Recently I seem to have stumbled onto collections of biographies and find I enjoy reading short bits about lots of people. :-)

It started with Debunking Women's History: Myths & Legends About 101 Infamous Women Exploded, by Ed Rayner & Ron Stapley. Women have always played a part in events of the past (and present, of course) but rarely received any recognition for it, or were made to sound crazy, vicious, sneaky and so on. The authors try and correct this and do a nice job, I thought. Be sure to read the preface!

Are writers more articulate about death? From Aeschylus to Roger Ebert (I was pleased to see Oscar Hammerstein II included) Final Chapters: How Famous Authors Died, by Jim Bernhard explores what 100 + authors felt (and wrote) about death.

Another book about women, this time for younger readers (teenagers, mostly) there's Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves & Other Female Villains, by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple (the Y stands for Yolen, she's the daughter) and illustrated by Rebecca Guay is a great look at great number of these, mmm, questionable women. Many were pushed into what they did by society, others just wanted to have 'fun'. There is a chapter at the back that asks, if given the changes in womens roles, would these women have been considered 'bad' today? Food for thought!

Reading Hermit With Dog

Sort of a twisted trail today! :-)

This book fits well with The Invention of Murder (in fact, the author uses it as one of her sources) from the December 6, 2014 post. The Art of the English Murder, by Lucy Worsley is the evolution of how people read about crime. From the lurid Penny Bloods (came before the Penny Dreadfuls) reporting on true crime to the more thoughtful (and fictional) detective novels and on to suspense. From deduction, to the search for clues (with ever more impressive means to do so), to James Bond and all his gadgets, this was just a great read! Check out the "Ten Commandments" for the mystery author (to be read mostly tongue in cheek)!

Another of those interesting single subject history books I enjoy came in the form of Cattle: an Informal Social History, by Laurie Winn Carlson (a Washingtonian!) Bovines and humans have interacted for a very long time, there are pictures on cave walls to prove it! Cattle were an important factor in the westward expansion of this country, and milk cows even played a part in the PNW becoming part of the United States rather than the British Empire. Pictures would have been nice, but over all not a bad read. Other cow books may be found on the post of July 15, 2015.

Sisters on the Fly (April 18, 2016 post) made me think about the Red Hat Society which took me to Red Hats & the Women Who Wear Them from the Red Hat Society, Inc. This is a collection of silly, whimsical and fun hats with a short bio on the women who made them. Just fun! :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

A place called Wall Drug is a common theme in these books. Situated pretty much in the middle of no where, opened in 1931 (think Depression), just how to you attract customers and/or tourists? It was the owner's wife who came up with the idea of offering free ice water! It worked! Read more about this quirky place in the following books.

Amazing and Unusual USA: Hundreds of Extraordinary Sights, by Jeff Bahr is organized by region and is full of photographs and short descriptions. Check out the world's longest front porch, and the hippie museum. There are aliens at Roswell, naturally. The field, from the movie "Field of Dreams" really exists and fans show up to play ball. I was disappointed that the Wild Horses above Vantage WA were not included, and that Alaska and Hawaii were each given just one entry. Really? Otherwise, this was a nice book to read with the others in this post.

Roadside Attractions: Cool Cafes, Souvenir Stands, Route 66 Relics & Other Road Trip Fun, by Brian & Sarah Butko might have fewer entries, but there is more history and some nice nostalgia stories from folks who have visited some of these attractions. Many are gone, of course, but amazingly a few were still around (as of 2007).

One summer local author Richard Little and his wife took off on a cross country drive ... a leisurely drive this time, shunning the wide interstates and wandering down more local roads. Postcards From the Road: Stories is the result of that trip. The interactions with 'locals' and descriptions of 'good' food were my favorite bits! :-) That, and how it felt to return home again.

Reading Hermit With Dog

The books on American Icons seem to have taken me back to the White House Trail.

I started with Inside the White House: Stories From the World's Most Famous Residence, by Noel Grove (with William b. Bushong and Joel D. Treese). This is a National Geographic book so the photographs are beautiful. There are chapters on the history, of course, but also on the First Ladies and their impact, and what happens in times of crisis.

From slaves on the construction crew for the original White House to President Obama, the history of black Americans has been a twisted and torturous one. The Black History of the White House by Clarence Lusane is that history. The first black secret service men could not bunk with the other agents when traveling in some states. The first time a black person was invited to the White House caused a huge scandal. Dense and detailed this was a some times uncomfortable read, but well worth it.

Every resident likes to make a few changes, and of course, the White House needed to be updated from time to time as well, but in the past, it seems, that was done without too much thought as to how it affected the structure. When Harry Truman and his family moved in they noticed lots of creaks and groans, chandeliers swayed dramatically, and sometimes the floor seemed to roll like a wave on the ocean. The more they looked, the worse damage became .... supporting beams were notched or cut, debris (such as sawdust) was left between walls near electric wires, charred walls from the fire in 1914 had not been replaced and were still in use ... the Trumans moved out and a massive reconstruction job was started. The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America’s Most Famous Residence, by Robert Klare is the compelling and frustrating store of that job. (Imagine doing a job this size where every move had to be approved by a government agency ... good grief)! Sadly, some of the decisions were more of a 'remuddle' than restoration but that would improve thanks to future first ladies. An excellent read!

This book also provided a wonderful quote from President Calvin Coolidge, who was taking a walk one evening with Missouri senator Selden Spencer. Mr. Spencer, gazing at the glowing structure of the White House at night jokingly commented "I wonder who lives there." The laconic Coolidge responded "Nobody. They just come and go."

It takes a huge staff to run the White House, and yet, for the most part, they seem almost invisible. They avoid cameras, will not answer questions, and guard the privacy of the First Family vehemently. The Residence: Inside the Private World of The White House, by Kate Andersen Brower is a wonderful collection of memoirs from retired staff, who, while willing to talk with the author, often did so without naming names, dates, etc. Sometimes a story (such as the one about LBJ's shower) had been made public by another family member so there's a bit more detail, but it was not going to come from someone of the staff first. I like that! Especially poignant were the stories from staff that were there during the Kennedy administration.

Other White House books: March 15 and May 6 2014 and May 5, 2015 posts.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Before cars with dvd players, lap top computers, smart phones and so on it must have pretty boring riding in the car with your parents. (Especially if you were one of those who got carsick when trying to read). Are We There Yet: the Golden Age of American Family Vacations, by Susan Sessions Rugh not only repeats the mantra of so many kids, but is also the title to an insightful book about vacations of the past. Where did we go and why? There is a thoughtful and sobering chapter on where Black Americans went, and how they were treated. (Also, see the article "Driving While Black", by Jacinda Townsend, in the April 2016 Smithsonian).

Even though I prefer not to travel, I've always been intrigued by just how much will fit into those house trailers I see being pulled down the road. For author Phil Noyes that interest became an obsession which became the book Trailerama. Full of old pictures, postcards, advertising fliers as well as toys, games and accessories, this is a celebration of the vacation home that went with the family. Definitely worth two cups of tea!

It seems to have started with a simple idea ... a woman bought an old trailer, refurbished it, and went fly fishing. Soon there were several, then dozens, and now hundreds. Fly fishing is not a requirement! Sisters on the Fly: Caravans, Campfires, and Tales from the Road, by Irene Rawlings shares the history of this wonderful group of wandering women. There are chapters on how to find a vintage trailer, and what is needed to tow it (some are small enough for a VW Beetle). There are fun chapters on how to decorate it, and recipes (using a Dutch Oven or an iron skillet) that sound good enough to try indoors. This was a wonderful celebration of road trips, friendship, and more.

Way Off the Road: Discovering the Peculiar Charms of Small-Town America, by Bill Geist was a charming read. There are train tracks (unused) where a crowd gathers each year on the summer solstice, and the town where lost luggage finally ends up. There's a competition between two towns for the coldest spot in the U.S., and, something that might sound familiar, the little town at the bottom of the Grand Canyon where the mail is delivered by mule train. :-) (See the February 7, 2015 post).

There are a lot of abandoned gas stations in Washington State! You can see them in Readymades: American Roadside Artifacts with photographs by Jeff Brouws, along with barns, trailers and signs. There's also a wonderful chapter on the 'rebirth' of one of the first tract homes neighborhoods where they may all look similar in design, but NOT in color!

