The Splendid Five: A True Story About the Splinter Fleet in the Pacific During WWII

Book Description

A true story about five wooden subchasers that engaged in island invasions in the Pacific during WWII

Customer Reviews:

The Splendid Five, a splendid book.......2002-04-10

A splendid story about WWII! Wesley has a gift for dialog and character building. His book reads like a novel as he finds himself in a safe backwater trying to get into the war. His antics are reminiscent of Catch 22 as two old salts get him into all kinds of trouble which leads to their being assigned to Splendid Five, a pre-WWI wooden ship shorter in length than the wingspan of a B-29. It was a subchaser "built to chase submarines but which could not defend herself from one."

Splendid Five and her sister ships were assigned to the Army to support MacArther's island hopping campaign to the Philippines. It starts in a light-hearted way but rapidly becomes grim as they enter their first battle off Pelelui*. The author got his first kill but learned: "Death for us would never hold the terrors it once had for we had seen it up close and knew it for what it was: The inevitable calling in of one's number."

We...were delighted when they spotted a Kilroy Was Here sign on the beach where " . . . no American could have done that and no Jap would do it . . . " He never explained how it got there.

A splendid read indeed. Don't miss it!

*Editor's note:"Bloody Peleui" cost nearly 2000 American lives and eight thousand wounded.

To prepare for these landings at Pelelui, Halsey's TF38 started a softening up campaign. Four TBFs off the light carrier San Jacinto took off to strike the radio station at Chichi Jima in the Bonins. A young, unknown Lt (j.g.) got shot down but was picked up by the American submarine, Finback. The Lieutenant's name was George H. Bush.

Amazon.com

The only constants in nature are change and death. Terry Tempest Williams, a naturalist and writer from northern Utah, has seen her share of both. The pages of Refuge resound with the deaths of her mother and grandmother and other women from cancer, the result of the American government's ongoing nuclear-weapons tests in the nearby Nevada desert. You won't find the episode in the standard history textbooks; the Feds wouldn't admit to conducting the tests until women and men in Utah, Nevada, and northwestern Arizona took the matter to court in the mid-1980s, and by then thousands of Americans had fallen victim to official technology. Parallel to her account of this devastation, Williams describes changes in bird life at the sanctuaries dotting the shores of the Great Salt Lake as water levels rose during the unusually wet early 1980s and threatened the nesting grounds of dozens of species. In this world of shattered eggs and drowned shorebirds, Williams reckons with the meaning of life, alternating despair and joy.

Book Description

In the spring of 1983 Terry Tempest Williams learned that her mother was dying of cancer. That same season, The Great Salt Lake began to rise to record heights, threatening the herons, owls, and snowy egrets that Williams, a poet and naturalist, had come to gauge her life by. One event was nature at its most random, the other a by-product of rogue technology: Terry's mother, and Terry herself, had been exposed to the fallout of atomic bomb tests in the 1950s. As it interweaves these narratives of dying and accommodation, Refuge transforms tragedy into a document of renewal and spiritual grace, resulting in a work that has become a classic.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing Unnatural About It; It's Sacred.......2006-10-28

The first time I went to Utah, I read Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" and loved it. This time, at a bookstore in Moab, I picked up Williams' "Red" for a contemporary view of the ecological issues around this gorgeous desert landscape, which is unlike any place I have been. Although I liked "Red," people told me "Refuge" was even better.

This is a very special book. I'm no birdwatcher, but it made me want to be. I'm no scientist, but I wished I were. I'm no Mormon, but it gave me respect for a religion I have never been able to fathom. Terry Tempest Williams has profound insights into the natural world. Her observations of the Great Salt Lake and the many migratory birds that visit it are as moving as her account of the death by cancer of her mother and grandmothers. Not surprisingly, they taught Williams awe of birds and sunsets and their own bodies. All of them are brave and spiritual women, and we would be wise to learn from them.

I think what I most admire about Williams as a writer is her emotional courage. Time and time again, she strikes out where more conventional writers would hesitate. She finds redeeming passages from the Book of Mormon. She follows her mother through her long and circuitous spiritual journey with cancer. She follows her grandmother as she moves into Eastern thought and modern physics. She dips respectfully into ancient Indian and Mexican culture. She walks in the desert at some peril to her well-being. She speaks of the intimacy of her marriage and about her decision not to bear children.

