“You took her as she was. She wasn't trying to impress anyone," said Claude Nunnelly.” — Charles J. Shields Heart Copy Share Image
Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
In the late 1990s, I left the teaching field to write biographies and histories for young adults. — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
“The Kansas state motto, "Ad astra per aspera" - To the stars through difficulties. ” — Charles J. Shields Motto Copy Share Image
If you want to write serious books, you must be ready to break the forms. — Charles J. Shields Books Copy Share Image
The great purpose in life is to take your destiny out of the hands of others. — Charles J. Shields Destiny Copy Share Image
The first article carrying Vonnegut's byline, 'This Business of Whistle Purchasing,' a lighthearted criticism of a school fund-raiser, was submitted at the… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Edith Vonnegut behaved like a guest in her children's lives. To her way of thinking, parenting came under the general heading of… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Bernard Vonnegut, named for his paternal grandfather, was born August 29, 1914. He was a serious-looking little boy, even in informal photographs. — Charles J. Shields August Copy Share Image
“I think part of your success lies in the shock of recognition- or as the Japanese might say, 'the unexpected recognition of… — Charles J. Shields Recognition Copy Share Image
“At home, he (A.C. Lee) encouraged Nelle to clamber up on him lap to "help" him read the newspaper or complete the… — Charles J. Shields Encouraged Copy Share Image
On the strength of Vonnegut's reputation, 'Breakfast of Champions' spent a year on the best-seller lists, proving that he could indeed publish… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Harper Lee and Truman Capote became friends as next-door neighbors in the late 1920s, when they were about kindergarten age. From the… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
There is more to be pondered in the grain and texture of life than traditional fiction allows. The work of essayists is… — Charles J. Shields Essayists Copy Share Image
My theory is that Kurt had a lot of residual pain from his childhood. And when you pile that on top of… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' appeared to highly favorable reviews and quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists, where it remained for… — Charles J. Shields Academy Copy Share Image
She just wanted to be comfortable in her own skin...But she would not stop to seek others' approval. The notion that she… — Charles J. Shields Approval Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' is really two stories. One is a coming-of-age tale told from the point of view of Scout Finch,… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
If literary terms were about artistic merit and not the rules of convenience, about achievement and not safety, the term 'realism' would… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
