Illinois Books

The authors have provided a visual celebration for nursing! Clearly the parades were really annual public processions, although the narrative and images demonstrate the religious nature as well. The photographs are a witness to the pride and esteem that nurses held/hold for their profession and the tribute paid to nursing by all those other groups who chose to also march as well as the crowds that lined the parade route. This is a real contribution to the history of nursing!

This book is a perfect gift for any nurse, but especially one who is over 50-ish, has any Chicago connections, and who attended a "diploma" school of nursing. It is a completely unbeknownst to me super-cool annual event out of the city's past. The documentation and photos are great. Thus, it's also a great book for a Chicago historian, nurse or not. I happen to be a nurse, and purchased this book for myself. It's nice to know that past mayors of the city honored its nurses in such a neat public way. It's also a view of how nursing has changed. In the days of this parade, practically every R.N. had graduated from a hospital "diploma" school of nursing. Now those schools are virtually extinct (mine closed over 20 years ago), and most nurses are college, community college, or university educated. The evolution of nursing education is another huge subject, but this book gives a great glimpse of the old days of Chicago and nursing in the 10 years that the parade was held.

Chicago's Nurse Parade is a wonderful easy read with incredible vintage photos deplicting this fascinating historical parade. Being a nurse, there is a pride and a wonderful history of this profession.
Hats off to the authors for showing the historical and interesting journey this profession has!
D. Emerick R.N.

A wonderful book. A very creative way to honor the Nursing profession. It is a classic.

The problem was a serious nursing shortage--one giant step in the solution was to have a parade! Initiating an annual Nurse Parade in Chicago was a very imaginative way of raising awareness for a serious problem. With a minimum of text, this visually delightful book explores, through reproductions of documents, newspaper articles and photographs, the history of Chicago's Nurse Parade. We can learn a lesson from the success of this initiative. When we utilize our creative resources (and remember to have fun!), effective solutions can come in unexpected and interesting forms. The authors, passionate advocates for nurses and the nursing profession, have offered a story relevant to us all.

I have to echo all the other five star reviews here, added by Soloways or not. This is a well-written, engaging, moving story of a child's life growing up in Chicago. I read it in one gulp.

I read Divison Street Princess and loved every page. SOloway writes wonderfully, and evokes a certain America magically, she has created a very important memoir.

I feel the book is so important in Americana culture and Jewish-Americana cultural archives, that the book should eventually be entered onto an online Internet site, free of charge, so that readers in the future, and I mean the FUTURE, like 500 years from now, can also read this moving memoir! Also, this would make a great movie in the Barry Levinson vein of Hollywoodiana. The murder of the little girl and the arrest of the murderer would make a fantastic 1950s Chicago movie story, with Soloway's memoir bookending the movie on both sides.

Author Elaine Soloway remembers Chicago in the 'forties as the best of times and the worst of times. Now in her sixties, she presents an unvarnished, microscopically precise yet warm and loving account of growing up in a supportive Jewish family above her family owned mom and pop grocery story in Chicago's Humboldt Park.

The author remembers/reconstructs every detail--how her parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors spoke, dressed, worried, loved, and argued--as the world of their Jewish enclave was dissolved by the drip, drip, drip of postwar mobility. She notes, "Television, suburban backyards, and supermarkets were draining our close-knit block of its friendliness, its familiarity."

Soloway's excellently written account will bring back the past for those of us who shared the same time and place. For those who did not, it will serve as a valued lesson on how we got from Chicago in the 'forties to the Chicago of today and what we gained and at what cost.

--Lowell Streiker
author of The Old Neighborhood: Memories of a Chicago Childhood--1942 to 1952.

The book brought back so many memories from the old neichborhood. It is a good book for all ages.

I was drawn into this wonderful book by the details of daily life in 1942 as seen, in the first pages, through the eyes of a four-year-old child. And I stayed with delight to absorb that little girl's increasingly acute awareness of family, friends, neighbors, and the urban neighborhood itself, as she grew into her early teens. The way in which the reader comes to know and ultimately care deeply about the parents, Min and Irv Shapiro, and the future of the family is especially satisfying. While the time and the place are unique, I believe that everyone of any age will find something familiar in this lovely memoir.

