Joe Biden

Young, Jeff C. Joe Biden

Morgan Reynolds 2010 112p 28.95 Political Profiles

978-159935131-5 ms/hs E-BNS

Beginning with a discussion of Joe Biden’s family history, this biography continues with an in-depth look at his life. Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born onto a middle class family in Scranton, PA and moved to Wilmington, DE when he was a child. First elected to the Senate from Delaware in 1972, he shortly faced tragedy when his wife and daughter were killed and his sons injured in a traffic accident. Convinced to continue his Congressional career, he sponsored many bills designed to protect ordinary citizens and was dedicated to furthering the common good. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in both 1988 and 2008. Upon the nomination and election of Barack Obama in 2008, he became the vice president.
This is a very well written and insightful book and a succinct and lucid treatment of the subject. It is remarkably nonjudgmental and non-sensationalized and is objective in its treatment of a remarkable man. It carefully discusses both the positive and negative aspects of Biden’s life. The descriptive text is enhanced by excellent well-captioned photographs and ends with a timeline, source notes, a bibliography of books and web sites, and an index. Ogintz, Susan

Crain, Cynthia. Milton Friedman.

Crain, Cynthia. Milton Friedman.
Morgan Reynolds 2010 144p 28.95 978-1-59935-108-7 ms/hs
Profiles in Economics(MR)

Presents the economic philosophy, professional and personal life of Milton Friedman, who shook up reigning political economic theory, preferring a free market economy. Colorful photographs, timeline, further reading, chapter notes and index complete the book. For grades 7-12. Crain and Lee provide an introduction to Friedman’s free market economic theory that diverged markedly from the prevailing Keynesian model of how government interaction affects a national economy. Friedman was an entrepreneur from his early school days at Rutgers throughout his life. His personality made him welcome in academic circles and his hard work and keen mathematical ability made him a force to be reckoned with as he turned the economic world on its head by disparaging Keynesian economic model in favor of a free market economic theory. Crain and Lee present the personal side of Friedman as he meets the love of his life. His wife Rose, a brilliant economic mind in her own right was able to debate with Friedman as well as present herself admirably at summits of the best economic minds of the time. The couple was welcome across the globe and made and kept friends whether heads of state or students. The reader is introduced to Friedman’s economic concepts in such a way as to gain a basic understanding of the effects of a free market system on the cycle of recession and economic depression. Color photographs enhance the text. Timeline, further reading, chapter notes and index complete the book. Strongly recommended for middle and high school students interested in economics. Lois McNicol

Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.

Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.
Morgan Reynolds 2009 160p 28.95 978-1-59935-092-9 ms/hs
World Writers (Morgan)##7

The mercurial life of Mary Shelley including her childhood, her progressive marriage for the age, and her literary companions form a well-rounded picture of her as a person, as a writer, and as a family member. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. Mary Shelley was best known for writing Frankenstein. The setting for the novel as well as the genesis of the idea behind the plot are revealed within the framework of her entire life. She went beyond the common story and plot related to ghosts and superhuman figures to create a novel that questioned man’s advances in science and what it is to be human. Her literary parents, her marriage to poet, Percy Shelley and her close friendship with Byron all seem to point to a person of brilliance. However, her life was tortured by a distant relationship with her father, the birth and death of three of her children, and her inability to really make close female friendships. She suffered bouts of writers block as well as depression throughout her life and its turbulent personal relationships. While respected by some, she was reviled by many as she ignored common mores of the times and spoke her mind on political and social issues. Illustrated with paintings and photos of places and people involved in her life, this book is a visual delight. A time line, index, further reading and source notes make this an excellent place to begin to understand the mind and times of Shelley. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. An error appears on page 142, second paragraph -- the word her is spelled “he r”. LMN Shelley, Mary

Great and Sublime Fool: The story of Mark Twain

Caravantes, Peggy Great and Sublime Fool: The story of Mark Twain
Morgan Reynolds 2009 176p 28.95 978-1-59935-088-2 ms/hs
World Writers (Morgan)(This series has been on our Books of Note Lists several times in past years. )

This detailed biography connects his life to his writings. Twain's humor comes through in direct quotes. His up and down financial status and his vulnerability coupled with fixed beliefs in a new typesetting machine is captured in the title of the book. Grades 7-12. If a student wishes to understand Twain/Clemens; his humor, his inspirations, his vulnerability, his brilliance, and his popularity, this is the place to start. Caravantes connects Twain's life to his writings. Showing Twain's social, political, and religious beliefs as they are presented in his lectures, writings, and friendships, the reader will realize that Twain was ahead of his time in many ways. His wanderlust took him across the United States and Europe, finding a human story everywhere he went. The importance of family to Twain is clearly presented including his marriage, his children and the impact they had on him and his writing. While most likely a difficult man to live with, his love and concern for immediate family were a constant in his life. His inventions outside of writing met with little success. When faced with monetary woes, he always bounced back with another piece of writing. Quotations from Twain show his humorous side. Photographs of family and acquaintances give a flavor of the early 20th century to contemporary readers. A timeline, bibliography, and index complete the book. A very engaging writing style coupled with an attractive format will make this book a hit with student researchers or those who just want to know more about Mark Twain. Strongly recommended for grades 7-12. L. McNicol

Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy

Heims, Neil. Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy.
Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 144p. $27.95
978-1-5993-5066-0
World Writer's series

For students looking to connect an author’s life with his fictional characters, Heims presents the personal struggles of Tolstoy. From his gambling and sense of self-loathing to his gentry lifestyle as an owner of an estate and considerable acreage, Tolstoy used every personal experience to better understand and portray his fictional characters. The social and political viewpoints that appear in Tolstoy’s writings come from his noble heritage laced with a desire to understand and work with the peasants on his estate. His desire to provide education to children, especially peasants, was a constant in his life. The activities he engaged in, including dressing as a peasant to determine reactions to them and their lifestyle and his desire to lead a life of ascetic purity, allowed him to write with authenticity about the thoughts and feelings of all manner of people.
Students will gain an understanding of the forces that drove Tolstoy and see the connection between Tolstoy’s beliefs and his novels. A timeline, index, footnotes, and bibliography make the information in this book easily accessible to the student researcher. Photographs, paintings, and primary source material are interspersed within the text. Fascinating reading about a giant among authors. LMN

A read along for the new movie: Elizabeth The Golden Age

Lotz, Nancy. Mary Queen of Scots. Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 160p 1-59935-040-8 $32.00

In Morgan Reynolds' European Queens series, authors Nancy Lotz and Carlene Phillips outline the sad life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Born amid the tempestuous religious conflict raging across Europe in the mid-16th century, Mary was the only daughter Of James V of Scotland and Marie de Guise, and their only surviving child. Upon James' death, Mary at nine months of age, Mary was crowned Queen of the Scots. She inherited a kingdom torn apart by English rule, clan wars, religious conflict and the battles fought for Scottish independence.

The Scots' Queen was determined to restore and impose Catholicism to Scotland, which had been outlawed under the rule of Henry VIII of England. Indeed, most of the conflict that surrounded Mary's life, especially the misgivings she had with her cousin, Elizabeth I, would point directly back to the tension felt between Catholics and Protestants and the struggle to see one throne in power. Elizabeth had Mary put to death after 15 years of captivity in various castles around England, after hearing of Mary's involvement in a plot to kill Elizabeth. Brave to the last, Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in February, 1587, taking with her the plots and rebellions against the Protestant English Queen.

This is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know more about Mary, Queen of Scots or about the English monarchy in general. Very well illustrated with portraits and paintings, a timeline and family trees of Mary's both French and English roots, and a list of principal figures in Mary's life. Includes chapter notes, a glossary, a bibliography, booklist, website recommendations, and an index.