Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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"These essays on the Constitution were written by busy men in the midst of an active public and professional life, written with immense haste, and without proper time for consultation.... Yet even when they first appeared, the Federalist papers were recognized as the best explanation of and defense of the Constitution available, and they took their place, almost at once, as a classic. Jefferson--no Federalist himself--pronounced the volume, when it appeared, "the best commentary on the principles of government which has ever been written.""--From the Introduction by Editor, Henry S. Commager. Includes bibliography. ... Read more

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Explorations by early navigators- descriptions of the islands and their peoples- their history and records of the catholic missions; as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts- showing the political- economic- commercial and religious conditions ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton: Or Men and Events, at Home and Abroad, During Three Quarters of a Century
This book has great stories about founding father Alexander Hamilton and his advice to his children. The stories demonstrate Hamilton as he was, not as his enemies (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Rush) defined him after his early death.
The biggest challenge with this book is that many of the lefthand pages were not copied fully so the last word of each sentence, closest to the internal margin, is missing. Annoying but not a deal killer since it is fairly easy to figure out what the missing word should be. However, if using this for research than greater accuracy would be needed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not Hornblower--but a good biography
The author's attempts to draw parallels between the career of Admiral Gordon and the fictional Horatio Hornblower generally are stretches.I thought he needed to reread the Hornblower books before making some of thecomments he did.His list of similarities in their careers in the forwardwould be more effective if they were accurate for Hornblower.However, thedates for different ranks are wrong.He also equates Gordon's enlistmentat 11 with Hornblower's joining at 17 as both being "mere boys in1793."Hornblower was actually old for a new midshipman.

However,we should be grateful that this dubious premise sold the book, becausePerrett has provided us with a very solid biography of a typical navalofficer of this period.Gordon is not in the first rank of Napoleonicnaval officers, but the variety of his experiences and actions shows thetype of man who made the British navy great.With the skill of the truehistorian, Perrett has dug out details of long forgotten actions andcampaigns.His style is readable, and he has an eye for the sort of detailthat adds zest to a biography.

a good book, worth the money
The life of Admiral Gordon is very interesting and the book is a pleasure to read.The comparisons between Gordon and Hornblower are not overdone, and even readers who are not Hornblower afficionados (like myself) will enjoy the book.

A good read for Hornblower fans and naval history buffs!
As a lifelong Hornblower/C.S.Forester fan, I read this book with some trepidation, but Perrett seems to be a fan as well. He proposes a new theory: that Forester created the character of Horatio Hornblower using the model of a real Royal Navy captain in the Napoleonic Wars : James Gordon (who eventually became an admiral). Perrett hangs most of the premise for his theory upon an apparent inconsistency in C.S. Forester's otherwise thoroughnonfiction writing style. In Forester's NAVAL WAR OF 1812 (nonfiction),he barely mentions Captain Gordon's name, even though Gordon had hada brilliant and successful career. Perrett notes that Forester gives other brilliant naval officers full career write-ups, even including information on their families. This(inaddition to a few other similarities in Hornblower's/Gordon's respective careers) has made Perrett feel that Forester was "hiding" Gordon, so to speak, so that future casual readers would not see the similarities between the real hero and the fictional one.This reader does not feel that there is quite enough evidence to support that theory, but the book is fascinating reading in its own right, and anyone who enjoys naval history will enjoy it. Gordon comes off as a brave, smart, and kind (but fair)captain, like Hornblower. But because we know so much about Hornblower's every thought,feeling, andmotive (due to Forester's superb skills), Hornblower seems more real to me even than does Captain Gordon! Perrett, who has written at least 14 other books on military history, has however done a fine job himself, and Gordon's exploits are brought very much to life indeed. A very good read! ... Read more

Product Description
Indianapolis' 500-Mile Race, "the world's greatest sports spectacle," was rained out three consecutive days in 1973, and marred by lethal wrecks. Thousands of drunken race fans made the Speedway a vast encampment of garbage, misery and debauchery. The event is vividly recreated through a dozen fictional characters, their lives interwoven in crisis. A true study in violence and voyeurism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of James Alexander Thom's first published books shows his potential and rookie problems.
James Alexander Thom is one of my favorite authors. In my classroom I have two of his books on my shelves and kids come to me looking for something to read I recommend those books first due to the power of the storytelling. Those that accept my recomendations concerning his books are never disappointed. Great stuff!

