Bound for the Promised Land by Kate Clifford Larson - Review

Book details

Paperback : 432 pages

ISBN-10 : 0345456289

ISBN-13 : 978-0345456281

Publisher : One World; 52830th Edition (December 28, 2004)

Book description

Harriet Tubman is one of the giants of American history—a fearless visionary who led scores of her fellow slaves to freedom and battled courageously behind enemy lines during the Civil War. Now, in this magnificent biography, historian Kate Clifford Larson gives us a powerful, intimate, meticulously detailed portrait of Tubman and her times. Drawing from a trove of new documents and sources as well as extensive genealogical data, Larson presents Harriet Tubman as a complete human being—brilliant, shrewd, deeply religious, and passionate in her pursuit of freedom. A true American hero, Tubman was also a woman who loved, suffered, and sacrificed.

Meet the author - Kate Clifford Larson

A New York Times Best Selling Author and Consultant for the *HARRIET* movie, Kate Clifford Larson specializes in 19th and 20th century U.S. Women's and African American History. With two degrees from Simmons University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a Doctorate in American History from the University of New Hampshire, Larson has nurtured a passion for researching and writing about American women's lives. She enjoys the challenges of teasing out life stories from voices that have long been silenced. "I feel strongly that we must reconnect with the women who helped build and shape this country," Larson recently wrote, "and by putting women at the center of the story, the world looks very different - more complex, interesting, and colorful."

CBS Sunday Morning Show recently featured Larson talking about Harriet Tubman! See it here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tracing-the-remarkable-lifes-path-of-harriet-tubman/. Watch Kate Clifford Larson's interview about Rosemary Kennedy with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Eileen McNamara at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Forum on C-Span Book TV: http://www.c-span.org/video/?328843-1/kate-clifford-larson-rosemary. And check out her website at www.katecliffordlarson.com for more information about her books and upcoming events, and her special website dedicated to Harriet Tubman's biography at www.harriettubmanbiography.com

My thoughts

I can't say enough good things about this book.  What I did not realize about this author until just now when I was looking for her biography was that she was a consultant for the movie Harriet, which I loved so much I bought it and that is what lead me to looking for a book about Harriet so I could learn more about her.  This book did not disappoint in that matter.  I liked how the author not only told more about Harriet but she also told about her family and other families that lived around where she did that she helped.  This woman went through so much in her life but she always continued to help others before thinking of herself.  This book is a must read in my opinion. Well done. 

Winning is Not Enough by Jackie Stewart - Review

Book details

Paperback, 576 pages

Published April 16th 2009 by Headline (first published October 18th 2007)

ISBN 9780755315390

Book description

Sir Jackie Stewart is one of the most highly regarded names in global sport - winner of three F1 World Championships, 27 Grands Prix and ranked in the top five drivers of all time. On retiring from the circuit, he went on to build an equally impressive international business career.

In the 1960s and into the 70s, with his black cap, sideburns and aviator shades Jackie Stewart was an unmistakable icon in a glorious era of style, glamour and speed. On the track, his story is one of drama, excitement, tragedy, controversy, celebrity, danger and massive success.

Beyond the sport his life is a compelling tale of battling against the odds and achieving world-wide recognition as an outstanding sportsman, a role model and a highly accomplished and respected businessman.

My thoughts

I thought this was a very interesting biography.  I have a lot of respect for Sir Jackie.  I learned a lot about Formula One racing and him by reading this.  The only issue was the last couple of chapters could have been condensed a little but other than that I loved the book. 

The Romanov Sister by Helen Rappaport - Review

Book details

Hardcover: 512 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First edition (June 3, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9781250020208

ISBN-13: 978-1250020208

Book description

They were the Princess Dianas of their day—perhaps the most photographed and talked about young royals of the early twentieth century. The four captivating Russian Grand Duchesses—Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia Romanov—were much admired for their happy dispositions, their looks, the clothes they wore and their privileged lifestyle.

Over the years, the story of the four Romanov sisters and their tragic end in a basement at Ekaterinburg in 1918 has clouded our view of them, leading to a mass of sentimental and idealized hagiography. With this treasure trove of diaries and letters from the grand duchesses to their friends and family, we learn that they were intelligent, sensitive and perceptive witnesses to the dark turmoil within their immediate family and the ominous approach of the Russian Revolution, the nightmare that would sweep their world away, and them along with it.

The Romanov Sisters sets out to capture the joy as well as the insecurities and poignancy of those young lives against the backdrop of the dying days of late Imperial Russia, World War I and the Russian Revolution. Rappaort aims to present a new and challenging take on the story, drawing extensively on previously unseen or unpublished letters, diaries and archival sources, as well as private collections. It is a book that will surprise people, even aficionados.

Meet the author - Helen Rappaport

Helen F. Rappaport (née Ware; born 1947), is a British historian, author, and former actress. As a historian, she specialises in the Victorian era and revolutionary Russia.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

My thoughts

I loved this book. I actually listened to the audio version and am so happy I did as I am not sure I could have pronounced the names in this book. I had not read anything about this family nor did I really know anything about them. They talked a lot about hemophilia which is of particular interest to me as my nephew has this horrible disease.  It was interesting to hear about their lives and how the girls helped with the War and enjoyed being able to help.  Their mother had a lot of health issues which kept her from being able to do as much as she wanted with the children but did not hinder their love for each other.  I also liked how it show how much their father loved them even though they were not boys.  He did not care that when the were born he did not have a male heir to the throne, he was just happy to have a healthy child. The closeness that this family shared is not something you always see in Royal families so that was refreshing to see. I highly recommend this book. 

Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life & Legacy as told to William B. Matson - Review

Book details

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1st Edition edition (September 6, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9781423641230

ISBN-13: 978-1423641230

Book description

The Edward Clown family, nearest living relatives to the Lakota war leader, presents the family tales and memories told to them about their famous grandfather. In many ways the oral history differs from what has become the standard and widely accepted biography of Crazy Horse. The family clarifies the inaccuracies and shares their story about the past, including what it means to them to be Lakota, the family genealogy, the life of Crazy Horse and his motivations, his death, and why they chose to keep quiet with their knowledge for so long before finally deciding to tell the truth as they know it.

This book is a compelling addition to the body of works about Crazy Horse and the complicated and often conflicting events of that time period in American History.

Floyd Clown, Doug War Eagle, and Don Red Thunder are the sole administrators and spokesmen of the Crazy Horse estate and often speak at historical gatherings and national parks about their family’s history.

William Matson has produced and directed an award-winning video, Sitting Bull’s Voice, as well as the two-part video series, The Authorized Biography of Sitting Bull by His Great-Grandson, and the four-part video series, The Authorized Biography of Crazy Horse and His Family. He regularly speaks about these videos and their content at film festivals and has been working with the Crazy Horse family since 2001 to tell their story.

Meet the author

William Matson has produced and directed an award-winning video, Sitting Bull’s Voice, as well as the two-part video series, The Authorized Biography of Sitting Bull by His Great-Grandson, and the four-part video series, The Authorized Biography of Crazy Horse and His Family. He regularly speaks about these videos and their content at film festivals and has been working with the Crazy Horse family since 2001 to tell their story.

My thoughts

I will not be able to say enough good things about this book. When you read this book it is not like reading a book it is more like you are listening to the family telling your their story. I felt as if I could really hear them. The more I read this book the more angry I got as there were a lot of bad things done by our country to Crazy Horse and his family. It was all hateful and very unnecessary. I am very happy that I read this book and hope everyone takes the time to read it. Today I go the chance to meet Floyd Clown and William Matson. They came to my town and gave a lecture, which was very informative and interesting. When the lecture was over I got the chance to talk to both of them and found out that Floyd Clown is also a grandson of War Eagle who was a big name where I am from. My only wish was that I could have had more time to visit with them. I would love to hear more stories about Floyd and Crazy Horse's family. One of the best books I have read this year. 

Racing to the Finish by Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Review

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book details

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 16, 2018)

ISBN-13: 978-0785221609

Book description

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s only authorized book revealing the inside track on his final year of racing and retirement from the driver’s seat.

“Time was running out on my charade… My secrets were about to be exposed to the world.”

It was a seemingly minor crash at Michigan International Speedway in June 2016 that ended the day early for Dale Earnhardt Jr. What he didn’t know was that it would also end his driving for the year. He’d dealt with concussions before, but concussions are like snowflakes, no two are the same. And recovery can be brutal, and lengthy.

When NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from professional stock car racing in 2017, he walked away from his career as a healthy man. But for years, he had worried that the worsening effects of multiple racing-related concussions would end not only his time on the track but his ability to live a full and happy life.

Torn between a race-at-all-costs culture and the fear that something was terribly wrong, Earnhardt tried to pretend that everything was fine, but the private notes about his escalating symptoms that he kept on his phone reveal a vicious cycle: suffering injuries on Sunday, struggling through the week, then recovering in time to race again the following weekend. For the first time, he shares these notes and fully reveals the physical and emotional struggles he faced as he fought to close out his career on his own terms.

In this candid reflection, Earnhardt opens up about his frustration with the slow recovery, his admiration for the woman who stood by him through it all, and his determination to share his own experience so that others don’t have to suffer in silence. Steering his way to the final checkered flag of his storied career proved to be the most challenging race and most rewarding finish of his life.

Meet the author - Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is an American professional stock car racing driver, champion team owner, businessman, and television analyst for NBC Sports Group. He began his racing career at seventeen years of age with his dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr. He won consecutive NASCAR Busch Series Championships in 1998 and 1999 and the Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014. Dale lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, with his wife, Amy, and their daughter, Isla Rose.

My thoughts

I have to admit that I am not a fan of Nascar but have heard a lot about it as my dad is a fan. I got this book as I have seen a few things about Dale and I believe he is a very nice person as well as I knew my dad may like to take a look at it when I was done. Dale did a very good job in writing this book and in telling his life story. He had a hard story to tell about his career and his health. Not many people realize the extent that racing can play on your health. We know football players get concussions and it affects their life after their career but you don't really think about race car drivers having the same issues. I have to applaud him for telling things about his life that most would have rather not talked about. I felt this was a well written and interesting book. Worth the time to read it.

Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser - Review

Book details

Hardcover: 640 pages

Publisher: Metropolitan Books; 1st Edition edition (November 21, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1627792767

ISBN-13: 978-1627792769

Book description

The first comprehensive historical biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved author of the Little House on the Prairie books

One of The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of the Year

Millions of readers of Little House on the Prairie believe they know Laura Ingalls—the pioneer girl who survived blizzards and near-starvation on the Great Plains, and the woman who wrote the famous autobiographical books. But the true saga of her life has never been fully told. Now, drawing on unpublished manuscripts, letters, diaries, and land and financial records, Caroline Fraser—the editor of the Library of America edition of the Little House series—masterfully fills in the gaps in Wilder’s biography. Revealing the grown-up story behind the most influential childhood epic of pioneer life, she also chronicles Wilder's tumultuous relationship with her journalist daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, setting the record straight regarding charges of ghostwriting that have swirled around the books.

