Customer Reviews:
Nero Wolfe goes to war.......2007-08-22
NOT QUITE DEAD ENOUGH takes place during World War II and Archie Goodwin is now Major Goodwin. He is requested to get Nero Wolfe to use his superior intellect to help his country. However, when Archie gets back to New York he finds that Wolfe and Fritz are in physical training so that Wolfe can go shoot Germans. Apparently he didn't shoot enough during the Great War.
In the first story Archie creates an elaborate scheme to get Wolfe to come to his senses and it backfires in a murder. There is an interesting plot twist at the end which demonstrates the genius of Wolfe, and of Stout.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to any fan of Nero Wolfe.
Oldie and Goodie.......2007-05-21
My father got me hooked on these books. They are extremely well written and just fun to read. Anyone who just wants a good mystery without all the sex and swearing will love these books.
Averages out.......2007-02-20
"Not Quite Dead Enough" and "Booby Trap" are the two novellas in this collection. The first is most interesting for the various machinations of the characters involved: Archie is trying to get Wolfe to give up his "training" and assist the army with his brain rather than his physical prowess (although the picture of Wolfe and Fritz exercising and eating salad is a memorable one.)and Lily Rowan is desperately trying to get army officer Archie back into her life( a departure from the more sophisticated relationship she and Archie have in later novels.)Both of these subplots work better than the rather slight mystery which is as little challenge to the reader as it is to Wolfe.
The second story is a bit more interesting. In the investigation of the murder of an army officer via hand grenade, Wolfe is confronted with a number of possibilities and a few characters who are not as they appear on the surface. Although it ends with the suicide of the murderer plot device that is used a bit too often in Stout's work, this one balances out the weaker first novella well.
Wartime.......2006-11-08
Everything was different during World War II. Wolfe decided that he would trim down and shoot some Germans, but instead ended up working for General Carpenter and Military Intelligence.
Thus we have these stories. Many reviewers pan them; I actually think they add a lof of depth and character to the series as a whole.
I suppose the notion of a pink hand grenade (Booby Trap) sets a few people's teeth on edge. Well, if you want something top secret, it might as well be nonconventional, no?
These are good stories, well, written, and worth your attention. Michael Prichard does his usual great job in reading them, too.
Worst of the Wolfe stories.......2005-08-31
"Not Quite Dead Enough" is the worst of Stout's Nero Wolfe stories. To quote Wolfe himself, (minor spoiler) the solution was "the silliest idea in the history of crime," and the actions of a couple of other major characters are almost as preposterous.
Book Description
Here are two Rex Stout short stories for war buffs and Nero Wolfe fans alike. In "Not Quite Dead Enough," Archie Goodwin - Nero Wolfe's perennial legman - literally steals the limelight. Recently inducted into Army Intelligence, Archie goes to Wolfe's flat to see why he hasn't been answering his or the Army recruiter's calls. Wolfe could be dead, but Archie later finds out he's been "training" to join the Army. It takes the murder of a woman Archie goes dancing with to get Nero Wolfe to investigate crime again. The wartime theme continues in "Booby Trap" as Archie and Wolfe investigate the murder of Captain Albert Cross, killed only hours before he was to make a report about a prototype grenade theft to the group of intelligence people Wolfe works with. Listener favorite Michael Prichard, named by Smart Money magazine as one of the "Top Ten Golden Voices," precisely captures the characters' personalities and the story locations.
Customer Reviews:
Hope Michael Pritchard Finishes What He Started.......2004-10-09
Just got this CD set, so now I have, let's see, 27 Nero Wolfe books on tape or CD.
There's no help for it.
Now, bear in mind that while Michael Pritchard read most of these, he did not read all of these, and that is not satisfactory. An actor from the A&E series read one or two of them and while I admite his chutzpah, he's no Pritchard.
I hope that, eventually, Pritchard records ALL of the Wolfe stories.
Michael Pritchard jumps into these two stories with his usual enthusiam. I love the way he does Wolfe - not exaggerating or overplaying, but clearly conveying that Wolfe is a big guy with a commanding voice. Maury Chaykin comments on the A&E DVDs that "no one talks like Nero Wolfe." Well, I know one guy who does...
And when Pritchard speaks with Archie's voice [and Archie's "inner voice"], he captures Archie's special combination of earnestness and cynicism that makes him so appealing.
These two stories are logically grouped as among Stout's World War II efforts. Some have derided the first one as too implausible, and recommend jumping right into "Booby Trap." With the CD set, it's pretty easy to do that: the tracks are clearly labelled. But if you do, you actually miss some of the "setup material" since, it appears, "Not Quite..." is set at a time frame preceding "Booby Trap."
Suit yourself. Since I cannot get enough of Nero Wolfe, I just let the good times roll...
Not Quite Dead Enough and Booby Trap.......2004-02-04
A welcome distraction for Wolfe fans. While worthy of the Wolfe name, neither of these stories has the amount of plot and character depth as most of Stout's other novels. But that by no means, means that these stories aren't an interesting listen.
Prichard of course delivers the subtle differences of every character in his inimitable way.
Not Quite Dead Enough is the best of the two, and is in my opinion, one of Stout's best short stories.
Booby Trap shows a bit of a 'dark side' of Wolfe, wherein, ***spoiler*** he persuades a murderer to commit suicide near the end. But overall this collection is a must-read for Wolfe fanatics, as is pretty much every other Wolfe novel.
Average customer rating:
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Not Quite Dead Enough
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000F3BTDO |
Product Description
Double mystery, also contains Booby Trap. Both mysteries star Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe. This edition is a mapback.
Average customer rating:
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Not Quite Dead Enough
Manufacturer: Pyramid Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H9X4QG |
Average customer rating:
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The Cedonia Prophecies
Justine N. Hoffman
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1420805770 |
Book Description
Agaricus hoped no one saw him slip out of the kingdom, over the drawbridge, and into the forest.and so begins the mythical tale of twelve year old Aggie, the headstrong and independent wizard's apprentice who must fulfill the prophesies written in a magical book that has fallen into her hands. According to the first of these prophesies the fate of the kingdom of Cedonia now depends upon her finding The Falcon's Blade, an ancient magical key to the fairy world. During her quest she uncovers information about herself, her place in the kingdom of Cedonia, and is forced to face the evil shapeshifter Malodar. Can she and her friends Giles, Harvey, and Saffron fulfill the prophesy and save the kingdom?
Customer Reviews:
A Fantasy.......2005-10-02
This book is a fantasy book that should be read by 2nd graders and up. It is a thrilling adventure of a girl named Aggie who is a sorceress in training who needs to carry out the prophecy left out for her. This book is a thrilling adventure that kids will love.
Book Description
An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and live diminished lives in which they are compelled to obsess about something or to repeat a similar task over and over. Traditionally, OCD has been treated with Prozac or similar drugs. The problem with medication, aside from its cost, is that 30 percent of people treated don't respond to it, and when the pills stop, the symptoms invariably return.
In Brain Lock, Jeffrey M. Schwartz presents a simple four-step method for overcoming OCD that is so effective, it's now used in academic treatment centers throughout the world. Proven by brain-imaging tests to actually alter the brain's chemistry, this method doesn't rely on psychopharmaceuticals. Instead, patients use cognitive self-therapy and behavior modification to develop new patterns of response to their obsessions. In essence, they use the mind to fix the brain. Using the real-life stories of actual patients, Brain Lock explains this revolutionary method and provides readers with the inspiration and tools to free themselves from their psychic prisons and regain control of their lives.
Customer Reviews:
Highly conceptual but treatment is very misleading.......2007-09-10
The author is Psychiatrist who has great insight into dynamics of OCD. He explains in great detail about biological aspect of OCD. He accurately points out that brain signals are hoax and ignoring them is way to overcome OCD. He proposes 4 steps to do this which are based on Buddhist mindfulness. This is where the treatment is erroneous. Although most people know that OCD signals are irrational, at the peak time of OCD ritualization, the suffer can't distinguish between what is real or not. Reassuring the brain that the signal is wrong and should be ignored actually re-inforces OCD brain. The recovery comes when one accepts that the signal is valid yet refuse to do the compulsion. (Eg- Yes the door may not be locked and house will be stolen tonight but I won't check the door).
