John & Edward Rutledge of South Carolina

Customer Reviews:

a good, concise guide to cetaceans of the world.......2001-02-08

Not a particularly good field guide, as all cetacean genera and species are covered. I grab this book quite frequently when refreshing my mind on the distribution and distinguishing characteristics of a cetacean outside my field of expertise. For those interested in even more meaty fare, pick up Richard Ellis' 'The Book of Whales' and 'Dolphins and Porpoises'. Both books are must have additions to the serious cetologist's book shelf. My field guide of choice for North Pacific field study: Leatherwood et. al. 'Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters: A guide to their Identification'.

Excellent handbook guide to the group.......2000-05-16

This handbook literally covers the globe in terms of this group. Since there are relatively few living species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises a single handbook can cover them all, and I believe that this one does.

There is a map of the world in the book that divides the oceans into 8 zones for convenience in discussing geographic ranges of the animals covered in the text.

The book includes overview material on the ecology and natural history of these animals in general. It also has a section dedicated to each individual species. Each species section includes an extremely nice painting of the animal, BW photographs, a narative description of the animal, and information on the animal's range, behavior, natural history, and conservation status.

Book Description

Profusely illustrated guide for the layman covers physical description, common and scientific names, coloration, distinguishing features, distribution, much more. Over 560 photographs of blue whales, humpbacks, killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, Dall's porpoise, dozens of other species, make it easy to identify ocean-going mammals. 563 black-and-white photographs. 17 drawings. Bibliography. Appendixes.

Customer Reviews:

the BEST field guide for North Pacific cetaceans.......2001-02-08

This manual contains the technical information necessary for distinguishing similar species at sea. Numerous black-and-white photos show all important field characteristics. Detailed analysis of the field characteristics separating the various large Balaenopterids is especially useful. Species which have been recorded as accidental are also included. Updating information about the presence of Hyperoodon (or Indopacetus??) in Pacific waters near the equator would be useful, although photos of 'unidentified' Ziphidae are included. This is the only book I take out with me for field cruises.

An useful guide.......2001-01-24

This is an excellent book for those who are looking for a guide for whalewatching. But it is more technical than the average, which is good in some cases. FOr me it was very useful when going to sea, because I wanted detailed information, but other people look only for pictures. Which is the only problem here, because they are all in black and white.

Life in the Leatherwoods: An Ozark Boyhood Remembered

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Life in the Leatherwoods: An Ozark Boyhood Remembered
John Quincy Wolf
Manufacturer: August House Pub Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

South | Regional U.S. | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Life in the Leatherwoods
Wonderful Book!

Life in the Leatherwoods
John Quincy Wolf
Manufacturer: Memphis State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

North America | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0878700218

Customer Reviews:

Life in the Leatherwoods.......2007-07-08

John Quincy Wolf depicts life in the Arkansas White River area in the late 1880-90's..It is very descriptive of how people lived and reacted to these environs; and easily and eagerly read. There is some duplication of parts of stories since some of the text is taken from newspaper columns written by the author over the intervening years.
But it is very interesting and gives good account of what life was like growing up in those times. I would recommend it.
Verne Garrison

Wonderful Book!.......2000-06-26

Great book about growing up in the Ozarks. Wonderful pen & ink drawings.

Average customer rating:

Dolphin Research

The Bottlenose Dolphin

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0124402801

Book Description

Because of their exposure in marine parks, movies, and television as well as their presence in tropical and warm-temperature waters around the world, bottlenose dolphins are among the most familiar of marine mammals. Since they are relatively easy to obtain and they thrive in captivity, these dolphins have been used in a great variety of studies. Work with the bottlenose has provided insight into the sensory mechanisms, communication systems, energetics, reproduction, anatomy, and other aspects of cetacean biology. This volume presents the most recent biological and behavioral discoveries of bottlenose dolphins from different regions and compares bottlenose dolphins as a group with other species of animals.

Customer Reviews:

Dolphin Research.......2000-02-27

This is an extroidinary book in that it is a compilation by accomplished authors about a subject that is fascinating to all. It is based on scientific data and not the sensationalism that surrounds this animal. This is probably the most studied and revered of the marine mammals. I consider the strengths of the book to be its coverage of behavior in the wild, neurology and cognition. Its weaknesses really are in the area of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Overall, it remains a work that should be on the shelf of all interested in a true look at the biology and behavior of this obviously remarkable creature and wholeheartedly recomend it. If you are looking for details on cardiovascular physiology, including regulation of temperature such as countercurrent heat exchange mechanisms, you will probably not find it here.