The Little House books, for all the hardships they describe, are paeans to the pioneer spirit, portraying it as triumphant against all odds. But Wilder’s real life was harder and grittier than that, a story of relentless struggle, rootlessness, and poverty. It was only in her sixties, after losing nearly everything in the Great Depression, that she turned to children’s books, recasting her hardscrabble childhood as a celebratory vision of homesteading—and achieving fame and fortune in the process, in one of the most astonishing rags-to-riches episodes in American letters.

Spanning nearly a century of epochal change, from the Indian Wars to the Dust Bowl, Wilder’s dramatic life provides a unique perspective on American history and our national mythology of self-reliance. With fresh insights and new discoveries, Prairie Fires reveals the complex woman whose classic stories grip us to this day.

Meet the author - Caroline Fraser

Caroline Fraser is the author of Rewilding the World: Dispatches from the Conservation Revolution (Metropolitan, 2009) and God's Perfect Child: Living and Dying in the Christian Science Church (Metropolitan, 1999), which was selected as a New York Times Book Review Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Book Review Best Book. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Review of Books, and Outside magazine, among others. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

My thoughts

When I started this book I really liked it. I enjoyed that it had even more details than other books I have read about Laura and I have always been a fan or shall we say obsessed with her and I have just about every book about her. The further I got into the book and read about Rose the more I was getting upset as this is not how Laura and Rose have been talked about before. While reading this book I visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Mansfield and talk to them about what I reading and how I felt. I found out I was not alone in my thought, in fact some of the volunteers of the  museum wanted to know where the author receive her facts from - one who had lived in Mansfield her entire life. One thing I asked the museum about was an argument that happened between Laura and Rose over a book that Rose wrote and according to the author was still talked about in Mansfield. I was told that this was not true - it is not talked about and there was no big argument that the town still mentions. They said both women were very strong and had their opinions as well as they did but heads at times. There is also a line in the book where the author says the people of Mansfield say "Rose was not well - liked here", I do not believe that especially after talking to people in the town just two weeks ago. I put this book down more than once saying I was not going to finish it but with only having 150 pages left I knew I had to finish. I was disappointed in this book when all was said and done. 

17 Cents and a Dream by Daniel Milstein - Review

Book details

Paperback: 198 pages

Publisher: Gold Star Publishing (March 25, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0983552741

Book description

Through pure determination, fortitude and attitude, Daniel pulled out of impossibly difficult situations. His story is true, his story is a personal inspiration to me and I hope it will inspire you too to maximize your potential and go for the greatest of dreams.” - Mark Victor Hansen, Bestselling Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

On a cold December night in 1991, a young boy with seventeen cents in his pocket first set foot in the United States. Twenty years later that young man found himself the founder and CEO of a Multi-Million dollar corporation. Daniel Milstein’s harrowing story about how his mother, father and brother escaped the oppressive government of the U.S.S.R and immigrated to the United States and carved out a life for themselves has been described as the quintessential immigrant story of the era

Meet the author - Daniel Milstein

DANIEL MILSTEIN is founder, president and CEO of Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group. He has been recognized as the #1 loan officer in the United States; has achieved more than $3 billion in personal mortgage originations; and is one of the top 40 finance professionals in the nation, ranked by National Mortgage Professional Magazine. Milstein led the company to the Inc 500 list and one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. Gold Star has over 500 employees in 43 offices across the U.S. and has been named a Top Workplace in Michigan for three years by the Detroit Free Press. Milstein holds an honorary doctorate and BBA in business management from Cleary University, Ann Arbor, from which he graduated with honors. He is the author of The ABC of Sales: Lessons from a Superstar, which in March 2012 sold 10,000 copies and became the #1 sales book on Amazon.com and the thirty-first top seller of all ebook sales. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

My thoughts

I thought this was a very good an interesting book. I really have a hard time describing how I feel about it but in a good way. When you are growing up and you hear about a disaster in another country you don't really know how it affects people. After reading Daniel's story of going through Chernobyl - I just can't imagine. Then after reading what his life was like and the things he had endured really makes you thankful for what you do have and have had in your life. We take a lot for granted in our country. Reading this book also proves that if you really want something and you work hard enough you can achieve it. 

The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III - Review

Book details

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint edition (September 27, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0143036211

ISBN-13: 978-0143036210

Book description

A captivating biography of the man who became a legend at the Battle of the Little Bighorn

As a brilliant leader of a desperate cause and one of the most perennially fascinating figures of the American West, Crazy Horse crushed Custer's 7th Cavalry and brought the United States Army to its knees. Now, with the help of celebrated historian Joseph Marshall, we finally have the opportunity to know Crazy Horse as his fellow Lakota Indians knew him.

Drawing on extensive research and a rich oral tradition that it rarely shared outside Native American circles, Marshall - himself a descendent of the Lakota community that raised Crazy Horse - creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy. From the powerful vision that spurred him into battle to the woman he loved but lost to duty and circumstance, this is a compelling celebration of a culture, an enduring way of life, and the unforgettable hero who remains a legend among legends.

