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Miss Me with That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and a Few Hard Truths
by Rachel LindsayA candid, witty, and inspiring collection of essays from The Bachelor&’s first Black Bachelorette, exploring everything from relationships and love to politics and race &“The Bachelor gave me an opportunity, but I created my own happy ending.&” ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022—Essence, She ReadsRachel Lindsay rose to prominence as The Bachelor&’s first Black Bachelorette and has since become one of the franchise&’s most well-known figures—and outspoken critics. But there has always been more to Lindsay than meets the eye, and in this book, she finally tells her own story, in her own words. In wide-ranging essays, Lindsay opens up about her experience on ABC&’s hit show and reveals everything about her life off-camera, from a childhood growing up in Dallas, Texas, as the daughter of a U.S. District Judge, to her disastrous dating life prior to appearing on The Bachelor, to her career in law, and the decision to become a reality-TV contestant. She also brings a sharp wit and keen intellect to weigh in on issues such as the lack of diversity in reality television and the importance of political engagement, protest, and the Black Lives Matter movement.Told in the down-to-earth, no-nonsense voice she&’s become known for, Lindsay&’s book of essays provides an intimate look at the life of one of reality TV&’s most beloved stars, as well as advice and inspiration that will make her a role model for anyone who has ever struggled to find their way in love and life. As she says, &“Contrary to popular belief, the best gift I ever received was not a wedding ring. It was the permission I gave myself to be imperfect.&” And if you don&’t believe her, you know the saying: Miss me with that.
Miss Memory Lane: A Memoir
by Colton HaynesA brutally honest and moving memoir of lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, and redemption from Arrow and Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes.Four years ago, Colton Haynes woke up in a hospital. He&’d had two seizures, lost the sight in one eye, almost ruptured a kidney, and been put on an involuntary psychiatry hold. Not yet thirty, he knew he had to take stock of his life and make some serious changes if he wanted to see his next birthday. As he worked towards sobriety, Haynes allowed himself to become vulnerable for the first time in years and with that, discovered profound self-awareness. He had millions of social media followers who constantly told him they loved him. But what would they think if they knew his true story? If they knew where he came from and the things he had done? Now, Colton bravely pulls back the curtain on his life and career, revealing the incredible highs and devastating lows. From his unorthodox childhood in a small Kansas town, to coming to terms with his sexuality, he keeps nothing back. By sixteen, he had been signed by the world&’s top modeling agency and his face appeared on billboards. But he was still a broke, lonely, confused teenager, surrounded by people telling him he could be a star as long as he never let anyone see his true self. As his career in television took off, the stress of wearing so many masks and trying to please so many different people turned his use of drugs and alcohol into full-blown addiction. A lyrical and intimate confession, apology, and cautionary tale, Miss Memory Lane is an unforgettable story of dreams deferred and dreams fulfilled; of a family torn apart and rebuilt; and of a man stepping into the light as no one but himself.
Miss New York Has Everything
by Lori JakielaGrowing up in Trafford, Pennsylvania, hometown of The Love Boat's Lauren Tewes, Jakiela had dreams of becoming famous and making it big. Inspired by her childhood idol, Marlo Thomas in That Girl, she always wanted to move to New York City and away from the small town where her cantankerous father worked in the steel mills. When she sees an ad from an airline company promising a home base in the Big Apple and a jet-setting lifestyle all over the world, she quickly signs up. But she learns that being a flight attendant is far from glamorous. Instead of Paris layovers in a pillbox hat and white gloves, she gets Frankfurt in a one-size-fits-all polyester uniform and apron. When her father is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she returns to Trafford only to discover that the writing career and life she always wanted were right there at homeand that the grass in her own backyard might just be greener than the one on TV.
Miss O'Dell
by Chris O'Dell Katherine KetchamCHRIS O'DELL WASN'T FAMOUS. SHE WASN'T EVEN ALMOST FAMOUS. BUT SHE WAS THERE. * She was in the studio when the Beatles recorded The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be, and she sang in the "Hey Jude" chorus. * She lived with George Harrison and Pattie Boyd and unwittingly got involved in Pattie's famous love story with Eric Clapton. * She's the subject of Leon Russell's "Pisces Apple Lady." * She worked for the Rolling Stones on their infamous 1972 tour and did a drug run for Keith Richards. * She's "the woman down the hall" in Joni Mitchell's song "Coyote," the "mystery woman" pictured on the Stones album Exile on Main Street, and the "Miss O'Dell" of George Harrison's song. The remarkable, intimate story of an ordinary woman who lived the dream of millions--to be part of rock royalty's inner circle--Miss O'Dell is a backstage pass to some of the most momentous events in rock history.
Miss Paul and the President: The Creative Campaign for Women's Right to Vote
by Dean Robbins"Robbins makes clear for a quite young audience through both main narration and endnote that there were very specific obstacles that had to be overcome to extend the vote to women, and winning the endorsement of the president was a vital first step."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"A perfect introduction to a notable woman and her fight for a woman&’s right to vote." --School Library JournalCast your vote for Alice Paul! The story of a tireless suffragette and the president she convinced to change everything. When Alice Paul was a child, she saw her father go off to vote while her mother had to stay home. But why should that be? So Alice studied the Constitution and knew that the laws needed to change. But who would change them? She would! In her signature purple hat, Alice organized parades and wrote letters and protested outside the White House. She even met with President Woodrow Wilson, who told her there were more important issues to worry about than women voting. But nothing was more important to Alice. So she kept at it, and soon President Wilson was persuaded. Dean Robbins and illustrator Nancy Zhang bring the unsung hero to vivid life and show young voters-to-be how important it is to never back down from a cause you believe in!
Miss Shirley Bassey
by John L. WilliamsFrom "Hot from Harlem" to "Goldfinger," the story of how a two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff became an immortal icon: In 1954, Shirley Bassey was seventeen years old. She had just returned from a cheesy revue tour called "Hot from Harlem". Depressed, disillusioned and four months' pregnant, she decided that her dream of being a professional singer was over. A mere ten years later, she was one of the biggest stars in the world. She had sold more records than any other British singer of the day, and was poised to conquer America. Her latest hit, "Goldfinger", was the theme tune to the year's blockbuster film. No longer the two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff, she was by now an international sex siren, as glamorous and unreal as Bond himself.Miss Shirley Bassey explores this remarkable transformation, both of an individual and of the British society and British psyche that made it possible. From the vibrant, multicultural oasis of Tiger Bay in the Cardiff docklands through the club-lands of Soho and Las Vegas to New York's Carnegie Hall, it is a journey from mere mortal to international icon. Along the way she would encounter homosexual husbands, predatory managers, newspaper scandals, and a range of friends and acquaintances from Sammy Davis Jr. to Reggie Kray.John L. Williams draws on original research and interviews to provide a portrait of a young woman on the cusp of stardom, whose rise to fame was in many ways symbolic of a changing world. Brilliantly written non-fiction in the style of David Peace's The Damned Utd or Nick Tosches' Dino, this is the story of a woman who set out to be extraordinary and--against all the odds--succeeded.
Miss Shirley Bassey
by John L. WilliamsIn 1954, Shirley Bassey was seventeen years old. She had just returned from a cheesy revue tour called 'Hot from Harlem'. Depressed, disillusioned and four months' pregnant, she decided that her dream of being a professional singer was over. A mere ten years later, she was one of the biggest stars in the world. She had sold more records than any other British singer of the day, and was poised to conquer America. Her latest hit, 'Goldfinger', was the theme tune to the year's blockbuster film. No longer the two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff, she was by now an international sex siren, as glamorous and unreal as Bond himself. Miss Shirley Bassey explores this remarkable transformation, both of an individual and of the British society and British psyche that made it possible. From the vibrant, multicultural oasis of Tiger Bay in the Cardiff docklands through the club-lands of Soho and Las Vegas to New York's Carnegie Hall, it is a journey from mere mortal to international icon. Along the way she would encounter homosexual husbands, predatory managers, newspaper scandals, and a range of friends and acquaintances from Sammy Davis Jr to Reggie Kray. John L. Williams draws on original research and interviews to provide a portrait of a young woman on the cusp of stardom, whose rise to fame was in many ways symbolic of a changing world. Brilliantly written non-fiction in the style of David Peace's The Damned Utd or Nick Tosches' Dino, this is the story of a woman who set out to be extraordinary and - against all the odds - succeeded.
