Massachusetts Books

This book about a girl 12 years old in a puritan community and how she lives with her dad and her best friend Elizabeth. I loved this book.

This is an excellent book! As soon as I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It was very exciting to read. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes exciting books.

This is a lovely book! I bought it for my daughter and we both enjoyed it

This book was about 12 year old Sarah who lives in Puritan New England. Her mother is no longer living and her Father is thinking about marrying a woman Sarah doesn't care for. On the Sabbath, a very strict day in Puritan Society, Sarah walks home with her best friend Elizabeth. But before she walks with her she gets a coat from Elizabeth's brother, because she is cold. So they walk, and Elizabeth slips. But after she realized how fun it was she did it some more and Sarah just had to try. But they were doing something awful. Laughing and playing on Sabbath. The woman Sarah's dad wants to marry hears them and walks over to get a closer look. She reconizes Elizabeth but she mistakens Sarah for Elizabeth's brother (you know, she's wearing his coat). So she runs off and tells everyone. But Sarah feels guilty. She should be the one to blame, not him. Sarah faces moral dilema and tries to do what she knows is right in her heart.

Sarah is a twelve-year-old Puritan girl living in Massachusetts in 1651. She is dreadfully unhappy because she fears her widowed father plans to marry a strict woman who dislikes Sarah and considers her to be poorly behaved. Playing on Sundays is strictly forbidden by the Puritan church. But one Sunday after a snow storm, Sarah and her best friend, Elizabeth (whose parents are considered to be somewhat freethinking for Puritans) can't help themselves, and they start to play in the snow, when they notice someone watching them and flee. Later, Mistress Goddard (Sarah's potential future stepmother) comes forward and announces that she saw Elizabeth and her brother Roger (she thought Sarah was Roger because she had borrowed his coat) broke the rules of the Sabbath. Now Roger will be punished when Sarah is the one who broke the rules. Can Sarah find the courage to come forward with the truth? I highly reccomend this excellant, detailed historical novel.

Woods Hole, Massachusetts, is almost holy ground if you are a biologist. Founded by Louis Agassiz, it has seen many of the greatest biologists of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, including Lynn Margulis and E. O. Wilson, among many others. Sippewissett Marsh is close to Woods Hole and as such is one of the most studied of all salt marshes.

Like most wild or semi-wild places, salt marshes are nearly magical (if a scientist can use that term). My main memory of a salt marsh is of a spartina marsh along the Gulf Coast of Florida on a botanical field trip, during which we often sank in the mud while trying to reach some rare or unusual plant. Also by happenstance I passed close to Sippewissett on a trip to Martha's Vineyard via Falmouth Harbor. Thus I have at least a slight acquaintance with the ecosystem and the specific area involved.

Tim Traver has now published a enchanting account of Sippewissett, simply titled "Sippewissett: Or, Life on a Salt Marsh." It is a delight to read and probably one of the best collections of nature and philosophy essays that I've seen in recent times.

Traver certainly loves the area. This comes across with every paragraph. Here he fishes, does research for conservation work, watches birds, and generally makes observations of life and the human interaction with the salt marsh as a microcosm of the human interaction with the natural world. He fishes with a fundamentalist who tell him nature is too high in complexity to have evolved, he discusses Agassiz and his association with the marsh, Lynn Margulis' and James Lovelock's ideas of Gaia, and he brings to reader face to face with the results of oil spills, hurricanes and other destructive forces in the salt marsh. The discussions are humane and interesting. His style is in no way polemic and he comes across as a person who is genuinely interested in the marsh and the opinions of other people, whether he agrees with them or not. This is a truly rare commodity in today's constant drone of absolute opinions.

I highly recommend this excellent collection of essays on one of the most endangered and productive ecosystems on the planet.

We bought four more copies for friends and family. Our UU minister is building a service around just part of this. Add our emphasis on the incredible continuous dedication to researching life of this marsh over 75 years starting with Rachel Carson.

A delight! Well written story of one man's life-long enjoyment of and study of one of Cape Cod's best kept treasures - Sippewisset Salt Marsh. This is an accessible account of the value of salt marshes in protecting our environment and how important it is to preserve marshes for the future.

Tim Traver writes with grace, humor and insight. He tells the compelling story of a small salt marsh on Cape Cod - where he, his family and friends spent endless summers discovering the world and themselves. His story blends intimate memories of growing up - fearless and curious - with science history and the broad progress of ecological inquiry. Readers are drawn into a thoughtful journey that reveals our place in the living, still-breathing world. Traver's salt marsh is transformed into a harbinger of the planet's health. We learn that everything we do matters.

