Maine Books

Wild Rose is a delightful love story. It is a tale about two unlikely misfits, Geneva Patterson and Captain Caleb Phelps.
Geneva grew up in a small coastal town, Haven's End, Maine. Her mother died when she was young and her harsh father raised her. Upon his death, Geneva was left alone. She lives a solitary life selling fish and produce to the local villagers. Her large retriever, Jake, is her only companion.
Caleb Phelps, raised in Boston in his father's shipping business has had every advantage offered him. Yet, he is forced into solitary life by his stubborn refusal to turn his cousin in for crimes that Caleb is suspected of. He moves to Haven's End to start again.
When the two meet, a slow friendship develops. They help each other's loneliness and over time love grows. Like a wild rose growing in the field, their loves bears the pain of many thorns and must weather difficult storms, but when it blooms it carries the sweetest fragrance of all.
Ruth Axtell Morren wrote for the heart of all who have found themselves on the outside of the group at some point in life. Pick up this book for a wonderful excursion into the lives of Caleb and Geneva.

Wild Rose is basically a re-telling of My Fair Lady. Geneva Patterson is a social outcast- no one pays her much attention and she likes it that way. She dresses like a man, hoping to avoid any unwanted and inappropriate advances. She lives alone with her feisty dog, Jake, gardening, fishing, and selling her wares. She lives a lonely existence but it suits her. That is until a fateful meeting with Captain Caleb Phelps. He becomes her knight in shining armor. She helps him grow and tend a garden. And in turn, he helps her learn to read. Like Pygmalion/My Fair Lady, teacher and student come to rely on each other and the potential is laid for the sweet romance to come. Caleb too is somewhat of a social outcast being accused of crimes that everyone else is quick to believe as legitimate. Only Geneva is able to see his true character and know that he is innocent.

There were some points with too much exposition, that slowed down the pace but otherwise it's a pretty fast-paced, charming historical romance. There are some great, well-rounded characters that were fun to `watch'- it's only a sign of good things to come when you genuinely care about what happens to each character. The romance between Geneva and Caleb is so sweetly simple; my favorite part was watching their affections evolve and each not seeing the depth of emotion reflected in the obvious stutters, blushes, etc. I had hoped that there would be a bit of a pirate romance since he is the captain of a ship... but alas there was none. Just my wishful thinking... I am curious to read more of Ms. Morren's works. Because this is definitely a good enough story to want to find more just as good or better.

Ruth Axtell Morren has written a tender Cinderella story - Wild Rose. In this historical, Geneva Patterson is scorned by the members of her small fishing village, Haven's End, rather than the members of her family. What family? She has none.

After the death of her father, Geneva is left alone to fend for herself. Her mother had passed away years before, and there are no siblings. Geneva lives her life as she sees fit, doing the best she can and ignoring the loneliness.

Only one bright light appears on Geneva's horizon, Captain Caleb Phelps. He comes to her rescue when a group of village boys pick on her as she is tying to sell her fruits and vegetables. His kindness touches her and is branded in her memory.

Almost a year later, Captain Phelps returns to Haven's End to live. He has fled from Boston where his name is running through the gossip mill. Even his father has succumbed to the rumors.

In a rough sort of way, Geneva and Caleb form a friendship. She offers advice and assistance in growing his garden, and he returns her help by loaning his muscles for her heavy work and treating her as an equal.

As you read, Wild Rose, you will be drawn into the story and the characters. You'll cheer Geneva and Caleb along their journeys to freedom, joy, spiritual enlightenment, and love.

Morren is an excellent storyteller. Wild Rose will keep you turning pages until the satisfying end.

Geneva Patterson--"Salt Fish Ginny" to the townspeople of Haven's End--has only herself and her faithful dog Jake to rely on. Ever since her father's death, she has taken care of herself by selling vegetables from her garden and fishing. Dressed like a man in overalls and hat, she hopes to avoid those who would compromise her.

A careless prank by some youngsters while on the pier, throws Geneva in the path of Captain Caleb Phelps, heir to the Phelps shipping empire headquartered in Boston. Caleb is enamored by his fiance, Arabella Harding, and barely notices Geneva, though he offers her kindness by helping her when no one else would.

After Caleb is suspected of a crime against his father's company, Arabella leaves him for another. He returns to Haven's End, hoping to hide out until the scandal blows over and he's more sure of his future. Little does he know that there is just as much gossip in Haven's End as he left behind in Boston--or that his nearest neighbor is the girl he rescued on the pier so long ago.

