What Cabrillo Found by Maud Hart Lovelace

180 pages
Published in 1958
by Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

Perhaps students of California history are familiar with the name Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, but having spent my school years on the east coast, I was not.

So who exactly was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and why did Maud Hart Lovelace write a book about him?


What Cabrillo Found by Maud Hart Lovelace is a little known children's book about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who is most noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America during the early 1540s.

Cabrillo lived during a time of great exploration. All around him men sailed off in search of new lands to conquer in the name of their King or Queen. And sometimes in the name of "Christianity" -- though not always with a true desire of spreading the gospel, but rather to gain fame and wealth. Cabrillo was an exception to the latter. He was a man of courage and kindness, who explored, gave names to new lands in honor of the King of Spain, but remained honorable to the natives he encountered along the way. His goal was not to get rich, but to explore the unknown and along the way he made some incredible discoveries that have impacted the world as we know it.

I believe for this reason (and also simply because Mrs. Lovelace spent her later years living in California and called it home) she felt it was vital that Cabrillo's story be remembered and thus she wrote this little book.

The only problem with What Cabrillo Found is that Maud Hart Lovelace had very little research material on which to base her book. There is hardly anything on record about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in spite of his importance to North American history. There isn't even a known portraiture or etching of his likeness! Because of this, What Cabrillo Found is generally considered historical fiction, but I think it could be argued that this book could also be categorized as non-fiction and biographical in nature simply for the fact it was written from all the information about Cabrillo that was available at the time.

Still, What Cabrillo Found was an interesting read. Intended for children it reads simply and quickly. It's not one of Mrs. Lovelace's best works, but it was a worthwhile read and one I'd recommend to anyone curious to learn more about this explorer or those who, like me, are curious to read all of Mrs. Lovelace's works.

Overall I am glad I took some time to read this book as it has expanded my interest in North American history.


(Note to those looking for a copy of this book to read: I would suggest checking with your library and library's Inter-Library Loan program first. I found my copy online and paid just a few dollars for a decent hardback minus the dust-jacket. There are still a number of copies available online, but prices vary from as little as $10 to as much as $100.)


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Related links:

• Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Monument - The National Park Service
• Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo - San Diego History Center, Wikipedia Bio
• What Cabrillo Found: Biblio.com

Known and Unknown: A Memoir by Donald Rumsfeld

832 pages
Published by Sentinel, a Penguin Group in 2011
New York, NY

"My life has spanned more than one third of the history of the United States. As I thought more about this memoir and a title, the idea of the known and the unknown seemed to fit. Not only are there things in this book people believe they known about my life, but there are also things that may surprise and differ from what many may have read or heard or assumed." ~ Donald Rumsfeld

From the first moment I heard about Donald Rumsfeld's memoir, Known and Unknown I wanted to read it. What could be more fascinating than learning the "inside story" of my country's government for the last forty years than from a man who has spent most of his life serving as a Congressman, an Ambassador, and even twice as Secretary of Defense?

Most readers of my generation will of course remember Mr. Rumsfeld as the Secretary of Defense for most of George W. Bush's presidency, but what many of these same people may not realize is that that was not his first appointment to the job. Donald Rumsfeld also served as Secretary of Defense during the Ford administration in 1975. By 2001 he had been both the youngest and oldest person in American history to be appointed to the job of Secretary of Defense. Fascinating...

And that is exactly how I found Known and Unknown, fascinating. I was only 100 pages into the tome (and tome it is, for the text, index not included, reaches well over 700 pages!) and I could hardly put the book down.

During approximately the first quarter of Known and Unknown, Mr. Rumsfeld discusses in some detail the years 1932-1969 -- from his childhood, to the time spent serving in the US Navy, and later as a 29 year-old US Congressman from Illinois. For me this part of the book was a quick history lesson. Some events and people mentioned I remember hearing about, but for the most part his memoir filled in many of the holes left over from my childhood history lessons.

The second quarter of the book recalls Mr. Rumsfeld's time serving as a representative to NATO and White House Chief of Staff during the 1970s, as well as brief mention of the two decades he worked in the private sector for pharmaceutical companies. Again, the mention of people, places and events filled in more of the holes in my personal world and American history knowledge. By the end of the first half of Known and Unknown, Mr. Rumsfeld has brought his story up to the late 1990s, a time in which I have personal memories and the starting point of what I consider "recent history."

The "meat" of Known and Unknown is certainly to be found in the last half of the book. It is in this last half that Mr. Rumsfeld reaches the end of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st. It is a time that I consider "recent history" and to a point "current events." It is a time I remember vividly. Some events I remember reading or hearing about in the news and other events I experienced personally. For me the last half of Known and Unknown was the most fascinating section of the book... And at times it was also quite overwhelming. I was blown away with the amount of detail contained in each chapter. I can only imagine the amount of time and the extent of research that was required to complete this memoir. And I challenge anyone who thinks they know the reasons why America was attacked on 9/11 and why America went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan to read this book. This is not just one man's view, this is a memoir that includes details, facts, quotations, citations, and references that explain the known and the unknown of that period. It was very interesting.

