Ironclad Captain Seth Ledyard Phelps & the U.S. Navy, 1841-1864

Customer Reviews:

Good research, but a family bias.......1999-03-16

Jay Slagle has done an excellent job of detailing S. Ledyard Phelps' career in the Navy and on the Mississippi. Unfortunately, the work appears to be biased in favor of the author's family connection with the subject. Notably, Phelps's relations with the rest of the officers of the Western Gunboat Flotilla are obviously skewed in favor of Phelps... Henry Walke of the Carondelet is portrayed in a decidedly poor light, while the highly controversial William D. "Dirty Bill" Porter is seen to be almost heroic. A potentially fine biography is partially sabotaged by the author's obvious sympathy for his ancestor.

A fascinating look at national and naval events in the 1800s.......1998-11-03

Jay Slagle has produced a book that offers so much. It gives the reader a real feel of what life was like for a young officer in the pre-Civil War Navy and how the development of the sectional conflict was perceived. This book is also one of the best accounts of the Western Flotilla/Mississippi Squadron that I have read. I couldn't put it down for two weeks. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the naval events of the Civil War or life in 19th-century America..

well written, accurate, interesting, history at its best.......1998-03-29

I believe that Mr. Slagle is to be commended for the very detailed accurate research that went into this fine histoical account of naval history on inland waters during the War Between The States. After reading this book you will have a better understanding of the use of naval forces to short- en this conflict.

Book Description

Contents; The Why of It; Outfit and Advice for the Woman who goes hunting with her husband; The First Plunge of the Woman Tenderfoot; Which Treats of the Imps and My Elk; Lost in the Mountains; The Cook; Among the Clouds; At Yeddars; My Antelope; A Mountain Drama; What I Know about Wahb of the Bighorn Basin; The Dead Hunt; Just Rattlesnakes; As Cowgirl; The Sweet Pea Lady; Some one Else's Mountain Sheep; In which the Tenderfoot Learns a New Trick; Our Mine; The Last Word. Illustrated.

Download Description

Is one never to forget that it is not proper to wear gold beads with crape? Understand, I am not to be set down as having any charity for the ignoramus who would wear that combination, but I wish to record the fact that there are times, under the spell of the West, when I simply do not care whether there are such things as gold beads and crape; when the whole business of city life, the music, arts, drama, the pleasant friends, equally with the platitudes of things and people you care not about--civilization, in a word--when all these fade away from my thoughts as far as geographically they are, and in their place comes the joy of being at least a healthy, if not an intelligent, animal.

No Woman Tenderfoot: Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneer Naturalist

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An engaging biography of an American naturalist
No Woman Tenderfoot: Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneer Natura

No Woman Tenderfoot: Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneer Naturalist
Harriet Kofalk
Manufacturer: Texas A&M University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1585440361

Customer Reviews:

An engaging biography of an American naturalist.......2001-07-06

Two traditions exist side by side in the literature of natural history: the scientific tradition, running through Linnaeus and Darwin to the evolutionary biologists of today, and the romantic tradition, passing from Gilbert White to John Burroughs and today's conservation and nature movements. The American naturalist Florence Merriam Bailey (1863-1947), the subject of this biography, was one of those rare individuals who was at home in both traditions. In her early years Bailey was active in the crusade against feather hats, and we see her vigorous work "in the trenches" of Smith College and of Washington society. On the scientific side, as sister to C. Hart Merriam and as wife to Vernon Bailey, pioneer figures in the U.S. Biological Survey, Florence Bailey was an explorer of the American West, and her many expeditions provided material not only for her technical Handbook of Birds of the Western United States (1902) and her Birds of New Mexico (1928), but for dozens of travel and life history accounts in the popular press as well. Ample quotations from Bailey's writings give a vivid picture of the early West, and make it easy to understand why her works were appreciated by both professionals and amateurs.

The weakness of this biography is that, unlike Bailey, its author is at home only in the romantic tradition. We are told on three occasions, for example, that the scientific method of bird study was to "shoot first and ask questions later," a derogatory characterization Bailey would probably not have made inasmuch as her brother and husband were among the greatest collectors of their generation. Florence Bailey comes through as an admirable figure, but the manner in which her story is told will tend to reinforce the prejudices that members of both the scientific and romantic traditions have toward each other today. [Adapted from my review in Archives of Natural History, 18(3): 415, 1991.]