Miss Shirley Bassey
by John L. WilliamsIn 1954, Shirley Bassey was seventeen years old. She had just returned from a cheesy revue tour called 'Hot from Harlem'. Depressed, disillusioned and four months' pregnant, she decided that her dream of being a professional singer was over. A mere ten years later, she was one of the biggest stars in the world. She had sold more records than any other British singer of the day, and was poised to conquer America. Her latest hit, 'Goldfinger', was the theme tune to the year's blockbuster film. No longer the two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff, she was by now an international sex siren, as glamorous and unreal as Bond himself. Miss Shirley Bassey explores this remarkable transformation, both of an individual and of the British society and British psyche that made it possible. From the vibrant, multicultural oasis of Tiger Bay in the Cardiff docklands through the club-lands of Soho and Las Vegas to New York's Carnegie Hall, it is a journey from mere mortal to international icon. Along the way she would encounter homosexual husbands, predatory managers, newspaper scandals, and a range of friends and acquaintances from Sammy Davis Jr to Reggie Kray. John L. Williams draws on original research and interviews to provide a portrait of a young woman on the cusp of stardom, whose rise to fame was in many ways symbolic of a changing world. Brilliantly written non-fiction in the style of David Peace's The Damned Utd or Nick Tosches' Dino, this is the story of a woman who set out to be extraordinary and - against all the odds - succeeded.
Miss Spellbinder's Point of View: A Biography of the Imagination
by Edward SwiftIn this &“delightful and bizarre&” novel, Clarissa Spellbinder spins the yarn of her truly unbelievable—and completely unverified—life (The Boston Globe). Miss Clarissa Spellbinder has lived a truly astonishing life . . . or so she tells us. Her father was the intrepid adventurer Lord Andrew Spellbinder and her mother, the fiery Latin songbird Amelita de la Luna, who traveled the world and escaped almost certain death on numerous occasions. Miss Spellbinder relates their spectacular exploits to the patrons of the Back Door Bar That Once Faced the Sea on the fantastical island of Moly—though her listeners seem far more interested in hearing about the misadventures (of the sexual variety, mainly) of Clarissa&’s enormous neighbor, the former carnival circuit star Fat Satsuma Johnson, a.k.a. the Black Queen of the Atchafalaya, a.k.a. the pie-eating queen of southern Louisiana. Miss Spellbinder, of course, is more than happy to oblige, since all her stories serve as ammunition in her ongoing battle against &“the disease of the literal minded.&” What matters most, she tells us, is a unique point of view, for without one, &“you have no pinnacle on which to stand and express yourself.&” Edward Swift (Splendora) indulges readers with a novel unlike anything they have read before, an epic voyage through the outrageous history, real and imagined, of Miss Clarissa Spellbinder. It is a journey that may entail a certain suspension of disbelief—but afterward, the world will look very different.
Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls
by Veronica VeraIt is estimated that three to five percent of the adult male population of the United States feels the need, at least occasionally, to dress in women's clothing. Judging from enrollment at her academy, Miss Vera would say that figure is low.Veronica Vera founded Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls in 1992 and started a gender revolution. Working from the pink palace of the Academy's intimate Manhattan campus, she has helped hundreds of students embrace and master Venus Envy through her expert instruction in the arts of dressing up, making up, going out, and acting like a lady. In her new book, she shares her priceless wisdom with the world.With sparkling wit and dazzling insight, Miss V gives us the 411 on body hair, foundation garments, make-up, and dressing, as well as offering invaluable advice on Creating a Herstory (finding the real life story of the femmeself within) speech, manners, walking in high heels, and--that biggest step of all--going out in the real world all dressed up. Amply illustrated and filled with the real stories of students and graduates, Miss Vera's Finishing School also offers a fascinating history of how the Academy came to be, as well as Miss Vera's own incisive gender manifesto."As we step boldly toward the new millennium, many more of us will be doing it in high heels," says Veronica Vera. In Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls, she proves conclusively that, after a long day in wingtips, there's nothing like slipping into a pair of spiked heels.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Miss You: The World War II Letters of Barbara Wooddall Taylor and Charles E. Taylor
