Shepard Books

This is the second Flora McFlimsey book I had as a child and, beside "Miss Flora McFlimsey's Christmas", was one of my favorite books.

Snipping flowers and lace from her wardrobe, Flora creates Valentine cards for her friends and has them delivered secretly. Her plan is foiled, however, by Pookoo, the cat, who Flora has entrusted with the delivery of the cards. Pookoo abandons the cards in a tree hallow which are later discovered by Oscar Owlet who discloses the deceit to Flora. All ends well when a post office is set up in the hallow and the cards are successfully retrieved by their intended. Many of the characters from the earlier books are represented.

As a child, I remember being fascinated by Flora's industriousness, the way in which she personalized and created her cards and the clever way this is conveyed by way of illustration.

This is a lovely story, invested with a lot of love, which - beside its entertainment value - teaches children about sincerity in love and friendship, the spirit of giving and receiving, the art of creation, as well as the spirit of forgiveness.

I believe this book and its illustrations have been recreated by Caroline Walton Howe for an updated, larger format edition. Miss Flora McFlimsey's Valentine

My child and I thoroughly enjoyed this book (we borrowed it from the library)! The style of the writing reminded me of the Beatrice Potter books. The personalities of the characters were well "drawn out" (for instance, my child figured Miss McFlimsey's cat friend to be rather selfish).

We were very touched by Miss McFlimsey's thoughtfulness and were rather suprised by the sacrifice the cat makes for a friend's mother towards the end of the book (Valentine's Day).

I hope to find a copy of this book for purchase(as it is out of print). I would recommend you do the same, it would be worth your while. (your 3-6 year old will thank you!).

This book is much more than a history of the space program from about 1957 to 1975. It includes the inspirational determination for Shepard to fly again and for Slayton to fly even once. I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Shepard and getting his autograph on this book.

The book captures the intensity of the space race. When Shepard saw Sputnik 1 (or, more probably, the upper-level rocket stage also in orbit), he chagrined at the fact that it didn't have "Made in the USA" written on it. Later, the Soviets were sad that the men circling the moon on Christmas Eve 1968 didn't have Russian names.

Some seldom-discussed information is provided in this book. For instance, the US could have orbited a satellite over a year before Sputnik (p. 45). Were it not for an overcautious NASA, Shepard could have beat Gagarin into space by a month (p. 89, 91). The dog, Laika, is said to have lived for several days in space (p. 44). We now know that she died several hours after launch--from an overheated cabin.

The authors discuss the politics behind the space program. For instance, the grounding of Deke Slayton had been for political and not medical reasons, as there was no evidence that Deke's heart irregularity would interfere with space flight. Rather, the fear was that, were Slayton's flight to end in disaster for any reason, his heart condition would automatically be suspected, and those who cleared him for flight would face automatic recrimination. The authors also allege that politics was behind the choice of Houston as the site for the Space Center. Both astronauts also had to contend with politics in the wake of the Apollo 13 near-disaster, notably the call, by some politicians, to cancel all remaining Apollo moon flights. Shepard also realized that, were his Apollo 14 to fail to land on the moon, there most probably would be no further Apollo flights.

One is thrilled by Alan Shepard finding a surgical treatment for his Meniere's syndrome, and getting restored to flight status. Up to that time, he had considered himself an eagle whose wings had been clipped and who had been forced to be a turkey--in more ways than one.

Then, over ten years after his grounding, Deke Slayton got his chance...in a joint US-Soviet flight that would have been equally unimaginable at the time of his grounding.

This book is wonderful!Repeat:WONDERFUL!Anyone who likes books and reads a lot will know that this is one of the best books in the world!It is incedubly good.This book sets an example to tell people what books really are.Even though it is out of print on Amazon, Don't stop looking for it at a bookstore or anywhere.Oh,I just can't explain how good this book is![If you read it,you will know what I mean]I could never put it down.If you want to know what so good about this book then read it!Happy Reading! P.S,This book is great!

P.P.S,THIS BOOK IS BEYOND DESCIBING POINT!

Moving Molly is a wonderful book for preschool aged children. Molly and her family are moving from the city to the country. Vividly illustrated and well written, this story is entertaining for adults as well.

Molly's brother, sister and parents are eager to move; yet they all recognize the memories they made at their former home. Molly gets to see all aspects of the move, from the bare walls her family leaves behind to the different schools her siblings attend. This book is about new beginnings and is comforting to children who are on the verge of making a fresh start.

A well written page turner mystery revolves around factual history of WWII Vischy and French Resistance with an up to date discovery of a past crime along with a picturesque mosaic of SW France yesterday and today. Characters are unique, interesting and believable. Writing flows and weaves history and fiction seamlessly. Exciting twists!

Updated from an earlier French edition, this book is an outstanding contribution to the dissemination of the work of the Egyptian writer and activist Sayyid Qutb. Qutb's interpretation of Islam has profoundly influenced a generation of Muslim activists, including Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. It is impossible to comprehend the ideological and religious convictions of todays Islamist's (Fundamentalists') without reading Qutb. Consequently, Carre's work is highly prescient and for the English reader a vital contribution to the study of the Islamist movement.

The book is basically an analysis of Qutb's voluminous commentary on the Quran, published in English under the title of 'In the Shade of the Quran'. Qutb's most infamous book, 'Milestones', is largely comprised of a series of extracts taken from his Quranic commentary and whilst 'Milestones' is regularly quoted by Western academics this is the first extended study in English of the weightier 'In the Shade...' Carre' begins most chapters with an analysis of a specific topic as it is presented by Qutb. Observations and commentary by Carre himself are kept to a minimum and this allows the reader to more fully appreciate the unique qualities of Qutb's interpretation of Islam. Toward the end of each chapter the author compares Qutb's writings to the work of the Reformist thinkers Mohammed Abduh and Rashid Rida. I found this particularly helpful especially given that good English translations of the works of Rida and Abduh are not always easy to find. Usefully, this brings to light the differences between the earlier Reformist tradition and Islamism. The book also includes some extended translations by William Shepard of important sections of 'In the Shade...'

This book is probably aimed at the specialist reader. However, the pros are fluent and easy to read. There are also many sub-headings throughout that allow the reader to focus on a specific area of interest; consequently, the more general reader may also find this book useful. I would suggest that this is probably one of the best analyses of Sayyid Qutb's philosophy available in English and i highly recommend it to anyone who is even remotely curious as to what Islamism is all about.

This is a book of short stories that pertain to nature striking back at people who have no respect for it. The stories really make you reconsider the way you see nature.

This is a wonderfully illustrated book about ducks. It is not as simplistic as that, though. Counting with a repetitious rhyme is the clencher that keeps kids reading. Their interest is maintained by the cute ducks that are constantly harassed by a fox. The story line is ingenious. I recommend all children be exposed to this book. It lends itself to numerous activities that will keep their imagination flowing.

This is a quote from the book that has become part of our family lore. My 17-year-old asked me yesterday if we still have a copy of NALM. Sadly, we don't, but she told me that me reading it to her is a strong childhood memory. It's also a strong mothering memory for me.

Even though it reinforces traditional gender roles (the mom is cleaning house and the little girl wants her mom to play with her), the more impressive thing is how the mom handles the little girl with good humor. Recommended to parents.