A friendship is born when Geneva helps Caleb with his garden. It grows into something more when Caleb discovers the delicate wild rose hiding beneath men's overalls. But will his past overshadow the tentative hope for a future with Geneva? Will Geneva's social standing and rough upbringing keep her from a relationship with Caleb? Can she learn to trust the God that Caleb and his friend Mrs. Bradford have told her about?

Morren's excellent use of internal monologue, dialogue and setting draws the reader straight into Haven's End and doesn't let go until the very end. The conflict between hero and heroine is poignant and well handled. Both characters struggle to overcome their past, and Morren uses these struggles to paint a picture of the God who wants to draw them near.

Armchair Interviews says: If you love historical romance, you won't be able to put this novel down. Highly recommended.

Social outcast Geneva Patterson lives a solitary existence...and she likes that just fine. Until, that is, a disgraced Captain Caleb Phelps moves into her small village and turns everything she's ever know inside out. The classic premise of a woman transformed from diamond-in-the-rough to belle of the ball through an unlikely match is made completely new in Morren's novel. You'll fall in love with the book and want to read it a second and third time. I had a hard time letting the characters go at the novel's conclusion. Morren has quickly shot up to the top of my favorite authors list--something that has not happened in a very long time. A must-read!

I love this book . It is awsome . In the begining it is just a little bit slow but stick with it it is very very worth it !!!!
I would recomed this book for ages 11 and up . It is the best book ever . If you are considering buying it , Please do .

Nothing really bad happened to the kids in this book. Widow Chase was almost too nice to them, and she let them live in her house. And the girl's little brother hardly got into any trouble, and was hardly ever a problem. Better for younger readers.

On the surface, Stopping to Home seems simple. Two children who have lost their family find a new one. But they do so within the confines of an 1806 Maine seacoast community, and ten months in which they, and the reader, experience life in early 19th century Maine. The heroine, Abbie, is strong and resourceful, and her brother Seth is a delight. Highly recommended.

I'm a lot older than 12, but I loved this book, and shared it with several friends who grew up in Maine, as well as with my grandchildren. The story is moving and credible and has more complexity than meets the eye ... but the beauty is in the background details about early nineteenth century Maine. Layering pine boughs around houses in fall to protect against snows ... high church pews that keep out drafts ... cooking fiddleheads and dandelions in the spring .... I loved this book, and so did my three grandchildren. Although they were amazed at what children of 4 and 11 were expected to do in those days! It inspired some interesting talks about the past. Definitely recommend this book.

Abbie & Seth Chambers are memorable characters who I really enjoyed reading about. They live in a world far from today's, but cope with problems (like figuring out their own futures,) that kids today also struggle with. I've recommended Stopping to Home to lots of my friends!

Used alongside a more comprehensive trail guide, this book kept my wife and me busy for the entire two weeks we were there. It offers an excellent insider's perspective, with a fresh view of the major tourist attractions and a lot of tip-offs to hidden gems.

Get a trail map and a hiking guide, though. Acadia Revealed contains some great ideas for cool hikes, but it's not so hot for showing you the actual trails. Thomas A. St. Germain's "A Walk in the Park" (incorrectly listed here as out of print) is an excellent guide to the trails. It's available on Mt. Desert Island at the Port in a Storm bookstore, Somesville.

Jay Kaiser has done a wonderful job writting a comprehensive, interesting and helpful travel guide to Acadia. The book has information for any sort of trip: Whether you're interested in adventure (camping and rugged hikes) or relaxation (staying at an inn and finding great restaurants), this book will take you where you want to go. Lots of lovely pictures, helpful maps and lively comentary. I'm so glad to have had this book with me throughout my recent trip to Acadia to make it clear what sights I couldn't miss. I can't wait to return because there is so much left to discover!

For the type of person who needs to know the intimate details surrounding your destination, this book is a must. It touches on history, geography, geology of the region in a concise, logical manner, while offering an encompassing view of the activities, layout, and surrounding area. Pictures and detailed maps are scattered throughout the book providing a sense of place and are a trip planner's dream. PLUS, Mr. Kaiser includes an overview of the Maine lobster including eating instructions. Talk about covering all your bases! All in all, a very informative, detailed covering of Acadia and its surrounding area with an insider's take to avoiding crowds and hitting little known spots.