No Woman Tenderfoot: Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneer Natura.......2000-05-23

I highly recommend this book. It is a wonderful read about a highly individualistic, inspiring woman who lived a fascinating life. I found it soothing and stimulating at the same time: it made me get up off my duff and get back out into the big outdoors to take another look at birds and the natural world, and it also gave me hope about what we can do as individuals to learn about and protect the environment. Florence helped start the movement to ban the practice of putting birds and bird feathers on women's hats that nearly wiped out many of our bird species around the turn of the century. Her early life in the woods with minimal schooling allowed her to see the world in a less cynical, socially molded way, making it possible for her to become one of the preeminent naturalists of her day. She traveled all over the West camping with her naturalist husband and observing birds so that she could write some of the first field guides for these areas. As a writer and a scientist, I found the author's descriptions of Florence's scientific technique, which relied on intimate observations of birds' daily lives, fascinating. What a role model! I will read this book again whenever I need to replenish my stores of hope and curiousity.

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A Woman Tenderfoot
Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson Ernest Seton-Thompson
Manufacturer: Toronto: George N. Morang
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP83II

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A Woman Tenderfoot
Grace Gallatin Thompson Seton
Manufacturer: Doubleday, Page & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W0BO4Y

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A Woman Tenderfoot
Grace (Seton-Thompson, Ernest, [illust]) Gallatin
Manufacturer: David Nutt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KL44WE

A Woman Tenderfoot in Egypt. Illustrated

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A Woman Tenderfoot in Egypt. Illustrated

Manufacturer: NY: Dodd, Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GHJNEG

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A Woman Tenderfoot.
Grace Gallatin Thompson. Seton
Manufacturer: Doubleday, Page & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXQQO8

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A Woman Tenderfoot
Seton-Thompson Grace Gallatin
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UEEKES

A WOMAN TENDERFOOT Memoir of Travels in the West

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A WOMAN TENDERFOOT Memoir of Travels in the West
Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson
Manufacturer: Doubleday, Page & Comapny
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N242WW

Product Description

First Edition in pictorial cloth binding. Stories of 19th century travels in the west and the Rocky Mountains by the wife of the famous naturalist Ernest Seton-Thompson. Full-page drawings by Ernest Seton-Thompson, G. Wright and E. M. Ashe, and the Marginals by S. N. Abbott.

Book Description

The author of Peter Rabbit and other tales, Beatrix Potter is still, after a century, beloved by children and adults worldwide. In this first Cottage Tale, Albert introduces Beatrix, an animal lover and Good Samaritan with a knack for solving mysteries. With help from her entourage of talking animal friends, Beatrix sets out to win over the human hearts of Sawrey, where she's just bought an old farm--and plans to stay.

Customer Reviews:

A clever cozy series.......2007-09-05

I'm so happy to have discovered the Beatrix Potter mysteries. What a gem! The writing is clever, the characters - both human and animal - are thoroughly engaging, and the author's physical descriptions of the Lake District where the book takes place is first-rate. I love mysteries that take place in small English villages with characters that are so real you feel as though they could walk off the page and enter your life.

The mystery itself is not deep or involved, but the author's engaging writing of English village life more than makes up for it. This is the ideal book to read on a weekend afternoon with a cup of tea and a scone.

Beatrix Potter buys a farm..........2007-09-05

It's England in 1905, Beatrix Potter has purchased Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey in the Lake District. Local farmers are upset that the farm is now owned by an outsider and a woman at that. On arrival, Beatrix Potter finds the woman she was to board with, Abigail Tolliver, has died unexpectedly and foul play is suspected. Beatrix rents a room at Belle Greene and begins to get a feel for her farm from Mr. Jennings who she hopes will stay on to run it for her. But the town is uneasy with Miss Tolliver's death, a missing painting, a theft at the school, a head teacher that seem bent on mischief and mayhem, and now a London woman owning a local farm.

