Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

I have always been intrigued by Russia.  It is a country and a culture that is at once familiar and yet so very different from our own.  It is a country shaped by the weather, by religion, and by it's size.  It has also been shaped by its many rulers from Tsars to communists.  But perhaps no one other than Peter the Great has left as big a mark on Russian history as Empress Catherine II.  In his 2011 biography of her, historian Robert K. Massie explores the life of one of history's most remarkable women and how she overcame so many obstacles to lead her nation into a new era.

I had been wanting to read this book for awhile and ended up enjoying it quite a bit.  I had only a vague knowledge of Catherine and the role that she played in Russian history.  Massie recounts Catherine's entire history from just before her birth in 1729 to her death in 1796.  Many factors lead Catherine from a small Prussian province to the throne of one of Europe's mightiest empires.  She was cousin to the prospective tsar, Peter of Holstein, and was considered a good match by those who wanted Russia to trade its alliance with Austria for an alliance with Prussia.  But though life in the Russian court was glittering, it was not without its downsides.  She was subject to the whims and ever changing moods of Empress Elizabeth.  Her husband was an overgrown child with no sense of dignity and no love for his wife.  And like all royal courts, this one was full of spies and people seeking to climb the ladder of success.  But Catherine's intelligence, wit, and beauty charmed many people and eventually she found herself on the throne and loved by the people she had adopted as her own.

Catherine's life was simply fascinating.  One of the most interesting aspects was how much she was a product of the times she was living in.  From a young age she was caught up in the ideas of Enlightenment.  Voltaire, Diderot, and d'Alembert became not just her tutors in political thought, but her personal friends as well.  Though she eventually gave up the idea of establishing a true Enlightened monarchy in Russia, it did lead to many changes and helped usher Russia into Western society.  Social changes were begun during Catherine's reign, including changes to Russian law and more freedoms for the serfs.  She also encouraged arts, culture, and education throughout the empire.  This cultivation of the arts lead to the existence of many of the great Russian writers, musicians, and artists that we appreciate today.  From Pushkin to Tolstoy to Tchaikovsky, I think it is safe to say that none of them would have existed as we knew them without Catherine the Great.

For all of the accomplishments of her reign, Massie never loses sight of the fact that she was first and foremost a woman.  He shows us not only the strong and intelligent empress, but also the woman in desperate need of love and affection.  Catherine never received true love in early life.  Her mother and her husband were especially disappointing.  The rest of her life, she constantly sought the comfort of many different lovers.  Several of these men would eventually leave their mark not just on Catherine, but on Russia as a whole.  But no matter how much she loved a man, Catherine never gave up or shared her rights as empress and she always remembered the duty she had to the people of Russia.

This is a well written biography and an easy read for the layman historian.  Massie packs in a lot of information but does so in a way that is not overwhelming or "scholarly" in tone.  He also includes lots of background on Russian history and society that is helpful to those who may not have much of a background in it.  I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in Russian history, or in Catherine.  Though Massie shows her flaws, he also portrays the strength she had as a woman and a leader.  A wonderful glimpse into the life of a woman who changed not just her own nation, but the world as well. 

The Black Count

All over the world, Alexandre Dumas is recognized as one of the titans of French literature.  The swashbuckling adventures found in his works like The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Man in the Iron Mask portray a world of honor, betrayal, love, and friendship.  But though his stories are some of Western civilization's most famous, few people realize that many of their most famous elements are based on the character and exploits of one very real person...his father, General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas. In his Pulitzer Prize winning book The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, Tom Reiss seeks to tell the general's story and to reveal how his larger than life presence impacted his son and the art he was to create.


Thomas-Alexandre Dumas was born in the French sugar colony of Saint Domingue, the son of a French aristocrat and a his black slave.  At the age of 14, his father sold him and three other siblings into slavery in order to raise funds for passage back to France.  He was later repurchased by his father and then raised in France.  He received the education of any French noble, mastering the arts of fencing, riding and literature.  But as his father's fortune dwindled due to lavish spending on a new wife, Dumas assumed his mother's name and enlisted in the French military.  It wasn't long before he distinguished himself as a member of the Queens Dragoons.  As the old regime fell and France was swept up in revolution, Dumas took advantage of the new found freedoms and rose higher and higher, eventually reaching the rank of General of the French Army.  But Dumas' fortunes, like those of France, were soon to be forever changed by an intelligent and ruthless man from Corsica.