The first transcontinental highway across the U.S. was the Lincoln Highway. It stretches from New York to San Francisco. ("From the bright lights of Broadway to the foggy shores of San Francisco." What an image!) The idea came from the same man, Carl G. Fischer, who was the founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Like Route 66, it was surpassed by the newer, wider, straighter freeways (with little character) we know today. The Lincoln Highway: Coast to Coast From Times Square to the Golden Gate, by Michael Wallis and Michael S. Williamson is a great read about the highway and some of the people you might have met on your travels. I loved the pictures of mules pulling the equipment needed to pave the original road! For a short few blocks, in a small town in Illinois, the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 were one road.

Other road trip books may be found in the posts of May 17, 2014 and August 15 and September 15, 2015.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Warning! War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love, by Rebecca Frankel is a challenging read. No surprise, given the title. :-) Scary, powerful, sad, amazing ... I found it easier to read about war dogs from the past rather than those who are working right now. These dogs and their human partners are like first responders ... they run toward the danger. I'll admit right here that I skipped the chapter on the fallen. There was an interesting discussion on whether or not dogs can suffer a canine form of PTSD. A tough read, yes, but well written, too.

Some heroes have four legs and you can read about one of them in The Dog Who Could Fly: the Incredible True Story of a WWII Airman and the Four-Legged Hero Who Flew At His Side, by Damien Lewis. Working with both Robert Bozdech's handwritten memoirs, and his children, the author recreates the story of this amazing partnership. Even after all the books I've read I can still be amazed and awed by what a dog will do for the person he loves.

Enlisting in the Marines so he could fight the Japanese, Bill Putney was instead assigned to the Dog Corps because he was also a licensed veterinarian. As Commanding Officer of the 3rd War Dog Platoon he trained the men and dogs and later led them in the invasion of Guam. Initially met with scorn and indifference, the dog platoon soon proved it's value. (With the dogs on patrol, more than 500 scouting missions were never ambushed). When he learned that at the end of the war the dogs were to be destroyed, he refused and initiated the first "detraining" program that allowed the dogs to be returned to civilian life (often with 'their' soldiers). Always Faithful: a Memoir of the Marine Dogs of WWII, by Captain William W. Putney is a moving read.

And, lastly, a novel about a war dog: A Man of His Own, by Susan Wilson. This is a story of how World War II changed four lives. At the center is one amazing dog, Pax. Remember when it takes place ... before we understood much about PTSD, survivor's guilt, and more (I don't want to say too much here) ;-) (I had a hard time understanding how the decision could be made to send a loved dog off to war, but again, I tried to remember the time period).

Other books about war dogs may be found on the posts of September 14, 2014 and June 16 and July 11 of 2015.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Although the Titanic sank more than 100 years ago, there are still new books coming out about it on a regular basis and The Story of the Unsinkable Titanic, by Michael Wilkinson and Robert Hamilton is one of them. What makes this one stand out it is a day by day chronicle of the sinking and the aftermath told using newspaper articles. I found this rather compelling and tried to imagine what it was like when the story was new.

For children try Building the Titanic: the Making of a Doomed Ship, by Sean McCollum. This is a nice collection of facts about the ship, the workers, the passengers and so on. I like that words that might be new to the reader are defined as you go along rather than having to turn to a glossary in the back.

For teens there's Iceberg Right Ahead! The Tragedy of the Titanic, by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson. Another nice overview of everything from the building of the Titanic to the movie by James Cameron. Good descriptions on icebergs (there are many types), why the closest ship (the California) did not respond, Ballard's discovery of the wreck site, the last living survivor and lots more. Well done.

A lot of the well-known, rich (very rich) people of the era were on that fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic. Just who were they? What did they do? Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: the Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World, by Hugh Brewster explains all this. There is a follow up of afterwards, too. One woman had been on a ship that had collided with another ship (neither sank), the Titanic, and the Britannic when it sank during WWI (she survived them all). Charles Lightoller (Second Officer) had a small boat and was part of the civilian rescue of the troops at Dunkirk. One was a fashion designer who designed clothes that were the inspiration for the dress Audrey Hepurn wore as Eliza Doolittle in the scene at the race track in the movie version of My Fair Lady. There were sad endings, too, including several suicides and on-going health problems. All in all, just a fascinating read.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Seems today, April 12, is Big Wind Day. I took it as an opportunity to read a bunch of kid's books! (Okay, so I don't really need an excuse, but it sounded good, didn't it) ;-)

We've probably all seen a plastic bag blowing along the street, caught in a fence or tree, an so on. In Bag in the Wind, written by Ted Kooser and illustrated by Barry Root a wayward bag comes in (and out) of the lives of several people in a small town. Plastic bags can be a bit of a problem to recycle so be sure to check out the last few pages for some good ideas.

