Books Reviews - Page 20

From humble wrap to high fashion, the skirt has seen it all. This snappy, concise but fact-packed examination of the world’s oldest article of clothing takes you from ancient loincloths to modern micro-mini’s, connecting the evolution of the skirt to various changes in style, history and culture. Bopping along breezily from era to era and illustrated with whimsical depictions of styles throughout the ages, it’s a fun way to recall the ups, downs and in betweens of a garment that’s certainly been around.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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One of youngest soldiers to ever receive the Medal of Honor, Lucas left home after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, lying about his age to join the Marines at 14. At the bloody Battle of Iowa Jima, he threw himself on a live grenade, saving those around him but leaving himself seriously injured. The dramatic story of his life, the incident and its aftermath (in which Lucas returned to military service after years as a civilian) make for a riveting narrative about a shining example of America’s “greatest generation.”
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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This sweeping, searing portrait of America’s War Between the States not only examines the period’s powder-keg interaction of politics, race and economics, it brilliantly interweaves the perspectives and experiences of ordinary citizens and soldiers on both sides of the conflict—one that cost 600,000 lives and tore a nation apart in order to preserve it.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Since 1864, when the first Civil War solder was buried in the newly confiscated estate of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the Potomac River, more than 300,000 military personnel, civilians, government officials, astronauts, explorers and other heroes have found their final resting places in Arlington National Cemetery. This gorgeous coffee-table book, with 175 striking images of the historic and hallowed grounds in Washington, D.C., movingly chronicles its seasons, caretakers and ceremonies and the millions of visitors who come annually to reflect on the sacrifice, honor and valor it represents.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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More than 125 elegant color photos of bronze and stone memorials commemorating wartime events and veterans all across America bring history alive and honor the heroism, sacrifice and noble calls to duty that have put wind into our country’s waving flag of freedom since 1776.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Bird watchers, nature lovers and anyone who’s ever gazed in awe as a flock of geese headed south will love this handsome coffee-table compendium, which uses some 350 color photos, maps and drawings to illuminate one of nature’s great, marvelous mysteries—how and why billions of winged travelers pit themselves against the elements and a gauntlet of peril to traverse almost unbelievable distances every year.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Through chapters devoted to his mother, wife, daughter, aunts, teachers, friends, neighbors and others (including Eleanor Roosevelt, novelist Harper Lee, actresses Michael Learned, Jane Wyman and Patricia Neal and comedienne Minnie Pearl), this sweet, sentimental Mother’s Day memoir from the creator of TV’s The Waltons is a reminder of the many ways benevolent females shape, nurture and inspire us all.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Forget expensive landscaping. Transform your yard into a masterpiece—or at least the marvel of your neighborhood—with these 18 patterns, step-by-step mowing instructions and handy tips on the simple extra tools (string, wooden stakes) you’ll need to turn your ordinary suburban lawn into an eye-dazzling turf trophy.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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The life of the Beatles’ John Lennon is examined with recollections from friends and family and the unique perspectives of the author, a longtime associate and the only U.S. journalist to travel with the Fab Four on the band’s historic 1964-65 tours of North America. Beatle fans will feast on the new details, but even more casual readers will marvel at the revelatory insights Kane brings to late rock star as a husband, humanitarian and human being.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Author Renshaw may be an Englishman, but he sure knows his American autos—specifically the mean “muscle” machines like the Mustang, Camaro, Thunderbird, Corvette and Pontiac GTO developed by Ford, Chrysler and General Motors in the 1960s and 1970s. With more than 1,000 color photos, model-by-model histories, technical specs and bountiful interior, exterior and engine shots, this coffee-table book will take you on a revved-up, rip-roaring, retro ride with some of the trailblazing road runners that created American “car culture.”
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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