Dear Reader:
The Childhood of Famous Americans series, seventy years old in 2002, chronicles the early years of famous American men and women in an accessible manner. Each book is faithful in spirit to the values and experiences that influenced the persons development. History is fleshed out with fictionalized details, and conversations have been added to make the stories come alive to todays reader, but every reasonable effort has been made to make the stories consistent with the events, ethics, and character of their subjects.
These books reaffirm the importance of our American...

This is a basic primer of using line, rope, twine, string and shoelaces. Think of it as an enjoyable course in making line work for you-tying up a hammock, tying down a tarpaulin, cleating down a dockline or lashing on a cartop canoe. As a gift for a line-challenged mate or a ready reference for your own bookshelf, this practical but beguiling how-to is a must-have. It is an essential introduction to the craft of cordage, illustrated in Adkins' stylish but clear detail, written with wit and enthusiasm.

Frank Lloyd Wright was the most influential architect of the twentieth century?and a rogue genius whose life was a wild ride. Wright routinely ignored unpaid bills, clients? wishes, budget constraints. Only his creative vision mattered to him. That vision transformed the way we live, sweeping aside the Victorian home and creating a uniquely American architecture exemplified by his Prairie Style houses. Wright built hotels, churches, and offices, too, incorporating endless innovations in techniques and materials. Ideas poured out of him throughout his long career; he called it ?shaking the...