Vermont Books

One of the most useful and interesting publishing phenomena of the past decade has been the appearance of a number of collections of Civil War diaries and letters written not by famous names but by the line officers and common soldiers who actually fought the war--and who suffered the diseases, quibbles and boredom of camp life in the often-long intervals between battles. I found this particular book especially insightful on both the details of military life and the ambience of the war years. The letters themselves are marvelous--even in their mundane concerns. This truly is a slice of "real life" that a standard history text can't offer (the book reminds me of the wonderful collections of courts-martial, reports and papers assembled by Dr. Thomas Lowry, who is consistently one of our most interesting Civil War historians). Credited as the book's "editor," Eric Ward has actually done far more than simply getting the narrative into shape for publication (a tough enough job by itself). Ward has set the book off superbly, and his interlocutions to place Benedict's jottings in context are masterful in their accuracy, succinctness and insight. For those seriously interested in Civil War studies, or simply for a reader anxious to enter that bygone world for the first time, this book is an excellent choice. Very well done!

My husband and I are avid road cyclists, and we found this book to be a perfect guide for our recent vacation in Vermont. Rides are in all geographic locations across the state. The author features great rides with extremely clear directions, as well as tourist-focused descriptions for each of the towns that he takes you through. The rides are incredibly scenic, and the information on places to tour and eat along the way were invaluable to us. The only very minor complaint I have is that the charm of a few of the listed attractions are sometimes a little too enthusiastically stated - although all information was factually accurate. Make sure that you're getting the latest (2006) edition!

This was an excellent book. Very absorbing. I read it in a few days and was curled up on the sofa with the book so much that my husband finally said, "What ARE you reading? You never put it down."

I've read many books about the Great Famine and about Irish immigration to America. I liked the fact that Mary Lee Dunn's book followed a specific group of Irish evictees not only to the shores of America but through their lives in their places of immigration, particularly Rutland, Vermont.

It is a good companion book to "The End of Hidden Ireland" by Robert Scally. Dunn's research and observations offer alternatives to some of Scally's views, opening up the floor for discussion and further exploration of the immigrant experience.

I think it really is a significant contribution to an historical area that has gained in interest since the opening of the Famine Museum.

This book is a collection of short essays on a variety of topics relating to Vermont nature. It is organized chronologically, so that the reader can follow the phenomena as they become prominent during the course of the year, from winter through late fall. Topics include winter birds, maple sap, dandelions, cattails, centipedes and millipedes, lichens, and many others. The book is illustrated with black-and-white drawings and includes an index.

The book is geared towards readers who are just getting started with an interest in nature. Nevertheless, the essays are informative enough to provide some new facts for more experienced readers as well. The brevity of the articles can be frustrating at times, though--just as Lawrence has piqued our interest, she closes, and we must pursue the topic further on our own.

I give this cookbook as gifts all the time. I've had it myself for years and I enjoy cooking from it. It is truly "New England" cooking and the recipes are fantastic!

Noel Perrin died several years ago so it's a surprise - and a treat- to see his essays gathered in a collection introduced by his close friend and fellow teacher - his final gathering of 'country' essays reflecting on farming, the seasons, tools, and the joy of experiencing the countryside. Terry Osborne has selected the best of Perrin's works and provides a winning introduction to their lasting value.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

There remains a strong divide in the study of politics between people who consider themselves political scientists and political theorists. When Mansbridge's book first came out, it was praised for demonstrating that one can do both. And the praise is deserved.

The book focusses on two communities. The first, a small town in the Northeast, exemplifies town hall democracy. The second, an organization committed to providing various kinds of community help, exemplifies early seventies' attempts to have completely egalitarian organizations.

Mansbridge mentions that she included both because she had intended to contrast an adversarial democracy (the town meeting) with a unitary democracy (the help line), but that her data complicated the neat dichotomy. Mansbridge observed each community trying to resolve a difficult conflict, and she interviewed various members.

The book is rich, and I have found it very useful for thinking about why Americans have so much trouble imagining that discursive conflict might be a good thing. Mansbridge has beautiful quotes from people describing their discomfort with argument, and I think she's right to draw some general conclusions from them.

Although I'm not a political theorist, I found the book intelligent and intelligible, and I highly recommend it to someone who is interested in conflict within organizations.

This is a delightful light read, full of wonderful "people" stories told by a man with a reputation as one of the finest doctors ever to practice in Vermont. It is not only entertaining and insightful, but it also includes some delightful offbeat humor. Highly recommended!

This is a poignant, sweet, wholesome story with classic New England characters. You start to care what happens to these people. Big Fish is a great escape from the modern, cynical world.

There are only a handful of poets that I await new volumes to see where they have been, what have they been doing since their last volume. William Corbett is at the top of that list. His poetry is as rhythmically close to music as words are allowed to get. Corbett has slowly, carefully created a world. This is ordinary life turned into art at its highest most articulate pitch. This fine new book has been worth the wait.