Vicious: Wolves and Men in America (The Lamar Series in Western History)

Book Description

Why did Americans hate wolves for centuries? And, given the ferocity of this loathing, why are Americans now so protective of the animals? In this provocative history of wolves in America—and of the humans who have hated and loved them—Jon Coleman investigates the sometimes violent and always controversial relationship between the two species.
"With lively prose and copious detail (Coleman) deftly weaves together the histories of settler and lupine societies. . . . Provocative, scholarly, scholarly, and readable."—Karen R. Jones, Journal of American History
"Thoughtfully conceived, insightful, and well written, Vicious is a wicked good read."—Andrew Kirk, Montana: The Magazine of Western History

Customer Reviews:

Who Are the Vicious Ones?.......2006-04-04

It doesn't take one long to realize the title, I believe, doesn't refer to the viciousness of the wolves, but to humans. In a number of instances he reveals the incredible senseless cruelty inflicted upon captured wolves, many times for sheer pleasure and other times to somehow to 'even the score'.

Particularly interesting are the passages on the Mormons and their eradication of the wolves of Utah, which I think backfired in an interesting way, the very tall tales associated with wolves, the turning point toward environmentalism brought about Leopold, and the governmental eradication program in effect until 1950. It's quite interesting to see how the government "propaganda program" drove the eradication effort.

The author makes an interesting remark that there is no record in North America that wolves have ever killed a human. It's probably true, but worth looking into. I've heard this remark before. Perhaps a little Google work, or maybe something is in his bibliography.

There was an interesting section on communications between the Algonquin indians and Europeans settlers that hinged on interaction with wolves, dogs, and other animals. I recently had seen the movie "New World", 2005/6 release, which depicted this communication in a similar way. Perhaps the author had some influence.

Vicious, but Not Killers of People........2005-06-09

As a young girl, I was warned that lecherous old men were "wolves on the prowl." After all, children read about Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf with big teeth. These are only imaginary wolves not the real 'vicious' wild animals.

When the Europeans came to America, there was a goodly population of these creatures, hungry and ferocious as a tiger in a zoo. Wolf legends preceded them and they were forced to migrate to the West because of rampant eradication in the North East. Steeped in myth and symbols, they existed in folklore long before history connected them to humans.

Wolves were territorial and their haunting howls were not as predators but communication 'songs' warning rival groups in search of food to look elsewhere. Wolves had their own reasons for 'singing' -- to prevent the forced eliminaton of each other.

Like the Indians and buffalo, they were forced off their native lands to the wild West to the point of extinction. Exterminated in the rangelands and farming regions of the U. S., the species survived in the upper regions of Alaska and Canada, along the Great Lakes in the East.

Humans are vicious at the core, generating pain and suffering on each other and cause extreme violence to feel "big." People transported their hatred in stories and traditions,not their souls. Humans tortured animals and showed all kinds of nasty behavior. Euro-Americans killed wild animals and transformed habitats. They espoused a climate of public opinion that mixes love, hate, and indifference with savage behavior. Like the buffalo, they became an endangered species, yet they have survived. Some of the Canadian wolves have been transplanted to Yellowstone National Park in Montana.

In the Smoky Mountains, we have the vicious black bears, as dangerous as any wolf who will actually kill humans who find themselves on the wrong hiking trail. Will the uneducated hillfolk of this area decide to exterminate the bear population? People in this large town at the base of the Smokies will spend all day at Cades Cove just to see a real deer. In Middle Tennessee, we have Davy Crockett Park full of deer to enjoy.

But, no one can trust a wolf unless, of course, he is a caged animal in the zoo. Humans are so insecure and must use guns not for protection but to feed their egoes. The painting on the cover shows a group of Puritans huddling together as the big, bad wolf growls, the old woman with a red cloak and the man not aiming his rifle (just pointing at the dangerous predator), reflects how uninformed our ancestors really were and how naive. He looks just like a wolf-hound.

Jon T. Colemen traveled the country, from New England to Utah, stopping in Denver along the way, for his research; this well-researched book began as a doctoral thesis at Yale University. He teaches history at the University of Notre Dame, and helps take care of his children (along with the laundry) as does my son, the astronomer.

Average customer rating:

Vicious: Wolves and Men in America
Jon T. Coleman
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OS6N0Y

Average customer rating:

Vicious: Wolves and Men in America
Jon T. Coleman
Manufacturer: Yale Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NTKDEG

Average customer rating:

Vicious: Wolves and Men in America
Jon T. Coleman
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N76QJE

Amazon.com

During his 16 years as an NFL quarterback, Joe Montana won four Super Bowls and the respect of fans everywhere. His legendary tenure with the San Francisco 49ers through the 1980s will be remembered as one of the most dominating periods in professional sports. And unlike many of the great quarterbacks, Montana posted both the numbers and the big wins necessary to cement his place in the Hall of Fame. With coauthor Richard Weiner, Montana relates his special knowledge of the game in Joe Montana's Art and Magic of Quarterbacking, a treasury of instruction, anecdotes, and inside-the-huddle information that should earn the cheers of football fans and players everywhere.

In addition to instructional chapters on ball-handling, offensive and defensive formations, pass patterns, and conditioning, Montana also covers the more advanced aspects of playing quarterback, such as reading defenses and calling audibles. With examples right out of the 49er playbook, he dissects contemporary offenses and defenses, emphasizing his points with well-known plays and situations from his own storied career, including postseason classics such as "The Catch" and "The Drive." A winning combination of color action shots and chalkboard-style diagrams--plus memorable sidebar quotes from coaches and players--makes Joe Montana's Art and Magic of Quarterbacking an attractive and informative addition to the pigskin bookshelf. A foreword by John Madden ("I'll say it without any disclaimer. Joe Montana is the greatest quarterback who ever played the game.") and a brief concluding history of the game serve as bonus bookends.

Book Description

Critically acclaimed in the successful hardcover edition, this is the first book to reveal an NFL quarterback's secrets for reading defenses, calling audibles, and becoming a team leader. Written for aspiring players as well as fans and all students of the game, the book combines instruction with inspiration and is chock-full of anecdotes and highlights from legary quarterback Joe Montana's storied career.Lavishly illustrated with action full-color photos, diagrams, and action sequences demonstrating the mechanics of passing, hand-offs, dropbacks and more, Joe Montana's Art and Magic of Quarterbacking is sure to please players and fans alike.

Customer Reviews:

This is not an instructional text.......2006-10-20

Like many of the current crop of younger football coaches, I grew up in a 1980's that was dominated at the NFL level by the West Coast Offense and the San Francisco 49ers. One of the quarterbacks of that amazing dynasty was Joe Montana, and he was very, very good at what he did.

Unfortunately, the book he authored really doesn't go in depth on how he achieved that success. Very little of the player's mechanics are covered. There is no discussion of proper arm motion when passing. There is no discussion of hip angling, receiver progression or other mechanics of function within a football play.

This book is largely a series of anecdotes about Joe's career, rather than a specific list of skills and drills for young quarterbacks. His stories are interesting, but meaningless to the coach looking to improve his players.

I strongly recommend another book by another Super Bowl winning quarterback. "Phil Simms on Passing: Fundamentals of Throwing the Football" is actually ABOUT the mechanics of throwing the ball. All the little tidbits that have been ignored by the miserable execution of the modern NFL are listed.

For example: Phil Simms discusses the importance of keeping the elbows pinned to the sides when dropping back. With both hands on the ball, this reduces the risk of a fumble if sacked by surprise from behind. The year he discovered this he dropped his fumbles from 11 the prior year to three. I was so impressed that I began using that technique with my high school program immediately; our quarterbacks have not fumbled in five years.

Phil Simms also covers the adaptation of the West Coast Offense as a precision passing attack-- so precise in fact, that he was taught, "to hit the receiver on the number away from the defender, so the receiver would know which way to turn to avoid the tackle and could gain extra yardage." These are the tips that should have been in Joe Montana's book, and were not.

Joe Montana's book barely covers the three and five step drops, ignores handoffs and faking, and brushes over roll out passing and throwing on the run. By contrast, Phil Simms's book covers one step, three step, five step, seven step, roll outs, throwing on the run, avoiding the sack, how to avoid the interception, how to throw the intentional incomplete to avoid the sack, reading the zones, reading man-to-man coverage, receiver progressions, securing the football, mechanics of a proper handoff, proper pitching/tossing, proper faking, and several other aspects of playing quarterback.

