Vermont Books

This book on mentalities has many strands, and this attempt to explain its themes will involve much simplification. As a scholarly work, it maintains a certain dignity which avoids the insults that I have come to expect when reading poets like Archilochus, or Heine, and also found in the coarse German philosophers, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. Written in the wake of the bicentennial of the French Revolution, the longest chapter is called "The Role of Memory in the Historiography of the French Revolution." (pp. 124-153). The book mentions only a few philosophers, mainly Vico and Foucault.

Vico was one of the first to claim that Homeric epics were not written by an individual but emerged from a group of blind seers who for hundreds of years were "an emblem of the collective authorship of the epic poetry that bears the name." (p. 43). HISTORY AS AN ART OF MEMORY by Patrick H. Hutton supports Vico's attempts to determine the significance and meaning of some of the world's most ancient literature. "Rhapsode, he explained, literally meant `stitcher-together of songs,' and Homer was such a `binder of fables.' " (p. 44). Vico's ideas are compared with the book PREFACE TO PLATO (1963) by Eric Havelock, in which, "Havelock was struck by the vehemence with which the philosopher Plato in his famous essay THE REPUBLIC banished the poet Homer from his projected ideal society for the `crippling effect' his poetry might have on the mind. Although scholars had long construed Plato's judgment as a philosophical position between ancients and moderns, Havelock pointed out that the quarrel was better appreciated as a clashing of incompatible mentalities, not merely of opposing ideas. . . . Plato scorned Homer because he formed his thoughts in an altogether different way." (pp. 45-46). Rather than blaming philosophy, it might be possible to blame Plato for attempting to think on behalf of a state that counted on loyalty far more than it valued thought. Postmodern people who have encountered such curses (a few surfaced on some Nixon White House tapes in the 1970s) know that this long tradition of those who believe strongly in duty is not likely to disappear from history anytime soon.

Rather than joking about how much cursing a postmodern world has shown itself capable of producing, I should admit that I was also looking for jokes in this book, and found that jokes were mentioned in the discussion of Freud's study of "the unconscious mind's compulsion to repeat its unresolved dilemmas." (pp. 64-65). Jokes which work by association with things that no one should ever forget help uncover the past. "These places of memory are marked in many ways: among them, parapraxes (slips of the tongue); jokes; dreams; screen memories; and even compulsive behavior." (p. 65). Those who have been compelled to do many unpleasant duties might find some of them more absurd than the usual joke, but as such instances are quite common in history and still possible in postmodern times, "parapraxes and jokes mask the memories that lie closest to the surface of consciousness, and the unconscious conflicts that they hide are easiest to discern." (p. 66). When a lie is really close to consciousness, the conflict that is easiest to discern is about who gets to spread lies and who is supposed to take it with stomach in, chest out, trap shut.

Seriously though, I thought about whether a few lines in this book might be considered insults. Maurice Halbwachs is described as "admirer of the socialist tribune Jean Jaures and himself a committed socialist. His writings display his thorough grounding in economics, not to mention a passion for statistical analysis seemingly at odds with the focus on imagery and imagination that the topic of memory requires." (pp. 73-74). If that seems to start with something that looks like an insult, it largely escapes from it by changing the subject. Published posthumously in 1950, Halbwachs managed to escape responsibility for things he hadn't done due to the war. "One senses, too, that his thoughts on the subject were still provisional at the time of his death in 1945 in a concentration camp at Buchenwald, a victim of Nazi persecution." (p. 74). If anything appeals to the idea of collective memory, not finished under those circumstances, his book is on the right topic.