This guide is beautifully prepared & informative. Color photographs decorate nearly every glossy page; maps are large and easy to read. Whether you are looking for a B&B, a place to eat, historical information, a driving tour, or challenging hikes, the author takes care of you. My only caveat is that the book is rather expensive if all you want is to hike or drive the island for an afternoon. The park provides helpful maps for this purpose. Still, if you can find an inexpensive used guide , I'd recommend it even for a one-day trip.

This book is a must have for those who have experienced the beauty or have the desire to experience the beauty and offerings of Acadia National Park. Mr. Kaiser has finally produced the guide to do Acadia justice. You'll learn all the side trips, cool lunch spots, etc. to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon hike with a buddy, and you'll also have the memory of your journey when you get home through Jay's pictures!

I first read Come Spring around the age of 12, on my father's recommendation. He had read it when he was 12, when the book was new. Now I've read it many times, and am still enchanted with this work of historical fiction. Oddly, I am not a fan of historical fiction, but Ben Ames Williams' depiction of the Robbins family founding a town in Maine, against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, blends warmth, tragedy, and romance. As a pre-teen reader, I loved the story of Joel Adams and Mima Robbins and their courtship. As an adult, I love the strength of the family bonds, though hard times and good. I would love to see this book as a recommended book for history students. It brings to life the real pioneer spirit of early Americans.

This is a wonderful historical novel, well worth reading and re-reading. It's full of romance and adventure, and readers will enjoy knowing that many descendants of the characters still live in the lovely town of Union. In fact, they can visit the Union Historical Society's website for more information about the town....

This is a good read, and significant as it documents an early settlement in Maine, and typifies life in the those early times, and what our Maine ancesters went through to settle those remote regions, of which Maine has many. Enjoy!

Just finished reading a borrowed copy of 'Come Spring'. Ordered a copy for myself (something I've never done before). When it arrives, will read it again (again, something I have never done before). Full of good story, history, and earthy philosophies. Ben Ames Williams has a way of putting it all together. It takes a few chapters to get into the mood of the book, but once there, watch out!

Come Spring is one of my all time favorite books. When I read this book (about every other year) it's as engrossing as the first time I read it. I can close my eyes and picture the wildllfe Williams decribes, I find myself trying to copy the accents of the characters and never fail, I end up reading late into the night "just one more chapter". For more information on this wonderful book, contact the Union Historical Society at 207-785-5444.

When I opened Maine: The Home Place, I didn't know how much I was opening up. I looked through it, then I realized I needed to look into it: I did so at two pages a day until I went through the book. I especially love two of the pictures (although each page and picture looked more like a composition in a painting than a camera capturing a scene): The Androscoggin at Bethel, November and North Pond, Greenwood, October. There is a disarming directness in the simple presentation that drew me into the pictures, and into myself. The captions reminded me these places are here, in this world. What I found myself doing since I opened Maine: The Home Place is seeing myself and the world around me differently. Cezanne says that "Art is a harmony parallel to nature." I am wonderfully confused by Murad's presentation of nature and art that has gotten into my heart through my eyes. What more can you ask from a book than to make the world and yourself more alive? Maine: The Home Place is a book that will do that year after year, picture after picture. Great job, Murad Sayen.

This is a magnificent, beautiful book. We left it open on the kitchen table, and everyone who passed by turned to a new, exquisite image. I've now snatched it back to my office and expect to browse repeatedly when I have a chance for a cup of coffee and a brief get-away moment. It is truly a gift.

Maine The Home Place by Murad Sayen is an especially appealing photography book. Not only is this book visually pleasing as you view beautiful scenes in Maine, but it also is very emotive as you also "feel" Maine. The quality of the photos is superior and most of them look as much like paintings as photos. If you are ever fortunate enough to look through this book, go directly to page 28 ( one of my favorites)and enjoy the compostion of hands. There have been numerous artists who have highlighted hands in their composition but never with the unique approach that this one does. I have only had this book on my coffee table for one month, and have already "sold" 5 copies. People's responses were so positive that 5 lucky people will be getting this book for Christmas. Maybe you could be lucky also. If Maine was ever your home, I think you will enjoy having this book around as much as I have, and Maine was never my home.