That said, I must admit Known and Unknown is not for the faint of heart. If you tremble at the thought of reading anything political or historical in nature than you probably won't find Known and Unknown an easy read. Mr. Rumsfeld writes well, the entire book is woven together almost seamlessly, which makes it must easier to follow than other memoirs I've read, but the extent of detail does slow the reader down. If you have a predetermined interest in the topic then it is well worth the effort.

All in all, I am glad I took the time and effort to read Known and Unknown. While not every reader may agree with every decision made by Mr. Rumsfeld (or his bosses) I still encourage every reader to consider reading Known and Unknown, if for no other reason than to learn another side to the story that is recent American history.

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Related Links:

• The Rumsfeld Papers 
• World Timeline During Rumsfeld's Life (1932-Present)
• Rumsfeld Library (includes thousands of related documents)
• Known and Unknown (Additional information from the Publisher)

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

406 pages
Published in 2010
by Random House

For the last couple weeks I have thought over how exactly I was to review Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. I wanted to be careful in how much I gave away about the story because it came to me with little information and thus was a surprise read. For that reason I think it's almost best to keep you in the dark (a little) as well.

I first learned of Unbroken from a friend who told me nothing about the plot except that they thought I might enjoy it and that I shouldn't read anything about the story background or do any research on the book itself before I read it. Now, to do this is contrary to my normal pre-reading method. Under normal circumstances I read a review on a blog or I will read the book description and maybe a few snippets of reviews on Amazon to get a feel for whether or not it's the type of book I will want to read. (Why waste time on books that just aren't worth it?) At any rate, because I had confidence the person who was recommending wouldn't suggest an awful book I decided to go ahead and take their advice -- I picked up Unbroken and jumped in with both feet without stopping to find out anything more.

The plot (no spoilers):
"On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.  Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.  It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard.  So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War." (Summary courtesy of the publisher. Further description available on their website.)

My Thoughts:
Wow. Where do I begin? From the basic description one might think the story begins during the heat of World War II, but Unbroken begins before then, it starts as most biographies do, with the birth of the hero of the story. The author takes the reader through the background before leading them to the heart of the story -- the plane crash and what happened afterwards. This is indeed a fascinating story; a read I found interesting from a historical point of view (it begins in the early 1910s) and becomes a page turner (by the 1940s) that I just couldn't put down. Although a biography it reads a lot like a novel weaving dialogue, narration, and description together.

On the flip side there were some very difficult aspects to the story. War stories can be very gritty and Unbroken certainly has many gritty moments, which means it is not for the faint of heart. And yet, somehow the way Laura Hillenbrand writes I didn't mind the grit so much -- it was how it was and I pressed on because I wanted to find out how the story would end.

I must admit that after pressing through all the grittiness I almost gave up on the story during the last quarter of the book. It is at that point that the hero, having survived some of the most deplorable experiences, comes out a survivor, but a very angry and lost man. It was here that I started to second guess my friend's recommendation. I began to wonder why they of all people had recommended this book to me if it was going to end on such a depressing note. And then with the turn of the page and the start of a new chapter the story took a dramatic turn that led to a very exciting and amazing end. Unbroken is truly a story of survival, resilience AND redemption. It left me amazed and proud not only to have read such a book, but to have such people in my country's history.

In the end I believe Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is one of the most powerful books I have read this year and it is a book I recommend wholeheartedly!

Note: Once you have read Unbroken be sure to check out the related links below. For those wanting to keep the surprise element in the read stay clear of these links until AFTER you've finished the book. As for the rest of you who enjoy knowing the surprise ahead of time... you've probably already googled Unbroken and already know the whole story without picking up the book so I suppose it doesn't matter. Either way... I hope you'll take time to read this book.


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Related Links:

• LouieZamperini.com
• Devil At My Heels by Louis Zamperini
• SRN News.Com Intereview with Louis Zamperini (35min long)
• NY Times Bestseller (hit #1 during 2010) 
• Laura Hillenbrand's Official Website

Decision Points by George W. Bush

481 pages
Published in 2010
By Crown Publishers
New York, NY

"The nature of the presidency is that sometimes you don't choose which challenges come to your desk. You do decide how to respond." - George W. Bush

Decision Points is not your typical memoir, that is not if you're expecting a chronological retelling of George W. Bush's life. Instead, President Bush chose to focus on key decision points within his lifetime and by doing so, he presents a thorough picture of his background and what has made him the man he is today. Of course, because this is a presidential memoir it should come as no surprise that the majority of the book focuses upon decisions made during the eight years he served as President of the United States.

My thoughts:
Over the years I have found that some of the most fascinating reads are those written by or about people who have had a direct impact on the world in which I live, particularly books about American history and the American people. So it was with great interest and curiosity that I picked up President Bush's memoir, Decision Points. And I am happy to report that I was not disappointed.

