John S. Zinsser Jr.

I read today that John S. Zinsser Jr. has died at the age of 84. I can just hear you asking, "Who is that? I haven't ever heard of him." Well, I hadn't heard his name either until today but he had a profound impact on my young reading life. Mr. Zinsser was the long time editor of the Reader Digest Condensed Books, one of the staples of my summer reading when I was a young bookworm.

Readers Digest Condensed Books get short shrift in the book world. Those who are "serious readers" don't consider them worth anything. After all they are "edited and condensed" therefore they can't be good. Well, I would beg to differ and I would consider myself a serious reader.

RDCB's were an integral part of my summers. I spent many an hour reading through the numerous RDCB's that happen to inhabit the shelves at my parent's cottage. Now a days there are a lot of books hanging around the Cottage waiting to be read but when I was younger and didn't have the luxury of a drivers license or the money to buy books when I wanted the only thing that I had to read were those RDCBs. I loved them. I am not that old (stop laughing Ashley) but there was a time when Borders or Barnes and Noble weren't yet existent. The only places that I could obtain books were the library or the local "5 and Dime" (very limited selection). If I didn't remember to bring books with me to the Cottage then I was doomed. See, I was one of those kids (and still am) who had to have something to read. It was a physical need. I was lost without books.

Readers Digest Condensed Books introduced me to some of my favorite authors and encouraged me to read their books in the unabridged additions. I remember reading Jane Eyre for the first time in a condensed version. What young girl doesn't thrill to the darkness that is Mr. Rochester. One of my most favorite books was read first as a RDCB, In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. I doubt that I would ever have read anything by Rumer Godden had it not been for that summer encounter. She continues to be one of my favorites and I look for copies of her work with regularity. In fact, my book club will be discussing In This House of Brede next week for our monthly meet.

Of course, there were plenty of other RDCB that were not that memorable. Books that reflected the times in which they were written. I have many vague memories of books read, scenes preserved in memory long after the title of the book is lost. I also remember vividly the look, feel and smell of those books. They continue to sit on the same shelf in the back hallway, waiting for someone to pick them up and read them. That someone may just be me when the girls and I spend 10 days with Mimi and Papa next month. I may have to break out some of my old favorites just for old times sake and to say a belated thank you to Mr. Zinsser who made them all possible.

Heros Among Us

Heroes Among Us
Larson, Major Chuck
Knitting Sticks: 5

This book really is a must read. As I said in an earlier post, the media gives very little coverage to the heroes who are serving in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This book comprises chapters based on the actions of America's most decorated warriors in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Just a little background info (because I have done the research so that you don't have to). The three top honors awarded in the military are (in order of importance): The Medal of Honor, The Navy Cross/Distinguished Service Cross (the designation depends on which branch of the service you are in) and the Silver Star. In over 50% of the cases, the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously (the 5 MOH that have been awarded for Afghanistan and Iraq have been posthumous awards) and since the Civil War when the MOH was first introduced only about 2400 have been awarded. Also, just as an aside, don't say that someone has "won" a MOH. They didn't go out seeking that honor, it was awarded to them based on the witness of others to their bravery above and beyond the call of duty.

The men profiled in this book, who have been awarded these medals, are humble, caring not for their own safety but for the safety of their men and others. You could tell from their words that they didn't think that they had done anything that was extraordinary. They wanted to talk about the men that they served with and not the actions that had gotten them an award that they never sought. This book is well worth reading to remind us of how special the men and women are who serve in our military and stand in harm's way so that we are safe.

This Day in History

1944: The Landings begin in Normandy

I was going to add more things to the list but then I decided that this was all I wanted to add. I have long been a student of history and of WWII in particular. Who knows why we are drawn to one particular time in history over another but this just happens to be the period that I like to read about the most.

Just about this time, eight years ago, Dan and I stood on Omaha beach and looked out at the expanse of sand and ground that needed to be taken by our troops on that fateful day. The sand stretches out before you as far as the eye can see. On June 6, 1944 that expanse of beach wasn't the vacation spot that it is today. It was covered with barbed wire and massive pieces of steel meant to stop ships from landing. The Germans had calibrated all of their gun emplacements to be able to put up a whithering cross fire meant to cut down anyone audacious enough to actually attempt a landing. They didn't expect that anyone would get through.

We then went over at Point du Hoc where the army Rangers scaled cliffs in order to disable the big guns that were supposed to be there (but in reality had been moved). So many have never heard of this amazing feat of sheer determination. It is well worth exploring.