by Barbara Wooddall Taylor Charles E. TaylorExperience World War II from the perspective of a married couple in this collection of letters exchanged between an American serviceman and his wife. During World War II, the millions of letters American servicemen exchanged with their wives and sweethearts were a lifeline, a vital way of sustaining morale on both fronts. Intimate and poignant, Miss You offers a rich selection from the correspondence of one such couple, revealing their longings, affection, hopes, and fears and affording a privileged look at how ordinary people lived through the upheavals of the last century&’s greatest conflict.&“In Fairburn, Georgia, when I was growing up, everyone knew them simply as &“CharlieandBarbara,&” one word―for they seemed almost uncannily close, a single unit of harmony, two parts of a whole. Now everyone who reads this extraordinary document of love in a time of war will feel the power of that closeness. Miss You is the quintessential American chronicle…. Read and cherish it―there are none of us who wouldn&’t have chosen for ourselves such a love as this.&”—Anne Rivers Siddons, New York Times–bestselling author of Peachtree Road &“A volume that offers extraordinary insight into the daily experiences of Americans at war.&”—Georgia Historical Quarterly &“Their great love―the connecting theme of this wonderful book―is something so rare it is both beautiful and ennobling.&”—Atlanta Journal-Constitution &“It is the insight gained by reading these letters that make this book exceptional…. By the book&’s close, the reader has gained an intimate and truthful understanding of wartime psyche and feels deeply how crucial these letters were to those they were comforting.&”—Hannah M. Jocelyn, Southern Historian
Missed Connections: A Memoir in Letters Never Sent
by Brian FrancisAn entertaining and moving memoir about coming out, looking inwards, and the search for connection, inspired by the responses to a personal ad. A Loan Stars Top 10 Pick of the Month and one of Daily Hive's 10 Essential LGBTQ2+ Books to Celebrate Pride. In 1992, Brian Francis placed a personal ad in a local newspaper. He was a twenty-one-year-old university student, still very much in the closet, and looking for love. He received twenty-five responses, but there were thirteen letters that went unanswered and spent years tucked away, forgotten, inside a cardboard box. Now, nearly thirty years later, and at a much different stage in his life, Brian has written replies to those letters. Using the letters as a springboard to reflect on all that has changed for him as a gay man over the past three decades, Brian's responses cover a range of topics, including body image, aging, desire, the price of secrecy, and the courage it takes to be unapologetically yourself. Missed Connections is an open-hearted, irreverent, often hilarious, and always bracingly honest examination of the pieces of our past we hold close -- and all that we lose along the way. It is also a profoundly affecting meditation on how Brian's generation, the queer people who emerged following the generation hit hardest by AIDS, were able to step out from the shadows and into the light. In an age when the promise of love is just a tap or swipe away, this extraordinary memoir reminds us that our yearning for connection and self-acceptance is timeless.
Missed Translations: Meeting the Indian Parents Who Raised Me
by Sopan DebApproaching his 30th birthday, Sopan Deb had found comfort in his day job as a writer for the New York Times and a practicing comedian. But his stage material highlighting his South Asian culture only served to mask the insecurities borne from his family history. Sure, Deb knew the facts: his parents, both Indian, separately immigrated to North America in the 1960s and 1970s. They were brought together in a volatile and ultimately doomed arranged marriage and raised a family in suburban New Jersey before his father returned to India alone.But Deb had never learned who his parents were as individuals—their ages, how many siblings they had, what they were like as children, what their favorite movies were. Theirs was an ostensibly nuclear family without any of the familial bonds. Coming of age in a mostly white suburban town, Deb&’s alienation led him to seek separation from his family and his culture, longing for the tight-knit home environment of his white friends. His desire wasn&’t rooted in racism or oppression; it was born of envy and desire—for white moms who made after-school snacks and asked his friends about the girls they liked and the teachers they didn&’t. Deb yearned for the same.Deb&’s experiences as one of the few minorities covering the Trump campaign, and subsequently as a stand up comedian, propelled him on a dramatic journey to India to see his father—the first step in a life altering journey to bridge the emotional distance separating him from those whose DNA he shared. Deb had to learn to connect with this man he recognized yet did not know—and eventually breach the silence separating him from his mother. As it beautifully and poignantly chronicles Deb&’s odyssey, Missed Translations raises questions essential to us all: Is it ever too late to pick up the pieces and offer forgiveness? How do we build bridges where there was nothing before—and what happens to us, to our past and our future, if we don&’t?