The thing that strikes you as you turn the lush pages--the land and seascapes, the faces--is the surface sense of calm. And yet, below those surfaces there is always a suggestion of great energy, of processes being carried out. In the cover photo, for instance: a country church, maple trees in their October regalia, a cemetery, the cornstubble foreground--lies the hint that things are in motion, even there below the ground. The world is moving toward a new incarnation.

This dualism--or energy and calm--kept me turning pages, forward and back, over a period of many days, looking closely at colors, faces, cloud formations, ice crystals on a pond, dawn sunlight on a lighthouse.

At first I quibbled that Sayen has confined his camera to so few regions of the state; and yet, in truth, this only reminds us that art, in order to be universal, must be local. To develop the kind of intimacy that Sayen (a confessed "outsider") obviously has with his subject, it is necessary to keep it focused.

With "Maine: The Home Place", Murad Sayen has created a masterful book, far more than another of the garishly colored "coffee table" books that publishers seem to crank out each year. This is a book that bears repeated readings, and which, for me, continues to offer fresh discoveries. In addition to the photographs, there is a series of elegantly written essays and photographer's notes. For anyone looking to be delighted and deeply moved by the complexity within simplicity, "Maine: The Home Place" is a volume that will do that.

Murad Sayen shows us in his amazing pictoral that Maine is more than a magnificent coastline dotted with harbors and lighthouses. His photographs and essays capture the essence and beauty of Maine that those of us who are fortunate to live here can now share with the rest of the world.

He is masterful in his use of lighting. The effect is mystical and invokes a strong emotional response to his work. For all those who want an unlimited opportunity to escape to Maine, whenever the spirit moves you, I highly recommend Maine: The Home Place.....the way life is!

This cookbook is a classic in Maine. This is the fourth edition that I have owned. I keep giving my copies away because this is a must have cookbook. I have cooked almost every recipe in the book and love them all. These are good basics cooked everywhere in Maine and New England. The ingredients are simple and easy to find. I learned to cook as a teenager from this book.

When my grandmother died, I was the lucky recipient of "her "secret recipes."(Cooking Down East : Favorite Maine Recipes and Keep Cooking the Maine Way).

Everytime I make the Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Cake, the Fish Chowder or the Lobster Newburg (the fancy one--of course!), I am momentarily returned to my childhood.

The Red Flannel Hash is pretty terrific, too.

At last count, I had 273 cookbooks in my private collection, but these two are the ones I most often return to when I wish a taste of home. Unlike many others, they seem to spend a majority of the time on my kitchen counter, permanently dusted with flour, stained forever with tiny Maine blueberries.

If you are looking for nothing fancy-schmancy, only exemplary "home-style cooking," then these are the best you will ever find.

Thanks Nanny (and thanks Ms. Standish)

I'm a native Mainer, and these recipes result in the delicious dinner standards I grew up with. Every time I want to serve a great meal, I turn to this book first. The recipes are well-explained, the ingredients are easy to find, and the anecdotes are great- be sure to read the funny forward to the excellent Anadama Bread.

Though Ms. Standish's emphasis is on the great state of Maine, cooks from all over New England will recognize the regional recipes in this book as their own. To me, "Cooking Down East" is more than just a cookbook; it is, in written form, how I learned to cook from my mother and grandmother.

My first edition of this book was given to me by my husband 26 years ago. I have many fond memories of family dinners, deserts and favourite recipes from this book. To me it is a touch of home. Gloria Legere Mainiac in Exile in Washington State.

This book is fabulous. I work as a travel nurse and recently spent 6 1/2 months in Maine. I had never been there before and spent several hours at the bookstore going through various Maine travel books before settling on this one. I certainly made the right choice. It was a wonderful resource. I spent hours reviewing the information in this book over the course of my time in Maine. I plan to go back to Maine next summer and will take my book right back with me. The information on shops, restaurants and points of interest was valuable and very accurate.

I've spent time at the book stores recently researching books for my upcoming trip to Maine. My wife and I plan to spend 4 nights and 5 days there and wanted plenty to see and do where we wouldn't necessarily meet thousands of other travelers since I'm not too much into the whole crowd experience. Brandes' book is so well researched that you can't go wrong with it!

While other typical books that are similar, such as Fodors and Frommers, have quite a bit of information in its own right, I think that this particular Moon Handbook is better equipped to give better detail of interest whether site seeing, dining, entertainment, lodging, etc.