The Illustrated Book of Wisdom: Peace & Serenity (The Illustrated Book of Wisdom series)

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The Illustrated Book of Wisdom: Peace & Serenity (The Illustrated Book of Wisdom series)
Leatherwood Press
Manufacturer: Silverleaf Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Happiness | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Quotations | Reference | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The extensive selection of quotes presented in this colorful compendium features theories, ideas, and proven ways for finding the often-elusive quality of serenity. Culled from authors with different perspectives and backgrounds, this book gives both analogies and simple, direct advice accompanied by captivating photographs that extend the tranquil mood.

The Illustrated Book of Wisdom: Success (The Illustrated Book of Wisdom series)

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The Illustrated Book of Wisdom: Success (The Illustrated Book of Wisdom series)
Leatherwood Press
Manufacturer: Silverleaf Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Success | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Applied Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Quotations | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 193331740X

Book Description

Success is not a distinction attained, but a quality strived for daily, according to this handsome volume of collected quotations and photographs. Conveying a single positive theme of consistent commitment, this collection provides motivation and advice for achieving real success through spectacular color photographs that beautifully complement treasured words of wisdom.

Life in the Leatherwoods: John Quincy Wolf

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Life in the Leatherwoods: John Quincy Wolf
John Quincy Wolf
Manufacturer: Memphis State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

North America | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0878702008

Marine Mammals of the World (World Biodiversity Database CD-ROM Series)

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Marine Mammals of the World (World Biodiversity Database CD-ROM Series)
T.A. Jefferson , S. Leatherwood , and M.A. Webber
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Marine mammals are among the most interesting and threatened species on Earth. This CD-ROM gives a complete overview of all sea mammals of the world with detailed full-colour drawings and spectacular underwater photographs as well as sound recordings for most species. Also included are an interactive identification key, distribution maps, and an illustrated glossary defining more than 250 scientific terms; the entire text is hyperlinked. Marine Mammals of the World is a must for teachers, whale and dolphin watchers, environmentalists, and ocean lovers everywhere.

Book Description

At the age of fifty-four, Joan Darrah was elected mayor of Stockton, California, a city of a quarter of a million people located in the middle of California's huge Central Valley. She had never held elective office. She had not even been to many city council meetings before she declared her candidacy.

The product of a conservative business family, the sorority scene at the University of California, Berkeley, and the somewhat genteel world of Junior Aid and the United Way, Darrah, a committed Democrat, soon discovered she would have to master the confrontational ways of politicians and learn to maneuver among the competing pressure groups that throw their weightaround in city governments if she were to function as an effective mayor.

The learning curve was not without bumps. Early on a newspaper headline labeled her a racist, city council politics provoked the city manager's resignation, and frightening homophobic rhetoric filled the council's chambers after Darrah voiced support of a Stockton gay pride march.

Darrah eventually discovered that "one of the hardest tasks of practical politics is that of choosing those issues on which principle needs to yield to expediency if the politician is to remain viable and live to fight another day."

In the end, Darrah's two terms as Stockton's mayor spanned a pivotal period in the city's history. A period in which the city began to change from a scandal-racked, crime-ridden municipality with a rotting downtown core to one where city leadership is respected, the streets safer, and the downtown area has been launched on a journey of revitalization

Customer Reviews:

Stepping Forward.......2003-04-15

Women working in the political arena, whether as politicians, activists, or in a myriad of other areas, struggle with finding traveled paths relevant to their goals. What Joan Darrah has ratified is that our desires to be agents for positive change in our communities are worthy and that a path has been traveled. GETTING POLITICAL - STORIES OF A WOMAN MAYOR recounts her experiences as Mayor of Stockton, CA that led to a resurgence of community pride in her city and tremendous personal growth for herself. Darrah's book is a candid, intimate, and inspiring look at a woman successfully putting herself "out there." The community Joan speaks of is 250,000 but the experiences of a woman leading are universal to all that have chosen to put their foot forward. A must read for women that have been there and those that want to go.

How Good People Can Take Control.......2003-01-29

This is a clear, amusing and readable account of how Joan Darrah went from being a volunteer leader to become the mayor of Stockton, CA. Her engaging style makes it seem both doable and worthwhile. She recounts how much she was able to do by diplomacy and persuasion to dramatically reduce crime in the city and to take control of the city's development away from the developers and give it back to the people. Inspiring. And she is so likable. You end up feeling as though you have just had a good talk with a fine mentor. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone concerned about civic affairs.

A Political Primer.......2002-11-28

Joan Darrah presents us with a remarkable testament of one strong woman's effort to change the political terrain of a community of 250,000, Stockton California. She succeeds.

Why wasn't there a book forty years ago when I was in college like this book? It is a real political primer, one which in real life stories, detail the evolution of a woman from a non-profit type leader to a shrewd politician.