Missed Translations: Meeting the Immigrant Parents Who Raised Me
by Sopan DebA bittersweet and humorous memoir of family—of the silence and ignorance that separate us, and the blood and stories that connect us—from an award-winning New York Times writer and comedian.Approaching his 30th birthday, Sopan Deb had found comfort in his day job as a writer for the New York Times and a practicing comedian. But his stage material highlighting his South Asian culture only served to mask the insecurities borne from his family history. Sure, Deb knew the facts: his parents, both Indian, separately immigrated to North America in the 1960s and 1970s. They were brought together in a volatile and ultimately doomed arranged marriage and raised a family in suburban New Jersey before his father returned to India alone.But Deb had never learned who his parents were as individuals—their ages, how many siblings they had, what they were like as children, what their favorite movies were. Theirs was an ostensibly nuclear family without any of the familial bonds. Coming of age in a mostly white suburban town, Deb’s alienation led him to seek separation from his family and his culture, longing for the tight-knit home environment of his white friends. His desire wasn’t rooted in racism or oppression; it was born of envy and desire—for white moms who made after-school snacks and asked his friends about the girls they liked and the teachers they didn’t. Deb yearned for the same.Deb’s experiences as one of the few minorities covering the Trump campaign, and subsequently as a stand up comedian, propelled him on a dramatic journey to India to see his father—the first step in a life altering journey to bridge the emotional distance separating him from those whose DNA he shared. Deb had to learn to connect with this man he recognized yet did not know—and eventually breach the silence separating him from his mother. As it beautifully and poignantly chronicles Deb’s odyssey, Missed Translations raises questions essential to us all: Is it ever too late to pick up the pieces and offer forgiveness? How do we build bridges where there was nothing before—and what happens to us, to our past and our future, if we don’t?
**Missing**: Ten Inspirational Stories ((Extra)Ordinary #3)
by Kristin Bartzokis<P><P>Camille. Lynn. Monique. Becky and Margaret. Jaime. Olga. Christina. Rasheera. Odalys. Danielle. <P><P>These are the seemingly everyday women whose stories inspired (Extra)Ordinary Women - and whose resilience and strength will inspire women around the world. <P><P>These women have defeated breast cancer, addiction, and homelessness. They have lived through the Boston Marathon bombing and hundreds of surgeries. They have traveled from foreign lands to create a better life. They have endured brain cancer, abuse, and poverty. They have given a home to dozens of special-needs children. They have known loss, pain, and fear. <P><P>They are survivors. And they share their stories to empower other women who need something - and someone - to believe in. <P><P>(Extra)Ordinary Women reminds us of the amazing stories that we find all around us when we open our eyes, hearts, and minds. <P><P>And these extraordinary women remind us to never give up, never quit, and never underestimate the power of a woman.
Missing!: Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries
by Brenda Z. GuibersonIn this photo-illustrated middle-grade nonfiction book, Brenda Guiberson explores the stories of six individuals who have disappeared mysteriously throughout history.Jimmy Hoffa, Barbara Follett, Amelia Earhart, D. B. Cooper, two young royal princes—they all disappeared. Throughout history, individuals have gone missing without a trace; some of these disappearances haunt us. In this companion to Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries, Brenda Guiberson explores the stories of seven individuals who have disappeared mysteriously. Thoroughly researched and illustrated with photographs and line drawings, Missing!: Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries is exciting middle-grade nonfiction that also discusses the kind and qualities of evidence needed to lay these mysteries to rest.Godwin Books
Missing: A Memoir
by Lindsay HarrisonA beautifully written, intensely poignant memoir that looks at grief, family dynamics, and what happens when your world comes crashing down.A twenty-five-year-old recent graduate of Columbia University’s MFA program, Lindsay Harrison began writing Missing as a way to cope with a terrible loss. During her sophomore year at Brown University, Lindsay received a phone call from her brother that her mother was missing. Forty days later they discover the unthinkable: their mother’s body had been found in the ocean. Missing is at first a page-turning account of those first forty days, as it chronicles dealings with detectives, false sightings, wild hope, and deep despair. The balance of the story is a candid, emotional exploration of a daughter’s search for solace after tragedy as she tries to understand who her mother truly was, makes peace with her grief, and becomes closer to her father and brothers as her mother’s death forces her to learn more about her mother than she ever knew before.