Since the book is based on an actual historical figure, Beatrix Potter, the story must fit into the spaces in her life not covered by her diaries, writings, letters, and other documentation. I haven't read much about Potter and knew little of her except for her children's books and her love of nature, biology, and science. I was enchanted by the story. The character of Beatrix Potter is rich in contradictions and yet steeped in the traditions and strictures of her time. Albert has given us a woman who yearned for love, independence, and growth but who felt obligated to obey her parents every whim at the expense of her own happiness. Yet, Potter's mind is quick, concise, and her courage, especially when needed by others, is unfailing. I hope to be able to take advantage of some of the suggested resources listed in the back of the book to learn more of Beatrix Potter's life.

The story is a wonderful mix of characters including animals as well as humans. The point of view shifts from the animal views to those of humans with distinct and interesting contrasts for the same events. The mystery is low key and while the solution is fitting and satisfying it's not so much the mystery as the wonderful insights into small town mores and society. This is truly a town filled with believeable people living their lives in 1905 England.

Reading the story is a quite trip in time and a delightful vacation in another place with people you may end up caring about as if they were your own neighbors.

Book also contains a Historical Note, Glossary, List of Resources, and recipes for Tatie Pot, Sponge Cake, Elsa'a Grape's Gooseberry Sauce, Bertha Stubbs's Rhubarb and Strawberry Tart, Gingersnaps, and Mrs. Stokes's Treacle Pudding.

Cute but Slow.......2007-03-09

Beatrix Potter, successful author, has bought a farm in the Lake District of England. She loves the area and is hoping to use it to set up an independent life from her parents.

She expects peace and quite in the village of Near Sawrey. But on her first visit, she realizes that's not to be.

Miss Tolliver passed away rather unexpectedly on her birthday. Her death was a shock to all, and the village is buzzing. Additionally, things seem to be disappearing around the village, and Miss Potter gets caught up in the middle.

All this is on top of the personal problems Miss Potter faces. She's still reeling from the death of her fiance just a few months before. And, while she may own Hill Top Farm, she must figure out a way to live there while keeping the current farmers there to run it for her.

I went back and forth on whether I enjoyed the book or not. The pacing is slow, and at times I was ready for things to speed up. Yet at other times I got caught up in events and couldn't put the book down.

The characters were interesting. I especially like the portrayal of Beatrix. I completely believed her temperament from the little I know about this period of her life.

Since the book is about Beatrix Potter, there are lots of animals in the story. While they can't communicate with humans, they can talk to each other and actually play an important part in the story. It's handled in a believable way but might bother those who don't like that kind of thing.

There were parts that were enjoyable, but on the whole it was an average read.

Delightful English Cozy Mixes Beatrix Potter's Animal Tales with Murder.......2006-07-30

"The Tale of Hill Top Farm" is a delightful debut story in an engaging new mystery series by veteran mystery writer Susan Wittig Albert. Ms. Albert has done a fine job of blending biographical information from the life of Beatrix Potter (author of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and other children's tales) with a compelling murder mystery of her own imagining.

This story introduces the reader to the real Lake Country Village of Sawrey, along with a large host of imagined village inhabitants. As the story opens, one of the village's middle-aged spinsters is found dead in her cottage on the day right after her birthday. The venerable Miss Abigail Tolliver seemed healthy enough at her birthday celebration, and when the village doctor pronounces that she passed due to heart trouble, the local gossips are quick to suspect that Miss Tolliver was poisoned. When Miss Beatrix Potter arrives in town to survey her newly purchased farm, she finds herself looking for answers to the mystery surrounding Miss Tolliver's death. Other strange goings-on in the village include the loss of the Parish Village Register, which contains the church records of the village, and the mysteriouos disappearance of a large sum of money donated to repair the village school roof. The village animals also get involved in trying to solve these mysteries.

Just like the Peter Rabbit stories, all the village animals can talk, but not all the humans can understand them. The animals in this story are embued with much personality, as are the village locals.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Albert's China Bayles series, and I expect that this series will be one to savor as well.

Another engaging cozy........2006-03-28

Susan Wittig Albert (and her husband) are no strangers to creating characters that live and breathe. This author has yet again managed to create a very engaging story along with her quirky characters. In this series her animal characters are just as believable and enjoyable as the human characters are. I am planning to read it as one of our family read aloud stories, even though I just finished reading it and am looking forward to the next installment of this series.

