Book reviewed by Bev Scott Child abuse is a difficult topic for a book. Lisa Wingate states that she formed the book “from the dust of imagination and the muddy waters of the Mississippi.” She writes about experiences similar to those of real children taken from their families during the 1920’s through the 1950’s. Sadly, […]
Author: Bev Scott
National Read a Book Day
Today is “National Read a Book Day.” Read for pleasure and relish the written word. Most of us are busy working, looking at our phones, exercising, watching our usual TV programs. We put off reading until vacation or “when I have time.” Many of us have a stack of books beside our bed but we […]
Book Review: “The Search for My Abandoned Grandmother” by Mary Ames Mitchell
Reviewed by Bev Scott Mary Ames Mitchell describes in detail her search for her English grandmother’s grave or burial site. The author’s mother, Betty May, last saw her mother, Eileen Maude, when she was seven. In 1932 Betty May boarded a train in London with her brother to spend the summer holidays with her father in […]
“What About Your Mother’s Family?”
“What about your mother’s family?” “…Oliver was a man who knew his own mind. He had two daughters (one was my mother) who were never allowed to attend school. Oliver was sure that they would learn too many things at school that weren’t included in the curriculum. Mrs. Moody was a former school teacher, so […]
Book Review: “Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers” by Sara Zeff Geber
Reviewed by Bev Scott Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers: Gerontologist Harry “Rick” Moody introduces this book. He reminds us all that we are all “solo agers” if we live long enough. Further, he notes that “Successful Solo Agers have learned how to age alone and they have lessons we all need to learn.” Sara Zeff […]
Book Review: “Prairie Fires – The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder” by Caroline Fraser
Reviewed by Bev Scott Reading and preparing this review of Prairie Fires has been a long-term endeavor. Caroline Fraser has done a brilliant work describing the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder in the historical context of the time. She won both a Pulitzer and the National Book Critics Award. She begins the historical detail before Laura Ingalls was born in 1867 […]
History vs. Genealogy vs. Historical Fiction
History vs. Genealogy is about what matters, and to whom. And how does the historical fiction writer use them? History and genealogy…are two radically divergent views on the past. The first says “This matters.” The second says, “This matters to me.” John Sedgwick in the New York Times Historians such as John Sedgwick tend to scoff at […]
Book Review: “The Black Rose” by Tananarive Due
Reviewed by Bev Scott The Black Rose is based on the truly inspirational story of Sarah Breedlove Walker, Madam C. J. Walker. She was born in 1867 on a plantation to slave parents who died from yellow fever, “Yellow Jack,” when she was about eight years old. From abject poverty, unable to read but with drive […]
“Outliers:” Artists and Independent Authors
Outlier Artists Get Their Due Many outlier artists originate from the populations of African Americans, women, disabled people or prisoners. They lack the agency or access to traditional path. So, at one time the public largely disregarded or forgot them. I learned about their engaging art, which communicates strong messages and offers fascinating perspectives in […]
Book Review: “The Boleyn King” by Laura Andersen
Reviewed by Bev Scott The Boleyn King, by Laura Andersen is one of those historical novels I typically love to read. I needed a distraction during a cross country flight. The book offers creative alternative history by imagining that Anne Boleyn actually gave Henry VIII a son who became king. The historical context is a threatened […]