Traver's stories in Sippewissett make the progression of environmentalists in the Eastern United States a tale of interest, rather than one of dry history. And the recounting of Traver's childhood, young adulthood, and recent visits to the magnificient marsh bring this place and its inhabitants of all kinds to life. I can almost hear the birds cry and feel the slimey smoothness of the fish. What a wonderful read. I've even shared some of the passages with my teenage son.

Such a delightful book!

This is a book that is easy to read for anyone interested in animals. The story of the discovery of the true nature of the coyote is told in a down to earth engaging manner. Dr. Way's research will probably be historically pivotal in animal relationships with humans, personal and political. People who live in coyote country (which is almost everywhere) cannot afford NOT to read this book.

Suburban Howls is a must read for anyone interested in wildlife or coyotes in general. Dr Way's descriptive and passionate writing makes for a page turning journey paralleled by few books of non fiction. At times I felt as if I was actually riding around with Jon tracking these wonderful animals. Dr Way's use of humor at times almost had me falling out of my chair with laughter. Do yourself a favor, buy this book and take yourself on a quest of coyote knowledge.

Passionate, fact-filled and providing the reader of a feeling of actually being out in the eastern woodlands at 3am in the morning observing the coyotes. What a revealing, thorough and eye opening book Suburban Howls is. Jonathan Way writes for all of us............clear,insightful and revealing about how all of natures creatures including the top predators like man and the coyote have a role to play in the circle of life.

People kill for food.............so do the coyotes.........This makes neither man or coyote evil.............The age old predator and prey interaction that makes the prey species so lithe, agile and swift is directly connected to the intelligence, perseverance and problem solving of what is chasing it, be it man, coyote, wolf, cougar, bear, wolverine, marten, fisher or bobcat.

May Jon's book open peoples eyes to the need and the right for all of the suite of apex predators to once again take their rightful place in our backyards.............the Eastern forests, meadows, streams and rivers of the USA.--

Suburban Howls is written from the perspective of a research biologist who manages to reach out and capture the attention of the general reader interested in wildlife ecology. He gives vivid details (sometimes heart-wrenching) of his experiences tracking coyotes while educating with scientific detail on Canis latrans. Great pictures, informative appendices and the personal story of a researcher who obviously has a dedication to his study. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to hear this author's story. If I had any misconceptions about coyotes before reading this book they are now replaced with an understanding and respect for this Canid who is simply trying to survive their environment just like the rest of us.

Wildlife Biologist Jonathan Way raises the clarion call for coyotes and leaves some indelible tracks behind in this wonderful and engaging book. My appreciation for canis latrans has doubled since delving into Suburban Howls. I enjoyed it immensely and will recommend it to anyone who is interested in wildlife, the politics of it and the sometimes tumultuous relationship that ensues when worlds collide. In its pages you will find a book that jogs comfortably between scientific research, autobiography and activism. Reading the book I was alternately saddened and elated by the loses and discoveries of Jonathan and his research team. Herein you will find power struggles,and tragic endings tempered by moments of revelation and jubilant vernal beginnings. The author's insightful documentation and intimate observations of these wonderful social creatures will go a long way in demystifying them and hopefully defang the imaginary danger that lurks in the minds of the ignorant. I look forward to a day when people will feel that these animals are not something to be maligned, needlessly destroyed and cast out to the margins of our world. Jonathan's tireless research and dedication to the subject is testament to his devotion to these ecologically important creatures and their proper management. Many a human could learn a lesson from their fealty and industriousness, not only theirs but Jon's as well.

Not easily pigeonholed into any particular genre this book will rest comfortably next to other noteworthy nature authors such as John Hay and Robert Finch. Perhaps the next time you hear a howl instead of raising your hairs let it peak your interest in the fascinating wild world just beyond your back door.

Suffolk Downs has hosted some of the best Thoroughbred races this country has seen since its opening on July 10, 1935, and the high points of the race track's events are captured in nearly 200 images in Suffolk Downs, a visual treat surveying the horse-racing championships which have been featured over the decades. Vivid and vintage black and white shots show both races in progress and before- and after-race scenes, with a range of images capturing both male and female jockeys, sponsors, trainers, and of course, the horses. A fine memoir for horse racing fans.

