Party The Books

This is a great book about a great man. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about American history, the story is not only about Bill Pickett. It's about America as well, and other legends such as Will Rogers, Tom Mix and others.

The passage of the Marshall Plan, in its legislative embodiment, the Economic Recovery Program, seems almost a miraculous event, a hallmark in American foreign politics, representing a genuine revolution in America's role in world affairs. In gaining the legislative approval for the Marshall Plan, the Truman Administration had to surmount not only the customary difficulties of American government, but a host of problems peculiar to itself. Firstly it was launched by the administration of an unelected president, who was commonly viewed as a "lame duck" and "historical accident" with no mandate, whose loss of the upcoming election appeared to be such a virtual certainty, that both press and politicians openly talked about his administration being "scheduled" to leave office in 1949. Secondly President Harry S Truman's personal popularity was perceived to be at such a low by his own party, that it was thought best that he not assist in the congressional campaign of 1946. On top of these conditions, the Marshall Plan would be launched in the face of a Republican controlled Eightieth Congress, pledged to budget cutting and a larger environment that had witnessed the growth of a neo-isolationist outlook, which sought American withdrawal from world responsibilities, in the belief that the United Nations, was supposed to handle them. The task before the Truman Administration was formidable indeed, as the possibilities of uniting Congress and the nation behind a revolutionary departure in international relations, entailing the whole hearted acceptance of internationalism and its attendant burdens, appeared remote.

Historical scholarship has long viewed the Marshall Plan as a symbol of American generosity and humanitarianism, motivated by enlightened self interest and clearly defined national objectives. The Marshall Plan wrote its official historian, Harry B. Price in 1955, was "one of the great success stories of all time"; and for the next quarter of a century both liberals and conservatives have largely taken their cue from him. For the most part however, historical scholarship has treated the Marshall Plan as a central event in the developing cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union , as well as an outgrowth of the need of American capitalism to save itself through controlling Europe's economics. While many of the historical works relate to how the Marshall Plan was a "high watermark of bipartisanship in foreign policy", very few works have produced a comprehensive study and discussion of that bipartisan process. John Bledsoe Bonds, however, has produced in this work a thoroughly comprehensive and detailed study that captures the very essence of how the Marshall Plan (ERP) was sold to Congress. This work will greatly benefit those studying the Marshall Plan or on a more general scope those studying successful strategies of passing legislation in the face of opposition. A highly recommended book.

[Part of the above review is taken from; "The Marshall Plan and the Eightieth Congress" by Alexander Rayden. Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved]

A dear friend mentioned seeing this book during a trip to New England. She wanted to buy it, but the price was way too steep. While we were chatting on the phone, I checked out Amazon. There the book was--used but in good condition--for a very reasonable price. She was really excited about getting the book. I always check Amazon first.

As an undergraduate at UCLA, I read and re-read Alan Sillitoe's Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, reveling in the antics of the boozing, brawling, working-class character Arthur Seaton. However, as years passed (and I got my Ph.D., married, bought a house and had a kid), I found it difficult to identify with the literary hero of my young adulthood.

Birthday has made Arthur Seaton alive and relevant to me again. What a joy to catch up with Arthur over 40 literary years later and see how an "angry young man" ages gracefully... sort of . Arthur is now a responsible parent, loving husband to a terminally-ill wife, and tender of a vegetable garden in his own home. Yet, he is the same old Arthur: telling outrageous stories, complaining about the uselessness of the government, and half-threatening to kill a young co-worker for wasting food (remember, Arthur Seaton grew up in a war-deprived England).

Birthday alludes to many moments from Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. Sometimes, the results are hilarious: A 60-year-old Arthur, for example, finds himself counseling a spitting-image son who has visions of blowing up Parliament and telling his boss off -- the same fantasies Arthur professed as a young man. Often, the past references are touching. See the recently-widowed Arthur frolic with his grandson (and re-engage in life) the way he used to with his young nephew back in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.

Fans of Saturday Night beware: much of Birthday focuses on Arthur's brother Brian and his weary struggle with existential issues and regret. The subplots with Arthur, however, really crackle with energy and good humor. I felt great after reading this book. If Arthur Seaton can remain vital through older adulthood, then maybe so can I. Cheers, Arthur!

This is not just another party idea book. Too often we (myself included) have these thoughts running through our heads about a month or two before our child's birthday: "what am I going to DO for junior's birthday this year" and "how am I going to top last year's party?" This book shifts our thoughts from 'doing' for our child to 'being there' for our child. I especially liked Shelly's discussion about birthday traditions to begin and continue (with age-appropriate modification) throughout the teen years. She gives a particurlarly good suggestion which I won't give away here!
Speaking from my point of view as a mom raising children in one of the most materialistic areas of the entire world, I can tell you that bigger [parties] is not always better. Shelly was able to articulate this in her book in a way that I've always felt but was not able to put into words.
Yes, this book is a great reference for party ideas and I know I will use it and give it to other moms for years to come. However, I feel that the book's strength is in the encouragement it gives parents to shift the focus of the birthday celebration from event-oriented activities to child-centered love and care.

Dora and Boots are invited to her cousin Daisy's fifteenth birthday party-her fiesta de quinceanera. But the party can't start without Dora and Boots because they have Daisy's crown and shoes. Dora and Boots need to hurry to Daisy's party. Along the way, Dora and Boots team up with Baby Jaguar and Dora's cousin Diego, Daisy's brother. But when the party begins, it's time to mambo!

My daughter loved this book, even though she received it at age 6, which is probably at the high end of the appropriate age for this. She still loves board books, and there are plenty of stickers to decorate with. Great gift for any little girl's birthday party!

The littlest mouse is turning two, and he has a cowboy-themed party to celebrate. With all the fun and do-si-doing, balloons are popped and the cake is smashed. But the little mouse's siblings and friends save the party from disaster with quick thinking. All ends well, with the littlest mouse getting his birthday wish.
The text is terrific to read aloud, and the illustrations are bright and fun. The tiny cowboy mice and huge cupcakes and balloons are adorable. A great gift for a birthday child.

I bought this book in 1988 when my oldest son was three. I had no idea what to do at a birthday party other than to serve cake! It contains "themed" parties but also has sections on recipes, games, and activities to do for each appropriate age group. For instance, it says that 5-year-olds generally do not like to play "win or lose" games, so this book has many suggestions for games that do not leave anyone crying because he has lost a game. EXCELLENT -- the games are great, and the kids have fun and are happy. I now have three children, and the best suggestion that I've found that is a hit is the scavenger hunt. However many children attend the party determines the number of "notes." Each child reads a note that will lead him to the next note and eventually the treasure. Kids absolutely go wild over this! This book makes planning a home birthday party not only simple but fun. My kids' friends always leave saying that this [particular] birthday party was one of the most fun they've ever attended! The games spark the imagination yet more importantly, are FUN for kids. This book has made my life as parent of a birthday child much, much easier. I sincerely highly recommend it!

I have treasured this book for years and am now sending it to my grandson prior to his 3rd birthday. The illustrations and story line are simple and easy to follow. These is mounting suspense, even some anxiety as to whether ....well, buy the book. You will treasure it for years also and save it for your grandchildren.