Meet the author - Joseph Marshall III

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts primitive Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West.

My thoughts

I enjoyed this book and learned more about Crazy Horse as I read. Of course the more I read the the more I angry I got. Growing up around Native American Reservations I have a respect for them. I know they were treated badly but I did not realize exactly what they did to him and his family. I liked that this was told from their point of view which I feel should have been done a long time ago. I enjoyed the story at the end as well as who the author got his information from. There is a lot of information packed in this book but not so much that it is overwhelming. The way the author wrote it makes you want to continue reading to learn more about Crazy Horse and his people. I recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to learn a little more about our history from the way it happened and not the way the history books want you to think it all happened. 

Mary Ingalls The College Years by Marie Tschopp - Review

Book details

Paperback: 70 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (June 21, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1545241899

ISBN-13: 978-1545241899

Book description

At the young age of fourteen, Mary Ingalls suffered an illness, causing her to lose her eyesight. Despite this trauma, Mary—the famous older sister of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, who is best known for her children’s book series—led a remarkable life.

Mary Ingalls—the College Years explores the young adult life of the oldest Ingalls sister, following her years spent at the Iowa College for the Blind. Readers learn of the subjects Mary studied, Mary’s academic performance, her success after graduation, and the sacrifices the Ingalls family made for their eldest daughter’s education. Additionally, readers are introduced to the history, development, and controversy surrounding one of America’s earliest schools for the blind.

In this book—decorated with never-before-published archived photos—celebrated storyteller, historical performer, and author Marie Tschopp paints a historically accurate picture of Mary Ingalls’s life as a student. Fans of Ingalls Wilder’s beloved novels will enjoy this captivating biography that explores the real life of Mary Ingalls.

Meet the author - Marie Tschopp

Marie Tschopp is a professional storyteller, performer, and celebrated author. For more than twenty-five years, Tschopp has performed as Laura Ingalls Wilder throughout the Midwest. As a member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association, Tschopp became inspired to research the life of Mary Ingalls, Laura’s older sister, to further educate her audience of Ingalls enthusiasts.

Marie is a lifelong midwesterner and is married with two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and one rambunctious granddog.

My thoughts

With me being a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder I am always looking for more books about her and her family. This book tells the story of the Iowa School for the Blind that Laura's sister Mary went to to get an education after she went blind. It also tells the story of Mary and what she did after school. It is not a very long book and can be read in one sitting. I thought it was interesting even though I would have liked for it to be a bit longer as I wanted even more information about her. A nice addition to my collection of Laura Ingalls books. 

The Build by Paul Teutul, Jr. - Review

I received this book free from the publisher - all opinions are my own

Book details

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: WaterBrook (November 7, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 160142888X

ISBN-13: 978-1601428882

Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.8 x 9.4 inches

Book description

The Build reveals the "behind the scenes" story of the popular TV reality series American Chopper for the show's millions of fans.
Author Paul Teutul, Jr., is arguably the most creative builder of custom "chopper" motorcycles in the world. His talents were revealed to millions of TV viewers worldwide on American Chopper, as well as later on a spinoff series, American Chopper Senior vs Junior. The Build gives the reader at Paul Jr.'s life behind the camera, which included volcanic conflict with his father and business mentor, Paul Sr. Using his own story of improbable success as an illustration, Paul Jr. offers insights on how anyone can find and activate often hidden talents. In a charming, often humorous way, The Build is a rallying cry to unleash God-designed creativity and live life to the fullest.

Meet the author - Paul Teutul Jr. 

PAUL TEUTUL JR was just 27 when American Chopper: Jet Bike premiered on the Discovery Channel, featuring “Paulie” and his father, Paul Sr., building a custom chopper for 2002's Laconia Bike Week. Part of Bike Weekend, the one-off special and the intrinsic family dynamics so captivated audiences that a full series following the Teutuls and their business, Orange County Choppers, soon followed in 2003. Six years of family ups and downs ensued, culminating in 2009 with Senior firing Junior, who waited out his one-year non-compete clause before establishing his own business, Paul Jr. Designs. Today, Paul Jr. Designs continues to thrive, producing custom bikes for a variety of individual and corporate clients. There have been TV commercials and personal appearances since 2012 as well, but the most important development in Paul's life occurred when his wife, Rachael, gave birth to their son Hudson Seven Teutul in February 2015.

My thoughts

I was a fan of the TV show American Chopper and liked Paul so when I got the chance to read his story I jumped on the chance. This was a good book to read if  you are a fan of the stow. It gives you a little background into his life and things that happened behind the scenes. I did learn a few new things about him and his family. It was easy to read and entertaining. 

A Spoonful of Sugar by Brenda Ashford - Review

Book details

Listening Length: 12 hours and 9 minutes

Program Type: Audiobook

Version: Unabridged

Publisher: Random House Audio

Audible.com Release Date: April 2, 2013

Whispersync for Voice: Ready

Language: English

ASIN: B00B4FB3Z6

Book description

Brenda Ashford is the quintessential British nanny. Prim and proper, gentle and kind, she seems to have stepped straight out of Mary Poppins. For more than six decades Nanny Brenda swaddled, diapered, dressed, played with, sang to, cooked for, and looked after more than 100 children. From the pampered sons and daughters of lords ensconced in their grand estates, to tough East End evacuees during the war, Brenda has taught countless little ones to be happy, healthy, and thoroughly well bred. In this delightful memoir, Brenda shares her endearing, amusing, and sometimes downright bizarre experiences turning generations of children into successful adults.