Teja's photo history of Suffolk Downs not only captures great moments in horse racing but also connects the track's history to interesting cultural and historical events. For New England horse racing fans this book is a must have with tremendous photos that illustrate the colorful history of the East Boston Oval.

"Suffok Downs" by Christian Teja hits the perfect dynamic, intertwining the visual, historical, personal and statistical elements that make sporting so captivating. The photos and captions together tell you not only where the track itself has been and is going, but also where the lives that have touched it have been and are headed. This is true for the human and non-human alike, including the great horses of course, but even other characters ranging from the Beatles to Rin Tin Tin. In one of my favorite depictions, the photo shows the great finish in the 1987 MassCap and Teja adds the perfect spice by telling the reader that track announcer Jim Hannon's voice cracked in excitement at the conclusion of his call. Teja does a fantastic job making the photos come alive, drawing the reader eagerly into this great book.

Even for someone who is not necessarily a horseracing fan, this is an enjoyable book. It gives a great flavor of past times when life was slower and leisure was truly enjoyed. There are wonderful pictures of many non-racing events as well.

"Suffolk Downs ", by Christian Teja, is a compilation of photographs that chronicle the history of the track and the personalities who have graced it. It also covers special events that were held at the track, including the famed Beatles concert and the annual Hot Dog Safari. Special attention is given to famous horses that have raced at Suffolk, including Sea Biscuit, Riva Ridge, and Cigar.

There is no text to speak of, but each photograph has an interesting caption beneath it. Thus, the book is an easy read for time challenged individuals. It's interesting to see how popular horse racing was in the '30s and '40s, and how large the crowds were at Suffolk Downs in comparison to the present.

It's about time that someone recognized the historical as well as the nostalgic value of this wonderful track, and I hope it will entice new fans to attend the races at Suffolk Downs so it doesn't fall into obscurity like many other New England racetracks. This year, Suffolk Downs observes its 70th birthday!

Leo Stapleton captures the true spirit of the Boston firefighter...he is a man who knows what he writes about and should be respected by all of his peers

One of the best books I have ever read A book I did not want to put down once I started reading. I have read three of Mr. Stapletons books and all three have given me many hours of enjoyable reading.

First of all, Amazon lists this book as being out of print. It is in fact not. I've just ordered a copy by calling the publisher @ 800.563.5318.

dmc associates has this book in print along with Commissioner Stapleton's other five books. Which are Commish:1990, Fire and Water:1992, Jakes:1994, Ffops:1996 and Lufts:1998. dmc has also informed me that another book from the Commissioner will be published in May of 2000. Each of these books is a true "must read" for everyone in the fire service or everyone interested in the profession.

Several years after it's publication, this book continues to be pulled off our livingroom bookshelf by adults and young readers alike. The pictures and accounts command respect from anyone reading it! Glad to hear there are more books by Leo!

A must read for anyone with an interest in Fire Fighting and the personalities behind the characters who work in this heroic line of business. Stapleton's wit and acute observational sense taught me much more than I imagined possible. Bravo!!!

Although Amazon states it is out of print, I got my copy through the publisher (dmc associates) and they tell me it is NOT out of print. Stapleton has written 5 other books. Although the characters are ficticious the fire house situations and fire fighting battles will fill you with suspense, laughter and tears. Many lessons to be learned.

Moochie is having a good cry right now because the highest paid team in baseball (Yankees) was sent home without a championship win by the Angels for the 2ND TIME in 5 years. Cry me a river.

Wildcard or not, the RedSox tied the Yankees for season wins/loses and won 2/3 games in the final season series against the Yankees. Fact is, the Red Sox were in 1st place through most of the 2005 season. Where were the Yankees up until September?

If you are a Bankees/Spankees fan grow-up...When your knicks win something maybe you can write a book, or if the giants win, Jets...Mets....After almost a trillion dollars in the last 5 yrs and no WS rings and the greatest choke ever you should keep reading your Michael Crichton books and keep comments to yourself....By the way Bellhorn looks good with no facial here....crack me up no facial hair but sterioids, drugs, wife beaters, criminals (Howe, Giambi, Strawberry, Scheffield, Gooden) are okay..No facial hair though....You know why all the trees in N.E. point south because NY @#$%^&

I waited to buy this book until after the price was at what i thought was an acceptable level: it took until a year and a half after the Series to get there before i jumped. wish i hadn't waited so long.

