Henry Books

This compilation of short stories written by expat women is entertaining, inspiring, funny, and poignant. Exploring cultural idiosyncrasies through these stories forgivingly reminds the reader of her/his own faux pas in foreign lands.
Ultimately, each story is surprisingly varied in its endpoint, but they share a nostalgia for the experience of living abroad, especially for the first time. This would make a great gift for someone about to move abroad, study abroad, or even someone considering it. For those who already have, it certainly is a lovely opportunity to reflect on these experiences...or even write about them!

It is a nice collection of tales from around the world and how it is to be an Expat at that location. Funny insights into things that an expat might miss or why we recreate things that are important to us from our passport country. Aa very good read.

I read this for a company diversity-themed book club. Most of the chapters are really worth reading, making the book a definite buy. You'll be challenged to enjoy all of them, but everyone's taste and experiences are different. Plus, it really makes you thing about the life you take for granted, and where you call "home."

Headed abroad on your first expat experience? Wondering what expat. life is REALLY like? Curious whether the expat. lifestyle is for your family? Christina Henry de Tessan's collection of over twenty superbly written "true tales" about expat. life reveal the jagged mountain ranges and desert plateaus of the emotional geography known as the "expat experience." Six months into my own family's first expat. experience, I wish I had had this book to read and reflect upon prior to stepping onto that jet to Mexico. Especially for those undertaking an international move for the first time without adequate or knowledgeable corporate support, the no-holds-barred accounts of these women's experiences will help you consider your own emotional,physical, spiritual, and intellectual needs as you plan your move. A must read.

Compiled and edited by Christian Henry de Tessan, Expat: Women's True Tales Of Life Abroad is an engaging and impressive collection of true stories about women who have lived in diverse nations around the world, and learned firsthand the delicate balance between keeping true to oneself while accommodating the ways of a different culture. Life in Mexico, Borneo, Japan, Egypt, England, Croatian, the Mediterranean, and more is brought to life from unforgettable perspectives in this original, fascinating, very highly recommended anthology.

This is a favorite storybook in our home. I enjoy reading this one to our four children, and its one of their all time favorites. Its right next to the nightstand.
I think I enjoy reading Five O'Clock Charlie as much as they enjoy hearing it read to them!

I'm 47 and I still remember reading this when I was a child. I just fell in love with Charlie and have always wanted a horse like him that would stick his head in the kitchen window. I went on to read Misty and Stormy, Misty's Foal when I got a little older but Charlie never left my heart. A great read with terrific illistrations your kids will remember for years to come!!

Five O'clock Charlie was my favorite book as a child and I read it to my children when they were little. It became such a favorite of my children that when the oldest got married and moved out of state the kids argued over who would keep my original copy. Well she took it with her against the wishes of the others. I have read this book to kindergarden classes and they have all asked that it be read again and again. I have ordered it for every child I have on a gift list and their parents love it as much as the child does.

Five O'Clock Charlie was my favorite childhood book, and it still has a special place on my shelf and in my heart. A must for anyone who loves horses, regardless of whether you're young or just young at heart! A great gift for anyone.

Charlie,the work horse was retired by his master who said Charlie was too old to work. In fact, everybody said he was too old. Everyone, that is, except Charlie. He is lonely in his pasture where nothing grows but thistles and chickweed. He is bored and hungry. He remembers the old days when he used to get treats from the tavern cook, Birdie, and escapes from his pasture each day at five o'clock to return to the inn. There he finds that he can still be useful and important, even though he no longer can pull wagons or a plow.

This book is poetry. A story of a medieval horse race in Italy, with different sections of an ancient city sponsoring different jockeys and horses. A lot of plotting and undercurrents happen during each race --the race is easily the most important civic event in the city. A young jockey nurses an unlucky horse back to health, and his bond with his horse makes them an unbeatable team. The illustrations are magnificent. The story had me entralled. I read it when I was 11, and absolutely could not put it down.

Gaudenzia is an outstanding blend of horses, history and human interest. As a child I loved the story of how the cart horse became a champion. I thrilled to the traditions and pageantry of the Palio. As an adult I read this book to my son and realized there was a second story of the rider, who had persisted in his love for a horse.Even if you are not a horse lover,there are also some subtle lessons of ethics and loyalty in the story.
My college-age son recalls that the rider had a childhood so poor that his family would rub a saugage with bread for lunch to get a bit of grease, because the precious sausage had to be saved for dinner.This made a big impact on him.
Did this story influence two generations? Yes! Although I have waited over 40 years to make the trip, this July I will finally see the Palio in Siena - with my son.

