2 comments about A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage.

1. This is an excellent resource for both advanced beginners and experienced reseachers. Well organized, conversational, and very factual. Specific strategies for solving a variety of research challenges are developed and illustrated. The authors want the researcher to be able to locate the specific piece of Irish soil where the ancestor lived.

   Betit and Radford do not attempt to address every record type or resource, nor does this work replace the standard reference works of Mitchell, Ryan, etc. It is not Irish county specific, nor is Argentine emigration addressed. What they have done very well is present the material in such a way that can enable the serious researcher, whatever the experience level, to get arms around a complex subject.

   As you may surmise, I definitely recommend this book. Good luck and have fun.




2. A Genealogist's Guide To Discovering Your Irish Ancestors was specifically designed and written for the aspiring genealogist seeking guidelines for determining an Irish ancestor's place of origin. Dwight Radford and Kyle Betit effectively collaborate to present sound advice for researching Irish records both domestically and overseas; basic strategies essential to successful Irish research; special advice about tracing Scots-Irish ancestors; practical advice for accessing Irish cemeteries, land, church, estate, census, and military records; how to access civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths, as well as emigration lists; sources and strategies for researching Irish ancestors who settled in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Caribbean, as well as timely information on Internet resources and favorite sites on the World Wide Web. Highly recommended for personal and community library genealogical research reference collections, A Genealogist's Guide To Discovering Your Irish Ancestors offers both the novice and the experienced genealogist with everything necessary to trace and record their family's Irish history.

5 comments about Westmoreland and Portland Places: The History and Architecture of Americas Premier Private Streets 1888-1988.

1. Congratulations to all that contributed to this outstanding book. The history of the Places was carefully and completely researched and presented with beautiful photographs.



2. I love this book. It has tons of beautiful exterior photos but I would like to see more historical photos and more interior shots. I would also love to see more recounts by the people who lived there. There are a few stories and I read them over and over. I'd really like to give this book a four and a half but that's not an option.



3. Should you actually wish to drive down either Westmoreland or Portland Places, expect an unnessecarily rude treatment from what must be the local rent-a-cop. It matters not the price of your car or attire- you might get (as I did) threatened to be "thrown in jail for trespassing", and lectured as if you were an idiot. Other students of architecture beware. It happened to me, and judging by the character of the "gentleman" in question, I'm just glad I'm not black. I escaped without kissing the hood of my car.



4. Anyone with an interest in historic homes should own this book, especially if you live in Saint Louis. It's beautifully printed, and full of interesting information about almost every single house in what is one of Saint Louis' premier neighborhoods. I will say that if you want interior photos the book is slightly lacking in that area, and floorplans of more homes would have been nice to see. However, the book is very comprehensive and gives a fascinating history of the development of these areas, as well as the people who comissioned these homes. This book is on a table in my living room, and guests always pick it up and are drawn in when they start flipping through the pages. Perhaps because we live in Saint Louis and therefore have a "personal" connection to the homes in the the book because we can see them, but it really is an interesting look at the architecture of the period.



5. A wonderful book with great photos of some of the most awesome homes I have ever seen. riding my bicycle in that area of St. Louis often and driving by those wonderful old neighborhoods makes it special to see who built the homes and when.
   
   As for being thrown out of the neighborhood. I too had that experience. At a Central West End open house a few years ago I spoke with a lady that was the chair of that organization. She said that if I'd call and let them know I was going to walk or bike through the area, she didn't think it would be a problem. I called on a Saturday and no one was there, so my friend and I rode our bicycles in. We met three of the area residents and all were quite gracious and understood our love of the architecture. I'd recommend if you wish to "tour" the area, you contact them, and let them know who you are and why are wanting to go.
   
   I do understand to an extent their concerns.
   
   Lastly, so many well preserved and wonderful homes. So glad someone made a book about them.
   
   Steve

No comments about Sod-House Days: Letters from a Kansas Homesteader, 1877-78.

4 comments about Jo Shelby's Iron Brigade.