From the moment Brenda first held her baby brother, David, she was hooked. She became a second mother to him, changing his nappies, reading him stories and giving all the love her warm heart had. Knowing a career caring for children was her only calling in life, Brenda attended London's prestigious Norland Institute, famous for producing top-class nannies. It was a sign of privilege and taste for the children of the well-to-do to be seen being pushed in their Silver Cross prams by a Norland nanny - recognizable by their crisp, starched black uniforms with white bib collars, and their flowing black capes lined with red silk. The skills these trainees were tested on daily? Lullaby-singing, storytelling, pram-shining, bed-making, all forms of sewing, minor cooking, and medical aid - including the best way to help the medicine go down.

In A Spoonful of Sugar, Brenda recalls her years at Norland, her experiences during the war (after all, even if bombs are dropping there's no reason to let standards slip) and recounts in lovely detail a life devoted to the care of other people's children.

Sprinkled throughout with pearls of wisdom (children can never have too much love, and learn how to sew a button, for goodness' sake) this delightful memoir from Britain's oldest living nanny is practically perfect in every way.

Meet the author - Brenda Ashford

Brenda Ashford is a graduate of Norland College, a world-famous institute for British nannies. For 62 years, she cared for more than 100 children, making her Britain's longest-serving nanny. She lives outside London.

My thoughts

This was one of the best books I have read this year or should I say listened to. Of course I liked the narrator as she had an English accent which I could listen to all day long. It was interesting to not only hear about Brenda's adventures as a Nanny but to hear how she views changes of her time as a nanny and how a nanny's position is today. I also enjoyed hearing about her personal life and her younger years. There was one part that brought tears to my eyes and I have a lot of respect for her after hearing her story. I wish she would write more books as I think they would be enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.

Taking Aim by Eva Shockey - Review

I received this book free from the publisher. All the opinions are my own

Book details

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Convergent Books (August 29, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0451499271

ISBN-13: 978-0451499271

About this book

An acclaimed bow hunter who defies the stereotype that hunting is a man’s game, Eva Shockey is a TV and social media phenomenon at the forefront of a new wave of women and girls who are passionate about outdoor sports.

Eva Shockey grew up expecting to be a dancer like her glamorous mother. But something about spending family vacations RV-ing across North America and going on hunts with her dad sparked in her an enduring passion for a different way of life. 

In Taking Aim, Eva tells a very personal story of choosing the less-traveled path to a rewarding life in outdoor pursuits like hunting and fishing. For her, as her millions of fans can attest, that has meant hunting as a way of harvesting food, caring deeply about conservation, sustainability and healthy eating, and getting closer to God in nature. 

 
In this riveting memoir for the adventurer in all of us, Eva takes readers along as she hunts caribou on the rugged Aleutian Islands, tracks a 1,500-pound bull moose across the unforgiving Yukon, and meets many other challenges of a life in the wild. 

Along the way we learn that hunting is about so much more than pulling a trigger. "My story is about discovering your dream," writes Eva. "It's about following your passion, mastering your skills, taking aim no matter who thinks you’re crazy…and then letting the arrow fly. If you’ve done all you can, I can tell you that you’re almost certain to hit your mark."

Whether you’re a lifelong hunter or a city dweller who has never set foot in the wilderness, Eva’s story delivers an empowering message about rejecting stereotypes and expectations, believing in yourself, and finding the courage to pursue what you care about most.

Meet the author - Eva Shockey

Eva Shockey is co-host with her father of Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures on Outdoor Channel. A sought-after spokesperson on hunting and the outdoors, she is a corporate ambassador for Cabela's, Under Armour, Bowtech, Crosman, Daniel Defense, Muzzy Broadheads, MTN OPS, and other major brands. She lives with her husband, pro hockey player Tim Brent, and their young daughter in North Carolina.

My thoughts

I found this book to be a good book about a strong woman. This is about a girl who learned to follow her dreams and never let go. It will also inspire you to do the same. It was fun to read about her adventures in life and she made you feel as if you were right along with her. Even if you do not hunt you will enjoy this book. I myself do not hunt and was a little leary about this book but after reading it I am glad I gave it a chance. There is so much more to this story than her hunting. Eva is an inspiring woman that many can look up to. 

The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt by Darrin Lunde - Review

I received this book free from the publisher

Book Details:

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Broadway Books; Reprint edition (April 11, 2017)

ISBN-13: 978-0307464316

About the book:

The surprising story of intrepid naturalist Theodore Roosevelt and how his lifelong passion for the natural world set the stage for America's wildlife conservation movement.

Perhaps no American president is more associated with nature and wildlife than Theodore Roosevelt, a prodigious hunter and adventurer and an ardent conservationist. We think of Roosevelt as an original, yet in The Naturalist, Darrin Lunde shows how from his earliest days Roosevelt actively modeled himself in the proud tradition of museum naturalists—the men who pioneered a key branch of American biology through their desire to collect animal specimens and develop a taxonomy of the natural world. The influence these men would have on Roosevelt would shape not just his personality but his career, informing his work as a politician and statesman and ultimately affecting generations of Americans' relationship to this country's wilderness. Pulling from Roosevelt's diaries and expedition journals, Lunde constructs a brilliantly researched, singularly insightful history that reveals the roots of Roosevelt’s enduring naturalist legacy through the group little-known men whose work and lives defined his own.

