I must admit right here in the beginning that I have always been and admirer of William Manchester's work and have yet to read one of his book that I did not thoroughly enjoy and learn much from. This review is on the two volume set which contains 1697 pages and was first published in 1974/1974. This is my second reading of these two books, the first being in 1976 and the second just completed.

The subtitle of this book more or less tells it all - "A Narrative History of America - 1932 to 1972." And that is just what it is - a narrative history. The vast majority of my reading over the past 40 years has been history and biography. I am not by any stretch of the term a professional historian - no, I am a reader of history and have held a lifelong interest in the subject. I must tell you that this work, i.e. a "narrative history" is one of the better in this particular genre I have read. In many ways this work reads as much like a novel as a history book. For me it has been a real page turner. It is extremely detailed which is rather amazing when you consider the time period covered here and the world changing evens which occurred during this 40 year period. As an example, several chapters cover the great depression, several cover WWII and Korea, several cover the Viet Nam war...etc. There are literally thousands of books available these days covering each and every one of these subjects. With a somewhat limited space Manchester has given us a extremely well written and informative overview of each of these events and how one relates to another. It allows the reader to gain a wonderful overview of our history during this time period.

Loosely speaking, this is the story of America from the Great Depression through the beginning of the Fall of the Nixon Administration - A very important time in our history - indeed, in the history of the world!

Manchester's writing style appeals to my personal tastes and the book is very well documented with footnotes and references to source documents. It would be extremely difficult to quibble with this author's research...it is through!

Some folks have skipped over this work simply due to the daunting size and scope. This I feel is a mistake. There is important information here and once immersed in the writer's narrative the book is a surprisingly fast read...all things considered.

Now In reading over some of the reviews here I note that the terms "left, right, liberal and conservative" are thrown around quite liberally. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea, relative to today's definitions, what these terms mean to different people. I do know, and this is a personal opinion, that what ever the definition is, that I am thoroughly repulsed by the extreme of either side or those extremist on either side of the political spectrum have been those people that have gotten us as a nation in trouble time and time again! Same holds true for our two primary political parties....extremists on BOTH side have lead us down very strange garden pathways over the years.

I personally felt that in most cases Manchester has been quite fare and tried his best to be nonjudgmental and has stuck pretty close to the facts which he has referenced in his many footnotes. Having lived through all but about 12 years of this time period I know from first hand observation that most of what he states is pretty close to the truth. On the other hand, each of us perceives things differently, so who am I to say?

This is an enjoyable read and I suspect that most people would benefit greatly by reading it.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

These larger cans (18.8 oz) are a perfect size for our needs. Each can, supplemented with a nice pickle, light salad (my favorite) or some pickled beats makes a very nice meal for one person. Our grandson who lives with us works odd hours and is not always here during meal times. He is not a fan of fast foods (thank goodness) and prefers these chunky soups to a fast food burger.

This Baked potato with steak and cheese is one of our favorites. I have, other than the old Campbell's tomato soup), never been a big fan of canned soups but I have to tell you that I do enjoy this one and several others in this current line. Now a person should not confuse these soups with health foods...goodness no. The sodium alone will or should cause you to stop and watch what you eat for the rest of the day. But a can of this stuff now and then is fine by me. Each individual needs to make up their own mind as to what they eat. Probably the one thing I hate more than an unhealthy diet are the food police yammering in my ear not to eat this or drink that. Hey, I like this stuff and at my age am quite able to make up my own mind.

Anyway, enough of that rant. We all enjoy the flavor of this particular soup and the only slight objection we might have to it is that it is slightly light on the meat. On the other hand, we have been eating less and less meat over the past few years so this does not bother us all that much...although it may bother some. Just be aware that the potato is the dominate ingredient in this one.

If you are an Amazon Prime member, the price here breaks down to about 1.88 per can which is very competitive to that which we pay at the local store. I can tell you that if you like this stuff you most certainly will use all twelve cans and there will be no waste here...and hey, you don't like it, there is always the local food pantry...something we should all be supporting on a regular basis.

