A wonderful tribute to her parents and siblings
344380
A thorough and candid account of life in the segregated south.  The thread weaved throughout the work is the importance of a loving and supporting family.  This is the sustaining fiber that made it possible to endure any tribulation.  A wonderful tribute to her parents and siblings. Can't wait to try some of the amazing recipes Mrs. Ford-Ingram highlights in the book.
3912858
The back cover explains that although this book is fictional, it is closely based on the author's mother - what a wonderful tribute to the legacy of her mother! I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story.  I found it easy to read, thought provoking and funny. I can't wait to buy a couple more copies of this book for some of my friends who I know will relate to and appreciate its message as much as I did.
1923814
There's a chapter in this book about my deceased sister, Rosalind, so this is admittedly a biased review. I apologize if this skews the ratings a little, but I'm indulging myself on this one. For me, it's a lovely tribute to my sister. For those who don't know her, whether you agree with her view of conservation or not, it's a good read because it does a nice job portraying a person with a strong passion for her work, yet was able to carry it out with such good nature and without a shred of self-righteousness. A rare combination for someone so committed to a cause, especially nowadays.
2889185
The author's deeply felt love and gratitude for her faith and her family is reflected on every page of this book.  The stories she created for her children are treasures and so much fun to read.  Her first story, The Lonely Tree, was my favorite.
3298736
Those who live on the North Shore of Massachusetts may know Argilla Road, the Goodale property, Hog Island, the town of Ipswich, and even "greenheads."  They may even be fortunate enough to remember Kitty Crockett Robertson, her local newspaper columns,  radio essays, and even&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Orchard-A-Memoir/dp/0553378597/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Orchard: A Memoir</a>, the inspiring book about her attempt to save the family's apple orchard during the Great Depression.  But this collection of essays is much more than "just" a story about a specific person or a specific place.  Passionately committed to living life to the fullest, Kitty turns her memories into universal moments--from her tearful parting with her grandmother at age eight, and her conversations with her imaginary companion ("Mr. Patterson"), to her almost fatal science experiment with a borrowed key and a kite during a thunderstorm.

Telling about her life from 1901 to 1979, Kitty contrasts her staid existence as a school child living on Marlborough St., Boston, to her free and often wild life during school vacations and summers with her grandmother and family on Argilla Road, Ipswich, the place that was always Kitty Robertson's "home."  Published in the Ipswich Chronicle between 1951 and 1979, and collected by Kitty and her daughter Betsy Robertson Cramer, these essays were prepared for publication by her daughter following Kitty's death just a few hours after writing her last column in 1979.

Thirty years have now elapsed since then, but Kitty's essays about life in Ipswich are still memorable--and important--not because they make us nostalgic about the past, but because they celebrate life's great joys--family, the freedom to be who you are, and the understanding of nature and one's connections to it--joys which sensitive people have shared for centuries.

Loosely organized by seasons, the essays are also loosely organized by time, and as Kitty's life stories show her growing up and eventually discovering that she is as old as her grandmother was when her grandmother died, the reader also sees that Kitty is still as determined as ever to let no moment ever be wasted.  She describes sailing Ipswich Bay alone and rowing to Crane Beach and beyond (as in the wonderful cover photo), well into her seventies, while observing the changes of scenery and nature--the loss of big, old trees, the growth of new ones in what had been pastures, the disappearance of the harbor seals, the effects of DDT on the clam flats, and the vanishing eel grass from the marshes.  Though she relishes her life and her experiences, she also describes how hard life could be and how those hardships molded character.  By sharing her exuberant life from 1901 to the 1970s, Kitty Robertson enables us all to recognize and treasure similar moments in our own lives, and to stop and appreciate our own place in the grand scheme of things.  n  Mary Whipple
3479656
A beautiful tale of a daughter learning of her mother's life before she was born, her mother's friends and their daughters, and her Chinese heritage.  The women tell stories of lives once lived in a far away land, remembrances of their youth, some hard times but also wonderful memories.  She begins to search for something lost that her mother never found, a wish, and wants to help finish her mother's story.  A wonderful read.
4932459
Carolyn is my cousin, the family lost touch with her years ago. I'm Patricia, Velma and Fred's daughter. My mom always wondered what happened to her, we're glad to see she is doing good. I really enjoyed reading about my Grandparents, and my Aunt's and Uncles. I Really enjoyed the book, looking forward to more stories thank you Carolyn.
Here's a picture of the Dancer sisters
2562431
May God bless this woman and her family, she shows her gratitude and faith in a way one could only wish to have.
4045665
Carmen is my first cousin.  His mother and my mother were sisters on the Fitzgerald side of the family.  My mother told my brother and I some of these stories and it was really a delight reading this book. My father passed away about a week after I purchased this.  He would have loved this book as he loved my mother's family. I enjoyed it very much.  We have a great family and this book makes you appreciate that fact all the more. Thank you Carmen for writing this book.
158183
It was touching to read about the life of an Iranian, Jewish mother in Israel who faced very difficult circumstances with determination to be the best mother she could for her seven children.  Moris Niknam's memoir of his mother will keep you reading to its finish. It's a wondereful tribute to an amazing woman!
162829
Anyone who has visited a Disney theme park should know that there were a lot of artists and designers (Walt's "Imagineers") who created them. Harriet Burns, the subject of this book was (as the title says) the "First Lady" of Imagineering. This wonderful tribute, clearly a labor of love on the part of all its participants, is such a pleasure to read.

