No comments about Dude Be Buggin Mr. D: A vocational teachers journey.

No comments about Essays on William Chambers Coker, Passionate Botanist.

No comments about Letters to His Son, 1766-71 (Dodo Press).

No comments about Trickster in Tweed: The Quest for Quality in a Faculty Life (Writing Lives).

5 comments about Hamlet's Dresser: A Memoir.

1. I picked up this memoir based on a blurb that mentioned the author's connection to the Stratford, Connecticut Shakespeare festival. Having had a single opportunity to attend this (Christopher Walken's Hamlet!) event, I was hoping for some insight and history of the event. Instead, I found out far too much about Smith's problems; of his difficulties coping with a family that was overwhelmed by having a severely disabled child in the home (Smith's sister), and very little about Stratford's festival. Well, shame on me for buying into a blurb, but I still found the book very disappointing. Focusing basically on his youth, and his later contributions to the community by running Shakespeare reading groups at senior centers in NYC, HAMLET'S DRESSER, needs far more Shakespeare. When Shakespeare does appear, the book comes to life. The joy senior citizens get from the reading groups, Smith's fascination with Shakespeare that led to a life immersed in his works, and especially in the sections where Smith discusses the actors he had an opportunity to work with is where this book truly becomes interesting. Katherine Hepburn, June Havoc, and Bert Lahr all make memorable appearances. The chapter where Smith discusses going on tour with Lahr gives the reader a wonderful glimpse into what it is like to work with a talented yet irascible actor on the road with all of its joys and pitfalls. Sadly, there are not enough of these journeys in this book. I feel some empathy for Smith's trials and tribulations, yet they didn't make for interesting reading. The troubled tales of his youth seem better suited to a therapist's office as opposed to a memoir. They truly pale in comparison to his tales of the theater, which when shared with the reader make for some fine storytelling. If the focus had stayed with Shakespeare and the theater I feel this could have been a wonderful book, as it stands it is a flawed a bit boring overall.



2. This memoir is incredibly heart felt, sensitive and beautiful. Interspersed with Shakespeare's words, and Smith's experiences sharing them with New York City's oldest people, as well as his experience with Shakespeare on stage is a pained and moving life.
   This is a remarkable book for anyone who identifies with the social/communal feel of life in the theatre, or artists for that matter. As well, anybody who knows the outside of an easy going life, alienation, deep guilt, a stilted family life, and the strain and sublime beauty of mental retardation.
   I feel thankful after reading this. Smith illuminates the simple beauty of a daily train ride into the city, the warmth and intensity of being an off stage dresser, the joy of being with young actors and artists, and the sweetness of giving to older folks, and finding out that they need vitality and art as much as anyone. Great for actors and theatre lovers!



3. Mr. Smith's relationship with his sister so reminds me of Tom and Laura in "The Glass Menagerie" -- it has that kind of sensitivity and heartbreak about it. In an age where a lot of memoirs seem so sensational and motivated by a kind of "tell all," Smith takes his time, patiently weaving his inner with his outer life, seamlessly moving from past to present. His compassion for the stories of others (and for Shakespeare's stories) gives him the compassion to tell his own. I found his story -- the way he finds consolation in Shakespeare and in the theatre and the way he gives back -- very touching. I loved when he was offered a non-speaking role in "Richard II" at Stratford in his youth, he jumps at it, saying that after all, he didn't want to say lines, he wanted to hear them! As I finished the book, I felt so glad this man was out there in Connecticut -- his sweet soul a sort of tonic. While everyone else is busy talking, this man, even in writing, seems to be listening.



4. I was born and raised in Stratford, CT., and I wanted to read the book because of the author's association with Stratford. But I found I loved the book for other reasons also, his honesty about himself and his family and his ability to let the reader understand how he overcame the difficulties in his life. I have passed it on to family members to read.



5. I have just finished reading Bob Smith's extraordinary memoir, and what a wonderful read it was. Very, very impressive. His story of growing up a solitary, lonely boy with a severely mentally and physically handicapped younger sister tugs at the heartstrings and makes for some harrowing reading, particularly the passages that describe his sister, Carolyn, as a young girl. I enjoyed his writing style, particularly the way he wove situation appropriate Shakespearean passages into the narrative. I also liked his passages describing his interactions with the senior citizens he taught Shakespeare to. One thing I was dissatisfied with, though, was why it took him four decades to reconcile with his sister. I did not feel that Smith spent enough time explaining or justifying why he left it so long, given that his guilt over the "abandonment" of his sister was so intense. I think he should have spent more time explaining this. However, that is a minor quibble. As a memoir, it is absolutely marvellous, evocative and gripping from page one. Highly, highly recommended.

No comments about The Life of Learning.

No comments about Butterfly Song -- A Woman's Journey Back Into Life.

5 comments about My Great-Aunt Arizona.

1. By far, one of my favorite books for children. I love reading it to my babies. The text with the beautiful pictures will go with you in your mind forever...



2. I use this book in both my reading and writing workshops for fifth graders. It's an excellent book that could be useful to 3rd-6th grade students. It's a great example of characterization.



3. Read this book to your kids because it's a great story. Read it because it'll help them appreciate what their teachers do for them. And then, maybe give a copy to their teacher as a gift. This wonderful book is a tribute to those who pour their lives into children who can then go forward with dreams and the ability to do anything.