Joe Montana's book is a good read for the fan with an interest in his career, or the dad that wants to play catch with his son and maybe avoid creating bad habits by teaching incorrect mechanics, but it just doesn't have the depth that it should. For a coach with a serious agenda of improving his football team, I just can't recommend it. Look for Phil Simms's book instead. You'll get much more out of it.

~D.

learning from the best..........2002-11-08

this book is awsome. Joe Montana, probably one of the greatest QBs ever shares his tips and secrets with the readers. Montana discusses everything from certain exercises to do, how to gain more accuracy, what's kinds of defenses there are, how you should grip the football, the different passing patters, and how he used to prepare during the week for an up and coming game. he goes through his mental preparation and what he's thinking in the first quarter, the second quarter, the adjustments at the half, the third, and then the 4th quarter.
Montana also preaches unity and team. he never places himself above his teamates and always credits the people around him for his success. his offensive line, his running backs, coaches, wide recievers, and his parents.

good book for any kid interested in becoming a QB or for anyone who just needs a little inspiration.

Montana is the maestro.......1998-07-12

Joe Montana gives fans of all ages the complete package of quarterbacking. He breaks down every little detail associated with the position. This should be the right hand textbook for anyone wanting to play QB. A beautiful photo gallery is depicted in each chapter.

Joe knows of what he writes!.......1998-01-19

I'm admittedly certifiably crazy about football, the San Fransisco 49ers and Joe Montana. But even discounting those facts, this is one of THE best books ever written on football. Joe really KNOWS football and he and his co-writer really allow you to get INTO his head from a position underneath the center and indeed, from positions all over the field. The diagrams and Joe's explanations of all the intricacies of the game are more than worth the cost of the book, even for veteran watchers of the game. Joe is not only knowledgeable, but gracious and humorous! Having been lucky enough to talk with Joe more than once I can guarantee the truth of those three adjectives to describe him. This book was SO good I sent a copy to my friends in Germany who are also 49er fans (one really LIKES diagrams and one really LIKES Jerry Rice!) I sincerely hope Joe writes MORE books in future. Merfuff

A great purchase for football fans at any level........1997-11-07

As a football fan, and more specifically a Joe Montana fan, this book has it all. Not only do I understand more about the game, I also have a deeper admiration for those who suit up at the quarterback position. Joe puts you on the sideline, in the huddle, and at the line of scrimmage. He's both informative and inspirational, and leaves little doubt as to why he's considered the greatest quarterback of all time. You'll learn a lot of instructional advice on how to play quarterback from Joe, but the book also puts you inside Joe's head during his many magic moments.Gordon Shumway (GMVN@aol.com) New Jersey

Book Description

An essential accompaniment to the bestselling The American Sign Language Phrase Book, The American Sign Language Puzzle Book is an entertaining way for anyone learning to sign to test and build his or her knowledge. Featuring topics such as Everyday Expressions, Health, Clothing, Numbers, Time, and Money, The American Sign Language Puzzle Book incorporates an engaging variety of puzzle types, including scramble puzzles, word searches, matching puzzles, and crosswords, which are all complemented by exceptionally clear and helpful illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Frustrating.......2007-07-25

I like the idea of this book very much. However, there are multiple mistakes in the answer keys, which make it hard to use as a learning tool. Furthermore, there are 17 chapters in the book, but the answer key ends on page 144 with chapter 10. The last 7 chapters have no answer key! (again making it hard to use this book as a learning tool).

It is still a good resource for practicing and thinking in ASL. But I found using the book frustrating at times.

Awesome resource!.......2007-05-12

This book is a fun way to teach kids sign language! My students couldn't get enough of the puzzles.

Good.......2006-08-23

This book is pretty helpful. I found that the answer key didn't match the signs on a few pages but very helpful none the less.

make it simpler.......2006-08-10

When you stop translating in your head you start to just understand witout the middle step
Thinking about the puzzles helps you skip the middle step because you're goal is solving the puzzle not translating and you naturally skip the middle and start to just do it

The American Sign Language Puzzle Book.......2006-03-22

This book is helpful in supporting the signs taught in a sign language class.
Thank you very much.

