Maine Books

The photography exhibited here is quite good - several vibrant images of the landscape of coastal Maine in each of its seasons. What I didn't like is, as another reviewer pointed out, it is limited in that it only explores a few areas of Maine (namely Stonington, Acadia National Park, and Deer Isle). What about Western Maine and Portland area? Not covered. Overall not a bad concept (the writing is average) but could have been a lot better.

On the recommendation of a friend, my wife and I stumbled into a photo gallery in Deer Isle, Maine, last week during our vacation (we are from New York) to see the work of Terrell Lester, not even aware Knopf had recently published this book. We were, in short, completely blown away by his photos, all of which, and more, are collected in this remarkable book, along with four essays of varying interest. Lester's photos are like fine art, to be specific, like the best of the Hudson River School of painters back in the 1800s who created such vivid landscapes, saturated with reds and blues and yellow (and that's just in the sky). His photos of islands, mountains, rocks, lakes, surf, trees and spectacular blueberry fields blazing red in autumn are rich with emotion. They deserve to be, and in fact are, on museum walls. For the most part, they are reproduced well in "Maine: The Seasons," but in this case, you can't tell a book by its cover-- a wonderful (but rather too typical for a Maine book) photo of a father and a son heading off to work in their lobster boat. You won't be disappointed.

I recently purchased this book as I am about to move to New England and I am a working photographer. I must say, Mr. Lester's photographs are wonderful and the writing accompanies the images very well, making this a very nice book indeed. I am continually amazed at the quality (and variety) of light in Mr. Lester's photographs - I think I'm going to like this place. I like this book and would recommend it to others who are interested in travel/photo books related to the Pine Tree State. If I had any criticism at all regarding this book, it might be with the title itself. There seems to be a heavy emphasis on images from Deer Island and Stonington and surrounding environs. The title of the book , "Maine: The Seasons" might suggest a broader area of coverage. Maine is a big state - and it's great to see a photographer working in his own backyard, so to speak, but a more specific title reference may have been appropriate as many areas of Maine do not make appearances here. But this point is minor, and I digress.... overall I found this to be a fine book and a solid purchase. Cheers!

Stunning photographs and poetic/romantic writing. Makes me wish I had gone to Maine (during the summer of course!) while I was in college in New Jersey. This is a special book and it left me wanting more.

While the photography is great, it was limited to only a couple areas of Maine. I was hoping for more small town, quaint images. The only town featured was one that's not even on the map.

Book has loads of information and beautiful pictures. I plan on using the suggestions during my trip to Maine.

My wife and I are planning our vacation to Maine for late Summer '06. We enjoyed the book, pictures, and suggestions for "great pictures."
We'll see how it goes!

David Middleton and Bruce Morrison have created a very insightful guide to coastal Maine photographic "hot spots". I am a professional photographer based in Maine, and while I am quite familiar with most of the places mentioned in this book I was pleasantly surprised to find out about others I had overlooked or was not aware of. (I also have a few secret spots of my own that did not crop up in the book..thankfully... but that's what makes this fun - a guidebook is best put to use as a springboard for further exploration.)

Photographers who live in Maine or are planning to visit coastal Maine will find much to enjoy here. You couldn't ask for a better resource. Even non-photographer types would do well to mine the gems of this book for general sightseeing and hiking tips.
Middleton and Morrison put you smack dab in the middle of great photo opportunities. A bit of a warning here: after you get a copy of this book you will feel a sudden and intense urge to be out on the Maine coast with your camera.

PS - Middleton's guide to Vermont photo sites is excellent as well.

We followed his book to the letter and a great book with valuable infomation. Would recommend this book for anyone traveling to Maine and who likes Lighthouses. Wonderful and helpful tips.

This is a good guidebook. It has enough detail/description to allow one to rationally select "likely sites" without being overpowering. However, there are an number of annoying editing errors present. (For example, every time the text reads "this place is 0.05 mile beyond that place", what's really meant is "0.5 mile". This is wrong in every place it's mentioned!)

Nice photos. Navigation info is duplicated in most cruising guides. Still, pictures are worth ... words.

