"Across the River" presents the lovingly detailed memoir of author Ellen Johnson's mother, Ann Reynalds. Johnson chronicles the trials and tribulations that her mother had to face as the child of a biracial union. Ultimately, Reynalds had to flee her country of birth, Grenada, in shame and start a humble life all over again, in another country. She credits her strong belief in God for giving her the strength, courage, and will to continue on her journey. As the mother of five children, Reynalds experienced great happiness and sorrow. When her oldest son, Lenny, was eleven, he died in her arms. Later, she would revisit the country of her birth to reconnect with her second child. Through it all, her belief in God carries her through the happy times and sad times of her life, from a daughter who suddenly takes ill to the joys of motherhood the face of poverty. In this loving tribute, a daughter paints a heartfelt and honest portrait of her mother and a life well-lived.

From the Preface:The fact that so much of modern art has devoted itself to the exploration and assertion of its own identity is reflected in, but does not explain, the increasing amount of writing and talking on the part of contemporary artists. Rather, the whole history of the changing role of art and artists in a democratic, industrial, and technological society stands behind the spate of artists' words and the public's hunger for them?even some of the general public out there beyond art's little circle. Statements by artists appeal somewhat the way drawings do: they bring us, or at least they hold the promise of bringing us, closer to the artist's thoughts and feelings and to an understanding of his or her modus operandi; they hold the keys to a mysterious realm. And sometimes they offer us the sheer pleasure of good reading. Such is the primary raison d' e of this book.Its other motivation is educational, and stems from the frustrating lack, in teaching contemporary art, of any single compilation of statements by American artists from 1940 to the present.? This anthology differs in several respects from those others that do include documents of American art since 1940.? The selection I have made is devoted exclusively to statements of artists; it is limited to the last four decades; it presents in a single volume a representative and fairly comprehensive coverage of major developments in American art beginning with Abstract Expressionism; and, whenever possible, it cities the first, or among the very earliest, documents signalizing a shift in the definition, intent, or direction of art.?

When Sheila Jordan dropped a nickel in the juke box of a Detroit diner in the 1940s and heard "Now's The Time" by Charlie Parker, she was instantly hooked-and so began a seventy-year jazz journey. In 1962, she emerged as the first jazz singer to record on the prestigious Blue Note label with her debut album Portrait of Sheila. Exploding on the jazz scene, this classic work set the bar for her career as an iconic jazz vocalist and mentor to other promising female vocalists. As The New York Times then announced, "Her ballad performances are simply beyond the emotional and expressive capabilities of most other vocalists." Jazz Child: A Portrait of Sheila Jordan, as the first complete biography about this remarkable singer's life, reveals the challenges she confronted, from her growing up poor in a Pennsylvania coal mining town to her rise as a bebop singer in Detroit and New York City during the 1950s to her work as a recording artist and performer under the influence of and in performance with such jazz luminaries as Charlie Parker, George Russell, Lennie Tristano, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, and Thelonious Monk. Jordan's views as a woman living the jazz life in an era of racial and gender discrimination while surrounded by those often struggling with the twin evils of alcohol and drug abuse are skillfully woven into the tapestry of the tale she tells. With Jordan's full cooperation, author Ellen Johnson documents the fascinating career of this jazz great, who stands today as one of the most deeply respected jazz singers and educators. For jazz fans, Johnson's biography is a testament to a vanishing generation of musicians and her indomitable spirit is an inspiration to all walks of life. More information is available at: http://www.jazzchildthebook.com/

When Sheila Jordan dropped a nickel in the juke box of a Detroit diner in the 1940s and heard "Now's The Time" by Charlie Parker, she was instantly hooked-and so began a seventy-year jazz journey. In 1962, she emerged as the first jazz singer to record on the prestigious Blue Note label with her debut album Portrait of Sheila. Exploding on the jazz scene, this classic work set the bar for her career as an iconic jazz vocalist and mentor to other promising female vocalists. As The New York Times then announced, "Her ballad performances are simply beyond the emotional and expressive capabilities of most other vocalists." Jazz Child: A Portrait of Sheila Jordan, as the first complete biography about this remarkable singer's life, reveals the challenges she confronted, from her growing up poor in a Pennsylvania coal mining town to her rise as a bebop singer in Detroit and New York City during the 1950s to her work as a recording artist and performer under the influence of and in performance with such jazz luminaries as Charlie Parker, George Russell, Lennie Tristano, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, and Thelonious Monk. Jordan's views as a woman living the jazz life in an era of racial and gender discrimination while surrounded by those often struggling with the twin evils of alcohol and drug abuse are skillfully woven into the tapestry of the tale she tells. With Jordan's full cooperation, author Ellen Johnson documents the fascinating career of this jazz great, who stands today as one of the most deeply respected jazz singers and educators. For jazz fans, Johnson's biography is a testament to a vanishing generation of musicians and her indomitable spirit is an inspiration to all walks of life. More information is available at: http://www.jazzchildthebook.com/