a terrific read for all real red sox fans, especially those who know there never was a curse (thanks media) except possibly the curse of tom yawkey/bad (racist and inept) ownership.

my dad passed away in april of 2003 of lung cancer. one of the last things i said to him was "are you looking forward to opening day for the sox?", which was just a few days off as he lay wasting away in a manchester hospital bed. his eyes brightened and he said something like "of course!!!!". he lived and died with the boston teams his whole life: the russell celtics (he was one of the few fans who actually would attend games at the garden in that era: attendence sucked during russell's reign), the pats, in all their ineptitude, the bruins, who were always quality entertainment (he disliked sinden just like all true bostonians 'cuz sinden TRADED BOBBY ORR)..(the b's were the best bang for your sports buck in beantown for the 70s and 80's), and of course the red sox. he was there in '75 for games 6 and 7...he was there in 78...i believe he made it to one of the 86 ws games. he was there A LOT and deserved to see it unfold in 2004. well, at least i can take solace that he didn't see 2003: that's something, i suppose.

And it's well worth the money. As a lurker (someone who hasn't been approved as a member) of SoSH, I followed the postings on a daily basis, from its inception, to the the last entry. A poignant reminder of how red the Sox Nation bleeds.

"Win It For" begins about baseball, but it ends up being much, much more. The many vignettes contained in this book create touching pictures of various people with various stories who all happen to share the love of one team. At times humorous, at times touching to the point of tears, "Win It For" kept me reading - despite the fact that its short-essay format makes it the ideal coffee table book to pick up and put down at will.

I highly recommend "Win It For." I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan who can identify with the passion all the book's contributors have, but I'm also a person who can identify with the various stories that people told.

Hilarious and too, too true. I learned to drive in and around Boston (took my driver's test at the Registry of Motor Vehicles near North Station), take pride in the dings in my car and consider driving in California a walk in the park compared to what I grew up with.

I especially appreciate the updates in this latest edition with respect to the Big Dig.

I'm not a Boston native, but moved here seven years ago. This book ... who wrote this? How did they KNOW? :)

I always thought of myself as a good Step 9 driver: granted, it took me two tries to get my license, but I've had exactly one parking ticket, I've been pulled over exactly once and got off with a warning, and every dent and ding I've put into the car has been below the deductible and couldn't be reported to the insurance company. After reading this book, it seems I am a bigger psychotic behind the wheel than I had known. I never thought that most of the manuevers listed here were borderline vehicular suicide, and I was even taught how to do the Boston Left Turn (you pull halfway out into the road, blocking the traffic on your left until a car coming from the right lets you go) in driver's ed. A lot of the diagrams are hilarious (you'll never make sense of Brighton intersection dynamics), and they also include the obligatory pedestrian scoring scale (you don't want to be Tom Menino or Mitt Romney). The best part is the epilogue describing the future of Boston driving--by the end of this century, it will become an Olympic sport, and the Central Artery Tunnel will become a pedestrian shopping mall.

This book is written to sound tongue-in-cheek, but having lived and driven in Boston for two years, I can assure you it's not. I've seen every manuever described in this book, some of them by the Boston and Cambridge PD. For anyone moving to Boston, this should be required reading. It will teach you how to make Boston Left Turns, how to park in Back Bay, even how to cross a street as a pedestrian. Yes, it's amusing, but it's also a survival manual. (Oh, also get your car licence changed before you try any of these--out of towners get ticketed for these moves. For in-staters, about the only way to get a moving violation is to hit a pedestrian voter.)

Driving in Vancouver can be a dicey affair, as many of the drivers here are very strange and don't appear to know what they're doing. It annoys my wife even more than it does me. When my wife and I were looking over a list of books to review, The Boston Driver's Handbook: The Almost Post Big Dig Edition jumped out at my wife. "That should be funny," she said. So I asked for it. Does it live up to its promise? One thing I do know. After reading this book, driving in Boston sounds even worse than driving here. And that takes some doing!

First, to explain the title (though readers in Boston will already be familiar with this). "The Big Dig" is a massive construction project that is intended to make the main artery of traffic through Boston go underground. It's been very expensive and it's tied up traffic since 1991. However, it's almost over. It's scheduled to be finished in 2005, which is why this is the "Almost Post Big Dig" edition. The authors, Ira Gershkoff and Richard Trachtman, wrote an earlier edition of this book which didn't include this information, though since it was written in 1994, I'm sure it had some information about the current state of construction at the time.

