Boys Books

I purchased this book close to a year ago for my son's 8th birthday. He loved it, and he continues to regularly read the book. Also, he has developed an interest in birds and birdwatching. This was a great purchase and I recommend it. Now I am shopping for his 9th birthday and am looking for aome Audubon prints for him.

My 5 children,ranging in age from 3-11 years,were absolutely captivated by this book. The author tells the story of a young John James Audubon and the illustrator brings the story alive thru rich mediums. This book is a perfect stepping stone to a variety of unit studies.

John James Audubon loved nature and the outdoors as a child, and was determined to study birds in the wild rather than from books even as early as 1804. Jacqueline Davies' lively story of his youth and pioneering attitude will reach grades 3-6 with an excellent survey of his pioneering observational techniques. Drawings by Melissa Sweet provide lovely accompaniment to the story of the naturalist's early years.

Like a bird's song, the lyrical text by Jacqueline Davies is both simple and rich with undertones--the repetition of pattern, the careful selection of noun and verb, the staccato rhythm interspersed with longer musical lines. Paired with the exquisite collage art of Melissa Sweet, it is a perfect marriage. Children will love to pour over the tiny details in the illustrations. Teachers will revel in the biographical details of the text. All readers will come away with a feeling of enormous admiration for John James Audubon, whose passion gave the world so much knowledge and beauty.

I loved reading this beautiful book with my nieces and nephew. There's so much to look at in the illustrations, and the writing flows naturally like the countryside Audubon explored. Children will be inspired to conduct their own investigations in the outside world after reading this. Each time you read this book, you find new things to look at and words to enjoy.

I enjoyed reading THE BOY WHO LOVED TO SHIM-SHAM SHIMMY. It would be nice if every young boy had a grandfather like Boomps--somebody who wants to make life more joyful and fun for a little boy who still thinks anything's possible.

The Boy Who Loved To Shim-Sham Shimmy by author/illustrator M. D. Osborne is the story of a young African-American boy who loves to tap dance for his grandfather. The grandfather encourages his love of dancing with a special gift, but when the boy falls down during his dance at school he is embarrassed. His grandfather teaches him that it's important to dance the way the feels right (and promises him real, appropriately balanced tap shoes instead of the makeshift shoes the boy was using!) The boy learns the importance of expressing his heart and doing what he most loves to do in this toe-tapping friendly tale.

"The boy who loved to shim sham shimmy" was an enjoyable read. To me, the content had a nostalgic feel to it; the author's use of certain phrases and the way the text and the illustrations were blended together on the page reminded me of how I felt as a child reading books (quite a few decades ago!). The illustrations were excellent, but the pictures the author painted with description were even more compelling. As a reader, it was as if it was me experiencing the sensations being described. The story itself was inspiring; capturing the exuberance of youth and Timmy's love for dancing. I would strongly recommend this book. It is full of hope and has a wonderful message.

My daughter and I read this book. We enjoyed reading about the relationship the grandfather and grandson shared. My daughter is a dancer and wants to order a copy for her teacher. She turned in a book report for her class at school and her teacher inquired about the book.

The author sure reached me and then some. This book has everything I base my life on: family, valuing each day for what it is, dreams, ambitions, courage, and most of all love. Don't know how the author managed all that, but just can't wait to read it to my great granchildren. The only thing I can say is "it definitly must be a serial" I need to hear how Timmy makes it thru High School and College and how Boomps helps him realize his dreams.

This book is very well written and the description of battle and encampment life is very accurate. I loved the beginning of the book, the Battle of Shiloh, and then the flash back to the prior 6 months. I had a hard time putting the book down, and the ending was brilliant. Bring on the sequel!

Set in 1862 during the American Civil War, The Boys from Kalamazoo by t. J. Johnston is a fictional account of the famous Kalamazoo Sharpshooters. Lending a vibrant freshness to a yesteryear world of American history peopled with the heroes, villains, ordinary soldiers, and citizenry who fought and died in the toils and turmoils of a bloody civil war, The Boys From Kalamazoo is entertaining, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and quite vivid in its portrayal of a war-torn America.

The Boys from Kalamazoo is a very good book. It provided a vivid description of what happened during the beginning of the Civil War. I am 12 years old and I was never interested in historical fiction until I read this book. I didn't think it was possible to like a type of book so much after reading it only once. My dad got this book for me and he read it too. T.J. Johnston is a very talented writer and I can't wait until he makes another book.

