- Table View
- List View
Dear Santa: Children's Christmas Letters and Wish Lists, 1870–1920
by Chronicle BooksTake a heartwarming trip into Christmas history with these children’s letters to Santa Claus from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.This first-ever collection of children’s letters to Santa written between 1870 and 1920 presents more than one hundred charming and endearing missives. Along with its vintage charm, timeless sentiments, and non-denominational perspective, this heartwarming book is filled with historical discoveries that will delight everyone who loves this holiday ritual.Dear Santa is a unique celebration of one of Christmas’s most enduring traditions—and a tribute to the millions of households that keep it alive.
Dear Santa
by Samuel JohnsonIf you could ask Santa for absolutely anything, what would you ask for? Samuel Johnson OAM, Australia's favourite skylarker, brother and determined cancer vanquisher, has asked his friends and supporters (who just happen to be some of Australia's best writers, comics, actors, artists, musicians and personalities) to share their letters to Santa.Some letters are naughty.Some letters are nice.Some echo a favourite childhood memory.Some beg forgiveness.Some are angry.Some just want something sweet.Some want to change their own world, others want to change the whole world.Contributors include Helen Garner, Adam Hills, Deborah Mailman, Rove McManus, Leigh Sales, Grant Denyer, John Williamson, Myf Warhurst, John Paul Young, Mia Freedman, Shaun Micallef, Missy Higgins, and many more.This little book of letters is wicked, witty and warm-hearted. It will make you laugh, think and feel and is the perfect Christmas gift for those who speak human. Illustrations by Shaun TanEvery copy sold will contribute to cancer research
Dear Sarah: Letters Home from a Soldier of the Iron Brigade
by Coralou Peel LassenAn epistolary portrait of the life and times of a Civil War soldier and family man as he transformed from simple Michigan country boy to seasoned fighter. Cpl. John H. Pardington, a member of the 24th Michigan Infantry of the famous Iron Brigade, was an articulate and observant soldier. The 80 letters collected in this volume are filled with patriotic dedication to the Union cause, longing for his wife and baby, details of camp life, and reflections on the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and other engagements. Their intimacy and warmth are made even more poignant by the knowledge that Pardington will be killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. Pardington reveals the stresses of war and comments on the heroics of everyday life, whether at home or on the battlefield. In messages to his sister and father-in-law, he shares his opinions of President Lincoln and the changing leadership of the Army of the Potomac, as well as his hopes for the outcome of the war. Full of wisdom and insight, this collection draws back the curtains on an ordinary life during the most extraordinary of times.
Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army
by Ally McCoistThe Tartan Army. The Hampden Roar. The Auld Enemy. Following Scotland can be a thrilling, heart-breaking, and exhilarating experience. Scottish legend AllyMcCoist has always been proud of his country's footballing legacy. After all, Scotland has the oldest international team and the oldest sporting trophy. Some even say Scotland is the true home of football... In Dear Scotland, Ally takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through the Alba. He spends time with the best fans in the world, celebrates legends like Jock Stein and Kenny Dalglish, and relives some of the most iconic moments in Scottish history. Reflecting on his own call up with the team and scoring that goal against Switzerland, to dressing room antics on tour and travelling with the Tartan Army, Ally recalls the memorable characters, unforgettable moments, and side-splitting stories that have shaped his own experiences. Dear Scotland is a hilarious and heartfelt love letter and a tribute to being a lifelong, and sometimes long-suffering, footy fan. It reminds us why we love the thrill and madness of following Scotland.
Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army
by Ally McCoist**Out now: the hilarious and heartfelt book from Scottish footballing legend, Ally McCoist**__________The Tartan Army. The Hampden Roar. The Auld Enemy. Scotland has a proud footballing history, steeped with passion and tradition. Scottish legend Ally McCoist has always been proud of his country's footballing legacy. After all, it's a country with the oldest international team and the oldest sporting trophy. Of course, Scotland is the true home of football... In Dear Scotland, Ally takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through the Alba. With the best fans in the world, legendary players like Davie Cooper and Kenny Dalglish, and some of the the most iconic moments in international football, this is a celebration of what it means to follow the Scottish team. From his call up and debut and scoring that goal against Switzerland, to dressing room antics on tour and travelling with the Tartan Army, Ally recalls the memorable characters, unforgettable moments, and side-splitting stories. Dear Scotland is a hilarious and heartfelt love letter and a tribute to being a lifelong Scotland fan, reminding you why you love the thrill and madness of following Scotland.
Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
by F. Scott Fitzgerald Zelda Fitzgerald“Pure and lovely…to read Zelda’s letters is to fall in love with her.” —The Washington Post Edited by renowned Jackson R. Bryer and Cathy W. Barks, with a new introduction by Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's granddaughter, Eleanor Lanahan, this compilation of over three hundred letters tells the couple's epic love story in their own words.Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's devotion to each other endured for more than twenty-two years, through the highs and lows of his literary success and alcoholism, and her mental illness. In Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda, over 300 of their collected love letters show why theirs has long been heralded as one of the greatest love stories of the 20th century. Edited by renowned Fitzgerald scholars Jackson R. Bryer and Cathy W. Barks, with a new introduction by Scott and Zelda's granddaughter, Eleanor Lanahan, this is a welcome addition to the Fitzgerald literary canon.
Dear Sebastian
by Christine HorganEvery parent's fear is not to be there for their child, to answer their questions, to give them advice and guide them through life.When Jordan Ferguson was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of thirty-four and told he had only months to live, a psychologist advised him to write a letter to his nine year old son Sebastian for when he wasn't there - a letter with words and advice to help him when he was growing up. But Jordan wanted to leave a lasting legacy for his son. He decided to gather together words of wisdom and advice from a host of Irish people who have succeeded and excelled in life. The result is Dear Sebastian, a collection of letters to a young boy from writers, politicians, artists, clergy, sports stars, musicians and business people with their poignant, honest and inspirational thoughts on living life in the best way possible. The letters in Dear Sebastian deal with the pain of loss but above all they speak of hope, of the optimism of life, and the enduring power of love.Jordan passed away quickly and without having had the chance to write his own letter to Sebastian. In his final days, he asked his mother to complete the book. She gave him her word that she would do this. Jordan died on 27 June 2008.Dear Sebastian is a father's remarkable legacy of love to his son.Contributors include: Gay Byrne, Ronan O'Gara, Shay Given, Derek Davis, Christy Moore, Pat Kenny, JP McManus, Gloria Hunniford, John Magnier, Daniel O'Donnell, Sr Stan, Brian Cowen TD, Pauline Bewick, Patrick Kielty, Nicky Byrne and many others.
Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond
by Essie Mae Washington-Williams William StadiemIn this historically momentous memoir, the segregationist senator&’s mixed-race daughter speaks out about her life in the shadows. Breaking nearly eight decades of silence, Essie Mae Washington–Williams comes forward with the dramatic story of her life. Her father, the late Strom Thurmond, had been the nation&’s leading proponent of racial segregation. He famously undertook a twenty-four–hour filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, a desperate attempt to save the South from &“mongrelization&”. Her mother, however, was a black teenager named Carrie Butler who worked as a maid on the Thurmond family&’s South Carolina plantation. Set against the explosive civil rights era, this poignant memoir recalls how Essie Mae struggled with the discrepancy between the generous and even affectionate father she knew privately, and the Old Southern politician, railing against greater racial equality, who refused to acknowledge her publicly. From her richly told narrative, as well as the letters she and Thurmond wrote to each other over the years, emerges a fascinating portrait of a father who counseled and supported his daughter, yet would not break with the values of his Dixiecrat constituents.
Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir
by Akwaeke EmeziIn three critically acclaimed novels, Akwaeke Emezi has introduced readers to a landscape marked by familial tensions, Igbo belief systems, and a boundless search for what it means to be free. Now, in this extraordinary memoir, the bestselling author of The Death of Vivek Oji reveals the harrowing yet resolute truths of their own life. Through candid, intimate correspondence with friends, lovers, and family, Emezi traces the unfolding of a self and the unforgettable journey of a creative spirit stepping into power in the human world. Their story weaves through transformative decisions about their gender and body, their precipitous path to success as a writer, and the turmoil of relationships on an emotional, romantic, and spiritual plane, culminating in a book that is as tender as it is brutal. Electrifying and inspiring, animated by the same voracious intelligence that distinguishes their fiction, Dear Senthuran is a revelatory account of storytelling, self, and survival.
Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds
by Michelle HortonIn this "incendiary" memoir, a woman fights the criminal justice system to release her incarcerated sister after she kills her longtime abuser (Publishers Weekly). In September 2017, a knock on the door upends Michelle Horton&’s life: she learns that her sister has just shot her partner and is now in jail. Stunned, Michelle rearranges her life to raise Nikki's two young children alongside her own son. During the investigation that follows, Michelle is shocked to learn that Nikki had been hiding horrific abuse for years. Michelle launches a fight to bring Nikki home, squaring off against a criminal justice system designed to punish the entire family. Since Dear Sister&’s original publication, Michelle&’s fight—alongside a tireless network of supporters—has resulted in Nikki&’s release from prison. With a new chapter, an update from Nikki, and never-before-seen photographs documenting the homecoming, this edition provides a touching new conclusion to a profound, intimate story of resilience and the unbreakable bond of family.
Dear Sophie, Love Sophie: A Graphic Memoir in Diaries, Letters, and Lists
by Sophie Lucido JohnsonWhat would you say to your teenage self if you could? Inspired by the journals she kept growing up, Sophie Lucido Johnson began an interactive conversation between her younger self and her current self. When she began the exercise, Sophie envisioned sharing important lessons on what it means to love your body, navigate relationships, and discover what fulfills you, no matter where life takes you. But as these “exchanges” deepened, adult Sophie discovered she had much to learn about life from young Sophie as well. Fully illustrated with handwritten text, Dear Sophie, Love Sophie deftly explores topics like queer identity, body image, inherited trauma, belonging, privilege, heartbreak, first love, and much more in a unique and captivating way. Charming, witty, and poignant, it reminds us that wisdom is not limited by age.
Dear Sound of Footstep: Essays
by Ashley ButlerIn her daring essay collection Dear Sound of Footstep, author Ashley Butler engages the reader in an exploration of her mother's death and an estranged paternal relationship. As illusions of a celestial umbrella slowly disappear, she begins a search for answers within the infinite. The candid narrative evolves into a stunning, abstract deconstruction of time and space, piloting the reader precariously close to the unanswered question, "Why are we here?" Among the subjects she touches on: the fastest man on earth, wind farms and tunnels, and the anechoic (without echo) chamber at Harvard University. We hear about some of history's oddest seekers of spiritual and scientific knowledge: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the father of cosmonautics; Yves Klein, the "artist of space"; Russian futurist Nikolai Federov; and Harry Houdini, hanging headfirst over a crowd in Times Square. The essays are a blend of conventional narrative, aphorism ("The aphorism is a form of eternity," said Nietzsche), lyrical imagery, and language, with insights like, "A voice begins with the thought that must be set apart from a body." Butler's collection has a true magic of its own, at times both brutal and gorgeous, but always coming back to an empathy of spirit and intelligence far beyond Butler's years.Ashley Butler was born and raised in Virginia. She has a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the University of Iowa. Her work has appeared in Ninth Letter,jubilat, Gulf Coast, Creative Nonfiction, and POOL. She lives in Texas.
Dear Stranger
by Various'Dear Stranger is an inspiration' Stylist Dear Stranger is a collection of inspirational, honest and heartfelt letters from authors, bloggers and Mind ambassadors to an imagined stranger. Insightful and uplifting, Dear Stranger is a humbling glimpse into different interpretations of happiness, and how despite sometimes seeming unobtainable happiness can, in the smallest of ways, become and achievable goal.No one should face a mental health problem alone. Whether it's on a doorstep, on the end of a telephone or online, Mind is there for everyone who is experiencing a mental health problem. All profits from the sale of this book (at least £3 for every copy sold) will be donated to Mind, a registered charity number 219830. ****'Dear Stranger is an inspiration' Stylist 'An inspirational book' Sunday Express S Magazine 'This collection cuts right to the heart of what it means to be happy - and human. . . . Dear Stranger is a thoughtful exploration of happiness, in all it's wonderful, often elusive complexity, that all of us can learn something from' Red Magazine Online 'An incredibly thought-provoking read' Sun 'Beautifully written letters from the heart' Lady MagazineFull list of contributors: Fiona Phillips; Martha Roberts; Francesca Martinez; Rachel Joyce; Donal Ryan; Matt Haig; Philippa Rice; Naomi Alderman; Yuval Noah Harari; Ilona Burton; Rowan Coleman; Ellen White; Abbie Ross; Giles Andreae; Conn Iggulden; Seaneen Molloy-Vaughan; Genevieve Taylor; Thomas Harding; Jez Alborough; Caitlin Moran; Blake Morrison; Nicci French; Jo Elworthy; John Lewis-Stempel; Chris Riddell; Tessa Watt; Helen Dunmore; Alain de Botton; Deborah Levy; Kevin Bridges; Marian Keyes; Nicholas Allan; Nick Harkaway; Edward Stourton; Eoin Colfer; Shirley Hughes; Santham Sanghera; Alexandra Fuller; Daniel Levitin; Claire Greaves; Arianna Huffington; Richard Branson; Molly Pearce; Nicholas Pinnock; Tim Smit; Tony Parsons; Dave Chawner; @Sectioned__; Professor Lord Richard Layard;
Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves
by Miranda Kenneally E. Kristin AndersonDear Teen Me includes advice from over 70 YA authors (including Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss? Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he'd had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you'll find friends--and a lot of familiar faces--in the course of Dear Teen Me.
