Elswyth Thane is best known for her Williamsburg series, seven novels published between 1943 and 1957 that follow several generations of two families from the American Revolution to World War II. Dawn's Early Light is the first novel in the series. In it, Colonial Williamsburg comes alive. Thane centers her novel around four major characters: the Aristrocratic St. John Sprague, who becomes George Washington's aide; Regina Greensleeves, a Virginia beauty spoiled by a season in London; Julian Day, a young schoolmaster who arrives from England on the eve of the war and initially thinks of himself as a Tory; and Tibby Mawes, one of his less fortunate pupils, saddled with an alcoholic father and an indigent mother. But we also see Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette, Greene, Patrick Henry, Francis Marion, and the rest of that brilliant galaxy playing their roles not as historical figures but as men. We see de Kalb's gallant death under a cavalry charge at Camden. We penetrate to the swamp-encircled camp which was Marion's stronghold on the Peedee. We watch the cat-and-mouse game between Cornwallis and Lafayette, which ended in Cornwallis's unlucky stand at Yorktown. Dawn's Early Light is the human story behind our first war for liberty, and of the men and women loving and laughing through it to the dawn of a better world.

George Yetter's informative text describes why Williamsburg was founded and flourished during the colonial period. He traces the deterioration that followed when the capital moved to Richmond in 1780, and concludes with the exciting story of how Williamsburg's past was saved. Old photographs, daguerreotypes, watercolors, sketches, and maps capture "pre-restoration" Williamsburg. Lovely color "after" photographs show that the vision and dream have been fulfilled.

Brooklyn on its own, would be America's fourth-largest city. From cobblestones and fishing boats to cutting-edge art and restaurants, it's New York City's most authentic borough. We've got more ethnic communities and one-of-a-kind neighborhoods than you can shake a stick at. We've got things to do like you wouldn't believe. We've got more than two million realy New Yorkers. And that ain't half the story. A complete handbook for the resident or visitor, Brooklyn! includes: Neighborhoods: From hip Williamsburg to classic Sheepshead Bay, every street has a story. Restaurants: African, Middle Eastern, French, Latino, Russian, Italian, delis, soda fountains, and more. Culture: World-class museums, theater, music, cinema, dance, art, you name it. Activities: Horseback riding? Kayaking? Golf? In Brooklyn!? Who knew? Shopping: Vintage clothes, trendy boutiques, fresh mozzerella, Russian furs, SCUBA gear, and just about anything else you can think of. So what's not to like?