Episode after episode detail the daunting challenges of Stockton in the nineties: the drowning of several children by the out of control Calaveras River, the disastrous designation of Stockton by FEMA as being in a flood plain--it could have been an economic calamity for Stockton, and the tragic shooting of a property owner and a policman in a drug raid.

Nothing could probably overshadow the horror of the lone gunman who shot to death several students at their school. How does a relative newcomer handle such awesome challenges? Joan Darrah does and jumps back and forth successfully from being the loving caretaker to the shrewd politician.

One incident, however, enfolds into a huge drama with the mayor pitted against powerful gambling interests as well as the city council. Her move to get the entire community to vote and drive the gambling interests out of town, is nothing short of exciting.

The style of the book moves you along. If a detail here or there doesn't appeal, right away you will find yourself in the middle of new and even more absorbing story.

And you are learning. This story could be the story of just about any modern city in this country with a multitude of challenges. And the book tells us how Mayor Darrah's wonderful patience and courage change things for the better.

There is the colorful story at the end of the book of how ships brought men from San Francisco, bound for the hills during the Gold Rush, right into the deep water port of Stockton, where they disembarked and set off by horse or mule into the foot hills.

Joan Darrah is the first person in a half century of efforts to successfully launch the re-vitalization of this downtown area.

If the facts don't fascinate at times, then the biographical aspects of the book will have appeal. A determined girl, promoted by a high energy dad and a loving mom, Joan presents us right away with a young person with much promise. Yet, in retrospect, Joan's marriage to a fifth generation attorney from a prominent Stockton family might have been the best choice to nail down her long term possibilities of a political career.

Linking with the right people is demonstrated over and over, and Joan's affirming these persons' special contributions is a clear key to a politician's success.

In a further bigraphical vein, Joan must be incredibly proud of her high achieving three children. They are contributors in the best possible sense of the term. Joan combines the best aspects of being a mom and wife with the conviction of being the best possible mayor.

Becoming of a woman politician.......2002-11-28

This memoir is one of the most potent stories I have ever read about a woman politician. Joan Darrah is a phenomenal example of what women can do and overcome in the largely male dominated world of politics. I was so inspired not only by how she rose to the powerful position of mayor, but the ways in which whe changed the city of Stockton. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a strong woman who has accomplished so many remarkable things.

A woman's becoming a politician.......2002-11-28

Average customer rating:

Wags is a character straight out of central casting...

4.5 stars for Jimmy. Shade's of 'The Shield'

From cop to mob shake-down enforcer: a slippery slope indeed

What a business

Jimmy Does the Deed - - Great Private Eye Stories!

Jimmy the Wags: Street Stories of a Private Eye
James Wagner , and Patrick Picciarelli
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Social Services & Welfare | Poverty | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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My Life in the NYPD: Jimmy the Wags

Circle of Six: The True Story of New York's Most Notorious Cop Killer and the Cop Who Risked Everything to Catch Him

ASIN: 0451409272
Release Date: 2000-06-12

Amazon.com

A tough former New York City cop turned private eye now turns himself into an author in this gritty (but often humorous) account of the armed and dangerous life. James Wagner ("Wags" to just about everybody, it appears) spent 22 years at the NYPD, but apparently felt like he hadn't had enough adventure in his life. After putting out word that "Wags is for hire," he gets his first job shepherding some jet-setting Arab princes around New York for a few days, and finds himself hooked as the money and perks start to roll in. The rest of the book details Wags's rise and fall as a big-time "security consultant," from voyaging to Denmark to return a kidnapped child to his father to his entanglement with the Mob at a fancy strip club. Not all of Wags's adventures are a matter of life or death: in one memorable passage, he plays bodyguard-valet to an eccentric woman ("heir to a computer software fortune") who travels everywhere with her pet parrot perched on her shoulder and has a penchant for disengaging her prosthetic hand at inopportune moments during meals.

It's easy to fret over Wags's well-being as he whisks readers from one seriocomic adventure to the next, often with his erstwhile associate "Hondo," a former Army Ranger who favors Armani suits and, of course, prefers action to talk. And there's a sense that Wags was often confused about the particular direction in which his life was careening at any given moment. But Jimmy the Wags is a rollicking memoir, and Wagner and coauthor Patrick Picciarelli make a real-life tough guy come off just like you'd want him to be: straight out of an Elmore Leonard novel, equal parts Joe Pesci and James Bond. --Tjames Madison

Book Description

"High-Wire Tales of the P.I. Life... You gotta love this guy."--Nicholas Pileggi, author of Wiseguy