Yet his is not a book "about" the desert or cancer or birds or Mormonism, but about life and how it can be richly observed, experienced. shared and redeemed. It's one brave woman's answer to "Desert Solitaire."

This verse unlocks the heart........2006-10-16

Terry Tempest Williams is a national treasure. Her unvarnished verse carries one deep into the mystery of the Earth and sends us helplessly into the depths of our own hearts. The landscape of wildness breaths a spectacular wisdom under the watchful eyes of this keen observer of wind, rock, desert, sky, sage, along with the birds who soar and dance and play in a benediction to non-sentient life.

When I need to recapture my own mortality along with my own humility, I always return to the verse of this elder of silence and truth. Williams stands alone in the power to convey both outer and inner wildness. Her verse is poetic and healing. One does not read these words but are instead initiated into the heart beat of wild nature. Savor its beauty as you might a calming sunset or a wind swept sea shore calling you ever deeper into your own soul.

Read everything she writes and find peace deep within.

If you have been affected by cancer it is worth reading!!!.......2006-06-26

I loved and hated this book. It is beatifully written. I found the author frustrating at times. Some parts got a little long winded about the birds. It takes you on a emotional rollercoaster but the pay off of finishing this book is worth it. Any one who has been affected by cancer will find this book very inciteful to the process of going through treatment and also the death process. Terry Tempest gives the most authentic and honest account of what life is like living through cancer I have every read. She put into words thought and feelings I could never express fully.
The research of the history of the Great Salt Lake was very fun to read about. I have lived in Utah all my life, but I have never been to the Lake I now am very curious to see it and the bird refuge. I think I will find the trip much more interesting now than if I had gone before reading this book.

Suprising turn of events.......2006-03-02

Terry Tempest Williams is a naturalist living in Utah who has the history of cancer in her family. Cancer in this novel is paralleled with the flooding of the neighboring Great Salt Lake. Overall this book goes to show that cancer goes deeper than the person who it is diagnosed to. I would suggest this book on limited circumstances: One-if you can get past the strong feminine presence and domination of this novel. Two-do not read the last 60 or so pages. I approved of this book up until that point. If the book ended at that point, leaving out the harassment of the government it would be ten times better. To anyone who is in the process of reading Refuge, you won't want to read past around page 230. Enough said.
My rating(first 230 or so pages): 7.5/10
My rating(after page 230 or so) 2.5/10

Disappointed.......2006-02-03

Although I found the passages about Ms. Williams relationships with her mother and grandmother and their struggles with cancer to be well-written and moving, I am surprised that she and many other reviewers imply that the cancers were the consequences of nuclear testing. I think of myself as an environmentalist, and I believe that such testing is likely to have been harmful to human health; however, the striking family history of breast and ovarian cancer in this case strongly suggests that there is a genetic disorder (mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) that was responsible for the cancer in these women. I was living in Salt Lake City during the spring of 1983, and the flooding was indeed dramatic, but I was bored by the rather repetitious descriptions of the refuge and the birds.

Average customer rating:

Awesome!

Lavishly Illustrated Inspiration for Every Table

Southern Living 2002 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Manufacturer: Oxmoor House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
South | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
jp-unknown2 | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Southern Living Annual Recipes 2003 (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living 2001: Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes, 2001)

Southern Living 2004 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living 2000 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living 2005 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

ASIN: 0848725409

Book Description

A handy compilation of every single recipe from an entire year of the magazine. All-new recipesalmost 1,000are each tested and made foolproof by the famous Test Kitchens of Southern Living. From down-home dishes to sophisticated fare, these recipes and casual entertaining ideas have a decidedly Southern accent.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome!.......2004-07-15

I started with the 2001 edition of this book and ever since, I've been hooked. I now have over 30 Southern Living cookbooks and I use them daily! The recipes are easy, you can even cook an entire menu for dinner parties, etc. which they plan out for you. It's so very easy and very, very good food that I just keep coming back for more. The desserts are just ridiculously out of this world! It's worth buying just for that!