Will be a great nav aid... look forward to publications covering other areas...

I recall chartering in the British Virgin Islands over 20 years ago and being handed a spiral-bound book that showed all the anchorages viewed from a couple hundred feet above the water, looking in. Wouldn't it be great if there were something like that for the far-trickier Maine coast? Well, now there is, and it's extremely well done.

Most two-page spreads in the book comprise an excellent harbor photo, the related section from the current NOAA chart, and a description of the harbor area. Superimposed on the chart is an arrow indicating the location from and direction in which the photo was shot. Some charts also include additional arrows that are overlayed on the photo as well so that you can see, for example, how the safest route for entry as seen on the chart actually looks on the water. That is really nice.

By my rough count, there are 110 harbors covered, from Isles of Shoals (OK, they're not quite in Maine) to Buck's Harbor on the west shore of Machias Bay. Unfortunately, anchorages around Eastport have been omitted. Maybe Mr. Bildner can get to them in a future edition.

Everyone cruising the Maine coast will want to have this supurb visual guide aboard to supplement the three standard guides. I only hope that the availability of this fine work won't bring TOO many folks and boats "from away" up to crowd our beautiful coast.

An excellent publication and valuable reference manual for any 'cruiser' transiting the waters of Maine. The photos taken by Jim Bildner provide a very welcome aspect of unfamilar destinations.

This outstanding book provides substantial assistance for trip planning and cruising the coast of Maine.
Having cruised Maine's beautiful coast for several decades, planning for my next cruise this summer has already been made easier by having this fine book. Of course, one must do the usual "paper chart navigation" planning before hand, but the additional help of this book is invaluable.
This book has a permanent place both shoreside and onboard while cruising.
It also makes a fabulous gift for my like-minded cruising friends.
Captain Ken Wright
[...]

Reviewed by Avery Largent (age 9) for Reader Views (7/08)

"Angus and Sadie" by Cynthia Voigt was a good book about two dogs who are very different, but being raised together on the same farm. Angus is black and handsome, easy to train, and sure of himself. Sadie is reddish, hard to train, and very unsure of herself. This book plunges into the details of Angus and Sadie's life together and how things can work out. The characters are very easy to relate to, and the adventures they have are realistic, and I found myself getting very attached to these dogs.

The biggest struggle that Angus and Sadie go through with each other is who is "better" and more heroic. When they are in the midst of this fighting, the dogs seem to think the same way humans would if they were in this struggle. Angus always expects himself to always be better and more heroic than Sadie. Sadie thinks she is not as good as Angus, but she believes she could be almost as heroic. When Angus is the hero, Sadie has no problem with that. Not a tad of jealousy or anger, she just goes with the flow and she expects Angus to be smarter and better than her. However, when Sadie is the hero of the moment, Angus is jealous, surprised, and angry. He ignores her. I believe this constant struggle is a lot like conflict you would find with any a human sister and brother.

Angus and Sadie's struggles are always interesting and written in a realistic style. Author Cynthia Voight sticks to the traits and behaviors of Border Collies. Their adventures include herding sheep and protecting the farm animals from predators. Their adventures are told in a quick-paced, exciting style. Their interesting adventures keep you engrossed and turning the pages.

This book does, certainly, get you attached to these characters. Scattered throughout the book, there are little things like your dog might do -- funny things, gross things and surprising things. At the same time, it shows just how smart dogs are and are not just little brainless, hairy, strange creatures compared to us. The things Angus and Sadie say and think are so human like, you begin to feel as these dogs are friends of yours. I admit, a little while after I read it, while I playing with my dog, I accidentally said "Angus" instead of his correct name.

This book is a great tale for kids any age. With such relatable characters and human-like struggles, this book keeps you turning the pages. I would recommend "Angus and Sadie" by Cynthia Voigt to my friends with a grin. I hope to reread this book again sometime soon, and hope that everyone who reads it enjoys it just as much as I did.

this book i purchase for my 9 year old grandaughter. she loves it and was so excited when i gave it to her for valentines. it is a great book and amazon shipped it to me in a very timely manner.

sandy

This book is about 2 very differant border collies, Angus, the black one,and Sadie, the brown one. Angus is tougher and stronger, and goes with Mister to work in the forest, while Sadie is kind of the runt, and is small and looks up to Angus. The moral of the story is that though these 2 dogs are NOT like eachother, they are still very best friends. Opposites attract. I recomend this book.

