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Places in Time: Reflections on a Journey
For years readers have delighted in Maxine Rose Schur's award-winning travel essays. Now, all the tales of her unusual honeymoon are gathered in one illustrated volume. Whether camping in the center of Paris, dangling off a Panamanian tramp steamer, or hitching across Australia, her tales are funny, exciting and tender. Maxine Rose Schur set out to see the world. With high spirits and little money, the author traveled not only far geographically, but emotionally, toward the hearts of others. She faced the violent grief of a Mexican sheriff, celebrated a wild elopement in Turkey and was initiated into a mysterious daily ritual with an Iranian forest ranger. Looking back, she tempers her youthful encounters with mid-life wisdom, capturing the spirit of all those she met, and evoking cherished places in time. If you?re looking for travel writing that blends gentle insight with delicious surprise, fasten the seatbelt on your armchair and come along.
- GenresTravel
220 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Rose Schur
33 books23 followersI am an author of several award-winning children’s books and I also teach children’s book writing. As recipient of the Sugarman Award given by the Washington Independent Writer’s Legal and Educational Fund, I was appointed the Guest Lecturer on Writing for Children to the Humanities faculty at Case Western Reserve University.
I have twice won the Sydney Taylor Award for the most outstanding contribution to Jewish Children’s literature. Also, I have worked full-time as a children’s writer for Addison-Wesley and wrote children’s fiction and non-fiction for Hampton Brown, Scholastic, Houghton-Mifflin, Harcourt Brace, The American Girl’s Collection, Heinemann, Radio New Zealand and the BBC.
This year I have two new children’s books coming out. The first is The Word Dancer, a middle grade fantasy novel that both explores and celebrates the power of words. The second one, Brave with Beauty, is an advanced picture book about Queen Goharshad who some historians now believe was the most powerful woman in world history. In the 14th century she reigned from her throne in Herat in what is now Afghanistan and sponsored a spectacular renaissance of science and the arts.
And, by the way, if you love Paris as much as I do, please check out the adventurous tale of a fashion-designing mouse who takes Paris by storm! Marielle in Paris is a fun picture book and a beautifully illustrated homage to Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 7, 2023
PLACES IN TIME tells the stories of the author and her husband journeying across the world in 1971-2, but the story and insights are fresh and pertinent to today. The story doesn't try and cover all the travels; the skipping ahead felt jarring at first, but her pauses at pivotal points allows the reader to see specific areas in more depth.
Schur's strengths are letting the people she meets along the way tell their own stories and I was fascinated by many of the people she featured. The author's voice is honest and insightful and never falls into stereotype or caricature of the places and people she gets to know. With superb writing, memorable characters, and fresh insights on what it means to travel, PLACES IN TIME is recommended reading for all who want to better connect with our world.
Schur's strengths are letting the people she meets along the way tell their own stories and I was fascinated by many of the people she featured. The author's voice is honest and insightful and never falls into stereotype or caricature of the places and people she gets to know. With superb writing, memorable characters, and fresh insights on what it means to travel, PLACES IN TIME is recommended reading for all who want to better connect with our world.
December 3, 2023
“Places in Time: Reflection on a Journey” is a wonderful example of a travel book. In following along with Maxine Rose Schur on her adventures, readers who are looking for a way to travel to many beautiful places without leaving their chairs, can immerse themselves in the stories in this collection and feel as if these places are being brought right into their own living room.
Maxine Rose Schur has written numerous travel essays that give an overview of the places where she and her husband have been. Many of these stories have now been combined in this one book, interspersed with wonderful photographs that allow the reader a glimpse into these places and people. “Places in Time” tells many stories of when the author and her husband traveled in the early 70s. Each one gives a genuine and accurate look into the places and especially the people that they met along the way, making it all the more interesting and enlightening.
“Places in Time” is an in-depth look into many different cultures that most people will know little about as they begin to read. Maxine and her husband obviously took great pains during their travels to fully understand and become a part of the culture so that they could be completely involved with the people that they met. Each story is a wonderful example of how we are all one people regardless of location or language and how, when the effort is put in, we can learn from and truly enjoy being a small part of another culture.
The book is extremely well-written, and the author’s voice is very real and extremely perceptive as she gives the reader an honest look into these places and people. Whether in Paris, Turkey, or Australia each story is full of fun and excitement. Loads of historical facts about the locations give readers not only a very worthwhile account but also a very educational one. The writing is excellent and the people in the book are very well-developed and transferred to the pages so that, as a reader, you will feel as if you are coming to know each and every one of them as the author did.
“Places in Time: Reflection on a Journey” is a book that I would recommend to all readers. Whether you are a seasoned traveler who has made your own way to some of these places or a person who just enjoys curling up with a great book, you can learn more about other places without actually leaving your living room. I enjoyed it very much and I believe that you will, too.
Maxine Rose Schur has written numerous travel essays that give an overview of the places where she and her husband have been. Many of these stories have now been combined in this one book, interspersed with wonderful photographs that allow the reader a glimpse into these places and people. “Places in Time” tells many stories of when the author and her husband traveled in the early 70s. Each one gives a genuine and accurate look into the places and especially the people that they met along the way, making it all the more interesting and enlightening.