The book starts with a basic overview of driving in Boston. It tells us about the philosophy ("Commandment Number 1: Thou shalt reach thy destination as quickly as possible. Everyone and everything else be damned."). It talks about what kind of car you should drive. A sparkling new car is just an invitation to be hit, or at least bumped. The best kind of car is an old, beat-up car that already has plenty of bumps and paint scrapes. The authors then go into the street layout of Boston and how confusing it is. They say that there is no way that you can navigate by street signs. The streets twist and turn and confusing one-ways abound. The cool thing about this chapter is that they talk about every section of Boston, detailing the different traffic and parking problems that they present, like how street fairs in the North End can play havoc with basic navigation, sometimes absorbing drivers who are invited to join the fair and then never seen again. This was an extremely interesting section, especially for somebody who's completely unfamiliar with Boston. It may be even more so for the experienced Boston driver, forcing a nod of the head and an "amen, brothers!"

The third chapter is about the Big Dig, with the authors explaining just what is planned, what has happened so far, and what will happen once construction is complete. They tell how the Ted Williams tunnel is currently (or at least at the time of this book's writing) quite beautiful and relatively empty, but as people get wind of it, traffic patterns will adjust and it will become just as dirty and polluted as the other tunnels. One thing that just sounds horrifying is how the new Central Artery will only have three exits, while the old one had 27. I don't even have to live there to find that idea frightening. You don't have to be familiar with Boston to find this chapter interesting as an example of the lofty goals of major construction and how the reality of it usually doesn't quite fit. Again, the authors are quite detailed in telling how the construction has affected things, and they don't avoid giving the positives as well as the negatives here. They're just cynical, not unfair.

The rest of the book is full of the basic and more advanced maneuvers that the expert Boston Driver has to learn. There's the basic cut-off, where you cut in front of the car next to you in order to pass the car in front. There's the sidesqueeze, where you ease into the other lane until the car next to you brakes to avoid hitting you. You then cut them off and go on your way.

The authors also tell about entering the endless traffic circles, really confusing left turns (one of the diagrams in the book is an intersection where you're actually going into the oncoming lanes in order to actually make it through the intersection before the light turns), parking, and many others. Some of the information would be useful here in Vancouver as well as any other cities where traffic is a nightmare. However, a large part of the book is based on Boston Driving culture, such as going the wrong way on a one-way street being the only way to get to some places. Thus, it's funny to read about, but don't try this at home. I especially enjoy the suggestion that parking and driving on sidewalks is sometimes necessary, as long as you look out for pedestrians.

The book is written in an easy style that is entertaining and won't take you too long to read. It's also a short book, which helps as well. I found the information on Boston and its environs to be fascinating, and it almost makes me want to go there, though there's no way I'd want to drive there after reading this book. There's no way I'd survive! The book is marred only by the final chapter (before the final exam), which gives there ideas for how Boston Driving will evolve in the next 100 years. It tries hard to be funny, but usually falls flat.

If you're planning a trip to Boston or planning to move there, this book could prove invaluable. Even if you're not, it's a funny look at driving in the wild streets of a city, and it just may make you appreciate your local traffic a little bit more. Either way, it's a fun read.

David Roy

Interesting history because my family lived there for many years when they arrived from Italy. Met the author - great speaker - fascinating.

I follow this author from his first book on the Boston Molases flood, to his second book on the sinking of a US Navy patrol ship off Portland ME, by a German U-Boat that itself was sunk off Block Island.

This book takes the reader through a comprehensive, yet enjoyable and readable history of the Italians in the North End of Boston. From Ellis Island and their push North to the docks of Boston itself, they came. They came, stayed and made their neighborhoods. They rebuilt geographic bonds in Boston as they were back in the old country. Mr. Puleo makes this all seem to makes sense.

What brings the North End to life and to the headlines is World War II. The War seemed to be the great neutralizer as the boys started coming home with war wounds. Mr. Puleo's grasp of the events of WWII in and its affects on the homefront are gripping.

Also noted were pre-war rising political leaders and its populace voting, the North End was being heard at city hall.

Great book for any history reader. Great book for any general interest reader.