While most of his books concern the fronteir days of America's old Northwest Territory (Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, etc.) this one concerns the rain-shortened and deadly 1973 Indy 500. The race took part over the course of 3 days and was finally called after a little more than 300 miles due to rain and the fact that only 9 of the 33 starters were still on the track. Thom was at the race and the events inspired him to write this book and explore the motivations of race fans, violence on television and the news and voyeourism of all sorts.

This book however does not qualify as great - it is too up and down and inconsistent.

First - what is done well:

-Thom accurately portrays the way the 'Snake Pit' of the Indy 500 used to be - the dirt, the beer, the hedonism.

-Thom accurately captures the feel of the 500 just before the race starts. The tension, the anticipation, the pomp and ritual.

-Thom's descriptions of the Speedway and its environs are dead-on. Especially the traffic and the insanity of the some of the police who are directing it.

What does not work so well:

-Too many characters - especially the boy from Kokomo who has to see the race no matter what. The girls who break out from the Indiana Girls' School (Indiana's prison for teenaged girls)and party in the infield are interesting but also fail to advance the story.

-Thom's theme is that sex, violence and power are all inter-related. The fighter pilot war hero and the soft-porn movie starlet, and the 500 festival princess who poses naked for the camera are all supposed to tie in with the race and the mayhem that ocurred on the track, in the stands (debris and fuel were sprayed all over one section of the stands) and in the infield. However, I thought that Thom failed to connect all of these dots and the story gets too off-target. Too many themes means that he hits none of them well. It would have been better to have made two books - one exploring the violence of auto racing and the motivations of the racers and the fans, the other exploring sexuality, power and fidelity.

Fans of the 500 will appreciate:

-Transcripts of the race thrown into the text to tell the reader how far along the race is. These are actually transcribed from Sid Collins' personal tapes and include ads, Sid Collins and other local (Indy area) broadcasters such as Mike Ahern.

-Local sites such as the Indiana Girls' School, The Coke Lot, The Snake Pit and a local westside bakery that just has to be Long's Bakery.

**On a different note, why do they use a modern era Indy Car on the cover photo rather than a car from the '73 race? ... Read more

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A history of dynastic guardianship, political betrayal and historical suppression by the Head of the Royal House of Stewart and legitimate descendant of the Stuart Kings of Britain. A comprehensive history of his family to appeal to all those interested in the past, present and future of Scotland. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

The most inacurate thing I have ever read
I got this book from the library because I was doing research on Bonnie Prince Charlie and William Wallace. I didn't read the whole book, but the snatches I did read were really bad. William Wallace didn't grow up in the French court! He wasn't an aristocrat! He was an outlaw and a patriot! I truthfully didn't get past the part about Wallace, and it all left me wondering where on earth did this guy get his information from?! It was like a really bad historic novel, but was worse for the fact that it was supposed to be a history.
I give it one star for obvious reasons.

Delusions of Grandeur
Michel LaFosse (b. April 21, 1958, Brussels, Belgium), whose father is a shopkeeper and whose mother is an office worker, has claimed since 1976 to be "the senior legal descendant of the Stuart Kings of Britain" (frontispiece).He has posed as HRH Prince Michael [Stewart], the Seventh Count of Albany.This book is his attempt to prove his claim, argue the superiority of the Stuarts/Stewarts to the Hanoverian usurpers, and advocate a restoration of the Royal House of Stewart in Scotland (preferably with a written constitution of his design).Modestly, he does not lay claim to the throne of England; his forebears, he says, renounced that claim during the reign of George V.
The author claims to be the legitimate head of the Royal House of Stewart because Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart, who was "symbolically crowned" as Charles III in Edinburgh on September 22, 1745) entered into a previously unknown second marriage in December 1785, three years before his death.One legitimate son supposedly resulted from that union, from whom the author claims to be the senior legitimate descendant.(He chronicles his invented genealogy at great length.)Charles's only legitimate heir from his only known marriage, Charlotte, died without issue, so the Stuart line had long been thought extinct; as the author puts it, "the Scots were generally unaware that their Royal House still existed" (3).How dramatic to have the head of the Royal House of Stewart suddenly reappear in Scotland after three centuries of exile!
This book was a bestseller, but LaFosse's key documents (including his birth certificate showing his princely title) have proven to be forgeries.LaFosse has fled from Scotland.His Web site about the Royal House of Stewart has been shut down.
As history, this book is useless.With LaFosse's claims exposed as fraudulent, this book is now a mere curiosity, like the claims of the late Anna Anderson to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov of Russia.Why is our desire to believe in these pretenders so strong that we let them con us for so long?
LaFosse had a long (and presumably lucrative) run of cashing in on Jacobite sentiment and the resurgence of Scottish nationalism.However, he has done a disservice to the causes of Jacobitism and Scottish nationalism, despite his lofty, noble rhetoric.