“Places in Time” is an in-depth look into many different cultures that most people will know little about as they begin to read. Maxine and her husband obviously took great pains during their travels to fully understand and become a part of the culture so that they could be completely involved with the people that they met. Each story is a wonderful example of how we are all one people regardless of location or language and how, when the effort is put in, we can learn from and truly enjoy being a small part of another culture.
The book is extremely well-written, and the author’s voice is very real and extremely perceptive as she gives the reader an honest look into these places and people. Whether in Paris, Turkey, or Australia each story is full of fun and excitement. Loads of historical facts about the locations give readers not only a very worthwhile account but also a very educational one. The writing is excellent and the people in the book are very well-developed and transferred to the pages so that, as a reader, you will feel as if you are coming to know each and every one of them as the author did.
“Places in Time: Reflection on a Journey” is a book that I would recommend to all readers. Whether you are a seasoned traveler who has made your own way to some of these places or a person who just enjoys curling up with a great book, you can learn more about other places without actually leaving your living room. I enjoyed it very much and I believe that you will, too.
February 28, 2018
I loved this book. A quotable sentence or paragraph in each section. Thought provoking for travelers anywhere.
February 23, 2014
Capra Press sent me a copy in exchange for my review.
“Places in Time” is a beautiful love letter from Schur to her youth and the newness of the world before her. Berkley of the 60’s is becoming too suffocating for in its activism and ardency for Schur and her new boyfriend. Schur decides that they must get married and get away and that’s exactly what they do. Traveling with little money and a lot of trust in the universe the couple set out on a grand adventure. Illustrated with Schur’s travel pictures, we get a beautiful and sunny view of the world that is refreshing in its trust of the good in everyone. In France Schur and her husband meet a man who balances a hammer on his nose and we get a picture of the trick that brings a smile to the face. The world in the 60’s was much larger but in “Places in Time” we get a sense of a community and brotherhood with like souls. The Reader hitchhikes in time with Shur and her husband and it is a wonderful feeling.
Schur waited years to write this novel and did so based on her letters to her father. She has a beautiful writing style with a smooth and engaging flow. Readers will be charmed by her description of the time spent in Switzerland and will understand the wonder Schur felt as she inventories the kitchen of her rented home. Readers will be transfixed by the tale of drinks with a Canadian and his Turkish guide as the guide gives Schur and her husband a good look at the wonderfully forgiving people of Turkey. Readers hearts will weep for the father who lost his son and is responsible for a near death experience viewed through an alcohol and Dramamine fuelled haze.
Schur gives us a look at the beauty and good of the world. “Places in Time” is a travel memoir written in retrospect and done right. This is travel memoir to be read on a sunny day in a nook with a favorite beverage nearby. If you like travel stories or memoirs, “Places in Time” is one not to be missed.
Want to Read
January 28, 2009Description:
For years readers have delighted in Maxine Rose Schur’s award-winning travel essays. Now, all the tales of her unusual around-the-world journey are gathered in one illustrated volume. Whether camping in the center of Paris, dangling off a Panamanian tramp steamer, or hitching across Australia, her tales are funny, exciting and tender.
If you’re looking for travel writing that blends gentle insight with delicious surprise, fasten the seatbelt on your armchair and come along!
Excerpts from Reviews:
“The author’s obsession with not merely observing but slipping into the fold of other cultures distinguishes the collection of essays based on her 18-month around-the-world honeymoon in 1971. She could have told a rollicking good story had she written about it immediately after returning home, but by steeping in real life for 35 years, the tales take on a transformative power. ..She writes with so much humor, suspense and wisdom …This is what travel memoirs should be, and so seldom are.” Christine Delsol, Deputy Travel Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
Biography
Maxine Rose Schur is a children’s book author and travel journalist. Her essays have appeared in many publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, National Geographic Explorer, the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the San-Diego Union Tribune, Caribbean Travel & Life, Traveler’s Tales, Insight Guides, and Salon.com. She has twice won the Lowell Thomas Award for excellence in travel writing given by the Society of American Travel Writers.
For years readers have delighted in Maxine Rose Schur’s award-winning travel essays. Now, all the tales of her unusual around-the-world journey are gathered in one illustrated volume. Whether camping in the center of Paris, dangling off a Panamanian tramp steamer, or hitching across Australia, her tales are funny, exciting and tender.
If you’re looking for travel writing that blends gentle insight with delicious surprise, fasten the seatbelt on your armchair and come along!
Excerpts from Reviews:
“The author’s obsession with not merely observing but slipping into the fold of other cultures distinguishes the collection of essays based on her 18-month around-the-world honeymoon in 1971. She could have told a rollicking good story had she written about it immediately after returning home, but by steeping in real life for 35 years, the tales take on a transformative power. ..She writes with so much humor, suspense and wisdom …This is what travel memoirs should be, and so seldom are.” Christine Delsol, Deputy Travel Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
Biography
Maxine Rose Schur is a children’s book author and travel journalist. Her essays have appeared in many publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, National Geographic Explorer, the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the San-Diego Union Tribune, Caribbean Travel & Life, Traveler’s Tales, Insight Guides, and Salon.com. She has twice won the Lowell Thomas Award for excellence in travel writing given by the Society of American Travel Writers.
August 11, 2012
Interésting story but could have been way more intense. Just not my style.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews