5 comments about Mr. and Mrs. Prince: How an Extraordinary Eighteenth-Century Family Moved Out of Slavery and into Legend.

1. MR. and MRS. PRINCE is an extraordinary achievement. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, it uncovers a fascinating chapter in 18th-century African American literature. The story of the Princes, New England slaves whose trajectory takes them from bondage to farm ownership, is both the story of the struggles of all settlers in the north frontier during the Indian Wars and that of a brave African American couple establishing a life together and raising a large family against seemingly insurmountable odds. Told against the story of how, through painstaking research, the author and her husband were able to piece together the details of the Princes' lives (an adventure in itself), the book blends two fascinating narratives into one. As the narrative interweaves the moving story of the Princes with that of the two researchers indefatigable following every lead, the book lovingly evokes the past and present of a broad section of New England. The result is an extraordinary story of historical recovery and contemporary detective work that displays what couples working together can accomplish through hard work and determination. It is simply impossible to put the book down.



2. The story of Mr. and Mrs. Prince is incredible. I didn't know anything about them or their legend status until now. Gerzine has done something that few writers have done---seamlessly weave the historical narrative with the actual experience of researching the material. I was drawn in by the dialogue and the meticulous research. Through this book, the author counters our longstanding views of slavery in America during the 18th century. At other times the details provided are in line with the traditional historical records of slavery in America. I couldn't put the book down and often woke up in the middle of night to read another chapter or two and go back to bed. Buy the book, read it, and pass it on to someone else. The story of the Princes' is one that should be read by everyone.



3. 
   I applaud the author for attempting to write a book about Mr. & Mrs. Prince, whose lives certainly seem worth chronicling, but the thing is there's not enough information provided in the book to actually flesh the characters out . . . to make the reader connect, even a little bit.
   
   And yes, I do understand that the author did try to get information, and she details all the sources she pored through to find out more about this remarkable couple, but records back in that day simply didn't have too much information about free blacks.
   
   The result? A worthy attempt, but with so little meat I think this would have been a much better long magazine article than even a short book.



4. Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina is a wonderful writer, & I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the amazingly creative ways she & her husband were able to interpret the sadly spotty record of Abijah & Lucy Prince's lives. But what was lacking was much context. How much did their experience as free blacks differ from their white neighbors'? Did other families in western New England at the time face many of the same personal & financial hardships?
   
   Yet while more historical background would have benefited the book, Ms. Gerzina tended to be repetitive, as if she felt she needed to pad her material.
   
   In spite of that "Mr. & Mrs. Prince" is well worth reading.



5. I love the book, however I agree with the reviewer who mentioned the "creative" context used by the author, and with the reviewer who believes there's just not enough information from the available records to try to create such a full story. It is a WONDERFUL story of Mr. and Mrs. Prince of Massachusetts who were able to move out of slavery by hard work and a little help from others in their lives. The problem I have with the book is that the author fills in a lot of the blanks about how Mr. and Mrs. Prince "must have" felt about their lives. There's just no way the author can fill in those blanks. To do that from where we sit today has no basis in the reality of a life lived then. The story is wonderful, it should be told, but the author really has no business judging 18th century lives and the "possible feelings" of the central characters based on today's intellect. I highly recommend reading the book, it is well written and obviously was a labor of love for the author and her husband. The story is good enough to tell it like it is from what is known, don't embellish with fiction.

2 comments about Washington Irving : History, Tales, and Sketches: The Sketch Book / A History of New York / Salmagundi / Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent. (Library of America).

1. [I recommend this anthology specifically for "Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York," which was not listed by amazon.com as a separate title.]

   Irving is best-known for his short stories, which are excellent examples of folk literature (and not likely the sole product of Irving's imagination). "History of New York," however, is what established his reputation in his own lifetime. It was the first real American bestseller and the first American novel to garner critical respect overseas. Irving's ingenious marketing scheme for the novel (placing a series of letters in New York newspapers concerning the disappearance of the book's supposed author, Diedrich Knickerbocker) was the first instance of off-the-book page publicity in America and its success (it created a veritable frenzy upon the novel's publication) would not be duplicated for many, many years.