How can this beautiful book be out of print! This is the story of the medieval (in every sense of the word) Il Palio race around the walled town of Siena, Italy. Horse clubs (contrade) from the 17 wards of the city gather to form alliances against others, horses and jockeys evaluated and selected and a very strenuous and difficult race around the town plaza is portrayed. I can still remember the scene, banners of the contradas flying, their symbols (the Wave, the Snail) and the subterfuge and plotting to win this race, which lasts only a minute or two. Not only accurate, but a dramatic tale of a young jockey. Brilliant. I hope it is someday reprinted.

I love horses, love to read, and Marguerite Henry is my favorite author, and out of all of her books (I've read them all), I think this is the BEST! About a year ago, I got a book from the library called "The Wildest Horse-Race In The World". I read it, and just loved it! I found out that it's original name was "Gaudenzia, Pride of The Palio". Now, I liked that name MUCH more than "The Wildest Horse-Race In The World"! Gaudenzia is the horse's name. It means "Joy of Living". The Palio is the race, which is run on July 2, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and August 16. It is run around Siena, Italy, 3 times. There are many sharp, danguerous curves. Horses and riders are sometimes even killed. The prize for winning the race is a handpainted banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary.It is a religous race, and before it is run, the horses are brought into church, and blest, and the fantinos (riders) are blest by the archbishop. ...

You may have been wondering "Is the Palio still raced?" The answer is yes! On July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy, this ancient race that has been run for nearly 800 years is still run to this day. I would really like to go to Italy and see it! I highly reccomend this book to anyone who loves horses, horseracing, reading, and history, and is ages 7 to 107! This is a really wonderful book, and I HIGHLY reccomend it!!!

This book is easily one of Henry`s best horse tales- yet it somehow seems to get overlooked these days. The story combines her familiar young person/horse bond narrative with a fascinating look at the very unique Italian tradition of the Palio horse race. Dating from medieval times, the Palio, held in Siena, re-creates the old drama of the various rival city states. Along with this slice of history, the author gives us the character Giorgio Terni, an idealistic young man whose dream is to become a trainer of horses. He evantually does achieve this, also becoming a Palio rider and forging a friendship with the high-strung yet lovely and fast mare Gaudenzia. Everyone is ready to give up on the mare becoming anything but a work horse- except Giorgio, whose faith in her talents never falters. He devotes all of his time to her, regaining her trust in people and getting her in physical shape to race. He`s truly a good role model for animal-loving youngsters. The story never loses its momentum- as a sixth grader reading it for the first time, I could`nt put it down. I also recall how upset I was when Giorgio must ride a different horse in one Palio race, and how the rules of the game indicate that he must try to prevent Gaudenzia from winning, even to the point of striking her with his whip. These realistic dilemmas give the book an authenic feel. Like the Pie in National Velvet, Gaudenzia is an underdog horse who comes out on top regardless. I hope this one makes it back into print!

Planning on retiring someday or already retired, the information in this book will help you use your money in the most intelligent way possible. Of all the "retirement books" available, you will find information and planning tools in this book that are not found elsewhere. Since we are all concerned about having enough money in retirement, it makes sense to do the best we can to save, invest and spend money for our maximum benefit. The information in this unique book gives us the tools to do that.

After giving each of our four adult children copies, I've now got comments back from them. They said they appreciated the many suggestions to help them save more as well as the simple calculations to know how much to save for retirement and when to start Social Security. A son-in-law said it was very easy to read--more like a novel than a financial book. A daughter said it was very good from a woman's perspective. Another daughter advised a neighbor to a copy as well.

The author is a designer of a website dedicated to retirement planning and that shows in his book. He has a detailed knowledge of what it takes to build and later utilize a nest egg, and spells it out in plain language for the reader.

What I liked about the book: The plethora of information about creating my own nest egg and how to preserve said nest egg, and eventually how to tap the nest egg. It did these things better than any book I have ever read.

What I didn't like about the book: Some of the charts were way too complex and detailed. They were nearly impossible to decipher.

All in all it was one of the better books about retirement I have read. I also finished reading the FUNNIEST book about retirement I've read, "Race You To The Fountain of Youth."Race You to the Fountain of Youth: I'm Not Dead Yet (But parts of me are going fast)

Hebeler's writing style is easy to read.

I have read over 200 books on investing/financial planning, and I would put this book into the top 10....with regards to general financial planning information.

Hebeler covers all the basics including saving, investing in index funds, and Social Security.

I particularly liked his list of Lessons Learned:

1. Look hard for low costs and taxes.
2. Don't invest in anything that eats, floats, drills, or is appraised with a magnifying glass or scale.
3. Avoid partnerships and tax gimmicks
4. Be wary of someone who wants to manage your money
5. You have heard of someone who has a foolproof method
6. Don't buy individual stocks and don't time the market

As a general intro to investing, you really can't go wrong with this book.

To compliment this book.....I would suggest a couple good books on index fund investing and asset allocation.


Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

This Financial non-fiction reads like a novel. An easy read that is extremely informative and useful for planning and executing your retirement. Readers will benefit by the many thousands of man hours or research and analysis that have gone into providing this resource. The many different types of investment are reviewed and the real world effects on growth by inflation, taxes and fees are illustrated. The book also provides much relevant information about all the relevant topics surrounding retirement planning, such as IRAs, tax strategies, Social Security, pensions etc. Chapter 2 titled "Be Aware of the Environment" is very eye opening and relevant in today's world. This book is very easy to use as a resource and provides many clear Appendixes designed to allow the reader to make some simple calculations to either check the present status of planning or to run simulations based on changes or differences in assumptions. Entertaining as well as informative.

My 4 year old loves every book but my 2 1/2 year old is very hard to please. Both of them love "Giant John". It's been a month now and my kids still ask for "Giant John" every night. How could a mom not love a book when she hears happy chants of "Giant John, Giant John!" at storytime.

This was my favorite childhood book. Mom says that at age 3 I could recite it from memory as she turned the pages. I'm hoping to find a great copy to pass on to neices and nephews.

Grab this book if you see it. The illustrations are whimsical and fun, and the story is a favorite for my kids, as it was for me when I was little.

The story of Giant John is about his love of music and dancing. His obsession and lack of control caused a problem of which he takes responsibility for. Thus so, he once again can celebrate life.

...as the jungle cat in the black of night, this book slips into your very soul. The image of poor John's mother with her shoe on her plate is etched into the deepest folds of my grey matter.

This is a very sweet, very cute story about a little girl trying to put all her stuffed animals and dolls (her "children", I suppose) to bed so she can sleep too.

It has that nice, repetitive structure children adore - she finds a toy, tells it that it's not time to whatever, it's time to go to bed!, and ends nicely with everybody tucked in and "Good Night".

The illustrations are very well done, in a style that looks more classic than it is.

The one concern you might have (I don't, but you might) is that it's one of those books that doesn't show parents. If you're creeped out by Max and Ruby, you might find this book a little odd too - the girl single-handedly takes on the parental role for herself and her toys.

Of course, if you don't overthink it too much, it's just a sweet, short little book.

My two month old son lights up every day when I read him this book. I don't know if it is the sense of fun in my voice as I read the words, or the charismatic characters, but I love it as much as he does. I wish there were real playthings that look as sweet and filled with life as the toys in this book do. There are also lots of wonderful extra things going on in the illustrations to pause for comment and speculation. I was hoping to find more work by this writer and illustrator combo, I will get Christmas is Coming.

Two other books my son loves so far are Baby Cakes by Karma Wilson and Sam Williams, and I am a Bunny by Richard Scarry.

I am looking for more books with friendly beautiful illustrations, and sing song writing that isn't too long or too short. I look through reviews hoping for trails to great books and music, I hope more readers who love this one will include some of their and their children's favorites here too.

Like Goodnight Moon, this book is about winding down and getting ready for bed. My toddler used to do the very same thing: gather up all her buddies, tuck them in, and say goodnight. Helps kids shut down for the night. That said, this book is ideal for bedtime, and would be a great gift for a toddler (AND their parents if it helps everyone get some sleep!)

My daughter got this book for Christmas (she was 3). She and her father read it every night and now she has it memorized. She "reads" it to us each night. The illustrations are very cozy, but the best part is the story. The text has a very soothing rhythm. Each page ends with "Silly ***, it's not time to ***, it's time to go to bed." I think that when my daughter repeats that phrase over and over, it helps to convince her that it's also time for her to go to bed. :-) After hearing it, I feel ready for bed myself! I think this is going to be one of those books that she's going to remember fondly as an adult, much the way I remember "Harold and the Purple Crayon" and "The 5 Chinese Brothers".

Again the author and illustrator has another awesome book, and I am happily looking forward to any others they put out!

This book is the same little girl and her stuffed animals that where in the book " Christmas is Coming". This book is special because it can be read all year around! And because instead of us parents rounding up our children for bed, the little girl in the book takes our place and finds all her stuffed & loved friends to join her in bed! It's just an adorable book, and one that is easy for 1st time or new readers and even children who can't read can look at the pictures and tell you what they see. What a treasure it is to have your child read you " their" version of this book! Also, watch the apple on her nightstand!

Hope you like this review and when you purchase this book you are pleased that you did!

I recommend The Greek Treasure because it illustrates all of Schliemann's flaws, while allowing us to sympathize with him as a human being. It is the only book I've read which tells his side of the story. People tend to forget that he expended enormous amounts of time and money to begin his excavations, only to face governments and armchair academics who schemed to steal the credit, as well as the means for him to recover his expenses. Yes, by today's standards, he was not the ideal archaeologist; but neither were the other archaeologists of his age. And you can bet their envy at the time still haunts us today. His modern critics simply perpetuate their cynicism. But I believe the truth is less harsh. The tools of his age were crude. Hundreds of locals were brought in for manual labor, and often stole what they found. No one had worked at the scale he did before. No one had proved it could be worthwhile. So in the final analysis, I think we must be grateful to him, for his vision, and his audacity. This book shows us both.

I read this book many, many years ago. It was actually the first Irving Stone book I ever read. I still remember how much I enjoyed reading it, and I can still remember the story. Brilliantly written. You seem to be living among the characters. Irving Stone has the gift to write, all based in real-life facts. Again, a must read for any history-novel lover.

Approximately 15 years ago I bought this book aout Heinrich Schlieman, and his discovery of the ancient lost city of Troy. He studied Homer, and believed the city did exist. In his late 40's he met a very young Greek girl in Athens. He asked her father for her hand in marriage, and her father agreed.The museum in Athens holds not only the treasures he unearthed at Troy, but he found the mask of Agamemnon, and other treasures (the Lion's Gate) showering Sophia with these treasures. I loaned this book, and never received it back. I have looked for it for years. I cannot believe this wonderful book has not been reprinted and available. It is Irving Stone at his best.

"and replied: 'Hector, you must be mad to talk to me about a pact. Lions do not come to terms with men, nor does the wolf see eye to eye with the lamb-they are ENEMIES TO THE END. It is the same with you and me. Friendship between us is impossible, and there will be no truce of any kind till one of us has fallen and glutted the stubborn god of battles with his blood. So summon any courage you may have.

THIS is the time to show your spearmanship and daring."-From Homer's Iliad

Henry Schliemann, like Alexander the Great, knew the Iliad by heart, the ancient story of the Trojan War immortalized by Homer. He was convinced he knew he could find the city thus proving its historicity. The Greek academics didn't believe him, he didn't believe them. To find Troy was his dream of a lifetime. He manages to marry a young Greek girl, 20 years or so younger than himself, and soon thereafter, their lifetime of digging begins.

I loved this book. In reading this historical novel of Irving Stone, you'll learn a little about modern (1900) and ancient Greek culture. I remember getting a little bored reading the last half of it, but digs are usually that way most times until you unearth something spectacular. The most interesting point to me was in a note of Stone's at the end, explaining that the treasure of Priam, kept in the Berlin Museum, disappeared somehow when the Russians marched toward Berlin late in WWII. Hmm.

Schliemann's story is fascinating and deserves to be read! Stone weaves this historical novel with great respect and honesty, recounting the brilliance and flaws of this heroic man. This is an excellent book with an in-depth look at Greek culture coinciding with the life of a self-made millionaire and self-educated archeologist & linguist. Schliemann literally changed the way we look at Greek history in the face of almost impossible opposition!

Reviewed by David Lundberg, author of Olympic Wandering: Time Travel Through Greece

Found this one on the shelf in a middle school during a conference with a teacher. Amazoned it and only wish that it had been out when I was in school! It's a strong read for little ones, but isn't that what school about?

Self-experimenters in science and medicine often fostered discoveries and advancements which hastened the invention of much-needed cures, yet are seldom discussed: that's why middle school students will find Guinea Pig Scientists so important. C.B. Mordan provides black and white illustrations to this gathering of biographies and discoveries which charts bold experiments which helped change the world - and risked the lives of scientists.

We all know that inventions must be tested. We hear a lot about testing of product and drugs on animals. But did you know that some humans were and still are willing to be the "guinea pigs". This book is a biography of nine scientist how did just that!

Guinea Pig Scientists is a wonderful introduction for putting a face and an exciting story behind a particular science. I expect many children (and adults) to go read further about different topics or the scientists because their appetites have finally been whetted.

Guinea Pig Scientists contains nine chapters, each on a different scientist who made a difference by plaicng themself in harm's way to varying degrees. The book is hardly in depth, but it covers the most important aspects of each scientists methods and what was learned from them. This would be a great book to use to get adolescents interested in scientific inquiry. It is an engaging read, and the gross out factor will bring in even reluctant readers. Be warned: not all of the scientists survive their experiments.

Harry's Son has it all - History, Intrigue, Romance - transporting you back in time and then, forward to a new, what-if present. It's timely for royal-watchers and, for lovers of the English countryside, its a beautiful visit without the long flight!

The book keeps you spellbound and not wanting to stop reading until finished. Provides enough historical facts to almost make it seem non-fiction. A very well-written and fascinating look into the English Royal Family. Very good.

"Harry's Son" combines a first-rate romance-thriller with enough reality to cause me to wonder if this is just a fiction, or is it a preview of things that may come to pass? Will's clever schemes to outwit the sitting monarchy and his passionate romance with the unsuspecting tavern maid, Emmalisa, provide a rollicking, suspenseful Bondesque adventure. On the other hand, the inclusion of actual places, thinly disguised references to members of the current Royal Family, and references to Anthony William Hall's claim to the English throne in 1931 make me wonder whether there is more to this story than just a very good read. Well, H. Robert Humphrey, what do you say?

This book offers a refreshing look at the validity of the English monarchy through a fun, romantic story. The romance of Emmalissa and Will is a delightful undercurrent as Will tries to establish himself as the rightful heir of the throne. Their romance soon takes center stage, as often happens, in his quest for truth. If, in fact, there is any validity to this tale, it puts to question the premise on which the monarchy is founded -- lineage. At a time when the monarchy has become less popular, it would be interesting to know what the royals have to say about Harry's Son. This delightful, light story would make an interesting movie. A movie clothed in romance and intrigue that could question the roots of a nation's monarchy.

I truly enjoyed reading "Harry's Son"! The author does an exceptional job of weaving historical facts and fiction to create, quite seamlessly, a really good novel. I liked the short, fast-paced chapter format, the political ideas expressed, and the very appropriate tie-in with today's monarchy. I highly recommend it!

Sometimes good history books are also a bit boring. This one covers the history, but is a fascinating read as well. I was hard pressed to put it down - and it is the best I've read on the Light Brigade.

Excellent insight of what really happen, with all the history, and social norms, and customs of the time, that allow this tragedy to happen

I found this hard to put down, that plus the background detail for the Crimean War, nineteenth century England, and the inefficiency of armies, makes for an interesting book. I had been an unknowing receiver of the Tennysonian myth created by his famous poem written shortly after the famous charge, and it is actually quite illuminating to check the mental phantom of the saga against the facts. With imperial overtones, the Crimean War begins as gunboat diplomacy. The depiction of the officer class is a snapshot of the British class system, and the defunct policy of allowing the aristocracy to purchase offer commissions. With the resulting sadsacks in charge the misteps towards the famous cavalry charge are set. The ambiguity lies in the blunder mixed with Tennysonian echoes (triggered by the reports of the famous Times journalist William Russell). The minute by minute account of the dread seven minutes of the fatal attack is almost cinematic, and fairly well wraps up the tale.

Brighton briefly sketches the events that led to the Crimean War, but never loses focus on the Light Brigade. His account of the famous Charge is very detailed, and extends for over 100 pages. He skilfully allows the original participants (through their memoirs) to describe the action, and thus his descriptions have a first-hand 'feel' to them absent in some other books on the Charge. Brighton weaves these accounts together effectively. Despite the extraordinary detail of the section on the Charge, I never lost interest -- and was filled with admiration for the cavalrymen who rode up the valley and then down it in the hellfire of the Russian guns. Brighton examines Nolan's actions in (and after) relaying Raglan's orders to Lucan, and although apportioning most of the blame on Lucan, doesn't adopt a one-eyed strategy of making scapegoats of people. Instead, his discussions appear to be well balanced.

There are useful maps at the beginning of the book (though one showing the 'Thin Red Line' and the Heavy Brigade's repulsing of the Russians, prior to the Light Brigade's famous charge, would have been useful); and Brighton includes a list of those who rode in the Charge.

A great read and history 'brought to life' by those who created it.

Terry Brighton's writing of the actual minute by minute unfolding of the charge was so well written I felt I was in the middle of it. Utterly captivating.
As for the rest of the book, he does an excellent job looking at the causes of the Crimean War, and delves into things I would never have thought about; transporting all the horses by ships for one thing.
Two chapters that could have been left out were about who blew the bulge for the charge and about Florence Nightingale's involvement after the charge. Both interesting, but they seemed to be vestigial.
I am not a big fan of military history, but this was an engrossing book.