All in all this is good soup; a good meal and meets our needs perfectly.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

This work is not quite what I thought I was going to be when I ordered it, but to the quite frank, that is okay with me. I found the entire book to be a very mellow and thoughtful read and there was much in it that I could identify with.

The premise of the book is the author's running of the JFK 50 he is running. This was one of the first ultra distance runs and was inspired by JFK "Soft American" speech and paper. I remember that speech and am quite familiar with the circumstances surrounding that epic in our history.

Anyway, the book hangs on this one race but the author diverges from the actual race to his thoughts and opinions dealing with a wide rage of matters from the environment to world peace and the general condition of our society today. Whether or not to agree with the author's world view is actually rather moot. It is Ed Ayres song to sing and he has done it well. The book is thoughtfully written and well written - a rather easy, and as I said, mellow read.

Until relatively recently I have been a runner for many years and I found that his thought process as he ran was much the same as mine. Of course his thoughts are more lofty and serious that mine - no doubt about it, but still and all the process was there.

The author has quite skillfully linked his running and the emotions he has while participating in this events, to our general and overall world situation. This is a worth while read for both runners and non-runners alike.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I cannot help but note that this machine has been getting some mixed reviews here. The majority of the reviews are positive but on the other hand there are a number of rather negative reviews also. I personally am in no position to defend either the positive or negative reviews. I can only relate to you my personal experiences with this particular machine.

Over the years, and there have been many of those, I have owned and used many different blood pressure measuring devices. Some of them have been good; others not so good for various reasons. I must tell you that after using this particular machine for over four months now, three and four times per day, I have been absolutely satisfied with every aspect of its functions.

The machine is extremely simple and easy to use. After a bit of practice it takes only seconds to get the cuff on and this cuff is one of the most comfortable I have ever used. The machine is relatively fast and easy to read. It does everything the product description here says it will do and does it well. As to the "history" of recent readings....I more or less ignore this and keep a separate log of each reading. In my case this is what my physicians what so I really have no use for the storage this unit has.

Now as to the accuracy of this machine. Some say it is excellent, others say it is wretched. As I stated above, I can only relate my own experiences here. I personally have had no problems what so ever. It must be remembered that this IS NOT a high-end professional model and it would not the wise to compare it to a machine, which in many of cases cost hundreds of dollars, such as you will find in many physician offices. That being said, I have found that my machine pretty well runs concurrent with the readings I have taken at the offices and clinics of the endless physicians I visit on a very frequent basis. This machine will run all over the place during the day and night from day to day and week to week. But it must be noted that I get the same wild readings each and every time I visit one of my physicals. It is just the way it is with my particular conditions.

I have discussed this particular machine with a very large number of physicians and a larger number of nurses - have had them use and examine the machine themselves, and they all agree for a "home use machine" is one is quite acceptable.

Overall I am extremely satisfied.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

When I first started this read I did not think I would care for it. I was wrong. As I passed though pages I became more and more hooked. By the end I realized that I had just finished a very well written and constructed book; a book I could identify in one way or another on a number of levels.

This is the story of a professional club caddie - not to be mistaken for a professional tour caddie. These are the caddies that you and I, as mortal golfers with varying degrees of skill have interacted with over the years. This story gives the inside look through the caddie's eyes and I must say it was a fascinating read. There is also a sub story which has been intertwined with the primary story. This is the relationship between John Dunn, the author, and his father. Like another reviewer here, I suspect that most men in our society today, both golfers and non golfers, can strongly identify with the author's (and the father's) struggles over the years.

The author has led a rather nomadic life over the past twenty years or so and has worked at clubs and courses (Some of the best in the world) from coast to coast and abroad. Each chapter is almost a separated story; almost an essay and the stories Dunn tells range from the humorous, to the whimsical to down right sad in some areas. All the stories relate of course but each chapter can actually be read as a stand-alone if one desires.

Now I have always been a rather passionate golfer - a period covering well over 50 years, and at times it has morphed into an obsession. I could relate on one level or another to almost everything this author wrote. He is an excellent teller of stories and an extremely skilled writer. While I suppose a golfer may appreciate this book more than a non-golfer, it never-the-less, I feel, could and will be appreciated by individuals who have never held a golf club in their hands.

