1 comments about The Soviet Union Today: An Interpretive Guide.

1. In this very well written and argued book, James Cracraft examines sweeping changes in Russian architecture in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The author concentrates not only on the architectural reform, which "had proved irreversible" on architectural reforms, but also on historical and cultural processes of the time in Russia and Europe. Furthermore, "The Petrine Revolution in Russian Architecture" deals not only with the Petrine reform and the new city of St. Petersburg, but also goes beyond that dealing with architectural trends in Muscovite Russia, that preceded the reforms. One of the important questions that Cracraft raises is whether there were any tendencies in Russian architecture of the second half of the 17th century that could possibly cause similar architectural change without Tsar Peter's sometimes violent reformist interventions. Interested with that highly controversial question, the author provides an excellent critique of works by various architectural historians. "The Petrine Revolution in Russian Architecture" concludes with a survey of 18th and 19th century Russian architecture, which proves irreversibility of the Peter the Great's influences.

   The writing is clear, scholarly, and fascinating. Numerous illustrations and figures-photographs, old drawings, designs, and maps, as well as written excerpts from contemporaries and scholars, beautifully support the text. This book will be of great interest of those interested in Russian cultural or architectural history. It will serve as a useful asset to the experts and will fascinate someone who has no prior experience with Russian architectural history, as it will produce many curiosities, which the reader will look to answer by reading other books on this topic.

No comments about Spectacular Homes of Chicago (Spectacular Homes).

No comments about Picturing a Colonial Past: The African Photographs of Isaac Schapera.

No comments about Memories of Odysseus: Frontier Tales From Ancient Greece.

2 comments about The Nature of Chicago: A Comprehensive Guide to Natural Sites in and Around the City.

1. This well-researched "ecohistory" helped me discover -- and rediscover -- some of Chicagoland's special places. Looking through new eyes, I was able to gain a new appreciation for my favorite spots, as well as explore some hidden gems. I highly recommend this guide for both visitors and residents!



2. It had a bit of history alongside a listing of places to go and see a bit of that history. It was nice to find some hidden spots not far from my home. I recently moved to the western suburbs and found quite a few wildlife preserves and recreation areas I wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

1 comments about English Journey.

1. Priestley travels around the UK and in his dependable prose examines aspects of British life and landscape. His passage about the mythical 'Rusty Lane, West Bromwich' is a superb piece of writing. Occasionally he over-sentimentalises but mostly he stands up for the disenfranchised in the nation. Softer in tone than Orwell's Wigan Pier but similar in intention. A great read.
   The book reminds me of Louis Theroux's Kingdom by the Sea or the work of Bill Bryson although it details a more innocent age.

No comments about A Mortal Flower (China : Autobiography, History, Book 2).

No comments about Postcards from Chicago / Postales desde Chicago (Bilingual English/Spanish).

No comments about Rand McNally Chicago North & Downtown, Illinois: Easyfinder; Local Street Detail.

3 comments about Resurrection Mary (Haunted Illinois).

1. I decided to give this author one last try. I'm sorry I did. "The first in-depth account of the history, mystery & hauntings of Archer Avenue"? Give me a break. Chicago author Ursula Bielski documented the story of Archer Avenue with grace and depth nearly ten years ago, and better than anyone could hope to. Do yourself a favor and read her book, "Chicago Haunts" for a painful, insightful look into Chicago's most famous ghost story . . . and some of the best "ghost writing" out there.



2. Growing up on the south side, I'm well acquainted with the legend of Mary. While Taylor provides a collection of her activities and sightings, others, as the other reviewer noted, have done a better job of bringing her story to life. While this is a decent collection of the stories and such, it barely touches at the spirit of, well, Mary's spirit. Maybe you'd be better off traveling down Archer Avenue one wintry night, looking for a young lady in a white wisp of a dress....



3. I have been an avid fan of Troy Taylor's writtings for years, and I like the way he deals with the facts instead of the fluff that one can get in alot of these "Ghost Books" that claim to have it all. If your a fan of the true meaning behind Mary, do yourself a favor and buy this book. IT IS THE BEST ONE BY FAR, and has documented facts and great research.