Johnston covers the less historically focused Western Theater of the American Civil War with the same battle detail and accuracy as Bernard Cornwell covers the Eastern Theater in his Starbuck Chronicles. Johnston captures the true essence of the men that fought and suffered in the Civil War. As with all U.S. wars, ordinary young men who were farmers, shopkeeps, mill operators, etc... from small towns across the country like Kalamazoo, MI did extraordinary things. A great story set in accurate historical context, I hope there's a sequel!

Highly recommended! The book is well balanced providing interest for Civil War fanatics, and an enjoyable easy read for those just looking for a simple but action packed story. For historians, and Michiganders in particular, it provides an entertaining drama to supplement the factual course of events for this band of home grown sharpshooters. The battle scenes are brought to life without being overly gruesome and the fast paced action moves you quickly from event to event. It has the feel of a TV mini series and leaves you wanting to carry on with the next book - bring on the sequel!

I picked up this picture book for my two sons, ages 6 and 4, thinking I'd introduce them to the world of Superman. The book honors the creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but the story is just too "fan-centric" for young kids who are experiencing Superman for the first time.

I want to be absolutely clear. This book is a beautiful picture book, a work of love and a book that any die-hard Superman fan would be proud to own. However, it is not a book for young children, especially children under 6. I would consider introducing this book to older children attending grade school for their book report. Jerry and Joe's hardest years are summarized in the book's final three pages. Understandably, poverty, depression and lawsuits are harder to convey in picture book form.

I give a 4-star rating for Superman fans but recommend parents of young children look elsewhere to find a Superman story for bedtime reading.

Hello comic fans! Kirk Kimball aka Robby Reed of DIAL B for BLOG. "BOYS OF STEEL" has been reviewed by the Midwest Book Review, USA Today, and here on Amazon.com, and every review has been positive. Most were VERY positive. Yet to my mind, they are all textbook examples of how NOT to review a comic-related book.

First of all, were any of the reviewers comic book fans? Or Superman fans? Well, they've probably read a Superman comic, maybe even two. They may know that Superman's real name is Clark Kent, or Kal-El. And they've probably even heard of kryptonite! How nice for them. How very, very nice for them.

I say, let's find these reviewers, and ask them the following questions: What is the Reign of the Superman? Who are Superman Red and Superman Blue? Who is Nor-Kan? Who is Van-Zee? Who is Mort Weisinger? And Curt Swan? And Murphy Anderson? What is jewel kryptonite? What is Superman's uniform made of? What are the lethal letters? Where did Krypton get its name from?

Of course, we could go on and on all night, couldn't we? And these are the EASY ones! We're not even getting into the torturous intricacies of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, or Kingdom Come. Let alone 52 separate earths. And you just KNOW that the reviewers wouldn't be able to answer a single one of these questions. Why not? Because they're not real comic fans!

On the other hand, I, Robby Reed, AM a real comic fan. I used to tie diapers around my neck and run around the house pretending I was flying like Superman. My mother used to read Superman comics to me before I knew how to read. I know Superman. I have always known Superman. There has never been a time in my life when I have NOT known Superman. Superman is a FRIEND of mine. So from MY point of view, it is now my honor and pleasure to be the FIRST Superman fan to ever review BOYS OF STEEL. Here's what I thought.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! 100% unqualified drooling rave! I was completely mesmerized by this book from the first instant I opened it. I loved every page, and every word. BOYS OF STEEL transported me; it made me feel young; it moved me to tears. Honest to God, it did! It caused my black heart to melt. The book is absolutely fantastic, the book is tremendous, the book is a huge achievement -ñ and strap yourself in, because I'm just getting started. (This will be like when Evil Robby tears things apart, only in this case it will be GOOD Robby building things up.)

BOYS OF STEEL is a deeply moving, surprisingly inspirational, and unexpectedly revealing portrait of the two teenage boys who created Superman. The book's brilliant mix of Joe Shuster-style art and richly evocative text combine to transport the reader back in time to the night of Superman's creation, capturing the tumultuous events surrounding this magic moment with a power and accuracy never before achieved in any media. BOYS OF STEEL is a sheer, unadulterated delight. Comic book fans, particularly Superman fans, will find a glorious revelation on every page. So says Robby Reed, creator of Dial B for Blog and author of this review!