From start to finish I found Decision Points to be a fascinating read of current events and recent history. We're not talking nitty-gritty gossip, but the key info as to the why and how President Bush made decisions, both personal and public.

If you think you already have the whole story when it comes to George W. Bush because you read the newspapers or watched the evening news, think again; there are always two sides to every story.

When making any decision I believe it is valuable to hear the "objective" outside view, but I also believe it is extremely valuable to include the perspective of the person on the "inside", the one making the decisions. One can read any number of books on the American Revolution, but to truly understand what life was like and why the Founding Fathers made the decisions they did one must read the personal writings of the founders, as well as books that detail their life and beliefs. In essence, until you learn what made them tick you cannot truly understand why they acted as they did. The same can be said of any modern statesman. Whether you agree with the person or not, you won't stand a chance of ever understanding why they act a certain way or believe a certain thing if you don't take the time to hear their point of view.

As far as the writing style, Decision Points is a easy read. Although President Bush addresses some complicated issues and details he doesn't let the reader get bogged down. His writing is simple, but intelligent and to the point. He says it like it is and doesn't mince words; even when admitting his own mistakes. He comes across as a humble man of faith; not at all one who plays pious or lives a life of hypocrisy. (One may wish me to note there was a smattering of profanity in the book, but always when quoting a previous conversation usually between one politician and another.) President Bush is mostly unapologetic about the decisions he made throughout his political and legislative career stating in the epilogue, "I knew some of the decisions I had made were not popular with many of my fellow citizens. But I felt satisfied that I had been willing to make the hard decisions, and I had always done what I believed was right." (pg. 474)

And that is actually what I admire most about President Bush. Regardless of what others think of his presidency or of him as a person, I personally admire that he took in all the facts, discussed and considered the options, and in the end always made the decision based on what he truly believed was right and good, not for his reputation or career, but for the country as a whole. He was a true example of a politician, one who serves the public not themselves.

Being president of the United States is quite an honor. Only 44 men have held the position in the last 222 years. You don't get on that list just because you want the job. Nor do you get there because you're popular. You get there because you have the experience, the courage, and the leadership to hold the position and you have earned the trust of millions of Americans. I hope those who read President Bush's memoirs do not read it with the goal to nitpick the past, but instead read it with an open mind so as to better understand the man who led the free world for the first eight years of this new millennium, through some of the most difficult decision points of American history.

In the end as President Bush points out within his memoir, history will be the final judge. If historians and critics can still mull over and argue about decisions made by our first president, George Washington 200+ years after his presidency ended, it will be some time before anyone comes to a final conclusion about the presidency of George W. Bush.

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Related Links:

Random House Publishers: Decision Points

Kindle: Decision Points ($14.99)

George W. Bush Presidential Library

The White House: George W. Bush (#43)

Review: Spoken From the Heart by Laura Bush

Good Citizenship

It's election day in the United States -- have you voted yet?

Today as I thought about the election I rememberd an excellent little book I picked up some ten years ago. It contains two speeches by former President Grover Cleveland and was published in 1908. The first speech is titled Good Citizenship and is as applicable today as it was 100+ years ago when written.

As typical you can't get the entire text via Google Books (such a shame as the book is only 78 pages long), but you can read a good deal of it, so check it out! Here's the opening quote:

"There is danger that my subject of American good citizenship is so familiar and so trite as to lack interest. This does not necessarily result from a want of appreciation of the importance of good citizenship, nor from a denial of the duty resting upon every American to be a good citizen. There is, however, abroad in our land a self-satisfied and perfunctory notion that we do all that is required of us in this direction when we make profession of our faith in the creed of good citizenship and abstain from the commission of palpably unpatriotic sins...."Read more here.

Still need to vote? Find your polling place.

Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

285 pages
Published in 2010
by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Carol Stream, Illinois

"You've got daughters? Then you've got questions." is the opening phrase on the dust jacket of this new release, Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson.

Bringing Up Girls is the long awaited for companion book to Dr. Dobson's 2001 bestseller, Bringing Up Boys. Published in April 2010, Bringing Up Girls is based on the latest research and includes recent interviews with parents and daughters alike.

What's It All About?
"Peer pressure. Eating disorders. Decisions about love, romance, and sex. Academic demands. Life goals and how to achieve them. These are just some of the challenges that girls face today -- and the age at which they encounter them is getting younger and younger. As a parent, how are you guiding your daughter on her journey to womanhood? Are you equipping her to make wise choices? Whether she's still playing with dolls or in the midst of the often-turbulent teen years, is she truly secure in her identify as your valued and loved daughter?" (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
As a child who was raised in a Christian home I am no stranger to the name "Dr. James Dobson." I have a random collection of memories that relate to Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson. I remember my mother listening to his radio program and from time to time I too would listen, if the subject caught my interest. I didn't always agree with Dr. Dobson, but over the years I have had a respect for him. As a teenager I didn't pay attention to his parenting advice I was more interested in the famous interviews he would hold. And now here I am, decades later, and a parent myself.

