A farewell fond and fitting to a shipmate
589311
Those who have followed Little Tim in his adventures will see a fitting, if sad, adieu bid to the original 'free-range' child, Little Tim. His curiosity hasn't been sated over the years of sailing the bounding mane, and in this title he remains, as ever, eager to set forth for adventure.  We come upon Tim and his friends Ginger and Charlotte who have wandered the quayside to pick up odd deck work aboard a steamer, the Arabella.  As they only have three days' vacation, it is up to Charlotte (no stranger to the shipboard herself) to inform Tim's parents of his latest, unauthorised, adventure.

Read these books for the pure love of story--it is not didactic, it is not moralistic.  It is in the old sense, a yarn, a pure, wonderful, escapist adventure.  My 3 and 5 year old boys love the stories, and it helps, of course, if you dial in a little Hollywood melodrama in the reading.

Ardizzone has an Englishman's proper love of the tramp steamer, and an ear for salty turns of phrase which will impress both the lubber dreaming of the sea and seasoned sailors alike.  Although the odd yacht has made a marquee appearance, it is the broken-down workmanlike vessels that figure prominently here.  The stories are ones of simple love and obsession: Little Tim simply a boy who yearns to go to sea, and always finds a way to do so.  His coterie--Charlotte, the old Boatman on the shingle beach, Ginger, Towser, and always a venerable sea captain--appear in almost every book.  The adventures are simple, and involve shipboard routines, peril, and always rescue, frequently involving the noble volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

In this last story, trouble rears its head, as it always does, and the steamer changes course to meet a gale head-on.  Tim's latest adventure is seasoned by loving portraits of shipboard life and crew that sailors and bounders alike will recognize: Joey Adze, the ship's carpenter, Gino, the cook, and even the cowardly bos'n ("He's a Tartar," warns the Chief Mate) who works his crew tirelessly.  In the worst of it, the Arabella loses power before the gale and runs aground in the clutches of foaming breakers which could dash her to bits.  Worse, the captain can't shoot the sun and so fix his position.  As the orders are given to abandon ship, they must rely on guess and God that they'll see the shore again.  What else worse could happen? It wouldn't be right to give away the story, but the end is altogether fitting.  This is the best way for a story to end, and in itself, a reminder that the best stories MUST end in order to be the best.
4408505
My Dad was a Ships Pilot at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. He used to lecture me on how to avoid big ships (and how to make salt). I once watched him dock the USS Enterprise (CVN 65 not NCC 1701). The awesome avoidance techniques I saw the swimmers in the water near the dock using as he was approaching with the huge ship were inspiring. He apologized to the poor people on the tuna boat he cut in two after the incident (apparently they had never read Captain Timmers Book). A great book by the way.
2041924
John Boemans memoirs of Moratai not only touched my heart but brought back so many memories that I also have of similar times and experiences that occurred during my late teen years whilst serving with the RAAF as a wireless telegrapher stationed on Moratai from VE day until long after the wars were over, with almost every armed person including all Americans from units such as Johns Air Force Squadron etc long departed. I was working on duty at the Pitoe Strip during Johns time there, we would have been the same age, now we are both old men but the memories of those sad and lonely days will always linger. Thank you John for helping me relive those days and the times we both were destined to share with those never to be forgotten good mates. Your beautifully written memoirs and priceless photographs took me back in time. Ronald A. Aust Wartime # 450130.
2890778
This was, as said in the title an extremely worthy farewell to two amazing sets of characters. The story had a satisfying ending that will have me missing Carter, Sadie, Annabeth, and Percy, but will also help me to hold them in my memory as my favorite book series heroes, next to Harry Potter.
2686754
This was a short trip down memory lane for me as I was very blessed to know Fr. Harry during my junior and senior years of high school in Springfield, Mo. In fact I was one of the senior girls in his pre-marriage class that married right out of high school. When Fr. Harry left Springfield for San Francisco, I left for San Diego with my new sailor husband.  I think Fr. would be rather relieved and pleased to know that Pat and I celebrate 45 years of marriage this year and enjoy our life with three children and  ten grandones.

Wonderful story of your life, Fr. Harry! I enjoyed every word, and wish you congratulations on your retirement, and many blessings for years of good health, strength, joy and peace! Thank you for speaking into my life those many years ago. Your kindness and wisdom will always be remembered - Qene' Konen Jeffers class of '72
246354
Jules's parents got divorced when she was younger and never really spent that much time with her father.  He lets her know he is terminally ill and she takes off  to New York to spend his last days with him.  She gets to know the real man as they travel to a few places he visited as a medical student.

This is a touching story of daughter and father getting to know one another before time runs out.  The story hit home for me in another way as my husband and I have lost a child and I will never forget the last cherished memories I had with him.  This book is a tribute to the author's father and the stories about her father that are in the book are true.  I enjoyed reading this book and my husband is now even reading it along with my father.  If you have lost someone this is a wonderful read.  You will cry at times and other things will hit home for you as well.

A must read.
4401507
This is a beautiful song, I loved it before Joey's passing, but now it is a tribute to her. Rest in Peace, Joey.
1378268
This met the need to have something to remember our loved one while storing what was left.
794424
Years ago I served on an aging naval ship.  We were all proud to be aboard the old girl.  I found some of Chris's references to be accurate and, for me, poignant.  Regardless of my emotional attachment to his story, I found it to be an interesting twist on the theme, although the casual attitude toward military discipline was a little off base.  All in all, I loved the book.
454351
A great salute to America's flagship, with lots of history and a number of interviews with well-known people. My only real fault is that the general tone is one of having already lost the battle to save her from scrapping - perhaps more realistic than optimistic. Well worth the price, if you're at all interested in liners.
2470102
My father had a leather Ferdinand--8" by 10"  that he carried aboard ship , all thru  WW2... He came home with a chest full of ribbons, as did my Dad.. Wish I still had him..
sigh!
2197443
Someone going through the loss of a close loved one found this very comforting.
3375707
This paper was the perfect solution on which to write goodbye notes to accompany an ash scattering at sea.
1113427
Very nice reading and a good release for someone who has lost a a family member, which a pet is after all
3925614
Wonderful to read a man's point of view about losing a spouse. He is leaving a legacy for his daughters to read someday. The book was a great tribute to his wife who died much too soon.
1284489
I recently lost my Miniature Schnauzer to cancer. I was searching for an urn that celebrated his life rather than remind me that he is no longer here. Although it was too late to get a paw impression with the included kit, I did have a plaster impression made of his paw years ago which still fit into the display. The box has plenty of room inside. I was able to store the box with his ashes that the funeral home gave me plus his collar and harness. There is still room inside for if I decide to hold one of his favorite toys. The loss still hurts me deeply but I love that I can display a photo of him looking happy alongside his pawprint. I wanted to celebrate his life and this is exactly what I got. My friends and family all love that I went with this idea. I had to make a minor adjustment to fit the plaster cast but had I been able to use the included kit, I could have probably made a slimmer version.
1956421
I finished this book with a feeling of great sadness. I had heard the story over the years especially in the context of efforts to absolve Captain McVay of responsibility but never had read the complete story. It is a multilayered tragedy but the element that stays with me is the anguish that must have been McVay's life until he decided to end it. The callousness and cowardice of those responsible for not tracking the ship or following up on its missing status is appalling as is the willingness of the military leadership to pick a convenient scapegoat.
Stanton has done a great service to Captian McVay and all the men on that fine ship.