Before I continue, I should mention that I do know one of the book's two creators, Marc Nobleman. Marc sent me a complimentary copy of the book. In other words, I got it for free. After reading the book and deciding I wanted to review it, I bought another copy. In other words, I paid cash money for it. Why? Because my policy is that I never review anything I have not personally paid full price for! I feel this entitles me to state my opinion in complete honestly, and without restraint.

This policy is particularly relevant in this case, because my initial reaction to BOYS OF STEEL was surprise at how THIN it seemed to be -ñ just 36 pages, with a list price of $16.99. Of course, it IS being marketed as a children's book, and no children's book is very long. Still, it was something I noticed. And it begs the question: "Is this thin little volume really WORTH $16.99?

As comic fans, we all know beloved hobby would not exist without Superman, and Superman would not exist without Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Therefore, the night Superman was created must be regarded as THE seminal event in the whole entire history of comic books.

This night has previously been described in Jim Steranko's immortal HISTORY OF COMICS, and further documented in Gerard Jones' epic MEN OF TOMORROW. Now, in Nobleman and MacDonald's BOYS OF STEEL, it has been, to put it quite simply, CAPTURED. Capturing the magic of such an event on paper is as impossible as capturing lightning in a bottle, yet that is precisely what this slim volume accomplishes.

Is it worth $16.99? Robby Reed says: HELL YES! For comparison fun, let's take a look at what some of the "other reviewers" I mentioned previously wrote about BOYS OF STEEL:

According to the Midwest Book Review, "BOYS OF STEEL is the first picture book about how these two created the largest superhero of them all, and is a pick for any picture book nonfiction holding. Ross MacDonald provides a blend of full-page color illustrations and comic-like panels for further attention.

Amazon.com's "Ramseelbird" said: "Marc Tyler Nobleman and Ross MacDonald have found another way to get a fella like Superman into a library, and it's definitely a slick idea ... More fun than any children's biography has any right to be.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer said of the book's artwork: "With sepia tones and plenty of period detail, Ross MacDonald's stylized cartoon illustrations catch the look and feel of the 1930s."

Coming closest to the mark, Geek Review called BOYS OF STEEL "a charming, and rather haunting, storybook."

Based on these reviews, BOYS OF STEEL sounds like a good addition to a library, or a nice gift for a kid who has to read a biography for school. These reviews make the book sound educational, but fun. In short, they make this splendid book seem like a kid's version of kryptonite. "Hey, Johnny! Read this book I took out of the library! It's educational, but fun! Johnny? Johnny? Wait! Come Back!

As I mentioned at the start, these people are reviewers masquerading as Superman fans. I mean, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reviewer said the artwork in the book had "sepia tones and plenty of period detail, and added that "Ross MacDonald's stylized cartoon illustrations catch the look and feel of the 1930s."

Note to the Cleveland Plain Dealer reviewer: Did you know that an artist can actually CONTROL the style of his work, and, if he wants to, he can consciously echo the look or technique of another artist? It's true! Call it a Flash fact! Sometimes it's done simply to imitate a successful artist. Great Krypton, if we start counting the imitators of Jack Kirby or Neal Adams or Jim Lee out there, we'll NEVER finish! But sometimes, one artist "copies" the style of another as a kind of homage.

In BOYS OF STEEL, Ross MacDonald was not attempting to evoke the feel some nebulous sepia-hued 1930s of the imagination -- he was attempting to evoke the artistic style of one VERY specific artist, namely Superman co-creator Joe Shuster! And at this, MacDonald has succeeded brilliantly -- as you can see for yourself from the scanned examples on this page. They're like biographical period photographs if they were drawn by Shuster! They WORK to perfection, and it goes without saying that such an achievement certainly does not happen by accident. Characterizing all this as "stylized cartoon illustration" is damning wonderful work with faint praise.

In truth, the restraint shown by MacDonald's art is actually quite remarkable. His lofty goal is not to modernize the story of Superman's creation, but to antiquate our vision of it. He is not out to dazzle us with line work, rendering or special effects. He has successfully banished all trace of modern technique from his drawings to create Golden Age-ish illustrations that are by turns entrancing, menacing, charming, and heroic. Taken together, I found them to be a flawless and remarkable series of deceptively simple paintings that captured the seminal event in comic history with a sense of artistry that was both heartfelt and deeply profound.