1. Mr. Sellmeyer shows great interest and passion in detailing the history of Shelby's Brigade. Someone in Hollywood should make a movie about General Jo Shelby! Jo Shelby's Iron Brigade tells the tale of how General Joseph Shelby developed three regiments of Confederate recruits into the toughest cavalry brigade west of the Mississippi. This is the first fully factual account of Shelby and his rough riders. Like Civil War icon General Beauregard, who will be forever remembered for firing on Fort Sumter beginning the Civil War, Shelby and a remnant of his brigade will be remembered as the men who refused to surrender and buried their battle flag, and with it the Confederacy, in the Rio Grande River before entering
   Mexico, ending armed resistance in the Civil War.



2. Jo Shelby's life during the Civil War is very interestingly written about by Deryl P. Sellmeyer. Sellmeyer has done a very good accounting of the exploits that many are not aware unless you are a Civil War reader and some even may not know him well if they read Civil War history. What interest me besides the cavalry in the Civil War is the leadership abilities of those chosen to do just that, lead. Some do well and some are dismal failures i.e., Bragg, Fremont, Burnside, and Hood to name a few that come to mind. The author also gives a few insights about why the South fought the war and it was never all about slavary. If you would like to read about a pricipled man this is that sort of leader. He was not willing to set down his priciples after Lee, Johnston, and Smith surrendered and made a futile attempt in Mexico to continue his rebellion.
   I believe this is the best and most detailed accurately portrayed book on Shelby. It was written in much detail of the accounts that took place under Shelby and his command. I believe those who have interest in the west of the Mississippi battles and campaigns will find this book of value



3. This book goes into great detail about the combat actions of Gen. Joe Shelby and his Iron Brigade. It covers nearly all the organized fighting in the ArkLaTex, Kansas and Oklahoma during the Civil War. Of all the cavalry units west of the Mississippi, Gen. Shelby's cavalrymen time and again rescued lesser talented commander's bacon from the fire of numerically superior Union pursuit. Shelby's men lead the charge in nearly every large unit action and covered the Army's rear in retreat. Shelby's men fought Yankee units of greater strength to a standstill time and again. "First In, Last Out" was not invented by the U.S. Army Pathfinders. Joe Shelby's Iron Brigade was doing it long before the current owners of that phrase came into existance! What a book!!



4. I've read 63 biographies of Civil War Generals and was really excited to read about the great "Jo Shelby". Granted much detail was povided but I constantly asked myself during the book, OK what just happened, or after the charge, what happened next, or why did he cover the retreat when two paragraphs ago thet were winning the battle. I personally like to read a book on Civil War Generals and learn what makes them successful or what happened that caused their failure. Much was spoken of his success but little was written about how he acheived it. There was a good deal of information about Jo after the war but after reading this I knew Jo Shelby was a fine officer and well respected leader but I couldn't remember from reading the book "Why" he was so well respected. Way to much info was left out.

1 comments about Elizabeth I and Foreign Policy, 1558-1603 (Lancaster Pamphlets).

1. According to the description on the back of this booklet it describes and assesses England's foreign policy during te second half of the sixteenth century. It includes coverage of Elizabeth's relationships with foreign powers, the effect of the Reformation on foreign affairs, Elizabeth's success as a stateswoman and the war with Spain.
   
   The booklet provides ample information about Elizabethan Foreign Policy between 1558 and 1603 and is devided into six chapters each dealing with a particular time frame and events impacting or changing the foreign policy as a result. I would recommend it to readers wanting to gain general knowledge about the subject. Don't expect in-depth information though - there are far better books available on some of the main players who determined and put their stamp on foreign policy under Elizabeth I - be it Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burleigh or his son and successor Sir Robert Cecil, later Earl of Salisbury, Sir Francis Walsingham and most significantly Lord Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex who was all but in title the Queen's Foreign Minister between 1593 when he gained a seat on the Privy Council and the end of 1597.

3 comments about Missouri Caves in History and Legend (Missouri Heritage Readers Series).

1. Former show cave operator H. Dwight Weaver presents Missouri Caves in History and Legend, the concentrated essence of a lifetime of history and research into Missouri's caves created by limestone bedrock slowly dissolved by groundwater. Bringing the reader on a tour underground, Missouri Caves in History and Legend reveals what caves have to tell us about extinct species and early Native Americans; how caves were used to mine saltpeter, onyx, and guano; how caves became hideouts for Civil War soldiers and notorious outlaws such as Jesse James; and much more. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this fascinating tour accessible to readers of all backgrounds - the next best thing to visiting Missouri's caves in person!