Angus and Sadie by Cynthia Voigt is about a couple who adopt two puppies. The male puppy's name is Angus. Angus is more brave and clever than Sadie. Sadie the female puppy is shy, and slow at learning tricks. Angus and Sadie go on a lot of adventures. Sadie almost gets lost in the woods with a sheep. They live on a farm with animals and mean barn cats, who try to jump on Sadie, but she runs away.

This book is teaching you that even though you may not be the same you can still be friends. Like even though Sadie and Angus are different, they are still friends. It is also like that in the world because everyone in the world is different.

Angus and Sadie is a very good book to read if you like dogs. It reminds me of my dog. You might also like to read it because it has good pictures. Angus and Sadie get into a lot of mischief on the farm. You should read Angus and Sadie.

This book, difficult to categorize, is in essence the story of both Frank Sandford (1862-1948), the founder of a minor apocalyptic religious cult, and the communitarian society he headquartered at the turn of the twentieth century on the Androscoggin River near the hamlet of Durham, Maine. Nelson blends with novelistic grace the genres of history, biography, and memoir (her parents were members of the sect) and thoughtfully portrays Sandford's slide from earnest Bible student to a self-proclaimed prophet eventually convicted of manslaughter, an "Elijah" who squandered countless thousands while his followers starved.

Because the sect was so small and remains comparatively obscure today (though it maintains both a website and some hundreds of followers into the twenty-first century), Nelson's story serves as a comprehensible illustration of the steps whereby individuals surrender their minds, wills, and even lives for the chimera of heroic religious certainty. Nelson skillfully presents a bittersweet portrait of Shiloh--"the aroma of gingerbread" in the mist of hunger, illness, and disillusion. But succeeding generations can be grateful that Sandford was an extremely erratic leader who was neither martyred nor had a Brigham Young waiting in the wings.

A lack of citations in such a book can be excused, but no work of non-fiction as nicely written as Fair, Clear, and Terrible should go to press without an index. A word to the prospective reader: pay attention to characters when they are first introduced. The will eventually return, and it is then difficult to rediscover their identity by checking the first mention.

I read this book when it was first published, and recently purchased a copy for a friend. If you, like I, are interested in the Religious history of the United States I can highly recommend Fair, Clear, and Terrible: The Story of Shiloh Maine by Shirley Nelson. This is the kind of non-fiction work that would make a great movie. The author sets the tone right in the beginning of the book, with that whispered about "thing" in a family's past. The author shows how when the focus of one's faith is not God, but the preacher, something terrible usually will happen, and at Shiloh it did. This book is a good study in the cult of personality. I don't want to give too much away but will end in saying that Fair, Clear, and Terrible: The Story of Shiloh Maine by Shirley Nelson should be republished in paperback, it is that important of a book to those interested in the Religious history of the United States.

Shirley Nelson's _Fair, Clear, and Terrible: The Story of Shiloh_ is one of those rare history books that's plotted and executed more like a mystery novel than a documentary. Nelson, whose parents met at Shiloh, took an interest in the site at a young age, and thus grew up always in its shadow. Through the years she gathered as much information as she could, and reports on it all here. However, this isn't just a regurgitation of the facts. Nelson's family ties to the place give her, it would seem, a reason to write about it with more heart than most historians, coupled with a sardonic, not-quite-suppressed sarcasm that leaves the reader laughing on occasion. And when was the last time you laughed at a HISTORY book?

A wonderful piece of work. Highly recommended.