I recently completed a Web site for a bed and breakfast located in Machiasport (down east) and had to do quite a bit of research on the area to enhance their site. My research was conducted primarily via the internet over the course of a few days. I'm glad to say that after I received my book and compared information, everything I could find on the Web in and around Machiasport was already included in sufficient detail in this book! I would have saved myself a few days of searching.

If you want to tour Maine or already live there but need to places to explore, the second edition Moon Handbook on Maine is the way to go.

When I vote with 4 stars, that means the product was excellent. When I vote with 5 stars, it goes beyond excellence in my view and is considered best in class. This book is "THE" authoritive book on touring Maine. Excellent purchase!

First of all, I have to mention that I live in Maine. And I can tell you from experience that the beauty of Kathleen Brandes' book lies in the sheer span of coverage, which is considerable, matched with a propensity for detail, which is astounding! Even the "Native" Mainers will find much to enjoy in this book. This is a rich, dense, and completely user-friendly volume, folks!
I'll give you an example. I'm a photographer based in the Bangor area. I bought this book for my personal library which aids me in seeking out photographic areas of interest. Last week I traveled to Lubec, Maine - and I used this handbook for lodging and dining info. I located the Eastland Motel in Lubec based on this handbook, and met the proprietor - Lee Aragon - who cheerfully provided suggestions for exploration in the Lubec-Eastport-Campobello region. I mentioned to Lee that I had read about her in The Maine Handbook...and that she was correctly described by Kathleen Brandes as a "Lubec booster". Lee was tickled pink by this, and by extension, I was able to get some nice local insights that I would never have known about otherwise.
Paging through this Maine Handbook, you get the feeling that Kathleen Brandes is a scholar of "All Things Maine", and she is enjoying every minute of it. And who can blame her? Maine truly is.....well.....the way life should be.
Buy the book, come to Maine....and if you already live here, buy the book anyway! It has become something of a "state bible" for me. Can't image traveling without it.
And there is something in this book for everyone. Kathleen has you covered, whether you are single, married with children, an armchair traveler or someone who simply wishes to know more about the Pine Tree State. Longtime locals and prospective tourists alike would do well to mine this gem of a book. I have two dog-eared copies....one for home, and one for my car - enough said.

This book has become an invaluable source! I've now travelled to Maine twice and brought the book both times. Brandes provides a wealth of information, especially for those things off the beaten path. The book includes very helpful maps - on my last trip I left my Maine atlas at home and found the maps included in the book to be quite helpful. The spine on my book is really starting to see some wear - I enjoy reading it even when I'm not travelling. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are planning to travel to the northern, less populated regions of Maine.

I LOVED this book. My family and I travel Maine each year and this book is THE guide (along with the Maine Atlas). It has helped us refine our experience in Maine to a very satisfying level.

The guide to natural sites/walks/boating is still wonderful.

However, if you've been to Maine before, you know that businesses come and go with alarming rapidity. This is especially true in the Eastern Coast. Most of the restaurants listed in the guide are long gone or under different managements, so don't count on finding a place to eat based on this guide.

Henry David Thoreau is one of America's greatest literary treasures, and this Library of America compilation of his four complete, full-length books is an excellent purchase for any Thoreau fan. It includes possibly Thoreau's most famous work, Walden, as well as lesser-known (but still immensely inspired and entertaining)works. I would highly recommend this purchase to any interested Thoreau reader, as I am yet to find a comparable compilation for nearly as good a deal as this.

It was Thoreau who made me understand that writing had everything to do with one's sum total and worth as a human being, and everything to do with one's passion and sense of purpose in life. It was while reading from an anthology of his work that I first made contact with a superior being. I recognized a mind that I could be intimate with, a mind and soul of someone with whom I could spend endless hours and never cease to learn from.


Thoreau's style is cumbersome. He can be terribly dry, and his paragraphs run way too long. But who cares when passages ignite the page with brilliance, flame from the black and white of paper into the depths of one's being. 'Walden' has more profound and relevant quotes than any other book I've read. They're the purest gems to be found in the rough of a larger work. A work that I wouldn't dare to diminish, but forewarn the reader so that they have the patience and perseverance to continue.


