Massachusetts Books

A good account of Swedish people in the Boston area at the begionning of the 20th century. Well written with some surprise s in the photo line. Seaburg is a well known Boston poet so I was not surprised that he did such a fine job in this volume.

If you want to know where the water flows in Massachusetts, this is the book. It shows the major river systems throughout the state and the significant tributaries within them. Although it was probably intended for environmental study, it could be very useful to canoeist and kayakers. A rating system describes the smoothness and scenic attractiveness of many navigable rivers, as well as showing the locations of dams.

I happpen to work for this company and I know a lot of the Aubuchons and the Morans. They are a good company to work for and the owners are very easy to talk to and are very personable. This is a family run company and they truly treat their employees like family. The third generation is running the company (CEO) and the fourth generation is in charge of the internet while the 5th generation was just born. The book is very well done and the pictures reflect what they had to endure and how they lasted 100 years. That is quite an accomplishment in todays big box store environment. A fascinating look at what the stores were like for the past 100 years and how they have changed to keep up with modern retailing and how they have adapted to the 21st century.

Emily Dickinson is often a religious poet, and more often than many think, an erotic one. She is famous for her mysteries and contradictions and elusiveness. She died and left more than l700 poems, many almost indecipherable, and a number of them "uncertainly finished." Her sister Vinnie wanted the works to see print, but could not persuade her brother Austin's wife Sue to get the job done, so she turned to Austin's mistress, Mabel, who was also married. This is the lovers' story, told through 13 years of self-justifying letters and diary entries. More importantly, it is the story of how Mabel took on the job of copying and editing the poems to please her lover, and perhaps to irritate her enemy, Sue. Emily became famous about five years after she died due to Mabel's efforts. Polly Longsworth did a fine job condensing love letters and diary entries to give us a picture of these tormented souls, whose relationships all ended badly. The actual love letters between Austin and Mabel clearly show that neither had Emily's literary talent, but both had her passion. Where Emily apparently suppressed carnality, her brother and his "other woman" reveled in it. If you are as fascinated by Emily's life as you are by her poetry, this part of the tale, while largely occurring after she died, is essential to know. A very worthwhile addition to the saga of Emily Dickinson.

I don't currently own this book, but it's number one on my Christmas list! I have reached multiple renewal limits at the local library with this title. The large number of artists included in the book provide a variation in painting style as well as informative text regarding the artist and his/her work. The color plates have been well chosen to give the reader an appreciation for the masters of watercolor painting. I have returned again and again to Awash in Color as a reference for my own paintings.

Reed Browning's "Baseball's Greatest Season, 1924" makes the assertion that, given the close pennant races in both leagues, the 1924 season is the greatest in history. I thought that 1908 was pretty good, maybe the best, but Browning does have some convincing arguments for 1924: it was a watershed year for baseball, after World War I, the lively ball, the rookies and near rookies who began then or were breaking in around that time, and the last major scandal involving the throwing of games. Plus, it had a very exciting World Series involving a first time league champion versus one that had just won its league for the fourth time in a row.

Browning constructed his book in an interesting way, alternating the happenings of the sixteen teams during the year with the off-the-field aspects of baseball during that time. It is an effective way of getting a well-rounded picture of the total baseball scene for 1924. For example, a chapter may cover the period from Memorial Day to the 4th of July, and the surges and failings of the pennant contenders and second division teams are outlined. The next chapter may be about the business of baseball in the mid-1920s: how the money was earned by each club, how it was spent, and how much might be spent on which items. There are some that may find this kind of information less interesting than pennant races, or a distraction to the flow of the book, but there are also those who find this information interesting and may enjoy this slight break in the 1924 season to get an overall view of baseball in that era.

Overall, it is most interesting book, one that has the drama of exciting pennant races, the joy of a national hero making his first World Series appearance, a seven-game contest between contrasting styles of play, extra inning dramatics several times during the Series, unexpected quirks of fate in the last game, and, as in all good plots, a surprising ending. It's definitely a good book to read.

I have had this book in my architectural library since its publication. I refer to it frequently as the primary source for information on the early 19th century architecture of Boston. We are fortunate that the authors are literate and the photographers sensitive and that this piece of architectural and social history has been recorded.

A great book from the pictures to the well-written text. A nice glimpse at how Beacon Hill has evolved and thrived since its origin. Written with feeling and flows like a novel!

Thomas Parson here relates the story of the five companies of men recruited from California (the only ones from that state to fight in the East) that made up almost half of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry regiment; in so doing he actually gives the history of the entire regiment. Originally a single company was raised from the Bear Flag State, and they were known as The California Hundred (100 men = one company). After they arrived in Boston, it was found difficult to raise additional companies there, so the governor of Massachusetts requested from California additional recruits. In a short while, 400 men were recruited and were on their way (by ship via the Isthmus of Panama) to join their fellow Californians.

They were led by Col. Charles Russell Lowell of the famous Lowell family of Boston. A highly regarded officer and leader of men, he died from wounds received at Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Parson traces the proceedings of the 2nd MA Cavalry from its formation through all their engagements, including actions in the northern Shenandoah in 1862 against Mosby, scouting and pickett duty just west of Washington, and, after being assigned to Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah, much action throughout the Valley in 1864. After witnessing the surrender at Appomattox, the regiment was mustered out. It was a little depressing to learn that, in typical government fashion, Washington at first refused to pay for the regiment's return home to Californian until a lawyer brought suit for the men. Three months later, the government relented and paid. I wonder how many men couldn't or wouldn't wait the three months and went home on their own? Even more, I wonder how many took the overland route (Oregon-California Trail) rather than going by ship?

Parson's narrative is interesting and well told. He has researched deeply and cites frequently from diaries and letters written by the soldiers. His account is detailed and authoritative, but contains much of human interest as well. It's another excellent regimental history in the McFarland series. Highly recommended.

This is an extremely beautiful book which does justice, in text and in photographs, to the comfortable and exquisite Inn located in Edgartown. Each of the rooms is featured, and once having reviewed the pictures, one yearns to make an immediate reservation at this piece of heaven.