It seems schwartz treatment aspect is misleading although he may be good intentioned. He seems to have gained popularity by being a consultant to 'Aviator' movie. Again this is due to his brilliant insight into nature of disorder not the treatment aspect of it.
The best technique to overcome OCD is ERP using behavioural approach. Mindfulness works for mild OCD cases and in maintenance phases.
Good but recommended by nephew's therapist.......2007-08-24
As with a review I wrote for a purchase for my OCD nephew, I am told by my sister (his mom) that this is helping with his therapy sessions.
How do I help?.......2007-08-05
My husband read this book a year ago and found it helpful for understanding a dear relative. I'm reading the book now and found there are many insights into OCD. As well as understanding other people, I'm finding out a little about myself and how to balance out some of my own behaviors. The book is based on the behavior therapy used by professionals with adults at UCLA. There are some wonderful success stories as well as accounts of people who had extreme compulsions/obsessions. Definitely a readable classic on the subject for any layman.
Great OCD Book.......2007-01-20
Recommended by a doctor--has helped a family member tremendously. Highly recommend it for all types of OCD.
decent.......2007-01-10
The steps outlined by Schwartz are highly useful. This is not a clinical book, but certainly one with great value to the general populace.
Book Description
Steve Heimoff takes readers on an intimate and enlightening tour of one of California's most diverse and accomplished wine areas as he travels along the Russian River and talks with growers and vintners from the Cabernet country of the Alexander Valley to the Pinot Noir producers of the Sonoma coast. This first comprehensive look at the natural history and winemaking practices of the region by one of America's most respected wine critics brings the Russian into the exalted company of the great wine rivers of the world--the Loire, the Rhône, the Rhine, the Mosel, and the Douro. Part wine guidebook, part history and geology, and part travelogue of the author's adventures in wine country, A Wine Journey along the Russian River is essential reading for wine lovers--both those fortunate enough to be familiar with the region and those who have never been there.
Heimoff guides readers along the length of the scenic river, from its warm, northern border with Mendocino out to foggy Jenner. He discusses the history and progress of Alexander Valley Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, Russian River Valley and Sonoma coast Pinot Noir, Sonoma County's Rhône-oriented wines, old-style field blends, and other interesting wines. In the process, he introduces readers to many of the growers and vintners who have made Sonoma County famous: Dick Arrowood, the Rochiolis, the Seghesios, Tom Jordon, Bob Cabral of Williams Selyem, Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson, Merry Edwards, and many others. Describing how the river's formation and evolution, both products of the planet's fiery tectonic past, as well as the region's complex climate, have created the potential for unparalleled viticultural enclaves, and recounting how a variety of people realized that potential, Heimoff provides a fascinating explanation of why the Russian River's reputation as a premium winegrowing region continues to grow.
Customer Reviews:
Fascinating study of fascinating subjects.......2006-08-28
Steve Heimoff has written a wine book, a geology text, and a history lesson all in one volume. A superb treatment of several complex subjects, he writes with an intense love of his subjects....and has obviously spent an enormous amount of time researching each facet of it. It should be a must for anyone interested in California wine.
Along the Russian River. . . . . . . .......2006-08-13
. . . . which flows into the Pacific Ocean north of San Fransisco, is a marvelously varied strip of wine country. The river itself, as author Steve Heimoff makes clear, cuts its way through many different wine areas, and so this geographical feature--rather than winemaking itself--constitutes the unifying theme of the book.
This book which is filled with the sense of place, could be just another great American travelogue. But contrary to expectation, Heimoff abandons the river for a chapter on clones and the politics of American Viticultural Areas.