Apparently Iceland is an extremely windy place, which makes it hard to go for a walk! The ladies of one town decided something needed to be done. Read How the Ladies Stopped the Wind, by Bruce McMillan and illustrated with paintings by Gunella to find out just what. Keep an eye on the sheep.

Part fact, part fiction, Race the Wild Wind: a Story of the Sable Island Horses, by Sandra Markle and with paintings by Layne Johnson is the story of the first horses on an island off the coast of Nova Scotia. The horses, abandoned by a passing ship, are learning to survive in their new environment when a storm blows in.

It was a windy day. A very windy day. The wind picked up oh, just so many things ... an umbrella, a scarf, clothes from a line, mail .... It's all told in clever, rhyming verse in The Wind Blew, by Pat Hutchins.

My quirky side thought it'd be fun to include something about the oboe with this post since it has been described as "an ill wind that no one blows good" (Anon) but all I could find were books on technique, exercises, making reeds and so forth. Drat! By the way, I have known several excellent oboists, and remember too, this is the instrument that an orchestra uses when they tune! ;-)

Other books about the wind may be found on the posts of March 1, May 17, June 2 and August 23, 2015.

Oh, and yes, I did consider books on politicians, but to be honest, I just couldn't get interested! ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

A book on the Liberty Bell had me wandering off on a trail about icons.

There are many interesting stories surrounding the Liberty Bell (It did not ring on July 4, 1776, by the way) and you can read about them in The Liberty Bell, by Gary B. Nash. It is old, and cracked, and has not rung in ages, it was nearly forgotten at one point and yet, now it draws huge crowds every year (there were even some road trips for a while). People want to touch it, kiss it, even kneel and say a prayer. How did it become such a powerful draw? A bit dry in places, but mostly a good read.

I had no idea the humble hamburger was so uniquely American. (I also was not aware a specific food item could be considered in icon)! :-) Individually cooked or mass produced it is the product of both the backyard grill and big business. From cheap food, to fast food, to gourmet food, The Hamburger: a History, by Josh Ozersky is the journey it took from the "hamburg steak" to what so many of us enjoy today.

Iconic America, by Tommy Hilfiger, with George Lois, was an amazing and fun book, but a warning here ... it is a heavy book, so perhaps reading it sitting at the table would be a good idea. ;-) There are many, many images here, each with a brief description including what you'd expect: the flag, apple pie, the Hershey Bar, the song White Christmas ... and some unexpected ones: barbed wire, toasted marshmallows, theater posters, the Underwood Typewriter and Boston Baked Beans. I chuckled, I rolled my eyes, I wondered why, I understood.

Reading Hermit With Dog

There were more riders warning of the British than Paul Revere, and one was a woman. There was a fire that burned far more, and had more deaths, than the Great Chicago Fire, however it happened on the same day and the "big town" fire was the one in the headlines. The Wright Brothers may not have been the first to fly. All these and more are in Lost To Time: Unforgettable Stories That History Forgot, by Martin W. Sandler. The last story, about a tragic training session for D-Day I did know about, thanks to a recent episode of the tv show What History Forgot. Very interesting.

Since I am not a gardener I was surprised to learn that there were gardens in the trenches in WWI! It seems it is therapeutic and restorative to plant something, nurture it, and, possibly, eat it at some point. Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime, by Kenneth L. Helphand tells all about the gardens found there as well as those in concentration camps, interment camps, and POW camps. Inspiring and depressing (think being in one of these locations) at the same time.

Londonopolis: a Curious History of London, by Martin Latham is another on my 'London' trail, and what fun it was! From ancient times to present day (2014), fairies, bookstores, and rivers all are featured here. So are well known and lesser known people, and Big Ben (great story!). Be sure to scan the endnotes for each chapter, too, sometimes there was a witty comment there.

