2 comments about From Knights to Pioneers: One German Family in Westphalia and Missouri.

1. This book is a rare find. It follows a German family from the 1300's through their immigrant descendants who settled in Missouri in the 1830's. The attention to detail is amazing. You will feel as if you know this family when you are done reading. The story is so compelling because it could be anyone's family. These things happened to all of our families at one point or another. This book is not only an excellent family story but also an incredibly good account of the early history of Missouri.



2. A wonderful look into one families journey to America. The first part (early German history) I found a little dry, but the last 2/3 are wonderful intimate view into the lifes of a family attempt to live, work and prosper in frontier Missouri. If you have German ancestors who came to Missouri in the 1800's this is a must read.

5 comments about The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small (Third Edition, Expanded).

1. This book is a huge disappointment. All it lists is surnames and if any a short sentence about the name. For instance Moylan: an old irish family.
   
   Totally a huge waste of money.



2. I must borrow the words of another reviewer of this great book, this book of Irish Families is currently the best work of it's genre available!! I have found MANY of Mr. O'laughlin's books to be of such great importance with my Irish research.. but this one takes the cake! He is so dedicated to his work and it shows. This book offers 20,000 Irish family names, 700 illustrated coats of arms, ancient maps and illustrations and so much more. I found the step by step guides for tracing Irish family roots amazing!!! Thank you Thank you, Mr O'laughlin!!!!!



3. This was a gift. They are very pleased. lots of info.
   Arrived when promised in new condition.



4. Having spent the last two years researching my ancestors, I found this book a disappointment. It told little that I didn't know and actually didn't confirm some of what I did know. Now, I need to buy all the smaller volumes to see what they might contain? No thank you. I think I shall see if a library can find them. So, if you are starting your research, this is a great place to start but don't get too excited. It is a rather limited book.



5. This would have been a good book, before the invention of the Google search engine. I guarantee that whatever name you look up in this book, you will end up on the Internet searching for more information. I was also disappointed, the name Hoysted from County Kildare was not listed. The names Campbell, Wallace, McCormick, and McCullough, were simply listed as Scottish in origin. I was hoping for a few more details, such as what part of Scotland they came from.
   In short this book is a mile wide on material, and an inch deep on details.
   If you have an older relative without a computer, this book would make a great gift.

4 comments about Clan Donald: 2nd Edition.

1. The first book in your Donald/Macdonald library should be this comprehensive history of Clan Donald. Donald J. Macdonald's effort and research has brought under one cover the beginning, glorious tragic history of one of Scotland's great family names.



2. I have read seven other histories of Clan Donald, The Lords of the Isles, and Somerled. Each time I finish I have felt driven to reread Donald J. Macdonald's history in order to find my way back to the original traditions that have been handed down for centuries. Donald J. Macdonald condensed the 3 volume work of the two Rev. Macdonalds in the late 18oo's. They were compiled from the Red Book & Black Book of Clanranald and other 17th century writings. The 17th century work was taken from 13th century writings recently made available in English through University College, Cork Ireland. Donald J. Macdonald's work is the most valuable history of Clan Donald available. Hard to find, but worth it.



3. Clan Donald by Donald J. Macdonald of Castleton is a must have for any member of Clan Donald who wants to know about his or her clan history. This should be your number one resource. What is Clan Donald is explained in amazing detail here in 467 pages.
   
   This book is broken down into chapters on all of the Kings and Lords of the Isles from Somerled down through Lord John, Earl of Ross with a subsequent chapter on the final downfall of the Lordship as John son and Grandson and a few other notables of the clan try to reclaim it. Then there are chapters of each of the major branches of Clan Donald including; the MacAlisters of Loop, Alexanders of Menstrie, Maciains of Ardnamurchan, Macdonalds of Glencoe, Macdonalds of Dunnyveg and the Glens, Macdonnell of Antrim, Macdonalds of Clanranald, Macdonalds of Glengarry, Macdonalds of Keppoch and the Macdonalds of Sleat. In each of these chapters is explained the beginnings of the clan as it broke away from the main Lordship line and its history up until it either ended or to Culloden and the dispersal of the clan system. Each chapter tells the tale of each of the Chiefs of the Clan and some of the more famous members who stood out in history and even founded further Cadet branches of the Clan. The history and stories are amazing. Each carefully told to show the individual clan but also how each was interwoven with the Lordship and how all these Clans and their Cadets were still part of the greater Clan Donald.
   
   The final two chapters are on the Chiefship and the story behind the current High Chief of Clan Donald and true heir to the Lordship of the Isles, plus the story of the Church and how it grew and supported the Lordship and Clan Donald through its rich history.
   
   The book is also sprinkled with nice Black and White photos of Castles or landmarks important to the history of Clan Donald, easy family trees to help follow the Chiefs of the different clans and finally beautiful color plates showing the extent of the lands of the Lordship, a representative of the Lords of the Isles and where each of the major Clans broke off and finally color plates of each of the Chiefs and High Chief of Clan Donald today.
   
   My Grandmother was a McDonald and she was proud of her history. This book captures it all and then some. I had a hard time putting it down and continue to return to it for research and for entertainment in stories. The history is so varied and intense. I recommend this book to all my family members and anyone else with an interest in Clan Donald.
   
   A book this thorough and complete is a gem and Clan Donald should be the number one source for each proud member of Clan Donald. This book is worth every dollar paid and more. A true treasure of family and Scottish history.



4. I have read about 30% of this book and find the book to be readable and informative. I have little previous knowledge of the history of the Clan Donald, so the multitude of historical events and relationships makes the reading of this book a bit intense and slow going---even with my graduate level of education. I find the book generally understandable. I have tried previusly to read a much smaller book on Clan Donald and frankly found it impossible to understand the historical events and relations. I am pleased with my purchase. It is a beautifully bound, comprehensive history of Clan Donald. Enjoy!
   
   TERRY

No comments about A Woman's Life in the Court of the Sun King: Letters of Liselotte von der Pfalz, Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d' Orléans, 1652-1722.

No comments about Vienna: The Past in the Present : A Historical Survey (Studies in Austrian Literature, Culture, and Thought).

No comments about The Tudor Monarchies, 1485-1603 (Cambridge Perspectives in History).

No comments about The Reign of Henry VIII: Personalities and Politics.

No comments about Collins Guide to Scots Kith & Kin: A Guide to the Clans and Surnames of Scotland.

No comments about The Tower of London: A 2000 Year History (Landmarks in History).

1 comments about Families of County Cork, Ireland (Vol. 4) (O'laughlin, Michael C. Book of Irish Families, Great & Small, V. 4.).

1. This is the best single book for history of my family name. I even found out that people with my surname inhabited a castle in Ireland!