5 comments about The Road to Nab End: A Lancashire Childhood.

1. William Woodruff and I have something in common; we were both born and reared poor in Lancashire, doubly lucky as Mr Woodruff puts it. The book itself is a reader, you pick it up and you can't put it down. There is always something else you want to read in the next chapter. It is a shame the book had an ending to it as it leaves you wanting more.

   Like one of the other reviewers I was a bit disappointed when the text was dumbed down, probably for our American cousins, as little discrepancies showed through the text. For instance, stating ten pennies instead of ten pence (we would have said it 'tenpunce') and the absolute glaring mistake of calling a tanner 6p when it should have been 6d and a dodger is 3d not 3p. Little details like this tend to eat at me.

   The book was easy to read and if you know a little about Lancashire, specifically Blackburn, you will find it fascinating.

   Tim Brimelow 19 May 2003




2. You don't have to have been born in Blackburn (as I was) to appreciate this wonderful true story of a childhood in poverty with all the wit and humour and honesty of the working class. Their hopes for a better and fairer future are vivid and the story ends with an emotional desire from the reader to know how and if this young man succeeds as he takes his steps away from Lancashire. Inevitably the reader will read the sequel Beyond Nab End which is even better but read this first.



3. This is a wonderful book which, as an Anglophile, I loved reading. Just a word to those who feel it some of the terms are American. Remember, please, that the author is now living in the US, and new terms become automatically one's own after a while. And yes, there is a sequel to this book!



4. I came upon this book after hearing brief snippets of it serialised BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
   It had added interest for me as I know Blackburn (at least modern Blackburn) very well, it was later a surprise to discover I knew virtually nothing of the town.
   The book is evocative and stirring as you follow the authors journey from early childhood to his 16th year, when he finally leaves a deprived, economically and spiritual broken town for London, in hope of work and a better life.
   The journey in between is a rich array of colourful and long forgotton characters and ways of life. Most striking by far is the harshness of past societies in which the poor were virtually ground into the dirt and totally at mercy of commerce. Yet still the love and joy of these kindly, caring and sweet natured people shines through, it took a great deal to make them lose all hope. One cannot help but to think that these poor and hardworking forbares made more than a little of the muscle in the British national psyche.
   The Authors journey is one of love, loss and curiousity, his intelligence is meant for better things than the dust and grime of cotton mills but so hard worked are his people and he that this realisation is a long time coming.
   Highlights characters are Grandma Bridget and the lovley Aunts he visits in Summer. Quite a journey and very much a joy to read.



5. One thing that poverty didn't diminish is Woodruff's powers of recall. Though, as soon as he becomes literate, one senses he'll inexorably transcend his meagre beginnings which ring most vividly in this tale. I loved the regional patois as much as the rising political conscience of the working class boy. The years roll by with the daily grind, humilities accompanying the unjust disenfranchisement of workers; Dickensian conditions that were worse in Lancanshire than other industrial zones. Woodruff's effortless prose is as tough as his father's persistent presence and as nuanced as his mum's mercurial mood shifts. Fortunately for readers,'Nab's End' is no end, but a beginning to further tales from post adolesence. Having just closed the covers on Roy McFadyen's, 'at A Cost', I opened Woodruff to discover a parallel story in times bedevilled by poverty and dire economic depression. If you want to visit the comparison and find, at a pinch, an even more extraordinary childhood,'At a Cost' is published and distributed by its author @ 15 Maryann Street, Golden Beach, Queensland, Australia 4551.

No comments about Prodigal Nation: Moral Decline and Divine Punishment from New England to 9/11.

No comments about Fodor's Boston 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

5 comments about Ethan Frome (Enriched Classics (Pocket)).

1. The Romeo and Juliet of its time, Ethan Frome is a suspenseful story about a man shackled by marriage to the lady of his nightmares, and when he finds the love of his dreams he is torn to shreds by what he should do and what he needs to do. An excerpt from the story that best summarizes his predicament is "With the sudden perception of the point to which his madness had carried him, the madness fell and he saw his life before him as it was. He was a poor man, the husband of a sickly woman, whom his desertion would leave alone and destitute; and even if he had the heart to desert her he could have done so only by deceiving two kindly people who had pitied him." As you can see the story has an intricately designed plot that keeps you wondering until the end.



2. I was surprised to receive this very thin, small novel, but within those 175 pages, Edith Wharton has woven a supremely delicate and beautiful tale. If you're looking to be taken away to another place and another time - but only have a few hours - this is the book for you! Anita Shreve's introduction is equally impressive.



3. Edith Wharton filled her novels with a feeling of ruin, passion and restriction. People can fall in love, but rarely do things turn out well.
   
   But but few of even her books can evoke the feeling of "Ethan Frome," whick packs plenty of emotion, vibrancy and regrets into a short novella. While the claustrophobic feeling doesn't suit her writing well, she still spins a beautiful, horrifying story of a man facing a life without hope or joy.
   
   It begins nearly a quarter of a century after the events of the novel, with an unnamed narrator watching middle-aged, crippled Ethan Frome drag himself to the post-office. He becomes interested in Frome's tragic past, and hears out his story.
   
