BOOK REVIEW: Images of America: Metropolis by Michael E. Bragg and Jon M. Bragg

Synopsis of the Book (Taken From the Back of the Book):

     When William McBane and James Wilcox envisioned founding a bustling city on the banks of the Ohio River, they hoped it would be a center of commerce at the gateway to the ever-expanding American West. They needed a name befitting their ambitious vision, and though it may not have matched the grandeur of its founders' intent, Metropolis, Illinois, is the only place in the world that can claim that name as anything more than a descriptor. Located near historic Fort Massac, Metropolis played a vital part in the booming river traffic of the 1800s and was an important manufacturer of steamboats. In addition to its pleasant small-town atmosphere and wide, expansive boulevards ready for the explosive growth that never quite made it there, Metropolis is the hometown of notable figures John Marvin Steele, the D-Day paratrooper made famous in The Longest Day, and the "Man of Steel" himself--Superman.

     Father and son Michael E. and Jon M. Bragg, both graduates of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, have roots in southern Illinois that extend back to the mid-1800s.  They compiled this book with the invaluable assistance of the Massac County Historical Society and local residents.

     The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country.  Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today.  Arcadia [Publishing] is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all. 

My Thoughts: 

I love local history and this book didn't disappoint.

I've only lived here (in Metropolis, Illinois) for about 8 years, but in that small amount of time, my fiance' (a lifelong resident of Metropolis) and I have accumulated some neat pieces of history from this town.  This book is now a part of that collection.

This book makes a great "Coffee Table Book".

I Recommend This Book To:

• Current residents of Metropolis, Illinois
• Past residents of Metropolis, Illinois
• Anyone who likes local history
• Fans of Southern Illinois history 

 

This book has great pictures of days gone by and is full of history about the early days of this town.  It also has great stories/descriptions of some of this town's influential people.

And That's What Sarah Says!!!

My Thoughts on "3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows" by Ann Brasheres

The synopsis of the book (taken from the author):

summer is a time to grow 

seeds
Polly has an idea that she can't stop thinking about, one that involves changing a few things about herself. She's setting her sights on a more glamorous life, but it's going to take all of her focus. At least that way she won't have to watch her friends moving so far ahead. 

roots
Jo is spending the summer at her family's beach house, working as a busgirl and bonding with the older, cooler girls she'll see at high school come September. She didn't count on a brief fling with a cute boy changing her entire summer. Or feeling embarrassed by her middle school friends. And she didn't count on her family at all. . . 

leaves
Ama is not an outdoorsy girl. She wanted to be at an academic camp, doing research in an air-conditioned library, earning A's. Instead her summer scholarship lands her on a wilderness trip full of flirting teenagers, blisters, impossible hiking trails, and a sad lack of hair products.
It is a new summer. And a new sisterhood. Come grow with them.

My thoughts: 

I was a big fan of Brasheres' "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books and with that being said, I didn't think that she could produce another series like it.

When I started to read this book, I didn't have high expectations for it, but the more I read it, the more I began to like it and found myself getting anxious about what would happen next to the characters.

It was nice to see a few of the characters from the original "Sisterhood" make an appearance.

I hope that Brasheres continues with the lives of the three characters in this book like she did with the girls from the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"!!


I recommend this book to anybody who enjoyed Ann Brasheres' "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books, anyone who likes to read "Chick-Lit", young adult readers, or anyone who is looking for a heartwarming, coming of age book.

And That's What Sarah Says!!!