Category: History

There are few things more satisfying than finding a book completely by accident and then plunging yourself into it completely.  I found this delightful book while browsing through the Amazon lending library.  The sample I read was so endearing that I abandoned what I was reading at the time and took this book up instead.  Over the last few days, I have affectionately called this my “Elsie book,” verbally recommending it to several people.

Through detailed letters and diary entries compiled by her granddaughter, we learn that Elsie Hayes was an idealistic young woman who lived in Southern California at the turn of the 20th century.  She went to college for a while, but needed funds to continue her education, so she embarked on the adventure of a lifetime–leaving the comfort of her family and moving to Oak Creek, Arizona to teach school.  This decision changed her life forever.

There are charming aspects to the story that simply reflect a simpler time, such as Elsie’s social life–dinners at people’s houses, and the way people visited with each other (in person!) instead of texting, emailing, or simply giving a “thumbs-up” on Facebook.  It was the kind of socializing that required effort, manners, conversation, and skill.

The more I got to know Elsie, the more I felt I knew her.  She and I have many things in common–we are both from Southern California.  We both taught school before we were married.  We both saw our younger siblings get married before us and, though we guarded our independence, longed to have a wonderful man love us and take care of us.  We both saw our plans uprooted in one relationship when Fate took a tragic turn, yet found relief in the arms of the person we were truly supposed to be with.

Aside from these remarkable parallels, reading about Elsie brings pure joy.  She was optimistic, resilient, and knew what she wanted in life.  She loved her students, but still faced the challenges a teacher is bound to face.  (I did laugh at one of her diary entries when she remarked that she told a naughty student to go home.  If only!)

The one thing I would make future readers aware of is that, because of the time period, Elsie’s references to other races may offend some people.  She speaks once of “learning Mexican” from one of her students, and the “n” word appears once as the title of a play she is reading.  None of these words or phrases are used maliciously; they were simply acceptable at the time and her granddaughter did not alter them for authenticity.

I would very much recommend this memoir.  Rarely have I enjoyed a glimpse into the past as much as seeing it through the eyes of Elsie.

9.5/10 Stars

Elsie’s granddaughter, Barbara Anne Waite, does have a website where you can learn more about Elsie in her later years.  You can find it at http://barbaraannewaite.com/.  I would recommend visiting it after reading the book.

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A FUN TIDBIT  October 13, 2012

This morning I sent a quick email to Elsie’s granddaughter to tell her how much I enjoyed the book.  A few hours later I heard back from her!  This is what she wrote:

Dear Kristie-

Thanks so much for your sweet note. It is such an encouragement to hear from readers that enjoyed “Elsie.” The response  has gone way beyond my expectations and prayers. I do hope you go to my website : www.BarbaraAnneWaite.com.  Under “Tidbits” there are photos not included in the book and some extra historical notes. I am willing to make a special price for book clubs who want to order the print copies. If they are ordered together, (so I can mail as one mailing) I can do for $10.00 each if mailed within USA. The print copy has a lovely hand written font that can’t be done as an e-book.  Would you consider adding your review to Amazon’s Elsie site? I think that really helps my sales. I love it that I have had reviews from New Zealand, Ecuador, Crete, Korea and Canada. My favorite review was from a lady 103 that read it on Kindle and Skyped her review to her daughter.  I live in San Diego.   I am speaking to a book club there soon and I’m very excited about that.  I am going to look right now at your book review site and thanks for including “Elsie!”

These past two months, my book club decided to take on the challenge of reading the very long and very comprehensive biography of Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We decided that the timing would be perfect since we were not meeting in August, which gave each of us eight weeks to delve into the 600-plus pages.

Getting started was not easy, but it was nothing compared to the daunting task the author faced when Pres. Monson called her personally and asked her to be the one to write his life story.  To write a prophet’s biography would be hard enough, but to write the biography of a living prophet who is adored throughout the world would be monumental, indeed.

Despite my sympathies for Sis. Swinton, I do think that she had a hard time finding her footing at the beginning, and her writing style is a little sterile.  This is something that the entire book group agreed on, and so we decided to focus more on the book’s content than its literary aspects.