About the author:

DARRIN LUNDE is a Supervisory Museum Specialist in the Division of Mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Previously, he worked at the American Museum of Natural History, where he led field expeditions throughout the world. Lunde has named more than a dozen new species of mammals and provided valuable scientific insights on hundreds of others. He lives in Maryland.
 

My thoughts:

I have never read anything about Theodore Roosevelt and do not know much about him other than he loved to hunt and helped established the national park system. So when I saw this book I thought it would be a good addition to my library and a good way to learn more about him. One of my favorite quotes from the book by him is: "The country is the place for children, and if not the country, a city small enough so that one can get out into the country." One thing I found interesting is that his wife Kermit went on many hunts with him and helped to contribute to the exhibits in the museum. This book does not focus on his time as a president although it is mentioned. This book focuses on the rest of his live and his love of nature. It was kind of funny how he in a lived a contradictory life. While he wanted to protect nature he as the same time was an avid hunter and collect animals so we would know more about them. I thought the book very interesting and was happy to learn about one side of this great man. 

The Little House Book of Wisdom by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Published: February 7, 2017

Number of pages: 64

Genre: Children's, Reference, Biographies

Synopsis:

In Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote: “Now is now. It can never be a long time ago.” And in this timeless collection of quotes, readers can revisit their favorite moments from all nine original Little House books, alongside beautiful black-and-white illustrations.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House series captured her childhood adventures growing up on the American frontier. This illustrated collection of thoughtful words and wisdom showcases her poignant wit and enduring spirit and is the perfect gift for any Little House fan.

My thoughts;

Being as big of a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder as I am when I found there was a new book out about/by her I had to have it. One thing I did not do was to see how large this book was so I was a little disappointed when I picked it up. Of course the reason being is because I wanted a bigger book - not only in size but in pages. Now on to what I liked about the book. I thought the illustrations were very cute and added to the book. Then the sayings they picked were on point for me. A few really hit home for me. Here are a couple that I liked: A storm outdoors is no reason for gloom in the house - The Long Winter and If you don't want trouble don't go looking for it - On the Banks of Plum Creek. If you are a collector of all things Laura related then you should get this right away. Oh I almost forgot there is a short biography of Laura at the back of the book that I enjoyed reading as well - even if I did already know all about her. 

About the author:

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) was born in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods. With her family, she pioneered throughout America’s heartland during the 1870s and 1880s, finally settling in Dakota Territory. She married Almanzo Wilder in 1885; their only daughter, Rose, was born the following year. The Wilders moved to Rocky Ridge Farm at Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894, where they established a permanent home. After years of farming, Laura wrote the first of her beloved Little House books in 1932. The nine Little House books are international classics. Her writings live on into the twenty-first century as America’s quintessential pioneer story.

Garth Williams American Illustrator: A Life by Elizabeth K. Wallace and James D. Wallace - Review

Published: June 13, 2016

Number of pages: 375

Genre: Biography

Synopsis:

Open the pages of so many children’s classics―Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Mister Dog, The Cricket in Times Square, The Rescuers, the Little House books―and you will see page after page of the artistry that brought those stories to life. And behind the illustrations sparking the imagination of generations was a man who had an extraordinary existence.

Born in New York City in 1912, Williams was educated in England and trained on the continent. After enduring the Blitz in London, he returned to New York, where he encountered the vibrant art and cultural scene of the 1940s. He made his home first in New York, then Aspen, and finally Guanajuato, Mexico and was married four times. During his life he met people who shaped and exemplified the twentieth century: Winston Churchill, E. B. White and Ursula Nordstrom, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and countless more.

This is a biography of Garth Williams as an artist and an illustrator. It is the story of how his journey led him from winning sculpture awards at the Royal College of Art in London, to capturing the essence of frontier life in the American West, to rendering the humanity of beloved animal characters. The biography also explores the historical context that affected Williams’ life and art, both in the old world and the new. Against the frenetic pace of post-war suburbanization, Williams’ illustrations nurtured a connection with the animal world and with a vanishing agrarian life. By tapping into American themes, Williams spoke to a postwar yearning for simplicity.

Complete with more than 60 illustrations, this is the first full biography of Garth Williams written with the help and cooperation of his family.

My thoughts:

I have a few different thoughts on this book. To start with I really wanted to like it as he did the illustrations for my favorite author's series of all time - The Little House books. Because of that I wanted to know more about this illustrator. There were parts of this book that read really quickly for me like the chapter about the Little House books. I also enjoyed reading about how he came to illustrate Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web. It was also interesting to me that he illustrated a number of Golden Books. What I did not like was that many parts of this book was slow reading for me. In fact I put this book down at least twice and was not going to finish it but my curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to finish it. I will say I learned quite a bit about this man from the fact that he was married four different time one right after the other to the fact that he was from England, Canada as well as the US and in his adult life lived in Italy and Mexico. I really liked all of his illustrations that were included in this book. To sum it up it was an interesting book just a little dry for me. 

About the authors:

Holding a Ph. D. from Columbia University, Elizabeth K. Wallace has taught British literature and culture at Boston College for more than 20 years. Her previous publications have addressed a broad range of topics from women writers to the origins of shopping, from representations of the slave trade to the television series Mad Men. She has loved the illustrations of Garth Williams since she was a small child, but she holds a special affection for his work in the Little House Series.