Finally, we spent time in the American Cemetery in Normandy. That, most of all, was a sobering experience. Contemplating the row upon row of simple crosses (with Stars of David sprinkled in) marking the graves of the brave men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. Yes, there are women who are buried there for there were women, nurses and others in the military, who gave their lives during that conflict.

I don't think that you can visit these places, especially the American Cemetery, and not be changed. If you can visit and come away the same person then my heart breaks for you.

Take a moment to listen to FDR's prayer for D-Day. It is worth the time


Some excellent books to read about this particular issue. This is a VERY small list, I have read more but these are the ones that I most enjoy.
D-Day the Sixth of June by Stephen E. Ambrose
Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
The Boys of Pointe du Hoc by Douglas Brinkley
Brave Men by Ernie Pyle
And If I Perish by Evelyn Monahan

Ansel Adams: An Autobiography

Ansel Adams: An Autobiograpy
Adams, Ansel
Knitting Sticks: 4

An interesting book to be sure. Even if you don't know the name Ansel Adams I am sure that you will have seen one or more of his pictures. His striking photography from Yosemite is everywhere.

Ansel Adams was actually a very articulate and interesting writer, thank goodness. I have read some autobiographies that could have used a good ghost writer but not this one. However, I think that my enjoyment of this book was enhanced by my having read a previous biography of Mr. Adams. He deals with his early life (as you would expect him to) but a vast majority of the book reads like separate "vignettes" of people, events and issues which have been important to him. I had to get used to the flow of the book.

I did enjoy the book and would recommend the read. Not a book that I would probably read again even though I did give it 4 pointy sticks. I have sent it along to some one at Paperback Book Swap for their enjoyment.

Sock Wars continues

Well, I have managed to score kill number two. Sorry Delusionalknitter but it was just meant to be. All is fair in war and socks after all. She got the socks on Tuesday, says she loves them and has sent her SIP (socks in progress) to me for completion. I live on to knit another day. I also live in fear of the mail because I never know when my demise will arrive.

PFC Ross A. McGinnis, MOH Recipient

"Ross did not become OUR hero by dying to save his fellow soldiers from a grenade. He was a hero to us long before he died, because he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals of freedom and justice that America represents."
Thomas McGinnis, father of Ross McGinnis

I feel that it is of vital importance for those of us who live in this great country to be reminded of the sacrifices that others make on our behalf. I have for many years been fascinated (not really the correct word but I can't think of another) with the men who are Medal of Honor Recipients. These men (and perhaps someday women) who are humble in demeanor, who would tell you that they were just doing their duty, who give their lives for their comrades.

In wars past we were reminded frequently, and we honored more publicly, the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. We seem to have lost that ability. The main stream media does not report, does not cover, gives short shrift to the young men and women who serve us here and overseas. They give very little coverage, except in a negative sense, to those who give the "last full measure of devotion" for our country.

Today President Bush awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor to PFC Ross A McGinnis who sacrificed his life so that others in his vehicle might live. Let us honor the memory of our brave men and women who put themselves in harms way to protect us here at home. Take the time to watch the award ceremony and to remember what these young men and women are all about. They are our best and brightest.

Anne of Green Gables

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of one of my favorite books of all time, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery.

I myself did not read these wonderful books until I was in college. I am sure that I had heard about them when I was growing up but for some reason I just hadn't read any of them. I guess I was just busy reading everything that Louisa May Alcott had written, I don't know. However, once I had read Anne of Green Gables there was no going back. I remember that I was a sophomore in college and was swamped with reading for school. I didn't have a car at that time and the only bookstore available to me was the campus one. I was in there one day, looking through the books and there was Anne of Green Gables. I don't know if it was on some class required reading list but it was there in paperback form. I needed something to read that wasn't school related so I bought it. What the heck. The name was familiar and I knew I should have read it at some point in time.

The dorm that I lived in had a small section of roof that was accessible from a friend's window and we used to climb out her window and lay there tanning (that was when I used to actively tan). Those hot spring days were where I first encountered the joy that is Anne.

Have you ever read a book and been totally enthralled. Where years later you still remember the feelings that the book evoked, you still remember where you were when you first read it? That is how it is with me and Anne. She was alive to me and still is.

So, to mark this anniversary I will again be reading the entire Anne of Green Gables series(not that I haven't read it many times before) and will be posting blogs over at Blogging Anne of Green Gables. Come on over and see what others say about these marvelous books