When young Jerry is pictured reading pulps, MacDonald eschews the hoary device of rendering pulp covers with generic superheroes set against vomitized pastel montage backgrounds. Instead, thankfully, MacDonald renders bold, colorful covers of the real Doc Savage, Shadow, and Amazing Stories -- creating, in one simple montage, a mini-history of the pulps, the sensationalistic, mostly-text progenitors of comic books.

Were these "fake" pulp covers based on actual pulp covers? When questions such as this arise, Google itself has nothing on my friend Anthony Tollin, perhaps the world's foremost expert on The Pulps. I asked Tollin if he recognized the Doc and Shadow covers, telling him that I knew the Flash Gordon one.

In typically voluminous and comprehensive fashion, Anthony told me, "No, you DON'T know the Flash Gordon one! Flash Gordon never appeared in AMAZING STORIES (though the Flasher later appeared in his own one-shot pulp magazine). The AMAZING STORIES cover was for the issue that introduced ARMAGEDDON 2419, the first adventure of Anthony Rogers, a 20th century `Rip Van Winkle' who survived in suspended animation for five centuries and awoke to find himself in the 25th century. `Anthony' was shortened to "Buck" when the character moved onto comic pages. BUT that AMAZING STORIES cover did NOT feature Buck Rogers. The cover was for E. E. `Doc' Smith's SKYLARK OF SPACE, the science fiction epic that is credited with being the first great `space opera' novel and the story that first introduced a galaxy-spanning "Sense of Wonder" to science fiction." Tollin also added, "I think THE SHADOW cover is probably based on PARTNERS OF PERIL, and drawn by someone who used his own color scheme." [Partners of Peril is the Shadow pulp story that inspired Batman.]

Amazing! See how much wonderful pulp and comic book history MacDonald managed to reference in just a single, simple drawing? This drawing, like the art throughout the book, compliments the era, the story, and the Shuster style to perfection.

And just as the art is all about simplicity, the TEXT of the book, written by Marc Nobleman, is a masterpiece of economy. With scarcely a paragraph per page, sometimes less, Nobleman chooses each word and every phrase with great care, delivering maximum effect with as few words as possible. His sentences are simple and straightforward, as one would expect in a children's book, but at the same time they are full of phrases that speak volumes to comic fans.

For example, when Nobleman tells us that "Jerry read amazing stories every evening," and later that "other kids weren't interested in those weird tales," we understand immediately that he is referencing best selling Pulp titles Amazing Stories and Weird Tales. Little touches like this run throughout the story, providing an ongoing source of delight for those in the know.

Most admirably, Nobleman did not simply assemble a pastiche of existing Superman origin material, and rehash it. Behaving more like Batman than Superman, Nobleman researched his subject with unprecedented thoroughness, tracking down leads like a comic-crazed detective. Ultimately, it all paid off big time, as Nobleman unearthed several fascinating new historical details which added a previously-unseen level of texture to this story, elevating his masterful Super-narrative up, up, and away.

One of Nobleman's most striking revelations deals with the fate of Jerry Siegel's father. For years, no one knew how he had died. Then, after certain revelations came to light, we THOUGHT we knew what happened to him. But then Marc Nobleman took it upon himself to locate several official records concerning Jerry Siegel's father's death. (Police report seen right is from Marc's blog, and is NOT pictured in "Boys of Steel.")

Now, thanks to Marc, we know the REAL truth. I'm not going to get more specific than that. If you want to know, read the book! It's the ONLY place to get the authentic details of the actual story. (A brief essay at the end of the book offers an all-text version of the story aimed at a somewhat more adult audience.)

Another small but significant result of Nobleman's research can be seen on a page where young Jerry is seen typing at a desk in front of a window overlooking a yard. The scene is authentic down to the last detail, because Nobleman took the time to locate Siegel's actual house, then personally looked out the very window seen in the drawing.

In the book's key passage, Nobleman describes how, after conceiving of Superman one night, Jerry Siegel ran nine and a half blocks to the house of his artist and best friend, Joe Shuster. How does Nobleman know the distance was nine and a half blocks? Simple! Nobleman went Cleveland, found Jerry Siegel's former house, then located Joe Shuster's nearby apartment, and walked there.

A nine and a half block walk! But for teenagers Siegel and Shuster, it was a walk from obscurity to immortality. And now, through reading Marc Nobleman and Ross MacDonald's magnificent BOYS OF STEEL, it's a walk we can ALL take. Once taken, it will never be forgotten. At least not by me, Robby Reed -- creator of this web site, author of this article, and lifelong fan of the hero known as Superman.