Missing: My life finding the lost and delivering justice for the living
by Charlie Hedges'A phenomenal insight... a fascinating read. I couldn't put it down' Jackie Malton, author of The Real Prime SuspectEvery 90 seconds in the UK, a missing person is reported to the police.A pioneer in the field with experience spanning four decades, Charlie Hedges' job is to work out the best way to find them. What's going on in their life? When were they last seen?Have they chosen to go missing or is someone else involved?With no two cases ever the same, Charlie has been involved in some of the most high-profile reports during his career with the police and as a consultant in missing cases. From the evil of abductions and trafficking to the tragic accidents of the vulnerable, Charlie has dedicated his life to developing the ways we help not just the missing, but the families and loved ones left behind.Unique and fascinating, Missing tells Charlie's untold story of finding those who desperately need to be found and the cases that will never leave him.
Missing: My life finding the lost and delivering justice for the living
by Charlie Hedges'A phenomenal insight... a fascinating read. I couldn't put it down' Jackie Malton, author of The Real Prime SuspectEvery 90 seconds in the UK, a missing person is reported to the police.A pioneer in the field with experience spanning four decades, Charlie Hedges' job is to work out the best way to find them. What's going on in their life? When were they last seen?Have they chosen to go missing or is someone else involved?With no two cases ever the same, Charlie has been involved in some of the most high-profile reports during his career with the police and as a consultant in missing cases. From the evil of abductions and trafficking to the tragic accidents of the vulnerable, Charlie has dedicated his life to developing the ways we help not just the missing, but the families and loved ones left behind.Unique and fascinating, Missing tells Charlie's untold story of finding those who desperately need to be found and the cases that will never leave him.
Missing
by Shelley MacKenneyMissing is Shelley MacKenney's remarkable story of life as a 'missing person'. An inspirational tale of her journey through extreme personal crisis."You can run, but you can't hide from yourself."Abandoned by her mother as a young child and with a father constantly on the run, Shelley's life was never normal. Her family's involvement with South London's criminal underworld left her isolated, vulnerable and lonely. Falling deeper and deeper into depression and despair - she snapped.Shelley got on the first coach out of London with only the clothes she stood up in and £30 in her pocket. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could disappear completely from her oppressive life. For years, she lived anonymously in refuges, hostels and on the streets. It would take something remarkable to bring her back to the real world.
**Missing**: More Inspirational Stories of Everyday People ((Extra)Ordinary #2)
by Keith Maginn“This world needs books like these right now—the inspirational people within these pages.” - Kimberly Morand, blogger"When everything in life goes wrong, what keeps people going? This wonderful collection of answers tells how some conquered the near impossible." - Frank Litsky, retired editor and reporter, The New York TimesBurned on 100 percent of his body as a young boy, John O’Leary was given a 1 percent chance of survival. Thirty years later, he is a bestselling author, nationally known speaker, beloved husband, and dedicated father.Once controlled by addiction, Todd Crandell is now an addiction counselor—and a world-class Ironman triathlete.Born with no arms or legs, Nick Vujicic fought back from the brink of suicide to become a faith-driven motivational speaker admired by people around the world.These are just three of the inspiring lives featured in (Extra)Ordinary: More Inspirational Stories of Everyday People—tales of individuals who started out as “ordinary” but have proven to be anything but.Each of the people featured in (Extra)Ordinary reminds us of the depth of human potential and calls us to find our own strength to make our mark on the world around us. (Extra)Ordinary opens our eyes to the power that rests in each and every person!"I love this book. If you are looking for a book to inspire you, get yourself a copy. You will not be disappointed." - J. Bronder Book Reviews
Missing: Amelia Earhart, Amy Johnson, Glenn Miller & the Duke of Kent
by Roy Conyers NesbitThe uncertain fates of Amelia Earhart, Amy Johnson and Glenn Miller have fascinated readers and aviation historians ever since they disappeared. Even today, more than half a century after their final flights, what happened to them is still the subject of speculation, conspiracy theory and controversy. This has prompted Roy Conyers Nesbit to reinvestigate their stories and to write this perceptive, level-headed and gripping study. Using testimony from new witnesses and hitherto undisclosed public records, he seeks to explain why they were reported missing: believed killed. He describes why American aviatrix Amelia Earhart vanished in the Pacific on her round-the-world flight in 1937, what caused the death of Britains aviation heroine Amy Johnson over the Thames estuary in 1941, and what really killed band-leader Glenn Miller on his doomed flight to Paris in 1944. And he applies the same expert forensic eye to other tragic aerial mysteries of the period including the flying-boat crash that claimed the life of the Duke of Kent in Scotland in 1942. This classic study, issued here for the first time in paperback, will be fascinating reading for students of aviation history and for anyone who is intrigued by tales of flights into the unknown.
