John B. Severance

My daughter and I finished reading aloud this children's biography called Winston Churchill: Soldier, Statesman, Artist. This is an invitingly short book on Winston Churchill's life. For the life of me, I can't figure out the low rating this book received on Goodreads. The book starts with Churchill's young life, goes into his time in the Boer War, WWI, and his political offices, then WWII and after. Now, it is not long or difficult but it is very interesting for the young age for which it show more is intended. It is a positive account of his life and a great introduction to the world leader for children.

I suspect people read the book, were intrigued with the content, and wanted more. This is perfect for the middle grades. If kids desire to learn more after reading this book, that's even better. Recommended. show less

A readable account of Einstein's momentous scientific discoveries and his often troubled personal life.

Severance covers the depth and breadth of Mohandas K. Gandhi's life. Gandhi came from an upper-middle-class family who received education in British schools. His loyalty to the British crumbled when he experienced prejudice on a business trip to South Africa. Gandhi, thus, abandoned a future in law in London and gave up materialistic goods to improve the lives of the less-fortunate. Gandhi dedicates the remainder of his life to help millions of Indian people free themselves from British show more rule. He believed in patient, peaceful resistance,and satyagraha, a combination of truth, love, and firmness. Satyagraha, thus, led to independence for India and later to the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

This is a well-written and notable biography due to its textual and pictorial content. The book departs from typical stock photographs and textbook trivia. Instead, the book unravels the consequences of on-location, primary source research. The book is iniviting because of the authentic black-and-white photographs. However, Gandhi is portrayed too flawlessly. On the other hand, Severance does mention aspects of Gandhi'personal life that are controversial: Gandhi's reluctance to send his sons to school and Gandhi's refusal to treat his dying wife with penicillin because it would be administered through a hypodermic needle. In addition, readers who are not reading up to grade level will find the text dense. However, Severance has traveled to India to capture the country's flavor and has wonderfully provided readers with a firsthad touch of an inspirational human who influenced many activists such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. Readers will be able to feel Gandhi' distress as he witnessed violence erupted in India in the name of independence. The author provides a bibliography of materials for readers who wish extend their research about Gandhi. The book is movingly told and librarians will find it an appealing and enlightening addition to their library. show less

This one's a nice little biography of the former Prime Minister of Great Britain and only honorary citizen of the United States. It's written for kids so the text is quick and easy to read and there are nice pictures to illuminate the story. The biggest problem I had with the book was that since Churchill was such a fascinating individual, I would much have preferred a book five times as long. (Not that I have time to read such a tome these days...)
--J.