Any Superman fan will be proud of this clever homage to the two creative guys who created the original Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman...arguably America's greatest pop culture icon. In its simplicity, this thin volume will appeal to the freshman comic fan but true historians and buffs will instantly recognize, appreciate and celebrate the honorific narrative of the Jerry & Joe's story and also of the beautiful illustrations that pay tribute to the original artwork found in the early Action Comics.

Kudos to the creative forces behind this powerful little memoir. Somewhere in the heavenly portion of the Phantom Zone, Siegel & Schuster are smiling.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster are two teens in Depression-era Cleveland who are mild and meek, escaping into fictional worlds of adventure fantasy. The two made up their own stories - and thus Superman was born. This is the first picture book about how these two created the largest superhero of them all, and is a pick for any picturebook nonfiction holding. Ross MacDonald provides a blend of full-page color illustrations and comic-like panels for further attention.

Marc Tyler Nobleman has done a masterful job at telling the story of two underdogs who captured the spirit of their time and the imaginations of generations. While more of a Batman and Wonderwoman woman myself, I could not help but root for Jerry and Joe, the painfully shy but brilliant duo who would not give up on their dream creation. Superman was not just a story to them; he was an emblem of goodness and hope. I came away from this deceptively simple text with an appreciation of the ultimate superhero having been birthed during the Great Depression, when many were in need of saving and many more believed in the possibility of such salvation.

Illustrations by Ross MacDonald are understated yet fun, reflective of the time period and subject matter.

Younger children will follow the text, which is readable for slightly older children and entertaining for adults. As a bonus, a more detailed, young-adult level narrative of the struggle Jerry and Joe went through in fighting for the rights to their work can be found in the back of the book. In short, Boys of Steel is for everyone who loves comics, Superman or artistic triumph. Let Boys of Steel take you up, up and away!

I picked up my issue from Diane while attending the Art in the Park show in Plymouth MI. After reading just a small write up without opening the book, I felt a connection. Little did I know how much of the book seemed to have mirrored much of the last 17 years of my life.

The story, the characters, the lesson learned (for those like myself that see one even if it wasn't necessarily there) this book is one to be shared with others. In a different way it was hard to put this book down for the most basic reasons which is why I still read it cover to cover yesterday.

Well done and thank you Diane, I look forward to reading more of your work.

From the pink pillbox hat that reminds the main character of her grandmother to the pinch of sand held in a locket, the small details makes the story endearing. Sure to be a success, The Boy's Club is not to be missed.

Diane Dignan creates a memorable character in Alex, a young woman who finds herself challenged on all fronts in her life - from her mother, to her love life, her own grief over the loss of her father and to top it all off, a precarious situation at the office. Diane has crafted a strong character who seems to still be a bit of a hopeless romantic, and very endearing. I found myself really enjoying the journey Alex takes.

I really enjoyed reading this book . This is a story to really warm the heart.Once I picked up this book I could not put it down.It felt so good to read a book that I could feel like I was a part of. You will feel an attachment to these characters as you get into the story. A wonderful read I recommmend this book to all.

I found that The Boys' Club was riveting. I recommend it to any lady who remembers what hitting the glass ceiling is like, and how much it hasn't changed. The Good Ole Boy Network still runs the majority of the businesses, and women must be careful in how they present themselves and how they climb the corporate ladder to achieve the same results as men. I liken The Boys' Club to my business experience while living in Houston, Texas during the 1980's. Thanks Diane for a job well-done and written exceptionally well.

This is such a good book! I'm so sorry to see it is out of print. The reader need not have any background or interest in coal mining to enjoy this story. The characters and their daily lives are so clearly drawn, you'll feel as though you are experiencing their joys and sorrows. Can't recommend it highly enough to those who enjoy a novel with substance.

This has to be the best book I have ever read. So true to life. Growing up in the northeast Pennsylvania, it made me laugh and cry. But most of all it made me remember.

I remember listening to someone talking about this book and I just had to read it. My future goal is to become a Historical Sociologist and this book was perfect for it. The effects of the mining and the city on this certain child and the histoical aspect is absolutely phenomenal.

If you have yet to read this or have the displeasure of not owning it, please run to your nearest computer an order it.