   The novel itself is funny, acerbic, charming and illuminating. Working in the tradition of European satire, Knickerbocker's History is nonetheless distinctly American. Some knowledge of early American history will enhance your understanding of the novel (by helping you recognize which American public figures the Dutch governors are standing in for), but it is not necessary to an appreciation of the novel on its own terms. The book was published in several (revised) editions. I recommend seeking out the 1809 or 1812 edition, as Irving toned down his political arguments in later versions (though the comparison between early versions and the 1848 edition is also worth noting). This anthology contains the 1809 edition of the novel.




2. with his Jonathan Oldstyle stories. And I skipped most of the Salmagundi stories, they were boring me. But now the history of New York is very funny and very amusing. It's very long and takes most of the book. There is a total change of style from pompous to light which is very refreshing.

5 comments about Wildflowers, (The New England Wild Flower Society).

1. I can't add much to Jeremy's marvelous comments; I can only reiterate the praise. This book has the complete, clear, concise and honest information lacking in so many wildflower guides, especially when it comes to propagation. It is apparent that most information comes from the personal experience of the author and I've enjoyed the comments about individual plants. My only suggestion for the next edition would be the addition of photos of the seeds on the plant, especially for species such as Pachysandra, where it is unclear exactly where to look.



2. This is the best reference I've found for native plants, and it's a worthy book for a coffee table. Accessible and extensive, it's pleasantly written, with care information about the species and then add'l info on specific plants in the species. The photographs are often quite nice, although I wish they more consistently showed the plant's habit in addition to flowers. There's also an appendix in the back on seed propagation.

   If you get this, purchase the companion shrub&tree reference, too. It's just as good.




3. This is a wonderful book about the culture and propagation of North American native flowers. The author clearly knows his stuff and communicates it well.

   The only weakness is the limited and low quality photography (lots of depth of field problems) which, I gather is not the author's work, but came from a wildflower society. There really are far too few pictures considering the wide variety of plants. Don't plan on being able to tell which of the diverse Eupatoriums or Asters you want to plant by looking at their pictures.

   HOWEVER, this book would be worth it without pictures, just for the information. Go buy the book and then write the pubisher a note saying the illustration is beneath the writing....just like I just did.




4. I was under the impression that this book would provide the information I needed to cultivate these plants on some scale. I was very disappointed. There is no way that you could reliably produce these plants with the information provided in this book. There are much better books out there for that purpose. If you are a novice, homegardener wanting to learn about wildflowers and grow a few in your backyard, this book would be okay for you. But if you are knowledgeable on the topic already, I think you will be disappointed.



5. If you happen to be visiting The Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, you will probably notice a man puttering in the gardens or working in the nursery. More than likely he will instinctively know that you have a question about the wildflowers you are examining and he will be more than happy to share his knowledge. This amiable person is William Cullina of the New England Wildflower Society. For those who are unable to visit the garden, or have a question about wildflowers, Cullina's book GROWING AND PROPAGATING WILDFLOWERS is the next best thing. This coffee table style book is filled with lavish photographs and wonderful commentary about many wildflowers found in North America. The book not only assists the reader in identifying various wildflowers, but helps the reader who wishes to incorporate wildflowers in a home garden. Cullina mentions in the introduction that horticulture has been a life long passion. This is evident in his writing style. The information in the book is informative and while it is presented in a formal manner, it is non-threatening for the novice gardener. This work is not helpful just for gardeners. Photographers will appreciate the wonderful shots of the flowers, many of which were photographed by Cullina himself.

5 comments about Austenland: A Novel.