Shirley Nelson did a great deal of research for this wonderful book! She not only took her own family history, but dug into other sources to put together a complete and fair minded look into a fascinating piece of Americana. The pure faith that took believers to Shiloh comes through as well has the hardships and abuse they endured as they tried to please their leader, Frank Sanford. She did a great service to many who were still in the movement of their forefathers at the time the book was published. Many of the facts of the history of The Kingdom movement were hidden or glossed over so that present members did not understand what the true story was. This book started a lot of questioning of the leaders of the church and helped in bringing to light lies and half truths. I would highly recommend this book, not only to those interested in history, but also to those who are or have been in a cult. So many common threads run through cults. So many innocent people trying to live their faith while the doctrines they are taught to love more than their own families carries consequences down through many generations. Highly reommended reading! For more information on the history of Shiloh and The Kingdom movement see the website fwselijah.com.

I'm not quite finished with Fiddler's Green, but I've read enough to know that I like it. I've found the whole Moosepath League series to be charming. The other day I was watching a Monty Python clip--Upperclass Twit of the Year--and I couldn't help wondering if this sketch may have provided a tiny bit of inspiration for the characters of Ephram, Eagleton & Thump. Not that they would ever "kick the beggar" or "insult the waiter" but the haplessness of these three men never fails to entertain. Fiddler's Green is a departure from the other books in the series because much of it focuses on Sundry Moss and an adventure he has on his own. It's a bit of a creepy adventure, too, although each of the books in the Moosepath League series flirts with the dark side just a bit. As with the other books, Van Reid inserts tantalizing bits of old New England folklore that make me want to do my own research.

nobody has written a review of this book yet! Here it is, Halloween, and still no personal review. If you are reading this it means you have some interest in possibly owning this book. Let me put your doubts to rest... buy it, you won't regret it. This is a kind, compassionate, humorous, and literate story that could be read by your saintly aunt. I've enjoyed the adventures of the Moosepath league since their debut and they just keep getting better. Thank you Mr. Reid!
P.S. I'm not saintly and I'm an uncle so don't be put off by comparisons.

I was recently enlightening by finding the series involving the Moosepath League, and enjoyed Fiddlers green as a wonderful summer read. The characters and story developed by Mr. Reid are rare in most of the books I have read recently, and I sincerely hope he plans to continue the series with its charming characters and stories that I would describe as good, clean, fun!

While this book is just as good as any of the others in Van Reid's clever series, it seems as though the bottom has fallen out of the series and that people just aren't clamoring for these books any more. Some bookstores aren't even carrying this latest volume, and that's a shame. Maybe it's time for a boxed set. If Van Reid had any thought of continuing for a sixth volume, the lack of attention to FIDDLERS GREEN might be giving him second or third thoughts. One the public has had enough of a series, there's a law of diminishing returns. Even the best series (like Maxo De La Roche's JALNA or the Charlie Chan movies) peter off in the face of public indifference.

It's s shame too, because this story is one of Reid's better ones. Even if Chairman Toby and Sundry Moss were not in it at all, and indeed they contribute to the hilarity in big ways, such as Toby's long-awaited wedding, it would still be a page turner due to the mystery of Robin Oig, the sailor who dreams of finding an earthly paradise at Fiddlers Green.

Robin should have a series of his own, for he is a thoughtful, dreamy romantic figure who would fit in nicely with the famous Aubrey and Maturin novels of the late Patrick O'Brian. If you liked Cornelia Underwood or Mollie Peer (by Reid) or THE PICKWICK PAPERS or MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT (by Dickens), you might like FIDDLERS GREEN.

Joshua Chamberlain's post-Civil-War life never reached the heights of his military exploits. John Pullen has done an excellent job researching and writing about Chamberlain after the Civil War, but, like Chamberlain's civilian life, it's not as gripping as his Civil War experiences. For die-hard Chamberlain fans and those interested in Maine's and Bowdoin's history, it's worth reading, but if it's excitement you want, read Killer Angels.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain did not appear "ex nihilo" on 2 July 1863 at the craggy slope of Little Round Top. Neither did he disappear on 12 April 1865 following his magnanimous violation of military protocol at Appomattox Court House. In this volume, Mr. Pullen documents Chamberlain's life after the Civil War, demonstrating that the hero's character continued to illuminate all his life until his death in 1914.

Unlike Sis Deans', "His Proper Post;" Michael Golay's, "To Gettysburg and Beyond;" or Willard M. Wallace's, "Soul of the Lion," Pullen's text does not presume to be a complete biography. It does not address the question of what forces in Chamberlain's up-bringing formed such an extraordinary man.