Whether you are of the LDS faith or not, whether you agree with the Church’s doctrine or not, there is one thing that is undeniable, which is that Pres. Monson is an extraordinary man.  Born in 1927 and raised by a loving family in Salt Lake City, Utah, even as a boy little Tommy was unique.  His concern for others, his attitude towards service, his work ethic, and his unwavering faith all began at a very young age.

He took on adult responsibilities much younger than most, and excelled in each job or calling.  Married at 21, a bishop at 22, in the stake presidency at 27, a mission president at 30, and called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the unheard-of age of 36, the accelerated rate of his callings only magnify the fact that his wisdom and faith exceeded his years.

There were some sections that I felt compelled to skim (his schedules, Boy Scout awards, descriptions of various committees,) but other sections required my full attention.  His work with the saints in East Germany was incredible and I learned things about him and the challenges experienced by the church members caught behind the Berlin Wall that were awe-inspiring and faith-building.  I also loved reading about his humility, because even though he has been in very prominent Church positions, Pres. Monson still remains incredibly humble, and incredibly focused on serving the Lord and His children.  His actions and decisions are always driven by the Lord’s will and not his own.

Every church president has a “focus” during his tenure, whether it be missionary work or temples, but Pres. Monson’s focus seems to be about helping the Lord’s lost sheep and bringing international attention to the saints scattered throughout the world.

And throughout his life, Pres. Monson has still retained a love of life, laughter and fun.  He is devoted to his wife of 61 years, his 3 children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I was more inspired by his example than his accomplishments.  Few will be able to duplicate the things he has done, but anyone can emulate how he has done them.

8.5/10 Stars

This will be a tough act to follow, but I’m going to start this blog by including my review of Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.  This is a review I actually put on my personal blog, but I can’t think of a better way to christen this site than by talking about this incredible book.  The following is my review from December 4, 2011:

Of all the books I’ve read this year–some for my book club and some for pure enjoyment–the best of the bunch is Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. As I told my mom while describing this book, “Whatever you’re reading right now, this is better.”

Laura Hillenbrand, who is also the author of Seabiscuit, suffers from a debilitating form of CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,) which forces her to stay at home most of the time. She’s devoted the last 7 years to researching Unbroken, including conducting about 50 interviews with its subject, Louis Zamperini.

Louis Zamperini, who, at the time the book was written, was a spry 94 year old, has lived a life few of us can imagine–partly of his own doing, like competing in the 1936 Olympics– and partly as a victim of circumstance. The circumstances that were not of his choosing happened while he was a bombadier during WWII. The plane he was in was shot down, and the 3 survivors drifted for 47 days until being picked up by the Japanese.

What followed then was 2 years in 2 different POW camps in conditions beyond our imagination. What made the conditions even worse was a particularly sadistic guard, nicknamed “The Bird,” who singled Louis out and attempted to victimize him in every way possible. The army’s pursuit of this guard after the war ended is another element that makes this book so captivating.

I say “attempted,” because one of the interesting things that the book focuses on is the issue of dignity vs humiliation. The authoress describes the importance of dignity in ways I’ve never read before, making it a thing as tangible and necessary to existence as food or air. In other words, no matter how bad the conditions are, you are only a victim if you allow yourself to be.

Even if you know the basics of the story, there is something else that makes it worth reading, and that is the series of odd coincidences that seemed to pop up here and there throughout Louis’s life, and usually during his darkest moments. I don’t want to give too much away, but these oddities certainly make the story even more compelling.

For those with weak stomachs who may be worried about the book’s portrayal of war violence, I would say this: It is “realistic,” but not “gratuitous.” In other words, the authoress tells things as they happened, but doesn’t overdo it.

The important thing to remember about this book is that not only is this a story of “Survival,” but also of “Resilience and Redemption,” just as the tagline reads. Louis’s POW experience is definitely the grittiest part of the book, but there is so much more than that….there’s his adventurous childhood as the town rascal and thief, his foray into becoming a world-class runner, his family, his post-war trauma, and the experiences that finally brought him peace.

This is a book about a man who has experienced the full circle of life and has lived to tell about it. Laura Hillenbrand writes with such amazing quality, you feel like you’re seeing everything as it is happening.

I won’t say anymore about it, except to implore you, again, to read it.  This book and its subject are treasures.

10/10 Stars