In January 2006, after the Republic of Liberia had been racked by fourteen years of brutal civil conflict, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-Africa's "Iron Lady" - was sworn in as president, an event that marked a tremendous turning point in the history of the West African nation. In this stirring memoir, Sirleaf shares the inside story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice. This compelling tale of survival reveals Sirleaf's determination to succeed in multiple worlds: from her studies in the United States to her work as an international bank executive to her election campaigning in some of Liberia's most desperate and war-torn villages and neighborhoods. It is also the story of an outspoken political and social reformer who, despite danger, fought the oppression of dictators and championed change. By sharing her story, Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to pursue leadership roles at the highest levels of power, and gives us all hope that, with perseverance, we can change the world.

An insider account of how an African public health leader responded to an unprecedented Ebola outbreak. Tolbert Nyenswah, LLB, MPH, DrPH, was the assistant minister of health and deputy chief medical officer in Liberia when the 2014 Ebola epidemic struck. Nyenswah, the incident manager who led the response, became known as the "Ebola Czar" for his pivotal role in combating the epidemic despite his government's lack of resources. His story underscores the public health strategies that succeeded and those that failed, highlighting important lessons in managing current and future outbreaks. In Collapse and Resiliency, Nyenswah presents an insider's view of Liberia's response to the deadly Ebola epidemic. Nyenswah describes the fascinating journey from his childhood in a rural Liberian village to leading his country's response to the deadly outbreak, providing a deeply personal account of how the epidemic was finally controlled despite a depleted health care system. Prior to the Ebola epidemic, Liberia suffered from a protracted and ruthless civil war. Despite these challenges, Nyenswah and his team fostered a coordinated, community-based crisis response. Weaving together stories of effective and ineffective practices with the lived experiences that developed his skills to manage such a high-stress program, Nyenswah details how organizations worked together and what were the best public health methods to fight the spread of the disease. Unlike many books about Ebola in West Africa, Nyenswah provides both an expert account and a local voice. His story highlights the power imbalance during cooperative projects between western and nonwestern collaborators. In the only Ebola book written by a native African, the key strategist responsible for successfully ending the epidemic, Nyenswah reflects on the impacts of war and disease on the struggle to rebuild a more resilient health system and functioning society. As the world continues to reel from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this look at a terrifying outbreak reminds us that a well-prepared public health system cannot be taken for granted.

From the Preface: The fact that so much of modern art has devoted itself to the exploration and assertion of its own identity is reflected in, but does not explain, the increasing amount of writing and talking on the part of contemporary artists. Rather, the whole history of the changing role of art and artists in a democratic, industrial, and technological society stands behind the spate of artists' words and the public's hunger for them--even some of the general public out there beyond art's little circle. Statements by artists appeal somewhat the way drawings do: they bring us, or at least they hold the promise of bringing us, closer to the artist's thoughts and feelings and to an understanding of his or her modus operandi; they hold the keys to a mysterious realm. And sometimes they offer us the sheer pleasure of good reading. Such is the primary raison d'etre of this book.Its other motivation is educational, and stems from the frustrating lack, in teaching contemporary art, of any single compilation of statements by American artists from 1940 to the present.... This anthology differs in several respects from those others that do include documents of American art since 1940.... The selection I have made is devoted exclusively to statements of artists; it is limited to the last four decades; it presents in a single volume a representative and fairly comprehensive coverage of major developments in American art beginning with Abstract Expressionism; and, whenever possible, it cities the first, or among the very earliest, documents signalizing a shift in the definition, intent, or direction of art."

Ellen Johnson collected the recipes in her 1889 volume from manuscript sources and published them for the benefit of St. Peter's-in-the-Mount of Holderness, New Hampshire.