Missing: The Need for Closure After the Great War
by Richard van EmdenThe story of one British mother&’s desperate search for her son&’s remains after he was killed in action during World War I. In May, 1918, Angela and Leopold Mond received a knock on the front door. It was the postman delivering the letter every family in the United Kingdom dreaded: the notification of a loved one&’s battlefield death—in their case their eldest child, their son, Lieutenant Francis Mond. The Royal Flying Corps pilot, along with his Observer, Lieutenant Edgar Martyn, had been shot down over no man&’s land in France, both killed instantly. Yet there was one comfort: both bodies had been recovered. There would, at the very least, be a grave to visit after the war. However, no news followed. Angela Mond wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission asking for further details, but no one knew where the bodies were buried. There was an initial trail, but from that last sighting both men had simply disappeared. So begins the story detailed in Missing. Angela, a wealthy, well-connected 48-year-old mother of five and a socialite from London&’s West End, embarked on an exhaustive quest to find her son that took her to the battlefields and cemeteries of France and into correspondence with hundreds of French civilians and British and German servicemen. She even bought the ground on which her son&’s plane had crashed and erected a private memorial to Francis, a memorial that survives to this day. During the Great War, more than 750,000 servicemen and women had been killed. Half of them had no known grave, leaving many families desperate for solace. This is just one of those heartbreaking stories.
Missing: The Need for Closure After the Great War
by Richard van EmdenThe story of one British mother&’s desperate search for her son&’s remains after he was killed in action during World War I. In May, 1918, Angela and Leopold Mond received a knock on the front door. It was the postman delivering the letter every family in the United Kingdom dreaded: the notification of a loved one&’s battlefield death—in their case their eldest child, their son, Lieutenant Francis Mond. The Royal Flying Corps pilot, along with his Observer, Lieutenant Edgar Martyn, had been shot down over no man&’s land in France, both killed instantly. Yet there was one comfort: both bodies had been recovered. There would, at the very least, be a grave to visit after the war. However, no news followed. Angela Mond wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission asking for further details, but no one knew where the bodies were buried. There was an initial trail, but from that last sighting both men had simply disappeared. So begins the story detailed in Missing. Angela, a wealthy, well-connected 48-year-old mother of five and a socialite from London&’s West End, embarked on an exhaustive quest to find her son that took her to the battlefields and cemeteries of France and into correspondence with hundreds of French civilians and British and German servicemen. She even bought the ground on which her son&’s plane had crashed and erected a private memorial to Francis, a memorial that survives to this day. During the Great War, more than 750,000 servicemen and women had been killed. Half of them had no known grave, leaving many families desperate for solace. This is just one of those heartbreaking stories.
Missing Alice: In Search of a Mother's Voice
by Susan Letzler ColePublisher's Summary: "Author Susan Letzler Cole lost her mother, Alice, to cancer in 1990. In this 'autobiography of two voices,' she traces a daughter's search to recover the 'missing parts' of a mother, to know her as an individual for the first time. Shunning linear narrative, Cole experiments with a variety of approaches: letters written to her mother three years after Alice died at the age of 78; oral history via taped conversations between mother and daughter during Alice's illness; excerpts from her 14-year-old mother's 1926 diary juxtaposed with the author's expost facto letters to the adolescent diarist. Finally, Cole's own diary entries contemplate vital themes of family, love, and time. At once innovative and heartfelt, 'Missing Alice' seeks to make heard one of those 'lost' women's voices that speak from and help create the world that we know. It is a fine choice for classes in biography, autobiography, and women's writing, as well as American Jewish and immigrant experience, oral history/memoir, and grief therapy." Even though this book is a non-fiction work, it reads like a novel with sophisticated literary styles. Hopefully, by reading this book, the reader will learn a greater appreciation for life and relationships and will be able to show greater outward love to others.