Customer Reviews (2)

Thorough History and Photo Essay
If you are interested in the history of Ohio's covered bridges, then this is the book for you. Miriam has taken her lifetime of interest and research into Ohio's covered bridges and boiled them down to an interesting story and photo-essay.

Every corner of the state is discussed and Miriam has latched onto photos that the rest of us have hunted unsuccessfully. In addition to the bridges, you'll learn who the builders were, how the various counties contracted for bridges, and how disasters and abuse took their toll.

Highest recommendation! (by an enthusiast with many other covered bridge books in his librbary)

An EXCELLENT book on early timber bridges in Ohio!
Miriam Wood has written a very fine publication on the history of the timber bridge during the early years of Ohio's transportation system. Over the past 40 or so years, she has researched the covered bridges in each county and has compiled her findings in this interesting and informative book, which all bridge and history buffs should have on their book shelves. There are many old rare black and white photographs of the bridges, along with descriptions of them and their builders. The unique, artistic drawings by her husband, Richard, are yet another good reason to own it! It is a bargain at this price! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest   2. Travel   3. Travel - United States   4. United States - Midwest - East North Central (General)   5. United States - Midwest - Ohio   

Customer Reviews (1)

Superbly Researched, Prolific, Frighteningly True
This is one of the best and most comprehensive bookshelf volumes on the topic of nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weapons production, proliferation, and stockpiling. Organized by weapons system type and geographic location, Cirincione and his research team provide a straightforward and rather frightening catalog of current programs and stockpiles, as well as regional and country-specific forecasts.

Though it is not the most comprehensive coverage of the topics, it is the best source of information that one can lift single-handedly. The only other single-source volumes you'll find on these topics are issued by the U.S. government and contain thousands of pages.

If you need to know something about weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs, this is the book to reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biological arms control   2. Chemical arms control   3. International Relations - Arms Control   4. Military Science   5. Nuclear arms control   6. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur   7. Political Science   8. Politics - Current Events   9. Politics/International Relations   10. Verification   11. Weapons of mass destruction   

Customer Reviews (1)

"The Martha Stewart of Philosophers"
I lifted this comment straight from my notes on Cicero, so I can't take credit for the clever parallel (that goes to Professor Thomas Williams of the University of Iowa Department of Philosophy). Cicero is a key figure for his influence on a tremendous number of thinkers after him. Some of the nicer elements of Cicero's view on how to live was his emphasis on self-development with respect to one's particular calling and interests. I continuously got a "be all you can be" vibe from Cicero's writing, which is constantly reassuring despite lacking major substance to the doctrine.

The main themes of the tripartite composition of the work is on the honorable, the beneficial, and apparent conflicts between the two in public and private life. Quick hitter topics of Book One include the supremacy of virtue, anthropological concerns about how we ought to live among one another, justice, greatness, and moderation, among others. Book II is mainly concerns that which is deemed beneficial in human life, including discussion about misplaced labels of the same. Book Three is devoted to arguing that any apparent conflicts between the honorable and the beneficial are only apparently so (fairly similar to how Plato's account of how we can sometimes desire only "apparent" goods rather than actual ones goes). The work itself was written as a "little life manual" by Cicero to his son, so the book as a warm cuddly feel mixed in with some gentle but stern advice from a father to his son, in troubled times.

In all a nice and easy read, if not a tremendously important one (relatively speaking). Drawing again from my notes, evidently Voltaire was a big fan, writing that "No one will every write anything more wise." Whether or not this is an accurate characterization is up to other readers, but it may at least be strong incentive to read Cicero's "On Duties." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy   2. General   3. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical   4. Political Science   5. Politics - Current Events   6. Politics/International Relations   7. Ancient Rome   8. Ethics--Early works to 1800   9. History of ideas, intellectual history   10. Political Science / General   11. Political ethics--Early works to 1800   

Customer Reviews (6)

No 'magic' here
Not to be confused with sex magick, for sure. This is the kind of book your mother would write for you if she was a doctor or sex therapist. Very informative but unenticing. Most interesting parts: lists of common sexual fantasies and partner preferences, by gender. You might be surprised at how matter-of-factly the truth is delivered--it catches you off guard. Most disappointing: no mention of Taoism, Tantric sex, sex magick, or any other type of cultural tradition other than Suburban Caucasian-American. Much of the practical advice could be much more explicit and varied. What about sex laws? So many interesting diversions left untouched. Too many common denominators. Still, a good reference, especially for the uninformed or those interested in statistical generalizations...