James D. Wallace is a scholar of American literature at Boston College, where has been on the faculty since 1985. Since receiving his doctorate from Columbia, he has published on a wide array of topics in American literature culture. He has enjoyed the opportunity to write this biography together with his wife as a way of keeping the extraordinary legacy of Garth Williams alive.

Madam President by William Hazelgrove - Spotlight and Guest Post

Published: October 17, 2016

Number of Pages: 352

Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

Synopsis:

After President Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke in the fall of 1919, his wife, First Lady Edith Wilson, began to handle the day-to-day responsibilities of the Executive Office. Mrs. Wilson had had little formal education and had only been married to President Wilson for four years; yet, in the tenuous peace following the end of World War I, Mrs. Wilson dedicated herself to managing the office of the President, reading all correspondence intended for her bedridden husband. Though her Oval Office authority was acknowledged in Washington, D.C. circles at the time--one senator called her "the Presidentress who had fulfilled the dream of suffragettes by changing her title from First Lady to Acting First Man"--her legacy as "First Woman President" is now largely forgotten.

William Hazelgrove's Madam President is a vivid, engaging portrait of the woman who became the acting President of the United States in 1919, months before women officially won the right to vote. Movie Rights Optioned by Storyline Entertainment.

For More Information
Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson is available at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

She was from the South and had two years of formal schooling and wrote like a child. She married a quiet man from Washington and her baby died after three months. Her husband then died and left her with a failing jewelry company that was severely in debt. She turned the company around while taking almost no salary. She bought an electric car and was issued the first driver’s license given to a woman in the District of Columbia. She married a President who had been recently widowed. In four years, the President would have a severe stroke, and leave her to run the Unites States Government and negotiate the end of World War I.

She was our First Woman President.

About the Author

William Elliott Hazelgrove is the best-selling author of thirteen novels, Ripples, Tobacco Sticks, Mica Highways, Rocket Man, The Pitcher, Real Santa, Jackpine and The Pitcher 2. His books have received starred reviews in Publisher Weekly and Booklist, Book of the Month Selections, Junior Library Guild Selections, ALA Editors Choice Awards and optioned for the movies. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway's birthplace. He has written articles and reviews for USA Today and other publications. He has been the subject of interviews in NPR's All Things Considered along with features in The New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Richmond Times Dispatch, USA Today, People, Channel 11, NBC, WBEZ, WGN. The Pitcher is a Junior Library Guild Selection and was chosen Book of the Year by Books and Authors. net. His next book Jackpine will be out Spring 2014 with Koehler Books. A follow up novel Real Santa will be out fall of 2014. Madam President The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson will be out Fall 2016. Storyline optioned the movie rights. Forging a President How the West Created Teddy Roosevelt will be out May 2017.

He runs a political cultural blog, The View From Hemingway's Attic.

For More Information
Visit William Hazelgrove’s website.
Connect with William on Facebook and Twitter.
Find out more about William at Goodreads.

Guest Post:

What You Don't Know About Our First Woman President 

She was from the South. Her name was Edith Bolling Wilson and married Presidnet Woodrow Wilson after his wife Ellen Wilson died. They were only married four years and then Woodrow had a massive stroke and Edith took over the White House. This was in 1919 and from here on Edith Wilson ran the government until 1921. She had only two years of school and had run a successful jewelry company after her first husband died. She owned one of the first electric cars in Washington and was given the first drivers license in the District of Columbia. She was fifteen years younger than Woodrow Wilson and considered very attractive.

They necked in the presidential limousine when they were courting. Edith deciphered top secret codes for the President. When he had a stroke she controlled who saw him and who didn't. She oversaw legislation and secured appointments for his cabinet. All this while her husband was on deaths door and many thought he would die. She saw the Vice President only once and told him his services weren't needed. She oversaw the end of World War I and was in the middle of the fight to get the United States into the League of Nations.

She would show her husband movies and wheel him outside to the South Portico for air. She had him put in the presidential limousine and propped up so people would know he was still alive. She outlived him by forty years and was at John Kennedy's inauguration. She wrote a memoir in 1939 and denied running the White House. In the National Archives are correspondence that was never opened during her Presidency and discovered in the 1950s. She just couldn't get to it.

She was our first woman President and has never been recognized for her service to the country.

Tour Schedule

Monday, October 17 – First Chapter Reveal & Tour Kickoff at Pump Up Your Book

Tuesday, October 18 – Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Wednesday, October 19 – Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club

Thursday, October 20 – Book Review at Rainy Day Reviews

Friday, October 21 – Interview at The Book Connection

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Monday, October 24 – Interview at My Bookish Pleasures

Tuesday, October 25 – Book Featured at Bound 2 Escape

Wednesday, October 26 – Interview at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, October 27 – Book Featured at The Literary Nook

Friday, October 28 – Character Interview at Pimp That Character

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Tuesday, November 1 – First Chapter Reveal at I’m Shelf-ish

Wednesday, November 2 – Guest Blogging at A Holland Reads

Thursday, November 3 – Book Featured at Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

Friday, November 4 – Book Featured at A Title Wave

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Monday, November 7 – Interview at The Writer’s Life

Tuesday, November 8 – Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Wednesday, November 9 – Book Featured at Hooked From Page One

Thursday, November 10 – Book Featured at Just Us Book Blog

Friday, November 11 – First Chapter Reveal at The Review From Here

Corporate Cowboy by Stuart Anderson - Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Corporate Cowboy by Stuart Anderson

ISBN: 9780692200636

Paperback

Synopsis: Restaurant Management: First Hand Lessons from the King of Steak Houses

Black Angus Beef Chain Founder shares business tips, food recipes and personal memoir

Stuart Anderson had led a fascinating life for the past 90 years. He built Black Angus, America's #1 restaurant chain of the 1980s, and ranched on a 26,000 acre spread where he raised cattle. His circle of friends has included Hollywood stars and corporate bigwigs. You'll discover his personal history is a lot like the man - larger than life!