The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Very Charming
I love this series.
Cute Country Tale
Beatrix Potter vs. the Crabbe Woman
A Special Type of "Mystery"

The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter Mysteries)
Susan Wittig Albert
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

British Detectives | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0425196348
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Book Description

The author of Peter Rabbit and other creature tales, Beatrix Potter is still, after a century, beloved by children and adults the world over. In this first Cottage Tale, Albert introduces Beatrix, an animal lover who has just bought a farm in England's beautiful Lake District. As Beatrix tries to win over the hearts of her fellow villagers, her animal friends set out to solve a mystery all their own.

Customer Reviews:

Very Charming.......2007-06-16

An historical yet fictional cozy mystery account of Beatrix Potter's life. After purchasing a farm in the charming english countryside in 1905, Beatrix's characters come to life and help their human solve the mystery. A must have for any Beatrix Potter fan and a definite keeper.

I love this series........2007-03-05

I love all the books in this series. This is as good as the others. Can't wait for more.

Cute Country Tale.......2006-01-04

This book was listed as a mystery and, although it begins with a suspicious death, this is not a whodunit. Rather, The Tale of Hill Top Farm is a country tale that follows the life of Beatrix Potter and the townsfolk. There is a very interesting group of people in the book and they are all fictional (with the exception of Beatrix and William Heelis). Basically, Beatrix purchases the Hill Top Farm in the small village of Near Sawrey, and the book follows her interactions and struggles. It is weird - at first - to read a fictional book starring a real-life person; plus, the small animals in the book have spoken lines. The animals talk to the humans, but they can't be heard except to other animals. While some reviewers were put-off by the talking animals, I thought it was a sweet addition, and the animals actually help move the plot along. The story is rather `slow' in the sense that there is no action, really. This is a character-driven book in the small country, so you won't zip through this book at the same pace as an adventure or typical mystery. The book reminded me (a bit) of the Mitford series by Jan Karon, but without the religious messages. Overall, the book is very charming and I'll continuing reading the series.

Beatrix Potter vs. the Crabbe Woman.......2005-11-16

I have read the entire series of "Victorian Mysteries" written by Mrs. Albert and her husband under the name of Robin Paige and have found most of the books in that series to be quite good. I was particularly impressed with the entry in that series that featured Beatrix Potter and so I was sure that I would really like this new series that would revolve entirely around the famous author of children's books.

This series is based on Potter's real life purchase of Hill Top Farm in England's Lake District and features not only a captivating set of villagers but also an eclectic group of mystery solving animals. Both the people and the animals of the village are a gossipy bunch and both tend to make mountains out of molehills and spread inaccurate speculation. In the case of this book however these things may be a virtue for although there are several little mysteries running along as secondary plot lines all of the mysteries are quite shallow and could use any weight that the village grapevine might add to them.

It seems to be the style of this author to use the first book in a series as an introductory volume that introduces her readers to both the characters and setting of the series. That is certainly what she has done here for if the depth of the mystery content of this book were a creek one could wade across it without getting the top of ones feet wet. One of the main mysteries in this book for example is that an entire two pounds has gone missing and its disappearance has the ever-domineering Miss Myrtle Crabbe on the warpath. I'm sorry but this is just not the kind of despicable crime that would get the attention of Sherlock Holmes, or even Agatha Raisin for that matter. Now that the setting and characters have been introduced I have high hopes for the next entry and am expecting to find a little bit more meat in that book's mystery stew.

As usual however, Mrs. Albert has a delightful writing style and her ability to create characters that are fanciful but still realistic never ceases to amaze. Her animal characterizations are so good that they rival those of Beatrix Potter herself and include an owl with a recipe book for cooking rat and a cat that is afraid of heights. Add to that a couple of art thieves, a missing Parish register and a mouse that drinks champagne and what you get is a delightfully fun warm fuzzy mystery of the cozy variety. With just a spoonful or two more of actual mystery I think that this author will again have found the recipe for success.

A Special Type of "Mystery".......2005-10-09

The Tale of Hill Top Farm is the first of a series which centers around the imagined life of Beatrix Potter, famed author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and many other beloved children's books. The facts of her life are adhered to: her growing literary success; her difficult and cold upper class parents; the death from a sudden onset leukemia of her fiance and editor; her purchase of a small farm in the English Lake Country. But, the events surrounding the "mystery" are Susan Wittig Albert's contribution - the excellent description of the countryside and the times (later 1800's), the people, the speech patterns,etc. are done "in the manner of" Beatrix Potter...and well done.

