Many times biographies written for children are boring. The children struggle to find something to relate to in the book. This book, Thomas Edison…The Man Who Lit Up The World, is not like that at all. It is definately filled with information; but, it is information that teaches about the world around us. The compact size of the book, 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches is just right for smaller hands. It is written for approximately ages 10+.
The book covers young Thomas’ life as a young business person…selling newspapers, candy and food on the train The Grand Trunk to customers that road the train daily from Port Huron to Detroit. It details his marriages and his children. But where it really shines is detailing his never ending quest to invent and improve the things people use everyday. This go- getter attitude was a very important trait. He was a doer; someone who was driven to accomplish great things.
All through his life he looked for ways to improve or invent products that would make things better or easier. He filed over 1,000 patents as a inventor.
This book is fun because it has lots of pictures and drawings through out it’s pages. The reader gets to see Thomas as he lived.
Most children know that Thomas Edison was the successful inventor of the lightbulb. But, they may not know all about his other contributions to our society. Some of those inventions set the foundation to today’s electronic gadgets that children enjoy, today, such as; their ipods, movies, rechargeable batteries and even improving the technology for phones.
Thomas Edison’s “can do” and “I never give up” attitude is very inspiring. In reading, The Man Who Lit Up The World , the underlying theme is that things get accomplished when you stay focused and you are persistent in pursuing your dreams. I think that children reading this book will find it interesting to see how different their life is because of some of Thomas Edison’s inventions. His curiosity is contagious.
The author of this book is Martin Woodside. The book was published by Sterling Publishing. Their website is : www.sterlingpublishing.com. It was copywrited in 2007.
Wonderful Tonight, an autobiographical book written by Pattie Boyd and Penny Junor opens a window not only into the maturation of Pattie from girlhood to womanhood; but also, into the world of riches, rock and roll and into the chaos of the 60′s.
It was fascinating to me to learn the stories behind the two very famous songs written about her by two very creative, talented and complex men; both men loved her and neglected her and eventually lost her.
She writes of a lifetime of sorting out the experiences she had during this turbulent time with both men as well as eventually understanding the choices she made and why she made them. She seems very open about her chaotic childhood. Her childhood patterns of having to subject herself to the whims of those around her seem to have set the stage for her adulthood relationships.
She was a woman of accomplishment in her own right in the field of modeling during her courtship with George Harrison of the Beatles fame. She allowed herself to give up the only defining thing to her independence and only later understood the sacrifice to her emotional well-being.
Feeling the pull of attraction during a low period in her marriage to George who she refers to as her soul mate…she gives in to temptation. Pattie then found herself in a relationship with Eric only to be lost in a sea of alcoholic addiction and neglect.
Years later, understanding what it cost her…she, at times, both regrets and holds dear, the memories that came from walking away from her marriages. She has lived an interesting life.
I very much enjoyed stepping into Patties thoughts as she worked her way through her life with her friends, family and famous lovers. She sheds a bright light into the relationship of the fab four during the highs and lows of their glittering careers.
Alan Alda wrote, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, in a way that gives an interesting look inside of the thoughts of the man who has made a career out of making audiences laugh for a few decades.
People often mistakingly think of comedic actors as making light of all things. This book, i think, shows that Mr. Alda is a deep thinker. He reflects on many areas of life that could use a little more attention. His words teach others to not take life at face value…to examine what you think; and, why you think what you do…where you place your values in life. Too many people float through life just existing; they think that is enough out of life to just skip over the difficult and to absorb only the perks.
In some of the speaches Alan was asked to perform, he challenged the listeners to take action by getting involved in change. His own life shows the dedication of a person stepping outside of themselves to get involved in issues larger than himself.
Reaching adulthood myself in the 80′s, i remember the struggles of the movers and shakers to get the constitution amended with the Equal Rights Amendment. Ultimately the movement failed. Hindsight illuminates the consequences of that…but, changing the way people conduct themselves on a personal and professional level is never an easy thing. To Alan Alda’s credit he made a huge attempt at enlightenment.
Alan Alda’s title says to me, that we all share a sliver of amazement when we go back and observe things that we have said and written down that appear to show a bit of brillance. Sometimes it is as if we are seperate from ourselves when we express wisdom…almost as if someone else had said it. It is in those moments that we understand ourselves a bit better and clearly know how we really feel about things on a deeper level.
Alan had a brush with death a few years ago in Chile from an intestinal blockage. He lives his life with passion and curiosity. He examines small and large topics in his book. Some of his opinions you may agree with and some you may not…but it will indeed set your mind to ruminating.
It is a good read. This book was copywrighted in 2007. It was published by Random House. You can visit their website at : www.randomhouse.com/largeprint. Mr. Alda has his own website at : www.alanalda.com.
The jacket’s design was by karen Lau and the jackets photos were courtesy of the author.