"All at Sea"

The Birdman's Wife-- A book Review

I have just finished reading a delightful book on the life of Elizabeth and John Gould.

John Gould is the well known Ornithologist and bird artist and his wife the lesser known real artist behind his reputation.

He was the sketcher but Elizabeth and also Edward Lear were the main reasons for his Bird Books success.
Many other accomplished  artists also contributed to his work.

John Gould was a very driven man intent on success and with a passion for birds and knowledge.
He was a very clever marketer and successful businessman.

This book concentrates on the life of the Goulds as told through the eyes of Elizabeth.

She was dedicated to her art and birds but was torn between her occupation and her role as a mother.
She was devoted to her husband and his work but sacrificed much as a mother.

Please note the link under is an article by Melissa Ashley.
It is not the text of her book.

https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/gould/about/elizabeth_gould

If you like birds, and you are intrigued like I am, by the many connections between the leading lights of the day in wildlife and bird art you will find this an engrossing book.
Here are some other titles where you can cross reference the material in "the Birdmans Wife".

 

This book was also put together by Maureen Lambourne

Maureen is the great great grand daughter of John Gould.

Why not be a Preacher? a book by Dr Arnold Caldicott

"Why not be a Preacher?"

That is the name of a book by the late Dr. Arnold Caldicott.

At one time he was our minister at the Church of Christ at Grote Street Adelaide.
That was where he last ministered before retirement.
His late wife Alice was also a wonderful supporter .
They were a great team.

 He was an evangelical protestant minister and passionate about His calling.

He wrote this book and a couple of other books:

"The Gospel under Canvas"

"The Vercoe Story"

Arnold Caldicot was my Minister for a number of years at the Grote Street Church of Christ.

 He was a wonderful mentor and friend  to me and a great encourager.

He  was often encouraging me to become a preacher.

 It is no small coincidence that later in life I've taken up that challenge and have become a lay preacher in both a Churches of Christ nursing home  and also in the uniting Church in Renmark, South Australia.
I fully Love doing what I do and realise that maybe I should've done so a bit earlier.

Arnold had a big booming voice and there's no way I could  replicate that here but I'm just going to read a little bit of what he says in this book in the preface.

"why write this book?  because I'm convinced that young people need a book like this.
 The years of youth  are decision-making years.
 Great numbers of young people are lost to the Ministry because their questions are not answered.
Satan often wins by urging youth to settle for second best rather than the best for God.
And ministers need this book to remind them that recruitment for the ministry depends greatly on them.
 No matter how heavy the load, ministers should not lose sight of recruitment and should allow time and effort for programming in this direction.
 Where ministers take time and effort to encourage young people to give themselves to the preaching ministry, a stimulus will come into the life of the minister as well as that of the church."

Here are the contents headings for each chapter.

1.How do I recognise God's call.
2. Start by being a cadet preacher.
3. Preaching and The beginning: can I do it?
4.Try this for sermon.
5. Advice  on those college years.
6. Dos and don'ts for the preacher
7. Don't squib on the invitation
8.On ministering to a Church
9.On submitting a time sheet.
10. Your question: can I possibly take a funeral?
11.You can use this wedding service .
12. Then don't give up on God, expect a miracle
13. The preacher and the other woman.
14. Loud and clear on what Bible study is
15. Called to be an Associate. preacher:What then?
16.A letter of invitation- For you too!

Dr Caldicott uses many other resources to make this book.

Even in this day and age it is worth considering.

It may be just the challenge that someone needs to take up what God is calling them too.

You may find it listed on the second hand market, it was published in 1979.

I have a spare one for sale and will accept offers until sold. Perhaps $25(Au).

The Books in My Library-Peter Slater,Pat Slater,Raoul Slater. Sally Elmer.

There are some wonderful husband and wife teams when it comes to Photography and Art in Australia.
It becomes even more wonderful when children in the family continue in the same mould.
One such family are the Slaters.
Peter, his late wife Pat and son Raoul
They have been photographing,illustrating and producing books mainly on birds for many years.

I have many in my collection.

Sally Elmer has collaborated with Peter and Raoul on the Glimpses of Australian Birds book which is a masterpiece.

There are fantastic technical and practical advice in these books.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Slater_(ornithologist)

These books here are some I cherish from this talented family.

Art work by Peter Slater

Inside front cover of Rare and Vanishing Australian Birds

This is a delightful book by Raoul

This bok is a classic of how they used to do it.

Description of the book

One of the featured photographers

Picture from book by A G Wells.