Books with author W. Watkins

This is a history of the Civil War years written by a Confederate soldier decades later. From the preface: ""Co. AYTCH."—This week's Herald contains the last number of "Co. AYTCH" that will be published in the paper. The generals, and President, and Vice-President, and other high officials have published their accounts of the war, but Sam Watkins is the first high private who has written up the common soldier side of the matter. In big, gilt-edge books, the general, the President, and the Vice-President, tell about their plans, their battle, their retreats, their measures, and their ideas, and not a word about what the poor, sore footed, hungry, and naked soldier felt. In "Co. AYTCH" we see the old "webfoot," dressed in a dirty, greasy, gray suit—or rather non-suit—a cotton blanket thrown across his shoulder, and fastened under his cartridge-box belt; a greasy, dirty haversack hanging down—very thin and flabby; with shoes of untanned leather. There he goes, footsore, tired, and hungry, but chipper and sassy, and ready for the battle. In "Co. AYTCH" we see this same "webfoot" in camp, cooking his rations—corn meal bread, corn meal coffee, corn meal soup, blue beef, with not an eye of grease on it. He lies down on the cold ground, in an old thin blanket, and shivers through the night. In "Co. AYTCH" we hear this "webfoot" talking to his comrades, cheering their drooping spirits, discussing the situation, defending the general, hoping for final victory, and a glorious return home to father, mother, and sweetheart. In "Co. AYTCH" we see this same "webfoot," hungry, ragged, dirty, and footsore, "on the battle's perilous edge," the light of victory in his eye, a gun with a gleaming bayonet in his hands, springing forward like a deer, a ringing shout upon his lips, rushing up to the breastworks, behind which belch Napoleon guns and volleys of musketry; see him cross the abattis at a bound; see him as he stands upon the enemy's ramparts, shouting victory ! In "Co. AYTCH" we see this same "webfoot" shot down by a minnie ball, and lying cold and stark in death, and thrown into a common shallow grave, unhonored, unknown, and unsung, far away from fond loved ones. In "Co. AYTCH" we see other soldiers, driven by hunger, stealing hogs, others deserting and going home. All this we see in "Co. AYTCH." Every old soldier, and every son of an old soldier, should have a copy of it.—Columbia Herald."

Ramona and Esperanza want to start an organization to protect to the rights of all griffins, no matter their clan or status. They fly to the Griffin capital of Aquila to present their case to the Gobernador, but when Esperanza has to come to terms with her mysterious past, Ramon must face her vilest adversary. Will they come together to conquer their charges, or will they separate in utter defeat? All proceeds from the sale of this novelette go to benefit the children at the Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS

Bletchley Park, or Station X, was home to the most famous codebreakers of the Second World War. The 19th century mansion was the key center for cracking German, Italian and Japanese codes, providing the allies with vital information. After the war, many intercepts, traffic-slips and paperwork were burned (allegedly at Churchill's behest). The truth about Bletchley was not revealed until F. Winterbotham's The Ultra Secret was published in 1974. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, codebreakers including Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman and Jim Rose had devised methods to allow them to read enemy codes, often within hours of the messages being received. New technology was invented to automate the deciphering of messages. Colossus, the world's first semi-programmable computer was invented at Bletchley to aid the decoding of Lorenz ciphers, used by the German High Command to send their most highly-classified and importantßcommunications. The codebreakers also had tremendous success in defeating the Luftwaffe's AuKa codes. In The Secrets of Bletchley, former WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) Gwen Watkins brings to life the reality of the German Air Section. Her memoir is the first account of this crucial division. In a highly informative, lyrical account, she details her eventful interview, eventual appointment at the µthe biggest lunatic asylum in Britain', methods for cracking codes, the day-to-day routine and decommisioning of her section. Lord Asa Briggs is a renowned historian who also served at Bletchley Park.

Ramona and Esperanza want to start an organization to protect to the rights of all griffins, no matter their clan or status. They fly to the Griffin capital of Aquila to present their case to the Gobernador, but when Esperanza has to come to terms with her mysterious past, Ramon must face her vilest adversary. Will they come together to conquer their charges, or will they separate in utter defeat?All proceeds from the sale of this novelette go to benefit the children at the Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS

’An intriguing page-turning and personal account of that most secretive of wartime institutions, Bletchley Park, and of the often eccentric people who helped to win the war’ – Beryl BainbridgeBletchley Park, or 'Station X', was home to the most famous code breakers of the Second World War. The 19th-century mansion was the key center for cracking German, Italian and Japanese codes, providing the allies with vital information. After the war, many intercepts, traffic-slips and paperwork were burned (allegedly at Churchill's behest). The truth about Bletchley was not revealed until F. Winterbotham's The Ultra Secret was published in 1974. However, nothing until now has been written on the German Air Section. In Cracking the Luftwaffe Codes, former WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) Gwen Watkins brings to life the reality of this crucial division. In a highly informative, lyrical account, she details her eventful interview, eventual appointment at the 'the biggest lunatic asylum in Britain', methods for cracking codes, the day-to-day routine and decommissioning of her section.

Meet Henry. He’s no ordinary goat. He’s cheeky, endlessly optimistic and loves to play with his best friends – although sometimes his sense of fun gets him into scrapes...Henry the Goat is a lovable character who exudes energy and cheeky humour! Henry is the brainchild of Ella Watkins, who is only fourteen years old! Bright and bold illustrations keep up with the energetic text as you follow Henry through one of his very active days!

NOTE: This is the "bigger kids version" of Lennox Learns about Indigenous Peoples. This version includes more historical depth, and is intended for a slightly older audience (ages 9+). This picture book depicts the history of Indigenous Peoples in the United States as it relates to the European invasions. This is a tough lesson, but this is our country’s history that is too often left out in the classroom. The suffering of Native Americans caused by colonialism and US expansionism is the “other side of history.” Even though this is a heavy topic for children, it’s important for them to get both sides from an early age. This book isn’t only history though. This is also about Indigenous people today. Popular culture still promotes the narrative that they are no longer. This is about survivors too, and to show that they are still very much here.