Unlike Chamberlain's own books "Through Blood & Fire at Gettysburg," and "The Passing of the Armies;" or Michael Shaara's, "The Killer Angels," and Alice Rains Trulock's, "In The Hands of Providence," this is not primarily a book about soldiers at war.

The question that Pullen addresses is, "What becomes of the hero after the battles cease: how is courage displayed after the war ends?" In the case of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and other great Americans, the answer is that true heroes continue to demonstrate the same commitment to service in peace as in war. True heroes demonstrate the same integrity and courage in their chosen civilian occupations that they once showed while facing iminent death.

Forget the trendy books on leadership and values. Instead, read Mr. Pullen's book. Be inspired by the story of an exceptional leader, who demonstrated his commitment to American values until the day he died.

I don't think I could say it better than the reader from Huntington, Pennsylvania - what a great review! But I agree wholeheartedly, this book allows the reader to see Chamberlain *the human* and despite his faults and frailties, he remains someone well worth admiring. John Pullen, as always, has written a very well researched and very readable book that gives one a look at the whole person. For those who are just starting to become interested in Chamberlain, this book will give you an excellent view of his later life and accomplishments (all of which were achieved despite a debilitating wound!). For those who have been Chamberlain fans for years, this book will help you get to know him even more and give you further reason to admire him.

Joshua Chamberlain reaches through time and space and grips the imagination of all that encounter him. John Pullen, who drew back the shroud of a forgotten hero in his excellent book "The Twentieth Maine," has come full circle in this engaging and enlightening biography. Chamberlain, the hero of Little Round Top, burst upon the American culture in the film "Gettysburg." As if in answer to the question "What makes this guy a REAL hero?," Pullen has gathered the facts and presented us with both the man and the myth. Few heroes, stripped of legend, endure the light of truth. Chamberlain not only lives up to his legend: he invites further acclaim by the manner in which he lived, and the integrity of his character. John Pullen fills in the blanks of Chamberlain's postwar life, and shows us a man worth admiring. A true American hero, Joshua Chamberlain emerges unsullied, untarnished and quite human. Thank you, Mr. Pullen!

I liked the idea that this was a working women's group 'book of shadows', and for that reason, I can see why it would be more personal in it's hand-printed format, instead of standard book typeset font lettering. However, I really found the hand-printed effect pages ponderous to wade through and did pass the book along, mostly for that reason. It was kind of like reading something by SARK without the pretty watercolors. It did strike a responsive chord with me though, in that as women, we create blessings and ceremonies as part of our everyday live's sacred work, and it's extremely important that we write them down and pass them on as our legacy to the women who come after us.

this book is a fabulous resource for women seeking ceremony in their lives. there are rituals to cover the every- day life events, as well as the holidays like samhain and beltane. the book is handwritten by the women of the feminist spiritual community and gives the feel of many different personalities. the april fool's ritual is especially fun, and gives a good balance to the more poignant and serious rituals.

I have used Keep Simple Ceremonies over and over again and have recommended it often to folks looking for rite-of-passage ritual. One of the best books I've seen on the topic.

This book is beautiful, both to look and and spiritually. Funny, sad, joyous...you will run the gamut of emotions while looking through these pages. From the moment you open the book, which is set up in hand writting instead of book print, you feel you are a part of something wonderul. That something wonderful is the Feminist Spiritual Community of Portland Maine. In this book you will find ritual for the celebration of any number of life's passages; from baby blessing to grief and all its ecompassing conflicts. There are rituals to celebrate the seasons, personal milestones, and community. You are encouraged to take these rituals and fit tem into your own personal path. And then there is the (in)famous "April Fool's Ritual" which just has to be experienced to be believed (we used it at a bridal shower that will not soon be forgotten). This one will not be put away on a shelf, it will be used and abused and very, very much loved. And it deserves it.