Well . . .
Somewhere between the formatting/layout of this book and its thorough, somewhat clinical descriptions, the sex drive is lost. This is an excellent compilation of information if you know little about the physiological aspects of sex--we all have something to learn in that regard. But the positions and technique seem oddly out of place. Maybe it's the pastel colors and soft lighting. Get your bird's-eye-view here, but consult a book on the Tao or Kama Sutra if you want to be intrigued and inspired by your sexual potential.

Intimate Thoughts and Feelings
If you are looking for a book which will explore the main aspects of marital sex, this book is for those who are in stable, long-term relationships. Dr. Miriam Stoppard emphasizes that the best sex can only be attained in a truly loving relationship which is nurtured, pursued and lasts the test of time.

"This kind of love is not static; it grows and changes and develops in both partners. It encourages candor, sympathy, feedback about one's own and one's partner's behavior."

She uncovers the male and female desires and shows how men and women approach love and sex very differently. She shows how a good sex life is not just about physical agility, but is more about being aware of the importance of closeness and caring, wanting to give love and to give pleasure.

The Contents Include:

Man & Woman: The Sexual Partnership
Attraction
Foreplay
Making Love
Sex Throughout Life Stages
Making Sex Better
Emotional Factors
Reproduction
Contraception

There are some questionnaires to help you improve your sex life and help you put the magic into your love life. This book will answer many basic questions and it is a good overview of human sexuality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Love / Sex / Marriage   3. Self-Help   4. Sex Relations   5. Sex education   6. Sex instruction   7. Sexual Instruction   

Customer Reviews (1)

muy buena ensenansa sobre el sexo
Yo soy una persona que siempre quiero estar aprendiendo de la sexualidad humana porque quiero complacer a mi pareja en la intimidad. Es un muy buen libro, ensena muchas posiciones y muchas otras cosas mas. Aprenderan mucho mas si lo leen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness   2. Love / Sex / Marriage   3. Sexual Instruction   4. Sexuality   5. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Customer Reviews (11)

A Great Beginning of a Great Series
This is the first Glynis Tryon novel, and it is a rousing good story set against the background of Seneca Falls, an actual (NOT fictional) small town in the western part of upstate New York, in 1848, the year when the first women's rights convention was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and others. The convention took place in Seneca Falls.

The main characters of the story are fictional, but many of the minor characters are real people of the time. The historical background is well-researched and mostly accurate. (I can't point to any historical inaccuracy, but even the best historical scholarship is unlikely to produce perfect knowledge of every detail.)

Whether you are just looking for great light reading or for a story that enhances your knowledge of the early history of the women's movement, you'll find it here, and you'll also enjoy the sequels, "North Star Conspiracy," "Blackwater Spirits," "The Stalking Horse," and "Must the Maiden Die."

Note to high school history teachers: These novels, and the novels of Kenneth Roberts ("Rabble in Arms," "Arundel," and several others) provide an excellent means of bringing American history alive for your students, and getting them interested in the subject.

A strong introduction to a wonderful series
Whether you're a devoted mystery reader or just looking for a good book for the train-ride, this novel is worth a look. Glynis Tryon is an interesting protagonist--she's smart, she's kind, and she knows what she wants. In a nutshell, she's the kind of person you'd like for a friend. And Monfredo has a talent for expanding her characters, so that her Seneca Falls is populated by a whole town of people you'll get to know over the next few books, and will always be glad to see again. The next two books, North Star Conspiracy and Blackwater Spirits, are among the best mysteries I've ever read. But if you're going to read any of these books, make sure you start with this one, so that your familiarity with the characters develops along with the whole storyline. (I read North Star first, then had to go back and read this one and North Star again, in order to get the full effect.) This is a wonderful series--if you're at all interested in American history, you absolutely must r! ead these books--and a very good first novel.

entertaining historical mystery
Set in Seneca Falls, NY, at the time of the first Women's Rights Convention of 1848, author Miriam Monfredo has chosen a particularly intriguing setting for her mystery series starring librarian Glynis Tryon. Monfredo introduces a lot of information about women's rights, the area and the lifestyle of the times without awkwardness, and the book is readable for that alone. The heroine and her friends are realistic and likeable, though Glynis is definitely not a confident feminist, and I look forward to reading other books in the series to see if this changes. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the most famous resident of the town, is not a main character but she does show up occasionally and that is fun. The mystery is okay but not dazzling, so all-in-all I'd say this was a promising beginning to this series, and I intend to read more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective   3. Mystery & Detective - General   4. Mystery & Detective - Historical   5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths   6. Mystery/Suspense   

Customer Reviews (10)

A must-have for every first time parent
When I had my daughter, I was looking for a book that would cover everything. This book has it all, in an incredibly easy to read format, w/lots of bright and cheerful photos. There is plenty of practical information (e.g. how to bathe, dress and feed your child), medical information, and suggestions on how to handle more complex issues (e.g. how to help your child develop healthy self esteem and social skills). I found the book to be well-organized, w/the material presented in a format that helps you to see what's appropriate for your child's age and gender. Although a previous reviewer found it biased against boys, I think that it is helpful to know that there really are differences between boys and girls, that they each develop differently, and that you don't need to resort to stereotypes to try to parent them appropriately. There were even case reviews which were interesting and presented in a very friendly and respectful way. An excellent book all around.

An excellent resource for first time parents.
As a first time mother of twins, I needed help with a lot of the basics. Everything from telling me how to change a diaper, dressing my babies, to what to do when they were ill. It has great information on what to expect from month to month with your child's development. I found this book full of helpful information, and now I buy it as a gift for any of my friends who are expecting their first child.

A good choice
I like that this book breaks developmental stages down into age levels and sometimes even further into months. I referred to this book often when my daughter was a newborn. GREAT illustrations...photographs of real babies and parents and items! What I didn't like were the 2-page bios of babies with special needs or developmental issues. None of them pertained to my situation, and because they were so short anyone with that problem probably wouldn't get a lot of help. However, this was just a small part of the book. Overall the information given was very good, never preachy, and very thorough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Care   2. Child Care   3. Child Development   4. Child rearing   5. Family & Relationships   6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth   7. Family/Marriage   8. Infants   9. Infants & Toddlers - General   10. Parenting - General   

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for NewComers to the Topic
I think that this is a great book for people and especially students that are not very familiar with the Israeli -Palestine conflict. I think that this is a great representation of the view of women, women's experience and so forth. This is a bit confuding chronologically, but that is the sybolic part,....Its a quick read ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autobiographical fiction   2. Diary fiction   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - General   5. General   6. Literary   7. Palestine   8. Popular American Fiction   

Subjects:  1. Case studies   2. Classification   3. Diagnosis   4. Medical   5. Medical / Nursing   6. Mental illness   7. Psychiatry - General   8. Treatment   

Customer Reviews (1)

Better than i expected
I had to read this for one of my religion classes, and i wasn't expecting it to be very interesting. However, once i got into the book, i found it to be very compelling. Fiorenza's insightful comments have made me go back and question what exactly is implied in the Gospels. She has done a fine job of pointing out that the patriarchal ideals found in Christianity were first found "in the context of the Greek city-state". One warning about this book: it's written for the academic community, and because of that, it doesn't make for easy reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible   2. Christianity - History - General   3. Christianity - Theology - Christology   4. Christology   5. Early church, ca. 30-600   6. Feminist Theology   7. History   8. Jesus Christ   9. N.T   10. Person and offices   11. Religion   12. Theology   13. Women in Christianity   

Customer Reviews (1)

Funny and sad portrayal of Arab life in Israel
I really enjoyed this quick read. Engrossing honest depiction of life for Arabs in Israel- not what you would expect. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children, Palestinian Arab   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - General   4. Literary   

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful resource
This book is a wonderful resource to examine how women in the Bible may have thought and felt. I keep a copy on my shelf right next to my Bible and prayer books. It is a great thing to give to a girl on her Bat Mitzvah.

Well done!!
I enjoyed every page of this book of commentary on the 5 books of Moses. I even tried the recipe for red lentils that was offered as the meal that Jacob might have fed to Esau in exchange for his father's birthright.

Ms. Frankel is a noted Jewish scholar, and this book should not be taken lightly, or as a pure exercise of fiction. She is trying to find the voices of Jewish women that were lost in history, whether sad, bitter, or even humorous.

Reading this book, which is broken out into the individual Torah portions, with encapsulations of the Biblical texts, was a wonderful treat. It not only gives its own differing perspectives, but encourages one to think for onesself, to go a different road if that's where your thoughts take you.

This book is well written and lots of fun. I recommend it to everyone with an interest in Torah (or Old Testament!) studies.

Challengs accepted rabbinc interpretations with insight.
I have read and re-read this book and find that each reading prompts me to return to different parts of the Tenach. These women invite me to look at different perspectives and make weekly portions review exciting. This work is not meant to be a Rashi commentary and shouldn't be selected as such ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament   2. Bible - Study - Old Testament   3. Judaism   4. Judaism - Sacred Writings   5. Religion   6. Spirituality - Women's   

Customer Reviews (3)

Another view
Very limited in the numbers of points used. There is no conceptual or methodical explanation for the points selected. Very interesting that she uses the same treatments for multiple ailments. I have no regrets in reading and purchasing this material. But then again, I read everything on acupuncture that I can get a hold of. It shall remain in my acupuncture library.

A Special Book
This is indeed a special book. Miriam Lee shares here insights into how to treat people in a busy acupuncture practice with minimal effort and maximum results, yet at the same time ensuring each patient is given quality time. The author covers treatment of common health problems in the West such as depression, allergies, asthma, diabetes and obesity. This she does using a core set of points which are mainly the 5 Shu (transport) points of the meridians and whose functions she explains with remarkable clarity. The book is a true inspiration for both beginning and experienced acupuncturists. Miriam Lee shows us not only how to heal patients, but also to consider our own intention as healers.

Insights of a senior acupuncturist:One combination of points
I found Miriam Lee's book very interesting. As a student in a traditional chinese medicine institute I have a lot of books on points and acupuncture and many of them can be quite tedious for the beginning student. I found not only her stories interesting but the insights to treatment principles very helpful. I am about to finish my first year in school and some of the information I have already learned made more sense after reading her book. I intend to kept it and refer to it often. Not only was it very informative but an interesting read as well, as a matter of fact the day I came home and found it had arrived I became so interested in it that I stayed up late reading it and forgot to make dinner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupressure & Acupuncture   2. Acupuncture   3. Health & Fitness   4. Health/Fitness   5. Medical / Nursing   

Customer Reviews (13)

Memories of a great book.......
I would love to find a copy of this book as it is one of a few books from childhood that still stands out vividly in my memory...I loved the story of generations of a family, living in the same place on Smiling Hill farm, from the first settlers up to the present (at that time in the 50's). Especially about the first family, and the stories of how they lived, making their own clothes, building their own house, making soap, cooking at a big open fireplace. I see the granddaughter of Miram Smith has entered her own review... lots of us it seems who have fond memories of this wonderful story.

my favorite book
I have been telling my wife about this book "Smiling Hill Farm" for years.My teacher in grammer school read this book to our class and I think it was wonderful.I keep trying to find a copy so I can read it again after all these years.At least thirty.It warms my heart.

Child-Friendly History Lesson
For over 50 years, I have remembered the experience of reading this book in the two-room school I attended. It was in the bookshelf filled with volumes we were allowed to read when we'd finished our lessons. The realistic accounts of life of settlers are a wonderful window into the history of our country and the resourcefulness human beings have been given by our Creator!
For years, I had the lingering impression that home builders still operated with the same care and sound judgement that the people used in selecting the site for the farmhouse on Smiling Hill Farm.
I've been wanting to find the book to share with my almost-6 granddaughter, who has just begun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   

Customer Reviews (5)