   Ethan Frome once hoped to live an urban, educated life, but ended up trapped in a bleak New England town with a hypochondriac wife, Zeena, whom he didn't love. But then his wife's cousin Mattie arrives, a bright young girl who understands Ethan far better than his wife ever tried to. Unsurprisingly, he begins to fall in love with her, but still feels an obligation to his wife.
   
   But then Zeena threatens to send Mattie away and hire a new housekeeper, threatening the one bright spot in Ethan's dour life. Now Ethan must either rebel against the morals and strictures of his small village, or live out his life lonely. But when he and Mattie try for a third option, their affair ends in tragedy.
   
   Wharton was always at her best when she wrote about society's strictures, morals, and love that defies that. But rather than the opulent backdrop of wealthy New York, here the setting is a bleak, snowy New England town, appropriately named Starkfield. It's a good reflection of Ethan Frome's life, and a good illustration of how the poor can be trapped.
   
   Even when she describes a "ruin of a man" in a cold, distant town, Wharton spins beautiful prose ("the night was so transparent that the white house-fronts between the elms looked gray against the snow") and eloquent symbolism, like the shattered pickle dish. There's only minimal dialogue -- most of what the characters think and feel is kept inside.
   
   Instead she piles on the atmosphere, and increases the tension between the three main characters, as attraction and responsibility pull Ethan in two directions. It all finally climaxes in the disaster hinted at in the first chapter, which is as beautifully written and wistful as it is tragic.
   
   If the book has a flaw, it's the incredibly small cast -- mainly just the main love triangle. Ethan's not a strong or decisive man, but his desperation and loneliness are absolutely heartbreaking, as well as his final fate. Mattie seems more like a symbol of the life he wants that a full-fledged person, and Zeena is annoying and whiny up until the end, when we see a different side of her personality. Not a stereotypical shrew.
   
   "Ethan Frome" is a true tragedy -- as beautifully written as it is, it's still Wharton's description of how a man merely survives instead of living, hopeless and devastated.



4. Aristocratic New York woman residing in Paris writes about impoverished New England man's demise in love - a formula which few would encourage today, and certainly was a misanthropic venture in 1911 when this book was published.
   
   But, Wharton excels in her delivery. The dialogue incorporates much of the Massachusetts' accent. The description of the countryside: magnificent. "On a road I had never traveled, we am to an orchard of starved apple trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breath." And, the story - Bronte meets Sterling. Depressing, grey as the winter weather, and as cold as a Massachusetts' December.
   
   Zeena, originally thought to be named Zenobia, is Ethan Frome's wife from hell. They live in the aptly named town of Starkfield. Zeena, ill and nagging, haunts Ethan as her querulous droning echoes in his psyche, whether he be in the home listening or safely outside working in the farm. Zeena's niece, Mattie or Matt, comes to aid her ailing aunt. And, without any appreciation, she does her chores.
   
   Frome's exclusive enjoyment is seeing Mattie's face each morning - so much does he like this that he commences shaving every morning to look right for her. The amorous affection is not a one-way road. Each becomes increasingly more entranced by the other. And, when Zeena leaves for an overnight stay at a doctor's, opportunity knocks.
   
   But, this is Wharton and written about people in puritanical Massachusetts in the late 19th century - much of the book is reminiscing in 1911 about what transpired 20 years earlier. Illicit love is the forbidden fruit. Contract or arranged marriages delivered sexual pleasure, not love of the heart. Wharton's characters often are prisoners of their societal marriages - Ethan Frome being worse than others as he also lacks any societal privileges or money. True love is doomed too often in Wharton's books: Selden in "House of Mirth", Newland Archer in "Age of Innocence" and Ralph Marvell in "The Custom of the Country" lead similar demises.
   
   The ending is tremendously depressing. I will not detail what transpired, as that would be unfair to readers of this review. But, its twist is what reminds me of Sterling or O'Henry. It was both alarming, and perfect.



5. This book is very well written and heartfelt, but realize this is NOT a book you read when you need cheering up! If you wish to explore human emotion, however, this is a great way to explore that through fiction. Good read!

3 comments about Jack and the Beanstalk (We Both Read).

1. Beautifully illustrated and written - the story is true to the fairy tales original plot. I especially like the fact that children can enjoy and participate in this book at their own level. My almost 4 year old boy is an early reader -- he can phonetically pronounce more than half the words on the children's pages, and adds new words each time we read it. His twin sister is just starting to sound out words, but watches with interest as I read the children's pages to her and point to each word as I say it. We're planning to give a copy of this book in the "goody bag" to each child at their 4 year old birthday party next month!



2. A really great idea in children's books! The adult reads the paragraphs on the left side of the book. The parent's sides are full of descriptive words that add to the story. The child reads the right side of the book. The words continue to tell the story, but in more simple words. My son (age five) loves to read these books. The when I read my section, it gives him a much needed break, and he can just imagine what is going on in the story. When it is his turn to read, he is ready to participate!



