Linda Lear

Probably one of the best biography I've read. Always liked her books as a kid, but this made me like her even more as a person. WHAT A WOMAN! She was not only was she loving to animals, but she was interested in science, nature, and farming. She used the money from her books to buy out land for animals and for allowing girls to study science. She was a very humble woman and seemed like a friendly one too.

I think I read this at a perfect time too. Was looking for something about nature and animals to get me out of this depression funk from winter. I feel like I'm at my happiest when I'm around wildlife. This book was inspiring for me to read.… (altro)

Extraordinary biography about an extraordinary and dearly beloved woman by generations around the world! There are times when I would like to have a 6th star for Extraordinary or Magnificent. This is such a review moment. I researched the length of time it took for Linda Lear to write this phenomenal and prodigious biography and discovered an answer in her own words..."Writing 'A Life in Nature' (the original and my favourite title) was an eight year process from the time I went to the UK until the time the book was published by Penguin (UK) and St Martin’s Press in the US."

Background to my reading Beatrix Potter's biography...
I don't specifically remember reading Peter Rabbit as a child but I know I knew the story. As an elementary school librarian I remember ordering the set of Beatrix Potter stories in the late 1980's. The set was beautiful! Each book was the size of a 3" x 5" index card held vertically and each had a lovely white book jacket with the title across the top, an illustration from the story, and then by Beatrix Potter across the bottom. I covered each book in a Mylar (clear plastic) cover. The first Kindergarten class that came to the library after the books were put on the shelves borrowed them all and class after class of children borrowed them in Kindergarten and 1st grade classes until the end of the school year. I had ignored naysayers that saw the books as I was processing them (with the school library stamp, Mylar cover, etc.) that advised the books would be stolen or never returned by the students. They were wrong. The little ones loved the books and of course they fit so perfectly in those little hands. Seeing the joy on their faces has always stayed with me.

I only knew of Beatrix Potter as a beloved author of children's literature. However, in the span of her life Beatrix Potter Heelis made incredible accomplishments in a wide range of fields. To have accomplished so much while simultaneously addressing the needs of elderly parents (particularly her mother who lived for many years beyond her husband), support to her brother's widow, and care for members of her husband's family is not only to Potter’s credit but adds to one's respect and admiration for this amazing woman that did not allow constraints of the times for women to embitter or restrain her curiosities and it definitely did not prevent her outstanding achievements. Linda Lear painstakingly takes the reader on the journey through Beatrix Potter's adventurous life. Lear's writing reflects the details of her research sharing Potter's own words whenever possible. With the depth of research one might perceive that this biography would be like reading a thesis but that simply is not the case. The reader becomes engrossed in the unparalleled life of Beatrix Potter and enraptured by Lear's passion to open the reader’s knowledge and curiosity to learn about an extraordinary life - an extraordinary person - an extraordinary woman not only in the times she lived but for all time.

I am deeply thankful to Linda Lear for her passion and dedication in taking the unique journey of research and travels, and using her own writing talent to write this comprehensive biography. I am also appreciative to all in publishing who helped make this book available.… (altro)