A must-have for nonfiction authors
Editorial Review. Miriam Ott has done nonfiction authors a huge favor with this authoritative book. Long known as an effective vehicle for marketing books, speeches and seminars are now easy to prepare and deliver. Most nonfiction authors are experts in their fields of study, but not all nonfiction authors are educated to give presentations. Miriam Ott gives authors the tools they need to become self-educated and add an excellent profit center to their information sales. Highly recommended, especially for authors self-help and how-to titles. The National Association of Independent Publishers endorses Marketing with Speeches and Seminars, and Betsy Lampe highly recommends it. -- Betsy Lampe, Publisher's Report (NAIP)

Invaluable guide for any small business owner
Miriam reaches a hand out and offers direction, helpful advice, and best of all, very specific details on how to get the job done well. I would recommend this book to any small business owner. by the author of Honey, I Want to Start My Own Business: A Planning Guide for Couples

Comprehensive, clearly written, easy-to-follow manual
Marketing with Speeches and Seminars is a comprehensive, clearly written, easy-to-follow manual for anyone who wants to sell their products/services through this medium. Everything you need to know is in the book. I plan to keep my copy on a nearby bookshelf for ready reference. by the author of The Perfect Business ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Business presentations   4. Business/Economics   5. Marketing - General   6. Sales presentations   7. Small Business Marketing   

Customer Reviews (8)

Nah
Although this novel had an interesting plot, it was not as great of a story I thought it would be. The characters seemed so fake and too overdone. I was annoyed most at how they kept saying the person's name they were speaking directly to: "yes, Rebecca," "thank you, Claudia," "would you like something to eat, Gracelyn?" Rebecca's relationship with "the doctor" just blew out of nowhere and it made me wonder if the author perhaps forgot to insert the part about them knowing each other before.

It simply didn't do anything for me.

The Cates Sisters Take Control
Newcomer to the fiction arena, Ruth Miriam Garnett pens a wonderful novel titled Laelia. Laelia is a type of orchid difficult to grow, but a prize when it blooms. Laelia is a novel that depicts the determination of the Cates sisters to take backs their lives and fulfill their dreams.

The highly admired and respected Cates women; Rebecca, Claudia and Gracelyn, are the daughters of the late Reuben and Mattie Cates. They live in the family mansion in Peoria, Illinois along with their husbands, who have made the sisters lives miserable throughout their marriages. Now, each of the husbands suffers from some debilitating illness: Bernard, terminal bone cancer; Timothy alcoholism and Jake a closed-head injury. After caring for the men for many years, the oldest sister Rebecca decides its time to put the men away so they can begin to enjoy life again. To garner support from the community and the church, the sisters must scheme and plan the men departures carefully. To make their mission more acceptable they begin by making announcements at church that the men will be committed to various institutions. Speaking up in church and becoming more visible, the women gain the support of the women in the church, but the pastor detest their actions. In the midst of getting rid of the husbands, Rebecca also scheme to get rid of the pastor. While the sisters are freeing themselves from their men happiness lurks around the corner for each of them.

I found this book to be a page-turner as I eagerly awaited to see how the women would get rid of the men and the pastor, and to see if anyone would challenge their actions. The pacing and timing of events in this novel was excellent. I found this to be a refreshing change of pace from the usual relationship books. Highly recommended.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

A Comforting Read
Laelia is the story of the Cates sisters. These three sisters are from a prominent upstanding family. All three are attached to husbands who are in some way or the other invalid. The sisters decide to rid themselves of their husbands and start life over. Driven by the eldest sister, Rebecca, decide to have their husbands committed.

Rebecca, the eldest sister, is the head of the family. She has devised a fool proof plan to not only get rid of their husbands but to also have the new pastor of her church ousted for his philandering ways. Armed with all the information that she needs she is just waiting for the right time to strike and kill four birds with one stone.

Claudia, the middle sister, is the classy, chic one. Her part in the plan is to dazzle the church with her refinement and sway the women of the church to lean on one another for support of ailing husbands. This is hard when you have a pastor ranting and raving about wives staying in their place. She wins the hearts of the congregation and opens some doors for her sister's master plan.

Gracelyn is the youngest sister. She has decided to put on an elaborate production of a Harriet Tubman play for the children of the church. The play is a smash success and she has created another open for her sisters and their plan to renew their lives.

This story is just as beautiful as it's cover. Ruth-Miriam Garnett has created an unforgettable novel. Filled with love and sister hood Laelia is a novel that everyone can walk away from with a lesson.

Readincolor Reviewers
Angie Pickett-Henderson ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American women   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - General   4. General   5. Sisters   6. Fiction / General   

Customer Reviews (4)

Immersion
With Miriam Monfredo's books, the reader can get lost in not only the story but also in the settings. "Children of Cain" is no exception. From a very vivid personal perspective through the eyes of the lead characters, you can feel the mud on your shoes, hear the horrifying sounds of war, feel the despair and terror and even the hope. If you had a time machine and journeyed back to these places at these times, you would know these people on sight. "Children of Cain" is another amazing work.

Nice history, minor mystery
As though the bloody battle of Malvern Hill weren't enough, Northern spy Bronwyn Llyr stumbles across the murder of Quiller, one of the men she had been sent to Richmond to rescue. In the midst of the retreating Union army, she somehow manages to make it to Harrison Landing along with her sister, Kathryn, young Natty and his dog, an ailing fellow spy named Marshall, and O'Hara, whom she suspects of being a double agent. There she finds that new orders await her, and she's off on yet another spy mission while still trying to discover Quiller's killer. This time, she's expected to find out how blockade runners are successfully bringing the Confederacy much-needed ammunition. She is also expected to investigate whether there is any truth to the rumor that an assassination attempt will be made on Lincoln's life when he arrives on a visit to the Union forces at the Landing. CHILDREN OF CAIN is chiefly a spy novel, with the Civil War setting looming large. Monfredo knows well the history of that period and manages graphic-perhaps too graphic-descriptions of the carnage. A first-rate historical mystery, with most of the emphasis on the history.

lucid vision of the American Civil War
After Bronwen Llyr rescues her brother from a confederate prison, she makes her way back to the Union lines when she discovers that the southern armies are on the march instead of protecting Richmond. She takes her knowledge back to Washington but it is hard to get anyone to believe her until the southern army strikes at General McClellon's troops.

Against the advice of her superior but with the blessing of President Lincoln, she returns to the Confederate hospital of Chimborazo to rescue her sister, a young child, the president's friend and a dog. She succeeds in her mission but all of them are caught in the midst of a great battle, seeing much courage and death. Bronwen is injured and would like to go home but her love of country, her honor and courage makes her stay in a war that seems to have no end.

After reading CHILDREN OF CAIN readers will have no doubt that, without the benefit of CNN, "War is Hell" on civilians and soldiers alike. Bronwen is a heroine in the best sense of the word because she keeps on going even when her mind tells her to give up. Though a historiographer's bane, Miriam Grace Monfredo brings a lucid vision of the American Civil War that is not widely known and does so in humanistic terms.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Historical Fiction   2. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective   5. Historical - General   6. Mystery & Detective - General   7. Mystery & Detective - Historical   8. Mystery/Suspense   9. War & Military   

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. Anecdotes   3. Art   4. Cats   5. Cats in art   6. Crafts / Hobbies   7. Printmaking   8. Wood-engraving, English   

Customer Reviews (4)

This Biography of Lilias Trotter is Unique and Definitive
As the premier art critic in Victorian England, John Ruskin was the arbiter of taste. In 1883 he revealed a hard-to-believe prejudice: "For a long time I used to say . . . that except in a graceful and minor way, women could not draw or paint." Ruskin then discounted this view, based on his reaction to the art of a young woman named Lilias Trotter: "I'm beginning lately to bow myself to the much more delightful conviction that no one else can" draw or paint.

In a 1960s book, RUSKIN TODAY, Sir Kenneth Clark mentioned Trotter as someone lost to history. But Clark hadn't turned over every leaf, as has biographer Miriam Rockness, who discovered Trotter through bequeathed volumes of her out-of-print illustrated books.

A bright, talented daughter of a prominent stockbroker in London, Lilias Trotter (1853-1928) was comfortable in the company of privilege. At age 21 she was among guests, including George MacDonald and Bishop Wilberforce, invited to a religious retreat, the forerunner of the Keswick Conferences.

Spiritually stirred by this and the preaching of Dwight Moody, Lilias grew discontent with the in-vogue "charity from a distance." For more than 10 years in London, she devotedly worked to help establish a hostel for working women, the forerunner of the YWCA.

During this time, while on vacation in Venice, her meddling mother asked Ruskin to look at Lilias's watercolor paintings --- a request that led to art lessons, weekend invitations, and extended conversations and correspondence between the Miss and the Master, who claimed she could be the greatest painter of her generation if she would "give herself up to art." To the dismay of many, Lilias turned her back on Ruskin's challenge: "I cannot give myself to painting in the way he means and continue still to 'seek first the Kingdom of God.' "

When Lilias was 35, this whole-spirited commitment dramatically "called" her to mission work in northern Africa. With two female colleagues --- none knowing Arabic, none robust enough to pass physicals required by established mission boards --- she sailed for Algeria, where she lived a life of saintly proportions until her death, at age 75.

Two-thirds of Rockness's biography delves into the Algerian years. Learning Arabic was the first of many challenges: Muslim resistance to a Christian message, French resistance to British interlopers, male resistance to a female witness. And yet under Trotter's leadership, the original missionary band and later recruits translated portions of scripture, distributed literature, befriended women and children, opened cafés for men, and hosted summer camps for nomadic families.

There are no imagined conversations in this book; there's no mistaking it for a novel. This is history, relying largely on journals, with some analysis and helpful foreshadowing. Ever aware of Lilias the artist, Rockness faithfully describes the palette of the desert so well that it's hard to distinguish Lilias the missionary from Lilias the artist.

In time Lilias envisioned a "new approach to Arab literature": writings that would speak to Algerians, instead of what Trotter called the "hitherto translated stories of Jacks & Bobs whose surroundings are as foreign to children of the east as their names" and finding an affordable means of color printing, so as to attract people who delighted in color. To meet these goals, Lilias wrote and illustrated nature parables that may soon be back in print, thanks to Rockness's persistence.

Some of the biography's most interesting material comes toward the end. In her last decade, Trotter won the respect of a group of Sufi (male) mystics. "The artist in her responded to the artist in the Sufis," notes Rockness. "Yet she never lost her spiritual focus." Confined to bed in the last two years, she wrote THE WAY OF THE SEVENFOLD SECRET, explaining to them seven "I Am" claims of Jesus --- as she managed what had become an extensive mission outreach.

Trotter's printed word and art can indeed inspire a new generation. But only those who knew her can appreciate "perhaps her most palpable legacy": her love. As an obituary noted, "No wonder that Catholics and Jews and Moslems, as well as Protestants, are mourning her loss, for love, in the end, wins love."

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

A real life of faithfulness
There are few things that inspire me more than a true story of a child of God who is faithful in the face of success and apparent failure. I see the reality of this woman's walk with God to be the challenge and encouragement. The accounts of her passion, travels, and encounters challenge my perspective on missions. I don't believe I had a real grasp on missions until I read this book. The quotations of her own journals and other writings bring a special feeling of knowing Lilias by the end of the book. This is a book I highly encourage all believers to read.

Christian artists and creative types will love this book
I am a voracious reader of non-fiction (particularly Christian non-fiction), but out of thousands of books I have read, this biography captivated me like no other. Perhaps because I am a writer and artist, I could identify with Lilias and her passions. Ultimately, however, this is a story of adventure, sacrifice, surrender and uncompromising dedication to Jesus Christ, all set against the exotic backdrop of Algeria. I can't wait to meet Lilias in heaven and tell her how she inspired me. Of course, I also look forward to meeting the authors someday because they brought Lilias to life. The narrative is as lovely as Lilias' art! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Isabella Lilias),   2. 1853-1928   3. Algeria   4. Artists   5. Biography   6. Biography & Autobiography   7. Biography / Autobiography   8. Biography/Autobiography   9. England   10. General   11. Missionaries   12. Trotter, I. Lilias   

Subjects:  1. Bible - General   2. Bible - Study - Manners & Customs   3. Bible - Topical Studies   4. Bibles   5. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher   6. Religion   7. Religion - Biblical Studies