1. If you like Jane Austen's works and feel that Pride and Prejudice is without a doubt the BEST love story ever, then this is a book for you. I can't wait to read it again!



2. I really enjoyed this book. I had no expectations of a masterpiece and was not disappointed in that respect. Shannon Hale tells the story of Jane, a closet Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth admirer. Jane hides her A&E Pride & Prejudice DVD set behind her houseplants so as not to give herself away. However, her great aunt discovers her secret and forces a confession from her. Months later the same great-aunt leaves Jane a bequest in her will - an all expenses paid 3-week trip to a Jane Austen fairyland in the English countryside where Jane can totally immerse herself in Austen's time and characters. Will Jane finally kick her Darcy obsession? Will she find true love? Will her bust pop out of the top of those regency dresses? You'll have to read the book to find out. This book is well written in a fun, casual style and I enjoyed the whole thing. It is a fairly quick read, you can probably polish it off in one evening with little effort.



3. This was a great quick read about a girl who lived part of her life in reality (has a job she doesn't quite like, and boyfriends she refers to as numbers instead of names) and part of her life in Pride and Prejudice fantasyland (where she is looking for her Mr. Darcy). She is bequeathed, in a relative's will, a trip to Pembrook Park. Pembrook Park is a resort where female guests pretend to live in Jane Austen's time era (they have to talk the talk, live by the societal etiquittes of that day, wear the clothes, etc.) At the resort are also actors who pretend to be the guests relatives and, hopefully, love interests. In fact, one of the reasons some of these women go to Pembrook Park is to have forbidden love trysts (especially since they know there will be no strings attached). Jane is reluctant to go, especially as she is not really looking for love; but she finds herself torn between two men, Martin (a gardener) and Mr. Nobley (a Mr. Darcy-like character).
   
   One reason I thought the book was interesting was the fact that these actors were so in character throughout Jane's stay at Pembrook Park, it was hard to distinguish reality and acting. In fact, Jane has this feeling as well. It was interesting to see how deep the pretenses of Pembrook Park really reached (and to find out what was real and what was not). Also, the author, in between each chapter, included brief summaries of each boyfriend (and the inbetween boys) that Jane encountered throughout her life.



4. My daughter bought this book and said I HAD to read it! I was a bit skeptical, as I thought it was a period piece. Was I surprised! Ms Hale combines a love for Jane Austen in a modern day setting. I won't go into the actual plot, as I don't want to give too much away! Just be assured that it is a clever, fast read, with a great cast of characters. I am recommending this book to all my gal friends.
   
   As far as any other book that Ms. Hale has written, after researching this, I found that her other books to date were young adult or grammar school level. I sure hope she writes some other adult reading level books. Tally ho!



5. This is a great little quick read to brighten your day. It is laugh-out loud darling especially if you are an Austen Fan!

5 comments about The Sound of Music Companion.

1. Lawrence Maslon should be thanked and congratulated for offering a concise and informative Sound of Music book. Although there have been a few Sound of Music books written in the past, this book is probably the first of its kind to tell the story in a concise manner. The Hirsch book on the film and the reissued Max Wilk book on the stage show were great books in their own right, but I think this book tops them all.
   
   Although the numerous photos are the draw of this coffee-table book, a coffee-table book should offer much more than pretty photographs. For this it certainly delivers. His meticulously researched, well-written text tells us the whole Sound of Music story from Maria's birth to the first Austrian stage production in 2005. This book covers all important stops in the history of SOM up till now, and does not dwell too long on any one time period. An added treat is the inclusion of song lyrics and commentaries on the songs, explaining how they were written and what role they played in the musical. I admit there are a few typo errors in the text, but this well-researched book is jam-packed with facts of the musical. You could literally dip your teeth into it and come out a Sound of Music junkie. I do wish there were also lyrics and commentaries for I Have Confidence, So Long, Farewell and also The Lonely Goatherd.
   