"If Bruce Willis wrote like Mario Puzo and hung out with John Gotti, the result would be this tough, hilarious, consummately streetwise book."--Jack Newfield

"Stocked with a stellar cast of swells and skells...rarely anything but fun."--New York Newsday

"Action-packed."--Star

"[An] antic memoir of high times and a hard fall as a P.I."--Kirkus Reviews

"These streetwise recollections have the sound of tales told from a barstool."--Publishers Weekly

"An entertaining glimpse into an on-the-edge lifestyle."--Booklist

Customer Reviews:

Wags is a character straight out of central casting..........2004-01-30

Wags is character alright and fundamentally decent, if a bit flawed, man. His story reads like a novel or comedic film. I'm not quite sure where the truth was stretched, but his honest delivery is well worth the (very fast) read. He tells some wild stories--some are hilarious--some violent--some just out there (the one handed, parrot carrying, heiress). But, the tone works and the the world of the PI is exposed as it never was on Magnum PI.

4.5 stars for Jimmy. Shade's of 'The Shield'.......2003-04-02

Well, maybe a direct comparison to The Shield is a bit of a stretch, but the stories discussed within these pages about life and career of James Wagner (former NYPD) walks a fine line between legal and questionable.

In this autobiographical look at his 'capers' post NYPD, you will be amazed that you keep turning the pages for his next installment. Mr. Wagner's (Wags) accounts are gripping, and his stories are arranged and written in a clean 'street-smart' way, that is very entertaining and right to the meat.

He tells stories of being a hired body-guard for some middle-eastern princes visiting this country and looks the other way when they start using hard drugs. He goes out to 'collect' money for various employers whose names you won't find on any Fortune 500 list. In one story he finds himself looking for a kidnapped boy in the back streets of Turkey (blackmail and payoffs are common), another 'escorting' a middle-aged drunken heiress with a prosthetic hand and a parrot. There are other accounts that are just as amazing, sometimes very funny, other times down right scary.

Throughout all his ordeals, one this is evident; he loves his family and would do anything for them, and proves it within the pages of this book.

However, though being such a likeable character, the reader will soon discover that this former NYPD agent spends many of later days living in the gray areas of the law, and sometimes may have stepped over it putting his life and others in danger for cash.

Mr. Wagner also has some very funny one-liners and metaphors that I will probably use as my own, they're that clever.

The reason I gave this 4.5 stars instead of a solid 5 is I had to wonder if all these stories were actually 100% true. They sure sound like it, but with Wags seeing all this action, maybe some of them were slightly embellished? I hope not and I'll give him the benefit of any doubt. A little short, I would have liked a few more stories, but I was happy none the less.

From cop to mob shake-down enforcer: a slippery slope indeed.......2002-06-25

This New York ex-cop entertains us with tales of his career as a private investigator, which he defines unusually broadly, to include such jobs as bodyguard, collection agent, mafia go-fer, and manager of a topless bar. There are some great stories here, and the book is hard to put down.

However, I was very disturbed by the contrast between the author's claims to wanting to do the right thing and the fact that he was doing some very illegal things, which he obviously had no trouble rationalizing to himself. The most extreme example is when he works as a "collection agent," extorting money from businesses for the mafia. Wagner is genuinely shocked - shocked! - that some trigger-happy prosecutor might want to put him in jail for this! After all, Wagner tried to make sure he wasn't in the room when actual violence occurred, although there were exceptions, and anyway, these were massage parlours and unlicensed bars - so obviously he wasn't doing anything wrong?! It's astonishing how such an intelligent and articulate man could have so completely lost his moral compass without realizing it. Even when Wagner acknowledges he had slid down the slippery slope of wrongdoing, one gets the impression his regrets are more pragmatic, rather than ethical, in nature.

What a business.......2001-05-06

A quick, entertaining memoir of Jimmy Wagner's short and adreneline soaked career as a New York PI. Famous people, good and bad, populate this fast paced tale.

Jimmy Does the Deed - - Great Private Eye Stories!.......2001-05-06

This book is a great read and I finished it in two sittings. It directly catches the reader with a direct and interesting writing approach. The book contains really interesting and wild stories about his life both as a NYPD and then into detail about being a PI. The stories about the Arabs visiting NYC and the operations in Denmark and Turkey are killer and worth the price of the book alone! Reads like Jimmy is sitting next to you telling his story. A great buy.

Jimmy the Wags: Street Stories of a Private Eye

Average customer rating:

Jimmy the Wags: Street Stories of a Private Eye
James Wagner
Manufacturer: New York: Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NZS5MM

Average customer rating:

Jimmy the Wags: Street Stories of a Private Eye
James; Picciarelli, Patrick Wagner
Manufacturer: Onyx Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY1WQY

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