This book is only good for a laugh
Michel Roger Lafosse is from Belgium - an ordinary man, like most of the rest of us. Unlike most of the rest of us, he has embarked on a fantasy in which he is a prince. This may sound like the start of a children's fairytale story, but it happens to be the best way to begin the real life story of the author of this book. It also puts this book, which he claims is about his ancestors, in context.

Of course, the author Michel Lafosse (who now styles himself HRH Prince Michael of Albany, etc. etc.) was challenged to produce some evidence of his noble claims. He produced a birth certificate, which was dismissed as a forgery by the very authorities in Belgium that he claimed had issued it. His own real birth certificate, of the same date, shows his parents' names, less any mention of the titles that were added in the forgery. Yes, gone is the "Baron" in front of his father's name, and gone is the "Princess" in front of his mother's. Indeed his father's occupation is listed by the registrar as that of shopkeeper, while his mother is listed as a business employee. Through invention of ancestors and twisting of historical detail, Michel Lafosse has managed to write himself into his own imaginary version of history - and you can read it all in this book. I wonder if we need to consider the validity of the book contents at all after these simple facts.

There are many, many other areas where he has been caught out - producing poor quality forgeries of Vatican documents according to researchers, the apparent use of the same typesetting machine on documents supposedly hundreds of years apart (and produced by both Catholic and Protestant churches), and so on - but the space is too limited to properly counter his arguments here. Oh yes, he does claim he is directly descended from Jesus too.

Should you buy this book? If you are looking for knowledge and history, NO. It is written as one man's self-serving account of history with the intention of making him look like he is someone that he is clearly not. However, if you are looking to be entertained by a delusional man, then YES.

But for your own sake, do not leave it lying around the house where your school-going children might pick it up. You do not want them failing history exams or being laughed out of college. I suggest putting some highly visible stickers with the words "Fiction" or "Fantasy" on it, just in case.

Hilariously bad pseudo-history
This book would be even funnier if people did not take it so seriously. As a history, it doesn't even deserve notice; most of the assertions "Prince Michael" makes are backed up by citations that are so deliberately vague (The Vatican Archives, for example) that no serious scholar could ever attempt to verify his claims to being the legitimate Stuart claimant.

As a genealogy, this book is positively grotesque. "Prince Michael's" purported ancestry includes supposed ancestors that did not even exist, as has been conclusively demonstrated by a number of very good websites that specialize in European royal & noble lines. The fact that "Prince Michael" is in league with the very very dubious Laurence Gardner, who has no credence whatsoever in genealogical circles, should speak for itself.

A visit to "Prince Michael's" and Gardner's websites show clearly that the whole purpose of this enterprise is to make a buck, and evidently they have been successful in this venture, even if historical truth had to be sacrificed to achieve this.

This is not to say that I didn't enjoy the book. When the author doesn't have to bother with historical accuracy, he can instead concentrate on writing a brisk narrative. As a result, I was able to finish this book in rather short order. Also, there some pretty funny stuff in this book, such as the claim that Napoleon is the direct descendant of Charles I of Great Britain (supported again, we are told, by evidence buried deep within the Vatican Archives). Also, the absolutely god-awful painting of "Prince Michael" with his illustrious Stuart forebears (by the "court painter," we are told) was so bad that I could not help but laugh at great length. Such merriment can only be good for the soul, so I guess this book does indeed have something to offer.

In short, if you want a good laugh, by all means read this book. If you are looking for something with even a whiff of historical truth, look elsewhere.

*****UPDATE, 4 August 2006*****

The house of cards appears finally to have collapsed; Michael LaFosse, self styled Prince of Albany and de jure King of Scotland, has fled the UK (apparently returning to his mother's home) rather than face charges from the UK Home Office that his citizenship and passport were obtained using forged documents.He is also facing investigations into the charities he has organized.The support he once enjoyed appears to be evaporating in light of the Home Office investigations, as well as recent negative articles in the Sunday Herald & Sunday Mail.