   In short, a really great Sound of Music book that makes a splendidd addition to any Sound of Music collection, except that the print tends to be a little too small for the size of the book. Otherwise, a really wonderful book from cover to cover, and a seminal work in the entire world of this well-loved musical. I think this is a book that deserves to be in print forever.



2. Wonderful! Very complete compilation of many sources regarding the Sound of Music. Covers not only the movie, but also the stageplay, the history behind the script and music, and the history of the Von Trapps themselves. The pictures are absolutely beatiful! There are stills from the movie, from the original Broadway cast, from many Broadway revivals, as well as many behind the scenes shots. This is a must have for anybody who loves the story of the Sound of Music.



3. This is a wonderful book for THE SOUND OF MUSIC enthusiast. Lots of great background information and photographs. Thank you.



4. The Sound of Music Companion by Laurence Malson, Andrew Lloyd Webber should be owned by all who enjoyed the movie.
   
   
   Thanks



5. I bought this book for my daughter who is a Sound of Music affectionado. She loved the book and all the background materials provided.

5 comments about A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32.

1. I read this book for school. It is the journal of a 13 yr. old girl.
   Why is it "not the best book"?
   1. The story is fairly dull. Most of it is about her everyday life (some people might find that interesting, but I didn't AT ALL)
   2. The most exciting things that happen in the story, aren't that exciting.
   3. There is not really a "climax" to the story.
   4. Sometimes, she starts to write about an event in her journal, but never finishes it.
   5. It is written in 1800's style English, making it hard to understand sometimes.
   6. It abruptly ends; there isn't really a "conclusion" or a wrapping up of her thoughts.
   These are the reasons that this isn't the best book. I would NOT read it again or for pleasure.



2. It was an ok book. I think that it takes a very special talent to write a historical journal and this author didn't have it. With a journal you are suppose to write your personal feelings and thoughts. But this author never really wrote Catherine's feelings, which misses a big opportunity to relate to the character. Also with journals normally that have one big problem and then small every day problems. The one big problem is resolved at the end of the book and the small problems are resolved in about a week. A Gathering of Days didn't have every day problems and had three some what big problems that were never drawn out. It is a quick read and great if you are doing a lot of research on that time period with other books. If you are reading this for fun don't bother its not entertaining.
   ~Kenz



3. I did not enjoy reading the book, A Gathering of Days. The entire book uses odd phrasology that detracts from the overall effect of the story. The word choices throughout the book make it very difficult to read and understand. The story is fine in and of itself but I was unable to enjoy the story because of the heavy word usage and poor sentence structures.



4. I found the book "A Gathering of Days" interesting and filled with small pieces of history, but it was hard to comprehend and hard to read. The format of the book, journal entries written by a young girl, is neat, but her usage of out-dated words is odd and it takes time to grasp her meaning. Although this book was directed to a younger audience, I believe that older kids would better understand the phrases and words used. If you are interested in reading and seeing for yourself how life was and how people spoke in the 1800's, this book is perfect. The story was sweet and descriptive, but in my opinion, it is a one-time around book, and did not leave a huge impact on me.



5. 
   Blos, Joan W., author. A Gathering of Days. (1979).
   A Historical Fiction Chapter Book. This is my 7th chapter book reviewed.
   Winner of the Newberry Honor
   Time Period and Setting: New Hampshire: 1830-1832
   
   Written in the form of a journal, it is a story about a thirteen year old girl who finds courage within after her mom dies. In her journal, Catherine tells of her experiences in keeping house for her father and sister, the events of living in pre-civil war days, and the changes that take place in her life. She discusses many of the historical events of the time period.
   On the "Author's Note" page at the front of the book, the author writes, "I worked with documents and books and newspapers of the region, visited museums and small collections, and even explored old graveyards in search of further clues" (page unnumbered). It is with this care that the author is able to present a largely authentic story. Unveiling the time, settings, and events appear to be done with care. It is a way for readers to understand more about "Young America."
   Late elementary and early middle school students would find a personal connection to the story through its "journal" form. The entries are intriguing and they build up each other. In as much, students would find connection socially and personally to the character, Catherine. Some of the events in the story are much discussed. Looking at the world from her viewpoint could advance student's discoveries and help them to gather their own personal opinions of the valuable circumstances.