I am glad I read this one and it is one of those books that I will give another read on down the road.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

In general I like magazines although I must say that most of the publications available today are but thin shadows compared to what they once were. Alas, the golden years of magazines are over and I doubt if we will ever see their likes again. It is simply the way the world is today.

But I have to tell you that Bird Watcher's Digest is one of the very few publications that has not let down and compromised their standards over the years. I was reading some back issues from several years ago (yes, I never throw one of these things away), and comparing them to my most three recent issues and the new issues hold up quite well. Like several other reviewers here, this is the one and only publication of this nature that I read from cover to cover...each and every page. It is a delight. This magazine just gets better and better as each year passes.

If you have any interest in birds and/or birding at all, at any level, then this little magazine is most certainly for you. There is something for every one in each and ever issue. You may be a "backyard" novice or an advanced lister, a city dweller or a country resident. You may be a traveler or an armchair birder...there is something here for you! Each article is perfectly crafted and even the more technical pieces are written in a fashion that can be understood and appreciated by all. I have never read one issue of this publication without learning something new...and hey, I have been birding for well over 50 years now and have literally shelves and shelves of bird books! One of the silliest things a person (birder) can do is to get to the point where they convince themselves that "they know it all." Folks, that ain't going to happen in any one person's life time.

The photography here is first rate. No, it is not "slick" like you find in National Geographic, but then this magazine is not meant to be such a publication. I must also say that I even learn from the advertisements and it helps me learn what is current in the world of technology and of course birding publications. This is valuable information!

Another thing I like about this publication is that you get a lot of bang for your buck. The price of the thing is quite reasonable and for the amount of practical hardcore information you get it is of great value.

All in all, I cannot say enough good things about this magazine.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I have had this book lurking in one of my several "to be read" stacks for quite awhile now. Due to a lengthy illness where I have been unable to read, much less write, it took me quite some time to get to this one. I can tell you truthfully though, once I finally started reading this thing I simply could not put the book down.

In brief, this is the true story of a young man...a very troubled young man I might add, who traveled via bicycle through Mexico, Central America and South America on his own; no group tour here. The travel was supplemented by buss and boat. Upon his return to the United States via Air Travel, he lands in Florida and the second part of his odyssey begins as he hitchhikes along some of the most dangerous roads in the United States (I know...I have traveled many of them via auto) all the way home to Vancouver, Canada...his home.

What makes this trip even more remarkable is that the author is obviously a hardcore alcoholic and more than just "dabbles" in just about any drug he can get his hands on. He pays little to no attention to what and where he eats and spends the better part of his journey either extremely ill (Some of his illnesses are literally life threatening), being robbed, cheated or harassed. He has very few personal items with him and a rather limited amount of cash.

The author has used a nice technique...the story has been written as he is hitchhiking across America and just about ever other chapter is a flashback to this Central and South American adventures. The book is extremely well written and I personally classify it as a page turner. Now some of his stories may seem sort of "over the top" or embellished to a certain extent; this may seem so to those who are not familiar with the backpacking/bike culture of the 1990s. I personally found no story here that was not believable. In addition to this, the author is brutally honest as to his wretched condition as to his use of alcohol and drugs and in no way glorifies it. As a matter of fact, after reading his harrowing story, you may quite well feel a pang of anxiety the next time you merely sip a small glass of wine. If we are honest with ourselves, most of use could say "There but for the grace of God go I."

I get the feeling that part of the motivation for writing this most interesting tale was a cathartic act on the author's part. He certainly approaches his subject matter as such. On the other hand, not once did I get the impression that the author was traveling the "poor me" route and some of his material is actually quite funny. The situations he gets himself into...some of them...are quite amusing.

As I have indicated, this is a rather skilled writer and he most certainly has a story to tell. I am hoping he follows through and shares with us his adventures in India and traveling the rails in North America.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I had a copy of this work, having bought it shortly after it was first published. I loved the thing and used it extensively. Alas, I lost my original copy years ago....I tend to loose things; always have, and have no idea what happened to it.

Now I collect bird books, in particular field guides. I sometimes think I get as much pleasure out of collecting these books as I do in actually birding...well, almost. Anyway, I recently replaced my lost copy. This is most certainly a vintage filed guide but I was able to find a copy which is in very near perfect condition. I will admit to you right now that even though I used it a lot when it was new, I felt that many of the newer field guides out thee would be far superior to this old Golden Filed Guide. I was wrong! Still, after all these years, this little book is as valid and as useful as it was the day it was first printed. As a matter of fact, it is easier to use and more reliable that many of the newer offerings out there.

There are a couple of features in this work that you normally will not find. First, you are given very nice instructions as to how to index your book for a "quick find," by using a dark pencil or ink. Second, a photograph of a sonogram is used on each species identified. Once you catch on, this makes identifying bird calls much, much easier. Yes, it takes a bit of thought and practice, but trust me...it work! There are also neat little features such as diagrams of flight patterns of humming birds. I love this sort of thing.

Now there are a couple of things to note. First, this work was first published in 1966. The names of several birds have been changed since that date and the user needs to be aware of this. Secondly are the range maps. This book will soon be 50 years old. Ranges for many species have drastically changed over the past few years due to climate and habitat changes. This should also be considered if you use this book in the field.

The pictures of each bird, paintings and drawings are quite well done as probably as accurate and any other I have seen. The information provided on each species profile is quite understandable and informative.

While I purchased this book primarily for its collectability, I have to admit that it has joined the rather large and heavy stash of books I take into the field with me.

I am delighted.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I have to tell you that I am completely delighted with this vacuum-blower. It fits my needs perfectly. There are many elements to our home which makes this machine ideal for our particular needs.

First we have driveway...long driveways. These things constantly need cleaning, both summer, winter, spring and fall, as we have a very, very large number of very large trees. This machine is ideal for keeping the leaves, twigs, crass cuttings and other "stuff" off of the roadway.

Secondly, we have patios. As with the driveways, they are surrounded by trees, trees and more trees.

Third, we have a large screened in back porch. This is where the dogs and I hang out most of the year. This is also where I do my wood carving. The floor of the porch is always covered with wood shavings. I try to keep them swept-up....but he, you know how that goes. This machine sucks the shaving up quite nicely and the dogs love to bark and chase the thing as I work with it. I also store my birdseed on this porch in three large cans. I am constantly spilling the stuff and making quite a mess. Again, this little machine makes short work of that problem. They like to chase the broom too, but after they got use to it, the vacuum seems to give them more pleasure.

Forth, we have a large number of oddly shaped rock gardens and raised flower beds. Leaves are a real pain to remove; often requiring being on my hands and knees digging them out of crooks and crannies. This blower and the vacuum cut my work in this are by at least ¾ th.

Fifth, this works great as a dust-buster in the house and in the storage sheds out back - including my workshop. I am too cheap to buy a decent shop-vac and this will do nicely until the day I break down...if that ever happens.

Sixth, this is a comparatively light machine and easy to handle. At my age a few pounds makes a very big difference. Despite the smallness of the unit, it does generate a great amount of power.

Now is this unit adequate to remove or move heavy leaves from a large yard? No. But then I have a large gas operated one for that along with a leave removal machine for the back of my yard tractor. This unit is meant for smaller jobs and it works much, much better than I expected...I am delighted as a matter of fact.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I must admit that I do not have another pan in the pantry that even remotely resembles this...perhaps that is my problem.

This is a LARGE pan and to be quite frank, it takes up most of the top of the stove. It has a certain "flimsy" aspect to it that I am not all that comfortable with. I have used it at least a dozen times since acquiring it with mixed results.

First, it does not cook as even as it says it will. There is just too much surface; most of which does not fit over any single burner. It does not seem to retain the heat that I am use to using.

I do think this thing would be great if I were preparing a large fish but as I am strictly a catch and release sort of fellow I have few large fish to cook....truth be told I don't catch that many large fish anyway.

I do like the glass top and the extra handle on the thing though. At this time I am using it primarily for stir fried vegetables and it seems to do a very adequate job at this since the veggies are constantly being stirred as they fry up.

While I like having this pan, to be frank...at the cost, I could probably do without it. Perhaps as I use it more and get use to it I will appreciate it more. I will update this review if that should happen.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks