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Justice Ketanji: The Story of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
by Denise Lewis PatrickDiscover the rise of Ketanji Brown Jackson, from a young girl growing up in Florida to the first Black woman to be confirmed to the United States Supreme Court.Ketanji Brown Jackson knew from the very beginning that “You can do anything. You can be anything.” Driven by those powerful words and her parents' love, Ketanji refused to let naysayers stop her from rising to the top, whether it was participating in her high school debate team, applying to her dream college, or excelling at Harvard. Her perseverance and her wits led her to become the first Black female U.S. District Judge and eventually the first Black female Supreme Court Justice. Ketanji’s remarkable journey proves how she is a Justice for all.With Denise Lewis Patrick’s empowering prose and Kim Holt’s vibrant illustrations, this picture book delves into the life of a trail-blazing contemporary figure, whose work shows that with determination and support, we can do and be anything.
VIP: Freedom's Voice (VIP #3)
by Denise Lewis PatrickGet ready to sing for justice with Mahalia Jackson in this exciting middle grade nonfiction biography. Perfect for fans of the Who Was and Little Leaders series, the books in the VIP series tell the true—and amazing—stories of some of history's greatest trailblazers. Meet the VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE who changed the world! Mahalia Jackson was known as the queen of gospel music. A close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s, she was also a civil rights activist who sang at the March on Washington. And she traveled the world, too! Experience all the inspiring moments in Mahalia’s big life in this thrilling biography, packed with two-color illustrations and fun facts, like who invented rock and roll! Short and engaging chapters are interspersed with special lists and other information made to order to engage kids, whether they're already biography fans or "have to" write a report for school. Extras include a timeline, a bibliography, and a hall of fame of other musicians and civil rights activists. The VIP series features stirring adventures and fun facts about some of history's greatest trailblazers—smart, tough, persevering innovators who will excite today's kids. Featuring underappreciated historical figures and groups, with a focus on leaders in science, activism, and the arts, the nonfiction biographies in the VIP series are fun and appealing. Just looking at the cover will make kids want to learn more about these VIPs, and once they dive in they will zoom through stories that read like adventures. Each book in the VIP series allows your middle grader to experience all the fascinating moments in some very important but lesser known lives. These biographies for kids age 9-12 include: VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer; VIP: Lewis Latimer: Engineering Wizard; VIP: Mahalia Jackson: Freedom's Voice; and VIP: Lydia Darragh: Unexpected Spy.
VIP: Engineering Wizard (VIP #1)
by Denise Lewis PatrickGet ready to light up the world with Lewis Latimer in this exciting middle grade nonfiction biography. Perfect for fans of the Who Was and Little Leaders series, the books in the VIP series tell the true—and amazing—stories of some of history's greatest trailblazers. Meet the VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE who changed the world! Lewis Latimer was one of the greatest inventors of his time. He was also an engineer who transformed the lightbulb at Thomas Edison’s company. And he was a gifted artist, too! Experience all the exciting moments in Lewis Latimer’s thrilling life in this exciting biography, packed with two-color illustrations and fun facts, like who invented the Super Soaker!Short and engaging chapters are interspersed with special lists and other information made to order to engage kids, whether they're already biography fans or "have to" write a report for school. Extras include a timeline, a bibliography, and a hall of fame of other successful African American inventors.The VIP series features inspiring adventures and fun facts about some of history's greatest trailblazers—smart, tough, persevering innovators who will inspire today's kids. Featuring underappreciated historical figures and groups, with a focus on leaders in science and technology, the nonfiction biographies in the VIP series are fun and engaging. Just looking at the cover will make kids want to learn more about these VIPs, and once they dive in they will zoom through stories that read like adventures.Each book in the VIP series allows your middle grader to experience all the exciting moments in some very important but lesser known lives. These biographies for kids age 9-12 include: VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer: Engineering Wizard; VIP: Mahalia Jackson: Freedom's Voice; and VIP: Lydia Darragh: Unexpected Spy.
A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Denise Lewis Patrick Rodney S. PateLevel 2: Reading Independently * More complex stories * Varied sentence structure * Paragraphs and short chapters Young Martin Luther King Jr. is having some problems with his best friend, Bobby. First, they are going to different schools this year. Next, Bobby's dad is not letting his son play with Martin. When Martin learns why, he is confused and hurt -- but he learns a lesson that he will never forget.