5 comments about 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cookbook.

1. I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK! My Grandmother owned this book and bought my mom a copy when she was married in 1937. When my grandmother died i got her copy. Now my daughter is 19 and moving away from home. I am buying myself a new copy as I am passing on my grandmothers original book to her. It provides all the basic down to earth information that a new cook needs and is not found in most modern day cookbooks.



2. Fannie Farmer was a favored ikon during my growing-up years in Ithaca. Later, I inherited her revered & well-worn cookbook, and after copying a few choice recipes such as my brother's favorite Snow Pudding, passed it on to an interested daughter.
   
   Now there are other editions to choose from: Penguin published a mini version you might be able to locate on e-bay. It has the chocolate cake of my childhood that must have been concocted in Fannie Farmer's kitchen but I am still not sure if the directions in this 'mini' sampler match my mother's celebrated dessert. Of course, the great treat then was to lick the spoon - - nowadays that fun is spoiled by warnings that even a smidgen of raw egg will bring on an early death. Well! Whichever version of Fannie Farmer's cookbook you explore, you will have great fun reading how things were 'in the good old days'.
   
   REVIEWER mcHAIKU urges you to read Deborah Hopkinson's amusing story "Fannie in the Kitchen" (isbn: 068981965x). These two books could be paired for a memorable shower OR holiday gift. Don't miss either one!



3. I clearly remember the day about 40 years ago when I talked my mother into buying a bottle of Final Touch fabric softener, a product she didn't even use, simply because it came with this free cookbook. I was 10 then, and dozens of cookbooks later, this is the one I turn to most often. The pages are brown and brittle, and began falling out years ago. I kept the book together with a rubber band, and now use a Ziploc bag. I want to make sure our family's favorite recipes are available to my 3 sons, so I'm buying this edition now. But I won't throw out my original copy with all its happy memories. Beyond all that nostalgia, the cookbook is phenomenal for all its practical, thorough explanations of food selection and cooking techniques. Outstanding value for the new or experienced cook/baker.



4. My favorite Maud Hart Lovelace book is Betsy's Wedding and I was very happy to find a recipe for Lady Baltimore Cake. I don't think that I will be making any of these recipes and I am not sure it was worth ten dollars but it's nice to know that pre-gadgetry, cakes were being churned out; that eases my baking anxiety.



5. I purchased this cookbook as a replacement for my mom it is a copy of her first cookbook. I grew up on the recipes and also bought copies for myself and my sister and my daughter. It is one of the easiest cookbooks I have ever used and the food it great.

4 comments about Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England.

1. I've always been fascinated by the Salem witchcraft trials, read all the books, seen all the movies. I didn't think there was much new to be said that I hadn't already heard, but I got this book anyway. And it was fabulous! Reis has a whole different take on the witchcraft trials. It was always puzzling to me why these women, who obviously weren't guilty, gave such convincing confessions in their trials. Reis put this all in the context of how the Puritans thought about religion and about gender. Great book.



2. Reis manages to make us look at the Salem trials as a religious event that takes place in a religious society. Rather than concentrating upon the petty squabbles that may (or may not) have provided the immediate catalyst for accusations, she shows us how Puritan women were taught to view sin and how they increasingly thought of themselves as inherently sinful. Somehow, she manages to make us understand the terrible torment that the accused women suffered in their trials but also in their souls. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Salem episode or women and religion.