Having grown up in Boston's Italian North End in the 40's, 50's. and 60's, I found this book to be both informative as well as nostalgic. Many times it brought me back to memories of my youth by describing scenes that I remembered clearly myself. Most fun of all was all the talk about North Square, my family home from the age of 9 until my marriage at age 23. My grandparents owned the building next door to Sacred Heart Church's rectory and across the street from Paul Revere's House.Thank you to Stephen Puleo for a wonderful book!The Boston Italians: A Story of Pride, Perseverance, and Paesani, from the Years of the Great Immigration to the Present Day

This is a great read even if you're not of Italian ancestry! This book does a fantastic job of recounting the obstacles that many ethnic minorities had to overcome to build a better life for themselves and their families. The author does a great job of providing not only historic context but a personalization level that is often missing or when included seems out of context or innnapropriate.

I think the author's commitment to defending the Italian people against Hollywood and Madison Avenue sterotyping presents a unique perspective, often times not heard. He does not deny that the Mafia exists but is strongly, and rightfully, offended that the only portrayls of Italians in the media are of thugs or mobsters.

All in all a great read and hugely enjoyable.

I really enjoy the book...It appears to be everything they forget to teach you about the Italian History in school...It's a real eye opener on what our country expected from new citizens. Being Italian and German I had Italian Grandparents who arrive durning the turn of the century. Had no idea what they had gone though to become citizens...I consider the book a very well writen book...

This is what my wife and I used to get around Boston and Cambridge with for a week. It fits in your pocket, is concise and up to date. It doesn't matter where you are from in the world - this takes up no room and is the only map you will need.

I have used this map on two visits to Boston thus far. I was able to find everything I needed and the nice thing was I didn't have some bulky map to carrying around and unfold looking like the fish out of water tourist. It fit right into the back pocket of my jeans. I also loaned it to a friend for her trip to Boston and she raved about it as well. Buy the map and enjoy Boston!

This little number is about the size of a cd, but opens up like a childrens pop-up book. It features the city center, surrounding areas, subway routs, streets and places of interest. This is the only map you will need for your trip and is unobtrusive enough to open up and not look like a tourist. The freedom trail is clearly marked along with other historical items. Grab it!

I bouth this for an early fall trip to Boston and used it 100% of the time over all other maps. Its small and convienient and fits right in your pocket.

I've bought this popout map for my visit to Boston and found it quite useful. I now have 3 or 4 of these for different cities and like the idea that I can stick it in my back pocket and pull it out when I need it. I do have to remember to bring reading glasses, however, the print can be difficult to read otherwise.

If you've ever wondered what the famed "Brimfield flea markets" are all about - now you can find out. Mr. Brown uses a compilation of newsworthy articles and human interest chapters to unveil the mystery surrounding the fields of the tiny Massachusetts town. Each May, July and September the rural village is transformed into a world-renown marketplace, and Mr. Brown is located in the center of it all. A book worth reading.

Brimfield: The Collector's Paradise is a real treat to collectors. It gives the reader a glimpse of what the buzz of Brimfield is all about. A compilation of articles, profiles, etc. gives one a personal peek into what exactly happens each May, July and Sept. Both exciting and informative, this book, written by someone "in the know" is much more than a research volume - it is great fun to read!

I read the book prior to my first buying trip to Brimfield. Mr.Brown passed on some interesting history on the shows. Also, the assorted chapters revealed something of interest in almost all aspects of the flea market. I even had the pleasure of meeting the famous "lady in the white hat!" If you love antique shows as much as I do, you will enjoy this book.

Full of photos, quotes, commentary and good writing, this book is a simple pleasure for everyone interested in flea markets. Dubbed the grandaddy of all markets, Brimfield just keeps getting bigger and better. I've been there and I know, but thanks to Mr. Brown's book, readers everywhere can realize what the hoopla in Brimfield is all about. RECOMMENDED READING *****

When I became managing editor of the BRIMFIELD ANTIQUE GUIDE over eight years ago it didn't take long to learn how significant Brimfield had become to the world of antiques and collectibles.Rob al-ready had a book in mind.

For nearly four years I was witness to the diligent and ardent research assembling an idea into a finished product, from formulating a table of contents to selecting an appropriate front and back cover.

There are numerous dimensions in a location as large and diverse as Brimfield, and Rob has adeptly captured many salient aspects about Brimfield. Taken into consideration is a section on how other writers have viewed Brimfield over the years as well as an overview of the early years when Brimfield was literally a one family affair.

Rob's book is not for everyone, to be sure. But it is a must read for the 1000s of dealers and buyers who travel to Brimfield each year, their "mecca."

B