This is such a wonderful book, it MUST be brought back into print. This is fiction, but it is also history. I would use this book in my U.S. History class as supplemental reading. Also, Jan Kubicki is a great writer - but has he written anything else? If so, I'd love to read it

I grew up near Wilkes-Barre, PA - coal mining country. I remember my mother talking about hearing the miners working under the houses when she and her friends would gather for coffee and cake - Took some getting used to for someone from Washington, DC. Every so often, there would be a cave-in & the families would wait anxiously for news. This novel was very descriptive & I learned quite a bit about how the life must have been for the Breaker Boys and the miners.

i love these books but i wanted to order them and the page is confusing....i own two of the books and i've read them a few times....i want to get the reast but they're expenisive. i think it would be cool, morris, if you continued the series like when leah and jeff get you know...married...i hope you keep writing!

I love this book! The war is finally over and the Majors and Carters can finally be together again. However, Tom still feels uncomfortable about losing his leg and then gets in a big fight with Dewitt Faylor over Sarah Carter. You're also starting to see Jeff and Leah fall in love. Great book and a must read!

After going through the Civil War with Leah and Jeff and as they grow up, the war comes to an end. Jeff and his family move back to Kentucky to find that some people didn't sympathize the South too much. They have to work themselves into being respected citizens, and many will never accept them. However, they come to live with the radical changes their lives have made. Jeff starts to realize that Leah is now a woman, and Leah realizes just how much she really cares for Leah, while Tom and Sarah make wedding plans. If another one of the townspeople doesn't screw it up for them. Go with the Majors and Carters one more time as they realize what it really means to be a family.

I love these books because you never know whats going tohappen. Especially, Bring the Boys Home. You are always wondering ifLeah and Jeff really have feelings for each other or if they are going to end up getting married to someone else.I also think that the way that the author depicts the heartbreak of friends and family being split apart, and the hardships and horrors of soldiering during the Civil War, make for great reading. These are definitely must read books!

I sarted reading this series in agaust, 97 and finished it march 98. It's alot of books[10], but they r worth the time they take to read. Espescially since it is fun 2 read.It takes the myth of chivalrous gallantry and glory out of battle, but still is not depressing. 1 of my favorit parts was when the 2 soldiers from the north and south united to kick Dewitt Falor's butt.But you should read the other books 1st. Don't worry. 'Cause they're all just as good. keep your books coming, Morris.

Until now the Chicago Mercantile Battery for many years shared the unjustified obscurity of many western and trans-Mississippi theater units. Richard Williams has done a stellar job in putting flesh-on-the-bone of one of the more interesting artillery batteries to emerge from Illinois. Presenting and then carefully developing primary sources, the reader will walk away with a very complete and satisfying understanding of Chicago's mercantile battery and its heroic leader, Captain Patrick White. Well written, organized and attractively presented, this is certainly one of the better regimental histories I have had the privilege of reading.

Unlike so many unit histories, Richard Williams's new study on the Chicago Mercantile Battery is a deep, rich, and rewarding reading experience. The artillerists served from August of 1862 until the end of the war exclusively in the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters. The high points of their service were during the Vicksburg campaign (where several received the coveted Medal of Honor) and along the Red River, where the battery was overrun and captured. In addition to offering a standard history of the war in a larger context and the battery's role therein, Williams weaves the letters of gunner Will Brown (and a few others) into the narrative. Brown's endlessly fascinating letters home to his father (which he wrote without believing they would ever be published) provide insight on battle experiences, slavery, presidential politics, generalship, and much more. Thanks to Brown's correspondence, we learn what he and his comrades were thinking and feeling while they were thinking and feeling it, instead of after years of reflection. An interesting twist develops when the coverage of the book splits to cover the survivors of Red River and their own unique ordeal, and the experiences of the other "Chicago's Battery Boys" who languished under terrible conditions in a Confederate prison. The extensive end notes span 120 pages, and the bibliography offers a wide array of firsthand research. Williams's study is well written and always interesting. Every history buff will profit from reading it. Includes a Foreword by notes historian Edwin C. Bearss. ISBN: 1-932714-06-5; photos, illus., original maps, roster, appendices, biblio., index, hardcover, d.j., 636 pages. $39.95
Highly recommended.

