In this memoir, Anita Bloom tells about the early years of her adult life.  In 1943, she eagerly volunteered to be part of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and hoped to fight the Nazis.  During her training, she developed an infection, which led to paralysis from the waist down.  When she learned about her prognosis, she thought, “No more legs for the tango, the rumba, the conga.  Dead weights.  I strangled my sobs.  I was beyond dancing.”

She is forthright in dealing with her own issues when paralyzed such as:

• How to navigate the bathroom
• How to drive and become independent again
• How to have an intimate relationship
• How to fight the U.S. Government for veteran benefits

As a Jewish woman, she faced prejudice on many sides — from potential employers when looking for a job and in reverse from her own family.  Her father sent her mom to tell Nita that if she continued dating the gentile boy that they would no longer see her.

Amid the seriousness of the topic, there are still light-hearted and happy occasions.  My favorite is when she and several friends left the VA hospital to go for a joy ride.  One person had to operate the gas and brake with his hands while she drove.

This book shows that life doesn’t always go as we plan.  But what is amazing is how many people will help you … if you ask.  And it shows the willpower of someone who has chosen to live her own life.

Anita Bloom Ornoff gives public presentations about overcoming adversity and about her memoir “Beyond Dancing.”

Her Web site can be seen at:

   http://beyonddancing.tripod.com

** Updated 17 February 2008 **

The daughter of Anita Bloom Ornoff, Naomi Willey, advised of the following:

“My Dad has asked me to inform you of my mom’s passing.  Anita died at home in peace on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. after suffering two heart attacks the week before. The funeral will be in Maryland at Judian Memorial Gardens on Monday, February 18, 2008.  She leaves behind my dad — Hal; two daughters — Ellen Treem and Naomi Willey; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  We all will miss her a great deal.”

Sincerely,
Naomi Willey  
 

      Used with permission –

Photo of Robert Capa, Copyright Cornell Capa / Magnum Photos

Several years after World War II ended, Robert Capa and a group of photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson founded a photo agency in 1947.  It was an idea that Robert had considered since 1938.  Now, it was time to make it happen.

At a brainstorming meeting on establishing the agency, a magnum of champagne was popped open.  Someone yelled “Magnum,” and the name of the photo agency was chosen.  The name implies glamour but also a connotation for toughness due to a gun by the same name.  Plus, the Latin definition means greatness.

 

The idea was to bring photographers together, where they would be stronger as a group, rather than as individuals.  They advocated that photographers should own the copyright of the photos they take, much like book authors do with printed material. 

 

 

 

 

The agency opened offices in Paris and in New York.  In addition to the members, Robert created the idea of associates who were freelancers.  These photographers would not own shares but they could use the Magnum name in their photo credits. . . .

 

After Robert’s death in 1954, his brother Cornell Capa joined Magnum to help ensure its survival and the preservation of his brother’s legacy.  Like Robert, Cornell had also shot photographs for Life Magazine.

 

From 1947 to 2007, the Magnum photo agency (http://www.magnumphotos.com) remains a vibrant force.  The photographers still go to dangerous locations, placing their lives at risk to provide a service they feel passionately about.  They document moments of truth.  And they live in the moment because they do not know what tomorrow will bring.

                       

Also in memory of Robert Capa and other photographers who suffered untimely deaths, Cornell established in 1974 the International Center of Photography in New York City – a school and museum dedicated to keeping humanitarian documentary photos alive and visible to the public.

 

Here’s a toast to Magnum, and all of the great photographers and staff over the years who have kept alive the legacy of Robert Capa.

 

   * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

(Note from the blogger Susan V. – Robert Capa is one of the leaders featured in my book “Legends, Leaders, Legacies.”) 

Here are my top 10 favorite books for now — listed in alphabetical order. 

1. “Count Of Monte Cristo”
2. “Crystal Cave, The”
3. “Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire”
4. “Legends, Leaders, Legacies”
5. “Letters To A Dying Friend”
6. “Life After Death”
7. “Lost Hero: The Mystery of Raoul Wallenberg”
8. “Marjorie Morningstar”
9. “Power Of Positive Thinking”
10. “To Kill A Mockingbird”

What are your favorites?  If you have a hard time narrowing it down to 10, just list the first 10 books that you think of which you really liked.  It’s always fun to compare lists.

Susan V.

http://www.susanv.com

If you haven’t read “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling, this review will “not” spoil it for you.  Those who are already fans of the series will appreciate this last book, which ties everything together.  The book references characters and events, which took place in the preceding books.  For the maximum enjoyment and understanding, I recommend reading the books in sequence. 

 

In talking with one of the librarians at the St. Louis County Library System, this was the first time we could recall a series of books where the characters aged with the books, unlike the Nancy Drew mystery series.  The first books that came out in the Harry Potter series were for young children — but near the end, the books were much longer and categorized as teen fiction.

 

The St. Louis County Library System ordered more about 300 copies and at one point had a waiting list of more than 1,100 hold requests.  One of the first things that I noticed about the hardcover is that there was no description of the book on the back cover.  It is a book that does not have to be “sold.”

 

Any book or series of books that bring children and adults to libraries and bookstores is a great thing.  Many of the characters from the series make a reappearance in this book suck as Viktor Krum.  Krum served as a competitor in the “Goblet Of Fire” book and reappears to attend a wedding.  Harry and his closest friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, have many challenges to solve or just struggle through as always.

 

When I read about the fictional magic that the teens perform, it’s easy to see how convenient it would be in real life if you could be “invisible” when needed or place an unlimited supply of things in a tiny beaded bag — such as a camping tent, books, weapons and medical supplies.

 

In the chapter titled “The Tale Of The Three Brothers,” you will find out what the deathly hallows are.  This is what the book is named after.  This chapter, like many others, has a good example of Ron’s wit.  While the trio is visiting the editor of The Quibbler (Xenophilius Lovegood), they are invited to stay for dinner.  The editor comments that everyone always asks for the recipe.  “Probably to show the Poisoning Department at St. Mungo’s,” Ron remarks, referring to the hospital for wizards.

 

The book will also have Harry taking another trip in the Pensieve, where he can view another person’s memories.  You will find out whose memories those are and what they mean near the end of the book. 

 

The book is a fitting end to a phenomenal story.

 

Reviewed by Susan Vollmer

Author of “Legends, Leaders, Legacies”

www.susanv.com

In the past, I have been resistant to blogging, viewing it as an online diary that few people would be interested in.  However, I changed my mind after attending BookExpo America in Manhattan this year.  Several panels spoke of the importance of a blog in keeping a dialog with others interested in the same topic.  Plus, it’s a growing role for social networking.

The most convincing panelist in terms of “to blog” was Michael Hyatt, CEO, Thomas Nelson Publishers.  His advice included that the success behind a blog is to be authentic and to be trusted.  Sometimes, you have to show your “warts” to be believable.  He also suggested  leaving the blog open to all comments.

This blog has just started and hope you will feel comfortable leaving a comment, even if you have never done so before.

As a thank you to Michael Hyatt, here is the link for his blog on the world of publishing titled “From Where I Sit: 

    http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit

Thanks for reading.

Susan V.