Dear William: A Father's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss
by David MageePUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER 2022 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST — MEMOIR "Shot through with hope, purpose and an unflinching love, it's a story that must be read." —Newsweek "Essential, poignant, and insightful reading." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Award-winning columnist and author David Magee addresses his poignant story to all those who will benefit from better understanding substance misuse so that his hard-earned wisdom can save others from the fate of his late son, William. The last time David Magee saw his son alive, William told him to write their family&’s story in the hopes of helping others. Days later, David found William dead from an accidental drug overdose. Now, in a memoir suggestive of Augusten Burroughs meets Glennon Doyle, award-winning columnist and author David Magee answers his son's wish with a compelling, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down book that speaks to every individual and family. With honesty and heart, Magee shares his family&’s intergenerational struggle with substance abuse and mental health issues, as well as his own reckoning with family secrets—confronting the dark truth about the adoptive parents who raised him and a decades-long search for identity. He wrestles with personal substance misuse that began at a young age and, as a father, he sees destructive patterns repeat and develop within his own children. While striving to find a truly authentic voice as a writer despite authoring nearly a dozen previous books, Magee ultimately understands that William had been right and their own family&’s history is the story he needs to tell. A poignant and uplifting message of hope translates unimaginable tragedy into an inspirational commitment to saving others, as David founded the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi. His mission to share solutions to self-medication and addiction, particularly as it touches America&’s high school and college students, emphasizes that William&’s story is about much more than a tragic addiction—it&’s an American story of a family broken by loss and remade with love. Dear William inspires readers to find purpose, build resilience, and break the cycles that damage too many individuals and the people who love them. It&’s a life-changing book revealing how voids can be filled, and peace—even profound, lasting happiness—is possible.
Dear World: A Syrian Girl's Story of War and Plea for Peace
by Bana Alabed'A story of love and courage amid brutality and terror, this is the testimony of a child who has endured the unthinkable.' J. K. ROWLING 'I’m very afraid I will die tonight' - Bana Alabed, Twitter, 2 October 2016'Stop killing us.' - Bana Alabed, Twitter, 6 October 2016'I just want to live without fear.' - Bana Alabed, Twitter, 12 October 2016When eight-year-old Bana Alabed took to Twitter to describe the horrors she and her family were experiencing in war-torn Syria, her heartrending messages touched the world and gave a voice to millions of innocent children. Bana’s happy childhood was abruptly upended by civil war when she was only three years old. Over the next four years, she knew nothing but bombing, destruction and fear. Her harrowing ordeal culminated in a brutal siege where she, her parents, and two younger brothers were trapped in Aleppo, with little access to food, water, medicine, or other necessities. Facing death as bombs relentlessly fell around them, one of which completely destroyed their home, Bana and her family embarked on a perilous escape to Turkey.In Bana’s own words, and featuring short, affecting chapters by her mother, Fatemah, Dear World is not just a gripping account of a family endangered by war; it offers a uniquely intimate, child’s perspective on one of the biggest humanitarian crises in history. Bana has lost her best friend, her school, her home and her homeland. But she has not lost her hope - for herself and for other children around the world who are victims and refugees of war and deserve better lives.Dear World is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the unconquerable courage of a child, and the abiding power of hope. It is a story that will leave you changed.
