No comments about Highway Map New England.

2 comments about Building A New Boston: Politics and Urban Renewal, 1950-1970.

1. The current dean of Boston historians, Thomas O'Connor writes with a definite passion for his subject matter. O'Connnor deftly navigates the various personalities and political administrations that brought about the redevelopment of "The Athens of America." O'Connor adds touches that only a local with his experience could. Highly recommended



2. The current dean of Boston historians, Thomas O'Connor writes with a definite passion for his subject matter. O'Connnor deftly navigates the various personalities and political administrations that brought about the redevelopment of "The Athens of America." O'Connor adds touches that only a local with his experience could. Highly recommended

4 comments about Federal Style Patterns 1780-1820 with CD-Rom.

1. Oh, this is an elegant book, with highly detailed drawings of every molding, mantels, doors, room designs, etc. that you can imagine, all in the beautiful American Federal Style. In this book, you can 'invade' historic homes and 'walk out' with measured detailed drawings of all of the best features -- without anyone catching you in the act.



2. "Federal Style Patterns 1780-1820" is the culmination of an astounding research project. The detailed drawings are based on design elements from homes built during the Federal Era in the New England region, and include detailed images of cornices, door and window casings, chair rails, baseboards and more.
   
   All drawings are captured in a variety of formats on a CD-ROM that comes with the book, which is a helpful tool for modern day designers hoping to faithfully reproduce the elegance of Federal Style architecture.
   
   For some time now, I have been fascinated with the Federal Style, so much so that I decided to decorate and furnish my new office as if it were a page from history, circa 1815. I was a bit confused how to adapt a door arch to my particular circumstance, so I e-mailed the authors of this book, MaryBeth Mudrick and Lawrence D. Smith, for advice. I was most pleased with the prompt and professional reply I received from them. Throughout the duration of my project, which stretched out for many months, MaryBeth and Lawrence provided invaluable guidance at many critical junctures, always with patience and a friendly touch. With my copy of their text close by at all times, these pros led me toward a Federal Style look that far exceeded my original expectations. Thomas Jefferson would have felt right at home!



3. The book is well illustrated and true to the topic. I thought a little too much time was spent on the dimensions of the illustrated work in how the book need to be adjusted for the size of the book and not any time spent explaining how the woodworkers of the time accomplished the work, Example how was a flute cut with the top end round and the bottom end flat. How are tongues added to a fluted column? There are no explanations of the wonderfully illustrated woodworking just where the work is located and how to measure the work.



4. Highly recommend this book great to use if one is renovating a period house or likes period decorations.

1 comments about Michelin the Green Guide New England (Michelin Green Guides).

1. This is actually standard Micheline guide
   You can use as well as attraction descriptions as tourist paths

No comments about Massachusetts Map (Rand McNally Folded Map: States).

1 comments about Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual: Illustrations of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada.

1. This illustrated companion to the classic Gleason & Cronquist is a "must-have" for anyone who needs clear, concise line drawings to help understand fine distinctions between species. Although expensive, it's a terrific reference that will become a classic. You will use it often and you won't regret spending the money. Caution: it's a big volume and very heavy; don't plan on carrying it along in the field.

2 comments about Sermons in Stone: The Stone Walls of New England and New York.

1. This book was truly an unexpected pleasure. Its not a how-to book but rather a history of the stone wall. Surprisingly, that history takes the reader into a wide range of topics: geology, botany, architecture, colonial american history, among others. Because stone walls were so commonplace, their builders left very little discussion of their motives and means. Allport acts almost like a detective, piecing the story together. Additionally, because she clearly loves stone walls (and writes well), she is able to capture the mystery and the beauty of her subject. This is a great read for a wide audience: from the historically curious to anyone who wishes to build a wall of stone.



2. If you think that a book on the stone walls of New England might be "dry," you are wrong. This brilliantly written and researched book is as riveting as any thriller. You will gain a new appreciation for the countless anonymous generations that went before us and left their mark-- those beautiful, enduring stone walls. An absolutely fascinating book!

3 comments about Durgin-Park Cookbook: Classic Yankee Cooking in the Shadow of Faneuil Hall (Roadfood Cookbook).

1. Chef Tommy Ryan has been referred by many friends, associates and competitors as truly "The Czar of Yankee Cooking." After reading the book and visiting Durgin Park (as I have many times in the last 20 years) the reader will clearly see Chef Tommy Ryan has a basic principle and that is you must start with quality ingredients. Everything from the meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and deserts comes from the purveyors who sell the very best. After the Chef and his team prepare your meal it's truly a culinary masterpiece and this book gives the reader the steps to success in his/her home kitchen.



2. I have been going to Durgin Park for the past 40 years and it is always the same. Real down home Yankee Cooking. The food is always great and very fresh. I was told that everything is bought daily and it is obvious by the quality of the food. If you are ever in Fanuiel Hall Market Place in Boston, this is a must to go too. Also, buy the book as there are real great recipes to try and there is also the history of Durgin Park in it. You won't be sorry you did............. Enjoy



3. Every now and then you run across an exceptional cookbook. The Durgin-Park Cookbook is one example. It is beautifully laid out with good photos and interesting sidebars full of extra tidbits of history and anecdotes about this Boston institution.
   
   Over the past weekend I made three recipes from this cookbook alone. The Corn Bread # 2 recipe was a real keeper. It had a light texture, was moist, and was crispy on the edges. I added my own twist by throwing in finely diced fresh chives and sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil (drained).
   