Chapter 6, Michel Foucault, History as Counter-Memory, is quite free of insults, for a chapter that discusses "insanity" (p. 106), "the crazed, the nonconformist, and the eccentric" (p. 106), "Madmen" (p. 106), "ship of fools" (p. 106) "pariah" (p. 106), "insane asylums" (p. 107), "Foucault's tableau of the madhouse" (p. 107), "The Foucault phenomenon well illustrates the turn from social to cultural history in French historiography since the early 1970s. An emblem of that shift, Foucault also contributed to its accomplishment." (p. 108). "Like Nietzsche, Foucault was challenging the Hegelian notion that history unfolds logically from primordial beginnings. Most historians practicing today would consider this an intellectual battle long since won. Few would place their faith in metahistorical designs. But Foucault's argument took the challenge a step further by charging that an historiographical tradition unwittingly perpetuates belief in such a design." (p. 112). "Laments about the demise of coherent traditions of literature or patterns of history invoke myths invented to serve the ends of those presently in power." (p. 114). Getting really postmodern, "The imperative to speak openly about sexuality as a means of finding out the truth about ourselves, he observed, is the true sexual revolution of our times." (p. 114). "Looking into the psyche, therefore, is like looking into the mirror image of a mirror." (p. 115). I really skipped a lot. Then, "He could be thin-skinned about criticism of his method by professional historians, as his angry reply to a review . . ." (p. 115) certainly showed how reflective he could be when provoked in a postmodern way.

I have personally read all of Bernadette Pruitt's books, and have loved them all. I thought that this one would be just as good as the others, but I can honestly say that this book was a let down compared to the other stories.

The novel begins conflict between Erin and Wyatt. Wyatt, who was the lawyer of the opposing party, moves in next door to Erin. Erin grows doubtful of Wyatt's selfless reasons for moving in next door, but allows her niece, Lily to associate with the man none the less.

Between the constant black cloud that Erin lives under, and Lily, Erin learns to love Wyatt. Her vulnerablity increases as she grows to care for the man that tried to take Lily away. Wyatt, whom was recoving from a horrible past marriage, believes that a ready-made family is something he DOES NOT need. Yet, he learns to love Lily, as well as Erin. Needless to say, the ending proves to be a happy one. Yet, compared with other Pruitt novels, I found this novel to be less convincing than the others. BUT, I definitly recommend "The Christmas Wish" by Pruitt. It is worth the money.

Don't let my "3-star" rating fool you, this is an excellent book. But don't bother if you plan to hike the Deerfield Valley - there is really only two (maybe three) routes in what is known as southern Vermont's hikers' paradise.
But if you plan on hiking around the Connecticut River Valley, this guide may be just the thing for you. It includes detailed information on flora, fauna, and even some historical and archeological information. Well worth the price, no matter where you plan to hike.

In her fifth mystery tale, B. Comfort again has Tish McWhinney, the intrepid septnagarian sleuth, embroiled in the sometime questionable activities of the inhabitants of Lofton, a fictional village located somewhere in vermont. Like her creator, Tish is an artist. She has just been asked by her octogenarian beau, Hilary Oats, to commit what she views as a forgery. He wants her to do a painting of dogs, something that can appear to be antique and of impressive value. Hillary, it seems, has invested once again in a hare-brained venture by his beloved grandson Bruce, this time it's a mobile supply source of doggy items to be sold at dog shows. Reluctantly, Tish agrees instead to touch up and old painting found in the attic featuring a pair of terrior. With this slightly criminal act, she becomes deeply involved in Bruce's role as a concessopnaire at the forthcoming dog show in Londonderry, and eventually she finds herself tracking suspicious characters who may be involved in more than one murder. Tish doesn't like snoopy people, hates to think of herself as one of them, but "can't think of a gentler word" to describe herself. Luckily she is the narrator, because she has a sense of drama, a very sharp eye for human frivolities and pretenses and a fine sardonic wit. She knows everyone in town, and in fact the wholesale introductions in the beginning chapter mean that it takes a while for the reader to distuinguish the leads from the extras in a variegated cast. Among them is Tish's beuteous niece Sophie who devoted herself to her goat farm, and George, who describes himself as a graduate student, who seems to have moved in with her. Also on the scene are Bruce's daughter and ex-wife and her Texas entrepreneur husband. A couple with dubious credentials has come to towm to take over the Lofton general store and do not appear to e fitting in to local patterns. And there is a gallery owner from Woodstock who specializes in animal art, particularly canines. B. Comfort has perfect pitch and a portraitist's eye in her renditions of the locals, birthright Vermonters, newcomers, summer residents, rural characters, dog people, elders, youngsters, and in between. It is all seen from Tish's well-honed point of view, and if the plot is not particularly challenging, never mind, for it's all gret fun and games, with a chortle on every page. It is to be hoped that Tish continues her dramatic career as a snoop.

