4 comments about Paper Poppies: A Memoir.

1. There is much in this book that will appeal to those who enjoyed classics such as the Diary of Anne Frank or the Hiding Place. Set in World War II Russia as Communism runs rampant, it chronicles the pensive musings of a girl trapped not in a prison or concentration camp, but a hospital bed. Crippled by disease, the child ponders the small beauties of life that offset her plight. Marianna's reflections may provide a valuable guide to those who face similiar trials in any age, showing a new way of measuring strength. However, the rambling quality will be off putting to many.
   
   Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.



2. Two words came to mind while I was reading this book: Endearing and Melancholy. This memoir was written from the memories of a little girl now grown. Her young life seems nothing but gloomy, and yet she never forsakes her sliver of hope.
   
   Little Marianna learned all she could from her peers and other patients at the hospital where she was bound. She was very perceptive and eager. She learned about many other beliefs regarding life and the afterlife, and she (as the author) sums up what she believes to be the truth.
   
   The only drag in reading the book is that the author's thoughts sometimes jump around as she remembers more things that are important to her. Many of the details may not seem important to the reader, but are interesting nevertheless.
   
   Reading this book was heartening. The author takes the reader on a journey through her heart and mind. She has a calm, satisfied characteristic to her words. And she knows how to use great descriptive words.



3. This memoir is so rich in vocabulary, that it compells you to read it to the very last page. Your heart will weap over Marianna's struggles, yet it will rejoice in her victory as she overcomes TB, as well as other tender moments.



4. Rebeccasreads highly recommends PAPER POPPIES as a fascinating glimpse behind the Iron Curtain to the ordinary lives of a Germanic/ Jewish/ Russian family caught up in terrible times, & how it all affected one little girl with spinal TB. It is also a homage to the enduring strength of the women of Russia, & the faith of the spirit.
   
   PAPER POPPIES is a magical memoir, told in snapshots of memories & snatches of old folktales, which become a lyrical introduction to this child's mind. Be willing to let go of your fluency in English, & flow with the author's sense of storytelling.
   
   This is by no means a cloying, sentimental "why me?" rendering of a hard life, rather it is filled with death & dying, recountings of desperate times & resources, & glimmers of a faith in God & Jesus that will in time be allowed to blossom.
   
   Throughout, like sunbeams through storm clouds, memories & images of the joys of life, pondering of Big Thoughts & of healers, faith & family, glow in a heartwarming wealth.
   
   Do not miss this one, you will be saddened & gladdened & satisfied.

No comments about Horace Greeley: A Bio-Bibliography (Bibliographies and Indexes in American History).

1 comments about Witness to Permanence: Reflections of a Catholic Journalist.

1. Paul Hallett, a convert to the faith, gives us a moving story of the 50 years he spent in Catholic journalism. The book, however, tells far more than his story.

   It also tells the story of Catholicism in America and the creation of the National Catholic Register (a paper that once had a readership that numbered in the millions), and its growth under Monsignor Matthew Smith.

   Through Hallett's eyes we are able to see the positive and negative changes that have taken place in the Church, especially since the Second Vatican Council.

   As a National Catholic Register journalist myself I found this book extremely interesting. It holds great appeal for any Catholic journalist, and the average Catholic reader as well. It's a history worth reading.

No comments about Looking back in black and white: 42 years as a Montana newsman.

4 comments about View from a Tall Hill: Robert Ruark in Africa.

1. A View From A Tall Hill is an outstanding, unique selection for any avid reader of safari hunting material in general and for those already familiar with Robert Ruark's safari writings in particular. Ruark was an author, columnist, and hunter in the latter 20th century: though his career lasted less than fifteen years, he traveled extensively throughout Africa and produced newspaper reports which enlightened the world. His biography covers the man, his work, and the special attractions of hunting in Africa. Lively and revealing.



2. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Robert Ruark's 'The Horn of the Hunter'. Then, I read this book. It is a little long; it is a little tedious; but it is an accurate biography. The slayer may lack the wit and style of the giant, but he nails him: dead. 'The Horn of the Hunter' is a great book when you do not know too much about the author. If you want to know about Ruark read this book. If you want to keep the magic of the 'Horn', don't.



3. Not a great deal of new information but there are gems that are not commonly presented or known. The focus is substantuly Ruark and Africa. Much better, fuller book than Someone of Value.
   This book is somewhat disorganized and backtracks quite a bit along with some double presentations of information. The author wanders about on the trail and seems at times not to know exactly which direction he intends to go or what his intended destination is.
   Despite its shortcoming View is a book that Ruark fans should have on the shelf.



4. Wieland has presented a new angle on Ruark, mainly focusing on his African era (the 15 yrs beginning with his first safari until 1965). At least this is how Wieland describes his intentions in the Preface & Introduction, etc.
   
   Its probably a good goal. Decent Bio's of the enigmatic Ruark have already been written; of course their accuracy is subject to debate as are all such bio's. Wieland seems to understand this well. He also points out the melancholy fact that the people who really knew Ruark's later life are rapidly leaving us now, if not gone already. Those who knew Ruark, even secondhand, in his childhood and early adult years are already gone of course.
   Its those earlier years up to Africa that interest me most, and unfortunately Wieland's book is too short to cover that. He does look at it, but its "spotty"; i.e. there are gaps and the reader is left wanting to know more about the "Old Man" grandparents and Ruark's "well educated" mother, as well as her later addiction problems. Wieland leaves you tantalized but unsatisfied in this regard.
   
   I'm about halfway thru the book (I'll update this post if my opinions change) and I have one serious critique: in the hardback copy I recently received, Wieland spends almost 25 pages discussing WW2's Battle of the Atlantic - background info, convoy operations, U-boats, etc, but with absolutely NO mention of Ruark - presumably to lead up to some sort of epic chapter (no pun intended) in Ruark's war years.... Then what follows is about 10 pages about Ruark's war experience, loosely detailed, which amounted to discussing one scary convoy and then Ruark's uneventful transfer to the Pacific, where he was injured in a Jeep vehicle accident. In other words, the whole war buildup chapter just petered out into nothing...
   This sort of writing is immature, in my opinion. At its best its incomplete, as Wieland never seems to develop his themes very far. At its worst, its a waste of money for anyone buying the book and expecting serious biographical scholarship.
   
   I'm uneasy at what I'll find when I get to the bona-fide African chapters. If it follows the same format as above (scratching the surface of possibly important themes in RR's life, jumping here and there, and including useless information as filler), then this book is worthless. Regretfully, this may be why the book was not on the shelves at Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and Borders in Charlotte NC - it's just not that good. I had to order it on-line.
   
   I'll post an update when I finish it - but I wanted to offer this immediately for potential buyers.
   
   Update 26 June '08:
   I can't quite get thru this one. Finally put it down about 2 weeks ago and haven't touched it since....I also ordered "Ruark Remembered" by Ritchie, and it too transitions rapidly from his early years to safari/scandal/scotch days of fame...I dunno; just can't find a true BIOGRAPHY on this guy, with some photos maybe (?!?) of his childhood, parents, etc etc...If anyone has suggestions, please post me a Comment. Thanx.

No comments about Too Good a Town: William Allen White, Community, and the Emerging Rhetoric of Middle America.

No comments about The Road to West 43rd Street.

No comments about Rupert Hart-davis: A Brief History With a Checklist of Publications.

No comments about Defending Baltimore Against Enemy Attack: A Boyhood Year During WWII (Brilliance Audio on Compact Disc).

No comments about Harold Sinclair of Illinois: Letters, Biography.