Lavishly Illustrated Inspiration for Every Table.......2003-01-15

I bought my first Southern Living Annual Recipe Cookbook in 1995 and it was such a stand-out favorite in my collection that I've added several more editions since. These cookbooks consistently offer extensive recipe collections (hundreds) organized by the month they appear in the magazine -- I find this feature expecially helpful in the spring and summer when I am looking for lighter meals to prepare for my family.

Although I have an extensive (fifty plus) collection of cookbooks I find myself reaching for these books first whenever I am looking for inspiration for a special meal or party. The entertaining ideas and tips always offer up something fresh, new and easy to try.

Those of us who live in the colder climes of the north appreciate the soul-soothing traditional foods of our southern sisters. So, if you are looking for a tasty plate of chicken or a hot bowl of spicy gumbo you are sure to find it in these collections. But you will positively find a wide variety of other tastes and cooking needs met here too.

I'm an avid and experienced cook and I really enjoy the clear organization of these books and the individual recipes. Novice cooks will also find the directions consistently clear and easy to use.

I think the best thing about the Southern Living Annual Recipe collections are the illustrations, which are strikingly beautiful photographs that rate right up there with cookbooks in my collection that cost twice as much.

Average customer rating:
Southern Living Annual Recipes Master Index 1979-2002

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Southern Living 1979: Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes, 1979)

Southern Living 2002 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living 1998 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living: 1997 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

Southern Living 1996 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes)

ASIN: 0848727207

Average customer rating:
Book of Afghan Hound/H-991
Joan Brearley
Manufacturer: Tfh Pubns Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0876666659

Average customer rating:

Very Useful book

Quilters Stitch Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Over 200 Stitches with Easy-to-Follow Diagrams
Nikki Tinkler
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Needlework | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Quilter's Color Scheme Bible: More Than 700 Stunning Color Combinations For Every Style of Quilting Block

The Embroidery Stitch Bible

Applique the Basics and Beyond: The Complete Guide to Successful Machine and Hand Techniques with Dozens of Designs to Mix and Match

Quilting Patterns: 110 Full-Size Ready-to-Use Designs and Complete Instructions (Quilting)

Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Designs and Techniques

ASIN: 0896892034

Book Description

All the stitches quilters need to make any type of quilt are covered in 700+ color illustrations and step-by-step instructions! Explained in full detail, with easy-to-follow diagrams, The Quilter's Stitch Bible is the most comprehensive quilt stitch guide on the market!

Basic and decorative stitches, for use by hand and machine, are covered in exhaustive detail. Quilters will discover sections devoted to more than 200 stitches including random, zigzag, basic, open chain and more! Plus, each technique includes a list of materials and equipment, and tips on planning, finishing and caring for quilts.

-700+ color illustrations provide quilters with easy instructions

-Demonstrates more than 200 stitches for use by hand or machine

-Lay-fat ease-of-use spiral binding

Customer Reviews:

Very Useful book.......2007-07-27

This book is very useful for decorative stitches on all your quilts. The pictures are helpful as well. Good reference book.

Book Description

This culinary celebration of herbs and vegetables contains fresh delights like Windowsill Corn Muffins made in flowerpots and savory Tomato Cobbler.

Average customer rating:
Heartstrings Seasons of Plenty & Seasons of Promise Cross Stitch (Spring & Autumn)
Designer Pat Thode
Manufacturer: The Artists Collection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N3ZB6C

Product Description

Designs include: Spring for Girl and Boy. Autumn for Girl and Boy. Total of four charts within the two booklets. These have been out-of-print for quite a while!

Average customer rating:

Welcomes 'A Plenty (No. 71)
Sandra Sullivan
Manufacturer: Homespun Elegance
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet
ASIN: B000WE11YI

Product Description

Designs that reflect our American Heritage, charted Welcome and country themed images for embroidery.

