The Foreign Service Journal, November 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2013 43 person and every family contributes to the flow of events in this world, and their histo- ries are equally worth discovering. Only a recent genealogist herself, Whittington wrote this book to pass on the techniques she has discovered to read- ers interested in undertaking the valuable experience of perusing their families’ past. The book is divided into four sections: genealogy, heirlooms, home and tradition. In each, the author supplies different tools and approaches to navigate the findings and discover the sought-after information. In today’s technologically advanced world, Whittington argues, it has never been easier for every person to delve into their own familial past, whether royalty or not. Tracy Whittington has served with her husband, Eric, also an FSO, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Armenia, Canada and Bolivia. A member of the Foreign Service Journal Editorial Board, she writes blogs, books and screenplays, and currently lives in Virginia. The Culture Shock Tool Kit: Three Strategies for Managing Culture Shock Margarita Gokun Silver, GCC Expat Productions, 2012, $4.99, paperback, 83 pages. This is a toolkit for anyone leaving their country of origin for an extended time and dealing with the pains of adjusting to a new life abroad. In it, Margarita Gokun Silver reaches out to readers in four languages (English, Spanish, French and Russian) with an interactive solution to help smooth such transitions. The approach is based on the ability to recognize and change a particular perspective, and is, in part, adapted fromDr. John Gottman’s work on relationships. In a series of exercises, readers are helped to evaluate their own emotional setting and work toward the mindset they wish to attain during their stay abroad. Margarita Gokun Silver is an author, artist and Yale graduate who grew up in communist Moscow. She is posted in Madrid with her husband, an FSO for the Department of Commerce. A cross-cultural coach, she mentors other expatriates and has also written a novel, Looking for Sarah: A Story of Survival (see p. 33). Moving Your Household Without Losing Your Mind: An AAFSW Book Kelly Bembry Midura and Zoe Cabaniss Friloux, eds., Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, 2013, $9.99, paperback, 206 pages. Dubbing itself “The Foreign Service Com- panion,” Moving Your Household Without Losing Your Mind is the first installment of a series addressing various aspects of Foreign Service life. This guide offers input from numerous contributors regarding the often-tedious logistics of relocation that all Foreign Service families must face. The varying perspectives provide a spectrum of advice from individuals who have already lived and learned from the trials and tribulations synonymous with Foreign Ser- vice life. Featured are tips on practical matters such as changing posts, creating home inventories, shipping pets safely, efficient packing and much more. The book also contains heartfelt stories from people who have experienced something particularly difficult during their travels. A humorous addition is a list, “You might be in the Foreign Service if…,” that consists of playful truisms that any FS family member can relate to. Also included are lists of various agencies and information centers that are vital resources for families. Overall, the guide is invaluable for first-timers and FS veterans alike. Kelly Bembry Midura and Zoe Cabaniss Friloux, both spouses of FSOs, are seasoned and articulate exponents of the Foreign Service lifestyle. Reading Is So Easy: Teaching Your Child Success in Reading Susan van Ravenswaay, Mariner Publishing, 2012, $20, paperback, 49 pages. Reading is So Easy is a unique tool for teaching early reading skills. The crisp, clear instructions make the book easy for both parents and children to understand. Directions are provided for the instructor to teach the lessons, and pointers are included for children to truly grasp the lesson material. The book uses simple, proven approaches that can be applied to children from anywhere in the world who are trying to learn English. An emphasis on vowels is what distinguishes this method from others. Consonants, the author notes, are more straightfor- ward and easier to grasp. Vowels, on the other hand, can prove