4. My Great-Aunt Arizona is an excellent book for children and for anyone who is encouraged by a positive message on education.
   
   Gloria Houston's work is wonderful!



5. My Great Aunt Arizona is a beautifully-written, beautifully-illustrated book based on a real person, the author's great aunt Arizona. We loved the book so much we took a family vacation some years ago to see the area. The artist obviously went there and saw Henson Creek and the real places, just as we did. We saw Great Aunt Arizona's grave site, too, and met the author's mother.
   
   We love this book so much we have donated it to a couple of libraries and given it as gifts many times. Top notch!

5 comments about The Secret File on John Birch.

1. Forget about the society that bears his name and read the Real Story of an unusual Christian hero. John Birch, soul-winner, soldier and patriot is a man you would do well to read about, and Hefly-- a foremost Christian biographer-- does a great job presenting his story and the decisions of his conscience in the light of God's Word.

   Good reading for any Christian and especially any Independent Baptist.




2. I found it difficult to put this book down before had I finished it, and I can't say that about many books that I have read.

   The Hefleys did a superb job "painting a picture" of the short life of this incredible man. Birch was a very "intense" character; I got the impression he was always working on something, he was non-stop...whether it was the rescue of the Doolittle crew, or setting up an intelligence network across the entirety of China or most importantly, bringing Chinese brothers and sisters to Christ, John never let anything stand in his way.

   It has been said (in this book and in other sources) that John's death was a result of his "irrational behavior" which in turn, was a result of 3 years of his non-stop activity behind enemy lines. But from what I read, I understand that John knew something that the rest of these people did not understand. You see, John was a very intelligent man...how many English-speaking people do you know are capable of mastering several Chinese dialects in 6 weeks?

   John saw something about these "agrarian reformers--" he saw the pure wickedness within them. So John, at the very end of his life, was willing to sacrifice himself, in order to make a demonstration as to whether the Communists were our friend or our enemy. This very nearly became a tragic mistake--you see, John assumed that if the Communists killed him and thus demonstrated themselves to be our enemy, then the United States would immediately seek retribution and demolish the Communists, at least those in China. This turned out not to be the case. In fact, our US Government sought to cover up John's death. This the government did by listing the murder of Birch as an "accident--" that is, "he was killed by stray bullets" was the lie. And what was the reason for this cover up? Well, the Truman administration and their allies in the press did not want to make the murder public, lest there be resentment held by the American people against the Communists! And why would these conspirators care about something like that happening? Take a wild guess.

   In spite of all this, a miracle did happen. A Chinese companion of John Birch, who was left to die with Birch, and who suffered nearly the same wounds as Birch, lived to tell his story. And the truth became known. Not by many people at first, but thanks to the loving dedication of Mr. and Mrs. George Birch (John's parents) and Mr. Robert Welch, the life and death of John Birch began to become known to millions of Americans. If it were not for the work of these three people, I guarantee you you would never have heard of this man John Birch, and neither would I be writing this review.

   Unfortunately too many well-meaning Americans (some are even characters in this book) chastise Robert Welch for naming his Society after Birch. They say "John would never approve." From what I read in this book by the Hefleys, I get the impression that John would approve. (John's parents certainly approved!) John may not ever have joined the John Birch Society, however I know that he would have approved the hard work and dedication of Mr. Welch and members of the Society in "getting the word out." This is exactly what John wanted to have happen.




3. It was amazing to read this testimony of a Christian. I can only agree with so many of John Birch's convictions and views whether it is his stand against liberalism in American colleges and against communism abroad. If the message of John Birch had reached all of America in time, China would be a different nation today. There was a chance back then to defeat Chinese communism. It did not happen and look what a tyranny China is today. Most of all I like that John Birch stood squarely for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the inerrancy of the Bible, for salvation by grace through faith, for soulwinning, for world missions. He must have had some strong dispensational, premillenial views. This book encouraged me greatly and I do recommend it esp. to college and high school students as well as those interested in Bible-believing mission work.



4. While there could be better books on John Birch, more than likely this is the only one that will ever be published. With this in mind, it is an excellent account of one of the true military heroes of World War II and a Christian as well. Birch's name has been sullied by its use for the right-wing political organization and few are aware of who he really was. Although he is slightly known in the fundamentalist Baptist circles that produced him, even then very little is known about him other than that he was a missionary in China who became an intelligence officer and was killed by Chinese communists at the end of World War II. The authors have done a good job of documenting his life. Every American, Christians especially, should read this book.



5. This is a well written book about a hero of WW II who was given the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Cross. The book reveals his patriotic character as a Christian missionary and a captain in the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers intelligence division and the OSS. John Birch's story is an inspiring account of a man committed to his ideas. It also reveals the political intrigue between the Nationalists, Communists, and America forces fighting the war in China and furthermore contributes to a deeper understanding of the political intrigue that occured in the U.S.A. during the waning yeas of the war. It's a book that can be easily read aloud to elementary aged children.

1 comments about Arthur Cayley: Mathematician Laureate of the Victorian Age.

1. You'll enjoy this book more if you're not mathematically knowledgeable because that's the audience it's written for. More than half the text deals with Cayley's mathematics but when the author feels it necessary to explain that a determinant is "a technical name given to a formula used to extract a single number from a spatial array", you can't expect deeper math topics to be treated with more than a superficial gloss. As a mathematician, I was disappointed in this book.