Dear World: A Syrian Girl's Story of War and Plea for Peace
by Bana Alabed“A story of love and courage amid brutality and terror, this is the testimony of a child who has endured the unthinkable.” —J.K. Rowling “I’m very afraid I will die tonight.” —Bana Alabed, Twitter, October 2, 2016 “Stop killing us.” —Bana Alabed, Twitter, October 6, 2016 “I just want to live without fear.” —Bana Alabed, Twitter, October 12, 2016When seven-year-old Bana Alabed took to Twitter to describe the horrors she and her family were experiencing in war-torn Syria, her heartrending messages touched the world and gave a voice to millions of innocent children. Bana’s happy childhood was abruptly upended by civil war when she was only three years old. Over the next four years, she knew nothing but bombing, destruction, and fear. Her harrowing ordeal culminated in a brutal siege where she, her parents, and two younger brothers were trapped in Aleppo, with little access to food, water, medicine, or other necessities. Facing death as bombs relentlessly fell around them—one of which completely destroyed their home—Bana and her family embarked on a perilous escape to Turkey. In Bana’s own words, and featuring short, affecting chapters by her mother, Fatemah, Dear World is not just a gripping account of a family endangered by war; it offers a uniquely intimate, child’s perspective on one of the biggest humanitarian crises in history. Bana has lost her best friend, her school, her home, and her homeland. But she has not lost her hope—for herself and for other children around the world who are victims and refugees of war and deserve better lives. Dear World is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the unconquerable courage of a child, and the abiding power of hope. It is a story that will leave you changed.
Dear World, How Are You?
by Toby LittleWhen Toby Little was five years old, he decided to write to someone in every country in the world.With the help of his mum, Toby started handwriting and posting letters to everyone from research scientists in Antarctica to game-keepers in Chad and even the Pope. Not only did Toby achieve his goal but the world wrote back.Dear World, How Are You? is a collection of the most fascinating and heart-warming letters he sent and received. It shows that the world is only as big as your imagination and is full of potential friends, waiting to be discovered, no matter where you live.
#dearcancer: Things to help you through
by Victoria DerbyshireWhen journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she made the decision to share her experiences in a series of video diaries in an effort to help demystify cancer treatment. Overwhelmed by the response, Victoria set up a Facebook page inviting people to share their own stories, talk openly about cancer and support one another.The result is this collection of writing from cancer patients and their loved ones. Whether you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, or a friend or relative has, everyone who has contributed to this ebook has been through the same journey, and hopes you will take strength from these 'things to help you through'.From practical tips on managing your treatment and your everyday life with cancer, to advice on understanding and dealing with the emotional rollercoaster that begins with diagnosis, this free resource is packed with hard-won wisdom and insight, at once useful and poignant.
#dearcancer: Things to help you through
by Victoria DerbyshireWhen journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she made the decision to share her experiences in a series of video diaries in an effort to help demystify cancer treatment. Overwhelmed by the response, Victoria set up a Facebook page inviting people to share their own stories, talk openly about cancer and support one another.The result is this collection of writing from cancer patients and their loved ones. Whether you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, or a friend or relative has, everyone who has contributed to this ebook has been through the same journey, and hopes you will take strength from these 'things to help you through'.From practical tips on managing your treatment and your everyday life with cancer, to advice on understanding and dealing with the emotional rollercoaster that begins with diagnosis, this free resource is packed with hard-won wisdom and insight, at once useful and poignant.This exclusive collection is published ahead of Victoria Derbyshire's book, Dear Cancer, Love Victoria: A Mum's Diary of Hope.
Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams
by Lynne WitheyThe lively, authoritative, New York Times bestselling biography of Abigail Adams.This is the life of Abigail Adams, wife of patriot John Adams, who became the most influential woman in Revolutionary America. Rich with excerpts from her personal letters, Dearest Friend captures the public and private sides of this fascinating woman, who was both an advocate of slave emancipation and a burgeoning feminist, urging her husband to “Remember the Ladies” as he framed the laws of their new country. John and Abigail Adams married for love. While John traveled in America and abroad to help forge a new nation, Abigail remained at home, raising four children, managing their estate, and writing letters to her beloved husband. Chronicling their remarkable fifty-four-year marriage, her blossoming feminism, her battles with loneliness, and her friendships with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Dearest Friend paints a portrait of Abigail Adams as an intelligent, resourceful, and outspoken woman.