I would like to mention a superb biography written on the life and mind of Thoreau, a biography that exceeds and exceeds in going deeper into the life and mind of this great and humane and very misunderstood man, it is called: 'Henry Thoreau -- A Life Of The Mind,' by Robert D. Richardson Jr. Mr. Richardson not only wrote a biography, he was on a mission, for he knew and believed in what his subject was about. As comprehensive, insightful and exhilerating as any biography can or should be.


The price and quality of this anthology can't be beat. Beautiful to read and beautiful to see on my book shelf. Buy it! Get to know this man of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

While reading the four books of Henry David Thoreau (1817 -- 1862) included in this volume, I was reminded of the piano sonata no. 2, the "Concord" sonata by the American composer Charles Ives (1874 -- 1954) and decided to listen to it again to complement my reading. The Concord is a monumental work in which Ives tried to capture the "spirit of transcendentalism" associated with Concord, Massachusetts. Its four large movements bear the names of Emerson, Hawthorne, Bronson Alcott, and Thoreau. The "Thoreau" movement of the Concord captured in music for me what I had been reading in Thoreau's texts, with its reflective arpeggios, long hymnlike introspective passages, distant sounds of bells, and quiet close. Ives wrote the movement, he said, to reveal the "vibration of the universal lyre" to which Thoreau had alluded in the chapter of Walden titled "Sounds". Those who love Thoreau or the American Transcendentalists should explore Ives's great musical tribute to them and their thought.

This volume is the first of two in the Library of America devoted to Thoreau, with the second book consisting of essays and poems. It includes the two books published during his lifetime, "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" and "Walden" together with two books published shortly after his death, "The Maine Woods" and "Cape Cod". The former two books are philosophical and introspective in tone, even though they include much of the descriptive writing about nature for which Thoreau is famous. They are the writings of Thoreau the Transcendentalist, the Thoreau of Ives's Concord Sonata. The second two books are describes Thoreau's travels. They originated the American practice of writing about nature.

Thoreau's most famous book, "Walden" describes the two years he spent living at Walden Pond, near Concord, from 1845 -- 1847 on a tract owned by Emerson. Walden is deservedly an American classic, as Thoreau reflects upon and attempts to simplify his life, to appreciate it for itself and for the everyday, without the strains of commerce or the pursuit of wealth. It is an eloquent study of learning to be alone with and content with oneself.

Thoreau wrote the first draft of "Walden" while he resided there and also wrote "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" which in 1849 became his first published book, enjoying little success at the time. This book describes a trip Thoreau took with his brother and there are many detailed observations of people, places, and plants and animals. But the book is full of detailed digressions on literature, philosophy, the Greek Classics, friendship, and Thoreau's religious beliefs. This book shows the large influence of Eastern thought on Thoreau. It is filled with allusions and quotations from poetry on virtually every page. It is a joy to read.

There is little overt philosophising in Thoreau's latter two books. But both these books made me want to leave, at least for a short time, my life in the city and to run and visit the wild places Thoreau described. In "The Maine Woods" Thoreau describes three trips he took to Nortwest Maine -- its forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains, in 1843, 1853, and 1857. It includes detailed descriptions of rugged camping, in the rain and sun, on water and on land. The higlight for me was Thoreau's discussion in the first essay of the book of his climb on Mount Ktaadn, with Thoreau's description replete with both actual description and ancient Greek and American Indian symbolism.

Thoreau's final book, "Cape Cod" describes three visits in 1849, 1850, and 1853 (A fourth, later visit to the Cape is not included in the book.) This is Thoreau's only book which features the ocean and the seashore. It describes a rugged place, but the tone is leisurely and humorous in many places as Thoreau takes his reader on a thirty-mile "ramble" over the Cape. Thoreau introduces a memorable character in his chapter "The Wellsfleet Oysterman" and draws a picture of a lighthouse, no longer standing, on the Cape, "The Highland Light." Reading this book made me want to walk the sands and dunes that Thoreau walked and described over 150 years ago.

As with all volumes in the LOA series, this volume is lightly annotated but includes a valuable chronology of Thoreau's life which helps in approaching the texts. Transcendentalism and naturalism both have played critical roles in the development of American thought and you will find them both here. And if you enjoy Thoreau, I encourage you again to approach Ives's masterpiece, the "Concord Sonata" and meet Thoreau realized in sound.

Robin Friedman

While every artist is tied to their time and place, this is especially true of Henry David Thoreau. To me, Thoreau has always seemed like a beautiful and tender plant that could only exist in a specific time and place. His world was rich enough to allow him to enjoy nature rather than see it as something to tame. Yet it was also rural enough to leave him natural space to enjoy as if it were wild.

It also seems to me that Thoreau's writing is more beautiful and observant than penetrating and intelligent. It is more about the senses than analysis. I think this is why it appeals so much to young people of so many generations and why he became such a symbol for the Back-to-Nature portion of the Boomer generation.

This volume contains his most influential works (the essays and poems are collected in a companion volume also from the wonderful Library of America): A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, The Main Woods, and Cape Cod. So much has been written about these works that I can't think of anything specific to add except to encourage their being read. However, I would encourage adults who remember reading them in their youth with such enthusiasm to read them again from the vantage point of mid-life. I think they will find somewhat less to be enamored of in the content, but they will appreciate his sheer power of writing more.

The total collection is more than a 1,000 pages and includes a chronology of Thoreau's life, notes on the text, relevant maps of the areas covered in the book, more notes, and an index.

I would like to publicly thank Henry David Thoreau for teaching me this:

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Just as I expected. It's a very peaceful book to go wondering through. Makes you feel like your in Maine.

Frank Chillemi has done a stunning job of capturing the essence and beauty of Maine coast lighthouses and windjammers. Through his magnificent photography, each picture captures a special scene in time and mood. The photographs are mostly full-page size, with a short description below. Each scene, in my opinion, is so beautiful it could be framed. I highly recommend this inspiring book for anyone who is not only interested in photography, but also one who appreciates the beauty of tall windjammers, lighthouses and nature. Frank Chellemi, through his photography, will take you to places that you might not otherwise see, at the most beautiful times of the day.

Windjammers, Lighthouses and Other Treasures of the Maine Coast is an exceptional piece of photographic literature anyone with an appreciation for the sea and the beauty of the northeast can enjoy. The book is a compilation of the author's photographs that have been taken during his travels along the north shores of Maine. The photos in this book vary from timeless, nostalgic images to captured moments of nature's awesome beauty.

I recommend this book to anyone with an affection for the sea, those who enjoy nature photography, general photo enthusiasts, and/or anyone that simply wants to be taken away by stunning and compelling images this book has to offer.

The most difficult thing about photographing the Maine coast is not having enough film or enough empty space in a memory card for those who use digital. In just about every nook and corner, there is something to capture: a scene with boats, lighthouses, the ocean in its glory, birds, and people earning a living in eth fishing industry. Maine is a state with natural beauty, history, and at times a glimpse of life as it used to be, though it is still a reality in this amazing northeast state. Yet with all the diversity, we often see the same scenes just captured by someone different. If you want to find some unique and beautiful images, Frank Chillemi's WINDJAMMERS, LIGHTHOUSES, AND OTHER TREASURES OF THE MAINE COAST is just the book for you.

Chillemi, who offers photographic tours of the Maine coast aboard a windjammer, captures these beautiful vessels as well as the many lighthouses along the Maine coast. While he includes some of the famous Maine lighthouses: Portland Head, Nubble, and Pemmaquid, he focuses primarily on the mid-coast area of Maine and offers interesting shots of lesser known lights. He also captures the beauty of sail with his windjammer shots.

I first saw this book when I was visiting Maine and decided I have to take a photographic tour with the author/photographer, hoping that under his tutelage I may get a few good shots too. I am sure I am not the only amateur photographer who has seen the book and decided the same thing. I haven't looked at the price of a windjammer tour yet, so maybe I will have to put it on hold for a while. One thing I do know, friends and family members who love Maine will be getting a copy as a Christmas or birthday present and I'm sure that once seeing this book, you'll love it too.

Those with even the most casual interest in the schooners and lighthouses of the Northeast will find this book fascinating. For those with a keen interest, the book is an absolute "must have".

Having experienced sailing aboard a windjammer with Mr. Chillemi on one of his photo workshops, I can say with some degree of authority that he has a passion not only for photography, but also for the tall ships and lighthouses that dot the beautiful coast of Maine. Chillime has masterfully captured the grandeur. To loosely paraphrase an earlier reviewer, one can almost smell the salt air and wet canvas within the pages of this book.

I really enjoyed this cookbook - it had a wide variety of recipes that were both time consuming and quick. I also liked the commentary about the Riggin along the sidebars.