Reading Hermit With Dog

If you make a calendar to remind you of important dates it really is important that you then check that calendar! I almost let this date, National Tartan Day, get past me!

I sometimes think if plaid was a color I'd claim it as my favorite! Today is Tartan Day, so, fittingly, I'll start with the book Tartans, by Brain Wilton. There is a nice history of the various clan tartans, the area they are from and what they mean. It includes all the state tartans (some official, some not), and provincial tartans. There are sports tartans, too! Astronaut Alan Bean (McBain) left a wee tartan flag behind when he walked on the moon. The author also debunks some tartan myths ... my favorite being just what IS worn under a kilt!

If you are in the mood for a mystery of the plaid persuasion try The Corpse Wore Tartan, by Kaitlyn Dunnett. It's part of the Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series set in Moosetookalook, Maine. Tempers flare and old grudges resurface at the gathering of the Scottish Heritage Appreciation Society for the annual Robert Burns Dinner. Who killed one of the twins? And which twin was it?

Reading Hermit With Dog

For some reason I have been feeling nostalgic about ferry boats recently. To feed this nostalgia I started with The Evergreen Fleet: a Pictorial History of Washington State Ferries, by Harre Demoro. Part of the state highway system, they connect the mainland to the San Juan Islands and to Vancouver Island, Canada. Over the years there have been rumblings of a series of bridges between the San Juan islands, but fortunately, this has not happened, with the exception of the Hood Canal floating bridge, and when pontoons on that collapsed (1979), who came to the rescue? (More on this in Safe Passage, listed below). Wonderful black and white photos. Be sure to check out some of the cars on the ferries!

Take another look at the history of the ferry system with Safe Passage: the Birth of Washington State Ferries, a HistoryLink book by Alan J. Stein. This was written in commemoration of the 50th anniversary and includes some great archival photographs not seen elsewhere. This too, is where you can see the collapsed Hood Canal Bridge. :-)

Nautical Highways: Ferries of the San Juan Islands, by Robert E. Demar and Robin Atkins is less history and more poetry, if you will. Three simple lines describe each photo. It took me a few pages to get into the 'feel' of this (I went back and started over), but when I did it was most enjoyable. I love the nun on page 48!

And, finally, a return to what may be my favorite book on ferry boats: Ferryboats: a Legend on Puget Sound, by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless. It is a very comprehensive history (books and papers were found in a room where shelves had been built in front of shelves in front of shelves ... !!) and full of archival photos. A female captain recently made the news, but there was another ... as far back as the 1920's ... one Berte H. Olson. An amazing book.

There are more books on ferry boats in the September 9, 2014 post.

Reading Hermit With Dog

It's time, I think, for some mysteries again. :-)

This author, Judith Flanders, has written several non-fiction books, including the one found on the December 6, 2014 post. A Murder of Magpies is her first work of fiction and it's a nice cozy mystery. I'll admit the discussion of laundering money got a bit dry, but overall I enjoyed this book. I loved the sort of running dialogue the main character has with herself, especially the bit about how jogging is actually more of a stagger that becomes a shuffle (!), and, her mother is a hoot. Not a bad start to a new series.

A continuation of the Molly Murphy Series, by Rhys Bowen, Time of Fog and Fire takes place not in New York, but in San Francisco. Caruso is visiting (and will only perform if the NY Opera Company comes). There's a fire, and an earthquake, bodies in trunks, people who are not who they say they are ... all in all just a nice mystery. (I've said it before, I'll say it again I really am enjoying this series)! :-)

I'm calling this a traditional cozy with a twist. It takes place in the isolated mansion of a wealthy person who is going to make an announcement. Friends, coworkers, and relatives have gathered for a party. It is snowing. Soon everyone is snowed in with the murderer. However it is present day, the person making the announcement is a retired software designer and her best games dealt with mysteries! Her house might look traditional, but there are virtual walls and pictures, hidden passages, a cage that will trap passersby (think the old Mousetrap game) ... Peril in Paperback, by Kate Carlisle, part of the Bibliophile Mystery series is a great read for a stormy day!

Reading Hermit With Dog