One of the few publishers still brave enough to issue regimental histories is Savas Beatie. What sets them apart are two things. The books themselves are always wonderfully designed and constructed. When you buy one of their books you get the real deal, top quality bindings and paper, bright illustrations, crisp text. But they also take care to make certain their readers get a good story. They do not give you the collated reprints of the Official Records that sometimes passes for a unit history.
Richard Brady William's Chicago Battery Boys is a shining example of why their books, on so seemingly parochial subjects, are so deserving of the time and money of student's of the Civil War. The book itself will catch your eye. The text will keep your attention. The Chicago Mercantile Battery was raised in the Windy City in 1862, in answer to the second great call for troops that went out that summer. Sent to Grant, they made their fame at Vicksburg where six of their number earned Congressional medals of honor when they carried one of their gun tubes by hand up to the rebel works and began firing at point-blank range through an undefended break in the wall. Their heaviest battle came a year later, at Sabine Crossroads, where they were the only gunners able to get their carriages off the field, only to have to spike them when the route of retreat became irretrievably snarled.
The book is packed with maps, illustrations, and pictures of the men who made this battery a great and memorable unit. The author freely reprints their letters in those instances where the participants themselves can tell the story best. When they can't, he steps in to clearly set out the course of events. If you have an interest in Grant and the western theater of the war, this book will be a welcome addition to your collection.

This is one book that one cannot put down. The narrative by Mr. Williams is so nicely done and unobtrusive that I found myself actually seeming to "hear" a professional narrator guide me through the historical events that were occurring on a state/regional/national level during the time of the civil war. I have become acquainted with all of the characters as if they were friends. Of course, Will Brown stands out as each of his weekly letters to his "Dear Father" gives the reader an authentic glimpse at the live of a soldier, which is succinctly intertwined and "in step" with the progression of the narrative. Mr. Williams perspective on the "politics" of the time, the Generals and their capabilities or lack thereof is particularly keen and insightful.

I have to say that this is one of the best novels/historical records that I have had the privilege of perusing. I was saddened when I am finished reading the book as I will miss the feeling of being an actual participant in the story rather than an impersonal reader.

I highly recommend this factual record by novice and historian alike.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of the Chicago Mercantile Battery. The book tells the story of its role in the Civil War's western theatre as well as what life was like from the view of the soldiers as the war wore on. Rick Williams did a wonderful job of weaving in Will Brown's Civil War letter collection and other material, which bring a vivid 1st hand account of the soldier's struggles to life.
One of my favorite letters is from Corporal Charles Haseltine. He and the Battery Boys encounter the 1st Regiment of Mississippi Light Artillery in the edge of the woods at Champion Hill east of Vicksburg. They get pinned down in front of the Coker house under heavy fire when a piece of artillery shell tears thorough a straw Rebel hat on Haseltine's head. He had just picked up the hat the day before and thought it would bring him luck. The shell knocked him out and the Battery Boys left him for dead at the end of the day. As dusk falls on the battlefield, the Confederates' Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman is hit by the same shell that kills his horse and the Federals disrupt Pemberton's retreat toward Vicksburg. That night,, four of Haseltine's friends return to the Coker house property to retrieve his body and discover he is alive. Back at camp, a doctor stitches the corporal's forehead back in place, and he lives to tell his story!
The author goes on to describe the Mercantile Battery's role in the Siege of Vicksburg. The Battery Boys drag a one-ton gun up a steep embankment to within 20-30 feet of the 2nd Texas Lunette to fire 14 rounds into the enemy's fort, which enabled the Union infantrymen to withdraw without further damage..
A nice touch that every reader may not notice but will enjoy is the integrated placement of maps, photographs and sketches. Each of them is strategically located on the same page where it is discussed in the book. This placement must have taken quite a bit of effort during the publishing process, but it definitely makes reading the book more enjoyable.
I recommend Chicago's Battery Boys for history enthusiasts who are interested in getting a fresh perspective on what was happening during the Vicksburg and Red River Campaigns. Besides following the various battles, readers may also like the behind-the-scenes look at was happening with civilians in Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The extensive footnotes will undoubtedly appeal to Civil War buffs who want to delve into this story in greater detail.

I think that "A Child Called It" was a great book. It tells the truth even though the truth hurts. It is a very moving story of his life and made a difference in mine. I couldnt put the book down!