A Novelist's Fanciful Obsession with a Dark-Eyed Knight Becomes Reality in BEFORE I WAKE, a Historical Time-Travel Romance by Mary Ellen Johnson 13th Century England, Tintagel Castle Historical novelist Magdalena Moore is haunted by the black-haired, black-eyed knight she first encountered during a past life regression. Across a lifetime, Magdalena searches for the truth about Ranulf Navarre and Jane Dreigh. At Tintagel Castle, Magdalena is miraculously transported to thirteenth-century England, where she is Lady Jane, and Lord Navarre is her husband. But Ranulf is not the man of her imagination. Why is Ranulf so cold and Janey so erratic? What secrets are they hiding? When England plunges into civil war, Ranulf backs the wrong side. Knowing he is destined to die in battle, Magdalena tries desperately to cheat fate, save Ranulf, and finally find happiness. But secrets can ruin everything, and Magdelena's secret is too fantastical to be believed. Publisher's Note: Readers passionate about history will appreciate the author's penchant for detail and accuracy. In keeping with the era, this story contains scenes of brutality which are true to the time and man's timeless inhumanity. There are a limited number of sexual scenes with some vulgarity characteristic of the time. From the Author: I like to think BEFORE I WAKE is the life I might have lived—had I made a lot of unfortunate relationship choices and been transported back to thirteenth century Cornwall. The kernel of my tale is true. As a young wife and mother, I did undergo a past life regression, which I detail pretty much as it happened in BEFORE I WAKE. While I'd always been drawn to medieval England and had already started working on what would become my first historical romance, The Lion and the Leopard, that particular regression—whether real or simply a manifestation of my imagination—has stayed with me. THE TRAVELS ACROSS TIME SERIES Before I Wake Eternal Beloved THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, in series order The Lion and the Leopard A Knight There Was Within A Forest Dark A Child Upon The Throne Lords Among the Ruins The Flames of Rebellion MEET MARY ELLEN JOHNSON Her passion for Medieval England sparked Mary Ellen Johnson's writing career. Her first medieval historical, The Lion and the Leopard, was followed by The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter, a historical novel based on the Alfred Noyes poem, "The Highwayman." (Published under the pseudonym, Mary Ellen Dennis.) Landlord was chosen as one of the top 100 historical romances of 2013. After taking a twenty-year detour in a quixotic quest to change the world—rather like Arthurian knights' quests to find the holy grail, which ended in similar failure—Mary Ellen has happily returned to historical fiction writing and her favorite time period, the tumultuous fourteenth century. Her six-book series, Knights of England, follows the fortunes of the characters (and their progeny) introduced in The Lion and the Leopard through the Black Death, the reign of that most gloriously medieval of monarchs, Edward III, the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, and ends with the deposition and murder of Richard II in 1399. There is nothing Mary Ellen loves more than bringing Medieval England alive for the reader. She particularly enjoys researching battles, campaigns, the daily lives of both lord and peasant, and trying to figure out our ancestors' thought processes, particularly how they viewed their world. Oh, and did she mention the castles and cathedrals? Mary Ellen likes to say her favorite place in the world is standing before the tomb of the Black Prince in Canterbury Cathedral. (Hyperbole, of course, since Mary Ellen is not that well-traveled and her favorite places are probably wherever her kids and grandkids reside.) However—and the very recounting gives her chills—a distant cousin recently shared the results of her years-long genealogical research on the family tree. When flipping back through the centuries, Mary Ellen began finding hauntingly familiar names—John of Gaunt, Edward the Black Prince, Edward II, Edward III, even Richard the Lionheart! All the historical characters she's spent a lifetime reading and writing about! How can that be? Genetic memory? Reincarnation? She has no idea, but you can bet she'll be exploring the possibilities in future novels!

Civil War Once Again Threatens England in the Medieval Historical, THE FLAMES OF REBELLION, by Mary Ellen Johnson 1397 to 1403. England, Tintagel, London, Shrewsbury, Conway Castle, Tower of London, Cumbria, Westminster Abbey, Wales and Scotland In the fourteenth century's waning days, the tyrannical Richard II is knocked from his throne, and Henry IV is crowned, despite a shaky claim to the throne. Knight Matthew Hart, now in his sixties, believes he can retire to a quiet life in the wilds of Cumbria while Lancelot and Janey's love remains more the stuff of Romances than reality. Yet, all too soon, England's lords grow restless, betrayal is in the air, and Matthew and his family must again ride into battle on behalf of their endangered king. The fates of all the characters who grace the Knights of England series, spanning a century-including some of the most vivid battles, events and historical characters in medieval history-are resolved. Publisher's Note: Readers with a passion for history will appreciate the author's penchant for detail and accuracy. In keeping with the era, this story contains scenes of brutality which are true to the time and man's timeless inhumanity. There are a limited number of sexual scenes and NO use of modern vulgarity. From the Author: There is nothing new under the sun. If we seek to understand today's events, history will always provide the answer. By 1398 the megalomaniacal Richard II had consolidated his power, executed or banished all his enemies and destroyed all those who might speak out in opposition to him. Two years later Richard was deposed, thrown into a dungeon in Pontefract Castle and starved to death. Lessons: We can never predict the future; actions always have unintended consequences; we sow the seeds of our own destruction and payback's a bitch! THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, in series order The Lion and the Leopard A Knight There Was Within A Forest Dark A Child Upon The Throne Lords Among the Ruins The Flames of Rebellion