3. This book was very good and had a lot of humor. The author

   really gets into telling us how Jack got the magic beans by

   trading his cow for them. His mother thought he was dumb for

   buying the beans. So he throws them out the window then grow

   and Jack climbs the stalk to the top. While looking around sees

   the giant then steals his harp. When Jack gets to the bottom

   and while the giant was climbing Jack choped the giants stalk.

   So the giant is destroyed and everybody lives happily ever

   after. This would be a good book for a fairy tale loving person.

2 comments about Insiders' Guide to Portland, Maine (Insiders' Guide Series).

1. This book is an excellent guide to Maine's largest city and its surrounding area. Unlike THE INSIDERS' GUIDE TO THE MAINE COAST, this one actually has information on local radio stations, in addition to the lowdown on Bull Moose Music and the Maine Mall, so it gives you a complete picture on how to keep your promise to your significant other regarding dance-music choices and purchases. Moreover, like the book on the Maine Coast, this one includes some ideas on where to get in shape for your significant other and/or your favorite celebrity. Overall, this is a book no one going to the Maine Coast can afford to be without.



2. My wife an I are are thinking about relocating when we retire, and this book has made us think that Portland, ME is a place we should condider moving to. It has been instrumental in not only peaking our interest in the area but also in helping us organise a look see visit this summer. I highly recommend it.

3 comments about Best Loop Hikes: New Hampshire's White Mountains to the Maine Coast (Best Hikes).

1. "Best Loop Hikes" is a great resources for hikers of all levels. Many books have been written about hikes in Maine and New Hampshire, but I haven't read one before which focuses specifically on the White Mountains and the Maine Coast. I was pleasantly surprised when the book I pre-ordered from Amazon came in before the April 2006 published released date. The book will especially appeal to those who also enjoy wildlife: each hike describes local flora and fauna, with a particular emphasis on native birds. The author also plugs local land trusts, the conservation organizations that preserve local parcels of land, maintaining them so that hikers and others can enjoy their trails. There is also historical information provided for many of the surrounding areas. This is an excellent resource for both avid hikers and the more casual walker.



2. Summers are short and precious here in Maine and any outdoor enthusiast, especially with kids in tow, knows that finding a loop hike for the whole family - one that can be done in single day - can be a challenge. This guide makes it easy to find that trail.
   
   This book not only gives you the low down on the trails themselves, but the natural history, wildlife and geological insights that add dimension and interest to even the familiar trail.
   
   Stuff this one in your backpack and leave the rest of the guides at home.



3. This book was a gift and the person receiving it has realy loved it.

1 comments about American Map New England: Road Atlas: Connecticut - Massachusetts - Rhode Island - Maine - New Hampshire - Vermont (American Map).

1. This book was great for helping us get around the interstates and highways. It doesn't have much in the way of smaller town road maps making getting around in small New England towns a bit more cumbersome. But I do recommend the book for anyone planning a trip to multiple New England states.

5 comments about Acadia: The Complete Guide: Mt. Desert Island & Acadia National Park.

1. Only used the Bar Harbor and Acadia stuff, but overall it's a great guide to Mt. Desert Island. Hike the Beehive!



2. Terrific book! We visited Acadia for the first time this year. The author's descriptions are excellent, but most important his recommendations (on restaurants, things to do, which hikes to make, etc) are excellent. He gives clues on where to go for those seeking to avoid the crowds, and he also describes the 'must-do' tourist things on Acadia. Of the various guides we brought with us on our Maine trip, this was hands down the most useful.



3. I really enjoyed this travel book. We're heading to Acadia National Park this summer and I feel like I'm well equipped to make good use of our time. I particularly liked James' style ... young, smart, no BS. I'm taking him up on some of his off-the-beaten-path recommendations. I feel like I've gotten the inside scoop from a local down at the corner diner. Keep up the good work Jim. I'll look for your book when we get around to heading out west.



4. I've been visiting Acadia for years, so most of what is in this book is not a surprise for me, but it does include info on a few things I haven't done. Does a good job at giving an overview of the park and the towns located on the island. I have James Kaiser's book on Joshua Tree (which is what inspired me to get this despite the fact that I could probably write my own guidebook on Acadia with little effort), and they're both really quality guidebooks, and the perfect size to throw in your backpack and carry around for the day, yet manage to have a lot of info in them. They both include good descriptions of the most popular hikes and attractions in the park, as well as historical and ecological information which I find is great to really appreciate a place. They're also filled with lots of amazing full color photos, which is great. I highly recommend this book and hope that the author publishes more guidebooks on other national parks as well.



5. We recently returned from a 5 day getaway to Mount Desert Island and had a wonderful time exploring the park and entire Island. This book was an excellent companion to our journey and helped us use our time wisely. We love to swim and without the book, we would never have found the hidden gem of a spot this book recommends on Echo Lake.

1 comments about Maine's Most Scenic Roads (Traveler's Guides).

1. Unspoiled Maine is criss-crossed with pretty roads that traverse some of the handsomest scenery in the Northeast. This book directs the traveler to the best routes with full descriptions along the way. Nothing quite like it, and you'll never wind up on some congested superhighway! Recommended for those who like to explore off the beaten track.