
....Granted, not a great book - but a very good one. To me - this is a fasinating look at an era that exists no longer. These women led extremely interesting lives - not only in the people they married - but the way in which they chose to live them. Try and get a copy of this book - you won't regret it. It is one of my favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1908-    2. 20th century    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cushing family    7. Fosburgh, Minnie Astor    8. Genealogy    9. General    10. Paley, Babe Mortimer    11. Sisters    12. Social life and customs    13. United States    14. Upper class    15. Whitney, Betsey Cushing Roosev    16. Women    17. Women In The U.S.    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Whitney, Betsey Cushing Roosevelt   

Reviews (19)

Excellent Resource on Names
Most of us can probably relate to having the same experience with people of the same name - for example maybe every Kelly you've met has been very kind.Names have their own associated energy and are part of why we have certain personalities.This book does an excellent job of explaining why names have these characteristics.
its a fun and entertaining book....
This book is a cool book. It was fun and entertaining to read. I found my name in it. And i didnt expect to since my name is soo old fashioned and not so popular. It gave me alot of insight into well...me. I enjoyed reading names of my family in it and learning things about them that i am sure they dont even know. I would reccommend this book as a form of entertainment.

don't expect the book to do all the work
Great book. Like the three different interpretations. But don't expect it to do all the work for you. If the meaning of your name doesn't fit exactly, look up variations. I have also found if you look up your "nick name" it tends to be more accurate, especially when it greatly differs from your given name. If your name isn't in the book look up a name with similar Consonant letters. Go from the index in the back. For "Summer" use the name "Sumara" For "Bunny" look up "Bonnie" Nothing is going to be exact, but if you take a few extra minutes your findings will prove to be very accurate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Cabala    4. Divination - General    5. Miscellanea    6. Names, Personal    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. New Thought    10. Numerology    11. Psychological aspects    12. Runes    13. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Thought    14. Personal names   

Reviews (3)

Not much for real content
You really wont learn much about leadership from this expensive tome.Its just a compilation of short sketches about people who are known for leadership.Nothing in depth at all.I regret having spent the money on this book.I should have looked it over more closely before buying it.

A Wealth of Leadership "Nuggets"
Is this an encyclopedia? Or a biographical dictionary? Or a history of leadership? Or an "A to Z guide to power"? Actually, it is all of the above. Axelrod organizes his material within 14 categories which range from Character Model to Visionary. The common denominators among the 158 different leaders' lives and careers are "significance of achievement and excellence of execution." Each individual entry is organized according to name of subject, with birth and death dates; the leadership category (or categories) to which he or she is assigned by Axelrod; leadership achievements (a bullet list); a concise life narrative; and leadership lessons revealed in the subject's life and career. For many of the entries, Axelrod also includes key leadership quotations, "In His Own Words" or "In Her Own Words." The 158 subjects are arranged in alphabetical order, from Abbas the Great (1571-1629) to Yang Chen (died 1604). For obvious reasons, Axelrod includes entries devoted to Alexander the Great, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I, Mohandas Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon I, and George Washington. IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM THE LIVES OF GREAT LEADERS!
This is a monumental and absorbing collection of 200 brief profiles of the lives of great leaders, highlighting their achievements. More than just a collection biographies, the author has classified each leader into three or more key leadership type categories, such as innovator, motivator or strategist, listing them accordingly in a special index. Each profile is broken down into: 1) name, birth and death dates; 2) leadership categories; 3) achievements; 4) life profile, with emphasis on career; and 5) a bullet list of leadership lessons, plus a few quotations in some instances. The leaders chosen for this immense work are drawn from all areas of life-politics, military, religion-and range across the historical landscape, from Hammurabi and Julius Ceasar to Margaret Thatcher and Colin Powell. We at Stern's Management Review Online find this a gem of a book for anyone who seeks a greater understanding of the nature of successful leadership-or who enjoys gaining insights from the lives of those who have shaped history . ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Business    4. Business & Economics    5. Business/Economics    6. Historical - General    7. Leadership    8. Men    9. Women    10. World history    11. History / General    12. Management & management techniques    13. USA   

Reviews (4)

Maureen Taylor
Does an excellent job of organizing and establishing time lines for photos.Very glad to find a copy.