As the Fourteenth-Century Closes, So Does the Rule of England's Most Tyrannical Monarch in the Medieval Historical, LORDS AMONG THE RUINS, by Mary Ellen Johnson Medieval England from the Aftermath of 1381 Peasants' Revolt to the Deposition and Murder of Richard II on 14 Feb 1400 As the former boy king, Richard II, approaches his third decade, Matthew Hart and England's other great lords struggle to deflect his more destructive impulses, which increasingly threaten the kingdom. Amidst attempted assassinations, growing civil war and political intrigue, Matthew Hart, his beloved wife, Margery Watson, and their offspring live and love and war their way through the last years of the fourteenth century, seeing the deposition and murder of England's most tyrannical monarch. Publisher's Note: Readers with a passion for history will appreciate the author's penchant for detail and accuracy. In keeping with the era, this story contains scenes of brutality which are true to the time and man's timeless inhumanity. There are a limited number of sexual scenes and NO use of modern vulgarity. From the Author: There is nothing new under the sun. If we seek to understand today's events, history will always provide the answer. By 1398 the megalomaniacal Richard II had consolidated his power, executed or banished all his enemies and destroyed all those who might speak out in opposition to him. Two years later Richard was deposed, thrown into a dungeon in Pontefract Castle and starved to death. Lessons: We can never predict the future; actions always have unintended consequences; we sow the seeds of our own destruction and payback's a bitch! THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, in series order The Lion and the Leopard A Knight There Was Within A Forest Dark A Child Upon The Throne Lords Among the Ruins

Love, Duty and Loyalty Collide in a Dramatic Fashion to Determine King Edward II's Future in the Medieval Historical Romance, The Lion and the Leopard, by Mary Ellen Johnson --Medieval England in the reign of Edward II, from 1307-1327-- Maria Rendell wants to be a dutiful wife to husband Phillip, but can't deny her attraction to their liege lord, Richard of Sussex. Loving Philip should be easy. She has married the knight of whom minstrels sing; the knight who saved Richard's life. But when Phillip abandons Maria to indulge his wanderlust, she turns to Richard, sparking a scandelous, passionate affair amidst the crumbling kingdom of Edward II. Meanwhile, Edward II's barons are rebelling, executing his favorites, while across the channel in France, Isabella, Edward II's wife--the She-Wolf of France—plans to invade England. Then King Edward is captured as Richard and Maria prepare to flee to safety, and Phillip returns to discover Maria's betrayal. The day of reckoning is now at hand--not only for Maria, Richard, and Phillip, but for that most unfortunate of Plantagenet kings, Edward II. From the Publisher: Readers with a passion for history will appreciate the author's penchant for detail and accuracy. In keeping with being authentic to the era, this story contains scenes of brutality which are true to the time and man's inhumanity. There are a limited number of sexual scenes and NO use of modern vulgarity. Fans of Elizabeth Chadwick, Bernard Cornwell and Philippa Gregory as well as Tamara Leigh and Suzan Tisdale will not want to miss this series. "Author Mary Ellen Johnson strides through history with the reader in the front seat."~Karen Lausa ". . . it challenged my intellect as well as my heart."~Margaret Watkins, eBook Discovery Reviewer THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, in series order The Lion and the Leopard A Knight There Was Within A Forest Dark A Child Upon The Throne Lords Among the Ruins

In January 2006, after fourteen years of brutal civil conflict in the Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf--Africa's "Iron Lady"--was sworn in as president, an event that marked a tremendous turning point in the history of this West African nation.

In this stirring memoir, Sirleaf shares the inside story of her rise to power, including her early childhood, her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile, and her fight for democracy and social justice. Her compelling story is a tale of survival and the determination to succeed in multiple worlds--from her work and study in America to village-to-village election campaigning in some of Liberia's war-torn desperate areas and neighborhoods. It is also the story of an outspoken political and social reformist who, despite danger, fought against the abuses of ruthless dictators to champion change. By sharing her story, Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to seek leadership roles at the highest levels of power--and offers hope for everyone that, with perseverance, we can change the world.

