Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book Gone with the Wind: The life and times of Scarlett O'Hara My favorite Margaret Mitchell quote from the book: "Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect." Questions I pondered while reading Gone with the Wind: How does greed work so quickly? Is honor a better motivator than love? My review of Gone With The Wind: I am so disappointed in Scarlett. Never forget where you have been. Reputation is important. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop ...

A short summary of the play The Heidi Chronicles: The adult life of a feminist. My favorite Wendy Wasserstein quote from the play: "I thought the point was that we were all in this together." Questions I pondered while reading The Heidi Chronicles: Why can't women be more supportive of each other? Do you have to get married to have a full life? My review of The Heidi Chronicles: Deep subjects require humor. I wish I were as witty. Be true to yourself. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  web...

A short summary of the book The Good Lord Bird: The tales of the abolitionist John Brown, according to The Onion. My favorite James McBride quote from the book: "Everybody got God on their side in a war. Problem is, God ain't tellin nobody who He's for." Questions I pondered while reading The Good Lord Bird: How long could I have remained hidden? Could I have given so much to a cause? My review of The Good Lord Bird: Onion is now on my list of favorite characters. I love this perspective. Remember Harper's Ferry. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my...

A short summary of the book Slouching Toward Bethlehem: Joan's thoughts, during the late '60s My favorite Joan Didion quote from the book: "The ability to think for one's self depends upon one's mastery of the language." Questions to ponder Slouching Toward Bethlehem: Do I have that type of self-respect? Does language dictate your reality? My review of Slouching Toward Bethlehem: I agreed with so much. There is clarity in precision. I need to work on my vocabulary. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting ...

A short summary of the Book Into Thin Air: Climbing Mt. Everest May 10, 1996, and living to tell about it My favorite John Krakauer quote from the book: "Any person who would seriously consider it [climbing Mount Everest] is almost by definition beyond the sway of rational argument." Questions I pondered while reading Into Thin Air: Why do we (as humans) push so many boundaries? Should Mt. Everest be open to the inexperienced? My review of Into Thin Air: Wouldn't consider the climb now - not that I had before. 14ers are plenty big enough for me. 1 in 4 is an ugly bet with your life. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  ...

A short summary of the book Dead Wake: The events leading to the sinking of the Lusitania and the United States' entry into WWI My favorite quote from the book: "If you were saved it is because you have still something to do in this world." (written by Mary Cassatt to her friend and Lusitania survivor Theodate Pope Riddle) Questions I pondered while reading Dead Wake: Can any argument really be worth 15 million deaths (WWI total)? Why do we develop weapons like these? My thoughts about Dead Wake: Remember the 1,198 who died. War is so dumb. Why is collateral damage deemed acceptable? ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at...

A short summary of the book The Revenant: The consequences of taking a fur trapper's things, even if he had gotten eaten by a bear and was probably going to die anyway. My favorite Michael Punke quote from the book: "Lots of loose ends don't ever get tied up. Play the hand you are dealt, move on." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Could I have managed that motivation? Would I eat raw rattlesnake? My review of The Revenant: I would have curled up and died. Bears and trappers aren't particularly nice. Don't take other people's stuff. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #Taketh...

A short summary of the book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The factors that make a society a pillager or a pillagee. My favorite Jared Diamond quote from the book: "Much of human history has consisted of conflicts between the have and the have nots." Questions I pondered while reading Guns, Germs, and Steel: Why didn't the Norsemen create any biological devastation? Wouldn't hunter-gatherer societies develop artisan skills during the winter? My review of Jared Diamon's Guns, Germs, and Steel: Germs appear to be humanity's biggest bane. Historically, resource exploitation has not done well for humanity. The world needs rhino-mounted Banta shock troops. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies...

A short summary of  the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven: What can happen when you cross over. My favorite Mitch Albom quote from the book: "Life has to end, love doesn't." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Who do I want to see? Who don't I want to see? My thoughts about the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven: I hope there is peace. I hope I find my purpose. I am not going to enjoy facing my guilt. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop ...

A short summary of the book Gabby: Learning to live after a near-fatal event. My favorite Gabrielle Giffords quote from the book: "My spirit is as strong as ever." Questions I pondered while reading Gabby: Why does crap like this happen? Could I ever hope to be that tenacious? My review of Gabby: Life is unpredictable. Hug your loved ones. Gabby for the win! ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book Murder on the Orient Express: Retribution, Caesar style, in a Pullman.  Solved (of course) by Poirot. My favorite Agatha Christie quote from the book: "The impossible cannot have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible, in spite of appearances." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Wouldn't that be really cold? Isn't that a rather large group for a secret? My review of the book Murder on the Orient Express: I love whodunits. Poirot's the man. The more improbable, the more fun the book. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheB...

A short summary of the book Marley and Me: A dog teaches his people about love. My favorite Josh Grogan quote from the book: " Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all." Questions I pondered while reading Marley and Me: Why are boisterous dogs called "bad"? Do I want another dog? My thoughts about Marley and Me: "Bad" dogs are never boring. "Bad" dogs are the best dogs. I love my bad dog. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  ...

A short summary of the book The Road Less Traveled: The importance of discipline and love for a happy life. My favorite M. Scott Peck quote from the book: "Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you won't do anything with it" Questions I pondered while reading The Road Less Traveled: Do I take on too much responsibility or not enough? How often do I lie to myself? My review of The Road Less Traveled: Discipline for the win! I am the boss of me! I don't like frosting! ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page...

A short summary of the book Sense and Sensibility: An example of good sense amid the selfish. My favorite Jane Austen quote from the book: "I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself." Questions I pondered while reading Sense and Sensibility: Why is it so hard to do the right thing? Doesn't making marriage a business arrangement take all the fun out of it? My review of Sense and Sensibility: Getting dumped is harsh. Good sense is hard to find. I, like Marianne, wear my heart on my sleeve. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my...