The Legacy of Librarian Ruth Rappaport

A Well-Read Woman: The Life, Loves, and Legacy of Ruth Rappaport

Author: Kate Stewart

Publisher: Little A

Publication Date: May 1, 2019

Length: 397 Pages

A featured selection in the Amazon First Reads program.





About The Author
Kate Stewart is a third-generation librarian, born and raised in the Midwest. She has worked as a librarian and archivist for ProQuest, the Library of Congress, and the US Senate in Washington, DC. She is currently an archivist at the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson, Arizona.

Overcoming Adversity and Never Giving Up
Ruth Rappaport (1923 - 2010) spent her early years in Leipzig, Germany. She was the daughter of Jewish parents and was sent to Switerzland in the late 1930s. She traveled to Seattle to live with relatives during WWII. Her father died in Buchenwald and her mother died at Ravensbrueck during the war.

Kate Stewart tells the fascinating story about how Ruth survived and thrived after she was forced to leave her family in Germany. She was a voracious reader and books helped fill the void left by her tragic early life. Ruth had visited libraries as a child and always dreamed of someday working as a librarian. She eventually earned a MLS degree and set up libraries in Vietnam for soldiers during the Vietnam War. She came back to the U.S. to work as a cataloguer in the Library of Congress for many years.

My Thoughts
When I was in elementary school, I always chose biographies to read when I visited the library. I was especially interested in the stories of famous women...Jane Addams, Clara Barton, Helen Keller, Florence Nightengale, etc.
I was immediately drawn to this book when I realized it was a biography of a librarian.

Ruth Rappaport was not famous but she lived an extremely courageous and distinguished life. Ms. Stewart used diary entries, letters, and archives to describe Ruth's "life, loves, and legacy." She visited many of the locations where Ruth lived to give the reader a clear understanding of the world as Ruth saw it.

I was especially interested in the years that Ruth spent in Vietnam setting up libraries for the soldiers and sending out packets of books/magazines to the front lines. She traveled in helicopters to oversee the branch libraries that were operating in remote areas. While in Vietnam, she was romantically involved with a U.S. serviceman for several years before learning that he had a wife and five children back in the States. Alas, Ruth was not lucky in love and never married.

The only thing I disliked about this book was the rather long history of the Library of Congress that didn't really have much to do with Ruth's story. The author provided too much (in my opinion) information about the politics, hiring discrimination and other random facts about the Library of Congress during the years that Ruth worked there. 

I believe this book will find a wide audience with librarians and history buffs who are interested in World War II, Jewish history and the Holocaust. 

MY RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from the Amazon First Reads program

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The Radio Signal (Memoir) Depicts German Baptists in World War II

The Radio Signal

Author: Friedhelm Radandt

Publisher: Deep River Books

Publication Date: June 8, 2016

Length: 248 Pages










About the Author
Friedhelm Radandt served as a college president for a quarter of a century, first at Northwestern College in Iowa and then at The King's College in New York. After arriving from his native Germany as an immigrant, he earned graduate degrees at The University of Chicago and enjoyed a rewarding teaching career at that institution and at Lake Forest College.

The Tale of Two Families
Friedhelm and his wife, Elizabeth Job, share the childhood memories of their experiences in Poland and Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. During the war years, neither family knows of the other. Neither family knows that their paths will cross after the war and their families will be united forever.

The author shares some history of the Radandt and Job families. The families lived a pleasant, middle-class life in Germany and Poland in the years prior to the reign of Hitler and the beginning of World War II. They were both active in the German Baptist Church and community. The author believes the support that both families received from the church was an important aspect in their survival during the years they spent as refugees during the war. 

"Like his parents before him, Friedhelm began looking for a Baptist fellowship as soon as he arrived in Hamburg. This had, after all, been his family's saving grace: no matter where they settled they had never been truly alone, because they always established ties to the nearest Baptist community."

Friedhelm found fellowship and love at the Baptist Church in Hamburg. Elizabeth Job was a member of the youth group at the church and their friendship eventually grew to love and marriage.

My Thoughts
This is a riveting account from a child's point-of-view of the extreme conditions endured by ordinary families during World War II. These families faced the threats of arrest, hunger, homelessness, and death on a regular basis. Both families had to relocate several times and lost their homes and all of their material possessions. There were times when it seemed that Divine intervention was responsible for their safety and survival.

I belong to a Baptist Church and found the information about the German Baptists very interesting. In recent years, the German Baptists have come under criticism for not speaking out against Hitler and the terrible injustices and atrocities that occurred during the years the Nazi party was in power. In most cases, the Nazis allowed the Baptist Churches to remain open and continue to preach the Gospel within the church. So, the Baptists were happy to be left alone and did not want to make waves that would put their organization in jeopardy. 

After the war, the author did extensive research on the role of the Baptist Church and other Christian groups during the war. He immersed himself in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Ethics" and committed himself to teaching about the issue of resistance to Baptist young people's groups. He believed that dealing with the past would free the church to do God's work with integrity.

The memoir ends in 1960, when Friedhelm and Elizabeth immigrated to America, arriving in New York City aboard the SS United States. This is a book about war, but it is also about faith, hope and love. The author did an excellent job telling his story. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free print copy of this book from the author's publicist in exchange for a fair review.

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Book Review: Is This Seat Taken? by Kristin Kaufman

ONE WORD BOOK REVIEW: REASSURANCE

 Is This Seat Taken?: It's Never Too Late to Find the  Right Seat

 Author: Kristin S. Kaufman

 Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press

Publication Date: January 13, 2015

Print Length: 145 Pages

About The Author
Kristin S. Kaufman is the founder of Alignment, Inc., formed in 2007 to serve
individuals, corporations, boards of directors and nonprofits in finding alignment
within themselves and their organizations.

Hope, Encouragement and Reassurance
"Now, what am I going to do?!"

This book is for those individuals who have come to a fork in the road, taken a path, and found themselves twenty to thirty years later in a place they didn't quite recognize.

Ms. Kaufman has written fifteen short biographies of men and women who have found success after the age of 50. Some of those included in this book are: 

• Laura Ingalls Wilder (Writer)
• Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma Moses)
• Harland Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
• Ray Kroc (McDonald's)
• Ninfa Laurenzo (Ninfa's Mexican Restaurants)
• Bill Wilson (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Each chapter ends with a series of "Alignment Lessons" that highlight the life lessons that can be learned from the subject of the biography.

"Let's face it: everyone on this planet is aging. The universal law is that we are in a constant, never-ending state of entropy. However, the comforting lesson is that our human spirit, our life force, does not age. Despite the ongoing phenomenon of our bodies' aging, our spirits continue to grow, expand, and evolve. There is such power in knowing and embracing this fact. As long as we have breath, we have the ability to contribute and to make an impact on the world". 

My Thoughts 
I love to read biographies of successful people. The stories in this book are brief and accentuate the highlights in the lives of these late bloomers. I read this book in a couple of sessions and enjoyed every minute. 

The American population is aging and many people will be looking forward to retirement. This book will inspire and motivate people to think about their options and keep moving forward. 

I highly recommend this book to people who are facing a fork in the road. It is never too late to reach for the stars.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review.

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Book Review: I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne Dyer

I Can See Clearly Now

Author: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Publisher: Hay House, Inc.

Date: February 25, 2014

Length: 389 pages




About The Author
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of more than 40 books, has created numerous audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.

Turning Back the Years
They say that hindsight is always 20/20...Dr. Dyer reflects on his life, beliefs and writings in this autobiography.

The book begins with the author's difficult young years growing up in foster homes. The author clearly sees how these difficult times helped him learn to be self-sufficient and independent.

As a young man, Dr. Dyer spent several years serving in the U.S. Navy. During these years, the author determined that he wanted to go to college and eventually become a teacher.

The author reflects on how he wrote his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, and traveled around the country promoting the book and selling it. His love for teaching and writing led to the publication of over 40 books and his wildly popular appearances on PBS television stations.

The author touches on his personal family life but mostly focuses on his writing and teaching accomplishments. The book ends with his recent diagnosis of leukemia and how he is dealing with this chronic disease.

My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Dr. Dyer's writings since I read Your Erroneous Zones back in 1977. I have not read all of his books, but I have a pretty nice collection of Dyer books on my bookshelf.

This book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the man who became a best-selling author, teacher, speaker and a mainstay in PBS' membership drives.

I feel like reading this book was like turning back the years. I was thinking about events that happened in my own life as the author was sharing memories about his life and work.

This book demonstrates the value of looking back and clearly seeing how events, circumstances and people have come to guide you on your road to self-discovery. Dr. Dyer believes this guidance has been there for him every step of the way...and it has been there for you as well.

You don't have to agree with all of Dr. Dyer's teachings to find insight and inspiration in this book. Highly recommended.

MY RATING - 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

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Book Review: Everything I Know About Success I Learned From Napoleon Hill by Don Green

Everything I Know About Success I Learned from Napoleon Hill: Essential Lessons for Using the Power of Positive Thinking

Author: Don M. Green

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Date: March 2, 2013




About the Author
Don M. Green is executive director of the Napoleon Hill Foundation and president of the foundation board at the University of Virginia-Wise. He became CEO of Black Diamond Savings Bank at 41 and studied under personal development master W. Clement Stone.

Think and Grow Rich
"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
In 1937, Napoleon Hill published his groundbreaking book "Think and Grow Rich". Today, this book continues to inspire and motivate millions of world-wide readers seeking success.

Don Green shares the lessons that he has learned about success and the power of positive thinking in this autobiographical book. Mr. Green discovered the book "Think and Grow Rich" when he was in his twenties. He details Napoleon Hill's influence on his own success, growing up in rural Virginia and going on to become a bank CEO at just 41 years old. The author has been a life-long lover of books on success, including biographies, and has gained a great deal of knowledge from these readings.

The contents of this book include the following chapters;

• The Formula
• Success
• Adversity and Failure
• Purpose and Belief
• Books
• Desire and Discipline
• Goals
• Habits and Perseverance
• Frugality and Self-Reliance
• Learning From Others
• Mentors
• Opportunities
• Visualization
• Thinking
• Your Personal Success Equation
• Perseverance and Passion
• Legacy

The principles of success do not change. When these principles are studied and applied, those who follow them can expect the same results that successful people have obtained.  But remember, you can't just think, dream, or wish for something to happen; you must take action!

My Thoughts
This book is a real gold mine of insight, inspiration and motivation. The author shares his own experiences and shares the life stories of many successful people who have influenced his career and his personal life.

As a former librarian, I am especially impressed with Mr. Green's love of reading. Biographies are true lessons in life from which the reader can glean life-changing ideas and examples. Mr. Green includes an entire chapter in this book about how reading hundreds of inspirational stories, self-help books and biographies has inspired him to great levels of success. I have always been drawn to biographies and I felt a special connection with the author and his love of true-life books.

"Everything I Know About Success I Learned From Napoleon Hill"  is much more than a guide to achieving monetary success. This is a guide for successful living that will benefit all ages. If you read this book and apply the principles to your life, you will be greatly rewarded. The lessons presented in this book are an educational course for living life to the fullest. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

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Book Review: My First Ninety Years

I recently read My First Ninety Years by Mary Jane Baird.  This book was published by Murder Creek Publishing at Smashwords on August 22, 2010.  I downloaded a FREE copy of this book in .mobi format and transferred it to my Kindle to read. 
Smashwords is an ebook publishing and distribution platform, serving authors, publishers, readers and major ebook retailers. Smashwords is ideal for publishing novels, personal memoirs, poetry, short and long-form fiction, and non-fiction. 
This is a short memoir (approx. 3300 words) that Mrs. Baird wrote as a keepsake  for her children and grandchildren.  Mrs. Baird was born in Kansas City on October 10, 1919, in a home for out of wedlock mothers.  She was adopted by Mary and William Murray from Kingman, Kansas.  Mary grew up in Kingman along with an adopted brother who was seven years her senior.
Life in Kingman was difficult during the Depression Years, but Mary took piano lessons and was soon playing the piano for services at the family's church. 
When Mary's father was 61 years old, he fell off a fire engine and broke his hip.  Since her mother could not drive, young Mary was instrumental in helping her father keep up with his job's responsibilities while he was recovering.  She graduated from high school and enrolled in the College of Emporia, a Presbyterian sponsored school.
During her freshman year in college, she met Bill Keesecker.  They were immediately a "couple" and were engaged for five years.  Bill graduated from Emporia College and then went to the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.  Bill and Mary pastored several Presbyterian churches in the MidWest during the next 50 years.  They raised three daughters and had a very happy marriage.  Bill retired at the age of 70 and the Keeseckers moved to Kansas City.  Rev. Keesecker died after heart surgery in 1992 and Mary moved to a retirement community.  There she met Jack Baird and married him in 1995.
Mary wrote From Kansas Farm Boy to Moderator A Short History of the Life of Rev. William Francis Keesecker about her late husband's life.  This book is also a FREE download at Smashbooks.
I wish more senior citizens would take the time to write memoirs for their friends and family to read and cherish.  It is now possible for anyone to write and publish a book with very little money required.  Mrs. Baird is a real inspiration to me.  YES, I will write a book! 

Winston Churchill; A Book Review

 Winston Churchill (Christian Encounters Series), by John Perry, is a biography about one of the great leaders of the modern world.  It is a good read for anyone who wants a short, concise story about the life and times of an outstanding statesman, military leader, author and orator.

Winston Churchill was born into a British aristocratic family and spent most of his young years in boarding schools.  He had a nanny who nurtured him and shared her Christian faith with him.  Winston was small for his age and spoke with a lisp.  He self-indulgent father ignored him and never gave Winston the approval that he craved. 

Winston grew up to be a young soldier and journalist who loved a good battle.  He spent time fighting in Cuba, India and Africa before taking a major role in leading British troups during WWI.  Winston spent many years in the British Parliament and was selected as Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1940. 

Winston Churchill believed that his leadership role during WWII was his true destiny.  He believed that everything that he had experienced in his early life prepared him for the challenges he would face during his country's fight against the Nazis.  

I believe Mr. Perry did a good job in describing the religious views of Winston Churchill. Mr. Churchill was not active in church, but he believed in a just God who was providing him with divine guidance and protection. 

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small,large or petty....and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."  Winston Churchill