Information Vague and Contradictory
Taylor may give readers a good place to start in their efforts to preserve family photographs, but offers information that is both contradictory and vague. Excellent for do-it-yourself photo preservation
For me, studying old photos is one of the more fascinating aspects of family research, even when I'm not related to any of the people whose faces appear. The military uniforms, hats, parlor furniture, automobiles, urban scenes, and especially the faces and their expressions, are like a kind of time travel, allowing you to peer back into someone's past. Taylor's previous book, _Uncovering Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs,_ investigated that process. But how to protect the photos you already have tucked away in albums have so future family members will get the same pleasure (and information) from them? And how to rehabilitate those you discover to whom the years and the elements have not been kind? This time, the author outlines the steps you can take to see that your photographs have the best chance of survival and describes the methods conservators and restoration experts follow when the task becomes too much for you. She also guides you through the process of creating a meaningful scrapbook of archival quality, discusses the use of computer enhancement and electronic archives, and points out the legal aspects of posting photographs on a web site. Most of the chapters end with checklists and answers to frequently-asked questions, and there are many sidebars and brief marginal comments regarding further reading and useful Internet resources on the subject. Keeping in mind that the technical aspects of photographic restoration and preservation continue to evolve rapidly, this is an excellent beginner's guide and reference handbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Genealogy    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Management    6. Papercrafts    7. Photograph collections    8. Photographs    9. Photographs in genealogy    10. Reference    11. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    12. Photography & Photographs    13. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

enthusiastic fun
What's great here, in addition to stellar photos and high production values (what kind of paper is this?) is the surprising quality of the selection of the people.I like seeing boxers and map makers, basketballplayers and glass blowers set next to each other.

To surpass oneself is among life's greatest rewards
Wayne Gretzky's retirement from hockey seems a fitting occasion to remark on the phenomenal collection of virtuosos Ken Carbone has gathered together in his new book. The gift of a Virtuoso like Gretzky, and of this book, isthe realization that absolute focus and dedication to a passion can leadone beyond oneself. That message resounds like a gong through thehandsomely designed pages and expressive photographs of The Virtuoso. Thethrill of sharing a Virtuoso's talent is the transcendence it offers, thevisceral feeling that one is witnessing, in the Eastern sense, life livedfully in the moment. Inspiration, indeed.

Buy this book for everyone you care about
Joseph Campbell's sadly over-used expression "Follow your bliss" is personified in the 40 profiles that fill the pages of The Virtuoso. What a revelation to find that the world possesses such remarkable individualsin places we might least expect to find them. The Virtuoso says much abouttaking risks, about going as far as you can to arrive at a place that islarger than yourself. Love, and a dash of madness, are at the core of everychoice a Virtuoso makes, shaping the lives of these extraordinary talentsin the most unimagined ways, and those who come into contact with them. Ittakes a vision to see the vision in others. Clearly this author has that.Bravo! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Case studies    3. Creativity    4. General    5. Genius    6. Gifted persons    7. Photo Essays    8. Photoessays & Documentaries    9. Photography    10. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    11. Biography: general    12. Photographs: portraits   

Reviews (5)

for Artists and craftsmen - a true delight
Incredibly indepth coverage of Japanese family crests; a wealth of information on the subject.Detailed designs give rise to much inspiration to artists and crafters who enjoy Japanese history and culture.

Elements of Japanese Design:Handbook of Family Crests, Heraldry & Symbolism
Thank You, for such a great book it has helped my research and photography tremendously. The information given is quite helpful. Thank You Again, E.Ortiz

It's more than what you think it is!
I didn't realize the true value of this book until a year after I had initially read it. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Asia - Japan    3. Asian    4. General    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Heraldry    7. History    8. Science    9. Art / Design / Decorative    10. Family history    11. Genealogy    12. Japan    13. Oriental art   

Reviews (3)

An invaluable contribution to genealogical reference
Now in an updated second edition, genealogy research expert Brian Mitchell's A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland is a very straightforward, accessible reference, presenting maps of each Irish county. Each county has five maps: one depicting the Church of Ireland parishes, one showing the baronies and Church of Ireland dioceses, one of the poor law unions and parishes included within probate districts, one of Roman Catholic parishes and dioceses, and a fifth set of maps for the nine counties of Northern Ireland shows Presbyterian congregations. Since civil registration for everyone in Ireland didn't begin until 1864, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland is an extremely useful reference for tracing ancestors who lived prior to 1864. An invaluable contribution to genealogical reference and resource materials.

Now in a new and expanded second edition
Now in a new and expanded second edition, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland by genealogical expert Brian Mitchell has added maps detailing the location of Roman Catholic parishes in all thirty-two counties of Ireland, and Presbyterian congregations in the nine counties of Northern Ireland. A complete geographical picture of the three major religious dominations in Ireland during the middle years of the 19th century is another newly added feature. An invaluable reference and guide for doing genealogical research for an Irish ancestry, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland continues to be an indispensable, core addition to personal, professional, and genealogical society reference collections.

go on erin
t' de flo' wid y ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - Historical    2. Europe - Ireland    3. Genealogy    4. Reference   

Reviews (1)

The Official Guide to Family Tree Maker 2006
Very informative.User friendly. Well written and well organized. Lots of illustrations to go along with the text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer programs    2. Data processing    3. Genealogy    4. Reference    5. Research   

Reviews (5)

Great Book! Prompt Shipping
Has something in it for EVERYONE literally and for every occasion, you'll never be at a loss for words with this book!

a thousand good quick reads
I enjoyed this book throughly! It's an excellent resource for speech writing or for creating your own personal fables (to be passed on through conversation and lessons). I also liked how many of the stories were cross referenced when multiple people were involved, and how a few of them were retold in different ways when listed under different people. Good AND terrible
As the other reviewer said, a fabulous book that is absolutely awful as an e-book.I have the hard copy, and use it frequently for speeches and talks.It is brilliant - pick one up, and you will sit down with it.But the e-book is as bad as the other reviewer mentioned - all the portabilitiy in the world can't make up for impossible searches and slowness.If I could get my money back, I would... Maybe it's just Microsoft Reader, but regardless, it makes the book virtually unusable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Biography    3. Dictionaries    4. General    5. Quotations    6. Reference    7. Dictionaries of quotations    8. English    9. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works    10. Reference / Quotations   

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. General Society of Mayflower D    3. Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)    4. Reference    5. United States   

Reviews (3)

Pseudonyms, Pseudonyms, Pseudonyms
The book is a great source of information.It could be a "must have" for any genealogist, amateur or professional. The extensive use of pseudonyms detracts from the importance of the sample documentation given.I could barely get through reading the numerous sample documents or reports from Traditional Storey to Ima Goodresearcher! I would recommend using real names and not ficticious ones in the next edition.

Absolutely essential for any genealogist!
If you're serious about the research you do on your family's history -- if you're not satisfied with merely collecting names, if you expect to see proof for statements made by other researchers, if you want those who come after you to be able to pick up where you've left off -- then this review can be boiled down a simple statement: Read this book. Buy it, consult it regularly, learn its principles. Since 1964, the BCG has developed and promulgated reliable methods for genealogical research, standards for proof, and a code of ethics for genealogists. This Manual is designed to clarify, codify, and present these standards in an easily accessible form. The first section presents standards for genealogical proof, data collection, and evaluation of evidence, the second lays out standards for genealogical instructors, lecturers, and authors, and the third discusses continuing genealogical education. These are followed by seven lengthy appendices that give examples of lineage compilations and the proof summaries that should accompany them, the most widely accepted formats for lineage publication, and researcher client reports -- which are a very useful tool even if you're only doing research for yourself. There certainly are thousands of books out there begging genealogists to buy them, but the "essential" bookshelf for American researchers is really rather small: _The Source,_ Greenwood's _Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy,_ Everton's _Handybook,_ perhaps _Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives,_ and a few others. The _Manual_ should be on that shelf.

Doing genealogy the right way
Since its start in 1964, the Board for Certification of Genealogists has promoted standards of competence and ethics in genealogy designed to protect the public, the consumer, and the profession of genealogy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Board for Certification of Gen    2. Board for Certification of Genealogists (Washington, D.C.)    3. Certification    4. Genealogists    5. Genealogy    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Reference   

Reviews (2)

Top of the Top 25
Great literature names , Great stories behind namesBut need more names. This book is really by CArol MCD Wallace. She has anotherbook out The Penguin Classic Baby namebook. Be carefulthat is a reprint of this book don't buy 2.

More for literature buffs than parents to be
This book is not a conventional baby name book - it lists names that are included in the Penguin Classics series of books. It does not include 20th Century classics though, which is a big let down. It is not a book you would probably use solely if you were trying to find a name for your child-to-be - many, if not the majority, of names are not really those you would consider - Minnehaha perhaps? And certain books seem to be mentioned a little too much - `Orlando Furioso' must have a cast of thousands if the number of times it is mentioned in this book is anything to go by.Read more

Subjects:  1. Baby Names    2. Characters and characteristics    3. Characters and characteristics in literature    4. Dictionaries    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Names, Personal    9. Family & Relationships / General    10. Personal names    11. Pregnancy, birth & baby care