3. all this book has done is denounce women and witches. the writer should review how her "subjects" really are before she strikes them down! VERY DISTATSEFUL



4. Reis' book is an excellent and original analysis concerning the role of gender in the Salem Witchcraft trials. A welcome addition to the extensive corpus of literature already available on the subject. "Ciacat" should read the books she reviews before she strikes them down.

5 comments about The Lighthouse Handbook: New England: The Original Lighthouse Field Guide.

1. I obtained a prepublication copy of Jeremy D'Entremont's The Lighthouse Handbook: New England directly from the author. The week before last I spent photographing lighthouses in New England, specifically Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. While I've been to many of the Maine lights in the past, directions got me quickly to the Doubling Point range lights that I completely missed finding the last time I went looking for them. I had basically no experience visiting the lighthouses of Massachusetts. I found the book indispensable for getting to some of the Mass lights, Annisquam Light, in particular. I would have never found that one without this great field guide. I would highly recommend the book for anyone with an interest in lighthouses -- the volume contains a wealth of information on each of the individual lights. The photographs of the various lights are excellent albeit small since this is a field guide. For anyone traveling to New England with an interest in visiting the lights, especially those that are more out of the way, the directions Jeremy provides to guide you to these lights makes the book worth its weight in gold! Order a copy, you certainly won't regret having it on your bookshelf!



2. This is the very best handbook to lighthouses in New England. It is also a beautiful package, well priced and written by "the" expert on lighthouses in this part of the world. The photographs are great, the design is wonderful, and the helpful travel/driving directions are a blessings as many of the New England lighthouses are in remote locations.



3. The Lighthouse Handbook: New England: The Original Lighthouse Field Guide
   This title doesn't begin to tell the story. The Author has somehow put together a totally complete article on every existing lighthouse from way Down East Maine to cosmopolitan western Connecticut. History, both old and new photos, anecdotes and directions.
   Hundreds of books have been put together on this subject but D'Entremont has somehow outdone them all. This is the ultimate New England Lighthouse directory.



4. This handbook is a must have for those interested in touring, photographing, visiting, or even just learning about New England lighthouses. The author is a lighthouse expert. He is the vice president and historian of the American Lighthouse Foundation, as well as co-chairman of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor. This complete guide also features beautiful, full color photographs of every lighthouse.
   
   My favorite aspect of this book are the little side-trips that are featured with many of the lighthouses. It was so helpful to know that there was an aquarium or another point of interest worth checking out after a visit to a lighthouse!
   
   I recommend this book to all!



5. This is without a doubt the most informative and beautiful lighthouse handbook on the lighthouses in New England. From what I can tell, this covers every lighthouse in New England -- in color -- even those that are on private property or built privately. It's part travel guide, part history book, and also a beautiful coffee table book that can fit in your glove compartment! We used it for a trip through Cape Cod this summer and really enjoyed the knowledge that the publisher and the author have packed into this book. If you are interested in learning about or visiting these wonderful and historic landmarks, then this book is A MUST!

3 comments about Salem-Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England.

1. This book is a collection of trial transcripts, maps, and other documents and information regarding the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The most famous of witch trials, the hysteria is recaptured here for you to sort through yourself. This book is NOT a "story", but a valuable tool for doing your own research on the matter. Fabulous reading, wonderous facts, mysterious information, and education abound. Buy this book today!



2. the story is marvelous and i really did like i



3. Why did the sober New England residents of Salem suddenly find witches in their midst? And why Salem and not, say, Williamsburg? Historians answer questions like these by going to the original documents, and that's exactly what you have here: the original documents, edited into modern English.
   
   Along the way you'll discover conflicts between Salem and Salem Village, a congregation that wasn't allowed to have a church, personal conflicts and jealousy and revenge, and even a hint of a land grab.
   
   But you have to figure out the answers for yourself. All the clues are in your hands. All you have to do is put them together and make sense of them. Later on, you can read Salem Possessed by the same authors and see what professional historians can tease from this data. That was a humbling experience, but I wouldn't have missed doing my own detective work for the world.