First written as a report for the National Park Service in 1988, Archaeology of the Everglades by Florida archaeologist John W. Griffin is an extensive documentation of the pre-Columbus human occupation of the interior portion of the region. Portraying the Everglades' climate, landscape, and the culture and social organizations of its inhabitants, Archaeology Of The Everglades is an authoritative and scholarly survey and analysis of the profound influence human settlement had on the Everglades environment and a legacy left to future generations. Deftly edited by Jerald T. Milanich (Curator of Archaeology, Florida Museum of Natural History) and James J. Miller (State Archaeologist and Chief of Florida's Bureau of Archaeological Research), Archaeology Of The Everglades is a welcome and recommended addition to professional and academic Archaeological Studies collections.

Archeology requires essential components to successfully attain its goals: well-trained specialists, careful research procedures (including modern scientific techniques), expert analysis of archeological artifacts, and skillful re-creation of the life of earlier societies.

"The Archaeology of Useppa Island" amply succeeds in achieving these goals. Edited by Dr. William Marquardt of the Florida Museum of Natural History, the book effectively presents evidence about the Calusa natives who lived on this island on the western periphery of Florida centuries ago. The primary period of occupancy is estimated between 800 AD-1500 AD.

Dr. Marquardt's reputation as a recognized Calusa scholar, and his diligent leadership in planning and conducting archeological field studies at Calusa sites, makes him the appropriate person to compile and publish this work. It will be useful to professionals in the field as well as appealing to the general public interested in Florida history or archeological studies.

Dr. Marquardt and his associates discovered numerous artifacts during their excavations in the 1980s and 1990s on Useppa Island, located off the west coast of Florida: pottery and jewelry, "worked" shells intended for various purposes, and human remains. In addition, other artifacts from the post-Calusa period (mostly Cuban in origin) give clues to those who later lived on Useppa. All categories of items are described in detail, supplemented by helpful photos, sketches, and maps. Several chapters classify and date soil layers and other natural materials on the island. Each scholarly contributor to this volume has added to our knowledge of the Calusa living in this substantial settlement.

Later chapters cover the history of Useppa in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially for the latter period when the island became well known as a fishing and vacation resort in the years prior to World War II. The author also describes its role to train Cuban exiles prior to their failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. Useppa today is a private association of lovely homes located in a charming and picturesque setting. The book concludes with the recollections of the person who developed Useppa in its present form.

Having personally grown up in this area in the 1940s and 1950s, living on an island adjacent to Useppa, I can attest to the careful descriptions and informative history contained in this very interesting and carefully written book. Highly recommended.

Students of period weaponry will already be familier with the late Harold Peterson's works. Those who are new to the subject are in for a treat ! Relying on period documents, artifacts from archaelogical digs and pieces from private collections, Peterson's book does an exceptional job of presenting the evolution of crossbows, daggers, polearms, firearms and their related equipment in chronological order. Most of the items depicted are those used by the common people, soldiers, Indians, pirates and rogues. I only wish there were glossy color photo's and measurements. Reenactors, artists, museum curators, collectors and even the casual reader will find this work to be extremely helpful. Even though this book was published several decades ago, the information is still reliable.

Tells the true story of Sitting Bulls last attempt to roust the White Men from their land.

Compelling and powerful.

Howard Terpning is the one of the if not the best artist in this century.His spectacular artistic style is definitly far more superior to any other famous artists out there.The way he uses his colors and the way he applies brush strokes is unbelievable.When you read this book written by Elmer Kelton you will travel back in time and enjoy beautiful paintings done by a master.Such a great book,as a proffesional artist I recommend this every artist,art enthusiast and Indian art lovers,hurry up before it becomes out of print.

This is a fabulous book for someone who loves art, who is interested in ancient peoples, or for someone who is interested in preserving the past. Rock art, our global priceless heritage, is fast disappearing -- especially in such populated places as California. Dr. Whitley is among a handful of archaeologists in North America who are trying to understand this gift from the past before it is vandalized out of existence. Whether you like coffee table books or whether you just want to learn about rock art, this book is for you.

This book challenges white male patriarchal assumptions. A brave and enormously intelligent book that subverts the paradigms of eurocentrism in the U. S. and elsewhere. A tremendous achievemnet.

During the building of the Tollway, several historic settlements were found. This book documents the finds both in text tables and with photos... ponders the orientation of the graves (I'll leave you to find out more in the book) and carbon dates these early settlements in the Cal-Sag Valley.

The mix of geography, social studies and environmental science is wonderful. The book starts the reader out in Maine and ends up down in Florida. It covers rocky coasts, sandy beaches, estuary, salt marshes and coral reefs. The material is age 9-12 age appropriate while using the appropriate vocab; such as organism, habitat, biological community etc. The information will prepare, (introduce), the student for 8th grade science. The bits of information are teasers to learn more. "Fewer oysters are able to filter less water. The bay [Chesapeake] once held enough oysters to filter its water in three to six days. The oysters that live in the bay today would take more than a year to do so." How do they do that? Read another book to find out.

In ATLANTIC SECURITY: CONTENDING VISIONS, Kupchan presents severeal examples of what could and should become of NATO in the future. This is a book of 3 comparative essays by Stephen Walt, Olie Waever, and Kupchan. If you're interested in possible future scenario's for NATO then this work is interesting, even though Kupchan's view may not be plausible under current national circumstances for both the U.S. and several western European countries. Walt and Waever both put forth intriguing arguments on NATO's future. This work was a good introduction to the topic.