High Dive
Book
Read an exclusive blog by the author on the elusive sense of place In September 1984, a man...
The CAMRA Guide to London's Best Beer, Pubs & Bars
Book
CAMRA presents the essential guide to beer drinking in London, completely revised for 2015. London's...
Strange Intelligence: Memoirs of Naval Secret Service
H.C. Ferraby and Hector C. Bywater
Book
Hector C. Bywater was perhaps the British secret service's finest agent operating in Germany before...
Hitchcock's British Films
Barry Keith Grant and Maurice Yacowar
Book
Originally published in 1977 and long out of print, Maurice Yacowar's Hitchcock's British Films was...
Russia at War, 1941-1945: A History
Book
In 1941, Russian-born British journalist Alexander Werth observed the unfolding of the Soviet-German...
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Lost History of Stars in Books
Jun 16, 2018
The main character, Lettie, who is a thirteen year old Dutch-Africkaner girl comes from a poor farming family. She endures the loss of her home with her mother and two younger siblings when the scorched earth policy employed by the British during the Boer War burns their farm and forces them to leave in a wagon. Their African maid, Bina, tries to stay with the family, but is given no choice by the soldiers but to return to her people.
Lettie and her family are sent to a concentration camp where the conditions are awful. Her father, older brother, uncles, and grandfather are sent to fight the British with guerrilla tactics. Lettie worries and wonders about Bina and her family. Often Lettie remembers the songs and wisdom Bina shared during her childhood and the history of stars that Grandpa shared with her at night under the sparkling sky.
The story is told from Lettie's point of view. The reader learns of her experience in the concentration camp. Lettie attempt to find the good in small moments. Her more treasured possession is her English dictionary, which she reads for comfort to pass time.
The story switches between the present and past. This allows the reader to understand life before the war and during the war. It give the reader background information to understand the family dynamics.
A Scion of Heroes: The World of Captain James Murray
Book
This fast-moving narrative, taking place in the Regency era, brings to life contemporary issues of...
Against the Tommies: History of the 26 Reserve Division 1914 - 1918
Book
This unique collection of images details the travels of a German infantry division along the entire...
The Steam Locomotive: An Engineering History
Book
Books on railway history invariably start with the Stephenson's or with Richard Trevithick's...
The Appreciation of Film: The Postwar Film Society Movement and Film Culture in Britain
Book
This book offers the first full account of the film society movement in Britain and its contribution...