Accustomed as we are to rip-tide quick action packed thrillers, it takes a bit to switch to Ms. Potter's/Ms. Albert's 19th century charm and pace. Don't be put off by the need to "switch gears"...it is a pleasure to have a different pace to a mystery. And the characters, including animals a la Potter, are wonderful.

Bicknell's village builder: Elevations and plans for cottages, villas, suburban residences, farm houses [etc.] also exterior and interior details for public ... Containing fifty-five plates drawn to scale

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Bicknell's village builder: Elevations and plans for cottages, villas, suburban residences, farm houses [etc.] also exterior and interior details for public ... Containing fifty-five plates drawn to scale
A. J Bicknell
Manufacturer: A.J. Bicknell & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00086D7Z6

SOMERSET VILLAGES: THE HOUSES, COTTAGES AND FARMS OF CHISELBOROUGH

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SOMERSET VILLAGES: THE HOUSES, COTTAGES AND FARMS OF CHISELBOROUGH
Unknown
Manufacturer: SOMERSET AND SOUTH AVON VERNACULAR BUILDING RESEARCH GROUP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RZFP0S

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Village and Farm Cottages
Henry W. Cleaveland , Samuel D. Backus , and William Backus
Manufacturer: University Press of the Pacific
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1410207129

Book Description

One of the most important architectural pattern books, originally published in 1856.

Village and Farm Cottages: A Victorian Stylebook of 1856

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Village and Farm Cottages: A Victorian Stylebook of 1856
Henry W. Cleaveland
Manufacturer: American Life Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0892570083

Village and farm cottages: The requirements of American village homes considered and suggested; with designs for such houses of moderate cost

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Village and farm cottages: The requirements of American village homes considered and suggested; with designs for such houses of moderate cost
Henry W Cleaveland
Manufacturer: D. Appleton and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Small Homes & Cottages | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00085JWOW

Bicknell's village builder: Elevations and plans for cottages, villas, suburban residences, farm houses, stables and carriage houses, store fronts, school-houses, ... Containing fifty-five plates drawn to scale

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Bicknell's village builder: Elevations and plans for cottages, villas, suburban residences, farm houses, stables and carriage houses, store fronts, school-houses, ... Containing fifty-five plates drawn to scale
A. J Bicknell
Manufacturer: A.J. Bicknell & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008AJFPI

Old houses and village buildings in East Anglia: Norfolk, Suffolk, & Essex ([Old English cottages and farm houses ; 5])

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Old houses and village buildings in East Anglia: Norfolk, Suffolk, & Essex ([Old English cottages and farm houses ; 5])
Basil Oliver
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00086QHL2

Rural Residences, Etc.: Consisting of Designs, Original and Selected, for Cottages, Farm-Houses, Villas, and Village Churches, With Brief Explanation (Da ... series in architecture and decorative art)

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Rural Residences, Etc.: Consisting of Designs, Original and Selected, for Cottages, Farm-Houses, Villas, and Village Churches, With Brief Explanation (Da ... series in architecture and decorative art)
Alexander Jackson Davis
Manufacturer: Da Capo Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Small Homes & Cottages | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0306711656

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Every One's Imagination Needs Nurturing

You can't go wrong with Beth Kephart!

An Unusual and Delightful Book

A book to change the world

An important, touching book

Seeing Past Z: Nurturing the Imagination in a Fast-Forward World
Beth Kephart
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Child Development | Babies & Toddlers | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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Into the Tangle of Friendship : A Memoir of the Things That Matter

Ghosts in the Garden: Reflections on Endings, Beginnings, and the Unearthing of Self

A Slant of Sun: One Child's Courage

Still Love in Strange Places

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them (P.S.)

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Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0393058824

Book Description

Impassioned and eloquent—reasons and inspirations for nurturing your child's creativity.

Kids today seem to be under more competitive pressure than ever, while studies show that reading, writing, and the arts in schools are suffering. Is there any place for imagination in kids' lives anymore? In a dog-eat-dog world, why dream things that aren't there?