Ask just about any parent and I bet they'd tell you the same thing. Being a parent is an awesome experience. At times it is both frustrating and humbling and at other times it's so amazing. No matter what it's one of the best blessings of life.

As I realize there's only one chance to raise a child I am always interested to hear what other parents have to say about their own experiences. It doesn't mean I'll take their advice, because sometimes it's just not that good, but I still like to hear about their experiences. You know the "this worked" or "that didn't" type of stories. So when I saw Dr. Dobson had published a book for parents on raising daughters I figured it might be something very useful to read.

Overall I think it was definitely a worthwhile read. I enjoyed Dr. Dobson's down to earth approach. He's easy to read and to understand, I like that. He's interesting and includes a fairly balanced amount of humor and tragedy within his anecdotes (and yes, there are a LOT of anecdotes). He states facts and backs them up with citations to sources. From an educational point of view this book can give the reader plenty to think about, but the impassioned reader be warned, there is plenty of emotion running through the book. Have a box of tissues handy while reading. I didn't find myself crying, but I can see someone, who had a difficult upbringing who might.

All this praise for Bringing Up Girls and yet I have to admit a small amount of disappointment. Bringing Up Girls was not exactly what I had expected. I anticipated this to be a book about bringing up a daughter. You know, from the moment as a toddler that she first begins to display a desire for independence until the day she walks out the door an independent woman starting her own life. But that wasn't what this book is about.

This isn't a "how to raise" your daughter, but more a "how to raise your daughter to be strong and pure and innocent in an overly sexualized world." Maybe it's the fact that my husband and I were both raised in stable Christian homes with both our parents present, but I didn't finish reading this book with the feeling that I must overcome my past in order to give our daughter a healthy start. Dr. Dobson talks a great deal about the father-daughter relationship and while I think it's vital to a girl's upbringing, again it didn't seem like it was the right time for us, maybe in a few years.

In the end my verdict is this: I found Bringing Up Girls to be interesting, but not applicable to where we are now. I think I'll tuck it away and review it in another 3-8 years.

As for any parent who has a daughter 6 years or older, or a parent coming from a unstable upbringing this might be a book you will want to read sooner than later. I am grateful that someone like Dr. Dobson is out there to give Biblical counsel on such an important topic.

Tuesday Teasers: Bringing Up Girls

"The foundations of national morality must be laid in private Families. In vain are Schools, Academies and universities instituted if loose Principles and licentious habits are impressed upon Children in their earliest years. The Mothers are the earliest and most important instructors of youth." (John Adams, 1778, quoted by Dr. James C. Dobson in Bringing Up Girls, Published 2010)

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore

350 pages
Published in 2010
by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Carol Stream, Illinois

As you might notice most of the books I read I end up enjoying enough to recommend as books to read. There are of course the occasions where I don't really enjoy the book and give them a so-so review or a thumbs down. And then there are those occasions where I enjoy a book so much, find it is so amazing that I just want to cry out in call caps: GO! YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! NEVER MIND WAITING IN LINE AT THE LIBRARY. RUN TO THE BOOKSTORE, YOU HAVE TO OWN THIS BOOK!

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been A Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore is just such a book. This is a must read for every living breathing woman in the world.

Who exactly is Beth Moore? Before reading this book I had only a brief introduction to this woman of faith, but from random conversations with some of my Christian friends and acquaintances I realize I am in the minority. Beth Moore founded Living Proof Ministries in 1994 "with the purpose of teaching women how to love and live on God's Word." She is the author of countless Bible studies and books and in the last few years added radio and the Internet to her ministry outreach. My own church has held a few women's events in the past that utilized Beth's Bible studies. The one I attended I found insightful and applicable.

So when I noticed her face on the cover of a book on the "New Release" table at my local B&N store I added her to my list of authors to read in 2010. At the time I wasn't even thinking that a book about conquering insecurity would be applicable to my own life I just thought it might be a good title to review.

The Book:
As I mentioned before, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up So Long Insecurity. I wasn't expecting to apply it to my own life, after all I consider myself a fairly secure person who may have struggled in my teen years with some forms of insecurity... but then what teen hasn't?

As I began the first chapter of the book I felt a tad doubtful of how good this book was. Beth's writing style is exuberant and seemed to emanate girl power with each paragraph. In my head I heard that Martina McBride song, This One's For the Girls and thought to myself... I'm not so sure this is my type of book. But as I read on I quickly discovered that this book is so much more. It is applicable to every living, breathing, hot blooded or cold blooded woman in this world; be they 18 or 88 or any age in between and regardless of whether they struggle with insecurity or only know of someone who struggles.

