Review

The U.S. History Cookbook by D’Amico and Drummond

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events From the Past

I love to find books suitable for elementary grade children. This one not only gives some fun facts from U.S. History, it also includes easy recipes for children to make with their parents. I love it!

The first part of the book shows sketches of items used in cooking, such as a pastry blender or a rolling pin, and how they are used.

The next part explains cooking terms with sketches for cutting, measuring, stovetop cooking, and separating eggs. And I love that there’s also a section about safety. The authors put a lot of thought into this cookbook.

After that, each chapter provides historical background, “Fun Food Facts,” and recipes representing the time period.

Included in this book are chapters on Colonial Fare, The First Thanksgiving, A Pioneer Breakfast, and World War II Rations, to name a few.

Very well-done cookbook for children. I love that it also teaches them a bit of history along the way. 😊

Recommend for elementary children and perhaps a year or two into the middle-grade category.

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Autobiography of Mark Twain

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Collector’s Edition, 100th anniversary of Twain’s death

The authentic, original version

Mark Twain, pen name for Samuel Clemens, is one of America’s most beloved authors. He dictated his autobiography in the early 1900s. Several of his family members had already died, including his beloved wife.

Pages of memories about his family fill the book, giving readers insights into characters, events, and settings of his famous novels.

He set out to write his autobiography in a different form than others had done. It’s not written in chronological order. Rather it jumps from the past to the present as circumstances bring to mind occurrences from his childhood, early adulthood, or raising his daughters.

Twain believed this format would be a model for future autobiographies. It jumps around a bit too much for me, though I easily understood why he moves from past to present because events tie them together.

I loved learning about the people, everyday moments, and events that Twain writes for his readers.

This glimpse into Twain’s private life is a treasure. One of my favorite authors!

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One of Jackson’s Foot Cavalry by John H. Worsham

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by Sandra Merville Hart

His Experience and What he saw during the War 1861 – 1865

This is a well-written history of the “F” Company, 21st Regiment Virginia Infantry, a company from Richmond. They were part of the Second Brigade, General “Stonewall” Jackson’s Division, Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia.

The author, John Worsham, enlisted on April 21, 1861, as a private. He was promoted to adjutant on September 12, 1864. His wounds at the Battle of Winchester a week later left him permanently disabled.

Worsham wrote an account of the battles and marches of his regiment. Many sections are very detailed—perfect for my research! I was researching this regiment for Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 of my “Spies of the Civil Series” and was able to include some important details in my story from a soldier who lived it.

Worsham was in Richmond when it fell and described his despair.

Included in this book are details of each soldier in Company “F”, wonderful information for folks researching their family history.

Recommended for readers of Civil War history and for lovers of American history.

Hidden by Scott Dawson

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A 40-Day Journey of Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

As Psalms 139 so beautifully illustrates, we can’t hide from God. Yet the author quotes Paul where he talks about our lives being “hidden with Christ in God” in Colossians 3:3. This seeming paradox is part of the author’s introduction for the 40-day devotional.

This devotional book is divided into sections including Seek, Doubt, Lost, Identity, Shame, Conform, Secure, Weakness, Found, and Hidden. Some sections struck a deeper chord with me.   

Each day’s devotion begins with the scripture reference for the author’s reflections. Most of them end with questions to stimulate thought.

Devotions can be read in less than five minutes so the daily read doesn’t require a lot of time.

There were multiple contributors to this book and the topics were thoughtfully arranged. Well-done devotional.

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Ironmaker to the Confederacy by Charles B. Dew

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Joseph R. Anderson and Tredegar Iron Works

Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond has been located by the James River since before the Civil War. It had rolling mills, foundries, a cooper shop, and many other buildings that made up the iron works.

Tredegar was vitally important to the Confederacy during the war as it made weapons for the army, such as cannons. Workers discovered early in the war to guard its weapons made in secret. For example, Union spies supplied the North with news of the submarine tests that Tredegar performed and figured out ways to combat them.

The author gives details from Tredegar’s history that included some of the day-to-day operations. This information was especially helpful for my research of Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series. The hero in the story works at Tredegar and this book and couple of others provided wonderful historical information. Both Book 2 and Book 3 (Byway to Danger) are set in Richmond in 1862.

Well-written. Well-researched. This is recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War weapons, and history lovers.

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Ashes of Glory by Ernest B. Furgurson

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Richmond at War

I loved this book! This nonfiction book brings the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War (1861-1865) to life.

Furgurson arranged the book in mostly chronological order, which makes it an easy read. The author has a storyteller’s flair for opening up history. It was a page-turner for me.

The author gives details from history that bring the scenes vividly to life for readers. Descriptive details that involve the senses transport readers to the difficult days of the war. The author includes details such as distances between Richmond locations—such as a “block and a half away”—that were a real treasure for me as a historical author.

In fact, I bought this book for research purposes. My “Spies of the Civil War” series has two books set in Richmond in 1862—Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 and Byway to Danger, Book 3. I took lots of notes and highlighted passages testifying to how it enriched my understanding of what Richmond citizens faced during the war.

Well-written. Well-researched. This is recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War research, and history lovers!

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Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash

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by Sandra Merville Hart

It’s 1910 and Sofie has nightmares about her father’s job at a Pennsylvania steel mill. She fears for his safety at the mill where accidents occur that could be prevented.  

Her mother’s job as a housekeeper for a bachelor in charge of safety and inspections at her father’s mill keeps her from the family for long hours. Sofie’s aunt, who takes care of her and her little brother while her parents are working, is actually more of a mother to them because her mother has always remained distant from her children and Sofie wonders if she loves them.

It seems all the immigrant families in the small Pennsylvania steel town are just as poverty-stricken as Sofie’s. Pole, her best friend, has his own problems. After his mother’s death, there’s no one to save him from his father’s drinking and abuse.

A gripping, well-written story with believable characters that leap off the page. Some characters readers will love and pull for. There are several characters readers will hate.

Readers are taken on a tough journey with the characters. It’s a multi-layered story, told in multiple points of view. There’s tragedy, grief, and abuse. The story also deals with physical and mental illness…and the struggle to forgive deep wounds.

I was captivated by the story from the first page. I couldn’t put it down.

It’s not an easy read. There is some language and violence.

This one will stay with me.

The Confederate State of Richmond by Emory M. Thomas

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A Biography of the Capital

This nonfiction book reports on events that took place in the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War (1861-1865).

Thomas arranged the book in mostly chronological order, which makes it an easy read.

Filled with interesting details about important leaders and events, this book also includes charts, maps, and, places, and Richmond businesses. The author even included military buildings, hospitals, newspapers, businesses, owners’ names, and the street location—a treasure for historical authors!

In fact, I bought this book for research purposes. My “Spies of the Civil War” series has two books set in Richmond in 1862—Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 and Byway to Danger, Book 3. I took lots of notes and highlighted passages. The book enriched my understanding of what Richmond citizens faced during the war.

Recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War research, and history lovers.

 

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The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Book 1 in “Women of the American Revolutions” Series

Lilyan Cameron’s loyalties belong to the colonies during the Revolutionary War. Her brother Andrew fights for the militia, but when he is captured by the British and held prisoner in deplorable conditions on one of their ships, Lilyan doesn’t know where to turn for help.

Captain Nicholas Xanthakos also fights for the militia. He and others plan how they can save Andrew and those captured with him. He enlists Lilyan to help. She doesn’t need much persuasion—she’ll do anything to save her brother.

There’s a lot of action and adventure in this story. It also shows how the colonists lived and made their living. Some of the detail, while fascinating, tends to slow the action.

The story beautifully demonstrates the courage of many men and women, whether they fought for the militia or not.

Multiple twists and turns in the story made this a page-turner for me. Tragedy, heartache, and difficulties escalate as the story unfolds. I felt that the initial relationship between Lilyan and Nicholas moved quickly for the time period.

As a history buff, the book snagged my interest. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Medium Well Done by Eddie Jones

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by Sandra Merville Hart

The Caden Chronicles

Book 6

I’ve read other books in this series so I settled in to try solve the mystery along with fifteen-year-old Nick.

The story begins with Nick witnessing a séance in a cemetery. He can hear the words used to “awaken” a spirit but I don’t know the meaning of those words.

Nick doesn’t believe in ghosts and figures his friend brought him here to see a staged performance. Then his friend disappears right afterward and it appears she died in a hit and run but no one can find her body.

This isn’t the first time Nick has found himself in the middle of a murder investigation and readers of the series hope it isn’t the last.

Jones has written the book to appeal to middle-grade and teen readers, both boys and girls. There is plenty of mystery, adventure, and danger to hold their interest. I like that the seeming supernatural portions of the story are explained at the end. If parents are worried about that aspect, I’d suggest reading it first.

I enjoy stories that invite me to try to figure out “whodunit” and this one did.

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