In gorgeous prose and through personal stories, Beth Kephart resoundingly affirms the imagination as the heart of our ability to empathize with others, to appreciate the world, and to envision possibilities for the future. The star of her story is once again her son, Jeremy (as in her National Book Award-nominated A Slant of Sun), now fourteen years old—a child who at first resists storytelling, preferring more objective and orderly pursuits, but later leads a neighborhood book club/writing group and aspires to follow Steven Spielberg into moviemaking.

Embedded in the text and appendices are examples of how to inspire children to read, write, and dream.

Customer Reviews:

Every One's Imagination Needs Nurturing.......2006-07-11

Although cast more as an encouraging model for adults involved in nurturing and shaping children's lives and their imaginations, this is a delightful read for any age. We can all remember our childhoods. We all have imaginations that still need nurturing in a fast-forward world. And, we can all enjoy beautiful writing wherever we find it.

I especially enjoyed her chapter, "The Stuff of Memory," which reads smoothly like a personal essay that reveals hints to twitch our memories and the telling detail.

--Janet Grace Riehl, author "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary"

You can't go wrong with Beth Kephart!.......2006-02-25

Buy and read everything Ms. Kephart writes. No disappointments, EVER!!

An Unusual and Delightful Book.......2004-08-29

Given the title of Beth Kephart's new book, SEEING PAST Z: Nurturing the Imagination in a Fast-Forward World, I was prepared for a straightforward analysis of the very real challenges facing parents trying to raise imaginative, creative children in a culture that seems to eschew imagination and creativity. I expected a well-reasoned and well-researched argument, perhaps with specific suggestions for fostering young people's creative processes.

Instead, much to my surprise (and eventual delight), what I found in SEEING PAST Z was something quite different, and no less valuable. In this slender volume, Kephart strings together a series of personal essays and anecdotes, some of which focus on her own childhood, but most of which center on her fourteen-year-old son, Jeremy, and his development from a reluctant reader into a passionate storyteller, comic strip artist, and aspiring filmmaker.

Kephart primarily lets her stories speak for themselves, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about her parenting approach --- discouraging competition and adult-oriented achievements in favor of pursuits whose rewards are not so easily quantified. Her stories are told with a quiet, lyrical grace rarely found in nonfiction.

Kephart makes the argument that kids' imaginations are vital, not only during childhood but for their whole adult lives: "I am hoping that the time we've spent on the imagination will enable him to foresee the consequences of actions not yet taken. I am hoping that it will reinforce a compassionate heart. I am hoping that it will steel him for the hardest times, by giving him faith in another, better day .... I am hoping, a mother's simple dream, that it deepens his happiness."

The author's success with her approach, not only with her own son but with the reading and writing workshops she conducts for other children, will certainly be an inspiration for other parents and professionals who work with children. She provides some practical suggestions for implementation in the several appendices at the end of the book, and includes many of the workshop exercises she used with her own son and other children. Parents and teachers will find many worthwhile writing prompts and reading suggestions here. More important than these practical guides, though, is what Kephart quietly suggests throughout her thought-provoking essays: a profound philosophical shift in how we think about children, imagination, and the definition of success.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

A book to change the world.......2004-07-10

I'm not a teacher, or a parent--but I loved this book, and consider it extremely important.
Disguised as a collection of some of the most lyrical and evocative essays you will ever read, this book is really the operating manual for a child's imagination. How to nuture it, challenge it, and importantly, give it space to flourish--how to let the life of the mind grow into a garden, and not a parking lot. Yet this is not a book full of instructions (although there are excellent and very specific guidelines you can use to start a reading and writing group for kids on your own)--this book is an open door. Read it, give it to every parent, librarian and educator you know--and next thing you know, we might have kids who will be brave enough and free enough to imagine our world into new wholeness.

An important, touching book.......2004-07-06

I read Seeing Past Z with excitement and envy. Finally, a book that puts words to so many of the feelings I have as a mother, aunt, and teacher. Beth Kephart reminded me how important imagination is to every day life, and she's given me a book I can share with friends as we struggle to raise our sons and daughters with care. We're always complaining about how competitive everything has gotten in our kids' lives. Seeing Past Z has given me a way to do something about that. Thank you, Beth Kephart.

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