Theme of the Week
History
Reader: Cindy Parkhurst
Author: David McCullough
Title: Mornings on Horseback
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: This book combines two of my favorite elements in a book about history – David McCullough (of John Adams and Truman fame) along with Theodore Roosevelt as the topic of the book. Last summer I read a book about the last few years of T.R.’s life and his last big adventure. The book was called The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. It was an amazing look at T.R. the naturalist/explorer. He and his son along with a group of naturalists explored an uncharted tributary of the Amazon in some of the densest jungles in the world.
This summer, I read McCullough’s book about T.R.’s early years. What a contrast in views! In his adult years, T.R. was viewed as a tough, often intractable character with stamina and energy enough for several men. But, as seen through McCullough’s eyes, “little Teedie’s” early years were marked by weakness and illness. Young Teddy battled childhood asthma and spent much of his youth in bed. He did not begin the process of readying body and mind for service to his country until his father, Theodore “Greatheart” Roosevelt had a talk with him about how to toughen his constitution for life. The talk his father had with him encouraged him to begin a daily regimen of exercise, reading and journaling that would follow him into the White House.
Reader: Kitty Simmons
Author: Pauline Stevick
Title: Beyond the Plain and Simple: a Patchwork of Amish Lives
LSU
Rating: -
Plenty of plain in the clothes, but a lifestyle that includes supporting a large family on the farm with few modern conveniences isn't exactly simple.
Summary: This is another "insider look" at the Amish way of life providing insight into a subculture that I find intriguing. The author belongs to a Mennonite offshoot denomination, and she and her husband gain entrée into a variety of Amish communities through a wide network of Amish friends. Each chapter presents an aspect of life or experience during a visit covering such topics as the church service, weddings and funerals, family relations, and dealing with "prodigals". One of the most interesting things I learned was that there is even an Amish "snowbird" community in Sarasota Florida!
The author provides more narrative than analysis which was fine with me. Although the benefits of the Amish lifestyle are evident for those who embrace it, the difficulties are not ignored. This religion is not a cult composed of coerced members who don't think for themselves. The very mindfulness that the Amish display throughout their lives in spite of some apparent inconsistencies of practice is partly what makes them so interesting to outsiders. One of the key points clearly made in these vignettes is the central importance of community in the Amish life. Whether or not a practice fosters or undermines the communal cohesiveness of the group is often the test of acceptance or rejection.
This book would be interesting either as a first exposure to the Amish or as a supplement to previous reading on the subject. It's not long, has illustrations (drawings, not photos of course), and is very interesting: in short, a perfect summertime read!
Kitty J. Simmons, Library Director
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