"Keep an open mind to what an insecure woman looks like, and don't be too hasty to let yourself off the hook just because a dimension of the portrait doesn't look like you. The fact that she can be a complicated mix of confidence and self-consciousness is the very reason it took me so long to identify it in myself and admit it." (Chpt 1, pg 19)

So Long Insecurity could be divided into three parts. The first part is where Beth discusses the history or more specifically "roots" from which insecurity grows. While it is not exactly all inclusive I believe she's thorough and it would be a rare instance where the reader didn't connect with at least a fragment of an example in this section.

Through the second part Beth discusses how to dig up these roots so healing can begin and how strength and dignity can be attained. The goal of this book is not to preach or to discourage, but to help women everywhere find security and live the life filled with the dignity, joy, and purpose that her Creator intended.

The last section of this book wraps up everything that has been discussed and looks to the future. Not only how can one go on from here with a "clean escape", but how can each woman who is secure help future generations of women (e.g. their own daughters or nieces or the little girl down the street or in their classroom, etc.)

This book is powerful and came at the perfect time. Insecurity is a major problem for women in the world today, including freedom loving Americans.

My Thoughts:
First of all I have to say I really appreciate Beth Moore. She's not just another woman out there who has it all together and is looking down her spiritual nose at the rest of womankind. This book is her journey as much as it is mine or any other reader's. Beth is genuine, she is honest, and she is full of encouragement. She shares from her heart the good with the bad in her own life: "I am a common woman sharing common problems seeking common solutions on a journey with an uncommon Savior. If something hurts me, I conclude it probably hurts somebody else." (Chpt 1, pg 13)

For my own part, I admit freely that I have struggled with insecurity in the past, even as far back as junior high and high school, but again, that is fairly typical. What was an eye opener for me was to realize that I still struggle, although the insecurity manifests itself in different forms now than it did 15 years ago. I also found it very interesting to discover how insecurity can play strongly in how I perceive other people and how they in turn perceive me. I realize now how failings in friendships or family members, or even bad encounters with other people where I've been snubbed or hurt are often connected to either one or both of us having issues with insecurity. It is indeed a fascinating issue to ponder.

For those wondering, So Long Insecurity is NOT a quick fix. I finished it only a week ago, but I am still faced with chronic insecurity. The difference for me now is that I know how to confront these feelings and come away the conqueror. I know how to say, "I am clothed with strength and dignity... God gave it to me. It is mine. You cannot have it." I no longer struggle.

In closing I can honestly and wholeheartedly say this book will improve your outlook on life and people. I recommend this book with two thumbs firmly up. Don't borrow this book, buy it. It is a keeper and it is one you will want to reference. It is not exactly a fast read -- while it reads quickly and is a book you don't really want to put down -- there is a lot to ponder and digest. For me some chapters took a few days for me to finish as I stopped to process exactly what she was saying, to pray about it, and to apply what I had read to my own life. This is a book you will want to share with all the women in your life.

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Related Links:
Book Excerpt
Get Thee Behind Me, Insecurity: Interview with Beth Moore
So Long Insecurity affiliated website
Living Proof Ministries

Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

258 pages
First Edition published in 2007
HarperCollins Publishers
New York, NY

"Do you remember the best summer of your life?" For Marjorie Hart nee' Jacobson it was New York City and the year was 1945.

The Plot:
"Marjorie Jacobson and her best friend, Marty Garrett, arrive fresh from the Kappa house at the University of Iowa hoping to find summer positions as shopgirls. Turned away from the top department stores, they miraculously find jobs as pages at Tiffany & Co., becoming the first women to ever work on the sales floor -- a diamond-filled day job replete with Tiffany blue shirtwaist dresses from Bonwit Teller's -- and the envy of all their friends. Hart takes us back to the magical time when she and Marty rubbed elbows with the rich and famous; pinched pennies to eat at the Automat; experienced nightlife at La Martinique; and danced away their weekends with dashing midshipmen. Between being dazzled by Judy Garland's honeymoon visit to Tiffany, celebrating VJ Day in Times Square, and mingling with Café society, she fell in love, learned unforgettable lessons, made important decisions that would change her future, and created the remarkable memories she now shares with all of us." (Summary courtesy of HarperCollins)

My Thoughts:
Once again I have Carrie at Reading To Know to thank for my learning of this book. Interestingly enough I don't remember seeing it although it's only been out for three years. It was through Carrie's review at 5MinutesforBooks that I discovered this delightful little read and first decided to add it to my own reading list. I call it a "little read" because it is physically small measuring roughly 7" x 5" and running just over 250 pages. (It is the perfect size for a summer read or a on-the-go-stick-it-in-your-purse read, but I digress.) It also feels little because it reads more like a light-hearted short story than it does a memoir.

Honestly I haven't read a more delightful memoir in some time, not to say the ones I've read haven't been good, they have -- it's just this one had something extra special about it. For starters, I've always been partial to stories about life during the early to mid 20th century, so it isn't surprising that I was quickly swept up into the story. At one point about a quarter of the way into the book I found myself holding my breath. I realized that I was waiting for that proverbial "other shoe to drop" at which point something bad would happen to the protagonist in the story. After all, isn't that what happens in most novels? Oh, but wait. I'd then remember that this is not a novel. This was real life. This was "the best summer" of her life and I started breathing again and relax.

I really enjoyed the sweetness to the story, Mrs. Hart is a wonderful story teller. I also enjoyed the fascinating knowledge one reaps from reading about life in a time and place foreign to oneself. Examples reach beyond the celebrity sightings of Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich, yes those were fascinating, but I also loved learning what life was like living in the Big Apple at a time when lunch could be bought for less $0.15 at the Automat; when ladies wore gloves and hats as part of their daily attire; and when the tallest building was the Empire State Building where it was rumored on a clear day you could see five states at once. (I should note that the Empire State Building held this status until 1972 when construction on the World Trade Center was finished. It has since gained back the status after the collapse on 9/11/01).

Another aspect that I loved so much about this book was how music played its own part in the story. Yes, there was dancing, there was singing, but there was also Marjorie's love for music and more specifically the cello. Leading up to her summer in New York City, Marjorie had been studying music at the University of Iowa with a focus on the cello, but during that busy summer of 1945 she wasn't able to give much time to practicing. Still the cello was a big part of her personality and it eventually found its way into her busy life and this story. I was excited to find that Mrs. Hart was a cellist as I love the cello. Beginning when I was 13 I played the cello all through Jr. High and High School and for a couple years after college. I never made a career of it like Mrs. Hart, who eventually became a professional and played in the San Diego Symphony, but reading Summer At Tiffany brought back some pleasant memories of my own.

Summer At Tiffany is definitely worth adding to your reading list. Copies are definitely a bargain online if you purchase through Amazon (new copies run just under $6 and used are less than $4 for hardcover copies). I was very surprised to find none of my local libraries had a copy, so I was left with the option to buy or request through Inter Library Loan. I have to say for the price they are online, if you cannot find a copy through your library it's worth the few dollars for this gem of a read.

Thank you Carrie for telling me about this book. I wish I had found it three years ago!

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Related Links:
Official Website for: Summer At Tiffany
Summer At Tiffany (Audio Book, unabridged)

Marjorie Hart's Author Page - HarperCollins Publishers
Smith Magazine's May 2007 Interview with Marjorie Hart
Marjorie Hart's Essay: Kappa Days

Tiffany & Co.

Spoken From the Heart by Laura Bush

439 pages
Published May 2010, 1st edition
Scribner, A division of Simon & Shuster, Inc.
New York, NY

Ever since I first learned that former First Lady Laura Bush was planning to write a memoir I have been curious to get my hands on a copy. I have always been fascinated by American history and more specifically presidential history and the history surrounding our nation's capital. But even more so I was interested in Mrs. Bush's book because I was interested in learning more about the life and thoughts of a president and first lady who, over the course of eight years, I have come to respect and appreciate. The Bush Administration faced some difficult times, but I believe they performed a great service to Americans by helping to maintain American freedom and advocating our way life to the world.

Spoken From the Heart is not an autobiography in the sense of telling Mrs. Bush's entire life story, yes, she includes details about her ancestors and facts and memories from her own childhood and early adult years, but the main focus of this book covers the years that she served with her husband, George W. Bush at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The book ends shortly after the Bushes retired to their ranch in Crawford, Texas in 2009.

The early years: I found the first quarter to third of the book very interesting as it sets the foundation for the rest of the book. Mrs. Bush writes about her parents generation and life in Texas in the years leading up to World War II and then her birth; of the dusty draughts and the year where it didn't rain once in a 12-month period; of the hardships of living in a time and place where modern medicine was unavailable to save the lives of her mother's three premature babies. And of the early years when her love for reading, for learning and life was born. From the first few chapters it is clear that Mrs. Bush inherited her love of books and nature from her own mother.

"When I came through the door in the afternoon, I was greeted by the soft rustle of book pages and my mother, her feet propped up, book open on her lap." (Page 46)

The middle years: The next section of the book focuses more on Mrs. Bush's adult life -- her time as a librarian and as a school teacher, as well as the early years of her marriage to George W. Bush. This then leads the reader on to their life as grown children of a vice-president and later president (George H.W. Bush) and ends with George W. Bush's time as governor of Texas. Again, most of the information contained within this section of the book reads to me as history as I was either not yet born, too young, or not paying attention when it was actually happening. Still, it's interesting to learn more about our former first lady, her life with George and their twin daughters. From the start I was fascinated with Mrs. Bush's natural desire to help others, especially women and children. Because of her husband's role in public office even more opportunities were opened up to her, which she not only took on, but was successful in making a difference for many people.

The White House years: The last third of the book is the longest and contains a variety of details and events as well as Mrs. Bush's personal memories from the 2000 presidential election year through the end of President Bush's second term in the White House and the Bush's departure from Washington in January 2009.

It was a little surreal for me when I read this part of the book. I was flooded with some of my own memories from those dates, places, and events. I remember clearly the year President Bush was elected and the long drama of recount after recount in November and December. I was in Washington, DC for his first (and second) inauguration. (It was cold!) I was one of the thousands (millions?) standing soaking wet on the Mall on that VERY HOT July 4th in 2001 when the rain only just let up in time to watch the fireworks. And I will never forget where I was and what I was doing on Tuesday morning September 11, 2001 when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center and Pentagon just as own parents will never forget where they were and what they were doing on November 22, 1963. I remember hearing of various state dinners and visits abroad, including when the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Or the time that President Bush surprised the troops and spent Thanksgiving with them in Afghanistan. At Christmas I laughed and enjoyed the "Barney-Cam" videos the White House released and twice I had the honor of joining hundreds of other guests to visit the White House and enjoy a close up of the festive holiday decorations. I remember where I was and what I was doing the morning we learned terrorist and dictator Saddam Husein had been captured. And I was one of thousands to stand in line for hours so I could pay my respects to former President Ronald Regan's flag draped casket in the United States Capitol Rotunda. So many memories...

Amongst all this reminiscing I did learn something new about the years the Bush's were in the White House. Although I was aware that Mrs. Bush did travel abroad advocating freedom and women's rights I had no idea the depths she went to meet with and help those in depressed places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa. If you doubt at all the freedom a woman has living in the United States then read this book (or one specifically dedicated to that topic, Azar Nafisi has written several) and you'll see how different it is for women in the Middle East. I am grateful that Mrs. Bush took a personal interest in the women and children of these countries.

There was so much that occurred in the eight years that President and Mrs. Bush were in Washington, DC and I really couldn't sum up my thoughts of those years and the President's role in shaping history than Mrs. Bush's own thoughts when she wrote:

"He [President Bush] simply did what he believed to be right and expected to be judged based on outcomes and history not daily headlines or pundits on talks shows." (Page 383)

For a reader curious to learn more about Laura Bush, or even for an inside glimpse of what life was like for the president and first lady during the first decade of the 21st century there couldn't be a better book than Spoken From the Heart. Not once did I feel Mrs. Bush pushing her view or misrepresenting history or a particular person. She was candid, but polite. She was respectful, but factual. She didn't balk at addressing some of the sensitive or personal subjects that made headlines during her husband's career in politics. She is sincere and tells her story in a clear and detailed way making it one of the more enjoyable memoirs that I have read in a long time and a definite worthwhile read.

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Related Links:

The White House

The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries

George W. Bush Presidential Library

The President's House by Margaret Truman

First Ladies by Margaret Truman (reviewed)

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (reviewed)

The Black Print by Malik Green

178 pages
Published 2009
Outskirts Press, Inc.
Denver, CO

A few months back I was approached by a publicity company who wanted to know if I'd be interested in reading and reviewing copies of newly released books. Although it doesn't appear they handle ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) I still thought this was a great opportunity and signed up.

The first book that caught my attention was The Black-Print by Malik Green. I actually read this book in November, but it has taken me some time to sit down and work out my thoughts to the point where I could put them into a review.

The Black-Print is Mr. Green's first published work and what he calls a "plan of action."

What it's all about:
"African Americans are the descendants of a great and mighty people. However, today, despite over 50 years of so-called progress, the African-American community faces a host of maladies that contribute to our continued disenfranchisement. With an increase in black-on-black crime, drug abuse, gang-related violence, illiteracy, and a lack of spiritual development, not to mention our economic and political deficiencies, African Americans are struggling to gain true equality, prosperity, and respect here in America. The Black-Print contains bold and radical solutions -- a solid, detailed plan -- to transform the descendants of African slaves and raise them to a level unprecedented in the United States of America. This book gets to the heart of the many problems and obstacles faced by the African American community and presents an opportunity to over come the destructive forces that continue to block our path towards wealth, prosperity and respect." (Summary courtesy of the author)


My Thoughts:
Initially I was quite excited to read The Black-Print from the back cover description (see above) I had a feeling this book might be something along the lines of the ideology that great African Americans like George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington shared, but as I read my excitement gradually dwindled until at the end of the book I was left feeling somewhat disappointed and annoyed.

What I liked: For starters, Mr. Green has some great ideas and as a born African-American from Harlem he has inside perspective. On page 120 he sums up his concerns in the statement, "The bottom line here is that if African Americans do not find the will or desire to reunite as family, then no plan, no money, no anything will ever get us truly right as a people." Similarly there are several other memorable passages and quotes scattered throughout the book. I believe Mr. Green has caught the spark of a great idea. It is true the African American community within the United States is not where it could be or should be 140+ years after the end of slavery. For years people have believed something was being done through the various government programs, but in reality nothing effective has been done. It's time something more, something other than the status quo is started on behalf of United States citizens be they black, white or otherwise. Unfortunately this is where I found The Black-Print fell short of its goal. Which leads me to what I didn't like about the book.