Thorndike has assembled a thoroughly engrossing collection of solid information, individual viewpoints, opinions and tall tales about the Maine lobsterboat told in their own words by the people who know and love them best. Each interview unveils the character of the individual as well as the boats they talk about. Downeast life on the water comes alive in the droll understated humor that is their characteristic means of expression. The book is pure pleasure.

"Dinnie" Thorndike, ex-diary farmer and town selectman, also book writer, has written about a type of motorboat she likes. She and husband Phil bought one, a "lobster yacht" they named Sea Smoke. In it they cruised Maine waters and saw other lobsterboats and, about the same time, the urge to write about what she was seeing snuck up on her and she had to start writing. (This happens to us writers. Can't help it.) The book is the result.

Don't expect a scholarly epistle on the origins of lobsterboats and their evolution although Dinnie somehow includes an awful lot of such information. Nope, this book is what its title says it is-a series of lively interviews with those that design, build, operate, and race lobsterboats (race as in "up to 55 mph"). She gets people talking, she listens, she remembers, and it all goes down on paper so pat and smooth I can but envy her skill.

A chapter may be the result of talking to one person. Old-timers Leroy Dodge, and George Allen. Designers Arno Day and Spencer Lincoln. Builders-in-wood Peter Kass and Dick Pulsifer of Hampton Boat fame. Builders-in-fiberglass like the Young Brothers. Lobsterboat racers like Gweeka Williams and the Holland Family. (Did you know that Maine lobsterboats were invaluable support vessels in the unsuccessful effort to defend the America's Cup at San Diego in 1995? One was the famed racing lobsterboat Red Baron, which was used as a weather boat.)

Or a chapter may be Dinnie's assemblage of facts and stories about a subject. Rum-running. Old-time "fishing" (meaning lobstering). Lobsterboat superstitions. Lobsterboats as water taxis and tugs. Lobsterboats as valued family pleasure boats. Lobsterboats seining, hand-lining, gill-netting, and even lobstering.

Dnnie keeps up an easy flow of quotes, stories, facts, and fun. I highly recommend this book if only for the pleasure the reader will get from watching a very good writer stoutly march through a subject.

Informative and entertaining with local flavor from the men who build lobsterboats and fish them. Enjoyed it.

I wish the author had spent more time to the east of Penobscot Bay. With her repeated references to the designers and builders of Beals Island and Jonesport, I felt she should have spent more time there than she did. Interestingly, the oft heard complaint about the impact the modern, fast designs have had on the traditional good looks of the Maine lobsterboat seem to have come from those designers and builders whose boats don't make the "cut" at the seven-event lobsterboat race series held though out the summer along the Maine coast.

A better read than expected but not as complete as I'd hoped for.

I have struggled through, and sometimes tossed aside, too many mysteries this summer written in first person and with/or a definite occupational slant, ie, herb growing, cooking, quilting, etc. The other end of the spectrum has gratuitous violence.

Despite the title, this is not a particularly "occupational" mystery. The characters are not petulant and temper prone, but rather, interesting and caring.

The plot is rather twisted and convoluted, and although the denouement seems clear at one point, there is one last twist in it.

Hopefully, this is the beginning of a series.

Excellent read. Can't wait for more about this fascinating older sleuth.

Reading this book reminds me of reading Nancy Drew mysteries as a girl. That young sleuth was just like me and I was just like her. (At least, I would have been like her if my parents were as lenient as hers were!) The gardening, composting sleuth of The Maine Mulch Murder is just as credible. It is a rare treat to find such a familiar sleuth. Not only are the gardening details correct, but Amy's attitudes, habits, schedule, and other life details blend with integrity. She utilizes her practical reasoning skills, honed through gardening, to solve this murder. I really enjoyed it. [I would suggest that you NOT read the inside book flap. It told me too much about plot details. I think the story would be better if some of those facts weren't revealed until the book content reveals them.]

This was a delightful and quick mystery to read....which makes it ideal for an afternoon at the beach. The main character is a delighful 60 year old lady gardener who turns sleuth when she finds a body and becomes determined to find the killer. Along the way she reunites with an old flame and what happens next requires actually reading the book. The ending is possibly predictable depending perhaps on the number of mysteries you've read. But overall it was well worth an afternoon of relaxing reading.