2. I have not finished the book yet, but I have found it to be very informative about the history surrounding Missouri caves.



3. The book was in really good condition and delivery was as promised . . . prompt. Thank you

No comments about Town Planning in Frontier America.

2 comments about The Cattle Towns.

1. "One of the most intelligent, interesting, and worthwhile contributions to the field of Western history in some time. [The author] has managed to say something rather basic about American culture in general." -- William H. Goetzmann. "Excellent . . . readable and persuasive. . . . One of the most refreshing and rewarding approaches to be applied to western history topics in many years, for [the author] is asking basic questions about social process and the nature of urban society." -- Howard Roberts Lamar.



2. In The Cattle Towns, Robert Dykstra demonstrates how five Kansas towns--Dodge City, Ellsworth, Caldwell, Abilene, and Wichita--developed through a complex set of conflicts that bred progress. Instead of adding to the frontier myth of wild and violent cattle towns, Dykstra builds upon studies of urban history and applies them to the developing frontier to create a local, social history that has national relevance.
   
   Success or failure of a town depended on a number of variables including location, promotion, and people. Location as related to the county center, railroad lines, and especially for this study, cattle trails, played major roles in determining town futures. Advertisements in newspapers located between the Kansas cattle towns and the source of the cattle herds in Texas lured the trail drivers north. The most important element in the future of the cattle towns, however, was the local population.
   
   Although the town newspapers often gave the impression that residents of the town and surrounding areas spoke in a unified voice, that was usually not the case. Disagreements between businessmen and rural folk, ranchers and farmers, natives and foreign-born, and reformers and vice practitioners were frequent. Dykstra contradicts earlier studies that claimed successful town development on mutual cooperation and shows how progress was made through such differences.
   
   The differences over town policy provided a forum for area residents to discuss the future vision of their town. Whether the discussion was over alcohol, gambling, prostitution, or the movement of the splenic flu deadline, the result was an exchange of ideas focused on improving the town. Town businessmen, for example, sympathized with the reformers who sought to improve the moral values of the town by eliminating vices, but not at the financial cost of losing the trail drivers who were attracted by such vices and spent their funds liberally throughout town.
   
   Due to the advancement of technology and the progression of settlers into the once open Kansas frontier, the cattle towns shifted their focus from cattle to the more consistent industry of agriculture. The westward movement of settlers altered the routes of cattle drives away from towns like Abilene and Dodge City and railroads continued to expand their coverage, removing these towns from the cattle industry. Despite the moral vices that accompanied it, the cattle industry between 1867 and 1885 helped provide an immediate economic base that developed towns and laid the groundwork for future success.
   
   Utilizing information from period newspapers, letters, maps, government documents, and previous studies, Dykstra creates a well-written study that explores urban aspirations and rivalry in a frontier setting. By examining the motivations of individuals and groups in the cattle towns, Dykstra has made a valuable contribution to town building on the changing frontier.

3 comments about True Tales of Old-Time Kansas: Revised Edition.

1. Here's one for the history buffs out there. Kids and adults, read about frontier life in Kansas. This is an excellent addition to any library collection. -Native Kansan



2. I live in New york on the Island. I've always, always had a fascination with the old west, and in particular the state of Kansas.. even though I haven't yet been there. For Christmas this year, my mum gave me among other things, an actual Kansas license plate along with this book. I started reading it right away and it has been entirely engrossing. Very interesting individual tales, some are pretty short, so this is the perfect book to read while on the train. I love it.



3. Very good book. I have had this book for years and purchased for a friend.

2 comments about The Civil War in Missouri, Day by Day, 1861 to 1865.

1. I'm a huge fan of Missouri history and Civil War history and love this book. I haven't completely finished reading it yet...but it seems well researched and detailed. A must have for the Missouri history or Civil War in Missouri researcher.



2. My interest in the Civil War and study of it primarily relates to the events in and around Missouri between 1855 and 1865. I have dozens of books on the Civil War and this is one of my favorites. I initially read it cover to cover, and since that time have often returned to it to read specific 'days/dates' to research references made in other Civil War readings. If you're interested in the details of Civil War in Missouri, this book is a must have. I own several of the Bartel's civil war books and all are well worth the money for those interested in reading about more than the conventional treatises that focus on the 'big/major' battles and actions taking place in the East and Southern states.