I could not put this book down. It is truley incredible how this child stayed alive. I could not believe what his mother did to him. I would tell anyone who is interested in true crime child abuse story to read this book. It is amazing

This is a must read for any teacher, mother, grandmother, or aunt. I even think some older children should read this. I couldn't put it down. Tissues is a must with this one. I am definately going to be reading this to my 13 & 9 yr olds. I think its great that he chose to share his story. I am sure those who did go through it can't thank him enough for letting people know things like this do really happen and its for real. Nothing Hollywood about it. If you think something like this is happening to anyone you know, speak up, don't allow it to continue, regardless of the situation.

This book is one of the most thrilling and adventurous books I've ever read. Even though it is very sad and emotional, it an amazing book to read. It helped me to realize how bad some people have got it. The author is so fluent with his word choice and sentences. He is so descriptive that I could actually picture the events that he encountered. I could imagine him at school, and how he felt when he sat down in the basement motionless. It's almost like I interacted with the author and felt every beating that he felt. It's an easy book to comprehend, but at the same time, it uses very good decriptives and word choice. This is honestly one of the best books I've ever read in my life. I would recommend it to anyone, anywhere, anytime!

I read this book at the time that I was working as a nanny and soon saw the world in a whole different light. I felt myself checking for bruises I could visualise the house and room, and basement that Dave lived in. It was heart pulling, although it is not a book that we should 'enjoy' because of the topic, it was so fantastically written that I could not tear myself away. I read the other two as well and made a start on the self help book, but feeling that I did not go through anything like he did I felt I did not need help with my life.

I would recommend all four books to anyone, but a word of advice... make sure you have a box of tissues and more then an hour to spare, because once you start you will not want to put it down, and you will most surely cry.
enjoy!!!!

Children Of Our Own War, a boy's journey so vivid and lifelike, from the lasting inpressions that life leaves on a small inquisitive mind. I feel that if today I went to visit the town of Dunigen I would recognize the Protestant Church, the old blacksmith shop and the center of town, and still see the excitable cow running down the cobblestone main street. A story of a wife and mother, alone, whose only concern is her survival and responsibility caring for her children and the ability of those loving children to circumvent the desperate situations of the time. A must read book for school aged children to travel to a foreign country and see how the circumstances of life are challenged in a boy's journey.

This is a gentle, charming journal of a young boy, growing up in rural Germany during, and following World War II. The story is told in the first person and follows the child through early adulthood.
The child is reflected in his documenting the interests of childhood, the games, friends, and questions and the innocence of the politics of the war around him and his family. Although his Father is in the German Army and Prisoner of War, and he relates memories of his Mother holding him in their homemade bomb shelter during the raids, he remains a child with the interests of a child. He only absently mentions the deprivations and hardships the child underwent, as food was scarce and houses crowded.
The adult author reflects the saddnes, the pathos as well as the admiration, respect and love he holds for his Mother and the other women in his village who managed their housholds while their men were away fighting the war.
Don't look for a book about the battles - this is truly a book about the "Children of Our War".

This heartfelt account of WWII through the eyes of a young German boy paints a beautiful picture of a time filled with pain and confusion for a child coming to understand the seriousness of the events that are unfolding around him. He only knows his father, a Russian prisoner of war, through stories his mother has told him. Yet his mother's strength and steadfast will to support her family through this time of uncertainty is a testament to all mothers and families that are impacted by war.

It is a charming story of a boy's mischievousness amidst the backdrop of a country in upheaval. One of the most inspiring aspects of this book is the author's account of meeting American troops for the first time in Germany. Here, a little German boy so affected by war around him, sees American troops in such a positive light that it inspires him to want to become an American. It is a tribute to the American spirit and pride that travels with our troops.

This account of a young boy's experiences is an insightful and moving story of what it was like to live through a war as a German child. The author explains that he didn't meet his father, who was a Russian prisoner of war, until he was 10 years old. This book is a tribute to the many mothers who struggled to raise their children during this period without the help of their husbands. It is also inspires American patriotism, as it explains how this German child aspired to live in the US, awed by the generosity and kindness of US troops. It would be an excellent book for use in a middle school through high school as and adjunct to the history curriculum.

Mr. Bonsich has skillfully written the story of his young life during and just after World War II. His writing style enables the reader to better understand what life was like in Germany for his family and many others who shared his situation. I was especially touched by his dedication to his mother who held the family together while her husband was a prisoner of war. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this time in history as seen through the eyes of a child. This would also be an excellent trade book for middle or high school students studying this time in world history.