Now before your eyes glaze over, I have to agree with Heimoff that the business of creating new grape varieties and cloning them may be at the heart of the improvement in American wine for the next several decades. He is one of the first popular wine writers to recognize this and explain it all in layman's terms.
These two achievements-making the region come alive and explaining the mystery of the clones, make this a must-read for developing students and lovers of wine.
Customer Reviews:
Obviously not written by a Griff breeder.......2005-07-07
What an insult to Griff breeders this book is. It is written by a writer who writes a lot of books about dogs, but he obviously never owned a Griff. The Griff has very special characteristics and needs, which the writer does not know. He probably used the same material to write about every other breed of dog, but Griffs are not just like other dogs.
Skip this book. The only good Griff book is by Doone Raynham but hard to get.
NOT VERY USEFUL.......2003-07-19
The "Brussels Griffon A Complete and Reliable Handbook" does not contain ANY USEFUL/VALUABLE information about the Breed AT ALL, just generally instructs you on how to raise a puppy which can be found in any other book (i.e. "HOW TO RAISE A PERFECT PUPPY" will also do the trick as it's just as NON-SPECIFIC about the Breed as "Brussels Griffon A Complete and Reliable Handbook")........WASTE OF PURCHASE.....NO MATTER HOW CHEAP IT'S BEING SOLD FOR..........the only reason I gave it a rating of "1 star" was that was the LOWEST RATING AVAIL...
Beautiful to look at, but formulaic text........1998-10-10
This book is one of a "breed" series by these well-known dog-subject publishers. Although it is beautifully produced with great photos, it contains several errors about Brussels Griffons probably due its generic, cookie-cutter format wherein much text is applicable to ANY breed. Also the book is filled with advertising for various dog foods & products which I, for one, resent.
Customer Reviews:
A great price and value guide for the memorabilia collector........1998-06-21
Has been improved to be more in alphabetical order. User friendly. Has a wide variety of oddball items and their values besides the standard collectibles. Super reference book.
Average customer rating:
- A Hard To Beat Starting Lineup Reference Work !
- The book was very informative!!!
- Pictures of figures you'll never find
- If you're at all interested in SLUs, this is a must-have.
- This is a great book if you want to start collecting figures
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Tuff Stuff's Complete Guide to Starting Lineup: A Pictorial History of Kenner Starting Lineup Figures
Jim Warren
Manufacturer: Antique Trader Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Sports Memorabilia (besides cards)
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Baseball
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0930625781 |
Customer Reviews:
A Hard To Beat Starting Lineup Reference Work !.......2000-07-12
An outstanding reference for Starting Lineup fans. This softbound book contains 192 pages with more than 2,000 full color sharp photos of this popular collectible. There is a one page overview of all U.S. issued Kenner sets on every American released figure. In addition to the photos and prices there is adequate text covering each topic. Major topics range from Introduction, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, to Multi-Sport; and a complete index for easy reference. Each figure is shown with the original card or box packaging. A book that you'll refer to often. Add it to your library.
The book was very informative!!!.......1998-09-30
The book was a great reference guide to, among other things, just be able to look at older Starting Lineups that you've only heard about. The history of each year and each sport included before the pictures is an added plus. Even though the prices for some pieces are now out dated, the book is a wonderful resorce.
Pictures of figures you'll never find.......1998-07-31
If you collect slu's and are fed up with never finding any, you might like this book as a refernce. The pictures are excellent and you can finally find out what the older figures look like. The prices listed at the bottom of each figure are a nice touch. Still, the figures are only worth what they are worth to you. A secondary dealer can charge whatever he wants and you are pretty stuck if you want the figure. If you are like me, you are waiting for this market to bottom out. I do recommend the book for the visuals though.
If you're at all interested in SLUs, this is a must-have........1997-11-05
Whether you collect SLUs or are just interested, I have to highly recommend this book. It pictures every SLU and gives current (as of printing) pricing. The people that published it have a high standing in the SLU hobby.