And yet, this book was a best-seller when it was released.Even though it never stood up to close scrutiny, this book evidently told a lot of people what they wanted to hear, that there was a legitimate descendant of Bonnie Prince Charlie who was looking out for Scottish interests.

It worked for awhile --- people seemed willing to look past the dubious nature of his claims, in part because they wanted to believe that it was true, and also because many people will believe anything that is in print.It is a sad commentary that a man with obviously forged documents could keep the game going for nearly 30 years, but for a con to work, people have to buy into it, and buy they did.

Now that Michael LaFosse's delusions of grandeur seem to have vanished in a puff of smoke (one has to believe that if he truly believed his own claims, he would have stood his ground and fought the charges), this may book may ultimately be the only remainder (the royal website seems to have been taken down for good) of one man's zany quest, much like the Hay Allan brothers' "Vestiarium Scoticum" from 1842.At times it verges into the realm of "so bad it's good," but mostly it is bad in a depressingly earnest sort of way.

Interesting only as a historical curiosity these days.

Sheer Fantasy
All those who want Scotland to choose a different path from that of England should hesitate before choosing to believe the claims of the author of this book. To cut a long story short, base your policies on fact, not fiction.

This book is totally ridiculous, and I'm glad that children have not been taught history from it. There are plenty of decent books on the Jacobites, and this is NOT one of them. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Product Description
Originally published in 1897.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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God.com is a refreshing, unflinchingly honest approach to seeking our Creator. Witty, poignant, and surprising text draws today's techno-savvy readers to God's "home page," where they can learn to more fully understand and communicate with Him. In these pages, author James Langteaux boldy tackles some of our toughest questions about maintaining a relationship with an invisible being-discussing God as Father, Lover, and Best Friend. God.com helps readers identify and break down walls of fear so they can allow God's love and purposes to change their lives in profound ways. It invites us all to face the piercing, unpadded truth of God's passion for us and respond, reminding us that our maturity is at stake. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Awesome Blossum
This book was Amazing the first time I read it. I imagine It will be even better the next time i read it. It is Very Funny, Very Poetic, and very Beautiful. He is very honest and and skilled at writing. I loved this book. Get it.

a intimant sojourn with God...

A delightful invitation to start a intimate relationship with God,
The author presents in a fresh and innovative way the adventure of believing andtrusting God.

Are you lost?
I read this book when I was struggling to find my faith in a God that seemed so unreal, so distant, so useless.I read this book when nothing else seemed to make any sense.I was floating along as a leader in the Christian subculture with no one that I could open up and be honest with.Then I "met" James Alexander.Someone that understood.Someone that had crazy stories like me.Someone that wrote from the heart and was not scared what others thought, what the consquences were.From the first lines of the first chapter I know this man could write and I was in for a treat.However, it was not until I was already hooked when I realized how great, and honest this man was.An author that is not only clever and cunning, but open and honest and deeply moving.By far the most thougth provoking, and enjoyable books that I have read from a Christian author.One that I have kept coming back to again and again over the years.One that helps me find the way back to a God that is not only uncomfortably close, but wants to be and wants me to join him there.

Believe only Believe. GOD loves you and wants to talk to you
I read GOD.net first but this book is the place to start especially for those not in relationship with the LORD. I was greatly ministered to by this book as James Langteaux does not depart from the simplicity of Christ. Through deep impassioned scripting James opens the scroll of GOD's love for the whole world, a love that will change the world one heart at a time.
I was blessed by the simple message of just believing GOD and this book did stir up the GIFT in me, Jesus Christ, and what was my trust really in. This book has and is crucial to my continued growth in the Lord as it challenged me. As Christians we need to be challenged as to what we really believe about our Father and what/who we trust. Read this book and be blessed and allow the work of the Holy Spirit to rend your Heart to let the Love of Jesus change you into HIS image.
James is very real about his faith and doubts and the life he lives. This is remarkably refreshing and someone you can truly relate to. I found a kinship in trials and doubts that plagued the author but reading how GOD used them and brought forth the treasures of darkness is very encouraging. This is a book of eternal love and life. GOD bless you and may your relationship and communion with the Father grow deeply and may HE use you to change those hearts to eternal life starting with yours.JB

THE BEST!
This is one of the best books that i have ever read. It will really put your spiritual life in perspective. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1880.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more