   The chicken wings, marinated and basted with a garlic and ginger sauce, were also quite easy and tasty. As with any cookbook, I always analyze the ingredients and decide if they will be to my taste. For example, if ginger powder is called for, as in the chicken wings recipe in this book, I almost always use fresh ginger. Why not? I keep one-inch length pieces of ginger in the freezer and just take them out whenever a recipe calls for powder or fresh. It's all personal preference of course. I just happen to think ground ginger powder tastes harsh.
   
   The Parmesan Potato Rounds recipe was also quite excellent. It is made much like a gratin, but without the heavy cream. Again, it was simple to make and tasted like it took much longer. If you like Parmigiano-Reggiano and potatoes, what's not to like about this recipe? It had a crispy crust on top and soft, perfectly cooked potatoes on the inside.
   
   The Sterns have put together some excellent cookbooks over the years and I'd have to say that this is one of my favorites in the Roadfood series. There are recipes for entertaining as well as daily fare. Most of the ingredient lists for the recipes are easily managed without a lot of complicated chopping, dicing, measuring, etc.
   
   Hmm, let's see, this weekend maybe I'll make the Stuffed Pork Chops and Onion Casserole or perhaps the Scalloped Tomatoes...

2 comments about Haunted Massachusetts: Ghosts And Strange Phenomena Of The Bay State (Haunted).

1. I'm not sure you'd get too much of an argument if you were to state that New England is the most haunted region of the United States, and certainly leading the charge with its colorful history of pirates, Indian wars, witchcraft, and puritanical oppression would be Massachusetts. "Haunted Massachusetts" gives readers 128 pages with dozens of tales of hauntings and other weird phenomena culled from throughout the state and separated by region. Books like this are very important in keeping alive local legends and lore and author Cheri Revai gives readers a lot of bang for their buck.
   
   While I've read a number of books on ghosts from the Massachusetts and Boston areas, most of the stories in the book were unknown to me. For example there is the story of "The Bloody Pit" a five mile rail tunnel through Hoosac Mountain that even Native Americans avoided. It's estimated that as many as 200 men may have lost their lives in the 1800's as the tunnel was constructed, leading to reports of groans, cries, and whispers from within the tunnel, and spectral lanterns being seen moving about as if the laborers are still hard at work.
   
   Then there is the story of the Charles Haskell, a fishing schooner that was cursed before it ever set sail when a man slipped and broke his neck. Sailors, always a suspicious lot, were hesitant to sail on the ship after this. But what happened when it finally went out was beyond even their worst fears as the men saw the ghosts of fisherman climbing into the ship from the sea itself, empty sockets for eyes, as they went about fishing before disappearing back into the sea. Small wonder that soon the Charles Haskell was returned to port, never to sail again.
   
   Witchcraft has been a part of the fabric of Massachusetts for well over 300 years. One eerie tale relates the story of Margaret Lesson, "old Meg" as she was called and reputed to be a witch. After an argument with a couple of soldiers in the 1700's, the soldiers soon found themselves harassed by a crow. Suspecting witchcraft, they filled their weapons with the silver buttons off their uniforms and shot the bird. They would later find out that old Meg died of the very same wounds.
   
   There's the haunted old Hornbine School, built in 1645 and still standing today where people swear that the stern headmaster is still giving out lessons to the children and then the Shrieking English Woman, killed by pirates off Marblehead and still crying out in pain for help over two centuries later.
   
   Some stories will be familiar, such as that of the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne who spent a great deal of time in the house, the oldest wooden mansion in all of New England. And then there is the terrifying home of Lizzie Borden in Fall River, MA, where Lizzie allegedly hacked her father and step-mother to death but would be found not guilty. Today the home is a rather exclusive Bed & Breakfast that may be still haunted by the Bordens who have been known to tuck guests into their beds at night.
   
   The writing is light and to the point. Revai doesn't offer opinions on the stories, that's not her goal. She succeeds in tantalizing readers with dozens of weird and chilling stories from all over Massachusetts. A Comprehensive bibliography lists the books and online sources that she used in putting the book together. It's really a wonderful read and highly recommended for fans of the genre.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



2. This was more of a historical account of Massachusetts's ghosts. A number of the stories are well known (to ghost fanatics, that is,) and offer no new information. If you are expecting a collection of stories, compiled from first-hand accounts of witnesses, you will be disappointed.

5 comments about The Park Loop Road.

1. An excellent overall introduction to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Good overview of geology and natural and cultural history. Provides up-to-date information on roads and hiking trails. A wonderful guide or souvenir of the Acadian experience.



2. After throughly reading this book through 3 times I have come to the conclusion it is a wonderful book full of useful information. The pictures alone are beautifuly taken giving reason enough to purchase this book. Also Mr Thayer is an excellent chemistry teacher and I hope after reviewing this comment he will raise our grades



3. All of the books written by Robert Thayer convey the true beauty of Acadia National Park. Robert is an outstanding photographer/ author and is an inspiration for my own work. I have seen many slides of Roberts work and I am always impressed. I give this book my highest recommendation for any person interested in learning about Acadia, nature, wildlife, and especially photography. He also has 3 other books available on Amazon.com of an equal caliber.



4. I can't wait to get there in late Summer '06!
   This book is great for anyone planning on visiting Acadia National Park.
   If the park is only half as beautiful as the pictures in the publication, I can't wait!
   I've already planned several routes to run and ride (bicycles) while we are there.
   Thanks!



5. I bought this book before going to Acadia Natl Park. It was incredibly helpful. Our exploration of the Park Loop Road was more interesting because of all the helpful info in this book. Loved the pictures. Very representative of the actual places.