Born and raised in the Ozarks between the Missouri and Arkansas rivers; we didn't think we would find anything in this ocean cookbook that would excite us. Just goes to prove that hillbillys are sometimes (but not often) wrong.

For instance last week the cookbook was used to prepare some great "tailgate" dishes; our guests were impressed. But we had to tell the truth, its Annie's book. Two guests used our computer to log on and order the book.

Along with barbque the book's dishes appear in a hillbilly's dreams.

This was a happy surprise in my Christmas stocking this year, after my mother ran into the author at Barnes and Noble. I'm so glad she snagged me a copy, since I'm not quite sure what I'd do without this cookbook in my home.

This is one of those cookbooks that you don't know if you should put in your kitchen with the rest of the cookbooks, or out on the coffee table so that everybody can enjoy it. This book features wonderfully sophisticated home-cooking style recipes, breathtaking photos from the J&E Riggin, the Maine Windjammer that's currently cared for by the author and her husband, and oodles of stories about the Windjammer, their voyages, their history, and the ideas behind these recipes. This cookbook has the feel of a family journal or photo album, which is really a great feeling that is lost with a lot of cookbooks. So often these days when you buy a cookbook, it feels like the recipes featured in it are made once or twice in a test kitchen before getting a rubber-stamped approval to be shown in their mass-produced cookbook. But you don't feel that with this book. You know that these recipes were made dozens, maybe hundreds of times to hundreds of hungry people before being collected and featured in a cookbook that feels like should be a personal family cookbook, not something you can just pick up at a bookstore. I love that feel.

There are a ton of recipes in this book, not different versions of the same ol' meals that you can find in any cookbook. Unique recipes, ones that I've never seen on paper other than from my mother's handwritten recipe cards. Recipes like German Apple Pancakes, Roasted Mushrooms and Artichoke Sauce, Nectarine-Blueberry Bread, Ginger Shortbread, Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pork Pot Pie, Lemon Lobster with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Wassail Bowl Punch... I could go on and on. Amazing. And this recipe book is a "from scratch" book, which I think is such a blessing, because there is nothing more frustrating than buying a cookbook with 100 different ways to prepare a can of "cream of chicken" soup and a can of refrigerator biscuits. This is a cookbook for cooks, and those of us who wish we were. We need more cookbooks out there like this.

There is next to nothing wrong with this cookbook. The only observations I have made is that sometimes I need a little more description on the making of a recipe (for example, a notation the dough will be runny, lumpy, etc) as there have been a recipes that I made where the consistency or appearance wasn't quite what I expected. Also, it is obvious that some of these recipes were reduced from a recipe that made more servings for more people, so some of the seasonings and ingredients have to be tweaked for a more intimate setting. No big deal, just something to keep in mind.

I love this cookbook. My favorite recipes thus far include the German Apple Pancakes, Pork Pot Pie, Rita's Double Toffee Delight, and the Wassail Punch. Even as we speak I have a batch of Double Toffee Delights filling my house with its delicious aroma. Every time I use this book, I remember Maine vacations, fine meals, happy memories... It's the best investment in a book I think anybody could make.

This cookbook is a must-have for anybody. I can't say enough wonderful things about it.

I was really glad to receive this cookbook as a gift as I have found it great fun to use. I think the layout of the cookbook was very well done as well as the color of the pages. . not something you see very often in a cookbook. The pictures are really beautiful and catch the feeling of the sea. I enjoy the margin notes in each section as well as, for example, in the Meat Section, Anne's description of the dinner menus she serves on board or under Yeast Breads her suggestions on proofing, flour vs water, etc. I found these very helpful. My one suggestion would be that if you weren't familiar with yeast breads, you wouldn't know how hot the "warm water" should be. Possibly if a temp. was added indicating that the "warm water" should be 105/110 it might be helpful. Also, after you make muffins some indication on whether they should be left in the pan or taken out. I loved the Blueberry Lemon Bread and so did some of my friends and especially Dana's Maple-Dill Dressing . .yum-o! I like to be able to make quick and good meals and this tops my list.

This is one of the prettiest and most colorful cookbooks I have ever seen. On top of this, the recipes are wonderful, easy to prepare and different. The personal observations of the author add interest to the book. I recently had the pleasure of sailing with Captain Anne and the crew of the J.&E. Riggin and can attest to the fact that her cooking skills are outstanding. This book is well worth the money.