"Across the River" presents the lovingly detailed memoir of author Ellen Johnson's mother, Ann Reynalds. Johnson chronicles the trials and tribulations that her mother had to face as the child of a biracial union. Ultimately, Reynalds had to flee her country of birth, Grenada, in shame and start a humble life all over again, in another country. She credits her strong belief in God for giving her the strength, courage, and will to continue on her journey. As the mother of five children, Reynalds experienced great happiness and sorrow. When her oldest son, Lenny, was eleven, he died in her arms. Later, she would revisit the country of her birth to reconnect with her second child. Through it all, her belief in God carries her through the happy times and sad times of her life, from a daughter who suddenly takes ill to the joys of motherhood the face of poverty. In this loving tribute, a daughter paints a heartfelt and honest portrait of her mother and a life well-lived.

During the Orphan Trains Era, 1854 until 1929, an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children and families were relocated from major metropolitan east coast cities to new homes in the "west" traveling aboard trains. Children relocated via

Who uses "skeeter hawk," "snake doctor," and "dragonfly" to refer to the same insect? Who says "gum band" instead of "rubber band"? The answers can be found in the "Linguistic Atlas of the Middle and South Atlantic States" ("LAMSAS"), the largest single survey of regional and social differences in spoken American English. It covers the region from New York state to northern Florida and from the coastline to the borders of Ohio and Kentucky. Through interviews with nearly twelve hundred people conducted during the 1930s and 1940s, the "LAMSAS" mapped regional variations in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation at a time when population movements were more limited than they are today, thus providing a unique look at the correspondence of language and settlement patterns.
This handbook is an essential guide to the "LAMSAS" project, laying out its history and describing its scope and methodology. In addition, the handbook reveals biographical information about the informants and social histories of the communities in which they lived, including primary settlement areas of the original colonies. Dialectologists will rely on it for understanding the "LAMSAS," and historians will find it valuable for its original historical research.
Since much of the "LAMSAS" questionnaire concerns rural terms, the data collected from the interviews can pinpoint such language differences as those between areas of plantation and small-farm agriculture. For example, "LAMSAS" reveals that two waves of settlement through the Appalachians created two distinct speech types. Settlers coming into Georgia and other parts of the Upper South through the Shenandoah Valley and on to the western side of themountain range had a Pennsylvania-influenced dialect, and were typically small farmers. Those who settled the Deep South in the rich lowlands and plateaus tended to be plantation farmers from Virginia and the Carolinas who retained the vocabulary and speech patterns of coastal areas.
With these revealing findings, the "LAMSAS" represents a benchmark study of the English language, and this handbook is an indispensable guide to its riches.

Who uses "skeeter hawk," "snake doctor," and "dragonfly" to refer to the same insect? Who says "gum band" instead of "rubber band"? The answers can be found in the "Linguistic Atlas of the Middle and South Atlantic States" ("LAMSAS"), the largest single survey of regional and social differences in spoken American English. It covers the region from New York state to northern Florida and from the coastline to the borders of Ohio and Kentucky. Through interviews with nearly twelve hundred people conducted during the 1930s and 1940s, the "LAMSAS" mapped regional variations in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation at a time when population movements were more limited than they are today, thus providing a unique look at the correspondence of language and settlement patterns.
This handbook is an essential guide to the "LAMSAS" project, laying out its history and describing its scope and methodology. In addition, the handbook reveals biographical information about the informants and social histories of the communities in which they lived, including primary settlement areas of the original colonies. Dialectologists will rely on it for understanding the "LAMSAS," and historians will find it valuable for its original historical research.
Since much of the "LAMSAS" questionnaire concerns rural terms, the data collected from the interviews can pinpoint such language differences as those between areas of plantation and small-farm agriculture. For example, "LAMSAS" reveals that two waves of settlement through the Appalachians created two distinct speech types. Settlers coming into Georgia and other parts of the Upper South through the Shenandoah Valley and on to the western side of themountain range had a Pennsylvania-influenced dialect, and were typically small farmers. Those who settled the Deep South in the rich lowlands and plateaus tended to be plantation farmers from Virginia and the Carolinas who retained the vocabulary and speech patterns of coastal areas.
With these revealing findings, the "LAMSAS" represents a benchmark study of the English language, and this handbook is an indispensable guide to its riches.