I had read some of the Soup books before and I was thinking that this one would be good also. I think that this book is fun and seems to be real in some things in life. Even if parts of the book is bad, it gets beter.

The best part of the book is went they get in the wagon and the horse run away. They crash itto the water tower and it falls over.

I think that Soup was the best character in the story. He was the funniest person in the story and get in more truoble. The conflict is when the wagon was on fire.

This book presents a history of Vermont from pre-historic times until about 1930. Rather than focusing on names, dates, and chronologies, the author seeks to tell us the stories behind the major events in Vermont history. While some parts of the book are quite interesting, others drag on and the book could have used a heavier hand in editing. The strongest and most interesting feature today is that the author communicates to us the beliefs that Vermonters of her generation had about their state.

I'm a Vermonter, right? So, I got a laugh out of this book. Yup. Reminds me of the guy up the road. Do I think it would appeal to non-Vermonters or people without friends or relations in Vermont? Nope. Prob'ly not.

I thought this book was about Paris Hilton.

Paris Hilton wasn't mentioned in it AT ALL!!!

What a waste of time.

The pictures were nice though, I love pictures.

All through this book, I kept remembering that writer's workshop mantra, "Show, don't tell". Being constantly told what characters were feeling and why they were doing things was annoying. The author definitely needed the assistance of a good editor or a good writing coach, because this telling-us-everything habit seriously marred what might have been an interesting story.
I did love the photos of the Vermont countryside.

Although her descriptive writing is often marvellously picturous, I found it sometimes detailed to the point of being tedious. This story moves slower than the two prominently featured oxen. I really did try to read this, but by page #131 I was so bored it simply had become a chore and I gave up. Those with more patience than I may like it, but there are so many other books to read I couldn't waste anymore time on this one. Sorry, but what good is a review if it's not honest?

The Simple Life by Ruth Porter is an engaging tale depicting the reality of our human tendencies and inevitable, and the observation that those particular connections to our nature may be our most important and influential connections. Tactfully relating to its readers as the intimate tale of a rural tragedy, The Simple Life is an intuitive and intricate metaphor for the beauty and disposition which we as humans place ourselves into every day through out our lives, regardless of predetermined or understood truths. The Simple Life is very highly recommended to all readers of general fiction for its deftly presented message and an invaluable understanding of human nature and reality as a piece of modern American literature.

I read the other reviews and was shocked by what happened to those people. We spent two weeks in New England last summer and booked all our reservations from this wonderful resource. Every place we stayed was exactly like it was described in the book. An example of some of the inns we used were The Inns At Mill Fallls (wonderful and top knotch in every detail),The Dan'l Webster Inn (the dining room was excellent and service was also fabulous),Nauset House (a great value, interesting guests and a breakfast to remember), The Rangeley Inn (wonderful small communtiy, beautifully decorated and delicious food). We would use this resource again.

My husband used this book to plan a romantic getaway for our wedding anniversary in New England. From this book's description, a place named the 'Water's Edge Inn' sounded like the perfect option. However we arrived to find it a horrid place with tacky decor in the common buildings and were given a dark room with stained bedspread, a tiny window overlooking the parking lot, tacky old furniture, and decor last updated in about 1958.

As with any travel book, the author may only place ads for those that pay for them. However, I am deeply disappointed with how completely misleading the descriptions were.

This book also recommends The Vermont Inn in Killington, which was infested with fruit flies. When I tried to check out one day earlier, the innkeeper refused to credit my deposit, and I am taking it up with the credit card companies, as well as writing to all the guidebooks about the lousy service.

I am complaining to the guidebook to see if they will update their review.

Robert

I liked this book and used it for some paddling & camping in NH. It gave nice descriptions of the water conditions and paddling descriptions. I agree that it's not a 'how to' book on camping. It's a reference for people who know camping already and are looking for rivers to paddle & camp along.

This book's title is misleading, and provides next to no info about camping. Its information about water conditions and white water classifications is pathetic (and unsafe) as well. More information is available about the rivers the author chose to include in the DeLorme Vermont Gazeteer and Atlas. I wish I didn't order this book, it will become camping toilet paper or an emergency fire starter.