The American Sign Language Puzzle Book Volume 2

Average customer rating:

The American Sign Language Puzzle Book Volume 2
Justin Segal
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Puzzles | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0071475958

Book Description

It's the most fun you can have while learning to sign!

The follow-up to the bestselling The American Sign Language Puzzle Book, this fun guide from ASL signer Justin Segal gives you tons more of your favorite brainteasers, word searches, scrambles, and crosswords to help you learn the signs with ease.

Whether you're a beginning or advanced signer, you'll improve your skills in no time with:

A fresh variety of puzzles that will broaden your ASL vocabulary
Expressive drawings that show exact hand movements, including placement, direction, and repetition
Puzzles designed to increase your ability to construct phrases
A complete answer key you can use to keep track of your progress

The American Sign Language Handshape Puzzle Book

Average customer rating:

Plan to use the handshpe puzzle book with my advanced sign language puzzle book
Handshape Puzzle Book
A supplementary resource for classroom or self-teaching

The American Sign Language Handshape Puzzle Book
Linda Lascelle Hillebrand
Manufacturer: Gallaudet University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1563683105

Book Description

The American Sign Language Handshape Puzzle Book features 54 different puzzles to help students learn, review, and strengthen their signing vocabulary. Inspired by the bestselling dictionary, this unique workbook offers a variety of puzzles at three different levels — easy, medium, and difficult. Author Linda Lascelle Hillebrand provides a concise explanation of the basic handshapes used in American Sign Language (ASL), then invites readers to have fun while solving all sorts of sign puzzles.

Users can practice sign identification with Crossword and Word Search puzzles that have signs as clues rather than words. Easy puzzles show as few as six signs while advanced puzzles contain as many as 30 signs each. Some of the crossword puzzles provide spaces both across and down for the multiple meanings that many signs can represent.

Handshape Order puzzles require users to identify the handshape of the sign in an illustration, then list the sign’s meaning in English. Match puzzles also challenge readers to find corresponding signs for English glosses. Solutions to It Doesn’t Belong and Sign Description puzzles depend upon knowing the parameters of ASL signs—handshape, orientation, location, and movement—to deduce which word in a list doesn’t belong, and to write the English word for the described signs. The American Sign Language Handshape Puzzle Book is a new, different, and entertaining way to practice ASL that students of all ages are sure to enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

Plan to use the handshpe puzzle book with my advanced sign language puzzle book.......2005-08-17

As a teacher of ASL. I plan to use this book with my more advanced students 2nd year or end of the first year for review purposes. I have tried a few and find them good.

Handshape Puzzle Book.......2005-05-04

This book challenged me in many ways. The Handshape Sign Book itself, along with this puzzle book, is proving to be a very valuable asset. If you want to move forward with your signing, this will indeed help you do so. It's difficult to practice alone, but this book helps you do this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as is the case with all of Linda Lascelle Hillebrand's books.

A supplementary resource for classroom or self-teaching .......2005-02-03

The American Sign Language Handshape Puzzle Book is a supplementary resource for classroom or self-teaching American Sign Language. It consists of 54 different puzzles featuring 899 ASL signs, to help students review and strengthen their signing vocabulary. Simple diagrams of signs illustrate the words that belong in the crossword, word search, and four other types of puzzles, all divided into three different skill levels. A complete answer key for every puzzle is included, in this clever and captivating educational tool.

Average customer rating:

The American Sign Language Puzzle Book
Justin Segal
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFMLIK

Customer Reviews:

"Woman Is The Lesser Man...".......2005-07-18

NIGHT VISION is author Paul Levine's second outing with ex-Miami Dolphin-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter. Written in 1990 ("Too soon for the WWW" as Levine once lamented), the story of NIGHT VISION concerns a serial killer using an Internet chat service to troll for victims, a novel idea at the time (no pun intended).

While too many of the one-liners are retreads from TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD, Levine has a stronger grasp on Lassiter's character this time around. Lassiter's social commentary on South Florida is piercing, and Lassiter himself seems less bumbling, hence less foolish, than in the earlier novel.

The actual hunt for the signature killer is engaging, though the intervening fifteen years since NIGHT VISION was first published have added immensely to the professional literature on serial killers. Levine's research on multiple-murders consequently appears a little thin, circa 2005. It seems a flaw but it isn't.

There are flaws. Levine unfortunately distracts himself with too many two-bit characters who add nothing to the story, and by adding nothing, dilute the plot. The interrelationships between the characters are "Six Degrees of Separation"-ish, as all the protagonists know or are sleeping with each other.

The humor seems a little forced at times. Levine simply tried too hard in spots. Not every comment requires a snappy rejoinder.

Still, NIGHT VISION compels you to keep turning its pages. Jake Lassiter is the kind of guy you'd want for a friend or neighbor, and he's at least competent at his profession (high praise, when one considers the public view of lawyers nowadays); it's a pleasure to find a J.D. who's not an S.O.B.

Enjoyable light reading that comes well recommended.

Too Long.......2005-02-13

This could have been a much better book had it been cut by a good 100 pages. It was simply toooooooo long. The author took too many side trips to court that had zero to do with the plot. He's obviously in love with the sound of his own voice - we aren't. I was afraid if I heard one more time that Jake Lassiter was a "big beefy man" at 6 ft and 225 lbs.," I was going to scream. The author must be a little guy if he thinks this is big - it's average. Yes, he had some funny lines, but they didn't stop the book from being boring. The ending was pretty far fetched and most of the "surprises" weren't. I mean, who didn't figure out Bobbie? I scanned at least the last 150 page. They weren't that interesting. Would I read another book by this author? I don't think I have that much time left on earth to waste.

Very Amusing.......1998-10-15

I love Paul Levine's books, especially this one and his first novel. Witty, opinionated in a funny yet relevant way, and has a good plot too! Try this book!

Average customer rating:

could have been better
Chilling reading
darkly thrilling
A great ride!
This was a great book.

Night Visions: A Novel of Suspense
Thomas Fahy
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0060594624
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

could have been better.......2007-02-07

Having low expectations at first, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The format (chapters dealing with the present, interweaved with flashbacks to past, sometimes quite distant) allowed the author to keep the pace pretty quick, at the same time providing good background for the story. The flashbacks, revolving around the same theme, do sound like variations - yes, the book follows the Goldberg Variations format, with 32 chapters, and the Coda. Not very original, but at least here it works better than in other novels. Unfortunately, this committment to the format forced the author to stretch the novel too far. Flashbacks became predictable, and I wished the plot would just move on... The other fallback was the ending. Was it even the ending? I've heard he plans to write sequels (four?), which explains the VERY weak ending. Overall, I liked the concept very much, the writing was good, and the book kept my attention, until it got bogged down by the repetitiveness of the theme. I think it would have been much better as a standalone book, but to really judge that, I will need to keep reading.

Chilling reading.......2006-10-25

This is a very well-written book that takes the reader through the anguish of insomniacs. Their sleep deprivation problem is compounded by a series of ghastly murders that, initially to the police, appear to have no connection. As the plot progresses, the heroine and her former lover come to realize that there is something behind all of the deaths, and it may be a secret several centuries old. The plot is fast-paced, and the ending leaves itself open for a sequel, which I understand the author is preparing. I will definitely look forward to reading it!

darkly thrilling.......2004-12-01

This book will keep you awake at night with descriptions of weird ritualistic killings and their sometimes reluctant perpetrators. A scene in a muddy swimming pool is utterly unforgettable, as are the vivid and troubled characters.

A great ride!.......2004-11-14

Fahy's story goes several imaginative steps beyond the typical thriller, and if you ever experience insomnia, this book may make you wonder what the real cause is. The inspired ending provides just enough closure that you won't look over your shoulder until the middle of the night. Be sure to go to the author's website (thomasfahy.com) for a link to the Night Visions page, where you can listen to and view the music and art that is referenced in the novel.

This was a great book........2004-11-12

What I liked most about this book was the literary tool that the author used to tell the story. The book is about a series of murders in San Francisco, but there are frequent flash-backs to other murders which span many years. By the end of the book, they are all tied together. Along the way, the story is fast-paced and exciting. This was a great read, and I am looking forward to the expected sequel.

Average customer rating:

Night Visions: A Novel of Suspense
Thomas Fahy
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF00DS

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