I found this book to be extremely fascinating.  I have always loved Dumas' work, but I had no idea that so many of his stories, especially The Count of Monte Cristo, were based on his father's life.  And General Dumas' story in many ways rivals those of his son's creation.  It is obvious that, though raised as an aristocrat, he is very much a man of the Republic.  He firmly holds on to the ideals of the revolution, even when others twist them for their own use, or seek to undermine them.  He is also a consummate leader and warrior, garnering the respect of his men and overcoming some of the most difficult situations that can be thrown at a soldier.  His rise in the army is meteoric.  In fact, he was the highest ranking black commander in a white army until Colin Powell became a four-star general in 1989.

But the story the Reiss tells here is not just Dumas', but also the story of all people of color in revolutionary France.  France was one of the first European powers to pass laws against slavery, even though it's rich sugar colonies were firmly built on them.  This allowed blacks and people of mixed race to rise as high in French society as whites, and for their children to be educated alongside them.  And the revolution extended the idea of liberty and equality to all Frenchmen, allowing Dumas to not only command a white army, but also to marry a white woman.  Unfortunately, even as these ideals crumbled before Napoleon's ambition, so did the freedoms of blacks all over France.  Eventually, slavery would be brought back to the French colonies.  It is all too obvious that the reason so few people, French or otherwise, know anything about Dumas is because of racism.

As a non-fiction book, this reads very easily.  Reiss packs in a lot of information, but delivers it in such a fun and adventurous way that you feel as if you are reading a novel.  His writing is easily read and well paced, allowing even the least scholarly among us to grasp what is happening.  It also really helped me understand the timeline of the French Revolution as well as the many issues the caused it to happen.

I highly recommend this book to anyone.  If you love the works of Dumas, or are interested in the French Revolution, military history, race relations in France, or the French sugar colonies then you could do far worse than to read this.  It is certainly a wonderful tribute to a man whose contribution to French history has been all but forgotten.      

Scotland: The Story of a Nation

To the rest of the world, the United Kingdom is just that.  We tend to lump everything from that "sceptered isle" as being "British" and forget that a fully united Britain has only existed for 300 years.  Before that, Scotland was its own separate nation with its own culture, its own traditions, and its own turbulent history.  In his work published in 2000, Scotland: The Story of a Nation, historian Magnus Magnusson seeks to relate the story of how this rugged corner of Britain struggled to unite warring tribes and become a nation that would radically change the historical course of its southern neighbor and in many ways the world.

This was a great read and a wonderful glimpse into Scottish history.  In this particular work, Magnusson is focuses not on the particulars of Scottish life (like everyday living, fashion, basic economy, etc.) but rather on its transformation as a nation and its role on the world stage.  Thus, we spend our time focused mainly on the upper classes and the ruling factions.  Almost every chapter is devoted to the reign of  a specific Scottish monarch and we see how their rule helped move the Scottish nation forward (or backwards as the case may be).  We see how the relationships with the ruling barons and the Kirk often determined the success of their reign.  And we saw as time and again the question of unification with England divided the Scottish people.

But while Magnusson is most definitely pro-Scotland, he doesn't allow his personal feelings to blind him to Scotland's failings.  He sweeps away many of the romantic myths that permeate its history and brings legends like Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, and Bonnie Prince Charlie into the harsher light of truth.  He gives credit where credit is due, and reveals that many of the "villains" of Scottish history were often not really bad people, just unpopular and unlucky ones.

I especially enjoyed the chapters on the ancient Scottish peoples and learned so many interesting things.  Like how the people we now think of as "Scottish" actually come over from Ireland.  How the northern Shetland islands were ruled by Norway for hundreds of years.  How Columba brought Christianity first to the tiny island of Iona and then to the rest of the Pictish peoples. And how the Lord of the Isles held almost independent power from the king up through the 15th century.

This is a terrific read for anyone interested in Scottish history.  There is a lot of information in here so it is not really for casual reading.  And it helps to have a map of Scotland handy as Magnusson throws around place names quite a bit and knowing whether a place is in the Highlands or the Lowlands will make quite a difference in your understanding of a particular situation.  But his writing is very readable and it was so wonderful to gain a fuller understanding of a part of history that has captivated me for many years.  A good companion to this book is the BBC History of Scotland series hosted by Niell Oliver.   

The Monuments Men

The art world realized that Germany’s powerful weapons, and especially its use of massive aerial bombardment, had suddenly made the bulk of the continent’s great artistic masterpieces susceptible to destruction. 

Those of us lucky enough to have visited the great cities of Europe will never forget the incredible art and architecture to be found there.  From magnificent cathedrals to priceless paintings, we are constantly bombarded by the masterpieces of Western art.  But so often we take their existence for granted.  We forget that it is nothing short of a miracle that they are even still here for us to see.  They are here due to the efforts of a few courageous men and women who faced down the greatest cultural thieves in history and risked their lives to restore it to us.  In his book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, Robert Edsel tells the story of these brave people and gives an even greater appreciation for the art treasures that populate the museums and streets of Europe.

I have long had an interest in World War II and am no stranger to the many different stories surrounding this troubled period.  But until I read this book I had no idea that there were people whose sole mission during the war was to protect and recover the art treasures of Europe.  I first heard about this book when Rick Steves interviewed the author for his radio program, and I am so happy that I read it because it is a fascinating story.  What is perhaps most remarkable about this group of individuals (collectively termed the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section) is that these were not hardened soldiers, but rather ordinary citizens.  Art historians, artists, and museum curators who volunteered to serve even though most of them were older than the average soldier.  Many of them could have had comfortable desk jobs or even stayed out of the war all together, but they gave it up to serve their country and save Western culture.

But though their motives were noble, the task before them was far from easy.  They usually worked on their own, rarely having the chance to communicate with other Monuments Men.  They had no real commander and had to rely on their own knowledge and wits to complete their mission.  They even lacked the basic equipment to complete their tasks like typewriters, signs, and vehicles.  And they were constantly at odds with other members of the armed forces who had no intention of changing their way of doing things to spare a small village church, no matter how important.  Perhaps no one in this book had it tougher than Jacques Jaujard and Rose Valland, curators of the Louvre and Jue de Paume respectively, who had to work under the watchful and suspicious eyes of the Nazis.

The importance of their task becomes clear early on as this is not just about saving individual works of art, but about rescuing a millennium of European culture from almost certain destruction.  Some pieces like the Madonna of La Gleize had significance beyond their value as art and served as a comfort to the downtrodden people of occupied villages.  Perhaps what moved me the most was how these men didn't just look out for the culture of the occupied nations, but also for that of Germany itself.  Despite the hatred and disgust they had for the Nazis, they knew that German culture was worth saving and they set their own feelings aside to complete the task.  Edsel stresses this idea of saving culture because it is sorely needed in the wars of today.  Unfortunately, our army did not remember the ideas of the Monuments Men when Iraq was invaded and many priceless pieces of Iraqi culture were stolen or destroyed.  Hopefully, this story will become more well known and teach us all the respect we should show another culture, even when it belongs to our enemy.

As I read the stories of the many buildings and works of art that these men helped save, I couldn't help but place it in the context of my own travels.  I remembered walking the corridors of the Louvre and standing inside Aachen Cathedral, totally captivated by what my eyes were seeing.  And yet my experience would not have been possible without the work of these courageous men.  We are so lucky that these treasures are still here to awe and inspire us.  I highly recommend this book for those interested in art, World War II, and European culture in general.  You will certainly gain an appreciation for the work that was done.

The Movie:

Later this year, a film version of this book will be released.  It will star George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, and Hugh Bonneville.  I have to say that this is one film I am really looking forward to.       

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle

It is no secret that Downton Abbey is a world-wide phenomenon.  For the past three years viewers have watched it, discussed it, and bought any number of related merchandise.  We've obsessed over the characters, the costumes, and the house.  It is so popular that it even has a cameo in the new Iron Man movie.  Those who watch the show know that the estate itself plays such an important role in the story that it is almost its own character.  And like all of the other characters, there is a true story hidden inside of the fictional world of Downton Abbey.

In Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle, the current Countess of Carnarvon (Lady Fiona) relates the true history of the house during the period covered by the first two seasons of the show (1912 through World War I), and in particular the story of it's mistress, Lady Almina who served as inspiration for the character of Lady Cora Crawley.  The illegitimate daughter of the wealthy Alfred de Rothschild, what Almina lacked in pedigree she made up for in money.  This bought her way into the upper echelons of English society where she would meet he future husband, the Earl of Carnarvon.  Her wealth was just what his estate, Highclere, needed to get back on track and his family gave Almina the social pedigree she lacked.  The Edwardian era was one of splendor and abundance at Highclere Castle, but it would soon be overshadowed by the horror of World War I.  It was during this time that Lady Almina showed her true strength as she worked tirelessly to turn Highclere into a premier hospital for wounded officers.

This little biography is a nice little read.  Though not a scholarly work by any stretch of the imagination, it certainly gives us a nice inside glimpse into a world that most of us can't really understand.  The first part of the book was a little disappointing.  It didn't really delve too much into the downstairs world, but rather focused on the parties, the famous guests, and what Lady Almina wore.  It is only after the war starts that we get some truly interesting stories, including some touching tributes to the brave young men who lost their lives.  I found the most interesting portion to be that which talked about the Earl of Carnarvon's love of Egypt and his partnership with Howard Carter to discover King Tut's tomb.

As an entertaining story, this is a charming and fast paced book.  As history, it is lacking in some areas.  Don't bother if you are looking for true and meaty historical accounts of Edwardian England, upstairs/downstairs relations, World War I, or the discovery of King Tut's tomb.  However, if you love Downton Abbey or are looking for a fresh and easy read relating to the above topics, then this is for you.  A fun read for any fan.    

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one that is familiar to many, but for different reasons.  Academics often speak on the literary qualities of his collection Letters and Papers from Prison.  Theologians admire and debate his works of theology like Ethics or The Cost of Discipleship.  And historians recount his role in the failed plot to assassinate Hitler.  But who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer really and how do all of these various roles come together in his life?  In his compelling biography, Eric Metaxas strives to tell Bonhoeffer's story and bring together the many facets that made him so remarkable.

For those of you who may not be familiar with him, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor.  He was born in 1906 and by the age of 21 he had earned his doctorate in theology from the University of Berlin.  He pastored congregations in other German cities and Barcelona, and even spent a year at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.  As the Nazi's rose to power, Bonhoeffer tried to wake the German church up to the atrocities that were going on, and eventually he became involved with the German resistance.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy describes every aspect of Bonhoeffer's life from his somewhat idyllic childhood in a traditional yet intellectual family to his years spent doing theological battle with fellow Christians, to his decision to become involved in a plot to assassinate one of the most evil men in history.  Metaxas tells this story passionately, and his writing is thorough yet easy to read.  Though I had read some of Bonhoeffer's works and was pretty familiar with his story, this book gave me a greater understanding of the man and the many ways he contributed to the world around him.  I think one of the newer things that struck me about him was the boldness he had in facing not only the Nazi government, but also the church itself.  The very people who should have been sounding the alarm when Hitler first came to power were the ones welcoming him and hoping to have influence over him.  Bonhoeffer was one of the few churchmen who called Hitler out and encouraged the church to take a stand for what was right.

His relationship with his family and friends was also a new aspect for me.  He seemed to be a very genuine person and though earnest in his beliefs he was nevertheless open and loving to those around him.  I also loved how both the traditional religious beliefs as well as the modern intellectualism of his family life came together to create someone who held firm to his beliefs and used reason to convince others.  He was a truly unique person in whom so many different qualities came together to create someone all of us can learn from.

Though this book is about a theologian and from a Christian perspective, it is a wonderful story for anyone who loves history and reading about inspiring people.  I highly recommend this biography and suggest that when you are done you give Bonhoeffer's own works a try.          

My Life in France

The sweetness and generosity and politeness and gentleness and humanity of the French had shown me how lovely life can be if one takes time to be friendly.

Perhaps no one has done as much for cooking, and French cooking in particular, in America as Julia Child.  This is obvious, not only in the fact that her iconic cook book (Mastering the Art of French Cooking) remains very popular fifty years later, but also that her very kitchen has found a home in America's treasure house, the Smithsonian.  But there is more to Julia's story than her television shows, her recipes, and her instantly recognizable voice.  Eight months before her death at the age of ninety-one, Julia sat down with her grand-nephew Alex Prud'homme and compiled the story of her years spent in France which ultimately became the most transformative years of her life.  It is an intimate look into her introduction to French cuisine, her relationships with family and friends, and the creative process that led to her fame in the US.

As a lover of good food and French culture, this is a book that I have been wanting to sink my teeth into for a long time.  But though the information on the food and the culture was interesting, the best part of the book is actually found in two different areas.  The first is Julia herself.  A self-described late bloomer, Julia does not really find her niche in life until she marries Paul Child after serving with him in the Office of Strategic Services during WWII.  She then accompanies him on his US Embassy assignment to France where her purpose in life suddenly becomes very clear to her.  I loved how she threw herself into French cuisine with such passion and determination.  She wasn't content to play at cooking, but rather she wanted to really master it.  Through the ups and downs, she never let her mistakes get to her, but rather she uses them to better herself.  I also loved her passion for sharing everything that she was learning with others and her intense desire to bring the beauties of French culture to her home country.  She really is an inspiration, and a reminder that it does not matter when your life purpose comes along.  The only thing that matters is that you seize it when it does.

The other aspect of the book that I loved was Julia's relationship with her husband, Paul.  Though he remained in the background during her celebrity years, Paul was an integral part of Julia's life.  As unlikely as it seems, this match of the tall, inexperienced girl from conservative California with the worldly, artistic man from liberal New England was truly made in heaven.  They complement each other so well and act as each others' support in the ups and downs of their careers.  While it was Julia's initiative that started her on the path to success, it was Paul's love and support that ensured it.  In many ways, he is as interesting as Julia herself.  He was an extremely intelligent man with a passion for art, France, good food, and wine.  In many ways he was Julia's inspiration, and I think that it is fairly safe to say that without Paul, we would have never had Julia.

This was a delightful read and I can't recommend it enough.  Whether you are looking for a book on France, a book on good food, or even a book with a great love story, you could do worse than to try this one.  I am certain that this is something that I will go back to again and again when I find myself in need of inspiration.

The Movie:

You can see a partial adaptation of this book in the 2009 film Julie & Julia.  Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci turn in great performances as Julia and Paul.  Though I didn't particularly care for the parallel plot set in modern times, I did enjoy the scenes from this book.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

"Not all pioneers went west."

For centuries, Paris has been the center of western culture. Art, medicine, fashion, cuisine, and intellectual thought have found (and continue to find) their epicenter in the city on the banks of the Seine. And as different as our two cultures are, perhaps no city on earth has as much allure and mystery for Americans as Paris. In his newest book, renowned historian David McCullough explores the lives of the many Americans in the 19th century who sought to improve themselves and their native country in the glittering and whirling capital.

The 19th century was one of great change for America. The early years of the century saw the first American-born generation turning to the Old World to learn from its cultures and apply them to the one they were creating. They were especially drawn to Paris and many went there to learn and to find excitement. Some went to study in the famous medical schools and would bring back many new innovations which would change medicine in America. Some, like James Fenimore Cooper, would spend their days writing adventures of life on the American frontier and their evenings strolling along the banks of the Seine. Others went to enjoy free access to the world's greatest collection of art in the Louvre and to hone their craft while studying from the masters. The book follows these Americans and the generations who came after as they each search for their own destiny.

This book was very enjoyable, not only for someone who loves Paris, but for someone interested in 19th century American history as well. What was most fascinating to me was how these Americans spent so much time in Paris (some the majority of their lives), and yet they never stopped identifying themselves as Americans. Cooper wrote many of his wildly popular "Leatherstocking Tales" in a house on the Rue St. Dominique, and yet you would never know it to read them. They seem to be written in a cabin in the backwoods of Kentucky. August St. Gaudens is most well known, not for art found in European museums, but for memorials to famous Americans. It was amazing to me how each of these people took the things they learned in Paris, and applied them with an American twist. Truly, this is not really a story of a few Americans, but of the influence that Paris had on a developing America.

That is not to say that the individual stories are not fascinating. I was especially intrigued by Samuel Morse, who is bet known as the inventor of the telegraph, but who spent most of his time in Paris studying art in the Louvre. I also enjoyed the story of Elihu Washburn who was the only foreign ambassador to brave out the Prussian siege of Paris and provided aid not only to the trapped Americans, but also to the suffering German population. And the stories of American artists like John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassat showed how even we could earn renown in the world of French art.

McCullough's writing is smooth, amusing, and accessible. It is definitely something that most people can get into. The only issue I could see is that Paris itself serves only as a backdrop for the stories of the Americans. We don't really get the nitty gritty stories of the city and it's people, and what we do get is seen through American eyes. Rather than being the center of the story, Paris serves as a link between the otherwise disconnected vignettes of life for famous Americans. That being said, this is still a fun and interesting read. A definite must for those who love Paris.

Charlemagne: Father of a Continent

Of the thousands of ancient rulers throughout history, only a few continue to be remembered even a millennium later. Ramses, Solomon, Alexander, and Augustus. After the fall of the Roman empire, western Europe was left in a power vacuum with thousands of small kingdoms being ruled over by various warlords. In the 8th century, one man would rise and unite the majority of western and central Europe for the first time since Rome's fall. He would also foster a revival of art, culture, and religion in a time when these things had fallen by the wayside. That man was Charles the Great...Charlemagne.

Italian historian Alessandro Barbero has written an extensive biography, not only of Charlemagne's life, but of the world he created. In Charlemagne: Father of a Continent, we follow Charlemagne on his attempts not only to conquer the Saxons, the Avars, the Lombards, and the Slavs, but also to integrate them into Frankish culture mainly by the forcible conversion to Christianity. We see the political side of his life as he deals with various Popes and is eventually crowned Holy Roman Emperor. And we also take a deep look at the administration of the Frankish kingdom and how it affected the lives of its citizens from the highest nobles and churchmen to the lowest peasants.

Overall, this was a very interesting read. I only knew a few basic things about Charlemagne from my high school history books, and this helped me gain an appreciation for his accomplishments and his place in history. I think one of the most interesting aspects of the book was Barbero's assertion that Charlemagne really was the "Father of Europe". According to Barbero, the modern European identity and in some ways the European Union traces its roots back to the Carolingian period. I also found it fascinating just how much of the credit of Christianity's survival in Europe belongs to Charlemagne. He was the "Christian King" and in his mind was charged by God to be the protector of the new "chosen people" which led to many laws and reforms that helped foster Christianity among the various "pagans" of Europe. Though I appreciated the depth that Barbero gives of the Frankish kingdom, it wasn't exactly easy reading. There is a very "scholarly" tone to the work that can make it kind of difficult to really get into the book. Not to mention there is so much information to absorb that it can be kind of overwhelming at times.

I do recommend this book if you are looking for a deeper understanding of Charlemagne's Europe and how it translates to modern Europe. Barbero really gives us quite a bit of meat to sink our teeth into. However, this may not be for you if just want a basic idea of Charlemagne's life and accomplishments. It ultimately depends on what you are personally looking for.

The Enchanted Places

A couple of months ago, I celebrated my birthday by treating myself to an afternoon at my local library. I didn't go in with a list, a plan, or a time limit. I simply took my time wandering amongst the shelves, fingering the titles, picking up whatever struck my fancy. At the end of one of the dimly lit aisles in the non-fiction section, my eyes lit upon an old, discolored book whose dust jacket was protected by the shiny plastic used by libraries the world over. Though the title of the book, The Enchanted Places, didn't immediately strike me as something special, the name of the author did...Christopher Milne. "Milne?" I thought. "I wonder if he's any relation to A. A. Milne?" Sure enough, this was a memoir by someone who is more famous as a book character than as a real person. In fact, many people do not realize that Christopher Robin was a real boy who did live in England and had stuffed animals including Eeyore, Piglet, and of course, Winnie the Pooh.

As a life-long Pooh fan, I knew that this particular library simply had to come home with me. I wasn't quite sure what this story would be about. Would it center on the reality behind the Pooh stories, would it concern Christopher's famous father and how he came to write the stories, or would it focus on how Christopher dealt with being such a famous literary character. It turns out that the book would contain elements of all three.

The first part of the book relates Christopher's early years, first in London, then full time at Cotchford Farm. Though his parents dealt lovingly with him, Christopher (like most well to do British children of the era) found himself cared for mostly by his devoted nanny. His life was in many ways as innocent and idyllic as one could wish, and he relates his childhood interests, adventures, and joys in a rather nostalgic tone. He also gives quite a bit of background on the real places and instances that found there way into his father's stories. But though many things in the stories are based on Christopher's own experiences, he is quick to point out that many have there origin in other places. Quite a few of the stories are memories from A. A. Milne's own boyhood, and even more are from his imagination. Christopher stresses that much of the enchantment and nostalgia of the stories is simply his father's creation and portrayal of childhood as he wished it might be.

Though quite a bit of the book is Christopher looking back fondly on his childhood, there are instances, especially later in the book, when his tone becomes somewhat bitter. He notes the moments of distance and coolness between his parents and himself, and the challenge of being a shy boy growing up as a world famous literary character. There are many times when he lays quite a bit of blame at his father's feet, feeling that he wronged his son by using his life as a launch for his own literary success. Are these feelings justified? Who can say. But life for any person is never wholly good nor wholly bad, and this holds true for Christopher as well.

All in all, this is a must for Pooh fans. Though it is not going to give you a "Hundred Acre Woods" nostalgia fix, nor give you all the rosy details of the stories' creation, it will give you glimpse into the life of the real Christopher Robin. Perhaps the most important thing this book does is to separate the truth from the fiction, and allow us to see both A. A. Milne and his son not just as elements of our own childhood, but as real people with hopes, joys, and fears of their own. This was definitely a nice gift to discover on my birthday!

The Inklings

For those of you who don't know, I am a big fan of C. S. Lewis. He is my absolute most favorite Christian author and many of his writings from The Chronicles of Narnia to The Four Loves to 'Til We Have Faces continue to haunt me and provoke my thinking. For Christmas this year, I received Humphrey Carpenter's 1978 biography entitled The Inklings: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkein, Charles Williams, and Their Friends. This is the first biography that I have read in a while, and it is really a fascinating glimpse into the lives if some of the 20th century's most amazing authors.

Carpenter's biography is about the group itself, though it does lean particularly heavily on Lewis and Williams. I was somewhat disappointed that there was not a whole lot of personal information regarding Tolkein, but Carpenter is also the author of a biography strictly on Tolkein, so he leaves it to the reader to search there for more info. But as I said, this novel is not solely about any one writer, but about everyone in that group, and (more importantly) how they influenced each other.

The Inklings were basically a very informal group of writers/professors who met at Oxford from about 1930 to about 1949. Groups and clubs were not a new thing to the University, in fact, they were a very integral part of Oxford society and the Inklings were a very relaxed group compared to most. We probably would not really know anything about them if they hadn't been a weekly gathering of some of literature's most famous works hadn't come out of it.

Throughout the book, Carpenter weaves a tale of a group of men whose friendships would challenge them, provoke them, bind them, and (in the case of Lewis) save them. There are so many wonderful aspects of this book that really caught my eye and my imagination. Like how one of the earliest clubs the Lewis and Tolkein joined (known as the "Coal Biters") gathered weekly to translate Icelandic sagas into English. Or how Warnie Lewis (C. S.'s brother) was an admired writer in his own right. Or how the various infighting in the English department of Oxford constantly changed what the students were learning. Or how the Inklings would frequently change meeting places during the war due to beer shortage. And one can just imagine the worlds of Narnia and Middle Earth coming to life in Lewis' rooms in Magdalen College.

There is a quote of Lewis' found in this book that sums everything up perfectly. "Oh for the people who speak one's own language". Ultimately, the story of the Inklings is the story of a group of people who found lasting friendship in their common love for literature, for myths, and for history. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the creators of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, then Carpenter's biography is for you. From the casual reader to the Inklings enthusiast, it has something to offer everyone.

Picture Credit: Magdalen Tower from the Botanical Gardens by Francis Hamel