Anyone seeking to go into the restaurant business or moving into a food industry management position will benefit from the lessons offered in this book as Stuart Anderson shares both his success and failures. Told with wit, simple cowboy logic and clever business savvy, there are numerous vignettes included in this memoir to include tales from World War II, Business Startups, Management Feuds, Love Affairs, Community Service and semi-Retirements.

Aside from the personal story and professional information, readers - especially those who ever ate at a Black Angus restaurant in the past - most notably in the 1980s - will enjoy such recipes like the BLACK ANGUS POTATOES AU GRATIN, ORIGINAL BLACK ANGUS RANCH BREAD, BREAKFAST STIR FRY and BAKED STEAK WITH MUSTARD SAUCE just to name a few.

Note: The author, diabetic himself, also offers menu ideas for "special" diet needs.

In addition, reader benefits:

• Discover the ins and outs of profitable restaurant management as imparted by a master entrepreneur

From initial ideas, failed startups and a relentless pursue for success, Stuart Anderson outlines how he went raising and eating Black Angus beef to building one of the most famous and successful restaurant chains in America voted #1 by consumers numerous times during the 1980s. But not everything remained rosy once Stuart Anderson sold his empire. The author offers his opinion on how a corporate takeover changed his business and ultimately why he retired ... at least the first time.

•  Delight in "bone head" mistakes Anderson made early in his career

Like the case of the "melted chocolate" or "bitter pills for bulls"

• Get a backstage look at celebrity friendships and news-making events

John Wayne fans will enjoy some "cowboy" fun when the star of Western Movies stops in for a surprise visit.

My review: I enjoyed reading this book. The way it was written was as if I was sitting with a family member telling me their stories. It was nice to hear about all the good things that happened to make Stuart a success but to also hear his mistakes. I remember this restaurant as a kid in the Midwest so it was kind of neat to hear the story behind the place that was so famous. It was also neat to hear about his relationships with celebrities. As an added bonus you get some of his recipes to try out for yourself. A nice book to enjoy on a lazy afternoon. 

Tour schedule for Corporate Cowboy

Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour.

Dec 15 - A Blue Million Books - author interview / giveaway
Dec 15 - One Frugal Girl - review / giveaway
Dec 15 - Lady in Re(a)d - review / giveaway
Dec 16 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review
Dec 16 - The Discerning Reader - review
Dec 17 - Heart of a Philanthropist - review / author interview
Dec 17 - 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! - review / giveaway
Dec 18 - Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway
Dec 18 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 19 - Life With Katie - review / giveaway
Dec 19 - Bless Their Hearts Mom - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 22 - Cassandra M's Place - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 22 - Counter Culture Critic - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 23 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 26 - Brooke Blogs - review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 26 - Man of la Book - book spotlight / giveaway

Author's Bio:

Stuart Anderson was the founder of the Number 1 full-service restaurant chain in the Nation. He grew his original concept of a one-price steak dinner from one restaurant to 122 before he retired in the 80's when these polls were taken that made them No. 1. The chain still exists primarily on the West Coast. He was also a rancher for over 30 years with a beautiful ranch in Central Washington State where he raised Black Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses. 

He spent most of his life in Washington until moving to the beautiful Desert in Southern California. He has two wonderful daughters, two grandsons and about to have his first great grandson. He and his wife traveled extensively over a good part of the world and around America in their motor home. They especially loved train travel and enjoying retirement. Stuart is currently 91 years young!

Connect with Stuart on Facebook

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Nobles

Q&A with Stuart Anderson

1. How did you do research for your book? 

I did a lot of research on my first book, HERE’S THE BEEF! That was a book defending beef—ranchers were getting a bum steer. This book, being a memoir, primarily was remembering and reliving my life.

2. In your book you make a reference to how large this business is. 

This definitely influenced me to write the book because of the fascination people have with this industry.

3. What made you write a book about the restaurant business? 

It’s a huge market—13 million people. Also, the number one question I’m always asked is, How did you get started?”

4. There are many books out there about restaurants. What makes yours different? 

Mine is different because I started and grew the chain into the No. 1 dinner house chain in the Nation and that was by public poll.

5. What advice would you give budding writers? 

Read a lot, take classes, join writer’s guilds, etc. Marketing is the big challenge

6. In your book you talk about ranching. Why is that? 

There’s a close association between the two—from the ranch to the restaurant. I did try at first to furnish the beef for the ranch but as only 22% of the animal was usable, it was too difficult to get rid of the rest and we grew too fast to keep that up.

7. How long have you been writing? 

Since 1995.

​8. ​

Where do you write? 

I've had a stroke

​and​

 my right hand doesn't work

​,​

 so I dictate the book from my comfortable old club chair.

​9​

. What is the last great book you've read?

Killing Patton probably because I drove a tank in Patton’s Army.

​10. ​

What is your next project? 

To write my obituary

​.​

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