An excellent study of Irish culture in Chicago. A wealth of unusual facts that will be enjoyed by all that read the book. I purchased three as gifts for my married (Irish decedents) children. Next week, I'm having them all over to my house for "ox tail soup."

Irish Bars, restaurants, theatre, recipes, festivals, sports - this book has it all. I never thought I'd have a resource like this to take advantage of my Irish heritage in Chicago. In case I ever want to go Irish Road Bowling, this book has all the info I need! Well organized and full of relevant information, Finding Your Chicago Irish is my new guide to my Irish fun and excitement in Chicagoland...!

As a Chicago resident for over 30 years I had no idea the scope of all the Irish hang-outs and events throughout the Chicago area.

This is a very complete guide to anything you would want to do from connecting with your Irish heritage and genealogy to hearing some authentic Irish music while enjoying a Guinness or Harp.

This was written by a local author and you can tell. The detail captured in this book shows a real love of the Irish and of course Chicago. I would highly recommend this to anyone of Irish decent or anyone who just likes to find a good time in the Chicago area.

Comparable to any guide published by Frommers or Lonely Planet, except written by a local expert. Great detail into so many Irish places and events. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!

Sharon Shea Bossard's book, Finding Your Chicago Irish, will inspire any reader to get in touch with their inner Irish roots. Whether you are Irish or not, the book will guide you to countless fun Irish events, music, restaurants, pubs, and festivals in the great city of Chicago.

The guide is organized in a very useful manner. If you want to find something to do for St. Patrick's day, there is a section for that. If you want to find an Irish festival in September, there is a section for that. Just about anything you can think of is in the book and easy to locate.

The fun extras are great as well -such as the Irish dog breeds and Irish recipes, several of which include Guinness as a main ingredient!

Shea Bossard gives great commentary on all the things she has experienced in the city of Chicago, related to her Irish heritage. Her enthusiasm and descriptions will make you want to meet her at a local Irish Pub and share a pint or two of Guinness!

Finding Your Chicago Irish is a must have book- great for anyone who appreciates and celebrates Irish heritage, which is so strongly present in the city of Chicago.

The huge statue of Superman in Metropolis, Illinois is not a figment of an author's imagination -- it stands in the only city in the country named Metropolis.
This evening, however, it appears Clark Kent's bosom buddy may have murdered one of the town's citizens, now draped (headless) across his arm.
An original idea, well plotted, with great characters.

I would like to thank Ms.Cruse for a well written suspense piece. Reading the book sent me into a spin about the 'Who Done It' kind of thing. Just when you think you have the killer figured out and nailed....the plot thickens. I also like the way she has created characters that face the very things that many people face in life. This lends solidity to the book... a level in which people can relate which allows for a more fluid flow of feelings and emotions. Hoping to read more from Ms.Cruse in the near future.

Lonnie Cruse looked at the Superman statue and thought, "What a good place to put a body." That's how a mystery writer's mind works.

MURDER IN METROPOLIS is the first in a series featuring Sheriff Joe Dalton, a likeable guy and good country sheriff. Cruse knows the rhythms of small-town life, and her characters ring true. In this traditional mystery we get to know the victim through comments and action of friends and family after his death.

The victim is a popular businessman and the sheriff's longtime friend. Was there a witness to the murder? Maybe, if you count Big Ed, the town drunk, who was sleeping (or not) in a nearby doorway. How about the traveling salesman who may have been the last person to see the victim alive? Too bad the statue can't talk.

As the investigation proceeds, an old crime surfaces and carefully hidden secrets are brought to light. In a small town nothing is ever quite what it seems. There's a bit of a twist at the end. Cruse drops a clue early on, but I only realized it after the fact. No matter. I like surprises.

Sheriff Joe Dalton thinks he's simply going to roust the town drunk one morning, but instead he finds a murder victim at the site of the Superman statue in the (real) town of Metropolis, Illinois. He has to get closer to see what is draped over the arm.

Why would anyone want to murder Jack Hatfield, an old friend of Joe's, and a man everyone in town liked? By the way the body and head were positioned, it seems someone has a real hatred for the victim.

Many interesting suspects keep the sheriff hopping and the reader in suspense. Ms. Cruse handles the police procedural and the cozy part of this novel with ease and skill.

Despite the rather grisly opening, this really could be called a cozy police procedural and should please readers of both. Violence takes place off-scene, but nonetheless the reader gets the full impact of the horror of violent death. Ms. Cruse is a skillful writer who's characters come alive on the pages.

A very enjoyable read!

Sheriff Joe Dalton has a problem, namely finding the murderer of his best friend Jack Hatfield, whose decapitated body was hung neatly over the landmark Superman statue in front of the courthouse.
Things like this don't happen in his town and certainly not to one of his old schoolmates. This case was personal and if it took him his entire life he would find out who did it; the quest beings.

I have read a lot of murder mysteries, some have been grisly, some have kept me sitting on the edge of my seat, some have bored me to tears, but this one was different.
The author weaves the storyline around in a way that you very quickly feel you are a member of Sheriff Dalton's town. He does this by bringing in personal aspects of different town members lives, their hopes, dreams, fears and shortcomings. They no longer are just story characters in your minds eye, but through the author's words they are alive. The murder victim Jack, his sister and brother, the Mayor and even Dalton's wife become your neighbors and friends and you find yourself just as determined as the Sheriff is to find the culprit of this crime.
The only problem is that it is your very friends and neighbors who become the prime suspects as two more bodies turn up, a newborn baby and Big Ed, the town drunk and possible witness, who may have been able to shed some light on the crime.
How does the baby figure in all of this? You have to know.

Murder In Metropolis is not a fast paced read, but one that draws you into the lives of the suspects, allowing you to search them for motives and making you part of the crime investigation. I enjoyed that, it was a lot of fun trying to figure out, "Who done it!" The motives for the murders and the ending I promise will surprise you. Very well done. Who would have ever thought! A delightful reading experience.

Final analysis: A well thought out mystery drawing the reader into the very lives of the townspeople, the suspects and the victims themselves. Written in a way that allows you to participate in the investigation, but let me warn you, no matter how much you think you have it all figured out, the ending to this one will surprise you. Excellent read, highly recommended.

Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

Rabbi Neuman tells his story starting through the eyes of a young boy and ending through the eyes of an elder Rabbi. The Story is told in a calm and matter of fact manner, leaving the adjectives describing the German brutality to the mind of the reader. Thus, the reader can get a much broader picture of the times without getting hung up with anger at specific transgressions. Most everyone would enjoy this book, but especially anyone who is old enough to remember the time when all this was happening.

Rabbi Nueman tells his story starting through the eyes of a young boy and ending through the eyes of an elder Rabbi. The Story is told in a calm and matter of fact manner, leaving the adjectives describing the German brutality to the mind of the reader. Thus, the reader can get a much broader picture of the times without getting hung up with anger at specific transgressions. Most everyone would enjoy this book, but especially anyone who is old enough to remember the time when all this was happening.

Rabbi Nueman tells his story starting through the eyes of a young boy and ending through the eyes of an elder Rabbi. The Story is told in a calm and matter of fact manner, leaving the adjectives describing the German brutality to the mind of the reader. Thus, the reader can get a much broader picture of the times without getting hung up with anger at specific transgressions. Most everyone would enjoy this book, but especially anyone who is old enough to remember the time when all this was happening.

I am not as eloquent as some others who have provided their perspectives, but I wanted to share my thoughts on this great book and author nonetheless. I live in NYC but grew up in Champaign, IL recognizing that Rabbi Neuman was and is a very bright and strong-willed man who packs great wisdom into relatively few words. But only after reading this book, and the brutality and hardships he faced, obstacles so great they are hard for most of us to even fathom, could I, or most anyone, fully appreciate the depth of his strength and courage. I have read very good books that more fully illustrate the details of the day-to-day murder and brutality (books such as Ordinary Men and Treblinka), but Rabbi Neuman makes it clear that not only were numerous innocent people murdered, but many wonderful communities and ways of life were forever destroyed. And yet, he, like many others, found the strength to move beyond the worst event in human history in order to make a difference and help others. This is among the must read books for anyone who wants to understand what was lost, particularly in Poland, in the genocide and devastation of the holocaust, all the while getting to learn about the courage and strength of survivors like Rabbi Isaac Neuman. Thank you for everything Rabbi Neuman!

In the Narrow Bridge: Beyond the Holocaust, Isaac Neuman set himself the most of difficult of tasks to write the "silent song of my vanished people.

He succeeds so well in invoking the presence of those who are absent that this reader feels as if he had sat at the study table of Reb Mendel as he taught a page of Talmud and told ancient stories that echo again and again the most contemporary of wisdom. The memoir is passionate and deep, religious in its intensity, and yet so very compassionate in its understanding.

Isaac Neuman makes the characters of his past come alive. We gain an insight into the world that ways and is no longer. We learn the streets of his beloved cities and its courtyards, more importantly we are privileged to enter the inner lives of its inhabitants. Unlike most Holocaust memoirs, which are most intense in their portrayal of the evil the survivors experienced, Neuman is most passionate about the past that has vanished and most successful at calling it forth.

Religious Jews will hear the echoes of Jewish legends in the last moments of minyan of martyrs who accepted their decree with dignity and had more faith in the divine that a God present in the Holocaust could ever possibly merit. Secular readers will read of Passover in the camps and glimpse the power of tradition to speak forth even in the most atrocious of circumstances. They will experience the consolation of the invocation of a miraculous, redemptive past in a world without miracles, without hope.

This lyrical work will touch the soul. One laughs, one cries, one mourns and indeed one even celebrates. Restrained prose glisten with insight. The work is deep, passionate, charming -- and ever so welcome.

Michael Berenbaum

When I first read this book more than 25 years ago, I had no idea that this type of material (dirty jokes, to be precise) constituted folklore or any other basis for serious study. I merely thought that it was a guilty entertainment. You might imagine my delight to find that in addition to some very funny, albeit very crude and crass, stories, there was a thoughtful, intellectual critical introduction and a series of short annotations after each nasty excerpt, including thematic code numbers under the Stith Thompson indexing system. I simply can't recommend this book too highly for anyone with earthy tastes, but an aspiration toward the higher and more thoughtful aspects of the vulgar. Also, it's very reasonably priced, compared to the other works in the genre. When you've finished it, you will want to explore similar materials by Roger Abrahams, Darrell Cumber Dance and Gershon Legman.

I took a strange but ultimately interesting course in American Folklore back at good old MWC. Our Professor made us read this book, and I can never thank him enough. I am still not sure what the purpose of us reading this book was, but the stories were hilarious. I laughed so much reading these stories. Many of which were simply extended dirty jokes. This was by far the best book I read at college. I don't know much about Folklore, but at the very least if you want to read a funny book, get pissing in the snow.

I have a copy of this book that has been with me for a number of years now and every now and again, I find myself leafing through it. It never ever fails to bring a chuckle or a down right laugh. This is a collection, for lack of a better word, of Dirty Jokes, dating back to the 1800's. The jokes and stories range from the cute to the absolute raunchy. They, for the most part are presented in the dialect of the teller. The author has gone to great pains to research their origins and has given credit to the individual teller when ever possible. Being well in to my dotage now, these jokes are the ones I grew up with here in the Ozarks (in fact, I personally know some of the individuals mentioned in the book), and they never fail to bring back fond memories. Most of the jokes, like most of the people in this area at that era, are very earthy and to the point. I suppose there may be those who might be offended, but they are, the jokes and stories, apart of our heritage and I am grateful to the author for having preserved them. For those that are offended, and I rather pity them, well they certainly need not read past the first page. Many of these stories would be lost now for not for his research and his recordings. Recommend this one highly and recommend this one be one you buy and keep as you will no doubt want to give it a reread and it is certainly something that future generations should have.

After the kids were snug in their sleeping bags and tents, their parents would pop the corks on their favorite brews and this collection of dirty, one-pager, country stories was passed from person to person around the campfire and read aloud. People would literally fall over, roaring with laughter, gasping for breadth. And often,the reader was paralized with laughter and couldnt continue. The stories are red neck filthy and funny beyond words. I didnt get the cultural relevance, I was too busy laughing. Not for the politically correct.

When I fetched this book from a friend I knew it was a-going to be a good'un. Filled to the brim with rural anecdotes, for womenfolk and fellas alike, "Pissing in the Snow" is sure to get any reader plumb excited.

All regionalisms aside, I truly did enjoy this book. It starts a bit slow, but once the old-fashioned nature is understood and appreciated, the country boy jokes about bodily functions and not-so-veiled references to intercourse keep the laughs coming. Replete with colloquialisms such as "twitchet" for female sexual anatomy and "tallywhacker" for the male organ, the stories should elicit a sense of nostalgia from anyone who's heard a good campfire joke told by someone from The Great Generation.

Most of the time the stories revolve around a preacher, a traveling salesman, clever country folks tricking dumb city folks, or the ubiquitous farmer with a young naïve daughter about to be deflowered. The language used throughout is interesting to say the least, with improper verb conjugation and pronoun usage sentences like, "That's just what Bobby Ray done, too!" are not uncommon.

My favorite part of each story was the ending. Each ending is supposed to confirm the veracity of the story, but only adds doubt. It's like hearing someone end every story with, "For real!" They come across like a story from your Grandpa, creating a positive, enjoyable vibe that amplifies the innocence past. Without what would be considered vulgarity by today's standards, "Pissing in the Snow" proves there is more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to humor. There may be times when readers from the big city will dismiss this as boring or unintelligent, but I reckon if you-uns read this here collection of stories you'll think differently, because Amazon readers is smarter than that, anyhow.

Teague Bohlen's "The Pull of the Earth" is an especially satisfying read. I'm from the Deep South, not the Midwest, but I feel I know these characters. They live, they breathe, they make you want to know what happens to them. Bohlen has a real feel for small-town life, and the story kept me turning the pages. My only regret about the book is that I have no more of it to read.

A very gripping tale that kept me interested througout. I highly recomend this book.
-jameshowlett

I have to say I loved this book! A great read from start to finish! The characters are extremely well written. The past and present are both displayed in this book in a way that keeps the readers attention on what is important, and what matters. The book shows that although times have changed, and what is accepted now, was not always the norm in the past. While it also shows that some things haven't changed at all and will always remain the same. However, one thing remains true in this fantastic read: Blood is thicker than water, and that somehow, all of us will eventually come back to our roots and return home, and the people we love are what matters most.
A great book, and I highly reccommend it! I will be looking forward to more from this author!

Great job, Mr. Teague Bohlen! You've got yourself another loyal fan!

"The Pull of the Earth" is a gripping tale of life in the rural Midwest. From start to finish this book had me in awe of Mr. Bohlen's ability to place the reader right in the middle of the plot. Living in the Midwest myself, I felt a real connection to the description of the town in the novel.

The novel spans events over a fifty year time period effortlessly. It makes one wonder what kind of skeletons are lurking in the closet of the person sitting across from you at any given time. Even the most benign type of folks have a few, as this book so eloquently points out.

Do yourself a favor and give this book a read. And Mr. Bohlen, if you are reading, keep writing fiction, I will keep reading.

"The Pull of the Earth," like the natural force from which the title draws its name, inexorably draws the reader into the lives of a Midwestern farming family, marvelously rendered as we follow the lives of two successive generations running in parallel through this book, juxtaposed to each other from one chapter to the next. This novel deals with love, death, guilt, pain but possibly most of all with responsibility. A man's responsibility to his friend and how far, in good conscience, he can take it. A husband's responsibility to his wife and his children. A son's responsibility to his mother and his past, two sisters' responsibilities to each other, and the responsibility each of us has to how we choose to live our own lives and what we do with the time we have. This is a powerful story with characters so real you feel like you know them yourself. Their lives become your concern as you read this beautifully written novel. Bohlen, a writing professor, contradicts the cliche that those who can't do, teach. I hope for his students' sake that he can, in fact, teach as well as he practices the very art he teaches. It's incredible that this is his first novel and I greatly look forward to his next. He's made a new fan out of me.

Fast shipping and great item, well packed, no problems, would buy again.

Book was in perfect condition. Price was great. Photography fantastic. Would like to purchase more by this author/photographer.

'Above Chicago' by aerial photographer Robert Cameron is an example of my very favorite type of souvenir to buy when I was visiting a new city, generally on business. There is simply nothing quite as evocative as this truly amazing selection of photographs of an eminantly photogenic city. I have seen similar efforts done, for example, by David King Gleason on Boston. And, while Boston is easily as interesting a subject as Chicago, Mr. Gleason doesn't seem to carry it off quite as well. I do miss the bit of local color added to volumes on London (Alistair Cook) and San Francisco (Herb Caen), but the star of the show is the quality and expert selection of photographs.

This book is just wonderful. If you love Chicago, it shows everything. I love how they have old photos next to the modern ones to see the comparisons. This is truly the best book for any Chicago collection.

This was the first Robert Cameron book I purchased and has always been one of my favorites. I think the photos in this book are just amazing and they are so vivid and captivating. Chicago is such a beautiful city and from the air you understand what great civic planning can do for a city. Cameron hits all the most important areas and does not miss anything; from Oak Park to Lake Forest, for Aurora to the Miracle Mile, it's all here. This is one of his best books and he does Chicago proud. I recommend this book as I do all of his wonderful books, if you love great photography you will have to have them all, but this is a great place to start.

"I think Al Capone's name was mentioned in every news report today," a reporter once said. This was exactly how Capone liked it, as demonstrated in the biography, Al Capone and His Gang, by Alan MacDonald. I think Al Capone was nicer than many people thought - what do you think? Read this book to form your own opinion on whether Capone belonged in prison. Capone was an infamous gangster who gained fame and fortune and wanted everyone to know. MacDonald clearly portrays Capone in this fast paced book with short chapters, and keeps the book interesting by including Capone's journal entries. Those who enjoy adventure will enjoy this Capone biography. Read this book to learn why the police had trouble convicting Capone of any crimes.

Capone was born in New York, then moved to Chicago, where he completed a lot of his mischief. Most of Capone's life experiences, as covered in this book, took place near his Chicago and Miami homes. Later, Capone was considered the most famous gangster that served time in Alcatraz Federal Prison. This was reinforced as I read about his life of gambling, betting on fixed games, murder, hiring hitmen, and bootlegging. Capone was so powerful that even the police were scared of him!

Al Capone was the main character in this biography about him. Other gangsters (enemies), police (enemies), and important people (sometimes helpful) were also mentioned in the book. Capone was my favorite character in this biography that covered his life history. I was amazed at what Capone got away with, as described throughout the book. He could have been caught many times but police didn't gather much evidence on him. I was more amazed that Capone looked out for less fortunate people, as described on page 161. He handed out $100 bills to the needy and opened a soup pantry. Capone had a nice side for those on his good side!

Reading this book went pretty quick, though it covered Capone's entire life as a gangster. I would recommend this book to any male middle school student. This was a pretty straightforward book, since MacDonald was presenting Capone's life history, and nothing was questionable. There are no other books directly related to this book.

Capone was a gangster who rose from nowhere, achieved financial success, and will never be forgotten!

From the first to last page, this book will keep you readin. Telling the full story of Al Capone, from his birth to his entry into gangs to his rise then fall, and his death. This book also has accutual gangster slang with translations. Also, it uses kid friendly comics, words, and police reports. It also dispells many rumors you may have heard about Al Capone. All in all, a great book. A must buy!

Very good book. I bought it for school because I had to do a report on a biography, and I'm very happy I chose it. It has all the facts you need to give a great presentation on a biography, and it includes lots of fun extras that will make you want to read more!

Al Capone was a real life mob boss from the 1920's and this is his story

from beginning to end. The author describes the man, Chicago, and organized

crime in the 1920's perfectly. It's almost like your with Al Capone on his daily

routs, on the streets and in jail. Money, booze, and women are what gangsters

desire and this is what the book is about.

The book was very written, and is very easy to read. The book seams like it

is at a sixth grade reading level with cartoons and hand written notes said to be

written by Al himself. It was in perfect order so you the reader could under

stand where the story was heading.

This book is a good read for anyone who likes old gangsters, prohibition, and

Organized crime. I liked this book because it wasn't strenuous to read and had

great info. about Al Capone and his gang. I give this book a four star rating.

It's not a five star rating due to the lack of information on his wife and kid.

Al Capone and His Gang by Alan MacDonald is a great book about Al Capone. It describes his life in a comic book way. It also tells about his bootleg career. The quote I like best is, "I love my job,thats what I'm good at," because I don't see how anyone could think killing is fun. This book also reveals Al's secret diary, and it's the number one source for gangster slang. I like this book because the life of Al Capone is really interesting and full of surprises. I recommend this book to teenagers who love biographies that are suspenseful and full of surprises.

I read Long Time, No See the other night. I could not put it down til the very last page. Absolutely mind-blowing. Very honest. It was fantastic. I had no idea the complexities of Beth Finke's life. Beth obviously has some amazing family, and her husband Mike is just awe-inspiring. This book is definitely not a 'poor me' story. Its strength is in Beth's account of those daily activities of work, raising a family, and just moving through life. Being blind adds a dimension to those activities I honestly have never fully considered, and Beth does a great job showing us the sometimes humorous and ironic struggles she contends with while living in a sighted world. I highly recommend this book!

I knew Beth Finke growing up in Illinois. I was a teenager when she needed a baby sitter for her disabled son, and she was associated with the foundation where I lived and worked. I not only have very fond memories of Beth, but also her delightful son and her first seeing-eye dog Pandora.

As a young teenager, to meet a woman as bright, witty, and brave as Beth was a life lesson that stays with me to this day. I was so struck by Beth's outlook on life that I decided to make my High School final project a video documentary of her daily life (sorry, it is not available outside of the local TV station's archives). Now, over a decade later, Beth continues to be an inspiration to me and my wife (who also knew Beth), and I am so very glad that others have seen the same in her memoirs.

If you want to be inspired by a life that may have been struck by disabilities, but not dampened by them, you will not be disappointed. While perhaps an odd suggestion to most, I especially suggest this book to those who have sensitive teenagers in their homes - it will put them on the right track towards respect, humor, and a positive outlook on life.

_Long Time, No See_ is the memoir of a woman whose diabetes caused her to become blind at the beginnning of her relationship with the man that became her husband. Beth chronicles her life since the lights went out in a funny, poignant style, bringing humor to stories about her seeing eye dogs and not wallowing in sentimentality over her love for her husband and disabled son. But for me, the best part of the book was reading about the resources and adaptive measures available to blind people. I've been an avid reader since I was two and it's always been one of my greatest fears that I might someday lose my vision, but Beth's book is both an inspiration and a practical guide to what's available. Good work.

Beth Finke's _Long Time, No See_ is a lively and very real story of a modern American woman's life--the ups and downs, the tragedies and belly laughs. Her honesty is palpable and her humor always engaged. Blindness, birth defects, medical red tape, bureaucratic Catch 22's, problems in relationships--this woman has met them all straight on and remained real and honest and entertaining. You won't be able to stop reading this personal story! Guaranteed to give you both grins and tears. Highly recommended even if you know nothing about diabetes or blindness. (P. S. Do not confuse it with a recent novel by the same title.)

I loved this book , not because it is inspiring , which it is , but because it is the story of a fascinating , interesting , fun loving , intellegent , warm , beautiful , real woman ... there is nothing she can't accomplish ! This book reads so easily and with so much anticipation, I put everything aside until I finished it , and when I came to the end I could have started all over again ...... Thank you Beth Finke