Reader provides plenty of food for thought.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor) : An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal

Average customer rating:

Reader provides plenty of food for thought.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor) : An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal
Kerra
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000GIN21A
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Countryside & Small Stock Journal, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2006. The length of the article is 2598 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Reader provides plenty of food for thought.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Author: Kerra
Publication: Countryside & Small Stock Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 90 Issue: 4 Page: 8(6)

Article Type: Letter to the editor

Distributed by Thomson Gale

What can an inventive couple do with old pipes? Plenty!: An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal

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What can an inventive couple do with old pipes? Plenty!: An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal
Carl Shepherd
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000V8SQUW
Release Date: 2007-08-18

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Countryside & Small Stock Journal, published by Thomson Gale on September 1, 2007. The length of the article is 901 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: What can an inventive couple do with old pipes? Plenty!
Author: Carl Shepherd
Publication: Countryside & Small Stock Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 91 Issue: 5 Page: 55(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

A Paradise Out Of A Common Field. The Pleasures and Plenty of the Victorian Garden.

Average customer rating:

A Paradise Out Of A Common Field. The Pleasures and Plenty of the Victorian Garden.
Joan & Richards, Alison Morgan
Manufacturer: Century
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUKD6S

Book Description

Easy-to-follow guide can help you overcome back, neck and shoulder pain by turning everyday movements into practical therapy. Based on the Alexander Technique, a medically recognized alternative to ice packs, heat, ultrasound, traction, bed rest, medication, and surgery. Can also help whiplash, sciatica and disc trouble. 200 photos and drawings.

Customer Reviews:

Back Trouble? Read this book!.......2006-08-11

Caplan's book is a user-friendly guide to good body use, including many illustrations and exercises which will help anyone who wishes to avoid back trouble. She covers all sorts of situations, including bone and joint ailments and post-surgery. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

An excellent, easy to understand book for recouperation.......1999-07-02

This book does a great job to educate about how the body functions, with emphasis on helping those with back pain. It is an excellent integration of the Alexander approach with physical therapy to aide in recovery, and better lifetime function.The illustrations are very helpful. As a physical therapist, I recommend this book to all of my patients with Back Trouble.

Back Trouble : a New Approach to Prevention & Recovery

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Back Trouble : a New Approach to Prevention & Recovery
Deborah Caplan
Manufacturer: Compass Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M4PLSA

Book Description

The lives of five strong, creative, intelligent women who dedicated their lives to serving the genius of others. • Isabel Burton, wife of explorer Sir Richard Burton. • Maria Nys, first wife of Aldous Huxley. • Francoise Gilot, Pablo Picasso's mistress for 10 years, and mother of two of his children. • Helen Dukas, loyal assistant to Albert Einstein. • Vera Slonim, wife of Vladimir Nabokov.

Among fascinating friends, dramatic historic events and transcendent achievements, these women chose saintly self-effacement, emotional suffering, loneliness, and personal privation. WHY? • Why choose to live in the shadow of greatness? • What did each sacrifice? What did each gain?

Because each woman's shadow efforts influenced the public persona of her partner, the author believes the key is in the opaqueness or transparency of the genius being served. Some geniuses are so obsessed-opaque- they are open to nothing outside themselves. Others are transparent to the work of their own genius - a witness, not a slave. How this affects the shadow women is the focus of this book.

Customer Reviews:

A Fascinating Read.......2005-12-12

Despite the title I found the substance compelling. The stories of these women and the men they served was new to me -- a definite for women's studies and a good read. It was hard to put down.

A true story of the women who supported men of genius.......2004-02-09

Very highly recommended for Women's Studies supplemental reading lists & community library collections, read The Shadow Of Greatness: Five Extraordinary Women And The Men Of Genius They Served by counselor, musician, and academician Michael Menager is the absorbing true story of the women who supported men of genius, yet whose quiet work was overshadowed by her significant other's accomplishments. Examining the lives and achievements of Isabel Burton (wife and partner of Sir Richard Burton); Maria Huxley (supporter and wife of Aldous Huxley); Francoise Gilot (mistress of Pablo Picasso); and Vera Nabokov (muse and wife of Vladimir Nabokov), In The Shadow Of Greatness is a quite profoundly thoughtful and extensively researched examination of the overlooked side of partnerships that contributed greatly to human history, learning, and culture.

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