What I didn't like: Aside from the fact that I disagreed with most of Mr. Green's political and economic views I also found his book poorly sourced and in desperate need of editing. (Note: I researched the publisher only to discover OutskirtsPress is a company that offers budding authors the opportunity to self-publish, sans an editor.) From the first chapter it is clear that The Black-Print reads more like a lengthy op-ed than it does a professional or academic "How-To" piece of non-fiction. Instead of backing up statements and facts with original sources nearly all of the writing is merely stated and the reader left to believe or not believe depending on their view of the text, opinions, and author. The few times that footnotes were included they led only to Wikipedia articles, which any researcher or writer should know know is not a trustworthy source.

Editing aside, there's then the problem of Mr. Green's plan of action. As I said, there were many of Mr. Green's views and opinions that I do not personally share, but this is not the time or place for me to hash out in detail what our differences are. Suffice it for me to state two things. First, that I believe there is one true God and that all men (and women) are created equal. The very idea of racial inequality stems from people forgetting or not believing that we all are children born from the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, we are all created by God. And second, in my opinion The Black-Print calls for some drastic and rather unrealistic steps in order to reach Mr. Green's final goal including the involvement of the government where I do not believe it is wise.

One such unrealistic step requires the United States government to pay "reparations" to the African American community for the years of damage done between 1868 and 1964. The United States government is not a private entity; it is not a business so where would such a large sum of money come from? It has to come from somewhere and mostly likely it would come in the form of heavier taxes on people who either were not alive during those years or who were not citizens in America during that time.

As I read I kept shaking my head thinking how different Mr. Green's views were from what I had anticipated them to be. So very unlike those of George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, two men whom I greatly admire. And then as I read I came upon the reason for this difference. Mr. Green admittedly holds the same views as W. E. B. Dubois. For those who don't remember, W. E. B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington were peers who held opposing views as to what African Americans should do once freedom from slavery was achieved. Booker T. Washington was of the mindset that African Americans needed to focus on educating and bettering themselves as individuals, as families, as church members, and as citizens before reaching for riches and fame. Dubois on the other hand believed that the African Americans deserved instant equality with all other citizens of the United States without the necessity of education and hard work. The fact that Mr. Green's ideology matches with Dubois explains a lot.

In Summary:
I had mixed feelings when I finished reading The Black-Print. I felt like Mr. Green touched upon a very important matter and had some great insights, but his application was all wrong, his solution flawed. I felt as if this was a missed opportunity and it is a shame. I can't say I'd recommend this book to others only because there was so much this book lacked. However, I applaud Mr. Green for his effort in writing this book. Many people have ideas, but it takes some determination and courage to share these ideas with the world. Maybe one day people will realize that God has to come first, not just the "everything goes" view of religion that Mr. Green shares. There must be a love for God and respect for each other before there can be healing.

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Other books of interest that I've read:

Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Unshakable Faith by John Perry

John Adams DVD - Mini Review

John Adams

HBO Miniseries, Spring 2008

I am embarrassed to admit I have never finished reading John Adams by David McCullough. Early in our marriage my husband and I tried to read it together, aloud before bedtime. We made it maybe two chapters in before that tradition died. Reading before aloud before bedtime just doesn't work for us.

Since then the book has sat on my bookshelf awaiting my renewed interest, but that fact didn't stop me from watching the miniseries adaptation by HBO now available on DVD.

The miniseries is made up of seven 1-hour segments, which shouldn't take very long to watch... but took me four months. I had to borrow the DVD's from my local library at least five times before before I actually finished watching it -- but it was well worth the time.

The miniseries is well made and relatively accurate. I say relatively because I know there were some things left out (any strong focus on Adams' religious beliefs) and there were some things portrayed differently than historians believe is the truth (i.e. Adams' relationship with his youngest son, Charles). But over all it was a very good adaptation of the book... which I now have renewed interest to read.

I though the choice in actors was well made and the settings, costumes, etc. just added to the richness of the film. The only complaint I have outside of the above liberties taken is the sound quality. At times the conversations were so low I could barely make out what was said. I'd turn the volume way up only to be blasted when someone yelled or some loud noise was made. It was a tad annoying.

But that said, my favorite part was actually an extra on the DVD -- an interview with author David McCullough. It's a 39 minute interview covering the life of McCullough and his works. Very interesting and it causes me to retract my previous statement. If I could meet any living author I would choose McCullough. I'd forgotten about him when I answered the meme, but he is definitely someone I'd like to meet.

All this to say... I need to read John Adams. (I've read at least one other McCullough book and it's worth the time it takes to read.) I enjoyed John Adams the miniseries, but know the book will be even better.

For those who haven't seen the miniseries, yes I'd recommend it. But be warned. There are two scenes of nudity. The first is when a man is tarred and feathered, the second is when a women undergoes a mastectomy. There's enough warning for the viewer to look away if you know these instances exist.

For those of you who have seen the miniseries and have read the book -- leave your comments. I'd love to hear what you think.