A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life
by Deval Patrick"I've simply seen too much goodness in this country--and have come so far in my own journey--not to believe in those ideals, and my faith in the future is sometimes restored under the darkest clouds." --Governor Deval Patrick. In January 2007, Deval Patrick became the first black governor of the state of Massachusetts, one of only two black governors elected in American history. But that was just one triumphant step in a long, improbable journey that began in a poor tenement on the South Side of Chicago. From a chaotic childhood to an elite boarding school in New England, from a sojourn doing relief work in Africa to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, and then to a career in politics, Patrick has led an extraordinary life. In this heartfelt and inspirational book, he pays tribute to the family, friends, and strangers who, through words and deeds, have instilled in him transcendent lessons of faith, perseverance, and friendship. In doing so, he reminds us of the power of community and the imperative of idealism. With humility, humor, and grace, he offers a road map for attaining happiness, empowerment, and success while also making an appeal for readers to cultivate those achievements in others, to feel a greater stake in this world, and to shape a life worth living. Warm, nostalgic, and inspirational, A Reason to Believe is destined to become a timeless tribute to a uniquely American odyssey and a testament to what is possible in our lives and our communities if we are hopeful, generous, and resilient. GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK is donating a portion of the proceeds from A REASON TO BELIEVE to A Better Chance, a national organization dedicated to opening the doors to greater educational opportunities for young people of color. To learn more, visit www.abetterchance.org.
Catch Your Breath: The Secret Life of a Sleepless Anaesthetist
by Ed Patrick'Ed's journey is funny, sad, harrowing, hilarious... I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO READ THIS.' - Colin Mochrie A gut punch of a memoir by a doctor - and comedian - whose job is to keep people alive by putting them to sleep.Ed Patrick is an anaesthetist.Strong drugs for his patients, strong coffee for him. But it's not just sleep-giving for this anaesthetist, as he navigates emergencies, patients not breathing for themselves and living with a terrifying sense of responsibility. It's enough to leave anyone feeling numb.But don't worry, there's plenty of laughing gas to be had.'Very funny, very timely, scary in places. Ed writes with wit, insight, surprise and pathos. He is cutting his teeth in anaesthetics, taking people as close to death as you can take them, and then trying to wake them up again. And makes it funny. A joy to read.' - Phil Hammond
Catch Your Breath: The Secret Life of a Sleepless Anaesthetist
by Ed Patrick'Brilliantly funny.' - Matt Lucas'You have to read this book.' - Tim Harford'It's funny, touching and gobsmacking in equal measure. At its heart is a breathtaking account of life on the COVID frontline.' - Jay Rayner'Ed's journey is funny, sad, harrowing, hilarious... I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO READ THIS.' - Colin Mochrie'Very Funny.' - Fern BradyA gut punch of a memoir by a doctor - and comedian - whose job is to keep people alive by putting them to sleep.Ed Patrick is an anaesthetist.Strong drugs for his patients, strong coffee for him. But it's not just sleep-giving for this anaesthetist, as he navigates emergencies, patients not breathing for themselves and living with a terrifying sense of responsibility. It's enough to leave anyone feeling numb.But don't worry, there's plenty of laughing gas to be had.'Very funny, very timely, scary in places. Ed writes with wit, insight, surprise and pathos. He is cutting his teeth in anaesthetics, taking people as close to death as you can take them, and then trying to wake them up again. And makes it funny. A joy to read.' - Phil Hammond
Catch Your Breath: The Secret Life of a Sleepless Anaesthetist
by Ed Patrick***NOW INCLUDING NEW BONUS CHAPTER EXCLUSIVE TO THIS AUDIOBOOK***'It's funny, touching and gobsmacking in equal measure. At its heart is a breathtaking account of life on the COVID frontline.' - Jay Rayner'Ed's journey is funny, sad, harrowing, hilarious... I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO READ THIS.' - Colin MochrieA gut punch of a memoir by a doctor - and comedian - whose job is to keep people alive by putting them to sleep.Ed Patrick is an anaesthetist.Strong drugs for his patients, strong coffee for him. But it's not just sleep-giving for this anaesthetist, as he navigates emergencies, patients not breathing for themselves and living with a terrifying sense of responsibility. It's enough to leave anyone feeling numb.But don't worry, there's plenty of laughing gas to be had.(P)Octopus Publishing Group 2021
Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics
by Jean L. PatrickLucile &“Ludy&” Godbold was six feet tall and skinnier than a Carolina pine and an exceptional athlete. In her final year on the track team at Winthrop College in South Carolina, Ludy tried the shot put and she made that iron ball sail with her long, skinny arms. But when Ludy qualified for the first Women's Olympics in 1922, Ludy had no money to go.Thanks to the help of her college and classmates, Ludy traveled to Paris and won the gold medal with more than a foot to spare. Hooray for Ludy! Based on a true story about a little-known athlete and a unique event in women's sports history.
The Oxford Guide to the United States Government
by John J. Patrick Richard M. Pious Donald A. RitchieThe Oxford Guide to the United States Government is the ultimate resource for authoritative information on the U.S. Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court, and other federal government agencies. Written by three top scholars, its pages brim with the key figures, events, and structures that have animated U.S. government for more than 200 years. In addition to coverage of the 2000 Presidential election, this Guide features biographies of all the Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Supreme Court justices, as well as notable members of Congress, including current leadership; historical commentary on past elections, major Presidential decisions, international and domestic programs, and the key advisors and agencies of the executive branch; in-depth analysis of Congressional leadership and committees, agencies and staff, and historic legislation; and detailed discussions of 100 landmark Supreme Court cases and the major issues facing the Court today. In addition to entries that define legal terms and phrases and others that elaborate on the wide array of government traditions, this invaluable book includes extensive back matter, including tables of Presidential election results; lists of Presidents, Vice Presidents, Congresses, and Supreme Court Justices with dates of service; lists of Presidential museums, libraries, and historic sites; relevant web sites; and information on visiting the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court building. A one-stop, comprehensive guide that will assist students, educators, and anyone curious about the inner workings of government, The Oxford Guide to the United States Government will be a valued addition to any home library.
From Jacks to Joysticks: An Aviation Life: Engineer to Commercial Pilot
by Michael John PatrickTrenchard Brat. Flying Spanner. Left Hand Seat. Nicknames abound in aviation. But not many get to be called them all, especially when theyve started life with an aversion to school and a stammer thrown in. Mick Patrick started his aviation career as an RAF Apprentice and finished it as an Air Ambulance pilot. He never knew he was going to become a pilot just that he was determined to have a good start in life and it seemed the RAF offered this to him.As an engineer, Mick saw active service on jungle airstrips in the Far East during the Borneo Confrontation with Indonesia and got his hands dirty servicing Cold War aircraft. Later he had an opportunity to become aircrew as a Flight Engineer and it was from this position he was able to use his knowledge as part of a crew to take the next step. After many years of watching pilots ply their trade, Mick decided he could do it too, so worked his way up to becoming a commercial pilot.Along the way he experienced risky moments that shaped him as an aviator; he crashed a float plane in a Texas lake, flew casualties to Coventry and elephants to the East, nose-dived in Nassau and skirted death at Stansted. The tales in this book are used to illustrate how they affected Micks approach to aviation and what he took away from those events.Immensely readable and delivered by a true story teller, From Jacks to Joysticks is for anyone who loves tales of aircraft and life in aviation, whether in the cockpit or on the ground. Above all else this book is about how a lifetime of exposure to aviation has shaped one mans thinking and approach to life and how in aviation you need to keep an open mind.
Patrick's Corner
by Seán Patrick[Back cover] "Upon reaching their "two-digit" birthdays, the six Patrick brothers became "Associate Breadwinners" in order to help out their widowed mother and earn a little money to jingle in their pockets. Patrick's Corner, the busiest street corner in town, was so named by the Patricks because they had a sort of monopoly on working the crowded locale, shining shoes and hawking the evening newspaper. With age, when one brother would move on to more lucrative pastures, the next Patrick in line would take over his job. Sean Patrick, the baby of the family, tells the story of his "comin' up" in an Irish Catholic family that was financially poor, but rich with guidance, love, respect, and support. Patrick's Corner is a collection of stories about growing up after World War II in a world where family life, neighborhood interdependence, and nurturing environments were the norm. With a strong emphasis on familial relationships, Patrick's Corner shows the best side of people living in crowded poverty as a reminder that the family has always been the basic strength of America. Almost everyone will find something to relate to in this book, whether it is the struggle for self-identity, the family's faith in God, or the tendency of older siblings to act like parents. Even if you have never had to wear hand-me-down clothes or been referred to as So-and-So's little brother or sister, these stories are sure to touch your heart. Told with sensitivity and humor, this nostalgic and sometimes bittersweet reminiscence is full of warmth, love, growing pains, and the day-to-day struggles for survival. "
Sinner Takes All
by Tera Patrick Carrie BorzilloThe world's #1 porn star strips down about life, love, and everything in between. Tera Patrick wasn't always Tera Patrick. Once upon a time she was a gangly, teenaged bookworm named Linda Ann Hopkins, obsessed with serial killers and Marilyn Monroe and determined to make men all over the world one day desire her. And she succeeded: Today she sits atop the porn world and runs her own multimillion-dollar empire. Sinner Takes All is a sexy and deeply personal memoir in which Tera bares all about baring all. Tera discusses leaving home as a teen to work as an international fashion model, losing her virginity at age fourteen to a man twice her age, working as a nurse at a senior citizen's home, her on- and off-screen sexual escapades, and the emotional obstacles that she's had to overcome, including a strained relationship with her mother, deadbeat boyfriends, and a suicide attempt that led to a stint in a locked-down psych ward. An honest and naked look at a one-of-a-kind life, Sinner Takes All is a riveting memoir of the making of a modern sex goddess.
The Next Pandemic: On the Front Lines Against Humankind's Gravest Dangers
by William Patrick Ali KhanDuring the 2014 Ebola crisis, the public watched with rapt attention as a handful of Americans contracted the deadly fever and were transported to treatment facilities in the United States. We charted the movements of Dr. Craig Spencer, whose three-mile jog and subway ride to a bowling alley became national news, fearing for our lives. Yet the panic far outstripped the reality of the situation; Dr. Spencer survived, and the disease spread no further. The American Ebola outbreak began and ended with two fatalities.To Dr. Ali Khan, the 2014 Ebola scare was simply another example of public paranoia about infectious disease; he has been on the front lines of each one - and many we didn't hear about- over the last 25 years. During the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Zaire, Khan found patient zero; he traveled to Washington, DC, in 2001 as a first responder in the anthrax crisis; and went to southeast Asia to treat patients of SARS. The University of Nebraska Medical Center, where Khan is now Dean of Public Health, is one of four biohazard containment units in the United States; four Ebola patients were treated there in 2014.In this riveting book, Khan tells the dramatic stories of these crises-as well as the stories we don't know-of congo-crimean hemorrhagic fever infecting abattoirs in the United Arab Emirates, as cigarette-smoking local doctors rushed to the scene, for instance; or of being shot at by militias in the African bush while trying to treat monkeypox.The book's message is every bit as urgent as his stories: we are focused on the wrong problems. Khan reminds us that the danger of an outbreak-more real than ever in the age of climate change and global travel-is not a matter of which disease is the most deadly or violent. Instead, he urges readers to spread good information and practice essential habits.Untitled CDC Memoir is a vivid and necessary book about rampant and violent diseases, and disasters narrowly averted- and the tools we need to keep them at bay.
No Red Lights: Reflections on Life, 50 Years in Venture Capital, and Never Driving Alone
by Alan J. PatricofA look back at entrepreneurial growth and venture capital in the last half century by one of the leading figures in the industry.Extensive media and online coverage of the business arena, news of start-ups, mergers, and deals are familiar headlines these days. But that wasn&’t always the case. The early years of venture capital were a far cry from today&’s very public dealings. Alan Patricof, one of the pioneers of the venture arena, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the past fifty years of the industry. From buying stock in Apple when its market valuation was only $60 million to founding New York Magazine to investing in AOL, Audible, and more recently, Axios, his discerning approach to finding companies is almost peerless. All of Patricof&’s investments—from Xerox to Venmo—share certain qualities. Each company had sound product with wide appeal, the economics were solid, and the management team was talented and committed to seeing their visions come to fruition.
Choices: To the Hills and Back Again
by Audrina PatridgeFrom the star of MTV&’s The Hills and The Hills: New Beginnings, a candid and insightful reflection on aughts tabloid fame, the powerlessness and loss of self in toxic situations, and the life-changing power of even our smallest choices.If you know Audrina Patridge from one of the most successful reality shows ever, MTV&’s The Hills, you know that she doesn&’t pull punches. For years, she hid the challenges she faced, but now, she&’s finally sharing her full story for the first time—and it&’s not a neat little story, tied with a bow. This is the unvarnished truth about being young and carefree in Los Angeles, filming The Hills, and getting access to the most exclusive parties, decadent restaurants, and VIP clubs. It&’s also the unvarnished truth about darker days, when she lost her confidence, her voice, and even her self-worth as she was pushed to the brink of losing almost everything. Just like The Hills, Audrina is back and better than ever. In Choices, she&’s baring it all: the nearly soul-crushing struggles, the beauty of finally reclaiming her power, and the incredible experiences and behind-the-scenes details of The Hills. This is the story of an eighteen-year-old girl who took a chance and had the experience of a lifetime on a reality TV phenomenon that made her a household name and tabloid regular. But it&’s also the story of a thirty-six-year-old woman and mother who regained her voice after years in a series of unfulfilling and even toxic relationships. Deeply insightful and wonderfully entertaining, Choices is a story of redemption, renewed strength, and reckoning with the choices we make.
My Lynda: Loving and losing my beloved wife, Lynda Bellingham
by Michael PattemoreLynda Bellingham died in her husband Michael's arms on 19th October 2014. Lynda touched many lives in her memoir, There's Something I've Been Dying to Tell You, and in My Lynda, Michael tells his side of the story. He talks movingly about their ten years together and describes how, in the past year, he has struggled to cope. He shares candidly his experience of grief, offering hope and support to others who have lost partners and loved ones. His is a book to comfort those who loved Lynda, to tell the missing pieces of their life together, to write about how they both confronted the news of her illness, and how he managed to continue since that moment of hearing that she had a teminal illness.
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
by Chris PattenChris Patten was a cradle Catholic (hence First Confession), became on the most prominent Tory 'Wets' of the 1980s and 1990s, and went on to hold a series of prominent public offices - Chairman of the Conservative Party, the last Governor of Hong Kong, European Commissioner for External Affairs, Chancellor of Oxford University, Chairman of the BBC, advisor to the Pope - as he self-deprecatingly puts it 'a Grand Poo-bah, the Lord High Everything Else'. He writes with wry humour about his time in all these offices, taking us behind the scenes and showing us unexpected sides of many of the great figures of the day. No political writer is so purely enjoyable as Chris Patten.
The Hong Kong Diaries
by Chris PattenThe diaries of the last British Governor of Hong Kong, published on the 25th anniversary of the handoverIn June 1992 Chris Patten went to Hong Kong as the last British governor, to try to prepare it not (as other British colonies over the decades) for independence, but for handing back in 1997 to the Chinese, from whom most of its territory had been leased 99 years previously. Over the next five years he kept this diary, which describes in detail how Hong Kong was run as a British colony and what happened as the handover approached. The book gives unprecedented insights into negotiating with the Chinese, about how the institutions of democracy in Hong Kong were (belatedly) strengthened and how Patten sought to ensure that a strong degree of self-government would continue after 1997. Unexpectedly, his opponents included not only the Chinese themselves, but some British businessmen and civil service mandarins upset by Patten's efforts, for whom political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong seemed less important than keeping on the right side of Beijing. The book concludes with an account of what has happened in Hong Kong since the handover, a powerful assessment of recent events and Patten's reflections on how to deal with China - then and now.
The Chrétien Legacy
by Steve Patten Lois HarderContributors include Yasmeen Abu-Laban (Alberta), Caroline Andrew (Ottawa), Gerard W. Boychuk (Waterloo), Kathy Brock (Queen's), Stephen Clarkson (Toronto), David Docherty (Wilfrid Laurier), Alexandra Dobrowolsky (St Mary's), Christina Gabriel (Carleton), Ian Greene (York), Tom Keating (Alberta), Erick Lachapelle (Toronto), Laura MacDonald (Carleton), Michael Murphy (Otago, New Zealand), Steve Patten (Alberta), Michael J. Prince (Victoria), Reg Whitaker (York and Victoria), and Robert Young (Western Ontario).
The Ranch That Was Us
by Becky Crouch Patterson Willie NelsonBraiding strands of earthen insight with uproarious storytelling, Texas Hill Country legendary author Becky Patterson recreates the history of the Steiler Hill Ranch in twenty-four anecdotal chapters interspersed with original artwork. The result is a mixture of memoir and montage, treasure chest and tableau vivant of a world that's beautiful, brash, and wonderfully heartbreaking. Patterson -- the daughter of Texas folk hero and self-proclaimed mayor of Luckenbach, Hondo Crouch -- has big shoes to fill and she does so successfully in this colorful collection of Hill Country and Texas ranch vignettes.Foreman and general cowboy guru Raymond Kuhlmann tells stories of the Goat King and German drinking songs, the buzzard traps and Mexican corridos that filled the nighttime pastures. First-person accounts and vivid historical narratives evoke the ranch's past, overlaid with Patterson's breathless personal histories of afternoons spent rescuing a doe in a nightgown, or saving a porcupine from a pack of dogs.This is a book that will connect you to whatever patch of earth you hold dear. It is poignant reminder of the landscapes we've forgotten to keep close, of the land that does not belong to us but simply is who we are. The Ranch That Was Us is an affectionate reminder to go outside and touch the earth that is you.
The adventures of Captain John Patterson: with notices of the officers, &c. of the 50th, or Queen's own regiment, from 1807 to 1821.
by Captain John PattersonCaptain Patterson's adventures are written in a companionable, good natured style which leads the reader through the Peninsular War towards the Pyrenees and Southern France Campaign. This account is filled with much essential information of the campaign and the battlefields, as well as entertaining anecdotes of the author's own experiences and those of his soldiers and comrades. An essential addition to the Napoleonic library of every enthusiast.Author -- Captain John PattersonText taken, whole and complete, from the edition published in London : T. & W. Boone, 1837.Original Page Count - x and 436 pages.
Carly Patterson: Be Strong
by Carly Patterson Clint KellyCarly Patterson writes about her journey to Olympic Gold.
The Art of Not Falling Apart: New Statesman Books Of The Year 2018
by Christina PattersonWe plan, as the old proverb says, and God laughs. But most of us don't find it all that funny when things go wrong. Most of us want love, a nice home, good work, and happy children. Many of us grew up with parents who made these things look relatively easy and assumed we would get them, too. So what do you do if you don't? What do you do when you feel you've messed it all up and your friends seem to be doing just fine? For Christina Patterson, it was her job as a journalist that kept her going through the ups and downs of life. And then she lost that, too. Dreaming of revenge and irritated by self-help books, she decided to do the kind of interviews she had never done before. The resulting conversations are surprising, touching and often funny. There's Ken, the first person to be publicly fired from a FTSE-100 board. There's Winston, who fell through a ceiling onto a purple coffin. There's Louise, whose baby was seriously ill, but who still worried about being fat. And through it all, there's Christina, eating far too many crisps as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life. The Art of Not Falling Apart is a joyous, moving, and sometimes shockingly honest celebration of life as an adventure, one where you ditch your expectations, raise a glass, and prepare for a rocky ride.
Outside, the Sky is Blue: A Family Memoir
by Christina PattersonOUTSIDE, THE SKY IS BLUE is a beautifully drawn, heart-breaking yet also joyful memoir of growing up, of living with mental ill health and cancer, and of working out what it means to be in a family, what it means to lose a family - and what's left when you're the last one left.When Christina Patterson's brother Tom died very suddenly, she faced the harrowing task of clearing out his house. Tom had always been the one who held on to the family treasures and memories, but now Christina had to sift through box after box of letters, papers, photos and belongings, not just of Tom's, but of their parents and their older sister, Caroline.Those boxes, albums and papers tell the story of a young couple who decide, when their children are small, to swap a glamorous diplomatic life in Rome for a housing estate in Surrey. But their new suburban life, of trips to National Trust houses, fizzy drinks over TV costume drama and walks at Wisley Gardens, is increasingly disrupted by Caroline's, erratic behaviour. As she is diagnosed with schizophrenia, Tom seeks solace in sport and Christina in a youth club where she hopes to meet boys, but finds God.'Patterson is a passionate, funny woman who refuses simply to struggle on. She believes in living. And throwing parties. And friendship' Sunday Times