This is a great book if you want to start collecting figures.......1997-10-06
This book simply tells you the history of kenner stating lineups. It gives a picure by picure lineup of all the slus ever produced. I think if you collect figures this is the book for you.
Book Description
The immensely popular traditional crafts of Mexico fuse brilliant colors and textures in a thoroughly unique fashion. Handmade Style: Mexico offers 20 beautiful projects designed to brighten any home from tissue and foil candle wrappings and terra-cotta cactus pots to stenciled ceramic tiles and punched tin wall trimmings. This delightful book features illustrated instructions as well as inspiring photographs of finished projects, leading readers through the creative process with ease.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful original ideas.......2001-04-21
Being a Latina artist, I was very impressed at the uniqueness of these projects. Each one is a twist on a traditional method. They are easy to read and follow and offer a bit of history about where they came from. If I had any complaint it would be that I didn't have time to finish all the projects in one weekend! That's a good thing though, because now I can stay busy for quite a while ;-)
Great variety of projects.......2000-07-28
This book takes me back to the time I spent in Mexico a few years ago. It features a variety of decorative home accessory projects for people with different skills from sewing to woodworking. I love the vibrant colors and variety of designs offered here. The book is in full-color and there are step-by-step instructions, accompanied by photos, for each of the 20 projects. Conveniently there are templates and a resource list in back.
Some of my favorite projects include brightly colored circular woven table mats, a copper wire fruit basket, a decorative hot chocolate whisk, cactus pots, a tin wall border, beautiful cut paper candles, an Aztec floor runner and a mosaic heart and spiral pattern table top.
Three projects requiring basic sewing skills and a sewing machine are a cross-stitch table cloth (cross-stitches are painted), appliqued bath towels and drawn-thread curtain. Two others including pillowcases decorated with roses and a butterfly blanket require basic embroidery skill. If you wish to make a lime waxed shelf or a beautiful suede covered stool you will also need basic woodworking skills and power tools such as a jigsaw and an electric drill.
These projects require a little time and effort but none of them are too difficult and the instructions are great. They will make some spectacular and unique accent pieces for your home.
Average customer rating:
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Spherical Means for Pdes
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Differential Equations
| Applied
| Mathematics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Probability & Statistics
| Applied
| Mathematics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mathematics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9067642118 |
Book Description
One of the most recognizable of American artists, and one of America's most innovative printmakers, Jim Dine has created a multidisciplinary oeuvre tied together by his continued use and reinvention of familiar imagery. Hearts, bathrobes, skulls, tools, the Crommelynck gate, Venus de Milo, self-portraits, plants, and flowers--Dine infuses these personal metaphors with new meanings and continually depicts them in novel and diverse contexts. Over time, some of these motifs have become recognized as clearly symbolic: the bathrobe figures as a self-portrait, the heart as a symbol of his love for wife Nancy. And also over time, Dine has added new images to his iconic repertory. Mountains, ancient Greco-Roman sculpture, owls, hands, trees, apes, Pinocchio, and ravens figure prominently in the prints he has made since 1985. This catalogue raisonne fully documents Dine's evolving imagery and technical experimentation from the late 80s through the millennium, including his limited-edition illustrated books, and establishes his absolute maturity as an artist. A glossary of printmaking terms, a selected print exhibition history and bibilography, and a discussion of his poetry and literary leanings make this catalog complete.
Average customer rating:
- Finding out, memories and more than memories
- Who do you think you are?
- Who do you think you are?
- rings true
- Awesome
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Claiming Kin: Confronting the History of an African American Family
Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
African-American & Black
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
South
| Regional U.S.
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
African-American Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Family Relationships
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Parenting Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Accessories:
-
Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
ASIN: 0312302525 |
Book Description
Claiming Kin is a powerful and compelling story about a woman's quest to search out her roots upon the death of the father she barely knew. A former journalist hungry for the truth, her search takes her from her hometown in Nashville, Ten-nes-see, back to the birthplace of the Scruggs family in nearby Williamson County. There, she traces the family back to 1847 and the Scruggs Farm where her ancestors were once slaves. Her journey soon be-comes spiritual and emotional, forcing her to examine not onlyher own beliefs about the importance of family, but also her religious beliefs as she turns toward honoring her ancestors.
Customer Reviews:
Finding out, memories and more than memories.......2005-07-25
I started reading this book as something I would look at a chapter at a time for few weeks, while I digested my lonely meals. However, the day I read it became the day I finished it. I couldn't put the book down, and amid the many tasks I had that Saturday, the one priority was to read this book. I didnt go out of the house all day, just got this book read.
What we have is an honest confrontation with family and family history. As someone who majored in writing memoir in Creative Writing School, I have come to find this genre usually divided between halcyon memories of a great childhood, a wonderful family, and a sacred past on one side, and the survival stories of folks who had tragic childhoods on the other hand. This book has none of that; it seems like the real thing right down the middle.
At the same time, the writer's ability to tell about herself, but keep the subject squarely on her family, and the larger spiritual quest that her search for her family put her own, was really interesting to me as somone who has attempted to write memoir.
What I learned in this book was about how family is an open and closed book but that book is about more than who did what when, but about history, not only the history in the books that tell us how slavery, reconstruction, desegregation etc. unfolded, but the history why one cousin smiles that way and another look that way, why one cousin I have who is in and out of jail walks and talks the same way that another cousin he has never met who is both a dean at a major university and a fanatical holiness believer.
If you are of my generation, 58 in 2005, you will settle in to some memories, although you will realize that you're somewhere between the author's parents and the author.
Besides all that, there is just some really good writing here. There are very tight metaphors that smack you into wondering why you didnt know what she is saying with them all your life. She is able to write quite sensitive, complex, and sophisticated things while being clear as a bell.
Best of all for memoir, this is a very accurate and honest book. Even if you don't share the spiritual beliefs that the experience leads the author to, you will find yourself never thinking about your family, and if you are African American, never thinking about our history the same way after you read this book.
Who do you think you are?.......2002-06-07
Sometimes we discover who we are out of curiosity and other times life slaps us in the face and forces us to confront the reality of who we are. After the death of her father, Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs seemed to have found herself asking questions that she could not answer. These questions led her on a journey that would span over twenty years, and I suspect still continues today.
The book begins with a description of one of the authors few recollections of her father. This opening scene is a pleasant memory, yet it leaves you with a bittersweet feeling because even as the author is sharing this memory, you feel her sense of loss. Although it is clear that part of her loss is centered on the fact that her father has died, there is an even greater sense of regret at the loss of an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with him. She comes to the realization that even though she grew up with her father in her home, his quiet nature and her lack if interest kept her from really knowing him. Her now deceased father is a man that carried the story of his life to his grave.
The author then begins a journey. Her initial goal was to learn about the events that shaped her father into the man he became with the hopes that it would help her better understand him. What she found were just as many questions as answers, and what began as a desire to learn about her father's past turned into a full blown genealogical study of her paternal ancestry. As with many African Americans researching their genealogy, she found herself coming against roadblocks, such as poorly kept records from a time where African Americans were considered property instead of people. Additionally, she would encounter deeply protected family secrets, and the fact that much of the information she was seeking could only be retrieved from the few living relatives that were aware of it. But slowly, she was able to connect stories with what had previously been only a name of someone she had never met.
Claiming Kin is an emotional story that describes a project that was just as spiritual as it was analytical. As the author uncovers more and more of her family history, she also develops a better understanding of her own identity. Further, she is better able to understand how slavery shaped her ancestors. More importantly, she gained a deeper appreciation for the fact that her ancestors were more than just names that fit in boxes to make up her family tree. Claiming Kin is a touching and enjoyable read that will inspire anyone to dig deeper into their own family roots and to try and preserve not only the names, but also the stories from their past.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
Who do you think you are?.......2002-05-22
Sometimes we discover who we are out of curiosity and other times life slaps us in the face and forces us to confront the reality of who we are. After the death of her father, Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs seemed to have found herself asking questions that she could not answer. These questions led her on a journey that would span over twenty years, and I suspect still continues today.
The book begins with a description of one of the authors few recollections of her father. This opening scene is a pleasant memory, yet it leaves you with a bittersweet feeling because even as the author is sharing this memory, you feel her sense of loss. Although it is clear that part of her loss is centered on the fact that her father has died, there is an even greater sense of regret at the loss of an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with him. She comes to the realization that even though she grew up with her father in her home, his quiet nature and her lack if interest kept her from really knowing him. Her now deceased father is a man that carried the story of his life to his grave.
The author then begins a journey. Her initial goal was to learn about the events that shaped her father into the man he became with the hopes that it would help her better understand him. What she found were just as many questions as answers, and what began as a desire to learn about her father's past turned into a full blown genealogical study of her paternal ancestry. As with many African Americans researching their genealogy, she found herself coming against roadblocks, such as poorly kept records from a time where African Americans were considered property instead of people. Additionally, she would encounter deeply protected family secrets, and the fact that much of the information she was seeking could only be retrieved from the few living relatives that were aware of it. But slowly, she was able to connect stories with what had previously been only a name of someone she had never met.
Claiming Kin is an emotional story that describes a project that was just as spiritual as it was analytical. As the author uncovers more and more of her family history, she also develops a better understanding of her own identity. Further, she is better able to understand how slavery shaped her ancestors. More importantly, she gained a deeper appreciation for the fact that her ancestors were more than just names that fit in boxes to make up her family tree. Claiming Kin is a touching and enjoyable read that will inspire anyone to dig deeper into their own family roots and to try and preserve not only the names, but also the stories from their past...
rings true.......2002-05-04
The author's journey is told in a straight-forward style nurtured by her journalistic background, but her search for connection to a spiritual past adds a lyricism that makes reading a delight.
It rings true. Although my Irish-Catholic upbringing was very different, the author and I were born in the same year in the same part of the country, and some of her memories were familiar, as were parts of the journey itself.
Best of all, the author manages to avoid false nostalgia, and neither sentimentalizes nor sanitizes her "characters".
Awesome.......2002-05-01
I thoroughly enjoyed Scruggs' book. She truly possesses the gift of language. "Claiming Kin" is more than a found-my-roots book. Her own story -- changing her name, journeying far from her Tennessean roots and embracing a spirituality that spoke to her soul -- is just as compelling as discovering one's enslaved forebears. She interweaves all of these aspects, which lead back to her relationship with her father. The result is a gift to unborn Scrugges, as well as readers.
Books:
- Nothing to Fear But Ferrets (Kendra Ballantyne, Petsitter Mysteries)
- Now May You Weep: A Novel
- "Once More, With Feeling": The Script Book
- Ornamental Turning: A Work of Practical Instruction in the Above Art ; With Numerous Engravings and Autotype Plates
- Pegasus Descending: A Dave Robicheaux Novel (Dave Robicheaux Mysteries)
- Perish Twice (Sunny Randall)
- Quitters, Inc.
- Raymond Chandler: Collected Stories (Everyman's Library)
- Repair to Her Grave (Home Repair Is Homicide)
- Robert Ludlum's The Hades Factor
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised
- The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East
- Paul Smith: You Can Find Inspiration in Everything*:
- River Woman: A Novel
- Tennis Shoes and the Seven Churches: Book One
- Seven Things That Steal Your Joy: Overcoming the Obstacles to Your Happiness
- The Best Year of Their Lives: Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon in 1948: Learning the Secrets of Power
- Illustration in Action: How to Draw and Paint Aircraft, Ships and Vehicles
- On the Edge of the Wild: Passions and Pleasures of a Naturalist
- Physiochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology
Black Orchids (Nero Wolfe Mysteries)
Three for the Chair (The Rex Stout Library: a Nero Wolfe Mystery)
Trio for Blunt Instruments (Nero Wolfe Mysteries)
Three Witnesses
Some Buried Caesar