"Walt Disney's First Lady of Imagineering Harriet Burns" is not simply the story of Harriet's life, but rather a series of written pieces that reveal various aspects of her life, and the effect it had on so many others. And what a group it is! Contributors range from Walt's daughter Diane Disney Miller to appreciative fans. There is a selection of tributes from family members and close friends, as well as the three eulogies read at Harriet's memorial service. The section of tributes from co-workers is a veritable Who's Who of Disney Imagineering, including Blaine Gibson (sculptor extraordinaire), Tony Baxter (Big Thunder Mountain, Imagination), Alice Davis (it's a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean), Rolly Crump (Enchanted Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion), Joe Rhode (Animal Kingdom, Adventurer's Club), Bob Gurr (Monorail, Submarine Voyage), and (as they say on late night TV) many, many more.

Each of the over 60 tributes illuminates a different aspect of Harriet Burns' life and career. Family members share childhood stories. Friends tell about Harriet's sparkling personality and zest for living. Colleagues share behind-the-scenes stories about working directly for Walt Disney, as well as in the years after his passing.

"Walt Disney's First Lady of Imagineering Harriet Burns" is recommended, obviously, for anyone with an interest in the very real people who labored to create the "Disney magic." But it is also for readers who appreciate viewing a wonderful life through the eyes of those who were delighted to share in it.
2508115
First, let me say that I was not aware of the author's first book, "Cleo" until I began reading this book.  I don't remember how I discovered the availability of this title but it captured my attention and it was added to my 'wish to read' list.  This is a beautiful memoir by Helen Brown to delight every aspect of a reader's senses from the beauty of the cover design by Colleen Andrews to the collage of color family photographs on the first page to the author's remembrances throughout the pages.  The descriptions of experiences, thoughts and emotions are shared with honesty and without hesitation.

As I am a daughter that wandered away from my home town on two occasions to follow my heart - once for professional exploration and once simply to follow my heart - I can truly understand some of the perplexing conversations through the years between mother and daughter.  As dearest cat Jolie continued to live with Mother throughout the years of these same wanderings I have a deep appreciation for Jonah's nurturing of Helen Brown's family as well as his soulful reactions.

This is a very special glimpse of the bonds shared by mothers and daughters, the friendship circle of women when courage, strength and hope are needed for sharing in higher volumes but softly without fanfare and the unconditional love between cats and their forever families.
746051
Phyllis Edward's beautifully designed and edited book will surely be a treasured legacy to her family.  But more than just a personal family gift,  Pioneer Poetry is an opportunity for all of us to walk in the footsteps of an immigrant who with painful honesty wrestles with his love for his English native home and his new world experience in Wisconsin.  Matthew Willis was the great great  grandfather of Ms Edwards and she does him a deep tribute with this publication.  His poems and letters tell of daily life, and his faith, including the heartache of losing beloved children, friends, and parents to death and separation.  And in poem after poem, this hard working immigrant farmer and devoted Quaker writes of his disapproval of slavery and his anguish about war during the frightening days of the Civil War.  The poetry and language is of another age, but the humanity he conveys  is ageless. I highly recommend this book.
2347305
Rosa Ponselle is actually an ancestor of mine on my mother's side. It's awesome to be able to hear her voice, even now.
4337439
Excellent book. Ms. Calcaterra was able to write her abusive history without malice against her mother. I feel that she got to the bottom of her abuse and moved past it. It is a shame that her sister then received the tesame abuse because she was loved by her sisters. It is a moving book and three cheers to the family for being able to show love and kindness to their children. Well written and worth reading as you cheer on those children.
1220124
having known her mother Maxine and friends of the family, it was a delight to read these memories of so many talented performers of our time.  This was relaxing and wonderful...thank you Debbie.
2795251
Hidden Passages is a wonderful tribute to mothers.  Vila's writings are simply marvelous.  This is a book that you will want to reread over, just to be sure you didn't miss anything.  I highly recommend this book.