"Dearest Georg": Love, Literature, and Power in Dark Times
by David Dollenmayer Karen Lauer Vesa CanettiIn 1934, Veza Taubner and Elias Canetti were married in Vienna. Elias describes the arrangement to his brother Georges as a "functional" marriage. Meanwhile, an intense intellectual love affair develops between Veza and Georges, a young doctor suffering fromtuberculosis. Four years later, Veza and Elias flee Nazi-ruled Vienna to London, where they lead an impoverished and extremely complicated marital life in exile. Spanning the major part of Elias's struggle for literary recognition, from 1933, before the publication of his novel, Auto-da-Fé, to 1959, when he finished his monumental Crowds and Power, the Canetti letters provide an intimate look at these formative years through the prism of a veritable love triangle: the newly married Elias has a string of lovers; his wife, Veza, is hopelessly in love with an idealized image of his youngest brother, Georges; and Georges is drawn to good looking men as well as to his motherly sister-in-law. Independently and often secretly, the couple communicates with Georges, who lives in Paris: Veza tells of Elias's amorous escapades and bouts of madness, Elias complains about Veza's poor nerves and depression. Each of them worries about Georges's health-if she could, Veza would kiss away the germs. Georges is an infrequent correspondent, but he diligently stores away the letters from his brother and sister-in-law. In 2003, long after his death, they were accidentally discovered in a Paris basement and comprise not only a moving and insightful document, but real literature.From the Hardcover edition.
Dearest Jane...: My Father's Life and Letters
by Jane Torday Roger MortimerAs the eldest daughter of a prolific letter writer, Jane Torday received hundreds of letters from her father over the years. From irreverent advice and hilarious family anecdotes to moments of great poignancy, Roger Mortimer`s missives are a touching and witty portrait of his life and relationships over the years.Dearest Jane begins with Roger?s time as a young army officer in Egypt, and then as a POW in the Second World War, where his sense of humour endured despite the conditions. Jane accompanies her father?s letters with her own memories and anecdotes, as we meet familiar characters such as Nidnod, Lupin and Lumpy, and learn more about the extended family, friends and pets who leap from the pages of his letters. This is an arresting and extraordinary record, not only of Roger Mortimer?s life but also of the history of an entire family between 1960 and 1991. Sparkling with the dry wit for which Mortimer?s letters are famous, and accompanied by an affectionate personal portrait, this book will delight both old and new readers.
Dearest Jane...: My Father's Life and Letters
by Jane Torday Roger MortimerAs the eldest daughter of a prolific letter writer, Jane Torday received hundreds of letters from her father over the years. From irreverent advice and hilarious family anecdotes to moments of great poignancy, Roger Mortimer‘s missives are a touching and witty portrait of his life and relationships over the years.Dearest Jane begins with Roger’s time as a young army officer in Egypt, and then as a POW in the Second World War, where his sense of humour endured despite the conditions. Jane accompanies her father’s letters with her own memories and anecdotes, as we meet familiar characters such as Nidnod, Lupin and Lumpy, and learn more about the extended family, friends and pets who leap from the pages of his letters. This is an arresting and extraordinary record, not only of Roger Mortimer’s life but also of the history of an entire family between 1960 and 1991. Sparkling with the dry wit for which Mortimer’s letters are famous, and accompanied by an affectionate personal portrait, this book will delight both old and new readers.
Dearest Ones At Home: Clara Taylor's Letters from Russia, 1917-1919
by Katrina Maloney Patricia M. MaloneyOn November 5, 1917, Taylorville, Illinois native Clara Taylor stepped off a Trans-Siberian Railway train into a city then called Petrograd, Russia. Employed by the YWCA as an industrial expert, Clara had been sent to Russia to help establish Associations in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) and Moscow. Her main charge while in Russia was to survey and report on factory conditions, but Clara only spent a fraction of her stay in Russia visiting factories; due to the vagaries of the political, social, and economic revolution—the upheaval of an entire culture—Clara and her colleagues spent most of their first year in Russia teaching English, home economics, book keeping, literature, and basketball, and sponsoring lectures, dances and sing-alongs for Russian working women. Clara&’s letters, collected in this book, tell of both the mundane and the extraordinary: what the YW staff ate for dinner; how the Bolshevik suppression of free speech impacted Americans&’ ability to communicate with those at home; shootings in the streets; bartering for pounds of sugar; conversing with nobility, with intellectuals, and with workers; attending the opera; and sight-seeing at monasteries. Together, Clara&’s letters to her family—her &“dearest ones at home&”—tell a compelling story of one American woman&’s experiences in Revolutionary Russia.